AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

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OPTIMALIZATION’S PLEASANT SIDES

The program of optimalization in the health care institutions of the capital
has passed into a more pleasant stage — the stage of financial investments.
Separate unions that became medical centers and now financial investments
are being made in them, according to the optimalization program. A
trilateral treaty has been signed already between the World Bank, Yerevan
Municipality and RA Healthcare Ministry.

According to the treaty, the investments’ program envisaged to allocate $2,8
million to “Holy Virgin” medical center.

“Gregory Illuminator” medical center will be the next to be financed by the
World Bank.

By Karine Danielian

AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

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40 MILLION AMD FOR SOCIAL WORKS

Kamo Areyan, deputy Yerevan mayor, informed the journalists that this year
40 million AMD were allocated for the Donation for Work program that is
annually carried out in the communities. According to the volume of the
submitted work, the financial sources will be divided among 12 communities
of the capital. The Yerevan Municipality decided to rename the program into
Paid Social Work.

By Karine Danielian

AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

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SOURCES ALLOCATED FOR SCHOOLS FROM RA SATE BUDGET

Already in 2003, by the decree of RA finance and economy minister, the
non-profit organizations should have submitted the indices of their annual
financial development, i.e. all real and probable expenses, for
ratification.

Kamo Areyan, deputy Yerevan mayor, said during the April 11 press conference
that since this year this principle will be applied for the compulsory
schools of Yerevan city. At present, the profits and the expenses of
educational programs of 2005 are being calculated. The sources ($8,6
million) allocated from RA state budget are being delivered.

Compared with other years, the headmasters of the schools are directly
engaged in the process of allocating sources. They submit their indicators
and get financed according to the expenses made per student. But there are
30-40 schools in the capital that have large buildings and few students.
When calculating their finances, they try to take into account also the
expenses for the preservation of the school buildings.

By Karine Danielian

Pan Armenian News

OSCE MISSION MONITORING REGISTERED SHOTS FROM AZERI SIDE AT KARABAKH AND
AZERI ARMED FORCES CONTACT LINE

12.04.2005 02:53

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday the OSCE Mission held a regular monitoring of
the Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan armed forces’ contact-line to the west
of the settlement of Verin Chaylu of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic occupied
by Azerbaijan, reported the Press Service of the NKR Foreign Ministry. From
the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring mission was led by
Field Assistants of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative
Miroslav Vymetal (the Czech Republic) and Olexandr Samarski (Ukraine). From
the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring group was headed by Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzey Kasprzyk. In the
course of the monitoring representatives of the NKR Defense and Foreign
Ministries accompanying the OSCE Observation Mission fixed shots from the
Azerbaijani party which sounded to the north of Verin Chaylu. The monitoring
went on after the parties once more got security guarantees and it was held
in compliance with the planned schedule.

AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

Poll

ARTSAKH ISSUE: 17-YEAR-OLD UNFINISHED STORY

7% of Respondents Will Leave Armenia if War Bursts Out

Around 25% of Armenian citizens is ready to join the army if the Nagorno
Karabakh war resumes, 42% is ready to support the front by doing other jobs,
more than 25% is ready to help with material and financial means. A public
opinion poll conducted among 1900 respondents in Yerevan and in all regions
of Armenia showed that 8% of Armenian citizens will by no means lend
support, around 7% will leave the country and 17% was hard to answer.

The results of the polls conducted by the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies among 60 experts of the Center and the population of
Armenia were presented by Stepan Safarian, expert of the Center, yesterday.
People were asked 23 questions and in some cases picked 2 answers because of
which the sum indices exceeded 100 percent.

Interestingly, the experts turned to be more patriotic than common citizens.
So, 39% of experts will go to war, 98% will help from the home front, 38%
will support materially and financially. None of the 60 “chosen” refused to
help the state in case of war. (Below we present the results of public poll
only – ed.).

21% of respondents thinks that Azerbaijan will resume war against Armenia
and Karabakh, 35% is of contrary view, 45% was hard to answer. Being asked
“Whether it is possible to settle the issue through negotiation in 5 years’
time?”, 25% said “yes”, 29% answered negatively and 46% was hard to answer.

Answering the question “What stymies the settlement of Karabakh issue?”, 37%
said, “the weakness of Armenian diplomacy and lobbying”, 26%, “complexity of
the issue”, 24%, “Azerbaijan’s uncomplying stance”, 19%, “US policy”, 15%,
“Russian policy”. It’s interesting that 5% of respondents named “Armenian
side’s uncomplying stance” as a barrier for the conflict settlement.

To question “What will be the final status of Nagorno Karabakh?”, 46% said,
“independent and sovereign state”, 38%, “part of Armenia”, 3%, “an autonomy
in the structure of Azerbaijan”. Half of respondents considered acceptable
to make concessions to Azerbaijan at the expense of the buffer zone:
Qashatakh (Lachin), Qarvatchar (Qelbajar), Aghdam, Fizuli, Zangelan,
Khubatli and Jebrail whereas 38% is against ceding these territories to
Azerbaijan.

36% labeled the Karabakh issue as a “component of the Armenian cause”, 33%
— an issue of Artsakhi people’s self-determination and 8% thinks that the
Karabakh issue is the result of “outer forces'” provocation.

As to the most valid argument for disjointing Nagorno Karabakh from
Azerbaijan, 44% noted that “it never was in the structure of Azerbaijan and
was forcefully united with it the Soviet period”, 26% said, “Armenians lived
in that territory for centuries”, 13%, “Armenians won the war”. 72% thinks
that Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan should participate in the
negotiations, 15% named Karabakh and Azerbaijan and 7% see Armenia and
Azerbaijan at a negotiation table.

“Who among the world powers and international organizations plays the key
role in the settlement process?” 60% indicated to Russia, 40% — USA, 19% —
EU, 19% — OSCE, 14% — UN.

By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

Concern

SAMVEL KARAPETIAN’S PHOTOS REVEAL EVIDENCE OF ‘CULTURAL GENOCIDE’

Arakelots monastery in Sassoon, Surb Bardughimeos church of Van, Khtskonq
monastery of Kars, Arakelots church of Mush… those are only the few
Armenian cultural and historic monuments that are being demolished in
Western Armenia (today’s Turkey) and the trace of Armenian presence is being
wiped out by the Turks. An organization that is studying the Armenian
architecture has been taking photos of the Turks’ barbarism directed against
every monument that resembles Armenian style. The “Cultural Genocide” photo
exhibition at the campus of Yerevan State University yesterday presented
works of Samvel Karapetian during the last years. Photos shot in 2000-2003
were put beside pictures of 100-150 years old and sites that formerly
featured churches and fretwork turned into mosque and ashlar.

The exhibition was organized by “Nikol Aghbalian” student union of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation and the student council of History Department. The
latter think that this issue is seldom covered today; few people know what’s
happening in our historic motherland. “This is first of all an arrangement
for students. It’s important that they know what the enemy is doing”, Vahe
Sargsian, head of the student council, said.

It is envisaged to put the exhibition at the other educational
establishments as well. Besides, the organizers think of presenting the
photos to international organizations.

Ishghan Saghatelian, president of “Nikol Aghbalian”, is sure that this is
the true face of Turkey as it strives for the EU and that we should show the
essence of the Turks.

By Tamar Minasian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News

FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MAY HAMPER TURKEY ACCESSION TO EU

12.04.2005 06:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In case Turkey refuses to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 – a crime committed 90
years ago, it can become an obstacle for accession of that country to the
European Union, Euronews TV channel reported. It was also noted that the
Cyprus and Kurdish problems may become serious obstacles on Ankara’s way to
Europe.

Pan Armenian News

TURKISH PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER STRATEGY AGAINST «CLAIMS» OVER ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE

12.04.2005 04:17

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Basic principles of «the political strategy of the state
against the claims» over the Armenian Genocide will be discussed at the
sitting of the Turkish Parliament tomorrow. Two different political
strategies are submitted to the Parliament from the ruling Justice and
Development Party and main opposition Republican People’s Party. Two
deputies from each of the parties will be given the floor over the
strategies presented. After the completion of the speeches Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul will inform the MPs on the work being carried out by
the Armenian lobby and the Government of Armenia over the Armenian Genocide.
The country Parliament is expected to adopt an official statement on «the
claims» of Armenians over the Armenian Genocide. The official document will
be sent to all countries and international organizations before April 24.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News

FRANCE DOES ITS BEST FOR FAIR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

12.04.2005 03:29

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «No hearing over the Karabakh issue is scheduled in the
French Senate. On the whole I do not have information whether the hearings
will be held or not,» President of the French-Azeri Friendship Group of the
French Senate Ambroise Dupont stated, when clearing out the Azeri press
reports on the coming hearings over the Nagorno Karabakh issue in the French
Parliament. «The work being done by the French Senate President Christian
Poncelet is important to us. In this respect, maybe the aforementioned
hearings are held within the framework of «the four» – between the Chairmen
of the Parliaments of the South Caucasian countries and the French Senate
President. It should be noted that the Senate group, called Audit, considers
the state in the conflict zones, including that in the South Caucasus,» he
noted. The Friendship Group leader noted that after the meeting of Chairmen
of the Parliaments of the South Caucasian states in Versailles the next
meeting within that format was held in Tbilisi. Answering the question on
the probability to expect an impartial stand of France in the Karabakh
settlement «within the context of the frequent accusations of France
supporting Armenians,» Mr. Dupont said that the French State and the
Government as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, do their best for the fair
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. However, in his words, it does not mean
that France is an arbitrator between «the players.» «If we imagine France as
an arbitrator in that «game», it will turn out that not the arbitrator
determines the rules of that «game». The rules of the «game» should be
determined by the «players» themselves. However, in any case the peaceful
option of solution of the Karabakh conflict is desirable. I would even say
that the peaceful option is the guarantee of the existence of this region,»
Mr. Dupont added. The French guest also noted that Paris follows with
attention the talks within the OSCE MG framework. On the essence of the
Friendship Group assistance to the solution of the conflict Mr. Dupont
stated that Armenians are known better than Azeris in France. «You just said
it yourself that French is often considered a pro-Armenian state. Sometimes
it is true, sometimes it is not. It is true, as Armenians live throughout
the world, including there are many in France. Thus we know Armenians better
than Azerbaijan and Azeris. I personally make efforts for Azerbaijan to
become more known in France», he summed up.

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN ISSUE BOOK ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90-TH ANNIVERSARY PUBLISHED IN
ESTONIA

12.04.2005 03:02

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Professor Lembo Tanning the Armenian Issue book, devoted
to the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is published in Estonia,
reported the commission for organizing measures devoted to the 90-th
anniversary of the Genocide. The book presentation was held at the National
Library of Estonia. Art figures, deputies, members of the Council of
Estonian Churches, representatives of the European Parliament and the
Armenian community of Estonia were present at the event.