TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006
We attach great importance to Turkish-Azerbaijani relationships –
Minister Abdullah Gul

Source: Trend
Author: R.Abdullayev

10.03.2006

Exclusive interview of Trend with the Turkish Foreign Minister,
Abdulla Gul
Question: How could you characterize the major principles of Ankara’s
foreign policy in respect to the South Caucasus countries? What are
your visions on the nearest perspectives of development of
cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan?
Answer: Provision of security and stability in the South Caucasus has
always been a priority direction of our foreign policy. Our
relationships with the countries of the region are based on deep
historic and culture roots. In this context we attach special
importance to see in the South Caucasus independent, peacefully
co-existing and cooperating countries with firm political and
economic stability, as well as economic assistance to these
countries.
The strategic cooperation and friendly relationships of Turkey with
Azerbaijan and Georgia get more and more intensified. Turkey with
satisfaction observes and simultaneously supports the aspiration of
both countries to acquiring a deserved place in the world community.
We put successive efforts for consolidation of independence and
sovereignty, as well as maintenance of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
We pay special attention to the relationships between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, which were very good characterized by former late
Azerbaijani Heydar Aliyev as `one nation, two countries’. The
development of bilateral relationships in all spheres excites
satisfaction. With respect to enable Azerbaijan to overcome the
difficulties that evolved after independence Turkey has rendered a
comprehensive support to Baku in the military, financial, technical,
human and education spheres. Such support and assistance will
continue in future.
Democratization of the South Caucasus is one of the major goals of
Turkey’s foreign policy. We consider democracy as a warranty of a
long-term stability. It is important to provide an opportunity for
statement of position through democratic channels in the context of
development of pluralist democracy of oppositional establishments
functioning within the constitutional frames. Despite some shortages
the 6 November parliamentary elections in 2005 were a stage in the
development of democracy in Azerbaijan. Uninterrupted continuation of
the process of democratization and implementation of reforms in this
respect are very important.
We share with fraternal Azerbaijan the common human notions like
democracy, the superiority of the law, and respect to human rights
and freedom. We will continue supporting the efforts of the
Azerbaijani authorities in the establishment of democratic
institutions in the country, as well as the upgrade of the market
economy.
Our common will is further development of economic and trade
relationships, which have great potential. Certainly, utilization of
the economic potential based on rich natural resources of the Caspian
Sea will benefit not only Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also the entire
region.
Along with the bilateral relationships with the South Caucasus
countries Turkey gives priority to the development of regional
cooperation. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia jointly carry out several
projects and each of them can be characterized as a `formula of
success’. The commencement of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) export
oil pipeline in 2006, the scheduled completion of the construction of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, as well as continuation of
engineering work under the construction of
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku (KATB) railway route, that we wish to
put into exploitation in the nearest future, are only few of these
important projects.
Question: What is Turkey’s position in the issue of resolution of
conflict situations in the South Caucasus region? Is it possible to
expect from Ankara any official initiative on the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
Answer: Since the completion of the cold war [and even now] the South
Caucasus has become as arena of dramatic events. The collisions on
interethnic basis and territorial issues resulted in death of
thousands of people, while ten thousands of people became homeless.
The unsettlement of `suspended conflicts’ is great hindrance in the
way of establishment of durable stability and prosperity of the
region.
Today the South Caucasus region with its rich natural wealth and
special geographic location has become one of the centers of
attention of the world community. It is necessary to benefit the
attention of the international community in the process of settlement
of regional conflicts.
Manifestation of any instability in the region is actually a
potential which negatively impacts on Turkey’s interests. Therefore,
it is very important to intensify the efforts for peaceable
resolution of conflicts, which will be recognized by all sides and be
based on major principles of the international law.
Major principles that our positions are based in the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem are well known. The conflict provoked by
Armenia through the violation of the principles of the international
law, including the inviolability of the state borders by force and
respect to the territorial integrity, concerns not only the countries
of the region, but also all sides interested in peace, stability and
tranquility in the south Caucasus.
Turkey, being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, attentively
observes a process of the conflict resolution. We hope that under the
Paris format it will be possible to promote the peaceable resolution
of the conflict. It is important to continue the dialogue between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on the level of Presidents and Foreign
Ministers.
Undoubtedly, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will
greatly contribute the development of regional cooperation and
normalization of the relationships between Armenia and Turkey. As a
member of the OSCE Minsk Group we still believe in the necessity of
active contribution in the search of ways of resolution.
We still see a platform enabling for the resolution of the conflict
at the OSCE Minsk Group. At the same time we are sure that
far-sighted and more multifaceted approach, as well as creative
innovations will be profitable to remove the exiting disagreements.
Absence of any progress in the resolution of the conflict in the
course of the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents held
in Paris on 10-11 February 2006 actually disappointed the world
community. It would be profitable for all to continue in 2006 the
efforts for the solution of the conflict.
Question: What steps does Turkey plan to take to ensure the security
of huge regional energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline?
Answer: Over the past 28 years Turkey has used the Kerkek-Yumurtalik
pipeline, while starting from 2002 – the Iranian gas pipeline. So
far, no negative moment linked with the security problems has been
observed in the Turkish sections of the pipelines. I mean, we can say
that Turkey has sufficient experience in the energy security of
pipelines. Even Turkey can be regarded as one of the more experienced
countries throughout the world.
In the context of Article 7 of the Protocol on security of the
East-West energy corridor, which covers the said projects, Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Georgia established a joint Commission on the security
of pipelines. The first meeting of the commission was held on 14
October 2004 in Ankara with participation of representatives from the
three countries.
The gathering focused on the opportunities for development of
cooperation with respect to ensure the security of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
Turkey accepts the security of the pipelines running via its
territory as an inseparable part of its energy security and
approaches the issue with more responsibility.
Question: What work does Turkey intend to do under the implementation
of the Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project?
Answer: The KATB railway project envisages the construction of a
regional railway route between Turkey and Georgia with further
connection to it of a railway network existing in Azerbaijan, which
is sure to lead to the establishment of up-to-date railway road
system connecting three countries.
The KATB project opens new opportunities for cargo deliveries
between Asia and Europe. In case of Marmara project (the construction
of a railway section under Bosporus – Trend) is connected to the east
with the expected railway-sea route between Baku and Kazakhstan
(Aktau) and onwards to China, the KATB will become a part of the
shorter railway route between Asia and Europe as compared to those
existing.
On 28 December 2004 Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a
protocol on the KATB project. In compliance with the document,
technical work under the project is carried out by a joint working
group.
On 25 May 2005 the heads of three countries, who participated in a
ceremony of linefill of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan with the first oil,
signed a statement in support to the KATB project.
The Transport Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia held
talks in Istanbul on 19 September 2005 to discuss the processes
concerning the KATB project, as well as definition of future concrete
steps in this respect. In the end of the meeting they took a
resolution on signing of an intergovernmental agreement, as well as
commencement of the work on financial provision of the project
shortly.
The feasibility work within the framework of the project, which is
being carried out by one of the Turkish companies and financed by
Turkey, is scheduled to complete in 2006.
The international tender under the KATB will be announced after the
completion of the project work.
Question: How do you estimate the development of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation under the international
organizations, in particular the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC), UN, and the Council of Europe?
Answer: Cooperation of Turkey with the friendly and fraternal
Azerbaijan under the OIC, like in all other spheres, is distinguished
for proximity in the positions and constructive character. Turkey
heads the list of states with more active support to Azerbaijan at
the OIC. During the chairmanship at the 31st session of the
Ministerial Board of the OIC Turkey rendered a comprehensive
assistance to Azerbaijan.
As one knows, on 19-21 June 2006 Baku will host the 33rd meeting of
the OIC ministers and Azerbaijan will undertake the
chairmanship-in-office at the organization from Yemen. Azerbaijan
will become the OIC chairman-in-office in the period of changes in
the global policy when a regional apprehensibility and expectations
of all member-countries increase. Indeed, we will boost the support
to Baku in these conditions.
We note with satisfaction the cooperation with friendly and
fraternal Azerbaijan at the UN. Turkey is a candidate to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council for 2009-2010 and the elections
will be held at the 63rd UN Assembly due in 2008. A statement on
support by friendly and fraternal Azerbaijan to the candidacy of
Turkey was welcomed by Ankara. Turkey also backed the candidacy of
Azerbaijan at the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2006-2008.
Besides, Turkey will back the candidacy of Azerbaijan to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council in 2012-2013.
The level of the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation within the
framework of the CE is also worth approval. As one of founders of the
CE, Turkey shares its 50-year experience with Azerbaijan, which
entered the CE in 2001. The cooperation under the CE actively
continues at the Ministerial Committee, Parliamentary Assembly, as
well as the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Such
cooperation provides for more efficient resistance to problems which
both countries face at the CE, as well as more successful support to
positive milestones. The PACE winter session held from 23 to 27
January 2006 hosted discussions on the mandate of Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation can be the best model of successful
interaction.
Obviously, the cooperation benefits both countries and we wish to
enhance it.

eastsideboxing.com
March 10 2006
Vic Darchinyan wants Jorge Arce
(Sydney, Australia : 10th March 2006) Reigning IBF/IBO flyweight
world boxing champion Vic `Raging Bull’ Darchinyan has his knockout
targets set on WBC Interim flyweight champion Jorge Arce.
26 year-old Arce defends his title against Rosendo Alvarez on the
Floyd Mayweather-Zab Judah card on April 8 in Las Vegas. Should he be
successful, Darchinyan wants Arce in the ring next.
`This would be the biggest fight in the flyweight division,’ said
Darchinyan. `Arce is very popular in Mexico and the USA. He has a big
name, but when I beat him, people will see that I am the best
flyweight in the world. I met him face to face this year and told him
I wanted the fight. If he beats Alvarez, lets give the fans an
explosive battle and face each other in the ring!’
30 year-old Darchinyan, the Armenia born Australian citizen southpaw,
has an undefeated record of 25 wins, 0 losses and 20 knockouts. In
his last fight on March 3 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez,
California in the USA, Darchinyan knocked out IBF mandatory
challenger Diosdado Gabi from the Philippines in round 8.
`Gabi was very tough and very strong,’ said Darchinyan. `I think he
would give Arce a very tough fight.’
The impressive knockout win over Gabi was televised by American
network SHOWTIME across the USA as the main event of their `SHOBOX:
The New Generation’ series to an audience in the multi-millions.
Darchinyan first won the IBF flyweight world title in December 2004
against long reigning world champion Irene Pacheco.
`Pacheco was a very good puncher, more experienced,’ recalled
Darchinyan. `But I can rate Diosdado Gabi very close to him. I think
Gabi is one of the top five flyweights in the world. I think he would
definitely be better than the WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. I
have never fought him, but I have watched him at ringside in Bangkok.
I would knock out Wonjongkam, no problem at all. I hope Gabi gets a
chance to fight for the WBA or WBO titles. He will do very well.’

Calcutta Telegraph, India
March 10 2006
Revival recipe for landmark Revival on the menu
– Restoration will triple table count at continental cuisine stop
SUBHRO SAHA

The downed shutters of Sky Room, on Park Street, may reopen by next
Poila Baisakh. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya
Sky Room is planning to serve it up again – prawn cocktail,
minestrone soup and all.
What used to be the city’s most-loved continental cuisine stop is set
to reopen its doors in a year, around Poila Baisakh time. The Park
Street landmark has remained shut for over a decade, following labour
trouble.
Part of the restoration and adaptive-reuse initiative undertaken on
the 95-year-old Park Mansions by the Apeejay Surrendra Group, the
eatery could return with its table count tripled.
`Yes, we will surely revive Sky Room, since it has such a strong
brand recall even now,’ Jit Paul, adviser to the group, told Metro.
`However, to be commercially viable in today’s high-cost scenario,
the eatery has to be much bigger than it used to be. We are looking
at 150 covers and the place will most likely be managed by The Park
Hotels,’ he added.
With large sections of the old structure having been freed by paying
off tenants, there are plans to expand either horizontally or `go up’
to accommodate the extra covers being planned for the new-look Sky
Room.
The reopened restaurant will also have its dedicated parking space at
the sunken parking lot in the revamped Park Mansions, plus valet
service linked to the Rawdon Street Parkomat.
`We want to create a destination that will give Park Street another
landmark,’ stressed Paul.
Paul is the brain behind the revival scheme for Park Mansions, being
anchored by architect Dulal Mukherjee.
Constructed by Armenian jute merchant Thaddeus Mesrope Thaddeus in
1910, Park Mansions was acquired by Paul from estate managers Talbot
and Company.
Besides Sky Room, it housed the French cultural centre premises
Alliance Francaise, Bombay Photo and Rajniklal. While Alliance was
ravaged by a fire, Sky Room, which had its interiors done by German
expert Messerschmidt and borrowed the food format from Mocambo across
the road `lock, stock and barrel’, downed shutters in the early
1990s.
Architect Mukherjee plans to use deconstruction architecture to
`create a feel of unlimited space with a strong pedestrian axis’
through a blend of hard and soft landscaping at Park Mansions.
`The second and third floors of the restored building will house a
heritage hotel or service apartments, and we plan to do boutique
retail on the first floor,’ said Paul.
The group, which also runs T3 – The Tea Table at Park Mansions, plans
to retain the quaint, old Flury’s-style place and add to its munch
menu as well. `We are looking at the possibility of pushing back
closing time till 10 pm to begin with, to give people the option of a
late-evening sip and bite,’ smiled Paul.

a/story_5948265.asp

The Gauntlet, CA
March 10 2006
System of a Down Cancel SOULS Benefit
According to a post on the bands official website, System of a Down
have cancelled their benefit at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, CA.
“The recognition of the Armenian Genocide has always been a first and
foremost priority in the minds of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, so it’s
unfortunate for us to announce that Souls 2006 has been cancelled.
Despite the cancellation, SYSTEM will always continue to fight for
this truly important cause, and encourages all of our friends and
fans to help educate the world about a forgotten genocide and the
importance of recognizing this atrocity. We thank you always for your
undying support…”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Jewish Review, OR
March 10 2006
Week examines genocide
Genocide Awareness Week: A Call to Conscience will feature a series
of free, diverse events at multiple locations in Portland the week of
March 12-18.
A group of high school and college students, individuals and
organizations have created this grassroots program to respond to the
silence about genocides around the world. For a complete listing of
all of the week’s events, all of which are free, visit
American Jewish World Service President Ruth Messinger returns to
Portland for two workshops on March 15 – one on global responsibility
and one on the crisis in Darfur.
During her last visit, Messinger said, “I urge all of you … to take
action to make a difference against the genocide in Darfur … What
will stop this is our indignation.” Messinger said that legislators
interpret society-wide silence as indifference. She urged people to
write letters to the editor, write congressional leaders, and visit
and to e-mail a letter to your
congressional representatives and for other ideas for action.
This conference was created to encourage Portlanders to end the
silence.
Messinger’s Wednesday workshops are part of a day-long program at
Portland State University’s Multicultural Center in the Smith
Memorial Center, 1825 S.W. Broadway. The days events also include a
panel discussion on Southeast Asia and an evening keynote address by
Mohamed Yahya, volunteer executive director of Damanga, an
organization that works on human rights and advocates for peace and
democracy in Darfur and Sudan.
The week includes presentations from survivors of genocides around
the world.
Benson Deng, one of the lost boys of Sudan, fled his village on foot
at age 7. Resettled with 3,600 other Lost Boys in the United States
three years ago, Deng will speak about this experiences March 17 at
the First Unitarian Church.
Denese Dominga Becker survived the massacre of Mayans and other
indigenous tribes in about 440 villages in 1982 in Guatemala. Adopted
by a couple from Iowa, Becker will be in Portland to speak about her
experiences in conjunction with a film “Discovering Dominga,” on
March 13 at the Guild Theater. The program that evening begins at
6:15 and includes a showing of “Genocide in Me,” the story of the
Armenian genocide.
It also includes films, plays and art dealing with genocides
throughout history. A weeklong exhibit at the Interstate Firehouse
Cultural Center focuses on “Women Betrayed: The Invisible Women of
Darfur,” a series of 10 paintings by Beverly Collins.
For more information about the week’s events, call Sarah Stark at
503-282-1108 or Marti Fromer at 503-246-3347.
?Article06-03-15-2156
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ThoroughbredNews.co.nz, New Zealand
March 10 2006
Wry smiles from Vanian at Rory’s Jester’s success
10 Mar 2006

By Brian Russell

Souran Vanian, a former international horse breeder now living in
Dubai, may have had a wry smile when the news filtered through to him
that Wahid, a gelding from a mare by 1985 Golden Slipper Rory’s
Jester had taken out the Group1 New Zealand Derby on March 4. Rory’s
Jester, a grandson of another Slipper winner, Baguettte, could have
been a saviour for Vanian investment in Australia if he could have
held on a little bit longer when he ran into financial problems in
the mid 1980s.
Armenian Souran Vanian, a merchant whose business activities
included a Peugeot motor franchise in France, established a horse
stud called Manado on country stretching back from the Goulburn river
to the hills near Sandy Hollow in the Hunter Valley and acquired
Rory’s Jester as a sire from its trainer Colin Hayes.
Vanian would not have contemplated at the time that Colin Hayes
would subsequently not only get back control of Rory’s Jester
following the stallion’s early success as a winner getter but also
acquire Manado.
Renamed Collingrove, it was then owned for a few years by a Hayes
– Sangster partnership but is now owned outright by Sangter’s
Swettenham Stud and is used as the home for their quality broodmare
band and as the nursery for their offspring.
The Hayes-Sangster partnership also established the Collingrove
Stud at Nagambie in Victoria, but this too is now in the sole
ownership of the Sangster family and is the headquarters for an
impressive line up of sires including being the base for the past ten
years for the now retired Rory’s Jester.
Built like a big quarter horse and showing a dazzling turn of foot,
Rory’s Jester had 19 seasons of use, the first nine of them in the
Hunter Valley, and has been responsible for approximately 1000 foals
which reached racing age. Out of these 827 have raced and provided
623 winners (a high 75.3% strike rate) of 1867 races (1648 in
Australia) and earners of $46.2million.
On the quality side he has had 75 stakes winners including four,
Chortle, Isca, Racer’s Edge and Aragen, successful in Group1 events.
Also, 71 others have stakes placed. Very few of his progeny went
1600m or further successfully and he was year after year one of the
prominent juvenile sires by winners and earnings. It is an
achievement he has followed up by becoming a leading broodmare sire.
So far his daughters have produced over 400 winners including 26
successful in stakes races.
They have done well with a variety sires including Almutawakel
(USA) (sire of Wahid), Bubble Gum Fellow (JP) (Rockabubble),
Beautiful Crown (USA) (In Top Swing), Danzero (Hinting),
Danehill(USA) (World Peace) and Royal Academy (USA) (Consular).
Rory’s Jester has proved a good outcross to Danzig and this may
have been a key to the success of Wahid, now winner of nine races in
New Zealand including the Derby, Levin Classic and Waikato Guineas.
His sire Almutawakel (GB) is a Dubai World Cup and French Group 1
winner by the Mr. Prospector sire Machiavellian, a close relation to
Danehill, and from a mare by the Danzig sire Green Desert.
Currently in Ireland on a fee equivalent to $15,000, Almutawakel
paid one visit to New Zealand.
Wahid is from Rory’s Helen, a grey mare bred by Vanian from Rory’s
Jester’s second season at the Manado Stud and raced in New Zealand
where she won one race – 800m at two – and earned $3,971. Her mother
Helen’s Love, a mare unplaced at her only two starts, was bred on a
cross of two greys, being by Karayar (IRE) and from the Sovereign
Edition (IRE) Listed winner Helen of Troy, the grandam also of
Imposera, winner of the Caulfield Cup, Wakeful Stakes and SAJC
Australasian Oaks.

Al-Ahram Weekly, Egypt
March 10-16 2006
By the book
Eva Dadrian found more than words at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s
exhibition marking the 1,600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet
Commemorating the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
Alphabet the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in cooperation with the Embassy
of the Armenian Republic in Egypt, presented an exhibition of rare
Armenian manuscripts in February. Inaugurated by Ambassador Taher
Khalifa, Head of External Relations at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina,
and Rouben Karapetian, the Armenian Ambassador to Egypt, the
exhibition was followed by a scientific conference entitled
“Armenian-Egyptian Historical and Cultural Relations.”
The exhibition offered a rare opportunity for visitors to see 19
Armenian manuscripts, eight originals and the rest facsimiles, from
the Institute of Matenadaran, Yerevan. One of the oldest and richest
libraries in the world, the Matenadaran, as the Armenian manuscript
library in Yerevan, capital of Armenia, is known, is one of the
world’s leading repositories of ancient manuscripts. Its history
dates back to the creation of the Armenian alphabet and its
collection of over 18,000 manuscripts covers almost all areas of
ancient and medieval Armenian culture and science, from history,
geography, grammar, philosophy, law, medicine, mathematics,
cosmography, alchemy-chemistry, to literature, chronology, art
history, music and theatre. It houses manuscripts in Arabic, Persian,
Greek, Syriac, Latin, Amharic (Ethiopian) and in some of the ancient
languages of India and Japan.
With 300,000 other documents the Institute of Matenadaran’s
collection is unique, says Sen Arevshadian, its director. Presenting
a paper — “Alexandria and the Formation of Science in Medieval
Armenia” — during last month’s conference, Arevshadian explained
that while a large number of original texts were lost long ago their
Armenian translations remain extant and are jealously preserved in
the vaults of the Matenadaran where scholars, academics and
researchers from all over the world come to consult and study.
The Matenadaran is not just a museum. It is also a centre of Armenian
manuscript research and preservation where experts from many
countries come to study. The Matenadaran’s first catalogue, prepared
by Hovhannes Shahkhutanian and prefaced by French academician
Brosset, was translated into French and Russian and published in St.
Petersburg in 1840 with details of 312 manuscripts. Later, a second
and much larger catalogue was compiled by Daniel Shahnazarian,
including a total of 2,340 manuscripts.
It is at the Matenadaran that one can find the largest book in the
world, weighing 27.5 kilograms and measuring 70.5 cm by 55.3, placed
alongside the smallest book in the world, weighing a mere 19 grammes.
The Matenadaran also houses a large collection of rare illuminated
manuscripts. Historically, illuminated manuscripts were produced by
monks. These hand-produced books include drawn, painted and gilded
decoration on pages made of vellum, an animal skin that was specially
treated for this purpose. Simple manuscripts were adorned with
calligraphic pen work while more lavish ones were embellished with
initials, enlarged and colourful letters that often contained
miniature representations of human figures or biblical scenes. As for
the illuminated ones, they were painted in luminous colours and had
gold highlights or backgrounds.
Some 14th-century Armenian illuminated manuscripts where colours and
text are set against the decorative surroundings of architectural
elements, birds and plants, demonstrate impressive artistry and
craftsmanship. Because dangers of all kinds threaten manuscripts,
most libraries like the Matenadaran have been induced to undertake
the reproduction in facsimile of their most precious manuscripts.
This great undertaking means that the valuable works of the artist,
the scribe and the illuminator will be preserved.
“It’s not every day you are invited to a 1,600th birthday party, let
alone one for an alphabet,” admitted Jeffrey Gettleman, New York
Times columnist attending a similar celebration in New York, last
December. It was an opinion shared by guests attending the ceremonies
at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
A 1,600th anniversary for an alphabet may not be a common event, but
then the Armenian alphabet is hardly commonplace. Linguists who have
studied it think it one of the oldest in the world still in use.
Recently James Russell, Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at
Harvard, has said that when Mesrop Mashtots, the 5th-century court
cleric, invented the Armenia alphabet in 405 AD he gave Armenians
much more than an efficient system for rendering their language into
written form. Mashtots gave the Armenian people a cultural and
religious identity. These characteristics became the very instrument
of survival for the Armenians and a shield against all challenges
“despite,” says Russell, “the efforts of larger and more powerful
neighbours to subsume or destroy them.”
While Mashtots created the alphabet in order to translate the Bible,
the original 36 letters were to inaugurate the beginnings of a
written Armenian literary tradition and play a key role in preserving
Armenian cultural identity. The extensive oral culture that existed
before the creation of the alphabet was transcribed by scholars,
mostly from monastic academies, thus marking the beginning of a
written culture in Armenian.
The original alphabet devised by Mashtots had 36 characters and it is
only during the Middle Ages that two more characters — representing
the “O” and the “F” — were added, thus bringing the number of
characters in the present-day alphabet to 38.
An interesting element that has come to the attention of scholars and
makes the Armenian alphabet stand out amongst all other Eastern
alphabets of the time was Mashtots’ deliberate decision to adopt the
vertical form of script rather than the horizontal form used in most
Eastern writing. According to Russell, he “reoriened the Armenian
script and gave it a more western character.”
The success of the Armenian alphabet is reflected in the limited
number of changes, both in the letters and the spelling of words, it
has undergone since its creation in the 5th century. While other
languages have gone through many changes the Armenian alphabet has
remained almost in its original form showing, says Russell, “the
Armenian alphabet was already so perfect there was little reason for
it to change.” In creating the Armenian alphabet, Mashtots created a
culture, a repository for both Eastern and Western traditions, and
made Armenia a culture of the book , a “bibliocracy,” as Russell puts
it. It is this bibliocracy, this culture of the book, that visitors
to the Armenian manuscript exhibition at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
came to see.
It is believed that the ancient Library of Alexandria was among the
many places Mashtots visited while researching the Armenian alphabet.
There he may have met with Hypatia, the learned lady mathematician,
astronomer and philosopher, and he may have exchanged views and ideas
with the philosophers, grammarians, scientists and historians who
taught in Alexandria. Mashtot has now returned for a second visit to
Alexandria, even if he is back only in spirit.
tm

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
March 10-16 2006
Azerbaijani And Turkish Diaspora Consolidate Their Efforts
Six hundred and fifty delegates from Azerbaijan and approximately 600
representatives of the country’s Diaspora from 44 countries will
participate in the second “Azerbaijanis of the World” Congress to be
held in Baku on March 16, head of the State Committee for Work with
the Diaspora Nazim Nbrahimov said at a press-conference today.
More than 220 guests have been invited to the conference, including
politicians, officials, deputies, and scientists.
A speech by President Ilham Aliyev is planned for the congress. The
main discussion will be the conception of Azerbaijan’s Diaspora’s
activity, and its relations with Turkey’s Diaspora. The creation of a
special working commission for preparation of the conception has been
suggested.
The Congress will adopt an appeal to the Azerbaijani and Turkish
Diaspora which calls on them to consolidate their efforts.
Participants of the forum will also adopt an appeal on the Armenia-
Azerbaijani conflict.
Azerbaijan’s government is undertaking all expenses for organization
of this Congress.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006
US official to table Rambouillet talks with conflicting sides

Baku, March 9, AssA-Irada
The US Department of State Assistant Secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried is due to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia
next week. One of the goals of the visit will be to discuss the
outcomes of the talks held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharian on settling the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict in France
in February, the US Department of State spokesman Sean McCormack told
reporters in Washington.
The discussions held in the French town of Rambouillet turned out
fruitless, as the parties failed to iron out issues of principle,
which was followed by mutual threats.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006
Garabagh mediators’ meeting not elaborated

Baku, March 9, AssA-Irada
The OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh have completed their talks in
Washington.
At a meeting attended by the OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andzhei
Kaspshik, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group looked into the
results of the talks held by the two presidents in the French town of
Rambouillet in February and outlined further steps. The specific
issues discussed during the three-day meeting of the intermediaries
are not elaborated.
The co-chairs are expected to inform official Baku, Yerevan and the
OSCE about the outcomes of the discussions soon.*