Category: News

UCLA Daily Bruin
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Freedom rings for Armenia
By Garin Hovannisian
DAILY BRUIN COLUMNIST
[email protected]
YEREVAN, Armenia – On July 4th Americans celebrate the signing of the
original document that sparked and symbolizes the fight for
U.S. independence. It is the celebration of a people’s independence
from the oppressive rule of a foreign government.
But on the opposite side of the globe, in a land-locked country called
Armenia and in its immediate and distant neighboring countries, there
is a different type of independence that cannot yet be celebrated. It
is the individual’s independence from the oppressive rule of his own
government.
The fall of the Soviet Union gave the various countries of Eastern
Europe the national independence that is necessary for a strong
society, but that did not guarantee the individual independence
necessary for the strong citizen.
This is the unfortunate reality that I have come to accept (but not
agree with) during the course of my stay in Armenia where facts of
family and heritage bring me every summer. Armenia, a small country
between the Black and Caspian seas, is the historic homeland of
Mt. Ararat, where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed. Its people have
survived genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish government and
oppression in Soviet gulags. But it often appears that the Armenian
people might not survive the corruption and thuggery of its government
– a government run by a terrible president, adjudicated by a crooked
justice system and sponsored by the mafia.
I believe strongly however, that a sense of, or want for freedom is
fundamental to human nature. So on the 4th of July, at 6 “o’clock”, I
set out on my mission to find freedom in Armenia.
My younger sister and I picked up my friend Ruben, a tall, dry-humored
law student, and went to a play named “David of Sassoon Copperfield,”
which satirized the fact that Armenians like to believe, if only
jokingly, that all important people are Armenians.
The play revolved around the imagining that David Copperfield the
magician was in reality David of Sassoon, an Armenian folk hero. There
was a bit of freedom there, but surely there was more to be found. So
we took a 20-minute drive to Ararat golfing range where a prominent
Armenian American family was hosting an Independence Day
celebration. The gathering was complete with hamburgers, hotdogs,
jazz, U.N. and U.S. ambassadors and late-night fireworks. Freedom
could be felt here too. But was it a bit forced?
After dropping my sister back at home, Ruben and I met up with some
friends at Armenia’s striking Opera House, which is surrounded on all
sides with booming cafes and outdoor restaurants. It is the heart of
Armenia’s nightlife.
At midnight, hundreds of people gathered around the projection TV of
one of those cafes to watch the European Cup soccer championships
between Portugal and Greece. The Armenian people are wholly different
from Americans in their approach to sports. Instead of rooting for the
underdog, Armenians cheer for the favored team. Though Greece and
Armenia share a common history and culture (which is why I was rooting
for them), the viewers at first cheered on the Portuguese. But time
would change that.
Almost an hour into the match, Greece scored the only goal of the
game. The reaction of the crowd was indescribable, but I’ll describe
it anyway. It was as if, for that moment, nothing else mattered or
existed. It was as if for that moment those Armenians were bound
neither to state nor shady laws. It was as if for that moment
everything was free in Armenia. In the victory of a foreign team, the
Armenians of the Opera House saw a reason to celebrate.
Even the Portuguese fans now put their glasses with ours and made
toasts. To Greece. To Armenia. To Independence. Ah, sweet
independence.
In the first hours of the new day, we walked the streets of Armenia
which at night seem like they come from a Disneyland ride.
We ended up at Republic Square, the cross-section of several major
streets and the site of government buildings, banks, water fountains
and the Armenia Marriott.
At the center of the square, dozens of people had gathered with Greek
and Armenian flags. The Syrian-Armenian Hovik, who was the big
Portugal guy at our viewing at the Opera, led the Greek fans in a
chant and run around the square.
Overhead, a full moon peaked at the Armenians through a clouded
sky. It saw scores of cars circling around the center strip and
honking horns, a group of winners and more winners singing anthems and
yelling in joy and a philosophical author who had found what he was
looking for.
I knew that the next day Armenia would be dismayed again. But in that
moment, I did not care. For while the United States celebrated
independence on one continent, Armenia experienced the exact same
thing on another.
It celebrated the most important meaning of Independence Day – the
independence of the individual.
What will happen to these lonely countries here on the other side of
the world, I do not pretend to know. But as long as there is hope and
a will to be free, freedom will be.
Hovannisian is a second-year history and philosophy student. E-mail
him at [email protected]. Send general comments to
[email protected].

Raleigh Biblical Recorder, NC
July 6 2004
To the ends of Armenia
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor
AGARAK, Armenia – The journey from Yerevan to the southern Armenian
town of Agarak involves a tortuous eight-hour drive that begins and
ends with pleasant hills and valleys, but climbs over three tall
mountains in between, one of them more than 10,000 feet in elevation.
The roads are narrow, crooked and often filled with deep potholes
that reduce speeds to a crawl and feast on a steady diet of broken
shock absorbers.
Just getting to Agarak is a major challenge. Other cities with larger
populations would be much easier targets for church planting. So why
make the considerable effort of planting a church near the very end
of Armenia?
The answer is apparent to Asatur Nahapetyan, who believes Armenian
Baptists should follow the Great Commission wherever it leads. Agarak
sits on the north bank of the Araks River at the southernmost point
in Armenia: beyond the narrow river lies the country of Iran.
Armenia and Iran have an open border that allows a steady stream of
truck drivers and tourists to pass freely between the two countries.
Visitors to Iran are not allowed to share their faith in Christ
openly – but the same restrictions do not apply while Iranians are
traveling in Armenia.
Nahapetyan sees Agarak as a strategic outpost where Iranian visitors
can experience the hospitality of Armenian Christians, learn of
Christ, and perhaps take a copy of the New Testament back home with
them.
The Baptist church in Agarak sponsors a chess club where pastor
Slavik Vartanyan, a former chess champion, offers lessons and holds
tournaments as a means of acquainting others with the church.
Individual believers share New Testaments in the Farsi language with
truckers and tourists who stop to buy fuel or food.
Multiple Iranians have come to trust Christ as a result of the
outreach efforts, Nahapetyan said. He is hopeful that Iranian
believers will take their newfound faith back home, sharing their
experience with others and possibly establishing churches in their
country.
To receive his seminary training in Ashtarak, Vartanyan had to ride a
public bus for eight hours or more, twice every week during the
school years. The effort required was considerable, but he and other
Armenian Baptists are willing to do what it takes to carry the gospel
to the ends of Armenia – and beyond.

ArmenPress
July 6 2004
KOCHARIAN VISITS MOSCOW JULY 2-4
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
was in the Russian capital of Moscow from July 2 to July 4 for an
unofficial meeting of the CIS presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Uzbekistan, Moldova, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The presidents discussed integration processes among CIS members,
preparations for a CIS summit in Astana in September, issues of
mutual interest and joint celebrations of the 60th anniversary of
victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. On the sidelines of
the meeting Robert Kocharian had a meeting with Georgian president
Mikhail Saakashvili to discuss further development of bilateral
relations, particularly, a range of issues pertaining to stepping up
economic ties and regional problems.
On July 4 Kocharian met with the secretary of the Russian security
council Igor Ivanov to discuss Russian-Armenian ties, regional
problems and the Karabagh conflict. Kocharian was present at horse
races together with other CIS leaders at a Moscow race track.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
July 6 2004
AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS REFUSE COMMENTS ON GUL’S STATEMENT
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: In a comment on Armenian foreign
affairs minister Vartan Oskanian’s visit to Moscow, an Azerbaijani
daily Ekho writes that “Oskanian indeed has a lot to discuss with his
Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, especially in the light of an
article published by a Turkish daily Zaman.’
The Turkish daily quoted Turkish foreign affairs minister Abdullah
Gul as saying last Friday that “an important step has been taken
towards resolution of the 16-year-long Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.”
Gul reportedly said during the meeting of the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) that his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian had said
during a meeting on the sidelines of June 28029 NATO summit in
Istanbul that “We can withdraw from Azerbaijan’s all territories
except Karabagh.” The Turkish foreign minister pointed out that his
Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov welcomed Oskanian’s
statement.
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry refused, however, on Monday to
comment on Gul’s statement saying the trilateral meeting between the
foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey was of a
consultative nature. Another senior Azerbaijani official, Novruz
Mamedov, the chief of presidential staff, said it was early to
evaluate the report in Zaman. “The trilateral meeting in Istanbul was
held behind the closed door,” he added saying that “we shall have to
wait until Elmar Mamedyarov, who is now in Brussels at NATO
headquarters is back home.”

ArmenPress
July 5 2004
PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF CONSTITUTION
DAY
YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS: Dear Compatriots: I extend to you my
congratulations on the occasion of the Constitution Day. 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. The existing Constitution has proven
its vitality on many occasions. Its resolute implementation
guarantees the rule of law and stability in the country. On the other
hand, within our society has matured the necessity for improvement
and bringing the Constitution in line with the contemporary needs.
Once again congratulating you on the occasion of the Constitution
Day, I transmit to you my belief, that the Basic Law of our country
will be improved and will serve the people of Armenia for a long
time.

ArmenPress
July 5 2004
PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARIAN’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF
CONSTITUTION DAY
YEREVAN, JULY 5, ARMENPRESS: Dear compatriots, I congratulate you
on the occasion of the Constitution Day of the Republic of Armenia.
By adopting the Basic Law of the Republic of Armenia in 1995 our
state and people expressed their resoluteness and determination to
take the path of integration with the civilized world, consolidation
of democratic values and building the civic society.
The Constitution has undoubtedly promoted further establishment of
our independence and sovereignty in the passed years and ensured also
domestic and external stability in difficult situations. However, the
life is advancing and new realities are making their demands of the
society and the state, which, naturally, should be fixed in the Basic
Law.
However, it is important that constitutional reforms be
implemented in the atmosphere of consistency of political forces, be
fully comprehended and find the support of the entire society. And
only in that case the Constitution will perform its main role of
ensuring our citizens’ prosperity and solidarity, protection of basic
human and citizens’ rights and freedoms in conformity with
internationally declared principles and norms and make our
long-cherished national dreams and goals come true.
I am confident that as a result of the reforms, to be carried out
through our joint efforts we shall eventually have a Constitution
that will be the main guarantor of prosperity of our state and
society.

ArmenPress
July 6 2004
ARMENIAN AGRICULTURE SET TO RECEIVE $10 MILLION LOANS IN 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: Agricultural minister David Lokian
said last week the government is set to receive two new credits in
2005 to direct them to agric lure development. The main components of
the credits, according to the minister, are leasing of technologies
and machine building.
The minister said the government will provide 25-50 percent loan
guarantees to farmers in order to ensure collaterals for small and
medium- sized enterprises dealing with agriculture. He also said new
loans will be made available at lower interest rates. “President
Kocharian has directly instructed the Central bank and the ministry
that the interest rates must not exceed 10 percent,” the minister
said, adding that this issue must be also reconciled with World Bank.
A World bank representative in Armenia said the anticipated amount
of loans is approximately $10 million.

ArmenPress
July 6 2004
16 ARMENIAN CITIZENS QUALIFY FOR OLYMPIC GAMES
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian tennis-player Sarkis
Sarkisian has become the 16-th Armenian national qualifying for
Olympic Games in Athens this summer. Two other ethnic Armenians,-
David Nalbandian from Argentina and Magdalena Maleyeva-Berberian from
Bulgaria, also tennis players have qualified for Athens Games.

Armenian minister, Council of Europe leader discuss regional cooperation
Noyan Tapan news agency
5 Jul 04
Yerevan, 5 July: The secretary-general of the Council of Europe, Bruno
Haller, briefed Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan on 5 July on
his meetings with representatives of the Armenian authorities,
political parties, opposition and public organizations. He said that
the main aim of his visit was to familiarize himself with what was
going on in Armenia, especially in the light of PACE’s April
resolution. [In April PACE gave Armenia until September to sort out
its domestic political problems; this included ensuring freedom of
speech and assembly.] Haller expressed his hope that the authorities
and opposition would be able to find a way out of the current
situation before the National Assembly’s September session in order to
continue parliament’s normal work.
At the PACE secretary-general’s request, Oskanyan briefly touched on
Armenian-Turkish bilateral meetings in Istanbul during the NATO summit
and trilateral meetings of the foreign ministers, with the
participation of Azerbaijan, the Armenian Foreign Ministry press
service told Noyan Tapan news agency.
The meeting also touched on the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement process.
Oskanyan noted the importance of measures to foster trust and of
regional cooperation programmes, supported by the Council of Europe,
to develop the South Caucasus. In response, Haller stressed the need
for cooperation between the regional parliaments, adding that his
mission was to stimulate interparliamentary dialogue.

Armenian PM calls for political accord in holiday address
Noyan Tapan news agency
5 Jul 04

YEREVAN
“In adopting the constitution in 1995, our state and people showed the
civilized world our country’s readiness and determination to follow
the path of integration, of strengthening democratic values and of
creating a civil society,” Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan
says in his Constitution Day congratulatory message.
The prime minister said that over recent years the constitution had
enabled the establishment of an independent state in very difficult
conditions and had also guaranteed the country’s internal and external
stability. “However, life moves on, new realities make their demands
of society and the state, which of course should be fixed in the basic
law.” Andranik Markaryan notes the importance of constitutional
reforms being made in an atmosphere of political accord and says that
they should be completely accepted and supported by society. The prime
minister is convinced that, only if this is the case, “will the
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia fulfil its main role in
ensuring the well-being of citizens, defending the human rights and
freedoms of citizens in accordance with universal principles and
norms, and will it enable the fulfilment of pan-national dreams and
goals”.
In the address, sent by the government’s press service to Noyan Tapan
news agency, Andranik Markaryan expresses his certainty that “as a
result of reforms put into action by joint efforts, we will at the end
have a constitution which will be the main guarantor of our state’s
prosperity”.