EDUCATION NOTES
Dallas Morning News, TX
12:00 AM CDT on Monday, September 18, 2006
OF NOTE
UNT Foundation receives $1 million gift: G. Brint Ryan of Dallas, a
University of North Texas accounting graduate who founded Ryan & Co. –
America’s largest independent state and local tax consulting firm –
has donated $1 million to the UNT Foundation. The gift will create a
permanent endowment fund that is expected to generate approximately
$40,000 a year in discretionary spending for the accounting department
in UNT’s College of Business Administration. Prior to his $1 million
donation, Mr. Ryan gave gifts totaling more than $74,000 to the
university and the accounting department.
West End center to be announced: El Centro College will announce plans
to remodel the Paramount building at 301 N. Market St. in the Dallas
West End at 10 a.m.
Friday. The building will house the college’s Center for Allied
Health and Nursing. Plans call for immediate demolition of most of
the building’s internal structure to construct a new state-of-the-art
health and nursing facility that will serve the needs of El Centro
nursing programs and 12 of its 13 allied health programs. The college
expects construction to be completed in time to open the remodeled
building in fall 2007. El Centro, the flagship college of the Dallas
County Community College District, is at 801 Main St., about a block
south of the Paramount building, which dates to 1924.
Grant to help teacher hopefuls: Aspiring teachers can now receive
monetary assistance to meet their career goals, thanks to a new Fort
Worth Independent School District program funded by the U.S. Department
of Education. The Transition to Teaching grant represents about $1.6
million in tuition and tuition support. The district will work with
Texas Woman’s University to administer the program over the next
five years.
Individuals who take advantage of this program must make a commitment
to teach in the Fort Worth school district for a period of time after
completing the program. For more information, contact Birdie Avant
at 817-871-2237.
DCCCD open house this week: The Dallas County Community College
District will host a design and construction open house for interested
area builders, construction firms, architects and contractors from 4 to
6 p.m. Wednesday at 1505 S. Lamar St., Suite 1015, in Dallas. Business
people will learn more about phase II and phase III projects in the
DCCCD bond program, which was approved by voters in May 2004, and
upcoming bond projects. Refreshments will be served, and complimentary
parking is available. For more information about location and parking
or to make a reservation, contact Dee Crawford at 972-860-7903.
THINGS TO DO
Parent program scheduled: “911 for Parents … Stop Fighting, Whining &
Back-Talk” is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Terrell
Performing Arts Center and is being hosted by Terrell High School. It
is free for parents. “We’re going to teach parents, grandparents
and child-care providers how to effectively manage everything from
the little guys in the family to the teenagers,” said Diana Day,
a child behavior expert.
Media panel set Wednesday: The University of Texas at Arlington will
host a panel of media experts to talk about free speech and the media
from noon to 1 p.m.
Wednesday in the sixth-floor parlor of UT Arlington’s Central Library,
702 Planetarium Place. This event, “Power of the Press,” is free and
open to the public.
For information, contact Robert Wright, UT Arlington director of public
affairs, at 817-272-5364 or visit http://
ACHIEVERS
DISD social studies teacher Carolyn Reitz has been chosen for the
2006 Armenia School Connectivity Program. Ms. Reitz, who teaches at
Booker T.
Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was one
of 25 educators nationwide selected for the program.
IN DISD
Student holiday this week: Friday is a staff development day for DISD
teachers and a holiday for students.

TURKEY SEEKS MORE REFORMS, EU CRISIS SEEN AS INEVITABLE
Reuters
Gulf Times, Qatar
Published: Monday, 18 September, 2006, 11:29 AM Doha Time
ANKARA: Turkey’s parliament reconvenes tomorrow, nearly two weeks
ahead of schedule, to pass fresh reforms that the government hopes
will demonstrate its commitment to joining the EU.
But analysts and diplomats say the laws will fall well short of what
the EU wants and will do nothing to avert a looming crisis between
the wealthy bloc and Ankara over Cyprus.
With scant room for manoeuvre over the politically delicate issue of
Cyprus ahead of 2007 elections, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan should
compensate with bolder reforms, for example in the area of freedom
of expression, to disarm his critics and reassure his allies inside
the EU, they say.
“Everyone’s pleased with the (early) parliament recall, but the
government needs to do more to win time over Cyprus,” said a senior
EU diplomat in Ankara.
“What Turkey needs to do is give pro-Turkey countries in the EU
something to bite on, namely by improving freedom of expression or
opening the Greek Orthodox seminary.”
The EU has long urged Erdogan to reopen the Halki seminary near
Istanbul, viewing it as a symbol of religious freedom in Muslim but
secular Turkey. But nationalists oppose such a move.
Erdogan’s ruling centre-right AK Party is expected instead to propose
laws increasing civilian control of the military and improving property
rights of non-Muslim religious foundations.
It is unclear whether Erdogan will bow to EU pressure and scrap or
amend a controversial article of the penal code that makes it a crime
to insult “Turkishness” and state institutions.
Article 301 has often been used by nationalist prosecutors to launch
cases against intellectuals and writers over sensitive issues such
as Kurdish rights and the killing of Armenians under Ottoman Turkish
rule during World War I.
“I think 301 will be amended. The details are being worked on,” said
one Turkish diplomat, adding he expected this would give Turkey some
breathing space from EU attacks.
But as with the Halki seminary, officials say privately, the AK Party
fears a big nationalist backlash if it scraps 301.
Turkish public support for joining the EU has already fallen sharply
since entry talks began last year due to a feeling that the EU demands
a lot but does not really want Ankara to join.
“Article 301 has turned into a litmus test of how serious the
government is about EU reforms,” said Semih Idiz, diplomatic editor
at CNN Turk private television and a veteran EU observer.
“The environment is a nationalist one now in Turkey.
If you concede on 301, it’s fodder to the right wing because they
say why do you throw yourself against the wall and give up our values
and get nothing in return,” said Idiz.
Any last-minute reforms would help blunt criticism in the European
Commission’s annual report on Turkey’s progress due on October 24, but
Turkey’s refusal to budge over Cyprus still makes a crisis virtually
inevitable by the end of 2006, analysts say.
Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 under its internationally recognised
Greek Cypriot government, but Ankara backs a breakaway Turkish Cypriot
enclave in the north of the island.
The EU says Turkey must open its ports and airports this year to Greek
Cypriot ships and planes and Cyprus has said it may block Ankara’s
entry talks if it does not acquiesce.
Last week, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s position that it will only
act if the EU honours its own commitment to lift long-standing trade
restrictions against the Turkish Cypriots.
“Right now I don’t see a solution on Turkey … I don’t see anything
major happening until the EU summit in December,” the senior EU
diplomat said.
“Like in the past it’s probable we won’t get any real movement (in
the EU) on Turkey until we face a real crisis. Then everyone will
jump in and start real negotiating.”

POLITICAL ANALYSTS: “SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS REACHED ITS DEADLOCK”
Today.Az
18 September 2006 [15:29] – Today.Az
“Official Yerevan’s stance on the Nagorno Karabakh problem is
expected. Armenia thinks it has won the war, and Azerbaijan should
make a trade-off. But, official Baku will not award Armenia,” said
Azerbaijani political scientist Rasim Musabeyov while commenting on
official Yerevan’s statement on deviation from the negotiating and
inefficient results.
The political scientist told APA there was only one way of solution
of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, “Super power states should influence
Armenia.
Otherwise, the negotiations will give no results and Yerevan will
continue its unconstructive position as usual,” he underlined.
Another political scientist Zardusht Alizadeh told the APA there are
no real negotiations but only a view.
“None of the parties want to retract their positions.
There is no real ground for a compromise. Official Yerevan
claims independence of Nagorno Karabakh and its unification
with Armenia. Azerbaijan says it will never consent to Armenia’s
occupying any part of its territory. Outside these principles,
there is no serious search for a trade-off and appeal to public
and international organizations in the negotiating process. Taking
surface political interests, both the parties to the conflict and
the co-chairs are trying to find a solution option that will satisfy
certain interests. However, the interests do not coincide. The parties
should make public that they will not make any trade-off instead of
creating a view. The U.S co-chair Matthew Bryza sated this. He said the
parties do not seem to withdraw from the core principles they insist
on. But, one of the parties need to withdraw from core principles in
order to reach an agreement,” the political scientist underlined.
Alizadeh also said there are some strong forces, who are making efforts
for freezing and delaying the conflict. The political expert said the
resolution of the conflict has reached a deadlock and the negotiations
are held only for the sake of negotiations.
Political scientist Vefa Guluzadeh called the processes for the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict nonsense.

ILHAM ALIYEV: “WE’LL NEVER ALLOW ARMENIAN STATE IN AZERBAIJANI LANDS”
Today.Az
18 September 2006 [16:09] – Today.Az
“There exist great political, economic and cultural potential in
Turkish-speaking countries. We become more powerful when all these
potentials are united,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at
the 10th Congress of Friendship, Brotherhood, Cooperation Congress
of Turkish-speaking Countries and Communities in Antalya, Turkey.
As APA reports, the head of state stressed that Armenia makes claims
against Turkey instead of withdrawing from the Azerbaijani territories
it have occupied.
“We should unite our forces against this to destroy this propaganda
completely. It is high time for us to attack. Turkish-speaking
countries should unite their efforts to attack this ugly
propaganda. We’ll never allow any second, Armenian state in Azerbaijani
territory. We’ll prevent this by mobilizing our political, diplomatic,
legal and military efforts,” Azerbaijani President underlined.
Mr.Aliyev stressed the occupied Azerbaijani lands are certain to
be liberated, “Turkey and Azerbaijan should co-operate in Diaspora
activity for this purpose. We should unite dour powers against
Armenian activity not only in Turkey and Azerbaijan but also in the
entire world.”
The head of state offered Baku hosting forum of integration of Turkish
and Azerbaijani Diasporas early in 2007.

LEO PLATVOET VISITS OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI LANDS
Azeri Press Agency,
18 Sen. 2006 15:33
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) rapporteur on
missing persons, Dutch parliamentarian Leo Platvoet today started his
visit to Nagorno Garabagh and Abkhazia, PACE told the APA’s Europe
bureau during the visit till 22 September, Mr.Platvoet will meet
with officials dealing with the issue on missing persons in Khankendi
(Stepanakert) and Sukhumi.
The rapporteur will first visit Armenian-occupied region of
Azerbaijan-Khankendi through Armenia.
Platvoet is drawing up a report “The Missing in Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Armenia”. He visited Azerbaijan and Armenia in June this year.

ARMENIA LOOKS INTO FUTURE NOT GOING TO REFUSE MEMORIES
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 13:07 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within past several years Armenia continued its
complementary policy in the foreign arena, Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated at the opening of Armenia-Diaspora third forum. In
his words, large mutually beneficial economic programs were launched
with Russia, military and political cooperation is being strengthened,
sustainable and effective relations are formed. At the same time
Armenia makes active steps to strengthen relations with EU, the
Armenian leader added. Talks over the document within the ENP framework
are over. The IPAP with the NATO is already agreed upon and underway.
Within fight against terror Armenia-US cooperation has
expanded. Armenian peacekeepers take part in missions in Iraq and
Kosovo. “I would characterize our policy this way: we are strengthening
our international involvement along with ties with traditional
friends,” Armenian President said. He emphasized that when making
decisions on acute international issues, as well as regional ones,
Armenia takes into account the Diaspora interests.
“Within the foreign policy the Diaspora potential for political
lobbying is an important factor. Armenian organizations, recognized
in the political arena, assist Armenian diplomacy and owing to
them Armenia’s voice is better heard at the international arena,”
Robert Kocharian remarked. Due to joint efforts with the Diaspora,
serious progress is made in international recognition and censure of
the Armenian Genocide. “In this issue the clear wording of Armenia’s
position had an important part: we look into the future not going to
refuse memories and we should sustain this approach,” the President
underscored.

