Author: Karapetian Hovik

REFUSAL OF TWO VERSIONS
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
05 Sept 06

Poet David Hovhannes leaves the contest commission of the text and
music of the RA national anthem.

David Hovhannes explains the reasons why he left the commission.

"I went out angrily after the sitting of the commission on 28 August
refusing to participate in the works of the commission. But "Aravot"
had written that it had become obvious that the author of text for
Ervand Erznkian’s music under Ararat B pseudonym was Razmik Davoyan,
the member of commission. The main point is that it didn’t become
clear, that’s why I went out. The authors of music of 5 compositions
that have passed second stage but two authors of texts are unknown. I
mean nobody knows Arsen Soghomonian who is the author of the text
written for Aram Khachatrian’s music. Ararat B was also unknown. I
have always voted in favor Ervand Erznkian’s melody. I suggested at the
beginning of the sitting of the commission on 28 August to find out the
authors of those two texts. Unexpectedly I faced obstacles. Everybody
was against my suggestion. Everything was done not to publish those
two names. I didn’t understand why it was a secret. After an hour I
managed to find out that Arsen Soghomonin was a chief of department
in the ministry of culture. I was asked what changed it. I answered
that it changed a lot of things: finally it became clear for me why
that unprofessional text passed the second stage. It is a pun as
other 42 texts. This participation was inadmissible both morally
and technically.

As regards "Ararat B", they were strongly opposing not to declare
his name.

It became clear for me who that person was, following his panic and
miserable condition. /As David Hovhannes didn’t say the name, we were
interested whether Razmik Davoyan was present at that sitting. A.I./
I just mean him. I don’t pronounce names but I have always asked who
"Ararat B" is. When that version passed the second stage, I suggested
finding out who he was. Maybe that person is a Turk, enemy of the
nation, he can be the member of commission alluding to him. They
spoke of human rights. I say, I also have human rights and as the
member of commission want to know who is under this pseudonym. Is it
a state secret or matter of national security?

The commission has its working order, and I specified once more from
Nora Dayants, the secretary of commission that the participation of
any member of commission as the author of text or music is forbidden
in this contest.

Everybody in the commission knew who "Ararat B" was, and everybody
was trying to keep it in secret. That’s why my patience was exhausted,
and I made a declaration that I stopped my participation in the works
of commission.

Now I’m sure, only three versions from 5 can be put for voting. The
text version for Aram Khachatrian’s music must be put out. I have
nothing against Ervand Erznkian’s music but the author of its text
is the member of commission, so it must also be put out."

WHO SHOULD NAME PRIME MINISTER IN KARABAKH

Lragir.am
04 Sept 06

The draft constitution of NKR is under consideration in the NKR
National Assembly. There are a number of disputable questions,
including who names the prime minister. In accordance with the draft,
the head of state names and dismisses the prime minister. Not everyone
agrees to this provision. For instance, Gagik Poghosyan, member of the
Azat Hayrenik Party says the National Assembly should name a prime
minister. However, he thinks that unlike Armenia, the president
of Karabakh should be empowered to dismiss the prime minister,
considering the reality of NKR.

"I think the government staff should reflect the political pattern
of the parliament," said Gagik Petrosyan.

Vahram Atanesyan, the leader of the faction of the Democratic
Party says the draft constitution provides for the division of the
legislative, executive and judicial bodies. "Although we would like
to reach more clarity on these mechanisms during the parliamentary
debates. Namely, on the constitutional mechanisms of forming government
and parliamentary control over the activities of the government,"
said Vahram Atanesyan.

"We think the balance of the executive, legislative and judicial
bodies is not sufficient. Namely, the executive is apparently given
more powers. In the Constitution of Armenia, this balance is kept
to a certain degree. In accordance with the Constitution of Armenia,
the parliament majority names the prime minister, whereas according to
our draft constitution, the president names prime minister. You may
ask what the problem is. In fact, if the political sphere in Armenia
is in the stage of establishment, in Karabakh it is just forming.

Hence, it may become another reason why the political sphere will
remain in its former state. And an established political sphere is
highly important for a state like Karabakh," said Arthur Mosiyan,
the representative of ARF Dashnaktsutyun to Artsakh.

Apparently, the provision on naming prime minister will give rise to
heated debates. Certain political forces may wish that the parliament
majority name the prime minister. The problem will become complicated
in the sense that in the present parliament of NKR only one third
was elected under the proportional system. And the pattern of the
parliament is not set down in the draft constitution at all.

Nagornyy Karabakh calls for direct talks with Azerbaijan

Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian 0501 gmt 2 Sep 06

The leader of Azerbaijan’s breakaway province of Nagornyy Karabakh has
called for direct talks with Baku, Arminfo news agency has said.

In his address at the festivities to mark the 15th anniversary of
Nagornyy Karabakh’s secession from Azerbaijan, Arkadiy Gukasyan said:
"I want to confirm readiness of the Karabakh side to conduct a direct
and constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan without any preconditions. I
regard this format of talks as

more natural because it reflects the essence of the problem."
Gukasyan recalled that in 1994 Azerbaijan had signed a cease-fire
agreement with Nagornyy Karabakh, the agency said. "In doing so, the
Azerbaijani leadership in fact recognized Nagornyy Karabakh as a fully
legitimate side to the conflict denying this today," he added.

The agency quoted Gukasyan as saying that bellicose calls could be
explained by the lack of democracy in Azerbaijan. He said that the
settlement of the conflict is possible only through mutual
compromises. "The Karabakh problem cannot be settled militarily. The
war will only bring new losses and suffering to both peoples. I call
on the Azerbaijani side to give up crazy and suicidal revanchist plans
and to resolve all issues, no matter how complicated they are, at the
negotiating table."

`CRIMINAL-OLIGARCHIC SYSTEM IS RESPONSIBLE’
Margaret Yesayan

Aravot.am
01 Sept 06

Secretary of `Justice’ faction Grigor Haroutiunian says.

Everybody agrees that it becomes more and more dangerous to live in
our country even in the afternoon. Both the authorities and opposition
agree with it but their interpretations are too different. They are
different for recorders but during private conversations even
non-oppositionist politicians admit that non-punishment brings new
crimes and this boundless situation will cause very dangerous
developments.

The representatives of both the authority and opposition speak of the
fact that the events and murders in Nor Hachn, `Tetsi-Krug’,
Malatia-Sebastia community, murder of the head of Dalar village have
become a bad habit and it is too dangerous when the problems are
solved by guns. Almost all our interlocutors think that its reason is
the atmosphere on non-punishment and lack of discipline. Leader of
«Republic» Party Aram Sargsian noticed that all the was the result
of atmosphere of non punishment: «There are facts, the police
has caught the person who has killed Tigran, 10 days before the murder
but then set him free. But it is surprising how a person is set free
against whom a criminal case is brought, who has fired at Tigran’s
house for several times.

This is a lack of discipline. Those who have assisted Tigran
Petrosian’s killer are responsible for it». To our observation
that the representatives of authority like to calm people down saying
that crimes happen in every country, Aram Sargsian answered:
«Only in Armenia guilty persons aren’t punished, innocent
people are judged only for the reason that they are oppositionists.’

Secretary of «Justice» faction Grigor Harutiunian said
that they didn’t wonder at such stirring up as the way of acting of
these authorities lead to it: growth of crimes. «We have spoken
about it for many times, it’s the system formed by the authorities,
all these is led and ruled by them, every crime is hidden by just
them. We see after a noisy crime that the criminals are set free very
soon. This is a special policy to spread fear among public. As the
result the part of citizens is disappointed, leave the country; people
say did you see what happened to Tigran, he wanted to live
normally. People won’t dare take any step after it.’ `Nobody was
punished for October 27, – Mr. Harutiunian added. I think nowadays
authority, criminal-oligarchic system is responsible for it and they
will be responsible for it sooner or later. ARF faction leader Hrayr
Karapetian thinks:’ We worry about such criminal situation, and I
think law enforcement agencies should take steps to prevent it’.

Toronto Star, Canada
Sept 1 2006

Modern Turkey’s first new church opens in Istanbul
Sep. 1, 2006. 02:06 PM
REUTERS

ISTANBUL – A new Christian church has opened in Istanbul for the
first time in modern Turkey in what its founder hailed today as a
sign of increased religious freedom in the EU candidate country.

Since the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 as a secular
state with a predominantly Muslim population, accompanied by a mass
exodus of Greek and Armenian Christians, many churches and other
non-Muslim religious buildings have closed or been abandoned.

Minority rights are one of several sticking points in negotiations
with the European Union, and the continuing closure of a Greek
Orthodox seminary has become a symbol of the difficulties still to be
overcome.

Barcelona-born Carlos Madrigal, the founder pastor of Istanbul’s
Evangelical church, sees the end of his seven-year struggle to make
the church official as a major step for Turkey.

"As far as the Protestant Church is concerned, it’s an achievement
… but in terms of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, a door
has been opened for any community," he told Reuters at the church on
the Asian side of Istanbul.

He described the labyrinthine and expensive process required to get
his church legally registered, including two trips to Turkey’s top
court.

Before 2003 it was impossible to open a church in Turkey, as Turkish
legislation made no mention of the necessary procedures and dealt
only with mosques, and worship outside an official venue was
forbidden.

European Union-inspired reforms in 2003 changed that, but even so, it
took a further three years of bureaucratic procedures before the
church could officially open in August.

Officially, Turkey is strictly secular, but a large majority of Turks
are Muslim, and Islam is closely tied up with the national identity.
The national flag bears the Islamic star and crescent moon, and many
feel non-Muslims are not real Turks.

The new church is simple, unadorned except for stained-glass windows,
in a house converted for about $130,000 with help from donors in
Britain, Spain, the United States and Indonesia.

Now two more Evangelical churches are applying for permission to
register, one in Istanbul’s Besiktas district and another in the
southeastern city of Diyarbakir.

Madrigal, a Catalan from a Catholic family who came to Turkey in
1985, says there are some 5,000 evangelical Christians in Turkey –
half of them Turks – and he receives four or five enquiries each
week.

But, in a country where missionaries have traditionally been viewed
with suspicion, the group does not actively seek new members.

"(Proselytising) is seen badly in society … The word missionary
means spy," Madrigal said, adding that in 1987 he was arrested, and
as policemen beat him they demanded to know which state he worked
for.

There has been much progress since then, and Madrigal says the EU has
played a large role, but his church still has unmet demands, such as
being allowed to have a graveyard.

Madrigal, who says that what he has faced in Turkey has parallels
with obstacles to change in Spain under dictator Francisco Franco,
also looks forward to greater freedoms in Turkey as EU membership
draws nearer.

"Turkey is changing its attitude slowly, from the realm of what is
forbidden to one of what is permitted."

$3.13 BILLION PLEDGED TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

Environmental Finance, UK
Aug. 31, 2006

London, 31 August: Governments from 32 countries have promised to give
$3.13 billion to a fund which tackles environmental degradation in
the developing world, the biggest collective donation it has received
to date.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) will spend the money on
environmental projects run by governments, NGOs and community groups.

Monique Barbut, GEF chief executive and chairwoman, said: "This strong
show of support from the international donor community is remarkable,
and signals firm commitment to protecting the global environment."

The 15 year-old funding body receives an injection of cash every four
years. Contributions are worked out using a complex formula, but 20
of the 32 donors have agreed to give an additional amount this year.

China and Korea, but not the US, are among the nations who have
said they will give more, alongside a roll call mainly made up of
European countries.

The GEF declined to break down how much each donor will contribute,
but said that Europe provides "nearly half" of the funding. Although
industrialised countries dominate the list of donors, Nigeria and
Pakistan have also pledged undisclosed amounts.

Barbut said: "We cannot be complacent, and time is not on our side.

The global environment is facing unprecedented threats, and these
funds have to be translated rapidly into projects, programmes and
policies that make a difference in developing countries."

To date, the GEF has given out $6.2 billion in grant funding,
and generated a further $20 billion in co-funding, for more than
1,800 projects in 140 countries. "For every dollar that we invest,
we leverage an additional $4. We would only finance a project if it
had four more dollars," said Sarwat Hussain from the GEF.

The GEF has recently provided grants to a $19 million financing
mechanism for renewable energy in Armenia, a $16 million project
to tackle land degradation in Bhutan and an $89 million project to
combat desertification in Cuba.

SCHOOLCHILDREN TO HAVE A VACATION IN GREECE
Z. Mayilyan.

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
30 Aug 2006

For over ten years Karabakh schoolchildren are taken to Greece
for a holiday. Marianna Hakobian, senior official at the Ministry
of Education, Culture and Sport, said 20 children of the killed
liberation soldiers from Stepanakert and the regions under 16 left
for Greece on August 24. They will stay in comfortable hotels and spas.

BRITISH LADY MOURNED
By Bill Laye, Calgary Sun

Calgary Sun, Alberta, Canada
Aug. 29, 2006

Family, friends saying goodbye to honoured citizen, author and nurse

Calgary has lost a touch of nobility with the death of a bona-fide
British Lady.

But her many family and friends will always remember Lady Ashkhain
Skipwith, a published author, for her keen wit and huge heart, said
her niece Chantey Aldridge.

Skipwith, 64, died last Wednesday after a 10-month battle with cancer.

Born of Armenian parents in Jaffa, Israel, she came by her royal
title through her second marriage to Briton Sir Patrick Skipwith,
said Aldridge, 33.

"She was a gem, that’s for sure … an amazing woman," Aldridge said,
adding her aunt, an oncology nurse by trade, lived many places —
including Saudi Arabia and London, England.

During the past 10 years she’d been on staff at the Foothills hospital
in Calgary.

"We did all kinds of fun things in London with her and she had a very
sharp wit," Aldridge said.

"It’s a major, major loss for our family."

Aldridge said her aunt’s passions included classical music and
literature — and that love of words is what prompted her to take up
the pen.

Skipwith’s six published books include Ashkhain’s Desert Cookery and
Unload Your Own Donkey — she co-authored Arabic Sayings from Egypt
and Other Countries with Primrose Arnander.

And while she’d long since left the Mideast, Aldridge said her aunt
always tried to keep up with the latest developments — and was deeply
disturbed by recent events in her former homeland.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Stephen’s
Anglican Church, 1121 14 Ave. S.W.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be made in her
name to either the Canadian Cancer Society () or the
Calgary Health Trust ().

.ca/News/Alberta/2006/08/29/1783403-sun.html

LEBANESE-ARMENIANS DEMAND NOT TO INCLUDE TURKISH FORCES IN PEACEKEEPING CONTINGENT
By Ruzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily
29/08/2006

In a message to the international mass media Armenian deputies of
the Lebanese parliament, Jean Aghasapian, Yeghik Tchertcherian,
Hagop Gasartchian and Serge Tursargisian, have praised the actions
of the Lebanese government and its head Fouad Siniora underscoring
the latter’s ability to defend the state’s utmost interests in
difficult conditions. In the meantime, on behalf of the Lebanese
Armenian community deputies called on the government not to include
Turkish forces among the international peacekeeping contingent bound
to deploy in the south. They emphasized that Lebanon is a country
where different communities coexist, and everyone has to respect
each community’s feelings. In this regard, the deputies reminded that
Lebanon’s Armenian community was formed due to the Armenian Genocide
carried out by Turkey in 1915. Actions of the Turkish army have left
cruel memories in the Armenian people and that inspires distrust
towards Turkish soldiers. In view of this circumstance, the deputies
demand that the government respects feelings of the Lebanese-Armenians
and not to include Turkish forces among the peacekeepers.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 26, 2006

Meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Slovenia is
under question

Source: Trend
Author: À.Ismaylova

26.08.2006

Still there is no exact information regarding possibility of the
meeting of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia within the
framework of the international conference "Caspian-2008" in Slovenia,
press-secretary of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Matin Mirza told
Trend on August 26.

It should be mentioned that on August 27-28, an international
conference "Caspian-2008" will be held in the Slovenian capital
Ljubljana. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will also attend
the conference. Besides, the conference is expected to bring together
the Prime Minister of Slovenia Yanez Yansh, active chairman of OSCE
Karl de Guht, Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Georgi Baramidze,
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, Foreign Minister of
Slovakia and former special envoy of EU on the countries of Central
Asia Yan Kubisha, first Deputy Foreign Minister of Russian Federation
Andrey Denisov, personal representatives of active OSCE Andzey
Kasprzyk and other many officials.

Mirza remembered that the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group offered the
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and Armenia Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan to meet in the near future. However, the exact date
and place of the meeting still remains undefined. Azerbaijani
minister has already expressed his readiness to meet with Oskanyan.
Armenian foreign minister also announced that the next meeting of the
two ministers on the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
will take place in the near future.

During his interview with Trend, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to
Austria Fuad Ismaylov didn’t exclude that if during the Conference
the sides voice their desire, a meeting may be held between
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and active chairman of OSCE Karl
de Guht where it is possible to hold discussions on the fires in
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.

–Boundary_(ID_H7Hyqc7/NZ7sBMvnvff1k Q)–