Author: Zargarian Hambik

NEWS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-Mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc Mamigonian

ARMENIAN CHRISTIANITY TO BE

EXAMINED IN LECTURE AT NAASR

The place of Armenian Christianity within the larger context of world
Christianity will be the subject of a lecture by Dr. Ara Dostourian
on Thursday evening, September 30, at 8:00 p.m., at the Center and
Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian Studies and
Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass.

Dostourian, a retired Professor of History at West Georgia State
University and former research fellow in Armenian Studies at
Harvard University, has spent decades studying the development and
characteristics of Christianity as practiced historically by the
Armenian people.

Importance of Broad Context of World Religions

Frequently, when Armenian Christianity is analyzed it is viewed
without reference to world Christianity and other Christian traditions.
Moreover, the national or ethnic character of Armenian Christianity is
emphasized rather than its position within a larger Christian context.

Dr. Dostourian will present an overview of basic Christianity and its
relationship to the other Abrahamic faiths (Judaism and Islam) as well
as the two major non-Abrahamic world religions (Hinduism and Buddhism)
and place Armenian Christianity within the context of the three major
Christian traditions: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism.

A special emphasis will be placed on Armenian Christianity’s
relationship with Orthodox Christianity, as the Armenian tradition is
part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches (with Syriac, Coptic,
Ethiopian, and Indian). Armenian Orthodoxy will be compared with that
of the Eastern Orthodox family (Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian,
Bulgarian, etc.). Finally, the uniqueness of Armenian Christianity as
a faith that took root in a particular place and historical context –
political, economic, and cultural – will be discussed.

Lecturer with Background in History and Religion

Dr. Ara Dostourian received a Ph.D. in Byzantine History from Rutgers
University, having earlier received an MA in Medieval History from
Fordham University and a Masters of Divinity from the Episcopal
Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. He is the author of numerous articles
on Armenian history and religion, and is the translator and editor
of Armenia and the Crusades, 10th to 12th Centuries: The Chronicle
of Matthew of Edessa.

Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and Headquarters is
located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post
Office. Ample parking is available around the building and in
adjacent areas.

More information about the lecture is available by calling
617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing
to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

International Herald Tribune, France
Sept 23 2004

Hyping history: 18th century cool
Suzy Menkes IHT

As London’s spring/summer 2005 season draws to a close, a backward
glance has been the strong message.

That can mean inspiration from the past, making over vintage clothes
from every decade. And also from England’s beloved 18th century, with
its swooshes of succulent fabrics, pageboy breeches and portrait
necklines.

Historicism is often the essence of British fashion. Instead of a
starting with a blank sheet on which to draw the future, designers
turn for inspiration to the past. There was hardly a collection in
London’s Fashion Week that did not have references to existing
designs, especially in the many and striking prints.

Yet for every Vivienne Westwood – a designer who is able to take a
tongue-in-cheek look at England’s heritage – there are 10 others who
play the same game without any sense of irony.

As the model Linda Evangelista made her stately way down the catwalk
in a printed gown with vast sleeves and a circle of wood hanging on a
cord around her neck, it was possible to read a scenario into Giles
Deacon’s bold collection. Perhaps he had been around the furnishing
stores which carry swags of fabric printed with monkeys, patterned
with bumble bees or with Regency stripes apparently made with pinking
shears. What a waste to use them for stately home curtains! Surely
they could be coaxed in all their silken glory into dresses with puff
sleeves and skirts which flared out from waist or knees.

The “Giles” show, from a fledgling designer in his second season, was
big, bold and done with style. Its prints of owls, thistles, wood
grain and jewels seemed to the manor born. Yet for all its smart
pieces, such as a rainbow-striped chiffon dress hung from a circle
torque necklace, who will wear clothes that look like a cross between
Bette Davis in a silver screen movie and 1980s flash? Deacon has yet
to give his soaring imagination a reality check.

Julien MacDonald had his trademark audience of raucous celebrities; a
familiar showbiz buzz and mirrored silver runway. But now that he has
returned from Paris, the designer showed that he has brought back
from his role at Givenchy all the refinement and technique of
couture. His show was filled with calm and charm as sweet young
models stepped out in pretty dresses, whose full skirts or tiny, lacy
capped sleeves showed more fashion and less bared flesh.

“I got my knitting machine out again,” said MacDonald backstage and
his spidery crochet stitches on dresses or thistledown jackets showed
just why Karl Lagerfeld had originally picked the young British
designer out for Chanel and why Givenchy had appointed him. MacDonald
mixed high fashion with innocence: finely tailored shorts and tulle
dresses piped with icing sugar ruffles. Even straw baskets shaped as
fish or monkey showed a youthful refinement.

But MacDonald’s new-found elegance may not stay in London. He is
planning to take his show to another fashion capital, probably New
York.

