Category: News

A1 Plus | 14:07:49 | 25-03-2004 | Politics |

DID OPPOSITION UNITE?

After long negotiations Opposition took a decisive step to unite. “Justice”
Bloc and “National Unity” made a statement to act jointly. Here we represent
the statement.

“Justice” Bloc and “National Unity” Party undertake the responsibility to
head the processes directed to meeting the nationwide demands, i.e.,
elimination of the illegal regime, establishment of the constitutional order
in the Republic of Armenia and the lawful power. For that purpose both parts
reconciled to together hold a public disobedience rally not later than April
13. The meeting term will be announced on April 5. That day “Justice” Bloc
and “National Unity” will appear with a joint statement.

We reconfirm our resoluteness to fight up to power change is carried out in
the country.

—

A1 Plus | 15:28:30 | 25-03-2004 | Social |

“ASPAREZ” CLUB DISCUSSING “A1+”

To discuss the details of the attitude of Shirak District and Gyumri social
activists to “A1+” TV Company rally to be held on April 2 and participation
in it “Asparez” Club of Journalists initiates an open discussion on March 29
inviting Shirak District journalists, the representatives of TV Companies,
Radio Stations, newspapers, social organizations, parties, other social
unions, local government, territorial management, officials and all the
active citizens concerned about democratization blocking in Armenia, and the
problems of speech, press and expression.

—

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“GENOCIDE, IMPUNITY AND JUSTICE”
AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
IN ANTELIAS, LEBANON
(22-23 APRIL, 2004)

As per our previous e-mail, we’ve informed you that an International
conference on Genocide, Impunity and Justice which has been initiated by His
Holiness Aram I and organized by the Armenian Cathoilcosate of Cilicia, will
take place in the Headquarters of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, in
Antelias, Lebanon. We’ve already informed you that during this conference
the Armenian Genocide (1915) and the Rwandan Genocide (1994) will be
presented as two different cases of impunity. An international body of
scholars, politicians and academicians will take part in the conference.
Also a framework will be provided for people coming from different religions
and backgrounds to discuss this question in a spirit of creative dialogue.

We have limited space to accommodate those interested in this conference.
You may fill out the attached Application Form, or contact us at
[email protected]

IMPORTANT: Please note that each participant shall pay ALL her/his
expenses. You may make your hotel reservation by contacting the White
Tower Hotel.
WHITE TOWER HOTEL
Tel / Fax: +961 1-878231
E-Mail: [email protected]

##

Application Form:

***********

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

A PAN-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE
ON ARMENIAN EDUCATION
IN ANTELIAS

ANTELIAS, LEBANON – With the initiative of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia a major conference will take place on Armenian education from 5-7
August 2004 in Antelias, Lebanon. The conference will deal with a number of
issues and challenges, pertaining to Armenian education in the Diaspora.

The main subject of discussion will be the Armenian School and the way the
Armenian education is organized and provided in the daily schools. This will
include textbooks, Armenian courses, the curriculum, the status of teacher,
pedagogical methodologies, extra-curriculum activities, etc.

The conference will also attempt to look at the Armenian formation in a
broader context by dealing with the ways the new generation is formed
through the church, the family, clubs, organizations, etc. What does it mean
to be Armenian in a Diaspora situation? What kind of Armenian should we form
to confront the new challenges, risks and hopes of new times, and how such
an Armenian must be prepared? These and related questions will be seriously
addressed by the conference which will bring together about 70 selected and
experienced educators and intellectuals from different parts of the Armenian
Diaspora.

His Holiness Aram I will address the conference and will personally attend
all its sessions. The Armenian Department of the Gulbenkian Foundation will
take part in this conference and contribute financially. The minister of
Education of Armenia will also address the conference and a delegation from
Armenia will be invited to attend the conference.

All those who want to get more information about the conference can get in
touch with the Information and Communication Department of the
Catholicosate:

e-mail: [email protected]
fax: +961 4- 419724
tel: + 961 4- 410001

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 22, 2004

CHESS TOURNAMENT WILL BECOME TRADITIONAL

In spite of all the efforts of Azerbaijan to hinder the organization
tournament, on March 8 the International Chess Tournament started in
Stepanakert devoted to the 75th anniversary of the 9th champion of the
world Tigran Petrossian. Ten grand masters from Switzerland, Poland,
Latvia, Russia, Iran and Armenia participated in the tournament. From
March 8 to 17 Artsakh was in the center of attention of the
chess-players of the world. Not only those present but also the
visitors of the web site, whose number was over 30 thousand, could
witness the events of the tournament. March 17 was the day of the
ceremony of official closing of the tournament with the participation
of NKR prime minister Anoushavan Danielian, members of the government,
participants of the tournament. During the ceremony the guests watched
a film about the tournament. The guests and participants were
presented with souvenirs. The medal “Gratitu! de” was conferred on the
tenth champion of the world Boris Spassky for his contribution to
development of chess in Artsakh. The first referee of the tournament
Anatoly Bikhovsky announced the names of the winners. The winner of
the international chess tournament in Stepanakert became Karen Asrian
with 6 points of the 9. The second place was taken by the
representative of Poland Bartolamei Manea with 5.5 points, and Gabriel
Sarghissian took the third place. During the closing ceremony NKR
prime minister Anoushavan Danielian thanked in the name of the NKR
president, the National Assembly and the government all those people
who contributed to organizing and holding the tournament. He
especially thanked Boris Spassky, the tenth chess champion of the
world. The prime minister announced that the tournament will become
traditional and the participants and guests of the tournament will be
invited to take part in the next tournament. The tenth champion ! of
the world addressed the participants of the tournament who ! witnessed
interesting games during 9 days and expressed regret for one of the
participants who had to stop his participation in the last round for
certain political reasons. “It seems to me that this tournament became
a kind of political “shooting gallery”. I am not an expert in this
field and cannot state who is right and who is wrong. I did my duties
concerning chess. I don’t know whether I managed to be useful but next
time if I come to Karabakh we will not meet similar difficulties and
the tournament will go on in a calmer and more favourable situation,”
said Boris Spassky. Swiss champion Yanik Peletier who won the sympathy
of the audience, confessed that he arrived in Artsakh as a chess-player
and not as someone who is interested in politics. At the end of the
ceremony grand master Karen Asrian answered our questions. The young
chess-player mentioned that this is his third victory. “I often visit
Karabakh because my fathe! r was born here and we have many
relatives. I am glad that this time I arrived as a chess-player and
succeeded. I will say that the tournament was held on a high level due
to the NKR authorities and the leadership of the Armenian academy
“Chess” whom I thank,” added Karen Asrian. Stepanakert parted with the
participants of the tournament with the anticipation of meeting again
next year.

ANAHIT DANIELIAN

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 22, 2004

THE MAN AND HIS CAUSE

One of the honourable representatives of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, reverend Parghev archbishop Martirossian became fifty of age.
It is not easy to write of a person who himself is living history, the
honest tribune of his nation and time. Reverend Parghev is a religious
figure, artist, soldier, tribune, a true man at the same time. Who has
once seen him, felt at once what a large soul and human sensitive
heart he has. Reverend Parghev Martirossian was born on March 20,
1954. His parents are from Chardakhlu. In 1966 his family moved to
Yerevan. He finished the physics and mathematics school N 132 and
entered the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. But an inner voice directed
him towards the spiritual and cultural creativity. He continued his
education at the Valery Brusov Institute of Foreign Languages and
graduated from the department of Russian philology in 1976. His final
paper on “The Master and Margarita of M. Bulgakov” was awarded t! he
gold medal, the first prize of the USSR. Then he worked as a teacher
in the village Yeghegnut, Armavir region of Armenia, served in the
Soviet army. In 1980 he entered the Gevorgian seminary of Edjmiatsin
and graduated with an excellent final paper on the “Echoes of
Zoroastrianism in Armenian Manuscripts in the 5th c. and the Struggle
Against It”. In 1985 he was ordained priest. In Sanct Petersbourg he
defended his thesis and received the degree of candidate of
science. By the order of Catholicos Vazghen A he worked at the
Gevorgian seminary as senior tutor. In 1988 he was ordained archbishop
and headed the Diocese of Artsakh. The activities of reverend Parghev
overlapped with the national awakening, the liberation movement, a new
Avarair, which had its new Ghevond Yerets in the face of reverend
Parghev. He did everything that Artsakh were Armenian and free, that
the bells rang and the light of the creative Armenian spirit was not
e! xtinguished. Due to him already the doors of 23 churches are o! pen
to people. His role is effective on the international arena, in the
solution of the problem of Artsakh and the connections between
Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora. Since 1992 he has been
among the active encouragers and participants of all the marathons for
restoring the country Artsakh. Reverend Parghev was elected member of
the Supreme Religious Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church, member
of the International Academy of Social Sciences, since 1999 he has
been directing the Armenian “Round Table” of the World Religious
Council. Due to his efforts were founded the theological center
“Gandzassar”, the “Ekeghetsasirats” children’s union, the
24-hour radio channel “Vem”, the Center of Christian Education and
Preaching, the construction of the seminary of Gandzassar is being
carried out. Owing to his efforts and the decision of the Artsakh
authorities the subject The History of the! Armenian Church was
introduced to the schools of Artsakh.

GAGIK YERNJAKIAN

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 24, 2004

NEW PIECE ON POLITICAL CHESSBOARD OF AZERBAIJAN

Among the `129 lucky people’ granted amnesty by president Ilham Aliev
on March 17 the former prime minister of Azerbaijan Suret Huseynov was
released from the prison of Gobustan. After being released S.
Huseynov prayed over the tomb of Heidar Aliev and then laid flowers on
the monument to the victims of the Karabakh war. In his interview to
the newspaper `Zerkalo’ Huseynov mentioned that he read a lot during
the 7 years of imprisonment. `I had a lot of time to analyze
thoroughly how it is possible to achieve the development of Azerbaijan
and overcome the economic crisis in the country,’ he said. He
mentioned that his isolation from the society was predetermined by
Allah. `For this reason I do not condemn Heidar Aliev and I think that
every Mohammedan must well realize the rules of Islam. Accursed be
those who defy Allah,’ said the former prime minister mentioned that
if the society demands, he will go into politics. `Don’t you believe
in carrying out reforms with the former team of government” Huseinov
was asked. `The former team is unable to undertake anything. There is
need for another team with new thinking, a new perception of human
rights. A society must be formed where the public opinion will be
respected. The parliament must be legitimate in order for the society
to believe and trust it. I am well-aware of the past elections and I
think that if the upcoming parliamentary election is held in
accordance with democratic methods, a society will be formed in
Azerbaijan about which I mentioned,’ said Huseinov. And added, `Before
taking part in the election I must be announced innocent. To realize
my innocence common logic is enough. Why should the prime minister
need to organize a coup d’etat in a town which is 360 km far from the
capital. A prime minister planning a coup could do it in Baku. I spoke
about this to all the foreign representatives with whom I met,’
mentioned Huseinov. The former prime minister also spoke about
Karabakh. `The problem of Nagorni Karabakh is difficult but also
easy. Personally under my direction 220 settlements were liberated in
Karabakh. After these actions the honourable title of national hero
was conferred on me. The question occurs why our troops approached
within 17 km from Khankendi and could not advance any more. At that
time we read in Russian newspapers that Azerbaijan was going to attack
in the direction of Aghdam. This is what happened. But it turns out
that it was a maneuver and the real opposition started from the region
of Shahoumian to Khachinchay. 220 settlements were liberated under my
commandment. While we had success in Karabakh, the agreement of Alma
Ata was signed. The OSCE Minsk Group was founded to defend the
Armenians in Karabakh whereas we had attacked them. The minister of
foreign affairs then Tofik Gasimov signed the agreement of Alma Ata on
July 17 and at three o’clock in the morning with Panah Huseinov they
came to me in Yevlakh. They informed that Azerbaijan had signed the
cease-fire and the war was over. I was angry and turned them out. They
started creating outposts together with the Armenians from Ghazakh to
Dashkesan. I wanted them to realize that the international community
today is occupied with other affairs and if we liberate our
territories we shall take a revenge on the Armenians for ousting our
300 thousand compatriots,’ said Huseinov emotionally. `I have never
sought for power and did not even want to become a prime minister,’
finished his speech the former prime minister of Azerbaijan, to whom
the country authorities have ascribed many blames. We did not just
quote this big passage from the interview of Huseinov. Analyzing these
sensitive questions which he dwelled on in his first interview we may
be sure to state that the international community is preparing an
opponent, or even an heir to Ilham Aliev. First of all because
Huseinov was released under the pressure of the Western
organizations. Second, at the exit of the prison he already spoke
about the legitimacy of the government in Azerbaijan and
democratization, as if following someone’s instruction. Apart from
everything he sets forth radical Islamic ideas. Forth, in opposite to
the present authorities he states that the Azerbaijani refugees from
Armenia counted 300 thousand and not 800 thousand; for this one has to
have a strong back. And finally, he openly speaks out that his primary
task is the liberation of Karabakh. Obviously a new piece has appeared
on the political chessboard of Azerbaijan who is now in a strong
position and through which someone is going to checkmate somebody. The
interesting thing is how the grand maters of chess are going to use
Huseinov, as a victim perhaps, because the radical Islamic
announcements of Huseinov do not at all fit into the anti-terrorist
campaign of the `liberators’, the big players of the West.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 24, 2004

