Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

US BRINGS CHARGES AGAINST V. HARUTYUNYAN, WHO THREW GRENADE ON BUSH

Pan Armenian News
08.09.2005 06:31

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US has brought charges against Georgian citizen
Vladimir Harutyunyan, who had thrown a grenade on US President George
Bush during the latter’s visit to Tbilisi. Harutyunyan, 27, is charged
in attempt at Bush and illegal storage and use of arms. A US Department
of Justice statement notes that if the trial on Harutyunyan’s case is
held in the US, he may be sentenced to life imprisonment. If this is
the case, only having announced the verdict will the US authorities
make a decision on extradition of Harutyunyan if requested.

TV SHOWS SECURITY DRILL AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN RUSSIA’S NORTH

Channel One TV, Moscow
8 Sep 05

[Presenter] An exercise has been held at a nuclear power plant on the
Kola Peninsula. They were getting ready for the worst: the destruction
of the reactor and emission of a high level of radiation.

Experts say that the likelihood of a situation like this is minimum.

However, it is better to envisage any turn of events.

[Unidentified employee] Pressure goes down in the primary cooling
circuit.

[Correspondent] There has been an accident at the fourth power unit of
the Kola nuclear power plant. A chain reaction of malfunctioning of
one system after another leads to the destruction of the reactor’s
radiation zone. A large amount of radioactive material has been
released into the atmosphere. The plant’s territory and the village
of Polyarnyye Zori are contaminated.

The probability of the above is minimal. However, the drill at the
plant was based precisely on this scenario.

[Igor Chkalov, driver] You have to carry out exercises some time. A
drill is a drill. What if an emergency takes place at the plant? What
would we have done then?

[Correspondent] An exercise like this is held at the station for the
first time. Under the scenario the facility does not have resources
of its own to cope with the situation. A decision is taken in Moscow
to send down a task force dealing with rendering assistance to
power plants.

These robots are used instead of people in places where radiation
considerably exceeds the norm. A minisubmarine is used to inspect
the bottom of a contaminated water reservoir.

[Yuriy Kolomtsev, director of the Kola nuclear power plant] Certainly,
trained people will never be at a loss. Why did those working at
nuclear power plants acted successfully in Chernobyl?

Because they knew what to do and what protecting measures to take.

[Correspondent] Foreign observers are monitoring the drill. They are
from France, Sweden, Armenia, Norway and Finland.

[Heikki Reponen, observer from Finland, speaking in Russian] Risk
is always present at plants like this but people work very hard to
ensure the highest possible level of security.

[Correspondent] The results of the exercise once again proved that
the Kola nuclear power plant is safe. Experts include it in top three
most secure Russian nuclear power plants.

[Video shows the plant, fire and firefighters using special equipment;
c/r 0132-0310]

AZERI LEADER HAPPY WITH ELECTION CAMPAIGN START

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
8 Sep 05

[Presenter] President Ilham Aliyev is visiting Astara [southern
Azerbaijan] today. Aliyev said the fact that over 2,000 people had been
nominated as parliamentary candidates showed the people’s interest
in the election. The initial stage of the election has successfully
finished, he said.

[Passage omitted: Aliyev attended a ceremony to unveil a bust of his
father Heydar Aliyev]

[Correspondent by phone] President Ilham Aliyev started the tour of
southern districts from Lankaran. Addressing a ceremony to unveil
a bust of Heydar Aliyev in a park outside the town administration
building, Aliyev said that the aim of the trip was to familiarize
himself with work done to implement the regional socio-economic
development programme.

He said 3,000 new jobs would be created throughout the country by the
end of the year. Measures had been taken to improve the population’s
social situation, Aliyev said, mentioning an increase in salaries
and pensions. He also said an a minimum salary would be increased to
150,000 manats [32 dollars] from 1 October.

As to the forthcoming parliamentary election, Aliyev said that the
initial stage of the election had successfully finished. The fact that
over 2,000 candidates have been registered shows people’s belief in
the democratic conduct of the election, he said.

Speaking about the Karabakh peace talks, Aliyev said that the talks
had yielded no result yet and Azerbaijan should constantly strengthen
its military potential. A total of 300m dollars were allocated to
military expenditures this year and the figure will total 600m dollars
the next year, Aliyev said. Azerbaijan is ahead of Armenia in terms
of military potential, he said.

[Passage omitted: Aliyev visits a medical centre in Lankaran]

[Bilik Dunyasi, in Russian 0841 gmt 8 Sep 05 quoted Aliyev as saying
that a 20-per-cent economic growth was registered in the country in
the past eight months]

CITIZENSHIP OF ARMENIANS UPHELD
By Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press

Los Angeles Daily News
Sept 7 2005

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a judge did not err in
granting U.S. citizenship to two Armenian men convicted more than 20
years ago of planning to bomb the Turkish Consulate in Philadelphia.
The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ends a long
struggle by Viken Hovsepian and Viken Yacoubian, who plotted to bomb
the consulate in retaliation for the killings of Armenians by Turks
in 1915. The Turkish government denies a massacre occurred.

The men, who have been out of prison since the early 1990s, now have
doctorates, have renounced violence and volunteer many hours a week
in the Los Angeles Armenian- American community, said Mathew Millen,
an attorney who helped handle the immigration portion of their case.

Federal law currently forbids convicted terrorists from becoming
citizens. But anyone convicted of an aggravated felony before November
1990 can be granted citizenship if they have been “of good moral
character” for five years prior to their application, Millen said.

“They both renounced violence as a means of achieving any kind of
political end,” Millen said by phone. “They both have Ph.D.s, and
they had a lot of witnesses who talked about their activity in the
community” at their immigration hearing.

The federal government fought the citizenship application, contending
that the men lied on certain portions of their applications. The 9th
Circuit affirmed Tuesday a lower-court opinion that the alleged “lies”
were actually misunderstandings or oversights.

“We accept the court’s ruling, as we do with any ruling,” said Thom
Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles.

The men were in their early 20s when they and two others were
arrested in 1982 after authorities tape-recorded them planning the
bombing. Authorities at the time said they were linked to the Justice
Commandos of the Armenian Genocide.

Hovsepian was sentenced to six years in prison in 1984, while Yacoubian
was sentenced to three years in prison and 1,000 hours of community
service.

Yacoubian is now principal of the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian
School in Los Angeles’ Little Armenia and has obtained a doctorate
in counseling psychology from the University of Southern California,
according to court documents.

He declined to comment when reached by phone at the school. His
attorney, Michael Lightfoot, did not immediately return calls Tuesday.

ARDEBIL PROVINCE A REFUGE FROM HUE-AND-CRY OF URBAN LIFE

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Sept 6 2005

Ardebil province in northwestern Iran known for its marvelous natural
beauties and memorable historical relics is one of the major national
tourist hubs and a refuge from the hue and cry of urban life, annually
attracting a remarkable number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Favorable climate along with natural wonders of the province such
as Sabalan heights covered with vegetation characterized by its
boiling springs and rare glaciers, Fandoqlu forest in Namin, the
eye-catching Heyran gorge along Ardebil-Namin-Astara route, warm
and cold water springs in the provincial towns of Saraein, Naier,
Givi and Meshkinshahr are some of the attractions of the province.

Moghan tropical plain, gardens and cold highlands in Khalkhal,
Akhar-Bakhar natural park, natural Neur lake on the slopes of Baghru
height, Shourabil lake as well as exquisite historical monuments in
the capital city of Ardebil such as Safyeddin Ardebili’s tomb, Friday
Mosque and ancient bazaar as well as old houses and bath-houses are
of special charm to the visiting tourists.

The province is annually visited by 3.5 million domestic and 30,000
foreign tourists.

According to historians, the history of the province, particularly
its capital city of Ardebil, started before the advent of Islam and
dates back to the rule of Kianian and Sassanid dynasties.

The scientific studies and archaeological excavations conducted by
the former provincial Cultural Heritage Department at Ardebil Friday
Mosque and the hill facing it in 1988 prove that its foundation and
raw mud brick walls date back to Ashkanid era.

Various ceramics and ancient artifacts unearthed during the survey
conducted on historical heights across the province prove that the
history of civilization in the area, in particular the city of Ardebil
or “Artavil”, started about 2000 BC.

On the other hand, Ardebil was the homeland of Sheikh Safi and the
origin of Safavid dynasty which played a significant role in officially
recognizing Shi’ites and contributed to the integration of Iran.

Over 100 historical monuments and ancient sites have so far been
identified and registered across the province, most of which date
back to the post-Islamic period, particularly the Safavid period.

Sheikh Safyeddin Ardebili’s historical tomb situated at Ardebil Aliqapu
Square annually attracting dozens of thousands of tourists from Iran
and the world is one of the top ten national ancient monuments.

This rare building was named after the ancestor of Safavid monarchs,
the famous mystic Sheikh Safyeddin Ardebili. It was built after his
demise in 735 AH by his son Sheikh Sadreddin Mousa.

In addition to Sheikh Safi’s tomb and that of Shah Ismail I, the
mausoleums of other Safavi princes and Qezelbash commanders such as
those martyred during Chaldoran and Shervan wars are situated at the
same complex.

Over the past centuries, many of the valuable objects belonging to
the collection of Sheikh Safi Complex have been smuggled out of the
country in various ways and part of them such as the famous Sheikh
Safi Carpet decorate American, Russian and European museums.

Ardebil Friday Mosque, the second major provincial historical
monument, is located on an ancient hill in central Ardebil. The
archaeologists survey shows that the mosque, dating back to Seljuq
period, was repaired during the 7th-8th centuries AH under the rule
of Bayanderids in Azarbaijan province.

It is said to have been a fire temple before the advent of Islam.

Despite being hit by devastating earthquakes and other natural
disasters and being seriously damaged, the veranda adjacent to the
mosque’s dome is still used by Muslims for praying.

Ardebil bazaar was constructed during the rule of Shah Tahmasb I from
Safavid dynasty and a number of stores were added to it during later
periods. In 1985 it was listed as a national monument.

Church of St. Mary was established in the city of Ardebil in 1876 and
the last religious ceremony was performed there by the Armenian priest,
Vartan Zhamagursian in 1944. Though the monument is only a century old,
its bathroom and school have been completely destroyed.

The provincial Cultural Heritage department was authorized to repair
the church in 1991 to be used in the field of culture and art.
Recently the monument was changed into a sports complex, while its
original architecture was preserved.

Sheikh Heidar tomb located at a green garden in the ancient graveyard
of the provincial town of Meshkinshahr is attributed to Shah Ismail
I’s father, Sheikh Heydar.

As the second highest upright mountain after Damavand, Sabalan, with
its major 4,811-meter peak of Savalan, is situated 40 kms to the west
of the the city of Ardebil.

Alvares ski resort on the slope of Sabalan mountain range is a proper
venue for winter sports, given that it is often covered by snow for
six months.

Heyran gorge located along Ardebil-Astara route at a short distance
from the Caspian Sea coast is another wonderful provincial attraction.

Though the aerial distance between the coastal city of Astara at the
southwesternmost point of the Caspian Sea and the city of Ardebil is
merely 40 kms, on approaching Ardebil one gets refreshed by inhaling
the cool air.

School Library Journal Reviews
September 1, 2005

The Dark Pond

by Jo-Ann Carhart

The Dark Pond (unabr.) 2 cassettes. 2:45 hrs. Recorded Books . 2005.
ISBN 1-4193-3103-5 : $19.75; read-along pack: $19.75.

Gr 6 Up -Joseph Bruchac (HarperCollins, 2004) creates a suspenseful
tale set at the North Mountains School which Armin (Armie)
Katchatorian, a Shawnee-Armenian-American student whose parents travel
often due to their humanitarian work, attends. As he is adjusting
to life at his boarding school in upstate New York, he finds himself
mysteriously drawn to a pond in the forest. Armie has always been able
to “feel things,” especially when it comes to a special relationship he
has with animals. When a zoology student and fellow Native American,
Mitch Sabattis, joins the ground crew at the school, he acknowledges
Armie’s special qualities but warns him to stay away from whatever
is calling him to the pond. While spending a vacation at the school,
Armie uses the time to research the native lore about sea monsters. He
and Mitch are determined to vanquish whatever danger is lurking in
the pond. As the story unfolds, Armie comes to terms with his unique
abilities and those of his new friend and mentor. Although portions of
the plot seem contrived and didactic, listeners will become entwined
in the mystery, folklore, and details of outdoor life. Classically
trained actor, Ramon de Ocampo reads with appropriate pace, suspense
and energy. For tween collections where Gary Paulsen and Will Hobbs
are very popular.-Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

AZERI DEFENCE MINISTER: “AZERBAIJAN IS READY TO LIBERATE OWN LANDS”

Azerbaijan News Service
Sept 1 2005

“Azerbaijan has power to liberate own lands, and if it continues
so we will liberate our occupied territories”, said Azeri Defense
Minister Safar Abiev while meeting Ambassador of Great Britain to
Azerbaijan Lori Bristou and Commander of British Military Advice-
Trains Group Hyu Pyorcell. Azeri Minister added, “Armenia is an
occupier. All countries should see, confirm and it and take measures
in the direction of immediate withdrawal from those lands.” Said Safar
Abiev. According to him, if the problem is not solved immediately,
Azerbaijan People will make decision to solve the Problem. British
Ambassador said he understands the problem very well due to his
two-year service in Azerbaijan. “President Ilham Aliev’s participation
in the negotiations is a rational event. Azerbaijan works successfully
to solve the Problem. Great Britain supports Ilham Aliev’s strategical
course on the problem settlement and the Problem should be resolved
within the framework of International Law. Fair settlement of the
Problem is also in London’s interests.”, said Lori Bristou.

US SENATOR RECOGNIZES ‘GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2005

Baku, August 31, AssA-Irada US Senator Barack Obama visiting Azerbaijan
has acknowledged the so-called ‘genocide of Armenians’.

“I believe the letter sent by the Senators to President George Bush
to recognize the genocide of Armenians reflects historic facts”,
said Obama, who co-signed the appeal.

The Senator told a news briefing in Baku that the document indicates
that thousands of innocent Armenians were killed in the mentioned
developments. “By signing the letter, I also defended the interests
of the State of Illinois I represent. Killing civilians anywhere in
the world should not be allowed.”

Asked whether he is aware of the horrible massacre of Azerbaijanis
by Armenian thugs in Khojali, the Senator simply replied that he is
informed of the problems in the region that have persisted for many
years, reiterating that he opposes the killings of civilians.*

DEPUTIES TO DISCUSS WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN BASES FROM GEORGIA

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 30 2005

MOSCOW, August 30 (RIA Novosti, Andrei Malyshkin) – Several committees
of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, are
planning to hold a meeting in September to discuss the withdrawal
of Russian military bases from Georgia, a Russian parliamentarian
said Tuesday.

Gennady Gudkov, member of the State Duma committee on security, said,
“The deputies want to know why Russia started the withdrawal in such
a hurry before any official agreements had been ratified.”

“Our leaders…first agreed on the withdrawal of bases from Batumi
and Akhalkalaki and only later started figuring out how to do it,”
he said. “As a result, people are suffering.”

According to Gudkov, “the withdrawal has started, but nothing has been
done to accommodate the troops returning to Russia.” At present, about
500 personnel discharged from the military before the withdrawal need
housing. After the withdrawal, that number will increase to at least
2,000. It is still not clear who is going to provide this housing
and how, he added.

Gudkov also said Georgia was more interested in “making noise” around
the issue rather than in the withdrawal itself.

“Georgia will delay the withdrawal process for as long as possible
because that meets its interests,” the deputy said. “First, Georgia
has proved its ability to dictate its terms to Russia. Secondly,
Georgia can always use the withdrawal as leverage… Thirdly, it is
simply another way to link the bases issue with internal problems
in Georgia, when Georgian authorities blame the poor socio-economic
situation in the country on the presence of Russian bases.”

He said Georgian authorities had promised to provide local residents
with new jobs after the withdrawal of the Russian base from Alkhalaki,
although the promises were still “hanging in the air.”

The parliamentarian also mentioned difficulties with the transportation
of heavy military equipment during the withdrawal from Alkhalaki. “Only
five out of 16 bridges on the way from Alkhalaki to Batumi can support
tanks, the rest have to be fortified,” he said. “Nevertheless,
Georgia has not even started the repairs.”

According to Gudkov, officials from the foreign ministry, defense
ministry, and finance ministry will be invited to attend the
joint meeting of the State Duma security, defense, and CIS affairs
committees. During the meeting, the deputies “will attempt to find
out how officials are planning to finance the withdrawal and decide
the fate of the returning troops.”

According to a joint statement released by the Russian and Georgian
foreign ministries on May 30, the withdrawal of Russian military bases
from Georgia must be completed in 2008. The majority of the weaponry
from the bases will be returned to Russia, and the remaining armaments
will be transferred to a Russian military base in Gyumri in Armenia.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISSAPEARED MARKED TODAY

A1+

| 12:23:04 | 30-08-2005 | Politics |

Today, on the International Day of the Disappeared, the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calls for renewed attention to one
of the most serious humanitarian problems caused by armed conflict –
the fate of missing persons and the suffering of their families.

Today, hundreds of thousands of families around the world remain
without any news of their relatives who went missing in situations
of armed conflict or internal violence. Whether people go missing on
the battlefield or are the victims of forced disappearances, their
relatives have a right to know what has happened to them.

More than 10 years after Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire
agreement ending the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, during which
thousands went missing, many families are still uncertain about
the fate of their loved ones. The ICRC is keeping up its efforts
to help the authorities of both countries fulfil their obligations
under international humanitarian law to find out what happened to
those people.

In February 2004 the ICRC submitted to the authorities of Armenia
and Azerbaijan, and to the de facto authorities of Nagorno Karabakh,
a list of persons unaccounted for in connection with the conflict. The
updated version of this list contains 3,165 names. In January 2005
the ICRC further submitted to the parties a memorandum encouraging
them to help elucidate the fate of these people and proposing that
specific activities be undertaken to obtain information on the missing
and make it available, to recover and identify human remains and to
support the families involved.

The ICRC is continuing to collect tracing requests from the families
of missing persons and it plans to step up this activity in 2006,
when it will begin gathering personal information (ante-mortem data)
that might help the authorities identify the remains of those who died
during the conflict. This will be done in close cooperation with the
respective State commissions on POWs, hostages and missing persons.

At the same time, the ICRC is encouraging the authorities to record
and protect burial sites believed to contain the remains of people
who died during the conflict with a view to their future possible
recovery and identification.

The ICRC is also strongly urging the authorities to provide
psychosocial assistance for the families who require it and is
supporting them in their efforts to do so.