`THE GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION OF THIS YEAR WILL BE A NIGHTMARE FOR TURKEY’
Azg/arm
5 Feb 05
Turkish Newspaper Alarm
Mehmet Ali Birandi, a famous Turkish publicist, warned the Turkish
society on January 4 in Turkish Daily News. “A huge tsunami is
approaching our shores”, wrote Birandi, “I can almost hear it. The sky
is getting darker and the water on the shore is retreating. The
tsunami I am talking about comes as a result of the earthquake among
the Armenian Diaspora and will soon be upon us. If the necessary
precautions are not taken in a timely manner, we might face a huge
calamity. We might never recover. The reason why this tsunami formed
is that on April 24, 2005 is the 90th anniversary of the symbolic date
of the Armenian genocide allegations”.
In a press conference to sum up the achievements of Armenian diplomacy
in 2004 foreign minister Vartan Oskanian confirmed that the
aftereffects of the ` tsunami’ will be alarming for Turkey. He
said that the year of 2005when the Armenian nation commemorates the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is the most proper time to
draw international community’s attention to theissue which is still
actual in many states of the world.
A month later after Birandi’s statement, on February 4, another
Turkish journalists, Oktay Eqshi, warns the Turkish government from
the pages of Hyuriet. But Eqshi does not use terms indicating natural
disasters to describe the threat Turkey face, instead comparing the
coming commemoration with a nightmare.
“As you know, the 90th anniversary of Armenian genocide, as Armenians
call it, will be marked this year on April 24. As the date approaches
we will face more claims, accusations and decisions. The foreign
minister of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, held forth at an arrangement
dedicated to 60th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation showing that the
Armenians are getting ready for serious activities”.
Alarming of `the coming nightmares’ he poses a question, “What
shall we do?” and answers: “We rejoiced when the Armenians refused to
come to Vienna to exchange documents with Turkish scientists. During
this time the voice of Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, president of Turkish
History Foundation, grew loader. He said: ‘Turkey has to take a
shocking step’. Hiqmet Ozdemir,head of the Center of Armenian Studies,
echoed saying that he is ready to take that step. The Armenians are
united in their actions. Reliable sources inform that they organize 30
thousand arrangements annually to convince the world of the genocide
and allocate $50 million for that purpose”.
Author of the article withholds the names of reliable sources and
incidentally sates addressing Turkish authorities: “Don’t get
surprised if the Bush administration proposes the Congress to take a
decision on `Acknowledgement of the Genocide’. And don’t say
`where did this disaster come?’ if England, Germany, Switzerland
and other states join the US. The French will say in this case: `
You will not join the EU unless you have not apologized to Armenians
as the Germans did to Jews’. There will come a point when they will
demandto `make amends to the Armenians following the Germans’
example’. Ifthey are not satisfied with the amends they may snitch
half of Anatolia calling it `restitution of lands belonging to
Armenians'”.
Oktay Eqshi rounds off appealing to regain consciousness. What does he
mean? If it is an appeal to push ahead the policy of negation then
the Turks should understand that Birandi’s `Armenian tsunami’ and
Eqshi’s `coming nightmare’ are the very results of negation. If
it is an appeal for the Turkish authorities to `take the
offensive in the genocide issue’ then for this goal either they need
to have a firmer ground.
By Hakob Chakrian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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02/04/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenian American Republicans Participate in Presidential Inauguration Week Celebration 2) Rep. Costa Joins Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus 3) Karabagh Drafts Law on Dual Citizenship 4) Armenian Monument Desecrated in Krasnodar 5) ANCA Releases Cutting-edge Capital Gateway Program DVD 6) Horizon to Mark 15th Anniversary with Celebratory Events 7) United Human Rights Council Conducts Fact Strip Distribution 8) Early Gorky Works Break New Ground 9) ARS AIDS Project Receives Grant Extension 10) Ambassador John Evans to Speak at UCLA 11) Second Pan Armenian Film Festival in Armenia 12) Chamlian Student Participates in Presidential Inauguration 13) Who's the Qualified Candidate? 1) Armenian American Republicans Participate in Presidential Inauguration Week Celebration --Kick-off Era of Closer ties with the Administration during New Term WASHINGTON, DC--Armenian American Republicans from around the country came to the Nation's Capital on Presidential Inauguration week in January to celebrate President George W. Bush's re-election and to step up activities with the Republican Party, reported the National Organization of Republican Armenians (NORA). From the main Inauguration Balls to the State sponsored functions throughout the week, Republican Armenians participated in a wide array of functions. For many, the trip to Washington was a family affair. NORA Board Member Ara Bedrosian and wife, Sandy, traveled to the Capital with parents and long-time Republican issues supporters John and Asdghig Bedrosian to join in the festivities. They were joined by their daughter, Ani Bedrosian, who is currently participating in the ANCA Capital Gateway Program and interning with Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ). "It was indeed a pleasure to participate in inaugural activities this week and celebrate George Bush's re-election," noted Ara Bedrosian. "The Armenian American participation at this and other Republican functions continues to grow each time. The next four years will be a terrific opportunity to build on existing relationships with the Republican leadership in an effort to promote closer US-Armenia economic ties and address the key concerns of our community," concluded Bedrosian, who also serves on the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Board. Michigan activists Charles and Tulie Yessaian joined their son Chuck Yessaian Jr. in attending functions throughout the week. Chuck Yessaian was recently hired as legislative director for Michigan Freshman Congressman Joe Schwarz after serving as legislative assistant with Michigan House colleague Fred Upton. Massachusetts Republican State Committeeman Bob Semonian spoke with a number of key officials at the inaugural functions including close friend, Bush Administration Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and several Senate and House Republicans including House Freshman Republican Class Leader Michael McCaul (R-TX), South Carolina Congressman Bob Inglis, and Ohio Senators George Voinovich and Mike DeWine. Semonian was recently appointed Chairman of Ethnic Outreach for the State of Massachusetts. He has been a delegate to last seven Republican National Conventions. Semonian was joined on the trip by Bob Avakian, outgoing Chairman of the Planning Board of Bedford, MA. Florida Republicans Jim and Martha Batmasian participated in the week's activities, including the Florida Ball. In the past, Martha Batmasian was a Republican Candidate for State Senate in Massachusetts. Among others seen at the Republican galas include US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration Deputy Administrator John Jamian, former Connecticut State Representative Brian Flaherty, and a host of Armenian American Congressional staff members including Steve Karapetian, legislative assistant with Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA); Elise Aronson, Chief of Staff for Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ); Keith Nahigian, on staff with Sen. John McCain. 