Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 14 2004

Azeri President Returns from Romania; Calls on Azeri People to Unite
on Karabakh Issue

14/10/2004 10:56

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev returned home from his
official visit to Romania late on Tuesday. Aliyev told journalists at
the Heydar Aliyev Airport that he is satisfied with the results of
the visit.

“The documents signed will be a favorable legal base for future
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania,” he stressed.
President Aliyev and his Romanian counterpart Ion Iliyesku discussed
the issue on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno (Daghliq) Karabakh.

Aliyev regarded Iliyesku’s statement, “Romania backs the solution of
the conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan”, as very
important.

President Aliyev recalled that several heads of states have issued
similar statements over the recent years.

“This once again shows that there should be no double standards. All
issues should be considered only under international legal norms and
certainly, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be restored. The
earlier Armenia understands this, the better.”

President Aliyev said that a mechanism should be set up for
implementation of the decisions passed by the UN and OSCE. Expressing
his disappointment with the fact that no sanctions have been imposed
on Armenia yet, Aliyev said: “The conflict can be settled soon if
international legal mechanisms are set up and applied.”

Commenting on a report on the Karabakh conflict by Terry Davis, the
former rapporteur on Karabakh of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), President Aliyev said it was impartial and
contained realities. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict will be
discussed at the PACE session in January, he noted.

Aliyev voiced his confidence that the report would confirm the
occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia and emphasize the need for
imposing sanctions on Armenia.

The President stated that Azerbaijan calls on the Council of Europe
to give a political assessment of the conflict.
“We will achieve our goals when each Azerbaijani citizen – the
President, parliament members and the press, unite to denounce
Armenia as an aggressor,” he added.

Russia Pledges To Lobby For Renewed Rail Link With Armenia
By Atom Markarian 14/10/2004 10:48

Radio Free Europe, Czech republic
Oct 14 2004

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin pledged on Wednesday to lobby
for the resumption of Armenia’s rail communication with Russia through
neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan.

But he did not comment on Moscow’s decision to close its border with
the two ex-Soviet republics which disrupted one of Armenia’s main
supply lines.

“Our delegation will fly from Armenia to Azerbaijan – and then on
to Georgia in order to try to reopen [rail] traffic throughout the
entire territory of the Transcaucasus,” Levitin told a Russian-Armenian
business forum in Yerevan.

“We do realize what a difficult task it is. We must try to solve
it together with you,” he added, referring to the conflicts over
Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia that left Armenia without rail access
to the outside world more than a decade ago.

Armenia has mainly relied since then on Georgia’s Black Sea ports
as well as a Georgian-Russian border crossing to ship and receive
commercial cargos. Last month’s closure of that crossing, announced
immediately after the terrorist attack on a Russian school, thus
further complicated its external trade.

Armenian leaders have tried hard in recent weeks to get the Russians to
lift the blockade amid mounting criticism of Moscow’s policy voiced by
the Armenian press and prominent politicians. The issue was expected
to top the agenda of Levitin’s talks with officials in Yerevan that
began on Wednesday.

Levitin, who co-chairs a Russian-Armenian commission on economic
cooperation with Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, did not mention
the border crisis in his speech at the business forum. He instead
criticized the Georgian government for its reluctance to agree to the
reopening of a key railway connecting the South Caucasus to Russia
via the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Tbilisi links it with the
repatriation of Abkhazia’s ethnic Georgian residents displaced in 1993.

Levitin sought to convince Armenians that Russia too has been
suffering from the closed borders in the volatile region. He said
Russian companies could have used it as a lucrative transit route
for shipping up to 15 million tons of freight to other parts of the
world every year.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Oct 14 2004

Romania – key partner in Eastern Europe

President Ilham Aliyev’s two-day official visit to Romania completed
on Tuesday.

The two countries signed 11 documents covering political, economic,
education and other fields upon conclusion of the talks. Romania
represents a priority in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy among the Eastern
European countries. After Azerbaijan gained independence, Romania
was one of the first countries, along with Turkey and Pakistan,
to recognize its sovereignty.

Since Azerbaijan and Romania established diplomatic relations in
1992, the two countries have successfully developed cooperation,
in particular, political ties.

During President Aliyev’s meeting with his Romanian counterpart
Ion Iliyesku, bilateral relations, economic projects implemented in
Azerbaijan, combat against terrorism and cooperation between the two
countries were discussed.

Romanian President Iliyesku said that the two countries are closely
cooperating within TRACECA transport corridor and that his country has
invested $6 million in the project. He added that European countries
are interested in participating in projects realized in the South
Caucasus region.

After the negotiations, the two countries signed documents in
the area of customs, justice, national security, labor and social
security, education, television and radio, and a joint declaration.
Aliyev was awarded the “Romania’s Star” order. The Azeri President, in
turn, awarded Iliyesku the “Istiglal” (“Independence”) order for his
contribution to political relations between Azerbaijan and Romania,
multi-faceted cooperation and strengthening of friendly ties between
the two peoples.

Aliyev also unveiled a bronze monument to the late Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev in the “8 May” park in Bucharest and
inaugurated a new building of the Azerbaijani embassy.

Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations with Romania in June
1992. Romania recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 11,
1991 and opened its embassy in the country in November 1998. The
Azeri embassy opened in Bucharest in May 2000.

The two countries have signed over 30 inter-governmental agreements
in the political, economic, cultural and technical fields so far.
Romania and Azerbaijan are also actively cooperating within
international and regional organizations and programs.

The late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit
to Romania in June 30, 1995, while Romanian President Iliyeski first
visited Azerbaijan on July 27-28, 1996. The two countries signed a
package of documents in various fields and expressed mutual interest
for collaboration in the oil, trade and other sectors.

In 1997, Chairman of the Romanian Senate Petre Roman paid an official
visit to Baku. He discussed with the Azeri side the issue of using the
Romanian port of Constanza for transportation of goods from Azerbaijan
and Georgia.

In December 1997, the Romanian President’s special envoy Dana Kepetsine
visited Azerbaijan. He presented to the Azeri party a project on
transporting Caspian oil to Europe through Romania. Under the project,
oil is delivered from the port of Supsa to the Constanta port by
tankers, and then to Western Europe through the existing pipeline.

In June 1998 Romanian President Emil Constantinescu paid a three-day
official visit to Azerbaijan. A declaration on cooperation, an
inter-governmental agreement on cargo transportation, and one on
collaboration between state news agencies were signed. During the
talks the parties focused on the oil transportation issue.

President Aliyev voiced his support for the project on transporting
oil through the Baku-Constanta route. A few months later, President
Constantinescu visited Baku again and participated in the “Restoration
of the Great Silk Road” conference. The Romanian party expressed
interest in its active involvement in the TRACECA project and the
GUUAM bloc.

In October 2002, Iliyesku paid his second visit to Azerbaijan. The
parties once again focused on transportation of Caspian oil through
Romania and its refining at the Constanta port. The two countries
signed an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments,
a convention on eliminating double taxation, a declaration on
partnership and a memorandum of understanding between air space
agencies.

President Iliyesku stated that considering the two countries’
advantageous geographic location, Azerbaijan and Romania can become
important elements of the “great oil route”.

However, the trade and economic relations between the two countries
leave a lot to be desired. In 2000, Romanian state oil company
Petrom left Azerbaijan to move to Kazakhstan, where it successfully
participates in two projects.

The Azeri side has not been active on the proposals of Bucharest on
economic cooperation. According to the State Statistics Committee,
in 2003 the turnover of goods between Azerbaijan and Romania
constituted $7.8 million, of which $6.2 million was made up by
import from Romania and the rest by export from Azerbaijan. In the
first half of 2004, the turnover of goods between the two countries
increased dramatically to make up $19.9 million on account of crude
oil exports to Romania. In this period, Azerbaijan’s crude exports to
this country made up $16.3 million out of a total of $16.6 million.
Besides oil and oil products, Azerbaijan exported chemical products
and cotton to Romania. Azerbaijan imports furniture and drilling
pipes for the oil and gas sector from Romania.

Romania unequivocally supports the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. In August 2002, Bucharest firmly condemned the illegal
‘presidential election’ in Upper Garabagh and separatism.

The two countries closely collaborate in the military field, both
on a bilateral level and within NATO programs. In July 1999, Defense
Minister Safar Abiyev paid a two-day official visit to Bucharest. The
parties signed a protocol on military cooperation.

In February 2000, Romanian Defense Minister Victor Babiuc paid a
reciprocal visit to Baku. During the visit the two countries signed
another military collaboration document.

In April 2003, Abiyev visited this country again on the invitation
of his Romanian counterpart Ioan Mircea Pascu.

MEETING IN FOREIGN MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN
[October 14, 2004, 11:59:17]

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Oct 14 2004

The same day, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Ian
Peterson has met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov.

