YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
STATEMENT OF YEREVAN PRESS CLUB ON AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION
SUITS VERSUS “CHORRORD ISHKHANUTIUN” AND “ARAVOT”
“ZANGAK”: ABOUT THE DISABLED
PRESS NEWS
THE FIRST JUBILEE OF “TV-MOL”
STATEMENT OF YEREVAN PRESS CLUB ON AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION
On September 15 Yerevan Press Club disseminated a statement with a number of
proposals on draft amendments to the Constitution of Armenia, adopted by the
RA National Assembly in the second hearing on September 1.
The statement says: “Yerevan Press Club is induced to state that the public
of Armenia has been insufficiently involved in the constitutional reform
process. Attention was not duly paid to a number of alternative proposals
made, as a result of which certain provisions of the draft continue to arise
serious concerns. In particular, we cannot be satisfied with the definitions
on freedom of expression and information. The primary subject of our concern
is the mechanisms for the broadcast regulatory body formation, as stipulated
by the draft constitutional amendments, since its independence is not
guaranteed.
As after the adoption in the second hearing the project cannot be radically
improved, we submit our proposals of editorial nature that will enable
making the existing clauses more specific and will contribute to achieving
greater clarity of definitions.”
Some of the YPC proposals aim solely at the improvement of the language in
some articles. At the same time it is proposed to maximally clarify the
status and the role of the body to be established for broadcast media. Thus,
Article 83.2 (“To ensure freedom, independence and diversity of broadcast
mass media, in accordance with the law, an independent body is established.
Half of its members are elected by the National Assembly, and the other half
is appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies.”) should, in the opinion of YPC, be
narrated as follows: “In accordance with the law, a body is established,
regulating the activities of public and private broadcast mass media,
contributing to their diversity. To ensure the greatest independence of
this body, half of its members are elected by the National Assembly and half
is appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies”.
The essence of the change proposed is that firstly, the bodies formed by the
state are established not to ensure freedom and independence but to regulate
the activities of a sphere. It is another thing that the Constitution must
stipulate certain guarantees for the independence of the body itself.
Secondly, the regulating function of this body should be clearly defined by
the Constitution, since the Main Law stipulates its establishment. Otherwise
it remains uncertain what it should be responsible for – this is hardly the
broadcasting, audiovisual production or interference with the inner policy
of broadcasting companies. Thirdly, both private and public broadcasting
should be subject to regulation. And if, contrary to YPC’s proposals, the
Constitution will stipulate the formation of only one body, it should be
regulating both, which must be clearly defined by the Main Law.
The proposals of Yerevan Press Club and other journalistic associations (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, August 25 – September 1, 2005 and July 8-14, 2005) on
amendments to RA Constitution will be submitted to the RA National Assembly
before the draft is discussed in the third hearing.
SUITS VERSUS “CHORRORD ISHKHANUTIUN” AND “ARAVOT”
On September 8 the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash
communities of Yerevan started and postponed the hearing on the suit of
Karen Khachatrian, the assistant of Electrical Energy Chair of State
Engineering (Polytechnic) University of Armenia versus “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper. The plaintiff demanded that the newspaper be
required to publish a refutation (as written by him) for the article “The
Odyssey of the Khachatrians of Polytechnic”, published in “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” on June 28, 2005. The article described the “unhealthy
atmosphere, created at the University” by a professor of the same Chair
Varos Khachatrian and his son Karen, who came to defend him. It should also
be noted that “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” enabled Karen Khachatrian to speak out
on the matter, having published on July 26 a piece, titled “Explanations of
K.Khachatrian of Polytechnic”.
The consideration of the suit of Karen Khachatrian versus “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper was delayed since presently criminal proceedings are
instituted on the appeal of the father of a female student of the
Engineering University, and the investigation is underway. The court has no
competence to consider the civil suit, filed by Karen Khachatrian, until the
investigation is over.
A similar suit with a similar demand was filed by Karen Khachatrian versus
another newspaper, “Aravot”. This time the dispute centered on article
“Sexual Harassment of a Student”, published in “Aravot” on June 24. The
publication based on the complaint of several students and professors of the
Engineering University about the behavior of Varos and Karen Khachatrian,
addressed to the RA Human Rights Defender. The court hearing on the case is
scheduled on September 23.
“ZANGAK”: ABOUT THE DISABLED
On September 15 “168 Zham” weekly was issued with “Zangak” supplement. The
free of charge full-color newsletter on 4 pages is published by “Unison”
NGO, protecting the rights of the disabled. The project is implemented with
the financial assistance of the US Department of State Public Affairs
Section and stipulates publication of three issues on movement-impaired
people. The print run of “Zangak” is 1,000 copies, half of which is
disseminated as a supplement to “168 Zham”.
PRESS NEWS
On September 10 the first issue of a special Saturday issue of “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper, “Kiraknamut” (“Sunday’s Eve”), was published. Thus,
from now on “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” will come out three times a week – on
Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
On September 9 at the celebration ceremony of the first anniversary of “168
Zham” weekly, the web-site of the newspaper () was presented.
According to the Chief Editor of “168 Zham” Satik Seyranian, soon the web
page will feature not only the pieces of the weekly print issues of the
newspaper, but also daily news. The web site is accessible in Armenian,
English and Russian languages.
THE FIRST JUBILEE OF “TV-MOL”
On September 16 “TV-mol” (“TV-maniac”) weekly celebrates its first
anniversary.
Yerevan Press Club congratulates the colleagues and wishes further success
and prosperity.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN

cybernoon.com
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Armenian Church’s dwindling members cause concern
Malankara community steps in to revive Fort’s St Peter’s Church
Situated in the bylanes of Fort, within a stone’s thrown of the Bombay Stock
Exchange, stands St Peter’s Church, the temple of prayer for the Malankara
community. Unfortunately, however, the religious community is threatened by
extinction in Mumbai as it’s presently left with only three members who use
this church. To maintain the divinity, its present members are on the
lookout for the right people to undertake the spiritual responsibility to
take over as its future torchbearers. Sunny Perirayam, a Malankara orthodox
Christian and former president of the Young Men’s Christian Association
(YMCA) is one of the few who took it upon himself to rejuvenate the Armenian
Church.For the uninitiated, the Armenian Church is an independent Christian
church, also known as the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Its head is
the Catholicos who resides at Holy Etchmiadzin, near Yerevan, the capital of
Armenia. St. Peter’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Fort is the only church of
this community in Mumbai. Says Sunny Perirayam, “This church is a very old
church built in 1892. The structure was loose and in need of immediate
attention. It was Zabel Joshi’s daughter, an architect, who renovated the
church. It’s a small church, but indeed an immaculate one. There are people
who believe that this church is leased out to us. Please note that, this
church is just given to us to conduct holy services rather let it face
extinction. They are Armenian orthodox, while we are the Malankara Orthodox
people. So it’s by an understanding that we are servicing the church.”
Incidentally, relations between India and Armenia date back to over 2,500
years, with evidence of an Indian community in Armenia during the fifth
century BC. Armenian theologist Yeghishe (fifth century) refers to the
“Hindu language” as musical. Although some experts claim the existence of
this community on the Malabar Coast in the seventh century, the first
recorded visit is that of Armenian trader Thomas Cana who reached the
Malabar Coast in 780 AD. Cut to the present. Nuvart Mehta, one of the three
members of this community, attributes the cause of extinction of the
community to migration of its young members.”When I came here in 1952, we
had 30 members. But finally figures started dropping as some young members
left for Canada, Australia and the US. Earlier this church was in bad shape
and had to be rebuilt. Now this has been properly taken care of by the
Malankara Christians. Every Sunday, they have regular services in our
church. Now I don’t know what will happen to it after us.”
T.P. Mathew, a senior member of the Malankara Orthodox Christian community,
said, “This church is a very old heritage structure and a very divine place
to conduct a mass and attracts people because of its serenity. Surely, the
atmosphere of this church will bring the essence of Armenia. It is great
work by Sunny and certain people to bring liveliness back into the
church. Many churches in Mumbai are facing extinction and someone has to
come forward to save such structures of beauty

PRESS RELEASE
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Thursday, September 15, 2005
AGBU Speaker Addresses Inaugural Press Conference and Workshop for
58th UN DPI/NGO Conference in New York
On Tuesday, September 6, 2005, AGBU speaker, Rita Balian, was invited
by the United Nations (UN) Department of Public
Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) Conference Media
Committee as a representative of almost 700 NGOs from 86 countries to
speak at this year’s 58th DPI/NGO Conference
() Inaugural Press Conference at UN
headquarters in New York which was attended by major media
outlets. Balian was the first representative of an Armenian NGO to be
given the honor of representing all participating NGOs.
This year’s conference, entitled “Our Challenge: Voice for Peace,
Partnerships and Renewal,” explores the UN’s commitment to the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and comes at a critical time for
the UN as it re-evaluates its future and mission. Adopted by the UN in
2000, the MDGs outline a strategy to alleviate extreme poverty,
provide universal education, ensure gender equality, combat AIDS and
other diseases, encourage environmental sustainability and develop
global partnerships for development.
Spearheaded and organized by AGBU UN Representative, Adrienne
Alexanian, AGBU’s involvement in this year’s conference included the
sponsorship of a workshop on September 7, 2005 entitled, “Successful
Development Programmes in Education and Healthcare through
Partnerships.” Alexanian was also an active member of both the
planning and media committees for the three-day event that took place
from September 7 – 9, 2005.
Each year, AGBU selects an individual to highlight a project making an
impact in Armenia or the Armenian Diaspora. This year, Rita Balian,
President and CEO of the Armenian American Cultural Association and
founder of the Armenian American Wellness Center (AAWC) in Yerevan,
Armenia, was invited to participate in an AGBU-organized workshop that
was jointly sponsored with the International Council of Nurses and
Felician College. Balian is also the co-president of the AGBU
President’s Club and the founder of the AGBU New York Summer Intern
Program. The Wednesday workshop focused on the interrelated issues of
technology and education in advancing development in healthcare.
In the Spotlight
Alexanian, on behalf of AGBU, nominated Balian for the honor of
speaking at the inaugural press conference as a representative of all
attending NGOs and in recognition of her notable achievements to the
Armenian community. This important press event, which kicked off the
three-day global gathering, was attended by major media outlets and
included presentations from Jim Wurst, UN Correspondents Association
President; Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications
and Public Information at the UN; Joseph Donnelly, Chair of the 58th
Annual DPI/NGO Conference, Anwarul Chowdjury; UN High Representative
for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Least Developed Countries
and Small Island Developing States; and William Pace, Executive
Director of the World Federalist Movement.
Success at Partnering in Education and Healthcare

Moderated by Adrienne Alexanian, AGBU’s workshop featured three
distinguished speakers: Dr. Mary Norton, Professor and Associate Dean
at Felician College (USA); Rita Balian, Founder of Armenian American
Wellness Center (Armenia); and Dr. Micaela Iovine, Senior Programme
Officer, Global Programme, Council for International Exchange of
Scholars. Norton spoke about an e-learning nursing program at both
Felician College and the University of Jordan that have partnered to
produce this innovative program. With the support of private industry
and government funding, the e-curriculum augments the accessibility of
teaching staffs and resources. Iovine contributed to Norton’s
presentation by discussing relevant fellowships in the field.
Balian spoke extensively about the creation of the AAWC and its
important impact on the Caucasus region. Saving the lives of thousands
of women, over 10,000 women have benefited by the Center’s breast
screening technology and other preventative services. Pointing out the
challenges that she confronted when AAWC was first established in
1997, the Center is undergoing an extensive renovation in a five-story
building donated by the government of the Republic of Armenia and will
become a “mini-Mayo clinic” for the region.
Audience members were invited to participate in a question and answer
period with the panel and share information about similar projects in
other parts of the world.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with
an annual budget of $26 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35
countries. AGBU has been a registered NGO at the United Nations since
1989.

PRESS RELEASE
September 12, 2005
Anahid Yeremian
P.O. Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026
[email protected]
650 – 926 – 4444
CRD to host Solar Extreme Events – 2005 International Symposium in Armenia,
September 26-30, 2005
Over 85 scientists from 11 countries will participate in the Solar Extreme
Events 2005 conference in Armenia, organized by the Cosmic Ray Division
(CRD) of Alikhanian Physics Institute and sponsored by the international
Commission On Space Research and the International Science and Technology
Center. The local organizing committee and the international advisory
committee are chaired by Prof. Ashot Chilingarian, head of the CRD. The
program includes presentations by the participants, discussions about the
sources of Space Weather and the detection and early warning of events with
catastrophic consequences, and a tour of the extensive cosmic ray research
facilities on Mt. Aragats. Among the distinguished participants, scientists
from NASA, Stanford University and University of Delaware will comprise the
US delegation. Several key international organizations list this conference
on their calendar. Among them: NASA, Commission on Space Research, European
Space Agency and others. For more details see .
For more details about the CRD and the Diaspora participation in it visit
or call Anahid Yeremian at 650 – 926 – 4444.

STURUA PLEASED WITH TODAY’S SEARCHING YOUTH
By Tamar
AZG Armenian Daily #164
14/09/2005
Culture
“I don’t want to speak out about my love towards Armenia but I have
to say that this country is very dear to me and I have real grounds
for my love”, famous Robert Sturua, stage director of Shota Rustaveli
Academic Theatre of Tbilisi, told journalists yesterday. “I was in
close ties with Parajanov, Atchemian, Khaplanian, Elibekian and knew
many Armenian composers. I felt their influence in my works later on”,
he said.
Robert Sturua arrived in Armenia after a 10 years’ break to stage
a play within the frameworks of Shakespearean mono performances
at Armmono-3 International Theatre Festival. Director expresses
hope that the tradition of cultural visits will be restored in both
republics. On October 28, Armenian delegation will take part in the
reopening of Rustaveli Theatre.
Sturua’s staging of Shakespearean “Hamlet” in London was included in
10 best performances of last 50 years. “Perhaps there was a prankster
sitting down in me that tried to understand what will happen if I stage
‘Hamlet’ in a new way”, Sturua says.
The searching stage director is pleased with today’s youth. Though
lagging behind elders with their knowledge, young people look for
novation and try to understand everything. Sturua suggested young
directors to understand their own personality first of all, to admit
their own shortcomings and only after that open a dialogue with
the spectators.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 14 2005
UN GA INCLUDES SITUATION IN KARABAKH INTO THE 60TH SESSION’S AGENDA
The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan was considered
at the initiative of Azerbaijan and despite Armenia’s resistance at
the UN General Assembly’s 59th session, and resulted in sending the
OSCE Fact-finding Mission to the region. The Mission has revealed
the process of illegal settling of ethnic Armenians in the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan.
On September 12, 2005, one of the 59th session’s last days, the
General Assembly presided by Gabonese Foreign Minister Jean Ping has
unanimously decided to include the issue related to the situation in
occupied territories of the Azerbaijan Republic in the agenda of the
next 60th session.
Protesting the decision permanent representative of Armenia, in
response, just made an attempt to threaten the General Assembly with
his country’s pulling out of the negotiation process.
“Once again demonstrating its position of principle and supporting
the fair step of Azerbaijan, the United Nations General Assembly
has decided to continue discussions over the issue, that will be
an important political-diplomatic factor towards liberation of the
occupied lands,” Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan Yashar Aliyev
told AzerTAj correspondent.

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE 100 BIKE RACKS DISAPPEAR
By Michael Burke
Journal Times Online, WI
Sept 14 2005
Last time in this column, I contended that very few area businesses
bother courting bicyclists as shoppers or commuters. If you have no
bike rack, you’re essentially pulling up the welcome mat for anyone
who’d ride a bike to your shop.
Cathie Barton’s son and his friend learned a hard lesson last year at
the former Country Market grocery store on Racine’s south side. With
no bike rack there, the boys locked their bikes together, then went
in to pick up a few groceries for Barton of Racine.
You can guess what happened next. Two other teen-age boys hopped on
the two locked bikes and rode off together.
“My son’s bike was never recovered, and although the thieves were
apprehended, restitution is extremely unlikely,” Barton said.
She concluded that a future consumer learns certain lessons from that
experience, and they include: “As long as we have to get in the car,
we may as well go to a different store.”
In a related (non)development … months ago we should have seen
up to 100 new bike racks installed around the Racine community. But
we’re still waiting for the first one to see daylight; they’re all
in city storage.
Late last year Sustainable Racine put up $7,800 for 100 bike racks.
The fund is created by the annual All Saints Healthcare System
golf outing.
There was also an early effort, with a Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
representative, to find good sites for the racks. About 30 were
designated for the Downtown area, said Jeff McDorman, Racine manager
of recreation and cultural services.
Other racks were to go along the bike paths, North Beach, parks
and golf courses, Gateway Technical College, the boat launch, the
skateboard park and numerous other sites. Up to one-quarter of the
sites haven’t yet been determined, McDorman added.
The racks were shipped to the city in about April. So far they’re
as useful as a paper bike in the rain, because they’re still sitting
there.
The first snag stemmed from the rack’s shape, an inverted U. That’s
different than the stylish kind called for in the Downtown
Redevelopment Plan. Because of that discrepancy, nothing happened,
in spring or summer.
“We had intended to roll them all out together,” said Donnie Snow,
director of the city parks department – and himself a bicyclist.
Apparently, no one in the city parks department called Downtown Racine
Corp. to discuss the divergence in rack styles. DRC Executive Director
Devin Sutherland didn’t even know the racks existed until about two
weeks ago.
“I can’t think this ought to be something we get stuck on,” he said.
“Why the city placed an order that was inconsistent with the plan,
and why they were not shipped back directly, I don’t understand,”
Sutherland added.
Nor had he seen the plan for where the Downtown racks are to go. DRC
wouldn’t mind being brought in on that, either.
Bonnie Prochaska, executive director of Sustainable Racine, wants to
see the racks put out. “We’ve lost a whole season,” she noted.
Snow said he’s given his staff an ultimatum to get some racks
installed ASAP.
As they say in pool, “Rack `em up!” New blood
for Downtown The new owner of a Downtown storefront is keeping so
mum about his plans, he hasn’t even told his wife.
In fact, Michael Kademian of Milwaukee is not so sure himself what
he’ll end up doing with 407 Sixth St.
Its former owner is Rick DiBlasio, stained-glass-window repairman
par excellence. He has built a larger wholesale repair studio outside
of Downtown.
Kademian, 58, is a former physician. “I was looking for a second home
in Racine,” he said. “I like Racine and I like the beach.”
At first he was looking for a small second home here. Instead,
Kademian wound up buying this building, whose second floor will serve
as a vacation home.
The self-described preservationist’s first task will be to refurbish
the building, to make the first floor look as authentic as possible
to its 1875 roots.
But good luck pinning him down on what kind of business it’ll house
with Kademian as owner-operator. “I sort of know,” he said, “but I
don’t have to decide right now.” He insisted his idea hasn’t even
left his head and traveled as far as his wife’s.
The idea could evolve or even change, Kademian added. But he promised
he won’t just stick something static like an office into the storefront
– it’ll be something that’ll contribute activity to Downtown.
Kademian’s Armenian great-grandfather immigrated to this country
and landed in Racine. “It’s kind of like coming full circle,”
Kademian said.
Better than average The third Average Joe’s Gym, a smallish workout
place aimed at baby boom-era men, will open soon at Shorecrest Shopping
Center, 3900 Erie St.
The first opened in Burlington and the second in Mount Pleasant on
Commerce Drive.
All are owned by members of the same family. The new one is 75 percent
owned by former Racinian Karyne Jensen Madden. It will be run by her
“ex-sister-in-law’s new husband.” Got that? Average Joe happens to
be settling in next to a Curves, which sort of caters to the same
population, but the opposite gender.

RA DM DOES NOT SEE OBSTACLES TO WAY OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN – RUSSIAN MIL. COOP.
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 14 2005
“There are no obstacles to the way of development of Armenian –
Russian military cooperation”, said Secretary of the Security Council
under RA President, RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan to journalists.
Accordion to Regnum Agency, RA Defense Minister added there was
no misunderstanding on the issues. “I take a favorable view of the
level of Armenian – Russian military cooperation. Joint Armenian –
Russian training and its effectiveness testify to the fact”, stressed
Serge Sargsyan.
In his turn CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha who also followed
the trainings highly estimated their level having noted there was
always a filed for combined activity.
To note, the final phase of annual combined Armenian – Russian tactical
training started today in Armenia. RA President Robert Kocharyan,
Secretary of the Security Council under RA President, RA Defense
Minister Serge Sargsyan and General Andrey Popov follow the course
of the training.
The aim of the training is to improve the skills of the organized
control of two armed forces in organization and conduct of the joint
military actions. According to Regnum, a new detail has been introduced
into the scenario – the counterterrorist operation, in the course of
which it is planned to prevent from the possible terrorist act.

SEPARATIST STATES MEET AT FORUM IN MOSCOW
By Eka Basilaia
The Messenger, Georgia
Sept 14 2005
Leaders from the self-declared republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
(Georgia), Transdnestria (Moldova) and Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan)
are meeting in Moscow on September 13-14 for a forum that some have
billed as an ‘alternative CIS.’ The forum has been criticized by
Georgia who accuses Russia of coddling the unrecognized regimes.
Representatives of the State Duma, Russian political scientists and
sociologists and representatives of the clergy from Armenia and South
Ossetia will participate in the session, reports state.
The initiator of the conference is the Director of the Institute of
CIS Countries, member of the State Duma Konstantin Zatulin, together
with the Moscow State University Department of Sociology.
According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Transdnestria will be
represented by the president of this de-facto republic Igor Smirnov,
Abkhazia – by the secretary of the Security Council Stanislav Lakoba,
South Ossetia – by the Minister of Culture Konstantin Pukhaev and
Nagorni Karabakh – by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport
Kamo Atayan.
A separate round table discussion organized together with the Orthodox
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Duma is also planned to be held
within the framework of the conference on the issue of religious
freedoms in the conflict zones.
The Azeri online newspaper Day.az reports that the representative of
South Ossetia in Moscow Dimitri Medoev told journalists the forum
does not intend to create an alternate CIS as this belongs to the
“realm of fantasy.”
“The main topic of the discussion at the conference will be the
functioning and problems of secondary and higher education in terms
of freedom. The second issue will concern the issue of Orthodoxy in
free countries,” Medoev said.
Officials in Tbilisi, meanwhile, have condemned the meeting and blame
Russian officials for organizing it.
“The whole world can see the truth of who we are dealing with,”
Georgian Minister for Conflict Resolution Goga Khaindrava said on
Tuesday, referring to Russia. “The goal of the session is absolutely
unclear. The main thing is that it is pointless,” he added.
Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze also disapproved of conference
calling it absurd. “It is a pity that we have to react and comment on
Zatulin’s initiatives. His initiatives as a rule don’t comply with the
norms of civilized societies and relations,” Burjanadze said Tuesday.
The Russian news agency Interfax writes that Burjanadze said arranging
such a conference is not in the interests of Russia, as recognition
of separatist regimes may serve as an impetus for destabilization in
the regions.
Russian media notes that in addition to the separatists leaders,
legislators from Syria, Estonia, Palestine, Russia and Armenia will
also participate in the conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLICS IN CIS GO THROUGH INTENSIVE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT-OPINION
RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 14 2005
MOSCOW, September 14 (RIA Novosti) – Self-proclaimed republics in
the former Soviet Union are seeing intensive democratic development,
a member of the Russian parliament and director of a Moscow-based
think tank said Wednesday.
“In terms of state development, they boast the attributes that many
recognized states lack. I do not only mean armed and security forces,
but also democratic processes developing in these republics, including
a change of power [based on fair elections],” Konstantin Zatulin told
a conference on the issue.
The republics in question are Abkhazia and South Ossetia (officially
part of Georgia), the Transdnestr Republic (part of Moldova) and
Nagorny Karabakh (part of Azerbaijan).
Zatulin said the once bloody conflicts had by now been reduced to
peaceful confrontation and propaganda wars.