Author: Kalantarian Kevo

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
July 14 2005
Mediators’ visit raises hopes

Another visit by the OSCE mediators to Baku raised hopes for settling
the long-standing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh.
The co-chairs of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group did not cite an exact
timeframe for the conflict resolution but said a peace accord between
the conflicting sides may be signed soon.
Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov told a news conference on the
results of the mediators’ two-day visit to Azerbaijan on Tuesday that
the talks held over the past year have been more beneficial than
before. He said that developing the wording of a peace agreement may
take several months.
“We would certainly like for this to happen sooner. As you know, the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will meet in Kazan [Russia] in
August. But developing a draft peace agreement in the same timeframe
is not feasible.”
Radio Liberty quoted a high-ranking diplomatic source as saying that
most issues on the conflict settlement ‘have already been agreed
upon’ and the parties are working ‘on several remaining provisions’
of the peace accord.
The Garabagh conflict may be settled as early as this year or early
in 2006 and the parties are likely to reach an agreement at the
Presidents’ meeting in Kazan.
US co-chair Steven Mann said the timing for the conflict resolution
is uncertain and will depend ‘on the will of the sides’.
“The peace accord may be signed in the coming months or in 100 years.
The issue depends on the heads of state as well as the two peoples. I
believe that both presidents deserve the international community’s
assistance in solving the problem.”
The co-chair said that no new proposals were discussed in Baku. “We
held broader discussions and received more comprehensive explanations
this time”, he said.
Touching upon the possibility of restoring the road connecting
Azerbaijan with Armenia through Upper Garabagh, Mann said he
discussed this with the head of the Azerbaijani community of Garabagh
Nizami Bahmanov as well as Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. He
noted, however, that it is inappropriate ‘to add the issue to the
range of matters being discussed at this point’.
Commenting on some assumptions that Russia may apply pressure on
Armenia, the Russian co-chair said this contradicts reality.
“Russia cannot rule Armenia. In general, I do not consider this
wording appropriate as Armenians may be offended by it. Russian State
Duma (parliament) chairman Boris Gryzlov did call Armenia a forepost
of Russia a while ago. But we should keep in mind that everyone makes
mistakes and Gryzlov is not an exception.”
Merzlyakov noted that Russia has no ‘separatist peace plans’ on the
Garabagh conflict resolution. “Moscow has shown its unequivocal
approach on this issue. President Putin laid out these principles
several years ago”, he said.
French co-chair Bernard Fassier said the mediators support continuing
the peace process, recalling the Warsaw meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian Presidents.
“They realize that an end should be put to war, the occupied land
liberated and refugees returned home. The two Presidents said in our
meetings that the primary goals are to ensure the prosperity of the
two peoples. They understand that this is possible only after peace
is restored in the region.”
“If we take major steps in this direction, the people will start
understanding the benefit of regional peace prospects. We hope the
cities will be restored and lands returned. The people will see the
importance of this and contribute to the process.”
In reply to a statement at a news briefing that a referendum is
scheduled in Upper Garabagh in 10-15 years to determine its status,
Russian co-chair Merzlyakov declined to comment, citing the
confidentiality of the talks. He somewhat clarified the issue
currently being discussed, saying that the parties continue working
to establish framework for the agreements reached during the Paris
talks.
“These elements may be vital for the conflict resolution and envision
the demands of the sides. There is no need to disclose them.”
The French co-chair Fassier disagreed with the statements accusing
the Minsk Group of the lack of activity, saying that the co-chairs
have carried out extensive work on the conflict resolution.
“If no progress has been achieved, we are not to blame. We will be
able to revitalize the process. But we cannot ensure that the parties
will show political will [to resolve the problem].
With regard to some statements that the democratic processes in the
region will greatly affect the conflict resolution, Fassier said this
‘will have a certain impact’ on the negotiations. He also voiced a
hope that the November parliamentary election in Azerbaijan will be
democratic.
As for the involvement of neighboring states in the negotiations, the
French co-chair said he does object to this ‘in principle’. He did
not rule out that Iran, Turkey and Georgia may join the process.
The US co-chair generally approved of the suggestion but came out
against Iran’s involvement in the talks. “As an American, I do not
want to be involved in discussions with Iran”, he said.
The MG co-chairs will leave for Yerevan on Wednesday. They are
further expected to visit Upper Garabagh despite serious discontent
from the radical Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO).
GLO attempted to hold a picket outside the Foreign Ministry on Monday
in protest against the mediators’ planned visit to Upper Garabagh
through Yerevan.
The protest action came amidst Foreign Minister Mammadyarov’s meeting
with the co-chairs. The protesters demanded that the mediators visit
Garabagh through Azerbaijan but not Armenia. “The co-chairs should
stop visiting Garabagh via Yerevan”, GLO said in a statement.

IN 2005 “BALTICA” BREWING COMPANY PLANS TO EXPORT TO ARMENIA MORE THAN
30.000 DAL OF BEER
YEREVAN, JULY 12. ARMINFO. “Baltica” brewing company plans to export
to Armenia more than 30.000 dal of beer in 2005, higher by almost
twice than the last year index, company’s massage says.
“Baltica” has resumed regular supplies of its production to Armenia
and Georgia. 5.000 dal and more than 25.000 dal of beer have been
supplied to Armenia and Georgia respectively so far. The Company
supplies its production to 38 countries. In 2004, total volume of
company’s export sales grew by 14% as against 2003 and made up 11.3
mln dal. In 2005, they plan to grow export sales till 13.5 mln dal.
To note, according to Armenia’s National Statistical Service, 8.7 mln
liter of beer were produced in Armenia in 2004 – higher by 18.8% than
in 2003. There is no information about both import and export of beer
in the report.

Lraper Church Bulletin 11/07/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
[email protected]
<; ARMENIAN PATRIARCH VISITS PLOVDIV ARMENIAN COMMUNITY His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, left Istanbul on Saturday 25 June 2005 for Plovdiv in Bulgaria in order to preside over the 75th birthday, 50th anniversary of priestly ordination and 45th anniversary of episcopal ordination of His Grace Archbishop Dirayr Mardigyan of Romania and Bulgaria. Having said the pilgrimage prayer in the Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church in Kumkapi, the Patriarch travelled by car, accompanied by the Reverend Fathers John Whooley and Drtad Uzunyan. The Very Revd. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan had already left for Plovdiv on Friday 24 June by bus, heading a group of 90 pilgrims, members of the Surp Takavor Armenian Church Choir and their families. His Beatitude was met at the Bulgarian border by the Very Revd. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan, the Vice-Chairman of the Armenian Diocesan Council of Bulgaria Yeghyazar Uzunyan, and Mgrdic Sertsimsek, an Armenian benefactor from Istanbul. His Beatitude and his entourage were then invited to lunch at a restaurant in the city of Svilengrad in Bulgaria by the Diocesan Council. The group arrived in Plovdiv around 16:00 hours and checked into the Novotel where they were to stay overnight. His Beatitude was met at the entrance of the hotel by His Grace the Armenian Archbishop of Romania and Bulgaria and by Bedros Sirinoglu, the Chairman of the Board of Administrators of Surp Prgic Armenian Hospital in Yedikule, Istanbul. At 19:00 hours, the Patriarch was taken on a short tour of the city of Plovdiv, visited Pinarcik Hill with its magnificent panorama of the city and its environs and then visited the Armenian Cemetery in Plovdiv, where he visited the Saint John the Baptist Chapel and said a prayer for the repose of the souls of all deceased believers before the monument of the Armenian Martyrs. At 20:00 hours, His Beatitude joined Archbishop Dirayr for an official dinner, attended by the Very Revd. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan, the Reverend Fr. John Whooley, the Reverend Fr. Drtad Uzunyan, the Revd. Archpriest Kevork Khatcheryan of Plovdiv, Mr and Mrs Yeghyazar and Victoria Uzunyan, Mr and Mrs Bedros and Leda Shirinoglu and Mr Mgrdic Sertsimsek. The Divine Liturgy and the Following Celebration The services in the historic Armenian Church in the old quarter of Plovdiv began at 09:00 hours on Sunday, 26 June 2005. His Beatitude the Patriarch presided over the services, while Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan offered the Holy Eucharist. Participating were Archbishop Dirayr Mardigyan, the other clergymen, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Sofia, His Excellency Sergei Manasaryan, the pilgrims from Istanbul and members of the Armenian community of Plovdiv. The hymns during the liturgy were sung by the members of the Surp Takavor Church Choir, conducted by Sevan Shencan. His Beatitude delivered a homily mentioning the week of fasting which preceded the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ our Lord. He then offered some considerations on the great confession of Saint Peter the Apostle at Caesarea Philippi. Answering the Lord's question, "Who do you say I am?", Saint Peter the Apostle replied: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15). The Lord answered, "On this rock I will build my church..." (v. 16:18). At the end of his homily, reminding those present of the anniversaries celebrated, His Beatitude made a public tribute to Archbishop Dirayr's long years of service to God, to the Church and the Armenian people and wished him happiness and good health for many more years to come. The Patriarchal Bull of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians was brought in and His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob solemnly read it from the bema. Archbishop Dirayr then thanked Catholicos Karekin II and Patriarch Mesrob II for the honour they had given him and recalled the memory of the former primates of the Diocese, Bishop Ghevont Turyan, Archbishop Stepanos Hovagimyan, Bishop Yervant Perdahciyan and Bishop Kusan Garabetyan, who had all served under the aegis of the Armenian Patriarchs of Constantinople, being not far from the metropolis. To conclude this part of the service, Patriarch Mesrob blessed and dismissed the faithful. The Patriarch then visited the little museum of church artefacts adjacent to the Armenian Church of Plovdiv, following which he presided over the luncheon at the cultural centre in the same complex. Armenian children and youths had prepared an outstanding cultural programme that consisted of poetry, folk dancing and songs which received an enthusiastic ovation from the full hall. Archbishop Dirayr Mardigyan delivered a humorous speech and then presented benefactors Bedros Sirinoglu, Mgrdic Sertsimsek and the Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan with gifts of original paintings from Plovdiv. The concluding speech was delivered by the Patriarch who invited Archbishop Dirayr Mardigyan to Istanbul in order to celebrate his anniversaries there as well. His Beatitude also presented Yeghyazar Uzunyan (Chairman of the Plovdiv Parish Council and Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan Council), Hripsime Tovmasyan (teacher of the children and the youths who had performed), and the Revd. Archpriest Kevork Khatcheryan of Plovdiv with Armenian language books published in Istanbul. The Patriarch then took a stroll through the streets of old Plovdiv, visiting antique shops and church suppliers'. After a short rest at the hotel, he returned to his see in Istanbul by car.

Objectives of cultural policy
Editorial
Yerkir/arm
8 July 05
Preservation of the cultural identity is not only a cultural issue for
us but first of all an issue of national identity preservation.
Taking into account that the free Armenian republic is based on the
political will of free living, the preservation of national identity
is of vital importance to us. Preservation of national identity is
best in terms of statehood.
For the Armenian nation, independent statehood first of all implies
preservation of identity on the historical, cultural field.
For centuries on having no statehood, we eventually shaped a state due
to that the territory of the population matched the cultural
territory. It is due to the national culture that Armenians differ
from other nations and reproduce themselves as a society.
However, we should clearly distinguish between cultural preservation
and cultural isolation. Certain actions, trying to defy the Western
cultural expansion, simp0ly isolate themselves.
This type of cultural preservation cannot be acceptable for our
nation, since modern Armenian culture is open and creative. Thus, our
issue of cultural preservation and reproduction is not about deepening
our national traditions but shaping a policy of reproduction
mechanisms identity preservation.
Thus, the basic issue today is acknowledge and express the creative
potential of the national culture. We should not focus on mere
preservation of national values and traditions but on creating
conditions for expression of our human resources potential.

PEOPLE IN MARSEILLES GETTING READY FOR YEAR OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 6. ARMINFO. About 50 Armenian organizations of France
took part in the public meeting in Marseilles on july 2, the objective
of which was preparation of the French public for the Year of Armenia
in France.
ARMINFO was informed in the department of press and information of
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, Ambassador of Armenia to France Edward
Nalbandian informed the participants about the preliminary programs
and main directions of the planned arrangements. During the
discussions participants made many new proposals and new ideas, which
will be submitted to the state commission for organization of the Year
of Armenia. They stressed that the decision to hold a Year of Armenia
in France shows the high level of Armenian-French relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Reuters, UK
July 4 2005
INTERVIEW – Chess master Kasparov takes on Russia’s Putin
By Christian Lowe
MOSCOW (Reuters) – In 20 years at the top of the chess world, he used
his laser-like focus to destroy his rivals. Now Garry Kasparov is
turning his fearsome brainpower on a new opponent — Russian
President Vladimir Putin.
Four months after retiring from competitive chess, Russian native
Kasparov has re-emerged as the leader of his own opposition political
movement dedicated to destroying what he calls Putin’s “growing
dictatorship”.

Chess legend Gary Kasparov is seen wearing a pair of ‘X3D’ viewing
glasses at a news conference in New York City in this November 2003
file photo. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
“I don’t think intellect harms you in politics,” he said in the
cramped office of his United Civil Front, flanked by brown paper
parcels of anti-Putin leaflets.
“I’m building a strategy,” he said. “Today our goal is not to lose
immediately. Not to get mated in one. Our goal is to survive.”
Kasparov, 42, is still ranked world chess number one and was
undefeated world champion for 8 years in a row.
But he has swapped the hushed auditoriums where he played chess for
boisterous meetings with voters in the Russian provinces. At one, in
North Ossetia last week, he had eggs hurled at him.
Kasparov is unbowed. Like many in Russia, he believes Putin will try
to stay on when his final term ends in 2008 — the Kremlin denies any
such plan — and has set himself the task of mobilising people to
stop that happening.
“We want to unify all activists who believe the Putin regime is the
greatest danger for Russia,” he said. “We have to win. We have to
make sure that in 2008 there is an open, fair contest. We have to
restore democracy.”
PENDULUM SWINGS
Kasparov says Putin’s administration has stamped on political
freedoms, swiped businesses from their rightful owners and failed to
deliver on promises to transform living standards and end a
separatist war in Chechnya.
It is the standard liberal critique that to date has fallen on deaf
ears — with Russia’s economy flooded with petrodollars and incomes
at their highest for years, Putin is popular and the opposition is in
disarray.
But Kasparov says he has spotted a chink in his opponent’s defence.
“Putin was a president of hope … But when the hope evaporates, the
pendulum goes in the opposite direction and that’s what is happening
now,” he said.
“(Many people) don’t believe this government is capable of bringing
Russia into a better future.”
“So far, all this turbulence hasn’t affected Putin … But the trend
cannot be guessed wrong,” he said. “(It is) the radicalisation of
Russian society.”
Kasparov said a revolution — he described it as “showtime” — could
happen as early as next year.
“Most of the crises that are getting hot now in Russia, they could
explode,” he said. “Nobody wants to see (this) in Russia but this is
one of the scenarios.”
UNLIKELY PRESIDENT
Kasparov said he is not interested, for now, in running for political
office. Hunger strikes, protests and walkouts will be the favoured
tactics of his group, not elections, he says.
In any case, he makes an unlikely Russian president.
His radical politics put him outside the mainstream and his
Jewish-Armenian parentage may be a handicap in a country where
parties with anti-Semitic and nationalist sympathies hold more than
10 percent of the seats in parliament.
Kasparov has not abandoned chess completely.
He is working on two books about the sport and at night he takes on
other players in online blitz chess games. “Of course, not under my
real name,” he said.
But he says he does not miss the sport that gave him fame, wealth and
unrivalled achievement.
“I’m too busy,” he said. “In my life I am happy and satisfied when my
presence makes a difference.”

A1plus
| 12:31:57 | 02-07-2005 | Politics |
ARMENIA CAN TAKE OVER ITALY’S EXPERIENCE
Constitutional reforms are usually carried out by the parliament with the
majority of votes.
In Germany constitutional changes are adopted with the consent of 2/3 of the
deputies of the two houses of the parliament. In some countries a more
complicated order is provided. For example the confirmation of the draft
adopted by the parliament via referendum or confirmation by the parliament
of the next convocation.
To change the US Constitution the reforms should be approved by 2/3 of each
house of Congress and at least 3/4 legislative council of the states. That
is, at least 38 states should support the constitutional reform.
In Italy a series debates should be held in two houses of the parliament and
the break between them should make at least 3 months. During the second
reading the amendments should be passed by overwhelming majority. If not,
they should be put on referendum by demand of 1/5 of the members of each
house, 500 000 voters or at least 5 regional councils.
‘The Armenian Constitution is one of those unique constitutions for changing
which a referendum is to be held. At that the draft is considered to be
adopted with over half of the votes. In the countries of transition period a
more simplified procedure is needed. In part, it would be advisable if the
majority of votes the National Assembly was empowered to make amendments to
the chapters of the constitution referring to the structure of the state,
while the obligatory referendum should be held on issues referring to human
rights and constitutional order with the availability of corresponding
number of signatures. In this view Italy’s experience can be taken over. As
for the constitutional amendments, the number of votes essential for the
referendum should be lowered from 1/3 to 1/4, Vardan Poghosyan says.
To note, the Armenian authorities and the Venice Commission agreed on the
issue on June 25 and it will be included in the draft to be sent to the
Venice Commission till July 7.
Victoria Abrahamyan

A1plus
| 14:17:46 | 01-07-2005 | Sports |
POSSIBILITY OF A MEDAL
In the Chess European Championship the 12th round took place. Karen Asryan
played a draw with Vasili Ivanchuk, the player with the highest reputation
of the tournament. And Levon Aronyan beat Alexey Federov.
Now Asryan and Aronyan have 8.5 points each and are in the 3dr place with 3
other players. In the last 13th round they will play with each other. Both
of them are real pretenders of medals, but if one of them wins, he will
secure his place among the first three.

IRAN’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS FROM NORTHERN PORT UP 670% IN Q1
Asia Pulse; Jun 29, 2005
BANDAR ANZALI, June 29 Asia Pulse – Agricultural exports from the
Caspian Sea port city of Bandar Anzali grew 670 per cent in terms of
value during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year
(started March 21, 2005) compared to its corresponding period last
year, a local official said here Tuesday.
Deputy head of Agricultural Jihad Office of Bandar Anzali, Changiz
Shabrang, told IRNA that during the said period 5.824 million tons of
various agricultural products, worth 37 billion rials, were exported
to Asia and Africa through Bandar Anzali, about 40 km north of the
provincial capital Rasht.
Raisins, dates, pistachio, tea, potato, tobacco and henna were among
major items exported to Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Kenya, the official said.
Shabrang noted that 56,279 square meters of wood had also been
imported via Bandar Anzali over the said period, indicating a 14 per
cent decrease compared to the previous year.

A1plus
| 18:56:11 | 24-06-2005 | Politics |
HMAYAK HOVHANNISYAN ABOUT THE SOUTH CAUCASIAN «APPENDIX»
Today the Political Debate Club organized a seminar in hotel Congress about
the isolation of Armenia from regional programs.
The first reporter was NA deputy Hmayak Hovhannisyan, and the second was to
be a representative of the government or the coalition, but the club had not
managed to come to an agreement with a reporter from the coalition. Hmayak
Hovhannisyan represented his opinion alone. He repeated that our country is
completely left out of regional developments and has turned into an
«appendix».
Deputy Hovhannisyan quoted an American theoretic who has considered Ukraine,
Southern Korea, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan political-geographical centers.
And the political-geographical centers, according to Hovhannisyan, are the
countries which are of particular interest for China, Japan, India, USA,
France, and Germany. The quotation was made with the aim of proving that
Armenia is not of any interest for any country, and the opposition must not
wait for an impetus from abroad to start revolution.
He said, «USA does not mean to drive Russia out of the region, they simply
do not allow Russia or Turkey to become super powers in the region, and
Russia has already put up with the situation».
As for the countries which are not considered political-geographical centers
but are undertaking democratic changes (Georgia, Moldova, Iraq, and
Kyrgyzstan), Hmayak Hovhannisyan said, `Moldova is the country where the
West realized changes without investing resources, Iraq had oil, Georgia is
an interim country which helps to realize regional programs, and the events
of Kyrgyzstan were to created background to realize the same changes in
Uzbekistan’.
Hmayak Hovhannisyan gave special importance to Uzbekistan among the CIS
countries, by which the interest of the world towards the country is
conditioned.