Category: News

UN Regional Information Asia, Asia
May 6 2004
TURKMENISTAN: Focus on Armenian migrants
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United
Nations]
ASHGABAT, 6 May 2004 (IRIN) – Thousands of Armenians from Armenia and
Azerbaijan fled to Turkmenistan in the 1990s, following the war in
the Caucasus and the economic crisis in Armenia. After the
authorities in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat introduced a visa regime
with all the former Soviet republics in 1999, many of these Armenians
found themselves in Turkmenistan with no legal status, many have
sought to return home.
ARMENIANS IN TURKMENISTAN
Armenians living in Turkmenistan fall into three groups: ethnic
Armenians who are Turkmen citizens, Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan
and the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, and Armenian citizens from
Armenia itself.
According to Aram Grigoryan, the Armenian ambassador to Turkmenistan,
those in the first category constitute the majority of Armenians in
the country. According to some estimates, they number more than
30,000. The total population of Turkmenistan is some 6.5 million.
As for the second and third categories, Grigoryan explained to IRIN
that a well-established Armenian diaspora in the country dating back
to Soviet times prompted their relatives in Armenia and Azerbaijan to
come to Turkmenistan more recently.
Given their illegal status, there are no official statistics on the
number of Armenian irregular migrants in Turkmenistan. According to
the Armenian embassy, they could number between 2,000 and 4,000.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE VISA REGIME INTRODUCED IN 1999
Although the embassy is dealing with these irregular Armenian
migrants, and had sent several hundred Armenians back to Armenia
before Ashgabat’s June 1999 announcement of a visa regime with all
former Soviet republics, the situation became more complicated after
that.
“This [visa regime] made these people victims of the situation. Most
of them never knew what a visa regime meant… They thought they
would continue to live as they had been doing and that it [the
trouble] would pass,” Grigoryan said.
It turned out that thousands of Armenian nationals were living in
Turkmenistan without an entry visa, thus staying illegally and
breaking the visa regime. “These people are formally speaking without
proper documents at this point, but many of them told us they were
actually afraid to register. They were afraid that they wouldn’t get
the [required] status and as foreigners would be obliged to leave the
country. So this is a very specific migration issue,” Zoran Milovic,
head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in
Ashgabat, told IRIN.
Upon the establishment of the visa regime, these migrants had a
chance to leave the country without a visa. This was done for those
who were not ready to pay for a visa to stay. Such visas cost US $41
for each month of stay in the country.
“And you can imagine what a huge burden $41 would be for anybody here
in Turkmenistan, except for Westerners who come on business,” Milovic
said. The average monthly salary in the energy rich country is no
more than $65.
Some migrants left, but most remained. “From a technical point of
view, everyone who didn’t have a place of residence and Turkmen
citizenship and failed to register after 1999 became an irregular
migrant,” Milovic explained.
According to the IOM, in some cases Armenian migrants had documents
issued by the old Soviet government or issued by the Armenian
government, while others had lost their papers. But it proved
virtually impossible for them to get new documents, because in order
to get a new passport they had to have the original papers from
Armenia. “You cannot get them unless you travel there and you cannot
travel because you don’t have travel documents. It was a catch-22
situation,” the IOM official noted.
In an effort to organise the voluntary return of those willing to go
home, the IOM has assisted the return of more than 200 Armenian
nationals over the past two years, supported by the Norwegian, Dutch
and British governments, coupled with the cooperation of Turkmen
authorities.
“When it came to the issue of logistics, of organising their
transport, we indeed had excellent cooperation from both the
Ministries of Interior and of Foreign Affairs, and with the customs
and border guard service.” Milovic said.
MIXED MARRIAGES
One of the most problematic aspects related to the issue of Armenian
irregular migrants is that of mixed marriages between them and local
ethnic Armenians who are Turkmen nationals.
