Category: News

Iran appoints new ambassador to Armenia
IRNA web site, Tehran
7 Jul 04
TEHRAN
President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami appointed Ali Reza Haqiqian as the
new Iranian ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, the Information and
Press Department of the Foreign Ministry announced here on Tuesday 6
July .
The appointment was made upon a proposal by Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi. Haqiqian had previously served as a Foreign Ministry
director-general as well as Iranian charge d’affaires to Baghdad.

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07/07/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. 28th Annual Navasartian Games End With Festivities 2. No Truth to Withdrawal from Karabagh Territory Says Oskanian 3. Chief Prosecutor Cracks Down on Tax Evasion 4. NEWS BRIEFS 1. 28th Annual Navasartian Games End With Festivities 20,000 attend 29th Annual Homenetmen Navasartian Closing Ceremonies By Jenny Kiljian LOS ANGELES--The 29th Annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games came to a triumphant close on July 4, with a special ceremony at the Grant High School football field, marking the culmination of all activities, as well as the Honorary Presidency of Mr. and Mrs. Charly and Julie Ghailian. Thousands began to enter the field shortly before 6 o'clock in the evening, to secure seats in order to cheer for their chapters during the parade. They were entertained by the Aline dance troupe, who performed the renowned Vagharshabad Armenian dance. The Homenetmen marching band, under the direction of Harout Kilijian, delighted the crowd with its renditions of Armenian national melodies. The closing ceremonies officially began with the arrival of Honorary Presidents Charles and Julie Ghailian, Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian, ARF Bureau member Viken Hovsepian, ARF Central Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Armenia's Consul General to the US Gagik Kirakosian, and 2004 Exemplary Homenetmen members Kapriel and Asdghig Panossian. Homenetmen Television (HTV) personalities Nora Tchaparian and Patil Aposhian-Kassabian served as announcers during the closing ceremonies. Immediately at 6 PM, as they directed the audience to turn attention to the sky, skydivers carrying the American and Armenian flags landed on the field, marking the beginning of the yearly parade. Taking permission from the Honorary Presidents, Regional Scoutmaster Hrair Boyadjian invited the Homenetmen flag guards to enter the stadium, carrying with them 28 Armenian flags, while the Homenetmen marching band roused the patriotism of the crowd by playing the national anthems of Armenia and the United States, and the Homenetmen anthem. Master of Ceremonies Stepan Boyajian asked the audience to stand for a moment of silence in remembrance of recently deceased Homenetmen members, noting especially Haig Hovsepian, in whose honor the year's Overall Event trophies were given. Boyajian also welcomed several special guests, including Glendale City Mayor Bob Yousefian; Glendale City Councilmembers Rafi Manoukian and Frank Quintero; State Senator Jack Scott; Boghos Patatian, Field Representative to State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian; Maria Armoudian, Legislative Analyst for State Senator Richard Alarcon; Glendale Unified School District Board of Education President Greg Krikorian, and Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Jon Lauritzen. In his address, Homenetmen Regional chairman Viggen Davidian congratulated all the teams who had participated in this year's tournament, and also to all the chapter executives, coaches, and parents who volunteered their time and supported their athletes and scouts throughout the year. Davidian charged the more than 7,000 members of the Homenetmen Western Region with the task of not only keeping the Homenetmen athletic and scouting alive, but also with passing the torch of Armenian culture and heritage to the next generation of Armenian youth. Homenetmen Central Executive chairman Karnig Megerdichian came from Lebanon to enjoy the Navasartian festivities with his Armenian-American counterparts. According to Megerdichian, the Western Regional Navasartian Games are a source of pride not only for the chapters who participate each year, but also for the entire Homenetmen family--91 chapters in 10 regions throughout the world. Megerdichian praised the Homenetmen Western Region for its 29 years of hard work and commitment to the Navasartian Games, also thanking the athletes and parents who have kept the fire of the Armenian heritage alive through their participation in Homenetmen. Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian addressed the crowd, reminding the spectators and Homenetmen members alike of their strong connection to the homeland, Armenia. Homenetmen, he said, has not only instilled its motto "Elevate Yourself and Others With You" in the hearts and minds of young Armenians, but has also allowed the Diaspora to maintain ties to the homeland. The 2004 Exemplary Homenetmen Members, Mr. and Mrs. Kapriel and Asdghig Panossian of the San Francisco chapter, were then invited to the stage to receive the award for their unparalleled devotion to the organization. The Panossians thanked Homenetmen for this recognition, and reminded the audience of the important role Homenetmen plays in keeping the Armenian language and spirit alive throughout the world. Then began the much awaited parade, heralded by the Armenian patriotic songs of the Homenetmen marching band. The region's 19 chapters each took their turn around the field, waving to the cheering spectators. Once the chapters had arrived on the football field, the Western Regional chairman Viggen Davidian, Western Regional Athletic Committee Representative Vicken Apelian, Honorary Presidents Mr. and Mrs. Charly Ghailian, and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian took the stage to award this year's Overall Event trophies. After the trophies were presented, the crowd of thousands left the stadium and headed to the festival area, to be entertained by well-loved singers Joseph Krikorian and Harout Pamboukjian. They patronized the booths, ate delicious Armenian food, and danced until midnight, when the Navasartian Games and festival came to its official close. 2. No Truth to Withdrawal from Karabagh Territory Says Oskanian YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Armenia's foreign minister Vartan Oskanian dismissed reports by the Azeri press that he had agreed to the Armenian side's withdrawal from all territories, except Karabagh. Baku Today wrote that Turkey's Zaman newspaper reported on Wednesday, that Oskanian's Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul told a meeting of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday that an important step had been taken in resolving the 16-year-long Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Gul alleged that Oskanian said, "We can withdraw from all territories except Karabagh," during their meeting on the sidelines of NATO summit in Istanbul just last week. When asked about the statement, Oskanian told a Noyan Tapan reporter that no such thing happened, and that Gul's assertion does "not correspond to the facts." 3. Chief Prosecutor Cracks Down on Tax Evasion YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian called for a drastic toughening of punishment for widespread tax evasion in Armenia, saying existing sanctions are "absurdly soft." "Based on Armenia's criminal code, there is a maximum two year prison sentence for tax evasion," he told reporters. "I would say that this is an absurd punishment, a very soft one." Hovsepian said his agency will petition the Armenian government to push parliament to set the maximum jail term for such offenses at 10 years. The existing criminal legislation creates a "serious problem" for the prosecutors investigating fiscal fraud, he added. The current cabinet's tax revenues equaled less than 15 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product last year. Even the most lucrative of Armenian businesses routinely post suspicious financial losses in what many analysts see as an easy way to evade the 20 percent taxation on profits. Armenia's enterprises have claimed as much as 200 billion drams ($376 million) in aggregate losses in 2003, despite a record-high rate of economic growth. Hovsepian revealed that an unidentified person was recently prosecuted for and convicted by a court of tax fraud totaling 7 billion drams. He complained that the man got off with a short sentence and was freed in the courtroom because of the time he had spent in pre-trial detention. Many businesspeople, he said, prefer spending several months in jail to paying up. 4. NEWS BRIEFS Russian Foreign Minister Reports about His Armenian Origin MOSCOW (ARMENPRESS)During a joint press conference held with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had served as Kremlin's longtime representative to the United Nations, revealed his ethnic Armenian roots. Prompted by a reporter's remark about Lavrov's "Armenian-looking" face, the Russian Foreign Minister stated, "I have Armenian blood. My father is an Armenian from Tbilisi." Metropolitan Opera Soloist Isabel Bayrakdarian to Visit Armenia YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)In mid-July Metropolitan Opera singer, Canadian Armenian world famous soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian will visit Armenia. She is expected to also visit Stepanakert, where she will perform on July 24 at the city's cultural house. According to Pan-Armenian Educational and Cultural Union Armenian office head Lilit Galstian, the singer will perform the songs of Komitas, and will be accompanied on the piano by Meruj Krajian. After receiving the Metropolitan opera prize in 1997, Bayrakdarian moved on to place first in the 2000 Operalia contest of Placido Domingo. During the same year, she received a special golden medal from Queen Elizabeth II. Bayrakdarian's voice was recently used for the feature films Ararat and Lord of the Rings. Egoyan's Ararat Wins Top Prize at Yerevan Film Festival YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Atom Egoyan's two-year-old movie "Ararat" won the top prize at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival. The festival included 57 movies by directors from 20 countries. Toronto-based Egoyan is a Canadian of Armenian heritage. In 2003, the film won five Genie Awards in Toronto, including one for best picture. Armenia, Cyprus Sign Health Cooperation Agreement NICOSIA (ARMENPRESS)On Monday, Armenia and Cyprus signed a cooperation agreement in the field of health and medicine. Cyprus Minister of Health Constantia Akkelidou, told reporters after the signing ceremony that numerous exchange visits and other forms of cooperation between the two countries will result from the agreement. "Cyprus has fulfilled an old pledge it gave to Armenia by sending medicine and medical equipments to the country," Akkelidou said. Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Vahram Kazhoyan who represented his country said the two countries have a long history of cooperation in the field of medical sciences and healthcare. "I am glad that we were finally able to sign the agreement which puts all this cooperation in a legal framework," he said. The ambassador added that as a gesture of good will, Cyprus will ship a container of medicine to Armenia in the near future. Imitation Armenian Brandy Operation Uncovered in Russia MOSCOW (ARMINFO)Russian and Armenian investigators recently uncovered an imitation Armenian brandy operation based in the village of Khripan, Russia. It was revealed that the workshop had been producing thousands of bottles of brandy bearing counterfeit stamps of the Yerevan Brandy Company. Fraudulent bottles of brands such as Ararat, Akhtamar and Nairi were being sold through wholesale firms. Operation heads are now facing criminal charges. Khatami Underscores Regional Stability and Peace TEHRAN (ARMENPRESS)At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Iranian president Mohammad Khatami and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili, announced the further expansion of bilateral relations. In his remarks, Khatami noted that although steps towards closer relations have been taken by both countries, they have generally been insufficient. He emphasized the need to expand cooperation in the area of trade and commerce. For his part, the Georgian president referred to Iran as an important and influential country in the world, and said that Tehran is one of Tbilisi's major economic partners. Saakashvili's two-day official visit will end on July 8. Kocharian Delivers 'Constitution Day' Address YEREVAN (ARMINFO)On July 5 the Armenian public celebrated the 9th Anniversary of the Armenian Constitution. In his message, President Robert Kocharian noted that the "adoption of the Constitution encompasses a historic significance for any nation and state. The Constitution has become a strong impetus for fundamental reforms in the Armenian legislation, as well as for reinforcement of the people's power and establishment of the supremacy of law. Celebrating the Constitution Day we, as citizens, celebrate the Day of our rights and liberties." Pakistani President to Visit Azerbaijan BAKU (ARMENPRESS)Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will arrive in Baku on an official visit on Thursday. According to news reports, Pakistani and Azeri experts have been working to draft five documents that are expected to be signed during the visit. The documents outline future cooperation in the fields of commerce, agriculture and finance. Group of Armenian Journalists Visit Armenian-Azeri Contact Line YEREVAN (ARMINFO)On Tuesday, a group of over 70 Armenian journalists visited the Armenian-Azeri armed forces contact line. The group visited the north-eastern grouping of the Armenian army near the villages of Berkaber (Armenia) and Mizamlu (Azerbaijan). It was there that two Armenian servicemen were killed by Azeri snipers early last month. Azeri media reported that 7 Azeri servicemen were also killed. According to Armenian Defense Ministry reports, the skirmish began after Azeri soldiers attempted to capture a reservoir that supplies water to four Armenian villages. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

