Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

Press Release
Subject: Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian as guest speaker at Haigazian
University Commencement
from:
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Beirut Lebanon
tel: 961 1 349230/1 ext:365

Haigazian University Jubilee Commencement Ceremonies
Oskanian: The Jubilee class has much to give to Lebanon and Armenia

On Friday, July the 1st, 2005, Haigazian University graduated a record
number of 121 students, in the grandiose “Pavillon Royal” hall, of the Biel
center in Beirut.

The ceremony honored 108 students from the faculties of Business
Administration and Economics, Humanities, Sciences, and Social and
Behavioral Sciences with the BA and BS degrees, and 13 students with the
Masters degree.

Among the 1500 invitees, were present Minister of Energy, Bassam Yammine
representing the President of the Republic, Minister of Health, Mohammad
Jawad Khalife representing the Prime Minister, and MP. Hagop Pakradouni
presenting the House Speaker, in addition to a number of deputies, former
ministers, university presidents, diplomats, guests from Armenia, Canada,
Iran, Cyprus and Syria, and members of the Board of Trustees who came
specially from the USA, to take part in the central celebrations of the
50th Anniversary.

The ceremony started as Faculty and Graduates marched through the crowd of
parents, relatives and friends in a remarkable processional march
“Tannhauser” played live by the Beirut Chamber Orchestra with Maestro
Harout Fazlian.

Everyone was standing for the National Anthem, sung live by the “Armiss”
Choir, accompanied by the Orchestra, followed by the Invocation by Rev.
Nishan Bakalian.

President Haidostian welcomed the audience and acknowledged the special
guests on the stage. In his trilingual speech, Haidostian explained the
very purpose of the founding of Haigazian University 50 years earlier.
“In this ceremony, we have the special privilege of honoring our special
role in this world. Having been born just a few decades after the Armenian
Genocide as a resilient institutional response to death and dispersement, I
stand in awe before the memory of a million and a half martyrs of our
nation, among whom Armenag Haigazian himself.
As faithful descendants of a victimized nation, our parents and
grandparents chose life, and with hope they built all that they could in
Armenian, the Near East, the USA and elsewhere. An Armenian population (and
within it the Armenian Evangelical Church) that prided itself in dozens of
institutions of higher learning in our Cilician Armenian homeland less than
a century ago, today witnesses the increasing pride in this one Armenian
owned university in the Diaspora. Haigazian University stands not like an
orphan, however, but as a living monument, as a memorial fountain of
life. Through God’s grace we exist.
Haigazian, therefore, enjoys the heavy and joyful responsibility of
representing the best that Armenian identity could bring to the whole
Diaspora”, noted Haidostian.
As to the Lebanese heritage, Haidostian pointed out that “the rich heritage
of Lebanon, its diverse communal life, its openness to the world, and its
bridging character of antiquity and modernity have made the Haigazian
reality possible”.
Finally, Haidostian concluded, “let history record, Haigazian University
has brought the Armenians to the heights of life, in lands of Arab
humanity, with values of American education”.

Many people took part in the ceremony, delivering their greetings:
Founding President of Haigazian University, Dr. John Markarian advised the
graduates that the real challenge is for life and not for death.
The President of the Yervan State University, Dr. Radig Mardirossian,
praised Haigazian for offering to the communities of the world hundreds of
teachers, psychologists, public servants and many other specialists in
different fields. He noted also the university’s role in preserving the
Armenian identity, education and culture, and he concluded that Haigazian
University has succeeded to become a pivotal center of learning and
education in the region.
In his turn, the Director General of Higher Education, Dr. Ahmad Al Jammal,
representing the Minister of Education and Higher Learning, congratulated
the fresh graduates, and stressed on the role Haigazian University has
always played in investing in and building the ideal human being, socially,
morally and intellectually. He advised the university to always keep track
with novelties and technology, in order to retain the reputable place it
has acquired through the past fifty years.

The jubilee year’s distinguished guest speaker, was the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, who was granted by
the shield of service from President Haidostian, for his services to
Armenia and the Diaspora.

In his speech, Oskanian eloquently presented the commonalities of the two
great countries, Lebanon and Armenia. Historically, Armenia has suffered
from wars, genocide and deportation, just as Lebanon has reached its
present state after so many wars and political instabilities. He discussed
the plurality, multiculturism, and openness of Lebanon, these
particularities that make this country so different among its neighbours,
and enable it to be as hospitable as it was 90 years ago when it embraced
the Armenians after the Genocide.
To the graduates, Oskanian asked them to eagerly participate in the
rebuilding of Lebanon, yet not forgetting their mother land Armenia, thus
being a partner in the mutual prosperity of the two countries.
Finally, Oskanian congratulated Haigazian University and wished it long
years of service.

After a choral and orchestral interlude, “The Spacious Firmament on High”,
Registrar Mrs. Roubina Artinian and Deans Dr. Fadi Asrawi and Dr. Arda
Ekmekji presented the graduates to receive their degrees from President
Haidostian, joined by Minister Oskanian.