2) Rep. Costa Joins Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus Newly Elected Congressman from Fresno to Continue His Strong Support of Constituent Issues FRESNO--Central California Democrat Jim Costa (20th Dist.) became the most recent in a line of Representatives who have become members of the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus. He joins Representatives Jeb Bradley (R-NH), Ben Chandler (R-KY), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), and Joe Schwarz (R-MI), all of whom have added their names to the Caucus in the 109th Session of Congress. Rep. Costa, who was elected to Congress by a 53-47 margin last November, was endorsed by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) based on his long record of support as a State Legislator on issues of concern to Armenian Americans in the Central Valley. The ANCA's endorsement, coupled with the ANC-Fresno's dissemination of this news to Armenian American voters in Fresno, rallied the Armenian community to support Costa for Congress. "Rep. Costa has been a staunch supporter of our issues for a long time," stated Hygo Ohanessian, who chairs ANC-Fresno. "Really, this is a person who should be on the Caucus given his history with the Armenian American community that he represents. His constituents will be as glad as I am to learn the news," concluded Ohanessian. Rep. Costa grew up in the Valley with Armenian farmers such as the Koligian family. Congressman Costa has carried the bond that tied his family to the Fresno Armenian community throughout his 24-year legislative career. As early as February 2004, then candidate Costa committed to joining the Armenian Issues Caucus if elected to Congress when he met with representatives of the local ANC at the Armenian Center in Fresno. Established in 1995 and co-chaired by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus is a bipartisan forum for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds between the American and Armenian peoples. 3) Karabagh Drafts Law on Dual Citizenship STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)--Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) has drafted a law that would allow citizens to carry dual citizenship. The republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Arman Melikian said that draft laws on MKR's diplomatic service and consulate services have also been developed, so as to coordinate the Ministry's foreign policy and its mission to protect the right of MKR citizens in foreign countries. He also revealed the laws were drafted based on the international conventions and legislation. 4) Armenian Monument Desecrated in Krasnodar KRASNODAR (Combined Sources)--Vandals desecrated a monument dedicated to Armenians who founded the town of Budenovsk in Russia's southern province of Stavropol. The monument is housed in a complex dedicated the Founding Fathers of the City of Soorp Khach (Holy Cross). Officially dedicated in October 2004, the complex houses an 8 meter-high arch, a khachkar (cross-stone), and a stone composition. Krasnodar's Yerkramas newspaper reported that the vandalism may be the result of recent anti-Caucasus sentiments in the area, or is an act by a cult. Sanctioned by Russian Emperor Paul I, The city of Soorp Khach (Holy Cross, now Budennovsk) was founded in 1799 by Armenians and others who believed in the Armenian faith. 5) ANCA Releases Cutting-edge Capital Gateway Program DVD --New "Hovig Apo Saghdejian" fellows start work in Washington, DC --"Youth of a Nation" interactive DVD gives an insider look at innovative job placement program WASHINGTON, DC--With the release this week of a interactive DVD, recent Armenian university graduates have a new way to learn about the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Capital Gateway Program and its groundbreaking efforts to help open doors to political and media related job opportunities in the nation's Capital. The "Youth of a Nation" 10-minute video highlighting the benefits and successes of the program, features interviews with Members of Congress and program graduates, as well as a host of resources for future applicants. Prepared by the ANCA Western Region office and unveiled at its annual gala in Los Angeles, "Youth of a Nation" gives potential applicants and supporters a chance to meet Capital Gateway fellows, hear first hand about how the program works, and benefit from their experiences looking for jobs in Washington, DC. Young film-maker and MTV "Rock-the-Vote" veteran Ara Soudjian and ANCA Western Region Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian traveled to the Capital to speak to Capital Gateway staff, participants as well as Members of Congress to give a complete picture of the unique program. The DVD Capital Gateway Education project was made possible through a charitable contribution by Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrosian. In addition to the documentary, the Capital Gateway DVD includes an extensive photo gallery featuring Capital Gateway participants, past and present, as well as necessary application forms, additional information about the program and its successes and an on-line method to support the program. "Youth of a Nation" has already been shown at meetings with the UCLA Armenian Students Association as well as several Southern California College Campuses. Launched in August 2003, through a generous donation from the Cafesjian Family Foundation, the ANCA Capital Gateway Program assists Armenian Americans across the US in finding job opportunities on Capitol Hill or other government offices, the media, and think tanks in Washington, DC The program builds on the successful 20-year old ANCA "Leo Sarkisian" summer internship program, which has brought hundreds of youth leaders to Washington, DC to learn about the American political process and the growing role Armenian Americans play in advancing a broad range of advocacy issues. Qualified Capital Gateway Program Fellows are provided free housing and full use of ANCA facilities and staff support in their quest for the right job or internship in the Nation's Capital. More than 20 participants in the program have secured positions in a myriad of locations including with Members of Congress, US Chamber of Commerce, Export-Import Bank, Congressional Quarterly, Center for the Prevention of Genocide, and the American Civil Liberties Union. "Hovig Apo Saghdejian" Fellows Arrive in Washington, DC The Winter 2004 Capital Gateway Program Fellows include two "Hovig Apo Saghdejian" fellows from Southern California--Ani Bedrossian and Andrew Gregorian. Bedrosian, a recent graduate from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, is currently interning with House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism Chairman Jim Saxton (R-NJ). Gregorian, a UCLA graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, who arrived in the program just last week, is currently interviewing for several positions on Capitol Hill. A third "Hovig Apo Saghdejian" fellow, Serouj Aprahamian of Orange County, California, recently completed a three-month tenure as a volunteer in the ANCA office, and has returned to contribute to the advocacy efforts of his local Armenian Youth Federation chapter. The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship of the Capital Gateway Program was created and named in memory of the young man, who perished in an automobile accident in June 2004. The Fellowship fund has collected nearly $60,000 to date through the loving efforts of Hovig's parents, Apo and Rosine Saghedejian, and sister Nayiri. This fund will, on an ongoing basis, sponsor fellows, by covering their housing and providing a full range of support services - from improving the design of their resumes and sharpening their interview skills, to making the right introductions and integrating them into the growing network of Armenian American public policy professionals in the nation's capital. "These fine young Armenians, Serouj, Ani, and Andrew - and all those that will follow - honor Hovig's legacy of respect for our Armenian heritage and commitment to community service," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "Even at an early age, in the very best tradition of our long history, Hovig understood the critical importance of each generation contributing to the future of the Armenian nation. He rebuilt homes in Armenia, strengthened our community here in the United States, and got involved in local political campaigns. His young life was cut short by tragedy - and we were all deprived of a lifetime of service, love and friendship. Hovig's loss remains a painful tragedy for our community, in Fresno and around the country. He remains in our prayers, and, although the pain will never pass, we draw a measure of comfort, knowing that, in his memory, scores of young Armenians will make great contributions to our future as a nation." Hovig Apo Saghdejian was born on December 31, 1980 in Fresno, California. An active member of a number of community organizations, including the Armenian National Committee of America, Homenetmen Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, the Armenian Youth Federation and the Land and Culture Organization, he contributed to the welfare of the Armenian American community and reinforced his commitment to his Homeland. He visited Armenia with the Land and Culture Organization, and traveled to Beirut, Lebanon with the Hamazkayin Cultural Society to broaden his cultural understanding. At an early age, Hovig was already politically active, volunteering with the office of Congressman George Radanovich and State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian on campaign and public policy projects. In addition to the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship, the Capital Gateway program has received substantial support from longtime ANCA benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Barbara Hekimian and the Armenian American Veterans Post of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO). Founded in 1946 by returning veterans of World War II and later expanded to include veterans of the Korean War, the AAVO has been a devoted contributor to community organizations and projects. They have been recognized for their generosity in newspapers, official proclamations, and through the appreciation of the many recipients of their humanitarian gifts. Members of Congress Encourage Graduates to Come to Washington The Capital Gateway Program continues to receive praise from Members of Congress, who have urged graduates to take advantage of all the program has to offer. Speaking on camera in "Youth of a Nation," Rep. Anna Eshoo, an outspoken activist on Armenian American concerns who is of Armenian and Assyrian ancestry, urged young politically minded individuals to apply. "If there were an offer on the table to come to Washington, DC, the power center of the world, work in the Congress--not outside by inside the tent--in an office internship. If you have that offer--with housing taken care of--with the internship being created--why wouldn't you take advantage of it? . . . The Capital Gateway means that the gates will swing open, they have already been prepared for you, come here, learn, grow and have it be a substantive part of your life." Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) pointed the benefits of the Program. "It's just a great experience because you see the actual workings of Congress. You learn how bills are put together, how they respond to constituents. You certainly, as an Armenian American, would learn to what extent people have knowledge of Armenian issues." Rep. Pallone also noted the importance increasing the number of Armenian Americans active on Capital Hill. "It's a great learning experience obviously for the individual, for the young person, but I also think it helps the Members of Congress and other staff because the whole idea is that there is an Armenian American face so that people can see some of the areas of concern are and interact with people of all ethnic groups." Southern California Representatives Adam Schiff and Diane Watson were equally enthusiastic about the program. "This is a gateway to the Capital. It's just a great way for young people to come out and test the waters and see if this is the right challenge for them," explained Rep. Schiff in speaking to the "Youth of a Nation" team. "If you are just out of college and you are looking towards the future in terms of a career, come to the nation's capital. If you are not decided yet as to what you want to do, but you have that education, come and take a look. And maybe you can come back and take my seat, or a seat in the Senate, or--who knows--you could be President. That opportunity is there for you. So I invite you to come," said Rep. Watson. 6) Horizon to Mark 15th Anniversary with Celebratory Events GLENDALE--In celebration of Horizon 24 Hour Armenian TV's 15th anniversary, a number of festive events have been planned to mark the momentous occasion. After an initial kick off party, the festivities will continue with a Gala Concert on February 27, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The extraordinary lineup includes special guests from Armenia Ara Gevorkian, popular Armenian musician and composer Nune Badalian, well-known soprano Arsen Grigorian, as well as Armen Movsesyan, Hovhannes Shahbazian, Armen Hayorti, and Rima Carapetyan. The Annual Banquet will take place at the Renaissance Banquet Hall on March 11, followed by a Night of Cultural Festivities at the Alex Theater on March 22. An invitation only event, this night will provide an opportunity for Horizon to express its gratitude to all those who have supported the station in all its endeavors. Horizon 24 Hour Armenian TV, the largest and most diversified media corporation in the United States and throughout the Armenian world, began as a half hour weekly program and grew to become a 24 hour station with national and international programming. Broadcast primarily in Armenian, Horizon offers Armenian-Americans across North America an exciting lineup of diverse programming from the diaspora and Armenia. With its concentration on providing comprehensive news, the channel produces nearly 80% of its programs, as well as a variety of documentaries. Horizon offers the best assortment of news, movies, music, talk shows, and children's shows that are uniquely Armenian. Designed to reflect the needs and interests of the Armenian-American community, Horizon is committed to delivering superior programming. With an unrivaled supply of news footage from around the world through correspondents in Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspora, as well as television news agencies such as APTN, Reuters TV, and local news agencies, Horizon is the leading news source covering world and domestic affairs from the Armenian perspective. 7) United Human Rights Council Conducts Fact Strip Distribution GLENDALE--In its first large-scale fact strip distribution of 2005, the United Human Rights Council (UHRC) members visited Armenian grocery stores in both Glendale and Pasadena on January 29, providing them with informative flyers about human rights abuses committed by the Turkish government. Store clerks and managers were urged to place the flyers on their check-out counters for customers to pick up. According to Ani Garibyan, one of the organizers of Saturday's action, the UHRC regularly carries out such fact strip distributions in order to raise the awareness of Armenian consumers' susceptible to buying Turkish products. `We figure that if we want to stop Armenians from buying Turkish products, the best thing to do is to directly go to the stores where they shop,' stated Garibyan. Several store owners received the fact strips enthusiastically, with some even insisting on putting them in the grocery bags of customers. In addition, the UHRC members conducted a survey of Armenian shoppers at the stores they visited, asking them a series of questions regarding Turkish products being sold in Armenian stores, including whether or not they realized that the Turkish government receives tax revenue from companies exporting such products to the US. The results will be used to help structure future campaigns aimed towards ridding Turkish products from Southern California stores. The United Human Rights Council (UHRC), by means of action on a grassroots level, works toward correcting the human rights violations of those governments who distort, deny, and delude their own history to disguise past and present genocides, massacres, and human rights violations. The UHRC is a collective of concerned citizens, including a diverse spectrum of members and supporters from various community-based organizations and student associations of universities and colleges. 8) Early Gorky Works Break New Ground Los Angeles Exhibit Extended Through Feb. 2005 LOS ANGELES--Arshile Gorky, widely regarded as one of the most pivotal and significant artists in the development of 20th century American art, became a lightning rod for other artists in the late 1920s and early 30s, sparking the genesis of what was to become the "New York School" and setting the course of modern art in America. Now, in a ground-breaking exhibition "Arshile Gorky--The Early Years," Jack Rutberg Fine Arts in Los Angeles is showing 66 rare works by Gorky from a private collection, most of which have never been exhibited before. This exhibition, one of the largest exhibits of Gorky's works ever presented outside of a museum, breaks new ground in addressing Gorky's earliest stylistic development. "Arshile Gorky--The Early Years" offers new references and insights into this legendary artist during his seminal period as he explored the avant garde sensibilities of the time. As Melvin P. Lader (widely regarded as the eminent scholar on the work of Arshile Gorky and author of numerous books on Gorky and abstract expressionism) notes in this exhibition catalogue's text: "As a group, the drawings and paintings mirror Gorky's stylistic evolution, up to the point in the late 1930s when he began to truly digest and synthesize so many of his early influences on the verge of finding his own unique language and style. Examples of his absorption of Analytic Cubism, Synthetic Cubism, and aspects of Surrealism are plentiful among these works...and they offer us the rare opportunity to view a good number...from a very fertile period of his artistic career." The exhibition has been made possible due to the long-standing friendship between Gorky and the Swiss-born American artist Hans Burkhardt, who shared a studio with Gorky in New York for many years, and acquired a formidable collection of Gorky's early works. Lader notes that the "Burkhardt collection Gorky drawings provides a rather unique opportunity to see the artist's art and ideas evolve within an important period of his artistic transformation. Drawings, by their very nature, register the artist's first impulses in creating a work. As such, they can often be of enormous value in understanding how an artist thinks and in tracing the various stages through which his art has progressed." "Arshile Gorky: The Early Years" is currently exhibited at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts gallery, 357 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, through February, 2005. The exhibition is accompanied by a 96-page text with 103 color illustrations, and an essay by Dr. Lader, who co-curated the recent major retrospective of Gorky drawings at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York, and the Menil Collection in Houston. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 to 5:00 pm or by appointment. A portfolio sampling of Arshile Gorky's exhibition may be viewed at the gallery's web site: 9) ARS AIDS Project Receives Grant Extension WATERTOWN, MAThe Central Executive Board of the Armenian Relief Society, Inc. (ARS) recently announced that the HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Project at the ARS Mother and Child Clinic in Akhurian, Armenia has been granted an extension. The project, funded by a grant from the World AIDS Foundation, is a collaborative effort between the ARS and the University of Massachusetts (UM) at Worcester. The purpose of the project is to develop a decentralized model of HIV/AIDS education and prevention that can be replicated throughout Armenia and possibly in other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. In addition, it begins to establish a climate that will support HIV health care delivery in the near future. Project team members include UM Medical School assistant professor Dr. Carol Bova, ARS Mother and Child Clinic director Dr. Sevak Avagyan, UM Memorial Healthcare HIV Clinic Nurse Manager/Nurse Practitioner Carol Jaffarian who is also a member of the ARS; and ARS Mother and Child Clinic executive director Dr. Mkhitar Mkhitaryan. Built in the region of Armenia devastated by the 1988 earthquake, the ARS Mother and Child Clinic, the first licensed and registered privately owned medical facility in Armenia, became operational in May 1997. Providing the 22,000 strong population of Akhurian and six adjacent villages with free medical care and treatment, more than 40,000 women and children have received care at the clinic since its inception, and more than 450 children have been born to mothers followed in this clinic. In September 2003, the ARS celebrated the groundbreaking of a Birthing Center at the clinic, which will officially become operational in April, the date on which Armenians throughout the world will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. Thus, the new ARS Birthing Center will be affirming the joy and final triumph of new life over violence, death, and despair. 10) Ambassador John Evans to Speak at UCLA LOS ANGELES--US Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, will speak at UCLA on Thursday afternoon, February 17, at 2 p.m., in the Viewpoint Conference Room of Ackerman Union (level A). The Ambassador's visit to UCLA is being arranged by Professor Richard Hovannisian, AEF Chair in Armenian History, with the cooperation of the Armenian Students Association. Evans stated that he looks forward to a free and open exchange with students, faculty, and members of the public who wish to attend the afternoon forum. He will begin the hour with a brief overview titled "Report from Armenia--2005." Evans was confirmed by the Senate in June, took his oath of office in August, and presented his credentials in Yerevan in September 2004. A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, he studied Russian history at Yale University and Columbia University. Since entering the Foreign Service, he has served in a number of posts, including Tehran, Prague, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Washington DC, as well as on special commissions and peace-keeping missions in Europe. His role in coordinating the American response to the Armenian earthquake of 1988 earned him a medal and statement of appreciation from the Armenian government. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Armenia, Evans directed the State Department's Office of Russian Affairs. Ambassador Evans will be accompanied by Donna Evans, former President of the World Affairs Council of Washington, DC, Robin Phillips, Mission Director for the US Agency for International Development, Eugenia Sidereas, the State Department's Desk Officer for Armenia, and Aaron Sherinian, the Embassy's Political Officer and Assistance Coordinator in Yerevan The gathering is free and open to the public. The UCLA campus map is available at <; Contact Professor Richard Hovannisian, at [email protected], or call 310-825-3375, MWF (9 a.m.-12 noon). 11) Second Pan Armenian Film Festival in Armenia --Organizers invite entries for July 2005 festival YEREVAN--The second international "Golden Apricot" film festival will take place in Yerevan, Armenia July 12-17, under the theme of "crossroads." Striving to promote cross-cultural understanding, festival organizers have invite entries from throughout the world--from a variety of cultures--to convene in Yerevan, on the crossroads of yesterday's and today's cultures. Entries should depict human experience: the daily lives of ordinary people, their troubles and joys, their hopes and heartbreaks. There are two categories for the festival competition: full-length feature films and documentaries (full length and short). One Grand Prix (Golden Apricot) and one Special Mention will be presented in each category. The Special Award will be presented for significant contribution to the cinema world. The festival will have a special competition for feature, animation, and documentary films made by filmmakers of Armenian decent. Two Awards will be presented for films in this section. This year's Golden Apricot again presents two non-competitive categories. Under "Yerevan Premiers" the best art-house films of the past season will be screened, whereas the "Retrospective" category will present films by famous film directors. The application submission deadline is March 31, 2005. Accepted screening formats are film (35 mm), and video (DV, DVCAM, Beta-SP/PAL). The organizing committee will accept submissions on BETA NTSC or DigiBeta. Accepted preview formats are VHS (PAL or NTSC). The date of production has to be after July 1, 2003. For detailed inquiries and application forms, contact Susanna Harutyunyan and Mikayel Stamboltsyan of the Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Byron Street, #5, Yerevan, 375009, Armenia, Tel. (?1) 564484, email: [email protected]. The festival website is <; 12) Chamlian Student Participates in Presidential Inauguration LA CRESCENTA--Areni Shahinian, an 8th grade student at Chamlian Armenian School, was invited to participate in the Presidential Inauguration from January 19-23, in Washington, DC. Personally extending the invitation as the Chief Executive Officer of `People to People' program, Mary Eisenhower (granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower) had written, `Areni is one of a selected few individuals asked to participate in this exclusive Washington program.' Areni, who returned to Los Angeles last Sunday, said, `It was an extraordinary experience that I will never forget. I wish every student had such an opportunity.' Assistant to the Principal Rita Kaprielian expressed, `The administration is very proud that Areni was present at this significant event not only as a Chamlian student, but also as a young Armenian-American delegate.' 13) Who's the Qualified Candidate? By Garen Yegparian Yes, more on elections. Someone should really do a PhD thesis or other study on what drives people to run for office, especially local, under conditions that exist in places like Glendale today. Some of these poor, addled candidates are in for the shocks of their lives. Sadly they'll also play the role of spoilers (in ways that make unjustly-accused-Nader-in-Florida-2004 look like an angel). The title of this piece begs the questions of who's making the assessment of qualification and in what context before getting into the actual list of qualifications. Clearly, the context is the Armenian community's interest. If for no other reason, then simply because many of the candidates in Glendale's races-- City Council, School Board, Community College Board of Trustees, City Clerk, and City Treasurer--pin high hopes on the Armenian vote, which has been energized in recent years and is a force to be reckoned with. As to who's doing the judging? Well, it's me. Deal with it! It's worth noting that, while much of this discussion is rooted in municipal elections, it is broadly applicable to higher, legislative-representative, state and federal level offices as well. The most obvious qualification for office is experience, training, or some background in a field applicable to the post sought, e.g. having been a local government employee--if running for city council, being a trained teacher--if running for school board, or coming from the world of finance--if running for treasurer. But this is obviously insufficient. Many candidates eventually become very good members of the bodies to which they're elected through on-the-job-training. What gets them in is support in the community they serve because they've been active in it. Maybe they're single-issue advocates, and that issue resonates powerfully with the constituency in question. Maybe they speak for an under--or un-represented minority or one that is energized by real and/or perceived injustices. Maybe they have many years of service in community organizations and/or the given municipality's boards and commissions. Maybe they're gadflies who get lucky because the remaining field of candidates is just plain lousy. Maybe they collect, or use of their own money--enough to be heard more loudly than the competition. Maybe the incumbents have become so reprehensible to the voters that an "anybody but..." attitude prevails. It also helps if candidates for office know whereof they speak. People do listen and appreciate it when someone is well versed in the relevant issues and conveys plausible solutions to perceived problems. Now why is all this relevant to the Armenian community? Simple. There is a very large number of Armenian candidates in Glendale's election this year. To be fair, it is in rough proportion to the percentage of the city's population our community constitutes, approximately 40%. Six of 18 city council candidates (with two other "ian"s not qualifying), four of nine city clerk candidates, one of two city treasurer candidates, four of nine school board candidates, and two (one an Armenian "hars") of four community college board candidates are Armenian. You'd really have to have just fallen off the turnip truck, plus severely banged and bumped your head in the process, to believe these candidates don't expect Armenians to vote for them, just because they ARE Armenian. And this is exactly why we as a community, through our organizations, families, and special interest sub-groupings, have the right to a say in pre-selecting these candidates. It's only fair and reasonable that if someone wants my vote through a guilt-by-association rationalization, then he/she ought to be open to and subject to my/our say-so in the matter. Of course this runs smack-dab into the "anyone can become president of the US" mythology that prevails in the country. And of course everyone has a right to run for any office as long as they can overcome the required hurdles. But when Armenians run for office in a jurisdiction where the Armenian vote is defining; when they implicitly, tacitly (if not explicitly and overtly) expect our community's vote; when they convey the sense of being "natural" representatives of our issues; then, we as a community have a right to speak based on our interests. These interests dictate having electable candidates run and not too many of them, otherwise the Armenian vote is diluted through scattering across the 'Armenian' candidates, and they all lose, along with the best interests of our community. In this very fashion, the same individual likely caused the loss of two different, far more electable, Armenian candidates in the State Assembly primaries of 1997 and 2001. Some of the Armenian candidates in Glendale are qualified and credible. They have community service behind them, but not to our community. They are standing for election as the candidate of some other, equally legitimate, grouping with the city. They just expect to piggyback off the large Armenian bloc and parlay the two constituencies' votes into a victory. While this is smart politics and a tactic that's been used successfully before, it is not necessarily in the Armenian community's best interest. Such candidates, and those who have no base--therefore no hope of election, will siphon off enough votes from those truly representing our community to cause the latter's non-election, all to our detriment. Sometimes so much of this goes on, that one is tempted to toy with conspiratorial explanations for these phenomena. Is it just possible that we have become enough of a force in politics in certain jurisdictions that those who have their own (again, equally legitimate agenda) are trying to play divide-and-conquer with our community? So be smart, whether in Glendale or elsewhere with Armenians running for office, and support those candidates who will best serve our community, even if they happen not to be Armenian. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Burger Kings: Students offered chance to manage McDonald’s in Armenia
By Arpi Harutyunyan
ArmeniaNow Reporter
5 Feb 2005
It has restaurants in more than 100 countries and soon the Golden Arches of
McDonald’s may be a common sight in Armenia.
With McDonald’s already operating in Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia is the
last country in the South Caucasian country without the world famous
hamburgers. Although the first restaurant appears to be a few years away,
selection of its future managers is already going on.
Some of these applications will take students to England
Thirty six students at the Yerevan State University are being offered the
opportunity to get McDonald’s management training in England. They will have
practical training and employment in McDonald’s outlets for two to three
years.
The idea of opening McDonald’s in Armenia belongs to Armenian Britain
businessman Mike Ghazaryan. Last summer Ghazaryan visited Armenia to meet
students at YSU. The company also held a seminar with students to make them
acquainted with the plans for the Armenian market.
“The first McDonald’s complex is expected to open in Yerevan within two to
three years,” says Arsen Karamyan, the president of the YSU graduates union.
“The company informed us that it is planning to open more complexes in
Armenia within five to six years.”
According to arrangements between the YSU and McDonald’s, the graduates
union will present applications from 130-150 senior undergraduate and
graduate students. 36 of them will be selected by test examination and leave
for England this summer.
After training in England, the students will sign contracts and be offered
work either in the Armenian company or in other McDonald’s networks in other
countries.
In three months, the future employees of McDonald’s will be known. Though it
is still unknown whether consumers in Yerevan will like the McDonald’s food,
it is clear that many people would love to become managers for the company.
The average salary in the Armenian network will be over $1000.
“Since I can’t provide for my family with my journalistic work I made up my
mind to apply. Journalism can provide me with only enough for transport and
a packet of cigarettes a day. Of course, I have not dreamed of working for
McDonald’s all my life, but this will give me an opportunity for a good life
in the future,” says Armen Avetisyan, a graduate student at the YSU’s
Department of Journalism.
McDonald’s offer of employment to students at YSU is the first large-scale
contract between Armenian students and a well-known international brand.
Students from all departments are eligible to apply, apart from male
students who have not yet completed their military service. So far, 78
applications have been submitted, mainly from students in the Economy,
Romance-Germanic Philology, Information, and International Relations
Departments.
Applicants must have excellent knowledge of English, computer literacy, an
ability to work in teams and to absorb information quickly, be hard working,
honest and loyal.
“The McDonald’s Company also contacted the Linguistic University after
Brusov but then realized that knowledge of languages alone was not enough.
Students of YSU are noted for intellectual and other abilities, and they
concluded that graduates of the State University can stand working in an
international market,” says Karamyan.
Each year, the YSU has over 2,000 graduates and many remain unable to find a
job in their specialty field.

INTERVIEW WITH PRIME MINISTER
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
04 Feb 05
Mr. Prime Minister, at the last meeting of the government you made
several interesting statements. You also mentioned the necessity of
reconsidering several programs of the government. What are the reasons
for this? – As you know, in 2000 the government worked out the program
of reforms of economic development which included tax, investment, as
well as structural, sphere, regional and several other components. The
program was confined to concrete terms: 2000-2002 years of intensive
reforms, 2003-2005 years of steep economic growth and 2006-2010 years
of potential development of the economy. Today I may state that the
two stages are literally coming to an end and now we not only give an
assessment to the past years of reforms but we have also set new
milestonesbefore the decisive stage taking into account past
achievements and mistakes. – Would you give details? For instance,
the government had estimated a 25-30 per cent growth of the GDP in
2002-2004. In 2002 the growth of the GDP was 36.2 per cent, in 2003
43.8 per cent and in 2004 56 per cent. The estimated indices were
significantly surpassed in foreign trade. Especially good achievements
were reported in the export of goods. It suffices to mention that the
export of 1.1 billion drams in 2000 reached 19.2 billion in 2004. That
is, it grew 17.4 times in the result of which the negative trade
balance of the country was reduced from 14 times to 2 times (export
19.2 billion, import 58.7 billion). Naturally the growth of income
also surpassed the expected rates, which I consider one of the chief
achievements of the economic reforms. For the years 2003-2005 we had
estimated a growth of income by 30 per cents which is indeed a high
rate but in 2003 the rate of growth was 42 percent, in 2004 44.8 per
cent. It is notable that in the budget of 2005 we have already
maintained 42 per cent of growth of income. The government announced
that owing to the reforms the rate of the GDP in 2001 (23.8 billion
drams) would double in the next five years (reaching 47.6 billion
drams in 2006). However, taking into account the high rates of
economic growth, the government planned to increase the volume of the
GDP in the state budget of 2005 up to 48 billion. And this means that
already in 2005 the volume of the GDP of 2001 will have doubled, and
not in 5 but 4 years. By the way, the government kept another
important vow. In two years the volume of income of 2002 doubled in
2004. The planned rates were surpassed as wellin reference to the
minimum and average salaries, allowances and other spheres. The steep
growth of macroeconomic rates once again confirmed that the economic
reforms implemented in the republic are on the right way and proved
their viability. Taking into account these facts the government worked
out a new program of economic development last October, which will
cover the period between 2006-2010 and will mainly be based upon the
rates of the previous years.- By the way, in the meeting of the
government you said that working out of the programs will be over in
the first semester of the current year. At the same time you mentioned
indices which will be a milestone for further macroeconomic rates. I
wonder in what directions the program will develop. – I may say that
the macroeconomic part of the program is ready. At the same time, the
major part still remains. The new program will in fact differ from the
others; besidesthe sums to be provided to spheres and regions and
their sources also the estimated value of each object, the source of
financing and the date will be recorded. Moreover, besides the
material aspect the program will also involve components grounded from
the structural, infrastructure, regional development and economic
aspects of the management system. – Mr. Prime Minister, which will be
the main estimated macroeconomic indices of the NKR development
program for 2006-2010? – You know, while commenting on economic topics
certain journalists mix the numbers and the reader has difficulties in
getting a true idea. In order for it to be easier for you, today I
will mention only one number which will be easy to remember –
100. However, this number refers to the three directions of economic
development. In 2006-2010, that is in five years, it is planned to
double the GDP increasing it once again up to 100 billion drams. The
secondgoal is to double the budget of the country in the mentioned
period. That is to say, in 2010 it will total almost 100 million US
dollars. And third, according to the program, in 2010 the average
salary in the republic will total about100 thousand drams. – Thank
you. We wish to the second program of development of Artsakh worked
out by the government to be as successful as the program for 2000-2005′
REGNUM.
04-02-2005

PanArmenian News
Feb 4 2005
AZERI MINISTER OF CULTURE AGAINST COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA
04.02.2005 18:15
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The stand of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture
is simple. Azerbaijan has never participated and will not participate
in the joint creative and cultural projects, in which Armenian
representatives are engaged”, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Polad
Bul-bul oglu stated in his interview with Caucasian Knot when
commenting on the recent proposal of German conductor Uwe Berkhemer
on formation of a Transcaucasian chamber orchestra. In the Minister’s
words, he has sent the German director a letter explaining the
reasons of Azerbaijan’s refusal. “We were many times offered
cooperation with Armenia both within the CIS and other international
organizations. However our position is fundamental”, the Azeri
Minister of Culture said.

Europe Information Service
Euro-East
February 3, 2005
EU/SOUTH CAUCASUS: PARLIAMENTARIANS WELCOME FURTHER EAST-WEST
INTEGRATION
The EU’s decision to open membership talks with Turkey and the
European Parliament’s approval of the draft EU Constitution have been
hailed by the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative as new
milestones in “the process of building a prosperous and democratic
Europe in which the countries of the South Caucasus aspire to
participate equally and fully”. And delegates from the Parliaments of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia attending the third Plenary Assembly
of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative in Ljubljana,
Slovenia, from January 17-19 also welcomed the outcome of the
Presidential elections in Ukraine, “a country with which all South
Caucasus states have long historic, economic and political ties”.
BODY:
The final communique of the third Plenary Assembly of the SCPI said
the Southern Caucasus countries looked forward to the further
development of relations with Ukraine. They also welcomed the keen
interest of the OSCE Slovenian Chairmanship to the region of the
South Caucasus and its commitment to the process of reform and
renewal of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
and its structures.
But closer to home, things are not so rosy. The Georgian delegation
expressed its concern at the OSCE’s failure, due to a lack of
consensus, to renew the mandate of the Mission monitoring the border
between Georgia and parts of the Russian Federation. The participants
of the 3rd Plenary Assembly of SCPI hoped that an agreement on this
issue can be achieved speedily.
Delegates were also at pains to point out that the South Caucasus is
not making full use of the opportunities offered by the European
integration process. “This is a challenge that the states of the
South Caucasus must take up to ensure better life for the future
generations”, the communique said. The Assembly said it hoped “the
full involvement of the countries of the South Caucasus in the EU’s
New Neighbourhood Policy will be fully utilised by state and society
in the South Caucasus to accelerate the process of economic, social
and political developments in the region”.
Parliamentarians attending the SCPI Plenary Assembly also confirmed
their commitment towards reform and renewal in their countries. They
acknowledged the need to step up efforts to resolve the conflicts in
the region that hinder economic development and political evolution
and welcomed the continued dialogue between the Governments of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the “Prague process” in
their effort to find a solution to the Karabakh conflict.
As for the wider initiative, the SCPI welcomed its increasing role in
the region. “The activation of working groups that can dwell in depth
on issues of common interest is in this regard a logical next step”,
the communique said. Delegates called on the SCPI Presidium to move
speedily with the appointment of an Executive Secretary in time to
take office on July 1.

Armenian Court of Appeal upholds ruling to keep nationalist leader in custody
Noyan Tapan news agency
4 Feb 05
YEREVAN
The Court of Appeal for criminal and military cases has rejected the
appeal on changing the restraining measure against the chairman of the
Armenian Aryan Union (AAU), Armen Avetisyan, the member of the AAU,
Mar Martirosyan, has told our correspondent.
He also said that the AAU will appeal to Armenian Prosecutor-General
Agvan Ovsepyan and submit a petition by the deputies of the Armenian
National Assembly, Viktor Dallakyan and Manuk Gasparyan, politicians
and representatives of the intelligentsia, as well as signatures in
favour of changing the restraining measure.
[Avetisyan was arrested under a ruling of the court of Yerevan’s
Kentron and Nork-Marash communities for inciting national, racial and
religious hatred and is being charged with propagating hatred between
Armenians and Jews in public and in the media between 2003 and 2005.]

Agence France Presse — English
February 4, 2005 Friday 1:01 PM GMT
US consular worker in Armenia arrested for bribe-taking
YEREVAN
A US consular worker in Armenia has been arrested in Washington and
faces up to 15 years in jail for allegedly taking bribes for entrance
visas issued to Armenians wishing to travel to the United States,
officials said Friday.
The US State Department accuses Piotr Zdzislaw Parlej, a US national,
of taking bribes of up to 10,000 dollars (7,700 euros) for issuing
entry visas to unqualified candidates, according to the inidctment.
It is unclear how many improper visas Parlej issued or how much money
in bribes he had received. The United States has a thriving Armenian
diaspora, with families frequently traveling between the two
countries.

ARKA News Agency
Feb 4 2005
Arthur Baghdasaryan: the year 2005 must turn for Armenia a year of
parliamentary solidarity
Since the middle of February Armenia will start negotiations with IMF
and WB on middle-term programs in the frames of new cooperation
Presentation of new internet site of US Embassy to Armenia took place
in Yerevan
Regional Group of Basel Committee for banking control adopts
resolution in Yerevan
OSCE monitoring group to check facts visits Zangelan region under
control of NKR defense Army
The Commission of the jury of the District of Columbia (the USA)
brings an accusation of bribery and visas falsification against the
former consular officer of the US Embassy to RA
Armenian-Russian relations develop in normal course
*********************************************************************
ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: THE YEAR 2005 MUST TURN FOR ARMENIA A YEAR OF
PARLIAMENTARY SOLIDARITY
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. The year 2005 must turn for Armenia a
year of parliamentary solidarity, as Arthur Baghdasaryan, Speaker of
the Armenian Parliament stated today on press conference on the eve
of start of the spring session. He stressed that this year will b the
15th anniversary of foundation of the Parliament and 10 years of the
National Assembly. In this context he attached importance to solution
of the set tasks by the political streams presented in the
Parliament. In his words, the task number one is must be achieving of
constructive cooperation and tolerance when discussing important
issues. `Today’s serious problems are elements of intolerance, envy,
malice, self-admiration that prevent cooperation, therefore the
current year must be marked by parliamentary tolerance’, Baghdasaryan
said. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
SINCE THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY ARMENIA WILL START NEGOTIATIONS WITH IMF
AND WB ON MIDDLE-TERM PROGRAMS IN THE FRAMES OF NEW COOPERATION
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. Since the middle of February Armenia
will start negotiations with IMF and WB on middle-term programs in
the frames of new cooperation, CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsian stated
today. According to him, special attention will be paid to influence
of USD rate on CBA policy.
Talking about USD rate variations, Sargsian said that Armenian policy
in financial sphere will not be changed and it is more import how
changes the policy of basic players of the market – EU, Russia, China
and IMF and WB. He said that variations of USD rate depend on
numerous factors, including on US state budget deficit and
refinancing rate in America.
As RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian stated
earlier, RA Government will start negotiations on IMF program which
will start since autumn 2005. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
PRESENTATION OF NEW INTERNET SITE OF US EMBASSY TO ARMENIA TOOK PLACE
IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. Presentation of new internet site of US
Embassy to Armenia () took place in Yerevan, US Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans stated today.
The new site testifies to democracy and transparency of American
embassy at the line of US politics and American assistance programs
in Armenia. Namely, it contains information in Armenia on assistance
program conducted in Armenia, the site has different parameters of
search, news of American politics, periodically renewed information
of Washington File edition and big data base with broad search
opportunities. According to Evans, today world is on the verge of
digital revolution, which is democratic step. According to the
Ambassador, `God gave law to Jews, alphabet to Armenians and Internet
to Americans’. `Today we managed to unite two of these events –
Internet and Armenian language’, Evans said.
New site of the embassy includes Latest News division placed on
homepage, which covers activities organized by the Embassy. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
REGIONAL GROUP OF BASEL COMMITTEE FOR BANKING CONTROL ADOPTS
RESOLUTION IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. Regional Group of the Basel Committee
for banking control of South Caucasus, Central Asian states and
Russia adopted a resolution of its 15th conference in Yerevan, as
current Chairman of the Group, Deputy Chairman of National Bank of
Tajikistan Juma Eshov said. In his words, the resolution mentions the
necessity of ratifying international convention as well as adoption
and application of law against legalization (laundering) of illegal
incomes or money received through financing of terrorism. At that he
stressed that in regard of this issue, information and experience of
the Central Banks of Armenia, Georgia and Russia in creation of
system targeted against using of credit funds for laundering money
and financing of terrorism should be considered. In Eshov’s words,
the document also points out to the necessity of adequate control
over non-banking financial institutions activity, amending of the
banking legislation and implementation of demands of legal protection
of the banking control and corporate management employees. The
resolution similarly mentions the necessity of exchange of
information on undertaking measures aginst use of banking systems for
the purpose of legalization of illegal incomes on bilateral basis.
T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
OSCE MONITORING GROUP TO CHECK FACTS VISITS ZANGELAN REGION UNDER
CONTROL OF NKR DEFENSE ARMY
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. OSCE motoring group to check facts
visited Zangelan region under control of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Defense Army. As ARKA’s own correspondent reports from Stepanakert,
the mission joined by French and Russian Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group Bernard Facier and Yuri Merzlyakov headed for Araxes river
bank. In towns of Mijnavan (former Minjevan) and Kockasan (former
Zangelan) and nearby settlements the mission members undertook a
detailed study of the situation.
The monitoring group will leave NKR after few days and while back in
Europe will prepare a report for the OSCE Minsk Group. The NKR
authorities provided all necessary conditions for mission’s activity.
Today the monitoring group to check facts is monitoring in Kubatli
region. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
THE COMMISSION OF THE JURY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (THE USA)
BRINGS AN ACCUSATION OF BRIBERY AND VISAS FALSIFICATION AGAINST THE
FORMER CONSULAR OFFICER OF THE US EMBASSY TO RA
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. The Commission of the jury of the
District of Columbia (the USA) brought an accusation of bribery and
visas falsification against the former consular officer of the US
Embassy to RA Peter Zdislo Parle, as stated the US Attorney for the
District of Columbia Kenneth Wainstein and Assistant Secretary of
Bureau of Diplomatic Security of US Department of State Frank Taylor,
according to the US Embassy to RA. Parle was arrested, and world
judge Alan Key will consider his case. In case Parle is found guilty,
he may be sentenced to imprisonment from 5 to 15 years and fined a
sum not exceeding $250 thsd for each case.
According to the press-release, Parle is accused of being involved in
bribery and visas falsification together with his accomplice in
Yerevan from April 2004 to January 13, 2005 and of impeding by means
of `contrivance, falsification, cheating and illegal methods’ the
legal activity of US Department of State in respect of emission of
visas to authorized foreign citizens and exertion of control over
emissions. The accusation brings 6 cases of accept bribe in the
amount of $10 thsd in cash by Parle for giving visas, irrespective of
competence of applicants. `Fair and due application of laws on
immigration is the right of the US people’, the attorney said.
Wainstein added that a consular officer violating laws for individual
purposes undermines objectivity in the issue of filing applications
for visas and their consideration and undermines trust in personnel
of American consular departments all over the world.
Wainstein and Taylor expressed their gratitude to special agents of
the bureau of diplomatic security service US Department of State, to
the personnel of the US Embassy to RA as well as to Armenian
law-enforcing authorities for support in investigation of the case.
The US Embassy to RA and US Department of State assure that
everything will be done to ensure objectivity in the process of visas
emission and to avoid falsifications. Armenian National Security
Service is acknowledged by the US Embassy for their support in that
issue. A.H. – 0 –
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS DEVELOP IN NORMAL COURSE
YEREVAN, February 4. /ARKA/. Armenian-Russian relations develop in
normal course, as Arthur Baghdasaryan, Speaker of the Armenian
Parliament said. He reported that on occasion of festival of Russia’s
day to Armenia are envisaged numerous events representatives of
Russian legislative, as well as executive top officials will visit
Armenia. `These visits will attach a new stimuli to the Armenian
-Russian relations’, Armenian Parliament’s Speaker is confident. T.M.
-0–

MONITORING MISSION VISITING ZANGELAN
Azg/arm
5 Feb 05
The OSCE monitoring mission made its way to the bank of Araxes
River. They visited every house and interrogate everyone they met in
the towns of Mijnavan (formerly Minchevan) and Kovsakan (formerly
Zangelan).
Incessant mission was in full swing. They will leave Nagorno Karabakh
in few days to make a report for the Minsk group. The monitoring
mission was provided with everything necessary for a fruitful work
Emily Haber, head of the monitoring mission, met Artur Balasanian, 38,
in the main street of Mijnavan. He lost his home and property that
were in Getashen as a result of the war. Artur looks 50. He moved to
Mijnavan in 1996. Two of his four sons were born here. Before moving
to Mijnavan, Artur and his old parents were given a shelter in the
Hrazdan resort house and Njuvadi village in Meghri. The life in
Mijnavan is not the last station for him, as he will leave for another
place if possible – a place with no name for him. He wishes he could
return to Getashen but realizes that new dwellers have already found
his two-storied house.
Vladimir Gasparian, 25, and his family left Armenikend, a Baku borough
where the Armenians used to live, when he was 9. He left Baku by car,
moved to Ghubatlu then to Kapan. After living in one of the hostels of
Kapan for tenyears, they moved to Mijnavan in 1998.
“There are five children in our family and I am the eldest. We go to
other people’s fields to work there, gathering the harvest and
fertilizing the earth. We will leave this place if it is possible,”
Vladimir said and added that there are other 5-6 cities in the city
that fled from Baku.
Mamikon Yavrumian was born in Kirovabad. He has to live in Kovsakan
town. Mamikon works in the field and is engaged in cattle breeding.
Mamikon and Arpine, his wife, are teachers. They met in Kovsakan and
got married. They have an infant that was born two months ago.
“The life makes us live here, as we have no house in Armenia. We have
no drinking water there are a lot of snakes all around here. We can’t
let our children walk freely in this territory,” he says.
Zangelan administratively belonged to Azerbaijan, formerly. No
wintertime comes here. The weather is mild. It seldom snows
here. Zangelan is the smallest territory under the control of Karabakh
forces. It is situated in the lower parts of the Voghji, the Tsav and
the Hakari rivers.
The OSCE monitoring mission spent a whole day in these places and
spoke with people they met on their way and visited their houses. They
were putting down all the things these people said, so that they can
summarize their statements and find out who are the dwellers of these
territories, when and where they came from.
The official Baku keeps saying that Armenia and NKR are conducting an
official policy of inhabiting and using the territories they control.
While Yerevan and Stepanakert deny this, by stating that no official
inhabiting policy is being conducted there. The Armenians that had to
flee from Azerbaijan and lost their homes there came and inhabited
these regions by their own decision.
By Tatoul Hakobian