AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Culture
ARMENIAN ALPHABET AND LITERATURE REPRESENTED DURING DAYS OF EUROPEAN LEGACY
The Days of European Legacy will be held in Armenia on September 3-18. The
arrangements will be entitled “The Book for Road and the Road of Book.” They
will be dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
alphabet. Film will be shown, scientific conferences and exhibitions will be
held. The history of the Armenian literature will be represented to the
people. The participants of the arrangements will visit sightseeing places
that are connected with publishing houses, scientific centers, libraries,
universities, etc.
State departments, NGOs, as well as the CE office in Yerevan and the
delegation of the European Commission are included in the initiators~R group
of the arrangements. The details of the elaborated programs will be
represented at RA Union of Architects, on August 31.

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Internet
‘MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES’ OPENS ITS WEBSITE ON ARMENIAN PROJECT
The press service of Finance and Economy Ministry informed that the
“Millennium Challenges” Foundation has opened the official website of
the Board of Trustees to inform the public about the elaboration and
implementation of its program in Armenia (MCA-Armenia Project). The
address of the site is
By A. M.

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Education
FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS
Foreign minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian received yesterday the
Armenian participants of the International Mathematics Olympiad. Six
Armenians under 20 with no higher education successfully performed at
the Olympiad in Mexico wining 5 bronze medals, which placed Armenia
on the first place in the region. The minister congratulated the
Olympiad participants and assured that the Ministry will continue
supporting the national team in future events.
By A. M.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Exhibition
EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN FRIENDSHIP AT PUBLIC NATIONAL LIBRARY
RA Public Library held an arrangement dedicated to the Russian-Armenian
literary and cultural relations within the framework of the
arrangements of Russia’s Year in Armenia on August 16. The library
exhibited numerous publications, translations, articles on the
literature, theatre and music of both countries that testify to the
enduring friendly relations between the two nations. Rafik Ghazarian,
deputy head of the library, said that the exhibits are mainly of
informational character.
It’s noteworthy that 70% of the public library stock is Russian
publications. Mr. Ghazarian explained this by the fact that 50.000
books are being published in Russia every year and the library always
receives copies of new publications. As for Armenia, only 1000
books are being published yearly. During the Soviet times Armenia
also provided Russia with new publications, but now they send only
Russian language publications to the libraries of RF or books in
Armenian for the Armenian community of our neighboring country.
By Gohar Gevorgian

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Parallels
JEWS LEAVING GAZA
What Will the Armenians of Zangelan Feel When the Time X Comes?
The withdrawal of Gaza strip settlers that came as part of Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s “disengagement” plan entered the forced
evacuation phase yesterday. As a result of the “painful sacrifice”,
as Mr. Sharon called it, more than 7.000 Jews were to leave Gaza
occupied by the Israeli forces in 1967.
Interethnic and territorial conflicts keep smoldering in
different corners of the world. Each one of them has its
peculiarities. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is certainly no match for
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Though having different historic
and legal backgrounds, they are united with unwritten laws that are
applied to many conflicts.
Although people in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora consider
the territories controlled by Karabakh forces but administratively
belonging to Azerbaijan liberated, the time will come when Armenia and
Karabakh will be forced to give them up, at least some of them. How
will thousands of Armenians settled there leave these territories
and what will they receive in exchange?
Let us take a look at the withdrawal of Jews from Gaza first. The
Israeli government provides $150-400 thousand to each family
voluntarily leaving Gaza strip. Those opposing eviction will get
1/3 less the sum. The 7.000 Jews left Gaza under the cover of 40.000
Israeli policemen and soldiers and 7.500 Palestinian soldiers.
The step of Mr. Sharon and the Israeli government cannot be considered
a serious concession by the highest standards, more so if we think
of the Palestinians who have been failing for 50 years now to get
their state recognized and to take the territories assigned by the UN
resolution as Palestinian State under their control. But Ariel Sharon
views the withdrawal from only 25 settlements a serious concession to
put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed. As Mr. Sharon carries
out his “disengagement” plan, the international media is standing by
his side publishing sensitive articles about resettled residents.
Official Yerevan keeps declaring that the neighboring regions of
Nagorno Karabakh are needed for security reasons only and they were
occupied in course of military operations. Such statements, especially
when they are uttered by defense minister, are a signal to the
thousands of Armenians inhabiting neighboring territories of Karabakh.
Contrary to Israel, Armenia did not inhabit these areas during the 10
years but it should have done so given the fact that Azerbaijan’s
ethnic cleansing and aggression turned 400.000 Armenians into
refugees. Armenians left behind 180.000 apartments and houses while
fleeing Azerbaijan. At least part of those Armenians could have become
resident of the neighboring regions.
It is very likely that Azerbaijan will not consider the return of 5
or 6 regions as a concession from the Armenian side in the Karabakh
issue. Not because they administratively belong to Azerbaijan but
because they are nearly deserted. The OSCE fact-finding mission had a
chance to make sure of that when it visited the regions to check Baku’s
claims that official Yerevan inhabits and appropriates the territories.
Contrary to the Jews of Gaza, there are no Armenians in neighboring
regions of Karabakh to claim their rights and none of them will weep
not to leave his residence. Contrary to Mr. Sharon, who pictures the
withdrawal as a “painful sacrifice” before the world community while
making only small concession, the Armenian President will not have
such tramp card.
What will be the feelings of Armenians in Zangelan, Minjevan or
Ghubatlu when the time X comes? Hardly anyone will offer them hundreds
of thousands of dollars. The residents of the neighboring regions
are ready to leave their places if provided a roof somewhere else,
without demanding concession in exchange.
By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Karabakh issue
ELMAR MAMEDIAROV: WE HAVEN’T REACHED AGREEMENT OVER 7-9 ELEMENTS YET
Elmar Mamediarov, foreign minister of Azerbaijan, stated that if
Yerevan and Baku “come to agreement at a level of foreign ministries,
the presidents will be able to give instructions on beginning the
work based on the received information.”
Mediamax informed that Mamediarov said, “at present, we do not work
on creating any particular document” and “the sides haven’t reached
the stage of elaborating the agreement.” Commenting on the coming
meeting of the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers slated next week
in Moscow, Elmar Mamediarov said that “the sides will try to elaborate
certain details to shape unanimous position on strategic issues.”
Mamediarov said that Azerbaijan and Armenia haven’t reached agreement
over 7-9 elements. “The details are not published. It’s too early to
speak of the essence of the given details, as the negotiation process
is still on,” he said, adding at the same time, that the people who
are somehow aware of the conflict settlement, will understand what
elements are meant.

AZG Armenian Daily #145, 18/08/2005
Appointment
YERVAND AZATIAN APPOINTED MINISTER’S ADVISER
Hovik Hoveyan, minister of Culture and Youth Affairs of Armenia,
received yesterday prominent American-Armenian publicist Yervand
Azatian. Beginning from July 1 of 2005, Mr. Azatian has been working
as adviser of the culture minister on the communities of the Armenian
Diaspora. The minister handed Mr. Azatian a copy of an order of his
appointment and acquainted him with impending projects and plans.
Dwelling on the expectations that the minister pins on the new adviser,
Mr. Hoveyan said, “I am not the one who should speak about deeds of
Yervand Azatian. His works, articles on literature, his public work
speak well for his personality. It’s an honor to have him as adviser
on Diaspora affairs, and I will gladly listen to his advices. We are
old friends and I know his intellectual potential. It’s an honor for
me to work with such a bright intellectual as Yervand Azatian”.
“Not only the Culture Ministry will benefit from this appointment
but the whole country”, Mr. Hoveyan concluded.
By Marietta Makarian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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:
INTELLECTUALS FROM ARMENIA AND THE DIASPORA DISCUSS CULTURAL,
EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC AND ARMENIAN CAUSE RELATED ISSUES
The conference of Armenia-Diaspora intellectuals continued its sessions
on Friday and Saturday, 12-13 August, under the patronage of His
Holiness Aram I. Six sessions tackling the cultural, educational,
Armenian’s rights and economic issues occurred on the second and
third days of the conference.
The lecturers during the session on cultural issues were Dr. Hovhannes
Taslakian and Berdj Zeitountsian. They talked about the current
situation of Armenian culture in Armenia and the Diaspora, the
challenges it faces, its achievements and failures.
The two outlined the worrying phenomena of the obvious fall in moral
values and increase in material values. They discussed the imperative
of rescuing various cultural heritages, including literature, music
and dance from foreign influences. Dr. Taslakian raised the issue of
implementing the Mesrobian guidelines for dictation.
The attendants particularly emphasized the importance of reforming
the structures of the Diaspora so Armenian communities could retain
their Armenian character and regain their activeness.
“There’s a retreat in the cultural field in Armenia and the
Diaspora. But this retreat should be treated as a crises and crisis
are sometimes positive phenomena which open up new horizons,” said
His Holiness Aram I as a conclusion to the discussions revolving
around culture, he underscored the following points:
Armenia-Diaspora relations should be planned, organized and continuous.
rather than occasional.
Armenians should aim at betterment of quality and values..
In return of the new cultural liveliness provided by Armenia to the.
Diaspora, the Diaspora should help Armenia financially.
The Armenian culture should be rescued from its monologue and its dialogue.
with other cultures in the Diaspora should not be left to chance.
In the end, His Holiness called for “purifying the Armenian culture and
returning it to its roots and authentic spirit.”
The second session was dedicated to educational issues. Edig Melkonian and
Bebo Simonian discussed the main challenges Armenia and the Diaspora face in
this field, including issues related to educational curricula, textbooks,
reform of teachers and betterment of their life standards.
His Holiness drew out the following conclusions from the discussions:
a.. Armenians should not consider their educational field to be in
retreat, but should see the Armenian school as facing new challenges.
b.. Armenian education should be re-organized in Armenia and especially in
the Diaspora.
c.. There’s a lack in coordination. Duplication and competition should be
avoided and we must aim at coherence.
d.. Local circumstances of each community should be taken into account
while preparing textbooks, which should be adjusted to a given country’s
religious and cultural particularities.
e.. The educational standards of Armenian schools must be kept high
especially in the Diaspora. Diaspora and Armenia should work together for
this purpose.
The agenda of the third session of the day concerned the issue of the
Armenian nation’s rights and their struggle for securing these rights. Dr.
Aida Hovhannisian from Iran and Dr. Ashod Melkonian from Armenia delivered
brief lectures about the topic, talking about the work carried out so far
and about the direction this should take in the future.
The impossibility of reconciliation between the criminals and victims was
discussed unless the criminal accepts its crime.
They emphasized the need to prepare professionals in legal matters as well
as the importance of publishing books, making films and establishing a
satellite TV for dissemination.
The Catholicos talked about the efforts carried out by the Diaspora during
the last 90 years for securing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
the international community and highlighted the work of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia in this direction. He also mentioned the efforts put forth by
Armenia in this direction during the last 15 years.
After lively discussions, the session was concluded by His Holiness:
a.. Armenia and the Diaspora should clarify the division of work and roles
between them in order to achieve harmony and coordination.
b.. Armenia should play its role as a government and the Diaspora should
bring its contribution to the struggle for the Armenian Cause.
c.. Armenia and the Diaspora should show differences in their styles.
d.. The struggle for rights and reparations should go hand in hand.
e.. The Armenian Cause should retain its pan-Armenian character. All
Armenians are obliged to bring their contributions to it.
f.. Technology should be widely incorporated for propaganda purposes.
The fourth session was related to the economic field. Meguerditch
Bouldoukian, Sergei Hampartsoumian and Levon Meguerdtchian delivered brief
lectures, talking about the economic progress and its potentials in Armenia
today.
Bedros Terzian talked about the potentiality of oil in the world and its
limitedness in the countries neighboring Armenia, and particularly
Azerbaidjan in the coming decades.
The participants discussed the various aspects of Armenia-Diaspora economic
aid and stated that the Armenian economy has undergone significant growth as
compared to the first few years of independence. They pointed out, however,
that the Armenian economy is still no self-sufficient.
In summarizing the discussions Aram I said:
a.. There’s a lack of economic laws in Armenia
b.. The aid provided by the Diaspora will decrease with time because of
the economic difficulties the structures of the various communities face.
Therefore,
c.. Armenians should focus on investments, not economic aid.
d.. At this point in time short-term business should be emphasized in
Armenia.
e.. Small business should be encouraged in order to guarantee wide
participation by the people.
f.. The Diaspora should help in the export of Armenian products.
g.. Armenia and the Diaspora should engage in cooperation where each has
its role to play.
h.. The relations of Diaspora Armenians with foreign businessmen and
investors should be used to increase foreign investments in Armenia.
i.. Guidelines should be established for Armenia-Diaspora economic
cooperation.
A press release including the viewpoints and approaches of participants to
each topic will be issued at the end of the conference.
At the end of the sessions, the participants attended the musical concert
organized on the occasion of St. Asdvadzadzine’s Day.
##
View pictures here:
*****
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.

ARF HAS BEEN FOUNDED FOR THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE, REPRESENTATIVE OF PARTY BUREAU SAYS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Over the 15 years of its activities in
Armenia, the ARF has taken deep roots in the country. Armen Rustamian,
representative of the Supreme Body of the ARF of Armenia, said this at
the ceremony of opening the new building of the ARF Bureau in Yerevan
on August 16. According to him, the party is continuing its active
work because such important problems as the Armenian Cause (Hay Dat),
the Karabakh conflict, strengthening the country, etc. have not been
solved yet. “We have been founded for Armenia and the Armenian people
and must solve all the problems facing our people,” representative of
the ARF Bureau Hrant Margarian stated. He noted that the opening of
the new building in Yerevan marks ARF’s 15-year presence in Armenia,
as well as the 115th anniversary of the party’s foundation. The ARF
Bureau building was purchased and repaired with funds of the Armenian
Diaspora, with the American Armenian couple Varand and Guri Melonian
making most of the contribution. In his speech, V. Melkonian pointed
out the necessity for providing assistance to historical Homeland in
the future too: “We are the Armenians living in Homeland and in the
Diaspora and we must complement one another.” Head of the Georgian
diocese Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian conveyed the words of greeting and
congratulation of Catholicos of All Armenians. The opening ceremony
was attended by members of the Armenian government, representatives of
the Republican party, and leaders of the opposition, including Stepan
Demirchian, Raffi Hovhannisian, Albert Bazeyan, Paruyr Hayrikian.

Border violence could jeopardize trade and immigration reform
The Associated Press
08/17/05 01:53 EDT
DENVER (AP) – U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza Jr. warned that
progress on immigration reform, trade and other issues facing both
nations could be compromised if Mexico is unable to control the drug
wars along its border.
“The longer that violence continues, the tougher it becomes for many
Americans to talk about Mexicans as trusted partners with mutual
interests,” he said in a Tuesday speech at the University of Denver’s
Graduate School of International Studies. “An aggressive response to
border violence is one way to help avoid talk of building walls when
we are all better served by building bridges.”
Garza also described Mexico as a leading democracy and an economic
powerhouse in Latin America, but he said he ordered the temporary
closure of the American consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to ensure
the safety of American there after drug feuds have led to several
killings in recent months.
“Some have said that I ordered the shutdown (in Nuevo Laredo) to
punish the Mexican government for its failure to control violence
in the region,” Garza said. “And in a sense that’s true … and I’ve
been clear, my primary responsibility as ambassador is the safety of
United States’ citizens, and I shouldn’t and I won’t hesitate to take
action when they are at risk.”