ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER WELCOMES CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
1 Sep 05
[Presenter] Asked by journalists at the Vazgen Sarkisyan Military
Institute to comment on the parliamentary discussions on constitutional
reforms, Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said that the
remarks of the opposition bloc were not unexpected.
The Armenian defence minister pointed out that the submitted proposals
were acceptable. The minister said that it is the duty not only of
the coalition, but also of every branch of power today to explain the
gist of the constitutional amendments to the people so that people
know how to vote.
[Sarkisyan] The constitution is the main document that should be
amended in the course of time. There is no country that has not
amended its constitution. It is impossible. If something changes for
the better, this is already progress. These amendments are acceptable
to me.

FAIR SETTLEMENT OF ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT EQUITABLE TO INTERESTS OF THE GREAT BRITAIN
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2005
This idea was underlined at the meeting of the Minister of Defense
of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar Abiyev with the ambassador of
United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the country
Lawrence Bristow and the commander of the British military advisory –
educational group, colonel Hew Persley.
The minister highly estimated preparation by the British military
advisory – educational group of instructors for the Armed Forces
of Azerbaijan, noted, that it renders positive influence on
participation of the country’s our Armed Forces in peacemaking
operations, preparation of the military staff, successful carrying
out of reforms in the Armed Forces, implementation of terms of the
Plan of Activity on Individual Partnership.
Having noted that training by colonel Hew Persley as an experienced
officer, who long time worked in system of the NATO, of instructors
in Azerbaijan serves strengthening of military cooperation between
the Great Britain and Azerbaijan, the Ambassador has told: “the
Azerbaijan military men are very competent and prepared. We are going
to continue fruitful cooperation and in the future. I thank you for
fruitful cooperation”.
Having touched the present military-political situation in region of
Southern Caucasus and settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,
colonel-general Safar Abiyev has told: “The Armenian side has
placed a significant amount of weapon and ammunition at the occupied
territories. In spite of the fact that the Security Council of the
United Nations has adopted Four Resolutions on withdrawal of the
occupational forces of Armenia from the Azerbaijan lands, Armenia
rejects to observe the requirements of the mentioned resolutions. And
today patrons of Armenia continue to arm it. In the question of
settlement of the conflict, Azerbaijan faces with application of
double standards and consequently Armenia being a state – aggressor,
feels impunity and feels like freely. Azerbaijan is capable to release
its lands, and if so will go and farther, we shall liberate our lands.
Having emphasized that he is informed on essence of the conflict,
Ambassador Lawrence Bristow has told: “Participation of President Ilham
Aliyev in negotiations is important event. Azerbaijan successfully
goes in the direction of settlement of the conflict. The Great Britain
supports strategic line pursued by the President of Azerbaijan and
directed on solution of the problem, which should be settled on the
basis of international legal norms. The fair settlement of the problem
is equitable to interests of the Great Britain”.
Having noted that Armenia is a state – aggressor, that all states
of the world should see and confirm by all means this fact, take
measures directed on immediate clearing of the Azerbaijan lands,
the Minister has declared that if the question will not be shortly
solved in the said form, the people of Azerbaijan itself will make
certain decision concerning settlement of the conflict.

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN ISSUES ADDRESS OVER NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE DAY
Yerkir
01.09.2005 17:31
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – President Robert Kocharian issued a congratulatory
address over the Independence Day of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
“We are marking the 14th anniversary of Artsakh independence by
reiterating our dedication to freedom and democracy,” the address
reads. “The historic choice of the Karabakh people is irreversible.”
“This holiday was made possible first of all by those heroes who
fought the war forced on us. We must continue to act in line with
their great deeds.”

NORWEGIAN OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS COOPERATION, KARABAKH IN AZERBAIJAN
ANS TV, Baku
31 Aug 05
[Presenter] Norwegian State Secretary Kim Traavik arrived in Azerbaijan
today [31 August]. Answering journalists’ questions about the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem at [Baku’s] Heydar Aliyev airport, Traavik confined
himself to general phrases.
[Correspondent over video of Traavik at airport] The Oslo government
supports the talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents for
the peaceful settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. Norwegian
State Secretary Kim Traavik, who arrived in Baku on a visit today,
voiced his hope that dialogue between the sides would help settle
the conflict.
[Traavik speaking to microphone in English with Azeri voice-over]
The purpose of my visit to Azerbaijan is to discuss the regional
issues and the Karabakh problem and learn prospects for cooperation
in the oil sector and other economic spheres.
[Correspondent] The diplomat said that Norway was closely watching
the parliamentary polls which are due in Azerbaijan in autumn and
stressed his country’s support for fair and free polls.
[Passage omitted: Norway to allocate 10m dollars to the South Caucasus
countries as part of the UN Development Programme]

VISITING US SENATOR DOES NOT EXPECT REVOLUTION IN AZERBAIJAN – TV
Zamina Aliyeva, Sehrac Azadoglu, ANS.
ANS TV, Baku
31 Aug 05
[Presenter] US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard
Lugar and Senator Barack Obama ended their visit to Azerbaijan today
[31 August].
[Passage omitted: reported details of the senators’ meetings with
Azeri leader and opposition representatives]
Lugar gave a news conference on the results of the visit. Lugar,
who is described as a grey cardinal behind the Orange Revolution in
Ukraine, said that he was expecting no revolution in Azerbaijan.
[Correspondent over video of news conference] The USA is concerned
about the composition of electoral commissions, the failure to
ensure that one person will cast one vote and the creation of equal
conditions for candidates in the mass media, US Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar and Senator Barack Obama
said after their meeting with the Azerbaijani opposition which was
held behind closed doors. At their news conference, the senators made
some other statements about the [6 November] parliamentary election.
Lugar said that they praised Azerbaijan. Lugar, who is believed to
have a special position in the implementation of orange revolutions
[as heard], also answered questions about the possibility of revolution
in Azerbaijan.
[Lugar in English, with Azeri voice-over] I do not stage revolutions.
I want the world to know me as a person bringing optimism. I expect
no revolution in Azerbaijan. I believe that fair and free polls will
be held. We learnt at the talks with opposition representatives that
the registration of candidates passed off without trouble. This must
be regarded as a step forward.
[Correspondent] Senator Lugar believes that the polls would be
undoubtedly fair if the instructions signed on 11 May by the president
[on improving electoral practices] is carried out, voters are not given
several voter ID cards, exit polls are held and international observes
are enabled to observe the voting process without obstacle. The
Nagornyy Karabakh problem was also discussed during the senators’
visit. Senator Lugar regarded as absolutely normal the allocation
of funds to Nagornyy Karabakh by the USA. He expressed the hope that
the conflict would be settled through talks.
[Lugar speaking in English, with Azeri voice-over] The USA allocated
humanitarian aid to Nagornyy Karabakh. We are trying to give equal
aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan every year. I can add that more aid
would be allocated to Azerbaijan within the framework of the Lugar
initiative programme and this will be added to funds which are to be
allocated to the country. We hope that the conflict will be settled
peacefully and regrettable consequences will be coped with.
[Correspondent] Senator Barack Obama of Illinois defended valiantly
his signing of the Armenians’ letter about the so-called genocide.
[Obama speaking in English, with Azeri voice-over] The letter was
full of historical facts about the killing of thousands of Armenians.
I express the position of the state which I represent. I think that
the killing of civilians is inadmissible.
[Correspondent] Commenting on the killing of hundreds of people in
Xocali [Armenian-occupied Azeri town], Mr Obama confined himself to
saying that he had information about that. The senators also touched
on the ongoing production of nuclear weapon by Iran and said that
this posed a threat to Azerbaijan as well. The guests expressed
their satisfaction with cooperation with Azerbaijan in the security
sphere and said that the two countries would start cooperation for
border protection.

Fresh rows flare up in countdown to Turkey talks
By Mark Beunderman
euobserver.com
02.09.2005 – 09:52 CET
| EUOBSERVER / NEWPORT – The atmosphere between Brussels and Ankara is
set to worsen following fresh rows over Cyprus and free speech, one
month before accession talks with Turkey are scheduled to start. The
Commission has drawn a “red line” on Cyprus.
While EU foreign ministers were yesterday (1 September) at a meeting
in Wales struggling to draft a counter-declaration to Turkey’s
non-recognition of Cyprus, Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul
publicly took a defiant stance on the Cyprus issue.
Mr Gul stated to the press that Turkey, as a non-EU member state,
does not feel obliged to allow Cypriot planes and ships to enter
its territory – something the EU says is against the spirit of the
customs agreement that Ankara signed with the enlarged EU on 29 July.
“Expectations from full members and expectations from candidate
countries are quite different”, the Turkish minister said according
to the FT. “Everybody knows what the customs union means”, he added.
Enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn today (2 September) just before
meeting Mr Gul in Newport rebuffed the Turkish stance, stating that the
“full implementation” of the customs agreement represents a “red line
for the European Union”.
“This is not a matter of negotiation but of commitment by Turkey”,
he added.
“This issue is of extremely serious concern”.
EU foreign ministers yesterday tried to reach agreement on a
“counter-declaration” to Ankara’s unilateral declaration of 29 July,
which says that it does not recognize the sovereignty of Cyprus
despite extending its EU customs agreement to all new EU member states,
including Cyprus.
The UK presidency has striven to achieve general consensus on the EU
counter-declaration at the Wales meeting.
But Mr Straw told journalists that there was “broad, but not unanimous
agreement” on the text.
Diplomats indicated that there are substantial differences between
member states over the toughness of the EU’s “counter-declaration”.
Wrangling over words The text is set to contain a paragraph reiterating
the status of Cyprus as a state under international law.
But member states such as France, Austria, Greece and Cyprus itself
want reassurance that Ankara will over time take concrete steps
towards recognition.
“They want the declaration to have a dynamic character and call for
progress by Turkey”, one council diplomat said.
The counter declaration has now been referred back to member states’
ambassadors in Brussels.
In spite of the difficulties surrounding the Cyprus issue, Mr Straw
stated that he is “reasonably confident” that the agreed deadline
for opening the accession talks with Turkey, on 3 October, will be met.
Free speech row On top of the Cyprus problem, a fresh row over freedom
of speech emerged yesterday which looks set to dampen the atmosphere
between Ankara and Brussels still further.
The widely-read author Orhan Pamuk was charged by the Turkish public
prosecutor with “denigrating” the nation through his comments about
Turkish history, made to a Swiss paper a few months ago.
Although the Turkish public prosecutor is independent from the
government, the case has already become an issue interfering with
Turkey’s EU membership bid.
A spokeswoman for Commissioner Rehn told the EUobserver that the case
of Mr Pamuk raises “serious concerns” about the actual “implementation
on the ground” of political reforms by Turkey.
She added that the EU executive is also concerned about the
“interpretation of certain provisions in the penal code by judges
and prosecutors” in Turkey.
Turkey had to adapt a new penal code in order to bring its laws in
line with EU human rights standards.
Denis MacShane, the UK’s former Europe minister, said “It is a
sickening blow to all pro-Turks in Britain and Europe …to hear
the news that the Turkish authorities seek to persecute this great
European writer”, the Independent reports.

PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
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]
For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 1, 2005
Contact: Rostom Sarkissian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANC-HOLLYWOOD & FASGI HOST WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW PRESIDENT OF LA CITY COLLEGE
HOLLYWOOD, CA – Dr. Steve Maradian, the new President of Los Angeles
City College (LACC), was the honored guest of a Welcome Meet and
Greet at Karapetian Hall in Hollywood on August 16. The Armenian
National Committee of Hollywood (ANC-Hollywood) and the Filipino
American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) co-hosted the event. The event
brought together local leaders in the areas of education, health
care and social service, and served as an opportunity to introduce
Dr. Maradian to the Hollywood area community.
“The Armenian National Committee welcomes Steve Maradian as the new
President of Los Angeles City College. We look forward to working with
him and LACC on initiatives of common interest for the community,”
commented Dr. Onnik Keshishian, Master of Ceremonies for the event
and ANC-Hollywood chapter spokesperson.
The Meet and Greet attracted local leaders from a broad spectrum of the
LACC community and included Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti,
College Board of Trustees members Nancy Pearlman and Georgia Mercer,
and Burbank Unified School Board President Paul Krekorian. In addition,
there were numerous members of the Presidential search committee and
representatives of the Armenian Education Foundation, the Prelacy,
the Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, THAI Inc.,
and the United Nurses Association on hand.
“It was amazing. A diverse cross section of the community attended
the reception, and Dr. Maradian talked to each one of us,” said
Susan Dilkes, Executive Director of FASGI and a member of the
Presidential search committee. She added “I am happy to have been
part of the selection committee, and extend my congratulations to
and support for the new president of LACC. It took two years of
hard work to find qualified candidates. Dr. Maradian will have a
lot of work to do, but the community will be behind him.” The event
had a brief question-and-answer session during which Dr. Maradian
addressed questions about the challenges facing LACC, ranging from the
ethnic composition of the college to how budget cuts will affect the
institution. Following the evening’s program, the attendees continued
to network and welcome Dr. Maradian individually.
“It was a pleasure to be with so many leaders of the LACC community
who have a genuine interest and commitment to ensuring that everyone
receives a quality education,” said Dr. Maradian. “I am looking forward
to working with each and every segment of the community to ensure
access and success for our students and the future of Los Angeles.”
Dr. Maradian, who is originally from Boston, served as the Vice
President for Government Relations at the American University of
Armenia before joining the LACC team. Prior to that, he was the
Director of Federal Relations for the University System of Georgia.
FASGI is a community-based non-profit organization that prides
itself in empowering Filipino Americans and others through culturally
and linguistically sensitive advocacy, education, social services,
social action, research and leadership. It is through the support of
its community-members that FASGI is able provide social services to
low-income and homeless individuals through programs which provide
food distribution, independent living skills training, and education
and outreach services.
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: Photos Attached. Photo 1 Caption: Dr. Maradian (center)
with attendees and organizers of the welcome event. Photo 2 Caption:
Dr. Maradian (center) with Armenian American Community of Hollywood.
#####

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE INTER-DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE COMES TO AN END
The inter-diocesan youth conference organized by the Youth Department
of the Cathoilcosate of Cilicia came to an end on August 30.
During the five-day conference, participants from the United States
of America, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and Iran discussed the
challenges facing the new generation in each of the dioceses.
They also highlighted the common aspects between the dioceses and
discussed possible fields for future cooperation.
The participants also had the opportunity to listen to enlightening
lectures delivered by members of the Cilician Brotherhood.
Rev. Fr. Krikor Tchifdjian delivered a lecture entitled “Moral issues
and our church”, during which he talked about the moral problems
current societies face and explained the approach of the church
towards these problems.
Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian talked about the “Christian worldview”,
pointing out what guidelines Armenian youth should follow in their
everyday Christian life.
In the resolution they adopted at the end of the conference, the
delegates emphasized the imperative of reforming the church and
reserving a bigger role for the youth in this process.
The participants attended the Holy Masses held in the St. Asdvadzadzine
Church in Bikfayya, visited Armenian institutions and met with
representatives of the Lebanese-Armenian community.
His Holiness Aram I expressed his satisfaction from the results of the
conference and expressed his hope that the delegates would actively
participate in the youth activities in their dioceses.
##
View pictures here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the youth activities in both the Catholicosate and the
dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative
center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH THE AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA
His Holiness Aram I met with the Ambassador of Armenia in Lebanon
Arek Hovhannisian on August 31.
The two discussed issues related to Armenia-Diaspora cooperation in
light of the Armenia-Diaspora Intellectuals’ conference held at the
Catholicosate recently.
His Holiness and the Ambassador also talked about the current situation
of Lebanon and the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about
the history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may
refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church
is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA TO CO-HOST DARFUR GENOCIDE VIGIL AT WHITE HOUSE
— September 8th Event Will Mark One-Year of White House
Inaction in the Face of Ongoing Darfur Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to encourage the President to take
decisive action to protect the people of Darfur, Armenian
Americans will join with a diverse coalition of human rights
groups at the White House on September 8th to mark the one year
anniversary of the Administration’s determination that genocide
is taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is working on
this event in partnership with lead sponsor Africa Action and a
broad-based coalition including NAACP, National Council of
Churches, United Methodist Church, American Jewish World
Service, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, TransAfrica
Forum, Sojourners, Sudan Peace Advocates Network, Save Darfur
Coalition, STAND, Darfur Rehabilitation Project, Faithful
America, Greater Washington Jewish Task Force on Darfur, Human
Rights First, and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
The program will take place from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm on
September 8th at Lafayette Park in front of the White House.
The initial list of speakers includes Dr. Bernice Johnson
Reagon, representatives of the Darfurian community in the U.S.,
Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of
Churches, Aram Hamparian of the ANCA, and other leaders in the
effort to stop genocide in Darfur.
The aim of the gathering is to kick off a period of renewed
activism by people of conscience across the country to encourage
the President to take every step necessary to ensure an urgent
multinational intervention to provide security to the people of
Darfur. To date, over 400,000 people have been killed; hundreds
of thousands more are at risk in the coming weeks unless urgent
action is taken.
This event, the latest in a series of more than 1,000 recent
actions across the country, accompanies a nationwide grassroots
petition effort, which has gathered tens of thousands of
signatures in recent weeks. The ANCA organized a May 25, 2005
“Armenians Against Genocide” vigil for Darfur at the White
House, and has led community participation in Africa Action
protests, in demonstrations at the Sudanese Embassy, and in
supporting legislation to help end the Darfur Genocide.
For directions or more information, contact ANCA at (202) 775-
1918 or [email protected].
For more information about Darfur:
To send a free ANCA WebFax protesting the Darfur Genocide:
#####