“I have to grow my business,” he said. “And I have always loved
America and Hollywood.”

The duo behind Clements Ribeiro were also lured to Paris, by
Cacharel, but Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro have managed to
keep a spirit going in their eponymous British collection.

Paradoxically, their Indian inspiration could have done with a bit
more historical, geographical or ethnic references, rather than just
the Beatles in Maharishi mode on the soundtrack and a dream of a
British botanist roaming the subcontinent.

The inspiration was appealing as a fashionable mix of stripes and
florals that cut the sweetness of flower prints. Obi sashes at a
raised waistline made even caftan shapes seem fresh; and an
occasional cashmere sweater with wavy pattern was a reminder of
Clements Ribeiro’s original talent.

But it was with their accessories that the duo scored. From an
origami of butterflies clustering on a shoulder, through
barrel-shaped lepidopterist bags to the platform sandals slung with
pearls, this was a powerful new area of creativity.

Eley Kishimoto, known for imaginative prints, has extended the
company’s reach through a collaboration with the sports label Elesse.
And that influence showed in the collection from the Anglo-Japanese
design duo. The show opened with a coat slung over slouchy pants for
a sporty, boyish look that permeated the collection. At its best,
that spirit brought lively mixes of stripes and patterns, a distinct
London trend. The patterns included cameos of London buildings that
had a whimsical charm. But the designers did not quite have the
courage to let go their previous decorative style and ended the show
with paisley-meets-Pucci patterns, complete with swirling patterns on
hose and a sense of outfits drowned in print.

Another Japanese-English design combo is behind fledgling label
Swash, whose designers were picked out at the Hyères fashion festival
in France. Toshio Yamanaka said that the moment when he failed to put
the belt on his baggy jeans through the back loops was the
inspiration for the sagging posteriors in the cute collection. The
mix of bright, childish prints, draped tops and some abstract
deconstruction, gave depth to the recurring theme: the back stuff.
Jeans or dresses were scooped out at the rear, showing fitted shorts
underneath. It was a slight idea, but it worked.

Preen is an established label that has moved forward from its
underground image on the music scene. Significantly, the designer
Thornton Bregazzi had turned his back on the deconstructed and
unfinished pieces that once characterized hip labels and made instead
a sleek, forward-looking collection.

Showing in a stark, high-rise building in the heart of London’s
financial district, Preen proved that embellishment can be severely
modern. For ruffles, read flat folds tracing the backbone of a dress
or the rear of a skirt. Pleats were inset at an angle to decorate
tailored pants. For color, think of gray and white making a graphic
statement on soft jersey. Those ubiquitous florals were pallid
patterns, while a bolder print in tomato red was a Jackson
Pollock-style splatter. It all made for a fresh collection.

Who says that the 18th century can only be a Mozartian flutter of
frills and flowers? That period was the inspiration for Gardem, the
label of the Lebanese Armenian designer Garen Demerdjian, working out
of Paris. And his interpretation of pants as soft breeches, of a
corset as a loosened camisole and of a fancy sleeved doublet as a
washed cotton jacket was resolutely modern. Fashion may have seen
before reconstructed garments and patchworks of fabrics, but these
were deftly done in pale white and beige fabrics, decorated with
clusters of silver charms, re-interpreting Middle Eastern coin
decoration. These glancing references to the past but with an eye on
the future, made a promising collection.

Suzy Menkes is the fashion editor of the International Herald
Tribune.

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Sept 22 2004

Professor to give seminar on ‘Armenia Today’ at NAASR

Prof. Gerard J. Libaridian, Alex Manoogian Visiting Professor of
Modern Armenian History at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
will conduct a one-day seminar on “Armenia Today: Problems and
Prospects” on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont.

Prof. Libaridian’s seminar will serve as a follow-up to his
well-received October 2003 seminar, “Making Sense of the Armenian
Republic,” at the end of which Libaridian said he had only gotten
through a portion of what he had to say on the subject. “Armenia
Today: Problems and Prospects” offers to those who attended last
year’s seminar as well as newcomers the opportunity to gain even
greater understanding of the complexities of modern Armenia.

The seminar will explore the most recent developments in the
Armenian Republic in the areas of politics, economics and foreign
policy, including the Karabagh negotiations. It will attempt to view
these developments from a variety of perspectives which will lead to
assessments regarding future developments.

Special attention will be paid to the actions and strategies of
the opposition parties and the response of the government beginning
in April 2004, the implications of these positions for the
development of democracy and economic viability, as well as for the
resolution of the Karabagh problem.

Libaridian received a Ph.D. in history from the University of
California, Los Angeles, and served as an advisor to President Levon
Ter Petrossian of Armenia from 1991 to September 1997. During his
time as a presidential advisor he served as senior advisor for
foreign policy and security issues (1994-97), first deputy minister
of foreign affairs (1993-94), negotiator for the Karabagh conflict,
and coordinator of conflict-related policy in the office of the
President.

The seminar will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with breaks for
coffee and lunch. Fees for the course will be $75 for those who
pre-register ($60 for NAASR members; $35 for full-time students with
current IDs). Admission is open to all, but enrollment will be
limited in order to encourage active discussion and interaction. It
is strongly urged that participants register by Oct. 1.

In addition to Libaridian, NAASR’s program of adult education
seminars and mini-courses has included Harvard University Prof. James
R. Russell, Prof. Simon Payaslian of Clark University, Dr. Suzanne
Moranian, and Dr. Barbara Merguerian. This series of courses
represents a new aspect of NAASR’s ongoing efforts to give the public
access to leading Armenian Studies scholars and their research in an
in-depth and meaningful fashion.

For more information on the seminar or about NAASR and its
programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies, research, and
publication, call 617-489-1610, or e-mail [email protected].

EU’s Prodi visits Azerbaijan, calls for more democracy

Associated Press Worldstream
September 17, 2004 Friday

BAKU, Azerbaijan — European Commission President Romano Prodi on
Friday urged Azerbaijan to conduct democratic reforms that would give
more say to the opposition.

Speaking at a news conference after his talks with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev and other officials, Prodi said that they
discussed “the need for a vital democracy in the country.”

“Such a democracy requires a meaningful role for the opposition,”
Prodi said.

Prodi said that the EU has voiced its dissatisfaction with the latest
elections in Azerbaijan, as well as in two other ex-Soviet Caucasus
nations, Armenia and Georgia.

“It’s of vital importance that Azerbaijan makes clear reform steps
in the months ahead – reforms of democracy, human rights, the rule
of law, the market economy and conflict settlement,” Prodi said.

Aliev, the son of the late President Geidar Aliev, won last October’s
election by a wide margin, according to official results. Opposition
supporters and international observers said the election was marred
with fraud.

The vote sparked riots in which about 3,000 protesters tore through
the capital, Baku; one person died and dozens were injured. Hundreds
of people were detained, and more than 120 have been convicted.

Prodi said he also discussed prospects for a political settlement
of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave
within Azerbaijan, which has been de-facto independent since its
Armenia-backed forces drove out Azerbaijan’s military in 1994.

After visiting Azerbaijan, Prodi is set to head to Georgia and then
Armenia. The three Caucasus nations have been included in the EU’s
Neighborhood Policy.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Sept 17 2004

Appreciating Palestine after 50 years of exile

Yousri Nasrallah’s ‘Bab al-Shams’ popularizes Elias Khoury’s novel of
dispossession

By Jim Quilty
Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: It is 1994. Three figures – a repatriated Lebanese who lived
the civil war in Paris, his French girlfriend and their local fixer –
have asked Khalil, the central character of “Bab al-Shams,” to give
them a tour of the Sabra-Shatilla refugee camp. The couple will
produce a Jean Genet piece on the Sabra-Shatilla massacre and want to
capture the local flavor.

During the obligatory interview in the office of the camp’s PLO
official, Khalil translates the commandant’s oft-rehearsed speech
about the Palestinian’s dispossession and ultimate return into two
concise remarks: “The Palestinian people have suffered a great deal,”
and “The Palestinian people will suffer a great deal more.”

The scene nicely reiterates the wry humor of Lebanese writer Elias
Khoury’s 1998 novel “Bab al-Shams.” Though it uses memories and
impressions of Palestinian experience from the nakba to the Oslo
Accords, the novel does so without making a single narrative. Rather,
it creates a nonchronological composite of stories that at times
contradict and at times refine one another, transforming recollection
into fiction on the strength of the sheer multitude and variety of
voices.

Egyptian director Yousri Nasrallah has adapted Khoury’s novel into a
diptych, “Al-Rahil” (The Departure) and “Al-Awda” (The Return). With
a total budget of between $3 and $4 million, these works are
important both as political and aesthetic objects, and it is in these
terms that they must be assessed. The movies’ politics is very close
to that of the novel but the aesthetic is entirely different.

As “Al-Rahil” opens, Shams (Hala Omran), a young Palestinian
guerrilla leader, murders a neighbor of her lover Khalil (Bassel
Khayyat) and disappears. Later she’s gunned down by the murdered
man’s relatives. Shortly after the first murder, Khalil’s friend
Younes (Orwa Nyrabia), an old fighter from the days of the 1948
expulsion, has a stroke and is lying comatose in the camp hospital.
As Khalil is a doctor, and as PLO authorities will surely implicate
him in Shams’ crime, watching over Younes is a good way to hide.

