ARMENIAN CD “ARAM KHACHATRYAN: LIFE AND WORK” BEST IN WORLD IN 2005
YEREVAN, October 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian multimedia CD “Aram
Khachatryan: Life and Work” has been recognized the best CD on culture
in the world in 2005, Chairman of the Information Technologies
Foundation, Executive Director of the Information Technologies in
Education Company Garegin Chukaszyan told a press conference. Three
other Armenian products were recognized the best at a contest held on
the threshold of the Tunisian Summit of information community.
Specifically, the multimedia CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” was
among the ten best education projects and won a special diploma, and
the and sites were among the ten best sites
in the categories e-business and e-healthcare.According to Chukaszyan
it is an unprecedented result for such a small country as Armenia,
especially so as it is the winner in one of the categories of the
contest of the World Summit for the second time. He said that it is a
special honor as Armenia is among such winners and IBM with its CD
“Historical heritage of Egypt”, US Smithson Museum, “Virtual Paris” of
the Ministry of Culture of France and the Russian web-site on World
War II. “We consider it a great success for Armenia. Although we rank
last in communication systems, we can compete with the world’s leaders
in programming and design,” Chukazszyan said.
The multimedia CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, designed by the
“Bazmaweb” studio of the Information Technologies in Education
Company, is dedicated to the 100th birthday anniversary of the great
composer. The CB contains the composer’s biography and compositions,
tells about the atmosphere he lived and worked in, his letters,
pictures, archives, contemporaries’ memories and a film on his life.
The CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” is dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. It
contains documents on the life in Western Armenia from 1877 to
1965. The CD contains the information that has never been published
before, photo-archives, articles in the leading newspapers of the
world, evidence of witnesses, the most frequently asked questions,
process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, maps and over 100
names of books and publications, recommendations, etc..
The Armenian winners are to receive their prizes and diplomas at the
World Summit of information community in Tunis on November 16-18,
2005. Armenia presented eight winner-works of the national contest
“Mashtots 1600”. Specifically, the CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923”,
CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, (Byurtakan
observatory), (RA Economic Court), medical site
, , (a payment system), (RA
public TV), (Armenian Agency for Tourism
Development). P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Contact: Talin Gregorian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
COUNCILMAN ERIC GARCETTI VISITS ARMENIA
Councilmember Visits Armenian Heartland in an Attempt to Create Sister
City Relationship with Yerevan
LOS ANGELES, CA – As a part of an official delegation of the Armenian
National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), Los Angeles
City Councilmember Eric Garcetti recently returned after visiting
Armenia for nearly a week and a half where he met Armenian local and
national political leadership. The delegation included Garcetti’s
staff members Baydsar Thomasian and Lynette Amerian with husband Bruce
Bogstad, and ANCA-WR Board members Leonard Manoukian and Vahagn
Thomasian.
Upon their arrival, Councilmember Garcetti and the delegation were
greeted with a warm welcome by the Armenian officials as well as
American expatriates. Local television crews who waited until three in
the morning to interview Councilmember Garcetti were also on hand. The
following day, the delegation met with several Parliamentary leaders
including Levon Lazarian, Armen Rustamyan and the Mayor of Yerevan,
Yervand Zakharyan. During these meetings, Garcetti and the Armenian
officials discussed creating a Sister City relationship between Los
Angeles and Yerevan, and issues that are of concern to both the
diasporan and native Armenian communities.
`The meetings were all very encouraging about establishing a Sister
City agreement with Yerevan and using the Sister City relationship to
promote economic, cultural, and political interaction between the two
municipalities,’ said Councilmember Eric Garcetti. `We looked at
cooperation on the issues of law enforcement and we explored possible
cooperation around seismic standards for buildings, considering we
both live with fault lines in and around our cities.’
Throughout the remainder of their trip, as Garcetti and the delegation
traveled through the highlands of Armenia, they met with US Ambassador
to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, and the Deputy Minister on Foreign
Affairs, Arman Kirakossian. During these meetings, they discussed the
possibilities for development and success of both cities, if a Sister
City relationship were to be established. Ambassador Evans spoke of
his thoughts on creating a program in which the police and fire
departments of the City of Los Angeles and Yerevan would work with one
another in an exchange of knowledge and ideas in order to promote the
capabilities of each.
`I am very hopeful of the outcome Councilmember Garcetti’s trip to
Armenia will have for both the residents of Los Angeles and
Yerevan. It will undoubtedly create a relationship in which both
cities will benefit from one another,’ said delegation member and
ANCA-WR Board member Vahagn Thomasian.
During their visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, the
Tzizernakabert, Garcetti and the delegation were joined by Democratic
National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. The two took part in a tree
planting ceremony in which they planted a pine tree in a grove where
elected officials from around the world have done the same in
remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the
Ottoman Turkish government.
`The truth is that the Armenian genocide took place 90 years ago,’
said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. `Over a million people were
killed. There is no question that the United States should recognize
this.’
Dean’s visit to Armenia was spurred by an invitation by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF). During his short trip, which lasted a
few days, he stressed his support of the Armenian American community’s
efforts to gain recognition for the Armenian Genocide. He also went on
to express his support for the congressional resolutions that urges
President Bush to `accurately characterize the systematic and
deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide’ in his
annual message to the U.S.-Armenian community.
Garcetti was first elected in 2001, becoming one of the youngest
Councilmembers elected in the city’s history. He represents the 13th
district, which is known as the heart of Los Angeles, and stretches
between Hollywood and Downtown and includes the area known as `Little
Armenia.’
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.
Editor’s Note: Photo 1: (Left to right) Chairman of the Defense,
National Security, and Internal Affairs Mher Shahgeldyan, Los Angeles
City Councilman Eric Garcetti, member of the National Democratic Party
Shavarsh Kocharyan, highest ranking Armenian Revolutionary Federation
member of the Parliament Levon Lazarian, Democratic National
Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean, Chairperson of the Standing
Committee on Science, Education, Culture, and Youth Affairs Hranush
Hakobyan, and Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Hrayr Karapetyan. Photo 2: (Left to right) ANCA-WR Board member
Leonard Manoukian, long-time ANCA activist Michael Mahdesian,
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean, Los Angeles
City Councilman Eric Garcetti, and ANCA-WR Board member Vahagn
Thomasian visit historic Khor Virap, just miles away from the biblical
Mount Ararat.
#####
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/12/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey open Georgian Section of Caspian Oil Pipeline 2) Governor Signs Senator Scott's Armenia Trade Office Bill 3) ARF Armenia Youth Organization Gains 42 New Members 4) Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building 1) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey open Georgian Section of Caspian Oil Pipeline TBILISI (AP)--The presidents of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey on Wednesday ceremonially opened the valves on the Georgian section of a US-backed Caspian pipeline that is seen as key to cutting Western dependence on Mideast oil. They said the new route would help their countries prosper. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, AzeriPresident Ilham Aliyev, and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer each pushed a button opening valves at a pumping station for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in the Gardaban district outside the capital, Tbilisi. `What does this pipeline mean for Georgia? Economically, it means investment,' Saakashvili said at the ceremony. `But the significance of this pipeline is first of all political. Georgia's significance is growing on the world map and in this region.' `Next year we'll get a gas pipeline, which means economic and energy independence for Georgia,' he added. Known as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, or BTC pipeline, the $3.2 billion project aims to boost the energy-hungry West's access to the rich Caspian fields, estimated to hold the world's third-largest reserves. Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan all claim shares of the Caspian's undersea wealth. The three leaders opened the first section, transiting Azerbaijan, in May. By year's end, the 1,100-mile project is to ship up to 1 million barrels a day to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. It will take approximately 10 million barrels of crude to fill the entire pipeline. Most Caspian oil exports currently go through Russian pipelines to the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, where the oil is loaded onto tankers that squeeze through the crowded Bosporus Strait. 2) Governor Signs Senator Scott's Armenia Trade Office Bill SACRAMENTO(Combined Sources)Senator Jack Scott's bill that extends the sunset date for the operation of a privately funded trade office in Armenia has been signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California, home to about half-a-million Armenian-Americans, conducts most of the nearly 50 million in trade between Armenia and the United States. The trade office is expected to increase business and trade and tourism between California and Armenia. `This is an important step forward in cementing ties between the people of California and Armenia,' said Senator Scott. `It is also a responsible step in these tight economic times. This office is the first privately funded trade office for the state and it will be a win-win for California and Armenia.The trade office will open new and large growth markets for California businesses and investors. For Armenia and its neighbors, the office will generate much-needed business and investment.' The state's trade office in Armenia opened last week in the capitol city of Yerevan. It was funded with $75,000 in private donations. The Glendale-based Foundation for Economic Development helped create the trade office. Because the money was raised privately, the state was able to open the office in Armenia even though California's other foreign trade offices were closed recently because of state budget woes. That could be a model for the state if it opens other foreign trade offices, officials said. Senator Scott recently completed a fact-finding trip to Armenia where he met with President Robert Kocharian and foreign minister Vartan Oskanian to announce the opening of the trade office. `The Armenian officials that I met with are very excited about it because they recognize that one of the ways as a developing country they're going to progress is to count on the expertise and the products that would come from a place like California,' said the Senator Scott, who was in Armenia September 19-23. `We will be the first in the nation to reap the trade benefits of the enormous economic potential of this region.' Officials expect that the office will facilitate in the export of information technology and health products going into Armenia and help Armenian businesses export foodstuffs and other products to California. 3) ARF Armenia Youth Organization Gains 42 New Members YEREVAN (Aztagdaily.com)--Forty-two youth recently joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) Agbal Aghbalian Student Union in Armenia at a ceremony that took place at the grave of Aram Boghosian who died fighting for the Liberation of Mountainous Karabagh. The October 7 swearing-in took place at Yerablur Military Cemetery in Yerevan. ARF Parliamentary faction secretary Hrair Garabedian noted the symbolism of the students taking their oath in the `presence of dedicated and martyred ARF members.' He asked the students to continue the mission of those who have sacrificed themselves, `because the ARF is a party that carries out strugglesnot only on the battlefield,' but also in professions the students have chosen in their various fields of study, he stressed. Speaking to the new members, ARF-Armenia Supreme Body member Hratch Tadevosian said the people gave birth to the ARF at the end of the 19th century, and during the subsequent 115 years, the party led a resolute fight to protect the rights of Armenians. `But there remain many unresolved issues, and they await you; we must be able to pursue these together, step-by-step. I hope that you will provide force to the ARF.' 4) Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building LOS ANGELES--Saturday, October 8 marked a historic day for the Western Prelacy as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, blessed the new building that will house the Western Prelacy headquarters. The ceremony began with His Holiness blessing a large cross that was then lifted with a crane and placed on top of the dome of the St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel in the new building in La Crescenta. While construction is not yet fully completed, several hundred guests and clergy attended to witness the Pontiff's blessing of the new structure, to usher in a new era of expanded spiritual leadership for the church in the western United States. Many of the major benefactors who made the building possible were on hand to take part in the special occasion including Mrs. Ashken Pilavjian and Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrossian. Following the blessing and placement of the cross, the Catholicos led a procession of clergy and benefactors into the building to officially bless the alter inside and the overall building. `This marks a historic day,' said Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western United States. The Archbishop thanked the benefactors who facilitated the construction of the building, as well as the tireless efforts of the Prelacy Executive Council, the Building Committee and others who have worked tirelessly to make the building a reality. `When our people work together for the common good of the community no resources are beyond the reach of those who take initiative,' the Archbishop continued. The Archbishop also noted the presence of a representative from the Forest Lawn memorial park that also made a sizeable donation for the Prelacy building. His Holiness declared that this is not just a building that will house the Prelacy's offices, rather `the home of our faith and nation which will serve our church and people.' The Catholicos also noted the integral role played by Archbishop Mardirossian and the various benefactors and committee members who drove the idea and realization of the structure. `May God bless and look over all those who will care for and work in this building and the Armenian American community who will support this effort,' the Pontiff concluded. The building is expected to be completed within a year at which time all Prelacy functions will be consolidated at this location from their temporary location in Encino. 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) 2005 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.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
October 12, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
U.S.: TURKEY EXERTS EXCESSIVE CONTROL OVER RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

Says Citizens Don’t Have Right to Practice Faith Freely
Washington, DC – A recent report by the United States Mission to the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) criticized
Turkey for exerting excessive state control over minority religions,
saying the Muslim country risks eroding the centuries-old Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Istanbul, as well as the historic Syriac and Armenian
Orthodox churches.

The report, which was delivered to the OSCE Human Dimension
Implementation Meeting in Warsaw on September 28, also called on
Turkey to clarify the legal status of 55 Protestant Churches that have
been unable to register in Turkey and are vulnerable to closure and
harassment.
“We regret that [Turkish]..authorities continue to inhibit the opening
of places of worship outside the Sunni Muslim mainstream and
systematically disregard the OSCE’s 1990 Bonn Document by
expropriating the properties of religious groups without
compensation,” the U.S. statement said.
Concurrently, the European Court of Human Rights is weighing a
decision on the property rights of two minority foundations in Turkey.
The Soorp Purgich Armenian Hospital Foundation and the Fener Greek
Boys High School Foundation filed cases against Turkey arguing that
they are in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne.
The 1923 Treaty affords protection to foundations that provide public
services for religious minorities.
In both cases, property gifted to the Armenian and Greek foundations
were seized as the Turkish courts upheld orders declaring that the
bequest violated a decree disallowing non-Muslims from donating real
estate. If the court rules in favor of the foundations, hundreds of
buildings seized in the past may be returned.
“The Armenian Assembly commends the OSCE for continuing to closely
monitor religious freedom and minority rights in Turkey,” said
Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “Rather than
thwart freedom, Turkey must conform to EU standards where individual
freedoms are protected and respected.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2005-102
Editor’s Note: The full text of the U.S. statement can be accessed at
the following link:
_28_05.pdf

Diane Rumbaugh
Rumbaugh Public Relations
2166 Flintridge Court
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
805-493-2877
[email protected]
CONTACTS:
Brian S. Kabateck Diane Zakian Rumbaugh
Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP
Rumbaugh Public Relations
213-217-5000
805-493-2877
[email protected]
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
October 12, 2005

ARMENIAN HEIRS SETTLE
AXA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
Los Angeles, CA – Descendants of victims of the 1915
Armenian Genocide will share a $17 million settlement in a class action
lawsuit brought against French insurance giant AXA for unpaid life
insurance benefits. (Kyurkjian, et. al. v. AXA, Case No: CV 02-01750 and
Ouzounian, et. al., v. AXA, Case No: CV 05-02596, U.S. District Court,
Central District of California).
The class includes Armenians living in the United States and
abroad who are descendants and heirs of policyholders who perished in
what is considered the first genocide of the 20th century. The
settlement, subject to court approval, will be administered in France,
which was one of the first countries to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
AXA is headquartered in France and does business in the United States
through various subsidiaries.
Under the terms of the $17 million settlement, AXA will
donate a minimum of $3 million dollars to various France-based Armenian
charitable organizations and will contribute $11 million towards a fund
designed to pay, under procedures to be determined later, valid claims
of heirs of policyholders and beneficiaries of policies issued by AXA
Group subsidiaries that did business in the Turkish Ottoman Empire prior
to 1915. Certain of these policyholders and beneficiaries were among
the 1.5 million Armenians who perished and were unable to obtain their
insurance proceeds in the ensuing chaos.
The suit is the second of its kind. Class Counsel Vartkes
Yeghiayan, Brian S. Kabateck and Mark J. Geragos–all of Armenian
descent–are internationally representing Armenian descendants in
similar cases. Earlier this year in another class action (Martin
Marootian, et al. v. New York Life Insurance Company), New York Life
agreed to pay $20 million to descendants of Armenian policyholders
killed during the genocide. Attorneys representing the class against AXA
also represented class members in the New York Life case.
Class Counsel praised the efforts of U.S. District Court
Judges Christina Snyder and Dickran Tevrizian for their assistance in
fostering the dialogue that ultimately led to the settlement and also
praised AXA for dealing in a transparent and responsible manner in
bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.
“This is an example where dead men can’t speak but they can
file lawsuits,” says Yeghiayan of Yeghiayan & Associates. “It writes
another chapter about persistence and hope. The resolution of the case
helps the healing process.”
“The AXA and New York Life settlements are important
building blocks not only toward seeking financial recovery for the
losses resulting from the Armenian Genocide but also in our ultimate
goal, which is for Turkey and the U.S. to officially acknowledge the
genocide,” says Geragos of Geragos & Geragos. “These cases are
historical because they are the only cases ever brought on behalf of
genocide survivors.”
“My grandparents lost their entire families in the genocide.
Our continued legal efforts to bring attention to the terrible events of
90 years ago honor their memories,” says Kabateck of Kabateck Brown
Kellner. “Today, AXA made the right decision by agreeing to establish a
claims fund for the heirs of those killed in the Armenian Genocide.”
An announcement will be made shortly on when and how
individuals can file claims under this settlement.
###
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Email: [email protected]
Web: <; October 12, 2005 Building a Bridge Between the Silicon Valley and the American University of Armenia (AUA) Oakland, CA - Mr. and Mrs. Papken and Claire Der Torossian opened their home in Saratoga, California, for AUA to host a unique evening dedicated to promoting cooperation and communication between Silicon Valley executives and the AUA School of Business and Management. Dr. Rubina Ohanian, the Dean of the School of Business and Management, an accomplished marketing solutions specialist with over fifteen years of consulting and corporate experience, was among the guests. She gave a brief overview of the MBA program, emphasizing that the School of Business and Management strives to provide its students with quality instruction and a state-of-the-art curriculum to help them achieve their professional goals. Dr. Ohanian spoke very highly of the MBA students' aptitude and the potential that they have to make a difference to Armenia's future. She invited the Silicon Valley leaders to support the University, get involved in the future of its students. Outsourcing of successful Silicon Valley businesses to Armenia will create job opportunities for our youth. President Haroutune Armenian shared with the guests that AUA is an institution of change and transformation, offering its students quality education, technology and know-how for entrepreneurial endeavors. "As a student-centered university, the top priority is our students, and our most important objectives are maintaining academic excellence, becoming a knowledge enterprise and developing regional role", said Dr. Armenian. This was an emotional evening for Seta Karamardian, the widow of Stepan Karamardian, who was the founding Dean of the School of Business and Management. "Seeing AUA Business School prosper is the realization of my husband's dream and vision", said Mrs. Karamardian. Yervant Zorian, Vice President and Chief Scientist at Virage Logic Corporation, also a member of the American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) Board of Trustees, highlighted the main purpose of the evening, which is to establish a permanent bridge between the Silicon Valley Armenian Community and AUA, that will be beneficial to both groups over the years to come. "AUA is one of the best fruits that the independence of Armenia resulted in", said Dr. Zorian. "It fully realizes the vision of its three founders and it has been materialized with the great patronage of AGBU". Dr. Zorian told the guests that he has had the chance to witness the growth of AUA at different intervals during the past decade, and has been impressed with the quality of its programs that Virage Logic employees in Armenia were offered as part of their continuing education. It was an informative evening. Some of the guests rediscovered AUA. Many valuable ideas were exchanged, and pledges for continuous support renewed. This will help the American University of Armenia to improve its entrepreneurship programs to enhance the leadership and organization skills of the students, and to prepare them for active participation in building a brighter future for Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building
New Building to Usher in Era of Expanded Spiritual Role in Community

(Los Angeles, CA – October 12, 2005) – Saturday, October 8 marked a historic
day for the Western Prelacy as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, blessed the new building that will house the Western
Prelacy headquarters upon completion. The ceremony began with His Holiness
blessing a large cross that was then lifted with a crane and placed on top
of the dome that will house the St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel in the new
building in La Crescenta. While the building is not yet fully completed,
several hundred guests and clergy attended to witness the Pontiff’s blessing
of the new structure ushering in a new era of expanded spiritual leadership
for the church in the western United States.
Many of the major benefactors who made the building possible were on hand to
take part in the special occasion including Mrs. Ashken Pilavjian and Mr.
and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrossian. Following the blessing and placement
of the cross, the Catholicos led a procession of clergy and benefactors into
the building to officially bless the alter inside and the overall building.
“This marks a historic day,” said Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western United States. The Archbishop thanked all the benefactors
who made the building possible as well as the tireless efforts of the
Prelacy Executive Council, the Building Committee and others who have worked
very hard to make the building a reality. “When our people work together
for the common good of the community no resources are beyond the reach of
those who take initiative,” the Archbishop continued. The Archbishop also
noted the presence of a representative from the Forest Lawn memorial park
that also made a sizeable donation for the Prelacy building.
His Holiness declared that this is not just a building that will house the
Prelacy’s offices but rather “it is the home of our faith and nation which
will serve our church and people.” The Catholicos also noted the integral
role played by Archbishop Mardirossian and the various benefactors and
committee members who drove the idea and realization of the structure. “May
God bless and look over all those who will care for and work in this
building and the Armenian American community who will support this effort,”
the Pontiff concluded.
The building is expected to be completed within a year at which time all
Prelacy functions will be consolidated at this location from their temporary
location which is currently in Encino.

