Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

PRESS RELEASE
Analysis Research & Planning for Armenia (ARPA)
18106 Miranda Street, Tarzana, CA 91356
& Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W. Arden Ave., Suite 112C, Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 586-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARPA Institute and Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
present the Lecture/Seminar “The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of Armenia”
on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 7:30 PM in the Merdinian School
Auditorium. The presenter is Ms. Anahid Yeremian.
The address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directios: On the 101 FY Exit on Woodman, Go North and Turn Right on
Riverside Dr.

Abstract: The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Alikhanian Physics
Institute in Armenia is one of the world’s premier centers, conducting
research in high energy astrophysics and space weather forecasting. At
research stations high on Mt. Aragats and in Yerevan, a staff of 100
scientists, technicians, support personnel and students conduct leading
research on forecasting energetic events on the sun which can damage
manmade satellites in space, disrupt communications and power stations
on earth, and endanger space and air crews at high altitudes. The CRD
and its scientists have earned enormous respect among their colleagues
in the international scientific community, putting Armenia among the top
5 countries of the world in cosmic ray research. Recent additions to
the list of their scientific collaborators include the U.S. National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, the European Space Agency, and the
international Committee on Space Research. CRD has a long standing
partnership with Stanford University of California and with Nagoya
University in Japan. Recently the Space Weather division of UCLA has
shown interest in collaborating with the CRD. A year ago CRD won the
prestigious UN World Summit Award in the e-science category. The CRD
has been featured in the international magazine Science, because of its
excellence. An illustrated presentation, with beautiful pictures on the
space weather effects, will be made and research at CRD will be
explained in simple terms. Pictures of the stations, the scientists,
and the World Summit Award ceremony in Geneva are part of this
presentation.

Presenter: Ms. Anahid Yeremian has a B.S. degree in Physics from Drexel
University. She is a particle Accelerator Physicists at the Stanford
Linear Accelerator Center since 1990. She designs the injector section
of very large particle accelerators (the one at Stanford is 2 miles
long) in the U.S., Japan and Europe. She leads a group of scientists,
engineers, and technicians to construct and assemble the accelerators
she designs and finally to commission them to perform to her
specifications. Prior to coming to Stanford, she designed the electron
accelerator at the Boeing Aerospace Company for the Free Electron Laser
project as part of a star wars program. Anahid’s hobbies include
mountain climbing. She became acquainted with the Cosmic Ray stations
and physicists on Mt. Aragats when she climbed to the peak of Mt.
Aragats in 1999. Since then she actively pursues opportunities and
improvement of science in Armenia by working with the scientists and
governments of Armenia and the United States. This summer Anahid spent
7 days backpacking in the Geghama mountains and staying with the Nomads
in the mountains of Armenia. Her presentation will include some
spectacular pictures of the peaks in the Geghama mountain range and its
beautiful people.

For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660 or Mr.
Vazgen Ghoogassian

IAGS Energy Security
Institute for the Analysis of Global Security
Nov. 5, 2004

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline: not yet finished and already threatened

The long-delayed 1000-mile Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to
transport 1 million barrels of oil a day from the Caspian to the
Turkish port of Ceyhan is progressing toward completion as early as
2005. But even before the construction is finished, terrorist elements
may already be planning attacks on this high quality target.

According to Azerbaijan’s National Security Minister, Namiq Abbasov,
the country’s special services had obtained information that regional
insurgents and members of al Qaeda are planning acts of sabotage
designed to derail construction of the pipeline. If true, this means
that the BTC, which traverses some of the world’s most unstable
regions, could be a target of a new terrorist campaign to disrupt the
flow of much needed oil from the Caspian Sea to Western markets. The
pipeline could provide livelihood for many people in Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia as well as stimulate economic activity in eastern
Turkey, and it will make a contribution to enhancing world energy
security by developing a non-OPEC oil source. Therefore, failure of the
countries involved to ensure the security of the project will have
severe implications on the future of the region as well as global
energy markets at large.

Who has an interest in damaging the pipeline? Of all the countries in
the region Iran is perhaps the state actor with the strongest
motivation to impede the BTC project. Engulfed by U.S. forces in both
its neighbors Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran is agitated by growing U.S.
military presence in Central Asia and views the U.S. led war on terror
as an American pretext to penetrate the region and seize control over
Caspian oil. To disrupt the flow of oil in the BTC pipeline Iran could
use its web of proxies and the terrorist groups it sponsors. Iran is
not only a major oil producing country but also a stepping stone
between the Caspian region and the Persian Gulf. As such, it would like
to see Caspian oil flowing through its territory rather than through
Turkey. It is therefore offering an alternative route which runs from
Kashagan and Tengiz oil fields in Kazakhstan along the eastern Caspian
shore, through Turkmenistan and on to the Iranian border. From there
the pipeline would run across the eastern part of Iran to the Persian
Gulf terminal at Bandar Abbas. If the construction of the BTC pipeline
is completed and the pipeline operates well, it will make very little
sense for Iran to carry out its plan. However, if the flow of oil in
the BTC pipeline is interrupted due to sabotage, there will be strong
incentive for major oil companies to seek an alternative route.

Other players who would like to see the project fail are terrorist
groups operating along the pipeline route. Such groups strive to weaken
the governments they oppose by denying them revenue from the pipeline.
The Turks, for example, are a long way away from reaching a settlement
with the Kurds and are involved in fighting with the Kurdish Workers’
Party (PKK). Until the Kurdish issue is resolved, Kurdish groups might
want to derail the project. The PKK has already attacked pipelines as
recently as last month. Turkish television reported that on October 24
a remote controled device was detonated on a pipeline in the Garzan
region. Two days later the PKK bombed an oil pipeline in southeastern
Turkey. In addition there is increasing threat by Islamist groups
operating in the Caucasus such as the Islamic Party of Eastern
Turkestan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Chechen
separatists and Hizb-ut-Tahrir al-Islami. The later group seeks to
seize power and supplant existing governments with Sharia-based
Caliphate for the purpose of jihad against the west. The head of the
Kazakh National Security Committee Nartai Dutbayev said that the Hizb
has recently increased its clandestine activities in Kazakhstan and
poses “a real threat to Kazakhstan’s security.” In early September,
Kazakhstan’s President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, publicly admitted that
Hizb-ut-Tahrir is making significant inroads in his country.

In the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh the conflict between
Armenian and Azeris still goes on. Armenian nationalists might decide
to attack the BTC in order to hurt Azerbaijan, which derives most of
its income from oil sales.

Much of the stability along the BTC corridor would depend on Russia.
Russia is not supportive of BTC. It sees it as a U.S. plot to gain
control over the Caucasus and cut all links between Moscow of the
former Soviet states, building an economic infrastructure that would
prevent the former Soviet states to ever reunite with Russia. Moscow
also views BTC as a way to weaken its position as major supplier of oil
to the European markets. In a recent article at Asia Times Online, John
Helmer refers to the BTC project as an effort `to redraw the geography
of the Caucasus on an anti-Russian map.’

Another problem BTC poses Russia has to do with its tense relations
with Georgia. As it is, the Georgia suffers from many domestic
problems: it is emerging from a civil war and is rife with corruption,
but perhaps its most serious problem is the growing likelihood of war
with Russia over the two breakaway territories of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. The August 8 Moscow News quotes Georgian leader Mikheil
Saakashvili: `If war begins it will be a war between Georgia and
Russia, not between the Georgians and Ossetians. … We are very close to
a war [with Russia], the population must be prepared.’

As a result of the above Russia will not shed tears if BTC is
sabotaged. It might even clandestinely lend its hand to groups that
might do just that. Russia might also team up with Iran in an effort to
promote the alternative route southward out of the Caspian to the
Persian Gulf.

If Russia decides to undermine the project, this will surely have
implications on its relations with the U.S. BTC is the linchpin of the
shift in U.S. energy policy away from the Middle East and it is in
America’s best interest that the project succeeds. Secretary of Energy
Spencer Abraham called the project `one of the most important energy
undertakings from America’s point of view.’ U.S. Special Forces are
already training 1,500-2,000 Georgian soldiers in `anti-terrorism’
techniques under a $64 million program initiated in May 2002. In
addition, the U.S. provided the Georgian army with new combat
helicopters and other weapons. The 17,000 strong Georgian military has
many tasks related to the defense of the country from external enemies
such as Russia and Armenia but if attacks against the Georgian section
of the BTC pipeline are mounted the Georgian military will have to take
on the role of protecting the pipeline against saboteurs.

Azerbaijan is another country along the pipeline route which stands in
the center of U.S. diplomacy in Central Asia. In early August, U.S.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Azerbaijan, where he
concluded an agreement on the deployment of American forces to the
former Soviet republic. This despite a recently adopted law which
forbids foreign military forces on Azeri soil. U.S. military
specialists have already conducted preliminary examinations of
airfields in Kyurdamir, Nasosny, and Gala, and have commenced the
installation of long-range mobile radars in Sanchagal, near the
pipeline. General Charles Ward, the Deputy Commander of the U.S.
European Command, revealed in a Senate hearing that `provisionally
deployed mobile forces’ will soon patrol the BTC.

The BTC pipeline could be as strong as its weakest link. An attack on
the pipeline in any place along its route will hurt not only the
country where the attack took place but also the other countries which
benefit from it. This is why multinational cooperation to secure the
pipeline is of particular importance. On August 21, the armed forces of
Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia embarked on a series of joint military
exercises in the Azeri capital of Baku. The goal of the six-day
maneuvers was to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the land
forces of the three nations in preparation for defending the BTC from a
terror attack. According to Natig Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan’s
State Oil Company, $170 million have already been spent on safeguarding
the pipeline. In addition, unlike many other pipelines around the
world, BTC will be fully buried and its pumping stations will be
surrounded by walls and fences.

But as the sabotage campaign in Iraq, in which to date oil and gas
pipelines have been attacked more than 150 times, shows, investment in
physical security is not enough to secure oil infrastructure. Pipelines
are long and vulnerable and a determined terrorist would always succeed
in blowing it up somewhere along its route. If BTC were to succeed this
would be mainly due to active diplomacy to resolve the lingering
conflicts in the region and address the grievances of those who want to
see this significant project failing.

Gal Luft is Executive Director of the Institute for the Analysis of
Global Security.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov. 4, 2004

STATEMENT OF THE PRESS CENTER OF FOREIGN MINISTRY OF THE AZERBAIJAN
REPUBLIC
[November 04, 2004, 20:59:24]

The press center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan
Republic has made a statement in connection with the presidential
elections carried out in the USA, AzerTAj reports. The Statement runs:

`As is known, Mr. President George Bush has won at the presidential
elections carried out on November 2 this year in the United States of
America.

Last years, there was open a new stage of relations between the USA and
Azerbaijan. After waiver of the notorious 907 Section, the USA began to
assist Azerbaijan due to which in our country various projects have
been carried out. Currently, with direct participation and political
support of the USA, the oil recovery on the Caspian and construction of
such large oil pipeline, as to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan continues. After
the known events on September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan as the close partner
of the United States of America takes part in combat against terrorism.

The Republic of Azerbaijan hopes that the pursued policy will continue
and after the presidential elections carried out in the USA, that due
to efforts of Administration of the USA, will be strengthened the
successes achieved within the framework of the American-Azerbaijan
relations, and the strategic partnership will rise on a new level.

The Republic of Azerbaijan also wishes to be confident that the USA
will make further active the efforts in the field of elimination of
problems, establishment of peace and safety in region of the South
Caucasus, and first of all, in the cause of peace settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict’.

Armenia sets up public organization against terror

Arminfo
2 Nov 04

YEREVAN

The Armenians against terror antiterrorist public organization has
been set up in Armenia.

The deputy chairman of the Armenians against terror public
organization, Eduard Polatov, told an Arminfo correspondent today that
the Armenians are a nation that has repeatedly and largely suffered
from terrorism, which is proved by history. There are enough facts
from the 19th century, as well as from the beginning and end of the
20th century. For this reason, historical memory compels the Armenians
to actively participate in the fight against terror, Eduard Polatov
said.

He also said that the Armenians against terror public organization
wished to cooperate with anyone “who is not indifferent to the future
of mankind”. According to a statement adopted at the founding
congress of the organization, mankind will confine itself to
indignation and compassion until the world community counters the
well-organized terrorist system with its consolidated efforts.

The organization unconditionally condemns criminal acts that have
killed dozens of thousands of people, as well as the practice of
terrorism, and expresses its determination to cooperate with all
organizations and people who are not indifferent to their own security
and to the security of their loved ones.

“Our many-sided and coordinated cooperation will inevitably compel us
to seek and find together effective ways of preventing possible
terrorist acts both in Armenia and abroad. The totality of the
challenge dictates the totality of the answer,” the Armenians against
terror organization says in the statement.

Radio Free Europe, Czechia
Nov. 3, 2004

World: Sampling Of Reaction To U.S. Vote Shows Cautious Optimism
By Don Hill

In opinion polls before the 2 November vote in the United States,
citizens of countries from Canada to South Korea — with the notable
exceptions of Russia and Israel — declared an overwhelming preference
for Democratic Senator John Kerry to win the U.S. presidential election
over Republican incumbent George W. Bush. But as the time neared for
declaring an actual winner, international figures and people on the
streets displayed a cautious optimism. RFE/RL collects a sampling of
various opinions from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and around the
world.

Prague, 3 November 2004 (RFE/RL) — Tajik parliamentarian Olim
Salomzoda said that whoever won yesterday’s U.S. vote is far less
important to Tajikistan than whether U.S. policy in his region is
consistent and respects democratic norms. Salomzoda spoke to RFE/RL in
Dushanbe today.

“It is up to the American voters who to choose, but what is important
to us is that [U.S.] foreign policy in our region, in Central Asia,
should stay the same. But if changes occur, they should be proper to
democratic processes. We want to have peace both in Afghanistan and
Iraq,” Salomzoda said. The result of yesterday’s U.S. presidential vote
remained in limbo midday today over a balloting dispute in the state of
Ohio. It wasn’t clear when a winner would be named.

Kazakh parliamentarian Amalbeck Tshanov told RFE/RL in Astana that
responsibility for U.S.-Kazakh relations depends primarily on the
Kazakhs themselves, regardless of who presides over the U.S.
government.

“How Kazakh-U.S. relations develop depends on us. If our so-called
democratic reforms become really democratic, there will be positive
changes. If our pseudo-democratic changes remain just cosmetic efforts,
if a de facto single party continues to dominate, [the U.S. leadership]
will have to alter its attitude [toward Kazakhstan] negatively,”
Tshanov said.

The result of yesterday’s U.S. presidential vote remained in limbo
midday today over a balloting dispute in the state of Ohio. It wasn’t
clear when a winner would be named.

In Moscow, Editor in Chief Fedor Lukyanov of the Russian quarterly
journal, “Russia in Global Policy,” said Russian leaders preferred Bush
because they feared that a president from the U.S. Democratic Party
would revive Cold War-style confrontation.

“Moscow is very concerned that if a Democratic administration comes to
power, this could bring about a return, to a certain degree, to [former
U.S. President Bill] Clinton’s policies of the U.S. administration’s
active involvement in Russia’s internal politics, and this is
definitely not what Moscow wants now,” Lukyanov said.

The chairman of the Armenian opposition National Accord Party, Artashes
Geghamian, spoke to RFE/RL in Yerevan. “Winning the election, George W.
Bush will pursue one real goal, and that is to ensure his name in the
history books, in positive terms,” Geghamian said. “So I think U.S.
policy will become much more tolerant and cooperative than before.”

In Georgia, Maya Nadiradze, majority leader in parliament, told RFE/RL:
“After coming to power, [any] new administration will start
establishing new relationships. That includes introducing a new policy
toward our neighbor Russia, too. All the above will either slow or
delay certain processes, even change directions.”

In recent months, France has emerged as an expected source of
dissatisfaction with the United States. Speaking to the Reuters news
agency today, a man identified only as Xavier did not disappoint: “I
think it is a pity for the world because it means the continuation of
American hegemony. I think in Europe, in old Europe, everyone hoped
that Kerry would win.”

But in Kyrgyzstan, the deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the
lower house of parliament, Kubatbek Baibolov, was strongly supportive
of Bush. “I think it will be better for us if Bush wins. First of all,
his policies are known better. Secondly, if the U.S. continues its
fight against terrorism at such a pace and in such a way, then we will
also benefit from this policy,” he told RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
November 1, 2004 Monday

Nagorno-Karabakh settlement must be in OSCE framework

By Vitaly Kuchkin

MOSCOW

The suggestion to debate the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement at the session
of the United Nations General Assembly parallel with the discussion in
the OSCE framework “can hardly have a beneficial effect on the
negotiating process”, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Monday.
The ministry commented on Russia’s stand regarding the suggestion to
put on the agenda of the session the clause on “the situation in the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan”.

“Russia, just as other co-chairmen of the MInsk group of the OSCE,
abstained from the voting”, the ministry pointed out. “The results of
the voting showed that most members of the world community share this
stand”. “Russia is interested in the early settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem and promotes this in every way, be it in the
bilateral respect or as the co-chairman of the Minsk group of the
OSCE”, the ministry noted. “The group’s format permits it to deal with
any problems related to the conflict and to ensuring peace”, the
ministry believes. “Besides, the recent meeting of the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia opened prospects for the resumption of the talks
on the quest of the mutually-acceptable solution”.

ARF’s Supreme Convention to suggest answers to all questions

Yerkir/arm
October 29, 2004

By Karine Mangassarian

The Supreme Convention of Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Armenia
organization opens today. The Supreme Convention is a good occasion
for theparty to look back at what its has done.

Levon Mkrtchian, member of ARF’s Supreme Body and leader of National
Assembly’s ARF faction says the Convention will address the questions
of party building, relations with coalition partners and other
political parties. Issues connected with the upcoming elections as
well as the country’s foreign policy will also be discussed at the
Convention. `ARF’s General Convention has addressed the possible
developments for Armenia given the rapidly changing political
situation in the region.

The General Convention has made several strategic statements that are
crucial for ARF in Armenia’, Mkrtchian said adding that several
interestingproposals have been received from party structures in the
regions of Armenia that will be included in the discussion at the
Supreme Convention.

These proposals deal with different spheres. The Convention is
important because it will be held before the local government
elections in 2005, as well as the next parliamentary and presidential
elections.

Mkrtchian said the Supreme Convention will develop a special scenario
of developments that will later be implemented by the ARF Supreme
Body.

Answering the question whether it is not too early to speak about the
next elections, Mkrtchian noted that the Convention does not aim at
making any detailed prognoses regarding this issue. `The Convention
will discuss the party’s position regarding the political situation in
the country, the coalition, the internal political stability in
Armenia as well as foreign policy issues.

We have repeatedly stated that the party’s main goal is the
preservation of stability in the country and maintenance of the
national polices adopted since 1998. This is our strategic goal and
all our discussions and statements will be centered around it,’
Mkrtchian stated.

Any convention or press conference held by ARF stirs wide public
discussion, particularly around the issue of whether or not the party
will remain in the coalition.

Commenting on this, Mkrtchian reminded that the coalition unites
different political forces and that it does not mean a political
bloc. `The coalition includes different political parties that have
different approaches to many issues. They have serious ideological
differences. The coalition simply unites political forces that have
committed themselves to certain obligations by signing the coalition
memorandum.

The level of fulfillment of those obligations will show whether or not
our participation in the coalition is justified,’ Mkrtchian stated
adding that if people see that the obligations envisaged in the
memorandum are not fulfilled they will make the corresponding
decision. As to the practical implementation of the memorandum,
Mkrtchian believes that certain accomplishments have been made.

Commenting on democratization in Armenia, struggle against corruption
and other related issues, Mkrtchian stated that this sphere is
improving very slowly. `We still have a lot to do in this respect,’
Mkrtchian concluded.

GIBRAHAYER
Weekly e-newsletter
[email protected]
http://gibrahaye r.cyprusnewsletter.com
The largest circulation Armenian
online e-newsletter on the WWW

ALUMNI ACCUSE AGBU CYPRUS MEMBERS FOR ASSISTING SALE OF MELKONIAN
Gibrahayer – Nicosia Wednesday October 27, 2004:- The Melkonian Cyprus
Alumni Association released an announcement, calling its members and
Armenians world-wide not to lose hope and work together against the closure
of the Melkonian.
It detailed the multidimensional effort put into effect by the
association during the course of last year which included lobbying at the
AGBU CE and Cyprus government level, as well as fund-raising activities.
The announcement further accused lawyers Nairi Der Arakelian and
Christos Tryantafillides for working on behalf of the restraining order on
the sale of the Melkonian buildings. It further accused architect Nazo
Tavitian for being accomplice and benefiting from the “loot” of the school.
Finally the announcement accused AGBU veteran members Hratch Manougian
and AGBU Cyprus President Karekin Costanian in assisting AGBU CE man Gordon
Anderson.
The announcement in its entirety can be read in Armenian in the
documents section of
The Melkonian Cyprus Alumni finally calls everyone to support the
Luncheon/Fundraiser which is being organised by the Cyprus Alumni, that will
take place on Sunday November 7, 2004 in “Christiana” Restaurant in Alambra.
Guest of Honour will be Jack Melkonian grand-nephew of Garabed Melkonian.

ARMENIAN GAY & LESBIAN ASSOCIATION DEMANDS COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO PUT PRESSURE
ON ARMENIA
AGLA Press release – Paris -: The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association
(AGLA) has demanded from the Council of Europe to put pressure on the
Armenian authorities in order to thwart the rise of homophobia in Armenia.
AGLA said that authorities and media have organised an ugly campaign of
“witch-hunting” and incitement of hatred toward gays.
Last month, Armen Avetisyan, leader of the Uni on of Armenian
Aryans – a fringe nationalistic political group – announced that he has
photographs and videotape evidence that certain ministers, Members of
Parliament, and high ranking officials are homosexual. Avetisyan says he
will release a list of names before the end of the year.
“Our main goal is to clear up a list of ministers and deputies so
that they would not only hand in their resignations but also be exiled from
the republic,” Avetisyan says.
While his threats are outrageous, the controversy has nonetheless
revealed anger and attitudes of hatred toward gays by officials and their
politica l opponents. With its hateful rhetoric, the Armenian political
establishment has ignored Council of Europe (CoE) regulations stipulating
that gays, like other minorities, be assured civil rights. Armenia is a
member of the Council since 2001. At various press conferences and in
interviews in the National Assembly, Members of Parliament have mostly
agreed that homosexuals should not be allowed to govern or make laws. Deputy
Emma Khudabashyan was particularly imaginative in her denigration of the
presumed gay ministers and MPs.
“After publicizing the names these deputies must be seated backwards
on donkeys, their faces blackened with soot and they must be taken for a
ride in their electoral districts so that those who elected them, could spit
in their face,” she suggested.
Former presidential candidate Artashes Geghamyan has used the
controversy as an opportunity for general slander of the Government. “There
are not only homosexuals in our Executive Branch, but drug-addicts and
gambling ministers as well,” he said.
Garnik Isagulyan, President.s National Security adviser, told the
media that if the claims are true, the “appropriate measures will be taken”.
He also declared that if MPs or ministers are revealed as homosexual then
“they must immediately hand in their resignations.”
Association AGLA France, uniting gay, lesbian, bisexual and
trans-gender Armenians of France, expresses its consternation b y the
hateful rhetoric of the Armenian officials and politicians and demand the
condemnation of homophobia by the President and Government of the Republic
and ask them to initiate legislative acts punishing the incitement of hatred
based on the sexual orientation. They finally ask the Council of Europe to
put pressure on the Armenian authorities in order to thwart the
discrimination of gays.

Related links: ;id=121 ,

TATIANA’S CORNER
The above space will be reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic
strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries,
painted with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage
awareness and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.

NEWS IN BRIEF
* Futsal Champions Ararat AGBU are back from Europe having collected three
losses in three matches as follows:Elpozo (Spain) – Ararat 10-1, Marlene
(Holland)- Ararat 5-3, Karaka (Bosnia Herzegovina) – Ararat 8-7. Meanwhile
the Cyprus Championship has begun and on October 23 Ararat defeated
Livadiakos 7-1.
* Turkey have defeated Armenia 2-1 in UEFA’s Under 17 Championships on
October 19. All results at:

* On Friday morning His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia, met in the
Patriarchate of Alexandria, Egypt wi th the newly elected Patriarch
Theodoros II, of the Greek Orthodox See of Alexandria.
* President Robert Kocharian arrived in Georgia for an official three-day
visit on Friday, and immediately met with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail
Saakashvili.
* Maro Gorky, daughter of famed abstract-expressionist founder Arshile
Gorky, will make her first US solo show debut in Los Angeles in early
December.
* Los Angeles Daily News reports that police believe that Russian-Armenian
Edvin Isagulyan was killed as a result of a war between two organized-crime
families.

DVD OF THE WEEK – DAGAVEEN
Sireliner,
I want to thank you for all the support you have given me during the
Dagaveen run. It meant a lot to me. For those who missed the show, this is
your chance to see it. Dagaveen has finally been released on DVD and VHS!
Dagaveen was taped live, at Rococo in Pasadena, where I performed for over
four months. It.s structure is very close to my previous monologues Yevaylen
and Nayev, with more personal stories, along with meditations on being an
Armenian in America and finally about the importance of laughter.
This is the first time we have produced DVDs along with the videos.
Dagaveen is performed in Armenian. Its one hour and twenty minutes long
and is directed by my friend Ara Madzounian.
Along with the monologue, a 10 minute candid interview is also included.
The DVDs and videos are available at most Armenian bookstores in California.
It can also be purchased via email at [email protected], my website
VaheBerberian.com or by calling Christina at (818)981-6725.
Once again, thank you for your support and remember, laughter is the fiber
in the diet of your soul.
Sirov, Vahe Berberian
For updates and information visit

SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the
opportunity to win Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from
ancient Armenian history. A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international
readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in
promoting Hay Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r

* ARMENIAN NIGHT on Wednesday 27 October, 8:00 p.m , Larnaca Armenian
Club. Live Armenian Music, dancing & a lot of fun. Delicious Food and all
inclusive drinks 6 CYP & 3 CYP for children. Last minute sign ups at Mihran
Boyadjian on 99372274
* Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs on Friday and every Fr iday
starting from October 29 at 9:30 p.m. For reservations call 22873888.
* AYMA Food Bazaar on Sunday November 7, 2004. Traditional Armenian food
and delicacies just like our grandparents used to prepare them! The Food
Gates open at 12:00 noon and nothing will be served before that time.
* Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank at AYMA Saturday November 13, 2004, at 8:30
p.m. Sign up with the members of the committee. Limited seats.
* Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armen ia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale.
Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
* Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm
“Christiana” Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian,
grand-nephew of Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and
children. Prizes included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact
names for reservations to be announced. Directions to “Christiana” and
convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
* California Melkonian Alumni Dinner banquet Oct. 30, 2004. “Brandview
Collections, 109 E. Harvard Street Glendale. Tickets at $50 per person which
you can reserve by ringing Janet on(818)2621266 or Raffi on(951)4539917
* AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers have begun and will continue every
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
* AYMA Chicco Football practices have begun and are taking place every
Friday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7.
Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.
* AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun and will continue every
Saturday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus
Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes and practice session for all ages.
* AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
at 9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and
subsequent promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday
November 20, 2004.
* A.G.B.U Women’s Auxiliary Body. Armenian Food Bazaar. Sunday 14
November, 2004 starting from 12:00 lunch time at AGBU club premises.
* Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The
Group got together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call
Elise at the Prelature office on 22 493560 or email [email protected]
* This October the Pharos Trust, in cooperation with the Brazilian
Consulate, is proud to present a month of Brazilian Culture in Nicosia.
Through film, photography, literature, music and performance art, the Trust
offers audiences in Cyprus rare opportunities to experience the spirit,
history, culture and diversity of this vast and unique country. You can
subscribe to receive the e-newsletter of The Pharos Trust at

* AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2004 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.
* If you happen to be in London on Friday, 12th November don’t miss this
Back to Hye Skool Party. Time: 8pm-1am. Venue: The ultra-hip & funky
Babushka 41 Tavistock Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 1AD. Tix:£5 before
10:30pm, £7 after, Age: Strictly 18+ (No ID? No HYE party) Tube:Westbourne
Park (Hammersmith & City) – 1 min walk Notting Hill Gate (Central, District
& Circle) – 5 min ride (#27, 28 & 328 buses on Pembridge Road opposite
WHSmith outside station). Music:DJ Josey Kray & FBI Squad playing old skool
tunes, as well as the freshest tracks, Armenian and more. Xtra: Quality
prizes for the best dressed skool boy and skool girl. New surprises in store
for all. Contact: Raffi 07958 137 702, John 07961 166 969 [email protected]
* Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard
via real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
* The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 7 November, 2004.
* Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito,
Puzant Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it
on Real Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat
program can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
* Listen to Hairenik Association’s online Armenian Radio Station.A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
24 hours of non-stop Armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .

Gibrahayer, is an independent electronic environment, now in its fifth year,
disseminating news & posting upcoming events about the Armenian community of
Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. The list also promotes the
discussion of issues brought forward by its members. The subscription to
this service is free. To subscribe to Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the
instructions at To contact the
listmaster send an email to [email protected]

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–Boundary_(ID_L5GtFV2Vdtq80bmeKpoOfg)–

Agence France Presse — English
October 23, 2004 Saturday

Prisoner amnesty in Turkmenistan on first day of legislative session

ASHGABAT

Turkmenistan’s autocratic leader Saparmurat Niyazov Saturday opened
the annual three-day session of the nation’s main legislative body by
announcing what has become a traditional mass prisoner release during
the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The annual assembly offers a glimpse into this isolated one-time land
of khans that matters on the world stage because of its gas and oil
reserves but where opposition is not tolerated, media tightly
controlled and official statistics distrusted.

Some 9,000 prisonners will be released this year a few days before
the end of Ramadan in the mostly Muslim country, Niyazov told the
2,507 delegates of the People’s Council, or Halk Maslahaty.

“Let our fellow citizens who have stumbled rejoin society,” Niyazov
told the deputies, who are expected, in following with tradition, to
pass laws introduced by Niyazov by the close of the session on
Monday.

The release is the fourth consecutive one in this former Soviet
republic and will include 150 foreign nationals, including those of
Armenia, Moldova, as well as neighboring Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, he said.

Seven thousand prisoners were released during the pardon last year.

Niyazov also announced a hike in pensions and salaries, said he would
introduce a water law, slash the number of taxes and decree new
quotas for grain and cotton production.

Beginning on January 1, 2005, salaries and pensions will be hiked by
50 percent, so that the average monthly salary will stand at 2,250
million manats (433 US dollars at the official exchange rate, 94
dollars at the black market rate), he said.

The number of possible taxes levied would be slashed from 17 to four,
and the government will introduce long-term land leasing.

“Land will always belong to the government, but any citzen will be
able to rent up to 10 hectares for 10 years,” he said.

Niyazov also said he would introduce a water law in the nation, which
is roughly the size of California and lies mostly in the desert sands
of Central Asia.

He said that farming consumed most of the water in the country every
year, 23 billion cubic meters or 88 percent, and that nearly half of
this, 10 billion cubic meters, was wasted.

“We cannot allow this any longer, this is our national riches, so we
need a law on water,” he said, promising to provide specifics later
in the session.

The Communist-era apparatchik, who has held power in Turkmenistan
since it became independent in 1991, also increased quotas for grain
and cotton production by 2010.

He said oil and gas production in for 2004 would stand at 10 million
tons and 61 billion cubic meters, respectively, and trade turnover at
seven billion US dollars.

Although it is not Turkmenistan’s sole legislative body, the asembly
passes the nation’s major laws.

Turkmenistan is a country of nearly five million people whose gas
reserves are believed to be among the world’s top five. It was also
once the world’s tenth-largest producer of cotton.

Niyazov was had himself anointed president for life in 1999 and
prefers to be addressed as Turkmenbashi (father-of-all-Turkmen) the
Great.

Huge statues of him can be found in most of the nation’s cities and
on Friday a vast mosque capable of holding 10,000 worshippers opened
in his home village, in part as a tribute to its famous native.

Rights groups have denounced his regime for stifling opposition and
human rights violations.

The Daily News of Los Angeles
October 21, 2004 Thursday, Valley Edition

FOR THE RECORD

In a graphic accompanying an Oct. 11 story about a Russian-Armenian
crime ring, police said they believed Edvin Isagulyan was killed as a
result of a war between two organized-crime families. Police now say
the shooting was not connected to organized crime.