Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

Iranian president arrives in Armenia
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
8 Sep 04
A delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by President Mohammad
Khatami arrived in Armenia a short while ago.
A delegation led by Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan met
the Iranian high-ranking guests at the airport. This is the Iranian
president’s return visit following [Armenian President] Robert
Kocharyan’s official visit [to Iran].
The Iranian high-ranking guests will meet in Yerevan with their
counterparts and will discuss most important issues. The fifth session
of the bilateral intergovernmental commission will also be held.

Chechnya: Why Putin is implacable
By Paul Reynolds, BBC News Online world affairs correspondent
BBC News, UK
Sept 6 2004
President Putin has drawn a line in the mountains of the North Caucasus
beyond which Russia will not withdraw.
Putin under pressure but not compromising
His insistence that there can be no surrender to demands for
independence for Chechnya is based on a number of factors which
include:
a fear of further chaos on Russia’s borders in the region
a feeling that Russia must not make any further territorial concessions
anywhere
a belief that the Chechens were offered and threw away the chance of
responsible independence before. Mr Putin has also added into this
complex mix the spectre of international (by which he means Islamic)
terrorism and an accusation that unnamed foreign countries want to
break bits off Russia.
It must also not be forgotten that he has staked his own reputation
on his policy and that therefore he is reluctant to change it.
Russian policy can be grouped under the following headings:
Geo-political
The argument is that if Chechnya, a troublesome republic on Russia’s
southern border, broke away it could provoke demands for independence
elsewhere in the region.
Chechnya has to its east the Russian republic of Dagestan which
is multi-ethnic and where there has been unrest between some of
its peoples.
To its west is Ingushetia, to which Chechnya was once joined and
which is largely Islamic. The Ingush in turn have fought with the
North Ossetians who are Orthodox Christians and whose children were
the victims in Beslan.
And all this is close to the energy-rich Caspian Sea and on Russia’s
southern flank.
Terrorism
The Russian fear is that terrorists have taken over the Chechen
opposition and that if Chechnya becomes independent, they will
take over Chechnya as well. They might then begin to spread their
influence outwards.
Mr Putin has alluded to Russian claims that Islamic terrorism is
linked to the attack on the school and other incidents.
He implies that Islamic terrorism not Chechen nationalism is the
real enemy.
Economic
An oil pipeline from Azerbaijan used to run through Chechnya, but it
was by-passed after earlier fighting and now goes through Dagestan.
There is oil and gas to be developed in the Caspian Sea and Russia
wants a stable area through which to pass supplies.
Territorial integrity
Mr Putin spoke nostalgically in his address to Russia after the
Beslan tragedy about the days when the borders of the Soviet Union
were protected.
He and others regret the loss of so much territory in the break-up
of the Soviet Union and want to stop any further territorial loss.
Necessity
The Russian president argues that after 1997, when then President
Yeltsin gave Chechnya autonomy, with independence to be discussed
later, the Chechens responded by failing to develop a stable republic.
In August 1999, radicals led by the man believed to be behind the
school siege, Shamil Basayev, invaded neighbouring Dagestan.
Putin does have a geo-political case. It is open to question though
whether his chosen means have the slightest likelihood of dealing
with the problem
Professor Margot Light, LSE Chechens were blamed for blowing up Russian
civilian targets, including apartment buildings in Moscow. Mr Putin
led the move to re-invade Chechnya.
Elections were held there recently so he claims that he has done all
he can and that his present policy is therefore one of necessity.
Western Russia watchers, like Western governments, have some sympathy
for the Russian dilemma but many doubt if Mr Putin’s approach is the
right one.
Professor Margot Light of the London School of Economics said:
“Putin does have a geo-political case. It is open to question though
whether his chosen means have the slightest likelihood of dealing
with the problem.
“He has to start talking to the people he says he will not talk
to, like Aslan Mashkadov who was the Chechen president until the
99 invasion.
“Mr Putin’s reputation is on the line. It is extremely useful to argue
that this is international terrorism and that outside countries are
involved. Frankly this is rubbish. Any involvement by al-Qaeda to
train or fund the Chechens post-dates the conflict.”
Professor Light, however, also suggested that Russian fears of chaos
on its border in that region could be exaggerated.
