Georgia’s president says country not preparing to leave ex-Soviet alliance
By MIKE ECKEL
.c The Associated Press
KAZAN, Russia (AP) – Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on
Saturday said his country was not preparing to leave the loose
12-member alliance of ex-Soviet states despite its problems.
Speaking at a news conference one day after a summit of leaders from
the 12-nation Commonwealth of Independent States, Saakashvili also
tried to reassure other members that a recent declaration he made
along with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was not intended as a
“democratic test for any nation.”
Saakashvili acknowledged the CIS has problems, underscored by the
leaders’ apparent failure to agree on substantial reforms to
reinvigorate the commonwealth – a trade and political association
formed after the 1991 Soviet collapse.
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country dominates
the CIS, made only passing reference to a “package of measures” to
increase cooperation, gave no details and took no questions from
reporters at a post-summit news conference.
The summit came amid new signs that the peaceful revolutions in
Ukraine and Georgia, which brought pro-Western leaders to power, were
threatening to pull the group apart.
Earlier this month, Saakashvili and Yushchenko called for a new
regional alliance to champion democracy in the former Soviet
states. The Commonwealth of Democratic Choice, the two leaders said,
would “help usher in a new era of democracy, security, stability and
peace across Europe, from the Atlantic to the Caspian Sea.”
Georgia and Ukraine have made membership in the European Union and
NATO priorities, and Moldova has taken a sharp Westward turn. Moscow’s
ties with all three countries consequently have deteriorated.
The Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan also saw a new administration
come to power after mass demonstrations.
Saakashvili said Georgia was not intending to pull out of the CIS, and
he defended his and Yushchenko’s statement, known as the Borzhomi
declaration after the Georgian spa where the two met.
“We have not created any sort of democratic test for any nation,”
Saakashvili said. “This is a declaration of two leaders of friendly,
democratic nations who are trying to build open societies of a
European type.
“And any other state which is located in the Baltic, Black or Baltic
sea regions which intends to follow this path can participate,” he
said, adding that the main requirement was to conduct free and
democratic elections.
Georgia’s relations with Russia have turned prickly since
Saakashvili’s rise to the presidency following the 2003 mass
demonstrations known as the Rose Revolution. Saakashvili has
cultivated warm ties with Yushchenko and U.S. President George
W. Bush praised the country during a visit to Tbilisi in May.
Georgia’s relations with Belarus – another CIS member – have also
soured. Saakashvili on Saturday demanded that Belarusian authorities
release two Georgian activists accused of teaching their Belarusian
counterparts to stage anti-government protests similar to Georgia’s
Rose Revolution.
Belarusian security officials said Friday they would deport the two
Georgians, who were detained Wednesday and accused of “conducting
training on organizing acts of civil disobedience accompanied by mass
disorder similar to the … revolution in Georgia.”
The other six CIS members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
08/27/05 04:07 EDT

“BELLA DARBINIAN SYMBOLIZES WHOLE EPOCH BY HER LIFE AND WORK”
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The art lover society took the last
leave of Bella Darbinian, the USSR People’s Artist, Movses Khorenatsi
medalist. The singer graduated from the R.Melikian College, Komitas
Conservatory and courses of a studio attached to the Moscow Bolshoy
Theater. In 1966, she entered as soloist the Symphonic Orchestra of
the TV and Radio State Committee of Armenia where she worked for about
30 years. B.Darbinian captivated the Armenian music lover society with
her performances, gained native and foreing numerous stages. It is not
accidental that many famous composers, Arno Babajanian, Alexander
Achemian, Konstantin Orbelian, Aleksey Hekimian and others, assigned
to her first performances of their songs. The Armenian art of singing
lost one of its eminent individuals, as, the art lovers who came to
pay the last tribute of respect to their colleague, said: “Bella
Darbinian was a great figure, a strong individuality with her activity
and the life she lived.” According to composer Martin Vardazarian,
the singer can express herself perfectly in all genres: “She was one
of singers the specific timbre of whose voice and whose mastery
captivate everybody.” The composer mentioned with sorrow that today’s
generation is not acquainted with B.Darbinian’s art, while she was the
idol of lovers of the art of singing in 60-70s. “B.Darbinian was one
of those artists who symbolize a whole epoch with their life and
works,” M.Vardazarian mentioned. “I was present at Bella Darbinian’s
almost all concerts. She had great successes not only in the countries
of the former Soviet Union but abroad as well. She was loved, she was
respected as she was single in her type,” singer Raisa Mkrtchian
mentioned. According to her, Armenian national, popular songs, Russian
romances in B.Darbinian’s performance were different from others’
performances owing to her wonderful voice and specific
performance. “The Armenian people had a great lose. We fell pain and
sorrow for losing her as B.Darbianian was one of the eminent figures
of the Armenian popular music. Let’s bend down before all she did and
realize that people like Bella pass away but leave a rich tradition of
the art of acting,” People’s Artist Ruben Matevosian
emphasized. B.Darbinian’s funeral was held at the City Pantheon.

OSCE unable to obtain list of Armenian voters for Azeri election body

Bilik Dunyasi news agency
26 Aug 05
Baku, 26 August: The OSCE office in Baku is not in the position to
satisfy the request of the [Azerbaijani] Central Electoral Commission
[CEC] to provide assistance in making a list of voters of Armenian
origin living in Armenian-occupied Nagornyy Karabakh, the media policy
adviser of the OSCE office, Ulvi Axundlu, has said. The response has
already been sent to the CEC.
“The OSCE office does not have the mandate and authority to satisfy
the request. In this regard, we have recommended that the CEC apply to
the personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office [on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict], Andrzej Kasprzyk,” Axundlu said.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x137
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, August 26, 2005
AGBU HONORS AREKNAZ KHERLAKIAN AT ANNUAL BRAZILIAN FASHION SHOW
In honor of long-time AGBU supporter Areknaz Kherlakian, AGBU Sao
Paulo hosted its annual fashion show on June 22, 2005 at Maison France
with over 500 guests in attendance, including special guest Brazilian
TV star Juan Alba.
Professional and amateur models hit the runway showcasing the latest
in children’s, women’s and men’s designer clothes from well-known
Brazilian fashion label Claudete & Deca.
With the Brazilian media present, the Fashion Show presents a
one-of-a-kind opportunity for AGBU Sao Paulo to reach out to its local
community to promote AGBU’s image to scores of trend-conscious
Brazilians.
Founded in 1964, AGBU Sao Paulo is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information, please
contact AGBU Sao Paulo at 55-113-814-9299 (or 9930) or e-mail
[email protected].
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit

Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
State Department
August 25, 2005
Secretary’s Phone Calls: Upcoming Kazan Talks (Taken Question)
Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 25, 2005
Question Taken at the August 25, 2005 Daily Press Briefing
Secretary’s Phone Calls: Upcoming Kazan Talks
Question: What did Secretary Rice discuss during her phone calls to
Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian?
Answer: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke briefly this
morning with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President
Robert Kocharian of Armenia.
She did so in order to stress to them the importance that the United
States attaches to their upcoming meeting in Kazan, and to express
our hope that the two Presidents will make the compromises necessary
in order to reach a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Both leaders were upbeat about the prospects for making progress.
The Secretary stressed to President Aliyev the importance of free and
fair parliamentary elections this November in Azerbaijan, and noted
his important role in this.
The Secretary also told President Kocharian she hoped Armenia would
make progress toward enacting a package of constitutional reforms now
before the parliament.
2005/810
Released on August 25, 2005

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 26, 2005
___________________
NEEDY ARMENIANS IN GEORGIA NOW TO BE HELPED BY CASP
The Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) — at the directive of Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian — has expanded the scope of its Children of Armenia
Sponsorship Program (CASP) to encompass children of Armenian families
living in dismal conditions in the Javakhk Diocese in the Republic of
Georgia.
Until now, CASP has only assisted children living within the Republic of
Armenia. But now, 85 needy children in Georgia are waiting for
sponsors.
“The future for these innocent children is bleak and we must extend a
helping hand to them,” the Primate said.
HORRIFIC CONDITIONS
Clergy who have visited the area say the situation of the Javakhk
residents is similar to the needs of the poor in Armenia. However, the
Armenian families in Georgia have not received as much support from the
diaspora as have citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
Because Javakhk is far from the capital of Tbilisi, there is less
attention paid to the needs of the population, a situation made worse by
the poor condition of the roads and infrastructure. The population is
also underserved, with no orphanages or senior citizens centers.
Adding to the difficulties is the devaluation of the nation’s currency,
the Georgian lari, which last year lost 30 percent of its value. And
while the average citizen of Javakhk earns $70 per month, a general
estimation of the cost of basic necessities is $65 per month.
DIASPORA CAN HELP
In the Armenian culture, when a child loses even one parent they are
considered an orphan. This is especially catastrophic for the family
when the lost parent is the breadwinner. Families in Georgia are losing
their fathers either through death from poor medical care or because the
impossible economic conditions drive them to leave, sometimes
permanently, to find work elsewhere. Under such bleak conditions, the
young Armenians are forced to beg in the streets.
Through CASP, Armenians in the diaspora are able to provide financial
assistance to poor Armenians by sponsoring an orphan for just $220 per
year. The goal initially is to find sponsors for 85 Armenian children
in the Javakhk region. Already 864 sponsors help 1,208 children in
Armenia through CASP.
The benefits of CASP sponsorship for a family are more than monetary.
“The families that are helped are heartened that someone cares what
happens to them, they feel less alone in the world,” said Susan Avakian
Stoneson, CASP coordinator. “And they bless those who help their
children.”
Sponsors often receive personal notes of appreciation from the families
they have helped. One from a grateful mother in Armenia reads: “By
writing this letter I wish to express our heart’s gratitude to you, even
though this cannot express all our feelings for your good work and help,
that is, the monetary amount which you are sending which we need so much
to keep our existence. Even though we have so many needs, but because
of your assistance and support, we are comforted and we are filled with
indescribable feelings of gratitude. We are hopeful that one day we
will be able to repay you for your benevolence.”
Individuals or organizations can sponsor a child, either in Armenia or
Georgia, through a $220 annual contribution per child to CASP. CASP
also accepts general donations used in the running of the Gamo Orphanage
in the Republic of Armenia. For more details and information, contact
CASP Coordinator Susan Avakian Stoneson by e-mailing
[email protected] or by calling (201) 969-9303.
Sponsorship donations can also be mailed to: CASP, c/o Susan A.
Stoneson, 2, Horizon Rd., Apt. 1403, Ft. Lee, NJ 07024.
— 8/26/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP)
is now aiding needy young Armenians in the Javakhk region of the
Republic of Georgia.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER INVITES HIS HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART TO YEREVAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25. ARMINFO. Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Artur
Baghdasaryan met with the members of a Hungarian parliamentary
delegation today, inlcuding Hungarian MPs Budapest Cetner Mayor Paul
Staner and Mayor of the 18th District Laslo Meshter (names as given).
Participating in the meeting were Armenian MPs Vladimir Badalyan and
Prefect of the Central community of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan.
The Armenian Parliamentary press-service informs ARMINFO that in the
course of the meeting Artur Baghdasaryan pointed out the importance
of the ties between the two states and sent his greetings to his
Hungarian counterpart, confirming his invitation to pay an official
visit to Armenia. Soeaker Baghdasaryan said it could become an
important impetus for development of interstate ties. The parties
also pointed out the great role of the Armenian community in Hungary
and establishment of regional ties between the two countries and
implementation of specific programs. The guests presenting the goal
of their visit, pointing out the good prospects for development of
Armenian-Hungarian ties. An agreement for cooperation of the central
communities of the two capitals can also become a basis for
implementation of mutually advantageous programs. In particular, the
importance of tourism was emphasized as well as opening of a direct
flight Budapest-Yerevan which could become a good impetus for it. The
parties discussed also other issues of mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FELIX KHACHATRYAN: MISTAKES IN TEXT OF EC IS RESULT OF SLOVENLINESS,
LAZINESS AND CARELESSNESS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 24. ARMINFO. Opposition “Justice” bloc representative
in Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Felix Khachatryan
revealed mistakes in the published Armenia’s Electoral Code (EC) and
demanded to withdraw immediately 5.000 copies of the document from
circulation.
During today’s CEC sitting Khachatryan informed that the emblem of CEC
for some reason is on the cover page, instead of the State Emblem of
Republic of Armenia. There are also gross semantic errors in 16
articles, etc. “I have not seen the document when its preparing and
revealed 16 real mistakes after its publication”, he stated.
However, the CEC head Garegin Azaryan (as usually) polemized sharply
with Khachatryan stated that the informal text of the document has
been published which should be corrected in time. As a result of
voting only Khachatryan himself supported “for” the withdraw of
Armenia’s EC from circulation. He stated journalists that he did not
consider mistakes intentional, however, he is convinced that they are
the result of slovenliness, laziness and carelessness.

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, Czech Republic
Aug 26 2005
CIS: If It’s So Ineffectual, Why Do Leaders Keep Meeting?
By Valentinas Mite

Do CIS summits provide more than photo opportunities?
(CTK)
Leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are holding
a summit today in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. They are due to
discuss CIS reform, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and other issues.
The meeting, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is expected
to end with agreements being signed on terrorism, fighting extremist
groups, and on curbing illegal migration. But the CIS is widely
considered to be ineffectual in its goal of preserving close economic
and defense ties between the former Soviet states. So why do the
leaders keep meeting?
Prague, 26 August 2005 (RFE/RL) — Many observers believe the current
summit of CIS leaders will be just as ineffectual as the ones that
preceded it.
Aleksei Malashenko of the Moscow Carnegie Center told RFE/RL that the
CIS has clearly failed in its mission of becoming an organization
integrating the post-Soviet states. “If we measure the effectiveness
in terms of organizing some kind of order in the post-Soviet
political and economic space, the importance [of the summits] almost
equals zero,” he said.
Malashenko said the CIS has failed to hammer out a coordinated
foreign policy, while little or no progress has been made in economic
cooperation and other spheres.
The CIS was founded in December 1991 in the wake of the Soviet
Union’s collapse. Of the 15 former Soviet republics, only the three
Baltic states did not join.
Malashenko said it is difficult to guess how the organization —
which serves as a venue for personal contacts and consultations
between the heads of state — will develop in the future. “I think it
will become clear what will happen with this organization during this
summit or in two more summits in the future,” Malashenko said. “We
will see if [the CIS] disappears completely or becomes some kind of a
presidential club.” He added that CIS summits at least afford leaders
an opportunity to reduce tensions and to consult without having to
make commitments.
CIS leaders themselves offer a more upbeat analysis, at least in
public. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev told journalists in
Kazan today that the CIS “should be preserved as an
organization…for the sake of economic integration and the
improvement of living standards of our people.”
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko promised to bring proposals to
Kazan on how to improve cooperation between Ukraine and the other CIS
states. Yushchenko said Ukraine will put up for discussion several
issues, including a mechanism for a free-trade zone within the CIS.
However, Stuart Hensel of the London-based Economist Intelligence
Unit said reviving the CIS isn’t a priority for Ukraine. “I think
[the Ukrainians] are very conscious about making it appear that they
are keeping all avenues of possible links with Russia open and that
they are open for discussion on any issues,” Hensel said. “I think
their line throughout all of this is going to be that any sort of
integration that happens through the CIS or through the Single
Economic Space, that this happens in ways that are in Ukraine’s
interest. And I don’t think they are going to back off of that in any
way.”
Hensel said it is in Ukraine’s interest to create a real free-trade
area instead of a trading system dominated by Russia. Since Russia
opposes the idea, this conflict of interest “will stop further
integration from happening.”
Yushchenko and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili are the
staunchest critics of the way the CIS has been functioning, but both
nevertheless continue to attend the summits. Malashenko says it easy
to understand why. “Both Yushchenko and Saakashvili clearly
understand that moving closer to Europe is not a sudden jump,” he
said. “It is a very long process, a very long one. In fact, it will
take a whole generation to make it. It is not solid to ignore the CIS
completely. And to pretend that they have nothing to do with it would
be childish.”
Both Georgia and Ukraine have made membership in the European Union
and NATO priorities. Yushchenko and Saakashvili met in Georgia two
weeks ago and discussed setting up a new regional alliance to
champion democracy in the former Soviet space.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPORT AND CULTURAL CENTER AFTER KAREN DEMIRCHIAN TO BE SOLD TO RUSSIAN
COMPANY BAMO
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the RA Government
Information and PR Department, at the August 25 sitting, the RA
government made a decision to alienate through a direct sale the
property of two state noncommercial organizations – the Cultural
Center and Yerevan Sport and Cultural Center after Karen Demirchian,
after separating the property assigned and belonging to these
organizations by the payment order prescribed by law, to the
commercial organization founded by the previously known buyer Bamo
Ltd, registered and operating in Russia. The total value of the
property was assessed at 2 bln 848 mln 805 thousand drams (about 6.33
mln USD) according to the balance method established under RA
Government March 27, 1998 decision No 209. The buyer offered 2 bln
565 mln or 90% of the assessed value, which was set as the price of
the property, to purchase the overall property. Under the decision,
the purchasing organization will receive, in order prescribed by law,
the right to rent the land area of 19.54 ha occupied by Yerevan Sport
and Cultural Center after K. Demirchian for a period of 50 years, with
the preferential right to its purchase at the current cadastre value
of land in the RA. The decision stipulates that the founded
organization has such obligations as preserving the name and
activities profile of Yerevan Sport and Cultural Center after K.
Demirchian; making investments of 4 bln 275 mln drams within 3 years,
with most of this sum to be allocated for major repairs of the sport
facilities; signing, within 10 days after the state registration, job
contracts with the 99 employess of both state noncommercial
organization for at least 6 months and envisaging the minimum salary
of 50 thousand drams; organizing up to 5 events of republican
significance each year by the RA government’s bid, etc.