Category: News

Azeri pundit warns of growing radicalism threat
Yeni Musavat, Baku
12 Aug 04
Azerbaijan may become another Iraq for America one day, Azerbaijani
analyst Vafa Quluzada has told Yeni Musavat daily. Unsatisfied by the
American and Russian position on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
Azerbaijan may turn to Iran and become a “religious regime”, he
said. Azerbaijan has not yet opened its embassy in Israel, which is a
sign of Iran’s influence on the Azerbaijani government, he said. The
following is an excerpt from Zahid Safaroglu’s report by Azerbaijani
newspaper Yeni Musavat on 12 August headlined “‘Azerbaijan is in a
disastrous state'” and subheaded “Vafa Quluzada: A process of building
a strong foundation for a religious regime is under way in
Azerbaijan”; subheadings inserted editorially:
The South Caucasus remains the focus of attention of regional and
global powers. Important processes capable of influencing the future
of the region have started after a democratic government came to power
in Georgia. Russia and Iran have stepped up their activity. In turn,
the USA does not hide its intention to reinforce its main foothold in
the Caucasus – Georgia – and continues to support the Saakashvili
government in all ways.
Unfortunately, in this turbulent and momentous period, the Azerbaijani
government is seen as the weakest link. What will be the impact of the
processes related with the conflict of geostrategic and geopolitical
interests of those powers? We have tried to clarify this and other
issues in our conversation with political analyst and ex-presidential
aide Vafa Quluzada.
Iran’s clout in Azerbaijan
Correspondent In the wake of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s
visit, US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld unexpectedly arrived in
Azerbaijan. The unscheduled visit of Rumsfeld is being explained as
the manifestation of the White House’s concern at closer relationship
between Baku and Tehran. Do you think that Iran is actually capable of
threatening US interests in Azerbaijan?
Quluzada It cannot be a serious threat. However, Iran can demand that
Baku should not undermine the security of its borders and it should
not let US servicemen pose a threat to Iran. In the event the Baku
government does not agree to that, the Tehran regime has some levers
to influence it and may use them.
Correspondent What are those levers?
Quluzada I would not talk of them. A person who has worked in
government does not disclose all the issues. I will only name just one
point. Azerbaijan has yet to open an embassy in Israel. Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have done so, but not Azerbaijan. Why? It
looks like Iran has a lever which it uses in order not to let
Azerbaijan take this step. Second, those who observed Khatami’s visit
well must have noticed how confident and satisfied he was. In my
opinion, it is because Tehran has wielded its levers vis-a-vis
Azerbaijan. Iran will either try to curtail US-Azerbaijani military
cooperation or will set forth other demands.
Correspondent Are Iran’s levers connected with Azerbaijan or only with
its political regime and some of the officials? That is, are these
levers connected with our perennial national interests regardless of
who is in office or are they purely subjective motives?
Quluzada (Laughing) It goes without saying that levers are not
connected with land, geopolitical territories or space. They are
connected with people.
Correspondent So, it has to do with the political regime.
Quluzada Perhaps. Iran is a country which has worked against and
closely monitored and studied Azerbaijan since we were part of the
USSR. One should never forget that. However, I reckon that the border
between the two countries will always remain peaceful.
Correspondent When the late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev
visited Iran, the sides signed an agreement to prevent the use of
their territories against each other. Why is Tehran still concerned?
Quluzada Let them sign a hundred documents. Hitler and Stalin, Molotov
and Ribbentrop also had a treaty not to attack each other. What was
the result? I mean that no documents work in certain political
situations.
Correspondent Next week Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
will pay yet another visit to Russia, the “big brother”. Does
development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan and Tehran’s
interests here clash with Russia’s interests in Azerbaijan?
Quluzada Albeit Russia and Iran are strategic opponents, they are
tactical allies. They are strategic enemies because both the Kremlin
and Iran want to rule in the Caucasus. However, they are tactical
allies to prevent closer relations between the Caucasus countries and
America. They cooperate in this aspect.
Iran believes that Russia today is not a tsarist or Soviet empire, and
is heading for a demise. Tehran wants to take over Russia’s sphere of
influence. This is a real issue and Moscow is concerned about this.
Azerbaijan may turn to Iran
Correspondent You said that the USA may lose Azerbaijan as its
strategic partner. Could you elaborate on this? What did you mean?
Quluzada The USA has to know that if it adopts a just position on the
Karabakh issue, then it will earn the respect of the Azerbaijani
people. If it becomes a guarantor of our territorial integrity, then
it can turn into our permanent ally. However, if it is misled by the
Russians and endorses a plan drafted by the Kremlin, then there can be
no talk of any sympathy. Because the Azerbaijani people know that
without America’s approval, the lands cannot be given to Armenia.
Otherwise, Azerbaijan will turn away from both America and Russia. It
will turn towards Iran.
Correspondent What do you mean?
Quluzada Can you imagine a religious regime in Azerbaijan? My
observations show that a process of building a strong foundation for
this is under way in Azerbaijan.
Radical Islamic organizations
Correspondent Is the process going on its own or it is under foreign
influence?
Quluzada Both on its own and under influence, this is a two-way
process.
Could it be otherwise? Where else can the hot-blooded Azerbaijanis see
an exit but in creating radical Islamic organizations?
One day Azerbaijan may turn into an Iraq for the Americans. Washington
has to be aware of this. It should not play with the destiny and
territory of Azerbaijan. It is in America’s national interest to
protect our territorial integrity. Washington has demonstrated in
Georgia that it can do so easily.
At this moment Tbilisi can talk the way it likes with Moscow because
it is backed by the USA. America now wields so much power that despite
screaming Russians it brought under its control Yugoslavia, placed its
military bases in Central Asia and seized Afghanistan, again despite
Russia’s protests. When it comes to Azerbaijan, however, America
becomes timid, cannot name the aggressor and declares that let the
sides reach an agreement.
This is an anti-Azerbaijan stance on part of the USA. Because Russia,
which renders military and political assistance to Armenia, shares the
same view. What is the difference then? It has come to the point when
both Armenians and Russians have become our brothers. Then let us give
up those lands, once and for all… Ellipses as published
Russia’s prospects in Azerbaijan
Correspondent Here is another question about our region. Relations
between Georgia and Russia are increasingly tense. What are the
prospects and how will this affect the region?
Quluzada I reckon that Russia is being pushed out of Georgia. This is
a very unpleasant outcome for Russia and this is what generates the
tension.
Passage omitted: Quluzada about Russia’s mentality
Correspondent What impact can the exit of Russia from Georgia have on
Azerbaijan?
Quluzada Moscow will then cling to Azerbaijan. It will expand its
influence and will do its utmost to keep Azerbaijan within its sphere
of influence.
Correspondent Hence, it is pointless to talk about any constructive
position on the Karabakh issue?
Quluzada Moscow will then use the Karabakh issue in a perfidious
way. The objective will be to entrench itself in Azerbaijan for
ever. It will liberate our lands, inch by inch, in 50 or 100 years, on
the eve of elections. A pro-Russian and puppet regime will be
installed in Azerbaijan, and Russia will liberate a district when
necessary to strengthen the regime’s position. In a nutshell, Russia
will liberate our lands when Azerbaijan is completely under its
control and becomes a colony, like Armenia. This is Russia’s strategy.
However, Azerbaijan is in such a disastrous state that it is unable to
properly assess this strategy and to devise its own strategy in
response.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

18 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPIAD IN ATHENS
YEREVAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). The 28th Olympic Games will be held
in Athens, the capital of Greece, on August 13-29. Armenian
representatives will be also among sportsmen from 200 countries of the
world. 18 Armenian sportsmen will participate in the Olympic Games:
weight-lifters Armen Ghazarian, Gevorg Alexanian, Tigran Martirosian,
Ashot Danielian, free-style wrestlers Martin Berberian, Zhirair
Hovhannisian, Mamed Aghaev, Ara Gevorgian, Graeco-Roman wrestlers
Vaghinak Galstian, Levon Geghamian, Haikaz Galstian, boxer Alexan
Nalbandian, judoist Armen Nazarian, field and track athletes Armen
Martirosian and Marine Ghazarian, swimmer Varduhi Avetisian, shot
Norair Bakhtamian and tennis-player Sargis Sargsian. Shot
N. Bakhtamian and judoist A. Nazarian will participate first in the
competitions on August 14. According to specialists, sportsmen from
Armenia excellently prepared for the Olympic Games. Ishkhan Zakarian,
Chairman of the RA State Sport Committee and the National Olympic
Committee, thinks that the winning of two-three medals is real. By the
decision of the RA government, sportsmen winning gold, silver and
bronze medals will be awarded with 40,000 30,000 and 20,000 dollars,
respectively. Well-known sportsman Albert Azarian, a triple Olympic
champion, will carry the banner of the Armenian delegation at the
August 13 ceremony of the opening of the Olympic Games.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA MINISTER OF DEFENSE DOES NOT CONSIDER RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN
KARABAKH IN NEAR FUTURE AS REAL, YET HE REMAINS VIGILANT
YEREVAN, Aygust 12 (Noyan Tapan). RA Minister of Defense Serge
Sargsian does not consider the resumption of hostilities in Karabakh
in the visible future as real. Yet, according to him, “in general,
nothing can be excluded: the Defense Minister must have deep on his
mind constantly that hostilities may resume tomorrow, the day after
tomorrow, in a week, in a month,” reported the Minister during a
meeting with journalists after the command-staff trainings of the NKR
Defense Army. He expressed confidence that the Armenian Armed Forces,
in partucular, the Defense Army will certainly be fighting-efficient
and will handle these powerful arms better than those who would make
an attempt to disturb the peace of the Armenian people. “Today both
our possible adversary and we are acquiring new types of weapon and
continuing military training. Those who in this race will be able to
handle weapon entrusted to them more efficiently, will eventually say
that have completed their task honorably,” added the RA Minister.
According to S. Sargsian, the leaderships of Nagorno Karabakh and
Armenia stated repeatedly that the Armenian side is not going to
resume hostilities.” This is definitely so. And now we are entirely of
this opinion,” he stressed. The RA Minister of Defense assured that
the training is conducted for peace keeping. According to him, today
in the region the peace balance is maintained due to the quality of
military training rather than the number of arms. “Today we made sure
that at least those sub-units that paticipated in the training have a
more serious level of preparation,” said the Minister.

BRANCHES OF ARMENIAN CHESS FEDERATION AND CHESS ACADEMY OPENED IN
TAVUSH
IJEVAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). Gagik Gevorgian, Deputy Chairman of
the Armenian Chess Federation (ACF), and international grand master
Smbat Lputian, Chairman of the Chess Academy, were in the Tavush
region on August 12. They participated in the opening of the branches
of the Armenian Chess Federation and the Chess Academy. Armen
Ghularian, Governor of the Tavush region, was elected Head of the ACF
regional branch. The same day, Smbat Lputian held synchronous game
with 21 chess-players of Tavush.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN “SIPAN” CULTURAL UNION GOES ON PILGRIMAGE TO ST. TADEV
CLOISTER
TEHRAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). According to tradition, the Armenian
“Sipan” cultural union of Tehran went on a pilgrimage to St. Tadev and
St. Stepanos cloisters. This information was provided by the Armenian
“Alik” (“Wave”) daily newspaper of Tehran. On July 23 early morning,
110 pilgrims completing their march camped near 50-year place of
pilgrimage. Pilgrims participated in the July 23 and 24 liturgues and
festivals. On July 24, they spend the night in the yard of the
Diocesan residence of Tavriz and visited St. Stepanos Nakhavka
cloister next morning.

European bank denies Azeri accusations of financing projects in Karabakh
Turan news agency
12 Aug 04

BAKU
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has denied
Azerbaijani media publications that the bank is operating or financing
any activities in Nagornyy Karabakh.
The EBRD says in a press release forwarded to Turan that the
organization is not financing any activities in this region.
In 2002, the EBRD allocated 3m dollars to an Armenian copper company
operating in Armenia. The owner of this company, Yerevan resident
Valeriy Mezhlumyan, also owns a company in Nagornyy Karabakh. However,
the EBRD funds are not directed to this region. The EBRD has taken
measures to ensure that the funds allocated to the Armenian company
are not used in Nagornyy Karabakh, the press release says.

FOX Sports
Tszyu leans towards US
August 12, 2004
THE United States rather than Australia is leading the race to host
Kostya Tszyu’s long-awaited boxing world title bout against Sharmba
Mitchell in November.
Tszyu and his manager Matt Watt have spent almost a week in the United
States where they watched International Boxing Federation interim
light welterweight champion Mitchell defeat Moises Pedroza in a
non-title bout in Connecticut.
The 34-year-old Australian fighter resumes training in Sydney on
Sunday before heading to his customary two week pre-fight camp at the
Australian Institute of Sport on August 30.
Although Moscow was originally slated to host Russian-born Tszyu’s IBF
title defence against Mitchell last February it is out of the running
for the rescheduled November 6 bout.
“It’s going to be Australia or the United States, I’d have to say it’s
leaning towards the latter, but which city is not known,” Watt said
from Los Angeles.
“Kostya, the promoter and the television network will determine
between themselves as to where it will be,” added Watt, who expects a
decision to be made within a week.
He said New York’s famous Madison Square Garden was “extremely keen”
to stage the fight but there was a question mark over its availability
on the date locked in with American cable television network Showtime.
Meanwhile, Anthony Mundine has decided his September 8 rematch with
New Zealander Sean Sullivan will be staged at the EG Whitlam Centre in
Sydney.
While Mundine explored the possibility of fighting in Perth, his
manager Khoder Nasser said the fight would go ahead in Sydney because
of “logistics”, and “The Man” had decided against fighting at Burswood
Casino.
Australia’s next world title challenger, flyweight Vic Darchinyan will
head to the United States on Monday in preparation for his September 3
challenge to Columbia’s IBF world champion Irene Pacheco.
Armenian born Darchinyan has been sparring with three of his world
ranked stablemates, fellow flyweight Hussein Hussein, super
bantamweight Nedal Hussein and light welterweight Lovemore Ndou.
“The last couple of weeks Vic has been sensational, as good as anybody
I’ve ever worked with,” Darchinyan’s trainer Jeff Fenech said.
AAP
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BBC News
Last Updated: Thursday, 12 August, 2004, 09:49 GMT 10:49 UK
Madrid victims granted residency
The bombs were placed on commuter trains from the Madrid suburbs
The Spanish government has given residence permits to nearly 700 immigrants
who were either victims or related to victims of the Madrid bombs.
The explosions on four Madrid commuter trains on 11 March left 191 dead and
hundreds more injured.
Police said more than 2,000 other immigrants in Spain had made residence
applications, on grounds that they had been directly affected by the
attacks.
The government decided to grant permits to victims as an act of solidarity.
Following the attacks, Spanish MPs agreed that the attacks “resulted in a
huge human catastrophe, without consideration for nationality or origin”.
They agreed these were exceptional circumstances and that granting residency
to immigrants involved would help the victims and “ease their settlement” in
Spain.
Of the 673 residence permits granted to date, 355 were obtained by victims
and 318 by their relatives. Hundreds of other applications are still being
considered.
A large number of Latin Americans were among the victims of the bombings,
but people of many other nationalities were also involved.
Official figures show permits were granted to 264 Romanians, 179
Ecuadorians, 70 Colombians, 28 Moroccans, 19 Bolivians, 15 Argentinians, 19
Bulgarians, eight Cubans, six Brazilians, five Paraguayans, 13 Peruvians, 12
Poles, 18 Ukrainians and three Venezuelans, two from Cape Verde, two
Moldavians, two Chileans, one Congolese, one American, one Honduran, one
Armenian, one Nigerian, one Dominican, one Senegalese and one Malian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
Eastern Prelacy: CROSSROADS August 12, 2004
PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE CONCLUDES
The international conference on Armenian education came to a successful
conclusion. The conference took place in Bikfaya, Lebanon, the site of the
Cilician See’s Theological Seminary. The theme of the conference was
Armenian Education in the Diaspora.
In his opening address His Holiness Aram I identified the concerns and
challenges facing the Armenian Christian educational context of pluralistic
societies. He addressed a number of critical issues, and then posed two
questions: What does it mean to be an Armenian Christian? How should we
form the Armenian Christian for tomorrow? His Holiness underscored the
crucial importance of re-evaluating and renewing our educational
methodologies, strategies and programs by making them more relevant. His
Holiness proposed that Armenia and the Diaspora together engage in a process
of developing a Pan-Armenian educational policy with particular emphasis on
the worldwide Armenian Diaspora.
The agenda of the conference included the following topics: The actual state
of education in different continents where Armenian communities live; the
implications of globalization to education; the role of the church in
Armenian Christian formation; the family as an important educational
instrument; the impact of pluralistic societies on Armenian Education; the
use and misuse of technology in education; the role of the textbooks and the
extra curricula activities; human resources; formation and training; the
contribution of Saturday schools, Sunday schools and children’s camps to
education; the importance of new community schools for the Armenian
communities established in the West.
In his closing remarks His Holiness identified three words which should
occupy a central place in our educational work: relevance, coherence and
integrity. He said, We are living in different contexts. We must, therefore,
develop different educational procedures and strategies. We are citizens of
different countries, yet we are Armenians and part of the globalized world.
We have our own convictions, values and norms, but we are living in a new
environment. Hence, it is vitally important that we develop the educational
policy that provides integrity, relevance and coherence to our educational
work, at the same time preserving our Armenian Christian identity. This is a
great challenge before us and we must take it seriously and responsibly.
ARARAT PARADISE IN THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS
As reported last week, Archbishop Oshagan, V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian,
and Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian went upstate last Saturday to Mountaindale,
NY, in the Catskill Mountains, where 23 years ago a group of Armenians
purchased a property with 24 rustic homes, and named it Ararat Paradise.
Through the years the families have formed into a tight unit and each summer
they spend their summers, or part thereof, enjoying the cool, clean mountain
environment.
On Saturday, Archbishop Oshagan, Hayr Anoushavan, and Dn. Shant, spent an
enjoyable day with the group. They conducted the traditional Andastan
service and the Blessing of the Grapes. The day-long activities included
lots of good food, speeches and singing with Hayr Anoushavan acting as the
Master of Ceremonies.
Archbishop Oshagan noted how pleasant it was to spend the day in Ararat
Paradise, in its peaceful surroundings. He recalled how 23 years ago when
the group of Armenians purchased this property, he and Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian, of blessed memory, had gone there to bless the land.
PILLARS OF THE PRELACY
Last year the Prelacy inaugurated an annual giving program called Pillars of
the Prelacy. The modest start of the program was very promising and this
year the effort will go beyond the New York metropolitan area with three
regional receptions already in the works: St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, will host a reception on September 10; Sts. Vartanantz Church
in Providence, Rhode Island, will host a reception on October 10 and St.
Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan will host a reception on October 11.
The goal of the pillars program is to raise funds annually to sustain and
expand the services and programs the Prelacy provides.
DATEV INSTITUTE: A SCHOOL FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN FORMATION
The St. Gregory of Datev Institute which has been taking place every summer
for the past eighteen years is one of our community’s most successful
youth-based programs.
Worship framed the communal life of the 76 students from 13 parishes who
attended the 18th annual Institute at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) under the directorship of the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr.
Anoushavan Tanielian.
To read about the Datev Institute and view a photo gallery of more than 50
photographs click here.
ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON CRITICAL ISSUES OF LIFE & FAITH
St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Dearborn, Michigan, is sponsoring a one-day
seminar on Critical Issues of Life & Faith: An Armenian Orthodox
Perspective, on Saturday, September 18, 2004, at the Church, 19300 Ford
Road, Dearborn, Michigan. The main speaker will be Dr. Vigen Guroian,
Professor of Theology and Ethics at Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland. The
program will include the lecture, small group discussions, followed by group
reports and discussions. Topics to be discussed include Marriage,
Reproductive Technologies, Abortion, Suicide, Cremation.
The day-long seminar will end with an organ/piano concert featuring Marianna
Abrahamyan at 7:00 p.m. For further information contact the church office,
313-336-6200.
ASSUMPTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD;
THE BLESSING OF THE GRAPES
This Sunday, August 15, is the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God
(Verapokhoum). Although in modern Armenian Verapokhoum means change again,
in Classical Armenian it means transport up. For fifteen years after the
Crucifixion Mary remained in Jerusalem under the watchful eyes of the
apostles, especially John to whom she had been entrusted. When she died all
of the apostles were present at her burial, except Bartholomew. When he
returned to Jerusalem he went to her grave to pay his respects. The apostles
gathered in the cemetery, but when the gravestone was lifted, they were
surprised to find that her body was not there, instead there was an
exceeding sweet fragrance. It was believed that Mary was physically taken
into heaven. Based on this the church fathers established the Feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Blessing of the Grapes, although not connected with the Assumption, is
generally commemorated on the same day. First the special hymn of the day is
sung, then passages from the Gospel are read, after which the prayer
pertaining to the blessing of grapes, which was composed by Catholicos
Nerses is read. In this prayer it is mentioned that on the third day of
Creation, God created the fruit-yielding trees and vegetation on earth. The
prayer seeks the blessing of God to be bestowed on those who give the first
yield of their vineyards as gifts to the church, and asks the Lord to
protect the crops and gardens from harm. After the prayers, the grapes are
blessed and distributed to the congregation.
The chapel in Bikfaya, Lebanon, site of the summer residence of the
Catholicate, and also site of the Seminary, is named St. Astvadzadzin. We
recall attending the weekend commemoration of the Assumption and the
Blessing of Grapes there some years ago and still vividly remember the
beautiful services in the mountain hills and the hundreds of pilgrims who
came even in the midst of the Lebanese Civil War.
Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a
great banquet. Proverbs 9:L1-2
Visit our website at

Interfax
Aug 12 2004
Mining industry output down 4.7% in Armenia in H1
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian mining enterprises produced product
worth 62.14 billion dram ($120 million) in the first half of 2004,
4.7% less year-on-year, the country’s Trade and Economic Development
Ministry told Interfax.
This drop was attributable to the aluminum foil plant Armenal, a
major sector producer, being idle since the start of the year.
Mining enterprises sold 60.586 billion dram worth of product in the
reporting period, 62% more year-on-year and reflecting high world
metal prices. Armenian product exports increased 50.7% to 47.455
billion dram. The sector employs 7,737 workers.