“Russia could afford the loss of Chechnya. Talk of other republics
leaving the federation is far from the truth,” she said.
Nicholas Redman, Russia analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit in
London commented: “Oil is an issue but it is not the main issue. If
there was oil Russia would still be determined to hang on.
“The North Caucasus was a hard-won region and Russia sees itself as a
civilising influence there. The loss of other republics in the area,
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, makes it even more important that
it should lose no more.
‘Where do you stop?’
“There is a just a fear that if you unravel, where do you stop.
“The problem is that Putin’s tactics have to be questioned. Russian
policy has encouraged divisions among the Chechens and there is nobody
who can glue the factions together.”
Western governments have not so publicly questioned Mr Putin’s
policies. Even a hint of criticism by the Dutch government (currently
holding the European Union presidency) provoked outrage in Moscow.
The West has generally left Moscow to its own devices in Chechnya
with occasional and ineffective mutterings about human rights.
This is despite a private view among some Western diplomats that
Russia, having lost so much of the old Soviet Union, would not be
affected by the loss of Chechnya.
The reality is that many western governments have their own war against
terrorism to fight and do not want to jeopardise Russian cooperation
by making adverse comments about Chechnya.
It all adds up to a Putin policy of, for the moment, no change.

Farhat’s new album to be released in Germany
Tehran Times
Sept 6 2004
Tehran Times Art Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) – The new album “Angels’ Birthday” by Iranian musician
Shahin Farhat will soon be released in Germany.
Early this year, Farhat recorded a new selection performed along with
the Armenia Youth Orchestra in Armenia. The new album also features
Armenian tenor Narbeh Cholakian performing songs based on poems by
Hafez, Khayyam, and Sa’di.
The album is being released in Germany by a German company and will
probably be distributed in Iran at the same time.
Farhat is quite satisfied with his new album, saying that this is the
first time an Iranian classical work has been recorded in a foreign
country and hopefully it will hit the market soon.

ARMENTEL GETS PREPARED FOR EMERGENCE OF A RIVAL COMPANY
ArmenPress
Sept 3 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Out of $106.3 million investments
to Armenia’s economy in the first half of 2004 $41.5 million were made
by ArmenTel telephone operator in the telecommunications sector. Some
$21 million of this money were direct investments.
According to deputy trade and economic development minister Tigran
Davtian, ArmenTel’s investment this year were 41 percent higher
than in 2003. He attributed the increase to the operator’s plans
to get prepared for emergence of a rival company which is likely to
enter the mobile phone market next year in line with the government’s
resolute to strip ArmenTel of its exclusive rights in cellular phone
and Internet markets.
The deputy minister also said that $2 or $3 million were invested
in the same time span in Armenia’s information technology sector.
“Though this is not a big figure, this sector allows good returns
on small investments,” he said, adding that the sector is being now
diversified and unlike some years ago when the main focus was on
programming and orders used to come from abroad, now there are new
development directions.
The deputy minister said a delegation of Intel company, one of the
leading manufacturers of computer processors, is coming to Armenia on
September 14 to look into possibilities of starting a business here.
He reiterated that liberalization of telecommunications market would
result in a swift development of the sector.

Turkish Daily News
Sept 2 2004
Putin, the first Russian president to visit Turkey in decades, hopes
to cap growing economic ties with Turkey by coming to Ankara
Turkey, Russia shift into a new orbit
Putin and Turkish leaders will bypass contentious matters in public
but cannot avoid Chechnya, the PKK and disputes in the Caucasus
behind closed doors
ELIF UNAL ARSLAN
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Turkish officials hosting the first
Russian president to visit Ankara in decades will endeavor tomorrow
to slough off the disputes of the past and cap growing economic ties
between long-time rivals Russia and Turkey with a political
breakthrough in public.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in the Turkish capital tonight and will
meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer tomorrow for top-level talks.
Later in the day, he will get together with Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the pair is expected to fly to the Aegean
city of Izmir in the afternoon where the Russian leader, along with
Erdogan, will visit the Izmir International Fair and meet with
Turkish and Russian businessmen before departing from the port of
Izmir in a Russian naval vessel.
When the two presidents pose for the cameras at the Presidential
Palace, they will be inking a declaration for “Friendship and
Multidimensional Partnership” that marks a shift in the two
countries’ ties, which were strained by mutual security concerns and
rivalry over luring the Caucasus and Central Asian republics into
their individual spheres after the collapse of the Soviet Union in
1991.
Turkish officials say an evolution in commercial relations between
Ankara and Moscow is pushing for political progress. “Our economic
relationship has grown, but political dialogue between us has
remained behind this growth. Our trade volume is increasing by 30
percent a year, and in the last 10-15 years it has grown from $150
million per annum to $10 billion. That explains the importance of the
Putin visit,” a Turkish official said.
The declaration that is due to be signed at the Presidential Palace
will highlight diversification in the profit-making areas of mutual
ties, in particular trade and economy and the energy and tourism
fields, another Turkish official said.
In addition to the declaration, the two leaders are expected to seal
five more documents. Among them are two military deals, the first of
which is intended to prevent the occurrence of dangerous incidents
outside of territorial waters, and a second that will protect
intellectual property rights to the exchange of know-how and
equipment in this field.
The rest of the documents to be wrapped up are a cooperative
agreement between Turkey’s BOTAS and Russia’s Gazprom on gas sales,
the distribution and construction of gas storage facilities, a
memorandum of cooperation between the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s
Strategic Research Center (SAM) and the Russian Federation’s
Diplomacy Academy to exchange experts, and finally a trilateral
agreement among Turk Eximbank, Russian Eximbank and GunesEconombank
to provide financial resources for exports primarily to the Central
Asian and Caucasian republics, the Middle East and western Asia.
Affirmations and realities
Turkish officials and Russian diplomats in Ankara both insist that
the previously fierce competition for winning over the Caucasus and
Central Asian republics has now been replaced by partnership savvy. A
Turkish official told the Turkish Daily News that the trilateral
agreement that envisages providing financial resources primarily for
those countries was proof of that perception.
Many agree that the rivalry between Ankara and Moscow in those
republics, some possessing rich oil and natural gas resources, has
lessened to a certain extent, partly because Ankara has been locked
onto its long-running aspiration to join the European Union and
partly due to a change in mutual perceptions on the part of both
countries in regional matters.
The mutual skepticism between the two capitals, however, looks far
from disappearing completly.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Petr Viladimirovic Stegniy told the TDN
in an exclusive interview that developments in Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan would still be on the negotiating table for Putin and
Turkish leaders. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said matters in the
Caucasus would be discused.
Turkey is discomforted by the presence of Russian military bases in
Georgia and Armenia, and Russia views with deep suspicion Turkey’s
cooperation with Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Ahead of Putin’s visit, mass-circulation Turkish daily Hurriyet
reported that the Russian leader would ask Ankara to pursue a
“balanced policy” towards Georgia and not to “spoil” it amid recent
tension between Moscow and Tbilisi over Georgia’s breakaway South
Ossetia province, to which Moscow is allegedly providing backing.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Georgia
mid-August and urged a peaceful solution to Georgia’s internal
disputes, both in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Georgia plays a crucial
role for both Turkey and Russia since it is part of a U.S.-backed
project, namely Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, to transport Azeri crude oil to
Western markets through Georgia and Turkey, scheduled to be realized
in 2005.
Ankara had pushed hard for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export
pipeline project that would bypass both Russia and Iran, whereas
Moscow had backed the “northern route” to Novorossiysk in an attempt
to control Caspian energy export routes to the West. Now Turkish
officials and Russian diplomats in Ankara say Russia is interested in
taking part in the Bakhu-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project.
On the South Ossetia dispute, the official policies of both Moscow
and Ankara are not too different. Both countries support a peaceful
solution to the South Ossetia conflict within Georgia’s territorial
integrity. An identical picture is valid for Nagorno-Karabakh, which
has caused tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Turkey and Russia
once again share a similar official stance, that is, a peaceful
solution to the trouble there within Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.
But Ankara and Moscow, in reality, have differing views on the
resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the two siding with opposing
Azerbaijan and Armenia respectively.
When it comes to the mutual accusations of the past of alleged
Russian support for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), now
known as PKK/Kongra Gel, and alleged Turkish backing for Chechen
separatists, it is easier for Turkish and Russian officials to admit
that “reciprocal mistrust” will not vanish quickly. However, they
say, frequent meetings between security officials and the regular
exchange of information have helped significantly and that headway
has been made to a certain extent to boost confidence.
After a Chechen militant raid on a five-star hotel in Istanbul three
years ago, Turkish authorities began to crack down more harshly on
Chechen sympathizer groups, a departure from Turkey’s treatment of a
group that had seized a ferry in 1996 in the Black Sea port of
Trabzon. The hijackers were later jailed for their act but
mysteriously managed to escape from prison one by one. On the
Russians’ part, Moscow no longer seems to allow outlawed PKK
activities such as a 1996 conference titled “The History of
Kurdistan” organized by PKK-linked groups there.
In a sign of progess, Russian Ambassador Stegniy said Turkish and
Russian officials had been discussing ways to put the PKK on Moscow’s
list of terrorist organizations. He, however, added that it would
require a Russian court decision.
Mutual expectations are running high for the Russian president’s
visit to Ankara. But it is quite clear that even if Putin and Turkish
leaders are able to bypass contentious issues in public, they cannot
not evade them behind closed doors.
Ivanov to hold separate talks
While Putin is attending talks with Turkish leaders, his defense
minister, Sergei Ivanov, will be holding separate negotiations today
with Turkish defense and military officials at the invitation of his
Turkish counterpart, Vecdi Gonul.
Ivanov is expected to seek ways to increase military cooperation with
Turkey that, according to a statement issued by the Russian Defense
Ministry, include the joint licensed manufacture of Russian-Israeli
joint-production Ka-50-2 Erdogan attack helicopters.
The Russian ambassador, however, was not hopeful that the issue would
be a top agenda item for Ivanov’s talks since Turkey had canceled an
earlier tender to purchase attack helicopters that was participated
in by the Russian-Israeli joint venture, and a new tender has yet to
be opened.
Turkish officials say the Russian minister will likely be told that
the Erdogan will be able to join with other attack helicopters once
Turkey opens a fresh tender. Ivanov, along with Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov, will accompany Putin in his meetings.
Among the other agenda items of the Russian president’s visit is
crude oil transportation through Turkey’s busy straits. Turkey has
long complained of the passage of too many oil-laden ships through
the narrow straits, saying this constituted an environmental danger
and a threat to the safety of Istanbul, a city of 13 million that
straddles the waterway. Russia has complained about its financial
losses stemming from delays in the passage of oil tankers carrying
its oil.
Turkish officials say Ankara and Moscow are now looking at
alternatives, such as possible pipeline routes, but no final outcome
in this area is expected during Putin’s time in Ankara.
Turkish leaders are also expected to request Putin’s support for
Turkey’s policy on the divided island of Cyprus.
Russia, one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security
Council, is perceived as one of the major sympathizers of the Greek
Cypriots, who overwhelmingly voted against a U.N. plan in April aimed
at reunification of the island.
The Greek Cypriots are lobbying to block efforts on U.N. and European
Union platforms to end the international isolation of the Turkish
Cypriots as a reward for their support of the U.N. plan.
Turkish officials agree that Russia so far has pursued a pro-Greek
Cypriot policy but say that Moscow has come to balance that position
recently, noting that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat on the sidelines of
the latest foreign ministers’ meeting of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC), which convened in mid-June in Istanbul.

Melkonian alumni hire California lawyers to fight school’s closure
By Staff Reporter
Cyprus Mail
1 Sept 04
THE worldwide alumni of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI)
have hired a group of California lawyers to challenge the closure of
the Nicosia-based secondary school, they said yesterday.
Under their recently established umbrella body, the Melkonian Alumni
and Friends, a non-profit US foundation, the alumni have hired legal
counsel MacCarley & Rosen of Los Angeles to oppose the planned closure
of the 78-year old Armenian school in June 2005.
This alumni is working in parallel with the local Melkonian Alumni
Associations in Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Canada, the US, Armenia,
Lebanon, Australia and elsewhere.
Similar legal actions are also expected to be filed in Cyprus, as
well as other jurisdictions, a statement issued yesterday said.
The loss making MEI, which is sitting on 40 acres of prime real estate
worth around £40 million in the capitalâ’s commercial district,
has been slated to close next year by the New York based Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU), which administers 22 Armenian
schools worldwide.
The AGBU said last November that the school was not for sale but then
changed tack and announced the closure three months later.
Teachers at the Melkonian have said that last year the school’s
population was reduced from 260 to 210 after the AGBU unilaterally
decided to reduce scholarships to underprivileged children from the
Armenian Diaspora.
By claiming that standards are not up so scratch, staff say the AGBU
is trying to use the them as a scapegoat for their decision to close
the school in order to sell the land and that they are using devious
methods to reduce the student population of the school in order to
turn it into a non-viable school and ultimately to close it.
“The MEI has educated and nurtured more than three generations
of Armenian professionals and leaders and is a unique educational
institution in the Armenian Diaspora,” said yesterday.
“It provides superior academic training with Western standards to
a diverse group of Armenian boys and girls from different countries
and social backgrounds.”

Azg Armenian Daily
Sept 1 2004
ONE MORE MONTH OF UNCERTAINTY IN BLACK BEACH
ARMENIAN HOSTAGES FOR IRAQI REBELS?
FREE BOOKS IN “GEORGIAN” ACADEMIC YEAR
TURKEY TO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT
*********************************************************************
ONE MORE MONTH OF UNCERTAINTY IN BLACK BEACH
Prisoners Being Tortured
The nineteen prisoners accused of a coup d’etat in Equatorial Guinea
are to wait for one more month for a sentence. Hamlet Gasparian,
press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed Azg
Daily that the Armenian ambassador to Egypt Sergey Manasarian
together with Gevorg Petrosian of State Ceremony Department are in
Malabo and will return theses days.
“By now we can say that the trial was postponed for a month. Our
diplomats have met Guinean officials to ease their condition and to
secure them”, said Gasparian.
The six Armenian air crew were detained on 8 of March on charges of
attempting to overthrow president Teodoro Obiang Nguema have been
kept chained 24 hours a day in Malabo’s notorious Black Beach prison.
Our pilots have been working in Equatorial Guinea since January of
the current year. They do not plead guilty of the charges made.
During the August 30 court session the prosecutor suggested to
postpone the trail as the lawsuit has to do with a coup d’etat and
some materials needed to be closely examined. It came as a surprise a
week ago that former British PM Margaret Thatcher’s son Mark Thatcher
is accused of financing the coup. The “Iron Lady’s” son was arrested
in South African Republic but was released on bail of 300 thousand
dollars. He also pleads not guilty.
Yesterday the British Independent published an article titled “Dogs
of war?” where it informs about lawsuit process and some details
about the prisoners and the president Nguema. So, the newspaper
correspondent Raymond Whitaker writes: “Their wrists and feet
shackled, the accused half-crawled”. Mr. Mico, their defense lawyer,
said: “All the accused apart from Mr. du Toit have told me they were
tortured.”
“Prison in any country is far from being a paradise. We are extremely
worried about the future of our citizens and the conditions they’re
kept in interest us. It is already the second time that our diplomats
visit the captives. We also have turned to international
organizations such as the Red Cross and to some diplomats who had the
opportunity to visit them. None of Armernian prisoners ever said to
be tortured”, said Gasparian.
The citizen of South African Republic Nick du Toit has confessed that
he was offered a huge sum of money to head the coup. Seven of 19
prisoners are South African, 6 Armenians and 5 local. Aside from Nick
du Toit all other pledge not guilty.
On August 31 the president Nguema hold a press conference for foreign
journalists where he said: “Individuals without morals who attempted
a crime against our country which would have resulted in blood being
spilt”.
The Independent reminds that since Nguema deposed and executed his
despotic uncle in 1979, he has been accused of spilling plenty of
blood on his own account, and even of eating the testicles of his
murdered enemies to imbibe their masculinity.
Equatorial Guinea was once a Spanish colony and won its independence
only in 1968. Since then the country have been ruled by dictators.
The first one was Francisco Nguema the other one his nephew, the
current president. Two years ago 68 people were sentenced to 20 years
imprisonment for a coup against president. In 1998 15 people were
sentenced to death for separatism.
What are the steps that Armenia takes to release its citizens? Hamlet
Gasparian said that the Armenians have a defense lawyer and that
Armenia does everything possible for their release. The letters of
the president of Armenia and of the Supreme Patriarch of all
Armenians were handed to the government of Equatorial Guinea.
By Tatoul Hakobian
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN HOSTAGES FOR IRAQI REBELS?
Armenia Sends Doctors, Drivers and Deminers to Iraq
The Defense Ministry of Armenia is getting ready to support the Iraqi
people by sending Armenian doctors, drivers and deminers to Iraq.
Seyran Shahsuvarian, press secretary of the defense minister,
informed Azg Daily that the Armenian specialists will leave for Iraq
as soon as the National Assembly confirms this decision.
The official Yerevan didn’t join together with Russia, France,
Germany and several other countries to America’s anti-Iraqi campaign
to topple Saddam Hussein. But Armenia expressed its willingness to
help in rebuilding the ruined country.
At the press conference few months ago held together with Charles
Wald, deputy commander-in-chief for the European Command (EUCOM), the
head of the Supreme Headquarters of Armenia Mikael Haroutiunian said
that Armenia decided to send a military squad to Iraq. Haroutiunian
noted that there is an Armenian diaspora in Iraq, and Armenia does
everything to support in rebuilding the post-war country. But this
doesn’t mean that the “military squad will leave for Iraq tomorrow”.
The USA in its turn hopes that Armenia will join the multinational
forces as soon as possible.
The USA wants to lure as many countries as possible to its side for
justifying the Iraqi war. Of course, if so many countries were
involved in the war than it couldn’t be a blunder. The coalition
today consists of 32 countries, some of which, such as Spain and
Philippines, have already resigned in the face of rebels’ cruelties.
Such American allies as Canada, Turkey, Germany and France are not in
the anti-Iraqi campaign. The other 3 heavy-weighters not included in
the alliance are Russia, China and India.
The Defense Ministry of Armenia has already taken the decision of
sending Armenian specialists to Iraq. The government confirmed the
decisions some days ago. The parliament will go on for discussions in
autumn and “yes” or “no” will largely depend on the will of the
Armenian authorities. If official Yerevan is firm in its decision
then the Armenian specialists will for Iraq.
There are 20 thousand Armenians living in Iraq. The August 1
explosions at 5 Christian churches came to prove that the Christians
of Iraq as well as whole population of the country are not secured of
suicide-bombers. The Iraqi Armenians occasionally note that Armenia’s
participation as an American coalition member might bring them
troubles.
The Armenian government has missed a serious point: who is going to
guard our specialists in this country? We know from sad experience of
other countries that the Iraqi rebels do not consider if the
foreigner is a doctor or a soldier. The Armenian embassy in Baghdad
that is usually a safety guarantee for Armenians in Baghdad was
closed a day before the US bombs hit Baghdad.
Armenian’s participation in the reconstruction of Iraq must be
necessity from the political angel. But it must be noted that Iraq is
far from being reconstructed today, instead the multinational
coalition forces continue the occupation and destruction of the
country.
By Tatoul Hakobian
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FREE BOOKS IN “GEORGIAN” ACADEMIC YEAR
Yesterday was the first day of the new academic year in many
countries of the world, particularly, in the former Soviet republics.
In Georgia, the academic year is postponed till September 20. This is
the decision of the Georgian education Ministry.
Alexander Lomaya, Georgian Education Minister, explained this step by
the desire to give up the Soviet educational system and “pass to the
European one.”
Naturally, there are various opinions concerning this step. The
minister gave the following explanation to this decision: “Each
innovation is always accepted with an air of indignation. But in this
case we wanted to divide the physical and studying capacities of the
children equally in the year.”
For decades the academic year began in September 1. According to the
minister, Georgia finally decided that “they should take into account
the Georgian climate and the interests of the people that want to
prolong their vacation in September.” New Georgian Government also
explains the decision by the importance of the places for rest and
tourism. According to Regnum agency, the presidential program
envisages to deliver new bags and books to the first form
schoolchildren for free. While non-Georgian schools will be provided
manuals of Georgian language.
The Armenian and Azeri schools will receive manuals of Georgian
History and Geography in Armenian and Azerbaijanian. These schools
will also receive special manuals for Georgian language studies.
In previous years the abovementioned schools used to buy manuals from
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
By Aghavni Haroutiunian from Tbilisi
*********************************************************************
TURKEY TO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT
Perhaps Turkey Hopes for Reestablishing Its Authority in South
Caucasus
The month of September promises to be a diplomatically hot one in
Turkey. The main reason is the quantity of official visits that fall
on this month. Ankara is going to host the Russian president Vladimir
Putin on September 2 and Günter Verheugen, Member of the European
Commission, Enlargement, on September 5. The later will meet with the
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul on September
6, then will leave for the so-called capital of Northern Kurdistan
Diyarbakir, then Izmir and Istanbul.
It’s not excluded that Verheugen will visit the international fair,
which is going to be visited by Russian president. The president of
Iran Islamic Republic Mohammad Khatami is also reported to come by
the end of September.
Taking into consideration the fact that Turkey is striving for the
EU, and Verheugen’s mission in the EU, we can say that his visit is
of vital importance. We can assume that the Europeans will continue
manipulating on the Kurdish factor for enrolling Turkey in the EU.
Amidst all these, Turkey considers president Putin’s visit of a great
importance. Perhaps Ankara views Russian-Turkish relations as a means
to regaining its authority in the South Caucasus.
In the situation when Turkey can’t but explain its controversies with
the USA by its running for the EU, it becomes obvious that in case of
developed relations with Russia Turkey is granted more possibility to
maneuver between the USA and the EU. That will save Turkey from
Europe’s manipulations as regards entering the EU.
Concerning the regaining of lost positions in the South Caucasus, we
must say that Azg Daily has touched upon the issue in its previous
publications writing that the 9/11 enabled America to be militarily
present in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirgizia and Georgia, thus Turkey
has lost its role of an American lever in the Middle East and the
South Caucasus.
But the American presence is not the only obstacle on the way of
Russian-Turkish relations and Turkish influence in the South
Caucasus. The American military presence is, perhaps, less important
than the silent agreement of Russia and America in the issue of
keeping the military balance in the South Caucasus.
Russian president’s visit hasn’t launched so far. Although Russia’s
support of Turkey cannot bring Turkey its lost authority in the South
Caucasus, its positive results may still create a favorable ground
for Iran Islamic Republic’s president’s visit to Ankara.
By Hakob Chakrian

ARKA News Agency
Aug 25 2004
Festive devoted to the Day of the Republic to be held in Stepanakert
Danish Foreign Minister to visit Armenia on Aug 26-27
Meeting with kids been on holidays to Russia to be held in Yerevan
School `Slavyanskaya’
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FESTIVE DEVOTED TO THE DAY OF THE REPUBLIC TO BE HELD IN STEPANAKERT
YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. On September 2 on the occasion of the
13th anniversary of the Day of Declaration of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), festive will be held in Stepanakert and the regions
of NKR. According to ARKA’s reporter in Stepanakert, the celebration
will start with lessons in educational institutions of the republic
that will be devoted to the Day of the Declaration of NKR. Members of
the Government as well as Deputies and the representatives of the
Army will be present at the lessons. Columns of servicemen of the
Defense Army will march along the streets of Stepanakert. Members of
the Government, representatives of the community of the republic as
well as guests from Armenia and Russia will visit Stepanakert
memorial complex. Famous actors and singers invited from RA and RF
will have concerts in Stepanakert. A.H. – 0–
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DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ARMENIA ON AUG 26-27
YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig M?ller
to visit Armenia on Aug 26-27. As the Armenian Foreign Ministry
Information and Press Department told ARKA, the Danish Foreign
Minister schedules meetings with the Armenian PM Andranik Margarian,
the Armenian Foreign Minister VArdan Oskanian as well as Catholicos
of All-Armenian His Holiness Garegin II. On Aug 27 Per Stig M?ller
will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial on Tsitsernakaberd. T.M.
-0–
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MEETING WITH KIDS BEEN ON HOLIDAYS TO RUSSIA TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
SCHOOL `SLAVYANSKAYA’
YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. On Aug 27 there will be held a meeting in
Yerevan Secondary School `Slavyanskaya’ with kids that traveled to
Russia for holidays by invitation of the Russian Federal authorities
and Moscow Government. As the Russian Embassy told ARKA, 30 kids
traveled to recreation summer camp Ogonyek in Sergiev Posad and
another 40 along the `Golden Ring of Russia’. As it is mentioned in
the press release, during the meeting with representatives of the
mass media there will be provided information on Russian projects of
support of com-patriots residing in Armenia. Also, the kids will tell
about their impression of trip to Russia, while a photo exhibition
and demonstration of documentary video film about kids’ trip from
Armenia to Russia will be organized for guests. T.M. -0–

Armenian National Committee of Florida
PO Box 741364
Boynton Beach, FL 33474
954-401-9787
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
August 18, 2004
Contact: Bedo Der-Bedrossian
[email protected]
ANC FLORIDA ACTIVISTS MEET
WITH KEY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS
— Strengthen ties with Cuban American Community
Ft. Lauderdale, FL – ANC Florida activists continued their meetings
with South Florida Congressional offices today, discussing
community concerns with six-term Republican House Member Lincoln
Diaz-Balart and senior representatives from the offices of Rep.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Rep. E. Clay Shaw (R-FL).
During the first meeting, participants discussed the status of the
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193) and asked Rep. Diaz-Balart for his
support in encouraging the House Leadership to schedule a vote on
the measure. The group also urged the Representative to
participate in upcoming commemorative events marking the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, both in Washington, DC and in
his local district. ANC South Florida Chairman Bedo Der-Bedrossian
thanked the Congressman for joining with the South Florida Armenian
American community this past April 24th to mark this solemn
occasion. In turn, Rep. Diaz-Balart expressed appreciation to the
Armenian community for their solidarity on several issues of
concern to the Cuban American community. Specifically, the
Representative made reference to Armenian participation at a
protest against Communist repression in Cuba held during an
international summit in Geneva, Switzerland last year. The ANC
delegation pledged to work even more closely with the Cuban
American community on issues of mutual concern.
Participants at the meeting included ANCA Eastern Region Director
Doug Geogerian, ANCA Government Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian,
ANC South Florida Chairman Bedo Der-Bedrossian, Naomi Davityan,
ANCA intern and Florida activist Michael Toumayan, and Tony
Yaghjian as well as Armenian Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy
Hiteshue and recent Armenian Assembly intern Daniel Koushagjian.
Following this meeting, Geogerian, Niziblian, Der-Bedrossian and
Toumayan went on to discuss Armenian Genocide legislation and U.S.-
Armenia trade relations with Deborah Zimmerman, District Chief of
Staff for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The ANCA delegation expressed
appreciation for a key Committee vote Rep. Ros-Lehtinen had cast in
September 2000 in support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.596). They went on to discuss a number of U.S. – Armenia
economic issues including continuing high levels of U.S. assistance
to Armenia, the importance of maintaining U.S. military assistance
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan and providing U.S. assistance to
Nagorno Karabagh
During the meeting with Rep. E. Clay Shaw’s District Director Joel
Gustafson, the ANCA delegation again focused on proper U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide as well as efforts to
strengthen U.S. – Armenia economic and political relations. The
delegation included Geogerian, Niziblian, Der-Bedrossian, Toumayan
as well as local activists Siran Der-Bedrossian and Allen
Jaknavorian.
At each of the meetings, ANCA activists encouraged Members of
Congress to co-sign a letter, initiated by Representatives George
Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) urging the House
Leadership to support inclusion of the Schiff Amendment in the FY
2005 Foreign Aid Bill and to schedule a vote on the Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.193). The Schiff Amendment, adopted unanimously
by the House by a voice vote, would bar Turkey from utilizing U.S.
foreign assistance to lobby against the Genocide resolution
(H.Res.193).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ORGANIZATION CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION IN REFUGEES’ DISTRICT IN GYUMRI
FINED
YEREVAN, August 16 (Noyan Tapan). Though the capital construction that
is carried out with the funds of 2004 state budget is implemented due
to the schedule, there are some problems.
According to the Press Service of RA Ministry of Urban Construction,
in connection with this on August 16, Aram Haroutiunian, RA Minister
of Urban Construction, held a consultation with heads of regional
subdivisions of the State Inspection of Urban Construction attached to
Ministry and gave them concrete instructions. In particular, the
organization carrying out construction for refugees in Gyumri was
fined because of some shortcomings.
The construction is carried out with the assistance of the Norwegian
Council of Refugees. Additional time was given to the organization for
elimination of the shortcomings. A.Haroutiunian instructed the heads
of the regional subdivisions of the Inspection to carry out constant
control for each entity that is built and repaired and periodically to
represent information about them.