AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2004

MEETING OF PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND EMIR OF QATAR,
SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI
[November 30, 2004, 19:50:30]

A meeting of President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and Emir
of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was held at the
`Emir-Divan’ Palace on 30 November.

Expressing pleasure of meeting President Ilham Aliyev in his country,
Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said he was keen in
development of cooperation with Azerbaijan. The political relations
of our countries are high level, and current visit of the Azerbaijan
President will promote expansion of cooperation in other spheres as
well, he underlined.

Expressing gratitude for official invitation and sincere hospitality,
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said that there are good
opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries.

Emir of Qatar stated that this, first, would promote opening of
embassy in Doha, reciprocal visits of foreign ministers, as well as
of the businessmen of two states.

It was also stressed that Qatar has opportunity to invest in some
fields in Azerbaijan. As a result, it was agreed on invitation of
specialists, including physicians, sportsmen to Qatar.

President Ilham Aliyev reminded on rich and colossal financial
opportunities of Qatar, and said that the discussed questions should
be realized on concrete projects. The embassy of Azerbaijan should be
opened in the State of Qatar. Certain steps will be made on creating
of joint economic commission.

Head of the Azerbaijan State also touched the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, disclosed position of Azerbaijan in this
question. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude to the State of
Qatar for support of Azerbaijan’s position on the international
organizations, including in the UN and Organization of Islamic
Conference related to the settlement of the problem.

Mr. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said that Qatar stands ready to
cooperate with Azerbaijan in all fields.

Also was held exchange of views on a number of issues of mutual
interest.

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004

MHER SHAHGELDIAN BACK FROM UMP’S CONGRESS IN PARIS

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Mher Shahgeldian, the chairman
of an Armenian parliament committee on defense and national security
issues from Orinats Yerkir party and David Shahnazarian from
ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian’s Armenian National Movement (ANM)
were invited by France’s president Jacques Chirac’s governing Union
for a Popular Movement (UMP) party to attend its congress in Paris
that elected the outgoing French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy as
the new party head. President Chirac did not attend the congress, but
was represented by his wife, Bernadette.
Sarkozy replaces Chirac’s ally, Alain Juppe and is widely expected
to use the post to build up support for a presidential run in 2007
against Mr. Chirac, his former mentor. He won the party leadership
ballot comfortably, with 85% of the vote.
Back in Yerevan Shahgeldian told reporters today that on the
sidelines of the congress he had a meeting with the chairman of
France’s Senate Christian Poncelet to convey to him a message by
Armenian parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian.
He also said that Chirac’s decision to award the Legion of Honor
to Baghdasarian is the acknowledgment of his contribution to the
strengthening of Armenian-European ties.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004

HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: From 1988 to December 1, 2004,
304 HIV carriers were registered in the Republic of Armenia, 288 of
them are citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The trend towards
increasing the number of HIV infection cases has been observed in the
country.
The number of HIV infection cases registered here in the last 4
years in the Republic of Armenia constitutes 50% of all the cases
registered in the previous years. It is worth mentioning that already
53 cases of HIV infection have been registered this year, which
exceeds the number of HIV infection cases registered in any of the
previous years. Men constitute a prevailing part in the total number
of HIV carriers 224 cases (77.8%), women represent 64 cases (22.2%).
288 reported cases include 4 cases of HIV infection among children
(1.4%). Like the entire world, Armenia also has the tendency in the
growth of number of infected women. In 2004, 13 cases of HIV-infected
women were registered, which is unprecedented for the statistics of
the country. The majority of the HIV carriers (77.4%) belongs to the
age group of 20-39.
The main modes of transmission driving the epidemic in the
Republic of Armenia are transmission through injecting drug usage
(53.2%) and transmission through heterosexual practices (38.5%).
Besides, cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission as well as HIV
transmission through blood and homosexual contacts have also been
registered in our country.
Sixty HIV-infected individuals are diagnosed with AIDS (whereof 7
are women and 1 is a child), whereof 30 diagnoses have been made
during the last two years. From the beginning of the epidemic 45
cases of death (the cases include 7 women and 1 child), from HIV/AIDS
have been registered. More than one third of these cases have been
registered during the last two years. The number of cases of HIV
infection (53), AIDS (17) and death from AIDS-related illnesses (11)
registered in 2004 is the highest in comparison with the number of
the cases registered in any of the previous years.
The maximum number of HIV carriers was reported in Yerevan: 143
cases, which constitute 49.7% of all the registered cases. Lori Marz
is at second place – 23 cases, which constitute 8% of all the
registered cases. However, HIV/AIDS situation assessment has shown
that the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the
Republic is about 2800-3000.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

November 30, 2004
____________________

FAR FELLOWS SERVE AS PIONEERING PROFESSIONALS:
The Legacy of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Medical Fellowship Program

Volunteerism in Armenia?

Whoever says Armenians in Armenia do not have the mindset to volunteer
and help their brethren has not encountered the FAR Fellowship Alumni
Association (FAR FAA).

The most recent example of FAR FAA’s volunteerism is the October 10-13,
2004 follow-up medical mission to Karabagh, led by Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan,
a plastic reconstructive surgeon from Yerevan. In August, the team of
doctors examined more than 60 patients to select candidates for surgery
and provide medical care to young and old alike. During the October
mission, four surgeons performed 10 operations at the Shushi Hospital
and the Stepanakert Republican Hospital. Not only were services free,
the doctors also brought their own medical supplies for the mission.

In addition to performing the surgeries, Dr. Hovsep Shamakhyan, a burn
surgeon and Head of the Department of Combustiology in Yerevan,
conducted six lectures on burns treatment, infusion therapy, first aid
during burns, and post-burn rehabilitation. Dr. Yaghjyan also presented
a lecture on the use of flaps for the treatment of burn defects.
Participants attending the FAR FAA seminars, promoted by Karabagh’s
Ministry of Health, included doctors and staff from regional hospitals.

Legacy of FAR’s Medical Fellowship Program

In 2000, close to 80 Armenian physicians formed FAR FAA, a nonprofit
organization composed of the leading healthcare professionals in Armenia
who selflessly work to improve the healthcare system, advance the
medical sciences in Armenia, and provide free medical care for orphans
and indigents. The alumni association is a testament to the giving,
caring spirit of all Armenians.

FAR FAA’s founding members are the participants in FAR’s Medical
Fellowship Program. Between 1990 and 1998, these Armenian doctors
received three months training in (a) medical training – learning the
latest western medical techniques and specialties, or (b) health care
management – learning the modern concepts of organization, support,
finance and administration of hospitals at the University of California
Los Angeles, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Cornell University
Medical Center, and the University of Michigan Medical Center under the
patronage of FAR.

Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, Vice Chairman of the FAR Board of Directors and
Chairman of FAR’s Medical Committee, directed the FAR Fellowship
Program. “I am extremely pleased with this group of young men and
women. They are taking what they saw and the lessons they learned here
in the U.S. and applying them in Armenia. They are proud to be Armenian
and helping the Armenian people,” said Dr. Housepian. “It reflects well
on FAR too, that, years later, our program has evolved independently and
is resulting in good works and volunteerism in Armenia.” Dr. Housepian
continues to maintain regular contact with the Fellows, three of whom
have served as Armenia’s Minister of Health.

FAR FAA’s Accomplishments

In less than four years, FAR FAA has established the Armenian Diabetes
Association, an epilepsy clinic, a neurological center, and cancer
clinics. It has promoted the specialization of neuromuscular disease,
provided support for laparoscopic surgery, and authored articles and
books on medical practices and discoveries.

FAR FAA has hosted or co-sponsored several health seminars, conferences,
symposiums and training programs in Armenia and partnered with other
professional associations and international and charitable foundations.
Last year, with a successful grant proposal, it launched the Salzburg
Medical Seminars, a joint venture with the Austrian American Foundation
and the Open Society Institute, a part of the Soros Foundation network,
to help the next generation of Armenia’s doctors gain access to
fellowship opportunities and participate in international professional
organizations.

Today, FAR FAA membership has expanded to include other motivated
doctors in Armenia who did not partake in the FAR Medical Fellowship
Program but care about the welfare of their communities and country.
For more information about FAR FAA, please visit its websites:
medlib.am/welcome.html and

About FAR

FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,
with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 15 years, FAR has
implemented various relief, development, social, educational, and
cultural projects valued at more than $250 million. It is the
preeminent relief and development organization operating there.

For more information on FAR and our medical and health projects, contact
us at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150,
fax (212) 889-4849; , [email protected].

— 11/30/04

E-mail photos available upon request.

CAPTION1: FAR FAA members Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan, Dr. Hovsep Shamakhyan,
Dr. Mushegh Israelyan, and Dr. David Barseghyan traveled to Shushi and
Stepanakert on a medical mission. Here, they are preparing the
operating room, checking the integrity of equipment and collecting sets
of instruments for the surgeries.

CAPTION2: Dr. Shamakhyan conducted six one-hour lectures in the
auditorium of the Stepanakert Maternity House on topics such as burns
treatment, infusion therapy, first aid during burns, and post-burn
rehabilitation. Dr. Yaghjyan also presented a lecture on the use of
flaps for the treatment of burn defects.

CAPTION3: Two surgeons taking a break between surgeries on the FAR FAA
medical mission to Karabagh.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004

ALAN HOVHANES CHAMBER MUSIC ORCHESTRA MARKS 20-TH ANNIVERSARY

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian chamber orchestra
that was renamed two years ago as Alan Hovhanes Chamber Orchestra,
convened a news conference today to say that it has become 20 years
old. The orchestra has been performing largely the music composed by
Alan Hovhaness, a prolific US-born composer with Armenian blood, who
melded Western and Asian musical styles to create a unique melodic
blend of his own.
Hovhaness wrote more than 400 pieces, including at least nine
operas, two ballets, more than 60 symphonies, and more than 100
chamber pieces. He was born Alan Chamakjian, in Somerville,
Massachusetts, in 1911. His mother was Scottish and his father, an
Armenian chemistry professor.
An American concert pianist Martin Berkovsky who is in Yerevan to
play a concert here, said he was impressed greatly by Armenian music.

WHAT BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED BY STATE SUPPORT?

Azg/arm
01 Dec 04

Numerous books are published in Armenia daily. Part of them is printed
by state support. Gurgen Poghosian, deputy head of Publishing agency,
described the mechanism of printing a book by state support in the
following way: “In the beginning an announcement is given in the
newspapers and the authors bring the originals of their pieces to the
agency. The agency submits the list of the books to the Literature
Committee at RA Culture Ministry for consideration”.

“The abovementioned committee selects the books that are to be
published by the state support, taking into account the value and the
volume of the piece, the price of the books and other criteria,”
Mr. Poghosian emphasized. The list of the selected books is approved
by the government’s special decree. Mr. Poghosian gave general
information on the published books. According to these data, in 2003
150 books with the circulation of 122.600 copies were published by
state support. There were 63 books for children (66500 copies, 40
million AMD), 3 books on encyclopedic literature (2500 copies, 28
million AMD), 15 books on scientific-popular literature (10500 copies,
22,6 million AMD). In fact, 105,6 million AMD were spent on book
publishing in 2003.

In 2004 the following books were published. 165 books with the
circulation of 72,950 copies in total within the framework of 97,5
million AMD and additional 11 million AMD for anniversary
literature. There were 17 books for children (28.500 copies, 30
million AMD), 9 encyclopedic books (10.900 copies, 28 million AMD), 27
books on scientific popular literature (11.000 copies, 15 million
AMD), 58 books on other literature (22.500 copies, 24,5 million
AMD). In fact, the number of the books published this year increased
by 15% compared with 2003.

Mr. Poghosian gave the list of the books published this year. They
published the following books for children: Ghazaros Aghayan’s
“Aregakan”, short stories by Vazgen Sargsian, Narek Hovsepian’s “The
Brave Hunters”, Hovhannes Tumanian’ s “The Dog and the Cat.” The
agency released the following encyclopedic books: “The History of
Armenian Art,” by Hravard Hakobian, the catalogue ofRA National
Picture Gallery “The Sculpture at RA National Picture Gallery”. Among
the scientific-popular literature the book by Stepan Poghosian “The
History of the Armenian Cause and Armenian Genocide”, (third volume),
Azat Yeghiazarian’s “Essays of the XX Century Armenian Literature,” as
well as Silva Kapoutikian’s selected works, Perch Zeitountsiants’
“Nightmares” novel, Zory Balayan’s “Selection of Articles,” “Poems,
Prose, Articles, Speeches, Letters,” by Mark Shagal.

By Gohar Gevorgian

YVES TERNON: TURKISH HISTORIANS ARE NOT HONEST TODAY EITHER

Azg/arm
01 Dec 04

The French Le Mond newspaper published noted French scholar Yves
Ternon’s interview after the Venice scientific conference late in
October. Below we present the interview.

– How did it happen that Yves Ternon, the surgeon, became a noted
historian studying genocides?

– This is an extensive process that has been continuing for 40 years
now. As a surgeon I was worried over the heinous experiments of nazi
doctors during the WW II. I found out that they were totally connected
with the Jewish Holocaust. I began reviewing into the matter together
with my friend Dr. Socrat Hellmann and after having worked for 10
years I switched to the Armenian Cause. I say “Armenian Cause” as I
was not sure at the time that I deal with genocide. I could not
suppose that I will face the phenomenon of negation that gradually
enlarges resulting today in nonsensical situations. Getting deeper
into the issue of Armenian Genocide I could not overlook the fact any
more. Later onI tried to include the issue of genocide definition into
the context of 20-century atrocities. It is obvious that the two
mentioned cases (with Armenians and Jews) as well as the actions
against Tutsis in Rwanda are undoubtedly described as
genocide. Concerning the atrocities committed by Red Khmers in
Cambodia and the famine of 1932-33 in Ukraine, I can only say that
they need to be investigated. I think that professionalism comes out
in tough spheres. Thatis the reason why I will limit my comparative
analysis’ circle with only the three mentioned genocides that will
give us the chance for a better understandingof genocides.

– Did not your profession of surgeon enable you do suchlike
researches?

– Not at all. By the way, that was due to my friends that I became
doctor of history, not out of vanity but wishing to be a reliable
specialist.

– Could you please tell about Venice scientific conference that took
place at the end of October? Where did the initiative come?

– The conference was held on October 28-30. Father Zekiyan, former
member of Mkhitarian Congregation, and Prof. Rigoy of Chini Foundation
were the initiators. There were 20 scientists participating. We were
hosted in San Giorno Majore Island. The aim of the meeting was to
discuss the history of Armenian-Turkish relations. There were
participants from Armenia, USA (Ruben Adalian), Canada (Prof. Frank
Cholt), Israel (Prof. Charney), France (Ramón Gevorgian and me).
There were scientists from Italy as well. Everything would be fine but
for few braggart and provoking Turks. I don’t mean Mr. Zaraqolu and
Taner Akcam, of course, they are independent historians, but I mean
those scientists from Ankara and Istanbul. Hence, Prof. Bektay made a
challenging speech saying that the principle of Armenian Genocide is
not a subject of discussion. He said that Turkey is not ready to
recognize Armenian Genocide, and that only progressive minds in Turkey
speak about the Genocide. He said that Turkey needs to become EN
member firstly and only then bring up such issues. That was simply a
trap. It ‘s known that anyone mentioning the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey is to get 10 years of imprisonment according to the 305 article
of the constitution. In my speech I spoke about state negationism
comparing Armenian Genocide with the Holocaust and the genocide of
Tutsis in Rwanda. Bektay became blush. He showed few documents
evidently abridged saying that he does not deny the fact of the
Genocide. Whereas, it is banned to talk of Genocide in Turkey’s
universities. German Prof. Geunz defended pastor Lepsius’ position. I
told one ofthe professors from Ankara that he does not comprehend the
essence of the Genocide. There may be no compromising, either you
recognize the Genocide or you do not. I urged Prof. Bektay to inform
his masters that denial is not the best way.

We learnt during the conference that there are two positions in
Turkey, both governmental. First one is more hard-handed and prohibits
any recognition, the second one tends to bury the hatchet but gains
time till December 17 when the EU is to publish its report on starting
accession talks with Turkey. Such a speculation is very worrying. Many
traps have been set.

Despite all these the conference was on a high level. Speeches will be
published soon.

– So the conference did not turn into political debate?

– No, our work was intellectual in essence. But there were still two
opinions. Firstly, any time we raise the issue of the Armenian
Genocide we find ourselves in politics and face hard-edged and dirty
negation. Secondly, dialogue with Turkish intelligentsia from Turkey,
i.e. people depending on the authorities, became impossible. It’s hard
to believe, alas, that there are honest scientists among the Turkish
intelligentsia today.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
November 30, 2004 Tuesday

78 nationalities represented at congress in Moscow

By Olga Kostromina, Yelena Dorofeyeva

MOSCOW

The second congress of the Union of Diasporas in Russia opened in
Moscow on Tuesday. The delegates suggested forming a public chamber
of nationalities.

“We are concerned that ethnic minorities are not represented in
federal agencies,” Union President Vartan Mushegyan told Itar-Tass.
“The public body, which may be established under the Federation
Council, will protect the rights and interests of small peoples and
ethnic groups,” he said.

Seventy-eight nationalities sent their delegates to the congress,
including the Georgian, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Tajik, Korean,
Kurdish, Assyrian, Chinese and Talysh communities, Mushegyan said. He
said heads of leagues of small peoples and ethnic groups of north and
south Russia had also come to attend the congress.

Deputy Secretary General of the League of Northern Peoples Yuri
Timokhin told Itar-Tass the League is made up of representatives of
30 peoples, whose total strength is 200,000. The largest ethnic group
is Nenets (34,000), while only several dozens of ethnic Yukagir are
left.

The demographic crisis, the nationalities policy and problems of
migrants will be discussed at the forum. The League of Northern
Peoples wants to discuss “the release of textbooks in the languages
of small peoples and preservation of folk medicine, which is the way
of their survival,” Timokhin said. “We are also concerned about
difficulties in the translation of literature of small peoples into
the Russian language. For instance, Ohio University has recently
translated several works of the kind into English, but Russia does
not show any interest in literature of northern peoples.”

A new media project will be announced at the forum. The TV Rainbow
program will be launched on television in 2005 to give information
about small peoples.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
November 30, 2004 Tuesday

Construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline begins

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

The construction of a gas pipeline from Iran to Armenia began in the
highland village of Agarak on Tuesday. Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan attended the ceremony.

The 40-kilometer-long gas pipeline sector in Armenia is being built
with a $30 million loan of Iran, a source in the Armenian government
press service told Itar-Tass. The loan agreement was signed during an
official visit of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Yerevan in
September 2004.

The construction of the gas pipeline began simultaneously in Armenia
and Iran. One hundred kilometers of the pipeline will be laid in Iran
from Tabriz to the border of Armenia’s Megri district. Gas systems of
Armenia and Iran will unite when the gas pipeline is ready in January
2007.

The initial capacity of the gas pipeline will make 1.1 billion cubic
meters a year, and it will increase to 2.3 billion cubic meters by
2019, the source said. That would require laying 197 kilometers of a
gas pipeline from southeast Armenia to central Armenia between
Kadzharan, Sisian, Dzhermuk and Ararat. Negotiations with possible
investors are underway.

The gas pipeline from Iran will strengthen the energy security of
Armenia, the source said.

An Agarak-Shinuair power line was commissioned in southeast Armenia
on Tuesday. The Armenian Energy Ministry says the power line will
double the delivery of Armenian electricity to Iran to 400 megawatt.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
November 30, 2004 Tuesday

Karabakh conflict must be settled through dialogue, intl mediation

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Igor Ivanov said a settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be found through dialogue
between the parties, with active international mediation.

Ivanov made the statement at the 10th meeting of national security
chiefs of the member-states of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO).

“There are mechanisms which are expected to contribute to the search
for a political settlement of conflicts, including the one in Nagorno
Karabakh,” he said, adding that Russia will continue to provide
assistance within the framework of existing mechanisms.

In his view, the present-day task is to use mediating functions to a
greater extent, which are performed by the OSCE trio (Russia, France
and the United States), and promote further dialogue between the
parties.

Ivanov noted the positive fact that the Armenian-Azerbaijani dialogue
“does take place, including at the top level.” There is no need to
introduce the elements that can complicate the development of this
dialogue, he underlined.