Category: News

Sunday, September 26, 2004
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INFORMATION AND WISDOM.
LITTLE BOYS AND BIG BOYS.
ON THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE.
ON LOSING AN ARGUMENT.
ON FICTION.
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There is a natural tendency in all of us to overestimate the wisdom of someone who knows something we don’t know, or to confuse information with wisdom.
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Everyone knows something no one knows, even if what he knows is about himself and his experiences.
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Little boys brag about things they haven’t done or cannot do. Big boys brag about things they neither know nor understand, all the while hoping no one can tell if they are bragging.
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In life, the crucified do not always rise on the third day.
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A bishop will never lose an argument if losing it would mean defrocking himself. Neither will a born-again lose an argument if losing it would mean being dead again.
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Reality or life is a succession of false starts, vicious circles, and dead-ends. Faith or a belief system allows us to think otherwise by reducing life to a one-dimensional operation in which all questions have answers, the end is predictable, and man is subject to rigid laws. In other words, a belief system is a program and a believer is one who constantly programs himself in order to eliminate the uncertain, the irrational, and the incomprehensible by means of prayer and ritual, also known as incantation and mumbo jumbo.
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There is a visible as well as an invisible universe. Great many questions about the visible universe remain unanswered. As for the invisible: we know nothing about it. We don’t even know if it is an extension of the visible. To believe means to reduce the mystery of reality by assuming that since we know the Creator, we need all we need to know about His creation. I am somewhat simplifying things, but not as much as a man of faith simplifies reality.
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Every novel has a central theme or thesis, which can be expressed in a single sentence or brief paragraph. I speak only of themes because I have a horror of boring my readers with imaginary characters, landscapes and dialogue. When I was a child, words like “Once upon a time,” were pure magic. But I am no longer a child, and dark forests, castles, palaces and beautiful princesses no longer exercise the same spell on me. And it is beyond me why anyone would be interested to read such an opening sentence as “The bell rang and I went to the front and opened the door,” or “It was on my wanderings that I first met my beloved.”
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Fine sentiments and thoughts should be expressed either in a fine style or with the utmost simplicity, because even a hint of pretentiousness may expose the writer as a counterfeit.
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It has been observed that even when our words have wings they may fly in unpredictable directions.
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Monday, September 27, 2004
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WHEN BELIEF SYSTEMS CLASH.
PREACHING TO THE CONVERTED.
HOW TO JUDGE A NEW IDEA.
REALITY AND PROPAGANDA.
EXPLOITING DUPES.
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It is a mistake to judge a belief system on its own terms. It is only when it clashes with other belief systems that it arouses the irrational and the crocodilian in man.
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If I had a choice between a hundred readers who don’t agree with me and ten readers who do, I would choose the hundred for the very simple reason that there is no merit in preaching to the converted.
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One of the worst mistakes we can make is to approach a new idea with the question: “Is it for us or against us?” We should ask instead: Does it make sense? Does it appeal to our reason or to our emotions? Is it consistent with established facts?
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Whenever a reader writes that he enjoys reading me, I cannot help reflecting that I must be doing something wrong. I don’t write for anyone’s enjoyment.
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The best way to see the discrepancy between reality and propaganda is to study history and compare what happened with what was said by politicians on both sides of the conflict.
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The astonishing ease with which most people believe their side of the story and the ruthless cynicism with which leaders on both sides exploit this human weakness.
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Islam says, “If the enemy is an infidel, he deserves to be slaughtered.” Christianity says, “If Almighty God is on our side, we can’t lose.” The clash of these two belief systems resulted in the senseless slaughter of nearly two million Armenians. I am not saying religion was the main cause of our genocide, but I hope no one will disagree with me if I say it was a contributing factor.
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Tuesday, September 28, 2004
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ON THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.
A MONUMENT TO HUMAN DEGRADATION.
THE AIM OF CRITICISM.
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As a child I was brought up to believe all prayers are eventually answered. If we assume that to be true, we must also assume that the millions of innocent civilians who were senselessly slaughtered during two world wars did not pray hard enough; and they did not pray hard enough probably because their faith in God was not of sufficient strength to meet God’s standards. Which also means that in some minimal way, they contributed to their own demise. This type of thinking is another proof of the fact that organized religions, and men of faith in general, are first and foremost in the business of dehumanizing not only their fellow men but also diminishing God. Because, if you think about it, what kind of God would allow children to be slaughtered simply because He was disappointed in the quantity and quality of their prayers? But then, what kind of God would ask a decent father to butcher his own son (see GENESIS) to test his loyalty? Can God be so insecure as to be in need of a poor mortal’s loyalty? And if He knows everything, shouldn’t he already know the answers to His own questions?
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The most underdeveloped countries are also the most religious. Two cases in point: Mexico and India. Where religion plays a central role, there will also be poverty, disease, corruption, prejudice, ignorance, and overpopulation. Are we to assume Mexican and Indian children deserve their fate because their parents did not pray hard enough?
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If Armenians were slaughtered because they more or less deserved it, does that mean the Turks did what they did with God’s consent? Or perhaps Sultan Abdulhamid II and Talaat were His messengers?
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I read in today’s paper that Taj Mahal (described as “a monumental love nest” and “India’s most famous monument”) was built 350 years ago. When I think of Taj Mahal I do not consider its beauty but the degradation of poor anonymous laborers who worked on its constructions to memorialize the love of two individuals who should have been hanged from the nearest tree for their arrogance and greed for immortality.
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Only the abysmally ignorant view criticism as an expression of hostility rather than concern.
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Wednesday, September 29, 2004
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FATHERS AND CHILDREN.
MUD IS MUD.
IN PRAISE OF MODERATION.
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As children we trust our elders and accept their simple answers to our questions. As adults we continue to behave like children when we are told patriotism or nationalism is good only when it is ours; or the word “homeland” is sacred only when it refers to our own homeland; or again, our mud is better than someone else’s.
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Silence contains the worst lies as well as the best truths.
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The difference between a fanatic and a moderate is that a moderate suspects there are two sides to every question and if he is honest and objective he may have a better chance to understand reality.
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If a writer cannot change our perception of reality, he might as well identify himself as an entertainer.
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Never insult an Armenian writer: being one is insult enough.
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Azeri speaker vows diaspora support for Ukrainian premier in presidential polls
ANS TV, Baku
27 Sep 04
[Presenter] The Azerbaijani delegation led by Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov
is already in Ukraine. At today’s meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister
Viktor Yanukovych, the sides mainly discussed relations between Baku
and Kiev, the economy, trade and relations between the Azerbaijani
and Ukrainian parliaments, as well as the Nagornyy Karabakh problem.
[Correspondent over archive footage] During his visit to Ukraine,
Alasgarov had talks with Yanukovych and discussed topics of mutual
interest. Alasgarov told Yanukovych that the Azeri diaspora in Ukraine
will support him in the upcoming presidential elections.
Alasgarov said that he managed to meet representatives of the
diaspora during his visit to Ukraine and they assured him that the
500,000-strong Azeri diaspora has already decided to vote for the
Ukrainian prime minister.
In turn, Yanukovych said that he supports the development of economic
ties between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, and Kiev is interested in doubling
trade with Azerbaijan. He said that bilateral trade grew by 50 per
cent in 2004 and the bilateral economic commission believes that
there is potential for further growth. He said that the decision
of the Azerbaijani government to jointly produce An-148 planes is a
vivid example of the two countries’ interest in expanding economic
cooperation.

nk13c
“In 2015, the South Caucasus will remain in flux because of
unresolved local conflicts, weak economic fundamentals, and continued
Russian meddling. Georgia probably will have achieved a measure of
political and economic stability, fueled in part by energy transit
revenues, but it will remain the focus of Russian attention in the
region. Armenia will remain largely isolated and is likely to remain
a Russian–or possibly Iranian–client and, therefore, a regional
wild card. Azerbaijan’s success in developing its energy sector is
unlikely to bring widespread prosperity: Baku will be a one-sector
economy with pervasive corruption at all levels of society.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN METALLURGICAL PLANTS REPORT MAJOR OUTPUT GROWTH
ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: The output of 26 ore mining
enterprises in the first eight months of this year, monitored by
a trade and development ministry department, amounted, in terms
of money, to 90 billion Armenians Drams, virtually as much as in
the first eight months of last year. The department head, Arthur
Ashughian, said last year’s figure included also the 11 billion AMD
output of Armenal foil manufacturing plant.. Armenal is not operative
now because of undergoing a sweeping process of equipment upgrading.
This year’s increase was due to efficient operation of an ore mining
plant in Agarak, in southern Armenia, whose production capacity has
gone up by 25 percent after it was privatized by a foreign company. The
plant has doubled its production growth rate against last year. Another
ore mining plant in Kapan, also in southern Armenia, has also doubled
its output after implementation of a development plan of Shahumian
mines.
