Category: News

COOPERATION OF ARMENIA AND RUSSIA UNDER CSTO AT HIGHEST LEVEL
YEREVAN, APRIL 10. ARMINFO. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Secretary
General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay
Bordyuzha, who is on a working visit to Yerevan, discussed the
organizational issues related to the summer summit of CSTO Collective
Security Council in Astana. Speaking at a press-conference at the
Armenian National Assembly today, Nikolay Bordyuzha said that the main
direction of cooperation of the CSTO signatory-states must be the
struggle against terrorism, drugs trafficking and organized crime, as
no military treats exist today. He said that the CSTO currently works
to improve the Russian-Armenian and Russian-Byelorussian groupings
operating under CSTO.
Speaking of the statements by several Russian politologists that the
attitude of the Kremlin to Armenia has become cold, Bordyuzha said
that such statements by analysts are groundless. He said that the
relations of Armenia and Russia are based on mutually advantageous
cooperation. Bordyuzha said that Armenia is an active player both in
the CIS and CSTO structures. “Of course, transport problems of Armenia
hinder its economic development and deepening of the Russian-Armenian
economic ties.” However, bilateral political relations, including the
cooperation of the two countries under CSTO, are at a very high
level,” CSTO Secretary General said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND CSTO SECRETARY GENERAL MEET
YEREVAN, APRIL 10. ARMINFO. Armenian Parliamentary Speaker and Secretary
General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay
Bordyuzha, who is on a three-day working visit to Yerevan, meet
today. The Parliamentary Press Service told ARMINFO that Nikolay
Bordyuzha said that the CSTO works in three directions at present:
foreign policy, global security and international policy and the
cooperation in the OSCE. He said that the organization also works to
deepen the cooperation with NATO. CSTO Secretary General said that the
priority of the CSTO’s activity is struggle against terrorism, drugs
and organized crime. In this context, he emphasized the necessity for
establishing a united contractual base under the CSTO and ratifying
the basic conventions with the CSTO member-countries.

ARMENIA IS AT CROSSROADS: OPPOSITION MP
YEREVAN, APRIL 10. ARMINFO. Armenia is at the crossroads today – either to
return to the middle age or to go ahead to the European values, says
opposition MP Shavarsh Kocharyan. The incumbent Armenian authorities
are trespassing all moral norms up to presenting the prey as the
predator like they did with opposition MP Viktor Dallakyan or
opposition member Aramais Barsegyan. If this continues Armenia will
soon be expelled from the Council of Europe. The country is in an
economic stalemate. It is ruled by shadow and clan economy. The
Karabakh problem has been transformed into a territorial dispute,
which is not acceptable for Armenia. Pres. Kocharyan has “driven a
hedge” between Armenians of Armenia and Karabakh.
The way out of the situation is Kocharyan’s resignation and the change
of the whole system of state administration, the conduct of new, free
and fair elections. The people will no longer allow fraud. Kocharyan
has a chance to either go voluntarily or give his consent to the
opposition-proposed confidence referendum. Otherwise, the popular
indignation will be growing, the military agencies will stop obeying
to criminal orders and Kocharyan will be forced to resign.
Commenting on Kocharyan’s TV interview where he said called
treacherous critical articles in the foreign press Shavarsh Kocharyan
said that having joined the CE Armenia should comply with the European
values and has no right to hide its dirty linen. Unfortunately,
Kocharyan does not understand this and lies when saying that he does
not want to set one part of his people against the other. “He has long
sent against us his electorate – the police, the prosecutor’s office,
the egg-throwers and other skin-head criminals.”

Itar-Tass news digest of April 10:4
MOSCOW – The death toll from the accident at the Taizhina mine in
Osinniki town, the Kemerovo region, has reached 20, a regional
administration source told Itar-Tass.
MOSCOW – Rescuers are trying to reach places where they supposedly can
find miners blocked after the accident in the Taizhina coalmine. The
rescuers are working at two possible escape ways, an officer on duty
at the headquarters dealing with the accident consequences told
Itar-Tass. The nearest way is blocked by rock that caved in, and work
to remove the obstruction is going on. Sixteen people have been
evacuated from the mine by rescuers or got onto the surface
themselves. Two of the miners are hospitalised.
