Soundtrack Has Developed In Iran: Musician

Soundtrack Has Developed In Iran: Musician

15 July 2004
Tehran Times Art Desk

TEHRAN (MNA) — Prominent musician Loris Tjeknavorian is convinced
that soundtrack in Iran has been developed in recent years.

Participant at the Christian Film Week underway at Film Museum of Iran
in Tehran, Tjeknavorian said there was less facilities in the past to
combine cinema with music and that the musicians could not make use of
many musical instruments.

`Iranian and eastern music enjoy high potentials which I love the
most,’ he further noted. Tjeknavorian who is an Iranian-Armenian
musician continued that Iranian people had served Armenians, `I made
the symphony `Rustam and Sohrab’ to appreciate the Iranian nation.’

Other participant Shahin Farhat also stated that in the 50th decade
soundtrack was melody rather than soundtrack, but later in the 60th,
it turned into professional soundtrack in Iran, and `Struggle in
Moonlightâ=80=9D was the first Iranian film made with professional
soundtrack.

Musician Farhat is convinced that Majid Vafadar and Mahdi Khaledi are
the first musicians who played a major role in Iranian soundtrack.

Christian Film Week entitled `Christians in Iranian Cinema’opened
Saturday evening at the Film Museum of Iran in Tehran. Intent on
commemorating Christian contribution to Iranian cinema, organizers
have allocated nights to Christians working in the fields of music,
Iranian arts as well as those who are engaged in short film cinema and
performance during the week-long event.

Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Negotiations Launch in Moscow

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS LAUNCH IN MOSCOW

ArCNews

MOSCOW, 15.07.04. The delegation led by Andranik Margarian, RA Prime
Minister, is in Moscow by the invitation of Mikhail Fradkov, RF Prime
Minister. Andranik Margarian and Mikhail Fradkov met July 13. The
members of the Armenian delegation and RF government were also present
at the meeting. Mikhail Fradkov stated that the current year is full
of events, high level visits from the viewpoint of bilateral
agreement. Fradkov emphasized that the dialogue between the two
countries is developing in all the directions. He spoke with
satisfaction about the trade turnover that keeps growing, taking into
account the current potential and the possibilities, he expressed hope
that the visit of RA Prime Minister will also contribute to the growth
of cooperation.

The Prime Ministers discussed issues related to the process of
complying with the commitments undertaken by `Equity for Debt`
agreement. RA Prime Minister emphasized that the Armenian party is
interested in the renovation and re-equipment of the Armenian firms
handed to Russia. Fradkov also stated that the Russian side is
interested in that and they are ready for long-term cooperation. At
the same time he said that it is envisaged to appoint RF Transport
Minister Igor Lebedin the head of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission. Fradkov expressed hope that it will be
possible to hold the sitting of the commission by the end of the year.

The Prime Ministers signed an agreement referring to the educational
sphere. After the meeting the Prime Ministers spoke in a press
conference.

By Marieta Makarian
AZG Armenian Daily
2004-07-15 17:21:00

Blessing Foundations of W. Prelacy St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate Western Prelacy
6252 Honolulu Avenue, Suite # 100
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-Mail: [email protected]

BLESSING OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF WESTERN PRELACY’S ST. DERTAD AND
ST. ASHKHEN CHAPEL

The Western Prelacy marked an important milestone on Sunday, July 11,
2004, by the blessing of the foundations of the Prelacy chapel that
signaled the beginning of the construction of the chapel and the
renovation of the Prelacy building.

Many faithful had gathered at the Prelacy in La Crescenta to
participate in the ceremony and witness this important event.

The ceremony was conducted by His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, the Prelate, accompanied by the Clergy of the Prelacy,
and in the presence of the Prelacy benefactors, sponsors of the
Chapel, the Altar, the baptismal font, the 16 pillars and various
parts of the Prelacy. Present were the representatives of the Central
Executives of the Holy See of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia, the Executive Council of the Prelacy, as well as the
representatives of the Prelacy Committees and Parishes, and a
congregation of supporters.

As the prayers and scripture readings proceeded, His Eminence the
Prelate conducted the washing of the Vemkar (the foundation stone) of
the Alter andthe 16 pillars of the chapel with wine and water. The
stones were engraved with Crosses. The 16 pillars are dedicated to the
Disciples of Christ, the Evangelists and St. Gregory the Illuminator,
the founder of the Armenian Church.

Later on, he anointed each stone with Holy Oil -Muron_ and handed them
to the godfathers to be placed at the foundations of the chapel.

After the ceremony, the Prelate delivered a message to express his
contentment for the achievement of this important milestone with the
grace of God. He also declared that the new chapel would be named
after the first Christian king and queen of Armenia, St. Dertad and
St. Ashkhen. He reminded the faithful that His Holiness Aram I
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia had declared the year 2004 as
the Year of the Armenian Family, therefore it wasmost appropriate to
name the chapel after the first Christian family of our nation.

On this joyous occasion, the Prelate once more thanked all sponsors
and the benefactors of the Prelacy, and specially the Bedrosian, the
Carolan and the Pilavjian families, who had provided both moral and
financial support not only to the project of the Prelacy Building, but
to the Prelacy as a wholein order to carry on its mission of serving
our mother church and the Armenian Community at large.

U.N. Ranking Highlights Africa AIDS

U.N. Ranking Highlights Africa AIDS

Thu Jul 15, 2:42 PM ET

By PAUL AMES, Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS, Belgium – The U.N.’s annual ranking of the global rich and poor
Thursday showed that AIDS (news – web sites) was pushing African nations
further into misery while the most the world crept toward higher
development.

Of the 177 nations included in the U.N. Development Index, African nations
occupied all but three of the last 30 places. After decades of edging
forward in step with other regions, 13 African nations have seen their
development rating decline since 1990.
“The picture that emerges is increasingly one of two very different groups
of countries: those that have benefited from development and those that have
been left behind,” the report said.
Last on the list for the seventh straight year was Sierra Leone, which is
still struggling to recover from years of civil war. Just above it were the
West African neighbors – Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
According to the report, which is based on 2002 data, a citizen of Sierra
Leone can expect to live to just over 34 years. At the other end of the
ranking, Japanese have an average life expectancy of 81, Swedes 80.
For the fourth year running, Norway topped the overall ranking – which takes
in life expectancy, income and educational attainment. It was followed by
Sweden and Australia.
Of the top 20 nations, only Australia at third, Japan at ninth and New
Zealand at 18th were outside Europe or North America. The United States was
ranked eighth, a fall of one place from last year.
The world’s newest nation, East Timor (news – web sites), was included for
the first time and ranked at 158, the lowest outside Africa. The other
lowest non-African nations were Haiti at 153 and Yemen at 149.
Israel was the highest-ranked Middle Eastern nation at 22, followed by
Bahrain at 40. The Palestinian Territories were ranked 102.
About 30 nations were not included because of insufficient data, including
Afghanistan (news – web sites), Iraq (news – web sites) and Liberia (news –
web sites).
Just two mainland African nations made the top 100 – Libya at 58 and Tunisia
at 92.
The biggest increase from the 2003 list was recorded by Albania, which has
been recovering from an economic crisis in the late 1990s. A 30-place surge
to 65th position hoisted Albania almost 50 places ahead of Europe’s poorest
nation – Moldova which languished in 113th position.
Also upwardly mobile were Armenia, up 18 places to 82, and St. Kitts and
Nevis, one of the world’s smallest countries which climbed 12 spots to 39.
Other former British territories in the Caribbean fared less well. Belize
suffered the biggest drop, 32 places to 99, followed by Dominica which
slipped to 95th place, down 27.
The report found that nearly 1 billion people face some form of
discrimination, and the United Nations (news – web sites) appealed for
governments to do more to respect minority rights.
“Some 900 million people, about one in seven of the world’s population,
belong to groups that believe themselves to be discriminated against or
disadvantaged,” said Mark Malloch Brown, administrator of the U.N.
Development Program.
Basing its data on research by the University of Maryland, the United
Nations pointed to more than 200 groups “that face political disadvantage or
discrimination based on ethnic, linguistic or religious identities.”

It said 130 million faced direct discrimination as a result of public
policy. “The rest are discriminated against because of social customs in the
country or the lingering effects of historic discrimination,” the report
added.
In data released Wednesday, the United Nations blamed AIDS for pushing down
African development levels. “AIDS is reversing the hard-won gains of recent
decades,” Elizabeth Lwanga, deputy director of the UNDP’s Africa office,
said at the international AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
Malloch Brown said AIDS was not the only factor holding Africa back. He
called for Europe and North America to open their markets to African
agricultural exports and said richer nations should invest more in health,
education and transport networks in Africa.

ASBAREZ Online [07-15-2004]

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TOP STORIES
07/15/2004
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1. Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Speaks in Favor of Turkey EU Membership
2. Western Prelacy Blesses Saints Dertad And Ashkhen Chapel Cornerstone
3. Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia Sign Accord to End Separatist Conflict
4. NEWS BRIEFS

1. Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Speaks in Favor of Turkey EU Membership

ISTANBUL (ARMENPRESS)–The Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafian, met recently with the France’s Consul General in Istanbul,
Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, who was eager to learn about the religious leader’s
views on Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU). To date, France has
resisted Turkey’s efforts to gain EU membership.
Archbishop Mutafian told Peaucelle that it would incorrect to view the
international community of Armenians as a homogeneous body. “French Armenians
who resist Turkish EU membership represent only one part of the Armenian
community. Along with Diaspora Armenians who advocate against Turkey’s
accession to EU, there are also Armenians who support the process because they
realize the benefits Turkey’s membership can have on Turkish-Armenian
relations,” he said.
Mutafian said that he too, as the Armenian Patriarch, often speaks in
favor of
Turkey’s drive, and believes that its membership will have a “very positive”
effect on a number of issues, including Turkish-Armenian relations, regional
stability, and the condition of Turkey’s national minorities.

2. Western Prelacy Blesses Saints Dertad And Ashkhen Chapel Cornerstone

LA CRESCENTA–The Western Prelacy marked an important milestone on Sunday,
July
11, with the blessing of the Prelacy chapel cornerstone, which signaled the
beginning of the chapel’s construction, and the renovation of the Prelacy
building.
Many faithful gathered at the Prelacy in La Crescenta to witness the historic
event and to partake in the ceremony which was conducted by Prelate Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, and Prelacy clergy.
Prelacy benefactors were on hand, along with those who have sponsored the
Chapel, Altar, baptismal font, the 16 pillars and various parts of the
Prelacy.

Also present were representatives of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia, Prelacy Executive Council, Prelacy committees and parishes, and a
congregation of supporters.
As the reading of prayers and scripture proceeded, His Eminence the Prelate
conducted the washing of the cornerstones of the Alter and the 16 pillars of
the chapel with wine and water. The 16 pillars symbolize Christ’s Disciples,
the Evangelists, and the founder of the Armenian Church, St. Gregory the
Illuminator.
The Prelate then anointed each stone with Holy Oil and handed them to the
godfathers to be placed at the foundations of the chapel.
After the ceremony, the Prelate expressed his contentment for the achievement
of the significant milestone, accomplished with the grace of God, and informed
the faithful that the new chapel would be named after the first Christian king
and queen of Armenia, St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen.
Recalling that the year 2004 has been declared the “Year of the Armenian
Family,” by Catholicos Aram I, the Prelate said it is “most appropriate to
name
the chapel after the first Christian family of our nation.”
Thanking all sponsors and Prelacy benefactors, the Prelate extended a special
appreciation to the Bedrosian, Carolan, and Pilavjian families, who have
provided both moral and financial support, not only to the Prelacy Building
project, but also to the Prelacy as a whole, enabling it to carry out its
mission to serve the mother church and the Armenian Community.

3. Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia Sign Accord to End Separatist Conflict

MOSCOW (AFP)–Russia, Georgia and its separatist region of South Ossetia
signed
an agreement aimed at ending the escalating conflict over the disputed
province.
The tiny mountainous region on Georgia’s border with Russia has seen a string
of clashes recently that have increased tensions between Tbilisi, South
Ossetia’s self-proclaimed government, and its protector Moscow.
“All sides signed the agreement,” Russian army deputy chief for peacekeeping
operations, Valery Evnevich told reporters in Moscow.
Georgian, South Ossetian, and Russian officials had met behind closed doors
for two days in Moscow as part of a joint commission working to defuse the
recent tensions over the disputed province.
“All sides reaffirmed their aim to strictly follow the principle of
peacefully
resolving the conflict and emphasized that using force and economic
pressure as
unacceptable,” Evnevich said.
But he also said the joint commission would continue to meet in South
Ossetia’s capital Tskhnivali until the conflict was completely resolved, a
hint
that tensions in the volatile region were unlikely to die down immediately.
Recent flareups have included armed South Ossetians detaining Georgian police
officers at gunpoint and Georgia seizing two Russian convoys, including one
with military equipment reportedly for Moscow’s peacekeepers stationed in the
region.
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia after fighting a civil war
against Tbilisi with Russian support in the early 1990s, following the fall of
the Soviet Union.
Today, the province is effectively a Russian protectorate, with most
residents
holding Russian passports, using rubles and relying on Moscow to keep Tbilisi
at bay. Peacekeepers from Russia, Georgia and South Ossetia patrol separate
parts of the province.

But tensions in the region have risen recently amid moves by Georgia’s new
president Mikhail Saakashvili, to make good on his January election pledge to
reunify his fractured former Soviet republic.
Russia, the traditional power broker in the Caucasus, has warily watched the
efforts of the pro-Western Saakashvili, who in May succeeded in ousting a
pro-Moscow leader in Georgia’s semi-autonomous region of Adjara.

4. NEWS BRIEFS

HALO Trust Continues Progress in Karabagh

STEPANAKERT (ARMENPRESS)This year, the HALO Trust has destroyed 240
antipersonnel landmines, 230 antitank mines and 718 items of unexploded
ordnance in Mountainous Karabagh. In a press relase on July 14, the
organization also announced that it has helped clear some 2,400 acres of land
in 2004 alone.
Nagorno Karabagh is one of the most mine-affected areas in the world and
accidents continue to plague the region. The per capita accident rate is
higher
in Karabagh than in more publicized countries like Afghanistan and
Cambodia. As
people are repatriated into uncharted, potentially mined territory, landmine
accidents continue to occur,” the press release noted. In the month of June
alone, HALO reported three accidents that injured four civilians.
HALO is a NGO that provides employment for 199 locals in Karabagh. At present
manning levels, the organization expects to clear the Karabagh’s mines in five
to seven years. For more information about HALO visit

Aliyev Reiterates His Position on Karabagh Conflict

YEREVAN (YERKIR)Speaking at the opening ceremony of a new plant in Baku on
Wednesday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his government’s
stance on the settlement of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict.
“The conflict can be resolved only by maintaining Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. Azerbaijan will not compromise its position on the settlement of
the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict. This is a fair position…” Aliyev said.
Aliyev also indicated that the government will be able to spend one-third of
its recently generated surplus on its army. “This is our priority and
Azerbaijan has a powerful army. The army has to be stronger and it will be,”
Aliyev added.

Saakashvili Calls on West to Put Pressure on Russia

LONDON (ARMENPRESS)At a news briefing in London on July 14 Georgian President
Mikhail Saakashvili called on western powers to place pressure on Russia, over
its policy on South Ossetia.
“I do believe that some elements in Moscow are carrying out aggressive plans;
and not just plans but they are carrying out aggressive actions. These are
people who have rid themselves of their imperial ambitions,” Reuters and AP
quoted Mikhail Saakashvili as saying.
Russia says that it can not remain “indifferent towards the fate of its
citizens, which comprise an absolute majority in South Ossetia.”

Armenian Student Provides Bone Marrow to Italian Child

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)A five-year Italian child with leukemia was saved after
her genetic makeup matched that of 22-year-old Armenian student, Vahe
Vardanian. The bone marrow transplant operation was performed on July 6 in
Italy. Experts say the results of the procedure will be evident in a year.
Last year, Vardanian was included in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry,
which now has 8000 members. By increasing the pool of donors, registry
participants give blood-disease patients a greater chance of survival.

Armenian Minister, Indian Ambassador Discuss Cooperation

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On July 14, Armenian Urban Minister Aram Harutunian met
with India’s Ambassador to Armenia Deepak Vohra to discuss, according to the
ministry press office, “cooperation prospects between the two countries.”
Both men stated that cooperation between the countries may involve such areas
as the construction of seismic-resistant buildings, the preservation of
historical towns and the organization of architectural exhibitions. The sides
also plan to share information about urban planning. The meeting indicated
that
India may serve as a donor country in a Council of Europe implemented project
aimed at the rehabilitation of architectural and historical sites in Armenia.
Vohra said he will brief the newly appointed Urban Minister of India about the
details of the meeting

Construction of Entertainment Center Stopped

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Following public outcry, the construction of another
entertainment center in downtown Yerevan was halted. A municipal official said
the orders came from the president and mayor. Some trees in the area had,
however, been cut before government officials interfered. The construction
center, which was approved by former Yerevan mayor Robert Nazarian, was to be
built at the intersection of Isahakian and Teryan streets.

Government Releases Urgent Aid to Syunik

KAPAN (ARMENPRESS)The government has allocated 33 million drams in emergency
assistance to the southern province of Syunik, which was recently
devastated by
strong hailstorms and winds that destroyed tens of homes. The money was used
for building materials that will be distributed to the affected communities.

French-Armenian Relations Continue to Develop

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)”I am so happy to celebrate the national holiday of
France in the company of so many Armenian friends,” Henry Cuny, the French
Ambassador in Yerevan told journalists on June 14 when the embassy organized a
special ceremony to mark the holiday. In his remarks, the ambassador, who
spoke
about the excellent relations between the two countries, noted that France
will
declare the 2006-2007 year as the Year of Armeniaan arrangement that was
agreed
to by the presidents of the two countries. “Armenian-French relations today
encompass virtually all sectors and continue to develop based on a similar
approach,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said. Oskanian also
thanked and commended France for helping Armenia integrate into the European
family.

Armenian-British Agreement on Cultural Center Signed

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Thursday, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and
British ambassador to Yerevan Thorda Abbot-Watt signed an agreement concerning
the development of cultural centers. Under the agreement, the British Council
is officially recognized as the body that coordinates cultural ties between
Armenia and Great Britain. The agreement also stipulates that each party has
the right to establish cultural centers in their partners’ capital city.

Armenian Fencers to Compete in Tehran

YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Thursday, a 4-member Armenian team of fencers left
Yerevan for Tehran. The athletes will compete in an international fencing
competition to be held from July 17-20.

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BISNIS: Investment Opps in Armenia & Georgia – 07/04/2004

Investment Opportunities in Armenia & Georgia

BISNIS Search for Partners
15 July 2004

BISNIS publishes Search for Partners leads to help U.S. companies find
partner and investment opportunities in the expanding markets of the
former Soviet Union.

To receive Search for Partner leads regularly, email BISNIS at
[email protected] or call (202) 482-4655. To search previously
published Search for Partner leads online, visit

************************************************************
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

Location: Yerevan, Armenia
Industry: Construction Materials
Company: Comfort R&V

The company seeks a U.S. partner to co-invest in a project to establish
a large trade center specializing in the wholesale and retail
distribution of building materials.
LeadLink,

*************************************************************
MEDICAL/PHARMACEUTICALS/EYE CARE

Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Company: Tbilkhimparmi

The company is seeking financing and new technology in order to expand
its production volume and types of pharmaceutical products, and to
improve the distribution network as well. LeadLink,

*************************************************************
These opportunities are provided solely as an informational service and
do not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

Note: Although BISNIS representatives in Eurasia occasionally provide
last resort assistance in contacting local companies listed in leads,
they do not assist with negotiations or conduct due diligence on local
companies.

For additional commercial information about industries, regions, and
companies in Eurasia, visit BISNIS Online at

http://bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/lead.cfm?1343
http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/lead.cfm?1336
www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/searchfpart.cfm.
www.bisnis.doc.gov.

AYF Youth Corps Participants Arrive in Armenia

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Vicken Sosikian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

AYF Youth Corps Participants Arrive in Armenia

The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo Madenlian Public
Affairs Office announced that the participants of this summer’s AYF Youth
Corps program arrived in Armenia Thursday.

The participants, will stay in Armenia and Artsakh for over a month, and
spend most of their summer in Stepanakert, the capitol city of Artsakh. The
group is working to rebuild the `Soseh’ kindergarten and the Paraplegic
Rehabilitation Center both located in Stepanakert. This year is the third
year that the AYF Youth Corps program will help the rebuilding efforts at
the kindergarten and rehabilitation center.

The group members will also have the opportunity to meet with government
officials, local ARF representatives, and AYF members. They will also spend
their weekends sightseeing in Armenia and Artsakh.

The participants of the 2003 Youth Corps program come from areas including
Glendale, the South Bay, and the West San Fernando Valley.

The AYF Youth Corps program, founded after the cease-fire in 1994, has sent
over 100 Armenian youth to Artsakh and Armenia to assist in the rebuilding
efforts of various Armenian structures such as schools, centers, churches,
and youth camps damaged during the war. This year marks the 10th anniversary
of the AYF Youth Corps program.

The Armenian Youth Federation of Western United States strives to serve
Armenian American Communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social settings. To
learn more about the Armenian Youth Federation please log on to

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.ayfwest.org
www.AYFwest.org.

AYF to Hold Second Annual Little Armenia Clean Up

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Vicken Sosikian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

AYF to Hold Second Annual Little Armenia Clean Up

Los Angeles – The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo
Madenlian Public Affairs Office announced Thursday that it has began the
planning and organization of the Second Annual Little Armenia Clean Up
scheduled to take place on September 25.

The clean up, which is cosponsored by Council Member Eric Garcetti’s Office,
will begin at 8:30 am with an opening ceremony, including remarks by Council
Member Garcetti. Volunteers for the clean up will work to remove litter and
unwanted weeds from the streets and sidewalks.

The clean up, a project of the AYF Little Armenia Beautification Program,
will include the renewal of the `Welcome to Little Armenia’ banners placed
on various major intersections of Little Armenia.

`It is an honor to the Armenian American community to have an area of the
City Los Angeles named after our homeland,’ said Vicken Sosikian, Chairman
of the AYF Western Region. `Since October of 2000 we have enjoyed this
honor, and feel that we not only need to give back to Little Armenia and its
residents, but also to the city of Los Angeles.’

The AYF counts on the support of the Armenian community to make this
community outreach event a success. Those who are interested in volunteering
for the clean up or contributing to the effort in anyway should email the
AYF at [email protected].

The Armenian Youth Federation strives to serve Armenian American communities
west of the Mississippi through education, athletics, political activism,
cultural activities, and social settings. To learn more about the AYF please
log on to

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.ayfwest.org
www.AYFwest.org.

Head of Armenian Aravot TV Resigns

HEAD OF ARMENIAN ARAVOT TV RESIGNS

Arminfo
15 Jul 04

YEREVAN

The executive director of the TV channel Aravot TV, Aram Abramyan, has
resigned from his post.

Abramyan told an Arminfo correspondent that he will explain his
resignation in the Aravot newspaper tomorrow. Abramyan is the
newspaper’s editor.

MP of the Armenian National Assembly Murad Guloyan bought the TV
company from MP Gurgen Arsenyan about two months ago. When he took up
the post, Abramyan told reporters that he would work as the channel’s
director till the first sign of pressure exerted on him by the
channel’s leadership.

BAKU: Azeri TV Blasts Russian Mediator’s Stance on NK Talks

AZERI TV BLASTS RUSSIAN MEDIATOR’S STANCE ON NAGORNYY KARABAKH TALKS

Space TV, Baku
15 Jul 04

Azerbaijan’s commercial Space TV has criticized the OSCE Minsk Group
for failing to offer a “specific and real set of proposals” on how to
resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict with Armenia. It also described
as surprising Russian co-chairman of the group Yuriy Merzlyakov’s
“refusal to acknowledge the territorial integrity” of Azerbaijan. On
Nagornyy Karabakh’s participation in the talks, the TV station quoted
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as saying that this was
not envisaged by the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group. The following is
the text of the report by Azerbaijani Space TV on 15 July; subheadings
inserted editorially:

(Presenter) The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group arrived in Baku
today. They will be received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
Foreign Affairs Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and other officials. The
co-chairmen say that the (Nagornyy Karabakh) problem has to be
resolved not by them but by the sides to the conflict. Russian
co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov said that the conditions are there for a
speedy resolution of the conflict and this opportunity must not be
wasted.

(Correspondent over video of Merzlyakov) Merzlyakov is unable to point
out the difference between Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and
Nagornyy Karabakh. When asked by journalists today about Armenia’s
withdrawal of its forces from Azerbaijan, Merzlyakov – true to form –
corrected the journalists.

(Merzlyakov in Russian) These are different things. We are talking
about the occupied territories and Nagornyy Karabakh where the
conflict is. You did not formulate it this way. You said the
withdrawal of the Armenian troops from Nagornyy Karabakh. This is not
the same as what you said later – the withdrawal of the Armenian
troops from Azerbaijan. These are different things.

(Correspondent) It is interesting that despite his diplomatic
expertise Merzlyakov did not hide that he was talking about his own
opinion rather than the official stance of the OSCE Minsk Group. At
any rate, no other explanation is possible for his refusal to
acknowledge the territorial integrity of the country he is
visiting. Moreover, despite repeated requests Merzlyakov did not say
which territories he meant when using the term the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. For some reason, he said instead that he
was satisfied with the talks he has held with the leadership of
Armenia and the self-styled Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR).

(Merzlyakov) I had a useful conversation with Arkadiy Gukasyan
(president of the NKR), Ashot Gulyanov (foreign minister of the
NKR). It was interesting to learn their opinion of the
negotiations. As for Armenia’s proposal – the objective of the
meetings with the Armenian leadership was to recount the evaluation by
the co-chairmen of how the negotiations are going. The talks are now
held on two levels – on the level of the two presidents and on the
level of foreign ministers who are now frequently consulting with the
co-chairmen. There have been three rounds of consultations.

Hence, our main objective was to recount our evaluation and we also
heard the views of high-ranking Armenian officials.

Merzlyakov dismisses Armenian media reports

(Correspondent) After making this at least surprising statement
concerning Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Merzlyakov went on to
make other remarks. He unequivocally dismissed reports by the Armenian
media which quoted him on Nagornyy Karabakh’s participation in the
talks as a side to the conflict. However, he said that he personally
considers this option acceptable.

(Merzlyakov) I have never concealed that in my opinion all the three
sides to the conflict have to take part in the talks. But if the two
sides have decided that this formula works for them, then I agree with
that.

(Correspondent) It seems that our remarks about the OSCE co-chairmen
coming into the region empty-handed were premature (as heard). Once
again the OSCE Minsk Group did not bring any specific and real set of
proposals to Baku, although the conflict has persisted for so many
years. Instead, they expect a ready-made recipe from the sides to the
conflict. This is strange because if the sides were able to find a
settlement on their own, then why would they need the Minsk Group?

The co-chairmen will stay in Baku until 17 July. By then they may
reach a consensus and answer this question on the basis of regional
security and international law.

Mammadyarov on Minsk Group’s mandate

(Presenter) Mammadyarov has said that the Minsk Group has to act
within the mandate given to it by the OSCE.

(Correspondent) The conflict will not be solved without Nagornyy
Karabakh’s participation in the talks, the Armenian media have
reported, quoting Merzlyakov. Mammadyarov has said that the Minsk
Group has to act within the mandate given to it by the OSCE and it
does not envisage Nagornyy Karabakh’s participation in the talks.

(Mammadyarov talking with journalists) The talks are being held
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. When the mandate was issued on 24
April 1992 it said that Azerbaijan and Armenia are sides to the
conflict. The Armenian and Azerbaijani communities (of Nagornyy
Karabakh) are the interested parties. We are working within this
framework.

(Correspondent) The talks have intensified in the last six months and
another meeting will be held in August, Mammadyarov said.

(Mammadyarov) Over the last six months there have been two meetings
between the presidents, and three meetings between ministers. Now the
co-chairmen are visiting the region and we plan another meeting in
August. We are working on that now. Probably, it will become clear
tomorrow where we will meet and what we will discuss.