RESOLUTION SHOULD BE SOUGHT FOR IN TALKS
Laura Grigorian
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 21 2006
On September 18 the PACE reporter on the missing Leo Platvoet and
the secretary of the PACE Committee of Migration, Refugees and
Population, Marc Neville visited the office of the NKR Society of
the Missing Soldiers. The guests first watched the museum of the
missing soldiers, got acquainted with the work of the organization and
afterwards met with the relatives of the missing soldiers. In July,
the representatives of the Council of Europe visited Baku, Yerevan
and Tbilisi, and this time they are visiting Nagorno Karabakh and
Abkhazia. The guests were interested in any information about the
missing soldiers and their place, as well as cooperation between the
society and their Azerbaijani counterparts. The chair of the society
Vera Grigorian, as well as the relatives of the missing soldiers
informed referring to the facts they have at hand that there are
still Armenian prisoners in Baku prisons, but the Baku authorities
deny this. The mothers asked the representatives of the CoE to report
their voice to the international organizations to help find out the
fate of 239 missing people. “The unpalatable truth is better for
us than the reassuring lie,” they said. The representatives of the
CoE were also interested to know about the relations of this NGO and
the NKR government, their assistance to the society. Vera Grigorian,
the chair of the society said the families of the missing people are
constantly in the focus of attention of the government. She also
said they met with their Azerbaijani counterparts in Tbilisi and
several cities in Russia but these meetings produced no results. The
representatives of the CoE promised to report the problem to relevant
organizations. “We cannot go and search for the missing. This is not
our objective. We see the settlement of the problem in the talks of
the parties,” said Leo Platvoet.

SAKI IS HEAVEN FOR THE DISABLED
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 21 2006
This summer 14 disabled liberation soldiers, members of Vita NGO, got
a treatment in the resort town of Saki in Ukraine. We talked to Edward
Andrian, disabled liberation soldier, who has recently returned from
Saki. “I’m very satisfied with the trip. Though first we had problems
with renting apartments, we found comfortable rooms and stayed there
in groups,” he said. This is Edward’s second treatment in Saki. About
6-7 people were in Saki for the first time.
“We who were there for the second time helped our friends who were
there for the first time to orient. In the beginning it was difficult
for them, but then they got used. The doctors were very careful and
attentive,” said Edward. They stayed at the sanatorium until midday.
“Then we walked in the town, in groups or alone, shops, markets,
cafes … We were encouraged by the thought that Saki was built for
disabled people,” said Edward. They also visited Sevastopol on July
31. The local Armenian community provided transport and organized a
party for them.

EU TRIO DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA OCTOBER 2
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006
EU Trio delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of Finland Erkki
Tuomioja will arrive in Armenia on October 2. Acting Press Secretary of
RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan told “Armenpress”
that during the visit the EU Presidency and the Armenian side will
declare about the completion of the text of Armenia’s Actions Plan
in the framework of the “Enlarged Europe: New Neighbors” Policy.
The Trio delegation comprises also EU Commissioner for Foreign
Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferero-Waldner,
EU Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby and Ambassadors.

THIRD ARMENIA – DIASPORA CONFERENCE CONCLUDED
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006
The third Armenia Diaspora Conference concluded its activities on
Wednesday, September 20. More than 2,000 people from 40 countries
attended the three-day gathering.
The conference began on September 18 with opening speeches by
President Robert Kocharian, His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of
All Armenians, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, President Arkady Ghukasyan of Nagorno Karabagh, as well as
the heads of pan-Armenian organizations. They addressed the various
issues on the conference program, as well as the general issues of
Armenia-Diaspora agenda.
The second session, on the same afternoon, focused on Rural Poverty
Eradication – a program launched at the conference to encourage
Diaspora individuals and organizations to sponsor specific villages
and undertake the infrastructure rebuilding and economic development
of Armenia’s border communities. The first speaker at this session
was Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, who spoke about the impact of
rural poverty on Armenia’s economic development and emphasized the
importance of such a pan-Armenian undertaking. Sitting around the
table were those who had already agreed to sponsor a village, as well
as those individuals and organizations, including international NGOs,
who are prepared to partner with the program.
A decision was taken to create a Council with participation of
the Diaspora Secretariat to oversee the planning, organization and
implementation of the program. Implementation of the rural poverty
eradication program will begin in spring 2007.
Also, during a special meeting in the margins of the conference with
the representatives of organizations and communities, a decision
was taken to create a consultative body (composed of the same
representatives) that would ensure continuity between conferences by
coordinating communication and maintaining ties and links among the
participants, and between the participants and the Armenia Diaspora
Secretariat.
The third session of the Conference began on the morning of Tuesday,
September 20, with the start of a forum entitled ‘New Answers to Old
Questions: Armenians in the 21st Century’. Tigran Torosyan, Chairman
of the National Assembly, made the opening statement.
The Forum consisted of four panels and concluded on Wednesday
morning. Forty speakers and discussants from eight countries addressed
issues of culture and identity, and their application to diasporas,
to cooperation and exchange, and specifically, to Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora.
During Panel 2 and Panel 3, Armenia-Diaspora relations were discussed
from the practical viewpoint. The participants were seeking answers
to the following questions: What direction can be given to future
cultural and socio-economic relations between Diaspora and homeland,
as well as questions having to do with emigration and repatriation.
The final panel entitled ‘A Look at Diaspora 2020’, featured four
different perspectives on what the Diaspora might look like in 2020,
and how to arrive at more efficient Armenia-Diaspora relations.
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian delivered the Forum’s concluding
statement.
At the conclusion of the conference, a declaration was adopted.
President Robert Kocharian addressed the participants and thanked
them for their comments and input.

KIRK KIRKORIAN 26TH IN THE FORBES LIST
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006
The American Forbes magazine has publicized the list of the 400
richest US citizens. The list includes people who earned no les than
$1 billion.
The first in the list is Head of the “Microsoft” Corporation Bill
gates, whose wealth is estimated to reach $53 billion. With $45 billion
the second place is occupied by financial investor Warren Buffet. The
third is Sheldon Adelson, owner of a number of casinos and hotels.
American-Armenian billionaire Kirk Kirkorian occupies the 26th place
in the Forbes list. The wealth of 89-year-old Kirkorian is estimated
$9 billion. He owns about 10 percent of the General Motors Company.
Kirk Kirkorian possesses also a great network of casinos and hotels.
The billionaire has provided tens of thousand of dollars for
reconstruction of the Yerevan’s center, cultural centers and the
earthquake zone.
According to the Forbes, the richest Americans prefer to live in
California and New York.

STATEMENT ADOPTED IN THE RESULT OF THE ARMENIA-DIASPORA THIRD CONFERENCE
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 23 2006
A statement was adopted in the result of the Armenia-Diaspora Third
Conference. MFA Press Service informs that the statement says, in
particular, “Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference, which took place on
the eve of a historical event – 15th Anniversary of the Armenian
independence, reiterates our resolve and determination to promote
in every possible way the strengthening of Armenian Statehood, as a
vital precondition for the resolution of all problems faced by all
Armenians and for our continuous advancement.
The Third Conference takes note that in recent times, Armenia-Diaspora
relations and cooperation have been developing harmoniously, with
reciprocal trust and respect, and a solid base has been established
for future expansion and strengthening.
We have a common history, shared objectives and problems, priorities
which pertain to all Armenians and as well as those which are
particular to specific communities, and only through combined efforts,
through the consolidation of our human and material resources, will
we be able to resolve existing problems.
The Republic of Armenia, as a state, assumes with all its capacity
and power, the responsibility to provide the necessary conditions
for every Armenian to participate in state-building, and in Armenia’s
strengthening and development processes.
The Conference reaffirms that our national identity is indivisibly
linked with Christianity, and that the mission of the Armenian Church
in the spiritual and ethical life of the Armenian people, as well
as in the expansion and deepening of Armenia-Diaspora relations,
is momentous and significant.
The Conference approves the Rural Poverty Eradication Program and
appeals to all structures, organizations and to all our people as
a whole to actively participate in the planning, organization and
implementation of the Program.
In our modern history, the greatest achievement of our people has been
the liberation of Artsakh, which is the expression of our people’s
unwavering resolve to defend our historic rights. The liberation
of Artsakh has become the clear evidence of our unity, solidarity
and commitment.
We reiterate our total responsibility and complete support for the
right of the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to live in
freedom and to exercise their right of self-determination.
After Armenia regained independence, the Armenian Diaspora found
itself in a new situation and throughout the period when serious and
risky challenges confronted the newly independent Armenian state,
demonstrated unprecedented material, political and moral support to
our country.
Concurrently, the issues faced by the Diaspora remain mostly the
same. These are preservation and continuity of national identity,
traditions and culture in the various host countries, in different
religious and ethno-cultural conditions. Toward that end the Republic
of Armenia lends its total support to Diaspora.
The Conference reaffirms its resolve to attain international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in all countries. The Conference
welcomes and expresses its gratitude to all the just-thinking friends
of the Armenian people, whose efforts testify the growing feeling
of responsibility on the part of the international community for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
We are confident that principles of democracy, human rights and
liberty are the priorities for a properly functioning state and
social structures.
Our fundamental values are peace, friendship and mutually beneficial
cooperation among peoples, the right of individuals and peoples to
live in liberty and exercise freedom of speech and faith.
We are resolved and determined to protect our national rights and
interests in the 21st century, to enforce peace and unity, to solve
our problems, to fulfill our dreams together in the name of our people,
for the safe and secure development and advancement of our homeland.”

RA MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION RECEIVED THE AMBASSADOR OF KUWAIT
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006
Today in RA Government Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik
Abrahamyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Kuwait Majdi Aldafiri (seat in Tehran).
Government’s Information and PR Department told “Armenpress” that
the parties turned to a number of issues of further development of
relations between the two countries. The interlocutors discussed issues
of Kuwait’s assistance to reconstruction of rural infrastructures in
Armenia, particularly water supply systems and community roads.

NKR MINISTRY OF DEFENSE REFUTES THE REPORTS ON CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION
Pablic Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006
NKR Ministry of Defense refuted the reports of the Azeri side on the
violation of the cease-fire regime on September 21. Press Secretary
of NKR Ministry of Defense Senor Asratyan told “ArmInfo” that the
information does not correspond to reality and no breach of the
cease-fire was registered on the day specified.
According to APA agency the cease-fire was violated September 21
in the direction of Aghdam in the result of which serviceman of the
armed forces of Azerbaijan Vyusal Seidaliev was killed.

ARMENIAN CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, BUT…
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006
The Constitution of Armenia provides for the freedom of religion,
but the legislation puts some restrictions on the freedom of religion
of ethnic minorities, says the 2006 report of the US Department of
State on “Freedom of religion in the countries of the world.”
The web page of the US Department of State informs that some
restrictions exist in practice as well. “The Armenian Apostolic
Church, which has the legal status of the all-national Church, enjoys
a range of privileges, which adherents of other religions lack,”
the document notes.

RUSSIAN TV CHANNEL SCREENS A FILM DEDICATED TO COMPOSER ARNO BABAJANYAN
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 22 2006
On September 21 Russia’s “Rosia” TV Channel screened “Arno Babajanyan’s
Ferris Wheel” film dedicated to great Armenian composer of 21st
century.
In the film contemporaries of the composer retrieve episodes
from his life and creative work. Warm memories were presented by
composer Alexandra Pakhmutova, poet Yevgeni Yevtushenko, actor Armen
Jigarkhanyan, film producer Nerses Hovhannisyan, the composer’s son
Nerses Hovhannisyan and others.
The film tells about the serious disease of the composer, his great
success in foreign countries, his meetings in Yerevan and Moscow,
Aram Khachatryan’s role, etc.
In one year after Arno Babajanyan’s death poet Andrey Voznesenski
devoted a poem to him, which includes the following words: “I will
live as long as music exists.”
Once asked to name his favorite song, the composer had responded that
the best song is the one, which is still to be written.