OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS ISSUE ANOTHER STATEMENT
ArmRadio.am
04.07.2006 18:05
“OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs continue to believe that the suggestions
developed during the last two years of negotiations provide the
best opportunity to reach a fair and long-term settlement,” says the
statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, issued July 3.
Once again presenting the principles mentioned in the report
introduced to the OSCE Permanent Council, the mediators express the
confidence that “time has come that taking these principles as a basis,
Presidents of the two countries should aspire to achieve progress in
the settlement process.” “In case the Presidents show willingness,
the Co-Chairs are ready to assist the parties in concluding a treaty,”
the statement says.
“Although no meetings of the parties with mediation of the Co-Chairs
are envisaged, they are ready to engage in the matter again if the
parties decide to continue the talks with the political will, which
was missing up to now,” the Co-Chairs mention.

AKHTAMAR CHURCH (ALMOST) RESTORED
Yavuz Baydar
The New Anatolian, Turkey
July 3 2006
A three day trip to Eastern Anatolia can be, even in the cooking heat
of summer, an extremely heartening, enlightening, teaching, well,
delightful experience. I had never been to the town of Dogubeyazýt,
which faces the majestic Ararat mountains and looks as if it is
protected by it. When the mayor, Ms Mukaddes Kubilay, elected as
candidate of pro-Kurdish DEHAP Party, invited me and a colleague of
mine, Oral Calýþlar, for a roundtable discussion on Kurdish question,
I accepted enthusiastically.
Soon after we arrived in the small and busy airport of Van, we headed
for a destination of great importance: island of Akhtamar, situated
southside of Van, some 5 miles off the shore of Van Lake. The island
is known throughout the world with its ancient Armenian church, called
Akhtamar – or, Akdamar, as in Turkish. 1.100 years old, Akhtamar was
one of the main temples of the Armenians. Its historical and symbolic
value has been undisputable.
The symphatetic church, built with the lightbrown local stones, has
been a ruin for decades, left as it was deserted. Its walls had deep
scars, bullet holes, grafiti and all sorts of prints by vandalism.
But a year ago, by the initiative of AK Party government, a restoration
work was commissioned. Under the surveillance of a group of experts
from universities of Ýstanbul, Ankara and Van, contractor firm
Kartalkaya, of the local Zeydanlý family, initiated the work.
As we approached the island, I did not expect much progress in
restoration. After all it was not even a year under harsh climate
conditions. But the visit around and inside the church was full of
great surprises.
The external work was almost completed and internally and, according
to Ahmet Mete Tozkoparan, who co-leads the Project, less than a
couple of months were needed. Four young experts were in full action
in recovering what was left of the fantastic frescoes. The floor
was complete.
Outside, it was even a more fabulous sight. Facades, that depicted
much of the iconography, some with references to Abbasi dynasty,
were cleaned neatly.
Then, as suggested by Yalcýn Karaca, an extremely knowledgeable
archeologist from Van University, we were taken to the other side
of the churchyard, where the team meticolously excavated what was
left of the walls and rooms of the monastery and the school. Those
of us who only remembered only earth on that part, were met with
astonishment. Our hosts pointed out that the walls now faced the
threat of the winter: Since they were fragile, the first strong rain
would start to threaten to destruct it. They were expecting, in vain,
some quick green light from the Department of Culture for covering
them neatly. It looked urgent indeed.
Over tea with the gentle team we discussed a lot about the iconography
of the church, that stood there, above us, majestically.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdoðan, we were told, took care of the work
of restoration personally, and he even visited the site by a chopper,
an unannounced appearence that even took place without the knowledge
of the local governor.
Next week, the island will have another visitor. The Armenian Patriarch
of Turkey, Mesrob II, will travel to Akhtamar to see what it now looks
like. He will be, I am sure, as surprised as we were. I could easily
call it the best restoration work ever done in Turkey.
One certainly hopes for more.
The opening of the church will not only mean a lot for the Armenians,
but also for the locals who expect more tourism and contacts.
–Boundary_(ID_ryDVpxVkqwTf7bZzK0A5kA)- –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHIEF TRAINER OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM OF ARMENIA FILES HIS RESIGNATION
ArmRadio.am
04.07.2006 17:26
Chief trainer of the national football team of Armenia Samvel Darbinyan
was dismissed for the position, according to his own application.
He will soon leave for Iran, where he will lead one of the local
football teams, Press Secretariat of RA Football Federation informs.
Earlier Samvel Darbinyan worked in Iran for two years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARTSAKH WAR PARTICIPANTS CALL UPON ALL PATRIOTIC FORCES TO DEFEND ENDANGERED HOMELAND
Noyan Tapan
Jul 4 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. “The country gained a victory, but has
no winner. People who fought, perished for the homeland and won,
have no status. The history of our Movement, the history of the
Liberation War is distorted,” the July 4 statement of a group of
Artsakh liberation war commanders read.
The statement authors emphasize that people who won the war are in a
bad social position in Armenia and everything is done to discredit
them and the way passed by them in the society’s eyes. “People who
are not connected at all with this Movement and War evaluate the
merits of the war participants,” the Artsakh war participants declare.
“We, Armenians, have liberated a small part of our lost homeland,
which is an Absolute value, it proves that it is given to the
enemy. Proceeding from the above mentioned, we declare that those
who will lift up their hand against even if the smallest part of our
homeland mechanically put themselves in the position of Turk invaders
with all consequences proceeding from this. We call upon all patriotic
forces to unite at this critical moment and to defend our homeland
that is in danger,” the war participants declare.
The statement was signed by Mikael Apresian, Commander of the “Artsakh”
regiment, Manvel Yeghiazarian, Commander of the “Arabo” regiment,
Arkady Karapetian, Commander of troops of Artaskh self-defence,
Field Commander Voskan Gyulumian.

DAMAGE CAUSED BY NATURAL CALAMITIES MAKES 1.4 BLN DRAMS IN TAVUSH REGION
Noyan Tapan
Jul 4 2006
IJEVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the damage caused by natural
calamities – spring frosts, floods and drought, made 1.4 bln drams
(about 3.3 mln USD) in Tavush region. NT correspondent was informed
about it by Razmik Melikjanian, Head of the Agriculture and Nature
Protection Department of Tavush Regional Administration. According
to him, the account on damages was submitted to the government,
but is not known yet whether the government will compensate the damage.
According to the head of the department, 45 out of 62 communities
suffered.
Fruit gardens suffered from drought by 60-70%, sowing areas of
potatoes and vegetables by 50-60%, vineyards by 15-20%. Due to the
long drought the average crop of grain is expected only in the amount
of 8-10 centners from 1 hectare.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“DAYS OF BAZE IN ARTSAKH” ALL ARMENIAN YOUTH FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON JUNE 26-AUGUST 1 IN NKR
Noyan Tapan
Jul 4 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Nearly 200 young people (18-30-year-old)
from Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and Diaspora will take part in “Days
of Baze in Artsakh” All Armenian Youth Festival which will be held
in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic from July 26 to August 1. It is
organized by the All-Armenian Youth Foundation.
Baze (Hawk) is the symbol of All Armenian Youth Festiavals organized
twice a year in Armenia. Their participants are also named “Bazes”.
As Armen Aleksanian, Deputy Director of the festival informed at
the July 4 press conference, 11-12 mln drams (nearly 28 thousand
U.S. dollars) will be allocated from the state budget, and nearly 5
mln drams will be allocated by the Foundation.
9 detachments will be formed during the Festival, which will be divided
into 3 fronts according to the colours symbolizing the tricolor flag
of Republic of Armenia: red, blue and orange. 2 of the detachments
are formed from the winners of “Baze” all Armenian gatherings’
song, dance, recitation, painting, fashion, intellectual and sport
competitions held in 2002-2006. According to the organizers, Artsakh
will represent 5 detachments and Diaspora and Javakhk, 1 detachment
each. Each detachment will include 12 young people.
Cultural, intellectual and sport competitions will be organized within
the framework of the festival, as well as “Baze” sculpture competition
will be held for the first time. Meetings with the NKR President,
NA President, Prime Minister and with other high-ranking officials
of Artsakh will also be held.

TWO VILLAGES OF ARAGATSOTN MARZ SUFFER FROM FLOOD
Noyan Tapan
Jul 4 2006
ASHTARAK, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The flood caused by the pouring rain
in July 3 evening brought to big ravages in the Kakavadzor and Verin
Agarak settlements of the Aragatsotn marz. As Ashot Hovhannisian,
Authorized Representative of the Aragatsotn Regional Governor informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, in Verin Agarak, the interior network
of drinking water was damaged by the flood, the roads of the village
were destroyed. Many houses of Kakavadzor were filled with water and
the central street became impassable.
The detachments of the Regional Rescuing department take measures in
both communities to assist the population suffered from the disaster.

150 CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE OF VERIN DVIN HAD TEN-DAY REST IN CAMP ORGANIZED BY AMERICAN FOUNDATION
Noyan Tapan
Jul 4 2006
ARTASHAT, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. It is already several years
that the U.S.-based Armenian Community Development Foundation
non-governmental organization organizes a ten-day summer camp in the
Verin Dvin community of the Ararat marz for the children of ethnic
minoroties. Assyrians who live in the village have a possibility to
learn in their native language. The children are not only fluent in
Assyrian, Armenian and Russian, but also know English and German.
The inhabitants of the Verin Dvin had an interesting rest from June 27
to July 7 due to the Armenian Community Development Foundation. During
ten days, the 1-6 form pupils were in the camp from 10 am, amd the 6-9
form pupils attended the second shift. Nearly 150 children participated
in studies and games of different groups in the camp. Specialists
sent by the non-governmental organization conducted the studies.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRE DISCOVERED IN ONE OF SECTIONS OF NEUTRAL REGION DURING MONITORING OF NKR AND AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES CONTACT-LINE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 4 2006
STEPANAKERT, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 3, the
Office of the OSCE Personal Representative Chairman-in-Office held
monitorings of the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed forces’
contact-line in Aghdam-Gindarkh direction and in the settlement
of Novrouzlou.
>From the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring mission
was led by Personal Representative of the OSCE PR C-i-O Andrzey
Kasprzyk. Field Assistants of the OSCE PR C-i-O Peter Key (Great
Britain), Irzhi Aberle (Czechia) and Gunter Folk (Germany) were in
the group.
The monitoring passed in accordance with the planned schedule, however
Azerbaijani side as before did not lead out the OSCE mission to the
front line. In the course of the monitorings no violations of the
cease-fire regime were fixed.
According to the NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service, the
representatives of the NKR Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense,
who accompanied the OSCE monitoring mission, noted that contrary to the
Azerbaijani side’s allegations on the burnings of the populated areas,
which were in the NKR security zone, the monitoring participants did
not find such facts. In one of the sections of neutral region a fire
was discovered, which fanned by wind was approaching the territory that
was under the NKR control, and it confirms the version on burnings
from Azerbaijani soldiers being on military duty, which had been
published earlier.
The monitorings of different sections of contact-line will be conducted
also on July 4-5.

DELEGATION LED BY RA PRESIDENT TO PAY TWO-DAY WORKING VISIT TO IRAN ON JULY 5
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 4 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 5, RA
President Robert Kocharian will leave for Islamic Republic of Iran
(IRI) on a two-day working visit. RA Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Energy, Head of RA President’s Staff, Ambassador of Armenia to Iran,
other high-ranking officials are included in the delegation.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian will have a tete-a-tete conversation with IRI President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Then the Armenian and Iranian delegations
will have a meeting in an extended staff, bilateral documents will
be signed. The heads of the two countries will have a joint press
conference.
In Tehran RA President will visit the tomb of IRI founder Ayatollah
Khomeyni and will lay a wreath to his grave.
During the working visit RA President will have a meeting with Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
Robert Kocharian will also visit the Embassy of Armenia in Iran and
will meet with the representatives of the Iranian Armenian community.