IDEA OF COMMON STATE IN CYPRUS

On March 7-14 the group of 19 Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists
visited Cyprus. The visit was organized by the press clubs of Yerevan
and Baku within the framework of the program `The possibilities of
settlement of the Karabakh conflict: evaluations of experts and
coverage in the mass media’. The implementation of the project was
assisted by the network program of the mass media of the Open Society
Institute. The organization of the visit was favoured by the office of
press and information of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Cyprus, the
press service of the embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Russia, the
chairman of the union of journalists of Cyprus Andreas Kannauros, the
press and information service of the government of North Cyprus. The
aim of the visit of the representatives of the mass media of Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Nagorni Karabakh was to observe the problem of Cyprus
from inside and also an attempt to compare with the actualities of our
region. According to the editor of the `Weekly Bulletin’ of the
Yerevan Press Club Elina Poghosbekian, `The changing atmosphere of
both the north and the south of Cyprus inspire optimism. It is more
difficult to foresee whether we the Armenian and Azerbaijani
journalists who appeared on the hospitable island of Aphrodite will be
able `to learn to walk again’. Thus, it is too early to draw parallels
with the South Caucasian actualities. The other aim of our visit was
the discussion of ways of further cooperation between the mass media
and the unions of journalists of these countries.’ The history of
negotiations for the unification of North and South Cyprus started in
1947 is apparently approaching its end. If on March 22 the direct
dialogue between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and
the Turkish community of the island does not have any results, then
within the framework of the project of the Secretary General of the UN
Kofi Annan the negotiations will involve the guarantor countries
Greece and Turkey. In case of failure in that stage too Kofi Annan
will extend his final suggestions. And if this program is not accepted
by the parties either, the question will be solved by a referendum in
the north and the south of the island, which will probably be held on
April 21. The thing is that after the military coup in Athens on April
21, 1967 and the seize of the power by the `black colonels’ on July
15, 1974 an attempt was made to unite Cyprus and Greece, which was
followed by the deployment of Turkish forces in the island. On April
23, 2003 free moving was allowed by the so-called `green’
(demarcation) zone. According to the spokesman of the government of
the Republic of Cyprus Chrisostomides, after opening the border every
day about 10 thousand Turkish and Cypriot people cross it, and during
all this period no skirmish has been reported. Free passage has
enabled the Turks of Cyprus to receive the passport of the Republic of
Cyprus. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of
Cyprus, since April of 2003 13.5 thousand people for the North have
received passports. Since May 1, 2004 the Republic of Cyprus will
become a member of the European Union and consequently the borders of
free passage will be enlarged considerably. However the home minister
of the Republic of Cyprus pays no less importance to the fact of local
significance: since April of the same year 34 thousand Turkish
Cypriots have received internal passports. According to him, only in
their archive there are data concerning issuing such passports to 115
thousand Turkish Cypriots. `Our meeting with the prime minister of the
internationally non-recognized state of the Turkish republic Mehmet
Ali Talat took place on the eve of his visit to Ankara where he was to
have consultations with the government of Turkey. Turkey is the only
country which has officially recognized the Turkish Republic of
Cyprus,’ writes Elina Poghosbekian. The prime minister confesses that
the situation that North Cyprus is not recognized yet cannot last any
longer. Nothing good may come out of it if South Cyprus is admitted to
the European Union whereas the north is not, he added. The president
of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus Rauf Denktas has radical
position and demands founding a confederation of two independent
states. The variant of Rauf Dengtas is absolutely unacceptable for the
Greek Cypriots, however, as prime minister Talat mentioned, there are
questions seriously bargained for. There is the question of the fate
of the settlers from Turkey, who outnumber the native Cypriots, to be
solved. Their exact number is not known; according to the Greek party,
their number is 125-130 thousand, whereas the Turkish party says they
form 35 % of the 200 thousand population of North. Of the people
settled in the island who may stay and who will have to leave after
receiving a compensation? What will be the size of the compensation?
What will be with the further presence of the foreign forces (Turkish,
British and Greek) in the both parts of the island? The home minister
of the Republic of Cyprus Christu assures that the unification will be
through economic relations, which are becoming more effective after
opening up the `green’ zone. `In my opinion, the unification will
require 6 million pounds. One thing is clear: without donors we cannot
supply the living of the population,’ said Christu. The annual income
of the Cypriot Greeks (16 thousand dollars per capita) surpasses the
annual income per capita of not only the Cypriot Turks but also of the
`old’ members of the European Union Greece and Portugal. Will the
Greek community say `yes’ during the referendum? The home minister of
the Republic of Cyprus is convinced that the economic relationships of
the communities with the institutional circles established by the
European Union will enable a rapid settlement of the problem. `Having
a bitter but instructive experience of co-existence we will again
learn to walk.’ The `star time’ of Cyprus is expected on May 1. Will
it on this red date of the calendar enter the European family united
or the 30 years of division will last? Little time is left. We will
only add that in Cyprus Karabakh was represented by the members of the
Stepanakert press club Gegham Baghdassarian and Narineh Aghabalian.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 24, 2004

MELKONIAN SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED IN JUNE 2005

By the decision of the office of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
the Melkonian school in Cyprus will be closed in June 2005. The basis
for this decision was the belief of the AGBU that this educational
institution failed its essential task to increase the knowledge of the
students and instill moral values in them. The school founded in 1926
had a humanitarian mission in the beginning, sheltering the Armenian
children who had lost their parents during the genocide of the
Armenians. Instead of the school the AGBU plans establishing a
secondary school for the Armenian children of Cyprus, as well as
founding youth complex Melkonian in Armenia to enable the young
representatives of the Armenian Diaspora to visit their historical
motherland.

AA

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 24, 2004

REVIVING FOOTBALL TRADITIONS IN ARTSAKH

These days Gagik Tsatrian, once a popular football player of `Ararat’
of Yerevan, graduate of the Moscow high school of coaches, is in
Artsakh. Our compatriot has been living in Russia for 15 years
already, where he worked with Russian football clubs. Currently he
lives in Karelia, where along with running his business he works as a
sport advisor. Every year Gagik Tsatrian visits his motherland. This
time he arrived for the occasion of the 50th birthday of his former
teammate, former football player of Karabakh Karlen Simonian. In 1977s
these two football players together with their teammates in `Karabakh’
they won the title of champion of Azerbaijan. Wecan only imagine what
difficulties they had to overcome to achieve this title. As in all
the other spheres of life in Azerbaijan football was also an area for
discrimination. It is notable that after this victory the football
federation of Azerbaijan dismissed the coach of the team Razmik
Petrossian labeling him nationalist and appointed an Azerbaijani in
his place. During our talk Gagik Tsatrian mentioned that since the
1960’s the Artsakh sportsmen were in a real struggle with the Azeri
nationalism because the concealed conflict between the Turks and the
Armenians went on also in the field. Unfortunately in the recent years
football in Artsakh has regressed if not to say it has lost its former
popularity. The reason is perhaps that no more serious football
matches are held in the stadium of Stepanakert. And this has a purely
political explanation: NKR is not recognized. Whereas football fans
remember that in the 1970-80 certain matches of the Cup of the USSR
were held here, and not only those with the participation of
Azerbaijan. According to Gagik Tsatrian today in Karelia, where he
works, international matches are held. In the context of the
International Chess Tournament held in Stepanakert the necessity of
developing this sport also becomes apparent. Especially that Artsakh
has football traditions, we only have to revive them. There are no
difficult problems if the way of solution has been found. At the same
time he expressed anxiety concerning the present situation of this
sport in Karabakh. He mentioned with pity that the former glory of
`Karabakh’ Karlen Simonian, who after leaving sport trained teams, now
is left without any work. Such specialists, he said, cannot be left
out of the game. And in general, according to him, it is inadmissible
to make such persons victims of intrigues. G. Tsatrian enumerated the
names of the people who could contribute to the restoration of the
potential of football in the republic. In any sport it is possible to
organize international tournaments in Artsakh. One of the hindering
reasons is the absence of adequate sports grounds and halls. Last year
after the international competitions of table tennis the NKR vice
minister of education, culture and sport G. Balayan also raised this
question. Only a year passed but it became possible to organize a
high-level sports event. This tendency may only arouse positive
anticipations. And again returning to the topic of football and making
a conclusion from the concerns of Gagik Tsatrian and the formulation
of Gary Balayan, we will mention an important circumstance: the
solution of the question requires comprehensive state
assistance. Having the example of the recently held chess tournament
let us remember that sport is the ambassador of peace in the world and
one of the effective factors favouring the recognition of the
country. In addition, Gagik Tsatrian is ready to employ his
possibilities and relations in Russia for the realization of such a
program.

SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN