armenianow.com
July 30, 2004
Vacation Armenian Style: The healing value of Dendropark
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
>From the road leading to Stepanavan, travelers get a first glimpse of
the pride of that city, the Dendropark. The tops of big pine trees
sway humbly as if to wave at approaching guests.
The 35 hectares park is in unfortunate decay, yet from a distance it becomes
an emerald lake, rippling after rain in the colors of every imaginable
green.
Natural health for the soul
Dendropark was created in 1933 by Polish forester Edmond Leonovich. Over the
years Leonovich collected trees, bushes and flowers from across the world.
>From about 2,500 species, he identified 600 that would thrive in the
Northern Armenia climate and they became the park. The work was later
continued by Leonovich’s son, Vitali, a doctor of biology.
Given the travel restrictions of Soviet times, it was a massive chore for
Leonovich to collect samples from throughout the world. And today, because
of quite different problems, it is equally difficult to maintain the park,
the son says.
Still, during summer months Dendropark is filled with guests. Leaving the
wearisome heat, people hurry here to enjoy the dizzying fragrance of fir
trees, calm rustling of tree branches and crystal clear air.
Vanadzor resident Narine Kirakosyan, 27, is a big fan of this garden and at
least one day a week she spends close to this wonderful nature.
Green peace
“When I’m angry or very tired I get into the car and come to Dendropark
without hesitating and as if by some miracle I relax,” says Narine. She says
the experience allows her soul to merge with nature.
“No one knows what the paradise in heaven is like, but the earthly one is
definitely like our Dendropark, at least my friends and I have that
feeling,” says Narine.
This heavenly park that spreads behind the small gates attracts not only due
to its beauty but also due to its medicinal qualities. In early summer
people come even from different countries to breathe the pollen of fir
trees. According to specialist Grigor Nerkararyan the fir tree pollen has a
natural makeup that is good for treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma,
pneumonia and allergies. Taking into account nature’s own remedy, in 1937
the Sotchut Health Center for Mothers and Children was constructed next to
the park.
Despite various problems and poor financing visitors are accepted at
Dendropark free of charge. Director Vitali Leonovich says nature belongs to
everyone and it’s in a way immoral to ask money from people who want to
enjoy it.
“These days complaining is a sin. We ???? sprouts from several famous brands
such as sitka spruce ? r fir and sell them and spend the money that we make
of it on the works on improving the park’s conditions,” says Leonovich.
Surrounded by beauty
The 71-year old park starts each day like the one before. Rays of sun, like
naughty children trying to break in, try to penetrate the thick foliage of
so many old trees and are laughed at by twittering birds. Rains do not keep
one waiting here, often the clouds start roaring and heavy rain slakes the
thirst of the plants.
Here people and nature are as a single whole, even on cold winter days
Vitali Leonovich and his family do not leave the park, he caresses it like
his own child and speaks with every tree and bush.
“This nature is a part of me,” Leonovich says. “In general, a person is a
part of nature, so the closer and more harmonious you are to nature, the
more valuable a person you are both spiritually and physically.”

ARKA News Agency
July 30 2004
The Head of WB Yerevan Office Highly estimates four-year cooperation
with RA Government
In August E-Armenia Foundation to start educational campaign on
electronic system of territorial management in communities
President of Republic of Komi Vladimir Torlopov arrives in Armenia
State Labor Inspection to be established in Armenia
President of Iran to come to Armenia with official visit on September
8-9
*********************************************************************
THE HEAD OF WB YEREVAN OFFICE HIGHLY ESTIMATES FOUR-YEAR COOPERATION
WITH RA GOVERNMENT
YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. The Head of WB Yerevan Office Roger
Robinson highly estimates four-year cooperation with RA Government,
RA Government told ARKA. During the meeting with RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian Robinson stated that it is one of the best
examples of cooperation of WB with the government of foreign country.
It was also noted that credit on assistance to poverty reduction will
be represented to WB Directors Board on November 18, 2004 and till
then the parties will continue estimation works and negotiations. The
parties also discussed process of realization of strategic program on
poverty reduction, reforms in different spheres and joint works in
given direction. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
IN AUGUST E-ARMENIA FOUNDATION TO START EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT IN COMMUNITIES
YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. In August E-Armenia Foundation together
with UNDP will start educational campaign on electronic system of
territorial management in communities, E-Armenia Foundation told
ARKA. The program will include courses for teachers of schools,
involved in Project Harmony program, also conduct meetings and
discussions with representatives of communities. By means of local
television, radio and printed media and Internet the parties will
conduct special campaign on increase of familiarization of citizens
on e-government.
The program will end in December 2004. In the frames of the program
the organizer opened an Internet site
Project Harmony Office operates in Armenia since 2000.
E-Armenia Foundation realized program Armenian Development Gateway in
Armenia. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF KOMI VLADIMIR TORLOPOV ARRIVES IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. President of Republic of Komi Vladimir
Torlopov arrived today in Armenia on the invitation of RA PM Andranik
Margarian, RA Government press office told ARKA. Torlopov will meet
with the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian, Catholicos of All Armenia Garegin II, Security
Council Secretary, Minister of Defense Serge Sargsian, RA NA Vice
Speaker Tigran Torosian. Torlopov will also visit memorial of
Armenian Genocide victims, culture objects and other sites. L.D.