YEREVAN – Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation (CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha has discussed with the Armenian
leadership an agenda of the CSTO’s June session, which is to be held
in Astana, Kazakhstan. During his talks with President Robert
Kocharyan of Armenia he “exchanged views on ways of upgrading
cooperation within the CSTO framework and matters of raising its
efficiency,” a source at the presidential press service told Tass on
Saturday.
YEREVAN – Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation (CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha believes that “the CSTO should
be adapted to the security problems which the CSTO countries are
facing.” “Nowadays our key problems are terrorism, organized crime and
drug trafficking, but not a military threat,” Bordyuzha told a news
conference here on Saturday.
MOSCOW – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak told Itar-Tass
on Saturday that the provisions of the Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI) that U.S. President George W. Bush launched in
Krakow, Poland, last May were getting closer to the Russian
approach. “We are very pleased to note that this plan is generally
developing in a direction corresponding to our views,” the Russian
diplomat said commenting on the U.S. initiative designed to halt the
WMD proliferation. Kislyak said that the PSI authors regarded the
initiative as an attempt to give a collective answer to a global
threat that can be posed by “black markets” in the context of the WMD
proliferation.
CAIRO – A delegation of the Iraqi leadership has arrived in the city
of Al-Fallujah, 50 kilometres west of Baghdad, for negotiations to
stop the fighting between armed residents and the U.S. military. The
delegation consists of representatives of the Iraqi Islamic Party and
one of the Interim Governing Council’s members.
MOSCOW – Ella Pamfilova, the head of the Russian president’s
Commission for Human Rights, believes that Iraq is facing a new
humanitarian catastrophe that calls for immediate and active
U.N. interference. “It is absolutely clear that Iraq is facing a new
humanitarian tragedy, this time on a larger scale, while the United
States is not meeting its commitments of an occupying power under
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483,” Pamfilova told reporters on
Saturday.
YEREVAN – The Armenian opposition demands resignation of incumbent
President Robert Kocharyan. Albert Bazeyan, an opposition leader and
chairman of the Republic party, said the question of holding a
referendum on no-confidence vote for the Armenian president had nearly
been exhausted. The ruling pro-presidential coalition has refused to
include the referendum issue in the agenda of a regular three-day
session of the Armenian parliament. “Robert Kocharyan should go. The
sooner he does, the better,” Bazeyan told a meeting in front of the
Yerevan Opera House on Saturday.

CSTO secretary general meets with Armenia’s leaders
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS
YEREVAN
Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation
(CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha has discussed with the Armenian leadership an
agenda of the CSTO’s June session, which is to be held in Astana,
Kazakhstan.
During his talks with President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia he
“exchanged views on ways of upgrading cooperation within the CSTO
framework and matters of raising its efficiency,” a source at the
presidential press service told Tass on Saturday.
At a meeting with Speaker of the Armenian parliament Artur Bagdasaryan
Borduyzha stressed the need to form a single legal base and ratify the
basic conventions. The secretary general recalled that the CSTO’s
activity is being carried out in three key directions namely the
member-countries foreign policy coordination, global security and
international cooperation.
At a meeting with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan Bordyuzha said that
the CSTO had been generally formed. The organisation takes part in the
U.N. work. The joint military staff has been set up and a mechanism
of the member-countries’ foreign policy coordination has been
approved.
He asked the minister to speed up ratification of agreements signed by
the country within the framework of the CSTO.

CSTO chief describes terror, drugs, organised crime as key threats
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS YEREVAN
April 10, 2004
Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation
(CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha believes that “the CSTO should be adapted to
the security problems which the CSTO countries are facing.” “Nowadays
our key problems are terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking,
but not a military threat,” Bordyuzha told a news conference here on
Saturday.
“We propose the CSTO leaders to define the CSTO’s military component
for the next few years and decide whether we are going to move towards
collective forces or rapid reaction units. We are currently working on
this issue,” the secretary general said.
At the same time Bordyuzha regards the activation of the CSTO military
component as an important direction. He said the upgrading process of
the CSTO military component namely the Russian-Armenian military
grouping in the Caucasus, the Russian-Belarus grouping and the
collective rapid deployment forces in Central Asia was in progress.
“We are acting according to a special plan,” Bordyuzha specified.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian opposition demands president’s resignation
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS YEREVAN
April 10, 2004
The Armenian opposition demands resignation of incumbent President
Robert Kocharyan.
Albert Bazeyan, an opposition leader and chairman of the Republic
party, said the question of holding a referendum on no-confidence vote
for the Armenian president had nearly been exhausted. The ruling
pro-presidential coalition has refused to include the referendum issue
in the agenda of a regular three-day session of the Armenian
parliament.
“Robert Kocharyan should go. The sooner he does, the better,” Bazeyan
told a meeting in front of the Yerevan Opera House on
Saturday. Hundreds of demonstrators, including the participants in a
sit-in strike which the opposition is holding on the Opera’s steps,
listened to his speech.
Bazeyan said that the authorities had closed all entries to Yerevan in
order to prevent the influx of protesters from provinces. All trains
have been cancelled between Yerevan and Gyumri (former Leninakan).
Bazeyan warned that his party would order to organize solidarity
rallies in regions and would organize large columns of demonstrators
to help those who wish to join the rallies in Yerevan, if things
continue to develop according to the same scenario.

ANKARA WILL NOT ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH YEREVAN: TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO BAKU
BAKU, APRIL 10. ARMINFO. In his conversation with journalists in Baku,
Turkish Ambassador denied reported plans of opening state border
between Turkey and Armenia, TURAN reports. He said that Ankara’s
position was remaining unchanged: Ankara would not establish relations
with Yerevan until Armenia does not show willingness to establishment
of good neighboring relations and occupies a constructive position on
Karabakh settlement.
According to unofficial reports, I.Aliyev will visit Ankara on 13-15
April.

CSTO intends to cooperate with NATO in fighting terrorism
ITAR-TASS
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
April 10, 2004
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) intends to
cooperate with NATO in fighting terrorism, drugs trafficking and other
threats, the CSTO’s Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said here on
Saturday summing up his working visit to Armenia.
“Nowadays every country is facing common problems and challenges and
it does not matter if a country plans to enter NATO or is a member of
the CSTO.”
He said, “There is no military threat now but there are totally
different threats instead. Drugs and terrorism are the most
troublesome threats for all countries, including those in the
Caucasus.”
The CSTO leadership understands that “NATO is an active player. This
is a structure which is present both in Central Asia and
Transcaucasia,” Bordyuzha said.
That is why the CSTO “supposes to cooperate with NATO in order to
double efforts in fighting terrorism, drugs trafficking, illegal
migration, trade in human beings, organized crime groups,
proliferation of arms and explosives,” Bordyuzha said.

GIBRAHAYER
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I CALL ON YOU TO SAY A STRONG ‘NO’ President Papadopoulos rejects
Annan Plan
PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos urged Greek Cypriots to reject the Annan
plan outright in the referendum on April 24, saying a â=80=98yes’
votewould lead to permanent partition, and that efforts for a solution
would not stop when Cyprus joined the EU on May 1.
“After judging all the facts and with a full realisation of the
historic moment we live through and my heavy responsibility, I am
sincerely sorry that I cannot sign acceptance of the Annan plan,”
Papadopoulos said at the end of an hour-long speech to the nation.
“I call on you to reject the Annan plan. I call on you to say a strong
‘no’, I am asking you to defend what is right, your dignity and
history,’he added with tears in his eyes. He also said the plan
effectively wrote off the 1974 Turkish invasion and legitimised the
presence of thousands of Turkish troops and settlers on the island.
The President’s 55 minute televised historic speech can be read in its
entirety at
KALAYDJIAN FINDS ANNAN PLAN UNFAIR
Nicosia – Gibrahayer- April 4, 2004. Armenian representative in the
Cyprus Parliament Bedros Kalaydjian finds the fifth version of the
Annan plan unfair. He told Cyprus Weekly that although more
information was required before taking a final position, overall the
Armenians considered the Annan Plan unfair.
Initially, the general consensus among the Armenian community for the
Annan Plan was that we were so close to a solution and we should take
advantage of it. The Armenians believed that a united Cyprus would
mean a vibrant economy and therefore many of us were in favour of the
Plan. We realised that the first ten years after reunification would
be tough but we were prepared to take the burden for it, so that our
children can inherit a better future.
But now we deem – from what we hear and without seeing it – the fifth
version of the Annan plan as an unfair distribution of interests, to
the disadvantage of the Greek Cypriot side and the benefit of the
Turkish Cypriot side, ” Kalaydjian told The Cyprus Weekly.
After EU accession, Cypriot Armenians, expected the island to abide to
European laws but with with the derogation in the plan they found this
is not the case, especially with armies remaining to protect one side
from the other, Kalaydjian said.
For the Armenians of Cyprus, he said, the security issue was a main
concern and the stay of the Turkish army and its right to intervene in
the Greek constituent state is not positive.
Although minority groups, gained a number of advantages with the Annan
plan, and the Armenian community would have full members of parliament
rather than group representatives, Armenians in Cyprus would like to
see a more European and more fairer solution, said Kalaydjian.
Former Attorney General Addresses community gathering
Former Attorney General Alecos Markides was the guest speaker of a
community gathering which took place at the Utudjian Hall of the
Armenian Prelature on March 24, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
There was a good community turnout at the invitation of Archbishop
Hergelian and Armenian representative Bedros Kalaydjian. The topic of
discussion was the future state of affairs in Cyprus as presented BY
the Annan Plan and in particular the rights and the obligations of
Armenian community of Cyprus.
The many questions put forward by members of our community was
evidence that there are still many aspects of the peace deal that are
still unclear and that the community. Attendants of the gathering
were very concerned about the security issues related to the Plan as
well as ownership rights both as a community and as individuals
counting its losses from Turkish occupation for the second or third
time.
TURKEY NOT READY FOR EU MEMBERSHIP
02.04.2004 YEREVAN. (YERKIR). – The European Parliament on Thursday,
April 1 voted with an overwhelming majority in favor of a report
saying that Turkeyis not yet ready to start EU membership talks. With
211 votes in favor and 84 against, MEPs said while Turkey has made
many important reforms since last year in order to meet the political
criteria for EU membership, it still needs to implement the reforms in
many areas. The Euro-deputies had a range of criticisms against the
country – including the continued influence of the army in politics,
the continuing torture practices and the discrimination of religious
minorities. They also raised the question of whether the European
Union can absorb sucha large and relatively poor country. Although
the European Parliament’s report is not legally binding, it will send
a negative political signal to Ankara which lately has become much
more optimistic about its chances of getting the go-ahead from member
states this year. However, the country still has some strong backing
from influential member states – particularly Germany and the UK. The
key question is likely to be whether France will support Turkish
membership.
Yerevan residents for Armenia’s joining EU 02.04.2004
YEREVAN. (YERKIR). – A poll conducted in March among the residents of
Armenian capital Yerevan revealed that 75.2 percent of the residents
of Yerevan favor the idea of Armenia joining the European Union, 17.4
percent are against it, and 7.4 percent are undecided. The poll was
conducted by the European Integration, a non-governmental
organization, in assistance with Germany’s Ebert Fund, in March among
500 individuals over the age 18. Most respondents have said that
Armenia has problems with Turkey and Azerbaijan, and also have
mentioned the non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide by some
European countries – pointing out Great Britain in particular — as a
key issue. The European Integration is planning to hold other polls
too, the next being one on corruption.
AZERI RADICAL GROUP PLANS MARCHING ON TO KARABAGH
AzerNews, Azerbaijan, April 1 2004 – The Garabagh Liberation
Organization (GLO) plans to march to Garabagh on May 8 – the day of
the occupation of Azerbaijan’s historic city, Shusha GLO chairman Akif
Naghi told AssA-Irada that members of the radical group planned to
march from Baku to Afatli village in Aghdam District and further carry
on the protest action in the Armenia-occupied lands of Azerbaijan.
GLO intends to involve representatives from international
organizations in the march which is expected to bring together
hundreds of thousands of people. In December 2003, the GLO demanded
that the government of Azerbaijan take drastic measures against
Armenia by May 8 this year. “If no measures are taken before the
deadline, the GLO has the right to take urgent steps in this respect,”
Akif Naghi stressed.
AZERBAIJAN MARKS GENOCIDE DAY. In a 31 March address to mark
Azerbaijani Genocide Day, President Ilham Aliyev accused Armenians of
pursuing a policyof genocide against Azerbaijanis for the past two
centuries with the aim of driving Azerbaijanis from their territory
and incorporating it into a “Greater Armenia,” Interfax reported.