For most of the first film, Khalil recounts his version of Younes’
story, specifically that of his long love affair with his wife Nahila
(Rim Turkhi) who, as we come to see, is a metaphor for Palestine.
After some preliminary scenes sketching Younes and Nahila’s teenage
wedding and the idyllic life of the pre-1948 Palestinian village, the
film moves onto its real interest – the dispossession.

Driven from their village, pursued by a ruthless Zionist army and
feebly defended by local gunmen and an Arab army never ordered to
engage the enemy, the population of Younes and Nahila’s village find
their way Lebanon. Younes is determined to carry on the fight from
Lebanon but Nahila remains in Palestine with Younes’ father and
mother. They carry on their relationship intermittently from
different sides of the border – thus establishing the film’s unifying
irony: The Palestinian never appreciated Palestine until he was
forced to leave it.

With Nahila safely dead and Younes in coma throughout, we never hear
a first-person account of this story. What we do get is Umm Hasan’s
counterpoint to Khalil’s story. Another nakba-generation refugee who
knew Younes and Nahila, she sometimes deflates his heroic-romantic
version of Younes’ story. Umm Hasan’s good-natured struggle with
Khalil over the truth of the story is nearly all that remains of the
novel’s multiple voices.

It is important to keep this in mind, since it provides some
intellectual ballast for the first film. Set largely in Palestine
before and just after the nakba, “Al-Rahil” has the unfortunate look
of a Ramadan musalsala – those televised historical melodramas that
are staple viewing after families break their fast. Though unbearably
sentimental and utterly alien to anything that’s come from Khoury’s
imagination, these long historical episodes can almost (almost) be
reasoned away if you remind yourself that Khalil’s representations –
of a history he didn’t experience of a country he’s never seen – are
dipped in the honey of nostalgia.

The center of gravity of “Al-Awda,” the second film, is more
contemporary, focusing on Khalil’s telling of his own story. It is a
far grittier, more critical tale than that of Younes and perhaps for
that reason more watchable.

An orphan, Khalil is drawn to Younes as a father figure. Like him,
Khalil becomes a fighter. Thanks to the Lebanese civil war, though,
Khalil spends more time fighting Lebanese than Israelis. As he notes
while recounting one particularly senseless killing: “The Lebanese
war made criminals of us all.”

When Israel forces the PLO out of Beirut, Khalil remains behind to
work as a doctor and then meets Shams. He’s never able to finish his
story because the Palestinian secret police arrest and interrogate
him about the murder Shams commits at the beginning of “Al-Rahil.”
Here the interrogating officer provides a counterpoint to Khalil’s
version of things. Armed with an intelligence file, he undermines
certain “facts” we have about Khalil – he isn’t a doctor but a nurse;
his girlfriend Shams was sleeping with other men; his adopted mother
Umm Hasan, who comes to rescue him, is not his mother and cannot
pretend to really know him.

Critics no longer complain about film adaptations being inferior to
the novels they’re based on. They observe, quite rightly, that film
and fiction are different genres with different conventions. The
counterargument has it that the problem isn’t one of moving fiction
to film as such – few complain about film versions of Steven King and
Tom Clancy novels. Rather it is one of dumbing-down intelligent
fiction to make it more appealing to a wider audience.

In 1996 Anthony Minghella adapted Michael Ondaatje’s 1992 novel “The
English Patient.” Like Khoury’s novel, Ondaatje’s rotates around a
pair of love stories – one recollected by a dying burn patient, the
other experienced by the nurse who is caring for him. These stories
are interesting because they are presented as a dense knot of
distinct narratives and by the context – a rich poetic treatment of
history, memory and the geography of exploration and grief. Many were
bewildered, then, that there was little but love story in Minghella’s
film, which Ondaatje himself had a hand in writing.

The same dynamic is at work in the adaptation of “Bab al-Shams.”
Again, the director and writer have collaborated in transforming a
poetic, nonlinear composite into a chronological narrative of two
pairs of lovers set against a troubled history.

The two novels (and their filmic progeny) are different from
Ondaatje’s in one respect – the content. Though both authors invested
years in researching their subjects before sitting down to write, the
dispossession of the Palestinians is politically fraught in a way
that Ondaatje’s subject is not.

There are other ways to go about it, of course. The Armenian genocide
in the 20th century is as much as the stuff of communal trauma,
history and memory as Palestine’s nakba. Yet virtually the only film
treatment of the episode is “Ararat” (2002). Written and directed by
Armenian-Canadian director Atom Egoyan, “Ararat” is not made
according to populist convention – working with trauma and communal
memory while being critical of the political uses of memory.

Viewing Nasrallah’s historical sequences of the refugees of the nakba
– hundreds of extras swaying across desolate landscapes in period
costume, pursued by other extras packing toy rifles and bundled into
approximations of period Israeli uniforms – it is difficult not to
recall Egoyan’s toy shots of the Armenian displacement. The effect is
altogether different, though. Nasrallah evokes melodrama in the
finest tradition of the Ramadan musalsala. Egoyan creates and
contemplates the scene from a distance, which makes it possible to
look upon the scene without grief.

Many Armenians hailed “Ararat” when it was released because a film
telling their story had finally been released. Later conversations
suggested they simply didn’t “read” the film in the same way as
others, many non-Armenians, who admired its courageous, intelligently
critical position.

The film adaptation of “Bab al-Shams” might have struck the cranium
with the same satisfying thud as “Ararat.” It is unlikely,
furthermore, that it could have been done by an independent Arab
director with more talent and better contacts than Yousri Nasrallah.
Unsatisfying as it often is, it’s more informative to look at “Bab
al-Shams” for what it is than what it isn’t.

It “is” the sometimes-uneasy marriage of two sensibilities – a
post-modern poetic of disjuncture born in the contradictions of
Lebanon’s civil war and the unabashedly populist sentimentalism of
Egyptian cinema. The issue may do less to capture the nuances of the
human and historical narrative. It does return some of Khoury’s
stories to those who remembered them. Indeed, if statistics about the
size of this region’s readership are to be believed, Khoury’s stories
are likely to reach a far wider audience on film than in print.

In this respect the films are a sort of reaffirmation of Palestinian
experience.

What gives some pause is the question of what aesthetic message
accompanies this reaffirmation. This streamlined representation of
the Palestinians’ stories strips the nostalgia and the sentiment of
nationalism from the vulgarity of political agenda. What, you wonder,
is it attached to? At the end of Nasrallah’s “Bab-al-Shams,” Khalil
flees Shatilla, leaps into a river that carries him back to
Palestine. Khoury’s “Bab-al-Shams” has Khalil leave Younes’ grave for
some unknown destination.

The original scenario sounds more desperate, but surely it is
preferable to flee on your own two feet than to be swept along by the
current, political or otherwise.

“Al-Rahil,” the first film in Yousri Nasrallah’s “Bab al-Shams”
diptych is now screening at Beirut’s Sodeco Cinema. The second film,
“Al-Awda,” will open later in the year.

Cancellation of NATO exercises in Baku not to damage bilateral cooperation

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 15 2004

The United States is ‘deeply disappointed’ by the failure of Armenian
officers, who were expected to participate in NATO’s «Cooperative
Best Effort-2004» exercises initially scheduled to be held in Baku,
in getting visas.

This statement was made by the US Department of State spokesman while
commenting on the cancellation of the NATO exercises. nveiling his
stance towards the US spokesman’s statement, Azerbaijani Ambassador
to USA Hafiz Pashayev expressed his disappointment with the fact
that the United States has not taken into account the reasons for the
Azerbaijani public’s protests against the planned visit by Armenian
officers to Baku and the impact that these protests may cause on
talks over the settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict.

Ambassador Pashayev stressed that the cancellation of NATO exercises
will not cause any damage to long-term cooperation between the Alliance
and Azerbaijan within the Partnership for Peace program.*

MPs unveil stance towards cancellation of NATO exercises

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 15 2004

MPs unveiled their attitude towards the cancellation of NATO exercises
in Baku in a Tuesday meeting of the Milli Majlis (parliament).

Although most of the parliamentarians assessed the cancellation of
the exercises as Azerbaijan’s victory, some of them expressed their
disappointment.

Sattar Safarov said that the matter is that the Azerbaijani public
has protested against the planned visit by Armenian officers to Baku
but not against holding NATO exercises. «NATO was to hold exercises
in Baku without the participation of Armenian military men who have
occupied Azerbaijan’s lands,» Safarov stressed.

Expressing his attitude to the issue, Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov
underlined that Azerbaijan succeeded in the failure of the criminal
Armenian officers, who fought in Upper Garabagh, to visit Baku.
Noting that Azerbaijan won’t make any compromises to Armenians on the
settlement of the Garabagh conflict, Alasgarov said that his country
was adherent to peaceful resolution of the conflict.*

KHATAMI PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMORIAL OF IRAN S FIRST RULING EMPIRE IN TAJIKISTAN

IRNA web site, Tehran,
12 Sep 04

Dushanbe, 12 Sept: Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami here
on Sunday (12 September) paid tribute to a building in memory of the
first king of Iran, Isma’il Samani. The anid Empire established their
rule after ousting the Muslim Arabs who overran the country.

Khatami was accompanied during the official wreath-laying ceremony
by the Chairman of the National Assembly (Upper House) Mahmadsaid
Ubaydulloyev and several other high-ranking officials.

Presidents Khatami and Emomali Rahmonov are due to begin private
talks in a few hours.

Top Iranian and Tajik delegations will be joined by their respective
presidents in talks to be held after the end of the presidents’
private meeting.

It is expected that a number of new documents will be signed during
the talks of the Iranian and Tajik delegations detailing cooperation
in several fields.

The presidents of the two countries will also participate in a joint
press conference after the talks.

Khatami arrived in Tajikistan on Saturday on the last leg of a
three-nation regional tour of Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan.

He is accompanied by the Iranian foreign minister, minister of commerce
and minister of energy.

Khatami was officially welcomed on his arrival at the Tajik
international airport by President Emomali Rahmonov.

He is scheduled to meet the head of the Tajik National Parliament,
prime minister, members of the Tajik intelligentsia and Iranians
residing in the country.

During his four-day visit, Khatami will inspect the Sangtudeh
hydro-electric power plant and the Anzub Tunnel.

Khatami will also deliver a speech at the 8th Summit of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) scheduled to open here on Tuesday.

At the meeting, Tajikistan will be appointed the next rotating
president of the organization. The current presidency of the
organization is held by Turkey.

The president’s week-long tour is taking place at the official
invitations of presidents Robert Kocharyan of Armenia, Alyksandr
Lukashenka of Belarus and Emomali Rahmonov of Tajikistan.

Pay to official on trip abroad questioned

DA’s office eyes $1,000 paid to then-Councilman Kirk Cartozian during 56-day leave.
By Jenny Marder, Staff writer

Long Beach Press Telegram

Tuesday, September 07, 2004 – DOWNEY â^À^Ô The Los Angeles County
district attorney’s office is looking into whether about $1,000 in
city stipends that Mayor Kirk Cartozian received while studying in
Armenia last year constitutes a misuse of city funds.

The preliminary investigation comes after a complaint filed by resident
and city gadfly Lennie Whittington on August 8. Whittington and others,
including City Councilwoman Anne Bayer, question whether Cartozian
should have been paid during his 56-day leave of absence.

Cartozian said that, though thousands of miles away, the stipend was
justified because he spent that much money paying for Internet access
and long-distance phone calls while working for about two hours every
day corresponding with city officials and Downey residents.

Cartozian was on the council but not mayor when he was in Armenia
taking an intensive language, cultural and history program from June
18 to August 13, he said.

Under a city ordinance, each council member is allotted about $600
every month to cover gas, phone calls, stamps, stationery, meals away
from home, minor entertainment expenses and other costs incurred in
connection with council duties.

“What they’re intended to do is reimburse council members for expenses
they incur for their role as council member or mayor,” Assistant City
Manager Lee Powell said of the stipends.

Each month while abroad, Cartozian said, he racked up as much as
$300 for e-mail at Internet cafes, where he did most of his work,
and at least a couple of hundred dollars in work-related phone calls.

Council members are not required to submit itemized spending reports.

Members of the Downey City Council do not receive many of the perks
awarded to council members in other cities, such as health insurance,
cars or cell phones.

Whittington plans to demand that the mayor provide evidence of the
work that he did while abroad.

“I don’t think he deserves anything when he’s out of the country,”
Whittington said. “He should not get reimbursed for nothing.”

Bayer also wants proof.

“I think he really owes it to the city of Downey to explain what city
business he was on,” she said.

Cartozian fired back that he has 175 to 200 pages of e-mails sent
during that time, adding that that’s only a fraction of the work that
he did and that he has no record of all the e-mails that he read.

“I don’t do this for money,” he said. “I get close to $9,000 a year
total. â^À¦ And I have verifiable proof of countless hours that I
spent to correspond on a daily basis with City Hall. It’s my job to be
abreast and informed on everything that’s going on in the city. That’s
my life.”

Shirley Conte, council secretary, said she can attest to his work
during that time. He e-mailed or called her every day while in Armenia,
she said.

“When I would send out e-mails to all of the City Council members,
many times I got an answer from him before I heard from anyone else,”
Conte said. “He was definitely in touch all the time.”

David Demerjian, head deputy district attorney of the office’s public
integrity division, said that the complaint is under review and
investigators will determine whether a full investigation is warranted.

Misuse of public funds is a felony, he said.

CENN – SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Georgia’s Protected Areas Ready Themselves to Market Their Future
Visitors
2. “Healthy Lifestyle” Subject to be Included in Armenian School
Curricula in 2006
3. IFAD New Credit Program to be Approved in December
4. RA Government to Strengthen Control over Armenia’s Biosecurity
5. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
6. EIA Reports Submitted to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to
7. Announcement of the Ministry of Environment of Georgia

1. GEORGIA’S PROTECTED AREAS READY THEMSELVES TO MARKET THEIR FUTURE
VISITORS

Immediate Release

Lagodekhi, Georgia – September 6, 2004 – The Protected Areas Development
Project announced the successful completion of a 3 day Marketing
workshop held at Lagodekhi Nature Reserve’s Headquarters in Lagodekhi,
Georgia. Protected Areas directors from Lagodekhi, Akhmeta, Vashlovani
gathered to work on the marketing strategies for their protected areas
so in the near future they may attract both local and international
visitors and at the same time uphold their conviction to protect this
precious national reserves and parks. Protected Areas Development Center
headed by Paata Shanshiashvili, hosted the event and he and his team
were joined by prominent players in the Protected Areas Development
Project such as the Chairman of the State Department of Protected Areas,
Mr.Eugine Asatiani, theChairman of the State Department of Tourism and
Resorts, Mr.Saba Kiknadze. In addition, the directors from both
Borjomi-Kharagauli and Kolkheti National Parks, Mr. Zviad Gotsiridze and
Mr. Marlen Patsatsia shared their experiences with the group about
their parks that have already opened and are being visited.

“Lagodekhi, Vashlovani, Tusheti, Batsara-Babaneuli and Ilto Protected
Areas are part of the Georgia’s national heritage and we are taking
seriously the important job of sharing these areas with Georgians and
the International community alike,” said Mr.Saba Kiknadze,, “How we
market and to whom we market will be of great importance as we get ready
to open the parks and so this workshop has been an important milestone
in our tasks to attract visitors.”

Directors of Protected Areas are promising to their parks’ future
visitors:

“Protected Tusheti Highlands” – walking and horseback riding in the wild
nature, sightseeing of historical – cultural monuments with exposure of
local mountain communities’ household traditions – cooking, folk and
handicraft, accommodations in “bed & breakfast” family hotels or
overnight-stays in wild nature”

“Lagodekhi Protected Area – the oldest Nature Reserve – provides
scientists, families and people interested in cultural and natural
heritage overnight stays in a beautiful place with wonders of nature,
from 350 to 3500 m above see level, diverse and unique flora and fauna,
tertiary period’s elements of nature, and breathtaking views”.

“Wild Savannah of Vashlovani”- vast shallow forest, split canyons,
flood-plain forests and lots of unique species of fauna in vast steps,
fossils from 3-5 millions years of age, archeological monuments from
BCE, and extraordinary adventures in unique packages: rafting down the
Alazani river, enjoying the bird-watching; great accommodations,
legendary wine and cuisine”.

“Also, “Grand Tour” – combining all these Protected Areas offering
unique pleasure to everybody, no matter are you alone or with family, or
friends, because of
o National Parks belong to you
o They are beautiful and unique cultural and natural heritage of Georgia

o They are great for gatherings
o They are affordable
o You are provided with full information about the nature and history of
these places
o Parks are served by professionals, including guides and rangers “.

Contact: Natia Kobakhidze
Georgia Protected Areas Development Project
Tel: (+995 32) 251566
E-mail: [email protected]

2. “HEALTHY LIFESTYLE” SUBJECT TO BE INCLUDED IN ARMENIAN SCHOOL
CURRICULA IN 2006

Source: Arminfo: September 3, 2004

The UNFPA is ready to assist Armenia’s Education and Science Ministry in
introducing the Healthy Lifestyle subject in the curricula of Armenian
schools, says UNFPA country director for Armenia. Anne-Birgitte
Albrectsen.

The subject will be included in Armenian school curricula in 2006. It
will be taught to school-leavers and university students. The subject is
meant to acquaint young people with all the aspects of health care as
well as to raise their sexual awareness. This is a very important
agreement especially as the Armenian Government has adopted a law on
reproductive health, says Albrectsen. She notes that many Armenians are
reluctant to go to the doctor regularly and know very little about
reproductive health.

Among the other authors of the project is UNICEF. The agreement is part
of the UNFPA Plan of Action for 2005-2009. In late 2004 all Armenian
ministries, NGOs, MPs cooperating with UNFPA will be informed of the
measures to fulfill the project. Only then will the plan be ratified by
the Armenian Government. UNFPA provides Armenia with both technical and
consultative assistance. It implements $500,000 worth projects
in the country each year.

3. IFAD NEW CREDIT PROGRAM TO BE APPROVED IN DECEMBER

Source: Arminfo: September 3, 2004

At its general meeting in December, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) is to approve a draft credit program
worth 15-20mln. USD, Alik Kalantaryan, IFAD Armenia office, told
ARMINFO.

He reported that the program is to be implemented in two directions:
crediting of agricultural business and economically sound restoration of
infrastructures. Kalantaryan pointed out that the program envisages over
10mln. USD for crediting. He added that this component will be realized
with the involvement of working financial organizations
and banks.

The maximum credit amount to be lent at this stage is 150,000 USD for up
to seven years. Kalantaryan reported that if agribusiness development
projects meet the requirements, funds will be provided to banks at the
lowest annual interest rates – 3.5% in case of small credits and 1.5% in
case of big ones. Thus, IFAD specialists calculated that credits will be
lent to agribusinessmen at an annual interest rate of 8%-11%. Also,
leasing operations will be performed.

Thus, it will allow farmers to purchase equipment worth up to 200,000
USD with 20% prepayment. A total of 5mln. USD will be allocated for the
realization of the second component. Kalantaryan added that negotiations
are currently under way with a number of international organizations,
and all preconditions for additional funding exceeding 5mln. USD have
been created. He reported that the program envisages technical
assistance to organizations, for which purpose a total of 300,000 USD
will be allocated. Organizations will render assistance to
agribusinessmen with preparing business plans and marketing. IFAD is
also going to conclude contracts with such organizations, under which
agribusinessmen will pay only 20% of the cost of organization’s
services, with the rest to be paid after banks have lend credits. If the
bank does not approve the credit, IFAD will compensate for the rest of
the funds.

IFAD has implemented a number of programs in Armenia. The fund
implemented its first credit program in 1998-2001, allocating a total of
13.5mln. USD on various agricultural projects. The Fund allocated a
total of 20.2mln. USD for the implementation of its last credit program.
IFAD’s credit line is 15.5mln. USD, the RA Government’s share being
2.4mln. USD. The RA Social Investments Fund allocated 1.1mln. USD and
regional communities 0.8mln. USD. By July 1, 2004, about 14.858mln. USD
had been utilized under the program, over 3.8mln. USD of this in the
first half of 2004.

4. RA GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER ARMENIA’s BIOSECURITY

Source: Arminfo: September 2, 2004

The RA Government has decided to strengthen control over Armenia’s
biological security.

At his news briefing, RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Artashes
Ziroyan reported that a national coordinating center is expected to be
formed simultaneously with a scientific-technical council, the latter to
be consisted of 17 experts representing 10 institutions and public
organizations. He pointed out that the Government will establish control
over the import of food products and fodder of animal origin in
conformity with the Cartagena Protocol. He said that the center will
examine documents on imported goods and their conformity to the
Cartagena Protocol. Ziroyan stated that no laboratory analysis will be
conducted for lack of funds and equipment.

5. HUBERT HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy has announced Hubert Humphrey
Fellowship program for Georgian citizens for the 2005-2006 academic
year. The Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship program will bring accomplished
professionals from Georgia to the United States at the midpoint in their
careers for a year of non-degree graduate study and related professional
experience.

Attached please find a detailed information and the application form of
the program. Please send this information to your contacts and potential
candidates. Please note that the application submission deadline is
October 8, 2004.

Additional information is available on the following address:

6. EIA REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF GEORGIA TO

Source: “Sakartvelos Respublica” (“Republic of Georgia”), August 28,
2004

In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd. “Evrocement” submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of second category – Clay
Development and Processing along the Miriani Poultry Enterprise.

In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd. “JS&Neba” submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of second category – Processign of
the Gunia-kala Deposit in Tsalka Region.

EIA reports are available at the press-center of the Ministry of
Environment (68, Kostava Str., VI floor) and at the Department of
Environmental Permits and State Ecological Expertise (87, Paliashvili
Str., Tel: 25 02 19). Interested stakeholders can analyze the document
and present their comments and considerations until October 12, 2004.

Public hearing will be held on October 12, 2004 at 12:00, at the
conference hall of the Ministry of Environment.

7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF GEORGIA

The Ministry of Environment of Georgia announces competition on granting
the licenses for the following activities:

o Extraction of the mineral waters in Akhaltsikhe region, Pavliani
village;
o Extraction of the “Babanuri” mineral waters of Shuakhevi region;
o Processing and development of the “Vajas Tskaro” mineral waters
deposit in Dusheti region in for extraction the mineral water;
o Processing and development of the “Okhiri” mineral water deposit in
Akhalgori region for extraction the mineral water;
o Processing of the Sadakhlo deposit;
o Development of the Teshenati deposit and therefore processing of the
deposits in villages Bueti, Dzuknuri, Tsuskhvati, of the Tkibuli region;

o Extraction of the inert materials form the river Ksani, Mtskheta
region;
o Research and extraction of the water along the BTC route Kp248
Akhaltsikhe region along the measuring station 80;
o Processing of the “Dado” deposit (Akhalkalaki region) for extracting
the sand.

Deadline for submitting the relevant documentation: September 15, 2004

For the additional information please see: “Sakartvelos Respublica”
(“Republic of Georgia”), August 27, 2004

Also you can receive additional information on the following address:

87, Paliashvilis str., Tbilisi
Tel: +995 32 25 17 22, 25 17 20

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CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
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