–0–
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STATE LABOR INSPECTION TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. According to RA Government decision, RA
State Labor Inspection will be established at the RA Ministry of
Labor and Social Issues. According to the RA Government Press Service
and Public Relations Department, the Inspection will carry out state
control of retaining the Labor code and other legislative normative
acts in labor sphere. L.V. –0–
*********************************************************************
PRESIDENT OF IRAN TO COME TO ARMENIA WITH OFFICIAL VISIT ON SEPTEMBER
8-9
YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. The President of Iran Mohammad Khatami will
come to Armenia with official visit on September 8-9, 2004, according
to RA Government Press Service and Public Relations Department
The details of the forthcoming visit were discussed in course of the
visit of Artashes Tumanyan, Head of RA President’s administration and
Co-chairman of Armenian-Iran intergovernmental commission on economic
relations to Iran on June 21-23. L.V.–0–

PanArmenian News
July 30 2004
ARMENIAN MFA AGAINST EXCESSIVE POLITICIZATION OF ISSUE OF CRITIC
ADDRESSED TO OSCE
WORLD BANK TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN PERFECTION OF STATE SECTOR AND HEALTH
PROTECTION SYSTEM
KOMI REPUBLIC LEADER ARRIVING IN YEREVAN
IRANIAN PRESIDENT OT ARRIVE IN ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 8
CHAIRMAN OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF AUSTRIA AND EUROPE
ARRIVED IN ARMENIA
MAJORITY OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN POPULATION FOR PEACEFUL
COEXISTENCE
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIAN MILITARY IN
REHABILITATION OF IRAQ BEING FORMED
SPECIAL TROOPS SENT TO ARMENIAN-POPULATED VILLAGE IN GEORGIA
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN MFA AGAINST EXCESSIVE POLITICIZATION OF ISSUE OF CRITIC
ADDRESSED TO OSCE
30.07.2004 19:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Independently of the critical statements addressed
to the OSCE during the informal CIS summit, the Armenian delegation
has many times raised the question of the necessity of reforming the
organization, Armenian MFA press secretary Hamlet Gasparian stated
when commenting to Liberty on the attitude of a number of local
public organization towards the inadvisability of Armenia’s joining
to the statement of nine countries regarding the situation in the
OSCE. In the spokesman’s opinion, Yerevan highlights the role of the
OSCE in providing security, settlement of conflicts, development of
economy as well as the protection of Human Rights. “That is why we
are interested in normal functioning of the organization, where the
member-states will have equal rights and full participation in
decision making”, he said. At the same time H. Gasparian spoke
against excessive politicization of this issue.
*********************************************************************
WORLD BANK TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN PERFECTION OF STATE SECTOR AND HEALTH
PROTECTION SYSTEM
30.07.2004 18:35
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government and the World Bank (WB)
concluded three credit agreements today. As Armenian Minister of
Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian, who has signed the
agreements, told journalists, the WB is to allocate $10,15 million
for the perfection of the state sector, $19 million for the
development of the public health service and 5,15 million for the
project of social regulation. Besides, the Ministry of Health
Protection will receive a $1 250 000 grant. In Vardan Khachatrian’s
words, one more agreement connected with the security of dams was to
be signed today, however, due to some technical reasons the signing
of the agreement has been postponed. The credits will be provided for
a three-year term.
*********************************************************************
KOMI REPUBLIC LEADER ARRIVING IN YEREVAN
30.07.2004 17:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the invitation of Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian, President of Komi Republic, Russia, Vladimir
Torlopov is arriving in Yerevan today. As reported by the press
service of the Armenian government, during the visit Torlopov is
expected to meet with the top leadership of Armenia. The Russian
delegation includes the Minister of Property Relations Vladimir
Belyayev, Minister of Industry Nikolay Gerasimov, Minister of Culture
and National Policy Maria Kuzbozheva and President of Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Komi Republic Sargis Manasariants. To
remind, Armenian President Robert Kocharian paid a visit to Komi in
early July.
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IRANIAN PRESIDENT OT ARRIVE IN ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 8
30.07.2004 17:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian President Mohammad Khatami will pay a
formal visit to Armenia on September 8-9. As reported by press
service of the Armenian government, Armenian Prime Minister and
Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Ali Riza Haghighian discussed the
details of the forthcoming visit today. A. Margarian noted that
Armenia highlights the consolidation of Armenian-Iranian contacts in
all the areas. In his turn the Ambassador stated that Tehran is as
for preservation of internal political stability and development of
economy Armenia as for regional stability. The parties also spoke of
the significance of the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
and Kajaran tunnel as well as of the implementation of joint projects
for hydroplant construction on Arax River.
*********************************************************************
CHAIRMAN OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF AUSTRIA AND EUROPE
ARRIVED IN ARMENIA
30.07.2004 14:15
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Austria and Europe Christoph Leitel arrived in Armenia. During the
visit he is to meet with chairman of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry Martin Sargsian and some Armenian businessmen. Mr.
