ARMENIAN OPPOSITION TO CHANGE STRATEGY SOON, PREMIER SAYS
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
19 Jun 04
An interview with Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan. He comments on
the opposition struggle.
(Aykakan Zhamanak correspondent) Mr Prime Minister, the opposition
thinks that the first stage of the struggle against the authorities
to come to power has finished. How do you assess the first round of
the opposition-authorities fight?
(Andranik Markaryan) I do not think there was a fight between the
authorities and the opposition. Simply the opposition put forward
some problems and during that period the authorities continued their
routine activity ensuring the settlement of internal and external
problems, naturally, paying attention to the problems put forward
by the opposition. I do not want to say that the opposition and the
authorities in our country were fighting each other, as a result of
which one of them won. Simply political processes took place, during
which one of the parties felt that the problems raised by them were
not politically realistic.
For this reason I think that by the end of the year the opposition will
try to change its strategy in order to be able to present its political
demands in a more favourable way. Naturally, the authorities should
also try to settle existing problems by implementing certain work
together with the opposition as well and ease possible tension. So,
here I do not want to see a winner and a loser. We should assess
what took place from the point of view of our country’s rating: has
the rating of our country surged or dropped in the course of these
processes? I think it has dropped a little.
(Correspondent) But the opposition does not think that its political
demands are not realistic. According to opposition leaders, they
failed to fulfil their programmes at this stage because the opposition
continued to fight using constitutional methods against the authorities
which were acting in an unconstitutional way.
(Markaryan) I cannot agree with this. Simply the authorities
were trying to bring the opposition’s actions into line with the
law. As for the opposition’s failure, I think they were acting
incorrectly from the very beginning. Because though there is objective
displeasure in the country, this displeasure should not be expressed
at extraordinary elections, especially in an illegal form such as a
vote of confidence. This is one of the opposition’s mistakes.
Another mistake of the opposition was that they were trying to liken
the situation in Armenia to the situation in Georgia and to come to
power in this way. Whereas it is clear that after any elections,
part of society is always displeased with the results. Simply
that displeasure should be expressed at the next elections and the
opposition should work in this direction. Otherwise we will be holding
extraordinary elections permanently.
(Correspondent) But if the opposition was unable to settle its problems
during this stage, the reason is not that all the existing problems
of the country have been settled and the demands of the opposition
are not realistic.
(Markaryan) But who says that all the existing problems of the country
have been settled? I can say with responsibility that nobody speaks
about our problems more than the government itself. You may open the
strategic programme for poverty reduction or the anti-corruption
programme, and I can assure you that in these two programmes the
situation in our country is presented more harshly than the opposition
was telling about it in the newspapers or in the streets. We do not
make a secret of it. At the same time, we say that we are trying to
settle these problems. The opposition says that our way is wrong, and
if we leave they will settle all the problems. If they can settle them,
let them se ttle the problems now, or tell us how to settle them. But
their proposal is: leave and we shall come and settle the problems.
(Passage omitted: minor details)

PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
COMMUNIQUÉ
PRIMATE MEETS WITH DIOCESAN CLERGY COUNCIL
On June 15, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Armenian Church of North America, Western Diocese, presided over the
monthly meeting of the Clergy Executive Council, the officially elected
body of clergy who implement the missions and projects adopted by the
Clergy Conference at , which is convened four times during the year..
NEW STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
A new Stewardship Committee has been established within the Western
Diocese, headed by Dr. Vahram Biricik. The new committee has chosen to
take a different approach, by allocating proceeds of their work
primarily towards the Clergy Education Fund. On June 15, 2004 His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over the inaugural meeting
of the committee.
APN HOSTS ITS FIRST EVENT
On Wednesday, June 16, 2004 APN, the Armenian Professionals
Network, which was established recently under the auspices the Western
Diocese and is headed by Mr. Vahe Ashjian, held its first event at the
Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, presided by His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian. Present were also Former Mayor of Glendale Mr. Frank
Quintero, and Mr. Greg Martayan, who us running for LA City Council. A
short program outlining the purpose and mission of APN was followed by
an intimate reception.
PRIMATE MEETS WITH ACYO YOUTH
On June 18, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian held a
meeting with the Senior ACYO Chapter of St. Peter Armenian Apostolic
Church in Van Nuys. The intimate meeting was mutulally beneficial for
both the Primate and the young adults of St. Peters who were in
attendance.
HIS EMINENCE VISITS NAREK CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
On June 19, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid his first
official visit to the Nareg Cultural Association, accompanied by Very
reverend Fr. Dajad Yardemian. The Primate met with the students of the
school, and gave them each crosses. An intimate encounter took place
between His Eminence and the students, after which the Principal and the
Board invited the Primate to preside the official opening of the School,
to take place on September 19, 2004.
PRIMATE ATTENDS THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
OF AGBU MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL
On the evening of June 19, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian attended the commencement exercises of the AGBU
Manoogian-Demirdjian School. The Primate took the podium and addressed
the students, saying that what made his presence at the ceremonies that
evening more meaningful was the fact that he had had the opportunity to
personally meet and get acquainted with the students, when they visited
the Diocese in December. His Eminence then congratulated the graduates
and wished them well in their futures. The evening closed with the
Primate’s prayer.
PRIMATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY
AT ST. GREGORY, PASADENA
On Sunday, June 20, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at St.
Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, in Pasadena. He also honored the
members of the choir and the deacons, and presented gifts to each of
them.
During Divine Liturgy the Primate also acknowledged the presence
of well known Armenian Poet, Mr. Jacques Hagopian. A reception followed
in the church hall.
PRIMATE MEETS WITH NAIRA MELKOUMIAN
On Monday, June 21, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian held an official meeting with the Executive Director of
Armenia Fund Mrs. Naira Melkoumian and the Chairlady of Los Angeles All
Armenia Fund Mrs. Maria Mehranian.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We would like to bring to your attention the upcoming activities of His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Armenian Church of
North America Western Diocese, for the week of June 22-28, 2004. We will
inform you of the details and any changes with future communiqués.
Tuesday, June 22 Pastoral visit to San Diego
Thursday, June 24 – Graduation ceremony of the Hovsepian School
Friday, June 25 Official visit to the Diocese by Assemblyman
Dario Fromer
Saturday, June 26 Training of the Diocesan Summer Camp
Counselors
Sunday, June 27 St. James Armenian Church – Divine Liturgy, reception in
honor of Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, and bestowing the
Encyclical of His Holiness upon Mrs. Mary Najarian
– Evening – Graduation ceremony at TCA Arshag Dickranian School
Monday, June 28 Meeting of the Deacons’ Executive Council at the
Diocesan Headquarters
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
June 21, 2004
Burbank, CA

SNSC In Favor Of Boosting Relations With Armenia: Rowhani
Tehran Times, Iran
June 23 2004
TEHRAN (IRNA) — Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council
(SNSC) Hasan Rowhani said on Tuesday that the SNSC is in favor of
boosting of Iran’s relations with Armenia.
In a meeting with chief of Armenian presidential office Artash
Tumanyan, Rowhani said that Iran regards development of relations
with Armenia as being in line with helping regional cooperation to
restore peace and security to the entire region.
“Yerevan has special status in Iranian history and Iran is willing
to boost the historical relations between the two countries,”
Rowhani said.
He said that signing an accord on setting up of a gas pipeline between
the two countries is a fundamental step forward towards deepening
cooperation in the energy sector.
He said that establishment of Gajeran Tunnel will link Armenia to
the North-South Corridor and Iran to the Black Sea as well.
On the economic development in the Caucasus, Rowhani said that
economic development will be impossible without peace and security
and collective cooperation of the regional states at the highest
possible level should focus on regional stability..
Tumanyan said that Iran and Armenia have developed excellent relations
since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1990 and the upcoming
visit of President Mohammad Khatami to Armenia in September would be
a turning point in bilateral relations.
He underlined the importance of north-south corridor and called for
Iranian support for Armenia joining the corridor.
Tumanyan said that signing the accord on laying a gas pipeline between
the two countries is a victory and hoped that the pipeline would be
operational within the next two years.
“Technical and feasibility studies on Gajeran Tunnel have been
completed and the project is ready for signature,” Tumanyan said.
He said that Tehran-Yerevan relations are essential for regional
security and that Iran has special status in the foreign policy
of Armenia.
Tumanyan also conferred on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi
on issues of mutual interest.
Describing the current level of political relations as satisfactory,
Kharrazi voiced satisfaction over the outcome of Iran-Armenia Economic
Commission meeting and hoped to witness further expansion of economic
and commercial cooperation to a desirable level.
The Armenian envoy, for his part, described bilateral economic
activities as ‘fruitful’ and said the already reached agreements
between the sides would have positive impacts on mutual relations.

Iranian Foundation To Present Parajanov Works
Tehran Times, Iran
June 23 2004
Tehran Times Art Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) — The Niavaran Foundation of Artistic Creations plans
to present movies, paintings, and collages of the Georgian filmmaker
and painter Sergey Iosifovich Paradzhanov during a program which will
start from June 24.
His films “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (1964), “Color of
Pomegranate” (1968), “Legend of Suram Fortress” (1984), and “Ashik
Kerib” (1988) as well as two documentaries of Parajanov and another
documentary about him are scheduled to be screened at the
Cinematheque of the foundation until June 30.
The films as well as his works in painting and collage will be
reviewed by Vigen Barkhordarian from Armenia and the Iranian critics
and artists Robert Safarian, Tahmasb Solhju, Habib Derakhshani,
Ashkan Rad, Ahmad Mir-Ehsan, and Ya’qub Rashtian during the weeklong
program.
Parajanov (1924-1990) directed more than 15 films and several
documentaries. He also created many outstanding paintings and
collages, which are housed at his museum in Yerevan in Armenia.

GERMANY TO PROVIDE FRESH LOANS TO ARMENIA
ArmenPress
June 22 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian who has left today for Germany on a three-day working visit
to participate in German-Armenian Economic Cooperation Conference is
expected to discuss with German minister for economic cooperation
and development Heidemarie Witschorek-Zoll, who is also the German
co-chairman of inter-governmental commission for cooperation, a range
of issues pertaining to German-Armenian economic cooperation.
An agreement on release of a package of German credits to Armenia
in the next 3-4 years is supposed to be sealed in 2005. Armenian
finance and economy minister Vartan Khachatrian said today before
flying to Berlin that after the end of the visit an agreement will
be signed in Yerevan on the release of 7.5 millions German loan for
the support to building of hydro-power plants, 1.5 million of which
will be allocated as a grant.
Khachatrian also said that a German KwF bank plans to release a 30
million euros loan to Armenian for upgrading the privatized Yerevan
power plant.

UNDP SCAD AND EU HOLD SEMINAR ON NARCOTICS
ArmenPress
June 22 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: According to approximate estimation, some
20,000-30,000 Armenians are drug addicts. Narcotics arrive in Armenia
mainly through Bagratashen border checkpoint on Armenian-Georgian
border and Meghri on the border with Iran. The most widely spread
narcotic in Armenia is hashish.
These figures were revealed today at a workshop on “Implementation
of the norms of international law on extradition and mutual legal
assistance related to drug offences into national law and practice” at
the Armenia Marriott Hotel. The workshop is organized by the Southern
Caucasus Anti-Drug Program (SCAD) financed by the European Union and
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in conjunction with
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The main goal of this workshop
is to provide relevant technical information to the participants and
give an opportunity to the Armenian legal authorities to highlight the
gaps and shortcomings existing in the legislation and law-enforcement
activities in Armenia, to enrich their knowledge in the above mentioned
area through the exchange of information with the experts from EU,
UNODC and CIS.

OPPOSITION ADMITS ITS MISTAKES
ArmenPress
June 22 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: A senior member of the major opposition
Ardarutyun alliance admitted today that in an effort to force president
Kocharian into resignation through rallies and marches the opposition
made a chain of serious mistakes, which he said will not be repeated
in future.
Aram Sarkisian, the leader of the radical opposition Hanrapetutyun
(Republic) party has again claimed that the power in Armenia is going
to change soon. “We are going to continue the struggle for reinstating
constitutional order, for holding free and fair elections, for which
we have to be more organized,” he said.
Speaking at a roundtable on domestic political situation in Armenia,
Sarkisian said the the main goal was the departure of president
Kocharian.
On Monday Ardarutyun said it would most likely start a campaign of
signature collection for the removal of the president. According
to Viktor Dalakian, a senior member of the alliance, though the
undertaking would have a symbolic significance, as under the law even
a petition with millions of signatures in the support of opposition
calls does not provide for president’s resignation, it would expose
the volume of real popular distrust towards the authorities.

1,764 ARMENIANS ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO GERMANY THIS YEAR
ArmenPress
June 22 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: Since the beginning of the year some
1,764 Armenian citizens have been granted permission to travel to
Germany. The figure for 2003 was 3,617 and 3,035 for 2002.
According to UNHCR Yerevan agency, Germany has received the third
largest number of asylum seekers, 10, 170, in the course of 2004,
coming after France and great Britain. Some 148 Armenians sought
asylum in Germany this year, more than the number of asylum seekers
in the USA.

Armenian PM to enhance cooperation with Germany
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 21, 2004 Monday
YEREVAN, June 21 — Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is
leaving for Germany Tuesday on a working visit to take part in the
Armenian-German economic cooperation forum, the government press
service told Itar-Tass Monday.
The Armenian prime minister plans to meet German Foreign Minister
Joschka Fischer and other top officials.
The level of bilateral economic cooperation with Germany is far from
satisfactory, the press service said. Forty-nine Armenian-German joint
ventures and 17 German enterprises operate in Armenia. The figures are
less than France has in the republic. Meanwhile, Yerevan considers
the German experience as interesting and useful, especially in the
area of alternative sources of energy.
German imports make up 3.4 percent of the total imports to Armenia,
and export – is 6.6 percent of the republican total.
German government granted 107.23 million euros to Armenia within
the framework of the financial cooperation program and 33.46 million
euros – as technical cooperation, the press service said.

MUSIC: AZNAVOUR TELLS HIS STORY IN MILAN
ANSA English Media Service
June 22, 2004
MILAN
(ANSA) – MILAN, June 22 – Popular French singer Charles Aznavour said
that he was not an Armenian from France but simply a Frenchman of
Armenian origin when talking about himself in Milan’s Teatro Dal Verme
at the opening of the fifth La Milanesiana cultural event on Monday.
“I’m not an Armenian from France, I’m simply a Frenchman of Armenian
origin and I care more about humanitarian affairs than politics,” said
Aznavour who is son of an Armenian family which fled before the Turkish
genocide against the Armenians at the beginning of 20th century.
Aznavour entered the stage with the humbleness of a lively and somewhat
shy 80-year-old. The singer was dressed in ivory colour and matching
shoes, he looked almost disoriented when the public welcomed him with
a standing ovation.
The audience that came to see Aznavour were elegant women and men of
a certain age, many with pastel-coloured jackets, white hair and a
few young people, actress Ottavia Piccolo and the member of Italian
Parliament, Giancarlo Pagliarini.
Presented by former editor of main Italian daily Corriere della Sera,
Ferruccio De Bortoli, Aznavour did not make introductions and began
reading some excerpts from his autobiography which will go on sale
from Wednesday.
Aznavour chose lively stories to tell the Milanese public and said
nothing specific on that travel from the inferno where the paradise
called emigration begins, as he wrote in his autobiography.
He preferred to recall the amusing meeting with Edith Piaf, the singer
who discovered him and of whom he remembered her lioness character
and outbursts and the tender nickname she invented for him, “little
stupid genius”.
Aznavour read in French, but slowly, while the original words from
the text in French and the Italian translation were shown on a screen
behind him.
The rest of the evening was dedicated to history and music. Former
Italian Ambassdor to Moscow and political commentator for Corriere
della Sera, Sergio Romano, made special observation on eastern
Europe and the conditions in Armenia, reminding of the Turkish laws
from 1915 for deportation of Armenians and the confiscation of the
their goods. The Armenians were massacred on their way to exile,
with 800,000 killed but there were surely more victims, Romano said.
The music was with Claude Debussy’s melancholic notes, with Michele
Campanella on the piano who chose pieces from Reverie to Estampes
especially because of the tone of Aznavour’s voice and because they
represent the quintessence of French music, Campanella said.
“When people ask me whether I feel more Armenian or more French,
there is only one possible answer – a hundred percent French and a
hundred percent Armenian,” Aznavour wrote in his autobiography.
The French singer is Armenia’s ambassador at large since 1994.
“Armenia is a dream from which my family comes,” Aznavour told the
audience while the screen behind him showed images of Charles as a
child and of when he was awarded Commander of the Legion of Honour
by French President Jacques Chirac.
“I never forgot my roots but I hid them when Armenia was a socialist
state,” Aznavour said.
Today he is aware of the problems still to face but he does not intend
to go into politics.
“I’m an ambassador of a country, I know that there are still
difficulties but politics is not my job, it is not my language,”
Aznavour said. (ANSA)