Author: Kanayan Tamar

PanArmenian News
Dec 9 2004
ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER HAS NOT “THOUGHT OF POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION
IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2008”
09.12.2004 14:29
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsian stated in
an interview with the Golos Armenii newspaper that speaking about his
possible participation in the presidential election in 2008 “is too
early”. Of course one can understand people’s interest towards the
matter, however, I have not even thought about it yet, S. Sargsian
said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, December 9, 2004
AGBU MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN HIGH MARKS IN AP
SCHOLAR AWARDS 2004: SELECTED FROM OVER ONE MILLION STUDENTS
New York, NY – Thirty-nine students at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian
School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board
in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level
Advanced Placement Program (AP®) Exams.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the
opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in
high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or
both for successful performance on the AP Exams.
About 17 percent of the more than one million high school students in
almost 15,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed
at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP
Scholar. At AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, 39 percent of all
students who took AP Exams in May 2004 have earned AP Scholar Awards.
The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on
student performance on AP exams. At AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian, three
students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award, eleven students
qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, five students
qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award, and twenty students
qualified for the AP Scholar Award.
Most American colleges and universities award credit, advanced
placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP
Exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit
(sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient number of
qualifying grades.
The College Board’s mission is to connect high school students to
college success and opportunity. The College Board is committed to the
principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied
in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
Established in 1976, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian () is
one of AGBU’s largest Armenian schools in the Diaspora and continues
to serve Southern California’s growing Armenian community.
For more information on AGBU and its programs around the world, please
visit,

PACE to hear report on deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 8 2004
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Committee on
refugees, internally displaced persons and population heard a report
on deportation of more than 100,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia from
1947 to 1953 in its meeting held in Paris on Monday on a request of
the Azerbaijani side.
According to Bakhtiyar Aliyev, the member of the Azerbaijani
delegation at PACE, the report, which provides evidence on genocide
and deportation of the Azerbaijani people perpetrated by Armenians
for centuries, has been included in a draft resolution.*

Daily says Russia aims to ruin Georgian-Azeri relations
Yeni Musavat, Baku
6 Dec 04
Excerpt from Elsad Pasasoy report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat
on 6 December headlined “Tension continues in Borcali” and subheaded
“Five Georgians have been arrested for shooting at ethnic Azeris. The
village of Qullar has been cordoned off”
The situation remains tense in the villages of Qullar and (?Qirixli)
in Georgia’s Marneuli District.
[Passage omitted: Recap of a land dispute which resulted in the
killing of one and wounding several ethnic Azeris, and the arrest of
five Georgians]
Zumrud Qurbanov [Qurbanli], one of the leaders of the Qeyrat movement,
has said that the developments at the Boyuk Kasik station [where
Azerbaijan has stopped wagons allegedly heading for Armenia via
Georgia] may have been connected with the events in Georgia. “Any
tension between the two countries is bound to affect the ethnic Azeris
in Georgia.”
The Azeri villages where the events took place are still cordoned
off by the police. Although the Georgian law-enforcement bodies
try to describe this as a security measure, the Azeris reckon that
the authorities are trying to break their resistance because the
neighbouring villages are all Azeri-populated and there is no need
for a cordon.
One of the most common explanations for the events in Georgia and the
general rise in tension on the border between the two countries is that
Russia has a hand in that. It is a serious issue that in the space
of a week following the tension at the Boyuk Kasik station, weapons
were used against ethnic Azeris in Borcali [Borchalo in Georgian;
administrative unit – uyezd – in Tsarist Russia since 1880, included
parts of what currently is Bolnisi, Dmanisi, Marneuli, Tetri-Tsqaro,
and Tsalka districts of Georgia].
Russia has skilfully managed to turn Armenia and Azerbaijan into
enemies and it is perfectly possible that now Russia seeks to create
a similar relationship between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Regrettably,
the Azerbaijani leadership has yet to voice its stance on these events,
at least at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
December 7, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Assigns New Priests
By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, nineteen newly-ordained priests
have been appointed to serve in the dioceses and programs of the Holy
Armenian Apostolic Church.
All of the new priests, the first twelve graduates of the Accelerated
Academic Course for the Priesthood and seven graduates of the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary were anointed and ordained into the
Holy Order of Priesthood in October of this year by His Grace Bishop
Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Following their ordinations, the new priests completed the traditional
40-day seclusion period of fasting, mediation and prayer. On Sunday,
November 21, the new priests celebrated their inaugural Divine
Liturgies at different churches throughout Armenia.
The order of His Holiness assigns the priests as follows:
Rev. Fr. Norayr Simonian is appointed as a chaplain in the Armenian
Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Chaplaincy program currently has 25
priests and deacons who provide spiritual care and leadership to the
Armenian soldiers.
The Araratian Pontifical Diocese, the largest diocese in the world,
will receive four new priests: Rev. Fr. Ghazar Petrossian is assigned
to the town of Byureghavan, Rev. Fr. Babgen Hayrapetian in Noubarashen,
Rev. Fr. Tovmas Andreasian to the village of Dalar, and Rev. Fr. Husik
Nurijanian is assigned to the Monastery of Khor Virap.
The Dioceses of Shirak will receive two new priests: Rev. Fr. Yeznik
Galsdian in Akhurian, and Rev. Fr. Pavstos Sargisian in Artik.
Rev. Fr. Moushé Vahanian and Rev. Fr. Manuel Mkrtchian have been
appointed to serve in the Diocese of Aragatsotn, in Chk’nagh and
Ashtarak respectively. Within the Diocese of Gougark, Rev. Fr. Simeon
Arakelian will serve in the city of Ijevan and Rev. Fr. Vrtanes
Baghalian will be in the city of Vanadzor. Rev. Fr. Nerses
Shahnazarian will serve in Chambarak, in the Diocese of Gegharkunik.
Completing the dioceses within Armenia, Rev. Fr. Mashtots Babayan
is assigned to the city of Abovian and Rev. Fr. Smbat Sargisian will
serve in Arindj, both in the Diocese of Kotayk.
His Holiness has appointed three priests to bring their service to the
Diocese of Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno Karabagh): Rev. Fr. Arakel
Ghazarian, Rev. Fr. Gyut Ghahramanian and Rev. Fr. Matteos Dravants.
Finally, the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan will receive
two new priests. Rev. Fr. Anania Babayan will serve in the city of
Rostov and Rev. Fr. Aristakes Hovhanissian has been assigned to Moscow.
##
–Boundary_(ID_l1fPYGHqkHszX+iNCx0KIA)–

Azeri, Armenian FMs to continue talks in Brussels
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 7 2004
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanian are expected to continue their Prague talks in Brussels
on December 9. This was agreed upon by the two ministers in Sofia
on Monday.
The meeting held within the 12th annual session of the OSCE foreign
ministers council focused on prospects for peace settlement of the
Upper Garabagh conflict and ways of increasing efficiency in this area.
Afterwards, Armenia’s unlawful policy of settlement in the
occupied lands of Azerbaijan was discussed on Minister Mammadyarov’s
initiative. Also discussed was sending an expert group to the region
to conduct monitoring.
Minister Mammadyarov and his deputy Araz Azimov are scheduled to
leave Sofia for Brussels to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of
the North Atlantic Partnership Council on December 9-10.*
–Boundary_(ID_WBUafod6mty4qSQFRJb2Ng)–

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
November 30, 2004 Tuesday
CSTO to expand cooperation with other intl organisations
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) will not only work
to raise the effectiveness of its structures, but will also widen
cooperation with other international organisations, Secretary of the
Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov said on Tuesday.
He spoke at a meeting of the committee of Security Council
secretaries of CSTO member states held in the Armenian capital.
According to Ivanov, these organisations will include first of all
the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), NATO and
the European Union.
The Russian Security Council chief also said the meeting participants
discussed the plan of action on priority fields of activity of the
CSTO – fighting against international terrorism, drug trafficking,
illegal migration and various types of extremism.
“These are the problems the CSTO member states and the entire
international community are concerned about,” Ivanov said.
Summarising the meeting results, its participants stressed the
organisation has made a transition from political declarations to
concrete work in quite a number of spheres.
For example, in the sphere of military cooperation, military
personnel training and combating drug addiction.
“The CSTO is confidently taking to its feet. It is a serious
organisation, which has won international recognition. We are
positive that its further development meets our common interests,”
Ivanov emphasised.

1/3 TO POLITICAL PARTIES
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Nov 04
Already 130 suggestions have been made referring to the new draft
electoral code. The second reading of the project will take place
on December 1, and it is not clear which of these suggestions
will be accepted. Nevertheless, according to the vice chairman of
the parliamentary faction of the Democratic Liberal Union Vahram
Atanessian, no new articles can appear in the project after the first
reading and vice versa, the previous might no disappear. “And as at
the first reading the project supposes the mixed type of parliament,
with nomination both on party tickets and in constituencies, presently
the suggestion of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of 100 per cent
nomination on party tickets contradicts to the Code of the National
Assembly”, said Vahram Atanessian commenting on the standpoint
of the ARF for “AA”. Moreover, as the member of parliament said,
most of the 19 members of faction of the Democratic Liberal Union
holding the majority in the parliament are against the election on
party tickets. However, after long-lasting consultations the faction
suggest electing 1/3 of the parliament on party tickets. This is,
according to Vahram Atanessian, a starting point. Today Karabakh
is not ready for the nomination on party system because, first of
all, the accomplished parties are not many and, second, the people
of Karabakh traditionally are not politicized. According to Vahram
Atanessian, not more than 5-10 per cent of the population is involved
in parties, and the number 1/3 was not chosen at random. According
to the law, the 33-seat parliament may work with quorum of 22
members of parliament. If none of the political parties gets the
necessary amount of votes, the members of parliament elected from
constituencies will form the 2/3 of the parliament, the quorum
of 22 members of parliament will allow the parliament to operate.
Proceeding from this and other considerations, the Democratic Liberal
Union as a public-political organization holding the majority in the
parliament prefers not to hurry. Commenting on the statements of the
ARF members that those parties vote against the party ticket system
which are afraid of losing elections, Vahram Atanessian emphasized
that in the political environment of Artsakh he cannot see other
political parties which are more accomplished or less accomplished.
Besides, according to him, the Democratic Liberal Union, backed by
the authorities, has better chances to get the majority of seats in
the parliament than the other political parties. Vahram Atanessian
mentioned that the Democratic Liberal Union forming the majority
in the parliament is responsible for the activities of the present
government, its achievements and disadvantages. “We are well-aware of
all the drawbacks and we will take them into account while working
out the future priorities,” said the member of the Union. In answer
to our question on possible developments in the government if at
the upcoming summer elections to parliament the opposition holds the
majority, Vahram Atanessian noticed that in a presidential republic
in which we live forming the government is the exclusive right of the
president. The parliament may only vote against the cabinet presented
by the president. “I do not think that introducing the party ticket
system has anything to do with forming a coalition government or any
other type of government. Maybe some people have similar aims but
first the same parliamentary majority will have to modify the law
in accordance with which the government is formed and deprive the
president of this right,” said Vahram Atanessian. According to the
law in effect, after the election to the parliament the government
presents the social-economic development program of the country to
the parliament. If within 72 hours the National Assembly does not
give a vote of no confidence in the program the government continues
operating. Otherwise the president dissolves the cabinet of ministers
and appoints a new government. Speaking about the disagreement
between factions on separate points of the Electoral Code, Vahram
Atanessian said that it would be desirable to adopt the Code by way of
a political consensus without any controversies. Many questions have
been agreed on, but many others have to be discussed. The problem of
forming election committees is mainly concerned. According to Vahram
Atanessian, the project states clearly that 5 days after the enactment
of the Code the Central Election Committee is to be formed. According
to the Code, the CEC must be formed of three representatives of the
president and a representative from each political force which has a
parliamentary faction. The present CEC includes three representatives
of the president, three representatives of the government and three
representatives of each political party. The Federation thinks that
there is no need to dissolve the present CEC, and the DLU argues that
it will contradict to the Code and, besides, the same committee cannot
hold two parliamentary elections. The second important question is
that the draft code supposes forming polling stations at the military
units located more than 50 km from settlements. According to Vahram
Atanessian, we simply do not have such “far-away” military units
and this artificially included point will later be manipulated. The
participation of new settlers and refugees in elections is also an
important issue. The Democratic Liberal Union proposes to allow
people who were granted the certificate of re-settler or refugee
to vote and be nominated for the elections to municipal governments
and the parliament on party tickets. As to the electoral registers,
according to the representative of the DLU, the responsibility for
their preciseness should not be borne by the communities but the
passport and visa services which possess precise information of the
democratic situation in the country.
AA. 27-11-2004

Pressure group to launch series of protests against Armenian’s visit
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 24 2004
Baku, November 23, AssA-Irada — The Garabagh Liberation Organization
(GLO) will start a series of protest actions in Baku starting on
Wednesday in protest against the Armenian parliament members’ intended
participation in the NATO Rose Roth seminar due in Azerbaijan late
in November.
The GLO chairman Akif Naghi said that the party will not notify the
local press of the venue for the protest actions ahead of time. He
said if Armenians arrive in Baku, the GLO will resort to all means
to prevent the NATO seminar from taking place.
On Tuesday, a group of the pressure group members distributed leaflets
to people in various public places of Baku calling once again for
showing a firm position on the issue and thwarting the Armenians’
visit.*

AZERBAIJANI OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY FOR KILLING ARMENIAN CLASSMATE
Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
November 23, 2004
Budapest, November 23 (MTI) – The Azerbaijani officer who killed
an Armenian classmate during a NATO Partnership for Peace course in
Budapest last February has pleaded guilty in court.
Ramil Safarov, 27, used an ax to hack to death his sleeping colleague
Gurgen Makarian of Armenia, a year his junior, in the dormitory of
Miklos Zrinyi National Defence University.
Safarov said that his act was motivated by the long-standing conflict
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Safarov who showed no repentance in court said the murder was a revenge
for a 1992 Armenian assault of Azerbaijanis in the Nagorno-Karabakh
region, which he witnessed as a child.
Safarov is charged with premeditated murder carried out with unusual
cruelty and vile motives.
The Azerbaijani officer said the Armenians he had met in the dormitory
and in excursions “were smiling mockingly and were behaving the way
members of a victorious army usually behave towards the defeated.”
The killer and the Armenian victim were attending a three-month
English language course in Budapest.
The trial was attended by both Azerbaijani and Armenian diplomats.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress