CES BIENS CHRETIENS QU’ANKARA NE VEUT PAS LâCHER
Le Figaro, France
21 septembre 2006
EXASPERE par l’absence de progrès dans le domaine des libertes
religieuses en Turquie depuis 2004, Bruxelles promet un sevère
avertissement dans son rapport annuel, qui sera rendu public par le
commissaire a l’Elargissement Olli Rehn, le 8 novembre. Le Parlement
turc a fini par recevoir le message. Les deputes sont reunis en
session extraordinaire depuis mardi pour voter un 9 e “paquet”
d’harmonisation avec les lois en vigueur dans l’Union europeenne. Cet
ensemble legislatif comprend un texte particulièrement attendu sur
les fondations religieuses non musulmanes.
Il prevoit la restitution des biens immobiliers confisques aux
institutions grecques orthodoxes, armeniennes et juives. Usant du
pretexte que les fondations des minorites religieuses n’avaient pas le
droit d’acquerir ou de recevoir en donation du patrimoine immobilier,
l’Etat turc s’est approprie des milliers de logements, ecoles, hôpitaux
ou eglises, depuis les annees 1930. Lorsque cette jurisprudence ne
suffisait pas, les tribunaux recouraient a des astuces. “Par exemple,
de nombreux biens avaient ete enregistres sous le nom de saints,
comme Saint-Augustin ou Saint-Gabriel, une pratique courante sous
l’Empire ottoman pour contourner des difficultes, explique Emre Oktem,
specialiste de droit a l’universite Galatasaray.
Le plus serieusement du monde, des tribunaux turcs ont donc constate
la disparition de ces proprietaires et leur absence d’heritiers pour
transferer les proprietes au Tresor.” Spoliation systematique Reclame
par l’Union europeenne, le projet de loi examine par les parlementaires
etait en souffrance depuis un an et demi, car il se heurte a une forte
opposition des nationalistes. Pour Baskin Oran, professeur de sciences
politiques et auteur d’un rapport accablant sur le droit des minorites
en Turquie, cette spoliation systematique “n’est que le dernier maillon
de la chaîne du projet de transfert de capital des non musulmans
aux musulmans lance en 1915”. La loi ne touche pas au pouvoir de la
Direction generale des fondations (VGM) qui peut toujours dissoudre
a sa guise l’une d’entre elles. “Les avancees legislatives seront
insuffisantes, estime d’ailleurs Diran Bakar, avocat des fondations
religieuses armeniennes. “La restitution ne concerne que les immeubles
detenus encore par le Tresor ou la direction des fondations. Rien
n’est prevu lorsqu’ils ont ete revendus a une tierce personne, ce
qui est frequent.” Et cet habitue des rouages de l’administration
predit de nouvelles difficultes après la promulgation de la loi :
“La bureaucratie refusera le transfert au proprietaire d’origine et
il faudra aller en justice. La mentalite n’a pas evolue.” Dernier
problème de taille, les catholiques et les protestants ne beneficient
pas de ces lois. Exclus du traite de Lausanne de 1923 garantissant la
protection des minorites non musulmanes, ces deux communautes n’ont
jamais constitue de fondations. Longtemps, ce statut a part les a
paradoxalement mises a l’abri. Mais depuis quelques annees, l’absence
de personnalite juridique les fragilise. La Direction generale
des fondations a, par exemple, mis la main sur une eglise situee
sur la rive asiatique du Bosphore. La justification : la location
d’une partie du terrain a un club sportif detournait le lieu de sa
fonction religieuse. Un arrangement amiable a finalement ete trouve a
la Cour europeenne des droits de l’homme de Strasbourg. L’Etat garde
la propriete de l’eglise, l’institution catholique ne dispose plus
que de l’usufruit.
Mais six ans après cette decision, ce droit d’usage n’est toujours
pas enterine.
–Boundary_(ID_giNAO8ci9zL8h6IpX+La2Q)- –

ASTRID SAPRITCH, L’ARMENIE AU COEUR ; EN VUE
Par Armelle Heliot
Le Figaro, France
21 septembre 2006
Etre plasticienne, c’est avoir du muscle. Pourtant Astrid Sapritch
ne se collette pas avec des masses de marbre ou de metal. Elle
travaille plutôt sur le delicat, le precis. Burin, manière noire,
gravure sur bois, et singulièrement sur buis, dessins a la plume,
petits tableaux precieux rehausses d’or, peintures a l’huile. Ses modes
d’expression sont nombreux, ses facons sont diverses. L’exposition
presentee actuellement a la galerie Marc Brenner-La Hune * le montre a
merveille. Mais un thème unique lie ces propositions : en cette annee
de celebration, en France, de l’Armenie et de sa culture si riche,
Astrid Sapritch se souvient de ses racines.
Elle est nee a Istanbul où s’etait exile son grand-père. Elle y a
vecu jusqu’a l’âge de quatre ans, avant de venir en France avec ses
parents. Elle a choisi comme nom d’artiste, le nom de sa mère, Aïda
Sapritch, la petite soeur d’Alice. C’est pourtant le chemin du père,
francais d’origine allemande, qu’elle a suivi. Jean-Paul Ehrmann
etait graveur et c’est avec ses outils qu’elle travaille.
L’Armenie l’a toujours hantee. Mais il a fallu la mort de sa mère,
il y a deux ans, pour qu’elle fasse le grand voyage. Elle est
entouree de livres qui disent le pays de ses origines et l’un d’eux,
en particulier, l’a passionnee. Les Quarante Jours de Musadegh,
de Franz Werfel. Elle dit, des paillettes dans ses pupilles brunes,
l’eblouissement des paysages, les torrents, les arbres croulant de
fruits et evidemment le mont Ararat. En armenien, Sapritch veut dire
coiffeur. Cela la fait rire. Sa grand-mère maternelle etait nee a
Tbilissi, en Georgie. Elle etait belle et riche. Elle fut ruinee par
son mari, joueur impenitent. C’est lui, l’Armenie ! Mais il avait dû
fuir son pays, et c’est en Bulgarie qu’il avait trouve refuge. Dans
la famille Sapritch, les femmes ont pris leurs destinees en main,
sans trembler.
–Boundary_(ID_vJW9sCXmn1OXdgjjOHZvCA)- –

KUWAIT LIKELY TO ASSIST ARMENIA WITH RESTORATION OF RURAL COMMUNITIES’ INFRASTRUCTURES
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. During the September 22 meeting,
the RA Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamian and
Kuwait’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Majd
Aldafiri (residence – Tehran) discussed a number of issues related
to the further development of bilateral relations, NT was informed
from the RA Government Information and PR Department.
In particular, H. Abrahamian and M. Aldafiri discussed the
opportunities of Kuwaits’ assistance for the restoration and
construction of infrastructures in Armenian rural communities,
including water-supply networks and community roads, as well as the
opportunities for involving resources of various funds operating
in Kuwait.

DEVELOPMENT OF AGRARIAN SECTOR REQUIRES STATE ASSISTANCE, ARMENIAN PM STATES
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. “After becoming independent,
Armenia adopted a policy of establishing market relations in the
economy, for which purpose liberalization values-based economic
reforms were launched. 15 years later, we can state confidently that
our country has got through the decline period typical of the first
stage of redical changes and now shows a two-digit economic growth.”
The Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian said this at the
opening ceremony of the second international Armagroforum in Yerevan
on September 22.
According to the prime minister, the land privatization done in Armenia
before the collapse of the Soviet Union not only produced positive
results but also created various problems whose solution takes much
time and effort. However, the diligence and enterprise of Armenian
peasants allow to overcome some of these problems. At the same time,
A. Margarian noted the development of agrarian sector services and
infrastructures is in need of state assistance. He expressed confidence
that the forum participants will specify the assistance program and
identify opportunities for the implementation of new ones.
The prime minister attached importance to the US government’s
Millennium Challenge Armenia Program, which will assist with solution
of rural and agricultural problems.
The Armenian President Robert Kocahrian’s message to forum participants
says that although two years have passed after the first forum,
considerable development has been registered in Armenia’s agrarian
sector during this short period of time. According to the Armenian
president, the reforms and programs in the country’s agrarian sector
have created serious prerequisites for developing rural areas and
agriculture. “However, there are also numerous problems, whose solution
we see in international cooperation and efficient use of Armenia’s
economic potential,” the message reads.
The RA Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokian noted that the discussions,
meetings and agreements of the fist forum have had their practical
continuation, as evidenced by the further development of trade and
economic links with many countries, the extended implementation
of programs in Armenia by a number of international organizations,
and the promotion of mutually beneficial relations between foreign
businessmen and local producers. The minister expressed a hope that
the second forum will also create new opportunities for extending
the international cooperation in the agrarian sector.
A number of workers of the agrarian sector were presented with Anania
Shirakatsi medals and gold medals of the RA Ministry of Agriculture.
The US Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative Consuelo
Vidal and the Director of the World Bank Armenia Office Roger Robinson
addressed the forum participants.

EDUCATIONAL MASTER’S PROGRAM ON MICROELECTRONIC DEVICE DESIGN TO BE PRESENTED TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BY SYNOPSYS ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Russian President Vladimir
Putin will visit on September 25 the Microlelectronic Technics
Research Institute in the technopolis Zelenograd near Moscow. A
higer educational master’s program developed by Synopsys Armenia
company will be on display in one of the pavilions. Hovik Musaelian,
Director General of Synopsys Armenia, said that during the September
22 press conference, reminding that the indicated program is operating
at Yerevan State University and the State Engineering University of
Armenia. A total of 230 students of the microelctronic device design
departments use this program in their educational process.
According to H. Musaelian, in terms of its work volume, Synopsys
Armenia is second among subdivisions of Synopsys company (US), a world
leader in the design of microelectronic devices and the manufacture of
design software. It was noted that chips designed by Synopsys Armenia
are used in manufacturing 70% of memory devices of 70% of cell phones
produced worldwide. The company’s chips are also used in aeronautics
and other spheres. As of December 2005, the company had 300 employees.
According to the company’s director general, over the past two
years, Synopsys has installed software of 350 mln USD at two Yerevan
universities where microelectronic device design laboratories were
set up.

PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE RAPPORTEURS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON SEPTEMBER 25
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. PACE Monitoring Committee
Rapporteurs Mikko Elo, Georges Colombier and Secretary Despina
Chatzivassiliou will be in Armenia on a visit on September 25-29. NT
was informed about this from RA NA Public Relations Department.
On September 25, members of PACE Monitoring Committee will have
meetings with ambassadors of CE member countries represented in Armenia
and representatives of NGOs. The delegation members will be received
by Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian, Territorial Government Minister
Hovik Abrahamian, Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik Haroutiunian,
Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian. The same day the delegation members will
visit the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex and will lay a wreath to
the memory of the Genocide victims.
Meetings with RA Minister of Justice Davit Haroutiunian, RA Defence
Minister Serge Sargsian, RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian, RA
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Chief of RA Police Hayk Haroutiunian,
CEC Chairman Garegin Azarian and commission members, members of RA
National Commission of Radio and Television and Board of Television
and Radio are scheduled on September 27.
On September 28, the Rapporteurs of PACE Monitoring Committee will have
meetings at RA National Assembly. They will meet with RA NA Speaker
Tigran Torosian, members of NA delegation in PACE, chairmen of NA
Standing Committees on State and Legal Issues, National Security and
Internal Affairs, Foreign Relations, heads of NA opposition factions,
coalition, non-opposition factions and groups.
The same day the committee members will be received by RA President
Robert Kocharian and RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI MUSICIAN REFUSES TO TAKE PART IN CONCERT OF CAUCASIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA HELD AT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HEADQUARTERS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The first concert of Caucasian
Chamber Orchestra was held on September 19 at the European Parliament
headquarters. Works by Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian composers
were performed at the concert. The orchestra was founded and is headed
by German conductor and pianist Uwe Berkemer.
According to RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
the initiative was supported by the EU-South Caucasus delegation of
the European Parliament headed by Marie Anne Isler Beguin. It was
planned that the orchestra should consist of Armenian, Georgian,
Azerbaijani musicians and musicians of North Caucasian peoples who
will present music as symbol of peace in the Caucasus.
The concert participants were surprised at the absence of the
Azerbaijani musician who refused to take part in the concert.
Speaking at the end of the concert, Uwe Berkmer pointing to the vacant
chair on the stage noted that it symbolizes Azerbaijan’s absence from
this peaceful initiative and attempt to unite peoples with the help
of culture.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN IAEA 50th JUBILEE CONFERENCE
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Opening of 50th jubilee conference
of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) took place on September
18 in Vienna. Austrian President Heinz Fischer made a greeting speech
at the opening ceremony.
The Armenian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosian. The agency’s future programs aimed at safe use of nuclear
energy and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons were discussed at
the conference.
In his speech the head of the Armenian delegation said that Armenia is
loyal to its initiatives and is for exclusively peaceful use of nuclear
energy. The Armenian government seriously discusses the prospect of
retaining its membership to the international nuclear community and
parallelly with closing the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant studies the
possibility of building a new nuclear power plant.
It was also mentioned that Armenia actively cooperates with U.S. and
a number of countries in the sphere of nuclear energy.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, Arman Kirakosian in his speech expressed
gratitude to the agency and all countries with which Armenia has been
cooperating efficiently since relaunching the Metsamor Nuclear Power
Plant in 1995.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNITY IS THE SOLUTION OF NATION’S PROBLEMS
Christine Mnatsakanian
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 22 2006
The third Armenia – Diaspora forum ended on September 20. On the second
day the New Answers to Old Questions: Armenia in the 21st Century
Forum took place, and our compatriots from India, Germany, Argentina
made reports. The forum was followed by the debate on the practical
aspect of the Armenia-Diaspora relations, in which famous businessmen
from Armenia and the Diaspora participated. In this context, they also
touched upon economic migration in an effort to seek possibilities
to battle this negative phenomenon. In answer to our question how
this could be carried out, Avetik Chalabian from Russia emphasized
the importance of this forum itself. He says the forum is unique
in the sense that it is intended to implement a definite project,
namely investments by Diasporan businessmen in the development of
rural communities, remote villages in Armenia. It is clear that this
will enable people to earn their living in their village. However,
everything is not that simple. The talk with Diasporan businessmen
reveals their worries about development of Armenia but they avoid
making big investments, and the reason is clear: in a number of cases
the funds provided by Diasporan benefactors were wasted. It appears,
however, that the formula of tackling this phenomenon was worked out
in the course of the forum.
Member of Parliament Khachatur Sukiassian, for instance, suggests
controlling the funds provided for a project to ensure its targeted
use. In other words, every businessman will attend to a separate
village. The Armenia-Diaspora relations will not be viewed as charity,
and two basic problems will be solved. Besides the targeted spending
of the funds provided by Diasporans, this project will enable
connecting each of the Diasporan communities to separate regions
and separate communities of Armenia and make them full participants
of the processes in different villages of Armenia. For its part,
the third Armenia-Diaspora forum has one purpose – view the program
of overcoming poverty as a project intended to establish mutually
profitable cooperation to replace charity. By bringing into being
this project our compatriots will be helped to overcome the feeling of
being guests in their homeland. The chair of the Union of Armenians of
Russia Ara Abrahamian said the idea of national unity should underlie
the implementation of this project. “Even if separate communities
are strong, and separate organizations of the Diaspora are strong, it
is impossible to guarantee the organizational and political unity of
the Armenians worldwide without the active engagement of the Republic
of Armenia.”

NKR TAKES PART IN PANARMENIA EXPO 2006
Norair Hovsepian
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 22 2006
On September 22-24 Pan Armenia EXPO 2006 will be held in Yerevan in
the framework of the third Armenia-Diaspora forum. The director of the
Development Agency of Artsakh A. Avagian said the agency has rented
and laid out a stand for presenting NKR. “Considering the number
of participants, and the variety of spheres presented, I think it
will be useful for NKR companies to participate in it. Later it will
provide greater possibilities for increasing the market and promoting
business relations with the Diaspora,” said A. Avagian.
This expo will involve IT, tourism, health services, food processing,
innovative technologies, building, industries, mining industry,
education and science. The products produced in NKR will also be
presented in Toronto, Canada. In 2005 the members of the Board of
Armenian Businessmen of Canada visited Artsakh. Together with the
Development Agency of Artsakh they visited different companies and
proposed them to take part in the expo Made in Armenia in Toronto,
Canada in early October. The purpose of this event is to present the
economic possibilities of Armenia and Artsakh in a larger environment
to facilitate the outlook for new partners, new investments, and new
markets. We learned from the director of the DAA that the products,
including canned food, natural juice, shoes were sent to Canada.
Alcohol drinks will not be included in the expo. Besides, brochures
with information on traveling and business in Artsakh were sent.