In their valedictorian addresses, Cynthia Hanna, speaking in English,
thanked everyone in the university who helped the students to reach their
current status, and Kevork Kevorkian, speaking in Arabic, said that this
university has taught him to accept others’ differences and to be led by
faith and positive thinking.

After singing the Alma Mater, the ceremony was concluded with the
Benediction given by the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches in the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian.

The Jubilee class of 2005, threw their caps and walked heads high with a
unique recessional, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”, also played by the
orchestra and the Armiss Choir, conducted by Maestro Harout Fazlian.

Pan Armenian News

VARTAN OSKANIAN MET LEBANESE FM

01.07.2005 03:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is on three
day visit to Lebanon met yesterday with Mahmoud Hammoud, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Emigrants. During the meeting the parties discussed a number of
questions of mutual and international interests. The interlocutors expressed
satisfaction with the level of cooperation within various international
structures. They also pointed out to the necessity of Armenia-Lebanon
regular conferences regulated by interdepartmental protocol signed in 2000.
The parties highly appreciated the close ties and friendship between the two
nations and presented their positions on a number of international issues,
particularly on UN reforms and development in the Near East. Vartan Oskanian
in general outline presented the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement as well as the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Turkish foreign minister optimistic about EU entry – daily

Sabah website, Istanbul
30 Jun 05

Text of an interview with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul: “We have the
final say over the EU” published by Turkish newspaper Sabah website
on 30 June; sub-headings as published:

Foreign Minister Gul: We will think when the time for full membership
in the EU comes.

The minister said that there are no surprises in the [EU’s] framework
for negotiations: “We will evaluate the situation when we are ready
for full membership. We will continue on our path for a better future”.

We lack self-confidence

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul says that “there are circles that are
creating a negative climate with regard to the EU.” Gul thinks that
Turks are not confident about themselves and do not believe success
and victory becomes them. He says: “The Turkish people, from the
politicians to the intellectuals, have a problem of confidence. I
do not understand why there is a negative climate. The truth is that
Turkey is becoming an important power in the region each day”.

Whenever I see Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul I feel like asking:
“What will happen to us and the EU?” There must be many others who
ask this question because he explained the situation without me
having to ask the question. We met Gul at Sabah’s “Hello to Summer”
party in Ankara last week. I had to keep the tape running after Gul
said: “We must not despair. The gates of the EU are not closed. On
the contrary they are very open.” Two days later I sat across from
him at his official residence. [I asked:] “Are you saying that the
gates have opened despite so much opposition, coercion, and negative
articles in the world press?” Gul is not pessimistic. On the contrary
he is very optimistic. He said: “We lack self-confidence. Everyone,
from intellectuals to politicians, from ordinary people to writers,
is deficient in self-confidence. We cannot overcome that”

We discussed with the foreign minister the current situation with the
EU and what may happen in the future. I think that you will find his
answers and his positive outlook interesting.

No concessions to EU

[Pamir] There is a widespread public impression that we are making
too many concessions to enter the EU without receiving anything in
return. What do you think?

[Gul] This is what everyone thinks. They think that we are always
giving something and that we do not receive anything. That is very
wrong thinking. The truth is that Turkey has not given anything to
the EU. Everything we have done has been for the Turkish people.

[Pamir] I suppose you are referring to the [adaptation] laws. Among
the concessions there is, for example, the Cyprus issue.

[Gul] What concessions? Did we give up a single square meter of
land in Cyprus? What have we given for God’s sake? I think that our
detractors do not see the real situation in Cyprus. For the first
time a UN-sponsored referendum was held on the island. There are
two separate communities there: the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek
Cypriots. The whole world saw that the Greek Cypriots do not want to
reach a compromise. One wishes that these initiatives were taken much
earlier so that perhaps the Greek Cypriot sector could not even join
the EU.

[Pamir] Do you really say this believing it?

[Gul] Certainly. We have achieved a lot with regard to Cyprus.
Commercial delegations have begun to travel to the island. Serdar
Denktas tours the whole world. He is received by everyone in the
countries he visits.

[Pamir] However they do not recognize [northern Cyprus] as a state.

[Gul] In the past even such visits could not occur. There was complete
isolation. Now things have begun to relax a little. Also I ask those
who argue that we always give without getting anything: Are not the
laws we have enacted to meet the political criteria important? In
other words will have to rescind these reform packages if we cut our
relations with the EU?

[Pamir] In other words the EU speeded up what needed to be done a
long time ago.

[Gul] Yes, I must admit that it speeded it up. We were able to
give to the Turkish people what we could not give until now. We
created an environment where there is more democracy, more freedom,
more supremacy of the law, and more guarantees for basic rights and
freedoms for individuals. The EU served as the driving force behind
the realization of these goals.

[Pamir] You are saying that we are not making any concessions and
that we are gaining important advantages. In any event no one is
objecting to the reforms.

[Gul] Then look at the interest rates. In the past interest rates
stood at 24 per cent. Now they are running at around 16 per cent.

[Pamir] Are you referring to the interest we pay on our debts?

[Gul] Yes. In the past Turkey could borrow only at very high interest
rates. Now that situation has changed. These are all consequences of
the negotiations that are getting under way with the EU. In the eyes
of large financing organizations Turkey has the status of a country
that is negotiating with the EU. Our country’s economic and political
status changed in the eyes of the world after 17 December because
Turkey has become a predictable country. Lenders can see that the
future is safer. Also the value of private companies surged after 17
December. The value of state-owned properties increased. The value
of real estate rose.

There are always dissident voices

Can you imagine? They offered 3bn dollars for Yesilkoy Airport. If
we were not a reliable country this figure could have been as low
as 1bn dollars. Here is another example. We invited bids for the
contract for the technical inspection of vehicles. We expected bids
for 200m dollars but we received 620m dollars for the contract. This
is happening because investors now see a future. In the past private
banks could not find any buyers. Now they are concerned about the
price at which they should sell. Garanti Bankasi is one example. In
the past it had no buyers, but now the situation is different.

[Pamir] Then why is there a negative climate?

[Gul] Unfortunately the adversities that Turkey experienced for many
years have made us pessimistic. We have not able to free ourselves
of that. Sometimes we do not believe that a bright future becomes us.

[Pamir] There are also negative thinkers in Europe. These are people
who will play a significant role in the EU’s future. For example
Merkel, Sarkozy .

[Gul] All that is normal. We must also realize that we do not have
a smooth path ahead of us. There will be ups and downs. We will
encounter difficulties.

[Pamir] What do you plan to do about the Armenian question?

[Gul] That issue has two elements. One is the so-called genocide. We
have already expressed our defiance on this absolutely untrue charge
that can never be accepted. Our position is clear. The second element
is the development of relations with Armenia. We are already a country
that recognizes Armenia. We do not have very strong diplomatic ties
but we will do everything we can to develop them.

Relations with Armenia

[Pamir] The EU is closely interested in the improvement of our
relations with our neighbours.

[Gul] It is because if we become a EU member after the end of the
accession talks Turkey will be the EU’s border. Consequently the
EU will become neighbours with Armenia. For that reason it is very
natural that they are interested closely in this issue. From that
perspective Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Georgia are also in this picture.

[Pamir] What do you think about Tony Blair’s remarks that a EU without
Turkey would lead to nationalism and xenophobia?

[Gul] I agree with them. Nationalism in Europe is not like what we
have here. It borders on racism. The Europeans know about the horrors
of racism better than we do. Consequently I think that this warning is
justified. These inclinations exist in some European countries and this
is extremely dangerous for Europe’s future. Such things do not happen
here. Occasionally and depending on circumstances one may find circles
that are hostile to foreigners here but these never last too long.

[Pamir] In other words is everything a rose garden on the EU issue?

[Gul] Everything is going well. That does not mean that there are no
problems. We will see ups and downs but we must remain resolute.

PREMIERE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM DEDICATED TO SHIKAHOGH FOREST RESERVE
WILL BE DEMONSTRATED ON JUNE 29

YEREVAN, JUNE 28. ARMINFO. The premiere of a documentary film telling
about the fate of Shikahogh forest reserve will be demonstrated at
Yerevan Movie House on June 29. To note, the Armenian Government
planned to lay a new highway Armenian- Iran via the reserve.

The task group of the public ecological union “SOS Shikahogh” informs
ARMINFO that the film presents the richness of the forest reserve,
the unique oak forest. The key roles in the film are performed by
the unique fauna representatives. The film also presents the opinions
and conclusion of ecologists, episodes of illegally laid roads.

The film was shot with support of radio-company “Vam”, the program
“Tsaratunk” and the WWF and the public organization Forests of Armenia.

Freshinfo , UK
June 26 2005

Apricots drive Armenian production

Armenia’s fruit crop will be significantly bigger this year, due to
unusually favorable weather conditions, according to the country’s
agriculture ministry.

Garnik Petrosian, head of the ministry’s fruit-growing department,
told local media that farmers across the country are expected to
collect nearly 400,000 tonnes of grapes, apples and other fruit, 54
per cent more than last year.

`We are now expecting a very big harvest,’ he said. `We will even
have trouble selling fruit.’ Petrosian added that apricots, estimated
to total 80,000t this year, will be responsible for most of the
anticipated gain.

A short but destructive spring cold snap limited the 2004 apricot
harvest to a comparatively modest 6,000t. Petrosian said that the
government also expects a sizable increase in the yields of key
vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes.

