Author: Karapetian Hovik

WISMAN NAMES ARMENIA PARTY

UEFA.com
Aug 29 2005

Armenia coach Henk Wisman has named a 21-man squad for the September
FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Czech
Republic. Captain Harutyun Vardanyan returns after a year on the
sidelines with a knee injury, while FC Banants’s Samvel Melkonyan
and FC Pyunik’s Armen Tigranyan hope to make their debuts.

Armenia squad Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovski (FC Dinamo Moskva),
Gevorg Kasparov (FC Pyunik).

Defenders: Valery Aleksanyan (FC Pyunik), Sargis Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik),
Robert Arzumanyan (FC Pyunik), Alexander Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik),
Harutyun Vardanyan (FC Aarau), Karen Dokhoyan (FC Krylya Sovetov
Samara), Yegishe Melikyan (FC Metalurh Donetsk).

Midfielders: Agvan Lazarian (FC Pyunik), Romik Khachatryan (OFI Crete
FC), David Grigoryan (FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk), Karen Aleksanyan
(CSF Zimbru Chisinau), Hamlet Mkhitaryan (FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk), Armen
Tigranyan (FC Pyunik), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants).

Forwards: Edgar Manucharyan (AFC Ajax), Ara Hakobyan (FC Stal
Alchevsk), Aram Hakobyan (FC Banants), Aram Voskanyan (FC Yesil
Bogatyr Petropavlovsk),Galust Petrosyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau).

AZERI OPPOSITION BLOC URGES AUTHORITIES TO EXPLAIN “SABOTAGE”

Azadliq, Baku

24 Aug 05 p 2

Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 24
August headlined “The authorities must answer” and subheaded “The
Ilham Aliyev administration is using the National Security Ministry
against the democratic opposition as a means of instigation to civil
confrontation, violence and unlawfulness” and “The Azadliq bloc issues
a statement over the exposed secret operation against the PFAP”

The Azadliq [opposition electoral] bloc issued a statement yesterday
to protest against the sabotage operation against the People’s Front
of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP], which was exposed by [PFAP adviser] Ramiz
Tagiyev [reported attempt to prompt some party members to storm the
PFAP office]. The authors of the statement described this incident
as a continuing act of sabotage against the Azadliq bloc in general
and the PFAP and its chairman Ali Karimli in particular.

The statement says that the authorities, which are concerned about the
demands of the Azerbaijani public and the international community for
a free and fair election, want to use force in political processes,
crack down on their political opponents by means of illegal methods
and prevent expected democratic changes in the country.

“The fact that the authorities have used force against the peaceful
protests of the Azadliq bloc in regions in recent months, that the
National Security Ministry has organized an act of sabotage against
the PFAP and its leader Ali Karimli over the case of Ruslan Basirli
[who is accused of alleged cooperation with the Armenian special
services] and that specially trained groups have attacked the PFAP
headquarters shows that the incumbent authorities fear the decisiveness
of the democratic opposition to win the election and prevent another
election fraud and are trying to disrupt the forthcoming election in
such ways. As a sequel to all this, the National Security Ministry’s
statements about Ramiz Tagiyev’s involvement in the organization of the
attack on the PFAP expose the very nature of the authorities’ policy
and prove once again that the power structures are actually used as
a means of struggle against the opposition,” the statement says.

Referring to Tagiyev’s statements, the statement recalls that employees
of the National Security Ministry met Tagiyev via the chairman of the
Hope Party, Iqbal Agazada, and suggested that he should storm the
PFAP headquarters with the help of specially trained groups, seize
the building and evict party members from there. After the seizure
of the party headquarters, it was planned to set up a temporary
administrative council of the party led by Tagiyev.

The Azadliq bloc states with anxiety that the incident illustrates
that the authorities are trying not to compete with their rivals
in a civilized manner, but to resort to illegal ways to destroy and
crash them.

“This shows once again that instead of protecting Azerbaijan’s
national security and state interests, the National Security
Ministry is actually used by the [Azerbaijani President] Ilham
Aliyev administration against the democratic opposition as a means of
instigation to civil confrontation, violence and unlawfulness in the
country. The Azadliq bloc says that the authorities are trying to use
authoritarian methods to prevent democratic processes in the country,
create artificial tension and fear in society and hold people at bay
through blackmail and crackdown because they do not intend to fulfil
their international commitments to hold a democratic election. The
authorities must give the people of Azerbaijan an explanation about
the incident since it is directed not only against the PFAP, but also
against the Azadliq bloc and democratic processes,” the statement says.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

August 24, 2005
___________________

GROUP OF 30 SENIORS MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM

By Jake Goshert

It is a trip Margaret Azarian has only dreamed about: Traveling as an
Armenian pilgrim to the Holy Land.

“I’m looking forward to walking in the footsteps of our Lord. This is
where He first appeared and where everything happened. It is the
birthplace of Christianity. Everything happened there,” said the
parishioner of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, CT.
“Traveling to the Holy Land has been in the back of my mind for a long
time, for years. Jerusalem is still part of our culture and religion;
and 2,000 years later it is still going strong.”

Azarian and her husband, Nazareth, are part of a group of 30 “avak”
senior citizens headed to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage organized by Fr.
Mardiros Chevian, dean of New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral. They
leave on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, and return on August 31.

“The seniors of the cathedral expressed an interest in traveling to the
Holy Land, and several other seniors from throughout the Diocese joined
us on this trip. I think what they’ll find is that by going to
Jerusalem they will become stronger Christians,” said Fr. Mardiros, who
helped lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000. “To actually see and
touch the places where Jesus worked is a life-altering experience.”

That’s exactly the type of experience many of the participants are
looking for.

“Hopefully we will be spiritually nourished and renewed, that’s what I
feel will come of it. Other pilgrims have said that going there creates
a wonderful feeling that doesn’t happen everywhere,” Azarian said. “I’m
looking forward to being with Armenians who are faithful Armenian
Christians and then we’ll see where the trip takes us, spiritually.
Maybe the pilgrimage will encourage me to do something else; you never
know how the Holy Spirit will move you.”

The participants will meet with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, on several occasions during
the tour, which includes stops in the Armenian Quarter of Old Jerusalem.
On the day of their arrival, they will attend a vespers service at the
St. James Cathedral, and later in the trip will have dinner with members
of the Brotherhood of St. James.

The pilgrims will also visit spiritual sites such as Bethlehem, the
Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and Jericho.

“This pilgrimage is a special opportunity for us all,” Fr. Mardiros
said. “Not only will we be visiting Biblically important locations, but
we will also be delving deep into our Armenian heritage and history.
But more important is the connections we will be making with our fellow
pilgrims. This week will truly create new, lasting friendships.”

Several parishes are planning pilgrimages to Armenia and the Holy Land
in the coming years. Check with your local parish to see if anything is
being planned. The Diocese also plans trips to both the Holy Land and
Armenia. If you would like to receive notices when such trips are
organized, e-mail your contact information to [email protected]
with “trip info” in the subject line.

— 8/24/05

PACE PRESIDENT: PACE HAS INTENSIFIED ITS ROLE IN KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

STRASBOURG, AUGUST 18. ARMINFO. Among other issues during his Aug 21-24
visit to Baku PACE President Rene van der Linden is going to discuss
the Karabakh peace process, Linden says in an interview to TURAN.

PACE has intensified its work in this direction and an important
meeting will take place in Paris in the coming months with all the
key participants involved, says Linden without specifying the details
and names.

To remind, Aug 18-20 Linden will visit Armenia.

PACE President to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to discuss political reforms

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2005

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE), Rene van der Linden, is to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia from 18 to 23 August 2005.

These will be his first visits to the three countries of the southern
Caucasus since being elected to office last January.

In Armenia, which he will visit from 18 to 20 August, he will
meet, inter alia, President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, President
of Parliament Arthur Baghdasaryan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vardan Oskanyan, Minister of Justice David Haroutiunyan, as well
as NGOs representatives and leaders of opposition factions. He
is also scheduled to meet His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of
All Armenians. Among the matters which should be discussed are the
process of constitutional reform, Nagorno-Karabakh and democratic
reforms and pluralism.

While in Georgia, on 20 and 21 August, he will hold talks with Prime
Minister Zurab Noghaideli, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mikheil
Machavariani as well as representatives of parliamentary opposition
and civil society. A meeting is also scheduled with His Holiness
and Beatitude Ilia II, Patriarch of All Georgia. The constitutional
situation, the independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression
and association and media pluralism should be the focal points of
discussion.

During his visit to Azerbaijan, from 21 to 23 August, he will meet
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Chairman of Parliament Murtuz
Aleskerov, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Elmar Mammadyarov as well as representatives of the opposition, the
media and NGOs. He is also scheduled to meet Sheikh ul-Islam Haji
Allahshukur Pashazade, spiritual leader of the Muslim community of
the Caucasus. Among the matters to be raised will be the November
parliamentary elections, political prisoners and Nagorno-Karabakh.

SWEDEN INTERESTED IN SOONER SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT: LARS
DANIELSSON GUNNAR

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12. ARMINFO. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
Vardan Oskanian received members of the delegation headed by Lars
Danielsson Gunnar, State Secretary of the staff of the prime minister
of Sweden. The delegation has arrived in Yerevan within the framework
of the regional visit.

ARMINFO was informed in the press office of Armenia’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, during the meeting the sides stressed the necessity of
further development of Armenian-Swedish relations and in this context
the importance of exchange of visits. The foreign minister of Armenia
stressed the importance of Sweden’s assistance in the issue of more
involvement of Armenia in the EU’s policy of New Neighborhood. He
especially mentioned the success of technical programs implemented in
Armenia since 1995 through the financing of the Swiss International
Development Agency.

Speaking of the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict Lars
Gunnar mentioned that his country is interested in sooner settlement
of the conflict. He also stressed the readiness of Swede for political
and economic assistance to the parties of the conflict in reaching
an agreement round the settlement of the conflict.

Representative of notorious youth movement released

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 16 2005

Baku, August 15, AssA-Irada — Representative of the notorious Yeni
Fikir (New Thought) youth movement, who accompanied chairman Ruslan
Bashirli charged with plotting with Armenian intelligence to stage
a coup in Azerbaijan, has been released from custody, Prosecutor
General Zakir Garalov told journalists on Monday.

Alimuradov, who acted as an interpreter for Bashirli during a visit
to Tbilisi, Georgia, where the latter had a conversation with two
Armenian secret service agents, reported to the law enforcement about
the meeting.

Garalov said that a person, who notifies law-enforcement bodies about
the crime he knows, is not imprisoned. He noted that Yeni Fikir has
not been officially registered by the government.

The Prosecutor General expressed disappointment with the statements
issued by the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) after the
incident. The PFPA chairman Ali Karimli known to maintain close ties
with the movement, said following the incident that Bashirli bears
‘moral’ but not ‘criminal responsibility’ for the developments.

“Why are the PFPA members so anxious about Bashirli – the Yeni Fikir
movement was not set up within the party”, said Garalov. The movement’s
sources of funding will be made public in the near future, he added.*

Azerbaijani Official Accuses Opposition of Plotting Coup

CRI, China
Aug 15 2005

2005-8-16 2:36:24 CRIENGLISH.com

Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov accused the opposition
Monday of planning to stage a coup, saying any such attempt will
be foiled.

The prosecutor general warned the opposition that “the Azerbaijani
authorities are strong enough and any such unconstitutional attempts
will be thwarted by legal means.”

Tensions in the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation are running high ahead
of the November parliamentary elections.

Former president Ayaz Mutalibov and former parliamentary speaker Rasul
Guliyev, both of whom are living abroad, have announced plans to run
in the elections.

Garalov said Mutalibov and Guliyev will be arrested if they return
to Azerbaijan.

Mutalibov, who took the helm of Azerbaijan after the country gained
independence in the early 1990s, is accused of grave crimes that
include losing Azerbaijani territories to Armenia in the armed conflict
over the disputed, mostly ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Guliyev, who now heads the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, faces
large-scale misappropriation charges.

ARMENTEL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY (ARMENIA) IMPLEMENTS CONTINUOUS
WORK TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION

YEREVAN, August 11. /ARKA/. The ArmenTel Telecommunication Company
(Armenia) implements continuous work to improve quality of the mobile
communication, Executive Director of ArmenTel Vasilios Flavios told
journalists. Answering the ARKA News Agency’s question, he said that
“there is no doubt in poor quality of mobile communication in July,
2005”. He also said that he is not going to deny this fact. Ar the
same time he reported that the company implements all possible
technical work to improve quality of mobile communication, and some
progress is already seen. He said that the problem exists only in
evening hours in Yerevan center, and this problem will be solved by
the end of August, 2005. He said that “improvement of quality of the
mobile communication is very hard work that needs some time”. He said
that the company should project its network carrying the obligation to
reduce about three times the spectrum of its frequencies during nine
months. He said that ArmenTel is worried about the possibility to
loose its clients due to the law quality of mobile communication.

“There are some risks, but we believe we will provide the mobile
communication of a higher quality”, Flavios said. In his turn,
Vice-Commercial Director of ArmenTel Armen Simonyan said that
provision of AMD 1,000 bonus to pre-paid communication subscribers was
based on approximate calculations of the mobile communication usage
for a certain period. The Greek OTE Telecommunication Company bought
90% of ArmenTel shares on the international tender for USD 142.47mln
in 1997. The company was a monopolist on the Armenia mobile
communication market till the RA Government decision on November 4,
2005. The “K-Telecom” Company entered the Armenian market of mobile
communication on July 1, 2005 with VivaCell trademark. A.A. -0–

NUBARASHEN AND VARDASHEN SPECIAL CLOSE EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO
TURN INTO OPEN ONES

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: World Vision Armenian Office
implements “Children in Difficult Situations” program for children in
Nubarashen and Vardashen special educational establishments where
children who have violated the law, brought from streets and socially
unsecured live. Almost all the children living there have parents. In
Vardashen 93 children and in Nubarashen 62 children are living. At
first the program was implemented by “Doctors without Limits” French
organization.

Kristina Mikhailidi, head of the “Children’s Protection” programs,
said it is not right to keep the children who appeared in the
establishment because of different reasons together as the works
directed towards their restoration must be different. The organization
has sent a proposal to the Armenian Education and Science Ministry, to
which the establishments belong, saying it is necessary to clarify the
standards according to which children are accepted and thus to develop
relevant services for them.

Kristina Mikhailidi said in many cases the teachers do not know how to
work with children and in this respect the organization conducts
training classes for the staff of the establishments. Within the
frameworks of the program the organizers are trying to restore ties
between children and parents. At present 30 percent of parents are
actively participating with the heads of the programs.

Through material support the program also tries to create favorable
conditions for returning children to their families. Last year 4
children returned to their families this year 8. By the end of the
4-year long program it is expected to change the two close
establishments into open ones so that the children would not be forced
to stay there without their will. In this case the children will live
there not until they are 18 but for 6 months or a year.