Author: Nahapetian Boris

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES LINCY FOUNDATION
VICE-PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: President Robert
Kocharian received today Harut Sassounian, the vice
president of the U.S.A-based Lincy Foundation.
Kocharian’s press office said the two men discussed
the progress in a set of projects implemented here on
Lincy Foundation’s funds. They also referred to some
issues which are on the agenda of the third
Armenia-Diaspora Conference.
Kocharian and Sassounian also exchanged ideas on a
range of issues in which the American Armenians take a
particular interest.

AZG Armenian Daily #177, 16/09/2006

Karabakh diary

NKR PRESIDENT RECEIVES UAR DELEGATION

A delegation of the Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) headed by
vice-chairman Habet Tapaltian was in Nagorno Karabakh Republic. NKR
president Arkadi Ghukasian received the delegation. At the meeting UAR
representatives presented the process of implementation of the Union’s
projects directed to developing sport in the republic and supporting
education. They also discussed the issue of involving UAR’s charity
and investment programs in the regions of NKR.

Underscoring the work of UAR in fostering ties between Artsakh and
Russian Federation, Arkadi Ghukasian noted the efforts of Ara
Abrahamian in this direction. NKR minister of education, Kamo Atayan,
was also present at the meeting.

By Nana Petrosian

NAASR CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FORUM, GALA

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Thursday, September 14, 2006

Actress and author Nora Armani will participate in "NAASR Celebrates
50!" a gala anniversary banquet, on Saturday evening, Sept. 30,
at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.

Beginning with a 5:30 reception and dinner, the evening will also
include a keynote address by Dr. Gregory H. Adamian, chancellor and
president emeritus of Bentley College in Waltham, remarks by Paul R.
Ignatius, former secretary of the Navy and assistant secretary of
defense, a retrospective video, and will conclude with music and
dancing with the Leon Janikian Ensemble. The banquet is open to NAASR
members and non-members alike.

Born in Egypt of Armenian parents and educated in England, Armani is
an actress whose repertory includes Shakespeare, Shaw, Beckett and
Hammerstein. She has appeared extensively on stage and screen worldwide
including the U.S., Cairo, Paris and London. Her own stage creations,
"Sojourn at Ararat," "Nannto, Nannto," and "On the Couch with Nora
Armani," have earned international accolades during extensive tours
on four continents in over 25 cities. Invited to Armenia to star in
films, she is also a cultural ambassador, promoting Armenian cinema
worldwide. Her poems have been published in art catalogues and poetry
anthologies, her plays have been broadcast on French radio, and her
feature film script, "The Journey Back (Al Awda)," was awarded a
special grant by the International Film Festival of Rotterdam.

Dr. Adamian is a Charter and Life Member of NAASR and a member of
its Board of Directors since 1956.

During more than two decades as president of Bentley College,
the school experienced dramatic academic, financial and physical
growth. His service to the Armenian community was recognized by
Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, when Adamian was awarded the
St. Sahag and St. Mesrob medal in 1998. He is also the recipient of
an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Boston University.

The NAASR celebratory events of Sept. 30 will commence with a morning
symposium at the Royal Sonesta on "Armenian-Turkish Dialogue and the
Direction of Armenian Studies." The symposium will take place from
9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and is open to the public at no charge.

The symposium will feature Dr. Taner AkíË of the University of
Minnesota, Rachel Goshgarian, Ph.D. candidate at Harvard University,
Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian of the University of California, Los
Angeles, Dr. Gerard J. Libaridian of the University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, and Dr. Christina Maranci of the University of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee. Dr. Kevork Bardakjian of the University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, will serve as panel respondent. Following the presentations
of the panelists, there will be a discussion and question-and-answer
period. Marc A. Mamigonian, NAASR’s director of programs and
publications, will serve as moderator and NAASR Chairman Emeritus
Manoog S. Young will be the honorary chairman of the symposium.

To receive an invitation to the banquet, or for more information about
the symposium, call 617-489-1610, e-mail [email protected], or write to
NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

–Boundary_(ID_Tl3GPE4RMK4jQKY28qcwyg)–

ARKADY GHUKASIAN: AZERBAIJAN’S DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACTS ON THE OFFENSIVE; ISN’T IT TIME FOR US ALSO TO ATTACK?
By Marietta Khachatrian, Hadrut-Yerevan

AZG Armenian Daily
14/09/2006

On September 11, president of Nagorno Karabakh, Arkady Ghukasian,
answered journalists’ questions in Norashen village of Hadrut region.

– Vartan Oskanian said that if Azerbaijan wants to be productive in
fighting against fires then it has to turn to authorities in Nagorno
Karabakh. The UN has adopted a resolution; an OSCE mission should
visit the region. Did they sand the fact-finding mission, and what
do you think about the possibility to cooperate with Azerbaijan.

– First of all, it was our proposal. When Azerbaijan set up a clamor
about the fires it became clear that it is an artificial clamor
as the fires’ authors are Azeris and they are also behind the
propaganda. We repeatedly applied to international organizations
asking to send missions because we ourselves are interested that
the world community has a clear understanding of what is going on in
Nagorno Karabakh’s surrounding territories. It was our proposal, and
today as an OSCE mission is getting ready for a visit, it’s natural
that they should cooperate with authorities in Karabakh. So far there
was no official application but I am sure it will arrive soon. We are
ready to receive the mission, and I am sure the mission will draw an
objective conclusion from the events in Nagorno Karabakh.

Azerbaijan’s goal remains the same: to smear everything connected
with Karabakh.

– Was there any appeal or proposal about cooperation?

– There was no appeal on Azerbaijan’s part, and it’s natural, as I
don’t think they are after cooperation or creation of constructive
atmosphere. Azerbaijan has other goals: to cause problems to Karabakh,
to make the international community to condemn or punish it.

If Azerbaijan comes out with such proposals we will gladly accept
them. We on our part have turned to Azerbaijani leadership, the OSCE
and other international organizations for many times as we find the
more contacts with not only Azerbaijan’s leadership but also diverse
organizations, the larger our chances to settle the issues. We have
many problems in contiguous regions connected with water supply, fires
etc, and I am sure that the Azeri population living by the border
is interested in contact as it will help to settle vital issues. But
Azerbaijani authorities have always been opposing to this, refusing
every proposal about contacts. In this case I am sure that Azerbaijan
is concerned not with the essence of the issue but the propaganda
over Karabakh.

– What about Bryza’s statements, and is the window of opportunity
already closed for this year? Also, you said in a radio speech that
Karabakh’s international recognition can be a way out.

– International recognition has always been an option as we are sure
that Karabakh’s future is in de jure recognition of its status. In
regards to the window, we never closed it, just the opposite, we try
to keep the window open, and I am hopeful that the window is open,
and we are ready for a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan.

– What do you think about transferring the issue to UN?

– I think it’s a destructive approach as the OSCE Minsk Group has been
entitled to mediate and any attempt to include other international
organizations can cause chaos in regulation of the issue.

– Can we block these attempts?

– Regrettably Nagorno Karabakh is not represented in these
international structures. Armenia has made its position clear: no
other international organization should take up the issue that is
entitled to the OSCE.

– Do you mean we have to pick up the right diplomatic tools?

– Perhaps the Armenian diplomacy should be more active. Unfortunately,
a situation emerges where Azerbaijan’s diplomatic corps is on the
offensive and we have to defend; isn’t it time for us to attack too?

PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ADORES ARMENIA’S FRIENDLY TIES WITH IRAN

FARS News Agency
14 Sep 2006

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad
Adel appreciated the Republic of Armenia for its friendly attitude and
kindness to Iran during the two thousand years of the two countries’
neighborly relations.

Visiting Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel met with
his Armenian counterpart Teigran Torousian in Yerevan on Tuesday,
a statement released by the Information and Press Department of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly said.

During the meeting, Haddad Adel described the two countries’ ties in
the last 15 years as exemplary and stated that ever since the victory
of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has based its political relations with
other countries on the understanding of its religious leaders, adding
that justice-centered approach (that Iran has always been pursuing)
rises from Islamic teachings.

Reminding that Iran is an extensive country with a large population
and abundant possibilities and potentials, he thanked the Republic
of Armenia for its friendly attitude and kindness towards Iran during
two thousand years of coexistence of the two nations, and mentioned,
"And it is now the time for the two parliaments to help to the
consolidation of mutual ties."

The top legislative official further voiced preparedness of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly to ratify the laws required for the
development of Iran-Armenia relations, specially in the economic
areas, and expressed the hope that the two nations’ friendship would
further deepen and consolidate through the exchange of visits by the
parliament members of the two countries, Parliamentary friendship
groups in particular.

For his part, Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Teigran Torousian
expressed pleasure with the presence of the Iranian parliamentary
delegation in Yerevan and described the visit as a significant step
for the consolidation and strengthening of mutual ties.

He also viewed Tehran-Yerevan relations as exemplary and appreciated
the Islamic Republic of Iran for all the aids and assistances it has
extended to Armenia during the years of his country’s independence.

The chief law maker also noted the significance of Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, Aras hydropower Plant and the high voltage power projects and
said that development of such cooperation would further reinvigorate
the two countries’ ties.

He also praised Iran’s due attention and efforts to safeguard the
historical and cultural heritage of the Iranian Armenians as well as
Tehran’s attention to the Armenian society in Iran.

To conclude his words, Torousian called for the expansion of the two
states’ parliamentary relations in all the various spheres.

24 DIRECTORS OF NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES AT ARMENIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE RETIRE AT ONCE

Yerevan, September 11. ArmInfo. At once 24 directors of the National
Research Institute of the Armenian National Academy of Science (NASA),
had to retire because of the age qualification.

NASA told ArmInfo that mass dismissals of the directors were
connected with a governmental order saying that a director of a
National Research Institute must be under 65. At present, there
are 41 scientific research establishments operating at the NASA,
including 29 institutes. Others are museums, libraries and the NASA
Presidium. According to UN surveys, half of the scientific workers
are at least at the age of 60. To recap, rectors of a number of state
universities suffered the first wave of dismissals.

NEWLY ELECTED SUPREME BODY OF ARF ARMENIA ORGANIZATION HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

Yerkir
12.09.2006 16:13

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Body
of Armenia representative Armen Rustamian, National Assembly’s ARF
faction leader Hrayr Karapetian and faction member Spartak Seyranian
spoke Tuesday at a news conference held to present the resolutions
of the Supreme Congress.

More than 100 delegates of the congress discussed the report of the
ARF Supreme Body of Armenia on its activities in the past two years
(2004-2006).

Issues related to socio-economic, internal political and foreign
situations as well as national issues and the parliamentary election
due in 2007 were also discussed. The congress also elected the ARF
Supreme Body of Armenia, which on September 11 elected Armen Rustamian
the SB representative.

Armen Rustamian presented the main resolutions of the congress.

The number of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia members has been
increased to 21 from 9. Rustamian explained that there is more work
to do. Cabinet ministers representing the ARF as well as more young
people and women have been elected to the Supreme Body.

Rustamian said the congress has concluded that the participation
of the ARF in the coalition government "was justified in order to
maintain the national political course, to boost the democratization
process and resolve socio-economic issues."

"But our struggle has not yielded desirable results in several
field, including fighting corruption despite Armenia’s joining an
international anti-corruption organization and adoption of several
anti-corruption laws," Rustamian said.

Speaking of the upcoming elections, Rustamian mentioned that conducting
free and fair elections is the key to overcome the challenges the
country faces.

"The ARF will widely collaborate with political forces in the
National Assembly election but will not participate in election
alliances," Rustamian pointed out. He added that the party will hold
an extraordinary congress to elect candidates who would run for the
National Assembly under the proportional system. The congress to
be held next year will also nominate a presidential candidate to
represent the party in the next presidential election, Rustamian said.

National Assembly’s ARF faction leader Hrayr Karapetian, in turn,
spoke of the ARF faction’s future activities at the National Assembly.

"The first task of our faction will be to adopt laws stemming from
the constitutional amendments," Karapetian said. "Those include the
Law on Dual Citizenship that the ARF deems crucial, as well as the
law on independent national audit chamber that would be critical in
fighting corruption."

The party will also pursue adoption of several other laws, such as
laws bodyguards, consumer basket, and private investigation.

AMERIA CJSC IMPLEMENTS AN EMPLOYMENT MARKET STUDY IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 12 2006

YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. Ameria CJSC implements an employment
market study in the scope of the Social Protection Administration
Project (SPAP) of the World Bank. The study is a part of SPAP "Labor
and Employment" component and aims at enhancing the effectiveness
of the activities of the State Employment Service Agency (SES) as an
intermediary in the labor market.

By the end of the year Ameria will study the present situation and
potential of the employment market, the labor force supply and demand,
as well as will elaborate and conduct employers’ survey in all marzes
of Armenia and survey of disabled people’s employment problems in
Gyumri. Conclusions made as a result of the survey will include
recommendations on creation of effective employment conditions for
population through improvement of SES activities.

Ameria is a group of professional services companies registered in
Armenia with the objective to provide a comprehensive package of
professional advisory and assurance services. Ameria specializes
in four major areas of professional activities: management advisory
services; assurance and advisory services; legal advisory services;
investment banking. Established in 1998, the company has become
a leader in the Armenian market of advisory services bringing an
international reach and local touch to complex issues rising in more
than 30 industry sectors.

IRANIAN SPEAKER ARRIVES IN ARMENIA

Arminfo
11 Sep 06

Yerevan, 11 September: A parliamentary delegation of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, led by Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel,
arrived in Yerevan today on a two-day official visit at the invitation
of the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly, Tigran Torosyan.

During his visit Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel will meet
Tigran Torosyan. The Iranian delegation will then have an expanded
meeting with members of parliamentary commissions, factions and groups
of the National Assembly.

The Iranian delegation will lay wreath at the memorial to the victims
of the Armenian genocide of 1915 in Ottoman Turkey.

The Iranian guests will also meet Armenian President Robert Kocharyan,
Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, teachers and students of Yerevan
State University and visit the Blue Mosque.

The Iranian parliamentary delegation will leave Yerevan for Bishkek
on 12 September.

UN GA CALLS ON CONDUCT OF ECOLOGICAL OPERATIONS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES
Author: A.Mammadov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2006

On Thursday (7 September) the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution
with consensus (without vote) "The situation in the occupied territory
of Azerbaijan" submitted by the Azerbaijani delegation, Trend reports
citing ITAR-TASS.

The Assembly voiced its concerns on the fires in the occupied territory
of Azerbaijan and called for the urgent ecological operations to
extinguish them and prevent fatalities. The General Assembly took into
consideration the OSCE’s intention to send a mission to the region
to estimate the impact of the fire to the environment in preparation
of an ecological operation. It welcomed the willingness of both sides
to co-operate in this respect and called such an operation a measure
of confidence consolidation.

The General Assembly called on the UN Environment Program to render
assistance with the OSCE, as well as in estimating the short- and
long-term results of the environment in the region and resistance to
them and their rehabilitation. It asked the OSCE Chairman-in-office
to present to the UN Member of States a report on the issue up to 30
April 2007.

In his address on behalf of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, a
U.S. representative, Alexandro Woolf, underlined that Russia, France
and the United States are still loyal to the peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "In this respect we seriously
regard the concern voiced by both the two conflict on threats to the
stability and security of the region, which pose new obstacles in the
negotiations process," the U.S. diplomat underlined. He voiced their
Minsk Group co-chairs’ readiness, together with the special envoy of
the OSCE Chairman-in-office, to render assistance in the organization
of the OSCE mission with the support of UNEP.

Russia, France and the United States hope that ‘the goodwill spirit
demonstrated by Armenia and Azerbaijan during the work over the
resolution testifies the readiness of both sides to take additional
measures to consolidate matters, which would support the talks,"
Woolf underlined. He reminded that over the past 2 years the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs carried out intensive work with Armenia and
Azerbaijan over the definition of major principles of the agreement
which would lead to fair and durable resolutions". The July Summit of
G8 held in St. Petersburg called on the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia to take these principles as a basis for the resolution of the
conflict. "Today we again appeal strongly and state the Government’s
readiness in rendering its full support to the achievement and
implementation of the peace agreement," the U.S. diplomat stated.