Category: News

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-926-8733
[email protected]
www.armeniat ree.org
Contact: Jeffrey Masarjian
August 18, 2004
ATP to Participate in Upcoming UN DPI/NGO Conference in New York City
WATERTOWN, MA – Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been invited to attend the 57th
Annual United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental
Organization Conference (DPI/NGO) to be held at the UN headquarters in New
York City. The conference will be held from September 8-10 and is titled
`Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action.’
The conference will focus on the roles of NGOs as well as civil society and
governments for implementing the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
adopted by the UN assembly during its high-level millennium session in 2000.
ATP was invited to participate in the conference in association with the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) as well as the Armenian Assembly of
America. Representing ATP will be Executive Director Jeffrey Masarjian.
The MDG target areas that ATP specifically focuses on in Armenia through its
multi-faceted environmental restoration efforts include poverty alleviation,
hunger reduction, sustainable development, and reversing the loss of
environmental resources through reforestation programs.
ATP has already begun implementing ambitious programs in the villages of
Aygut and Dzoravank located in the Getik River Valley aimed at restoring the
environmental integrity of the surrounding areas while jumpstarting the
local economic development of rural communities. Village residents are
provided economic incentives for fostering the growth of tree seedlings to
be transplanted in nearby decimated forests, thereby helping to reduce
poverty. ATP also provides resources to local schools for teaching
fundamentals about environmental protection and is also strengthening
communities by helping to create fruit and nut orchards, which will provide
greater food security and economic development. Mr. Masarjian will outline
these and other ways that ATP is contributing to the development of civil
society in Armenia during a panel discussion with representatives of two
other NGOs.
Conference delegates will attend five plenary sessions with UN agency, NGO,
civil society, and governmental leaders to assess the challenges associated
with meeting each of the goals by the target date, set for 2015. That same
date marks ATP’s goal to have planted 15 million trees throughout Armenia.
Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has been dedicated to restoring,
revitalizing, and protecting Armenia’s environment, while simultaneously
alleviating the socioeconomic burdens facing its people. Thus far, over
531,000 trees have been planted and restored under ATP’s guidance throughout
Armenia. By 2006, ATP programs will have the capacity to produce and plant
over 1 million trees per year.
For more information about ATP, please visit

Armenian National Institute
122 C Street, NW Suite 360
Washington, D.C.  20001
Phone: 202-383-9009
Fax: 202-383-9012
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
August 18, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail:[email protected]
ANI HELPS LAUNCH EDUCATION PROGRAM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Armenian National Institute Director, Dr. Rouben Adalian, was in London,
Ontario, August 9-10, to help launch the General Romeo Dallaire Summer
Institute on Teaching the Holocaust and Genocide.  Named in honor of the
Canadian commander of the United Nations peacekeeping mission for Rwanda,
Dallaire warned superiors of the impending genocide in the country to no
avail.  Despite UN reluctance to authorize him to take action, Dallaire, of
his own volition, took measures that saved the lives of up to 40,000
Rwandans.
Since his retirement from service, Lieutenant-General Dallaire has become an
outspoken proponent of the need for humanitarian intervention in predictable
instances of genocide and mass violence, as well as a persuasive defender of
the argument that genocide is preventable.
Dallaire was also honored by civic and other community leaders the evening
of August 9 with a public dinner at the London Convention Center where Dr.
Adalian paid tribute to Dallaire’s personal campaign to continue to remind
the world of the lessons of the Rwandan Genocide ten years after its
occurrence, while ninety years after the fact the Armenian Genocide is just
being recognized.  For his contributions to preventing crimes against
humanity, Dr. Adalian described Dallaire as “a champion of humanity.”
Spearheaded by the Association for the Elimination of Hate, the summer
institute for teachers was convened at the University of Western Ontario,
and the inclusion of the Armenian Genocide component coordinated by the
International Institute for Human Rights and Genocide Studies, a division of
the Zoryan Institute of Toronto, Canada.
Focusing on the challenges of teaching about genocide, Dr. Adalian provided
teachers extensive background to the Armenian Genocide and introduced them
to the many educational resources now available through the ANI Web site
(), including the teachers resource book newly
issued by Facing History and Ourselves Foundation.
Following Major Brent Beardsley’s presentation on the Rwandan Genocide, Dr.
Adalian compared the Armenian, Jewish, and Rwandan experiences.  Beardsley
served as Dallaire’s second in command in Rwanda.  “I was particularly
honored by General Dallaire’s participation in the session on the Armenian
Genocide,” Adalian added.  “It was an opportunity to share views on the
subject with a distinguished and courageous individual, who himself was a
witness to genocide.”
The Armenian National Institute is a Washington-based organization dedicated
to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Montclair State University
Upper Montclair , New Jersey
*Contact: Bob Quarteroni *
Aug. 2, 2004
*Papazian named Dean of MSU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences*
* *
*MONTCLAIR, N. J*. – Dr. Mary A. Papazian of Michigan has been named
Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State
University, announced Dr. Richard A. Lynde, Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs at MSU. Papazian has been serving as Associate
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University in
Michigan, where she has been employed since 1988.
Papazian’s appointment was approved at the June MSU Board of
Trustees meeting. She begins at MSU Aug. 16.
Papazian has been Associate Dean of Oakland University’s largest
academic unit since 1999. Offering more than two-thirds of all courses
at the university, the College is home to 240 full-time and 200-part
time faculty members and has a yearly operating budget of $25 million.
During her tenure, Papazian developed and gained approval for academic
programs ranging from the Ph.D. in biological communication to an M.A.
in liberal studies and bachelor degree programs in studio art and
women’s studies. She served as the university’s coordinator for the
annual Meeting of the Minds undergraduate research conference; as
ombudsman for faculty and students; and as Executive Director of the
Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, where she developed an
assessment of the current state of performing arts at Oakland and a plan
for its future. She taught English literature starting in 1988, was
named associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 2003.
“We are delighted that such a talented and visionary administrator,
teacher and scholar has joined the leadership team at Montclair State,”
Lynde said. “Mary’s guidance and vision at the largest of MSU’s
Colleges and Schools will prove invaluable as we continue our efforts to
elevate the University’s academic and programmatic offerings to the very
highest level.”
Papazian said, “Montclair State University is on the cusp of a new
era that will carry it to great heights. I am excited to have the
opportunity to assist the University, and its faculty, students and
administrative leadership team in reaching that goal. The dynamism,
enthusiasm and excitement of a University reaching its potential as a
truly great institution is contagious. I cannot wait to get started.”
Papazian was also chair of the Phyllis Law Googasian Award
Committee at Oakland University; and chair of the College of Arts and
Science’s Committee on Appointment and Promotion. In addition, she
participated in ongoing fund-raising activities; chaired the Teaching
Excellence Award Committee; and was a member of the University Senate,
Honor’s College Council and the executive committee of the university’s
affiliate of the American Council of Education Network for Women Leaders.
An active writer, researcher and conference speaker, Papazian was
editor of “John Donne and the Protestant Reformation: New Perspectives,”
published by Wayne State University Press in 2003 and has two additional
books nearly complete. She also has contributed numerous articles on
John Donne and the early modern period to books and journals such as
/Modern Philology/ and the /John Donne Journal/. In addition, she
recently was elected second vice-president of the John Donne Society.
Papazian earned her B.A. in English literature in 1981; her M.A.
in 1983 and her Ph.D. in 1988, all from the University of California,
Los Angeles. She will be moving east with her husband, Professor Dennis
R. Papazian, a long-time scholar at the University of Michigan, Dearborn
with expertise in the history of the former Soviet Union and its
successor states (particularly Armenia), and her two daughters, Ani (10)
and Marie (five).
Additional information on MSU’s College of Humanities and Social
Sciences may be found on the University’s website at
<;. <> MSU is New Jersey’s second largest and fastest growing
university. It offers the advantages of a large university — a
comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad
variety of superior graduate programs, and a diverse faculty and student
body — combined with a small college’s attention to students.
More information on the University is available on its website:

Armenian government, telecoms operator negotiate in London
Haykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
17 Aug 04
Text of Vahagn Hovakimyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Haykakan
Zhamanak on 17 August headlined “They’re negotiating little by little”
Representatives of the Armenian government and the ArmenTel company
have been negotiating since 9 August in London. The Armenian
government is represented by Justice Minister David Arutyunyan,
ArmenTel by the company’s chief executive officer, Vasilios
Fetsis. The parties are refusing to make any comments on the
negotiation process. However, some information is provided by
unofficial conversations.
In particular, what is most important for the government is to take
back the monopoly given to ArmenTel in the sphere of cellular
communications, which can be considered already done. The developments
showed that ArmenTel does not want to struggle for a de jure monopoly
in the sphere of cellular communications any more, as it is able to
achieve its objectives without this juridical status. Thus, it is not
a surprise that the issue of losing the cellular communication
monopoly will be discussed during the negotiations only from the point
of view of possible ways of interrelations with a new operator.
In relations with ArmenTel, the second important task is bringing the
company back under control. That is, it is necessary for the company
to take no action without the government’s agreement, especially in
tariff policy. Our sources characterize the government’s goal in the
following way: ArmenTel must obey. All the remaining issues, such as
the digitization of stations, upgrading of Internet communication and
others can be considered secondary. For example, there is no doubt
that if ArmenTel does not increase the tariff per minute of fixed
communication, the government, in its turn, can forget about an
improvement in the quality of communications for some time. In the
given case the introduction of a tariff of eight drams per minute is
in question. It is a highly explosive issue for the Armenian
government. However, there is no doubt that in this issue the
government can only gain time at best. That is, in the course of the
negotiations, the government will have to come to an agreement on
tariffs, which means that subscribers will be informed in the near
future when these tariffs, a cause of general horror, will be applied.
According to specialists, the government may only gain time up to the
beginning of next year at best. Our sources close to the government
characterize the negotiations as a “war”, i.e. if the parties have
started negotiations, it does not mean that they are going to yield
their positions, and the past week of the negotiations is evidence of
it. At the same time, it should be noted that in this period, the
negotiations have been slower and the reason is the Olympics in
Athens. However, on the other hand, it is connected with other
circumstances as well. In particular, ArmenTel wants to deprive the
government of its trump card related to cellular communications, that
is, to overcome the deficit in the sphere. Thus, it is not accidental
that ArmenTel restarted the system of prepayment for cellular
communications, the provision of Easy Cards, yesterday in
Yerevan. Thirteen service points will distribute 200 numbers daily.
Easy Cards are provided to those registered during previous
months. However, ArmenTel does not specify what it will do next after
provision of the numbers. According to unofficial data, ArmenTel
intends to make uninterrupted provision of the cards, thereby
liquidating their deficit on the market.

Armenian electricity output up in first half of 2004
Noyan Tapan news agency
17 Aug 04

YEREVAN
In the first six months of 2004, Armenia generated 3,215.4m kWh of
electricity, which is 17.3 per cent more compared with the same period
of last year.
The Armenian nuclear power station increased its output by 150 per
cent, the hydro-electric power station by 5 per cent and the thermal
power plant by 37 per cent, the Armenian national statistics service
has reported.
[Passage omitted: minor figures]
Also, the volume of thermal energy generated during the reported
period stood at 289,500 gigacalories, which is 128.9 per cent more
compared to the last year.

Azerbaijan relies on own forces in fight against terrorism – foreign minister
Ekho Moskvy news agency, Moscow
18 Aug 04

There is still room for negotiations and the sides can achieve
progress in the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in a live broadcast on Ekho Moskvy
radio on 18 August following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey
Lavrov in Moscow. Russia, being a mediator in the talks, is
responsible for finding a speedy solution to the problem, he
said. Terrorism is a major threat to the country, and Azerbaijan
relies in the first place on its own forces in the fight against
international terrorism, the minister said. Speaking about the
country’s oil policy, Mammadyarov said that Russian oil giant LUKoil
was an important player on Azerbaijan’s oil market. The following is
the text of the interview by Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy on 18
August; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
South Ossetia
Azerbaijan believes that the situation around South Ossetia should be
resolved within the framework of Georgia’s territorial integrity,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said in a live
broadcast on Ekho Moskvy radio.
“Georgia is our strategic partner and a very close trade and economic
partner, we have very similar positions on many issues in
international relations,” he said. At the same time, Azerbaijan calls
for a peaceful settlement of the conflict around South Ossetia. “War
is too a radical solution to the issue,” Mammadyarov said.
Oil
“Following the reforms to build a market economy in the country,
energy exports have acquired a commercial nature,” Elmar Mammadyarov
said. He said that increasing the volume of Azerbaijani crude
transported via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline was discussed at talks
with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday [18
August]. But both sides understand that “this depends on commercial
costs”, Mammadyarov said.
It is not important for Azerbaijan in principle companies of what
countries work in the country’s energy sector, everything is defined
by the “tariff policy” – ” those who offer better terms get
contracts”, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.
He also said that [Russia’s] LUKoil was still “quite an important
player on Azerbaijan’s oil market”. In particular, “joint development
of a number of fields in the Caspian” is under way.
The construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will end in the
second quarter of 2005, Mammadyarov said. He added that up to 70 per
cent of the pipeline has been built so far. He said that this was
“quite a complicated project” because the pipeline will go through
many countries.
Karabakh
“We want the Minsk Group to be more active in the settlement” of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.
The OSCE Minsk Group “has the potential that it has to use and put
into action. We expect the co-chairs of the group – the USA, France
and Russia – to be more actively involved in the negotiations,” he
said. “These super powers should make consistent efforts to resolve
the problem,” he noted. Russia, as a co-chair of the Minsk Group, “is
responsible for finding a speedy solution to the issue,” Mammadyarov
stressed.
Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Mammadyarov said
that there still was room for negotiations and that “we can achieve
some results if the sides wish”.
The problem of displaced persons has to be resolved within the
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, Mammadyarov
stressed. “According to available information, Armenia is settling
people on the occupied territory”, which could result in a conflict if
some progress is achieved during the talks, he said. “If Armenia is
carrying out a purposeful programme on settling people on that
territory, then it can provide support to families,” Mammadyarov
said. In any case, this issue should be solved within the framework of
international law, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.
Terrorism
Azerbaijan views terrorism as a major foreign threat, Mammadyarov
said.
He said that this could be explained in the first place by the
country’s geopolitical position. A total of 32 terror acts have been
carried out in Azerbaijan since the collapse of the USSR, Mammadyarov
said.
At the same time, the Azerbaijani foreign minister said that
Azerbaijan and Russia stuck to similar positions in the fight against
international terrorism. However, in the fight against international
terrorism “Azerbaijan will rely in the first place on its own forces”,
Mammadyarov stressed.

Our Man in Armenia
The Virginia Gazette
August 18, 2004
By Paul Aron
WILLIAMSBURG — In 1619, “Martin the Armenian” arrived in Jamestown. The
Virginia Company sent him because of his expertise in manufacturing
silk. That venture failed, since Virginia proved better suited for
growing tobacco than mulberry trees.
The Armenian connection was renewed last week, when John Evans, who grew
up in The Colony on Lake Powell, was sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to the
Republic of Armenia. The country is in western Asia and borders Turkey,
Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Evans, who was born in 1948, attended Matthew Whaley and James Blair
before going to St. Andrew’s School in Delaware and Yale University.
His early experiences played a key role in his decision to become a
diplomat. “Growing up in Williamsburg inclined me to study history,” he
said. “And Williamsburg was a common first stop for heads of state.”
Evans joined the foreign service in 1971. He has worked at the embassies
in Moscow, Prague and Teheran. He was deputy director of the Soviet desk
at the State Department during the Carter administration.
Evans first became involved with Armenia in 1988, when he helped
coordinate American rescue and assistance efforts after a big
earthquake. He won a
humanitarian award from the Soviet Armenian government.
In 1994 he became U.S. consul general in St. Petersburg, where he got to
know Vladimir Putin, then deputy mayor and now Russia’s president.
President Bush nominated Evans for the ambassadorship in May. The Senate
confirmed him in June, and he was sworn in Aug. 11. He leaves this week for
Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
Among the challenges he’ll face are the ongoing tension between Armenia
and neighboring Azerbaijan, and the nation’s poverty. Armenia receives
the largest per-capita level of U.S. assistance of any country in Eurasia.
“The main goals of my mission will be to promote security and stability,
economic growth and the development of democratic institutions,” Evans said.
He also hopes to work with Armenian-Americans, a politically active
community.
As Evans’ work took him around the globe, his parents continued to live
here. Frank Evans, an English professor at William & Mary, died in 2001.
Margaret Evans, an artist and active member of the Williamsburg Garden
Club, died earlier this year.
,0,5933562.story?coll=va-news

Macedonia beats Armenia 3-0 in World Cup qualifying
.c The Associated Press
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) – Goran Pandev, Artim Shaqiri and Velice
Sumulikoski each scored as Macedonia beat Armenia 3-0 in a European
World Cup Group 1 qualifier on Wednesday.
Pandev began the home team’s rout before 10,000 at City Stadium by
easily penetrating Armenia’s defense and sending a long shot past
late-reacting Armenia goalkeeper Armen Ambartsumyan.
In the 38th, Macedonia star midfielder Shaqiri used a swift pass from
the left to dribble through the defense for a solo goal.
In the second half, Armenia focused on defense, managing to repel a
barrage of enthusiastic attacks by the Macedonians – but only until
the 90th when Sumulikoski capitalized on a convenient pass from
Pandev.
Armenia captain Hartyun Vardanyan was red-carded in the 72nd. He was
trying to return the ball to his goalie when Pandev sneaked from
behind, snatched the ball and an exasperated Vardanyan pushed
him. Referee Anton Genov of Bulgaria promptly punished the captain.
Lineups:
Macedonia: Petar Milosevski, Vanco Trajanov (Aleksandar Vasovski, 67),
Goce Sedloski, Goran Stavrevski, Vasko Bozinovski, Aleksandar
Mitrevski, Velice Sumulikoski, Draganco Dimitrovski (Igor Jancevski,
46), Mile Krstev, Artim Shaqiri (Goce Toleski, 82), Goran Pandev.
Armenia: Armen Ambartsumyan, Yeghishe Melikyan, Karen Dokhoyan
(Alexander Teteosian, 80), Sargis Hovsebyan, Hartyun Vardanyan, Romik
Khachatryan (Karen Alexandyan, 46), Artur Petrosyan (Ara Hakobyan,
67), Rafayel Nazaryan, Albert Sarkisian, Artavazd Karamyan, Andrey
Movsesyan.
08/18/04 16:31 EDT

Boy, 8, in freeway accident still in coma
Pasadena Star News
Article Published: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 – 9:06:33 PM PST
Boy, 8, in freeway accident still in coma
Funeral services for other victims set
By Marshall Allen , Staff Writer
PASADENA — An 8- year-old Pasadena boy remains in a medically induced coma
after a rollover accident last week in which he was hurled from a sport
utility vehicle onto the Gold Line tracks and hit by a train.
Three women, including the child’s mother, Lena Khodaverdian, 41, were
killed and two others critically injured in the one-vehicle accident. The
crash happened about 10 a.m. Thursday on the eastbound Foothill (210)
Freeway just before the Madre Street exit.
The group of eight was from the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church in
Pasadena. They were traveling to a picnic at the Santa Fe Dam R ecreation A
rea in Irwindale when they crashed for unknown reasons. The California
Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Only two people in the SUV, including the driver, were wearing seat belts.
They sustained minor injuries and have been released from the hospital.
Two other women remain in critical condition one at Huntington Hospital and
the other at Los Angeles C ounty- USC Medical Center said Azniv Ailanjian,
the church’s secretary.
The boy lost his foot when he was hit by the train, and he also sustained
head and chest injuries, authorities said. He is being treated at County-USC
Medical Center, where doctors are trying to diagnose any potential brain
injury, Ailanjian said.
Khodaverdian’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn-
Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.
The memorial service for Alice Basmadjian, 82, is scheduled for 11 a.m.
today at the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church, 1536 Washington Blvd.,
Pasadena.
Services have not been finalized for Hrepsimi Hadadjian, 77, the third woman
killed in the accident, Ailanjian said.
Funds have been established to help the victims. Donations sent to the
Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church will go to the victims with the greatest
needs. Checks should be made out to the church.
Christ Armenian Church in La Crescenta has established a fund for the boy’s
family. Checks should be designated for “Lena’ and sent to 3857 Foothill
Blvd., Suite 158, La Crescenta, CA 91214.
Marshall Allen can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4461, or by e-mail at
[email protected]

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
OREGON CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Membership Jumps to 133
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly welcomed the official announcement
today that Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total to 133. The news follows an
August 10 district meeting with the Armenian Assembly held August 10 in
Portland, Oregon.
“As the congressional representative of many Armenians in Portland, I’m
proud to be the latest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, an ever-growing group of those of us in Congress who want to give
these issues the attention they deserve,” said Congressman Blumenauer.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues and the members of the
Armenian community in my home town and around the world on issues of
importance to Armenians,” he continued.
Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, who led this week’s meeting,
said: “We welcome Congressmen Blumenauer’s membership to the Armenian
Caucus. He brings experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the Caucus and
we look forward to working with him and his congressional colleagues on
issues pertinent to the community.”
“Assembly supporters worked closely with our Los Angeles staff to encourage
the Congressman’s membership to the Caucus,” Kaimian continued. “I would
especially like to thank activists Greg Geokjian and Les Margosian for
participating in this meeting and advocating on behalf of our issues.”
Congressman Blumenauer, who has represented Oregon’s Third Congressional
District since 1996, is a well-known supporter of Armenian-American issues.
As such, he has urged President George W. Bush to appropriately acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide, voted to maintain Section 907 of the Freedom Support
Act and supported the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.
The Congressman also serves on the International Relations Committee and is
a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He joins fellow
Oregon lawmaker, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR) in representing
Armenian-American interests on the Caucus.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-073
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
Caption: Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR.)