;ss=nd&sid=36709

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Government Building #3, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: karine Miletbashyan
Tel: 37410 520940
Fax: 37410 523795
E-mail: [email protected]

24 June, 2005

“Hayastan” Fund to Open a Local Committee in Russia

On June 13, Mrs. Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of “Hayastan”
All-Armenian Fund embarked on a week-long visit to Moscow to arrange
for the establishment of “Hayastan’s” local committee in the Russian
capital. The new committee would allow for effective cooperation with
the local Armenian community.

The Executive Director had meetings with Ezras Nersisyan, Diocesan of
Russian and Nor Nakhijevan Armenians, Armen Smbatyan, Ambassador of
Armenia in Russia, Ara Abrahamyan, President of the Union of Armenians
of Russia, Levon Chakhmakhchyan, Vice-President of the
Russian-Armenian Business Cooperation Association, Modest Kolerov,
Head of Department on CIS Issues at the Administration of the RF
President, members of the Club of Armenian Businessmen and others.

Tentative agreements were reached on the future projects of the new
committee and many Armenian businessmen expressed their wishes to
become members of the committee’s board. Seiran Baghdasaryan will
coordinate the initial preparation work of the committee.

During these meetings, Mrs. Melkoumian commented that the Armenian
community in Moscow has great potential, but has not been effectively
leveraged. She expressed hope that the newly created local committee
would unite efforts of Russian Armenians and help push forward the
significant projects of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund.

The International Herald Tribune
June 23, 2005 Thursday

IN OUR PAGES: 100, 75 AND 50 YEARS AGO;

1905: Islamic Riots in Russia

ST. PETERSBURG: Thirty-seven thousand insurgents in the district of
Shahukhan, in the province of Erivan (trans-Caucasian Russia), have
sacked and burned four Armenian villages and surrounded
Owlianorashan, the inhabitants of which repulsed the attack, killing
a hundred men. At Nakhichevan, in the province of Erivan, the
Armenians have been completely ruined. Their houses have been
demolished and burned down, their personal belongings looted, their
cattle carried off and their crops destroyed.

Council of Europe (coe.int)
June 22 2005

Council of Europe

Communication from the Committee of Ministers by Diogo Freitas Do
Amaral, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal and Chairperson of
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Mr President,

After meeting the members of your Standing Committee in Lisbon on 6
June, I am most honoured to address the Parliamentary Assembly today
in order to present to you the communication on the activities of the
Committee of Ministers since the last ordinary session in April.

It is also a great pleasure for me to address you here, as I am
returning to the Council of Europe after having held the Chair of the
Committee of Ministers once before, between November 1979 and April
1980.

Following its second Chairmanship between November 1989 and May 1990,
Portugal’s third term as Chair of the Committee of Ministers since
joining the Council of Europe in 1976 began on 17 May 2005. Along
with the reunification of Europe that began in 1989, the course of my
country’s development since the Carnation Revolution, which in some
ways foreshadowed the peaceful revolutions of more recent times, is,
in my view, one of the best possible illustrations of the huge
progress that has been made in building a democratic Europe over the
last thirty years. We owe that progress, among others, to the Council
of Europe also.

In addition to this crucial historic role, the Council of Europe has
a vital role to play in the future. I believe that this is the main
lesson to be drawn from the Third Council of Europe Summit, held in
Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005. I would also like to take this
opportunity to express here our gratitude to the Polish authorities
for the excellent organisation of the Summit and their unrelenting
efforts to ensure its success. The reassertion by the Heads of State
and Government, in the Warsaw Declaration, of the Council of Europe’s
essential role in protecting and promoting human rights, democracy
and the rule of law confirms more than ever before the relevance of
the work done and still to be done by our Organisation.

The implementation of the Summit texts, especially the Action Plan,
will be the very top priority for the Portuguese Chair. I can assure
you that my country will deploy all the energy and determination
needed to make sure that the policy decisions taken in Warsaw are
given practical effect as quickly and effectively as possible.

In view of the ambitious mandate assigned to the Council of Europe by
the Heads of State and Government, the task ahead of us is very
substantial. The urgent need to find solutions in certain areas,
especially concerning the long-term future of the European Court of
Human Rights control system, leads me to invite all member states to
join with the Chairmanship in its efforts.

Apart from the key role which governments will have to play in this
respect, your Assembly will also play a leading role in implementing
the Summit decisions. Naturally, this will primarily involve the
activities which the Assembly decides to undertake itself to follow
up the Summit. The Committee of Ministers looks forward with the
greatest of interest to the conclusions of the debate you will hold
on the subject tomorrow. Another major aspect, however, is the role
which individual parliamentarians can play in their capitals in
drawing attention to the decisions taken in Warsaw and the need for
their practical follow-up. Particularly important here is the
contribution which Assembly members can make to ensuring that
Protocol No 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights is ratified
without delay by those countries which have not yet proceeded with
ratification. For its part, Portugal is prepared to ratify the
Protocol shortly.

I will not go into the detail of all aspects of the Warsaw Action
Plan at this stage. However, I would like to draw attention to a few
points which the Portuguese Chair regards as essential, while
welcoming the proposals which the Secretary General made to the
Committee of Ministers last week concerning the implementation of the
Action Plan.

