Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

HOW ARE WE GOING TO ELECT PRESIDENT

Lragir.am
28 Aug 06

The year 2007 may be a breakthrough for Karabakh. In the fall of the
next year the second term of President Arkady Ghukasyan will end. In
accordance with the law, a person cannot run three terms running. In
fact, it is possible that A. Ghukasyan will run a third term but
there has been no official statement yet. Therefore, the question of
candidate is becoming urgent in the current situation. And interest
in this question is not difficult to explain.

Open Society NGO decided to conduct a survey among the population
of the republic. Considering statements in the media, opinions of
experts and political activity, 14 politicians were chosen who could
be presidential candidates. The organization offered to vote for one
on the list. The results are the following.

Open Society questioned 150 people. 31 people voted for Ashot Ghulyan,
Speaker of NKR National Assembly. Then comes Armen Sargsyan (the
leader of the parliamentary group ARF – Movement 88) with 24 votes,
Seyran Ohanyan (minister of defense of NKR) 15 respondents.

Next is the mayor of Stepanakert Edward Aghabekyan and Masis Mayilyan
(11 votes each). Bako Sahakyan and Vitaly Balasanyan got 7 votes.

Georgy Petrosyan and Gegham Baghdasaryan got 5 votes each. Ararat
Danielyan got 4 votes, Rudik Hiusnunts got 2 votes. Hrant Melkumyan,
Murad Petrosyan and Arthur Mosiyan got 1 vote each.

There was also the option "name other possible candidates".

Three people named Arkady Ghukasyan, 1 person named Samvel Babayan.

Another 11 respondents found it difficult to answer this question.

Another 9 think that none of the politicians they know suit this
post. 1 respondent said all the 15 candidates could occupy this post
because it does not require big responsibility.

"CADRE SLAUGHTER"
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
25 Aug 06

Suren Mamikonian, the head of NA juridical service, RA qualification
arbiter of highest class marks.

Â"I have substantiated during my conversation with NA chairman
Tigran Torosian that NA chief of personnel Haik Kotanian’s signed
notification about dismissal of state employees is legally imperfect
and illiterate document", – Mr. Mamikonian said. He also mentioned
that he had worked in the court system for 15 years "and I declare
that I will have to turn to the court in case of not stopping illegal
actions in the NA personnel."

The document made by this service had been published in "Aravot",
and Tigran Torosian has mentioned on this occasion that service didn’t
have a function of giving conclusion. While Suren Mamikonian mentioned
that giving legal opinion is a usual function. This time the document
refers to the process of mass dismissal.

He added that these attempts of dismissal aren’t innovations: Â"The
head of personnel was trying to make cadre changes in the way of
personnel reformation.

" But the produced proposals were refused by their specialized
conclusions as "they couldn’t help the effectiveness of the RA
legislative body’s personnel.

He also mentioned that " it is written in the 34th article of the
law " About State employment in the RA NA personnel" that the person
appointed in the post of the head of personnel is unchangeable". And
that "unchangeable" person make efforts to get rid of the presence
of qualified specialists".

The NA chairman has declared in the press conference that no dismissed
official has expressed dissatisfaction except Suren Mamikonian. The
latter informed: "I expressed my dissatisfaction during the
consultation held by the NA chairman. I haven’t signed the notification
as I consider it imperfect and full of infringements. I stress with
regret that it is impossible to provide for the effectiveness of work
with that standard of knowledge."

–Boundary_(ID_IVN9/A35ZJlNDGYwS JVBfw)–

Waverley Leader (Australia)
August 22, 2006 Tuesday
WGV Edition

Cultures connect in art

A NOVICE and an old hand will come together to exhibit their
paintings at Highway Gallery.

Diane Williamson said the Cultural Connections exhibition with
Beatrice Manoukian would celebrate both Aussie and Armenian cultures.

Williamson, a Mt Waverley resident, said a mutual admiration of each
other’s work brought them together.

"The message in both our work vibrates very clearly," Williamson
said.

"We are all part of the one consciousness in the universe.

"Through this exhibition, we both came to realise that the many
ideals we shared is universal and not our own personal discovery."

Williamson has been painting since she was two, but this will be her
first public exhibition, while Manoukian, who lives in Chadstone, has
been showing her paintings for a long time.

"Since we met, we have both worked closely together for the past 12
months to present a body of some 60 works celebrating our cultural
identities and the many things we share in common," she said.

Manoukian said the large showcase was a "historical and educational
journey through the passage of time and background of both artists".

"Some paintings tell a historical story, some are of childhood
memories, and some symbolically empathise with the difficulties
migrants experience in resettlement," she said.

"Other paintings simply celebrate our beautiful country Australia
and the joy of living here."

Cultural Connections runs from September 1 to 14 at The Highway
Gallery, 14 The Highway, Mt Waverley.

POLITICAL ANALYST: AZERBAIJANI MILITARY BUDGET BUILDUP IS MERE BLUFF

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 25, 2006

YEREVAN, August 25. /ARKA/. Azerbaijani military budget buildup is
nothing more than a mere bluff, an independent political analyst,
Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told journalists on Friday.

In his words, allotted money fails to reach destination and come back
to the pockets of those allotted it.

The expert pointed out that the military equipment Azerbaijan bought
recently from Ukraine and Belarus for $900mln is "scrap metal". He
said the tanks bought for $1.2mln each were produced in 1941 and
there is no ammunition for them.

"Azerbaijan’s armament doesn’t outstrip that of Karabakh. More than
that – Nagorno Karabakh must be armed 5 times better than Azerbaijan.

"We must do it without looking at international agreements and
quotas. First of all, we have to think about own security",
Melik-Shahnazaryan said.

Speaking about Azerbaijani army, he said 5 thousand soldiers have
died since 1994 of diseases and hunger.

However, the political analyst thinks that the situation can change.

That’s why he views it necessary to remain vigilant always. M.V.-0—

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES FIRE ON AZERBAIJANI ARMY POSITIONS IN AGDAM

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 24, 2006

Armenians have intensively violated the ceasefire in Agdam front.

They regularly fire on Azerbaijan Armed Forces’ positions and villages,
APA’s Garabagh bureau reports. Armenians violated ceasefire at the
night of August 23 to 24. From the occupied Bash Grevend position they
fired on opposite positions from 02.35am. No casualties were reported.

Local residents near the front line told APA’s correspondent that
Armenian soldiers are observing Mirashelli and Chiragli villages
from occupied Bash Gervend, Shikhlar and from Gulchuluk sovkhozu with
projectors.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/23/2006
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1. Lebanon ARF Meets with Defense Minister
2. Turkish Troop Presence in Lebanon Would Perpetuate Instability
3. Evans to Vacate Ambassadorial Post Early Next Month
4. Armenia’s Population at 3,219,400
5. Azeri Foreign Minister Ready to Meet With Oskanian
6. Syria Warns Against Deployment of Troops

1. Lebanon ARF Meets with Defense Minister

BEIRUT (Aztag)–A delegation representing the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation
Central Committee of Lebanon met Tuesday with Lebanese defense minister Elias
Mur, who hosted the meeting at his residence.
Hovig Mkhitarian and Hagop Pakradouni praised the defense minister and the
Lebanese army for their resolute posturing during the Israeli attacks and
expressed their condolences for the soldiers who were killed as a result of
the
war.
The two sides also assessed the current security and defense issues of the
country, emphasizing the important role the Army will play in protecting the
borders and ensuring the national security of Lebanon.
The delegation also expressed its support for the United Nations cease-fire
resolution and conveyed the ARF’s vehement opposition to the proposed
participation of Turkey as part of the mandated peacekeeping force to be
deployed in southern Lebanon.
Mur told the delegation that he was very familiar with the ARF position and
the concerns that the Armenian community has regarding the deployment of
Turkish forces in Lebanon. He emphasized the need for popular Lebanese consent
for any troop deployment in the country.

2. Turkish Troop Presence in Lebanon Would Perpetuate Instability

The European-Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy welcomes the
cease-fire that has put an end to the Israeli bombings of Lebanon and to the
suffering of the people. The Federation also supports the International
Community’s current efforts aimed at the normalization of the region under the
aegis of the United Nations.
However, the European-Armenian Federation is gravely concerned about the
possibility of Turkish troops participating in the peacekeeping force in this
sensitive region.
"Let’s remember that Turkey is the old colonial power of the Near East with
clear territorial ambitions vis-à-vis Arab countries. Turkey’s record of
genocide, torture and suffering is permanently inscribed in the collective
memory of the Lebanese. Furthermore, Turkey’s current abuse of its own ethnic
minorities, including those of Arab nationality, is a well-known reality in
the
region," declared Hilda Tchoboian, chairwoman of the European-Armenian
Federation.
"The presence of Turkish troops in an international force would be a serious
mistake with dire consequences for the peacekeeping operations. Turkey is
not a
peacemaker. Turkish forces will only aggravate the current delicate situation
in South Lebanon by adding Turkey’s own regional liabilities to the present
complexities in Lebanon. After so much suffering, the Lebanese people deserve
better,» added Hilda Tchoboian.
The European-Armenian Federation also emphasizes that Turkish troops would be
particularly ineffective and inappropriate due to the fundamental conflict of
interest between their responsibility as credible and responsible peacekeepers
and the higher national interests of Turkey anchored in the extensive
requirements of its military and strategic alliance with Israel.
The Federation therefore urges the International Community to make a more
suitable choice for the makeup of the UN peacekeeping force.

3. Evans to Vacate Ambassadorial Post Early Next Month

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans told Arminfo news agency
Tuesday that he will complete his tour of duty in Armenia and return to the US
in early September
At the same time, Evans refused to comment on the Senate’s ongoing process to
approve Richard Hoagland, the Administration’s nominee to serve as the next
ambassador to Armenia saying, "I do not comment on the activity of the
Congress."
The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired ambassador.
Evans in response to his February 2005 statements at Armenian American
community functions, during which he properly characterized the Armenian
Genocide as "genocide." Following his statements, Ambassador. Evans was forced
to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the Armenian Genocide
were his personal views and did not represent a change in US policy. He
subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a reference to
the genocide with the word "tragedy."
The American Foreign Service Association, which had decided to honor
Ambassador. Evans with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing creative
thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service, reportedly
rescinded the award following pressure from the State Department in the days
leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to
Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed Hoagland’s confirmation
hearing, pending concrete answers by the candidate to questions by nine out of
the 18 Senators on the committee regarding the US policy on the Armenian
Genocide.

4. Armenia’s Population at 3,219,400

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–As of July 1 of this year, there were 3,219,400 people
residing in Armenia up from 3,215,800 at the same time last year, announced
the
Armenia’s Census Bureau on Wednesday.
According to the report, 64.6 percent of the population is between the
ages of
18-65, while 12.7 percent are above the age and 22.7 percent are under that
age
bracket.
From January to July the population increased by 3,144 people, down 12
percent
from the same time last year. There were 17,513 births and 14,369 deaths
during
that period. During the same period last year there were 17,447 births and
13,873 deaths.

5. Azeri Foreign Minister Ready to Meet With Oskanian

BAKU (Armenpress)–Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov Wednesday expressed
readiness to meet with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian within the
framework of "Prague process".
According to Day.az, Mamedyarov said that at present the time and place of
the
meeting are being discussed.
"Yesterday I was talking with the French co-chair of the Minsk Group. The
co-chairs have forwarded several suggestions about the place and time of the
meeting. Azerbaijan has already expressed its agreement," the foreign minister
said.-
In Stepanakert, President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghoukassian
Tuesday met with the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzyk who presented the results of the monitoring conducted on the
same day on the Karabakh-Azeri border.
Karabakh presidential press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
the representative said that the monitoring was conducted according to the
planned schedule and no violation of the cease fire had been registered.

6. Syria Warns Against Deployment of Troops

BEIRUT (AP)–Israel’s foreign minister said Wednesday the situation in Lebanon
was "explosive" while Syria’s president says the deployment of international
troops along the Syria-Lebanon border would be a "hostile" act.
The escalating rhetoric came as the 10-day cease-fire was shaken by the
deaths
of three Lebanese soldiers killed defusing a missile and an Israeli killed
by a
land mine in south Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora urged the US to help end Israel’s sea
and
air blockade, saying his country was making "every effort" to secure its
borders.
"Time is working against those who would like to see this resolution
applied,"
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said after talks her French counterpart,
Phillipe Douste-Blazy. "We are now in the most sensitive and explosive
position."
"We therefore need extremely quick action from the international community,"
she said.
Syrian President Bashar Assad was quoted as saying he would consider such a
deployment along the Lebanon-Syria border a "hostile" move toward his country.
"First, this means creating a hostile condition between Syria and Lebanon,"
Assad told Dubai Television, according to excerpts released by the TV station
ahead of the broadcast. "Second, it is a hostile move toward Syria and
naturally it will create problems."
Assad did not elaborate on that point in the excerpts. But Finland’s foreign
minister, after meeting with his Syrian counterpart, said Damascus threatened
to close the frontier with Lebanon if UN peacekeepers were deployed there.
"They will close their borders for all traffic in case UN troops will be
deployed along the Lebanon-Syria border," Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said
after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem in Helsinki. Finland holds
the rotating presidency of the European Union.
"This closing of the border would certainly have negative consequences for
the
people living in the region," Tuomioja told reporters after his meeting with
Moallem.
An Aug. 11 UN resolution outlined a cease-fire agreement that called for a
15,000-member force of international peacekeepers and another 15,000 Lebanese
army troops to deploy to southern Lebanon, as Israeli troops withdraw.
But efforts to raise the force were moving slowly with the European Union
nations expected to lead it reluctant to commit troops without safeguards to
ensure they do not get sucked into the conflict.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would not lift its air and
sea blockade until international peacekeepers were deployed at the Beirut
international airport and along the Lebanese border with Syria. Hezbollah’s
vast arsenal of rockets and other weapons is believed to originate in Iran and
reach the guerrillas across the Syrian border.
"The United States can support us in putting real pressure on Israel to lift
the siege," the Western-backed Saniora said Wednesday. His government has
called the blockade a violation of the UN-brokered cease-fire, and has asked
the international community to intervene.
Olmert’s tough stance on the blockade appeared to be an attempt to pressure
the international community to speed the dispatch of a vanguard of the
15,000-strong force of international peacekeepers called for by the cease-fire
agreement.
Sporadic violence has marked the UN-brokered cease-fire that took hold
Aug. 14
and ended 34 days of ferocious fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. But the
truce has held thus far.
The cease-fire was tested Wednesday when the Israeli army fired artillery
into
a disputed border region in response to what it said was an attack from inside
Lebanon.
Lebanese security and military officials said there had been no fire by
either
Hezbollah or the Lebanese army in the region. The officials spoke on condition
of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk with reporters.
Israel claimed there was a three-hour exchange of fire in the disputed
Israeli-occupied Chebaa Farms area, where the borders of Lebanon, Syria and
Israel meet.
Lebanese security officials said Israeli military fired artillery into the
village of Chebaa, which is controlled by Lebanon. The officials said the
artillery fire landed near Lebanese army positions but no one was hurt.
Lebanese troops entered the village of Chebaa last week for the first time in
four decades as part of an eventual deployment of 15,000 troops in southern
Lebanon under the cease-fire deal.
Lebanon has demanded that Israel hand over maps of the mine emplacements in
the region. Hezbollah guerrillas also have laid mines in the south before and
during the recent fighting to stop the Israeli army’s ground push.
Three Lebanese soldiers were killed Wednesday near the village of Tibnine
while they dismantled an unexploded missile in southern Lebanon, Lebanese
security officials said.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli soldier was killed and three others were
wounded by a land mine Israel planted in southern Lebanon, Israeli officials
said. The soldier was the second casualty since the truce.
The Israeli military said it could not confirm the incident.
Hundreds of Israeli troops have remained on the positions in southern Lebanon
they occupied during the war as they wait for a UN peacekeeping force to move
in and guarantee a buffer zone between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas.
Diplomats said EU talks in Belgium on Wednesday were unlikely to produce a
breakthrough, though there were expectations that nations may come forward
with
at least tentative offers of more troops ahead of a meeting scheduled Friday
with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Saniora also said Wednesday his government would accept a $230 million aid
package offered by President Bush, despite widespread criticism in Lebanon of
US support for Israel.

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–Boundary_(ID_85LbUOsMzJhh2Hf0Pu/YcQ)–

UNSEALED WARRANTS ACCUSE PRIEST OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
By: Francine Maglione

New Britain Herald, CT
Aug. 23, 2006

NEW BRITAIN – Armenian priest Krikoris Keshishian, 54, made an
appearance in court Tuesday morning in his continuing battle against
charges that he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl last year.

Judge Patrick J. Clifford said the case will be continued "for
further pretrial."

Keshishian, of 21 Garry Drive, was first arrested on May 9 on charges
of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to, or impairing the
morals of, a minor. Police reported that Keshishian had inappropriately
touched a 12-year-old parishioner of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic
Church in May 2005.

In his defense, Keshishian claimed that the alleged touching happened
by accident while he was attempting to catch the girl as she was
falling off a table. However, once the arrest warrant was unsealed,
a number of new accusations were brought to light, some including
the friend of the 12-year-old girl.

The warrant stated that Keshishian fondled the friend of the victim,
and had once asked her what color underwear she was wearing. He had
also repeatedly invited the two girls to visit Paris with him and
gave gifts to the victim on several occasions for no apparent reason,
the warrant stated.

When questioned by police, the victim claimed that Keshishian’s story
of catching her while she was falling off a table was untrue. She
also claimed that on May 22, 2005, Keshishian touched her buttocks
while he was hugging her.

The friend of the victim accused the priest of touching her leg while
kissing her on the cheek, the warrant stated.

Keshishian’s next court date will be Sept. 20.

ARMENIAN GAS IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA FLAT IN H1

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Energy Newswire
August 16, 2006 Wednesday 1:58 PM MSK

Armenia bought 834.6 million cubic meters of gas from Russia in the
first half of 2006, as much as in the same period of last year,
ArmRosGazprom, Armenia’s exclusive wholesale gas distributor,
told Interfax.

But sales of Russian gas in Armenia fell 2.9% to 742.2 million cubic
meters from 763.7 million cubic meters.

The power industry was the biggest consumer with 224 million cubic
meters, followed by households with 220 million cubic meters and
industrial plants with 151 million cubic meters.

AZERBAIJAN REQUIRES WITHDRAWAL OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES – AZERI DEPUTY FM
Author: A.Ismayilova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 15, 2006

At the moment, discussions are being held in UNO on the fires in
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. Azerbaijan requires that Armenian
armed forces should be withdrawn from the territories where the fires
are observed, the Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov told,
Trend reports. They should release nearly 20 km, he told.

It needs to start the clean-up of these territories with the
participation of ecologists and other specialists to liquidate damages
and hold restoration works. According to Azimov, at present, the
number of fires is increasing and strengthening. Azerbaijan observes
the fires that cover a large territory.

Besides, he stressed that the territories sustained fires become unfit
for the future use. Their restoration will take five or six years. If
this process isn’t prevented, it will create additional problems for
returning of Azerbaijani people to these territories.

According to Azimov, creation of such a critical situation serves in
interests of some people. The goal of Azerbaijanis to prevent this
process as soon as possible. Besides, he noted that Azerbaijan is
ready to cooperate with Armenia in preventing the fires.

Commenting on the statement of Andjey Kaspishk, the personal
representative of the active OSCE chairman, Azimov advised him to be
engaged in real activity, but not misuse his authorities. Armenia,
as an aggressor country, doesn’t take any steps to prevent the fires.

Therefore, Armenia takers a great responsibility.

WAY OF ST. JAMES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY : PORTUGALETE AND MUSKIZ

EiTB, Spain
Aug. 15, 2006

Church And Feudal Tower

Portugalete, at the mouth of the estuary, is another obvious example
of a Middle Age city, with its layout of ordered streets, walls,
church and feudal tower.

This town was created by Doña María Díaz de Haro, the Good, widow of
Prince John, who was murdered by Don Tello, and was granted the fuero
de Logroño in 1322. Its old part has been declared an Historic-Artistic
monument.

It has a remarkable church, called Santa María, which is Gothic in
style with three naves and a vault supported by strong columns. A
primitive construction, dating from the 14th century, not much
is left of the original since it was rebuilt in the 15th and
16th centuries. It has a small triforium in keeping with typical
pilgrim’s churches. Although Renaissance in general, its altarpiece
is outstanding for its 14th century Andra Mari, by the master Guiot
de Beaugrant. It also has a small altar dedicated to Saint James the
Moor Slayer at Clavijo.

Not far from here, defending one of the entrances to the town, above
the ancient port, is Salazar Tower. The Salazar family was an important
lineage from the Encartaciones region, whose influence spread through
the Mena Valley to the Jurisdiction of Castile. Its most famous member
is the first chronicler of Biscay, Don Lope García de Salazar, who left
us a precious historic document, a real social and political chronicle,
and a mirror of noble life in the late Middle Ages with his work:
"Biendazas y Fortunas". This tower was the setting for Don Lope’s
"adventures", such as his escape from the hands of his own sons who
had taken him prisoner; on leaving the tower he took refuge in the
belfry of Santa María, until he was recaptured.

Portugalete is explicitly and directly documented by a pilgrim. The
person in question is the Armenian Martyr Bishop, de Arzendjan, who
made the return journey along the coastal route in 1494; settling in
"the great city of Portugalete" on his way back.

We continue on towards Muskiz, home to the Muñatones Castle, cradle
and ancestral home of the Salazar lineage, and perhaps the most
outstanding of all Bizkaian fortresses. This castle had a nearby
palace and hermitage, dedicated to San Martín; these buildings were
declared an Historic-Artistic Monument in 1944.

In prison, and after two escape attempts, Don Lope states: "…here,
in my birthplace of San Martín, a prisoner of those I engendered and
raised, fearing a poisoned drink and that the unorganised covetousness
for taking my belongings will prevent them from setting me free,
I await the mercy of God and rid myself of thought and imagination
by writing this book". He was poisoned as feared at the age of seventy.

We continue along the coast towards Finisterre, through Cantabrian
lands.

–Boundary_(ID_za2J/8EX2pMCymhe Pyv8oQ)–