Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian politician predicts dissolution of parliament, government
Aravot web site, Yerevan
30 Aug 04
If the ruling coalition does not strip opposition MPs of their
mandates, President Robert Kocharyan will dissolve the National
Assembly and sack the government, the leader of the Democratic Party of
Armenia, Aram Sarkisyan, has told the Aravot paper. The following is
an excerpt from report entitled “Stripping MPs of mandates is a trial
balloon” posted on Armenian newspaper Aravot web site on 30 August:
The leader of the Democratic Party believes that Armenia is just one
step away from an “authoritarian, criminal and oligarchic system”.
“The public is no longer protesting against injustice and
arbitrariness. Next the following will happen: Robert Kocharyan
will dissolve the government as he is fed up with infighting in the
coalition, the distribution of spheres according to party affiliation
and so on. We shall again return to the appointment of ministers on
the strength of their professional qualities.
“However, to do this, a formal reason is required. This move will
be possible if the coalition votes against stripping the opposition
MPs of their mandates. The situation will then become critical which
will provide grounds for dissolving the parliament. The next National
Assembly will represent a gathering of ‘cronies’ which suits Kocharyan
very well.
“If everybody in the country keeps silent when (a former head of the
Credit-Yerevan Bank) Levon Markos states that officials misappropriated
50m dollars, cites facts of corruption and accuses the defence
minister, yet nothing happens, this manifests that our society is
seriously ill and that those who have taken the responsibility for
ruling the country have turned us into idiots,” the DPA leader said.
At one point, when information was leaked that the National Assembly
and the government would be dissolved, the prime minister immediately
said that he would defect to the opposition and the speaker hinted at
the possibility of starting the process of impeaching the president. At
that time, Robert Kocharyan through his press secretary was compelled
to issue a statement that no changes were expected.
On the basis of what Aram Sarkisyan claims that Kocharyan, for fear
of losing his political support, can resort to the dissolution of
the legislative and executive bodies?
“[Prime Minister] Andranik Markaryan and [Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan
made a big mistake by stating prematurely that they would switch
to the opposition if they were relieved of their posts. Kocharyan
started to think about how to neutralize a possible threat and decided
to bring the punitive bodies up to the level they are at present. To
the incumbent president, the notion of ‘political support’ is double
Dutch, he does not understand what it is. Why should he want political
support if he can simply use the services of oligarchs’ bodyguards?,”
Sarkisyan said.
Aram Sarkisyan did not rule out the possibility that not all the
opposition MPs will be stripped of their mandates at once, but rather
two or three of them, and the rest will be compelled to surrender
their powers. [Passage omitted.]
Speaking about the return of the opposition MPs to parliament,
Sarkisyan recalled that the reasons for the political boycott
had still not been removed: the amendments to law “On referendum”
are not being debated, those guilty of lawlessness have not been
brought to book, and the preliminary investigation into the criminal
case against the [opposition] Justice bloc has been extended for
another two months. “None of the points in the Council of Europe’s
resolution has been honoured,” the DPA leader said, adding: “If the
coalition in the course of negotiations assumes responsibility for
honouring these important conditions, we shall have reason to return
to parliament. However, I am convinced that nothing depends on the
coalition parties. Everything is at will of one man.”

TROIKA DISCUSSES BOOSTING ENERGY EXPORTS
Putinru.com, Russia, Russian Independent Internet Digest
Aug 31 2004
Vladimir Putin has given German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and
French President Jacques Chirac a sidelight on Russia’s plans for
the development of the national pipeline system.
The French and German leaders said that “the Russian government
is paving ground for boosting the export of energy resources by
encouraging the development of pipeline transport,” presidential aide
Sergei Prikhodko told journalists after the trilateral summit talks
in Sochi.
Chirac and Schroeder have been provided with information on the
construction of the Baltic pipeline system, development of the Northern
gas pipeline, Prikhodko said.
“It was important for the German and French leaders not just to
hear assurances from the Russian leadership but also to learn of its
concrete steps towards stepping up the production and export of energy
resources,” Prikhodko noted.
He explained that the energy theme emerged at the troika meeting
in discussing the Middle East and Iraq situation, which affects the
sustained and continuous shipments of oil to the world market.
“In this connection, the Russian president reminded his colleagues
that Russia has never violated its obligations in the supply of gas and
holds the same position in oil supplies,” the presidential aide said.
As regards international problems in discussion in Sochi, Prikhodko
said that, except Iraq and the Middle East, the three leaders spoke
of the Nagorny Karabakh settlement, the situation in Georgia and
Transdniestria.
The issue of the Russian-speaking population in Latvia and Estonia was
also raised at the talks, Prikhodko said. “It was not the Russian side
but our guests” that brought up the subject of observance of European
standards regarding the ethnic minorities in the Baltic countries.
After the talks with FRG Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and
French President Jacques Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin
accompanied the high guests to the airport.
The French and German leaders have left home.

Some find the power to love their enemies
By DON SMITH
In his book, “Wounds That Heal,” Stephen Seamands tells the true story
of a young Armenian girl whose village was attacked in 1956 by an
enemy military unit. Her parents were killed, her sisters were given
to the enemy soldiers, and the officer in charge took her for
himself. After several months of slavery and sexual abuse, she managed
to escape, and in time attended school and became a nurse.
One night several years later, this officer was admitted to the
intensive care unit of the hospital where she was working. His
desperately ill, mostly semi-conscious condition required
round-the-clock care. After a lengthy period of time he began to
recover. A doctor told him that he was a fortunate man, for without
the constant devotion of a certain nurse he would never have made it.
Upon recognizing her as the one he had ruthlessly abused, he said, “I
don’t understand. Why didn’t you kill me when you had the opportunity?
Why didn’t you just let me die?”
The nurse replied, “Because I am a follower of one who said, ‘Love
your enemies.’ ”
In recent months, I have often felt an inner satisfaction when reading
reports of enemy terrorists being killed in the continuing conflict in
Iraq. Though I believe our cause there is justified, God has convicted
me that I am supposed to love our enemies and pray for them rather
than rejoice over their deaths into a Christless eternity.
God does not condone their actions. He condemns such evil acts they
commit, and evil must be dealt with lest it spread further. But God
still loves them and desires that they repent and be saved, and so
should we.
There are moral enemies of our nation who push and promote such evils
as abortion, gay marriage, pornography and the removal of God from all
segments of public life. One’s enemies may consist of some within
their own family unit such as parents or relatives who have abused
them physically, sexually, or emotionally. Whoever one’s enemies may
be, Jesus teaches that we are to love those who are our personal
enemies (Luke 6:27-36).
However, Jesus does more than just teach or command us to love our
enemies. He also provides us with both the pattern and the power to do
so. The Bible says that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example
to follow (I Peter 2:21). When insulted, he did not retaliate. While
suffering, he made no threats. Rather, he bore our sins in his body on
the cross (I Peter 2:23, 24). And he prayed, “Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Christ is not only our example, but he also empowers us to follow his
example. When one receives Christ by faith, he becomes a new creature
(II Corinthians 5:17) with a new power for carrying out the command of
Christ to love one’s enemies.
That young nurse was enabled by God to love the one who killed her
parents, took away her sisters, and enslaved and abused her for
months. In like manner, as we choose to love our enemies, I believe
God will impart that ability to us as well.
These are the opinions of the Rev. Don Smith of Cornerstone Grace
Brethren Church.
Originally published Saturday, August 28, 2004
Copyright ©2004 News Journal. All rights reserved.

*Vandeweghe adds assistant*
*By Adam Thompson
Denver Post Staff Writer*
*Wednesday, August 25, 2004* –
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe has tapped an old acquaintance, Rex
Kalamian, to round out the Nuggets’ coaching staff.
Kalamian, who spent 2003-04 with the Philadelphia 76ers after six years
with the Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant coach, first met
Vandeweghe at Pete Newell’s big man camp more than a decade ago.
Asked why he chose Kalamian, Vandeweghe said, “I think it’s just
basketball knowledge. He started out as a video guy. He’s got the same
kind of background (head coach) Jeff (Bzdelik) does. He’s great at
looking at what other teams do.”
Kalamian joins Michael Cooper as a new member of Bzdelik’s staff. The
two replace John MacLeod and T.R. Dunn.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Bejanyan Tamara
Organization: Terjan Hotel Complex
Project: “Silk Road” Armenian Decorative and Applied Arts Fair
Date: 10 September, 2004, at 18:00 PM
Where: Terjan Hotel Complex, Silikyan district, 5th str.
Tel.: fax: (3741) 399 699, 390 388, 398 699
E-mail: [email protected] Web site:
TERJAN HOTEL COMPLEX HOLDS “SILK ROAD” FAIR FEATURING EXCLUSIVE WORKS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARMENIAN APPLIED AND DECORATIVE ART
The third in a series of expositions featuring Armenian modern artwork will
take place at Terjan Hotel, on September 10th, 2004.
You will have an opportunity to see the exceptional works of Nune Aghbalyan,
the professor of Yerevan State Institute of Fine Arts and fashion designer
Kevork Shadoyan.
The member of the Union of Professional Artists of UNESCO since 1995, Nune
Aghbalyan has exhibited in France, Russia, Germany, Austria and
Czechoslovakia.
The sphere of art called material painting (batik) so little known to the
Armenian artists in the past is now becoming more and more popular.
It was Nune Aghbalyan who nearly 23 years ago made outstanding progress in
this field.
The latest collection of modern costumes with Armenian ornaments, as well as
paintings on the silk, cotton, velvet, silk ties, pins and other accessories
will be showcased at the exposition for the first time in Armenia.
In October the collection will be staged at Boston’s fashion show.
Officials from the government, foreign embassies, international and local
organizations as well as media representatives will be invited.
Refreshments will be served.
No entrance fee for the fair
Free parking space
Please, for more details call: 399699, 390388
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 20 2004
Putin reiterates Russia readiness to mediate in Karabakh conflict

SOCHI, August 20 (Itar-Tass) – President Vladimir Putin reiterated
Russia’s readiness to act as a mediator and guarantor in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
“We have discussed the Karabakh problem; the discussions focused on
the search for additional opportunities to maintain dialogue and
resolve the problem,” Putin said after his talks with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.
“No breakthrough decisions have been made, but it’s important to note
the parties’ wish to look for a compromise,” Putin said, “it seemed
to me that both the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents have such a
mood.”
Russia, as in other cases, is ready to act only in one capacity –
that of a mediator and guarantor, if its efforts are needed and the
parties to negotiations wish it, according to the head of the Russian
state.
Speaking about the situation in southern Caucasus in general, Putin
noted that “we have inherited many conflicts.”
“Hopefully, the understanding of the necessity to establish relations
between people living in the region will prevail over ambitions, and
in the course of the search for a compromise we’ll be resolving these
conflicts,” the Russian president said.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 20, 2004, Friday
VLADIMIR FEDOROV REPLACED THE HEAD OF THE BORDER GUARDS OF THE URALS
MILITARY DISTRICT MIKHAIL OGANESYAN
The Major-General Vladimir Fedorov was appointed the head of the
regional border administration of FSB of the Urals Federal district.
The appropriate decree was signed by President Vladimir Putin. The
former head of the Urals border guards Mikhail Oganesyan left for
Armenia. Journalists do not know the reasons for this yet. “He left
for the other country and does not work in the FSB now” – announced
the press service of the administration. The new head of the border
administration Vladimir Fedorov started his service in 1969 as a
soldier. He commanded border troops in the Caucasus, in the Pacific
Ocean and in Siberia. (…)
Source: UralPolit.Ru, August 18, 2004

Russian minister pledges help in Karabakh settlement
ITAR-TASS news agency
18 Aug 04
Moscow, 18 August, ITAR-TASS correspondents Natalya Lenskaya and Irina
Chumakova: Russia supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today following talks with his
Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov. The Russian minister said
that Moscow “is ready to do its utmost to help settle the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict both as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and also
as a nation”.
“Moscow is interested in finding a settlement to the conflict on the
basis of all the existing agreements. But only the sides themselves
can resolve the conflict and they can do so only through
negotiations,” the Russian minister said. “We cannot make a decision
for the sides, if they cannot come to an agreement themselves,” Lavrov
noted.
He expressed satisfaction with the resumption of talks late last year.
“We believe that the negotiations will be continued because what the
Minsk Group has done so far does not cover all the accumulated
problems,” the minister noted.

Olympic Shooting Results
.c The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Results Tuesday from the Olympic shooting
competition:
Men
50m Pistol
Qualification
1. Jin Jong-oh, South Korea, 567 (Q).
2. Mikhail Nestruev, Russia, 565 (Q).
3. Kim Jong Su, North Korea, 564 (Q).
4. Norayr Bakhtamyan, Armenia, 564 (Q).
5. Isidro Lorenzo, Spain, 562 (Q).
6. Tanyu Kiriakov, Bulgaria, 562 (Q).
7. Vladimir Issachenko, Kazakhstan, 561 (Q).
8. Boris Kokorev, Russia, 560 (Q).
9. Martin Tenk, Czech Republic, 559.
10. Victor Makarov, Ukraine, 558.
10. Tan Zongliang, China, 558.
12. Francesco Bruno, Italy, 556.
12. Joao Costa, Portugal, 556.
12. Vigilio Fait, Italy, 556.
15. Igor Basinski, Belarus, 554.
15. Alexander Danilov, Israel, 554.
15. Daryl Szarenski, United States, 554.
18. Sorin Babii, Romania, 553.
18. Kim Hyon Ung, North Korea, 553.
18. Frank Seeger, Germany, 553.
18. Jason Turner, United States, 553.
18. Xu Dan, China, 553.
23. Daniel Repacholi, Australia, 551.
24. Franck Dumoulin, France, 550.
24. Lee Sang-do, South Korea, 550.
24. David Moore, Australia, 550.
24. Abdulla Ustaoglu, Germany, 550.
28. Dionissios Georgakopoulos, Greece, 549.
28. Jakkrit Panichpatikum, Thailand, 549.
30. Yi Ning Chang, Taiwan, 548.
30. Maximo Tomas Modesti, Argentina, 548.
32. Andrija Zlatic, Serbia-Montenegro, 546.
33. Roger Daniel, Trinidad and Tobago, 545.
34. Norbelis Barzaga, Cuba, 542.
34. Jose Antonio Colado, Spain, 542.
36. Attila Simon, Hungary, 541.
37. Kanstantsin Lukashyk, Belarus, 539.
38. Masaru Nakashige, Japan, 537.
39. Wojciech Knapik, Poland, 536.
40. Arseny Borrero, Cuba, 535.
41. Chris Rice, U.S. Virgin Islands, 529.
41. Friedhelm Sack, Namibia, 529
08/17/04 04:07 EDT

ARKA News Agency
Aug 16 2004
Presidents of Armenia and Russia to conduct a working meeting in
sotchi on August 20
RA President meets with the delegation of Russkij Aluminy company
today
*********************************************************************
PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO CONDUCT A WORKING MEETING IN
SOTCHI ON AUGUST 20
YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. The Presidents of Armenia and Russia
Robert Kocharian and Vladimir Putin will conduct a working meeting in
Sotchi on August 20. According to the Press Service Department of RA
President, a large scope of issues of Armenian-Russian bilateral
relations will be discussed. L.V. – 0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE DELEGATION OF RUSSKIJ ALUMINY COMPANY
TODAY
YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. The RA President Robert Kocharian met
today with the delegation of Russkij Aluminy (RusAl) Company headed
by Alexander Livshits, the Deputy Director General of the company.
According to the Press Service Department of RA President, Livshits
presented the projects related to the activities of the factory and
the process of their implementation to the President. He said that it
is planned to implement a volume program of industrial reequipment of
the factory by means of attracting foreign investors. As a result of
the program, Armenal will become the most modern factory in CIS and
Europe. The Deputy Director also informed that financial mechanisms
of the investment program are currently being developed.
After the meeting, Livshits told the media, that `the meeting was
held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere’
The first meeting of RA President and the delegation of Russkij
Aluminy (RusAl) company took place on July 30, 2003. Then, it was
planned to invest $38 mln in industrial reequipment of Armenal. Now,
the investment in factory modernization will make $70 mln. L.V.-0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress