CONSUMER PRICES GROW 3.6% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-JUNE
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Consumer prices grew by 3.6%
in July 2006 on December 2005, including a 4.3% increase in food
commodity prices (including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes), a 2.2%
increase in non-food commodity prices and a 4% increase in service
tariffs. According to the RA National Statistical Service, a 5.6%
inflation in the Armenian consumer market in January-May 2006 was
followed by a 1.9% deflation in June-July (a 1.2% deflation in
June and a 0.7% deflation in July). This was mainly conditioned by
seasonal fluctuations in prices of some food commodities. A 2.6% fall
in food commodity prices (including alcololic drinks and cigarettes)
was registered in July compared with last year, a 2.6% growth in
tariffs was registered in the service sector, while the prices of
non-food commodities declined by 0.1%. The average monthly increase
in consumer prices made 0.5% in January-July 2006 against 0.45%
in the same month of last year.

“PRESENT AUTHORITIES MAKE MONEY AT THE COST OF MEMORY OF MARTYRS OF THE
ARTSAKH FREEDOM FIGHT” “ZHARANGUTYUN” PARTY CHAIRMAN STATES
YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. “During officiating of the present
authorities the Karabakh issue entered deadlock.” Raffi Hovannisian,
the Chairman of the “Zharangutyun” (Heritage) party made such a
statement at 4th congress of the party on August 1. According to him,
“the illegal regime became more impudent” and “the authorities make
money not only on the floating exchange rate, but also at the cost
of memory of martyrs of the Artsakh freedom fight.”
Seriously criticizing the government, the “Zharangutyun” Chairman
also mentioned that it “as if wants to help its citizens, but
injures.” R.Hovannisian mentioned as an example of what he said
the fall of the exchange rate of the US dollar, as a result of
what, according to him, “a group of people win at the expense of
the people.” “We have no right to stand aside in the case when the
country is short of breath. The only way out is a united struggle,”
R.Hovannisian stated. He called on the Armenian businessmen,
intellectuals, servicemen and other strata of the society to gather
round the “Zharangutyun” party, mentioning that the national unity
based on the civil consciousness has no alternative. According to
Vardan Khachatrian, a member of the party board, the “Zharangutyun”
party is in a deep confrontation with the country authorities who
have closed all the doors in front of the party.” He mentioned that
the only structure which had “civil courage” to give a hall to the
“Zharangutyun” party for holding the congress was the Writers’
Union of Armenia. Presenting the report of the party board, Anahit
Bakhshian, a member of the board mentioned the decisive intention of
the “Zharangutyun” party to continue the struggle for establishing
legality in the country. Touching upon the electoral processes,
A.Bakhshian mentioned that “if Levon Ter-Petrosian put the basis
of false elections, Robert Kocharian took falsification of the
referendum on the constitutional amendments taken place in 2005 to
a record index.”

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
IMPO RTANT MEETINGS ARE HELD IN ANTELIAS
During the last few days His Holiness Aram I held important meetings in the
Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in light of the recent
political developments in Lebanon.
His Holiness received Gerges Saleh, the General Secretary of the Middle East
Council of Churches (MECC), who wanted the Pontiff’s views on the
distribution of humanitarian aid to the refugees from South Lebanon.
The Catholicos advised the general secretary about the importance of
organised committee work through social workers on the local level. He also
outlined the importance of accountability to those charity organisations
that are providing humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
His Holiness called on churches to contribute to the humanitarian aid
efforts through their representatives as a tangible expression of the church
‘s humanitarian mission.
“This is the stage of immediate aid. The next stage should be carefully
studied so that the physical and psychological consequences of the war can
be remedied,” he said.
Dr. Sam Kobia, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC)
and a number ecumenical committees and spiritual leaders of several churches
contacted the Armenian Catholicos by email, phone and faxes to express their
support in these times of war.
Another important meeting the Catholicos held was with the head of the
Christian-Muslim Committee of Lebanon, Mr. Hares Shehab. The representative
of the Armenian community in that committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian was also
present at the meeting.
Shehab handed to His Holiness the invitation of Maronite Patriarch Mar
Nasrallah Sfeir to a meeting of Lebanese spiritual leaders to be held within
the next 24 hours.
His Holiness Aram I stressed the importance of strengthening the internal
unity of Lebanon: “When one of Lebanon’s communities is hurt, Lebanon as a
whole is hurt. When the lives of people belonging to a certain community are
threatened, the lives of all the Lebanese are threatened. We should,
therefore, be united in the conflict so we can overcome the threat.”
The dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia are trying, within their
capabilities, to bring their contribution to the humanitarian aid efforts to
the refugees of South Lebanon.
##
View photo here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
&quo t;CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM SPIRITUAL LEADERS
APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE”
Declared HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
Speaking to the press after the meeting of the spiritual Heads of the
Christian and Muslim communities in Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I, the head
of the Armenian Orthodox Community said: “This is the true Lebanon; this
togetherness of Muslim and Christian Spiritual leaders concretely manifest
the real image of Lebanon. This very meeting by itself is a living message.
It is a message of the crucial importance of coexistence; it is a message of
peace with justice; it is a message of compassion tolerance and mutual
respect. In fact, violence is not the way to solve problems. Dialogue,
mutual understanding and compromise based on justice and peace for all, is
the most efficient way of dealing with complex issues and situations”.
Referring to the meeting of religious Heads, His Holiness Aram I said:
“Together with one voice in our joint declaration we appealed for immediate
ceasefire and cessation of all hostilities. We expressed our full support to
all actions and initiatives taken by the government of Lebanon. We
emphasized the importance of the expansion of the state’s authority over all
the territories of Lebanon. It is our firm expectation that international
community and particularly the United Nations will act decisively to stop
violence and help Lebanon to recover itself”.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 2, 2006
___________________
DIOCESAN LEGATE ACCOMPANIES CATHOLICOS TO INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS’
MEETING IN MOSCOW
Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), attended an international conference
of religious leaders in Moscow from July 2 to 6, 2006.
The World Religious Summit for Peace involved more than 200 representatives
from 49 countries. Included in the summit were leaders from Oriental
Orthodox churches — including His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Patriarch Paulos of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church — as well as representatives of other Orthodox churches,
the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant churches, as well as
Jewish, Buddhist, and Islamic community leaders.
The summit was organized by the Russian Orthodox Church and was organized to
coincide with the recent G8 summit in St. Petersburg. Organizers hoped the
forum would offer the political leaders attending the G8 summit with
solutions to global problems.
Bishop Aykazian attended not just as a representative of the Armenian
Church, but as president-elect of the National Council of Churches (NCC).
“We spoke about how can we achieve the peace,” said Bishop Aykazian, who
like Catholicos Karekin II, addressed the delegates during the meeting. “I
spoke about peace and the achievements of the National Council of Churches
in peaceful movements around the world. This is an ongoing process, and we
will always have problems in the world. But we have to continue these
peaceful conferences in order to be able to create a stable world in which
to live.”
In speaking of the NCC, Bishop Aykazian outlined how the group is trying to
help in the Middle East, Africa, and many other countries around the world.
“We are still helping,” he said of the organization’s ongoing efforts. “It
is a process that is continuous and goes on always.”
During the summit, the legate was also a guest of the U.S. Ambassador to
Russia, who invited him to attend a special 4th of July celebration in the
U.S. embassy.
— 8/2/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of
the Eastern Diocese, left, with former head of the Soviet Union, Mikhail
Gorbachev, and U.S. Ambassador to Russia William Burns.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Bishop Aykazian, right, with Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona
Metzger, left, and Russian-Armenian philanthropist Ara Abrahamyan.

AASSSG delivers a symposium on Denial and Healing
By: Yetvart S. Majian
AASSSG
Dr. Kalayjian
185 E 85th Street, Mezz # 4
New York, NY 10028
E-mail: [email protected]

The Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress & Genocide (AASSSG)
sponsored a symposium on `Denial and Healing’ on Friday, April 7, which took
place at Fordham University, NYC. This is the Annual symposium for AASSSG
commemorating the 91st Anniversary of the Ottoman Turkish Genocide of the
Armenians. The event, organized and chaired by Dr. Anie Kalayjian, Professor of
Psychology at Fordham University and president of AASSSG, presented awardsto this
year’s winners of the annual Krieger Essay Contest for essay writing on the
legacy of the Genocide of Armenians. Following these awards, Dr. Ervin Staub
was honored with receipt of the 2006 AASSSG Outstanding Achievement Award. Dr.
Staub is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, and
founding director of the Ph.D. concentration, “Psychology of Peace and the
Prevention of Violence.’ After receipt of his award, Dr. Staub addressed the
audience with an outstanding lecture on the trauma suffered by survivors of
genocide and its consequent trans-generational effects.
The audience – aging from teenagers to the elderly, and many of whom were
either direct descendents of the Armenian survivors of the Ottoman Turkish
Genocide or friends of decedents, Professor Kalayjian’s students, and faculty
from Fordham – listened attentively as Dr. Staub underscored differences between
government policies, social perceptions and the personal understanding of
genocide. He emphasized the destructive nature of genocide denial as he related
a need for recognition of trauma, victimization, and history, including the
heroic acts of Germans and Turks who attempted to save Jews and Armenians,
during the respective genocides. After discussing the recognition of such a
holistic history, Dr. Staub’s talk culminated by illuminating the healing
effects of forgiveness and reconciliation. Clearly resonating with the audience,
many members carefully contemplated, questioned, and deeply discussed the
thesis.
Analysis of generational traumatic experience and healing only developed
further as Drs. Sophia Kramer-Leto and Chiara Hayganush Megighian Zenati engaged
the audience by conducting Family Constellations. Based on the work of Bert
Hellinger (`Peace Beings in the Soul’), Family Constellations are an
effective phenomenological method of revealing unconscious entanglements with the
fates of family ancestors. Events such as the premature death or a murder of a
family member can lead to so called entanglements, which may create imbalance
in one’s future and relationships. As audience members began volunteering,
Drs. Kramer Leto and Zenati instructed them to center themselves and focus
deeply on their feelings. With each volunteer prompted by assigned roles and
interaction with other audience members – all assigned certain hypothetical
identities – the auditorium became a vessel of working through thepast.
While some audience members adopted the role of genocide victims long
perished, others were surviving children and grandchildren. In one instance, a
real-life descendent of a genocide victim admitted a willingness to forgive but
also felt a deep anger, which forbade that willingness. Touched on the
shoulder by his murdered great-grandfather (a fellow member of the audience), he
looked into the eyes of an Ottoman Turkish soldier and painfully asked,`Why?’
Another Armenian member of the audience, also in the role of genocide victim,
intimated: `I feel an urge to hug him [another participant, in therole of
an Ottoman Turk]. I feel that we are one.’ These were only two of the many
reactions witnessed as numerous members volunteered and experienced their
subconscious.
Having experienced and analyzed many deep and often personally traumatic
emotions of the past, Dr. Kalayjian announced to the audience, `And although it
is important for Armenians to remember and come to terms with the Genocide,
we must also remain aware of our rich culture before 1915.’ With that, the
audience welcomed Robert Harutunian, and others from the `Armenian Folk Dance
Society,’ who brought the evocative night to a close with original
ethnographic
dance from pre-1915 historic Armenia. Members of the audience arose once
again, but this time to learn an ancient dance and join together, creatinga
human serpent of movement, moving harmoniously throughout the auditorium. This
event was designed to integrate theoretical components of healing post
genocides, a hands-on healing practice, as well as artistic expressions promoting
historic reconnection. Participants departed in the gift of the present,
colored with new meaning and a renewed appreciation of the past.
Post-trauma generational healing workshops will be continued by Dr.
Kalayjian. Those interested may kindly contact her via e-mail: [email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) .
Chairperson Dr. Kalayjian presenting the 2006 AASSSG Outstanding Achievement
Award to Professor Staub.
>From left: Chairperson Kalayjian, Professor Staub, Drs. Chiara a Sofia
Kramer after the presentations.
Photos will follow
Edward S. Majian
_
Dr. Anie Kalayjian
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Fordham University
President, Association for Disaster & Mass Trauma Studies
Board of Directors, United Nations, NGO Human Rights Committee
Treasurer, American Psychological Association International Division
President, Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress & Genocide
139 Cedar Street
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010-1003
Phone: 201 – 941-2266
Page: 917 – 269 – 2803
Fax: 201 – 941- 5110

ARMENIAN-EGYPTIAN COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR TO EXTEND
CAIRO, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the RA Deputy
Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstian paid a working visit to Egypt
on July 25-30 with the aim of promoting the bilateral cooperation
between Armenia and Egypt in the sphere of agriculture. During the
visit, the Armenian delegation met with the Egyptian minister of
agriculture, the director of the center on agricultural studies and
heads of other specialized institutions. The process and priority
programs of the work on agricultural development of the two countries,
and the opportunities for cooperation in the spheres of mutual
interest were discussed at the meeting with the Egyptian minister
of agriculture.
According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the Armenian
side restated the Armenian agricultural minister’s invitation to his
Egyptian counterpart, asking him to participate in AgroForum to be
held in Yerevan in September.

MOBILE AND INTERCITY PHONE COMMUNICATION DISCONTINUES AGAIN IN SYUNIK
KAPAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The mobile and intercity phone
communication failed again in Syunik marz from July 31, 4 pm to August
1, 1 am. Grisha Grigorian, head of the Kapan unit of ArmenTels’
Syunik branch, told NT correspondent that the comunication was
discontinued because of a bridge’s collapse near the city of
Jermuk. The communication has been restored.

GOLD AND SILVER RESERVES DISCOVERED NEAR VANADZOR
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The Vallex Mining company is conducting
a geological survey in the Margahovit ore field near the city of
Vanadzor, where, according to preliminary information, there are
gold and silver reserves. NT correspondent was informed about it
from Artyom Sargsian, deputy head of the geological survey service
of Institute of Mining CJSC. In his words, the survey is being done
in four villages. Particularly, the reserves in the Tandzut flux mine
(NT: flux is a raw material used in metallurgy) anount to 335 thousand
tons, with a ton containg 1.25 grams of gold and 9.4 grams of silver.
This information will be submitted soon to the State Commission on
Reserve Approval. A. Sargsian said that in addition to Vallex Mining,
other companies of the Vallex Group such as Armenian Copper Program
CJSC, Base Metals Ltd and Mining Metallurgy are also involved in the
geological survey and prospecting work in various Armenian marzes
and the NKR. It was noted that Lori marz is the richest one in
metal reserves, with the Teghut copper and molybdenum mine being a
big survey object. It is the second largest one in Armenia after the
Kajaran mone by its reserves. As of 1991, the Teghut mine’s confirmed
reserves made about 450 mln tons of ore (the average contents of
copper and molybdenum in a ton make 0.34% and 0.02% respectively). A
prospecting work is now being done once again at the mine. According to
A. Sargsian, surveys are also being conducted in the Hankadzor copper
ore field, in some groups of the Martsiget gold-copper polymetal mines
and the Dzaghodzor gold-polymetal mine of Lori marz. Some preliminary
operation is envisaged here in the near future.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/02/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. Christian and Muslim Leaders Appeal for Immediate Cease-Fire 2. Homenetmen Pan-Armenian Jamboree Begins in Armenia 3. Armenian Community In Rostov Condemns Church Desecration 4. Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Meet in Paris 5. Extent Of 'Victory' In Kodori Offensive Unclear 1. Christian and Muslim Leaders Appeal for Immediate Cease-Fire ANTELLIAS, Lebanon--His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great See of Cilicia Tuesday joined Lebanon's spiritual leaders to call for an immediate cease fire and urge the international community to monitor the crisis more seriously. The conference, which was held in Bekerkeh region of Lebanon, was attended by Christian and Muslim leaders and carefully examined the current military crisis afflicting Lebanon. "This is the true Lebanon; this togetherness of Muslim and Christian Spiritual leaders concretely manifest the real image of Lebanon. This very meeting by itself is a living message. It is a message of the crucial importance of coexistence; it is a message of peace with justice; it is a message of compassion tolerance and mutual respect. In fact, violence is not the way to solve problems. Dialogue, mutual understanding and compromise based on justice and peace for all, is the most efficient way of dealing with complex issues and situations," Aram I told the press after the conference. "Together with one voice in our joint declaration we appealed for immediate cease-fire and cessation of all hostilities. We expressed our full support to all actions and initiatives taken by the government of Lebanon. We emphasized the importance of the expansion of the state's authority over all the territories of Lebanon. It is our firm expectation that international community and particularly the United Nations will act decisively to stop violence and help Lebanon to recover itself," added the Catholicos. 2. Homenetmen Pan-Armenian Jamboree Begins in Armenia BIURAKAN, Armenia--More than 650 scouts representing 16 countries gathered at a campsite Monday for the opening of the 8th pan-Armenian scouting jamboree organized by Homenetmen. Present at the opening ceremonies for were chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau Hrand Markarian, Primate of the Argadzotn Diocese Rev. Torgom Donikian, members of the Homenetmen Central Executive and other guests. At the beginning of the inaugural, representatives from each country participated in a flag ceremony where the flags of each guest country was raised. This was followed by the raising of the Armenian tri-color and the Homenetmen flag. This impressive ceremony was followed by a message delivered by Lucine Kazezian who spoke on behalf of the Homenetmen Lebanon Regional Executive, expressing disappointment that its members were unable to participate in this event due to the continuous bombing of the country by Israel. Kazezian explained that despite months of preparation and excitement, the scouts from Lebanon were unable to attend, adding that while they were not physically present at the jamboree each and every scout in Lebanon was there with heart and soul. Hratch Shmavonian, chairman of the Homenetmen Armenia (HASK) Regional Executive welcomed all the participants and expressed hope that this jamboree will, once again, become an opportunity to create new memories. Following remarks by jamboree director Alec Khatchatryan, who underscored the important role of gatherings such as the jamboree in the lives of young Armenians, ARF Bureau chairman Markarian welcomed the participants. In his remarks, Markarian stressed that the mission of the Homenetmen and the ARF did not differ from one another, stressing that the Homenetmen has an important mission in Armenia as the nation continues to become strong country. By comparing Homenetmen to a volunteer army, Markarian underscored the important role the organization plays throughout the world in bringing together Armenians and especially the Armenian youth. On behalf of the Homenetmen Central Executive, Garbis Kabasakalian highlighted the significance of being able to convene the jamboree in Armenia as the most natural setting for the organization since its mission of bringing Armenians together is fully realized when its scouts gather in the homeland. After the convocation by Primate Donikian, the jamboree officially began, with the participating scouts each beginning to take part in the various activities. The jamboree will conclude on Wednesday, August 9, at which time the participants will tour Armenia. 3. Armenian Community In Rostov Condemns Church Desecration ROSTOV, Ukraine (Armenpress)--Armenian intellectuals and community leaders Wednesday condemned the desecration of Holy Cross Armenian Church in Rostov, Ukraine and an attempt to burn down the Russian-Armenian friendship situated inside the church. Unknown assailants Monday reportedly desecrated the temple and tried to burn it. Failing to enter the church they broke and burnt the windows and sprayed the slogans "white justice has come" and "Russia is for Russians" on the church walls. A meeting was held Tuesday at the Armenian Consulate General in the Southern Russian, during which Consul General Ararat Gomtsian condemned the act of vandalism and read a message directed to the town and provincial authorities, as well as to law-enforcement bodies. The message demands that the persons responsible for this be found and punished. The Russian-Armenian Yerkramas newspaper reported that the director of the Rostov regional monuments protection agency Alexander Kozhin said "the desecration of historic monuments is terrible." He added that the Holy Cross Church was the only architectural monument in Rostov that date back to the 18th century. 4. Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Meet in Paris PARIS--The US, French and Russian Co-chairmen of the OSCE Minks Group were joined by the special representative to the chairman in office of the OSCE Wednesday to discuss the Karabakh peace process, following the recent by the US Co-chair Matthew Bryza to the region. Bryza briefed his Russian and French counterparts Yuri Merzlyakov and Bernard Fassier Yuri, as well as the OSCE Chairman in Office representative Andrzej Kasprzyk about his recent visit to Yerevan, Stepanakert and Baku. Sources close to the discussion stated that the Minsk Group leaders are expected to recommend a meeting between Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammedyarov to be held in Prague. In Yerevan, director of political affairs for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Giro Manoyan told the Hayots Ashkhar daily that Bryza's visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic could be viewed as an indication that the Minsk Group was considering to bring back Stepanakert into the negotiating process. Manoyan told the newspaper that before agreeing to a future referendum of independence in Karabakh, the Armenian side must make sure that Azerbaijan would not be able to thwart the vote or reject its results. "If the parties agree to hold a referendum clarifying Karabakh's status three or five years after signing an accord, it must be made clear that in case of a failure to hold it for any reason Karabakh will automatically become a part of Armenia," he says. Meanwhile, the human rights group Refugees for International Law, in a letter, appealed to the OSCE Co-chairmen to include the issue of Armenian refugees displaced by Azeri ethnic cleansing efforts in Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan within the ongoing negotiations. In the letter, the organization pointed out that the status of the 500,000 Armenian refugees from the Baku and Sumgait pogroms in the late 1980's and early 1990's, as well from ethnic cleansing operations in Nakhichevan at that time needed to be a part of the Minsk Group peace process agenda. "From the legal point of view the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is the only legal successor of Soviet Azerbaijan. We believe a partial resolution of the issue would be if Karabakh citizenship were granted to the Armenian refugees in territories outside Karabakh boundaries but within its jurisdiction today," stressed the human rights organization's appeal. Similar letters have been sent to leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan by the same group. 5. Extent Of 'Victory' In Kodori Offensive Unclear PRAGUE (RFE/RL)--Georgian officials have sought to present last week's incursion into the Kodori Gorge as a major territorial gain. But such claims gloss over the Georgian failure to apprehend former Kodori Governor Emzar Kvitsiani, whose defiance of the Georgian authorities served as the catalyst for what Tbilisi claims was simply a police operation. Speaking on national television on July 28, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that Georgia now "directly controls a very important strategic part of the territory of Abkhazia," and will "establish Georgian jurisdiction and constitutional order in the heart" of that breakaway region. "We have a good army in Georgia. They are really good boys...but the commander...is an idiot. He knows nothing about military strategy." -- Kvitsiani Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said the same day that "practically the whole of the gorge is under the control of the police." Such claims are, however, an exaggeration, insofar as Georgia has merely extended its control over the upper reaches of the gorge -- formerly a no-man's-land controlled by Kvitsiani's Monadire (Hunter) militia -- as far as the border between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. Kristian Bzhania, a spokesman for Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh, derided the Georgian claims, telling regnum.ru that "we have another word for what Saakashvili calls the heart." Bagapsh himself warned when the Georgian forces first entered Kodori that he would mobilize his army if the Georgian contingent actually advanced onto Abkhaz territory. Saakashvili and Okruashvili praised the conduct of the Kodori operation, which was supervised by Okruashvili and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili personally as both army and Interior Ministry troops took part. (Okruashvili subsequently clarified the division of responsibilities between the Defense and the Interior ministries, saying that the latter carried out the operation and the armed forces merely provided "logistical support," according to "Novye Izvestia," as cited on August 1 by apsny.ru.) Former Governor Emzar Kvitsiani (InterPressNews, undated)US military personnel in Georgia described the Georgian troops' performance to one Washington analyst as less than stellar, noting that morale among the Georgian servicemen was not good and that at one point the operation was halted due to "inclement weather conditions." The Russian newspaper "Vedomosti" on July 28 likewise quoted unnamed "experts" as saying the Georgian military is not yet professional enough to conduct large-scale operations. Former Kodori Governor Kvitsiani, who managed to evade the advancing Georgian troops and whose current whereabouts are unknown, was particularly scathing. He said in video footage broadcast on July 30 by the independent Georgian television channel Imedi that claims that his fighters were surrounded were "laughable." Kvitsiani claimed that the Georgian troops "do not know the area and cannot read maps.... We have a good army in Georgia. They are really good boys...but the commander...is an idiot. He knows nothing about military strategy." Russian experts have pointed out that even if, as Abkhaz presidential envoy to Gali Raion Ruslan Kishmaria has alleged, Georgia is deploying more troops to the upper reaches of the Kodori Gorge with the aim of advancing into the lower reaches and attacking Sukhum, the Abkhaz capital, such an offensive is fraught with risk. "Izvestia" on August 1 quoted an unnamed Russian general as saying that "starting a campaign in Kodori in summer would be suicidal." He pointed out that the mountains are covered in foliage, providing the enemy with excellent cover, and that it would be virtually impossible to use armor or heavy artillery. A Russian military analyst similarly noted that at one point the gorge narrows to the point that two platoons of Abkhaz special forces could easily block any further Georgian advance. Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Chechelashvili said on July 31, however, that Tbilisi has no intention of using Kodori as a bridgehead to advance further into Abkhazia. And Abkhaz President Bagapsh apparently sees no danger of such an advance at this point. Bagapsh told volunteers from the North Caucasus on August 1 that there is no need at this juncture to mobilize the entire male population of Abkhazia, Caucasus Press reported, although he added that "there are people within the Georgian government whose ambitions are so high they are incapable of rational decisions." But Abkhaz Defense Minister Lieutenant General Sultan Sosnaliyev told Interfax on August 1 that Tbilisi is secretly replacing the Interior Ministry troops deployed to Kodori with regular military personnel -- a claim that has not been verified. The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement on July 31 demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Georgian forces from Kodori. That statement warned that the Georgian authorities' actions risk fueling tensions and provoking an unanticipated "confrontation." Meanwhile, Okruashvili responded on July 31 to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov's demand for international monitoring of the Georgian troops in Kodori by saying Tbilisi would consent only after international military experts have been allowed to inspect the former Russian military base in Gudauta, Abkhazia. Under an agreement signed in November 1999, Moscow undertook to withdraw its troops and materiel from that base by July 1, 2001, but the Georgian government claims that some Russian personnel are still there. Whether Okruashvili is trying to buy time in order to prepare for a new offensive is as yet unclear. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Baghdasarian