Author: Jidarian Alex

PRESS RELEASE

September 21, 2004

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

AUA Faculty Teaches San Francisco State Students Via Internet

American University of Armenia faculty member from the Computer and
Information Science Program (CIS), Hovhannes Avoyan, has recently begun to
teach a graduate course in Software Architecture, via distance education
from Yerevan, to the graduate students in the Computer Science Department at
San Francisco State University (SFSU). Students “meet” with Mr. Avoyan on
a weekly basis via communication technologies including voice over IP and
video conferencing.

One year ago AUA and SFSU entered into an agreement to pursue joint
endeavors and enhance educational and research cooperation between their
students, faculty and staff. Subsequent to the signing of the agreement,
there has been good progress on joint endeavors in several areas. `It is
highly unusual for lecturers located outside the United States to offer
courses to students at U.S. institutions,’ said SFSU Prof. Barry Levine, and
AUA Director of the CIS Program. `In addition to providing SFSU students
with an important advanced Software Engineering course, the SFSU students
will gain valuable experiences in cultural issues and development efforts
when the development teams are geographically dispersed.’ The Office of
International Programs at SFSU Financial provided financial support for this
distance education course.

AUA masters students also collaborate with students and staff at SFSU in the
Moodle project, whereby students at both institutions are developing
components of an open source course management system (Moodle) that could be
used at many institutions. The freely available Moodle system will assist
faculty in electronic learning efforts. Successful adoption of the system
with the students’ enhancements will gain much recognition for AUA and SFSU.

In another joint endeavor, Mr. Avoyan and Dr. Barry Levine have collaborated
to publish a joint poster presentation at the 13th World Wide Web Conference
in New York City, 17-22 May 2004, The poster
presentation evolved from student projects completed in the Software
Architecture courses offered at AUA. The paper, `Using Circuit Board
Approach for Application Assembling’, describes an approach to effectively
assemble software applications in an analogous fashion to the assembly of
hardware circuit boards

AUA’s Computer and Information Science Program was established in 2001
within the College of Engineering to prepare leaders for the computing
industry. In addition to providing technical classroom and field expertise,
it also includes business, management and entrepreneurship training.
—————————————-

The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: September 15, 2004
Tel: 416-250-9807

Zoryan Institute Publishes Financial Statements for 2002 & 2003

Toronto, Canada – The Corporate Board of Directors of the Zoryan
Institute of Canada, Inc., having approved its financial statements
for 2002 and 2003 at its June meeting in Toronto, has now made them
public. The statements, whose details are appended below, show that
Zoryan had combined revenues for the two years of $817,792 and
disbursements in the amount of $645,844. Net assets at the end of
2003, including capital and equipment, totalled $238,751.

“Now that it is the beginning of the new academic year, we are taking
the opportunity to release our financial report,” announced Barry
Papazian, legal advisor to the institute. “Even though the Zoryan
Institute is a privately funded organization, it must operate
transparently by making its financial statements public. We are
conscious of our responsibility to our constituency, as we consider
Zoryan’s work and mission to be a public trust.”

“The figures in the latest financial statement are generally in line
with the previous year,” noted Mig Migirdicyan, Treasurer of the
institute. “Some line items are higher, some are lower. However,
between 2002 and 2003, we were able to increase our investment in
research by 56%, and I am pleased to see that revenues from book sales
have increased by 33%,” he observed. He went on to explain that Zoryan
is a not-for-profit, registered charity in both the United States and
Canada. “This means that we count the return on our investment not in
terms of dollars, but in terms of the original research, educational
programs, and publications in which we invest,” he continued.

K.M. (Greg) Sarkissian, President of the institute, remarked, “It is
very important to us to encourage as wide a base of support as
possible. An important part of Zoryan’s mission is to develop a forum
within which the community at large can participate in conceptualizing
the critical issues and current and future challenges facing our
nation. Therefore, broad-based, grass roots support has been, and
continues to be the most crucial element for our independence as an
academic institute for the past twenty-two years.”

George Shirinian, Director of the institute, detailed some of the
programs funded by the institute during the fiscal year 2003. He
urged everyone to visit Zoryan’s web site, ,
especially the ‘What’s New ‘ section, to see the kinds of work going
on. This includes the following:

Seminars and Public Lectures in 2003 January 25 – “Ararat Panel
Discussion,” a panel discussion with Taner Akçam, Anny Bakalian, David
R. Baker, George Bournoutian, Louis Najarian, Lisa Siraganian, at the
City University of New York Graduate Center.

August 8 – “Looking Backward, Moving Forward,” with Richard
Hovannisian, at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto.

August 10 – “The Future of Turkish-Armenian Relations,” a panel
discussion with Rouben Adalian, Taner Akçam, Razmik Panossian and
Roger Smith,” at the Alex Manoogian AGBU Community Centre in Toronto.

November 30-December 6 – “The Banality of Denial,” with Yair Auron, at
the University of Toronto, Rutgers University, the City University of
New York Graduate Center, the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Tufts
University, the University of Montreal, McGill University, and the
AGBU in Montreal.

Research and Publication in 2003 Zoryan provided research and
editorial assistance for, as well as sponsored the publication of The
Banality of Denial: Israel and the Armenian Genocide by Yair Auron,
and produced official offprints of two publications by Prof. Vahakn
Dadrian. In addition, it produced three more issues of Diaspora: A
Journal of Transnational Studies and participated in the editing for
publication of From Empire to Republic: Turkish Nationalism and the
Armenian Genocide, by Taner Akçam.

Educational Program in 2003 It ran the Genocide and Human Rights
University Program, which provided an advanced seminar on this subject
to students coming to Toronto from around the world. In December, it
arranged a partnership with the University of Minnesota to run the
program both in Toronto and Minneapolis, and to provide forty students
at both campuses four graduate semester credits.

“I think we have had a terrific, highly productive year at Zoryan,”
concluded Roger Smith, Chairman of the Academic Board, “and I am
looking forward to the coming academic year with great anticipation.”

The Zoryan Institute is an international center devoted to the
research and documentation of contemporary issues related to the
history, politics, society, and culture of Armenia and Armenians
around the world.

Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Assets for the Year Ended
December 31, 2003

Azerbaijan says reserving right to free its occupied territories

11.09.2004, 13.10

BARDA, Azerbaijan, September 11 (Itar-Tass) – Azerbaijani government
envisions an increase of defense spending in 2005, President Ilham
Aliyev said Saturday during a meeting with Azerbaijani refugees in
the Barda district that borders the much-troubled region of Nagorny
Karabakh.

â^À^ÜThis increase will strengthen our Armed Forces and will make
it one of the guarantors of settling the Karabakh conflict,â^À^Ý
Aliiyev said.

That conflict in the mostly Armenian-populated Karabakh enclave
has been going on since 1988 along a pattern similar to most ethnic
conflicts on the territory of the former USSR.

Karabakhâ^À^Ùs Armenians are trying to win independence from
Azerbaijan. In the early 1990â^À^Ùs, the tensions between the sides
took the form of open armed hostilities.

Efforts to settle the conflict have been made for years, but they
have produced small results so far.

Aliyev reiterated that Azeirbaijan is seeking a peaceful solution to
the conflict.

â^À^ÜAs long as there is hope for that [peace settlement], weâ^À^Ùll
continue the talks, but if they prove ineffective, the Azerbaijanis
will free the occupied territories by any means,â^À^Ý he said. â^À^ÜWe
have all the prerequisites for it â^À^Ó the patriotic spirit,
mobilization of our people, and the persistently growing economic
potentialâ^À^Ý.

As he addressed a meeting with public representatives in Barda on the
same day, Aliyev said: â^À^ÜThe people of Azerbaijan must be prepared
to liberate its occupied lands by forceâ^À^Ý.

â^À^ÜThere is no possibility of making compromises in what concerns
Azerbaijanâ^À^Ùs territorial integrity,â^À^Ý he said.

” Le docteur de la paix ” négociateur hors pair

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
03 septembre 2004

Le docteur Léonid Rochal, 71 ans, cheveux blancs et visage rubicond,
qui participe aux négociations avec les preneurs d’otages dans le
sud-ouest de la Russie, est un chirurgien pédiatre qui avait déjà
négocié avec un commando armé lors de la prise d’otages de plus de
800 personnes dans un théâtre de Moscou en octobre 2002. Arrivé
mercredi soir à Beslan, il s’est entretenu plusieurs fois avec les
preneurs d’otages qui l’ont choisi comme négociateur, durant la nuit.

Surnommé « le docteur de la paix », ce membre de la commission des
droits de l’homme avait réussi pendant la prise d’otages de Moscou à
obtenir la libération de huit enfants et que des médicaments et de
l’eau soient transmis par les ravisseurs aux otages.

Le commando du théâtre de la Doubrovka avait accepté de négocier avec
lui parce qu’il avait soigné des enfants tchétchènes lors du premier
conflit entre Moscou et la Tchétchénie (1994-1996), avait expliqué le
Dr Rochal, dans ses interviews. À la Doubrovka, il avait opéré un des
combattants, blessé à la main. Après avoir travaillé auprès des
victimes du séisme en Arménie, en 1988, il a fondé une brigade de
médecins pour travailler dans les zones de guerre et de catastrophes
naturelles : ils se sont ainsi rendus en Yougoslavie, en Géorgie, au
Nagorny Karabakh et en Tchétchénie. Ils ont également accordé de
l’aide aux victimes des séismes en Égypte, au Japon, en Afghanistan
et en Turquie et à celles de plusieurs attentats en Russie.

ARMENIAN PM ADDRESSED A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION ON THE DAY OF NKR INDEPENDENCE

ArmenPress
Sept 1 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian has addressed a message to Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
president Arkadi Ghukassian and people of Artsakh congratulating
them on 13th anniversary of proclamation of independence in NKR. The
message runs as follows,

“Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the Day of Independence
in Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Thirteen years ago Artsakh Armenians
expressed their common will in creating an independent statehood
on the historic motherland, defending the right for decent life and
commitment to pan-national values. That will is unbreakable. It is
proved by the victory of Armenian freedom loving spirit in the war
imposed on Armenians and in present steps to preserve that victory
and build a democratic state.

Nagorno Karabakh continues to keep to its professed principle of
peaceful resolution of the conflict and is full of determination to
face any threat to its rule. The historic people of Artsakh should be
sure that they have a trustworthy defender of their perished dreams
in the face of Republic of Armenia and every Armenian.

Long live the memory of the heroes who died for Artsakh. The highest
paid homage to them will be preservation of the victory.

I wish to freedom loving people of Artsakh long lasting peace and
creative work.”

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
August 24, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Departs for Pontifical Visit to the Ukraine

On the afternoon of August 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, departed for Kharkov, Ukraine, for a
Pontifical Visit to the Armenian Diocese of the Ukraine.

During the trip, His Holiness will consecrate the newly built Church of the
Holy Resurrection in Kharkov, on Tuesday, August 24. (The foundation of the
church was blessed in July 2000.) The consecration date coincides with the
350th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kharkov. The Church of the
Holy Resurrection will be the first Armenian church in all of eastern
Ukraine.

Accompanying His Holiness during the visit are His Eminence Archbishop
Nerses Bozabalian from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Rev. Fr. Tiran
Petrosian as Staff-bearer to His Holiness.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: “THE ARMENIAN-POLISH RELATIONS DEVELOP QUITE
DYNAMICALLY”

YEREVAN, August 13 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian-Polish relations
develop quite dynamically. RA President Robert Kocharian said about
it, receiving newly appointed Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Tomash
Knohte on August 13. The newly appointed Ambassador of Poland to
Armenia presented his credentials to the RA President. Robert
Kocharian mentioned the importance of the development of mutual
relations with Poland in the context of the European direction of the
foreign policies of Armenia. Stressing that Poland has been a full
member of the European Union since 1 May 2004, the RA President
mentioned that Armenia, which is on the way to the European
integration, within the framework of the European Union found a new
partner in the person of Poland supporting its aspirations. According
to the RA presidential press service, the sides considered the
official visit of the RA President to Poland scheduled for September
5-7 as key in the matter of the further development of the
Armenian-Polish relations.

158 ENTERPRISES WITH PARTICIPATION OF FOREIGN CAPITAL REGISTERED IN
ARMENIA AS OF JUNE 1

YEREVAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). 50,719 enterprises and 65,504
private entrepreneurs were registered at the State Register of the RA
Ministry of Justice as of June 1. The number of registered juridical
persons with participation of foreign capital made 158, and the total
amount of investments in them made 18 bln, 904 mln drams (about 34.4
mln dollars). According to the RA National Statistical Service, 1,392
enterprises and 3,409 private entrepreneurs were registered in the
first half of 2004. In the total number of the registered enterprises
the greatest share fell on LTDs – 29,645. 100% of shares of 907 out of
3,142 CJSCs belongs to the state, and 422 CJSCs – to communities. 551
juridical persons and 1,492 private entrepreneurs were liquidated in
2004. And as of June 1, a total of 4,671 juridical persons and 18,941
private entrepreneurs were dissolved in Armenia.

IT EXPECTED THAT PERSONNEL TO BE CHANGED IN SYSTEM OF PROSECUTOR’S
OFFICE

YEREVAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). 878 employees work in the system of
the RA Prosecutor’s Office at present. 601 of them are operating
workers, 277 are technical workers. According to Mnatsakan Sargsian
and Armen Khachatrian, RA Deputy Prosecutors General, there will no
reduction of the staff in the RA Prosecutor’s Office system, but only
transpositions in accordance with the requirements of the Regional
Prosecutor’s Offices. Researches showed that there is some discrepancy
in the regional structures of the Prosecutor’s Office. Employees of
the Prosecutor’s Office are mainly concentrated in the regional
centers. For that reason the presence of six investigators in the
Aragatsotn region should be re-examined as no case was directed at the
court during half year in the case of the presence of such number of
investigators. Tree criminal cases directed from the regional
Prosecutor’s Office were investigated by the Deputy Prosecutor, the
senior aide and the aide. Such a situation also reigns in the
Prosecutor’s Office of the Malatia-Sebastia Community of Yerevan. It
was mentioned that the duties of the deputy prosecutors, senior aides
and aides also need specification. Armen Khachatrian said that
attestation suits of 520 employees were discussed as a result of the
complex attestation of employees of the system of the Prosecutor’s
Office started since July 31, 2002 up to present. 457 employees were
recognized as corresponding to the posts filled by them, 13 were
warned about the incomplete official correspondence, and 44 employees
were warned about the necessity of the increase of the level of their
theoretical knowledge.

Sun Herald, MS
Aug 12 2004

Cher returns to Biloxi

THE SUN HERALD

Cher, reigning queen of aged glitterati, returns to the Coliseum this
week for an encore performance.

The celebrated singer/personality, who vowed her last show was really
her last, said in a press release that, due to consumer demand, she
would play several venues “one last time.”

A veteran singer and actress, Cher’s stature continued to rise over
the years, eventually reaching icon status.

If her show last fall at the Coliseum is any indication, Saturday’s
concert will feature a multi-media experience reaching back to the
early days, including film and television clips, still photos, and
basically encompass all things Cher.

In case you’re interested, here are a few random facts about the
erstwhile performer, courtesy of the Internet Movie Database:

Cher was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 30.

She was offered the part of Thelma in the 1991 film, “Thelma &
Louise.”

Cher’s father was Armenian, and her mother part Cherokee.

She legally changed her name from Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre Bono
Allman to Cher.

Beat out Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” for best selling single
of 1998 with “Believe.”

If you go
What: Cher.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Coliseum.
Cost: $33.25, $73.25 and $93, plus Ticketmaster and facility fees.
Details: 594-3700.