He said Azerbaijan is working to eliminate the consequences of
“Armenian aggression,” and that he is certain the Karabakh conflict
will be resolved “in keeping with international legal norms.” Genocide
Day was first observed in1998 at the behest of Ilham Aliyev’s father
and predecessor Heidar Aliyev, marking the date in 1918 when
predominantly Armenian Bolshevik forces killed some 50,000 people in
Baku.
DASHNAKTSOUTIUNÂ CALLÂ ARMENIANÂ AUTHORITIESÂ ANDÂ OPPOSITIONÂ FORÂ
DIALOGUE
Yerkir web site, Yerevan, 5 Apr 04 – One of the parties in the
Armenian coalition government has called on the authorities and
opposition to begin dialogue. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation –
Dashnaktsoutiun said in astatement on 5 April that the country was on
the verge of open conflict. It blamed the situation on “the
opposition’s intolerant and extreme position of political disobedience
through non-recognition of the authorities’ legitimacy, on onehand,
and the authorities’ reluctance to fully engage the opposition in the
key issues of the country on the other”.
The Dashnaks said that dialogue should lead to agreement on real
reforms, primarily on an election system that meets international
standards, constitutional reform to enhance democracy and a
comprehensive fight against corruption, the black economy and the clan
system.
The following is the text of the report in English, as published by
Armenian newspaper Yerkir web site on 5 April; subheadings inserted
editorially:
Authorities and opposition to blame for current tension
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsoutiun held a news
conference on Monday [5 April] and issued a statement over the
political developments in Armenia. The following is the full text of
the statement.
The political tension in the republic approaches to the dangerous line
of open confrontation. The further escalation of the situation may
result in destabilization of the country, distort the image of the
state and stop thenormal pace of the country’s development. Public
resentment resulting from socio-economic problems are politically
exploited with an aim to reach a political crisis and swift change of
power.
The tactics of creating political turmoil and environment of
intolerance produces unacceptable internal political relations. The
opposition’s intolerant and extreme position of political disobedience
through non-recognition of the authorities’ legitimacy on one hand,
and the authorities’ reluctance to fully engage the opposition in the
key issues of the country on the other hand, lie in the heart of the
current political tension.
The real reasons for the existing resentment are low efficiency of
solving the problems and hard social conditions. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) completely recognizes and acknowledges
its share of responsibility in this issue.
Political agreement needed
Today, we are in front of the imperative to prevent possible
confrontation, and the best way is to reach a political agreement. The
agreement should be based on awareness and readiness to jointly solve
the fundamental issues ofthe people. Any agreement will be possible if
only there is a will to ensure the opposition’s engagement in solving
the issues and meeting each other halfway. Taking into account the
complexity of the relations in the internal political life, as well as
the degree of the divergence of positions, we are offeringa mechanism
of reaching an agreement.
To discuss the possibility of reaching such an agreement, there should
be a dialogue without pursuing demands that are unacceptable for the
other side. Steps that would divide the society into friends and
enemies, and actions leading to clashes should be avoided.
A dialogue would be fruitful if the following principles are kept;
– the dialogue should be legally based on the Armenian Constitution
and laws;
– the actions of the sides should be strictly within the laws and
constitutional order;
– both sides should moderate their positions;
There should be no winners and losers in the dialogue: either we all
win and ensure rapid and stable development of the country, or we all
lose and face devastating consequences of civil clash.
The intention to ensure real and guaranteed reforms in the country and
in people’s life should be the subject of the agreement. Following
priority issues should be included in the agreement:
– an election system entirely meeting international standards should
be formed;
– constitutional reforms to enhance democratic mechanisms should be
implemented;
– a comprehensive fight against corruption, black economy and clan
system should be carried out.
To guarantee the efficiency of implementing the agreement, the
opposition’s participation should be ensured. It can be in form of the
opposition’s inclusion in the Security Council, in fight against
corruption, as well as making it possible to adopt constitutional and
election reforms through consensus, and other options and solutions
depending on the degree of the agreement.
It is necessary to use the remaining time efficiently for voluntary
concessions. Otherwise, the entire responsibility for future
confrontation will be laid on the side that missed the chance of
agreement. Further developments will force the political forces to
make concessions, anyway.
The political coalition should become the one in charge and the
guarantor of the dialogue and agreement. The ARF strictly condemns any
actions that might push the country to unpredictable external and
internal consequences, and firmly stands in the positions of
maintaining the law and constitutional order; it is ready to back any
constructive initiatives in favour of guaranteed political reforms and
political reconciliation.
THOUSANDS PROTEST IN ARMENIAN CAPITAL AND CALL FOR BIGGER RALLY ON
FRIDAY
AP Worldstream Apr 05, 2004 – An estimated 8,000 opposition
demonstrators gathered for a rally in the center of the Armenian
capital on Monday, and one of the protest’s leaders said an even
larger demonstration to take place Friday.
“A change of power is unavoidable,” Artashes Gegamian, leader of the
National Unity bloc, told the gathering. “Massive acts of protest will
begin April 9.”
Armenia is gripped by an array of dissatisfactions – from poverty to
the unresolved status of the ethnic Armenian enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan – which were aggravated by widespread
complaints that last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections
were fraudulent.
Unidentified youths smashed video and still cameras of several
journalists at the rally.
Some women at the rally circulated among police, giving them
carnations in an apparent echo of the roses given by protesters to
police in neighboring Georgia during last year’s massive
demonstrations that forced President Eduard Shevardnadze to resign.
– Armenia and Iran will sign a final contract in Yerevan in late
April on the construction of a gas pipeline linking the two
countries. Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh will arrive in
Armenia to sign the document.
– President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will travel to Turkey on April
13 for his first visit here since becoming president last year and
will meet leaders in Ankara and have discussions with business circles
in Istanbul.
– Armenians in the diaspora intend to demonstrate outside British
embassies on 24 April, because of comments by British ambassador to
Armenia who said that the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire were not genocide.
– Foreign investment in the Armenian economy stood at 230m US dollars
in 2003. Direct investment was 153m, an 8.9 per cent increase on
2002. Privatization of state enterprises accounted for 43.8 per cent
of direct investment, or 67m dollars.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL
To all subscribers of Gibrahayer, I would like to wish Happy Easter
and thank you all for your substantial moral and constructive
contribution to our weekly e-newsletter.
I would specially like to thank Dr.Nazaret Armenakian of Limassol –
webmaster of – for his continued technical support.
Pari Zadig polorin – Simon Aynedjian – 9 April 2004 – Gibros
g i b r a h a y   c a l e n d a r
– Dzaghgazart was celebrated in all Armenian Churches in Cyprus on
Sunday. Click on the following link to view pictures from the Mass at
Sourp Kevork Church in LimassolÂ
– The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus announces that the next permit
for the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green
line, is scheduled for Sunday April 18, 2004.
– Armenian Easter – which coincides with Greek Orthodox Easter
thisyear – will be celebrated in all Armenian Churches in Nicosia,
Limassol and Larnaca on Sunday April 11, 2004.
– English Day in Limassol Nareg School was organised last
week. Click on the following link to view pictures from the event.
– AYMA wrapped up its obligations in the Cyprus Amateur Soccer
League for 2003 – 2004 season with a 2-2 draw against Ikaroi. Scorers
for the Armenianteam, were Vako Shekherdemian and Chris Eudjourian who
scored from a corner kick.
– The 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide which coincides
with the Annan Plan Referendum of April 24, will be commemorated in
Cyprus, possiblyon the evening of Friday April 23 at the 1915 Genocide
Memorial on Armenia street. Light a candle in memory for the martyrs
of the Armenian Genocide on
– The Larnaca Armenian Club organised a Luncheon on March 7 at
Leonidas Restaurant. Plenty of food, wine, Armenian live music &
kochari. Images of the event can be viewed at
– Former Cyprus Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian was runner up in an
International over 45 Veteran’s Tournament that took place in
Larnaca. Tennis players from the occupied north, many European
countries and Greece participated.
– Six year old Edmond Aynedjian was a finalist in a Pancyprian
under eight tennis tournament at the Cyprus National Tennis Centre in
Makedonitissa. More than 100 players from all towns and ten tennis
clubs in Cyprus participatedin the three-day event. Pictures from the
tournament at
– A Tour to Armenia is being organised by the Central Executive of
Hamazkayin from August 20-September 3, 2004 with the participation of
members and friends from Armenian diaspora communities. Trips to
Karabagh are also scheduled. To receive more info and to apply for the
trip please contact the Cyprus Hamazkayin committee members until
April 31, 2004.
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