ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
February 3, 2005 Thursday 9:05 AM Eastern Time

Armenia to send group of medics to Indonesia

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

The Armenian government is sending a group of doctors to Indonesia to
provide medical aid to the population of the country hit by a recent
devastating tsunami.

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday under the
chairmanship of President Robert Kocharyan.

In the next three days Armenia will send to Jakarta a traumatologist,
two infection disease doctors and an epidemiologist.

The Armenia has allotted 14,000 U.S. dollars for the dispatch of the
specialists.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected], [email protected]
Website;

Bishop Bagrat Galstanian Comments on Same Sex Marriage Legislation in Canada

The proposed Same Sex Marriage legislation tabled by the Minister of
Justice on February 1, 2005 in the House of Commons is a controversial
issue. If passed, it would make Same Sex Marriage legal across Canada.

Religious groups, including the Catholic, Christian Orthodox, Sikh,
Hindu and Orthodox Jewish denominations, are opposed to this
legislation, as are the Conservative Party led by the Hon. Stephen
Harper and some members within the governing Liberal Party.

On February 2, 2005, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of
the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Diocese of Canada, sent a letter to
the Prime Minister of Canada the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin expressing his
deep concern. Inhis letter, the Primate affirms that “marriage is and
should remain the union of one man and one woman, and the traditional
meaning of marriage should not be altered or modified”, and “we will
see more serious and difficult problems, because the basic moral
principles of the perception of family unity are being touched and
shaken”.

*************************************

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER PAUL MARTIN from
BISHOP BAGRAT GALSTANIAN, PRIMATE OF THE
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH DIOCESE OF CANADA

No 2005.039
February 2, 2005

The Right Honorable Mr. Paul Martin, P.C., M. P.,
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons, Parliament Buildings,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister,

I acknowledge the weight of difficulty and challenge that the
Government of Canada is facing regarding the most recent developments
on the definition of marriage.

I am writing this letter as the spiritual leader of a nation within
Canada whose spiritual, moral and national values have traveled 6000
years and have been refined since the official adoption of
Christianity as a religion of the state and nation over 1700 years
ago.

As a nation we have found a safe haven in Canada where we have been
able to establish our homes and families all the while becoming an
integral part of Canadian society as proud and loyal Canadian
citizens.

However, a moral problem is becoming more and more prevalent in our
society, in a more and more open manner, which is that of
homosexuality and its resulting redefinition of marriage. Obviously,
we are dealing with a problem that has always existed but is becoming
more eminent today. Therefore, although this phenomenon has always
existed, it is the socialization of the phenomenon that is in
question.

While taking into account each particular case and having a pastoral
concern for the people involved we are convinced that no good for
society will result from it. On the contrary, we will see more serious
and difficult problems arise, because the basic moral principles of
the perception of family unityare being touched and shaken.

We certainly share the concerns of our spiritual brother His Eminence
Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic and repeat his questions.

“Does Canadian society as a whole, and do parents in particular,
understand what the law will be teaching in this instance? Is it fair
to put children in the position of having to reconcile the values and
beliefs of their parents with a novel state-sponsored understanding of
marriage that may not be truly supported by the majority of Canadians?
Have you received assurances from provincial premiers that they are
providing legislative protection for the right of religious officials
and organizations to decline to celebrate same-sex marriages that are
contrary to their faith? Are you prepared to pass legislation in the
absence of such assurances?”

Also, we are supporting the statement made by the Orthodox Bishops in
Canada on August 1st, 2003, which states that Marriage is and should
remain the union of one man and one woman and the traditional meaning
of marriage should not be altered or modified. This statement,
however, does not contradict the one that has been explicitly defined
in the amendment ‘Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act’, Bill
-23 passed by Parliament June 2000.

A clear cut line must be drawn between being a politician and a
statesman for politicians are concerned about the next election
whereas statesmen are concerned about the next generation. Therefore,
we urge the Government of Canada to leave the fate of this growing
phenomenon up to public opinion by way ofa vote for whatever the
outcome might be it should ultimately be decided by the public whose
lives are impacted most by this issue.

Yours Prayerfully,

Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of Canada

Cc:
The Honorable Stephen Harper, Leader of the Official Opposition (Conservative
Party)
The Honorable Gilles Duceppe, Le chef du Bloc Québécois
The Honorable Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Feb 3 2005

SOLDIER’S MOTHER MONITORS SITUATION AMONG ALTERNATIVE SERVICEMEN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: A non-governmental organization
called Soldier’s Mother will unveil in March the findings of a
monitoring of the situation in several hospitals and old people
homes, the destination of males who refused mandatory military
service in ordinary units choosing instead the so-called alternative
service.
Greta Mirzoyan, the chairwoman of the organization, said
alternative servicemen in some places face what she said is “the
humiliating treatment on part of hospitals’ personnel.” Very often
alternative servicemen are forced to carry out “degrading’ work.
Alternative service is chosen mainly by members of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, who are allowed to quit alternative service after six
months and join regular military units. According to military
officials, some 20 conscripts have chosen alternative military
service.

ArmenPress
Feb 3 2005

US STATE DEPARTMENT PRAISES ARMENIA FOR LEADING ROLE IN POLITICAL AND
ECONOMIC REFORM IN EURASIA

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: A US State Department fact sheet
on U.S. Assistance to Armenia in Fiscal Year 2004 termed the country
as one of the leading performers in Eurasia in economic and political
reform, a weighty factor that has made Armenia eligible, together
with the neighboring Georgia, for receiving grants from the
Millennium Challenge Account.
“While economic growth has been strong, it has yet to provide
significant benefit to the vast majority of the population. As such,
U.S. assistance focuses on the growing small- and medium-scale
enterprise sector. Our democracy, economic, and law enforcement
programs will help to strengthen the democratic structures and
foundations in Armenia, as well as support regional stability and
security,” according to the fact sheet.
The US government assistance in 2004 for Armenia was $89.7. Some
$13 million were allocated for Democracy Programs, $50.2 million for
Social Security and Economic Reform, $15.4 million for Law
Enforcement, $6.3 million as Humanitarian Assistance and $4.8 million
for Cross Sectoral Initiatives.

ArmenPress
Feb 3 2005

GEORGIAN OFFICIAL SHRUGS OFF RUMORS THAT ZHVANIA’S DEATH MAY HAVE
BEEN PLOTTED

TBILISI, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of Georgian
president’s staff has shrugged off today a theory circulated by some
local mass media and politicians that prime minister Zurab Zhvania’s
death may have been plotted by his enemies. Guram Absadze, deputy
chief of Saakashvili’s staff, told reporters: “I do not think that
there are people who would have masterminded Zhvania’s death. No one
in Georgia wanted his death. He was a member of the united team with
president Saakashvili.”
Meantime a parliament member Alexander Shalamberidze was quoted by
Georgian news agencies as saying there was a link between a deadly
car explosion near police station in the town of Gori, 60 miles off
Tbilisi, earlier this week that killed three people and Zhvania’s
death.
“My impression is that these two tragic occurrences were not
accidental and were plotted by forces outside Georgia,” he told
journalists.
Zurab Zhvania , 42, was killed by a gas leak at a friend’s
apartment. Security guards broke through a window early Thursday when
they heard no signs of life inside the apartment several hours after
the prime minister arrived. Zhvania’s host, Zurab Usupov, deputy
governor of Georgia’s Kvemo-Kartli region, also died.
A longtime politician, Zhvania was part of the opposition to
former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and played a prominent
role in protests that led to Shevardnadze’s ouster after allegedly
fraudulent elections in November 2003.
He was named prime minister by Saakashvili following his landslide
election in January 2004. Zhvania was one of the key government
figures trying to negotiate settlements with Georgia’s separatist
regions.
Zhvania was born in the capital Tbilisi on Dec. 9, 1963. A
graduate of the biology department at Tbilisi State University, he
led the Green of Georgia party in 1988-93 and served in the
parliament beginning in 1992.
He was elected parliamentary speaker in 1995 and led the United
Democrats opposition party. Zhvania is survived by his wife and three
children.
Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili presented his condolences
on the death of prime minister Zurab Zhvania. “It is very hard for me
to speak today. This is a blow on our country and on me personally,
as for the President and a person. Georgia lost a great patriot, who
devoted his whole life to serving our country,” Saakashvili said at a
special government’s session on February 3.
“I lost the closest friend I had, the most reliable adviser and
the greatest ally. Now, all my thoughts are with Zurab’s wife, his
mother and his children. In these hard times for the country and for
us, I call on everybody to be strong, to stand together and continue
to serve our country, despite any troubles and problems we face,”
Saakashvili said.
Also Russian president Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolences
to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on the occasion of the
death of Zurab Zhvania.
The OSCE Permanent Council held a minute’s silence on Thursday in
honor of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania after his unexpected
death.
The Chairman of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Janez Lenarcic
of Slovenia, said the Slovenian Chairmanship had learned with great
sadness of the Prime Minister’s death.
“We are deeply shocked by this tragic news,” he said. “Prime
Minister Zhvania was an important figure who played a leading role in
the transformation of Georgia and its development towards greater
democracy and economic reform.”
“He was also pivotal in the quest for a peaceful resolution of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, recently leading a constructive dialogue
with all sides.”
Reacting to the announcement of the death of the Georgian Prime
Minister Zurab Zhvania, Parliamentary Assembly President Rene van der
Linden and Secretary General Terry Davis declared that they had lost
a very close friend and expressed their deepest condolences to his
family and to the people of Georgia. ”Georgia has lost its Prime
Minister at a time when his energy, political skill and commitment to
European values would have been of crucial importance,” said Rene
van der Linden.

ArmenPress
Feb 3 2005

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER CONDOLE ON ZURAB ZHVANIA’S DEATH

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert
Kocharian has sent a message to his Georgian counterpart Mikhail
Saakashvili to offer his condolences on the death of prime minister
Zurab Zhvania.
“The news about the tragic death of prime minister Zurab Zhvania
has saddened us deeply. Our sympathies are with you. Zurab Zhvania’s
contribution to building an independent Georgia and strengthening
democracy is great. His role is deepening centuries-long relations
between Armenians and Georgians is invaluable. I express my personal
and all Armenians’ condolences to you and to Zurab Zhvania’s
relatives and friends,” the message reads.
A message of condolences was also sent by Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian to offer his sympathies on the tragic and untimely death of
Zurab Zhvania. The message reads as follows.
“The Armenian government expresses its deep condolences on the
tragic death of prime minister Zurab Zhvania. Together with our words
of deep sadness and regret it is painful to realize that an
extraordinary man, a gifted political and public figure who had
contributed greatly to building an independent and democratic Georgia
and to fostering friendship and cooperation with Armenia, passed away
in his flourishing age. His death is a great loss for all of us. We
mourn with you at this difficult hour and ask to convey our
sympathies to the relatives and friends of the decedent.”

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Feb 3 2005

The letters of Ataturk’s wife to remain closed

Professor Halacoglu proposed setting up an international committee to
discuss the Armenian issue.

Private letters written by the wife of the founder of the Turkish
Republic would not be made public, a leading Turkish historian
announced Thursday.

Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, the head of the Turk History Authority,
said that the family of Latife Hamin, the divorced wife of Mustaf
Kemal Ataturk had applied to the History Authority not have the
private letters disclosed. He said that the Authority could abide by
their wishes.

`This subject is a closed matter. We are the heirs of Ataturk. Our
releasing any matters that could cause harm cannot even be an issue,’
he said.

Latife was married to Ataturk for two and half years, with the
marriage ending in divorce. The ban over the publication Latife’s
letters was lifted by a court decision last month. The letters and
dairies had been preserved by the Turk History Authority and had been
sealed for 25 years in 1980.

ARMENIAN SOCIETY IS ONE OF SOCIETIES IN POST-SOVIET TERRITORY, WHICH
TREATS MOST DISTRUSTFULLY TOWARDS COUNTRY’s LEGAL SYSTEM

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3. ARMINFO. Armenian society is one of societies in
the post-soviet territory, which treats most distrustfully towards
country’s legal system. As Washington profile informs, the
International Foundation on Election Systems (IFES) has provided
numerous questionings in various former Soviet republics within a few
last years. Answering the question if they believe that country’s
legal system protect them against illegal actions of governmental and
private persons, 67% of Armenian people, 61% – of Azerbaijani, 84% –
of Kirghizia, 62% – of Ukraine responded negatively. 23% of Armenian,
33% of Azeris, 49% of Kirghizes, 17% of Russians and 30% of Uzbeks
faced with bribery. About 65% of Estonian citizens trust in country’s
legal system.

According to the source, a considerable part of legal reforms, carried
out in the former USSR, was financed by international and foreign
organizations. They allotted tens of millions of dollars as grants
and credits to the post-soviet countries. The World Bank, an
anti-corruption organization Transparency International, the
Association of American Lawyers, the USAID and the IFES implemented
the most large-scale programs. According to published data, the
insufficient legislative and legal base, peoples’ distrust towards
both the judicial authority and the state, corruptibility and
dependency of judges, poverty of people and high state tariffs on
juridical services, inadequate professional training of judges and
their low wages are the main problems of the legal sector which the
post-soviet republics face with.

The biggest loans on legal reforms were allotted to Russia – 58 mln
USD. Armenia was allotted 11.4 mln USD, Georgia – 13.4 mln USD,
Kazakhstan – 16.5 mln USD, Kirghizia – 350.000 USD, and Latvia –
280.000 USD.

“OCCUPIED AZERI TERRITORIES” MAY BE RETURNED ALREADY THIS YEAR: AZERI FM

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3. ARMINFO. Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov says that the
“occupied Azeri territories” may be returned already this year,
reports the Trend news agency.

This requires political and good will only, says Mamedyarov noting
that any solution to the Karabakh conflict will comply with
Azerbaijan’s national legislation as “nagorny Karabakh is part of
Azerbaijan’s territory.” Mamedyarov says that Azerbaijan will continue
its efforts to settle the conflict peacefully. He refuses to make
public Azerbaijan’s proposals at his Mar 2 Prague meeting with
Armenia’s FM Vardan Oskanyan.

4.2 POINT QUAKE REGISTERED IN TURKEY LAST NIGHT

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3. ARMINFO. A 4.2 point earthquake was registered in
Turkey last night.

The National Seismic Protection Service of Armenia reports that the
quake took place 18 km east of Akkyari. In the epicenter the shock was
5-6 point strong on 12 point MSK-64 scale. No casualties reported. To
remind, 3 quakes in a row shook Akkyari Jan 25 claiming human lives
and causing heavy destructions.