NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Aug 9 2004

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED IN THE NKR

On August 8, elections to the bodies of self-government were
conducted in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

According to the preliminary data, in the Republic, as a whole, 61.1
per cent of the voters took part in the elections. The attendance of
voters in the NKR capital of Stepanakert comprised 41.1 per cent.

In Stepanakert, according to the results of the voting, none of the
five candidates for the post of the capital major did not get the
necessary 50 and more per cent of votes. According to the acting
legislation, the second round among the two candidates who gathered
the greatest number of votes must take place in two weeks, on August
22.

Former Vice-Major of Stepanakert Pavel Najarian who gathered almost
43 per cent of votes, passed to the second round. Head of the
Commission on Social Issues of the NKR National Assembly, leader of
the recently created political organization “Movement-88” Eduard
Agabekian is behind by almost 10 per cent.

It is possible to follow the process of the elections in the on-line
regime on the Internet site

NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Aug 7 2004

INFORMATION
OF THE NKR STATE COMMISSION ON ISSUES OF PRISONERS OF WAR,
HOSTAGES AND MISSING PEOPLE

On August 6, 2004, in the north-eastern section of the state border
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the servicemen of the NKR Defense
Army detained serviceman of the Azerbaijani armed units Samedov Anar
Misha Ogli, the native of Baku, born in 1983, when he was passing the
demarcation line.

In the frameworks of its international obligations of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic in the sphere of human rights, the NKR State
Commission on Issues of Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People
informed the International Committee of Red Cross and OSCE Offices,
accredited in the NKR, on the incident.

Currently, the Republic’s coresponding bodies conduct investigation
events for finding out the circumstances and reasons of the violation
of the NKR border by the Azerbaijani serviceman.

The Republic’s authorities granted the ICRC representatives free
access to A.Samedov. The ICRC office was also informed about the the
NKR authorities’ readiness to pass A.Samedov to the Azerbaijani party
in case of getting its consent to accept their serviceman.

ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY DATA, SECOND TOUR OF ELECTIONS OF STEPANAKERT
MAYOR TO TAKE PLACE

STEPANAKERT, August 9 (Noyan Tapan). The elections of local
self-government bodies finished in about 240 NKR communities.

According to preliminary data, the 2nd tour of elections of
Stepanakert Mayor will take place. According to unofficial data, from
5 nominated candidates Pavel Najarian and Edvard Aghabekian got 2.8%
and 34.5% of votes, respectively. To recap, the National Labor Union
public-political pro-governmental organization made and official
statement supporting the first candidate and the Artsakh Central
Committee of ARF supported the second candidature.

Haaretz
Sun., August 08, 2004 Av 21, 5764

Tennis / Hewitt crushes Robredo to book final berth vs. Agassi or Roddick
By News Agencies

Lleyton Hewitt crushed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 yesterday to set up a
Cincinnati Masters Series final against Andy Roddick or Andre Agassi.
The Australian former world number one, sacrificing the chance of an Olympic
medal to help revive his career, reached his first final for six months with
a 53-minute victory over unseeded Spaniard Robredo.

Hewitt’s play was full of his trademark counter-hitting and fierce refusal
to give up any cause, but more unusually it also featured unusually potent
serving. He has still dropped serve only once in the tournament.

Hewitt, who beat Gustavo Kuerten, Tim Henman, and Marat Safin on the way to
the last four, made the first break in the seventh game by winning a
forehand to forehand exchange. He then served out for the first set in the
most crushing manner, finishing it with a perfectly delayed forehand
top-spin lob winner.

Hewitt made the killer break in the fifth game of the second set,
relentlessly harrying and probing from the baseline and provoking Robredo
into an over-ambitious faded drive on break point.

The mistake punctured Robredo’s morale. Hewitt capitalized ruthlessly,
winning 12 of the next 13 rallies and the match to move within one victory
of his first title since triumphing indoors in Rotterdam in February.

Americans Roddick, the defending champion and number two seed, and Agassi,
seeded 11th, played in the second semifinal last night after press time.

On Friday night, Agassi outlasted 2002 champion Carlos Moya 7-6 (14-12), 6-3
to blast into his first semi-final in five months.

Meanwhile, Israeli double pair Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram downed the
second seed pair of Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 on
Friday but failed to keep up the momentum, losing 7-6, 6-3 to Max Mirnyi of
Belarussia and Sargis Sargsian of Armenia yesterday.

Armenian official slams Azerbaijan’s “non-constructive position”

Arminfo
6 Aug 04

YEREVAN

The Armenian Foreign Ministry has described as unacceptable the latest
attempt by Azerbaijan to conceal its non-constructive position on the
issue of achieving a lasting peace, the press secretary of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry, Gamlet Gasparyan, said while commenting on
the statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on 4 August
regarding the exercises in Nagornyy Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan’s militarist rhetoric, its discontent with the peaceful,
legal and democratic elections to the local government bodies in
Nagornyy Karabakh and its contemptuous statements regarding its
Karabakh’s right to self-defence are only aggravating the atmosphere
of mistrust and cynicism. Despite such futile comments by the
Azerbaijani side, Armenia is always ready to take part in the efforts
which the international organizations are making in the region,
specifically in the forthcoming NATO exercises, and also to continue
its involvement in a peaceful settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict,” Gasparyan said.

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]
August 7, 2004

Opening Ceremonies for Newly Renovated Gevorkian Theological Seminary in
Holy Etchmiadzin

The evening of August 5 inaugurated a memorable and historical event in the
life of the Armenian Church. Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin
II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the newly renovated
Gevorkian Theological Seminary building in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin was re-opened. Present for the opening ceremonies were hundreds
of clergy and faithful, including more than 30 family members of national
benefactors Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian. Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian, from the
United States, were the sponsors of the year-long construction and
renovation work on the historic building.

The Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian cut
the ribbon at the entry of the famous building and led the procession of
guests and dignitaries to the large hall of the seminary, where a home
blessing service was offered, with readings from the Holy Bible and prayers
asking for God’s protection for the seminarians, instructors and
administrators.

Following the service, as the program began, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Archpriest
Sargisian, dean of the seminary, welcomed the guests and spoke about the 130
year glorious history of the seminary founded by Catholicos of All Armenians
Gevork IV in 1874, (after whom the theological school was named), and the
important role that it has played in the life of the Armenian nation and
people. The dean also presented a short synopsis on the present status of
the university, and the many plans and projects currently underway, all
aimed at preparing a new generation of Armenian Church clergymen for
throughout the world. The Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin has more
than 300 young men enrolled in four campuses throughout Armenia.

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), spoke eloquently of the unique and
exceptional role the Gevorkian Theological Seminary plays in the preparation
of young clergymen, noting that it has an irreplaceable duty in guaranteeing
the future of the Armenian Church. His Eminence also noted that in addition
to this princely gift for the worldwide Armenian Church and the Mother See,
the Hovnanian Family has also exhibited great generosity towards projects
supporting the Eastern Diocese in the United States, as well as the
independent Republic of Armenia.

President of the National Academy of Sciences Mr. Fadey Sargisian noted the
rich legacy of individuals, both priests and laymen, who received their
higher education in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, among them being
Komitas Vardapet Soghomonian, Hrachia Ajarian, Makar Yekmalian, Aksel
Bakounts, and Levon Shant.

National benefactor Kevork Hovnanian next addressed the assembled guests,
and spoke tenderly from the heart, noting in part, “Your Holiness, I see
that a new Golden Age has begun for the Armenian Church. I pray that the
new generation of priests will follow Your Holiness’ example, greater
strengthening Holy Etchmiadzin and our Mother Church, because it is only the
Armenian Church, who through her 1700 year rich experience has succeeded in
keeping us Armenian, in keeping us Christian, and has warmed our hearts,
always keeping alive in our minds and souls the love for the homeland and
our Church.”

At the conclusion of the program, His Holiness Karekin II gave his message
of blessing and appreciation to the benefactors and guests. The Pontiff of
All Armenians spoke of the vital mission which is reserved for the Gevorkian
Theological Seminary, in the past as well as the present and the future.
His Holiness highly appreciated the devotion of the benefactors, Mr. and
Mrs. Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian, and noted his joy at the presence of many
members of their family, including Mr. and Mrs. Hrair Hovnanian, Mr. and
Mrs. Vahakn Hovnanian, and children and grandchildren numbering more than
30, who had all traveled to Armenia, many for the first time, to be present
for the opening ceremonies of the school. His Holiness further noted the
unselfish example set by the entire Hovnanian family in their dedication to
the Armenian Church, her worldwide spiritual and administrative
headquarters – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian diaspora and
the state of the Republic of Armenia.

In his message, the Catholicos of All Armenians stated, “Our happiness today
is transformed into prayer in our souls for the memory of our blessed
predecessors, the Supreme Pontiffs of our Church, whose vision and dream it
had been to pass through the re-opened doors of this historic building and
institution. They had dreamed to see our Church strengthened and vibrant,
and today we mark one more great step in that progress. As our forebears
lived and kept their identity through our Mother Church, regardless of where
or when they lived, they likewise taught and raised their children in our
unique Armenian Christian spirit – resolute, strengthened and supported by
this institution.”

Also present for the opening ceremonies were visiting primates from Armenian
dioceses in Europe and the United States, high ranking clergymen and members
of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, visiting priests from the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, representatives of sister Christian Churches,
members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, President of the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Haroutiunian, RA Minister of Culture
and Youth Affairs Hovik Hoveyan, Yerevan State University President Dr.
Radik Martirosian, and many other guests from the spheres of science,
education, culture and the arts. The musical program for the evening was
provided by the Choir of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary under the
direction of Maestro Ruben Sharbatian.

The program concluded with a banquet held in the refectory of the Mother See
in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Kevork Hovnanian.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian International Policy Research Group (Washington, DC)
Armine Khachatryan <[email protected]> – WASHINGTON DC
Garik Hairapetyan <Garik [email protected]> – YEREVAN

THIRD ANNUAL AIPRG CONFERENCE ON ARMENIA–CALL FOR PAPERS

The Armenian International Policy Research Group is pleased to
announce that its third annual conference on will be held in January
15-16, 2005, at World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. While the
focus of this year’s conference will be on the issues related to
distribution of income and social safety nets, papers from all areas
of relevance for economic development and growth are welcome.
References should be made to the following broadly-defined sections:

– Growth and Poverty Reduction
– Social Sector Reforms (Education, Health, and Social Security)
– Taxation and Fiscal Policy
– Institutional Reforms and Governance
– Banking and Finance
– Diaspora’s Role and Channels of Involvement
– Trade, Regional Cooperation, and Geopolitics

Prospective authors should email abstracts to
[email protected] by September 15, 2004. The
Selection Committee will notify authors of accepted abstracts by
October 1, 2004. The deadline for completed papers is December 10,
2004. The Committee will be chaired by:

– David Joulfaian, US Department of the Treasury
– Saumya Mitra, The World Bank
– Susan George, International Monetary Fund

Select papers will be considered for publication in the Armenian
Journal of Public Policy. The final agenda along with the list of
confirmed papers will be circulated by January 1, 2005. The official
language of the conference is English. For more information on the
AIPRG and past conferences please visit

47.5% OF RESPONDENTS IN ARMENIA THINK THAT MAIN THREAT FOR REPUBLIC
WITHIN NEXT 5 YEARS IS RESUMPTION OF WAR WITH AZERBAIJAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 6. ARMINFO. 47.5% of the participants of the public
poll, held in Armenia, think that the main military threat for the
republic within the next 5 years, is the resumption of war with
Azerbaijan. Results of the public poll, held by Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, on the topic “Armenia in the
context of 5-10 years national and international security”,
testify. The survey has been held among 2,021 citizens of
Armenia. 55.5% of the respondents are representatives of female, 44.5%
– male. 42.2% of the respondents have higher education, 20.9% –
secondary-special, 24.6% – secondary education.

According to the resource, 3.1% consider the main threat the presence
of Russian military bases, withdrawal of Russian bases – 11.2%, 1.7%
think that the possible military conflict with Georgia may become a
threat, 2.8% think that it is the membership of Armenia in NATO,
military intrusion of Turkey – 7%, civil war – 11.7%, 13.6% think that
there will be no threat of military nature. 12.7% of the respondents
equated the national security with the own security, 17% – with the
security of the acting state system, 10.5% think that the national
security fully depends on the army and its efficiency, 58.4% are sure
in correlation of all the aforementioned factors. 45.1% of the
respondents think that the national security of Armenia is partially
safeguarded, 27.5% think that it is not safeguarded at all. Answering
the question what will strengthen Armenia within the next 5 years,
27.2% of the respondents said that is the efficiency of the army,
43.5% – economic potential, 26.8% – democratic potential.

In the opinion of 20.7% of the citizens the main political threat for
Armenia may be falsification of the results of the elections, 21.8% –
conflict of the authorities with the society, 9.8% – sharp restriction
of political and civil rights, 4% – increase of the economic and
political dependence on any other country. Speaking about main
economic threats of the next 5 years, 41% of the respondents mentioned
the corruption, 11.2% 0 foreign debt, economic and financial crisis –
19.8%, Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s keeping the economic blockade of
Armenia – 5.5%. 7.1% think that the activity or inactivity of the
Armenian strategic facilities which belong to foreign companies
(telecommunications company ArmenTel (Greece), airport Zvartnots
(Argentina), Power Distributing Networks (England), rubber plant
“Nairit” (Russia)) may have a threat.

FIRST SESSION OF MONITORING COMMISSION FOR STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
AT PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

YEREVAN, AUGUST 6. ARMINFO. The first session of the Monitoring
Commission for Struggle against Corruption was held at the
Presidential Residence today.

A Commission representative, Chairman of the Armenian Association of
Investigator-Journalists Edik Baghdasaryan said that the phrase
“struggle against corruption” has been just fashion in Armenia. He
pointed out the lack of any practical acts. The Commission aims
observation over implementation of governmental programs in the sphere
proposed by international orgnaizations. The results of the
observation will be submitted to the Council for Struggle against
Corruption. The Commission consists of representatives of
parliamentary factions, public orgnaizations, representatives of
Armenia at international orgnaizations, some 20 people in
total. However, the country’s opposition is not represented at the
Monitoring Commission. The next session is fixed for September,

Natural population growth 16 per cent down in Karabakh

Arminfo, Yerevan
6 Aug 04

STEPANAKERT

The mechanical population growth has doubled in Nagornyy Karabakh.

A 16-per-cent fall in the natural population growth was registered in
the republic in the first half of the current year as compared to the
same period of the last year, an Arminfo correspondent in Stepanakert
quoted the Nagornyy Karabakh national statistics service as saying.

There were 1,031 births and 730 deaths in the republic in the first
six months of 2004.

The mechanical population growth doubled – 548 people came to Nagornyy
Karabakh while 354 left it.