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry,
it is stated that having expressed satisfaction with his visit to
Azerbaijan, Mr. Ian Peterson has invited the Azerbaijan colleague
to visit Norway, and has expressed hope, that bilateral relations
between our countries in political, economic, humanitarian and other
spheres would be developed in the years coming. Then, he has shared
views on cooperation of Azerbaijan with the Council of Europe.

Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov has emphasized importance of support of Norway in
integration of Azerbaijan into the European structures. The Minister
has dwelt on the reforms conducted last years in the country,
inclusion of Azerbaijan in the initiative of “New Neighborhood
Policy in Europe”, cooperation with the NATO within the framework
of PfP program and “Operating plan on individual partnership”, has
told about activity of Azerbaijan in combat against international
terrorism, separatism, transnational organized crime and other global
threats. He also informed about cooperation with Norwegian Company
“Statoil” in realization in Azerbaijan global projects in the field
of energy carriers.

The head of foreign policy department of Azerbaijan in detail
informed the visitor on the work done for peace settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, negotiations at level
of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and presidents.

The ministers had also exchange of views on the questions representing
mutual interest.

BOOK REVIEW
by Aris Sevag for The Armenian Reporter Int’l (25 September 2004)

Hayots Badeevuh: Reminiscences of Armenian Life

Levon Z. Boyajian, Hayots Badeevuh: Reminiscences from Armenian Life in New
York City, (Reading: Taderon Press) 2003, xiii + 88 pp., photos, ISBN
1-903656-32-X, paperback. Available through [email protected]

Mention “Washington Heights, New York” to any knowledgeable Armenian,
particularly those who are in their middle or upper years, and
invariably they will make the connection to the Holy Cross Church of
Armenia, where Archbishop Ghevont Tourian was murdered on December 25,
1933. Just as Sarajevo, the city in central Yugoslavia where Archduke
Francis Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in 1914, has yet to
gain a new association in the popular mind despite the passage of
almost a century, so too has Washington Heights remained associated
primarily with Archbishop Tourian’s murder after three quarters of
a century. Of course, both Sarajevo and Washington Heights are much
more than mere sites of infamous murders, and the book under review
attempts to make a case for the latter.

The publication of this review happens to coincide with the 75th
anniversary celebration of Holy Cross Church. (See “New York’s Holy
Cross Church to Celebrate 75th Anniversary on September 19, 2004” by
Florence Avakian in the August 14, 2004 issue of TAR Int’l). Right from
the preface, the author, Levon Z. Boyajian, underscores the central
role played by this institution: “Our little corner, in a sense,
was what was left of the Armenian homeland, for those who ended up
in upper Manhattan clustered around the Holy Cross Church on 187th
Street.” However, Boyajian is not a historian, so readers will have to
look elsewhere for more information about the church. (See The Torch
Was Passed: The Centennial History of the Armenian Church of America
edited by Christopher Hagop Zakian, published by St. Vartan Press, New
York, 1998, and Very Rev. Oshagan Minassian’s doctoral dissertation,
A History of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Orthodox Church in the
United States (1888-1944), Boston University School of Theology,
1974, 754 pp.)

Boyajian’s focus lies elsewhere: “There was no physical resemblance
between this busy, urban, lower middle class, working man’s
neighborhood and their mostly rural agricultural homeland, for the
most part, in western Armenia. But what was left for them was whatever
camaraderie they had saved with their countrymen, and their efforts
to maintain and perpetuate their history, culture, and religion in
this alien world, and to do so for their children.”

Commenting on this book, Dr. Haikaz Grigorian so aptly states that
its author “has focused our attention on “Hayots Badeevuh” (Honor
of the Armenians), a psychological phenomenon linked with denial
and non-recognition of the first genocide of the twentieth century
Hayots Badeevuh is a universal condition to all Armenians inhabiting
the globe.” If for no other reason, this book should be must reading,
especially for young Armenians, who are growing up in a day and age
when the concept of Armenian honor and the importance of upholding
it has gotten lost to a certain extent, both in the Homeland and in
the Diaspora.

Hayots Badeevuh is largely a pastiche of snapshots of family and
community life in Washington Heights, the unremarkable story of a
nevertheless remarkable people in the early to mid 20th century. The
three mainstays of their lives were home, church, and hantesses, both
indoors and outdoors, almost always with formal entertainment. The
inherent divisiveness of political parties and compatriotic societies
nevertheless did not prevent personal friendships from developing
across lines of separation. This was perhaps a byproduct of the
“coffee house” or “club,” of which there many and where discussion
and debate of political topics was paramount. Dominant themes, which
run like thread throughout the story, are respect for one’s elders
and strong bonds, made possible by constant visiting, both informal
(any time) and formal (especially on Sundays).

Mention is made of public figures only insofar as there was a
connection between them and the-author’s family. These include Very
Rev. Yeghishe Simonian, pastor of Holy Cross Church from 1935-1965 and
then Prelate of the Western Diocese; Fr. Terenig Poladian, head of the
seminary at Antelias (1944-1956), who, we learn, was killed on November
22, 1963, the same day as President John F. Kennedy, by a disgruntled
individual whose candidacy for the priesthood had been rejected by the
victim; and a Dr. Gregory, “one of their countrymen, who had pioneered
the establishment of psychiatric service at Belleview Hospital in NYC.”

The text is enhanced by the mention of a few characters: “Soosly John”;
“Hratch, a man straight out of Damon Runyan,” also called “Harry the
Greek”; the importer-exporter Dickranian; and single woman “Dika”
(short for Dikranouhi). Yet these individuals are tame in comparison
with those, albeit of an earlier era, who populate Amerigahai Badgemer
[Armenian-American Sketches] by Bedros Keljik, published in 1944
by Yeprad Press in New York, my translation of which incidentally
awaits publication.

Although the author’s description of family members and relatives
may not be of much interest to readers in general, the latter will
perhaps seek to find similarities and parallels with members of the
previous generations in their own families.

Hayots Badeevuh makes no pretense of being anything but one’s
recollections of the urban environment in which he grew up: “Washington
Heights was a microcosm of urban immigrant America, and the Armenians
had their place in it. It was our town.” However, this slim volume
serves to whet the reader’s appetite for other memoirs and, why
not, histories of the Armenian community of Washington Heights and
other sections of New York City. As such, it has served its purpose
adequately.

Women’s Clinic In Stepanakert

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Oct 04

On October 9 the women’s clinic was opened in Stepanakert sponsored
by the Armenian-Canadian Medical Association of Toronto. In this
connection a foundation was created the honorary chairman of which
is the first lady of the republic Ina Ghukassian. By the nature of
its activities the clinic has a special place in the medical system
of the country, as it will be specializing in the physical health of
women and girls. “Artsakh needs healthy generations and increasing
of the birthrate. And the guarantee for a healthy generation is the
healthy woman. This is the aim of creating the center. I think it
is time to have what we haven’t had so far. This is, particularly,
sex education of girls, which is a task of state importance. Not
only within the clinic but also outside it at schools seminars on sex
education will be held,” said Zoya Lazarian. The clinic will work on
a charity basis, the services will be free of charge. The sponsors of
the clinic are 10 Armenian families of Toronto. The director of the
program is Avetik Poghossian who, according to Zoya Lazarian, visited
Artsakh twice a month with great enthusiasm for the implementation
of the program. Owing to this program a new public organization was
established in Artsakh named “Dzerk Dzerki” (“Hand in Hand”) which
implements joint charity programs with the Armenian-Canadian Medical
Association. The chairman of this public organization is Zareh Uzunian
who was also present at the opening ceremony of the clinic. He was
among the individuals who have been in Artsakh since 1997 together
with their supporters, friends. Addressing the guests, the honorary
chairman of the clinic Ina Ghukassian said, “The idea of a women’s
clinic in our republic had appeared long ago. It is not a secret that
family is the cornerstone of any society, and the core of the family
is the healthy mother. The women and children of Artsakh underwent
stresses during the war, which inevitably affected their health. And
it is not accidental that it was the members of association of the
Armenian doctors of Canada who decided to assist to the development
obstetrical, gynaecological and psychological services in Artsakh.
And, of course, it is important that the medical services will be
free of charge. I am sure that the clinic will help girls and women
be more healthy, owing to which we will have healthy children. I
thank Avetik Poghossian and all the Armenian families owing to whom
the clinic was opened and will promote the relationships between
Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora as well.” The clinic will provide
diagnosis and examination of sexually transmitted diseases, menopause
and sterility in cooperation with the center “Diagnostica”. Currently
the clinic has four workers: the chief physician, an obstetrician, a
psychologist and an orderly. The working day lasts from 9:00 to 16:00.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
13-10-2004

NEW SCHOOL

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Oct 04

The school of the village of Shosh is 120 years old. Throughout
centuries the village went through many hardships. At the beginning
of the Artsakh war the village became the target of the Azerbaijani
emplacements. On October 10 the school of Shosh at last moved to
a new building. At the opening ceremony were present NKR president
Arkady Ghukassian, the head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church archbishop Parghev Martirossian, the executive
director of the foundation “Hayastan” Naira Melkumian, members of
the NKR government, guests from Canada, the chairman of the Toronto
branch of the foundation “Hayastan” Mkrtich Mkrtichian.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
13-10-2004

Baku seeks mechanism to implement UN’s Karabakh decisions, stated Azerbaijani
President Ilkham Aliyev

13.10.2004, 12.14

BAKU, October 13 (Itar-Tass) – Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev
stated it is inadmissible to apply double standards with respect to
conflicts, including the one in Nagorno Karabakh.

“All issues should be considered through the prism of international
law,” the head of state said in an interview with Baku-based television
channels.

In his view, the main task is to develop a mechanism to implement
the UN and OSCE decision on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“Regrettably, there is no such mechanism at present. The United
Nations adopted four resolutions on the Karabakh conflict, but none
of them is being implemented.”

Despite this fact, the mechanism of sanctions is not used. The
Azerbaijani leader said he was convinced that “the use of mechanisms
of international law will help achieve the settlement of the conflict
soon.”

He said the situation around the Karabakh problem would be considered
at the January session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe.

“The report on the subject is ready, it’s very positive, reflecting
the real situation,” Ilkham Aliyev said.

The head of state expressed confidence that the discussion of the
document “will prove the fact of Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani
territories.”

Azerbaijan wants the Council of Europe to give a political evaluation
of the conflict.

“It will become a solid legal basis for resolving the problem,”
the president said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Jerusalem’s Armenians seek protection from Jewish harassment

Palestine-info, United Kingdom
Oct 13 2004

Occupied Jerusalem – The small Armenian community in Jerusalem has
urged the Israeli occupation authorities to crack down on Jewish
extremists who have been harassing Christian clergymen, especially
in the old town, where the bulk of the Armenians live.

Earlier this week, a yeshiva student spat at the cross being carried
by the Armenian Archbishop Nourhan Manougian during a procession near
the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City.

The archbishop’s 17th-century cross was reportedly broken during the
brawl and he slapped the yeshiva student.

Christian sources in Jerusalem have reported several other cases where
Yeshiva students spat at and harassed Christian leaders especially
during Jewish holidays.

According to Albert Aghazaryan, one of the prominent leaders of the
Palestinian Armenian community, the act of spitting on Christian
symbols is “deep rooted in the Jewish religious doctrine.”

“Hostility to Christianity is intrinsic in religious Jewish thinking,”
Aghazaryan told PIC.

Manougian denounced the “shocking silence” of the Israeli religious
establishment toward “these unacceptable acts.”

“When there is an attack against Jews anywhere in the world, the
Israeli government is incensed, so why when our religion and pride
are hurt, don’t they take harsher measures?” he was quoted as asking.

A few weeks ago, a similar incident took place when another religious
Jew, reportedly an old man wearing a skullcap, spat at a Christian
Orthodox leader as he opened the window of his car.

A few years ago, Jewish religious students burned down a Jerusalem
flat in which two Christian college students were living.The two
students fled unharmed.

According to the famous Jewish author and philosopher Yisrael Shahak,
much of the Jewish Orthodox hostility to Christianity originate
in theology.

In his book “Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three
Thousand Years,” Shahak pointed out that “it became customary to spit
(usually three times) upon seeing a church or a crucifix.”

On page 98, Shahak points out that Christianity as a religion is
classed by Rabbinic teaching as idolatry.

“All the Christian emblems and pictorial representations are regarded
as idols…even by those Jews who literally worship scrolls, stones
or personal belongings of ‘Holy Men.’ ”

According to Shahak, some Orthodox Jews are enjoined to recite the
following curse upon hearing the name Jesus: ” May his name be damned
and his memory be erased.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PACE January Session to Discuss Nagorno Karabakh Issue

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2004

AssA-Irada 13/10/2004 17:04

The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed
at the January session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), Samad Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation
at PACE, told a meeting of the Milli Majlis (parliament) on Tuesday.

Seyidov stressed that the Azerbaijani delegation succeeded in adopting
a resolution on Azerbaijan at the last session of PACE. The document
appreciates ongoing developments in Azerbaijan. It contains critical
moments as well, he said.

Seyidov noted that the draft report prepared by PACE’s former
reporter on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Terry Davis confirms the
fact of occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and stresses restoration of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity under international legal norms.

“The Council of Europe has always given priority to finding out
shortages and we should comprehend the logic of this organization,”
he underlined.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress