Author: Kanayan Tamar

ONLY RESOLUTION TO KARABAKH CONFLICT STEP-BY-STEP VERSION: MP
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 22 2006
YEREVAN, June 21. /ARKA/. The only resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is the step-by-step version of settlement, member of the
administrative board of the ruling party “Armenian National Movement”
Andranik Hovakimyan reported.
“The incumbent authorities of Armenia have repeatedly declared their
incompetence as to the issue of a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem, to which the latest declaration of Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan that the negotiation process has deadlocked, testify,”
Hovakimyan said.
In this context, Hovakimyan believes that the 1997 version of the
conflict resolution was the most correct and possible, as in case of
its adoption Nagorno-Karabakh could have obtained the international
status of a “disputable territory”.
“Armenian authorities are not ready for a resolution to the conflict
at this stage, and the fact that Armenia occupies the last place
in the region in terms of economy plays not a significant role,”
Hovakimyan said.

OIC FMS’ 33RD SESSION ENDS IN BAKU
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 21 2006
On 21 June, the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers has come to an end in Baku.
In a 3-day session, attending were representatives form 50 countries,
including delegates of the OSCE, the Council of Europe, UNESCO,
the International Organization for Migration.
IN the course of session, discussed were the questions the Moslem
counties concerned with, regarded the Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir
problems, the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
events occurring in Somali and Sudan, as well as the tension related
to Iran’s nuclear researches. In the lectures, also were seriously
condemned the cartoons to Prophet Mohammad published in the some
Western press organs and the tension it has caused.
As stated, OIC regards all the religions with respect and will further
continue its activity with a view of expansion of inter-civilization
dialogue.
The session emphasized necessity of development of the political,
trade-economic, cultural, scientific and other links among the OIC
member countries. The projects being implemented in the frame of OIC
were also in focus. A 10-year plan of activity of OIC was discussed,
and necessity of strengthening of mutual cooperation was underlined.
The session has adopted the Baku Declaration, a communique, and
numerous resolutions on the discussed questions.
After the session ended, FM of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu held a briefing for media representatives.
In the Declaration, Minister Mammadyarov said, regarded were the
questions the Moslem world is concerned. In the Declaration, the
participants condemned the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and
demanded immediate withdrawal of the occupant forces from the Azeri
lands. Also was addressed to the world community in connection with
destruction of the historical and cultural monuments in the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan, condemned the ecological pollution as a
result of this aggression. The session participants stressed necessity
of support of the OIC member countries in restoration of territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan.
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stressed the historical
importance of the session for the point of discussed questions and
adopted resolutions.
The session has been in focus of the international community either,
he underlined.
** A group of the participants of the 33rd session of the Islamic
Conference of Foreign Ministers have familiarized with the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation, 21 June.
** The same day, a group of the conferees have been in the Sangachal
Terminal.

“HEALTHY START” DANISH PROGRAM ENGAGED IN ISSUES OF INVALID CHILDREN’S TREATMENT FUNCTIONS IN ARMAVIR
Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006
ARMAVIR, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Invalid children’s medical researches
started in Armavir on June 20, within the framework of the “Healthy
Start” public program. This program has functiones in Armavir already
for 6 months and is implemented by the Danish “Mission East” public
organization. The “Arabkir” medical center of Yerevan shows medical
assitance to the program.
As Anna Avetisian, the responsible for the “Healthy Start” program
informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, the program is addressed to
early discoveringof invalid children, early medical interference and
the process of their integration into the society. A rehabilitation
center for children is envisaged to build in Armavir within the
framework of the program what will make easier the process of treatment
and rehabilitation of children.
“Mission East” NGO representative Alfred Worldstay considers important
children’s researches in 11 communities of Armavir. According to him,
400 forms were already completed which are based on data allocated
by invalid children’s families, involve great information and are
seriously analyzed now.
“The pivot of our activity is a child and his family, and we hope
that we shall create a brighter future for them,” “Mission East”
representative emphasizes.

THE PHENOMENON OF THE DISINTEGRATION OF STATES AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS ON THE ARAB WORLD
by Abdullah al-Ashaal
Dar Al-Hayat, Lebanon
June 21 2006
The independence of Montenegro in early June 2006 started a phenomenon
that is growing and affecting the future of the World Order. It
also has repercussions in the Arab region. It seems that the second
half of the 20th century had completed a trend created by World War
I. This trend is the disintegration of some major empires, like the
Ottoman, which played a key role in the politics of the East for eight
centuries. Moreover, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was divided into
two states: Austria and Hungary. As for the Russian Empire, it did
not disintegrate, but Moscow replaced Petersburg to be the capital of
the Soviet Union, which absorbed territory that had not been a part of
the Empire. The Soviet Empire was more expansionist than the Tsarist.
After World War II, Europe witnessed the emergence of the Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the attempts for Arab unity.
However, in the late 1980s, the wave of disintegration appeared,
starting with the collapse of the Soviet Union, followed by the
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the ensuing ethnic and
religious wars and disputes. Moreover, the right to self-determination
became more clamant. It was initially decided to recognize the
religious and ethnic identities of nations. US President Wilson, who
laid down this right in 1914, aimed to destroy the Ottoman Empire. This
aim was realized by encouraging Torani nationalism and Turkey’s bid
to rid itself of its moribund empire.
Ataturk’s viewpoint, according to his memoirs, was that this empire
obstructed the progress of Torani nationalism and hindered it from
connecting with its natural European affiliation.
Although the international community still insists that the State
is the essential nucleus of the World Order, and that maintaining
it is a very important condition in order to achieve stability in
international relations. However, the disintegration of the states
has become a modern phenomenon.
Maintaining the states’ stability was translated within the African
framework into sanctity and irrevocability of borders. This principle
has protected the African states against separatist attempts so far.
This phenomenon highly spread in the last decade. It may be
said that the next decade will witness a conflict between state
sovereignty-related principles, integrity and respect for its domestic
affairs, which constitute the principles of the UN charter, on the
one hand, and the wave of disintegration, on the other. This wave
will coincide with an increase in the world’s countries to 220 in
the next decade.
In this article, I will try to highlight this wave which I’m afraid
will be a global phenomenon, and will have repercussions in the
Arab region. I will also look at the impact of this phenomenon on
the future of the World Order and its features. It is a glimpse at
the near future, during the coming decade from 2007 to 2017. This
period will witness the appearance of several international and local
studies that may not take into consideration this new phenomenon and
its serious repercussions.
Although any phenomenon consists of similar events, the circumstances
of every event differ from the others. It is known that the US planned
to sever the Arab countries from one another to prevent the emergence
of a united State capable of facing Israel. Washington started with
the most influential Arab and regional countries. It tamed Egypt,
and proceeded to divide Iraq after it paved the way for this by its
alliance with Saddam Hussein when it wanted to clip Iran’s wings by
changing its regime or breaking it. Washington’s attempts in this
regard aimed at isolating Iran and preventing it from taking part,
however remotely, in what was called the Arab-Israeli conflict.
It is obvious that the dismemberment of Iraq is a deliberate policy.
Iraq will not be the last stop in the Arab world. Sudan may take some
steps on the road to disintegration, as the advocates of separatism
see that Khartoum and its surrounding areas, or North Sudan, will
be a historical capital, as Baghdad is. But in the case of Sudan,
Washington tamed the Sudanese government, and then quietly proceeded
to divide Sudan, paying no attention to the opposition of the Sudanese
government. This means that taming is not different from cession. This
idea contradicts the American notion that the targeted countries must
choose between changing their regimes or conduct.
It is also known that the US planned the disintegration of the Soviet
Union. The aftermath was the disintegration of the Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. But in the Soviet Union’s case, disintegration
depended on inciting national and ethnic fanaticism.
This led to the implosion of the Soviet Empire. But it seemed that
Washington was not content with this collapse because it feared the
reunification of the former Soviet republics, whether in the form of
the revival of Russian nationalism or under the canopy of the former
Soviet Union.
Washington continued to stamp out the Soviet presence in the former
republics after it battled with Soviet hegemony there. Washington
seeks to disintegrate the Commonwealth of the Independent State
itself. For this reason, Russia opposed the independence of Kosovo.
On the other hand, it supported the independence of the Republic of
Transnistria which declared, late May 2006, its intention to hold an
independence referendum, following the example of Montenegro.
Transnistria’s population speaks Russian. This means that the model
of Kosovo and Montenegro, whose independence from Serbia was decided
through the May 2006 referendum, renewed the rhetoric on what is
meant by the right to self-determination. This right was confined
only to the territories occupied after World War II. It also renewed
the rhetoric on the right of minorities to express their religious,
cultural and ethnic idiosyncrasies.
Since Russia harbors bitter feelings toward Washington and some
of its former republics opposed to its influence, this trend has
taken the form of a cold war inside these republics. As a result,
Moscow backs some rebellious pockets in the republic of Georgia,
especially Ossetia and Abkhazia which enjoy genuine independence,
but have not won international recognition.
However, Chechnya was one of the greatest challenges that faced Russia
after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Chechnya was independent
for several years during the last decade of the 20th century. The
West is playing on the issue by accusing Russia of violating human
rights there. Washington has refused to include Chechnya on its
anti-terrorism list, despite the well known links between the Chechen
fighters and al-Qaeda.
On the other hand, Russia has actively helped Transnistria to gain
its independence from Moldova, whose inhabitants are of Romanian
origin. At the same time, Armenia has gained control over the region
of Nagorno-Karabakh after a long and protracted war with Azerbaijan.
In early June 2006, even the President of the separatist state of
South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgia, called on Russia to
include his state in the Russian Federation. He added that he would
call on the Russian constitutional court to look into the right of
north and south Ossetia to become Russian again in line with its past
as a province of the Russian empire which annexed it in the centuries
of Tsarist expansion. It is worth noting that the Ossentians who used
to be called Alanians, hope for nationhood, even though the population
of both provinces is no higher that 50,000. All this amounts to the
dissolution of the old republic and unity with Russia in return for
less Russian influence in these provinces. This is part and parcel of
the new war between Washington and Moscow. As for the dismemberment
of Yugoslavia, this took place under the auspices of the US and UN
while the most horrid crimes were committed under the eyes of the
international organization.
Fragmentation in Central Asia and Russia and East Timor will accelerate
the drive for fragmentation in the Arab world. And it is known that
breaking Iraq apart for the sake of Israel will lead to regional
complications. The most prominent of these complications are the
Kurdish issue and the right to self-determination of minorities as
opposed to the right of states to maintain their territorial integrity
while these minorities reside in them. We may ignore the complexities
of the Shiite issue the US has left in its wake, and the pressures
exerted by the US on the key Arab states in its fight against Arabism
and Islam and amidst the failure of the Arab nationalist dream of
unity. The occupation of Iraq has led to the most galling debasement
of Arabism and its symbols. All this is happening while Washington
is searching for its Zionist identity and trying to picture it as a
nationality rooted in history. By doing this, Washington is utilizing
nationalism in a contradictory manner.
It encourages nationalist separatist movements for its imperial
interests, while at the same time it demolishes the national bonds
between Arabs and Muslims in the service of Israeli interests.
As for the impact of fragmentation on the World Order, it is obvious
that the fewer states there are the easier it is to manage relations
between countries, either through centralized states or the interaction
of states of different sizes. The UN, which began with less than
50 members, was a very different organization from the one that now
includes almost 200 states. From another perspective, the categories
of medium and large states have had a new classification added to
them, the mini- and micro-states. This leads to much obscurity in
international relations and many conflicts at the exact same time
that the West is coalescing economically and politically, combating
the very same forces of cultural, racial and political separatism
that exist within its fold in Italy, France and Britain, among others.
Nonetheless, the fragmentation of states outside the US and EU demands
new rules for alliances and conflicts in the coming period.
It is an issue worth studying and has already caught the attention
of observers and researchers.
In conclusion, the insistence on ripping Arab states apart separately
after tearing the bonds and alliances that helped the Arab states
demands awareness, caution and hard work. To counteract this tide,
we must revive Arab nationalism and rethink it and insist on the
existence of the Arabs as a people. Arab nationalism has proven that
it fought the notion of separate Arab states, and was the minimum
guarantee for the independence and viability of these states.
Refashioning and rethinking Arab nationalism means learning the lessons
of the past and searching for policies that will insure Arab cohesion
and protect the Arabs from this new enemy.
An Egyptian writer
ributors/06-2006/Article-20060621-f67872ea-c0a8-10 ed-0101-76439b6783d0/story.html

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS TO LEAVE FOR ISTANBUL FOR WEEK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 19 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians will leave for Istanbul for a week.
Ara Gochunian, the editor-in-chief of the Istanbul “Zhamanak” (Time)
newspaper informed Radio Liberty, that “as in the case of Karekin I,
it is a return visit for the visit paid by Supreme Patriarch of the
Greek Orthodox Church Bartholomew I, who participated in 2001 in the
closing ceremony of the event dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of
adopting Christianity as the state religion in Armenia.” At the same
time, according to the same source, His Holiness Patriarch pays the
first patriarchal visit to Istanbul during his enthronement.
Unlike the visit paid by latter Karekin I Catholicos, the Istanbul
viceregent will receive His Holiness Karekin II. “Vazgen I Catholicos
once visited Ankara as well where he met with high-ranking officials
of the capital of Turkey. The present visit of the Catholicos of
All Armenians is not official, has a status of an interchuch visit,”
Ara Gochunian mentioned.

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON “NKR: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE” TO BE HELD IN SHUSHI
ArmRadio.am
20.06.2006 10:39
NKR Government and the Yerevan State University have imitated a
four-day international scientific conference on “Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic: past, present and future” dedicated to the 15th anniversary
of Artsakh’s independence.
The opening ceremony will take place in Shushi.

ROLE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS DISCUSSED AT OSCE-SUPPORTED SEMINAR IN YEREVAN
Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

June 19 2006
YEREVAN, 19 June 2006 – A two-day seminar on promoting small and
medium entrepreneurship (SME) for sustainable development, took place
in Yerevan on 17 and 18 June.
The event, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Armenian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the “Businesswomen Support
Centre” Foundation, focused on key problem areas for the development
of women’s entrepreneurship in Armenia, including tax legislation,
modern marketing techniques, and computer technologies.
An exhibition of goods and services, from enterprises run by women,
which was being held on the sidelines of the seminar, helped exchange
experiences and find new business partners.
“A business environment that allows start-up entrepreneurs to fulfill
their rights and freedoms is a precondition for SME development,”
said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office. “We
believe that this discussion will help identify existing problems
and find common solutions.”
Lilia Gevorgyan, the President of the “Businesswomen Support Centre”
Foundation, thanked the OSCE Office for organizing the discussion and
presentation, adding: “The promotion of a balanced and non-stereotyped
image of businesswomen as equal players in the country’s economic
growth is a difficult task, and events like this are of great help.”
The OSCE Office in Yerevan encourages SME development in Armenia by
assisting the authorities in formulating and implementing State policy,
improving the legislative framework and encouraging business start-up
development in the regions.

INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP ON SEARCH FOR MISSING VISITING KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
19.06.2006 18:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Working Group (IWG) on the Search
for the Missing People, Hostages and POWs in the Karabakh conflict
zone arrived in Nagorno Karabakh on a two-day working visit. The
IWG members met with the NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan, the
leadership of the NKR State Committee on Missing People and Hostages,
heads of the Stepanakert Office of the International Committee of
the Red Cross, IWG coordinator in NKR Albert Voskanian informed.
In the course of the meetings the issues referring to activation of
search for the missing and burial places were discussed. The requests
of the state commissions on missing persons and hostages of Nagorno
Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan were considered as well. June 20
the IWG will depart for Yerevan to proceed with the work, reported
De Facto news agency.

ALIYEV, PUTIN PRAISE TIES
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted June 19 2006
Baku, June 16, AssA-Irada
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday met with his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Conference on
Cooperation and Confidence-building Measures in Asia in the Kazakh
city of Almaty.
Along with bilateral ties, the two leaders exchanged views on
the latest developments in the region and settlement to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
The heads of state praised the level of ties, citing as an example
the fact that Russian-Azeri commodities turnover doubled last year.
They also emphasized mutual achievements in the political field.
While in Kazakhstan, President Aliyev also met with Israil Deputy Prime
Minister Simon Peres. The two stressed the importance of expanding
the relations between Azerbaijan and Israel.
The president also had a meeting with a member of the Palestine
Liberation Organization’s executive committee Mohamed Saad Audiya.

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
For immediate release
Dalarik Children Full of Expectations for New High School
COAF Awards Contract for the Renovation of the School in Dalarik
Yerevan, Armenia, June 16, 2006 ¾ Following town hall meetings with the
community and continuous discussions with the Coordinating Committee
elected by the Dalarik community, COAF signed a bi-lateral agreement
with the local Municipality delineating the cooperative arrangements
for the reconstruction of the Dalarik School.
Subsequently, through a transparent and competitive procurement
process, COAF awarded the reconstruction contract to Epal LLC,
a construction company based in Hrazdan.
In the words of Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF Founder and Chairman, “the
stakes are higher than ever before. Without our immediate intervention,
this generation of young Armenians may forever lose the opportunity
to pursue the best in themselves.” Ensuring a better quality of life
continues to be at the heart of all activities pursued by COAF as
part of its integrated rural development program.
Pargev Saghatelyan, the Mayor of Dalarik, emphasized the importance of
providing the children of Dalarik a better environment with improved
sanitation and education.
This reconstruction project takes into account the additional needs
that arise from the 12-grade system approved by the Ministry of
Education for implementation in the next school year. The renovated
school will accommodate 630 children in an improved environment,
access to indoor lavatories with running water and central heating
system. This COAF initiative also includes complete refurnishing and
site development. The project is fully funded by COAF and is planned
for completion by the New Year.
Pro curement of the building design and reconstruction of other school
and kindergarten projects within the COAF Model Cluster is in progress
and will include public structures in Argina, Lernagog, Myasnikyan,
and Shenik. Complementing reconstruction projects, COAF is realizing
other infrastructure and economic development projects, together with
health care, social and educational development activities that aim
at building the capacity of rural communities for sustained growth
and economic vitality.
—————————
Epal LLC, founded in 2003, is presently managed by Eduard Hovsepyan.
Among its recent achievements in the field of infrastructure
development are a series of renovations of high schools in various
regions of Armenia, construction of heating systems, and design
and construction of private homes. The company has a skillful and
experienced staff and is equipped with necessary machinery and
equipment to carry out its work effectively.
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