THE KARABAKH PROBLEM HAS NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

A1+
09-02-2005

«Either we have no skill to protect our own country, or the country
banishes his sons. Do one have at least one king buried in the present
territory of Armenia? Have you thought about it? ». Today in the club
«Pakagits» Alexan Kirakosyan, a state political figure, who enjoyed
great authority in the political and cultural fields in the Soviet
times, tried to analyze the events taking place around Armenia from
a more global point of view.

Alexan Kirakosyan avoided questions regarding the internal political
conditions. The person who voted for Robert Kocharyan in the
Presidential elections, now announces, «If you want to save your
country, this small part of land, fight with those who sell it».

Saying this, Alexan Kirakosyan did not mean the present Government
of RA. According to the speaker, the so-called 5th column using the
foreign money and realizing the Georgian and Ukrainian revolutions
exists in every country. In this case Alexan Kirakosyan looks for this
column outside the Government. However, he considers that improvements
must be done both in the political and in the economical fields.

The speaker is not troubled by the draft resolution adopted in the
PACE in January about the Karabakh conflict. According to Alexan
Kirakosyan the Karabakh conflict has already been solved by the
people. «The loss of Karabakh means loss of Armenia. And he who does
not understand this does not understand anything in politics. »

Alexan Kirakosyan sees the solution of the problems of Armenia who
is outside the profits of the great countries, only in uniting. But
it becomes clear from his words that he has no respect for any
of the opposition parties. «We have no political parties. All of
them have corporative aims. » The author of these words finds that
there must be 2-4 parties in Armenia, like in the USA, Germany,
and England. Nevertheless, neither does Alexan Kirakosyan respect
the democratic countries as he considers that Europe, for example,
is blackmailing Armenia.

–Boundary_(ID_aDb8U9lM9lkQqbBJWRI9Sw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DRAFTS NEW PROPOSALS FOR MCA

ArmenPress
Feb 9 2005

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian finance and economy minister
Vartan Khachatrian told a news conference today that over 200 proposals
that were drafted last year and presented to the Millennium Challenge
Account (MCA), a new US government assistance scheme representing
a fresh approach to helping low-income countries overcome economic
backwardness, proved to be poorly developed and did not stand the
test of the MCA.

The overall cost of those proposals amounted to $1 billion. He said
the MCA assessed the proposals in terms of how effective they were
to promote a sustainable economic growth, a vital component of the
government’s plan to radically slash the poverty volumes.

Khachatrian said along with major proposals two alternative ones
will be sent to MCA after they are finalized late in February . He
said the proposals will be open for public debates. The minister
said Armenia is ranked highly by international donor organizations
as it meets duly all its commitments. He said that is one of the
reasons why Armenia was one of two former Soviet republics, together
with Georgia, included in the US government assistance program, but
he claimed that Georgia was included because of political motives,
while Armenia for its economic achievements.

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:

February 9, 2005
___________________

REAWAKENING THE VARTANANTZ SPIRIT FOR THE ARMENIA OF OUR DREAMS

Each day, as he pauses to admire the beauty and majesty of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Second Avenue and 34th Street, Garnik Nanagoulian,
executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), sees the
legacy of General Vartan Mamigonian and his valiant soldiers. The
Armenian house of worship, standing proudly in the middle of one of the
most powerful centers of the world, is a testament to the Vartanantz
spirit in every Armenian, passed down through generations, to persevere
through challenges and rebuild.

It was this desire to revive the Vartanantz spirit that Mr. Nanagoulian
hoped to express to the more than 200 faithful who gathered at New York
City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday, February 3, 2005, to
mark Sts. Vartanantz Day.

In his keynote address for the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner organized by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) with the
participation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mid-Atlantic
Region, Mr. Nanagoulian highlighted the historic opportunity Armenians
have today to create the Armenia of their dreams, the Armenia that 28
generations of Armenian ancestors have prayed for. Now is the time, he
said, to get involved in nation-building, in laying the foundations of
the country.

“In the battle of Avarayr in the 5th century, the spirit of Vartan could
express itself only in two ways — live or die. In the end, the
Armenians chose to die rather than give up their holy rights, the
essence of their identity. Today the spirit of Vartan could be
expressed in many ways,” said Mr. Nanagoulian who witnesses the
accomplishments of the spirit of Vartan within FAR’s donor community on
a daily basis.

SPEAKING ABOUT FAR

Founded in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that provides short-term emergency relief and implements
long-term programs for the economic growth and social development of
Armenia. It helps the most vulnerable segments of the population –
children and the elderly – and prepares the youth and professionals to
drive the country’s new democratic state.

With almost 30 programs to be implemented in 2005, FAR’s activities
include a wide range of projects, from operating soup kitchens and
summer camps to providing educational scholarships and scientific grants
to building irrigation systems and university halls.

FAR is recognized within the Diaspora for repeatedly proving that goals
can be accomplished lawfully, transparently and reliably. The
organization’s donor community believes in FAR and is proud of its
association. The people of Armenia also believe in FAR. When they hear
that FAR will be implementing a project, they know it will be done.
This trusted reputation, both in the Diaspora and in the Homeland, is
built on 16 years of serving a cumulative 10 million people through more
than 130 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh.
Having partnered with U.S. Government agencies, like USAID and USDA, and
many international nonprofits, FAR has channeled more than $250 million
in humanitarian assistance to Armenia.

Headquartered in New York, FAR has three offices in Armenia and Karabagh
and more than 150 full-time employees. FAR has an outstanding track
record, successfully completing every project undertaken. Relying on
its time-tested operational framework to effectively and efficiently
execute programs throughout the country, including regional and national
projects, FAR is recognized for accomplishing goals on time and within
budget. This successful project track record reflects FAR’s standard of
excellence in execution. Today, it is the preeminent relief and
development organization operating in Armenia.

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ARMENIA TODAY

Mr. Nanagoulian underscored the need for a long-term commitment to build
the ideal nation — “being in it for the long haul in Armenia.” Helping
our brothers and sisters in the struggling Homeland “would be in the
spirit of Vartanantz, because it is there, in Armenia, where our future
is. Because it is there, where our roots are. Because this is the land
of Vartan. This is the land I’ve come from. This is the land we have ALL
come from,” he said.

By focusing on the common culture, faith, and history, Mr. Nanagoulian
likened all Armenians, whether from the Diaspora or the Homeland, to
family. He indicated that this shared heritage is a deep connection
that bolsters the pride of each Armenian. “And as an Armenian family,
we have a duty to help the members of our family in the struggling
Homeland. It is a duty, an obligation. An obligation as a choice, a
choice you make for the people you love.”

Through FAR’s work, the Diaspora contributes to giving hope and creating
opportunities for the people of Armenia. This attention demonstrates
that each individual life means something and that in the Armenia of our
dreams, in a society that is free, productive, consensual, and human,
every human being counts.

Mr. Nanagoulian announced, “we at FAR, realize how fortunate we are to
have a unique chance in our lifetime to see and know an independent
Armenia. This is our chance. It is time to cast our vote for the future
of all Armenians drawing the lessons from our past. In fact, it is the
only vote we have as Armenians, here, in Diaspora.” He continued, “by
giving our time, donating money, volunteering our services – we cast our
vote for the future of Armenia, for our future, for the future of
generations of Armenians to come. And maybe our descendants will
celebrate us as warmheartedly in the future as we today celebrate St.
Vartan and his valiant warriors.”

(To read Mr. Nanagoulian’s remarks, please see the News and Events
section of FAR’s website, )

ST. VARTAN’S EXAMPLE

“All across the world, Armenians gather on this day to remember and
celebrate St. Vartan,” said Garo Sekdorian, Knights of Vartan
Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Grand District Representative on behalf of
Edward Korkoian, Avak Sbarabed. In 451 A.D., General Vartan Mamigonian
set an example by fighting for his holy rights during a battle against
the Persian army, which was intent on converting the Armenian Christians
to paganism by force. Although not victorious on that day, St. Vartan
inspired Armenians to defend their faith for 30 years until the Persians
submitted and allowed the Armenians to be Christian.

In his remarks to the crowd in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium,
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, former Pontifical Legate and Primate of
the Armenian Church of Great Britain, said that every February brings us
the celebration of St. Vartan and the battle of Avarayr. It is a
momentous occasion markings his battle to protect Armenia and our
Christian faith said the Archbishop. “This celebration is the
providence of our Church.”

“The Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire – they have come and gone,”
proclaimed Raffi Nakashian, Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Chairman, who served
as the Master of Ceremonies for the Vartanantz Day Program, “yet the
Armenians, we are still here. We must be doing something right!”

CELEBRATION OF VARTAN

Three local Armenian schools performed at the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner
in New York: the Hovananian Day School’s fourth grade and after-school
program students, led by Anahid Garmirian and Sylva Mesrobyan; the Holy
Martyrs Day School’s fourth, fifth and sixth graders, led by Anahid
Boghossian, Janet Marcarian, and Sophie Kerbeykian; and the St.
Illuminator’s School’s fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, led by
Zemroukhd Markarian and accompanied on the piano by Yn. Marina
Shitilian. The children presented a series of songs, dances and poetry
recitations telling the story of St. Vartan’s faith and determination,
and the fight for Armenia and Artsakh, the Armenian name for Karabagh.

The dinner came following a special Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr.
Daniel Karadjian, with the participation of St. Nersess seminarians and
St. Vartan Cathedral deacons.

The 2004 Vartanantz Day Commemoration Committee was co-chaired by Raffi
Nakashian and Ceran Kasarjian, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral, acting in an advisory position. The members of the
committee were: Hagop Yagliyan, Garo Dursunian, Manug Aydin, Vatche
Aslanian, Tanya Bukucuyan, Arpi Candan, and Kathryn Kurkjian.

ACYOA Juniors from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, Queens
were instrumental in ensuring a smooth dinner program. “It has become a
tradition for them to be involved in Sts. Vartanantz Day now,” said
Elizabeth Reed, director of the ACYOA Juniors of Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, of the group helping on Thursday night.

— 2/9/04

E-mail photos available by request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief, speaks to the more than 200 people who attended the
Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) and the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Faithful of all ages attended the special Divine
Liturgy on Thursday, February 3, 2004, celebrated by Fr. Daniel
Karadjian.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Students in the Hovnanian Day School fourth grade
and after-school program take to the stage to perform during the 2004
Sts. Vartanantz Day program organized by the Eastern Diocese.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): During their performances on Thursday, February 3,
2004, the students of the Holy Martyrs Day School and St. Illuminator’s
School presented a program of songs and poetry recitation that were both
patriotic and reflective of the Armenian Christian faith.

# # #

WEATHER IN KARABAKH FORECASTED IN ARMENIA

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
09 Feb 05

At the NKR Hydro-Meteorological Service we were told that in comparison
to the previous years this winter was dryer and warmer. Precipitation
in January (20 mm) was almost equal to the standard (21 mm). But the
month of February which was milder in the previous years this time
began with frost and abundant snow. In the first week of February the
amount of snow totaled 7-9 mm which exceeded the normal amount by 1-2
mm. The director of the service Razmik Karapetian said, the weather in
Karabakh (more exactly Stepanakert because the communication with the
regions is not good and the service receives weather forecast monthly)
is forecasted in the Republic of Armenia. The service provides
information about the weather in Karabakh to the Meteorological
Service of Armenia for five times daily and receives the forecast
for two-three days. The NKR service does not have resources for
weather forecasting. The building and equipment are old and worn
out, which makes the work impossible. R. Karapetian said that the RA
Hydro-Meteorological Service had worked out a program of development
and extended it to the government two years ago.

SRBUHI VANIAN.
09-02-2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Feb 9 2005

ROSOBORONEXPORT” LIMITS DELIVERY OF ARMS TO HOT POINTS OF THE WORLD
[February 09, 2005, 22:30:52]

On February 9, press conference of the General Director of the
Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Rosoboronexport” Sergey Chemezov
who has told about activity of this enterprise has taken place in
Moscow and has shared plans for the future.

S. Chemezov informed that volumes of export of arms last year have
reached a record point. As he said, the geography of deliveries has
extended also – the arms went to 59 countries of the world. The basic
partners of this organization are India and China. Volume of
deliveries to these countries makes about 80 percent. S. Chemezov has
noted, that basically are demanded and is competitive the aviation
techniques: Russian SU, MIG, helicopter techniques. S. Chemezov has
emphasized that last year demand was for techniques of air forces,
and currently – on techniques for Navy.

Answering the question of correspondent of AzerTAj, Mr. Chemezov
said: “As in regard to Azerbaijan and Armenia there is not present
any sanctions on the part of the international community, that,
naturally, we, can sell arms, both to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Here,
any restrictions in this plan are not present. As to the members of
Collective Treaty, we have agreement that in these countries we sell
arms on the in-Russian prices, on the prices on which we sell it to
the Ministry of Defense of Russia, and it is sold actually without
the profit. As to other CIS countries, for them too there are certain
privileges, and we work, we sell arms, including arms on the NATO
standards”.

Head of “Rosoboronexport” also informed journalists that according to
the decision of the international organizations, this department
limits sale of arms in the “hot points” of world.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Let’s strengthen the state
Editorial

Yerkir/arm
February 04, 2005

Each nation shapes its mentality. And it is generally the right of the
nation to live on the full territory of its homeland, to live well,
in accordance with its identity.

This formulation is differently expressed in different concepts
of various nations. It is often expressed as an â~@~idea,â~@~]
which formulates the overall aspirations of the nation, leading the
nation ahead and providing with directions. National ideology is a
continuous process and can last for decades, centuries. Nations who
seem to have made great achievements find new directions for advancing
their ideology.

There is now a tendency to consider the actual stage of the ideology
complete and to try to globalize it, which is not right. The life
shows that in the actual globalizing terms, when it comes to fight
of cultures, there is again the basic of either synthesis, or dictate
of national ideology.

We see a model of democracy, based on a principle, which can be
different for Iran, India, or China on the one hand, and different
from the European one, on the other one. This also prioritizes national
ideology or the need to shape an idea.

Each nation has its ideology and it can be formulated or chaotic.
Unfortunately, we do not have a well-formulated ideology today that
would lead our nation on its engine. We have national parties, also
some state scale solutions, but not the pan-national, joint model
incorporating all the elements of the national mentality.

A nation should reach a high degree of self-organization to shape that
ideology. But it is not just us. Even nations like Russian are still
in searches. The big role is played by the fact of having a state,
which empowers these searches, consolidating national potential. The
more we strengthen our state, the more achievements we shall have.

–Boundary_(ID_MWz9ao2CRSJ+698p+ht5kA)–

Lawyers for Azeri officer in Hungarian trial challenge forensic evidence

Ekho, Baku
9 Feb 05

Excerpt from report by L. Nuri in Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 9
February headlined “‘I believe that a fair verdict will be passed,’
said the senior lieutenant of the Azerbaijani armed forces, Ramil
Safarov, in an interview with Ekho”

The trial into the case of the senior lieutenant of the Azerbaijani
armed forces, Ramil Safarov, opened in the Budapest city court
yesterday [8 February].

[Passage omitted: reported details]

All the staff of the Azerbaijani embassy in Hungary, and Azerbaijani
students and professors at Budapest Central European University were
in the courtroom. The head of the centre to protect the rights
of Azerbaijani refugees and displaced persons, Tatyana Chaladze,
independent Azerbaijani journalist Israfil Babayev and an Ekho
newspaper correspondent attended the trial.

For the Armenian side, apart from the [Armenian] embassy’s employees,
representatives of Hungary’s large Armenian community were present
in the courtroom. No representatives of the Azerbaijani community
were present.

At the very beginning of the trial, the Azerbaijani side’s lawyer,
(?Georgiy Madjar), asked the judge to allow Azerbaijani experts to
carry out a second forensic examination of Safarov. The chairman
agreed to the second examination but the Azerbaijani experts will
only be allowed to observe it. Hungarian law bans intervention of
experts from another state in a trial. In this case, experts from
the Budapest Institute for Forensic Research will examine Safarov.

[Passage omitted: examination due on 10 May 2005; Azerbaijani lawyers
unhappy with original forensic evidence.]

The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense from the very beginning. For
instance, the judge did not disturb the Hungarian journalists and
press photographers (who seemed to be ethnic Armenians) attending
the trial. As for the Azerbaijani journalists, judge Andrash Voskuti
asked for their identification cards as soon as the trial opened. The
journalists were allowed to film and take photos of the trial after
their documents were checked and lawyer Adil Ismayilov submitted a
request to the judge.

Despite protests of the Armenian lawyers, the chairwoman of the centre
to protect the rights of Azerbaijani refugees and displaced persons,
Tatyana Chaladze, managed to submit to the judge documents about
the Xocali tragedy and videotapes demonstrating its horrors. The
Azerbaijani embassy in Hungary repeatedly presented the judge with
materials on the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, the Xocali tragedy and
the occupation of Cabrayil District (where Safarov comes from).

The Ekho correspondent managed to talk to the Azerbaijani serviceman
during the 10-minute break in the trial.

[Correspondent] How do you feel?

[Safarov] Well.

[Correspondent] Have you been in touch with your relatives?

[Safarov] Yes.

[Correspondent] Do you have any problems?

[Safarov] No.

[Correspondent] Are you being put under pressure?

[Safarov] No pressure is being exerted on me. I have no complaints. The
conditions in which I am being held and the attitude towards me
are normal.

[Correspondent] You have an opportunity to say some words for people
back home.

[Safarov] I would not like to take advantage of this, since it would
be an indirect intervention in the course of the trial.

[Correspondent] Still, some words at least… [ellipses as published]

[Safarov] I am grateful to everybody. I believe that a fair verdict
will be passed.

[Passage omitted: Safarov’s lawyer from Hungary, Peter Zalay, says
they will do their best for Safarov to avoid life imprisonment]

Azeri president, EU envoy praise ties

Azartac news agency, Baku
9 Feb 05

[No dateline as received] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a
delegation led by the special envoy of the European Union in the South
Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie, at the Presidential Palace on 9 February.

The head of state expressed his satisfaction with the rapid development
of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union and our
country’s participation in the EU’s New Neighbourhood policy.

Touching on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict,
Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan’s position on the settlement
of this conflict is in line with international legal norms and
principles – the territorial integrity of countries and inviolability
of borders. He said that the conflicts in the former Soviet Union,
which are accompanied by aggressive separatism, inflict great damage
on the cause of establishing peace and security in regions. From this
point of view, the objective position expressed in the documents of
the Council of Europe and other international organizations condemning
Armenian separatism and Armenia’s aggression against our country is
of great importance.

The head of state expressed his confidence that cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the European Union would continue to develop.

Mr Talvitie highly assessed the expansion of relations between the
European Union and Azerbaijan and expressed his confidence that these
relations will continue to strengthen.

The meeting also discussed various spheres of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the European Union, regional problems and other issues
of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan blasts separatist Karabakh over citizenship bill

Ekho, Baku
9 Feb 05

Text of R. Orucov’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 9 February
headlined “‘Double citizenship’ in Nagornyy Karabakh”

The head of the Nagornyy Karabakh “Foreign Ministry”, Arman Melikyan,
has said that a “draft law on citizenship of the NKR [Nagornyy
Karabakh republic]” has been drafted on the initiative and with the
direct participation of the “ministry”, Ekho has reported.

Speaking about the main provisions of the “draft law”, Arman
Melikyan pointed to the importance of the “NKR” citizens’ right to
dual citizenship. He said the law would protect the rights of all
citizens regardless of their origin, race or ethnicity.

“The citizenship of the ‘NKR’ (quotation marks have been inserted by
us here and throughout – editor) will be provided to those who were
born on the territories which have become part of the ‘NKR’, Shaumyan
District, Getashen [village of Caykand in Azerbaijan’s Xanlar District]
and the Nagornyy Karabakh autonomous region,” the “minister” said.

The Azerbaijani authorities reacted to the separatist statement
yesterday [8 February]. The reaction was voiced by the head of the
Foreign Ministry’s public relations department, Tahir Tagizada.

“Nagornyy Karabakh is recognized by the international community as
a constituent part of the Azerbaijani Republic. Therefore, any such
initiative by the authorities of the self-style republic cannot be
construed as legal. Namely, this holds true for the ‘draft law on
citizenship of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic’. This initiative
is yet another attempt aimed at undermining the ongoing peace
negotiations. Both the fact that residents of Nagornyy Karabakh
travel outside on Armenian passports and the illegal settlement which
continues in the occupied Azerbaijani territories is another attempt
to annex the occupied territories of the Azerbaijani Republic.”

International lawyer Erkin Qadirov has told Ekho that such legal acts
by an unrecognized state have no legal effect.

“Laws adopted by an illegitimate regime cannot be legitimate. This is
not the first time the separatists have issued such a statement. They
have already adopted ‘laws’ to protect private property and foreign
investment. All these have no legal effect. Issues such as property
and other rights, travel regulations and citizenship cannot be resolved
until the conflict is fully resolved,” Qadirov said.

Qadirov sees Melikyan’s statement as a purely populist move “intended
to justify the policy of settling the territories outside Nagornyy
Karabakh. They allege that the Armenians deported from other parts of
Azerbaijan are being re-settled in these areas. The separatists have
made such statements before. The difference is that this time they
want to make things look official. And considering the fact that this
is happening at the time of the OSCE monitoring, it appears that the
‘law’ is being prepared in an effort to justify the policy of illegal
settlement.”

OPPOSITION EXPRESSED OPINION

A1+
08-02-2005

Today only those 20 deputies, who had something to declare were
present in the parliament session hall during the time fixed for making
announcements. The opposition deputies used their time to highlight
the necessity of the power change and mention of the failures of the
leadership in foreign policy.

Victor Dallakyan declared that our republic in on the moral decline at
present and reminded that Rome fell at the time when Caligula made his
horse a senator. Member of the Armenian People’s Party Stepan Zakaryan
stated that according to our leadership the sending of Armenian
military to Iraq was conditioned by the fact that US’s position is
rather important in the unsettled Karabakh issue. ”However we had
the chance to know US’s stand on this issue. May be one day we will
be told to quit the territories because a superstate wants so.

Aram Gaspari Sargsyan in his turn read a Justice factionâ~@~Ys
statement on the Karabakh problem settlement and called the coalition
to join it.

–Boundary_(ID_OuQPvXaUdLeGA8jPntDhfA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress