A Sterling Exhibition Of Drama
by Clive O’connell Reviewer

The Age (Melbourne)
June 15, 2004 Tuesday

Music review: SUREN BAGRATUNI & TIMOTHY YOUNG, Australian National
Academy of Music, June 10

Armenian-born cellist Suren Bagratuni is the most recent in the
series of the National Academy’s visiting artists, that prolific
source of education for talented young Australian musicians on the
cusp of their careers.

Bagratuni presented a particularly expansive program, working
backwards from a piece by one of his compatriots, Adam Khudoyan, to
the best-known cello sonata in the repertoire: Beethoven No. 3 in A
major. As a tour of masterworks, it was slanted towards modern times,
also taking in the Shostakovich and Debussy sonatas. All four together
is a concentrated night’s work.

The Beethoven work is loaded with problems of balance, including
passages that feature strong detailed work for the piano under which
the cello broods over the melodies. Timothy Young kept his contribution
in the foreground, rarely diminishing his piano’s volume for the sake
of Bagratuni but the outcome made for a benign interpretation rather
than the sparks that other duos bring to the work. The cellist observed
a wide range of dynamics with the accent on moulding lines and there
were several unusual and felicitous pauses and contrasts of attack.

Young was hard-pressed in this work’s finale which holds some
improbably demanding leaps and scale passages but you rarely got
the feeling that he was making heavy weather of them; any blips
occurred in slower sections. He also faced an equally daunting trial
in the fourth movement of the Shostakovich sonata which exercises the
accompanist mercilessly while the solo observes the struggle from a
distance. Nevertheless, Bagratuni produced a soaring account of this
work’s two central sections, an imposing successor to the Khudoyan work
for solo cello – a showpiece and both motivically and atmospherically
suggestive of the one Armenian composer everybody knows: Khatchaturian.

However, the most engrossing moments of this recital came in the last
two-thirds of the Debussy sonata, its leaps and darts excellently
carried off by both musicians in a sterling exhibition of light touch
and rapid note negotiation. To their high credit, both performers
maintained the finale’s underpinning drama and vehemence, qualities
that make the final bars both a joy and a relief.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘Miss Green Line’ pageant tonight
by Tia Goldenberg

The Jerusalem Post
June 15, 2004, Tuesday

Dina Emal of Beit Jala will participate in the first “Miss Green Line”
beauty pageant, Tuesday night in Gilo.

Pageant organizer Azi Neger said it was the recurring violence in the
area – Beit Jala is often used as a base for shooting attacks on Gilo –
that inspired the inclusion of the Arab contestant.

“My goal was to unite girls from Gilo and Beit Jala. I want them to
talk about beauty and fashion and through this to get to know each
other,” said Neger.

He said that since Beit Jala also suffered consequences from the
shootings, its residents should get a chance to participate as well.

Neger said it was a challenge to get permission for Emal to enter
Israel, but he was helped by OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe
Kaplinsky.

Three months ago, Neger began rounding up women from Gilo, Beit Jala,
and Bethlehem to make up the 15 contestants in the pageant.

He said the Arab women he approached were enthusiastic, but somewhat
apprehensive. “I asked the mothers if they wanted their daughters
to join and they were very happy,” said Neger, on his way to pick up
crowns for the pageant in Tel Aviv.

However, “they were afraid that they might get hurt,” while crossing
checkpoints.

He said his idea was also spurred by the Gilo participants. “They
said they wanted to meet girls from Beit Jala.”

Most of the participants have met several times and have formed good
relationships, he said.

The other non-Jewish participant, Arpy Krikorian, 21, an Armenian
Christian from Jerusalem’s Old City, said she spends a lot of time
with Jews through her job as a hairdresser, and is looking forward
to spending time with the other Jewish participants.

“It’s a very nice feeling to mingle with other religions,” she said.

Krikorian hasn’t met with Emal because when she was supposed to,
the latter was not permitted to enter Israel.

Krikorian said she didn’t join the pageant to win. “I joined to
prove that if you want to do something, it can be done. You shouldn’t
be afraid.”

Neger, who is one of seven judging the competition, said he will be
happy no matter who wins the crown.

“I hope the pageant will help change the atmosphere to one of
dialogue.”

GRAPHIC: Photo: DINA EMAL is the only Arab participant in tonight’s
‘Miss Green Line’ pageant. (Credit: Ariel Jerozolimski/Jp)

The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
Malay Mail
June 15, 2004

THE PASSION’ OF PETER GABRIEL

Reviewed by Jerryz

PETER GABRIEL PASSION PETER Gabriel was part of English progressive
rock group Genesis before he struck out on his own in 1977.

His wide-ranging musical interests ranged from R&B, funk, rock to third
world music, and his first four albums had several very commercial
tracks like Steam, Sledgehammer and Shock The Monkey.

These were hit singles and came with sensational, state-of- the-art
videos.

But he was always keen to extend his own boundaries and he accepted
the task to supply the music for the controversial Martin Scorsese
film The Last Temptation of Christ.

The movie created quite a furore with its intimation of Jesus Christ
having sex with Mary Magdalene, but Scorsese always said it was a
fictionalised account.

While famed for his singing and songwriting, Gabriel made an about
turn and this album has hardly any singing except when the voice is
used as an instrument.

His challenge was was now as a composer.

Gabriel’s interest in world music now came to the fore.

But he combined with them his knowledge of synthesisers and electronic
music to create pieces of music with complex musical layers,
atmospheric, ambient and filled with awe and yes, passion.

Informed by the sounds of North Africa and the Middle East, the
tracks contain instruments like drones, finger cymbals, Armenian
doudouks, surdus tablas, horns, flutes and blend into one another
almost seamlessly.

The first track, The Feeling Begins, start with an evocative
synthesiser drone.

Then the doudouk, an Armenian string instrument, states a haunting
eastern melody, origin and here the record sleeve notes that the
doudouk’s melody is that of a traditional Armenian melody titled The
Wind Subsides.

Then the percussion kicks in – tumbling polyrhythms clash and collide
furiously for a climactic ending.

Another strong track is A Different Drum which features a hard-hitting
beat with percussive loops and samples plus some voices.

On It Is Accomplished, check out the glorious pianos and celestial
bells – passion indeed.

In Gethsemane, flute samples, and sampled brass and woodwind
instruments combine to create a futuristic, spooky atmosphere.

Incidentally Gabriel also released a sister album to this – it’s called
Passion Sources and is made up of the music which influenced him.

This album is more about atmosphere and moods, rather than the usual
verse-chorus-bridge-chorus kind of thing.

If you like Pink Floyd, and world music, this album could well be
your kind of thing.

ARKA News Agency
June 14 2004

Robert Kocharian and Yerji Yaskernia discuss fulfillment of Armenian
commitments to CE

Chief Architect of Yerevan released from the position

RA Prime Minister received YBC Director General

RA Foreign Minister leaves for Washington with a working visit

Armenia does its best to comply with the commitments to the Council
of Europe in due time

>>From June 15 students graduated from Universities to be enlisted in
the army in Armenia

Symposium on tourism and preservation of cultural –historic values of
Gyumri-Ghars to take place tomorrow in Gyumri (Armenia)

RA Secretary of Security Council and Iranian Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to Armenia state of the necessity of regional
co-operation development

CBA committed to open dialogue with journalists

*********************************************************************

ROBERT KOCHARIAN AND YERJI YASKERNIA DISCUSS FULFILLMENT OF ARMENIAN
COMMITMENTS TO CE

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian and
Co-Reporter of PACE Monitoring Commission Yerji Yaskernia and the
Secretary of the Commission David Kupin discussed fulfillment of
Armenian commitments to CE. The parties discussed process of
commitments’ fulfillment considering constitutional and election
reforms.
The parties also discussed the issues brought up in April resolution
of PACE on internal political situation in Armenia. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

CHIEF ARCHITECT OF YEREVAN RELEASED FROM THE POSITION

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. With the decision of RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian, Chief Architect of Yerevan, Deputy Mayor of
Yerevan Narek Sargsian was released from the position, RA Government
press office told ARKA.
Narek Sargsian was the Chief Architect of Yerevan since 1999.
Sargsian graduated from Yerevan Engineering University. He was taking
the position of a dean at Architect Faculty of Yerevan Engineering
University. L.D. –0—

*********************************************************************

RA PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED YBC DIRECTOR GENERAL

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
received Yerevan Brandy Company Director General Pierre Larech, RA NA
told ARKA. During the meeting Larech expressed gratitude to the
Government of Armenia and to its head for assistance and cooperation
in more than 5-year work in Armenia. He said that successes of YBC
consider not only Pernod Richard Group, but the whole Armenia. YBC
Director told the Premier about future plans of the company targeted
on increase of grape purchasing volumes and expanding of foreign
markets.
Margarian in his turn highly estimated the activity of Larech and
said that it contributed to development of wine-growing in Armenia
and provided new working places and stable incomes of Armenian
farming.
In June 1998, YBC entered into Pernod Ricard international
corporation, owning a number of world famous brands of alcoholic
drinks. Pernod Ricard purchased YBC thru international tender for USD
30 mln. In 2003 Armenia produced 7 mln l of brandy, of which 4 mln l
was produced by YBC. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

RA FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR WASHINGTON WITH A WORKING VISIT

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian left
for Washington with a two-day working visit, RA MFA told ARKA.
Oskanian will meet with the Chairmen of U.S. Department of State.
During the meetings the parties will discuss regional problems and
Armenian-American relations. Besides, Oskanian will meet with the
staff of President’s administration on national security, with the
congressmen and senators. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

ARMENIA DOES ITS BEST TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMITMENTS TO THE COUNCIL
OF EUROPE IN DUE TIME

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. Armenia does its best to comply with the
commitments to the Council of Europe in due time, as stated by RA NA
Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan during his meeting with the PACE
monitoring commission co-reporter on Armenia Yerzy Yaskiernia.
According to RA NA Press Service Department, in the course of the
meeting the importance of holding political dialogue between the
opposition and the coalition and compliance with the commitments to
PACE was emphasized. The parties noted that importance of the
dialogue for the opposition to return to the Parliament and its
participation in works on reforming the Constitution, Election Code,
Legislation in the area of self-governance and legal and judicial
system. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

FROM JUNE 15 STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITIES TO BE ENLISTED IN
THE ARMY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. From June 15 students, who graduated from
Universities, will be enlisted in the army in Armenia. Such info is
published on the official website of RA Ministry of Defense. In
regard with this, tomorrow for the purpose of getting acquainted with
the order of enlistment and informing the public, a meeting of RA
General Armed Forces Headquarter Head, the first Deputy Minister of
Defense, General-Colonel Michael Harutyunyan and Deputy Minister of
Defense, General-Lieutenant Arthur Aghabekyan with Mass Media
representatives. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

SYMPOSIUM ON TOURISM AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL –HISTORIC VALUES OF
GYUMRI-GHARS TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN GYUMRI (ARMENIA)

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. Symposium on tourism and preservation of
cultural –historic values of Gyumri-Ghars will take place tomorrow in
Gyumri (Armenia).According to AED (Academy for Educational
Development) Armenian office, the first two days of the symposium
will be held in Gyumri, after which a two-day trip to Ghars is
planned. The representatives of local authorities, as well as
architects, businessmen, and specialist in tourism and preservation
of historic-cultural objects from Armenia, Turkey, and Bulgaria will
take part in the symposium. They will discuss the issue relating to
preservation of historical monuments and to tourism development.
According to the press-release, the participants will consider the
current state of historical and natural monuments in Ghars province
in Turkey and Shirak region in Armenia, as well as will discuss the
necessary steps to be taken for their protection. Besides, issues of
regional tourism development, protection of culture territories and
the possibilities of implementation of joint economic programs will
be considered. According to the press-release, the strategy of
tourism development and protection of monuments in Ghyumri will be
discussed during the symposium and then submitted to state authority
structures, donor and international organizations.
The symposium is organized by AED together with some organizations
and people concerned and funded by USAID. Gyumri-Ghars photo
exhibition will take place in the framework of the symposium.
A.H.—0–

*********************************************************************

RA SECRETARY OF SECURITY COUNCIL AND IRANIAN AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY
AND PLENIPOTENTIARY TO ARMENIA STATE OF THE NECESSITY OF REGIONAL
CO-OPERATION DEVELOPMENT

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. Issue relating to bilateral relations and
participation in regional programs ere discussed by the RA Secretary
of Security Council at RA President, Serge Sargsyan, the RA Minister
of Defense and Iranian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to Armenia Mohammad Farhad Koleini whose diplomatic mission will be
over soon. According to Minister of Defense Press Secretary Seiran
Shakhsuvaryan, the parties exchanged opinions about the recent
military and political events. The Minister expressed his gratitude
to the Ambassador for his personal input into strengthening of
Iran-Armenian multilateral relations and expressed hope that the new
Iranian Ambassador to Armenia will continue improving the positive
development of the relations. A.H.–0—

*********************************************************************

CBA COMMITTED TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. The Central bank of Armenia is committed to
an open dialogue with all mass media, as Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of
CBA stated when making his speech on the press conference “Banking
System and Public Relations: Actual Tasks and Solutions” held in
11-13 June in Tsakhkadzor. He also stressed that this is very
important task in respect to the formation of new mentality aimed at
availability of the information. “It would be useful if the mass
media report to what extent the state structures secure the
availability of the information”, he said. At that, he offered CBA’s
cooperation in working out of required criteria foe definition of
openness of this or that structure. As Sargsyan mentioned, such
practice may change the way of mentality of those managers that still
refuse in disclosing the information. “This would secure a big
progress and change of the mentality from the point of view of
formation of a civil society”, he stated. T.M. –0–

*********************************************************************

ARKA News Agency
June 15 2004

CBA announces contest on best scenario for cartoon film on inflation

Arthur Baghdasarian and Sergey Mironov discuss development of
Armenian-Russian interparliamentary links

8TH International economic forum opens in Saint-Petersburg

The Chairman of RF State Duma Boris Gryzlov to arrive in Armenia with
official visit in autumn

Exhibition of Karabakh children works opened in Stepanakert

NKR President meets French co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk Group Henri
Jacolin

RA President Kocharian welcomes Volgaburmash holding company in
Armenia

RA Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State discuss perspectives of
mutual relations

*********************************************************************

CBA ANNOUNCES CONTEST ON BEST SCENARIO FOR CARTOON FILM ON INFLATION

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Central Bank of Armenia announced contest
on best scenario for cartoon film on inflation, CBA told ARKA.
According to the statement, interested parties can take part in the
contest till August 1, 2004 by submission of the scenario to CB press
service. The winner will receive money prize in amount of 120
thousand AMD. ($1 – 546.83 AMD). L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN AND SERGEY MIRONOV DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF
ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY LINKS

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. RA NA Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian and the
Chairman of Federation Council of RF Federal Assembly Sergey Mironov
discussed development of Armenian-Russian interparliamentary links,
RA NA told ARKA. The parties stressed the importance of fulfillment
of the agreement on cooperation in the frames of which Armenian
pavilion was opened in Saint-Petersburg. The parties discussed
opportunities of expanding of interparliamentary links between the
countries. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

8TH INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM OPENS IN SAINT-PETERSBURG

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. 8th international economic forum opened in
Saint-Petersburg today. According to the Chairman of RF State Duma
Boris Gryzlov, similar forums are very important in the view of
establishment of links between the countries. According to him, one
of priority directions of State Duma activity is multilateral
cooperation with CIS countries. He said that State Duma pays
attention of development of bilateral cooperation as well. Gryzlov
stressed that during interparliamentary meetings basic accent is made
on concrete issues of economic cooperation, possibilities of increase
of goods’ turnover, investment flows. He also paid attention to
creation of joint economic area, modernization of the economy and
implementation of new technologies.
Petersburg International Economic Forum is conducted annually in
June. The organizers of the forum are Federation Council of RF
Federal Assembly and Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Countries in
assistance of RF Government and participation of EBRD.
Basic goal of the forum is conduction of preliminary and independent
discussion on economic and social development of Russia and CIS
countries, integration processes in post Soviet area, perspectives of
international economic and humanitarian cooperation. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

THE CHAIRMAN OF RF STATE DUMA BORIS GRYZLOV TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA WITH
OFFICIAL VISIT IN AUTUMN

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. The Chairman of RF State Duma Boris Gryzlov
will arrive in Armenia with official visit in autumn, RA NA told
ARKA. He will arrive in Armenia on the invitation of RA NA Speaker
Arthur Baghdasarian. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

EXHIBITION OF KARABAKH CHILDREN WORKS OPENED IN STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, June 15. /ARKA/. Exhibition of Karabakh children works
opened in Stepanakert. According to Director of SCJSC Center of
Children Art Ludmila Barsegian, the exhibition basically represents
pictures, reflecting culture and life of Nagorno Karabakh. 180
children from the Center take part in the exhibition.
Center of Children Art operates in Karabakh since 1993 and at the
moment 850 children attend the Center. Works of the children from the
Center were exhibited in Yugoslavia, France, Moscow and other cities.
L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

NKR PRESIDENT MEETS FRENCH CO-CHAIRMAN OF OSCE MINSK GROUP HENRI
JACOLIN

STEPANAKERT, June 15. /ARKA/. Arkadi Ghukasya, NKR President met
French co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk Group Henri Jacolin. According to
the personal correspondent of ARKA in Stepanakert, issues concerning
the negotiations and the perspectives of Karabakh conflict settlement
were discussed by the parties. Ghukasyan left for France to
participate in “Days of Karabakh”, held in some cities of the country
on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of armistice in Karabakh
conflict region. A.H.–0–

*********************************************************************

RA PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN WELCOMES VOLGABURMASH HOLDING COMPANY IN
ARMENIA

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. RA President Kocharian welcomed
Volgaburmash holding company in Armenia during the meeting with the
member of the Council of Federation of RF Federal Assembly, the Head
of the holding company Andrei Ischuk, according to RA President’s
Press Service Department. The President noted that Armenia will have
a reliable partner represented by Volgaburmash. The parties discussed
the issues of preparing the final form of the agreement on
transmitting the shares of Nairit Armenian factory to the ownership
of Volgaburmash. Ischuk introduced the investment program to
Kocharian, as well as the program of restoration of the factory and
operating it with its full capacity. The agreement on purchasing 100%
of the shares of Nairit Armenian scientific-industrial enterprise by
Volgaburmash international holding company was signed in Yerevan on
April 16, 2004. Before, 100% of the shares were transmitted to
Armsviaz bank in exchange for the debt of Nairit to the bank.
Volgaburmash Samara holding represents two monopolies on production
of drill units on post Soviet territory. It also forms monopoly on
production of reserve metal constructions. The consolidated turnover
of the holding company for 2003 makes over $200 mln. Currently,
Volgaburmash includes 14 factories, and two more factories are being
built, as well as 11 construction-and-mounting departments.
Volgaburmash has over one thousand consumers in CIS, and actively
operates on the international market. The policy of holding company
provides for restoration of enterprises on post Soviet territory.
A.H. –0—

*********************************************************************

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND US SECRETARY OF STATE DISCUSS PERSPECTIVES OF
MUTUAL RELATIONS

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Vardan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister met US
Secretary of State Collin Powell during his two-day visit to the US.
As Ra Foreign Ministry told ARKA, during the meeting the sides
discussed the perspectives of the development of the mutual relations
as well as a number of the issues concerning the regional
developments, Armenian-Turkish relations and the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The officials focused on the issues
related to Armenia’s participation in US Millennium Challenge
program, mentioning the importance of the program for democracy and
economy in Armenia. On the same day, the Minister met Condoleezza
Rice, US National Security Advisor. In the course of the meeting the
officials discussed the regional security issues, the future NATO
summit and the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In the frames
of his visit Oskanian also met the Deputy Assistant to the U.S.
Secretary of Defense Mira Ricardeli, the Assistant Secretary of the
State for Europe and Euroasia, Elizabeth Johnes, acting Assistant to
US Secretary of State on Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs M.
Kozack. The R Foreign Minister took a speech on RA foreign policy and
regional security in the Center of Strategic and International
Studies. T.M. –0–

*********************************************************************

Reagan won the Cold War all by himself? It’s a myth
By Daniel Sneider

San Jose Mercury News
Sunday, June 13, 2004

As a reporter in Moscow, I had the privilege of witnessing one of
the great events of the past century — the end of Soviet communism
and the collapse of the Soviet empire.

What I saw and heard bears almost no resemblance to the pernicious
myth repeated in recent days that Ronald Reagan single-handedly won
the Cold War.

The myth distorts history. It insults the Polish dockworkers,
Lithuanian nationalists and Russian democrats who risked their lives
for freedom. If any single person can be credited for such a momentous
event, it would be Mikhail Gorbachev.

Even worse, the myth perpetuates a dangerous idea, now at play in
the deserts of Iraq, that the United States can, by its own will,
transform other societies.

To his credit, Ronald Reagan didn’t create this myth — his supporters
did. They claim the decision to pursue the “star wars” program,
along with a massive defense buildup, drove the Soviet Union to
economic collapse. And they insist that Reagan’s calls for freedom
inspired the uprising against Communist rule.

There is a kernel of truth to this. The United States had to make
clear to the Soviet leadership that it could not advance its aims by
military means or ever hope to win an arms race. And it needed to not
lose sight of the fact that the Cold War was also a struggle of ideas.

Those principles did not belong exclusively, however, to Reagan. They
are the core of the doctrine of containment crafted at the dawn
of the Cold War by diplomat George Kennan. As long as the West
remained unified and strong, Kennan predicted, the Soviet system
would eventually collapse from its own inherent limitations.

That “long twilight struggle” succeeded. The Soviet Union I
encountered at the end of the 1980s was exhausted. Soviet workers were
soaked in vodka by midday. Dimly lit grocery stores were lined with
bottles of pickled tomatoes nobody would buy. In Soviet offices, a desk
covered with large clunky rotary dial phones was a sign of power. To me
it was evidence of a country left behind by the microchip revolution.

Though it commanded tremendous resources, the Soviet military wasn’t
much more impressive. On the bases of elite Soviet Marines and advanced
jet fighter wings, the men paid more attention to cultivating potato
fields they depended on for food. Even some Russians described their
own country as “Bangladesh with nuclear weapons.”

The crisis of legitimacy was kept in check only by the fading fear
of the police state. Russians read official propaganda in reverse —
whatever the authorities said was white, they knew had to be black.

Cynicism was the dominant ideology of the Communist Party. No one
mentioned Marx or talked of socialism. A failed coup in 1991 was
carried out by drunken apparatchiks desperate to hang on to power,
pale remnants of the ruthless Bolsheviks who created this system.

Nationalism was and remains the most powerful motivating
belief. Russians still felt pride in their nation and hoped freedom
would bring them prosperity as part of Europe. From Poland to Armenia,
entire populations revolted against Russian imperial rule. The depth of
disaffection was a shock not only to Gorbachev but also to the American
leadership, which never saw the breakup of the Soviet Union coming.