Turkmenistan adopted a law defining the conditions for the
registration of marriages between Turkmen nationals and foreigners in
2001. According to the law, every foreigner who wants to marry a
Turkmen national is supposed to pay US $50,000 to a state fund, which
is supposed to take care of abandoned wives and orphans.
But very few people from the former Soviet Union have $50,000 to pay
for registering the marriage. “Then you have the situation when the
marriage exists in reality, children exist in reality. But in terms
of formally recognising this marriage union and then registering the
place of residence and approving certain rights that come with that,
it is not possible and this becomes a huge problem,” Milovic
stressed.
“We had many cases in which one of the spouses was an Armenian
national while the other was a Turkmen national. They usually
encounter problems with visas, registration, residency permits and so
on,” Ambassador Grigoryan said.
Although they cannot register their marriage officially, they usually
marry in church. “But when they have children, they cannot register
them, they can’t be issued with IDs, which creates big problems for
their education,” a local analyst told IRIN in Ashgabat.
The issue of mixed marriages was quite problematic for the recent
group of repatriates who flew to Armenia in late January. Many of the
repatriates left behind children or wives in Turkmenistan, the
Armenian media outlet ArmeniaNow.com reported, quoting some
returnees.
Nune came to Armenia with her daughter, leaving behind in
Turkmenistan her husband and son – both Turkmen nationals. “Since I
have a Soviet passport I hope to get myself a new Armenian passport
here and then to return to my family by invitation,” she said.
Gagik, who worked in Ashgabat, said his wife and his child were still
in the country. “My wife has Turkmen citizenship, so if I bring her
to Armenia she will have the same status here as I do there,” he
said, adding that he didn’t know what to do.
No statistics or estimates are available on the number of mixed
marriages. “People are afraid to contact either the Armenian embassy
or anybody else, including Turkmen government institutions. So, it is
very hard to estimate their number,” Milovic said.
The IOM official urged the Turkmen and Armenian governments to
address this very specific issue. “Although we can say that they are
irregular migrants, this is an example of a very specific migration
issue that I hope the Turkmen and Armenian governments might be able
to resolve in a different way so that we do not have the cases of
divided families,” he said.
Turkmen law stipulates that those foreign nationals who violated
migration and registration requirements are banned from entering the
country for five years, making it very hard if not impossible for the
Armenian spouses to return to Turkmenistan legally.
MANY REMAINING ARMENIANS SEEKING RETURN
Although some Armenians left the country with assistance from IOM,
the Armenian embassy in Ashgabat or on their own account, the
majority remain in the country, most of whom are said to be seeking
repatriation as they have no jobs, social protection or other rights.
According to some analysts, given their illegal status, most of the
Armenian migrants live in constant fear of being discovered,
questioned by the police, detained and possibly deported. There have
been unconfirmed reports of migrants being harassed by the police,
suffering extortion for money or evicted from their homes.
“Many people are detained and kept at detention facilities for
violating the visa regime. Unfortunately, in Turkmenistan the law on
deportation hasn’t been worked out and we’ve developed a middle-way
solution in cooperation with the Turkmen authorities. We send these
detained people back home. It means that the Turkmen side stamps
visas, we find money for an air ticket, and we look for relatives or
sponsor money. Dozens of people have been sent back home in such a
way,” Ambassador Grigoryan said.
Between 1996 and 1999 when the visa regime was introduced the
Armenian embassy repatriated some 700 Armenians.
“I am sure there are still people who want to go home and many of
them have heard about [such repatriation efforts] it, but we cannot
announce them via radio or television. Should that happen there
wouldn’t be a spare space on this street as many will come,” the
Armenian envoy explained.
ETHNIC ARMENIAN REFUGEES FROM AZERBAIJAN
Another group of ethnic Armenians living in Turkmenistan, namely
refugees from Azerbaijan, is in a more difficult situation. “As for
the [Azerbaijani] refugees, the situation is more complicated.
Unfortunately the office of the UNHCR provides little helps to them
although it is their direct responsibility,” Grigoryan complained to
IRIN.
We spoke to the UNHCR mission in Turkmenistan, and they said that
donor countries that fund humanitarian assistance to refugees put
some conditions, namely that in a given country, for example
Turkmenistan, only those people who directly came from their former
homeland, that is Azerbaijan, could be considered refugees, he
explained.
“These people are deprived of many rights. But it is not the fault of
Turkmenistan, which accepted all of them. It is the fault of
circumstances that made them leave their countries and homelands. But
they cannot return there because there are now big problems between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nobody will accept them there,” Grigoryan
said.
According to the Armenian embassy, the estimated number of
Azerbaijani refugees of Armenian origin living in Turkmenistan is
between 1,000 and 3,000.
Those refugees who came from Azerbaijan directly and can prove that
with documentary evidence are receiving assistance from the UNHCR.
They get a special document which gives them the opportunity to work
and some other rights.
“But those who before coming to Turkmenistan were in other countries
– for example in Armenia and got their refugee status there, but got
into that difficult situation of the early 90s and came here – they
are deprived of assistance. I think it’s nonsense,” Grigoryan said
firmly.
As of April 2004, there were 100 Azerbaijani refugees registered with
the UNHCR office in Ashgabat who are receiving assistance from the UN
refugee agency. “But there are probably others who didn’t register.
We don’t know about them,” Narasimha Rao, a protection officer for
UNHCR, told IRIN in the capital.
“We believe that the majority of them who have refugee claims, which
means those who fled because of the conflict have already approached
us and registered with us. Those who came for migratory reasons don’t
fall under our mandate and as a result we cannot assist them,” Rao
explained.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
When looking at possible solutions for the Armenian migrants,
officials talk about getting Turkmen citizenship for those who
qualify and assisted voluntary repatriation for others.
“I do hope we will have the chance to discuss with the Turkmen
government the situation of those who are still here. Especially
those who are indeed cases of mixed marriages or those who have been
in the country for more than seven years and thus, according to
Turkmen legislation, would have the right to apply for Turkmen
citizenship. I hope that the Turkmen government might be willing to
consider some of these cases, some of these issues in a way that
might enable people to have a choice,” Milovic said.
Meanwhile, those who are happy to return but do not have necessary
resources are awaiting further organised repatriation efforts by the
IOM, provided that donors release the funds needed for a more
comprehensive repatriation programme. The programme is expected to
include some elements necessary for sustainable return as many of the
people in the first group of returnees who were repatriated in late
2002 later went abroad, either to Russia or the US, as they couldn’t
support themselves in Armenia.
The Armenian ambassador urged donors to continue their help in
repatriating Armenians. “There is nothing more noble than to help
people to return home,” he said.
;SelectRegion=Central_Asia

ArmenPress
May 6 2004
PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN DOWNPLAYS REPERCUSSIONS OF PACE RESOLUTION
YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
has swollen today the chorus of senior government officials who
downplayed the possible repercussions of an April 28 resolution of
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that
called on Armenian authorities to warn that the PACE will consider
stripping its Armenian members of their voting rights unless the
authorities respect citizens’ freedom of movement and assembly,
release individuals detained for their participation in the recent
opposition rallies and investigates all “human rights abuses” by next
September.
Speaking to reporters, Kocharian said: “In what is related to its
(resolution) content I do not see major problems and there are also
some serious inaccuracies concerning the chronology of the events.”
In response to a question how he would comment on the document,
Kocharian said the authorities will prepare the response to the
descriptive segment of the resolution in few days and that the
official response to the resolution will be submitted to PACE June
session. He said a PACE monitoring delegation will arrive in Armenia
soon to examine the situation on the ground.
“Some of the wordings of the resolution do not reflect the real
situation, however, Armenia has its own voice in PACE and an
intention to defend it,” Kocharian said, adding that the Council of
Europe should not be perceived as the former Politburo, which took
and imposed decisions. “The Council of Europe is an organization, of
which we are a member and Armenia’s task there is to defend its
common interests rather than to clear its domestic matters,” he said.
Kocharian also downplayed fears that international discussions on
Armenia’s political instability may affect foreign investment.
“Armenian economy would suffer bigger damages if the investors were
not sure of Armenian authorities’ abilities to establish order in the
country,” he said, but admitted, however, that such discussions
nevertheless may have some negative impact. “Those people who are
trying to escalate the tension are doing a bad job as all negative
repercussions would eventually hit all Armenian citizens,” he said.

ArmenPress
May 6 2004
PACE RESOLUTION ON ARMENIA CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY COE MEMBER, SENIOR
REPUBLICAN PARTY MEMBER SAYS
YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: A senior member of the governing
Republican party has called on the opposition today to give up its
“destructive” policy and sit around a table with the authorities to
seek ways out of the political crisis.
“The Republican party (the senior member in the ruling coalition)
will not allow any action that would jeopardize Armenia’s
independence,” Galust Sahakian, the head of Republican parliamentary
faction told reporters. He was participating in public debates
organized by the National Civic Initiative on the reasons behind the
standoff between the authorities and the opposition.
Sahakian said that the opposition must stop all its
anti-government actions and engage in dialogue with the authorities
to seek for a formula that would enable to improve the election code
and amend the Constitution.
He also reverted to April 13 crackdown of the law-enforcement
bodies on the opposition rally, accusing the opposition leaders of
making people “the target of the law.” “All existing problems are
solved either by the authorities or within the political field in a
civilized manner,” he noted.
In a reference to the PACE resolution on Armenia that denounced
the government crackdown on the opposition, demanding an end to the
mass `administrative detentions’ of participants of protests marches
and the immediate release of those of them who remain in custody,
Sahakian argued that the resolution, which he claimed “was based on
theoretical information, not backed up by a thorough investigation”
could be applied to any Council of Europe member.
He then downplayed opposition’s allegations that its arrested
activists are political prisons. “A man arrested for attacking a
policeman cannot be called political prisoner,” he said.
Also a recurrent call for dialogue was made on Wednesday by
parliament speaker Arthur Baghdasarian, who invited in a statement
all parliamentary factions to attend `political consultations’ today,
which he said is also necessitated by the Council of Europe’s calls
for a `dialogue without preconditions’ between the authorities and
the opposition.

ArmenPress
May 6 2004
ARMENIA WELCOMES END OF STANDOFF BETWEEN TBILISI AND AJARIA
YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenia welcomed today the end of the
standoff between the central authorities in neighboring Georgia and
its autonomous region of Ajaria. Hamlet Gasparian, a spokesman for
Armenian foreign ministry, told Armenpress that “Armenia is satisfied
that the confrontation between the central authorities of Georgia and
Ajaria ended without bloodshed and mainly peacefully.”
Gasparian said the end of the conflict is very important for
Georgia and therefore, for the entire South Caucasus on the way of
establishing stability and peace in the region. “Armenia welcomes the
consistent and decisive policy of the Georgian authorities that has
helped to overcome that serious obstacle,” Gasparian said.
Georgia’s standoff with Ajaria ended as Aslan Abashidze, the
leader of the defiant region, resigned Wednesday night and left the
country for Moscow. “Aslan has run away, Ajaria is free,”‘ Georgian
president Mikhail Saakashvili said in a broadcast early today from
the capital Tbilisi. “A new era has begun in Georgia’s history,” he
said. Before flying to Moscow Abashidze ordered his paramilitary
forces to lay down their arms.
Saakashvili later arrived in Ajaria’s capital, Batumi, where he
was greeted by crowds of supporters. Saakashvili who had given
Abashidze until May 12 to disarm local militias or have his
government dissolved, imposed direct presidential rule only hours
before Abashidze left. The end of the standoff was also welcomed by
the US State Department.
Abashidze had run Ajaria independently from the central government
in Tbilisi since the early 1990s.
“Georgian government will not persecute former supporters of Aslan
Abashidze. We have come here for love and not to separate the
nation,” Georgian prime minister Zurab Zhvania said in a televised
address.

ArmenPress
May 6 2004
CONFLICT MAY BE RESOLVED IN 1-2 YEARS, KARABAGH LEADER FORECASTS
YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: Nagorno Karabagh leader Arkady
Ghukasian has revived today the recently floated idea that the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Karabagh cannot be resolved unless
Stepanakert joins the talks as a full party. “Sooner or later Azeri
leaders will have to agree to negotiating with Karabagh and I am
confident that the international community shares this very
viewpoint,” Ghukasian said, citing a resolution of the OSCE Budapest
summit which said that the conflicting sides are Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Nagorno Karabagh.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of Board of Trustees of
Hayastan pan-Armenian Fund, Ghukasian argued that the conflict cannot
be solved through application of the so-called step-by-step option
because of the “distrust, enmity and Azerbaijan’s war rhetoric.”
According to Karabagh leader’s forecasts, “we have enough
resources to resolve the conflict in 1-2 years, but we should also
realize that a resolution or peace contain some risks, which is also
realized by Azerbaijan’s leaders who are not ready today to take the
risk and shoulder the responsibility.”
In a reversal of previous opinion on the effectiveness of the
Minsk Group, which spearheads the Organization for Security and
Co-Operation in Europe’s (OSCE) efforts to find a political solution
to this conflict, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev said earlier this week
that the Group’s activity is apparent, and that “the co-chairmen are
determined to deal with the problem.”

ArmenPress
May 6 2004
SIX ARMENIANS GO TO TURKEY FOR CHESS MEDALS
YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Chess Federation said
today that six Armenian chess-players will go to Turkish Antalya to
compete for the medals of Europe’s individual championship that kicks
of May 14.
The championship is open with no restrictions to the number of
participants for a single country. The Federation said more Armenian
chess players may decide later to go.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATORS COSPONSOR GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
— Support for S.Res.164 Reaches 39 in the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC – New Hampshire Senators Judd Gregg (R) and John
Sununu (R) agreed to cosponsor the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164,
bringing the total number of cosponsors to thirty-nine, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Both senators heard regularly from their New Hampshire constituents
on this matter over the past several months, reflecting the growing
activism of the Armenian American community in northern New
England. Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) is the only New
England area Senator yet to cosponsor the legislation. Most
recently, a New Hampshire delegation of activists including Mike
Manoian, Harry Alexanian and Jeannette John spoke with
representatives of both Senators, at meetings coinciding with the
ANCA Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill, held on April
28th. Dr. Peter Balakian, whose recently published book, “The
Burning Tigris” extensively documents U.S. humanitarian response to
the Armenian Genocide, detailed the importance of supporting
Genocide prevention legislation during the meeting with Sen.
Gregg’s office.
“We join with the Armenian community of New Hampshire in welcoming
the support of Senators Gregg and Sununu for the Genocide
Resolution” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “With the
89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide commemorated just a few
weeks ago, and the prospect of yet another genocide developing in
the Sudan as we speak, support for legislation like S.Res.164 has
never been more vital. We must, as a nation, reaffirm our
commitment to the aims of the Genocide Convention and ensure that
the lessons of past genocides are applied in the prevention of
future crimes against humanity.”
A two-term Member of the Senate, Sen. Gregg is Chairman of the
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and serves on the
Appropriations and Budget Committees. Sen. John Sununu, now in his
first term, serves on the Foreign Relations, Banking, Governmental
Affairs and Joint Economic committees.
The Genocide resolution was introduced in the Senate in June, 2003
by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ). Its
companion House measure, H.Res.193, led by Representatives George
Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI),
was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee last May
and has 111 cosponsors. The resolution cites the importance of
remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian
Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort
to stop future atrocities. Support for the measure has been
widespread, with a diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious,
civil and human rights organizations calling for its passage,
including American Values, National Organization of Women, Sons of
Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of
La Raza.
#####

Kurt Chesko of the HALO USA (Humanitarian Landmine Clearance) will speak at
10:30 AM on Saturday, May 15th at The Glendale Public Library’s Central
Auditorium (222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA
91205).

The NKR Office encourages participation of the general public and
representatives of the LA-based Armenian-American organizations.

Vardan Barseghian
Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
122 C Street, NW, Suite 360
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (202) 347-5166
Fax: (202) 347-5168

For additional information, please contact:

Kurt Chesko
Program Officer

HALO USA
Humanitarian Landmine Clearance
850 Seventh Avenue, Suite 506
New York, NY 10019
212 581 0099 (tel)
212 581 2029 (fax)
<; Info from <; : In Nagorno Karabakh defensive minefields were laid by both Azeri and pro-Karabakhi forces. Moves in the front lines resulted in minefields and significant quantities of UXO being left in peaceful areas needed for agriculture. In many areas access to prime land is denied and the steady stream of casualties indicates the requirement for widespread mineclearance ahead of cultivation. Aid organizations in the region have had to restrict their operations due to fears of landmines on or just beside roads and the presence of unexploded ordnance in and around many villages. In 1995 and 1996 HALO conducted an 18-month long program in Karabakh that established a mineclearance capacity for the local authorities. This included a survey of the region and the equipping and training of deminers. The teams operated without assistance for three years and whilst they successfully cleared hundreds of mines, their equipment had degraded and accurate records of clearance had not been kept for some time. HALO returned to Karabakh in 2000 with a view to reinforcing capacity through a project of re-equipment, providing additional training and by establishing a mine action centre (MAC). The MAC collates information concerning mines, UXO and safe routes, and disseminates it to all who require it, in particular other NGOs and international humanitarian bodies operating in Karabakh. In addition to landmines, unexploded ordnance is as great a problem in Nagorno Karabakh. In response, HALO deploys three mobile explosive ordnance disposal teams that clear hundreds of hazardous items every month.

PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected]
May 6, 2004
National Citizens’ Initiative Examines Political Confrontation in Armenia
Yerevan?The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) resumed today its series of
specialized policy seminars on vital issues of concern for both the Republic
of Armenia and Armenians worldwide.
Raffi Hovannisian, founder of NCI and the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), greeted the capacity audience with opening
remarks on the “Political Confrontation in Armenia: Causes, Effects, and
Solutions.” “Even a cursory analysis of the past few years demonstrates why
we have so frequently lost in the course of our history. In our heart of
hearts and in our inner consciousness, each of us knows that the situation
in the country, as it stands now, is not durable. Whether we consider last
year’s elections a cause or an effect, they evidenced the commission of a
big national mistake, the correction of which is crucial. We welcome the
ongoing dialogue on various levels-its very invitation, attempt, and
realization-yet we also know that it is the incumbent president’s
responsibility to initiate the corrective change in the state of affairs.
Otherwise, the opposite, however unpredictable, is inevitable. It is at this
level that we need an expedited and comprehensive resolution forged by
consensus. This is neither a prediction nor a threat, nor advice of any
kind. This simply is a public imperative,” he said.
ACNIS analyst Hovsep Khurshudian delivered a paper on the current state of
political culture in Armenia. “Since 1988 and 1991 political culture in
Armenia has faced a perilous retreat, and accountability for this lies first
and foremost with the authorities,” he opined, calling on the governing
coalition to join the opposition in fulfilling the obligations set forth in
the recent resolution of the Council of Europe. To this end he suggested
establishment of a parliamentary committee composed equally of coalition and
opposition members.
In his address entitled “Constitutional Procedures and ‘Legal’
Arbitrariness,” law professor Hrair Tovmasian noted: “It is manifest that
both the current and the draft Constitutions presented last year for
referendum, with their internal contradictions, incomplete checks and
balances, unclear accountability mechanisms, and powerful prerogatives
granted to the president, are not only useless in solving domestic
confrontations but also serve as their main cause. By means of systemic
change, the application of a parliamentary form of government in the
Republic of Armenia is the best way, in our opinion, to eliminate such
internal conflicts and to avoid them in the future,” he said.
Good governance analyst Karen Hakobian offered remarks on “Transfer of
Authority as a Mirror of Democracy: The Crises of Regime Change in Armenia
and in the Region.” “Armenia faces a crisis of authority and a governance
dilemma in general; hence, regime change becomes a necessity. But if there
are no established long-term socioeconomic and political objectives, if
there are no clear-cut and formulated models of good governance, one is
likely to encounter similar crises later on, this time during the reign of
the next administration. A change of regime should serve only as a means for
securing clearly defined public interests and the country’s development,” he
said.
During the second session of the seminar, representatives of Armenia’s
political parties took the floor, Alexander Butaev and Albert Baghdasarian
representing the National Democratic Union, Albert Bazeyan of the Republic
Party, Hovhannes Hovhannisian of the Liberal Progressive Party, Gagik
Tadevosian of the National Unity Party, and Grigor Harutiunian of the People
‘s Party of Armenia. Of the invited coalition representatives only Galust
Sahakian and Mushegh Lalayan of the Republican Party attended the
roundtable. Mkrtich Minasian of the “People’s Deputy” parliamentary group
also took part in the discussion.
The interventions of the politicians and public figures were followed by
formal deliberations on possible ways out of the present situation.
Noteworthy were contributions by Armenian Intellectuals’ Forum chairman
General Edward Simoniants; economist Edward Aghajanov; Anahit Bakhshian,
principal of Derenik Demirchian High School in Yerevan; Davit Petrosian of
the Noyan Tapan News agency; Avetik Ishkhanian, chairman of Armenia’s
Helsinki Committee; Gayane Markosian of the “Harmonious World” NGO; Manuk
Haroutiunian, senior research fellow of the Institute of Philosophy and Law
at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia; Yerevan State University
lecturer Aram Haroutiunian; political analyst Artsrun Pepanian; and many
others.
In particular, General Simoniants noted that “this meeting proves that it is
groundless to claim the lack of highly intelligent specialists in the search
for solutions to overcoming the crisis in the country. Unfortunately,
however, the bearers of this political benchmark are not united and
coordinated in academic and policy greenhouses such as this.” He regretted
the discontinuation of the opposition-coalition dialogue recently hosted by
ACNIS, and called for its resumption.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in December 2001 by Raffi K. Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow
citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall
improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions.
The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which
includes individual citizens and representatives of various public,
scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and
State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and
Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the
Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741)
52-48-46; e-mail [email protected]; or visit

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 6, 2004
___________________
Week of April 30 to May 6, 2004
* * *
DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY A SUCCESS
This past weekend (4/29-5/02), almost 150 representatives from local
parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese worked through a heavy agenda
during the Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY. One of the major items on the agenda was
passage of next year’s Diocesan budget. The delegates also spent a lot
of time discussing the idea of stewardship and brainstorming ways to
build stewardship programs within their parishes. For more on the
actions of the delegates and to see pictures from the Assembly, click to
our Assembly blog:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/5/04)
* * *
SERVICES THIS WEEKEND FOR FR. KABARADJIAN
The V. Rev. Fr. Varoujan Kabaradjian, long-time pastor for Evanston, IL,
passed away last Friday (4/30) after a prolonged illness. Funeral
services, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian,
former Pontifical Legate and Primate of the Armenian Church of Great
Britain, will be held this weekend. For more on the life and service of
Fr. Kabaradjian and for details on the funeral service and viewing,
visit our website:
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year=2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/4/04)
* * *
PRIMATE TO BE IN BINGHAMTON THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, will pay a
pastoral visit to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Binghamton,
NY, this weekend. The parish will hold a dinner to honor the Primate on
Saturday at the church, and the Primate will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy on Sunday, during which he will ordain Hagop Injajigian, a
dedicated memver of the parish, as a deacon. Sunday’s service will be
followed by a reception at 1:30 p.m. at the Regency Hotel. For more
information on this parish, click to our website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/6/04)
* * *
PRIMATE PRESENTS HONOR IN FAIR LAWN, NJ
On Sunday (5/2), Archbishop Barsamian was in Fair Lawn, NJ, where he
joined the parishioners of the St. Leon Church for the parish’s
appreciation day celebration. During the festivities, the Primate
presented S. Rex Kachigian with the prestigious St. Nersess Shnorhali
Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians. The St. Nersess medal — the Armenian
Church’s highest lay honor — is awarded to individuals who demonstrate
outstanding commitment and service to the Armenian Church. To learn
more, click to the Eastern Diocese’s website:
;selmonth=5&sel
year=2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/3/04)
* * *
ETCHMIADZIN ORDAINS NEW PRIESTS
On Sunday (5/2), during a Divine Liturgy presided over by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Grace
Bishop Abraham Mkrtichian, Primate of the Diocese of Syunik in Armenia,
ordained six new priests. Three of the new priests are celibate
priests.
(Source: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 5/2/04)
* * *
CATHOLICOS VISITS SOUTH AMERICA
On Monday (5/3), Catholicos Karekin II headed to South America, where he
will travel throughout the month. His agenda includes stops in Sao
Paolo and Osasco, Brazil; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Buenos Aires and
Cordoba, Argentina. During the trip, the Catholicos will celebrate the
Divine Liturgy in many communities, meet with officials, and hold
discussions with local ecumenical meetings.
(Source: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 5/3/04)
* * *
REQUEST A PRAYER
When you feel as though you need a little more spiritual support, you
can request a prayer be said for you at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in
New York City. Simply click to our website, and your prayer will be
said during Sunday services:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/5/04)
* * *
ASP TRIP FILLED
This year’s Armenian Service Program (ASP) trip is filled; 26 young
people will take part in it. The trip — organized by the Armenian
Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) — is an opportunity for
young people to visit Armenia while also helping the Republic’s
children. Participants will spend part of their summer trip serving as
counselors for a summer camp for children. If you would like more
information on future ASP trip contact the ACYOA by e-mailing
[email protected].
(Source: ACYOA, 4/30/04)
* * *
TRAVEL TO ARMENIA THIS YEAR
Traveling to Armenia strengthens your faith and dedication. If you
haven’t gone yet, there are four opportunities this year.
In June:
* Young Professionals Trip — June 12 to 26 / $2,250. THREE SPOTS ARE
LEFT, SIGN UP TODAY! Specifically designed for travelers between the
ages of 23 and 40, this trip offers a chance to see the sights of
Armenia and build life-long friendships with other Armenian American
professionals. Call the Fund for Armenian Relief (212) 889-5150.
* Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia and the Republic of Armenia —
June 17 to July 7 / $3,450. Travel to Istanbul, historic Armenian
locations in modern day Turkey such as Musa Dagh, Cappadocia, Mt.
Ararat, and Ani. Continue to Armenia to tour important historical and
cultural sites. For more information call Armen Aroyan (626) 359-9510.
In September:
* Women’s Guild Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 16 to 27 / $2,400.
Tour Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, ancient holy sites, and current cultural
activities. For more information call Ann Devejian (203) 838-5758.
* Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 18 to October 3 / $2,350. A
Diocesan-sponsored trip to all the highlights of Armenia. For more
information call Sidon Travel at (818) 553-0777.
To get more information on any of these travel opportunities, e-mail
[email protected].
And don’t forget — you can also help fund the trip of a young person in
your parish, who will return more eager to be involved in parish life.
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 5/5/04)
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