Author: Hunanian Jack

NEITHER YEREVAN, NOR ANKARA PROPOSED KOCHARIAN-ERDOGAN MEET
Pan Armenian News
05.05.2005 08:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the course of a press conference in Yerevan
today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian did not confirm the
information that Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have a meeting. In the
Armenian FM’s words, neither Armenia, nor Turkey made a respective
official proposal. «The Turkish media reports may turn a prompt
by officials or an argument of journalists,» Oskanian said. When
commenting on the support of the Turkish Premier’s initiative to
form a joint historical commission to study the events of 1915 by
a number of state and organization leaders, V. Oskanian stated,
«We understand the goal Turkey pursues when suggesting to form a
historical commission. However the EU, specifically German Federal
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder view it as a frank attempt by Turkey to
consider its own history more openly,» Oskanian stated.
–Boundary_(ID_zJVisNlXkAL2T727JuurdQ)–

Turkish PM Erdogan carries out first duty as Mideast ‘mediator’
By Zeynep Gurcanli
The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 5 2005
The first request from Israeli leaders to the Turkish prime minister
is to tell the Palestinian side: Hamas militants should disarm before
participating in elections. Erdogan conveyed the message
The Palestinian’s reaction to Erdogan’s mediation is positive.
Palestinian forces arrested three Hamas activists in the Gaza Strip,
seizing their weapons and homemade rockets hours after Erdogan’s visit
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main aim during his
two-day visit to Israel and Palestine was to offer his government’s
services as a mediator between the two countries. He performed his
first duty to this effect during the visit.
Erdogan told both Palestinian and Israeli leaders that Turkey is
willing to assume a role as a peace broker between the countries.
During the joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon on Sunday, Erdogan said, “We, the Turks, are meant to mediate.”
Responding to Erdogan’s message, the Israeli leaders asked the
Turkish prime minister to convey a message to the Palestinian side.
According to Israeli and Turkish sources, the message was clear:
“Hamas militants should disarm before they participate in the upcoming
Palestinian parliamentary elections.”
Positive response from Palestinians
Erdogan conveyed the Israeli’s message to Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas on the second day of his Middle East tour.
The initial response from the Palestinian side was positive.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that their ultimate goal
is to disarm Hamas, but called it a process not an act. Israel’s
latest demand, Erekat said, is a pretext for not moving ahead with
the roadmap to peace.
In a concrete step to show the Palestinian government’s determination
to disarm Hamas, Palestinian security forces late Monday arrested
three Hamas activists in the Gaza Strip, seizing their weapons and
homemade rockets they found in the trunk of their car.
In recent months, Hamas has gradually increased its political
participation, competing in several rounds of local elections held
in the West Bank and Gaza. The parliamentary elections pose the
biggest test for the group, and pollsters say that Hamas candidates
are expected to do well.
Erdogan: Palestinians shouldn’t be left in ‘an open prison’
Erdogan said on yesterday that Turkey will actively lobby for a
solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, stressing that the
Palestinians shouldn’t be sealed up in what he called “an open prison.”
In a statement made a day after returning from his trip to Israel
and the West Bank, Erdogan said Turkey was ready to use its close
ties with both Israel and the Palestine to help mediate a peace deal.
“Palestine, which looks as if it’s an open prison, should not be left
like this,” Erdogan said in an address to lawmakers from his Justice
and Development Party (AK) Party.
Erdogan said Turkey would actively lobby for a solution. “What kind
of situation is a country in when its communication to the outside
world is restricted by all kinds of embargoes?” Erdogan asked. “Who
is going to take initiative on this if we don’t?”
“We have to exert efforts at the United Nations and with
other countries. If we don’t do this, we can’t escape from our
responsibility, we can’t escape from our responsibility toward
humanity. That’s why we have to take these steps.”
‘Nobody can accuses us of selling the country’
Last week, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Kemal
Kilicdaroglu criticized the government’s policies on privatization,
accusing them of “betraying” and “selling” Turkey. Erdogan replied to
the criticisms forcefully, saying, “Nobody can accuse the government
of selling this country.” He also asked the CHP to apologize for
this claim.
“Nobody should dare to make such disparaging accusations, which
contradict the lawfulness and decency of the ruling party of this
country,” he said.
Erdogan said that their focus on foreign politics is aimed to raise
Turkey to the status of a global power. He also broached the Cyprus
issue and Turkey’s historical problems, such as the so-called Armenian
genocide, by saying that the government was choosing successful
policies.
“A member of the main opposition recently made a hideous comment in
Parliament,” Erdogan fulminated. “A lawsuit against this member is in
motion. No one has the right to use judicially and morally improper
words against this country’s ruling party. The AK Party cannot remain
silent against an allegation that we are ‘betraying the country.’ The
CHP should review and evaluate its positions. The AK Party expects an
apology from that CHP member if he’s one of the sons of this country.
Turkey’s former political status has been dramatically reformed by this
government. The changes we have brought about in Turkey are obvious.”

PRESIDENT MET WITH VETERANS
A1plus
| 16:56:35 | 05-05-2005 | Official |
Today Robert Kocharyan received several members of the Armenian
Council of Veterans of the Great Patriotic War.
The President congratulated the veterans with the upcoming holiday and
promised to solve the existing social problems within shortest terms.
The interlocutors also touched upon some urgent issued and noted that
they can be settled only in case Armenia is stable and well defended.

ANKARA NOT AGAINST FORMING ARMENIAN-TURKISH INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION
Pan Armenian News
05.05.2005 04:19
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Turkish authorities do not object to Armenian
and Turkish officials participation in the commission for study of
the events of 1915, reported Anadolu Turkish agency referring to
governmental sources. According to the source, two commissions can
be formed. One of them can be composed of historians, the second –
of Armenian and Turkish Government officials. Official Ankara also
supposes that German, Russian, British and American historians
may join their Armenian and Turkish colleagues. It should be noted
that earlier Erdogan had sent a letter to the President of Armenia
proposing to form a group composed of historians and other experts
from Armenia and Turkey that will study not only archives of Armenia
and Turkey, but also those of third countries and they will acquaint
the international community with the outcomes of their research. In
a response letter Robert Kocharian turned down the proposal on
forming a historical commission, in exchange suggesting to form an
Armenian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission that may discuss the
Armenian Genocide issue among others.

WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN BASES FROM GEORGIA: CONCESSION OR REGULARITY?
RIA Novosti, Russia
May 03, 2005
MOSCOW. (Anatoly Belyayev, head of analysis, Center for Current
Politics in Russia, for RIA Novosti) – The foreign ministers of Russia
and Georgia have announced that their countries might soon agree on
the timeframe for the withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from
Georgia, to begin this year and end by January 1, 2008.
This only looked like a sensation at first sight. In fact, this
decision on the part of Russia corresponds to changes in its strategy
with regard to the post-Soviet states. These changes are the logical
element of the “curtailment” of Russia’s geopolitical ambitions
in the post-Soviet era, which were crowned with the symbolic and
unconditional closure of Russian military bases in Cuba and Vietnam
at the beginning of Putin’s first term.
That decision formalized the new reality: unlike the Soviet Union,
Russia as a global power could not maintain foreign policy competition
with the U.S. and had to limit its foreign policy activity and
influence to the CIS countries.
At the same time (though too late), Russia launched a policy of
creating conditions for developing economic relations with the
friendly CIS countries, designed to accelerate integration in the
CIS under Russian auspices. This policy took the form of special
economic relations with Belarus, the collection of VAT in the country
of destination (for the countries of the Common Economic Space),
and several other actions.
But internal political developments in several neighboring states
removed the elite groups on which Moscow relied in the advance of
its integration projects. It appears that the Russian leadership
has become wary of supporting the really and formally friendly elite
groups in the other neighboring states.
Unfortunately, Russia is not nurturing friendly elite groups in the
other countries because it does not have a relevant strategy or a
system of foreign policy and financial support for such a project.
In this situation, Russia’s only hope is a policy of differentiated
foreign economic relations with the post-Soviet states, which calls
for gradually eliminating the foreign policy legacy that prevents
this new policy from being implemented consistently.
The development of relations with Georgia could become a pilot project
of the new Russian foreign policy in the post-Soviet countries. From
the military-strategic viewpoint, bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki
do nothing more than mark Russian military presence in the Caucasus
region. They could be an element of the system of support for the
serious and politically important presence of Russia in Armenia
but can hardly fulfill this function because they are located in
unfriendly Georgia.
An agreement with Georgia on the status of these bases during the
withdrawal period and especially after it could give Russia a chance
to establish more appropriate and equitable economic relations with
Georgia. That country is financed by Russian energy supplied at prices
that are several times lower than global rates.
Georgia might threaten to establish an energy and foreign trade
blockade of Armenia, which is friendly with Russia, if Russia refuses
to deliver cheap energy to Georgia. But an attempt to turn this
purely economic issue into a foreign policy problem would spotlight
the anti-Russian nature of the policy.
A consistent policy pursued by Russia, the weakening of the Saakashvili
regime, and the presence of a hostile neighbor could create a situation
where Georgia would be unable to develop without Russia. This would
show that any Georgian government, if it wants to remain in power for
a long time, should maintain good relations with its northern neighbor.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and
may not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA), Greece
May 1 2005
Welcoming Ceremony at Athens Airport The Holy Light in Greece
30 Apr 2005 19:48:00
By Annita Paschalinou
Orthodox Greeks are celebrating the biggest celebration of
Christianity, the Resurrection of Christ and Holy Easter. The Holy
Light arrived in Athens at 8pm on Easter Saturday from Jerusalem to
bring the jubilant message of the Holy Resurrection of Christ to all
the Greeks. A welcoming ceremony took place at Eleftherios Venizelos
Airport in Athens in a very emotional climate. It was then
transferred to the Holy Sepulchre in Plaka. Earlier, the Lighting
Ceremony in Jerusalem was marred by violent incidents. Armenians and
Orthodox Arabs had gathered outside the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
and started launching threats against Patriarch Eirinaios.
Problems with Lighting Ceremony
A little before Patriarch Eirinaios entered the crypt of the Holy
Sepulchre to receive the Holy Light, a group of Armenian clerics and
pilgrims attacked him.
Clashes followed between them and the Patriarchs security men, while
the police had to intervene and pull away the Armenians.
A little after 2pm, the Patriarch entered the crypt and emerged 15
minutes later with the Holy Light.
His security men carried him on their shoulders from the Holy
Sepulchre to the Temple of Resurrection.
Inside the Temple, Mr Eirinaios handed the Holy Light over to the
Greek delegation, so it could be carried back to Athens.
A few minutes later, and while referring to the Armenians attacks, he
stressed that as was the case with previous years, once again the
Armenians tried to claim the Holy Light from the Sepulchre.
He added, however, that this cannot be allowed.
“We will shed our blood if we have to, to keep the Holy Land,” he
emphasised.
When asked to comment on the incidents that took place on Good
Friday, he said that they were prompted by a small group of Arabs.
More than 3,000 pilgrims travelled to Jerusalem from Greece, Cyprus
and Russia, to celebrate Easter, while the Greek government was
represented by Deputy Transport Minister Anastasios Nerantzis.
The Holy Light arrived in Eleftherios Venizelos Airport with an
Olympic Airways flight, while a grand welcoming ceremony followed.
It was then transferred to the Holy Sepulchre in Plaka.
The First Resurrections
In Athens, the First Resurrection took place at 9am in the St
Constantine Temple.
In keeping with tradition, the members of the congregation reenacted
the Resurrection earthquake with firecrackers, while some rocked the
chandeliers back and forth.
Tradition also has it that a First Resurrection is to take place on
the island of Kerkyra. As soon as the bells started to toll, the
locals started throwing terracotta urns from their windows.
Another morning Resurrection ceremony took place on the island of
Chios, as per a Byzantine ritual.
Christ won the battle with death and the priest in the church of St
Marina started throwing rose petals and palm tree leaves to the
worshippers.
Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Armenia rejects conditions for political relations with Turkey
By AVET DEMOURIAN
.c The Associated Press
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia rejected a proposal from Turkey on
Saturday to establish political relations while jointly researching
the killings of Armenians during World War I, which Armenians say was
a genocide.
The proposal by Turkey’s prime minister, made in the Turkish daily
Milliyet on Friday, “does not contain anything new,” said Armenian
presidential spokesman Viktor Sogomonyan.
“We have proposed to establish diplomatic relations without
preconditions, and examine outstanding issues between our two
countries within the framework of an intergovernmental commission,”
Sogomonyan said.
Armenia insists the killings constitute genocide, and refuses to make
establishing relations conditional on agreeing to review what it says
is fact.
Turkey, which denies a genocide was committed, has been opening up on
the subject under pressure from the European Union ahead of
negotiations on membership in the bloc.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Milliyet that Turkey
might establish political ties if Armenia agreed to his proposal for
investigating the events.
“Political relations might be established on one side and studies
(about killings) can continue on the other side,” the paper quoted
Erdogan as saying.
Earlier this month, Erdogan invited Armenia to set up a joint research
committee. Armenian President Robert Kocharian reportedly responded by
saying ties should be formed first, according to Turkish newspapers.
Armenians say some 1.5 million of their people were killed as the
Ottoman Empire forced them from eastern Turkey between 1915 and 1923
in a deliberate campaign of genocide.
Turkey says the death count is inflated and insisting that Armenians
were killed or displaced in the civil unrest during the collapse of
the Ottoman Empire.
The head of the Armenian national archives, Amatuni Virabyan, said
Saturday that the first Turk be allowed to carry out research there
would begin Monday.
04/30/05 11:33 EDT

ARMENIAN NGO NEWS IN BRIEF
Volume 2, No. 53,
April, 2005
This issue of the Newsletter is devoted to the AAA NGO Training and Resource
Center’s Grants Programs
SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS PROGRAM
Our grants program was aimed at promoting social partnership mechanisms
between NGOs and stakeholders, as well as advancing participation of NGOs in
improving the conditions of disadvantaged populations. Funding of the grants
program was provided by USAID. Eighteen NGOs received financial assistance
totaling 141.938.832 AMD, which provided direct benefits to about 38.114
disadvantaged individuals in Yerevan, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Tavush, Ararat
and Lori regions. Below are brief descriptions of projects implemented by
grantee NGOs.
*** TRAINING THE DISABLED
To increase employment opportunities within the civil service to disabled
people with limited mobility, Galik NGO provided professional and
psychological consultancy and training courses for the disabled. In addition
to learning computer skills, 96 disabled people underwent Civil Service
Employment training. They gained knowledge on legislation related to civil
service employment and were informed about competition requirements and
participation process. Sixteen have already participated in competitions;
four have successfully passed the competitions and are now registered in the
civil service system reserve system.
Contact: Artur Sargsyan
Galik NGO
1 Jrashat St.
Tel.: (374-1) 54-19-85; 56-53-54
E-mail: [email protected]
*** ASSISTING CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY
The Against Epilepsy National Union NGO, through its Social Integration of
Children with Epilepsy in Gyumri project, contributed to the early detection
of epilepsy and the prevention of accidents which occur as a result of
epileptic seizures. Training courses were conducted for the personnel of
schools, kindergartens, hospitals and ambulance stations to raise their
awareness on symptoms and manifestations of the disease. They developed
first aid skills necessary. Educational materials were disseminated to the
public-at-large. The NGO provided medical, social and psychological
consultancies to people with epilepsy and ensured their undergoing necessary
diagnostic examinations in the Erebuni Epileptological Center.
Contact: Vahagn Darbinyan
Against Epilepsy National Union NGO
14 Titogradyan St.
Tel.: (374-1) 47-49-31
E-mail: [email protected]
*** TOWARDS INDEPENDENT LIFE OF THE DISABLED
Addressing the issue of the disabled people’s independent life, the Lusastgh
Charitable Union NGO conducted training courses among disabled people and
their nurses in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Spitak and Stepanavan. Beneficiaries
gained knowledge on care, self-care, hygiene and as a result, developed
important independent living skills. One outcome was that self-assistance
groups were created to continue working with disabled people and their
nurses needing assistance. Within the framework of the project, the NGO
produced an educational film on organizing care and self-care. The NGO also
published a brochure–Care, Self-Care For The Disabled–with both
theoretical and practical recommendations. The publication will be a
medical, psychological, social and professional guidebook for the disabled
and their family members to independently organize their life to the extent
possible.
Contact: Nune Pepanyan
Lusastgh Charitable Union NGO
Vanadzor, 2/4 Azatamartikneri St.
Tel.: (374-51) 4-29-14
E-mail: [email protected]
*** SUPPORTING RISK GROUPS IN GYUMRI
Through its Social Partnership, Healthy Family, Strong Society project, the
Shirak International Association NGO assisted those lonely mothers, ones
with many children, juveniles, women abandoned by their husbands, and widows
with children who are permanently subject to various risks. The NGO provided
assistance in solving family problems and improving social conditions by
promoting their activeness and integration into society. The NGO worked
towards overcoming the psychological isolation of their target group. With
this regard, developing skills and transferring knowledge through training
courses was effective in terms of assisting the beneficiaries in dealing
with state structures and independently solving their problems. Within the
framework of the project, beneficiaries were provided with humanitarian
assistance, consultancy, information and mediated assistance. Definite
positive results, recorded during project implementation, prove that
preventive activities conducted with risk group families and cooperation
with other interested parties will only contribute to the effective solution
of problems.
Contact: Geghanush Gyunashyan
Shirak International Association NGO
Gyumri, 1/50 Isahakyan St.
Tel.: (374-41) 3-06-74
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
*** ASSISTING CHILDREN NOT ATTENDING KINDERGARTENS
The Union of Seminarians NGO made a step forward in solving the pre-school
preparation problem of children not attending kindergartens by educating 240
vulnerable children. During project implementation, children gained basic
knowledge, and their days were filled with games, aesthetic and handicraft
activities. Once a day, the children were provided with a meal. Special
efforts were made in developing gifted children’s skills. Children with
specific difficulties and behavioral problems were provided with
psychological assistance. Thus, the NGO established level starting
conditions for children not able to attend pre-school institutions, so they
could enter school psychologically prepared and with the skills necessary
for their age level.
Contact: Khachik Hakobyan
Union of Seminarians NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 64-51-54, 64-01-02
E-mail: [email protected]
*** TOWARDS WELL-BEING OF THE DISABLED LIVING IN YEREVAN
The Paros Center for Educational and Cultural Development of the Disabled
NGO helped vulnerable disabled people with mobility problems to lessen
wounds and bedsores through home based medical care. Family members gained
knowledge on first medical aid, developed relevant skills and now, they
themselves are able to monitor the health conditions of their disabled
family members through proper care. During project implementation, some of
the disabled and representatives of other vulnerable groups learned computer
skills. Others participated in singing classes. The NGO provided
transportation for some beneficiaries to special gyms, where specialists
worked with them and gave them recommendations on health rehabilitation and
avoiding psychological complexes. Within the framework of the project,
refugee and lonely mothers, as well as those with many children, and with
disabled family members, learned sewing skills, providing them with a skill
set which could open up employment opportunities. Currently a small sewing
workshop is functioning, where the best of them were provided with jobs.
Those wishing to get involved in these activities can contact the Paros NGO.
Contact: Suren Ohanyan
Paros Center For Educational And Cultural Development Of The Disabled NGO
30/39 First Nork District
Tel.: (374-1) 63-29-58
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CAMPAIGN IN YEREVAN SCHOOLS
Beneficiaries of the Haghartsin Youth NGO’s project were schoolchildren from
first to sixth grades of 13 schools in Yerevan. They obtained knowledge on
personal, food and mouth hygiene, physical conditioning and bad habits. They
received brochures on healthy lifestyles, hygiene and physical exercise. As
stated by Haghartsin Youth NGO Chairman Robert Sukiasyan, the project was
effective in terms of preventing diseases among schoolchildren and reducing
the frequency of illness. Data collected and analyzed during project
implementation will be presented to the Ministry of Science and Education,
along with recommendations for applying the lessons learned in Armenia’s
educational system.
Contact: Robert Sukiasyan
Haghartsin Youth NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 56-04-42
E-mail: [email protected]
*** PRE-NATAL CARE PROGRAM
The Maternity Fund of Armenia Charitable NGO’s project was aimed at raising
awareness levels, providing integrated pre-natal and post-natal monitoring
and care and protecting the interests of pregnant women, particularly
socially vulnerable women, in the Kanaker-Zeytun community. During project
implementation, 120 pregnant women were provided with antenatal counseling
to ensure their medical observation. They participated in interactive
training courses, conducted by an obstetrician-gynecologist, psychologist,
pediatrician, legal specialist and social worker. Twenty booklets were
provided to them. Visiting nurses provided assistance in household issues to
pre-natal and post-natal, risk group pregnant women. Beneficiaries also
received humanitarian assistance. It is anticipated that the experiences
gained from this project can be shared with other communities.
Contact: Susanna Aslanyan
Maternity Fund Of Armenia Charitable NGO
11 David Anhaght St., 6th floor
Tel.: (374-1) 28-75-49, 28-35-75
E-mail: [email protected]
*** IMPROVING THE GARBAGE SYSTEM OF THE COMMUNITY
The Pan Armenian New Generation Youth Union NGO’s project was aimed at
solving the garbage management problem of the Vanadzor neighborhood.
Household garbage and construction waste containers were placed, garbage
removal schedules were developed, leaflets on the new waste removal system
were distributed and video clips were broadcast on the NGO activities.
Armen Matinyan
Pan Armenian New Generation Youth Union NGO
Vanadzor, 86/25 Aghayan St.
Tel.: (374-51) 5-53-03, 2-12-07
E-mail: [email protected]
*** COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE BAZUM COMMUNITY
The Khachvogh Ughiner (Crossing Ways) Social NGO provided the Bazum
community with information technologies and contributed to the improvement
of living conditions for members of the neighborhood by creating a Community
Development and Civic Initiative Center. The Center provides the following
services to the community: developing computer skills and NGO capacity
building training; free access to computers and the Internet; photocopying;
presentation of educational films; and organizing games and out-of-school
training. Latest editions of local and national newspapers are available for
the population. The Bazum Newsletter is issued and various events for
children are organized within the framework of the project. A database on
target groups of the neighborhood was developed to ensure targeted community
services.
Narine Ghazaryan
Khachvogh Ughiner (Crossing Ways) Social NGO
Vanadzor, 147/29 Yerevanyan Khchughi
Tel.: (374-51) 2-33-31, 5-57-29
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
*** IMROVING THE INFRASTRUCTURE
The Reflection Social and Economic NGO created sites for organizing outdoor
rest and leisure time of the community population in the Bazum neighborhood.
The entire community, local self-governing bodies and entrepreneurs were
involved in solving their own problems; they participated in construction
activities, fencing and tree plantings. As a result of this cooperation, the
neighborhood population will have a playground and a park.
Contact: Lilit Aramyan
Reflection Social and Economic NGO
Vanadzor, 59 Tigran Mets St., #48
Tel.: (374-51) 2-35-63
E-mail: [email protected]
*** SUPPORTING VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY
The Gyumri based Ozone Young Men’s Christian Association NGO’s Supporting
The Community project was aimed at raising the quality of life of families
living in Yerevanian Highway district and Voghji village. Leisure time of
lonely aged refugees was filled with various events. Five days a week they
were provided with quality food. Computer and Armenian language classes were
also organized for refugees aged 25-50. Another group of project
beneficiaries were children of vulnerable and refugee families. Project
staff helped them to prepare more difficult homework, organized games and
cultural events, and provided foods. As stated by the Project Coordinator,
“The activity considerably assisted to the refugee and vulnerable families
in Yerevanian Khchughi district and Voghji village both from social and
educational perspectives.” The Voghji Mayority and the Gyumri Municipality
were the NGO’s partners within the framework of the project.
Contact: Martin Petrossyan
Ozone Young Men’s Christian Association NGO
Gyumri, 11 Paruir Sevak St.
Tel.: (374-41) 3-29-94
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
*** THE ELDERLY IN THE FOCUS
The Martuni Women’s Community Council NGO met the urgent social needs of the
lonely elderly by providing various social services, and developing
self-assistance mechanisms of cooperation in the community. Providing food
and hygiene products, primary healthcare services to those who have no
opportunity to go out of their homes, other care, household services, legal
consultancies, preparing legal documents, creating a day center for social
and psychological support of the elderly – this is the list of services
provided to the elderly in this community. As stated by one project
beneficiary, “We – sick and isolated people – now feel that we are being
cared for and that we are part of the community.”
Contact: Anahit Gevorgyan
Martuni Women’s Community Council NGO
Martuni, 8 Proshian St.
Tel.: (374-62) 4-43-00; 4-36-04
E-mail: [email protected]
*** SUPPORTING DISABLED CHILDREN
The Prkutiun Center of Disabled Children NGO created integration groups
allowing the mentally retarded children to learn painting, needlework,
knitting, pottery and rice-grain decoration together with healthy children.
The disabled children developed computer skills and were provided with
psychological assistance. During the project implementation, seminars were
organized and TV clips aired by national TV stations to draw public
attention on the disabled.
Contact: Arpenik Abrahamyan
Prkutiun Center of Disabled Children NGO
33 Chekhov St.
Tel.: (374-1) 42-78-50; 42-65-84; (374-9) 38-34-81
E-mail: [email protected]
*** NGO AGAINST PESTICIDES
The Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO’s For A Toxic-Free
Future In Armenia project goal was to reduce the risk of exposure of
pesticides on human health and environment in Ararat region. Dissemination
of factsheets, information sheets, posters, newspaper articles and
organizing TV programs and performances were aimed at raising the awareness
of the population of ten villages on pesticides and their harmful impact on
health. To promote cooperation with local and regional authorities,
healthcare institutions and NGOs, seminars, lectures and other meetings on
the topic Preventing Exposure of Pesticides were organized.
Contact: Elena Manvelyan
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO
24D Baghramyan Ave., room 609
Tel. (374-1) 52-36-04
E-mail: [email protected]
*** SAFE AND RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINE
The Pharmprogress Youth NGO’s project title was Increasing Awareness On Safe
And Rational Medicine Usage Among Representatives of Economic and Social
Risk Groups in Yerevan. Cooperating with the Health and Social Welfare
Department of the Yerevan Municipality and eight policlinics in Yerevan, the
NGO ensured the provision of Armenian and English versions of instructions
of medicines disseminated by Yerevan policlinics to vulnerable groups, and
their participation in training courses on safe usage of medicines. Hotline
was also functioning on medicine substitutes and their obtaining on
affordable prices.
Contact: Hrant Danagulyan
Pharmprogress Youth NGO
18 Heratsi St.,
Tel.: (374-1) 57-82-05, 57-82-04
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE TAVUSH REGION
The Noyemberyan based Yerevak NGO’s Developed Communities project
beneficiaries were refugees and socially vulnerable groups of the border
communities of the region. They were provided with free legal consultancy
and information. During the project implementation, they developed computer,
as well as business skills by training courses titled How To Start Own
Business. Roundtable discussions were organized and live broadcast on the
local TV channel with participation of community members, local authorities,
NGOs and businessmen. Discussing issues related to citizen-local
authority-NGOs cooperation, taxation, social services, social security and
employment and their clarification by specialists contributed to the further
cooperation of mentioned parties.
Contact: Sasha Gishyan
Yerevak NGO
Noyemberyan, 14 Zoravar Andranik St.
Tel.: (374-66) 2-26-05; 2-27-05
*** NGO’S CARE TOWARDS THE ELDERLY
The Lusatsir Charitable NGO created elderly support centers in five
communities in the Tavush region. The centers were located in border
villages and provided health, social and legal individual consultancies to
beneficiaries. Their leisure time was also organized through watching TV,
playing table games and meetings with other community members and
representatives of local authorities. The centers were also replenished with
literature and latest editions of newspapers.
Contact: A. Zurabyan
Lusatsir Charitable NGO
Noyemberyan, 3 Barekamutian St.
Tel.: (374-66) 2-10-46
NGO CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS PROGRAM
This is another Grants Program of AAA NGOC with the goal of promoting the
institutional development of local Armenian NGOs towards their more
effective involvement in delivering social and/or primary healthcare
services and information. The idea of the grants program is to enable NGOs
to implement their strategic plans. Grants up to 8,400,000 AMD were awarded
to eight indigenous NGOs from Yerevan and the Tavush, Shirak and Lori
regions to implement projects addressing the development of their human,
service, financial, external relations and physical capacities. As a result
of their various projects, databases on beneficiaries were created, public
relations tools were published, new members and volunteers were recruited
and trained, literature, equipment and office furniture was obtained,
fundraising events were organized and branch offices were enhanced. The
grantee NGOs are: Meghvik Children and Youth NGO; Greatmed
Scientific-Medical NGO; Maternity Fund of Armenia Charitable Public
Organization; YMCA of Vanadzor; Yerevak; Women’s Rights Center; Asup
Benevolent Social Organization; Ozone YMCA. Funding of the grants program
was provided by USAID.
__________________________________________________________________________
Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for
the NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is
provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Individual NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the
NGOC. The NGO Center is not responsible for the clarity of information
provided by individual NGOs.
Dear Readers,
The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
organizations.
Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
appreciated.
Thank you.
NGOC staff.
Contact Information:
In Armenia:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
39 Yeznik Koghbatsi St.,
Yerevan 375010
Tel.: (3-741) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
Fax: (3-741) 54-40-15
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
In the United States:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
122 C Street NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Tel: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri minister, OSCE mediators discuss “specific” Karabakh plan in Frankfurt
– TV
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
28 Apr 05
[Presenter] Details of a peace plan are already being discussed in
talks on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
[Azerbaijani] Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who met the
co-chairmen of the [OSCE] Minsk Group in Frankfurt [on 27 April], has
said that precisely for this reason the mediators are holding separate
talks with the sides.
[Correspondent] The meeting between Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen in Frankfurt discussed details of
a specific plan on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem. Although Elmar Mammadyarov did not reveal details of the
peace plan, he said that Azerbaijan had a firm position – the occupied
territories must be vacated and the displaced people and refugees must
return to their lands.
Mr Mammadyarov said that the peace plan being discussed was a very
sensitive issue and the disclosure of its details might further
aggravate the situation in the region. This is a very sensitive issue,
and I am not ready now to disclose any point because there are many of
those who are not interested in peace coming to the South Caucasus
region, he said.
The minister also said he had not discussed with the co-chairmen why
his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan did not join the discussions
in Frankfurt. He quoted the co-chairmen as saying that they would also
hold a tete-a-tete meeting with Vardan Oskanyan in a European country
soon. Mr Mammadyarov said that the date and venue of the next meeting
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents was also discussed
during the talks. Mr Mammadyarov said that this meeting might be held
on the sidelines of a summit of the Council of Europe member states in
Warsaw on 16-17 May.
The personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzej
Kasprzyk, also attended the Frankfurt meeting. Elmar Mammadyarov said
that they and Mr Kasprzyk had discussed efforts to release three
captured Azerbaijani soldiers and constant cease-fire violations on
the front line.
[Video showed library pictures of officials]

Azeri NGOs ask for international aid in releasing captured soldiers
Assa-Irada
28 Apr 05
BAKU
“In violation of international legal norms and the Geneva Convention,
the Armenian side has not taken any specific step to release the three
Azerbaijani soldiers taken hostage. The time has come to launch a
large-scale campaign in connection with the problem,” the chairman of
the national NGO Forum, Azay Quliyev, said at today’s news conference
on the problem of the three Azerbaijani soldiers taken hostage by the
Armenian army on 15 February [2005].
He said that all the efforts which Azerbaijan had taken up to now had
yielded no results and stressed that the time had come to raise the
alarm about the problem.
He went on to say that the state bodies had established that over
5,000 Azerbaijanis were taken hostage or went missing and there was
precise information and witnesses’ testimony about 800 of them.
The presidium of the national NGO Forum took a decision to appeal to
OSCE Chairman Dimitrij Rupel and send copies of the letter to Council
of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis, head of the ICRC delegation
in Azerbaijan Mary Werntz and the presidents of the OSCE [Minsk Group]
co-chairs, the USA, France and Russia, Quliyev said.
It is said in the letter that efforts to have the Azerbaijani soldiers
released have yielded no results and that the Armenian side does not
give any explanation for keeping the hostages. It is also said that
thousands of Azerbaijani civilians and servicemen are kept hostage and
that nothing is known about their fate. The national NGO Forum, which
has over 400 member organizations, asks the international
organizations to render assistance in releasing the Azerbaijani
soldiers.