The leading Armenian metallurgical company, the Armenian Copper
Program, has designed developments plans for both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, reporting also a 20 percent output increase. According to
Ashughian, if Armenian metallurgical plants maintain this dynamic,
their overall output may amount to $280 million by the end of the
year against $170 million in 2003.
He said a total of $8 million were invested in Agarak and Kapan plants,
more than committed by their new owners.
The gold extracting plant in Ararat has produced this year 10.5
billion worth gold, 30 percent less than last year. According to
Arthur Ashughian, the decrease had been planned after the Zod mines
began exploring new mines. He said the current capacities of the mine
could be exploited for another 6-7 years, as it has been exploited
for decades. He said there are other gold mines in Armenia, but added
that they do not contain much gold.

JIRAYR SEFILYAN PREFERRING STRATEGIC RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
A1 Plus | 15:21:03 | 29-09-2004 | Politics |
“Presence of West in Armenia must be prevented in all way possible as
long as America and NATO are the allies of Turkey”, Jirayr Sefilyan
answered our question regarding the relations of NATO-Armenia and
Russia-Armenia.
He said that Armenia’s relations with Russia are more preferable than
with America since it is the ally of Turkey.
“The task of America is to now convince Armenian society not to be
afraid of the Turks. As soon as majority of Armenian people treats
the Turks as brothers, Russian troops will withdraw from Armenia. But
Turks remain Turks. The brutal murder of Gurgen Margaryan proves it”,
Sefilyan said.
Mr. Sefilyan is against sending an Armenian military group to Iraq
because it means to spoil the relations with the Arabian world. It
is intolerable since there are great Armenian communes in the states
of Middle East.
Sefilyan announced entrance of the Armenian group to Iraq must be
hindered even if Parliament ratifies the agreement.

120 FAMILIES INHABITED IN KARABAKH
Azg/am
29 Sept 04
120 families, overall 623 people, inhabited in Nagorno Karabakh since January
to August of 2004, Serzh Amirghanian, head of the Administration for
Migration, Refugees and Resettlement, informed Azat Artsakh (free Artsakh)
newspaper.
According to a state project, the number of resettled should reach 70 thousand
by 2010.
“It won’t be easy to carry out only by means of the state budget. It
will cost $110 million. Whereas we receive only 440 million AMD
annually. By this money we will reach that number only in 120 years”,
Amirghanian said. He also noted that Diaspora’s active involvement
is needed to resettle 68 thousand people by 2010.
“We often say that we will have a winning card in the social and economic
field of Karabakh if its population reaches 300 thousand. The world community
should see that we really have 500 thousand refugees from Azerbaijan”, Serzh
Amirghanian said.

AZERBAIJAN FOCUSED ON ANTI-ARMENIAN PROPAGANDA
PanArmenian News
Sept 28 2004
28.09.2004 19:23
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan not only avoids any contact with Nagorno
Karabakh but also focuses on anti-Armenian propaganda, thus making
difficult the process of rapprochement between the conflicting parties,
Nagorno Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Ashot Gulian stated at the
meeting with Jonathan Cohen, the Director of the Caucasian Program of
the Resources for Reconciliation British NGO. According to Arminfo
news agency, Mr. Cohen noted that by means of mass media, the Recourses
for Reconciliation is carrying out projects directed to the creation
of trust between the nations involved in conflicts. He also expressed
hope that the realization of projects to help to alleviate tension
between the parties of the Karabakh conflict.

ARAKS VALLEY IS THE PROBLEM
A1 Plus | 15:03:09 | 29-09-2004 | Politics |
“The situation around Karabakh arose because of stupid political
leadership”, Jirayr Sefilyan, Coordinator of social initiative for
“Protection of Liberated Territories” announced in National Press Club.
He considers there is no issue of liberated territories for the super
states. “Araks valley is the problem. Turkey doesn’t care whether
Aghdam is in the hands of Armenians or Azerbaijanians’. The task of
the super states is to take Araks valley, South Araks, South Syuniq
and Nakhijevan into their hands. The one controlling that territory
will control Southern Caucasus”.
Sefilyan thinks the solutions to Karabakhi conflict unfavorable to
Armenians are imposed on our Authorities in the form of pressures
because they are not legitimately elected. Sefilyan considers the
suggestion of Vladimir Putin on returning “the occupied territories”
and to hold referendums in Karabakh and Azerbaijan as pressure upon
Kocharyan.
Mr. Sefilyan thinks only leaving of the present regime as soon as
possible will save Karabakh. Jirayr Sefilyan excludes prospects of
returning the liberated territories. “If the Armenian people decide
that those territories must not be returned, no meter will be given
back”, Sefilyan announced.
By the way, Jirayr Sefilyan liked the statement of Vardan Oskanyan
saying “Karabakh has no price” and his speech. He called other
statements and actions of Authorities as nonsense.

BRAMA (press release), Ukraine News stand – United States
Sept 28 2004
Statement
by H.E. Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
at the General Debate of the 59th session
of the UN General Assembly
New York, 27 September 2004
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping on his
election as the President of the United Nations General Assembly at
the 59th session.
H.E. Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Ukraine at the General Debate of the 59th session of the UN General
Assembly, New York, 27 September 2004
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Let me also pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. Julian Hunte for his
highly professional and fruitful work at the helm of the General
Assembly.
Mr. President,
A year ago the UN Secretary General stressed in this hall that the
United Nations reached a fork in the road.
Today it is still true.
We have a long list of problems, but not a clear vision of how to
deal with them.
To choose the right way, to solve a conflict of wishes and resources,
of desirable and achievable we should concentrate on priorities.
Let me outline Ukraine’s vision of the most important issues, which
the United Nations should focus on.
Tragedy in Russian city of Beslan and other recent terrorist attacks
leave no doubt that fight against terrorism is truly the major
priority.
We express sympathy to the victims and strongly condemn terrorism in
all its forms and manifestations.
The reason behind terrorism is to create chaos, to disrupt the global
system of peace and security established and promoted by our
Organization.
So, we have to act collectively.
We have to overcome old prejudices and to establish a spirit of
confidence and a new culture of international cooperation, which
would embrace the whole spectrum of political, law ,enforcement and
security instruments.
Creation of a new efficient system of information exchange on
terrorism will help prevent new attacks and save priceless human
lives. We support views expressed by previous speakers on the need of
a broader approach to address the complex and interdependent nature
of security.
To prevent terrorist acts and to eliminate roots of terrorism, the
United Nations must promote better understanding, if you wish – a
global rapprochement between different civilizations and religions.
There are universal values of peace and security, which are a
corner-stone of our Organization and which can serve as a basis for a
new atmosphere of tolerance in the world.
Mr. President,
As a country actively participating in Stabilization forces in Iraq
we are concerned with terrorist insurgency and continuing violence
there. Though the situation in Iraq remains difficult, there are some
positive trends.
Ukraine welcomes the transition of power to Iraqi people, formation
of the interim authorities. It is important to ensure effective
implementation of the timetable for comprehensive political
transition process in the country, particularly through holding free
and fair election with the highest possible under the current
circumstances standards. The UN Security Council resolution 1546
(2004) clearly extends a central role to the United Nations in
comprehensive political transition in the country, as well as in the
reconstruction process.
However, the Iraqi crisis and international fight against terrorism
revealed the need to strengthen the United Nations as a key
instrument of safeguarding international peace and security.
Institutional reform of the United Nations, including the Security
Council, which should become truly representative and balanced, is an
important task.
We understand reasons behind suggestions to enlarge the Council in
both categories — permanent and non-permanent and are ready to
consider carefully relevant proposals.
In this respect Ukraine attaches primary importance to allocation of
an additional non-permanent seat to the Group of Eastern European
States.
But the reform must not mean only some structural changes. We should
not embark on it every twenty years, trying to reflect a new balance
of power on international arena.
Universal criteria, common understanding of threats and challenges
are necessary to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of our
organization in the XXI century.
We fully share the views expressed by the Secretary General at the
beginning of the general debate that rule of law should be a priority
both at home and in international affairs.
We are looking forward to the outcome of the High Level Panel on
Threats, Challenges and Changes.
Authority of the UN should be increased, particularly, through its
greater involvement into conflicts prevention and resolution. As the
President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma emphasized, conflict prevention
should become pivotal in the philosophy of the United Nations work in
the new millennium. In our region frozen conflicts in Abkhazia, South
Osetia, Nagorny Karabakh, and Transdnistria need to be solved as soon
as possible.
As one of the major contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations
and the largest in Europe, Ukraine is deeply concerned with
increasing danger to the peacekeeping personnel.
We stand for universal application of the Convention on Safety of the
UN and Associated Personnel and call upon all Member States to abide
strictly by its provisions.
Role of the UN in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament
should be also strengthened.
This year Ukraine will mark the 10th anniversary of its accession to
the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The
landmark decision to eliminate the third largest nuclear arsenal and
relinquish nuclear capability has significantly enhanced
international non-proliferation regime and global security.
We hope that this positive example will be followed by countries,
which entertain ideas of protecting their security through the access
to nuclear weapons.
Mr. President,
All achievements by the international community may become futile
should we succumb to the threat of HIV/AIDS that kills each year more
people than all armed conflicts on the planet taken together.
We highly appreciate the work carried out by the United Nations, its
specialized agencies and personally by the Secretary-General in
combating this pandemic.
Ukraine supports the initiative to hold in June next year a high
level meeting to review progress in the implementation of the
Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
At the same time we believe that millions of our infected fellow
citizens need concrete actions.
We are convinced that HIV/AIDS poses one of the fundamental
challenges not only to human health and well-being, but to the very
security of our world. In this regard we attach particular
significance to declaration by the Organization of a global emergency
alert on fighting HIV/AIDS.
The main focus must be placed on prevention and treatment of the
disease.
As President Leonid Kuchma stressed last year at the high-level
meeting on HIV/AIDS, we need to elaborate a clear system of
encouraging sponsorship of medical projects as well as expand
educational campaign on preventing the pandemic.
A leading role in this regard should be played by mass media. Ukraine
has launched an active mass media campaign with the involvement of
all social groups and is ready to lead regional media movement in the
field of prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Another pressing problem is trafficking in persons, especially in
women and children. Ukraine spares no effort to address it.
This year Ukraine has become a party to the UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime and to its two optional protocols.
However, tackling these issues requires a comprehensive approach and
close cooperation of the international community. We need to create a
truly functioning and efficient mechanism to combine the efforts of
the countries of origin, transit and destination.
Effective strategies to combat human trafficking should be based on
both – law enforcement measures and improvement of economic and
social conditions of potential victims.
Ukraine welcomes the appointment of the Special Rapporteur of the
Commission on Human Rights on trafficking in persons, especially in
women and children, and stands ready to render every support in
implementing respective mandates. Excellencies,
Last year the world observed the 70th anniversary of the horrible
genocidal famine, which took lives of over 7 million of Ukrainian
people. Taking this opportunity I wish once again to express our
gratitude to all States, who signed the Joint Statement on the
Seventieth Anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine
(Holodomor), whose parliaments adopted acts of condemnation and
sympathy, and to all organizations and individuals who took part in
the events to honor the victims of the Great Famine.
International community must thoroughly study this phenomenon in
order to prevent it in the future.
We hope that the newly appointed Special Advisor to the UN Secretary
General on the Prevention of Genocide will also duly focus on this
issue.
Almost two decades have passed since Ukraine was struck by another
tragedy – Chornobyl disaster.
Ukraine together with other interested delegations put forth an
initiative to hold in the framework of the 60th session of UN General
Assembly in spring 2006 a special plenary meeting to commemorate the
victims of Chornobyl disaster.
Ukraine has fulfilled its commitments related to the closure of
Chornobyl nuclear power plant.
What needs to be done today is to construct a new safe confinement.
We expect that funds to this purpose promised by G7 in 1995 will be
fully provided.
Chornobyl remains a burning wound, which proves every day how fragile
is our world and how easily broken is our nature. No one should doubt
our commitment to the preserving of our environment.
That is why Ukraine is so sensitive to environmental protection,
whether it concerns building of roads, construction of new power
plants or reopening of a navigable waterway that existed before.
Mr. President,
There was a fashion some years ago to criticize the United Nations
for inability to solve the most important problems. Today we all come
to this Assembly with ever stronger conviction that there is no
alternative to our Organization.
I am confident, that despite all obstacles and doubts of the past, we
can act for the attainment of the UN goals, common for all of us. Act
swiftly, collectively and with a vision.
I thank you.

EU Commission welcomes Turkish penal code law
BRUSSELS, Sept 28 (Reuters) – The EU’s executive Commission said on
Tuesday it welcomed Turkey’s adoption of a new penal code seen as
crucial to its bid to start accession talks with the 25-member bloc.
“We can of course only welcome the step taken on Sunday by the Turkish
National Assembly,” a Commission spokesman said of the legislation,
describing it as “central element of the democratisation and
modernisation process in Turkey.”
The spokesman repeated EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen’s
comment last week that such a move would allow him to make a “clear
recommendation” to EU leaders on opening entry talks in a report due
to be adopted by the Commission on Oct. 6.
The new penal code will bolster women’s rights and punish torture
more severely.
It was approved at an extraordinary session of the Turkish parliament
on Sunday after the Commission made clear the reforms were a condition
for granting Ankara a green light to start the entry negotiations.
09/28/04 06:53 ET
From: Baghdasarian