Time & Place: The hippies on the hill

Historian Saul David grew up running wild with his cousins on the family
commune in Wales – until they all fell out over money

The Times/UK
October 10, 2004

I was brought up with a whole bunch of cousins in the Wye Valley
during the hippy days of the 1970s. There were about 30 children at
one stage, running around like savages at a place called Callow Hill,
near Monmouth, which was owned by my grandparents. They lived in the
big house, but my dad had five brothers and a sister, and they all
lived in various houses scattered on the hill.

I wouldn’t call it an estate because that’s a bit grand, but we had
a couple of hundred acres. My forebears were fantastically wealthy
Armenians who came to England from India in the 19th century and did
what foreign types do – they married into a penniless but well-bred
local family. My great-great-grandfather, who made his money in the
jute trade, had at one time 600 houses in London and within three
generations the money was gone.

We didn’t care. Life was wonderful. We roamed the woods and swam in
the ponds, we built dens and we had tree houses. The cousins were a
self-contained clan and, because the hill was up a long drive and
relatively secure, we were allowed the run of the place. It got a
bit Lord of the Flies at times, with the older cousins setting up
pretty brutal situations. My oldest cousin, Simon, who was basically
in charge, had a gang. Everybody wanted to join it because all the
older children were in it, but the only way you could be a member
was if you handed over your pocket money, which everybody did. The
saddest times of my childhood were when my cousins moved away.

The house we lived in was originally put up as a temporary place for
my father to work when he was an undergraduate. It was an outhouse
basically, but he moved in with his wife and started having children,
of which I am the fourth, and it grew organically over the years. When
my stepmother first saw it she described it as a series of potting
sheds.

Life on the hill was like living in a commune. I went to school
because I liked it but nobody forced me to. You’d hardly guess it
if you met my aunts and uncles now, but at the time everybody bought
into the hippy theme. Some of the parents were all for educating their
children themselves, not that it lasted long, and Mum got very into
self-sufficiency at one point, with her vegetable plot and her farming
and her pigs. She was a bit of an amateur. Her butter was never quite
the thing and she had to put it in an old Anchor wrapper and pretend it
was bought or we wouldn’t eat it. It was the same with her bacon. She
was never adept at getting the hair off the pig, so there’d always be
little spiky bits on the rind, which gave us an indication that it was
Mum’s. She used to write “Danish” on the side but we were never fooled.

By the 1970s the place had got so shabby they chose to film the second
series of The Survivors there. That was a television drama about a
post-nuclear-type survival scenario and Callow Hill was ropey enough
to fit the bill. We were extras and from then on I was fascinated
with making television. I have just completed a series of historical
documentaries for Five.

I also made a BBC documentary about the Zulu war, as well as writing
a book about it, and that was influenced by my life at the hill,
too. One of the chief stories in Zulu concerns the battle of Rorke’s
Drift, when 140 British soldiers held out against 4,000 Zulus for 24
hours. Eleven Victoria Crosses were won, more than in any other single
action in British military history, and a lot of the soldiers were
recruited from Monmouthshire. It was local lore when I was growing
up and I always promised myself that one day I would write about it.

Now my father owns the big house, as he was the only one whose
finances allowed him to take it over, helped by my stepmother,
who just happened to have a few quid. There are no cousins there
now as there were all kinds of problems over inheritance. It was
idyllic when we were growing up but everybody fell out ultimately,
as my father and his siblings scrabbled over the last bones of a once
immense fortune. It was very un-hippyish. I don’t think inheriting
money is a terribly good thing for anybody.

Zulu by Saul David, Viking, £20. Interview by Cally Law

Brawl between Orthodox archbishop, Jewish student highlights problems
By Judith Sudilovsky

JERUSALEM-CONFRONTATIONS Oct-12-2004 (790 words) xxxi

Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM (CNS) — The recent brawl between an Armenian Orthodox bishop
and an ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth has spotlighted the issue of such
religious confrontations, which some observers say are increasing.

The incident occurred Oct. 10 when an ultra-Orthodox Jewish student
spat at a cross carried by Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian during a procession marking the exaltation of the holy
cross in Jerusalem’s Old City. The archbishop’s ceremonial medallion,
which has been in use since the 17th century, was broken during the
ensuing brawl, in which he slapped the student.

The archbishop and the student were questioned by the police, and
the student was arrested.

The Ha’aretz newspaper said religious Jews often spit on the ground
when they see the cross. The newspaper quoted the archbishop as saying
he had grown accustomed to people turning around and spitting when he
walked past, but to have a cross spit at during a religious procession
was a “humiliation we are not prepared to accept.”

“You meet a fanatic segment of Jews who have their own ideas;
sometimes when they see Christian clergy walking on the Via Dolorosa
with the cross, some fanatics (may say something or spit) but we
can’t generalize. It is not the sort of thing you see in general,”
said Father Shawki Baterian, chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate of
Jerusalem. “It may happen to individual priests sometimes, but they
don’t (lodge) complaints or pay attention to it.”

He said Archbishop Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem has never been insulted
or abused in such a manner.

Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council
in Israel, said there have been increasing reports of such incidents.

“There is a lack of education in a very certain quarter of Jewish life,
but it is not sweeping Israeli society. It tends to be in the areas of
Jerusalem where (Christian clergy) come in contact with ultra-Orthodox
(Jews),” he said. “It is not an epidemic, but it is increasing.”

The problem is most intense in the Old City, he said, recalling
an incident when he accompanied a visiting Catholic cardinal to
the Western Wall, and an Orthodox Jewish youth shouted disparaging
remarks at the religious leader. The cardinal ignored the shouting,
and his visit continued as planned.

“There needs to be more education and statements by some leading
figures in the Orthodox (Jewish) world in Israel,” Rabbi Kronish said.
“But it is hard to educate people who are not open to dialogue. More
awareness that this is a city of three faiths would be helpful.”

The Armenian and Syrian Orthodox churches are generally the ones facing
the brunt of such antagonism because their communities are located
closer to areas where Orthodox Jews go and so have more chances of
contact, said Daniel Rossing, former adviser on Christian affairs for
the Religious Affairs Ministry and director of the Jerusalem Center
for Christian-Jewish Dialogue.

“You don’t hear of a lot of incidents near the Latin Patriarchate
area or near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, because those are not
areas where in general Jews are passing, (but) the Armenian Quarter
is along a major thoroughfare, with a human traffic flow of Jews
going to the Jewish Quarter and to the Western Wall,” Rossing said.

In general, he said, such attacks are perpetrated by younger male
members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

In its lead editorial, Ha’aretz called the incidents “Jerusalem’s
disgrace” and charged the police and Interior Ministry with not doing
enough to prevent such attacks.

“It turns out that for some time the Christians in Jerusalem have been
suffering from … provocations by wild young people. The provocations
… have become an ugly routine in recent years, fitting right in with
the increasingly extremist political atmosphere,” the newspaper said.

It called on the city to “take firm action” against the offending
youth.

“It is intolerable that Christian citizens of Jerusalem suffer from
the shameful spitting at or near a crucifix,” the paper said.

Many Orthodox Jews see the cross as a symbol of the violence
perpetrated on Jewish communities by Christians over the centuries.

Rossing said his center is planning to ask Christian churches to
report all such incidents so it can build a solid statistical base
with which to approach leading rabbinical figures to ask for their
assistance in curbing the abuse.

Jerusalem officials did not return a Catholic News Service request
for comment, but Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said
police have had only two complaints from Christians in the past
year. In both cases, the culprits were caught and punished, he said,
adding that police deploy a large number of patrols and employ special
technology in the Old City to try to maintain order.

END

Armenia ranks third among CIS in investment in RF, Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said

13.10.2004, 13.56

YEREVAN, October 13 (Itar-Tass) – Armenia ranks third among CIS
countries in investments in Russia’s economy, Russian Transport
Minister Igor Levitin said.

Speaking at an international economic forum on Wednesday, Levitin said,
“At present, the improvement of trade structure and the expansion of
investment cooperation is one of priority tasks.”

Armenians of Russia.

The Russian minister recalled, “Russia invested in different fields
of Armenia’s economy, primarily in the productive and banking sectors
of the economy.”

Last year Russia’s investment in Armenia’s economy reached 68 million
U.S. dollars. From 1988 to 2003 Russia’s direct investment in Armenia
exceeded 230 million U.S. dollars.

Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said Russia is ready to take an active
part in investment programmes and the implementation of economic
projects in Armenia.

The prime minister’s message was read by Russian Transport Minister
Igor Levitin.

Fradkov said he is hopeful that this forum would become a catalyst
for the development of trade and economic ties between Armenia and
Russia and other countries.

He noted that the Armenian community in Russia played a significant
role in launching mutually advantageous ties in various spheres
between the two countries.

Levitin, who co-chairs the Russian-Armenian economic cooperation
commission, said the development of inter-regional relations between
the two countries was an important reserve of bilateral relations.

Commenting on Armenia’s state debt to Russia, the minister said the two
countries had found a solution to this problem last year. The handover
of companies as payment of the state debt creates preconditions for
boosting trade and economic interaction between the two states.

Russian-Armenian trade and economic cooperation is developed in
accordance with the principle of equality, while meeting each party’s
national interests and to their mutual advantage, the minister said.

Levitin noted positive examples of cooperation, including such joint
ventures as Armenal, in which the Russian Aluminium Company invested
more than 40 million dollars, the Armavia airline, in which Russia’s
Sibir holds a 70-percent sake and the Orbita plant, which is wholly
owned by Rosaviaspetskomplex.

“We have cooperation plans in the fields of power generation,
including nuclear power generation, and information technologies
where resources and experience of Russian communication operators
on Armenia’s market will be used, as well as in the sphere of space
exploration and science,” the minister said.

He said Russia’s commercial banks begin to display interest in
servicing Russian companies, which operate in Armenia, and setting
up new joint ventures.

Armenian foreign minister gives wide-ranging TV interview

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
11 Oct 04

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has said in an interview
to Armenian TV that relations with Russia are good even though Russia
closing the border with Georgia following Beslan has caused problems
for Armenia. In the interview, which spanned various topics and lasted
a little over an hour, he added that the closure of the border was
aimed against Georgia and not Armenia. On the question of Nagornyy
Karabakh he said that the Azeri president was “driving himself into
a corner” through his recent statements on the subject while later
on in the interview Oskanyan denied that Armenia faced international
isolation over its Karabakh policies. Asked to comment on recent
reports that the USA planned to open military bases in neighbouring
Azerbaijan, Oskanyan said he treated such reports “with suspicion”. As
regards the war in Iraq, he said Armenia had never welcomed it and
would not be sending troops to Iraq. But at the same time Oskanyan
said he supported antiterror measures. He wound up the interview by
stressing Armenia’s potential for development noting this could not be
achieved without the involvement of the opposition and diaspora. The
following is an excerpt from the interview to Armenian Public TV on
11 October. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:

Correspondent Good evening. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
will answer our questions today. Good evening, Mr Oskanyan. The
important question of this week is why the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint on
the Russian-Georgian border is not operating. Despite negotiations
at the highest level to open the border, it is not functioning
yet. People in Armenia are speaking about changes in Russia’s policy
towards Armenia.

Armenia is suffering from border closure

Vardan Oskanyan, captioned The negotiations are continuing, and I am
sure that there will be changes. It would be better if such cases did
not take place at all. The situation is indeed very difficult, there
are numerous vehicles on the border, and they cannot cross it. This
has a negative impact on Armenia. The negotiations are going on at
the highest level in order to resolve the problem. This problem cannot
last long because nobody benefits from this: Russia, Georgia, Armenia,
and also Azerbaijan to some extent, are suffering from this. I am
sure that this problem will eventually be decided once and for all.

First, we have to mention that this is the first case in our
independent history that Russia, our strategic partner, has
undertaken a step against our country and this has a negative impact
on Armenia. But on the basis of this to claim that Russia has changed
its attitude towards Armenia would be incorrect.

Correspondent Does this mean that Russia has no grounds to punish Armenia or
Georgia?

Closure aimed at Georgia not Armenia

Vardan Oskanyan Of course, this step is not against Armenia. This
is against Georgia. We should not forget that serious events have
recently taken place in that part of the region, i.e. the Beslan
events, terrorist acts on the whole. Russia is undertaking relevant
steps. There are also other problems between Russia and Georgia. All
these measures are directed at resolving these problems, but not
against Armenia. We must be ready for similar actions from countries
with whom we have close relations, and this does not only refer to
Russia; these countries can at times put their national interests
above their ties with Armenia. A country, with whom we have the
closest relations and is our strategic partner, can undertake such
steps to defend its national interests.

Correspondent But, we are losing out.

Oskanyan Yes, we are losing out, but we must hope that this will not
last long. Therefore, we must continue negotiations. Our interests,
our infrastructures in this region are related so closely with the
three South Caucasus and neighbouring countries that it has become
like one entire system. If something takes place in one country, it
has an immediate impact on other countries, too. For example, roads,
oil pipelines and other things. We should all understand this and then
the leaders would be more responsible as regards their activities.
I hope that, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and also Armenia and Russia as
well as other countries can overcome this situation. The resolution
is also dependent on the presidents’ experience and their readiness
to solve the problem through cooperation.

No problem in Armenian-Russian relations

Correspondent As a result of recent events, public opinion polls show
that the Russian-Armenian relations, the intergovernmental relations
between the two countries are not horizontal. What is your assessment
of the Russian-Armenian relations and how will they develop in future?

Oskanyan There is no problem in our relations. Our relations with
Russia are horizontal and satisfy our countries’ interests.

Aliyev is driving himself into a corner over Nagornyy Karabakh

Correspondent Nagornyy Karabakh will never be independent, we shall
never agree to a compromise, which is connected with our independence,
and the international community will never recognize Nagornyy
Karabakh’s military regime. Ilham Aliyev Azerbaijani president said
this in an interview with Reuters last week. In this interview, he
also noted that Armenia must make decisive steps in the negotiating
process by liberating seven districts. How would you comment on this
statement by Aliyev Junior?

Oskanyan You know, Aliyev has not only said this in this interview
but also in his recent speech at the 59th session of the UN General
Assembly on 24 September ; I think that he is driving himself into a
corner. I hope that he understands this. By doing this, he wants to
strengthen his precarious position in the country. But he has chosen
the wrong direction and the wrong topic. He can issue statements, but
his statements can only complicate his ability to compromise, without
which a settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is impossible. He
forgets that some moves have taken place in this process. We are
also making statements on Nagornyy Karabakh and if one is attentive
enough, one can notice that no other settlement is possible in the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict in other words Karabakh will not be part
of Azerbaijan . There will be no other settlement. Karabakh must not
be part of Azerbaijan, as it has not been historically or legally
either. Therefore, the truth is stressed in our speeches, in our
president’s speeches. It is stressed that Karabakh must never be part
of Azerbaijan. We are very careful in our statements and we understand
this issue could be solved by compromises, and the areas where we
must make compromises do not contradict this. We never debate issues
where we can make compromise. We do not issue irrelevant statements
to gain political dividends. However, Aliyev does. I am not sure that
he will rectify this policy; otherwise, he could worsen his situation.

Various options possible to resolve Karabakh problem

At present Nagornyy Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan and not
only we but also international organizations understand this point. A
model of a common state option and the Key West process are proof
of this. This option is also viewed as real by the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs. Some six to seven years ago nobody even wanted to hear about
this matter and we were not allowed to speak on this topic. Currently
the situation has changed and it is a real option for Karabakh not to
be part of Azerbaijan. This is one of the easiest options to implement
if we approach this issue from the international community’s point of
view. We do not know whether Aliyev understands this or not. Judging
from the contents and outcome of the negotiations, we may conclude
that he does understand. Because there is a discrepancy between what he
says in the negotiations and what he says in his speeches in public. We
regret that he prepares his public speeches differently and therefore,
he will have problems in connection with the public in future.

Correspondent Mr Oskanyan, has a common state proposal been taken
into consideration in the negotiations?

Oskanyan You know, until now Azerbaijan has wanted to choose the
easiest way based on the political line pursued by the former president
Heydar Aliyev in domestic policy. True, various options are being
discussed. However, the most difficult option for Azerbaijan is the
return of territories. As before, they agree to the easiest option
for themselves, i.e. the return of the territories, the postponement
of the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and entrusting
its resolution to future generations. This is a dangerous approach
and this method cannot resolve the matter. Because, Azerbaijan will
never make changes to its political line on the status of the Nagornyy
Karabakh if it gets some other territories back. We would be naive to
think that Azerbaijan will give up its political line in connection
with the status of the NKR, improve relations and open the borders
if we return some of the occupied territories. Nothing will change;
such an approach can somewhat ease regional tension without having
a role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. For the time
being, the package option is the only way to achieve a resolution of
this problem. Definite changes can be made in connection with the
implementation of the package option. It is a topic of negotiations
to define consistency while applying the points of this option.

However, for the sake of establishing lasting and stable peace in
the region and improving relations, we should agree to the package
option as there is no other alternative. This is our foreign policy
line and I believe that this package should be at the negotiating
table as it has no alternative.

US bases in Azerbaijan

Correspondent Minister, the US United Press International agency
reported that Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev and US Deputy
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Steven Pifer
agreed on stationing of US military bases in Cabrayil, Fuzuli and
Zangilan southwest Azerbaijan . Is this proposal being discussed in
the negotiations? Will these districts be really liberated?

Oskanyan This is the first time that I have heard this, this is
nonsense. The issue of stationing US military bases in Azerbaijan
is certainly not our problem, this is their problem. The districts,
mentioned by you, are part of the package option and they cannot be
resolved separately. Even if this issue has been discussed between
Azerbaijan and the USA, I consider it meaningless. I also treat this
report with suspicion; this is provocation by Azerbaijan. This is
what Azerbaijan would wish, it is hardly likely that the USA would
take such a step.

Passage omitted: Oskanyan comments on the Turkish-EU membership
dialogue

No Armenian troops for Iraq

Correspondent Mr Oskanyan, parliament is expected to debate soon the
issue of sending troops to Iraq. Do you think specialists should be
sent to Iraq and what is your attitude towards this issue?

Oskanyan Artak correspondent’s name , you rectified your mistake at
the end. However, the first part of your question is also wide of
the mark. It is not correct to use the word troops. We cannot speak
about troops here. Nevertheless, I’ll try to give a generalized
answer to the question. You see, unlike our regional neighbours,
Armenia has never welcomed the war in Iraq. We have been principled
on this issue since the first day and we still stick to this. We have
not participated in the war and will not do so. It is everybody’s
task to contribute to the humanitarian issue. This issue certainly
can be debated proceeding from the interests of the Iraqi people
and our community there. I hope that our parliament will take the
right decision. We should distinguish between the Iraqi war and
war on terror. We are a member of the antiterror coalition and in
tandem with the international community we are fighting against
it. We are combating terrorism through legislative means, acceding
to international conventions, protecting our borders and preventing
it being used by a third country. Armenia deals with these issues
seriously, and the USA and international community highly appreciate
our efforts. We are also interested in fighting against terrorism as
Armenia is a victim of terrorism.

Passage omitted: terrorists fought in the Karabakh war in 1992-93

Armenia will not face isolation over Karabakh

Correspondent Minister, your statement that Karabakh is priceless
and Armenia will never compromise on Karabakh for the sake of its
involvement in oil and transport projects are being widely debated
in the press. You have said that we can develop without them oil
and transport projects and we shall put up with any difficulty that
comes our way even if the war goes on for 100 years. In your opinion,
will it not cost us dear to be in isolation?

Oskanyan You asked two questions, and one of them surprised me very
much. There cannot be a citizen in Armenia who does not agree that
Karabakh is priceless. If Armenia has a citizen who does not agree
with this opinion and thinks that I am wrong, then I regret it. Passage
omitted: elaborates on why Karabakh is priceless To state that Karabakh
has a price tag and we can make compromises over it for the sake of an
oil pipeline and the opening of a railway are wrong. Karabakh cannot be
haggled over as every inch of Armenia is priceless, including Karabakh.

As the above could lead towards our isolation, it would, of course,
be better if the Azerbaijani and Turkish borders were open, the railway
were in operation and so on. I issued a statement at a press conference
based on an interview by the US Minsk Group cochair, Steven Mann,
where Mann said that Armenia might be isolated. My answer is: do not
try to frighten us on these issues. Isolation is only possible if
the international community is behind it. However, isolation is
impossible. It is Turkey’s decision to keep the railway closed.
The issue of the oil pipeline and the closure of the Naxcivan
section of the railway is Azerbaijan’s decision. It is natural
that given the above, they would like to isolate Armenia. It is
true that we have been deprived of involvement in the oil pipeline
and transport projects. However, it would be wrong to view this as
Armenia’s isolation. Isolation is possible only if the international
community takes steps against Armenia. However, this is not the case;
just the opposite. You see, due to Armenia’s current activities,
we are members of important international organizations, starting
from human rights commissions to our participation in the work
of top-level organizations. Armenia has never been so close to
international organizations as now

Stability and cooperation with others will ensure development

Correspondent You say that Armenia can be developed. Which development
resources are these? Financial, human or diplomatic? Have we sufficient
resources?

Oskanyan It is true, there are many problems in Armenia today. The
level of poverty is very high, there are many serious problems with
employment. All these have to be solved gradually. All these problems
can be solved only by ensuring high rates of economic growth. I
can boldly announce today that using only a small per cent of the
resources of our Armenianhood, including Armenia itself and the
diaspora changes tack – we have large resources. The resources are
not only human, financial and the infrastructure. The resources are
at the same time, democracy, human rights, the diaspora’s involvement
and our policies. There are also other resources which we have not
yet been harnessed. We must use these resources. I would like to
outline our political stability among these resources, and also the
establishment and formation of a political field where the government
and opposition both have a role to play . To implement all these,
we need the opposition’s involvement. We can develop and cooperate
in this region only through the correct usage of our resources. These
resources exist and all that remains is to establish peace inside the
country and to involve the diaspora in our works. An assurance that
Armenia has enough resources to develop is needed regarding Armenia,
and in order to achieve this assurance we need domestic political
stability; and to achieve domestic political stability we need
cooperation between the ruling sides and the opposition. I am sure
that we have all these resources and we must work in this direction;
and then we can implement all these things in these conditions. We
need to work on the opening of the borders, but if they do not open
we must try to continue the tempos of our development in the existing
conditions and achieve a strong and prosperous Armenia.

Correspondent Mr Oskanyan, thank you for your interesting interview
and goodbye.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia transport isolation thwarts trade with RF – minister

ITAR-TASS News Agency  
October 13, 2004 Wednesday

YEREVAN — Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said Armenia’s
transport isolation thwarts trade with Russia.

Levitin, who is Russian co-chairman of the inter-governmental
commission on economic cooperation, said this problem is in the focus
of sessions of the inter-governmental commission.

Among major problems, the Russian minister named the unsatisfied
development of the transport infrastructure, which requires additional
finances, and Georgia’s unconstructive position on opening through
railway traffic between Russia and Armenia.

Levitin said, “There are obstacles to carry out the project on
organising direct ferry traffic via Poti. The solution of the transport
problem in the Caucasus should be subject of the whole region.”

Armenia ranks third among CIS countries in investments in Russia’s
economy, he said.

Speaking at an international economic forum, the minister said,
“At present, the improvement of trade structure and the expansion
of investment cooperation is one of priority tasks.” The forum was
organised by the World Armenian Congress and the Union of Armenians
of Russia.

He recalled, “Russia invested in different fields of Armenia’s economy,
primarily in the productive and banking sectors of the economy.”

Last year Russia’s investment in Armenia’s economy reached 68 million
U.S. dollars. From 1988 to 2003 Russia’s direct investment in Armenia
exceeded 230 million U.S. dollars.

Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said Russia is ready to take an active
part in investment programmes and the implementation of economic
projects in Armenia.

The prime minister’s message was read by Russian Transport Minister
Igor Levitin.

Fradkov said he is hopeful that this forum would become a catalyst
for the development of trade and economic ties between Armenia and
Russia and other countries.

He noted that the Armenian community in Russia played a significant
role in launching mutually advantageous ties in various spheres
between the two countries.

Levitin said the development of inter-regional relations between the
two countries was an important reserve of bilateral relations.

Commenting on Armenia’s state debt to Russia, the minister said the two
countries had found a solution to this problem last year. The handover
of companies as payment of the state debt creates preconditions for
boosting trade and economic interaction between the two states.

Russian-Armenian trade and economic cooperation is developed in
accordance with the principle of equality, while meeting each party’s
national interests and to their mutual advantage, the minister said.

Levitin noted positive examples of cooperation, including such joint
ventures as Armenal, in which the Russian Aluminium Company invested
more than 40 million dollars, the Armavia airline, in which Russia’s
Sibir holds a 70-percent sake and the Orbita plant, which is wholly
owned by Rosaviaspetskomplex.

“We have cooperation plans in the fields of power generation,
including nuclear power generation, and information technologies
where resources and experience of Russian communication operators
on Armenia’s market will be used, as well as in the sphere of space
exploration and science,” the minister said.

He said Russia’s commercial banks begin to display interest in
servicing Russian companies, which operate in Armenia, and setting
up new joint ventures.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 13, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Receives President Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic
Republic of Iran

On the afternoon of September 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Mr. Mohammad Khatami, President of
the Islamic Republic of Iran and his delegation of high-ranking dignitaries.

President Khatami thanked His Holiness for the reception, and spoke of the
strong relationship between the two countries and the further reinforcement
of those bonds. “My visit to this holy place has genuinely increased the
depth of significance to my visit to Armenia”, noted the President of Iran.

His Holiness welcomed President Khatami, and referred to the mission of the
Mother See in the life of the Armenian people: “Holy Etchmiadzin is the
very soul of the Armenian individual. It is the beating heart of the
Armenian body. The sons and daughters of our nation dispersed throughout
the world, when making the sign of the cross, have always directed their
gaze toward their spiritual home, toward Holy Etchmiadzin”.

The Pontiff of All Armenians expressed appreciation for the careful attitude
of the Iranian authorities towards the Armenian community of Iran. His
Holiness further noted his joy in the continued development and progress of
relations between Armenia and Iran, and stated his hope that the ties be
fostered and strengthened for the welfare of both countries.

During the course of the meeting, both leaders placed great importance on
the role and mission of spiritual leaders in the peaceful solution of
regional conflicts and issues.

Also in attendance during the meeting were His Grace Bishop Sion Adamian,
Primate of the Diocese of Armavir; Very Rev. Fr. Anushavan Jamkotchian; G.
Gharibjanian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Islamic Republic
of Iran, and A. Hadidian, Ambassador of Iran to Armenia.

##

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

For Immediate Release October 12, 2004

Armenia registers Jehovah’s Witnesses

YEREVAN, Armenia – On October 11, 2004, at 5.30 p.m. the Central
Agency of the State Registry of the Ministry of Justice handed the
representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses the official certificate of
registration of their religious organization in Armenia.

“This is a great day for us,” said Hrach Keshishyan, spokesman for
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia. “We may now be able to enjoy the same
civil rights and freedom of worship as our fellow believers in the
rest of the world. We are truly grateful to the Armenian authorities
for taking this courageous step in favor of religious freedom.”

The registration granted by the Ministry of Justice ends a nine-year
history of registration applications-14 in all-the first one being
filed on October 15, 1995. The decision to grant Jehovah’s Witnesses
legal status is an indication of Armenia’s compliance with its
commitments to the Council of Europe.

Keshishyan also stated: “We eagerly anticipate the immediate release of
15 young men, Jehovah’s Witnesses, currently in prison or in pretrial
detention for their conscientious objection to military service.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world rejoice over the legal recognition
in Armenia and hope that this recognition will pave the way for Armenia
to resolve the long-standing issue of the young men who are Witnesses
and whose Bible-trained conscience does not allow them to serve in the
military. In its Resolution 1361 (2004), the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe had ruled that those men “be released immediately
by presidential pardon.”

There are approximately 8,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia.

Armenian/Russian speaking contacts

Armenia: Hrach Keshishyan
phone + 374 9 46-39-50

Russia: Jaroslav Sivulskii
Phone +7 812 434-38-50

English speaking contacts
Europe: Paul Gillies
phone +44 20 8906 2211

United States: David Semonian
Phone +718 560 5600

David A. Semonian
Assistant Director
Office of Public Information
World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-560-5600
[email protected]

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 13, 2004
___________________

PARISH LEADERS LISTEN, TALK ABOUT NEED FOR STEWARDSHIP

By Jake Goshert

This fall, as part of its “Year of Stewardship”, the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) has been holding regional
one-day conferences where parish leaders can discuss aspects of the
term “stewardship.”

The two sessions held so far — September 25, 2004, hosted by the St.
Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, and October 2 at
the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI — were resounding
successes for the 100 or so leaders who attended.

There will be a regional meeting on October 16 at the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL. Sessions at the St. Mary Church
of Washington, D.C., and in Florida will be scheduled later this year.

“The regional meeting was very beneficial. It provided each of the
parishes an opportunity to exchange ideas on stewardship campaigns
and to learn what approaches are being used and which of those has
been successful,” said Jeri Humphries, parish council chair of the
St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA. “The major challenge seems to be to
re-educate our parishioners on the principle of ‘stewardship,’ to help
them understand the difference between stewardship and membership.”

“We should emphasize that stewardship needs to encompass all three
components — time and talent and treasure — and the major emphasis
need not be on treasure initially,” Humphries added. “Once you engage
parishioners in giving their time and talent, there will be a greater
connection with the church that will, in the end, lead to parishioners
giving their treasure to support and perpetuate their church.”

Invited to the sessions are parish council chairs, Diocesan delegates,
and clergy. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, attends every session, as do Diocesan Council members and
Diocesan staff.

“We want to encourage our local leaders to speak of stewardship
as any and all substantive support of our church. It is not just
writing a check; stewardship is creating a sense of community among
the parishioners,” the Primate said. “We also want to show how the
Diocese can help parishes, and how the parishes can help each other
in building stewardship plans.”

The meeting agenda includes discussions on the history of stewardship
in the Bible and in the Armenian Church tradition; on building a
parish stewardship program that encourages giving of time and talent
as well as financial support; and on ideas for creating a year-round
effort at building support for the church.

“The concept of stewardship is very good. It’s very important.
It sends a message we’re concerned about your church, both in the
present and the future,” said Fr. Diran Bohajian of the St. Leon
Church of Fair Lawn, NJ. “To me, stewardship says we’re actively
working to strengthen the church spiritually, not just financially.
And we’re welcoming people’s donations of all kinds. Some give time,
others have skills or money. When you put them together, that is what
makes our Christian community come alive.”

Participants in each session crafted “action plans” detailing ways
parishes could help themselves, ways parishes can help each other,
and support needed from the Diocese. Follow-up steps will be collected
from all the sessions to create a plan of action for building stronger
local communities of faith.

The day-long sessions also include a discussion of proposed Diocesan
by-law changes and an open forum for local leaders to discuss any
issue with the Primate and Diocesan Council members.

— 10/13/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in
the News and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Participants at the regional stewardship workshop
on September 25, 2004, at the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of
White Plains, NY, talk about “stewardship.”

PHOTO CAPTION (2): This fall’s regional stewardship workshops, such
as this one on October 2, 2004, at the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church
of Providence, RI, feature discussions on stewardship, proposed
Diocesan by-laws changes, and an open forum with the Primate and
Diocesan Council members.

# # #

Upcoming Conference on “The Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the
European Union” in Luxembourg

Clark University
Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Contact: Professor Simon Payaslian, Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair, Department
of History
Phone: (508) 793-7254
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

The Leir Center of the Luxembourg-Clark University Program will
host a conference on “The Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the
European Union.” The conference will be held between October 14-16,
2004 in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

The conference is organized by Professor Simon Payaslian, Robert Aram
and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marian Mugar Chair in Armenian
Genocide Studies and Modern Armenian History at Clark University,
Worcester, MA.

Participants Include:

— Dr. Armenak Darbinyan, Director of Economic Research Institute,
Ministry of Finance and Economy, Yerevan, Armenia;

— Ms. Narreh Ghazarian, Clark University student;

— Dr. Claire Mouradian, Director of Research, Centre National
de la Recherche Scientifique, and Centre d’études du monde russe,
soviétique et post-soviétique, EHESS (Ecole des Hautes Etudes en
Sciences Sociales), Paris, France;

— Dr. Yuri Suvaryan, Head of Management Department, Yerevan State
Institute of Economy, Yerevan, Armenia;

— Dr. Styopa Safaryan, Senior Analyst, Legal and Political Affairs,
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS),
Yerevan, Armenia.

UNICEF: Amid Eastern Europe’s economic recovery, children fall behind

The Star Online
Wednesday, October 13, 2004

MOSCOW: Although the formerly communist countries of Eastern Europe and
Central Asia are seeing substantial economic improvement, millions of
their children still languish in poverty and the problem is worsening
in some countries, UNICEF said in a report released Wednesday.

Child populations are rising most quickly in the region’s most
impoverished countries, said the report by the United Nations
Children’s Fund. In addition, public health expenditures in some of
the countries have declined at a rate sharper than their economies
are rising, the report shows.

“Economic growth alone does not benefit children,” UNICEF executive
director Carol Bellamy said at a news conference launching the report.

The report notes that full assessment of the child poverty conditions
in 27 countries _ the former Soviet republics and once-communist
countries of Europe _ is difficult because of a dearth of recent data
and widely varying local standards of what constitutes poverty.

For example, the report said, comparatively prosperous Latvia sets
the poverty line at 51 percent of per-capita GDP while Georgia, where
per-capita GDP is only 25 percent of Latvia’s, sets the poverty line
at 63 percent.

In nine countries for which recent data were available, 14 million
of 44 million children were living in poverty, the report said. The
countries cited were Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Belarus,
Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.

Azerbaijan was among the countries where annual per-capita spending on
public health declined in recent years, the report said: just US$32
(26) in 2001, less than was spent in 1998, even though national
income rose about 10 percent annually in the period. In Tajikistan,
the poorest of the former Soviet republics, the report said health
expenditures stayed flat at about US$12 (10) despite 7 percent
economic growth.

The report also expressed concern about population growth in the
countries of formerly Soviet Central Asia. It noted that in 1990,
11 percent of the survey region’s impoverished children lived
in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and that in 1992 those
countries plus comparatively small Moldova accounted for 17 percent
of the region’s poor children. – AP