The Soviet system was already in crisis by the 1960s. The exposé of
Stalin’s crimes had dug deep into belief. The growth symbolized by
massive projects, many of them built with slave labor, had reached
its limit. An attempt at limited economic reform failed.

The Soviet Union probably lived longer than it properly should have
for two reasons — the Vietnam War, which discredited and fatigued
the United States; and the OPEC oil cartel, which allowed the Soviets
to paper over their problems with booming revenue from oil and gas
exports (which continues to this day).

Gorbachev sought reform not to keep up with America but to save the
system. But each step to open up the Soviet Union only exposed its
weakness, most of all to its own people. Ultimately his reforms only
hastened the end.

To the extent that Ronald Reagan recognized the potential of these
changes and encouraged them, he helped speed the end of the Cold
War. But it is time to dump the self-congratulatory rhetoric into
the dustbin of history where communism now resides.

DANIEL SNEIDER is foreign affairs columnist for the Mercury News. His
column appears on Sunday and Thursday. You can contact him at
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

June 15, 2004

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

AUA COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES DISCUSSES VIOLENCE IN ARMENIAN FAMILIES

Yerevan- On Monday, June 7, 2004, AUA’s College of Health Sciences (CHS)
held a public health panel discussion on “Violence in Armenian Families:
Myths or Reality?” Approximately 50 people, including AUA students and
faculty, community members of the general public, as well as the media
listened attentively as this sensitive and at times controversial issue was
discussed.

Moderated by the Director of the School of Health Care Management and
Administration and former Minister of Health, Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan noted,
“Violent behavior and the incidence of domestic violence in Armenia are not
clearly understood both by the general public and the state. The
epidemiology of domestic violence in the country is quite uncertain, thus
the problem has not been recognized as a public health issue. Just recently,
due to pressure from international organizations, newly created NGOs, as
well as the public, the problem has been disclosed and is currently
considered as an agenda item for state decision-makers and lawmakers.”

Other invited panelists, including Sara Anjargolian, Assistant Dean of AUA’s
Dept. of Law, Susanna Aslanyan, President of Armenia’s Maternity Fund NGO,
Iren Sargsyan, Gender Based Violence Program Coordinator, Prime II, and
Susanna Vardanyan, President of the Women Rights Center NGO in Yerevan, were
given time for short presentations expressing their thoughts and comments on
the social, cultural and gender determinants of domestic violence, education
and cooperation with the families, governmental bodies, and national
legislators.

Several suggestions were offered to help identify the problems more clearly
and provide better solutions. Priority should be given to more information,
education and public discussions, greater mass-media coverage, to involve
the entire family in an educational process, further legislative initiatives
and to engage support and cooperation with national lawmakers in order to
improve the laws regarding domestic violence and the rights of women.

The School of Health Care Management and Administration is the newest
program of the AUA College of Health Sciences and is a joint undertaking
with the Ministry of Health of Armenia. Its focus is on continuing medical
education throughout the regions of Armenia and to improve the health of the
population. The school trains a number of health care specialists in order
to create a critical mass of professionals with necessary level of skills
and abilities to implement plans and strategies of the Ministry of Health.
—————-
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
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Le Télégramme
15 juin 2004

Contents ou mécontents ils campent sur leurs positions

AUTEUR: Y.M.

A l’origine, le camp du Tour-du-Parc devait accueillir trois
familles.

Deux familles de réfugiés arméniens étaient en effet conviées par la
Ddass à rejoindre ce camp après plusieurs mois passés dans un hôtel
vannetais.

L’une et l’autre ont refusé l’invitation. Une mère de trois enfants
s’est justifiée en invoquant l’éloignement du site des lignes de bus.
On ignore où ces familles ont trouvé refuge.

« Sans ça on serait à la rue »

Autres mécontents, mais qui ont, eux, accepté de rejoindre la
presqu’île, la famille Zumberi. Un couple et leurs trois garçons,
originaires du Kosovo et qui séjournaient depuis neuf mois dans un
hôtel de Vannes. « On nous a amenés ici en voiture et le conducteur
est vite reparti », peste la femme, dans un mélange franco-yougoslave
difficilement compréhensible. Ses gestes laissent cependant deviner
qu’elle n’apprécie guère le site.

« De toute manière, nous sommes ici jusqu’au 28 juin, enchaîne son
mari, nous aurons bientôt un appartement. Vannes, Lorient, Locminé,
Troyes, n’importe où, mais surtout pas Pontivy », glisse-t-il,
portant un doigt sur ses lèvres en signe de silence.

Et puis il y a cette autre famille, en France depuis décembre 2002 et
bien heureuse de trouver un toit. Les Eliachvili, ressortissants
géorgiens en attente d’un asile subsidiaire. « Sans cet endroit, on
serait à la rue. Nous ignorons pour combien de temps nous sommes
installés dans cette caravane, mais nous sommes contents d’être là,
même s’il a fait un peu froid le soir », sourit la maman, bien aidée
dans la traduction par la plus grande de ses filles.

Scolarisée en CP à Vannes, non loin de l’hôtel qui les hébergeait,
cette dernière en a terminé avec l’école vendredi. Jour où leur
départ leur a été signifié. Tout comme sa jeune soeur, en maternelle.
« S’il le faut, elles viendront à l’école chez nous », assure le
maire.

GRAPHIQUE: Photo, Legende: Autres mécontents, mais qui ont, eux,
accepté de rejoindre la presqu”île, la famille Zumberi. Un couple et
leurs trois garçons, originaires du Kosovo et qui séjournaient depuis
neuf mois dans un hôtel de Vannes.

Le Télégramme
15 juin 2004

Nécrologie : Jean Gouzoukian

Jean Gouzoukian, compagnon d’Alice Le Roy, est décédé, dimanche
matin, d’un malaise cardiaque.

D’origine Arménienne, mais né en Algérie, le 30 juillet 1929 à
Mostaganem, il était venu à Brennilis en retraite après avoir
travaillé en région parisienne.

Membre actif de plusieurs associations, Jean était très apprécié de
tous pour sa gentillesse et sa serviabilité. Passionné de timbres, il
était aussi membre du club de philatélie de Carhaix. Sa disparition
laissera un grand vide auprès de sa famille et de ses amis.

Ses obsèques seront célébrées cet après-midi, à 14 h 30, en l’église
de Brennilis.

GRAPHIQUE: Photo, Legende: Jean Gouzoukian, était membre actif de
plusieurs associations.

L’EQUIPE
June 15, 2004

Football; Euro 2004

Le premier penalty arrete dans le jeu;

Le penalty repousse devant Beckham contre l’Angleterre (2-1)
constitue une premiere dans la carriere de Barthez en equipe de
France, du moins dans le jeu. Le gardien aux 67 selections en avait
deja arrete un, mais durant sa seule seance de tirs au but en bleu.
C’etait celui d’Albertini, contre l’Italie, en quart de finale de la
Coupe du monde 1998 (0-0, 4-3 aux t.a.b.), tandis que R. Baggio,
Costacurta et Vieri avait reussi le leur, et que Di Biagio avait
trouve la barre.

A l’ultime seconde du quart de finale de l’Euro 2000, France-Espagne
(2-1), Raul avait tire au-dessus alors que Mendieta avait auparavant
reussi le sien. En comptant ce dernier, le gardien marseillais a donc
encaisse 6 buts sur penalty dans le jeu – il faut y ajouter ceux de
Stradli, Norvege (3-3), le 25 fevrier 1998 ; Laudrup, Danemark (2-1),
le 24 juin 1998 ; Shahgeldian, Armenie (3-2), le 8 septembre 1999 ;
Poborsky, Republique tcheque (2-1), le 16 juin 2000 ; R. Baggio, FIFA
World Stars (5-1), le 16 aout 2000.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress