Author: Madatian Greg

Russian-Armenian military exercise complete

Interfax news agency, Moscow
13 Sep 05

Yerevan, 13 September: The Russian-Armenian annual military
exercise has finished in Armenia on Tuesday [13 September], Interfax
correspondent reports.

The Russian military from the 102nd base in Gyumri and Armenian
servicemen took part in the exercise involving 1,307 personnel and
294 vehicles and aircraft, including S-300 air defence systems,
MiG-27 jet fighters and helicopters.

The exercise began on 10 September. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
and general secretary of the Collective Security Organization Nikolay
Bordyuzha were observing its final phase.

The exercise was held for the 10th time. Its scenario was traditional:
the “aggressor” was attacking Armenia from the direction of Turkey on
the ground and in the air and advancing into its territory. The Russian
and Armenian troops destroyed the “aggressor’s” reconnaissance groups,
then its main grouping and forced it to capitulate.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 9 2005

ARMENIA AND THAILAND SIGNED `THE JOINT ACTION PROGRAM’

On September 8 foreign ministries of Armenia and Thailand signed `The
Joint Action Program’.
According to Thai Deputy foreign minister Virachai Virameteecul, the
signing of the document has become the result of RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan’s visit to Thailand on July 9 – 13.
Thai foreign minister said he had met RA foreign minister Vardan
Oskanyan. In the course of the meeting the parties came to an
agreement on a lot of issues referring to the program.
The document was signed for 2 years – 2005 – 2007. It is going to be
a principal document stimulating ties between the two countries,
while Thai and Armenian MFA will coordinate the new programs.

PRESS RELEASE

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09 Sept 05

Late in the evening of September 5th the president o NKR Arkady
Ghukassian met with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the foreign minister
of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel who had just arrived in Yerevan from
Baku. This was their second meeting this year. Mr. Rupel reasserted
the standpoint of the OSCE to reach a rapid resolution of the Karabakh
conflict preventing resumption of war. He said his meetings with the
Azerbaijani government in Baku prove that the Azerbaijani side adopted
a constructive standpoint. According to Dimitrij Rupel, the atmosphere
around the talks is positive, which may enable the parties to move
ahead. President Ghukassian noticed that although the Karabakh party
is acquainted with the content of the meetings of the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, as it does not take part in the talks
directly, it judges about the atmosphere by the statements of the
parties. The president of Nagorno Karabakh Republic emphasized that
the government of Azerbaijan is again making militaristic statements
after the recent meeting in Kazan and defies any contact with Nagorno
Karabakh, which means that Azerbaijan, in fact, is not ready for a
resolution based on compromise. Arkady Ghukassian mentioned that the
participation of Karabakh in the talks, as well as direct contact
between the societies of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan will enable
to create an atmosphere of trust between the sides. The president said
Nagorno Karabakh Republic is ready to assume responsibility for the
future of the state and the people and walks its way, anticipating the
same from Azerbaijan.

AA.
09-09-2005

ARINC SENDS LETTERS TO PARLIAMENTS WHICH RECOGNIZED SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Turkish Press
Sept 8 2005

Press Review

In letters sent this week to the parliaments of 16 countries which
have recognized the so-called Armenian genocide, Parliament Speaker
Bulent Arinc said that there was nothing in Turkey’s history to be
ashamed of. Sweden, Poland, Canada, Argentina, and Germany were among
these countries. Arinc stated that such recognitions had disappointed
Turkey. /Turkiye/

ARMENIAN AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO EXPAND COOPERATION

Pan Armenian News
07.09.2005 03:53

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian National Assembly Chairman Artur
Baghdassaryan, who is on visit to the U.S., met in Washington with
Vice President of Habitat for Humanity project Thomas Lert Johns
and Director for Europe and Asia Ned Kelly, RA NA press center
reported. During the meeting the parties discussed programs launched
for the assistance to needy families. They also stressed the importance
of the joint program carried out in the village of Kharberd of the
Ararat region, which will be continued in the towns of Maralik and
Gyumri. The interlocutors also agreed on construction of dwelling
for the families without means.

AZG Armenian Daily #157, 03/09/2005

Today

LIVE WEBCAST OF AGBU BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 3

On Saturday, September 3, 2005, AGBU Buenos Aires () will be
airing a live webcast of its artistic and cultural festival, “Armenia, One
People, One Nation, One Culture,” the proceeds of which will benefit the
city’s Doctor Pedro de Eiizalde Children’s Hospital ().
About 500 musicians and dancers will take part in the mega-event at the
city’s Exhibition Center. The evening will be hosted under the auspices of
the City of Buenos Aires and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.
Streaming video of the live webcast can be viewed by visiting the AGBU
Buenos Aires webcast homepage () on the day of the event and
clicking on a banner that will launch the viewing portal. Up-to-minute
information about broadcast times and system requirements will be available
on the viewing portal as well. The six-hour live broadcast will begin
Saturday 5:00 PM (18:00) in Buenos Aires [Sunday 1:00 AM (01:00) in Yerevan;
Saturday 11:0O PM (23:00) in Beirut; Saturday 10:00 PM (22:00) In Paris?
Saturday 4:00 PM O6:00) in Mew York; Saturday 1:00 PM (7 3:00) in Los
Angeles; and Sunday 6:00 AM (06:00) in Sydney].

This is the first AGBU event to be broadcast live to the public on the
Internet, international viewers are invited to send comments and good wishes
before and during the event via email to: [email protected]. In
addition to fundraising for the Pedro de Elizalde Hospital, the evening is a
pre-event in honor of next year’s AGBU Centennial.

The webcast will begin with a 90-minute program devoted to Buenos Aires
Armenian schools, followed by performances by a wide array of choirs and
dance troupes concluding with gala festivities that will include speeches
and music.

Participating music and dance ensembles are:

– “Alakiaz” Choir from the Mekhitarian School of Buenos Aires,

– AGBU Cordoba “Ararat” Dance Ensemble,

– “Arax” Choir of Buenos Aires,

– “Arevakal” Choir from the Vicente Lopez Armenian School of Buenos Aires

– “Erevan 50” Orchestra of Montevideo, Uruguay

– “Gayane 11 Dance Ensemble from the Armenian National Center of Uruguay

– “Gomidas” Choir of Buenos Aires

– “Grung” Choir of from UGAB of Montevideo, Uruguay

– “Haiastan” Orchestra of Buenos Aires

– “Kaiane” Dance Ensemble from the Armenian Cultural Union of Buenos Aires

– “Krikor Naregatsi” Choir from the Santa Cruz de Varak Church of Buenos
Aires

– “Kusan” Orchestra of Cordoba

– “Masis” Dance Ensemble from the Archbishopric of Buenos Aires

– “Nairi” Dance Ensemble from Hamazkain of San Fernando Valley, United
States

– “Nairi” Dance Ensemble from HOM of Buenos Aires

– AGBU Buenos Aires “Nerses Shnorhalli” Choir

– “Nor Arax” Orchestra of Buenos Aires

– “San Gregorio el Iluminador” Choir from the Sourp Kevork Church of Buenos
Aires

– “Sasun” Dance Ensemble from HOM of Cordoba

– “Shiraz” Dance Ensemble from Hamazkain of Montevideo, Uruguay

Participating local schools will be:

– Arzruni School

– Mekhitarista School

– Armenian School of Vicente Lopez

– Isaac Backchellian School

– Khrimian Armenian Cultural School

– AGBU Marie Manoogian Institute

– San Gregorio El Iluminador Educational institute.

Established in 7 971, AGBU Buenos Aires is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through educational, cultural
and humanitarian programs. For more information and to watch the live
Saturday, September 3 webcast, please visit

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DISCUSSED WITHIN EU-TURKEY NEGOTIATION FRAMEWORK

Pan Armenian News
02.09.2005 06:23

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot stated that the
Armenian Genocide is being discussed within the EU-Turkey negotiation
framework. He reminded of the obligation to maintain friendly relations
with the neighbors and undertake steps for the peaceful settlement of
the disputes over the borders, what is included on the negotiation
agenda. When asked whether the aforesaid means that Turkey will
have to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as a part of its history,
Mr. Bot said “yes”. “It is a common European approach and Turkey is
aware of it”, he said, Mediamax reports.

THE RA NA APPROVES THE PROJECT OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN THE SECOND READING

ARKA News Agency
Sept 1 2005

YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. The RA NA approved in the second
reading the project of constitutional reforms from the coalition
by 98 votes “for” and one “abstained”. As the Chairman of Standing
Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Mher
Shahgeldyan stated, the authors of the project took into consideration
the majority of the suggestions offered by the United Labor Party,
“National Deputy” deputy group and some independent deputies. He also
added that the editorial notes will be considered during the interval
between the second and third readings. According to him, adoption of
constitutional reforms will not solve the existing problems, however
the package of constitutional reforms makes serious legal basis
for it. He emphasized that the project is a “step forward compared
with the acting Constitution and previous projects of constitutional
reforms’. At that,Shahgeldyan reminded about the positive evaluation
of the project by the USA and such international organizations as PACE,
OSCE and EU.

To note, on August 29 a special session of the RA NA on the project
of the constitutional reforms (ARKA – project of ruling coalition)
began in the second reading. The opposition parliamentary powers
represented by the National Unity party and Justice bloc, boycotted
the parliamentary sessions from Feb 2004, and participated in the
discussions, however, in connection with neglect of their suggestions
they refused to participate in voting. A.H.-0–

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT PASSED PACKAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION IN SECOND READING

Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 06:05

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Parliament of Armenia has passed the package of
amendments to the Constitution of Armenia in the second reading. 98
MPs voted for the document, one abstained, none of those present was
against. It should be noted that National Unity and Justice opposition
factions did not take part in the vote. The third reading of the
amendments will tentatively be held in late September 2005. After
40 days the package of constitutional reforms will be submitted for
nation-wide referendum, reported IA Regnum.

PRESS RELEASE
Bible Society of Armenia
6/26 Zakiyan St.
Yerevan 375015, Armenia
Tel: (+374 -10) 58.55.09, 56.49.06
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.24.39
E-mail: [email protected]

August 31, 2005

BRINGING THE BIBLE TO SCHOOLS, DIOCESE OF ARTSAKH

YEREVAN — Within its two-day trip August 29-30 to the Diocese of
Artsakh a delegation of the Bible Society Board members met with
234 school principals, teachers and students. This Diocese includes
seven regions. The project called “Bringing the Bibles to Schools”
was a part of the long run program, implemented in Armenia during
the years 2002-2004. This project has been implemented owing to the
generous support of the Diocese of Artsakh, the Armenian Evangelical
Church and the Armenian Catholic Church. Among the delegation were
Arshavir Kapoudjian, the BS Board Secretary; Fr. Hakop Hakopian,
Parish priest from the Diocese; Fr Grigor Mkrtcian, the representative
of the Armenian Catholic Church; Arsen Manasserian and Aram Mkrtchian,
representatives of the Armenian Evangelical Churches.

On Monday, August 29, 2005, the Bible Society delegation members
first met His Eminnence Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, the Primate
of the Diocese. The Archbishop warmly greeted the delegation and
expressed his joy and gratitude for such kind of initiative and the
generous support of the Bible Society of Armenia. In Stepanakert the
delegation was welcomed by Mr Kamo Atayan, the Minister of Education,
Culture and Sports. Mr Atayan expressed his thanks to the BS Armenia
for this unique support extended and for the gifts to be delivered
to the local schools.

The meeting was organized at the Cultural House in Stepanakert. At
the gathering also were present Mr Ashot Ghulian, the Speaker of the
National Assembly; General Seyran Ohanian, the Defence Minister;
the Minister of Education of Nagorno Karabagh; the Rector of the
University; Heads of Education Departments of all regions and
distinguished guests. The gathering was opened by the greetings of
Mr Ghulian and Mr Atayan. Afterwards the Minister invited Arshavir
Kapoudjian. In his keynote address the Board Secretary presented
the gathered people with the 200-year history of the United Bible
Societies, the 13-year history of the Bible Society of Armenia and
its mission in Armenia, and the sets of six books to be given to
schools (a Bible, 6 different volumes of Guides, Opening Up the Bible,
The Bible in the Armenian Tradition). Based on their witnesses, the
principals revealed that this is something very new which happens in
their life. Receiving their packages, a lot of principals invited
the BS members to their own villages and schools for such kind of
spiritual and uplifting meetings.

The Bible Society of Armenia was established in 1991 when the late
Catholicos Vazgen I and representatives of the United Bible Societies
signed a memorandum of understanding, regarding the translation,
publication and dissemination of the Holy Bible in Armenia. The Bible
Society of Armenia is committed to the widest possible meaningful and
effective distribution of the Holy Scriptures in languages and media
which meet the needs of people, at a price they can afford. The Board
of Trustees of The Bible Society of Armenia consists of representatives
of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church and
the Union of Armenian Evangelical and Baptist Churches.

For further information on Bible Society of Armenia and its activities,

call (374-10) 58-55 09 or 56-49-06; fax (374-10) 54-24-39; e-mail
[email protected]

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