Author: Kajoyan Gevork

FRANCOPHONIA WEEK LAUNCHED IN YEREVAN
ArmenPress
May 21 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: The week of Francophonia (May 21-25)
was announced today by “France-Armenia: Cultural Dialogue” conference
at the Yerevan State University (YSU). YSU rector Radik Martirossian
greeted that participants and mentioned that the conference aims to
reinforce Francophonia in Armenia, contribute to the development of
multi-culture civilization and build on a century-long Francophonia
tradition. Attaching importance to the role of French in international
field, Martirossian said teaching of French is on a high level in
Armenia. He expressed his feeling of pride that one of the biggest
experts in Armenology, Antoine Mayer was French.
French Ambassador Henry Cuny greeted the participants and said:
“It is not possible to be a francophone and not to be a humanist.”
The Ambassador informed that Armenia has expressed willingness to
join the International Association of Francophonia as an observer
and its membership will be approved in the pending November session.
Minister of education and science Sego Yeritsian said that development
of French in the country will ensure that Armenian are able to read one
of leading world literature in the original. He said that this week is
marked by boosting cooperation between the two countries. S. Yeritsian
assured that they will continue the policy of developing Francophonia
in the country making such initiations more regular.
The Francophonia week is initiated by National Assembly, Armenia
ministry of education and science, YSU, French University of Armenia,
University after Briusov, Alliance Frances and will be marked by an
extensive range of events.

Armenian dissidents go on hunger strike in Baku
Interfax
May 18 2004
Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Two Armenian dissidents have gone
on a hunger strike in Baku to protest international organizations’
disregard for their request for political refuge in “a third country,”
the Azerbaijani National Security Ministry told Interfax on Monday.
They said they would continue their protest until the United Nations’
Baku office fulfills their request.
On April 8, Artur Apresian and Roman Terian, both born in Baku,
illegally arrived in Baku through Turkey. They argued that they had
done this to demonstrate their disagreement with the policy pursued
by the Armenian leadership, headed by President Robert Kocharian.
So far, not a single international organization accredited in Baku
has given a definitive response to the Armenians’ request for being
moved to “third countries.”

UNDP LAUNCHES THE COMMUNITY WEEK ADVOCACY INITIATIVE WITH EVENTS IN
REMOTE AREAS OF ARMENIA
ArmenPress
May 11 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS: Today, the Ministry of Territorial
Administration and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
officially started the Community Week advocacy initiative with two
major events in Tavoush, one of the most remote regions of Armenia.
The events were attended by the Governor of Tavoush, four deputy
ministers from the Ministries of Territorial Administration,
Agriculture, Nature Protection, Trade and Economic Development
and the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative. The
events included the inauguration of the fully rehabilitated secondary
school in Voskepar village and the creation of a Village Development
Foundation in Koty community.
In the framework of UNDP’s Community Development Project, the secondary
school in Voskepar has been fully renovated, including installation
of a new heating system. The Armenian Social Investment Fund (ASIF)
and the Governor’s office have provided the school with new furniture
and materials and the local community has provided a seven percent
in-kind contribution to the project.
In Koty village, UNDP’s Agricultural and Rural Development Coordination
Unit, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, have facilitated
the development of a Koty Community Strategy Development Plan for
2004-2008. A working group representing all main social groups in
the local population has worked to develop a comprehensive plan
aimed at addressing various problems in the community. To ensure
the successful implementation of the Plan, Koty is establishing a
Community Development Foundation. The Foundation will be formed
by donations from community members, former Koty villagers and
international organisations.
According to Ms. Grande: “UNDP is committed to supporting communities
throughout the country. We recognise that the country’s strength is
its communities and that through partnerships we can and should help
communities help themselves. The inauguration of Voskepar school and
the launching of the Koty Village Development Foundation are wonderful
events to mark the beginning of Community Week, an advocacy initiative
of UNDP Armenia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration aimed
at raising public awareness about ongoing legislative and other
reforms affecting communities and contributing to discussions on
community-related issues.”
Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration, Mr. Vache Terteryan,
noted: “The Government of Armenia has adopted an approach to
delegate more authority to our communities in order to make them more
viable in the long run. Currently, most of the communities are in
need of considerable assistance especially in terms of quality and
accessibility of social and health services and education. In this
respect, we are grateful for UNDP’s attention and ongoing support to
our efforts aimed at community development, and we are confident that
our successful cooperation will continue in future.”
Background: UNDP cooperation to date in the area of community and
rural development in Tavoush region amounts around USD 750,000. Three
schools and eight primary healthcare facilities have been rehabilitated
by UNDP. In addition, UNDP supports the Tavoush Farmers Association,
which provides technical support and various services to approximately
1,000 rural households in seven communities.

Voice of America, DC
May 10 2004
President Bush Welcomes Millennium Challenge Account Recipients
Paula Wolfson
Washington
President Bush is urging more developing countries to adopt economic
and political reforms, saying it will qualify them for increased
American aid. Mr. Bush honored the first sixteen countries to become
eligible for a new aid program that rewards reforms with development
assistance.
Under this newly implemented program, countries that can prove they
are implementing reforms can apply for money from a special aid fund
called the Millennium Challenge Account.
That fund is expected to result in a substantial increase in U-S
foreign assistance in the next few years, and is the focal point of
the administration’s aid policy.
Although creation of the fund was announced by the president two
years ago, the first recipients were announced last week. President
Bush personally congratulated the qualifying countries Monday at a
ceremony attended by their ambassadors to Washington and other
officials.
“The 16 chosen in this round are showing the way, are showing what is
possible, are serving as a bright light in the developing world. You
have taken the first courageous steps toward greater independence and
greater wealth, and greater hopes for the people you serve,” he says.
These countries span the globe – from Armenia to Madagascar…Bolivia
to Sri Lanka. . .Mali to Mongolia. The president said they have
chosen the path of reform, and their people are better off as a
result.
“For example, Madagascar is aggressively fighting corruption. The
Ministry of Justice has suspended a dozen magistrates on suspicion of
corrupt activity. The government is also implementing an ambitious
program of judicial reform. Senegal, Africa’s longest-standing
democracy, has also enacted new anti-corruption laws, and is
implementing new measures to fight money-laundering, he says.
Mr. Bush also cited government reforms to improve health care in
Honduras, and boost both health and education spending in Georgia. He
said these steps prove these countries have the will to do what is
necessary to really combat poverty.
“Reform can bring more aid from America, and it will also bring more
investment and more trade, lessening the need for aid over time.
Reform will be repaid many times over in the relief of poverty, and
rising national wealth and stability for their countries,” he says.
In addition to implementing reforms, countries seeking Millennium
Challenge Grants are required to list their goals for the future and
outline further steps they plan to take to meet the needs of their
people and increase economic growth.

The Guardian, UK
May 9 2004
Pyunik edge city rivals Banants to win Armenian Cup
Reuters
Sunday May 9, 2004 8:26 PM
YEREVAN, May 9 (Reuters) – Champions Pyunik Yerevan edged city rivals
Banants 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless 120 minutes to
win the Armenian Cup final on Sunday.
Pyunik captain Agvan Mkrtychyan scored the decisive kick to clinch
the second cup triumph in three years for his club. Pyunik have also
won the league title three years running.
But it was another disappointing ending for Banants, who finished
second to Pyunik in last year’s championship.
Banants, looking for their first trophy since 1992, were also beaten
1-0 by Mika Ashtarak in last year’s final.
Banants Yerevan, then known as Banants Abovyan, won the inaugural
Armenian Cup in 1992 following the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Analytical Information Agency, Russia
May 7 2004
Russia’s 8th amid CIS countries in industrial production growth in Q1.
Russia was the eighth amid CIS countries with 7.6% industrial
production growth in Q1, according to the preliminary data of the CIS
Statistics Committee.
Only Azerbaijan (4.2%) and Armenia (2.8%) were behind. No data on
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is available.
Ukraine is still the growth leader (+18.8%), Georgian is the 2nd
(+17.3%), Moldova – the 3rd (+16.7%).
The average growth for ten CIS countries stood at 9% in Q1 vs. 7% a
year earlier.

A1 Plus | 16:03:08 | 06-05-2004 | Official |
ARMENIA WELCOMING RESTORATION OF GEORGIA’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Answering the question posed by “ArmenPress” News Agency over the situation
in Georgia, Hamlet Gasparyan, Press Secretary of Armenian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, said:
“We express satisfaction that the tense conflict between Adzharia Autonomy
and the central power of Georgia was settled peacefully and bloodlessly.
This outcome was a significant step in the way for establishing stability
and peace in Georgia, so in the whole Southern Caucasus. We commend the
resolute policy of top leadership of Georgia thanks to which it turned to be
possible to overcome that obstacle”.

PRESS RELEASE — April 30, 2004
Contact: Richard Hovannisian
Department of History
University of California, Los Angeles CA 90095-1473
e-mail [email protected],
telephone: 310-825-3375; Fax 310-206-9630
UCLA–The Armenian Communities of Iran will be featured in the 14th
UCLA conference on Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces. Scholars
from seven countries will make presentations on the history, culture,
art and architecture, political activities and involvement, and
current state of the Iranian Armenians. The first session is in
Armenian and will be held in the Glendale Presbyterian Church on
Friday evening, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. The remaining sessions on
Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, May 16,
from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. will be held in Young Hall in the Court of
Sciences on the UCLA campus. Parking in Structure no. 2, entrance
from Hilgard Avenue at Westholme. The conference is open to the public
at no charge.
Further details may be found on the web at UCLAArmenian. org.
————————————————————————-
The Armenian Communities of Iran
Friday-Sunday, May 14-16,
2004
Glendale Presbyterian Church (Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.)
UCLA, Court of Sciences 50 (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m, Sunday, 1:30-5:30
p.m.)
University of California, Los Angeles
Sponsored by
Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History
University of California, Los Angeles
Co-Sponsored by
Armenian Society of Los Angeles
and the UCLA
International Institute
G.E. von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies
Center for European and Eurasian Studies
————————————————————————-
Friday, May 14, 7:30-10:00 P.M.
Glendale Presbyterian Church
125 South Louise Street (at Harvard), Glendale, California 91205
Friday Evening Session in Armenian
Conference Opening: Armenian-Persian Relations
Richard G. Hovannisian, University of California, Los Angeles
Salmast–Its History, Ethnography, and Role
Onnik Hayrapetian, Mashdotz College and Glendale Community College
The Life and Work of Archbishop Nerses Melik-Tangian, Prelate of Atrpatakan
Gohar Avagyan, National Archives of Armenia, Erevan
The Monasteries of Saint Thaddeus (Tade) and Dzordzor
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture
————————————————————————-
Saturday, May 15, 2004, 9:30- a.m. 5:30 p.m.
Court of Sciences 50 (Young Hall), UCLA Campus
Sessions in English – 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Armenian Communities of IranAn Introduction
Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA
Armenian Iran in the History of Vaspurakan, 9th-10th Centuries
Anne Elizabeth Redgate, University of Newcastle, England
Armenian Activities in Tabriz under the Il-Khans, 13th-14th Centuries
Peter Cowe, University of California, Los Angeles
Armenian Reactions to the Fall of the Principality of Maku in 1426
Hovann Simonian, University of Southern California
INTERMISSION
Ottoman Military Operations in Azerbayjan, the Silk Trade, and the
Armenians, 16th-18th Centuries
Thomas Sinclair, University of Cyprus, Nicosia
Epigraphic Documents (Inscriptions) as a Source for Study of the
Socio-Political Life of the Armenians in Northern Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
(Armenian with English summary)
Gabriella Uluhogian, University of Bologna, Italy
Armenian Rural Settlements in Central Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
Vazken Ghougassian, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, New York
LUNCH RECESS
2:00-5:30 p.m.
The Place of the Atrpatakan Region in the Armenian Liberation Movement
Rubina Peroomian, UCLA
“Our Country”: Iranian-Armenian Identity during the Iranian Constitutional
Revolution
Houri Berberian, California State University, Long Beach
The Massacres in Khoi–Experiences of Armenians and Iranians, 1914-1918
RoseMary Cohen, Los Angeles
INTERMISSION
Raffi’s Stories on Iranian Armenian Life
Gayane Hagopian, UCLA
Hakob Karapents’ Iran
Anahid Keshishian, UCLA
Persian Armenian: The Third Literary Dialect of Modern Armenian
Bert Vaux, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
DISCUSSION
————————————————————————-
Sunday, May 16, 2004 -1:30-5:30 p.m.
50 Court of Sciences, UCLA Campus
First Session in Armenian (Summaries in English)
Bibliographic Sources on the Persian Armenians in the16th and 18th Centuries
Armen Ter Stepanyan, Mashtots Matenadaran, Erevan
Armenian Gharadagh
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture
Armenians in the Iranian Theater and Cinema
Artsvi Bakhchinyan, Erevan
INTERMISSION
Second Session in English
The Armenian Bourgeoisie in the Economic Life of Iran, Late 19th -Early
20th Centuries
Samvel Stepanian, Glendale, formerly Institute of Oriental Studies, Erevan
The Armenian Community of Tehran–Past, Present, Prospects
Aida Avanessian, Tehran, Iran
The Economic and Social Integration of Armenian Iranians in Southern California
Claudia Der-Mardirosian, UCLA, and Anny Bakalian, New York University
DISCUSSION
Photographic Exhibit by Richard and Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht,
Davis, California
Open to the Public* No Charge* Limited
Seating*
Parking Structure No. 2, Hilgard and Westholme Entrance

Edmonton Journal (Alberta)
April 30, 2004 Friday Final Edition
Polar Ice worth cool million: Diavik diamonds on weekend display
by Paul Marck
EDMONTON – When Chad Snider is polishing a diamond, his sense of
sound is as keen as his sight and his touch as he carves out edges
and facets to the rough gem-stone.
“You can hear it when something’s not right,” says the 23-year-old
from Yellowknife, originally from Lloydminster. If there is a crack
or other imperfection in the jewel, the sound it makes grinding on a
spinning, diamond-dust covered cast-iron wheel is different from that
of an unblemished stone.
Snider is in Edmonton for a weekend promotion at Crowley’s Jewellers
and Goldsmiths in Kingsway Mall, featuring $1-million worth of
Canadian Polar Ice diamonds.
Snider has been a professional, certified diamond polisher for the
past three years, after graduating from an apprenticeship program in
Armenia.
He works for Arslandian Cutting Works, an Armenian-based gem outfit
that is among three international and one domestic cutting and
polishing shops in Yellowknife that finish Canadian diamonds from the
Diavik mine. Arslandian is the biggest diamond polisher in Canada,
with more than 50 certified staff.
So, what is it about diamonds?
“The best part of it is the romance of the stone,” says Snider.
“When you think of what it means in love, in marriage, it’s the
ideal.”
Snider said the prime traits that make a good diamond polisher are
patience and confidence.
“Mistakes happen,” he says of the fractures, inclusions and human
errors that detract from a diamond’s value.
While retail diamonds are often sold in half-carat valuations, gem
cutters work in much smaller dimensions, .015 of a carat, in grinding
the rough stone.
“If you go under a fraction of that, it’s a lot of money lost,” says
Snider.
“You’ve got to be able to adapt to different situations. If a mistake
happens, you’ve got to pull through it.”
Shay Basal, owner of Montreal-based Basal Diamond Inc., which
consigned the $1 million worth of gems to Crowley’s, says as far as
he is concerned, there are no inferior Canadian dia-monds. Basal
deals in Polar Ice diamonds, one of two branded gems with
certificates of authenticity and provenance issued by the N.W.T.
government.
Each one is laser etched with a logo and serial number, matched to
the certificate bearing its origin and when it was mined.
Clarity and colour, the two prime factors in diamond value, are
superior to just about everything else on the market, including
leaders Botswana and South Africa.
“There’s no such thing in diamonds as rejects. What’s beautiful about
the Canadian rough is that it’s all white.”
For jeweller Mary Crowley, the dozens of jewelry pieces featuring
Polar Ice diamonds is an opportunity for her store to celebrate its
10th anniversary and renovated location this weekend.
“It’s a grand opening. I just wanted to do something different and
exciting.”
The two most valuable items in the sale are a $70,000 necklace,
featuring 15.29 carats total in gems, and a single-stone ring valued
at $59,000, its diamond a hefty 2.01 carats.
[email protected]
GRAPHIC: Colour Photo: Larry Wong, The Journal; Mary Crowley, owner
of Crowley’s Jewellers & Goldsmiths, holds a handful of rough
diamonds valued at $50,000.; Colour Photo: Larry Wong, The Journal;
Polisher Chad Snider works on one of a collection of Polar Ice
diamonds worth more than $1-million at Crowley’s Jewellers &
Goldsmiths in Kingsway Garden Mall.

Hellenic Resources Network
OVER 100,000 FOREIGN STUDENTS STUDY IN GREEK SCHOOLS
Athens, 30 April 2004 (14:22 UTC+2)
A total of 98,241 students whose parents are foreigners and 31,873 students
whose parents are repatriated Greeks study in Greek schools making up 9% of
the student population in the country.
The overwhelming majority (72%) comes from Albania, Bulgaria (3%), Georgia
(2.2%), Russia (2.1%), Ukraine (1.5%), Romania (1.2%) and Armenia (1.1%).