AZERI PRESSURE GROUP URGES REJECTION OF OSCE MEDIATION GROUP

ANS TV, Baku
15 Jul 04

The Karabakh Liberation Organization has issued a statement calling
for a total rejection of the services of the OSCE Minsk Group. Yet
another time the Azerbaijani public is witnessing that the Minsk Group
is pursuing the interests of member countries and is protecting the
aggressor – Armenia – rather than resolving the (Nagornyy Karabakh)
conflict on the basis of international legal norms, the statement
reads.

The organization announces that the Azerbaijani government has to
change its position and reject the services of the Minsk Group, end of
quote.

OSCE reps to hold talks in Baku on settling Karabakh conflict

TASS/Baku
July 15, 2004 Thursday

By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman

Co-chairmen of the Minsk Group, set up by the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for settling the dragged-out
ethnic conflict in Nagorny Karabakh, are holding talks with top-rank
Azerbaijani officials here Thursday.

The OSCE representatives – Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia, Steven Mann of
the U.S., and Henri Jacolin of France – are expected to meet with
President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov.

Politicians in Baku do not expect any special proposals from the three
men on how to settle the conflict between the ethnic Azerbaijanis and
Armenians in and around Nagorny Karabakh that has been smoldering
since the end of the 1980’s, but Minister Mamedyarov does not rule out
that new ideas about stepping up the talks may come up in the process
of discussions.

“The absence of new proposals doesn’t mean that the negotiations have
deadlocked, all the more so that the contours of the new ideas, which
we have discussed with the Armenian side, are getting clear,” he said.

As the three co-chairmen of the Minsk Group addressed a news
conference in Yerevan Wednesday, they indicated there could hardly be
anything new in their proposals now, as resolution of the conflict was
highly contingent on the actions on both Azerbaijani and Armenian
sides.

“We believe the sides must not waste time away, and actions must be
taken right now,” said the Russian envoy Yuri Merzlyakov.

“The sides are now working on the agenda of future talks in the light
of changes in the situation after elections in Azerbaijan,” he said.

Steven Mann, a U.S. envoy, said solution of the problem was highly
contingent on the stance that Armenia and Azerbaijan would take, and
the Minsk Group could only help the sides tap the practical solutions.

Armenia and Azerbaijan will bear the brunt of responsibility for
decision-making, and the OSCE leaves it up to them to decide on who
should take part in the talks, Mann said.

The French envoy, Henri Jacolin, said the talks would definitely take
some time, since one or two meetings would by no means suffice to
untangle a conflict like the one in Nagorny Karabakh.

He also warned that there was no external force, including the Minsk
Group that could possibly offer a miraculous solution to the Karabakh
problem.

Jacolin stressed the European Union’s great interest in a peaceful
settlement of the dragged-out conflict and in general stability in
Southern Caucasus, in the light of which the Europeans were closely
watching the progress of talks on Karabakh.

Cyprus marks 30th anniversary of military coup

XINHUA NEWS AGENCY.
July 15, 2004, Thursday 11:16 AM Eastern Time

NICOSIA

Cyprus on Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of 1974 military coup,
paying tribute to those who lost lives defending the republic.

The military coup against President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios,
engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece, was followed five
days later by the Turkish military intervention, which resulted in the
de facto division of the island.

Sirens began to wail at 08:20 a.m. local time (0520GMT), the very time
when the coup took place.

A church service for those killed during the coup was held at Saints
Constantinos and Eleni Church in Nicosia, in the presence of Cyprus
President Tassos Papadopoulos, House President Demetris Christofias,
Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Christos Panagopoulos, political
officials and relatives of the victims.

When addressing the ceremony, Interior Minister Andreas Christou said
the government condemned the coup and the Turkish intervention while
honoured all those who fought and especially those killed for
democracy and freedom in Cyprus.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to reunite the
state and the people within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal
federation on the basis of the Annan plan so that “all people, Greek
Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, A rmenians, Maronites and Latins, will be
able to live peacefully and in brotherhood.”

“We do not abandon this vision. We renew our hopes and our efforts and
we declare to be ready to take the big step for conciliation and
compromise,” he promised.

President Papadopoulos and other officials laid wreaths at the tombs
of those killed defending the republic.

The 56-seat House of Representatives held afterwards a special session
to mark the events.

Cyprus was divided into north Turkish cypriots part and south Greek
Cypriots part when Turkey entered the island in 1974 after a failed
Greek coup seeking union with Greece.

In April, two separate referendums were held simultaneously on both
sides on the Cyprus reunion plan, only rejected by the Greek Cypriots
south with an overwhelming no.

This led the world-recognized south into the European Union on May 1,
while the Turkish Cypriots north was left outside the body.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 15, 2004
___________________

Week of July 9 to July 15, 2004
* * *

FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Sunday (7/18) is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, one of
the five principal feasts on the Armenian Church liturgical calendar,
which celebrates the revelation of Christ’s divine nature. To learn
more about the feast and Armenian traditions for the day, and to find
resources to help educate your children, click to the Eastern Diocese’s
website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/14/04)
* * *

PRIMATE VISITS ST. VARTAN CAMP

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, was at St.
Vartan Camp yesterday (7/14). He visited with the campers at the camp’s
new location, the Ararat Center in the Catskill Mountains. For photos
from his visit and other camp activities, as well as dispatches from the
campers, click to our website’s special camp blog:

(Source: St. Vartan Camp, 7/15/04)
* * *

COME TO THE ARARAT CENTER CONSECRATION, OPEN HOUSE

More than 500 people have signed up to attend the free open house and
consecration of the Diocese’s new Ararat Center on Saturday, July 24.
If you still would like to attend, please RSVP by the end of business
tomorrow (7/16) by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (212)
686-0710 ext. 43.

The Ararat Center is in Greenville, NY, 30 miles south of Albany. The
open house runs from noon to 5 p.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Eastern Diocese, will perform the consecration at 2 p.m. Free
food and live music will round out the day.

Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets to sit on.

RSVP by tomorrow (7/16) by e-mailing [email protected] or
calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 43.

(Source: Ararat Center, 7/15/04)
* * *

ARMENIAN TEACHERS SPEND WEEK AT DIOCESAN CENTER IN NYC

Armenian School educators and superintendents from around the Diocese
have been in New York City this week for the Diocese’s “Teacher’s
College”. The week-long session began Sunday (7/11), and showcases
methods to teach Armenian language, history, religion, and literature.
For more details, click to our website:
;selmonth=7&sel
year04

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/15/04)
* * *

GO TO ARMENIA THIS FALL

Going to Armenia will change your life. There are two great pilgrimages
this year:

* Women’s Guild Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 16 to 27 / $2,400.
See Holy Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, ancient holy sites, and current cultural
activities. For more information call Ann Devejian (203) 838-5758.

* Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 18 to October 3 / $2,350. A
Diocesan-sponsored trip to all the highlights in Armenia. For more
information call Sidon Travel at (818) 553-0777.

Remember: even if you can’t go, you can help pay to send a young person
from your parish. It will connect them with their heritage, and make
them assets to your parish community.

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/14/04)
* * *

DO SOMETHING FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY

Looking for something fun to do this summer with your family? Check the
Diocesan website’s Calendar of Events. From cooking classes to cruises
to picnics, you’ll find Diocesan sponsored events and happenings at our
local parishes. Just click to:

If your parish has an event you want listed for free, just e-mail
[email protected].

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/15/04)
* * *

FIND INSPIRATION

You can find inspiration online, with the prayers of St. Gregory of
Nareg. A new prayer is available each day on the Diocesan website.
Just click to:

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKADY GHUKASIAN CONTROLS SITUATION

Azg/AM
16 July 2004

Co-Chairs State in Stepanakert

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs arrived in Stepanakert on July 13. After a
break of six months this visit could hardly be a new step for the
settlement of the problem. The fact that the Co-Chairs met with NGO
representatives as well was the news about this visit.

After the meeting with Ashot Ghulian, NKR Foreign Minister, the
Co-Chairs met with NGO representatives. Hery Jackolin, French
Co-Chair, stated that the probability of a war is bigger, unless the
problem of the occupied territories exists.

Touching upon “New Neighbours” program, he said that if Armenia and
Azerbaijan fail to find the mutually acceptable settlement, they
wouldnâ=80=99t be included in that program. Minsk Group doesn’t have
the power to settle the conflict, so their goal is to contribute to
achieving the settlement that will be in the interests of both
sides. According to him, this can be achieved as a resultof mutual
concessions. The observation made by the head of NKR Refugee
Committee, that said that the status of the Armenians fled from
Azerbaijan and dwelling in NKR is always forgotten.

The Co-Chairs met with NKR President Arkady Ghukasian. During the
press conference after the meeting with the president the Co- Chairs
expressed satisfaction, emphasizing that Arkady Ghukasian controls the
situation verywell and the discussion with him was very fruitful. The
Co-Chairs said that Armenia and Azerbaijan becoming CE members have
undertaken certain commitments and the interest of the European
countries can be considered only within these frameworks. They said
that the EU has no special mission in the settlement issue, except
assisting Armenia and Azerbaijan, unless they miss the “New Neighbors”
program. As for the OSCE, the Minsk Group was founded under its
support and, naturally, it is interested in the settlement.

The journalist asked Stiven Mann about the reason of his appointment
as Co-Chair. He said that though he was engaged in the Caspian issues,
it doesn’t mean that the U.S. emphasizes the importance of oil factor
in the context of the settlement. Besides, he worked as a diplomat in
the USSR and Armenia and this experience conditioned his appointment
as a Co- Chair. The Co- Chairs said that there are no separate
American, Russian and French position and they act unanimously and all
the ideas are achieved by them all.

Yuri Merzliakov answered the question about NKR’s participation in the
negotiation process that there is a point in the OSCE decision that
allows the parties that ave signed the cease-fire agreement to
participate in the negotiations. On this ground NKR participated in
the negotiations till1997.The fact that NKR was left aside from the
negotiation process is not the fault of the Minsk group.

BY Kim Gabrielian, Stepanakert

“ARMENIA CONDUCTS DYNAMIC FOREIGN POLICY AND IS A SUCCESS”

Azg/AM
16 July 2004

The Employee of the Eurasian Center for Strategic Researches Testifies
to That

Azg informed in its previous issue under the title “Turkey Doesn’t
Intend to Reconsider Its Hostile Policy Towards Armenia” that the
Turkish government refused to be a presiding country at PACE in
2007. the information was based on the massage send by Harut
Sassounian, publisher of the Californian Currier that was published in
our newspaper.

Sasunian, considering the abovementioned decision of the Turkish
governmenta victory of the Armenian diplomats, conditions it by the
statement made by RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian on June 14 in
Washington, saying that Armenia will exercise its right for veto
against Turkey’s candidacy. He comes to the conclusion that “This
unexpected step means that the U.S. and Turkey have failed in their
attempts to exert pressure on Armenia.”

Let’s remind that Oskanian explained his statement saying that “We
can’t allow the chairmanship of a country at PACE that is a mediator
in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict settlement, as the Chair has certain
rights and privileges that can be used against Armenia.” He not only
repeated this explanation but also added that “The country presiding
at PACE should have diplomatic relations with all the member-
countries,” on June 8 during the meeting with Yanesh Potochnik, EU
representative in Armenia.

It’s worth mentioning that these conclusions are affirmed in the
article by Hatem Jabbarlu, employee of Eurasian Center for Strategic
Researches, issued in Haberanaliz Internet newspaper on July 13
entitled “Armenian Obstacle for Turkey’s Presiding at PACE”. As the
Turkish leading newspapers didn’t comment on Oskanian’s statement, and
the center represented by Jabbarlu is a state structure, we want to
introduce the short variant of the article to your attention.

By Hakob Chaqrian

“Turkey was a candidate for chairmanship at PACE in 2007. The positive
changes made in the Turkish foreign police in the early 2000
contributed tothe creation of all the preconditions for that. But in
2004 articles on Armenia’s right for exercising veto against Turkey’s
candidacy appeared in the Armenian and Diaspora Press in the early
2004. RA Government and the state press didnâ=80=99t comment on that
issue, that is why the government tool advantage of the possibilities
of the independent press, being well aware that the comments of the
state bodies on the “veto” will cause a number of complications in the
foreign policy.

But on June 28-29 in the course of NATO Istanbul Summit Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian, meeting with the U.S. representatives, had
found the intention to exercise veto against Turkey’s candidacy for
PACE Chairmanship quite possible and conditioned that by the Turkish
policy conducted against Armenia.

This shows that besides the short-term and mid-term projects in the
foreign policy Armenia has elaborated long-term projects as well
against Turkey. The time showed that the people who in the 80-ies when
ASALA began acting spokeof the failure of this terrorist
structure. The main goal of ASALA was to state “Armenian Genocide” in
the agenda of the international publicity that was achieved, as a
result.

Moreover, when in 1987, when the issue of Turkey’s membership to
EUwasn’t even considered, the Armenian Diaspora managed to make the
European Parliament adopt a decision on the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey. At present, RA Government and the Armenian Diaspora,
cooperation, particularly with the French Socialistic Party, will
spare no efforts to prevent Turkey’s membership to EU, putting forward
the issue of the so-called genocide as a precondition for that.
Notwithstanding the fact that the population and the area of Armenia
is small in the South Caucasus, its serious economic problems, it
condacts more dynamic policy and acheives success against Turkey and
Azerbaijan, in particular. Armenia is capable of unfolding propaganda
against Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

ARMENIAN STUDENT DONATES BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT TO ITALIAN CHILD

YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS: A five-year Italian child with
leukemia was saved after her genetic make up matched with that of a 22
year old Armenian student, Vahe Vardanian, who donated a bone marrow
transplant to the child.The operation was performed on July 6 in
Italy, but the experts say the result will be evident only in a year.
Vahe joined the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry last year Its
mission is to save precious Armenian lives by creating a bone marrow
donor registry which, with the volunteer recruitment of Armenian
donors worldwide, will increase the pool of existing international
donors and thus give a chance of survival to patients with leukemia or
other blood related diseases. Although Armenians are considered
Caucasian, their unique genetic make up makes it very hard for them to
find matches for transplantation.
Vahe was selected after the Italian bone marrow registry asked
their Armenian counterparts to find a suitable match. The registry has
now 8,000 members.

ARMENIAN PM MEETS WITH MOSCOW MAYOR

YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS: Before wrapping up an official
visitto Moscow, Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian met today
with Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov, who said that the trade between the
two countries was not satisfactory, despite some progress in that
area. The Russian mayor briefedthe Armenian prime minister on Moscow
government plans concerning Armenia, which he said would mark a
significant progress if implemented.
Luzhkov, particulalry, expounded about construction of Yerevan
Trade Center in Moscow, which is set to be built by Armenian companies
and is expected to be over in 2005. His other proposal was about
building a center for wholesale of Armenia-made products. Luzhkov also
proposed that a joint commission, made of Armenian government and
Moscow officials be formed to promote mutually beneficial ideas. The
Moscow mayor also promised to assist Armenia to secure reasonable and
fixed fee for hiring a pavilion at all-Russian exhibition center.
Armenian prime minister asked Luzhkov to consider the issue of
providing quotas for Armenian builders in Moscow so that they face no
problems when working there.

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF TURKEY SPEAKS IN FAVOR OF TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TO EU

ISTANBUL, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Patriarch of Turkey,
Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian, met recently with the senior consul of the
French consulate in Istanbul, Jean Christopher Possel, who was eager
to learn Mutafian’s views concerning Turkey’s drive towards EU
membership.
Mutafian said it would not be correct to look at the entire
Armenian community of Turkey as a homogeneous body. “Those French
Armenians who resist Turkish EU membership represent only part of
Armenians. Along with Diaspora Armenians who advocate against Turkey’s
accession to EU there are also Armenians who realize the benefits that
can come for Turkish-Armenian relations together with Turkey’s
membership and therefore they support that process,” he said.
Mutafian said he too, as the Armenian Patriarch, speaks often in
favor of Turkey’s membership. “In the event of meeting all
requirements of becoming an EU member country, the membership will
have a very positive effect on the state of Turkish citizens, national
minorities, in terms of improving Armenian-Armenian relations and
securing regional stability,” he said.

Pasadena Star News
Article Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 – 10:10:37 PM PST

Chess players poised for a strategic move

By Naush Boghossian , Staff Writer

GLENDALE — Chess enthusiasts are getting ready to move from their normal
haunts in local cafes to the city’s new $540,000 chess park, which opens
Saturday evening.
More than three years in the making, the free park offers 16 boards amid
towering chess piece sculpted in a converted passageway along Brand
Boulevard.

“We’re definitely excited because there are a lot of kids who like to play
at their leisure and don’t have a permanent place to play,’ said Harout
Akopyan, 23, a coach for the All American Association Chess Club, which runs
chess schools for youngsters in Glendale, Reseda and Hollywood. “This park
is good for everybody.’

Glendale is something of a chess hub, since the game is very popular among
Armenians, who make up more than 70,000 of Glendale’s 200,000 residents.

In Armenia, people begin playing chess when they’re young, and the schools
there encourage competitions from a very young age. Akopyan’s club, which
serves about 150 children, continuously produces national champion chess
players.

Akopyan has 13 national championship titles himself.

The concept for a park came from local chess clubs, who encouraged the City
Council to maximize the potential of the little-used passageway.

“We’ve taken a piece of property that was underutilized and created an urban
park that is not only aesthetically attractive but serves the community,’
senior project manager Emil Tatevosian said. “We’ve realized that we have a
large chess community in the city, and this is a good venue for all of them
to come together.’

The new park is divided into zones, each accented with a chess piece King,
Queen, Bishop and Rook and has tables with inlaid game boards and benches.

And chess-themed light towers also will allow for nighttime games.

“There is potential to create a hub of activity there with the Alex Theater
and Brand Books, which is open until midnight,’ Tatevosian said.

The concept of having an area for chess players to gather and play is very
popular in other countries, said president of the L.A. Chess Club Mick
Bighamian.

But in Southern California where the only other chess park is in Santa
Monica players tend to gather at coffee shops, where the unwritten rule is
you have to spend money to be able to stay and play.

“I think this is a great movement as far as keeping the youngsters and
senior citizens to have something leisurely to do at no cost to them,’
Bighamian said. “And the park helps the promotion of chess to get the image
it truly deserves as a fun and challenging game.’

Naush Boghossian can be reached at (818) 546-3306 or by e-mail at
[email protected] .