MAYOR ACCUSED
Sunday Times (London)
September 25, 2005, Sunday
THE mayor of an Armenian town was arrested after the head of a power
company was shot dead. Armen Kelishyan was said to have killed Ashot
Mkhitaryan after accusing him of inflating his electricity bill.

ARMENIA RECEIVES 10 NEW FIGHTER JETS FROM RUSSIA
Associated Press Worldstream
September 26, 2005 Monday 10:16 AM Eastern Time
Armenia has received 10 new Russian-made fighter jets, the deputy
defense minister said Monday.
The jets are Sukhoi Su-27s, Defense Ministry spokesman Seiran
Shakhsuvarzian said. Officials, including Armenian Deputy Defense
Minister Artur Agabekian, did not provide further details on the deal.
While many other ex-Soviet republics are looking increasingly toward
closer integration with the West, Armenia has remained loyal to
Russia. It hosts a Russian military base, which has become even
more important for Moscow after neighboring Georgia pushed for the
withdrawal of Russian troops.

RA FM AWARDED VENETO SPECIAL PRIZE
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 26 2005
VERONA, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On September
24, RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian was awarded the Grosso d’Oro
Veneziano prize in the Italian city of Verona. V.Oskanian was bestowed
the prize of the Masi Foundation for his personal contribution to the
process of Armenia’s integration to European structures and extension
of Armenian-Italian contacts.
On this occasion Minister Oskanian made a speech at the 25th
awards ceremony held in the St George Cathedral (of VIII century) in
Verona, where he, in particular, touched upon Armenia’s resolution to
develop in accordance with the European standards, country’s internal
development, Armenian-Italian relations, as well as spoke about the
Armenian-Italian Days to be organized in Armenia in early October.
The Masi Foundation was created and is now headed by the descendants
of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Famous representatives in the sphere
of literature, art, science, economy are awarded prizes of the Masi
Foundation every year. The prizes are mainly given to the Italians.
Up to this day only former Slovenian President Milan Kucan among
foreign high-ranking state and political figures has received the
Grosso d’Oro Veneziano prize.
Below is V.Oskanian’s speech submitted to Noyan Tapan by RA Foreign
Ministry’s Press and Information Department:
Honorable Senator Volcic, Honorable members of the Board of Directors
of the Fondazione Masi, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am privileged to
receive this prestigious award, il Grosso d’Oro Veneziano. This
is a special day for me. And this is, of course, a special place,
a special foundation and a special family with a glorious history of
650 years stretching all the way back to one of the greatest poets of
all times, Dante Alighieri. Dante’s descendants valued their heritage
and helped pass on his legacy. This legacy clearly manifests itself
in modern Italy and the Region of Veneto. Italy and Veneto also share
a legacy with Armenians. There is much symbolism in the fact that
Armenia’s coming back to Europe is being noted and celebrated here,
in Italy. Armenian-Italian connections are based on rich and ancient
traditions. It was in Italy in 1512, that Hakob Meghapart published
the first book ever in Armenian. The Urbatagirk (or Book of Days)
was followed in 1513 with the first published Armenian calendar. The
renowned Briton, Lord Byron, referred to the Venetian island of San
Lazaro as a fortress of Armenian independence, since the Armenian
monks of the Order of Mekhitar had found refuge there in the early
1700s. For the last three centuries, that haven has turned into a
scientific and cultural locus. Today, if you ask the Mekhitarist
fathers whether they are Venetian, they will say yes. If you ask
them whether they are Armenian, they will say yes. One can say that
they were pioneers in establishing a common European identity, about
which we speak proudly, yet with some apprehension. If it used to be
religion that bound Europe together a millennium ago, it certainly
isn’t any longer. Nor is it the economic advancement that was specific
to Europe two centuries ago. It isn’t ideology either, which was both
adhesive and encumbrance for decades in the last century.
Europe is more than its common history, more than geography, more
than a club for members. All those who’ve said Europe is an idea are
right. It is the idea of a Europe that is the common, if unattainable
ideal. Even those living outside this space have imagined and desired
a Europe which can be addressed collectively, a partner which can be
enlisted conveniently, a Europe to which they yearn to belong.
Armenia is Europe. This is a fact, it’s not a response to a question.
The collapse of the USSR brought us to a point of economic and
political crisis. I remember our discussions in Armenia, before our
entry into the Council of Europe. There were many questions about
the choice of path to take.
Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those
who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. I’m happy to
say I won’t be going there because I was among the loudest advocates
of the European path. The choice was clear. Armenians believe in the
values of the European enlightenment, of European civilization. The
moral, ethical and existential choices that bring individuals and
societies to select democracy over other forms of government, rule
of law over rule of man, human rights over selective rights, those
choices have been made. A people who have lived under subjugation,
have seen ethnic cleansing and genocide even before the terms existed,
have lived as a minority without rights, now belong to a world where
warring neighbors have found that they can accept new borders based
on realities on the ground and move on. Europe’s nation-states have
found that they can transcend borders, without diminishing or ignoring
cultural spaces, without expecting historical identities to vanish. The
European Neighborhood Policy brings Armenia back home since Armenia’s
foreign policy priority is the gradual integration of Armenia into
European institutions. In his presentation, my good friend, Senator
Demetro Volcic described in ponderous detail my country’s foreign
policy priorities. I must admit that he is well aware of them not
as a common bystander, but as a caring and thoughtful professional,
who has proven to be instrumental in helping to integrate Armenia
into the modern European architecture. The double digit GDP growth,
which Armenia achieved each of the last five years, the successful
admission into the WTO, the spirit of the free enterprise, the
changing political system and society are promising signs that we are
on the right track. However, it is too early to say that the European
standard is round the corner. It is not as close yet as Europe itself,
as Venice, as Verona, as the shared cultural and religious values of
the past and present. To highlight and share those values, we will
be launching a two-month long Days of Italy in Armenia, beginning in
early October.
This project has received the blessing and patronage of President
Ciampi, President Kocharian and Governor Galan. The centerpiece of
these important events will be an exhibition of the riches from the
Isla Armena. In light of all this, then, the Fondazione Masi has,
in bestowing upon me this award, put a great stamp of approval on
Armenia, its foreign policy directions, its European orientation,
its future. I thank you.

YBF MANAGEMENT DENIES CHARGES OF VIOLATNG OBLIGATIONS
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 26 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The management of the Yerevan
Brandy Factory (YBF) denied charges that the Pernod Ricard Company
– the owner of YBF had allowed to decrease the basic reserves of
brandy spirit, as well as considers the possibility of selling the
enterprise. The enterprise issued a press release stating that as
of January 1, 2005, the annual age of spirits in its reserves made
10 years as an evidence that YBF fulfils its obligations to maintain
the basic brandy spirit.
The report says that YBF is the main purchaser of grapes in Armenia
and intends to purchase in 2005 about 25 thousand tons of grapes from
Armenian farmers, that is, by 20% more than in 2004.
Dispelling rumors about a possible sale of the enterprise, YBF stated
that Pernod Ricard considers the trade mark “Ararat” necessary for
increasing its sales in countries like Russia.
Based on the above stated, the YBF management proposes that the
competent bodies organize immediately control over the amount of grapes
purchased and the reserves and quality of all the brandy spirit kept
at local producers.

NEW TIES OF COOPERATION ESTABLISHED BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND FOREIGN YOUNG DOCTORS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. In total, 400 scientific works
dedicated to modern problems of medicine were presented at the
3rd International Conference of Young Doctors held in Yerevan on
September 19-21. 100 works from them were presented by young doctors
of Armenia. As Vardan Karamian, the Chairman of the conference
informed at the September 24 press-conference, authories of 4 works
from those present got an opportunity to participate in conferences
to be held abroad with financial assistance of the Armenian Medical
Association. And the author of the best work, Artem Grigorian was
honoured with the presidental prize of the conference: he will get
100 US dollar scholarship during a year and undertake the obligations
of the Chairman of the 4th International Conference of Young Doctors
to be held in 2007. Besides, authors of 25 works were honoured with
diplomas of the organizers of the conference: the Armenian Medical
Association, the RA National Academy of Sciences, the RA Health Care
Ministry and National Institute.
V.Karamian mentioned that during the conference, numerous new ties
and prospects of further cooperation were created among Armenian
and foreign doctors, among them a preliminary agreement was reached
concerning implementation of the “summer schools” program of young
doctors in Armenia and Iran.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PEACE-KEEPERS CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION SUCCESSFULLY, RA DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER MENTIONS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The third shift
of Armenian peace-keepers will leave for Kosovo in late October.
Artur Aghabekian, RA Deputy Defence Minister, informed journalists
about it in his interview. According to him, the approaches towards
implementation of a peace-keeping mission change and in this respect
the subdivision chosen for this purpose “is trained on the basis of
fresh information received from Kosovo.”
As for the Armenian servicemen carrying out a peace-keeping mission
in Iraq, according to the Deputy Minister, there are no victims among
the Armenian peace-keepers in consequence of terrorist acts that
have become frequent lately in Iraq and if there were victims the
journalists would be the first to learn it. “Our servicemen are very
fine in Iraq and carry out their tasks successfully. This refers to all
of them – drivers, doctors, mine clearers and the intercommunication
officer who is carrying out his mission in Baghdad,” Artur Aghabekian
declared.

A HUGE CROWD OF BELIEVERS GREETS CATHOLICOS ARAM I IN MONTREAL
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 26 2005
MONTREAL, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. His Holiness
Aram I, Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia, arrived, on his third
Pontifical visit, to Canada on September 22. The Pontiff ventured on
the visit responding to the invitation by the prelate of the Prelacy
of Canada, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian and officials from the diocese.
According to the Communication and Information Department of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia, His Holiness was greeted at the
“Trudo” airport in Montreal by Archbishop Hagopian, Archbishop
Souren Kataroian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, as
well as representatives form the diocese and the Armenian community
of Montreal.
His Holiness met with a large crowd of believers in the evening in
the St. Hagop Church in Montreal, seat of the Prelate of Canada,
where a traditional blessing of salt and water was held.
Prelate Archbishop Hagopian welcomed His Holiness in Canada and
spoke about the Pontiff’s achievements during his 10-year tenure. The
Archbishop then invited Aram I to deliver his sermon to the believers.
His Holiness greeted the religious officials, community leaders and
representatives as well as the large number of believers who had
come to meet and welcome their religious leader. He spoke about unity
within the Diocese of Canada and the entire Armenian nation.
“Cooperation is a basic imperative for our nation. As every other
place, here as well our nation’s children should gather around each
other and live their lives in collaboration,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness then considered the words of the Armenian poet “Towards
the source of light” the theme of his Pontifical visit to the three
dioceses of Northern America. He emphasized the importance of working
together for a bright future.
“This is the only path for our people. We follow this path in spite
of our differences,” said His Holiness.
Following the sermon, the believers approached His Holiness to kiss
his right hand. Then His Holiness visited the newly built Prelacy
accompanied by religious officials and representatives of the Diocese.
The Pontiff’s visit to the three dioceses of Northern America falls in
the sphere of the ceremonies celebrating the 10th anniversary of His
Holiness’ enthronement and the 75th anniversary of the establishment
of the Seminary. All the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
will mark these anniversaries with special ceremonies.

E. MAMEDYAROV AND V. DRANNIKOV – SUSPICIOUS TANDEM
Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Sept 26 2005
The article entitled “Mountain Rebuke” by V. Drannikov was published in
the Russian Newsweek, which touched upon the public political situation
in Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the prospects of resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. In my opinion, the article contained information
which, intended or not, forms a distorted picture of several aspects
of the Karabakh issue in the minds of the Russian readers. Thus,
having read the article, one might start thinking that in the course of
events of 1988-1994 in Nagorno Karabakh and around it there were only
Azerbaijani refugees; moreover, the author points out the existence
of 30 thousand Azerbaijani refugees. The Azerbaijani foreign minister
almost shares this opinion, considering the return of refugees to their
former places of residence as an essential element of the talks. At
least, it seems strange that it did not occur to the author of the
article to doubt Mamedyarov in reference to the Armenian refugees,
for the number of refugees from only the capital city Baku was several
times as much as the abovementioned number. However, even a starting
journalist should realize that completely ignoring the interests of one
of the sides cannot benefit the resolution of the problem which has
equal importance for both sides. V. Drannikov should also be worried
about the issue of stationing peacemaking forces in the conflict area,
raised by E. Mamedyarov. The thing is that the sides have maintained
the ceasefire for over 11 years, and the particular cases of breaking
the armistice have a local character. And this situation is supposed
to continue until the resolution of the conflict. Therefore, we may
suppose that through the proposal of stationing peacemakers in the
conflict area the Azerbaijani side is trying to dispose of the NKR
armed forces which have become one of the important arguments in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, as well as the guarantor of the
security of the security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh through
someone else. E. Mamedyarov considers the future status of Nagorno
Karabakh as one of the essential arguments in the negotiations. By
using the word “future”, he probably means to remind that the former
status of the region, i.e. an autonomous region in Azerbaijan SSR, was
eliminated by the unilateral decision of the Azerbaijani government,
and that granting a similar status to Nagorno Karabakh would be a
great favour to it.
Good reason, however, prompts that in the current situation it
would be appropriate to consider neither the former nor the future
status of Nagorno Karabakh but its present status, i.e. the sovereign
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, which formed in accordance with the law
on the secession from the USSR, similarly to independent Republic of
Azerbaijan. In this state of things only the issue of recognition of
the country which has existed for 14 years now can become a subject
of negotiations. Now about the issue holding “a pride of place” in the
talks. It is notable that the title of the article and the judgements
of E. Mamedyarov suit each other. But the author of the article did
not pay attention to the biased character of the judgements of the
foreign minister of Azerbaijan. I wonder if V.
Drannikov does not know that the armed forces of Azerbaijan occupied
a considerable area of NKR. Maybe this cannot be compared to the
Azerbaijani territory controlled by our troops but for us an Armenian
village is more valuable than an Azerbaijani region. Touching
upon the issue of liberation of the occupied territories, the
author of the article cites the following words of Mamedyarov,
“The liberation of these regions should be the first step towards
the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.” First of all, all the
Azerbaijani regions controlled by our armed forces forming a neutral
zone around NKR are meant here. However, there is not a single word
about the simultaneous liberation of our territories. Second, the
word “liberation” has a clear and unambiguous meaning here, whereas
the notion of “resolution” is void of a particular meaning. Thus,
a great number of issues are up in the air. Such a standpoint of the
Azerbaijani foreign ministry does not confirm the words of the foreign
minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian that the latest meeting of the
presidents of Azerbaijan assured the peace process. The impression
is that either E. Mamedyarov is not well-aware of the content of the
talks between the tow presidents or V. Oskanian offers the desirable
instead of the real. Both are dangerous for the sides in reaching an
acceptable resolution, which requires clarifying the standpoints of
the sides. This article, unfortunately, does not benefit this, and
we addressed a message to the magazine. Realizing that the article
may be a propagandist action initiated by the Azerbaijani side,
hopefully the official bodies of NKR and Armenia will express their
attitude towards it.

RA ARMED FORCES REPLENISHED BY 10 MORE PLANES
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. “RA Armed Forces were replenished
by 10 more planes, which are completely ready for carrying out
military tasks. In this respect our fighting capacity increases,”
Artur Aghabekian, RA Deputy Minister of Defence, declared at the
briefing held at the Aviation Institute after Armenak Khanpertsian.
Answering the question, how much they paid for the planes, the Deputy
Minister said that he has no information about it. And in reply to the
question, from what country were they bought, Artur Aghabekian only
mentioned that “these planes are of Russian production.” To recap,
according to the information we have, the planes were to be bought
from Slovakia.
In reply to the question about the depreciation of the military
equipment, the Deputy Defence Minister emphasized that when military
equipment is depreciated it is immediately written off. According
to A.Aghabekian, the whole military equipment existing in Armenia or
bought by it is battle-worthy or is prepared for action by means of
additional expenditures. “On the whole, in the respect of validity term
our equipment is in a very good condition,” Deputy Defence Minister
emphasized. According to A.Aghabekian, “the program of development
of RA Armed Forces envisages constant replenishment of both Armed
Forces staff and armament. And this is an everyday problem in the
Armed Forces.”

ARMENIAN CONFERENCE AT ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY IN MARCH 2006
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Sept 26 2005
ISTANBUL – An “Armenian Conference” will take place at the Istanbul
University in March 2006, said university sources today.
In a press release, the IU Rector’s office said that Istanbul
University will hold a conference on the Armenian problem by wide
international participation and on basis of international criteria.
“The participants, including lawyers, scholars and politicians, of
countries who have adopted resolutions accepting and remembering the
so-called Armenian genocide will be invited.
The Istanbul University will study the matter based on its historical
mission and with an objective look. The Armenian problem will not
only be handled from an historical perspective but also from a legal,
political and sociological perspectives.
“The participants will handle the topic from various angles possible
scientifically,” said the IU press release.