Leitel noted of the activation of ties between the Armenian and
Austrian business circles mentioning of the exhibition of production
of Austrian companies as a proof to it. He stated as important the
engagement of Armenia in the European integration adding that he will
within the limit of the possible support the relations between the
Armenian businessmen and European economic structures.
*********************************************************************
MAJORITY OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN POPULATION FOR PEACEFUL
COEXISTENCE
30.07.2004 13:49
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The majority of the population of Armenia and
Azerbaijan is for peaceful coexistence. The results of a sociological
survey, held in Armenia and Azerbaijan by Millenium Educational
Research Association and Azerbaijani Sociological Association with
the support of Texas University, evidence it. 1000 people were
questioned in each of the two countries and 200 Armenians and the
same number of Azeris from Nagorno Karabakh, Azg Yerevan newspaper
reported. 74.2% of respondents from Armenia and 45.8% of those from
Azerbaijan come for restoration of relations between the two
countries. 97% of Armenians and 93% of Azeris interviewed said they
wished to coexist peacefully. As a precondition for restoration of
previous ties 60% of Armenian respondents mentioned the independence
of Nagorno Karabakh. 38% of those questioned in Azerbaijan said
liberation of “occupied territories” was such a precondition. The
return of refugees to Nagorno Karabakh was also noted. Both parties
point to the governments of their own countries as the authors of the
conflict.
*********************************************************************
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIAN MILITARY IN
REHABILITATION OF IRAQ BEING FORMED
30.07.2004 13:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At its sitting the Armenian Government approved the
decision of the Defense Ministry to join the Memorandum on command
and settlement of questions of activities of the multinational
division as part of the coalition forces of Iraq. It should be
reminded that earlier the Armenian Parliament ratified the
Armenian-Kuwaiti agreement, determining the order of presence of
Armenian military in Kuwait, from where they will be sent to Iraq to
participate in the post-war rehabilitation of the country. As
reported by Defense Ministry senior representatives, the sending of
tens of Armenian military specialists to Iraq is planned before this
autumn. These will be medical officers, sappers and drivers with
lorries to organize transportation.
*********************************************************************
SPECIAL TROOPS SENT TO ARMENIAN-POPULATED VILLAGE IN GEORGIA
30.07.2004 13:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The other day special troops were sent to
Tapatskhuri village of Borjomi region of Georgia. The Ministry of
Internal Affairs of Georgia explains the step by the intention of the
residents of the mostly Armenian-populated village to impede the
construction works of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. As
reported by A-Info news agency, the villagers are displeased that
they have not been paid the compensation, assigned by the Borjomi
regional court due to the building of the pipeline. According to the
source, no incidents were registered between the military and the
residents.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Bakutoday.net
July 31, 2004
How we lose our summits?
By Ulvi Ismayil, Muskie Fellow/MPP candidate
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs,
University of Minnesota. USA
Azerbaijan indeed has beautiful landscape. I have realized it more since I
came to study in the US, the country that, along with Turkey, I used to
consider “as other two countries having beautiful landscapes after
Azerbaijan” mostly from the TV programs that I watched. My thoughts about
impeccable landscapes of “other countries” have changed since then. After
being in the US for one year I realized that the affection between you and
landscape is not because latter’s beauty but how close you are to that
landscape morally and spiritually. Now even the parts of Azerbaijan that I
labeled for myself, as the ugliest seem to me the “most beautiful sections
of the world not to be compared to anywhere else”. In short this is how you
feel when you truly love your country. You even miss the small rock from
your backyard.
Indeed, what God has withheld when creating Azerbaijan? At the high school
and even now we Azerbaijanis love remind ourselves and inform strangers that
Azerbaijan has 9 out 11 climatic zones totally existing in the globe. We
love to travel our forests, seas, and mountains especially in the recent
years. Apart from enjoying the great sightseeing of these places, we as
other nations in the world show the highest peaks and deepest points of our
country in the general data related to our country. Thus after conquering
our hearts with their beauties these landscapes now become the symbols of
our pride in annual publications, journals, travel guides related to our
country. Therefore, this landscape and data related to them is saint for
each nation and to lose them might be the biggest sin in the history of each
nation.
Nations and countries however do lose their prides. People fight and die for
them as we have seen in the world history. Some of these wars begin and end
fairly, some do not. However in both cases the peace get reached and both
sides agree with their fates. However the most painful is when you lose
object of your pride – mountain peak, lake without war or conflict, just as
you lose your wallet, set of the keys from your car, can of coke at the
party. Unfortunately, people of Azerbaijan had to face this shame too. “We”
suddenly lost the third highest peak in Azerbaijan – Mount Gapydzhik, the
highest summit of the Caucasus Minor, Zangezur Mountain Range, at the height
of 3,904 meters.
I know most of you will not believe me. Why should you? Isn’t it insane and
abnormal? I did not believe it myself at the first too while writing my
Diploma Project for Master’s degree at Baku State University in spring of
2000. I was looking at the data provided at the brochure of the EU’s TACIS
program for the three South Caucasus Republics – Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia. There in the introduction part of this economy-related brochure
printed in 1996 I saw indication of highest peaks in each Republic. Well,
nothing would have surprised me in the section related to Armenia prepared
by the EC’s most prestigious program that respects the sovereignty of these
republics if I did not see Mount Gapydzhik transliterated as Kapudjuk as
second highest summit in Armenia (!) after Mount Aragats, (4090 m)
“Oh, our Armenian neighbors! Double standards of the West! You again!” I
said to myself, something that I would typically say being upraised in
Azerbaijan for the entire period of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh. Well, I said, another misprinting or abuse I said. I do
not care. I know from my childhood, from excellent Geography teacher that I
had at high school of Soviet times that Mount Gapydzhik is in Azerbaijan.
These were the years when almost each house had the World map in the wall. I
just need to go to the next bookstore and buy the map of Azerbaijan Republic
and see my pride – Mount Gapydzhik that stands on the north of Ordubad
region, in the Zangezur range of mountains, Nakchichevan Autonous Republic,
Azerbaijan.
Well, when I reached the bookstore, I did not want to buy that map, because
there was no Mount Gapydzhik with the height of 3904 there, in the
geographic map of Azerbaijan Republic printed in 1996. It was not even on
Armenian side – Zangezur region that “enters” into Azerbaijan, the region
that first Communist boss of Azerbaijan SSR, N. Narimanov granted to Armenia
on the day of establishment of Armenia SSR – on November 29, 1920. As if the
entire massive piece of rock has melted in the extremely hot summer of
Nakhichevan, walked away or blown with the wind. If it happened in the “Day
of Judgment”, I would believe it, but not now. However, that was what map
showed to me. Instead, in the map, somewhere around the “former place” of
Gapydzhik, it suddenly showed smaller in height Mount Gazangeldag at 3,814
m.
First I thought, well maybe we have renamed Gapydzhik into Gazangeldag and
also discovered that it is not 3904 meters high but is actually 3814 meters.
They also found out recently with the satellite technology that actually
Mount Everest is 8 meters lower than thought earlier. But mistake of 90
meters? Then I though that maybe since it is in the border of Azerbaijan
(Nakhichevan AR) and Armenia (Zangezur), it is “commonly” shared peak. But
so is “Bazarduzu”, the highest peak in Azerbaijan (4466 meters). “Bazarduzu”
is also in the border but this time between Azerbaijan and Russian
Federation (Dagestan AR). Thus, it seemed to me that in 1996, five years
after independence and centuries of living in its foothills we suddenly
discovered that actually Gapydzhik was in the Armenian “side” of the border
and therefore we should not show it even in the maps, because this mount
leans towards the land granted to Armenia.
Angry and with these ideas in my mind, I searched the materials from the
former Soviet Union. Almost each map of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist
Republic had “Kapudjuk” in the maps referring to Az.SSR. Even the road maps
of Azerbaijan SSR from 1966, printed in Moscow, had that peak in Azerbaijan
SSR. It could not be peak of “internal borders”, because this road map was
only about Azerbaijani SSR. There was separate one about each republic for
its roads, which then would have the highest and lowest places in that
Soviet republic. I looked for it in Azerbaijan Soviet Encyclopedia (ASE) and
it was there too. Why, I asked to myself, suddenly, in 1996, in independent
Azerbaijan we did not want to mention this honor of us in our literature and
maps? Even the “set of maps of the Republic of Armenia”, collected and put
online by the US Embassy in Armenia and especially by its former team member
Diplomat Brady Kiesling (famous for his public resignation from US
Diplomatic services in summer of 2003 as a protest of the US operations in
Iraq) shows Mount Gapydzhik clearly in the border between Azerbaijani SSR
(Nakhichevan) and Armenian SSR
(Zangezur( )
Mount Gapydzhik was not only mentioned in issues related to Azerbaijan when
it came to maps and cartography. In the foothills of this summit, in
Nasirvaz village of Ordubad Region, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic there
lays the famous Gemiqaya (“Rock of vessel” in Turkish) carvings
(petroglyphs) with paintings of ancient goats and ensemble dances exactly
similar to those in Gobustan near Baku
(), Kalbadjar region in
Azerbaijan and many other on the globe. Some of these paintings by ancient
men date back to 5000 years BC. Nasir Rzayev, famous paleontologist and
archaeologist have studied these carvings and has written several
monographic books on them. Later Prof. Vali Aliyev joined these studies
() and described them to be
of 4th-2nd millennium BC. One would think that Azerbaijanis should preserve
them as they preserve Gobustan. We lost, even temporarily, those painting in
Kalbadjar during Karabakh war of 1992-1994, but in which fight did we lose
“Gemigaya”?
Moreover, both “Gapydzhik” and “Gemigaya” mounts have placed themselves deep
in the mythologies of Azerbaijanis. One ancient myth of the region says that
Noah with his ark was looking for a place to land after the deluge.
According to the myth, first his ark hit the rock and Noah said, “Maybe it
is a mountain” and thus gave the name for Mount “Belke” (“Maybe” in
Azerbaijani) that stands uptown Ordubad. Then his ark hit another mountain,
and Noah said, “Be sure it is mountain (“Inan” ki dagdir”” in Azerbaijani)
and thus gave the name to Inan Dag that also is in Nackichevan (changed into
Ilan Dag i.e. “Snake” mountain in later centuries,). The myth finally “ends”
by heating the big piece of rock that caused Him to say “Finally it is a
mountain” (in Azerbaijani “Akhir” ki, dagdir””). Today the Turkish name of
Mount Ararat is “Agri” meaning “pain” that is also believed to be “changed”
throughout the centuries from “Akhir” (Kamil Veliyev, “Elin Yaddashi, Dilin
Yaddashi” (“Nation’s memory, Tongue’s memory”), Baku, Azerbaijan, 1988))
Another version of this myth said that actually Noah’s ark landed not in
Mount “Akhir” (Agri/Ararat), but on Mount Gapydzhik which means “Little
Door” probably to the new world and that is why its foothills are called
Gemiqaya (i.e. rock of vessel – ark). People living by this summit even
today insist on this version of “deluge” myth considering the ship-like form
of this mount – Gemigaya.
Famous philologist and researcher of Kitabi-Dede-Gorgut, Safarali Babayev
says that some topographic references in that most ancient and biggest epic
book of Azerbaijani Turks, refer also to the foothills of this giant. He
insists that lake “Goycha” (“Blue lake” in Turkish) that is mentioned in
Kitabi-Dede-Gorgut is not the former name of Lake Sevan in modern Armenia
(Lake Goy-cha) as some other Azerbaijani researchers of the book insist, but
this one-hectare lake in the foothills of Mount Gapydzhik, which is called
“Goy-gel”. He argues that 1 day trip from one settlement to “Goycha” as
described in Kitabi-Dede-Gorgut is not feasible if you think it is Lake
Goy-cha (i.e. modern lake Sevan) because then this trip with the travel
methods of those days would be 7 days instead of one. He thinks that
“Goycha” in Kitabi-Dede-Gorgut, is actually Lake “Goy-gel” in the foothills
of this Mountain. As another argument he brings the name of Mount
GAzan-gel-dAg (mentioned above), that has “Gazan” and “gel” (lake) in its
root (“Gazan” was one of the most famous heroes in this epic that some say
is 14 centuries old and “gol” i.e. lake next to it would mean “Mount of
Gazan’s lake”).
With all these in my mind, I had a chance to ask the question to the
professionals of this job – who draw maps for us. While doing research on a
different topic during my employment with UN, I visited then newly
re-organized by former President Heydar Aliyev the Department of Land and
Cartography in the summer of 2002. There, after completing my official
business, I asked to the senior person at this department why now we do not
have Gapydzhik in our maps anymore. He first did not even understand what I
am talking about. Later when I explained to him, he replied quietly that he
did not know why we suddenly do not show it in the geographic and other maps
of Azerbaijan anymore. For me it was very sad to see such a poor situation
of Cartography department.
Ironically, the only map outside of Azerbaijani “official information” that
still shows the correct location of the Mount Gapydzhik is the one used by
the UN and its office in Azerbaijan – at UNDP’s annual Human Development
Reports (links provided below). Thanks to its professional and highly
intellectual staff (both international and national) we have now at least
one credible information to show the location of Mount Gapydzhik in world
geography and still be proud of it. Both UN and UNDP annual Human
Development Reports on Azerbaijan have been under harsh criticism of
Azerbaijani Government. At each meeting of our Government with any UN
official, the latter always is criticized by the former first for UN’s
non-forcing the application of four UN SC resolutions to liberate Nagorno
Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories and secondly for its
liberal criticism of Azerbaijani Government in the above-mentioned Reports
for several years now. However, in the term of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan Republic, UN seems to be doing enough to be thanked for:

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN EXPRESSES HIS GRATITUDE TO BARONESS CAROLINE COX
FOR HER INCESSANT CONCERN TO ARTSAKH
STEPANAKERT, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). The “HART” benevolent organization
with offices in Great Britain and the US is established under the
leadership of Baroness Caroline Cox, Vice Chairman of the House of
Lords of the British parliament. The organization will be engaged in
the implementation of programs on rendering humanitarian support to
the population of different countries of the world, including Nagorno
Karabakh. The Baroness reported about it during the July 27 meeting
with NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian. According to the Head
Information Department attached to the NKR President, the Baroness
noticed that since her latest visit to the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh positive changes took place in the sphere of the building of
the true democratic and civil society, as well as in the
reconstruction of the housing and economic complex demolished during
the war. According to her, she entertains the feeling of high respect
to the Karabakh people and their achievements on the way to
independence. Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to Baroness Cox
for her incessant concern to Nagorno Karabakh, active participation in
the aspiration of the Karabakh people to construct a modern democratic
state here. At the same time, the NKR head expressed confidence that
the understanding of the fair position of the people and leadership of
the Nagorno Karabakh on the main principles of the settlement of the
conflict by the Baroness contributes a lot to the formation of an
adequate attitude of the world community towards the heart of the
problem and the ways of its settlement.

Le Télégramme
30 juillet 2004
Intuition de génie Tigran Hamasyan, le jeune pianiste arménien, a
fait l’unanimité pour lui.
Intuition de génie Tigran Hamasyan, le jeune pianiste arménien, a
fait l’unanimité pour lui.
Intuition de génie
Tigran Hamasyan, le jeune pianiste arménien, a fait l’unanimité pour
lui. Sans le vouloir, le coup de coeur du directeur du festival a
aussi montré son génie à quelques privilégiés pendant l’hommage à
Nougaro. Avant même que les mains de Maurice Vander ne poursuivent
leur course sur le clavier, Tigran, écoutant passionnément au pied de
la scène, avançait les siennes dans le vide, sur son piano virtuel.
Une intuition comme ça n’est pas branché sur l’oreille, mais plutôt
sur le coeur.
Les copains d’abord…
S’ils avaient chanté, les quatre copains de Claude auraient peut-être
choisi Brassens. L’ambiance sur scène faisait très « les copains
d’abord ». En dehors aussi d’ailleurs. Le point de ralliement des
compères à Vannes a été… le Roof ! Pères peinards, ils ont ensuite
donné des sueurs froides aux organisateurs du festival. A un quart
d’heure de monter sur scène, les amis franco de port étaient toujours
à l’hôtel ! Par contre, une fois trouvé le chemin des loges après
leur concert, il a été difficile de les en faire sortir. «’Y pas une
p’tite bouteille de rouge qui traîne ? » a demandé Eddy Louiss vers 2
h du matin. Il fallait bien ça pour oublier que Nougaro leur avait
posé un lapin.
Arrêtez… arrêté pour la musique !
Piaf ne faisait pas de jazz, d’accord. Mais la môme, qui a commencé
en poussant la chansonnette dans les rues, se battait par
anticipation pour le « off ». « Arrêté, arrêté pour la musique »
criait-elle dans l’accordéoniste. Eh bien Pierre Le Bodo l’a entendue
après un petit couac mardi soir. « Comme pour la Fête de la musique,
il faut officialiser la chose par un arrêté municipal ». En clair :
les cafés ne pourraient plus être taxés de tapage nocturne dès 22 h.
Le off pourrait alors faire « ouf »…
1.500 p’tits blancs pour le blues
Autre retour sur la soirée de mardi. Alors que Buddy sirotait du
Cognac sur scène, à l’entrée du festival les producteurs du
Bordelais, partenaires du festival, distribuaient petits blancs et
autres couleurs de « breuvage des dieux » aux fans du roi du Blues.
Un geste visiblement très apprécié.
1.650 personnes étaient à Limur ce soir-là. Les producteurs, eux, ont
distribué 1.500 verres de dégustation… Les organisateurs avaient
bien dit qu’ils avaient fait le plein !
From: Baghdasarian

Le Télégramme
30 juillet 2004
Hommage à Nougaro : Vannes voit le jazz en rose
« Chaque jour un peu plus, y’a le jazz qui s’installe. Jazz et java
copains, ça doit pouvoir se faire… Je donne au jazz mes pieds, pour
marquer son tempo, et je donne à la java mes mains, pour le bas de
son dos ».
Des paroles signées Nougaro et qui illustrent à merveille la soirée
qui lui était dédiée. Vibrant moment, chargé d’émotion mercredi soir
sous le tilleul de Limur. Un hommage à Nougaro, où Claude, par sa
musique et l’héritage qu’il a laissé au jazz, était totalement
présent. Ils étaient plus de 1.150 à être venus applaudir ceux qui
ont fait revivre l’homme de la ville rose. Dès la première partie,
l’émotion avait envahi le public avec « le coup de coeur » du
directeur du festival, un jeune prodige arménien : Tigran Hamasyan,
et son style très pur.

La Tribune
30 juillet 2004
EN ROUTE POUR L’AVENTURE
Un choix de bonnes bandes dessinées pour des voyages dans le temps et
dans l’espace. Aventures assurées.
“Les Mille et Une Nuits”, version noire
Nous sommes à Bagdad, en l’an 808, sous le règne du calife Haroun
al-Rashid. La très discrète corporation des chercheurs de trésor
représente à peu près tous les peuples et religions du Moyen-Orient.
On y trouve un juif, bourreau du calife, un voleur chiite, un médecin
arménien, etc. Le mystère auquel elle s’attaque est terrifiant :
certaines personnes perdent leur ombre. Il ne faut pas longtemps aux
chercheurs de trésor pour comprendre que le coupable est le prophète
voilé, dont personne n’a jamais vu le visage, et qui fut tué jadis
dans une grande bataille. Sauf qu’il n’est pas vraiment mort (sans
être réellement vivant, d’ailleurs), et qu’il veut désormais se
venger.
Dans cette histoire folle, on croise démons et génies, un fantôme et
l’ange de la mort. Ainsi d’ailleurs que la favorite du calife et son
bébé. On plonge surtout dans une atmosphère envoûtante, nourrie de
l’ensemble des contes, légendes et mythes des Mille et Une Nuits, en
version plutôt noire.
Ce récit délirant est servi par une virtuosité graphique
époustouflante. Le dessin faussement naïf de David B. évoque parfois
les BD les plus enfantines, tout en livrant des images à couper le
souffle avec un étonnant travail sur les ombres et les couleurs.
L’auteur n’hésite pas à rompre avec tous les codes de la BD pour
donner des planches à la mise en pages complètement éclatée où la
lecture se fait parfois circulaire et où l’on retrouve le style des
miniatures persanes.
“Les Chercheurs de trésor”. Tome 1, l’Ombre de Dieu et tome 2, la
Ville froide, par David B. Dargaud. 9,45 euros le volume.
La quête des origines, dans le New York du XIXe siècle
Situé en 1879, ce récit met en scène un jeune Anglais qui débarque
aux Amériques à la recherche de ses origines partiellement indiennes.
Dans un New York de la fin du XIXe siècle parfaitement reconstitué,
il se trouve rapidement mêlé aux trafics des gangs locaux et recruté
en parallèle par la police fédérale. De facture classique, ce premier
tome est prometteur de par la personnalité hors norme de son héros, à
cheval entre deux mondes et deux cultures. On attend la suite.
“Ethan Ringler, agent fédéral.” Tome 1, Tecumska, par Gilles Mezzomo
et Denis-Pierre Filippi. Dupuis, 9,50 euros.
Deux visions de l’Amérique latine
D’un côté, Medellin en Colombie, l’enfer de la drogue et des mafias.
Tel est la toile de fond de Cuervos, une série centrée sur les
enfants recrutés comme tueurs à gage par les trafiquants. Violent et
impossible à lcher.
De l’autre, le Nicaragua, pendant la dictature de Somoza. Le jeune
séminariste de bonne famille de Muchacho découvre les réalités
sociales et la répression dans un village perdu. Beau et émouvant.
“Cuervos.” Tome 1, le Contrat et tome 2, Sicaires de la sainte Coke,
par Richard Marazano et Michel Durand. Glénat, 12 euros le volume.
“Muchacho.” Tome 1, par Emmanuel Lepage. Dupuis, 12,94 euros.
Road-movie dans le Lot
Comment la rencontre d’un jeune auto-stoppeur conduit un paisible
bouquiniste à se retrouver aux prises avec des tueurs à la Tontons
flingueurs. Une aventure parfaitement loufoque dans la France
profonde…
“Blues 46.” Tome 1, la Chanson de septembre, par Laurent Moënard et
Eric Stalner. Dargaud, 13 euros.

NEWLY-OPENED ANTI-CORRUPTION INFORMATION CENTER IN YEREVAN TO INVOLVE
PUBLIC IN STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). An Anti-Corruption Information Center
has been opened in Yerevan upon the initiative of the Armenia branch
of the “Transparency International” organization of the Center for
Regional Development and with the financial assistance of the Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation. The opening ceremony on July
30 was attended by ambassadors, representatives of the Armenian
government, public and political organizations.
According to the President of the Armenian branch of “Transparency
International” Amalia Kostanian, the Center’s goal is to raise public
awareness about the need to struggle against corruption and involve
the public in the struggle. The center is provided with a constantly
updated database and has about 900 names of materials related to the
field. Within the framework of the Center’s activities, it is planned
to organize anti-corruption campaigns, discussions, educational and
re-training programs. Armenian Justice Minister David Haroutiunian,
who was attending the opening ceremony, said that over recent years
the country’s government has made sufficient steps towards combating
corruption and the crucial moment when the public at large too must
show more activity has become mature.
He emphasized that the anti-corruption struggle launched by the
government cannot be successful without public support that will first
of all promote greater transparency in government activities. The
Armenian branch of “Transparency International” has also instituted a
special prize for exclusive contribution to the anti-corruption
movement in Armenia. The first prize for 2003 was handed to the Head
of the OSCE Yerevan Office, Ambassador Roy Reeve.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
July 29, 2004
ACNIS Takes on the Challenges of Armenian Culture and Values
Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
convened today a roundtable discussion on “The Challenges of Culture and
Value System in Armenia.” As part of the forum, the Center released the
results of its specialized opinion survey, entitled “Value and Ideology
Benchmarks: Imperatives and Alternatives,” which involved more than 50
experts from Yerevan and across Armenia.
ACNIS director of administration Karapet Kalenchian greeted the invited
guests and public participants with opening remarks. “These deliberations on
culture, together with the expert survey preceding them, aim to present one
focus group’s professional perceptions of ideology guideposts which are
characteristic of a transitional period, as well as the true role and place
of our system of values and patterns of cultural development,” he said.
ACNIS legal and political affairs analyst Stepan Safarian focused in detail
on the findings of the expert opinion polls. Accordingly, the majority of
the surveyed experts assert that Armenian society today does not have
clearly-defined value-based guidelines. 4% of experts find it difficult to
answer this question, and only 6% give a positive answer. According to 20%
of respondents, the system of values operating in everyday life is the
continuation by inertia of the system formed during the Soviet years, 10%
think it comes to us from the depth of centuries, and 50% are convinced that
it has been formed during the years of independence. The experts are of the
opinion that Armenian society often favors personal values and their
manifestations, with egocentrism (90%) prevailing over altruism. Regarding
group interests, 96% are of the opinion that society favors clan interests
over collectivism. On the level of national values, 44% and 48%,
respectively, choose nationalism and patriotism, and 80% and 72% cite the
human values of cosmopolitanism and humanitarianism, respectively.
48% of respondent specialists think that the benchmarks of societal values
should be defined by liberal democracy, 18% social democracy, and 18%
national democracy. 6% of participants point to the supremacy of group
interests as the primary obstacle to deepening of the democratic system of
values adopted by the Armenian public, while 20% blame the society’s
unsatisfactory level of political consciousness, 4% its low educational
level, 2% the lack of propagation of relevant values, and 2% the
counter-propagation of those values. 54%, 6%, and 2% find inappropriate the
attitude of the authorities, opposition, and political forces supporting the
authorities, respectively, toward those values. Taking into account today’s
imperatives, 26% underscore the importance of a sovereign state, 14% human
rights and freedoms, 14% spirituality, 14% constitutional order, 10%
democracy, 10% patriotism, 6% separation of powers, and 4% equal rights.
According to the experts, the average Armenian’s conduct of late has changed
markedly toward types of negative demeanor. Only 6% assess lawfulness to be
a positive feature of the average Armenian’s conduct, 94% as negative.
Lawlessness in the average Armenian’s behavior is marked as negative by 100%
of experts, fairness as positive by 38% and negative by 62%, unfairness as
positive by 26% and negative by 74%, honesty and dishonesty are considered
positive by 30% and 84% and negative by 70% and 16%, kindness and evil as
positive by 46% and 70% and negative by 54% and 30%, initiative and
passiveness as positive by 46% and 62% and negative by 54% and 38%, devotion
and treachery as positive by 36% and 66% and negative by 64% and 34%,
civility and rudeness as positive by 20% and 76% and negative by 80% and
24%. Diligence is marked as positive by 76% and negative by 24%.
It is noteworthy that the experts surveyed are convinced that young people
are inclined toward democracy, the middle generation toward
authoritarianism, and the senior generation toward totalitarianism. In the
event of maintaining the current value benchmarks and system, Armenia will
proceed to authoritarianism according to 66% of respondents, to
totalitarianism accordingly to 12%, to democracy according to 16%. 38% opine
that Armenia will establish a system of values characteristic of a
democratic society in 25 years, 6% in 50 years, and 4% in 100 years, whereas
8% do not believe that Armenia will ever have such a system of values. 40%
have a more optimistic attitude toward this issue. They think it will take
five to ten years. The specialists maintain that from the perspective of
civilizational values Armenian society is closest to Eastern civilization
(10%), Russian civilization (10%), and European civilization (12%), while
44% hold that Armenian civilization is a synthesis of all.
What is the role of the spiritual world in our life today? 74% of experts
conclude that this role is a small one, 24% think it plays no role, and only
2% say it leads a great role. 14% of respondents point to the
super-materialized character of contemporary life as the main reason for the
relatively small role of the spiritual world, 20% to the low quality of
spiritual sustenance, 6% to the lack of propagation of spiritual values, 6%
to the passiveness of the intelligentsia, and 20% and 6% to the absence of
exemplary behavior by the authorities and the political elite, respectively.
66% of the respondents are male, and 34% female; 26% are 21-30 years of age,
40% 31-40, 24% 41-50, 10% 51 or above. All the experts surveyed have
received higher education, 14% are full professors (PhD), 82% hold a Master’
s degree, and 4% have earned a Bachelor’s degree.
The second item on the day’s agenda was a presentation by Yerevan State
University professor Vardan Khachatrian, who addressed “The Old and the New:
Tradition and Progress.” “The unique aspect of Armenian identity is the
cultural stratum that has come to us from ancient times and promoted the
Armenian people’s survival,” he said, emphasizing the role of the church,
which has recently diminished. “The guiding precept of the spiritual elite
today is not the struggle for spiritual progress but the ability to adapt to
the present regime,” Khachatrian concluded, noting that the latter is unable
to foster society’s spiritual development since it pursues a policy of
devastating symbols of national pride instead of paying tribute to them.
The formal presentations were followed by contributions by Anahit Bayandur
of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly; former minister of state Hrach Hakobian;
law professor Hrair Tovmasian; Mushegh Yekmalian of the OSCE Yerevan Office;
Derenik Demirchian High School principal Anahit Bakhshian; Alexander Butaev
of the National Democratic Union; MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the National
Democratic Party; Yerevan State University professor Aram Harutiunian;
Vahagn Khachatrian of the “Armat” center; Ruzanna Khachaturian of the People
‘s Party of Armenia; Artsrun Pepanian, political analyst for AR television;
Gayane Markosian of the Harmonious World NGO; National Press Club
chairperson Narine Mkrtchian; and several others.
ACNIS economic and diaspora affairs analyst Hovsep Khurshudian made summary
remarks. “We may deduce from many of the answers that the reestablishment of
values and traditions highly depends on the political system, and
particularly morality of the ruling elite. Therefore only fundamental,
system changes will lead to positive results,” he concluded.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2004, the Center focuses
primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center or the full graphics of the poll
results, call (3741) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail
[email protected] or [email protected]; or visit or
From: Baghdasarian