Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian minister in favour of improving ties with Turkey
Haykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
1 Jul 04
Text of Anna Akopyan report by Armenian newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak on
1 July headlined “The attitude was normal”
An interview with [Armenian] Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.
[Haykakan Zhamanak correspondent] Mr Oskanyan, although you assessed
the meeting with the Turkish and Azerbaijani foreign ministers
positively, you said that the meeting did not yield any tangible
results. Nevertheless, Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan said that they
view the meeting as an opportunity to get the frozen processes in the
South Caucasus out of deadlock.
[Vardan Oskanyan] Maybe they had such a purpose, but the fact is that
there was no progress as a result of the trilateral meeting. Erdogan
did not say that there was progress, but he thinks that the meeting
might lead to progress. This trilateral meeting was not only
connected with the Karabakh issue, it was much more expanded.
[Correspondent] The resolution by NATO member countries says that NATO
highly appreciates Georgia and Azerbaijan’s rapprochement with NATO
and the fact that they have individual action programmes. There is no
word about Armenia in the resolution. In this sense, how do you assess
Armenia’s further potential in developing relations with NATO?
[Oskanyan] This is the next step of cooperation with NATO, which
Azerbaijan and Georgia have already taken and want to establish. We
are discussing that issue and will inform NATO after taking a
decision.
[Correspondent] After your meeting with Turkey’s Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul, you said that although Turkey has a great desire to
improve its relations with Armenia, the political moment is not ripe
for them yet. Is that moment ripe for Armenia?
[Oskanyan] I said it is not ripe in Turkey because they cannot show
political will. In response to the objections of some circles, I can
say that Armenia wants and is ready to regulate its relations with
Turkey without pre-conditions.
[Correspondent] Recently [Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan told
Turkey from a high rostrum that they are wrong if they think that we
cannot live and develop without them. Today from another high rostrum
you said that Turkey plays a big role in the Caucasus, including in
Armenia. Was this sector of your speech directed at softening the
impression made by Kocharyan’s speech?
[Oskanyan] No, it was not. In fact, today we do not depend on Turkey,
our economy is really developing. Even if Turkey decides to perpetuate
this situation forever, I think we shall continue to develop at quite
a quick pace. So for Armenia the improvement of relations with Turkey
is not a problem of life and death. Simply, we do not see any reason
not to have normal relations with our neighbours. As for Azerbaijan,
everything is clear here – there is the Karabakh conflict and it
should be settled, then we can start improving relations. As for
Turkey, in a bilateral sense, there is no obstacle that does not allow
us to have normal relations. That is, on the one hand, if Turkey
continues this way, this will not create a deadly situation for
Armenia, and on the other, it is always desirable to have friendly
relations with neighbours, which will certainly open wider
opportunities for economic development. But it should be stressed that
Turkey also needs to open the border and improve relations in the
economic and political sense, especially in terms of being present in
the Caucasus, because Turkey has such a desire and wants to play such
a role in the region. But it cannot do so only because it cannot
establish normal relations with Armenia, so this is a bilateral way.
[Correspondent] Mr Oskanyan, do you not think that after Robert
Kocharyan’s speech in Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
[PACE], Turkey demonstrated a pronounced attitude towards our
delegation and you as its head? You seemed to be displeased while
boarding the airplane.
[Oskanyan] It was a very normal attitude, and my meetings with the
Turkish authorities, mainly with the foreign minister, were very
warm. I also had an opportunity to have a very warm conversation with
Turkey’s prime minister. Their attitude towards Armenia was warmer
than necessary.

ARKA News Agency
June 28 2004
The Iranian Ambassador to Armenia: Iran considers Armenia as a
long-term partner
The Armenian delegation at the head of RA NA Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan to leave for Bulgaria on June 29
Tigran Levonyan, famous opera singer, died in Armenia
*********************************************************************
THE IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA: IRAN CONSIDERS ARMENIA AS A
LONG-TERM PARTNER
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received the
Iranian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia
Mohammad Farhad Koleini, who finished his diplomatic mission in the
republic. According to RA President’s Press Service Department,
Kocharian noted that Armenian-Iranian relations became more practical
and the stage of the implementation of big programs began during the
period Koleini was an Ambassador to Armenia.
In his turn Koleini expressed his satisfaction with the assistance to
him when he was an Ambassador, noting that Iran considers Armenia as
a long-term partner, and added that the turning stage in bilateral
relations became the visit of Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
In the course of the meeting the parties also discussed the details
of the visit of the President of Iran Mohammad Khatami to Armenia in
September. A.H. –0–
*********************************************************************
THE ARMENIAN DELEGATION AT THE HEAD OF RA NA SPEAKER ARTHUR
BAGHDASARYAN TO LEAVE FOR BULGARIA ON JUNE 29
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. The Armenian delegation at the head of RA
NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan on June 29 will leave for Bulgaria by
the invitation of Bulgarian parliament Speaker Ognian Gerdjikov.
According to RA NA Press Service Department, Baghdasaryan will have
meetings with the President of Bulgaria Georgy Prvanov, Prime
Minister Semen Sakskoburgtovski (Semen Saksen-Koburg-Got),
Vice-Speaker of Bulagarian NA, the head of Bulgarian Parliament
delegation to PACE Yunal Lutfi, the Chairman of Parliamentary
commission on external politics, defense and security Venko
Alexandrov. In the frames of the visit the Armenian delegation will
visit also Plovdiv, where an agreement on co-operation between
Plovdiv Gyumri (Shirak region of Armenia) will be signed. A.H. –0 –
*********************************************************************
TIGRAN LEVONYAN, FAMOUS OPERA SINGER, DIED IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan sent
his condolences in regard with the decease of RA Public Actor, the
State Prize Laureate, popular Armenian opera singer Tigran Levonyan,
according to RA Government Press Service and public Relations
Department.
On June 25 at the age of 68 years old after long lasting illness
Tigran Levonyan, an honored artist, Armenian public actor, the State
Prize Laureate, professor of Yerevan Conservatory, and the spouse of
a famous Armenian opera singer Gohar Gasparyan died.
T. Levonyan was born in 1936 in Beirut. In 1990 – 1999 he occupied the
position of the Art Director of Yerevan state theatre of opera and
ballet after Spendiarian. Under his supervision `Arshak II’ and
`Karine’ by Chikhadgian, `Anush’ by Tigranian, `Buffoons’ by
Leonkavallo, `Otelo’ by Verdi, `Poliutto’ by Donicetti were played in
a new way. A.H.–0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTER DENIES USA HOLDING “TERRORISTS” IN AZERI PRISONS
Trend news agency, Baku
25 Jun 04
Azerbaijani National Security Minister Namiq Abbasov has denied the
local media reports which quote the foreign mass media as saying that
the USA is holding some of the arrested international terrorists
outside Baku. According to Trend, Abbasov told journalists on 25 June
that this was not true.
(Passage omitted: reported details)
Abbasov also described as realistic the statements about the
possibility of exchanging an Armenian citizen recently detained near
the Azerbaijani border for Azerbaijanis held in Armenian captivity.
“We do not have Armenian hostages. But Armenia might give us hundreds
of hostages. This is realistic if they hand them over,” the minister
said.
Touching on the plight of Armenian fugitives Roman Teryan and Artur
Apresyan who are being held at the National Security Ministry’s remand
centre, he said: “The issue will be resolved soon.”
(Passage omitted: minor reported details)

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
A HISTORIC DAY AND A NEW MISSION IN THE LIFE OF THE CANADIAN ARMENIAN
DIOCESE
Holy Cross Armenian Church of Toronto is received under the auspices
of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church
June 23, 2004 will remain a historic date in the annals of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of Canada. Following several months of
consultations between the Diocesan Council and the Board of Directors
of Toronto’s Holy Cross Church, it was agreed that henceforth, Holy
Cross School of Toronto will function under the auspices of the
Diocese. The text of the preliminary agreement is as follows:
“The undersigned, as representatives of the Diocesan Council of the
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of Canada and Holy Cross Armenian
Church, are both pleased to announce that they have conducted
bilateral discussions and have reached an understanding in principle
to structure the Toronto based Holy Cross Armenian Day School to
operate under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church of Canada”.
***
The year-end graduation ceremonies and festivities of the Holy Cross
School was held in the Magaros Artinian Hall, which on this happy
occasion was graciously availed by the Holy Trinity Armenian Church.
Over 300 parents and friends of the school attended the “Hantes”,
which was presided by H. E. Bishop Bagrat Gastanian. Present also were
Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor, representatives of the Parish
Council, directors of the community’s Armenian day and Saturday as
well as Sunday schools, and representatives of community organization.
A cultural program of recitations, songs and dances was staged by the
students of the school, followed by words of congratulations by
Mr. Jirair Tchopouroglu, Chairman of the school’s Board of
Directors. A surprise announcement was made by member of the Diocesan
council Deacon Hrant Chitak, who read the text of the agreement
arrived at between the School and the Diocese, to bring Holy Cross
School under the auspices of the diocese. The news was received with
an enthusiastic applause.
Graduation certificates were then handed to 9 graduates from the 6th
grade and 11 from the kindergarten. Over a dozen of successful
students received special prizes. Rev. Fr. Zargarian congratulated the
graduates and added his good wishes and blessings on the occasion of
the School being received under the auspices of the Diocese.
In his closing remarks His Eminence Bishop Galstanian stressed that
with this new agreement, the Diocese assumes a new mission of
educating the new generations, a role that has been traditional for
the Armenian Church. The Primate mentioned that he had informed about
this development to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, who has blessed this endeavor and has wished success in
this new mission. His Eminence said, “May this become an example to
other organizations to work together in harmony and to create a
peaceful and productive environment for our new generations.”
The mood of elation and happiness was evident in the audience as the
Primate concluded the gathering by a prayer and blessings.
Divan of the Diocese

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON)
June 24, 2004, Thursday
Then there was one
By Malcolm Pein
DESPITE a valiant effort to unsettle his opponent, Nigel Short was
eliminated by Michal Krasenkow in the second round of the Fide
Knockout Championships at Tripoli.
English hopes now rest with Michael Adams, who looked impressive as
he defeated the dangerous Armenian player Karen Asrian with the white
pieces to go through 1.5-0.5. Adams looks to have a great chance as
some of the stronger players from his half of the draw either did not
show or have been eliminated.
The draw for the last 32 is: Top half: Topalov (Bul) – Movsesian
(Svk); Rublevsky (Rus) – Kozul (Cro); Mamedyarov (Aze) – Nisipeanu
(Rom); Kharlov (Rus) – Leitao (Bra); Filippov (Rus) – Grischuk (Rus);
Anastasian (Arm) – Beliavsky (Slo); Ivanchuk (Ukr) – Kasimdzhanov
(Uzb); Almasi (Hun) – Ye (Chn). Bottom half: Aronian (Arm) – Smirnov
(Rus); Bacrot (Fra) – Radjabov (Aze); Dominguez (Cub) – Tkachiev
(Fra); Sakaev (Rus) – Dreev (Rus); Adams (Eng) – Hamdouchi (Mar);
Nakamura (USA) – Lastin (Rus); Zvjaginsev (Rus) – Krasenkow (Pol);
Akopian (Arm) – Moiseenko (Ukr).
The youngest player left in the competition is the American Hikaru
Nakamura, 16, who eliminated Alexey Aleksandrov of Belarus, a tough
competitor in knockout competitions. Nakamura showed some cool nerves
to eliminate Russian GM Sergey Volkov in a first round tie-break
against Alexandrov, who was ground down in a drawn endgame after 71
moves. Needing a draw in the return, Nakamura produced some
fireworks. 7.g4 is favoured by Kasparov, who has used it against the
computer Deep Junior, if 7Nxg4 8.Rg1. 13.a3 does not look in the
spirit of the variation – 13.0-0-0 !?; 17Rhe8 was also possible, the
white king looks vulnerable on e1. If 24.Kf1 Qb5+ 25.Kg2 Nxe3+!!
26.fxe3 Qxb2+ 27.Kf1 Qxa1+ winning the house; if 27.Kh1 Bf3+ and
mate.
A Aleksandrov – H Nakamura
Fide KO Tripoli (2.2)
Semi Slav Shabalov Variation
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Nf3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6 7 g4 dxc4 8
Bxc4 e5 9 g5 Nd5 10 Ne4 Bb4+ 11 Bd2 Bxd2+ 12 Qxd2 Qe7 13 a3 N7b6 14
Ba2 Bh3 15 Rg1 exd4 16 Qxd4 0-0-0 17 Ng3 f5 18 gxf6 Nxf6 19 Qb4 Qd7
20 Ne5 Qc7 21 Nf7 Nbd5 22 Qh4 Bg4!! 23 Nxd8 Qa5+ 24 b4 Qxa3 25 Kf1
Qd3+ 26 Kg2 Nxe3+! 27 fxe3 Qc2+ 28 Kf1 Qd3+ 29 Kg2 draw
Nakamura
p ) l p 7 o c p p o c p c p m p p p p p n p p – f p p Y n l
A p p p X n
6 p p 6
Aleksandrov
Final position after 29.Kg2
David Howell is performing well at the second Young Stars of the
World tournament in Kirishi, Russia. He has scored 2/5 so far.

INCREASING BIRTHRATE IS A PRIORITY
Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
June 21 2004
For countries with small population the growth of the number of the
population is very important. This importance is more apparent for
countries that survived war. Of course, it is not easy to restore the
social and economic state of the population having passed through
war. In the recent decade in Karabakh not only the government but
also different organizations undertook a number of measures for
increasing birthrate. Families having 4 and more children under 18
receive monthly benefits of 2000 drams for each child (by January 1,
2004 there are 1160 such families in Karabakh). Armenian Evangelist
Society also provides aid. About 325 families in the republic receive
food and money once in three months. In 2004 “Karabakh Telecom”
provides 5 thousand drams to each child in socially insecure families
having 4 and more children. The department for problems of family
and children of the NKR Ministry of Social Security informed that
of the 223 families 71 (321 children) have already received their
sums. According to the head of the department Samvel Dadassian,
by the decision N 62 of the government of NKR made on November 26,
2002 for the aim of stimulating birthrate, favouring the growth of
the number of population, improving the material security of the
growing generation at the town and regional branches of “Artsakhbank”
accounts are opened in the name of the child born in the family. For
the third child 700 US dollars, fourth child 1000 US dollars, for
the fifth and the next children 1500 US dollars, for the fifth child
1500 US dollars, for the sixth and seventh child 2000 US dollars,
for the tenth and the next children 3000 US dollars. According to S.
Dadassian, after the birth of fourth and the next children for all
the schoolchildren in the family the payment for the textbooks is
compensated by the government, and in the regions families having
more than 5 children under 18 receive monthly compensation for 60
kW/h of electricity. In the regions after the birth of the tenth
and next children the family receives only once 5000 US dollars.
Generally large families are socially insecure especially when its
members do not work. One of them is the family of Avetis Abrahamian.
Before the Artsakh war they lived in Russia. In 1990 they returned
to Artsakh to defend their native land. By the way, their fourth
child was born here. Now the family Abrahamian has eight children
(4 boys and 4 girls), soon the ninth will be born. “Frankly speaking
we do not know whom to turn to for help. I applied to many places for
work but never received a positive answer. I applied to the City Hall
for the question of repairing the apartment but I was refused for the
reason of the lack of financial means. So far we have been living in
two rooms and the third which serves as a sitting room does not have
floor. After all this I come to the conclusion that the contribution
of the defenders of the fatherland is not appreciated,” says A.
Abrahamian. Nevertheless, the family expects with hope for the new
apartment to be built and improvement of their social conditions. In
reference to the question of providing flats to large families the
head of the department for problems of family and children stated
that houses are being built for families in the regions having 7 and
more children under 18. In 2000-2003 50 houses were built for large
families in the regions. This year it is planned to build 25 houses.
Building of 15 has already started, the others are prepared. As
to the families living in the capital in 2005 houses will be built
for families having 6 and more children. The family Abrahamian is
among them.
ANAHIT DANIELIAN
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia to help in Iraq reconstruction
United Press International
6/18/2004
WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) — Armenia is the latest country to join
President Bush’s “Coalition of the Willing,” in rebuilding Iraq.
In an interview with UPI earlier this week, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian said his country would contribute, albeit in “a very
symbolic” way.
“We are ready to become engaged in rebuilding Iraq, but our resources
are very modest, so it’s going to be a very modest contribution,
nevertheless, the willingness is there.”
Armenia, Oskanian said, will be contributing doctors, medical personnel
and experts to help clear mines, as well as trucks, drivers and
technicians. The force amounts to about 100 people.
The minister said he believes all neighboring countries in the region
should contribute to the normalization of Iraq. Iraq’s Armenian
community is comprised of roughly 25,000 people.

Armenian foreign minister says Turkey wants to open its border
Mediamax news agency
18 Jun 04
Yerevan, 18 June: The political dialogue between Armenia and Turkey
is continuing, however, it has not resulted in a positive improvement
yet, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told reporters in
Yerevan today.
He added that the programme of the Armenian delegation which will
participate in NATO’s Istanbul summit does not envisage a meeting
with his Turkish opposite number Abdullah Gul.
Vardan Oskanyan said that no great importance should be attached to
various reports about the impending opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border. At the same time, the minister noted the importance of this
problem for Armenia and did not rule out that the opening of the
border was also “Turkey’s desire”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baku Today
June 16 2004
Motives For Murdering Of “Black Colonel” Not Clear Yet, Head
Prosecutor Says
Baku Today 16/06/2004 11:19
Motives of the murdering of the vice-president of Azerbaijan Football
Federations’ Association have not been established yet, Zahid Qaralov,
head of the General Prosecutor’s office, told reporters on Tuesday.
“It may be related to his personal affairs or career. But we don’t
know for sure yet,” said Qaralov while attending the funeral of Fatulla
Huseynov, who was shot to death early Monday in front of the building
he lived.
Huseynov, also deputy head of the opposition Justice party, was found
fatally wounded in his car around 7 a.m., the neighbors said. He had
got five bullets by a Russian-made Makarov pistol in his head and
chest, police said.
The murdered had been working for law enforcement bodies for long
years. He also had gained an appellation, “Black Colonel,” during
the 1991-94 war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

PACE MONITORING GROUP IN ARMENIA
A1 Plus | 17:42:12 | 11-06-2004 | Official |
Jerzy Jaskiernia, PACE Monitoring Commission Reporter and Commission
Secretary David Chupina are arriving in Armenia today. Meetings with
Ambassadors of CE states in Armenia, OSCE Office head, international
organizations, national minorities, Media representatives, and Armenian
Constitutional Court Chair Gagik Harutyunyan are scheduled.
Tomorrow meetings with Armenian Parliament Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan,
Vice-Speaker Tigran Torosyan, members of parliamentary committees
and parties are envisaged.
On June 13 the delegation will leave for Vanadzor.
On June 14 the delegation members will meet Robert Kocharyan, PM
Andranik Margaryan, Justice Minister David Harutyunyan, Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan, Defense Minister Serj Sargssyan, Police
Head Hayk Harutyunyan, General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan, Police’
Yerevan Department Head Nerses Nazaryan, members of Radio and
Television Commission, CEC Chair Gevorg Azaryan and members.
On June 15 the delegation will leave Armenia.