The first aspect, which I have already mentioned, concerns the
measures to be taken to guarantee the effectiveness of the system of
protection afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights, which
is unique in the world. In this connection, I am delighted that the
Ministers’ Deputies last week adopted a number of decisions with a
view to putting in place the Group of Wise Persons which the Summit
agreed should be set up to draw up a comprehensive strategy for
securing the long-term effectiveness of the system. On the basis of
candidatures for the Group of Wise Persons to be submitted by member
states by 31 July 2005, the Chair of the Ministers’ Deputies will
make proposals on the membership of the group at the Deputies’ first
meeting in September 2005. In drawing up the proposals, the Chair of
the Deputies will, of course, carry out all appropriate
consultations, including, I would stress, with the President of the
Parliamentary Assembly.

The second point in the Action Plan that I think should be mentioned
concerns the establishment of a Council of Europe Forum for the
Future of Democracy, which I know is of particular interest to your
Assembly. The Portuguese Chair will give priority to the launching of
the Forum. Input by the Parliamentary Assembly here will be
particularly welcome, besides the most useful proposal already made
by Poland.

In the third place, I would not wish to conclude my comments on the
Summit without referring to its decisions concerning the
strengthening of the partnership between the Council of Europe and
other international organisations and institutions, especially the
European Union and the OSCE. The drafting of the memorandum of
understanding to be proposed for signature by the Council of Europe
and the European Union will be one of our main priorities. Once
again, your Assembly will have a leading role to play in establishing
closer ties between Strasbourg and Brussels, in particular through
its contacts with the European Parliament, but also through its own
discussions such as its work on the implications of the European
Union’s neighbourhood policy for the Council of Europe.

Apart from the memorandum of understanding I just mentioned, another
important building block in the establishment of a new institutional
architecture at European level will, of course, be the report on the
relationship between the Council of Europe and the European Union
which the Heads of State and Government asked Mr Jean-Claude Juncker
to draw up in his personal capacity, following inter alia a proposal
by the Presidential Committee of your Assembly. On this subject,
which is also of great importance to you, I am convinced that Mr
Juncker, who showed the consideration which he has for your Assembly
by addressing the Session of April, will listen most carefully to
your views.

To conclude this section of my statement, I would add that the
Parliamentary Assembly and also the Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities of the Council of Europe will be involved, under
appropriate procedures, in the work of the ad hoc Committee of
Ministers committee that will supervise the follow-up to the
Declaration and implementation of the Action Plan adopted at the
Summit.

The Warsaw Summit documents are the focal point through which we must
carry further the tasks of the Council of Europe. The first is to
make sure that the member states comply with the Council’s principles
in terms of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
>From this point of view, a particular area of attention in the months
ahead will be the South Caucasus region, given the major developments
expected in Armenia, with the forthcoming constitutional referendum,
and in Azerbaijan, with the parliamentary elections to be held in
November.

I note in this connection that your Assembly attaches the same degree
of importance to this area, as demonstrated by the Session order of
business. As far as the Chair of the Committee of Ministers is
concerned, these two polls will be tests of those countries’
willingness to fully honour the commitments they made on joining the
Council of Europe.

Another member state where key events are due shortly is Albania,
with parliamentary elections scheduled for 3 July. Here again,
compliance with the Council of Europe’s standards on free and fair
elections will be crucial.

The last member state that I would like to mention is Ukraine, which
is now receiving less public attention following the historic events
that occurred there at the end of last year, although it is still
waiting for assistance to carry out the democratic reforms which
President Yushchenko indicated he wished to implement when he
addressed you in January. I am delighted that the Committee of
Ministers on 15 June approved an Action Plan to help the new
Ukrainian authorities with the implementation of these reforms. The
Ukrainian authorities’ determination to move ahead with the reforms
will clearly be crucial to the success of the Action Plan.

I would wish also to mention the region of south-eastern Europe,
where important challenges lie ahead, concerning Kosovo’s future in
particular. From this point of view, the debate you held yesterday on
the situation in Kosovo was particularly welcome. More than ever
before, the Council of Europe has a duty to make sure that its
fundamental values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law are
fully complied with and implemented in the region as vital
preconditions for democratic stability.

With regard to the Council of Europe’s unrelenting, daily, sustained
efforts to protect human rights, I would return briefly to the
decisions taken at the Third Summit. Given the leading role played in
this area by the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Portuguese Chair
will do everything possible to ensure, in accordance with the Summit
Action Plan, that the Commissioner is provided with the necessary
resources for performing his relevant tasks to the full.

In this connection, I would also like to mention the work done by the
Committee of Ministers concerning the execution of the judgments of
the European Court of Human Rights. Just as it is determined to
secure the long-term effectiveness of the protection system of the
European Convention on Human Rights, Portugal will see to it as Chair
that the Court’s judgments are executed in full and without delay.
The very credibility of the Convention depends on that.

In conclusion, I would like to briefly outline some of the thematic
priorities of the Portuguese Chair. In simplified terms, they are
focused on the human dimension of our societies. This dimension,
which has always guided the Council of Europe’s action, remains more
than ever relevant in the face of growing criticism of technocratic
and bureaucratic constructions, far removed from individual people’s
concerns.

The first involves protecting children’s rights as a vital element of
the protection of human rights. Carrying on from the seminar which it
organised on the matter in Lisbon on 1 and 2 June 2005, Portugal will
seek in the months ahead to foster improved protection of children’s
rights, in particular through awareness-raising efforts.

Building on what had been already proposed under the Action Plan
drawn up by the Council of Europe and on which all member States
agreed during the recent Third Summit in Warsaw, the Portuguese
Chairmanship attaches great importance to gender mainstreaming and to
the balanced participation of women and men in public life. We
believe that the seminar on balanced participation in decision-making
processes that took place in Lisbon last week and that was organised
by the Portuguese Chairmanship has constituted a first approach
regarding this matter and that further discussions will inevitably
ensue.

Following the successful opening for signature in Warsaw of the
Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings, Portugal will seek to encourage efforts here by fostering
international co-operation and the protection of victims against such
a flagrant violation of human rights.

Aware of the importance of social cohesion to our societies, Portugal
will continue to foster the implementation of the Council of Europe’s
wide range of policy instruments concerning social cohesion. More
specifically, we will focus our attention on issues concerning
families and children.

Lastly, another priority will relate to the cultural sector. In a
world where there is great tension, promoting intercultural dialogue
is vital to building civil societies free of xenophobia and
prejudices and helping to prevent conflicts. Portugal attaches great
importance to this question, which I know your Assembly has also
considered. My country intends to take full advantage of the
potential which the North-South Centre in Lisbon offers for promoting
initiatives aimed at intercultural dialogue, in particular between
Europe and the countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean.
At this point in history, an open and free dialogue between European
and Islamic countries constitutes an opportunity that we cannot miss.

We will also organise in Faro in October the Ministerial Conference
which will be the final stage of the reflection on the future of
European cultural cooperation conducted in the context of the 50th
Anniversary of the Council of Europe Cultural Convention.

We therefore have a lot ahead of us in the next few months. As I said
before, Portugal is counting on everybody playing their part over the
coming period. Unless we all become actively involved, it will not be
possible to secure in the long term the success achieved at the
Warsaw Summit. Without our shared commitment, the Council of Europe’s
efforts to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law will
not be fully effective. I will then conclude by appealing to our
sense of shared commitment.

I am now at your disposal to answer any questions you may want to
raise.

Statehood and Culture
Alvard Petrosian
Armenian National Assembly member, writer

Dear readers,

Between June 8 and 14, 2005, you had an opportunity to address your
questions on the Yerkir’s website to ALVARD PETROSIAN, Armenian
National Assembly member, writer.
Below are the answers to your questions. See the full version of the
interview in Armenian.

Thank you for your active participation: Spartak Seyranian,
editor-in-chief of “Yerkir” Weekly.

Eric – I want to know your opinion about the crowed of bureaucrats
swinging from one party to another just to keep their places in the
Government. Sometimes one gets sick seeing the same faces during
decades ruining the country and still fighting to penetrate into next
dominating political force to secure a place in the
Government. Usually those are people with poor education, no
intelligence whatsoever, and trying to abuse and corrupt the
system. Flashing from the Communist party to Armenian National
Movement and now to some of the parties within the coalition, those
people look for corruption and abuse of the system only. Who knows
where they will end up next. Might be in Dashnaktsutsyun party? What
is the way to get rid of those people services once and forever to let
the knowledgeable and more skilled new generation to come to upfront?

Alvard Petrosian – Eric, who has asked me this question, knows well
that I am neither a chameleon nor mimicry. I am quite stable in my
principles and ideas, and thus my opinion about such people is very
negative. I believe that the worst things in this country are
committed by this type of people, these villains’ conformism gives
birth to all the worst. I consider Ionesko to one of the greatest
writers in the world who has said that such people suffer from rhino
disease. Speaking to the Express newspaper, he brings some examples of
such people and as the best example, he mentions his father. His
father was a mayor of a small Romanian town under the fascist regime,
and when the communists came to power, they realized that his father
was the most suitable person. This is the classic formulation of
Eric’s question: to conform, change colors for a character that is a
political reptile. We have seen many such examples in the past
years. It is they who destroy everything — ethics, system. They stand
in the way of forming civil awareness. Not everybody has been brought
up properly to know what is wrong, and when someone sees that an
individual has been in the office under Communists, Armenian National
Movement (HHSh) and the present regime, he or she thinks “I can live
like them” and they think of honest people to be fools. It is
impossible for a good political party to emerge in such environment,
and this is why political parties in our society have been
discredited.

Eric – The absurd of the policy of the Assets against the Debt to
Russia was obvious from the very beginning. Only people far from the
economic analysis and strategy would believe that Russian Government
is going to make millions of investments in the Armenian companies
handed over to them. The result is now more obvious that people far
from any economics should not jump into conclusions and make fool of
themselves making public announcements in mass media how the economy
of Armenia will develop under the strategic interest of Russia. What
do you think how the misstep by the people who made this groundless
and grossly mistaken decision should be fixed? Thanks

Alvard Petrosian – Dear friend, I consider myself a person who do not
speak of things they do not know. I know about the question you are
asking only to an extent any healthy patriot does. What happened was
not the evidence of our state’s strength and I think there was some
rush in making that decision. But as they say, “the hope dies the
last,” let’s wait and hope we would get out of this trap and we may
realize that the trade should not be based on love but on interest.

Kevork Kalayjian – How would you vote on the issue of dual citizenship
and why?

Alvard Petrosian – There are several questions regarding the dual
citizenship. I will vote for the dual citizenship by all means, and so
will my faction. But this is not a simple issue. An Armenian should
have a passport of his or her homeland. But homeland and state are
different things. A state, and especially this state, has many things
to watch out for. I believe that the realizing of these problems has
delayed this issue. But I think that anyone living in Armenia wants
this issue to be settled. People, who resist it, do so because of
these problems. At least, I wish that were the case. We use the
Diaspora factor whenever needed or not. We say Georgia has the sea,
Azerbaijan has the oil, and we have the Diaspora; but the sea and the
oil have not God’s living creatures. Our assets are bigger but also
more complicated. Every individual is a whole world, a whole
universe. It is not a Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline to be directed
the way we wish. They are citizens of various countries, and we must
help each other to unite Armenians in their countries to direct their
visions toward the homeland. This requires a lot of efforts. We should
not forget the national security issues and besides, there is the
objective to not break down the Diaspora. I believe that when the
repatriation of 1947 was organized, it was also Stalin’s policy to
deprive us from the Diaspora. They were brought to Armenia, and then
many of them were sent to Siberia. We cannot have such goal now, but
we also do not want the Diaspora to be perceived as a pocket. We want
the Diaspora’s talents, their political will, and, yes, the
investments, and we want them to direct their businesses to Armenia. I
don’t want us say ‘American Armenian writer William Saroyan, or French
Armenian singer Charles Aznavour,’ I want to say only ‘Armenian.’ We
have all these ambitions as well, and I am an optimist, I believe we
would overcome these problems.

Kevork Kalayjian – There are many different secondary schools in
Armenia, with Russian, English, and French orientation. Are there
similar schools with: Turkish Language Focus Western Armenian Focus,
and Classical Armenian Focus? Thank you

Alvard Petrosian – Yes, schools with Armenian (and Western Armenian)
orientations are well due in Armenia. As for Turkish, I believe we
should establish an academy; otherwise, the coming generation would be
fighting against windmills like Don Quixote. Or maybe it has no
demands or memory? If we have schools with Armenian orientation, we
would realize we need such with Turkish orientation, too.

Armen – Dear Ms. Petrosyan, It is evident that the current generation
of state leaders and politicians do not view social and economic
changes as a policy priority for the country. It is also evident that
the processes of economic development could be realized much faster
than they are being implemented now. This has resulted in a enormous
gap in income distribution in Armenia. Do you think the people should
wait, leave Armenia or take the matter into their own hands? Thank
you.

Alvard Petrosian – I believe everybody realizes that social and
economic changes should be a priority but the system to implement them
has not been yet worked out. Let us hope that the apprehension — the
diagnosis — is the halfway to treating the disease. The social
polarization has reached an unacceptable size and is destroying
classical perceptions of ethics, belief and hope of our
nation. Leaving the country is not the solution; it is a tragedy for
both those leaving and the country. Who should we leave this country
to? We are the masters of this land. A mansion or a car is not the
land. We have to change the situation through our awareness and the
will. If we recall the elections, we will see that the awareness is
not big enough. We have what we have.

Nareck – Asking how free is Armenian press or does the real freedom of
the press exist in Armenia is in my humble opinion useless, the press
isn’t free neither Armenia nor neighbouring countries. First and
foremost, the society must embrace the core moral values of the
Enlightenment and democracy which is a gradual process. For Armenia –
a country that has been scrambling for freedom since its creation – it
is particularly difficult in comparison with some eastern European
countries that gained autonomy after the Soviet Union collapsed. As
regards the opposition I must say they will do nothing but follow the
example of Georgia, attempting to forge a close friendship with Bush
for their own sake. To note, Georgian parliament prospers getting
their monthly salary from Bush administration, quite the contrary,
ordinary Georgians eke out an existence. As I scrutinize the current
situation in Armenia and its neighbouring countries, I come to a
conclusion that Armenia is currently the best place among those
countries in terms of freedom, democracy and liberty. In Georgia for
instance the government claims to be democratic but unfortunately
Georgian people don’t think so. In Azerbaijan demonstrators can be
jailed for an unofficial demo no matter how loudly Americans call
Aliev to democratize the country. I hope Armenia continue its
development towards democracy and freedom and one day match European
and American standards. Yours Sincerely, Nareck from Germany

Alvard Petrosian – Europe or America. I want us create standards
according to our national character. For thousands of years we have
traveled through history and our national pride should prevent us from
copycatting like zombies everything we are currently offered as
Western standards. Globalization scares me. We are not a big nation
but are not small either. We cannot resist like Russians, Japanese or
Chinese because due to the numbers. I believe we should preserve our
pure roots. As for Georgians, God save them. For 70 years, the crater
of the USSR deceived us with the Communism ghost, now let us not be
deceived by the democratization ghost. Let’s not be deceived by the
ghost. By the way, my son’s name is also Narek.

Rafael Oganesyan – Since the collapse of the USSR, the flow of
western-style media and culture has dominated and influenced the
Armenian youth. Do you see this as a threat to the preservation of the
Armenian Culture?

Alvard Petrosian – It is a threat as long as we are badly educated and
have lost our moral values. When educated, we are not vulnerable. This
does not mean we have to separate us from the outside world with a
Chinese wall. There is light there too and we have always understood
that light through our culture and were not blinded, in fact, we have
been enlightened.

Rafael Oganesyan – Mrs. Petrosian, With more and more Armenians
leaving their homeland, how can Armenia preserve its culture within
foreign lands and communities?

Alvard Petrosian – With homeland, by homeland, in homeland.

Sarkes Senanian – As an Armenian helping funds chairman ,are you
thinking to help Armenians who are from Iraq which are living now in
Armenia

Alvard Petrosian – I am a representative of the Armenian Relief
Society and we have already helped Iraq Armenians in Iraq. We have
reached an agreement with Migration and Refugee Department Head
Yeganian to also implement a project for the Iraqi Armenians who have
moved to Armenia.

Nora Parseghian – What are the latest activities and projects of The
Armenian Relief Society in Armenia? 2.In what category do you put the
Armenian women? How do you value her situation? Are her rights being
kept, is she being abused by all means? Thank you

Alvard Petrosian – In the framework of the Genocide commemoration
programs, we opened an excellent maternity hospital in Akhurian on
April 26. A while ago, Shirak governor had asked us to open such
hospital. Two days before the opening — on April 24 — a boy was born
and we named him Vrezh. Now, less than two months after its opening,
the 120th child was born. We are all happy, and I think you are happy
too.

Vartan P. – I think that under the soviet union Armenian culture
underwent a Renaissance. Since indepedence, I have seen the worst of
people. Western-style girls who open up their asses is not armenian
culture. Thievery is not Armenian culture. I have seen a lot of down
sides to Armenian culture after indepdence. What would you say is the
upside? What is the actual situation about Armenian culture today? I
think a while back there was a proposition to introduce russian as a
second official language, that is also not Armenian culture. Thank you

Alvard Petrosian – It is true, we suffered losses (physical and
otherwise) during the 70 years, but we also accumulated immense
cultural wealth. Today, we are in cultural downsize, but everything
will be back on track. Such periods happen in the cultural history. I
believe in our talented heritage.

Eric – Ms. Petrosyan, What do you think of current nominations for the
Government high ranking jobs in Armenia. People with no knowledge and
skills are nominated to the positions only because of belonging to
this or that political party. What makes it more ridiculous is that
people desire to get positions in the current Government much higher
than their intellect can afford them to work for. As a result-
illiteracy, corruption, regress. The main goal here is how much money
one can make at the post before being fired or (which is worse) being
moved up to the higher positions. Is not that obvious that Armenia
with the current intellectual level of the Government cannot make any
progress?

Alvard Petrosian – That is the main source of our troubles. The wise
policy of nominations for offices would have solved many problems. It
will when we begin to realize that the human intellect is most
valuable asset and when we begin to appreciate people no matter what
party they are members of. That day will come.

See the full version of the interview in Armenian.

UNPRECEDENTED HARVEST OF APRICOT EXPECTED THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, NOYAN TAPAN. An unprecedented harvest of apricot
is expected this year. As Garnik Petrosian, the Chief of the
Planting Department the Ministry of Agriculture informed the Noyan
Tapan correspondent, according to prelimenary accounting, 60-70
thousand tons of apricot are expected to get from about 5 hectares
of gardens. It was mentioned that unprecedented harvest of fruit:
particularly it is expected to get 40-50 thousand tons of fruit
from 3 126 hectares of peach gardens. 70-80 thousand tons of apple
and about 5 thousand tons of cherry are also expected to gather this
year. Garnik Petrosian stated that 9 tons of apricot had already been
exported. It was mentioned that the exported apricot was procured at
an average price of 600 drams (about 1.4 US dollars) for one kilogram.