525ci.com
7 July, 2004
Nagorno Karabakh problem not to be settled by any third party, Solomon Passi
Zabil Mugabiloghlu
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s summer session is hold in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The yesterday’s speech of Mr. Linkoln from Kanada followed by discussions on
“Security and cooperation.” Eldar Ibrahimov. Member of the Azerbaijan
delegation to OSCE PA told 525 that he made a speech during the discussions
and informed the parliamentarians about the Armenian aggression. According
to him, he informed the PA members about 20 per cent of the Azerbaijani
lands remain under Armenian occupation and the occupied territories are out
of the control. “I informed the PA members that Armenians are using the
occupied Azerbaijan territories for drug trafficking. I called them to
pressure on Armenia’s aggressive policy.”
Sattar Safarov, another member of the Azerbaijani delegation has asked Mr.
Solomon Passi, acting chairman of the OSCE to report what kind of works he
has done for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem since his 6 months
activity at the current position. Mr. Passi said that he has visited the
region and got familiarized with the current status of the settlement of the
conflict. “I think that the Nagorno Karabakh problem may not be settled by
any other third party. You yourselves have to solve your problem. Both of
the countries have to find political will to solve this problem.”
The OSCE rapporteur on NK conflict had to report about the problem
settlement yesterday. However, according to Ibrahimov he hadn’t submit the
report yet.
Solomon Passi
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU envoys, Azeri Speaker discuss development of cooperation
Turan news agency
7 Jul 04

BAKU
Milli Maclis (parliament) Chairman Murtuz Alasgarov today received
Janez Potocnik, commissioner in charge of the EU’s European
Neighbourhood Policy, and Heikki Talvitie, special representative of
the EU in the South Caucasus.
During the meeting, Alasgarov said that as a country which respects
European values, Azerbaijan had joined many European conventions and
brought its legal system into line with European standards.
Speaking about the Karabakh issue, Alasgarov condemned the fact that
representatives of international organizations, including Talvitie,
have visited Nagornyy Karabakh without the Azerbaijani authorities’
permission. He objected to Talvitie’s view that Karabakh is
“developing”. He asked: how can we talk about development when
Karabakh has turned into a hotbed of terrorists and illegal drug
smugglers?
For his part, Potocnik praised Azerbaijan’s adherence to a peaceful
settlement to the conflict. Speaking about Talvitie’s mission, he said
that one of his tasks is assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group.
Also, touching upon the prospects for Azerbaijan’s cooperation with
the European Union, Potocnik said that the EU had allocated 400m euros
to Azerbaijan and plans to grant another 30m. He also explained that
the development of cooperation does not mean the country’s admission
to the EU. Azerbaijan should resolve many problems to achieve this,
above all, it should eradicate poverty and curb corruption. Also, the
EU can help the country resolve these problems.

US envoy urges democratic institutions in Azeri exclave
Turan news agency, Baku
7 Jul 04

Naxcivan, 7 July: The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish, who
is now visiting Naxcivan [Autonomous Republic], has held a press
conference. “It is high time” to open democratic institutions in
Naxcivan, Turan news agency quotes Harnish as saying. This question
was discussed during his meeting with the chairman of Naxcivan’s
Supreme Council, Vasif Talibov.
Harnish also said that he is aware of the opposition’s hunger strike
in Naxcivan and has discussed this issue with Talibov.
He confirmed that he had said in an interview with the Guardian
newspaper that the Azerbaijani law-enforcement bodies obtain 80 per
cent of confessions through torture. He said that the US State
Department’s annual reports also discuss this issue in detail.
Journalists asked him about the decision of the US Congress to
allocate 5m dollars to Nagornyy Karabakh. Harnish said that this
humanitarian assistance will be spent on refugees. He said that
Azerbaijan will be given 13m dollars for refugees living in camps.
Harnish also spoke about the security of the Caspian basin. He said
that the USA is drafting a new programme to ensure that the Caspian is
secure from weapons of mass destruction.
He also spoke of his meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Youth,
Sports and Tourism Abulfaz Qarayev. The USA will allocate a grant of
1.5m dollars to develop tourism.
A hospital for the disabled will open in Naxcivan, Harnish said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Study Shows Impressive Progress in Developing Independent Media in
Southeast Europe But Continuing Obstacles for Central Asia’s Media
WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire/ — In the newly released Media
Sustainability Index (MSI) 2003, IREX documents dramatic improvement
for the media environments in the countries of Southeast Europe during
the last year. In Central Asia, however, independent media continued
to face serious obstacles to development. The study also shows the
Caucasus region has witnessed gradual progress while, on average,
independent media development stagnated in Russia and the Western
Eurasian countries.
The MSI indicates:
* Croatia is the closest to independent media sustainability for 2003,
with the highest average score of any country reviewed.
* Uzbekistan has the lowest average rating of all 20 countries, and
Central Asia on average is the least hospitable region for independent
media.
* Armenia shows slowly but steadily improving scores, mirroring gradual
improvement in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
* Belarus’ ranking dropped below its starting point in 2001.
The Media Sustainability Index is the only study that looks at the
entire media system in each of 20 countries in Southeast Europe and
Eurasia. The MSI analyzes freedom of speech, plurality of media
available to citizens, professional journalism standards, business
sustainability of media, and the efficacy of institutions that support
independent media. The MSI features country-by-country rankings using
a proven methodology and detailed input from media professionals in
the 20 countries. The study also offers a comparison of trends from
2001 to 2003 in order to show which countries have improved, where
backsliding has occurred, and what can be expected going forward.
The MSI, funded by USAID, offers a valuable tool for media development
practitioners, public officials, scholars and others concerned about
the region’s media. The new MSI 2003 can be found at
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is an
international nonprofit organization specializing in education,
independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs.
Through training, partnerships, education, research, and grant
programs, IREX develops the capacity of individuals and institutions
to contribute to their societies.
SOURCE International Research & Exchanges Board
CO: International Research & Exchanges Board; IREX
ST: District of Columbia, Russia
SU: SVY NPT FOR
Web site:
07/06/2004 11:42 EDT

Transitions-online () announcement
The state of democracy in Armenia
With Emil Danielyan
Moderator: Nicole Rosenleaf Ritter
Wednesday, July 7, 2004; 04:00 pm CET
In his recent article “A Dictator in the Making,” noted Armenian analyst
Emil Danielyan writes that repression against the political opposition “is
turning Armenia into a vicious police state where human rights are worth
nothing when they threaten the ruling regime’s grip on power.” Do you agree?
Mr. Danielyan will be on hand in a live discussion on Wednesday, 7 July, at
4:00 p.m. CET to discuss the situation in Armenia and to answer your
questions. Emil Danielyan works for the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
bureau in Yerevan, where he is a correspondent and editor of daily news site
He is also a frequent contributor to TOL and
other publications covering the post-communist region. Join in the
discussion on the 7th, or submit a question in advance at

ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 6 2004
Russian FM Segei Lavrov and his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian
focus on Nagorno-Karabakh settlement

MOSCOW, July 2 (Itar-Tass) – Russian Foreign Minister Segei Lavrov
and his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian are discussing ways to
settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
`Russia is ready to help settle the conflict and take on the role of
a guarantor to an agreement the two parties will come to,’ Russian
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said earlier. `The
conflicting parties should find a compromise to resolve the problem.’
The two parties are expected to discuss cooperation in the CIS
format, including in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation
(CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC). They will also
discuss pooling the two foreign ministry’s efforts to improve the
situation in the Northern Caucasus.
Bilateral trade and economic cooperation are on the top of the
agenda. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, in 2003 trade
turnover between Armenia and Russian grew by 34.5 percent to reach
203.3 million U.S. dollars. Russian exports went up by 33.5 percent
to reach 126.6 million U.S. dollars and imports by 36 percent to
reach 77.1 million U.S. dollars.

Associated Press
July 6 2004
‘Ararat’ film wins top ‘Golden Apricot’

Canadian director Atom Egoyan poses before the screening of his
film “Ararat,” at the 55th International Film Festival in Cannes,
southern France on May 20, 2002. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
YEREVAN, Armenia — Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat” won the top prize at
the Golden Apricot Film Festival of works by ethnic Armenian
directors, officials said Monday.
The festival included 57 movies by directors from 20 countries.
Egoyan is a Canadian of Armenian heritage.
The film depicts the plight of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. Armenians
say that a 1915-1923 campaign to force Armenians out of eastern
Turkey left 1.5 million people dead and amounted to genocide. The
title refers to the mountain that Armenians regard as their national
symbol but which now lies in Turkey.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 6 2004
EU COMMISSIONER YANESH POTOCHNIK ARRIVED IN BAKU
[July 06, 2004, 22:53:44]
The EU commissioner on enlargement issues Yanesh Potochnik has
arrived in Azerbaijan, 6 July.
In the frame of his visit, the guest will meet Prime Minister of
Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz
Alaskarov, foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov, as well as
representatives of political parties.
Discussed are expected the issues of Azerbaijan’s integration to
Europe, the priorities of Europe New Neighborhood Policy, ways of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict and
others.
Mr. Yanesh Potochnik is also to visit the children house in Saray
settlement of Absheron district.