OSCE OFFICE POSITIVELY RESPONDS TO NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY’S INITIATIVE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 28 2006
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Organization
issues connected with the coming monitoring of Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijani armed forces contact-line were discussed at the June 27
meeting of NKR Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian with a number
of employees of the Office of the Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
Masis Mayilian expressed satisfaction that the OSCE Office has
positively responded to the initiative of NKR Foreign Ministry to
hold a monitoring in the border zone with Azerbaijan for the purpose
of evaluating the situation on the spot and putting an end to the
accusations of the Azerbaijani side about arsons of populated areas
under NKR’s control.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service, at
the meeting OSCE Office employee Peter Key (Great Britain) introduced
Gunter Folk (Germany), newly-appointed Field Assistant to the Personal
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office, to Masis Mayilian.
Irzhi Aberle (Czech Republic), Field Assistant to the Personal
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office, also took part in the
meeting.

DIASPORAN ART FIGURES PERFORM IN ASHTARAK WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF ALL ARMENIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Noyan Tapan
Jun 28 2006
ASHTARAK, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 27, an event was organized in
the regional center of Aragatsotn, Ashtarak, within the framework of
the “One Nation, One Culture” All Armenian Cultural Festival. Dance
ensembles of the Australian city of Sydney, Armenian communities of
Iran and Kazakhstan, a choir from Georgia, Diasporan Armenian solo
performers, “Karmravor” dance group of Ashtarak and other ensembles
performed at the concert held at the city palace of culture.

KILLINGS OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA UNRELATED TO ETHNIC STRIFE – MIN
by Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
June 28, 2006 Wednesday 11:37 AM EST
Killings of ethnic Armenians committed in Russia of late were not
related to motives of ethnic strife and were rather hinged on selfish
mercenary motivations, Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev
said Wednesday as he addressed a conference of Russian Interior and
Armenian police officials.
He recalled that four Armenians were killed in the first quarter of
the year and Russian investigators solved two of the murders.
“Operatives and investigators didn’t expose any evidence of ethnic
or confessionary strife or any other problems related to religion,”
Nurgaliyev said.
In both cases, mercenary motivations underpinned the criminal acts,
he said.
Nurgaliyev also denounced many mass media publications on the issue
as fakes.
“There’re many people who try to use friendly relations in their
petty political purposes and under-the-carpet struggling,” he said.

WE SHOULD HAVE PREPARED FOR FESTIVAL MORE SERIOUSLY, NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION UNION CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 28 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. “We should have prepared more seriously
before organizing the “One Nation, One Culture” second All Armenian
Cultural Festival. Paruyr Hayrikian, Chairman of the National
Self-Determination Union, expressed such an opinion in his interview
to Noyan Tapan correspondent.
According to him, this festival has only a cognitive character, but
it is time to pass to practical steps. P.Hayrikian said that this year
CIS countries solemnly mark the 15th anniversary of their independence
but nothing was said about this at the “One Nation, One Culture”
festival. “The Armenians spread all over the world have gathered in
their homeland and this was an occasion for solemnly celebrating the
15th anniversary of our independence. A nation becomes united first
of all with its statehood, but this statehood is not evaluated today,”
P.Hayrikian said.

ARREST AS MEASURE OF RESTRAINT CHOSEN AGAINST ALL THOSE ACCUSED OF MILITARY SERVICE EVASION IN 2005
Noyan Tapan
Jun 28 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2005, Armenian courts examined 76
cases against 76 persons under Article 327 of the RA Criminal Code:
evasion from regular military service or training excercises. In all
cases, arrest was chosen as a measure of restraint.
Spokeswoman for the RA Prosecutor General Sona Truzian stated this
when responding to NT correspondent’s question about why arrest as a
measure of restraint was chosen with respect to the editor-in-chief of
the newspaper “Zhamanak Yerevan” Arman Babajanian. She said that the
matter concerns a crime that poses a public danger of high degree –
evasion from regular military conscription, so no other measure of
restraint could be chosed in the given case.

ARAM SARKISYAN: ARMENIA AGREED TO RETURN FIVE REGIONS TO AZERBAIJAN
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
“The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair from the US Matthew Bryza has
not announced all the details of the negotiating process for the
settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict,” the Armenian Democratic
Party leader, parliamentarian Aram Sarkisyan stated (APA).
He said the co-chairs presented the parties to the conflict with the
map of the five regions which Armenia is ready to return to Azerbaijan
and the map of territories where peacekeeper will be deployed.
“The recent statement by Armenian Foreign Ministry shows that Yerevan
agrees to this document but Azerbaijan is against this variant of
solution. Now Baku taking into account Armenia’s having no territorial
claim against Azerbaijan, demands returning of seven regions not five
and Nagorno Garabagh as well. However, as far as I know, Baku has
agreed to the returning of five regions and a half-Kalbajar region,”
the Armenian parliamentarian said.
Sarkisyan said Arkadi Gukasyan, president of the alleged “Nagorno
Garabagh Republic” will never consent to this way of solution.
“The situation will become so tense that we’ll have to face the 1998
February events. The Armenian authorities are committing treachery.
We urge Robert Kocharyan to make public the content of negotiations
had with Azerbaijan,” Sarkisyan underlined.

“METAKSIA” THEATRICAL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 28 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Metaksia” theatrical
festival will be held on July 2-8 in Yerevan, on the occasion of the
80th birth anniversary of talented actress Metaksia Simonian. Theaters
of Armenia, Stepanakert, Tbilisi will take part in it. Each theater
will present the best performance of its repertoire on these days. Vahe
Shahverdian, Art Director of Gabriel Sundukian National Academic
Theater, declared this at the June 28 press conference.
According to V.Shahverdian, “Artist” competition will be held at the
end of the festival, within the framework of which awards will be
given to the art figures who will win in the nominations of the best
actress, the best actor, the best playwright and the best artist. They
will be given diplomas and Metaksia Simonian’s memorial medal.
“Metaksia was the actress, to which not one, but 10 jubilee events
can be dedicated,” Vahe Shahverdian emphasized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU AND YEREVAN HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON KARABAKH REFERENDUM
Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
June 27, 2006 Tuesday 7:07 PM MSK
The issue of the status of Nagorno- Karabakh ought to be solved by a
referendum, and this has already been agreed on between the presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan, a statement issued by the Armenian Foreign
Ministry on Tuesday reads.
“The issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh must be resolved by the
people of Nagorno-Karabakh by way of referendum and the differences in
the negotiations have nothing to do with the issue of the referendum,
because this issue has already been agreed on by the presidents,”
the statement says.
“The disagreements concern priorities in dealing with the aftermath
of the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the statement explains.
“The co-chairmen are saying for the first time that the issue of
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh has to be resolved by the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh through a referendum.”
“Armenia holds the view that, on the whole, the principles offered
by the co-chairmen of the Minsk OSCE group from Russia, France and
the U.S. are a serious basis for the continuation of talks and we are
ready, on this basis, to have talks with Azerbaijan. Armenia also holds
the view that Azerbaijan’s indecision concerning these elements is
a serious obstacle in achieving progress in talks, and that if such
a policy was to continue Armenia will insist on Azerbaijan having
direct talks with Nagorno-Karabakh.”
In addition, the Foreign Ministry stated, “No matter the size of
the military budget of Azerbaijan, it will never be able to make the
people of Nagorno-Karabakh give up their right to freedom and self-
determination.”

COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND ASTRAKHAN REGION TO DEVELOP
Noyan Tapan
Jun 28 2006
ASTRAKHAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian official delegation
headed by the governor of Ararat marz Alik Sargsian has been on a
visit to the Astrakhan region (Russia) on June 26-28. Within the
framework of the visit, an agreement between the Armenian government
and the government of Astrakhan region on trade, economic, scientific,
technical and cultural cooperation was signed on June 27. In the
words of A. Sargsian, the signing of this agreement will give a fresh
impetus to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation
between the sides in various spheres.
According to a press release of the RA MFA Press and Information
Department, an agreement on cooperation between the RA Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Astrakhan region was signed on the same day.
On June 28 the delegation met with representatives of the Armenian
community of Astrakhan region. During the visit, the Armenian
delegation members participated in the festivities to mark the 300th
anniversary of establishment of Astrakhan’s Armenian community.

PICTURES WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
By Mick Oxley, The Journal
THE JOURNAL (Newcastle, UK)
June 27, 2006 Tuesday
Edition 1
Armenia still bears the scars of a terrible earthquake and the Soviet
withdrawal. But artist Mick Oxley found redeeming features on a
recent trip.
Mick Oxley, an artist from Craster, recently returned from Armenia
where he was working at the Veratsnund Art School in the Italian
Village in Spitak.
In 1988, Armenia was devastated by an earthquake which killed more
than 45,000 people and left 500,000 homeless. Spitak, home to 25,000,
was all but levelled.
Some countries supplied temporary accommodation and much of it is
still in use – hence Italian Village.
Mick’s trip was organised by Italian charity Family Care, which is
supported by churches in the Alnwick area. Recently they raised £1,700
to buy materials for the art school and to fly Mick out to teach and
inspire the people who use the place.
A wheelchair-user, Mick found attitudes to disabled people in Armenia
less sympathetic than in Britain.
These are extracts from the diary he kept during the trip
:May 6
We arrived on bumpy Tarmac at Yerevan at 11.45pm. As I started to
re-assemble my wheelchair, I was surrounded by uniformed guards. “We
need your passport and dollars for a visa.” Welcome to Armenia!
The guards were dressed in drab Soviet-style uniforms with enormous
peaked caps. They kept saying: “You need ambulance!”
I replied: “I don’t need an ambulance” and promptly wheeled off to find
myself at a flight of 20 stairs. I hopped out of the chair and scuttled
down the steps on my backside. By now, the reception committee had
grown to about 15, gawping at this nutter bouncing down the staircase.
We piled our cases into two cars and made the 15-minute journey to
our lodgings in central Yerevan.
May 7
After breakfast, we journeyed by car to Italian Village Spitak,
the Lada Niva packed with cases and wheelchair.
Last night on the plane, a steward asked: “Where are you getting off,
Yerevan or Tashkent?”
“Yerevan,” I replied.
“On holiday?”
“A working holiday,” said I.
“Are you collecting scrap metal then?” he said in jest.
The significance of his remark hit home on the journey. Piles
of rusty metal lay by the road, old cars and contorted pieces of
machinery. Buildings which were being constructed by the Russians
are as they were in 1991 when they left. The road was deeply potholed
and vehicles wove in and out, often at high speed.
Travelling over the high ground to Spitak, we passed ugly, Soviet-built
housing blocks, stranded from the city. The hardness of life up here
screamed out at you.
In total contrast was the majestic beauty of the countryside: soaring,
snow-capped peaks, verdant valleys, eagles gliding on the thermals.
Another massive plus is the warmth of the people, especially out of
the capital. There a wheelchair invites trance-like stares.
We went to Arsen and Arusiak’s house in Uzbekistan Village to celebrate
their son’s birthday.
May 8
I headed for the Veratsnund Art School at 9am. With two groups coming
every afternoon for the next six days, I felt acutely in need of
preparation. By 6pm, I had tried five styles of painting with the
materials at hand, with differing results. At least I had something
to show the students.
May 9
In the art school by nine.
After lunch, the first of two groups arrived. Not speaking Armenian,
I couldn’t really fire them up. Maybe the students, aged six to 14,
were fazed by the odd-looking bloke in a wheelchair who used sign
language. Later, Arsen called round. Like me, Arsen is in a wheelchair,
having broken his back in the earthquake. Also like me, he is trying
to establish himself as an artist. Arsen rarely leaves his immediate
environment, especially in a wheelchair. The terrain makes life hard
and there are stares and comments from some locals.
May 10
I painted a landscape, the road outside, weaving its way through the
mountains. Arsen painted a view of a neighbouring snow-capped mountain
in a more rapid style which was also new to him.
After lunch, the same children reappeared. Happier with the subject
and more comfortable with the teacher, they produced some pleasing
work in pastel.
I visited the orphanage. The kids range from babies to young adults
and have a range of mental and physical disabilities.
Many of the children are not orphans; they have been handed over to
the nuns because they are disabled.
May 12
Invited to the house of Juliette, her son Hovannes and daughter Hamest.
Every time we get in a car it causes comment when I put a seatbelt
on. Having the front seat (for ease of transfer from wheelchair),
it is always noted. Seatbelt wearing is not just optional but almost
frowned upon, taken as a slight against the driver.
With their house destroyed by the earthquake, their home has been
two steel shipping containers bolted together. With the rusting metal
sides, it is very dark and cramped. On the wall is a poignant photo
of Juliette’s other daughter, who died in the earthquake. Just before
our visit, the family received their compensation for the loss of
their house – £15.
May 14
The day started with the sound of a cuckoo! We headed to Spitak to
attend Sunday Mass at the new Armenian Apostolic church. In many ways
it was similar to a Roman Catholic Mass; the layout inside was similar,
the incense, the organ and the choir.
Afterwards, we headed up to Venadzor. It was previously a heavily
industrialised town. Now it looks fairly desolate.
The people remain, as do the factories. Sadly, though, for mile after
mile we passed ghost factories.
We journeyed back to Yerevan to view the venue for the exhibition,
the Artbridge in Abovian Street. Set in a pleasant avenue, the gallery
had a good ambience, with tasteful decor and cool music. The only
drawback again was access – two steps up and two down to get in and
inaccessible toilets.
May 15
Some of the children’s work is progressing well.
One girl, Piruz, was so cheerful and helpful, constantly translating
for me. Another student, Susan, consistently achieved pleasing
results. Arsen, too, was well into his stride, working happily in his
new-found style. Previously, he had concentrated on religious icons
and very traditional still-lifes.
May 16
I went into the art school early and started on a mountain view.
After 30 minutes, I was visited by three children from the orphanage,
Elizabeth, Igneas and Rosa. All were keen to paint. Within minutes
my picture was transformed into a more abstract representation! All
three left, pleased to have put me right!
We had arranged transport from Spitak to Yerevan for the exhibition
and many of the children were keen to attend with their parents.
May 17
I worked until 2.30pm, ringing and stringing 25 canvases and seven
framed pictures.
All but the framed work had been completed during our six working
days together. There were nine canvases from the children and eight
apiece from Arsen and me.
May 18
We arrived at the Gallery by 5pm and met Arsen and his family. It was
a big event for Arsen to venture out in his wheelchair after years of
ridicule and rude stares. Soon after, the bus from Spitak arrived;
the looks of wonderment on the children’s faces as they entered the
gallery and saw their work made everything so worthwhile. The Mayor
of Spitak made a speech, Arsen and I sold a canvas each and were
interviewed by Armenian TV.
May 19
We said our farewells. Arsen and his family had become good friends.
Would I visit again?
I would like to – if someone could help me manoeuvre the wheelchair
over the rough ground and monstrously high kerbstones.
May 20
After breakfast, I sauntered around the city centre. At one point,
I got stranded in the middle of the road while on a crossing with a
green man flashing. A marshrutka (taxicab) stopped and as I turned
to thank him, he was sitting shaking his fists at me!
May 21
Headed for Zvartnots airport. Yerevan was serene at that time of
morning.
The plane arrived late from Tashkent but we boarded without hassle –
only to meet some women from Seahouses.
PS
This was a trip I won’t forget. I feel we met our aims. We introduced
Arsen and the students to new ways of working. We also left a legacy
in terms of materials. I hope being there in a wheelchair might
have encouraged Arsen and others to venture out. If by wheeling
around Yerevan I changed one person’s view of the disabled, I would
be satisfied.
j Mick is participating in The Art Tour. See his work at the Village
Hall, Whin Hill, Craster, every Sunday in July from 11am to 5pm. Tel.
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