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
(CENN)
Weekly Digest
October 12, 2005
News from Georgia
Italian Businessmen Interested in Agriculture, Food Industry and Tourism
Source: News Agency Sakre (`Mirror’), October 4, 2005
Italy Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Productive Activities, Adolfo
Urso has said at an opening ceremony of the second business forum of
Italy and Georgia today, Italian businessmen are interested in
Georgia’s
<; more Oil spill on Baku-Supsa western pipeline Source: AssA-Irada News Agency, October 5, 2005 An oil spill took place on the Baku-Supsa western pipeline in the Gardabani district of Georgia on Wednesday. <; more Georgia and Kazakhstan Decided to Continue Cooperation Within BТС Framwork Source: Black Sea Press-Turan, October 5, 2005 On October 4 Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed the joint communiqué on results of top-level bilateral negotiations in Tbilisi. <; more Georgia to Get $20 Million from Wild Bank to Eradicate Poverty Source: The Georgian Times, October 10, 2005 Georgian state budget will receive USD 20 million from Wild Bank (WB) this year for primary activities which will lead to eradication of poverty. <; more Georgian Section of BTC to be Commissioned October 12 Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005 The Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export pipeline will be commissioned on October 12, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili told journalists. <; more Dogfights Source: Nika Tsiklauri, October 10, 2005 On Sunday, 9th of October, near Tbilisi Reservoir, dogfights were held with participation of about 50 Caucasian Sheepdogs. <; more Transportation through Batumi Oil Terminal will be Reduced Source' `24 Saati' (`24 Hours'), October 10, 2005 >From the end of October the amount of petroleum transported through
Batumi oil terminal will be significantly reduced. As Prime News was
informed by the representative of oil terminal George Kharazishvili, the
member of BTC consortium
<; more BTC pipeline's poverty reduction credentials rubbished by new report Source: Press Release of Bankwatch Network, October 11, 2005 Tbilisi, Georgia A new report out today reveals the real impacts of BP's Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and catalogues the Georgian people's unfulfilled hopes of increased welfare and development arising from BP's billion dollar project, hopes which have been fuelled by project backers the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). <; more News From Azerbaijan Birdwatch Day Held in Azerbaijan Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 4, 2005 A Birdwatch Day was held in Gizilgol (Golden Lake) wetland and the Heydar Aliyev Deepwater Jackets Fabrication territory, Caspian Sea, by <; more New Platform to be on Gunashli Filed Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 4, 2005 Construction of the new platform in Gunashli structure, one of the largest oil and gas field of the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian, will start in 2006, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan / SOCAR/ has announced. <; more ILham Aliyev Has Stated About Reliable Providing of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Source: Turan Informational Agency, October 5, 2005 <; On October 5 the president Ilham Aliyev visited administrative building of State Guard Service (SGS) and meets with personal staff of the department. He familiarized with samples of arms, devices that can be used while acts of terrorism, as well as cars and equipment bought for protection of export pipelines. <; more 9-Month Oil and Gas Production Targets Beaten Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 6, 2005 According to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic /SOCAR/, oil production exceeded the targets by 178,1 thousand tons and made up 6.723.1 thousand tons in January-September, thus, beating 9-month target by 102,7 percent. <; more News From Armenia Armenia signs deal to upgrade nuclear waste facility Source: RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan, October 3, 2005 An agreement to upgrade the radioactive waste management facility at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was signed Monday, a senior official said. <; more Armenian Agriculture Minister Calls on U.S. Counterpart Source: Press Release of Armenian Republic Embassy, October 4, 2005 On September 26, 2005, Armenia's Agriculture Minister Davit Lokian met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to discuss U.S.-Armenian cooperation in the area of agriculture. Ambassador Tatoul Markarian also took part in the meeting. Minister Lokian expressed his appreciation for the past USDA programs in Armenia, which he said strengthened <; more Gold Plant Near Lake Sevan Source: ARMENPRESS, October 5, 2005 Armenian nature protection minister Vartan Ayvazian has endorsed today the arguments of local ecological non-governmental organizations who claim that construction of a gold ore processing plant in Vardenis near Sotk mines would prove catastrophic for environment and especially Armenia's biggest lake of Sevan, located some miles off. <; more Two Ministers: Who Will Win in Fight for Shikahogh Reserve Source: ARMINFO, October 6, 2005 Minister for Transport and Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan has submitted a project of Armenia-Iran highway to the Ministry of Nature Protection. The project provides for construction of the highway via Mtnadzor, 3.5 km area of Shikahogh reserve. <; more Aarhus Centers to open in Armenian regions with OSCE support Source: Latest press release from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), 6 October, 2005 Local public environmental information Centers (Aarhus Centers) will soon open in the capitals of the Syunik, Tavush and Lori regions of Armenia with the help of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which today signed an agreement with the Ministry of Nature Protection and local administrations. <; more Armenian-Georgian Working Group Will be Formed to Prepare Feasibility Study for Fourth Power Line Armenia-Georgia Source: ARMINFO, October 7, 2005 An Armenian-Georgian working group will be formed shortly to prepare a feasibility study for construction of a fourth power line Armenia-Georgia. Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told ARMINFO. <; more International News Preservation of Caspian Sea natural resources is important task for Government: Kazakhstan Environmental Minister Source: Kazinform: By Serik Koshkenov, October 3, 2005 During the live broadcast with the Kazakhstan President he was asked about the situation in the Caspian region, where hydrocarbon production is performed. The Head of the State noted, the country would always take care of ecological clearness and enormous fish resources of the Caspian Sea. First of all every investor should undertake environmental commitments. Alongside with earth interior exploration we are to preserve natural resources. <; more US Government Unveils Energy Hog to Promote Conservation Source: Planet Ark, October 4, 2005 Washington - With US heating bills expected to hit record highs this winter, the Bush administration on Monday launched a conservation campaign featuring a cartoon mascot "Energy Hog," which critics said does little to discourage energy use. <; more IUCN helps set up transboundary cooperation on water resources management in White Volta Basin Source: The World Conservation Union (IUCN), October 4, 2005 `Water is life but it can also be a source of conflict if the two partners sharing the resource are not collaborating'. As a response to these opening words of Mr. Gilbert Nuriteg, District Coordinating Director of Ghana's Garu Tempane Municipality at the first White Volta Basin Community Consultative Forum, the Forum delegates agreed to set up a joint transboundary committee of water management associations. <; more Breaking waste laws costs Worcestershire company more than £42,000 Source: Environment Agency: By Oliver Blackburn, October 4, 2005 On Friday (30 September 2005) a Worcester company which ran two illegal waste dumps was fined £39,000 by Worcester Magistrates. <; more Demolition company fined for illegal waste burning Source: Environment Agency: By Mike Dunning, October 4, 2005 A Dorset demolition company has been ordered to pay £4,079 in fines and costs after neighbors were plagued by thick black smoke from burning rubbish. The case was brought by the Environment Agency. <; more UK Government to Decide Within Year on New Nuclear Build Source: Planet Ark, October 4, 2005 London - Britain must decide within a year whether it will invest in a new wave of nuclear power generation, but no conclusions have yet been reached, the government said on Sunday. In a speech to his ruling Labor party's conference last week, Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged an assessment next year of all Britain's energy options, including civil nuclear power. <; more The CMS Secretariat hosts the 4th meeting of the Biodiversity Liaison Group Source: Conservation on Migratory Species (CSM), October 4, 2005 <; The biodiversity liaison group was established in response to a request from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity ( <; CBD), in order to increase the collaboration and synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions. The Convention on Migratory Species was asked to join with CBD, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna ( <; CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands ( <; Ramsar) and the World Heritage Convention ( <; WHC) and regularly meet to discuss priorities and options for collaboration. <; more Kyoto Agreement Implementation in Russia will Cost 2 Million Euros Source: Bellona News, October 5, 2005 Russia will present 2 million euros project for Kyoto agreement implementation to the European Commission on October 6th. <; more Denmark clean but not spotless European Environmental Agency, October 5, 2005 Denmark is among the European leaders in environmental performance in areas such as renewable energies, water protection and organic farming, but there are other areas which could still be improved, says EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade in an interview in the latest issue of "MiljøDanmark" in connection with the launch of the Danish state of the environment report 22 September. <; more Bush Pushes For US Oil Refinery Construction Source: Planet Ark, October 5, 2005 Washington - President Bush Tuesday repeated his call for more oil refineries to be built in the United States, a need he said was highlighted by "tight" petroleum supplies and high energy prices caused by hurricanes Rita and Katrina. <; more Climate change and pollution are killing millions, says study Source: John Vidal, Environment Editor, October 6, 2005 · Poor sanitation to blame, says World Bank report · Economic growth stalled by environmental factors Almost a fifth of all ill health in poor countries and millions of deaths can be attributed to environmental factors, including climate change and pollution, according to a report from the World Bank. <; more NGO News WWF launches forest and trade network in Vietnam Source: WWF News, October 3, 2005 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - WWF, in partnership with Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will launch the Vietnam Forest & Trade Network (VFTN), the first ever network to promote business links between producers of responsible forest products in Vietnam and concerned buyers around the world. <; more Many Dangerous Chemicals in European Blood - WWF Source: Planet Ark, October 7, 2005 Geneva - European children are absorbing dangerous chemicals into their blood from computers, textiles, cosmetics and electrical appliances, according to a new study released on Thursday. The conservation body WWF said results of its first European Union-wide family testing survey found a total of 73 man-made hazardous compounds in the blood of grandmothers, mothers and children from 13 families in 12 countries. <; more Legal News Amendment of Georgian Law on Entrepreneurship On October 11, 2005 the Ministry of Justice held the Round Table in the hotel `Tbilisi Marriott'. On the meeting the representatives of the Corporate Management Group of International Finance Corporation (IFC) and German Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) represented <; more Job, Internship and Study Opportunities Translator/ Interpreter Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005 For the purpose of BP pipeline projects, and under the BP management supervision, IRA Ltd is seeking to recruit a suitable qualified individual for the short-term position of Translator/ Interpreter. Translator/ Interpreter will be a third-party contractor for BP pipeline construction project in Georgia working under BP management supervision. <; more EASY ECO Training - open online application Dear Colleagues, I am happy to announce the next EASY-ECO event, the EASY-ECO Szentendre Training which will be held from 25th January-3rd February, 2006 here at the REC. The course explores key elements in sustainability evaluations and is specifically focused towards bringing together young researchers with evaluation practitioners as well as local and international experts in the field. Participants will gain knowledge applicable in practice and will be able to conduct actual sustainability evaluation projects after attending the training. <; more Seminars, conference and meetings Health & Wellness Convention 2005 in Costa Rica COSTA RICA Source: World-Wire, October 5, 2005 There are few environmentalists today who are not aware of how the increasing proliferation of pollutants, poisons, and toxic compounds in our earth, air, and water are drastically affecting our physical health. The medical and pharmaceutical industries have side-stepped the issue, preferring to market symptom-masking drugs rather than confront the corporate takeover of our health and well-being. <; more Announcement BP Publishes Sustainability Report 2004 Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005 According to a report released by BP on October 7, the oil giant has spent nearly USD 2 million on social projects through out the country, funding everything from repair to heritage projects in an effort to encourage `sustainability' in the country. <; more Courageous Baku-Ceyhan pipeline film wins festival prizes Source: Media Advisory, October 10, 2005 Prague, Czech Republic -- A documentary film about the social and environmental implications of BPs Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline in Azerbaijan was awarded prizes at two prestigious film festivals this weekend. The Source, a joint Bionaut-CEE Bankwatch Network production shot by Czech director Martin Marecek, received the international jury prize and an award from the Czech Ministry of Environment at the Ekofilm festival in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic and was also awarded the prize <; more ************************************************************************** Subscribing Information CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing information since 1998. All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and Russian languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that give the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as abroad. To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send an email to [email protected] and place the
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Vatican Information Service
10.12.2005
SUMMARY OF SYNOD OF BISHOPS: OCTOBER 11 – 12
Fourteenth General Congregation
Fifteenth General Congregation
VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2005 (VIS) – During the Fourteenth General
Congregation of the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, held this afternoon in the Vatican’s Synod Hall, apart from
speeches by the Synod Fathers, the fraternal delegates were given an
opportunity to address the gathering. The president delegate on duty was
Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez.
At the start of this afternoon’s session, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic,
secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, recalled that today is the 43rd
anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II and the feast of Blessed
John XXIII.
Following are excerpts of some of the speeches delivered by fraternal
delegates and Synod Fathers:
METROPOLITAN JOHANNIS ZIZIOULAS OF PERGAMO, GREECE. “It is a great honor for
me to be given the opportunity to address this venerable episcopal Synod and
bring to it the fraternal greetings and best wishes of the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew and the Church of Constantinople. The invitation to
our Church to send a fraternal delegate to this Synod is a gesture of great
ecumenical significance. We respond to it with gratitude and love. We
Orthodox are deeply gratified by the fact that your Synod also regards the
Eucharist as the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church. It
is extremely important that Roman Catholics and Orthodox can say this with
one voice. There may still be things that separate our two Churches but we
both believe that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church. It is on this
basis that we can continue the official theological dialogue of our two
Churches, which is now entering a new phase. Eucharistic ecclesiology can
guide us in our efforts to overcome a thousand years of separation. For it
is a pity to hold the same conviction of the importance of the Eucharist but
not be able to share it at the same table.”
REV. FILIPPO VAYLTSEV OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF MOSCOW, RUSSIA. “The Eucharist
is the central and most important point of the life of the Church and of
every Christian. Hence, the weakening of Eucharistic awareness leads to a
destruction of ecclesiastic awareness, … and to errors in the
understanding of Christian values. … We would be very pleased if our
experience of Eucharistic life, both past and present, proves useful and
helpful to the Roman Catholic Church. … It must not be forgotten that
preparation for communion in the Russian Orthodox Church also includes,
apart from inner preparation, ‘The Rule’ (strict fasting for three days,
visits to Church during these three days, prayers for communion, and special
Eucharistic fasting after midnight), and Confession is also compulsory.
However, these strict rules are seen by the Church not as an obligation, but
as a measure that was formed historically in accordance with tradition, and
that people apply to themselves.”
MOR SEVERIUS MALKE MOURAD OF THE SYRO-ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE, SYRIA. “In our
Syrian Orthodox Church, we celebrate the divine liturgy in Syriac-Aramaic,
the language of our Lord Jesus; and during the divine liturgy the very same
words which Jesus said in the Upper Room are recited. And the priest who
celebrates this Sacrament, has to celebrate it alone. I feel proud that I
live in the Monastery of St. Mark in the Old City of Jerusalem, where Jesus
had His Last Supper. … The presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is not
only His bodily presence, but all His fullness in humanity and divinity. So
Lord Jesus is present in all parts of the two elements. … St. Paul the
Apostle exhorts the believer to spiritually prepare himself before he comes
to receive holy communion with faith, reverence and a pure conscience, and
should cleanse his body and observe the pre-communion fast at 12 midnight.
We used to give the sacraments of holy communion to the children immediately
after they receive the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.”
BISHOP NAREG (MANOUG) ALEMEZIAN, ECUMENICAL OFFICIAL OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF
CILICIA, ARMENIA. “The Armenian word used to designate the Holy Eucharist is
‘Surp Patarag,’ which means holy sacrifice. In the liturgical life of the
Church we are at God’s service (liturgy) and offer sacrifice of thanksgiving
(Eucharist) for gifts received from Him. Holy Eucharist is centered on the
sacrificial giving of our Savior and generating a communion of love with God
and our fellow beings by the power of the Holy Spirit. … In assessing the
constructive role of bilateral and multilateral ecumenical dialogues in
discussing the theme of ‘Church as Communion,’ I encourage all of us to
engage in the study of Eucharistic ecclesiology, which situates the unity of
the Church in the local celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by
the bishop in communion with his brother bishops. In this respect, the
distinctive role of the bishop is underlined as the one who takes care of
the flock entrusted to him by the Good Shepherd, tending it with a love that
is most fully revealed in the Eucharistic partaking of the one bread for a
spiritual and universal communion in the mystical Body of Christ.”
BISHOP LUIGI PADOVESE O.F.M. Cap., APOSTOLIC VICAR OF ANATOLIA, TURKEY. “I
speak as bishop of the Church of Anatolia, an area that saw the first great
expansion of Jesus’ message and in which Christians are now reduced to just
a few thousand. The only Christians in the city of Tarsus, homeland of the
Apostle Paul, are three nuns who welcome pilgrims; pilgrims who must get a
permit in order to celebrate the Eucharist in the only remaining
church-museum. The same is true for the church-museum of St. Peter in
Antioch. In that city was born John Chrysostom, the 16th centenary of whose
death in exile falls in 2007. With his homilies, Chrysostom reminds us that
the Eucharist was and is the privileged place for announcing Christ. His
memory, as well as the more recent recollection of bishops such as Clemens
von Galen and Oscar Romero, is a living testimony of the bond between the
memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice and the people who found therein the motivation
and strength for a proclamation undertaken with intelligence and courage and
frankness.”

Noyan Tapan Highlights” N41
October, 2005
October 10, 2005
Raffi Hovannisian continues political consultations and starts meetings in
Armenian regions
Yerevan–Raffi Hovannisian, founder and head of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, Chairman of the Zharangutiun
(“Heritage”) party, starts a series of meetings with representatives of
public and his supporters in different regions of the country. Raffi
Hovannisian informed representatives of mass media about it at the reception
in honor of the 11th anniversary of foundation of the Center. It’s supposed
that during these meetings he will explain party’s negative position on
draft constitutional amendments put to the referendum. Other issues worrying
the Armenian society will be also discussed during the numerous scheduled
meetings.
In his open address, R.Hovannisian also confirmed that he continues
political consultations on the issue of cooperation with both
representatives of opposition and civil society and the representatives of
Armenian power who realize the seriousness of the situation formed in the
country and the necessity in radical changes.
Mr. Hovannisian considers that the most important task at the current stage
is to hold the referendum exactly in correspondence with the international
obligations assumed by Armenia. He especially emphasized that all the stages
of the process should be democratic and transparent, starting from the
moment of agitation up to the calculation of votes, which should guarantee
the trust of the society in the referendum results.
At best Turkey may Become EU member only together with Armenia.
“We have to state loud and clear that Turkey’s aspirations to become a
member of the European Union correspond with Armenia’s political interests,”
Raffi Hovannisian stated. “It is foreseeable that in its best-case scenario
Turkey can only become an EU member in synchronization with the Republic of
Armenia, and in the process it will have to undergo serious and irreversible
reforms, confront its history, reject any imperial ambitions, and so forge a
comprehensive resolution of all outstanding matters with Armenia,” he
stressed.
In the opinion of R. Hovannisian, the animosity may and should grow into a
partnership, of which the past and current relations between Germany and
Russia, Germany and France, Germany and Israel, or the US and Japan bear
evidence. “In order completely to uncover and acknowledge the historical
truth, we must support Turkey’s pioneers, the growing intellectual movement
which is the brave resumption of those exceptional precedents in 1915 and
beyond when thousands of Turkish families, at the risk of losing their own
lives, endeavored to hide and save individual Armenians from certain death.
My grandmother owed her life to one such righteous family of heroes, who to
this day remain unsung because of official Turkish denialism,” R.
Hovannisian stated.
He proposed the following peace initiative of the Armenian side: ” As a
means of building mutual trust, Armenia might invite bilateral consideration
of the idea of creating, under UN or UNESCO auspices, an international and
demilitarized free economic and cultural Belt of Civilization around the
medieval Armenian capital of Ani and the Biblical slopes of Mt. Ararat.” In
his view, in a short period of time this zone may become an international
tourist center, thus developing the deserted regions of both countries and
creating an opportunity for an uunprecedented bilateral cooperation.
“Foreign policy is privatized just like country’s economy”
“We simply do not have the right to entrust our nation’s destiny to those
who have appropriated its foreign policy in the same way as they have done
with the economy, turning one and the other into a shadow structure driven
by personal gain,” Raffi Hovannisian declared in his open address. According
to him, such a conduct became the reason of the fact that “this mode of
operation has made a mockery of the national interest, has alienated the
country’s citizens from their authorities, and has shaken the foundations of
our once-national solidarity. From the standard-bearer of democracy and
liberty in the region, Armenia is now retreating to the backwaters of
cynical authoritarian dominion.”
Monopoly in policy is so much dengerous as in economy, Raffi Hovannisian
highlighted. In summer we became the witnesses and victims of destructive
consequences of such a monopoly. The telephone and computer sphere having
strategic importance is meant here.
In reply to a possible question, why the subject of complete political and
economic monopoly doesn’t become an occasion for everyday anxiety of mass
media, Raffi Hovannisian said: “Because after the shutdown of “A1+” and
“Noyan Tapan” an indirect monopoly has been established in the public
information realm as well.”
“The weakening of democracy gives birth to monopoly, whereas monopoly
strangles the economy, diplomacy, and ultimately democracy itself,” first RA
Foreign Minister emphasized.
R.Hovannisian declared that “as the incumbent administration continues to
pacify itself and the public with economic growth figures, prestigious
international bodies confirm that more than half of the country’s national
product, and thus of its taxation sphere, is hidden in the shadow,
consequently circumventing the official budget and the citizens’ shares in
it.”
One more chance to connect struggle against terrorism with Artsakh conflict
was missed
“This summer the world was shocked by the attacks of terror in London. The
voices of Armenia and Armenians were all but unheard among the many which
condemned those violent acts,” Raffi Hovannisian mentioned. While, according
to him, “the Armenian leaders’ ineptitude in taking our decisive say on the
anti-terrorism front to the world and duly underscoring our commitment is
sidelining the nation from global developments and is belittling the value
and meaning of our casualties to the common cause.”
In R.Hovannisian’s opinion, the authorities missed one more opportunity to c
onnect the general struggle against terrorism with the Artsakh conflict in
the best way. “It was the opportune time to remind the civilized world that,
only a few years ago, the people of Artsakh who were battling for their
right to live also had come face to face with Afghan mujahaddins and
mercenary pilots bombing civilian targets in peaceful towns. By failing to
present to the world the captured foreign mercenaries and the documents
confiscated from them as hard evidence of our noteworthy contribution to the
war on international terror, the mediocre official and his obsequious
diplomacy once again turned out to be spineless.”
“While abroad they were telling duplicitous tales about their own integrity,
they failed widely to publicize the fact that during the
Karabagh-Azerbaijani war the adversary’s positions in Shushi were defended
by the notorious Shamil Bassaev, who later on organized the pogrom of
hundreds of innocent people in allied Russia. Not surprisingly, the heroic
stand of Artsakh in the name of human rights and liberties, which once
enjoyed worldwide support, has turned into a mere territorial issue being
examined within the strictures of international bureaucracy,” Raffi
Hovannisian declared.