OVER 50 UAR EXPERTS ENGAGED IN DISCLOSING CRIMES AGAINST ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 13:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian authorities support the Union of Armenians
of Russia (UAR) in disclosing crimes against Armenians and preventing
a tide of violence against foreigners, UAR President Ara Abrahamyan
told journalists in Yerevan. “We organize lectures at schools and
higher education institutions of Russia, aiming at presenting Armenia,
its historical past, current achievements, as well as future goals,”
he explained.
Besides, A. Abrahamyan noted that over 50 UAR lawyers and
experts in cooperation with respective structures of Russia are
engaged in disclosing crimes against Armenians. “one can say for
sure that the arrest of the person guilty in the murder of Vigen
Abrahamyants in Moscow metro is a result of effective cooperation,”
he underscored. Armenians of Russia denounce crimes not only against
Armenians, that became more frequent lately, but also against any
foreigners, Ara Abrahamyan said, reports Novosti-Armenia.

THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA ALL-ARMENIAN FORUM OPENED IN YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 13:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 18 the Third Armenia-Diaspora All-Armenian
Forum opened in Yerevan.
Political party and foreign Armenian lobbyist organizations
representatives, businessmen, public figures and scientists take part
in the forum. When opening the event Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian
wished success to the meeting participants. RA and NKR Presidents
R. Kocharian and A. Ghoukassian, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II and Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia Aram I addressed the Forum.
Working out strategy of Armenia’s development in 21st century will
be a major issue on the forum agenda.
During a plenary session under the slogan New Responses to Old
Questions: Armenians in 21st Century theoretical approaches to culture
and self-consciousness elements, opportunities to use these both
in Armenia and the Diaspora will be discussed. Special attention
will be paid to development of rural areas, targeted assistance to
farmers. The forum will work till September 20.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIME AND HISTORY DEMAND NEW APPROACHES AND BEHAVIOR MODELS FROM ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 14:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Time and history demand new approaches and behavior
models from Armenia. What has been done by state and various other
organizations for 15 years of independence is not coordinated and
its not enough for solving national problems, Chair of preparatory
commission, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at the opening of
the Armenia-Diaspora Third All-Armenian Forum. In his words, it is
necessary to unite efforts of Armenian people, to determine national
priorities for attaining our goals.
“Now independent Armenia, as never before needs the support of
the Diaspora. At the same time, each our compatriot living abroad
should feel the state capable to protect and help him,” the Armenian
FM remarked.
He also underscored that at the beginning of the 21st century the
Armenian people got an opportunity for spiritual, cultural and economic
development for the sake of national interests.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND LOSSES ACCORDING TO KIRO MANOYAN
A1+
[03:30 pm] 18 September, 2006
“It is a great achievement to have 15 years’ independence for the
last 600 years. And if we have many problems today, we should blame
not the independence, but ourselves”, said, Kiro Manoyan, Executive
of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Bureau Hay Dat and Political Office.
Mr. Manoyan is convinced that the nation can develop only if there
is a state. Referring to our path for the last 15 years, he said,
“We not only managed to be independent for 15 years, but we also
liberated Karabakh and created the strongest army of the region.
All this was achieved thanks to our unity”.
Mr. Manoyan found it noteworthy that if we have obligatory military
service, we must create an army which will contribute to the
development of the soldiers.
He said that the shortcomings can be overcome only in case there
are not hidden. “Armenia is the homeland of not those who live in
it but all the Armenians in the world. If we do not accept this,
we will continue to suffer losses. We cannot combat corruption,
emigration continues, and there is no justice in the country. All
this jeopardizes the security of the country.”
“I’m convinced that people emigrate as they have no other choice. The
majority has nothing, and the minority has everything at the expense
of the majority. People cannot stand injustice. Nothing will change
in the country if we fail to realize that we are the owners of the
country and everything depends on us”, Kiro Manoyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress