MosJan

ARMENIA AGAIN AFFIRMS READINESS TO COOPERATE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM Speaking in Yerevan on 24 September at a meeting with visiting EU officials, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian again said Yerevan is ready to cooperate with the U.S. and the international community to fight international terrorist groups thought to be responsible for the 1 September attacks in the U.S., RFE/RL's Yerevan bureau reported. But he declined to specify what form Armenia's support for such military action might take. LF

YEREVAN BRANDY FACTORY SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH FARMERS The Yerevan Brandy Factory has started the process of purchasing grapes. For the first time, the Factory is using contracts with farmers. This allows everyone to save time, avoid long waiting lines and receive fresh grapes, which surely will have a positive effect on the quality of brandy. When asked whether Armenian and French cognacs are comparable, the management of Pernaud Ricard, the owner of the Yerevan Brandy Factory, said that they are different. Armenian cognac is strong and rich in taste, as the strong Armenian sun and nature. French cognac is more like the French character: light and modest. The Factory is going to purchase 13 thousand tons of grapes this year. The process started on September 18, and is taking place on the basis of long-term contracts. < 20.09.2001 01.16 >

Turkish-Armenian Commission Meets In Istanbul ISTANBUL, (Associated Press) -- Prominent Turks and Armenians met in Istanbul Tuesday, hoping to encourage a thaw in relations between the two people, who have had little contact amid hostile relations that have lasted almost a century. It was the first meeting of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Committee since the group's establishment in July. The organization is comprised of Armenian and Turkish academics, politicians and former military officers. None of the members officially represent their countries. "Reconciliation is a target that is not easily reached," said Ilter Turkmen, a member of the committee and a former Turkish foreign minister. "It is not an easy process. It is not a rapid process, but the first step has been taken." In past years, relations between Turks and Armenians have been dominated by the events of World War I and its aftermath, when the once thriving Armenian community in Anatolia was almost entirely wiped out. Armenians say 1.5 million of their people were killed in what they call a planned genocide. Turkey says the death count is inflated, and that hundreds of thousands of Armenians were killed or displaced as the Ottoman Empire tried to quell civil unrest in eastern Anatolia. Turks and Armenians said that one of the main points of the four days of meetings this week was simply to introduce the two sides to each other. "The more contact that takes place ... the easier it is to deal with some of the issues that divide us," said Van Z. Krikorian, chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America and a founding member of the reconciliation committee. But he admitted that there was a "mixed reaction" in the Armenian-American community. Many Armenian-Americans are the descendants of people who fled the violence during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

http://www.armenialiberty.org/images/photo/Pope5.JPG By Emil Danielyan Pope John Paul II spoke of a “moment of grace and joy” on Tuesday as he embarked on a long-awaited visit to Armenia, becoming the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to set foot on the first Christian state in the world. Using what Armenian political and religious leaders described as an “historic” occasion, he paid tribute to “the glorious history of Christianity” in the Caucasus country at the start of a three-day trip which is expected to cement the Vatican’s growing ties with the Armenian Apostolic Church. “In greeting you, my esteem and friendship extend not only to the Armenians living here in your homeland, but also to the millions scattered throughout the world who remain faithful to their heritage and identity and today look to their land of origin with renewed pride and gladness,” the pontiff said on his arrival at the Yerevan airport. “The whole Catholic Church shares your deep joy and the joy of all Armenians on the Seventeen Hundredth Anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the official religion of this cherished land.” The Pope was greeted on the airport tarmac by President Robert Kocharian and Catholicos Garegin II. The three men then stepped onto a covered podium to address over a hundred government officials, high-ranking clerics and foreign diplomats attending the ceremony. “This visit is of an historical nature in terms of expanding and deepening still further the relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Vatican,” Kocharian declared. “We welcome the strengthening of relations between the Vatican and the Armenian Apostolic Church, enriched as they are by centuries of tradition between sister Churches,” he said, adding that the Pope’s presence adds a “special significance” to the ongoing celebrations of the Christian jubilee. Garegin, for his part, noted that the two ancient churches are bound by a “fraternal spirit.” He said: “Let us pray together, Beloved Brother in Christ, that your pilgrimage may strengthen the relations of our Churches further and may the bonds of love make our cooperation fruitful.” John Paul and Garegin met separately at the latter’s headquarters in Echmiadzin. The focal point of the first-ever papal trip to Armenia is the newly consecrated cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan where the two religious heads will hold an ecumenical service on Wednesday. The pontiff is also scheduled to celebrate a Catholic mass in Echmiadzin on Thursday for the tiny Armenian Catholic community. For Armenians, most of whom belong to the Apostolic Church, the papal visit is a welcome recognition of their contribution to the Christian faith and an opportunity to attract international media spotlight to year-long events marking the 1700th anniversary. The Pope paid special attention to the anniversary in his speech which he began and finished in Armenian. He said: “For ever, the annals of the universal Church will say that the people of Armenia were the first as a whole people to embrace the grace and truth for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…You zealously guard the memory of your many martyrs: indeed, martyrdom has been the special mark of the Armenian Church and the Armenian people.” A rapprochement between the Armenian them began in December 1996 with the signing in the Vatican of a joint statement that put an end to an old theological dispute. The dispute had led the Armenian and other denominations of the so-called "oriental family" to split from the Universal Church in 451 A.D. -- long before the 11th century Great Schism that gave birth to Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy. The Armenian church has since been fully independent and currently maintains good relations with all Christian denominations. In a joint communiqué issued after their meeting in the Vatican last November, John Paul and Garegin vowed to further deepen the “fraternal relations.” The statement also referred to the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as a “genocide,” in what amounted to the Vatican’s recognition of the tragedy. The pontiff said on Tuesday that Armenians were subjected to “unspeakable terror and suffering” in the 20th century but stopped short of calling the slaughter of some 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians a genocide. He will lay on Wednesday a wreath at Yerevan’s Tsitsernakabert memorial to the victims of the mass killings. The Pope flew in from Kazakhstan on the second leg of a trip which has been dominated by his concerns that the world may slide into war following the attacks in New York and Washington two weeks ago. In mostly Muslim Kazakhstan, he spoke of the great respect the Catholic Church had for Islam. In Armenia, he is expected to urge reconciliation among Christian denominations. The 81-year-old pontiff maintains a busy travel schedule despite declining health. He was able to walk off the plane in Yerevan unaided. But witnesses said he looked extremely tired after arriving at the main Armenian cathedral in Echmiadzin to lead a joint prayer service with Garegin. The Pope faltered and was unable to complete a speech there. A priest finished reading John Paul's prepared text, as the pope sat slumped on a throne on the cathedral's altar, according to the Associated Press. Reuters said the Pope later appeared better when he visited the tombs of Armenian church leaders and entered his residence on the complex to rest before his next engagement.

POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN YEREVAN SEPTEMBER 25 The Supreme Pontiff, Pope John Paul II arrives in Armenia September 25 at the invitation of president Robert Kocharian and the head of the Armenian Church Catholicos Karekin II on the occasion of festivities, dedicated to 17 centuries of Armenia's conversion to Christianity. Armenian president Robert Kocharian first met with the Pope in 1999, March 25 when an exhibition entitled 'Armenia-Rome, 2000 Years-Long Relations' opened at Vatican. Earlier the press office in the headquarters of the Armenian Church told that Pope John Paul II will arrive in Yerevan from Kazakhstan September 25 at 1.00.p.m. local time by a Kazakhstan Airlines plane. The Supreme Pontiff will be welcomed at Yerevan Zvartnots airport by the head of the Armenian Church His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II and President Robert Kocharian. The Pontiff's itinerary in Armenia includes a visit September 26 to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan dedicated to the victims of 1915 Armenian genocide, perpetrated by the government of Young Turks in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. He will be accompanied by Catholicos Karekin II and other dignitaries. Later in the day the Pope will visit a newly built magnificent Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in central Yerevan to attend an ecumenical ceremony. On September 27 the Pontiff, accompanied by Catholicos Karekin II will serve a liturgy in a newly built Open Sacristy in the Mother See of Echmiadzin, later in the day the Pope will travel to the north of the capital Yerevan to visit the Kanaker Center of Mkhetarian Congregation. The same evening the Pope and Catholicos Karekin II will travel to Khor Virap, a place some 40 km off the capital where the founder of the Armenian Church Catholicos Gregory was kept prisoner before convincing the Armenian king of Trdat (Tiridat) to proclaim Christianity as the state religion. There the Pope will light a candle from the torch of Gregory to take it to Rome. Thirty-three high-ranking clergymen are in the Pontiff's escort, including 12 Cardinals and Bishops. Also some sixty reporters will arrive with the Pope to report about his visit. During his visit to Armenia the Pope will stay at the residence of the Catholicos Karekin II in Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Church, 20 km off the capital. There will be tight security for the Pope's visit to be ensured by Armenia's president's security service. © Copyright AZG

NIKOLAY RIZHKOV REPOSES TO RESTORE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE POSITION IN ARMENIA YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: The co-chairman of the Russian-Armenian inter-parliamentary commission for cooperation Nikolay Rizhkov called on Armenian parliamentarians on Monday to help restore the positions of the Russian language in Armenia, lost after the collapse of the USSR. But his Armenian counterpart, parliament deputy speaker Gagik Aslanian said it was still early to initiate consideration of the issue in the parliament as "it may give rise to controversies", but added that there is a desire to increase hours in educational establishments for studying Russian. Rizhkov cited president Robert Kocharian who said during a visit of Russian Putin to Yerevan that beginning from third year the students in Armenian universities are using mostly Russian language text-books and that replacing them with Armenian ones would require huge efforts and means.

RUSSIAN CO-CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR LIFTING BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: The co-chairman of the Russian-Armenian inter-parliamentary commission for cooperation Nikolay Rizhkov called for lifting the blockade imposed on Armenia by its neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey. "We all realize that Russian-Armenian economic relations cannot fully develop unless the blockade is lifted," Rizhkov, the last prime minister of the Soviet Union, told on Monday in Yerevan after conclusion of the third session of the commission. Rizhkov also called for reinvigoration of efforts to put into operation a ferryboat line which will connect the Georgian port of Poti with Russian port Azov. "The ferryboat line will help to increase commodity turnover between Russia and Armenia several times from current $170 million," Rizhkov said. Admitting that Russia as well as Armenia face some difficulties in relations with Georgia Rizhkov also called for restoration of railway transport resumption across the breakaway region of Abkhazia. According to Rizhkov, restoration of a 80-km long section of the railway will not require much means.

SPEECH BY H.E. ROBERT KOCHARIAN AT THE WELCOMING CEREMONY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Your Holiness, Your Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians, Honoured Clergy, Dear Guests, We are greatly honoured and happy to welcome The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II onto Armenian soil. The visit of the Roman Pope is an important event in the life of every country. But this indeed is an historic occasion for us - the first visit ever in the history of the Holy See of the Head of the Roman Catholic Church to Armenia. The history of Christianity, which is so closely related to the achievements of human civilisation, is our common bond. Having been amply tested throughout seventeen centuries, our shared faith and values now provide strong foundations for the warmth of our relations. This is why we are confident, that this visit is of an historical nature in terms of expanding and deepening still further the relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Vatican. Your Holiness, You have been at the heart of the momentous processes of change that have been taking place in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. They signal the beginning of a new era for human and national freedoms. The universal nature of your work, your efforts to preserve peace and stability in the world are an inspiration to us. The rich tradition of these ties has already been impressively displayed. I remember the enormous response provoked by the "Armenia-Roma" Exhibition at the Vatican, to which Your Holiness made a considerable contribution. The meaning of the Holy Father's presence in Armenia is intensified by the occasion of his visit to mark the seventeen hundredth anniversary of our nation's adoption of Christianity as the state religion. We pay tribute to the faith and dedication of our ancestors. The deeds of our forefathers brought spiritual awakening to the Armenian nation and enriched the treasury of our common Christian culture. The power of Christianity's ideas, its spiritual and moral foundations are meaningful for all times. In the contemporary world, when mankind witnesses deplorable manifestations of hatred, its universal values of compassion, forgiveness, and brotherly love acquire added meaning and significance. Ten years ago, Armenia re-established its independent statehood. We are celebrating with joy this important anniversary too. For in this new Millennium our State is reviving its entire historical and cultural heritage, which is so deeply indebted to Christianity. Contemporary understanding of our traditional values has drawn us towards European standards of law and democracy as the ones to defend the God-given freedoms of man and nation. Armenia's geographical location has always placed us at the frontiers of different civilisations and religions. This reality and the existence of the Armenian Diaspora have opened up new horizons of understanding for us and compelled a broad view of the world. We have enriched ourselves with the fruits of harmony, tolerance and goodwill. Your Holiness, We welcome the strengthening of relations between the Vatican and the Armenian Apostolic Church, enriched as they are by centuries of tradition between sister Churches. We are enthused by the ecumenical spirit with which these relations are guided today. It is an honour to welcome you, Your Holiness, to Armenia, at the foot of Biblical Mount Ararat. Your presence brings a special significance to our most special celebrations. Welcome.

IT IS SUGGESTED INCLUDING THE DAY OF ST ECHMIADZIN IN THE LIST OF OFFICAL HOLIDAYS 25.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chairman of Armenia's National assembly Armen Khachatryan has spoken with an initiative to propose amendments to the law for the holidays. He suggests including the Day of St Echmiadzin in the list of official holidays. According to the draft this holiday is to be celebrated in 64 days after Easter. The speaker of the Parliament has said Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II is for his initiative. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

POPE JOHN PAUL II HAS ARRIVED IN YEREVAN 25.09.2001 http://www.armenpress.am/top_pict/papakoch.jpg /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, head of Roman Catholic Church Pope John Paul II arrived in Yerevan with a three-day visit for participation in the festivities dedicated to 1700 anniversary of Christianity adoption as a state religion by Armenia. "I looked forward to this historic moment and now I am in ancient Armenia", stated John Paul II at the airport "Zvartnots". He expressed his deep appreciation to President Robert Kocharyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II for the invitation to visit Armenia. "Addressing to You, Mr. President I want to express my appreciation and friendship not only to your countrymen, who live in their motherland but also to all Armenians that are loyal to their traditions", said the Pope. "I am excited that I am in the country the people of which adopted and approved the high concepts of Christian humanism on the state level", stated the Pope. Within the framework of his visit John Paul II will visit St. Echmiadzin where he will deliver an open homily, place a wreath on the memorial of the genocide victims, recite with Catholicos Garegin II the liturgy in the new temple Grigor Lusavorich in Yerevan, visit Khor Virap monastery. September 27, the Pope will leave for Rome. During the Pope's visit to Yerevan all the unexampled security measures are undertaken. An hour and a half before the beginning of the liturgy of John Paul II and Garegin II the workers of law-enforcement bodies will block off traffic of the streets to the temple. The inspections of not only the media representatives but also guests that would like to participate in the open homily of the Pope that will take place September 27 in St. Echmiadzin will be made. Over 400 journalists including 58 from Vatican will write about the Pope's visit. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" [ September 25, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

THE COMMETTEE OF MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL HAS PASSED A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY 25.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today the committee of ministers of the European Council, according to the initiative of Azerbaijan's representatives in PACE, has passed the resolution stating that the right of peoples for self-determination in the Caucasus and the Balkan has to be respected according to the principles and the goal of the UNO charter, the regulations of the international law including regulations regarding the territorial integrity of countries. "Use of force in order to capture territory is not acceptable and no results following to that can be legally recognized", is stated in the document signed by the all members of the committee of ministers. The committee of ministers has appealed to Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from statements for military settlement of Artsax conflict that will be able to intensify animosity. Head of Azerbaijani delegation in PACE Ilkham Aliev has stated that the resolution passing is " a great achievement for Azerbaijan and it will assist strongly in the work of Azerbaijani representatives in PACE". Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

THE MYTH OF AZERBAIJANI OIL IS DESTROYED 25.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Last week three foreign consortiums included in the exploration drilling in the contract areas of the Caspian informed Azerbaijan's State oil company about the stopping of their works. This is not the first confirmation of the fact that the myth of the local Azerbaijani oil supply is being destroyed. As it became known to CNA agency from the informed sources, 2001 May "TotalFinalElf" company, being displeased with the first exploration drilling results in the perspective "Talish-deniz" area made a request for its refusal of the second exploration drilling of the oil well in "Lenkoran-deniz" area. Instead of that, this French-Belgian Company offered dollar adjustment at the rate of the oil well project price- $10-15 mln. In July, the example of 'TotalfinalElf" was followed by "Azerbaijan B.V." and "Exxon Azerbaijan" companies. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

We need to stop the name calling and insulting each other. This is not helping at all. Moses

http://www.aha.ru/~dabagian/Photo.2.jpg Gurgen Dabaghian's Biography Gurgen Dabaghian was born on 10 March, 1988 in Yerevan, Armenia. He begin singing from 5 years old. He performs armenian folk songs. Best singer of Saiat-Nova. In 1996 he won 'Im ankakh Hayastane 5 tarekan e' (my independent Armenia is 5 years) competition. In the same year he became laureate of national festival and was honoured Gohar Gasparian's Gold Medal. In 1998 his 'Gusanakan Erger' CD dedicated to Great Sayat-Nova 285 anniversary was released by PARSEGHIAN RECORDS, USA. His video cassete 'Es der 10 tarekan em' (i'm 10 years old yet) was released in 1998 in Armenia. In December 1998 he participated in Armenian earthquake 10-th anniversary dedicated concert in Moscow, Russia. http://www.aha.ru/~dabagian/Photo.4.jpg Gurgen Dabaghian's web page [ September 24, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

Thank you - bellthecat -

HOW VULNERABLE IS THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT? President Kocharian reacted to the 7 September calls for his impeachment by formally announcing the following day his intention to run for a second presidential term in 2003. But that announcement was met with less than whole-hearted enthusiasm, even from those parties that had backed his candidacy in 1998. At a press conference convened by the leading parliamentary parties on 13 September, most faction leaders were equivocal, saying that they have not yet given any thought to, let alone formally discussed, which candidate to endorse in the 2003 presidential ballot. "Orinats Yerkir" (Law-Based State) faction Secretary Gegham Gasparian said it is "too early" to discuss the issue, while Miasnutiun faction leader Galust Sahakian said the HHK will do so once Kocharian unveils his new presidential program. Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (HHD) faction leader Aghvan Vartanian, who served as manager of Kocharian's 1998 presidential election campaign, said that "the elections are still a long way off and we have a lot of time to think about our position." He pointed out that the political situation could change over the next 18 months. (In an interview with the independent "Golos Armenii" one week later, HHD leader Vahan Hovannisian pinpointed one possible reason for his party's reservations, charging that Kocharian is not taking a tough enough stance against corruption and continues to tolerate the presence within his administration of compromised representatives of the former leadership.) And Hmayak Hovannisian of the Agro-Industrialists' Union, who according to "Aravot" said he regards Kocharian as "the greatest politician in contemporary politics," stopped short of committing his group to backing him. One veteran political observer in Yerevan who has little fondness for Kocharian attributed the latter's formal announcement that he will seek reelection as reflecting a defensive mood among the Armenian leadership. That commentator further pointed to the authorities' extreme sensitivity to public protest, as exemplified by the heavy-handed police action on 7 September against participants in an unsanctioned rally in Yerevan to protest the introduction by the Greek-owned telecommunications monopoly ArmenTel of per-minute billing. One of the organizers of that protest, Democratic Homeland leader Petros Makeyan, was arrested at his home in the small hours of the following morning and immediately sentenced to 10 days' administrative detention. Opinions differ as to whether Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Yerevan, during which he reiterated that Armenia is Russia's strategic ally, should be interpreted as a personal endorsement of, and demonstration of support for, the Armenian president. On the one hand, the Russian government continues to drive the hardest bargain it can in its economic dealings with Armenia, as evidenced by the protracted negotiations on the timetable for settling Armenia's debt for deliveries of nuclear fuel (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 29 June and 4 September 2001). That would suggest that Moscow believes that Armenia's economic dependence on Russia is such that it can dictate its own terms. On the other hand, neither Kocharian nor any other member of his team has ever given any indication that Armenia's complementary foreign policy poses any threat to a long-term Russian military presence there -- which is presumably Moscow's overriding concern. Indeed, Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian recently affirmed that the Russian military base in Armenia would remain there as long as Turkey is perceived as a military threat to Armenia. Some observers argue that Kocharian has recently tilted more toward Moscow, possibly in a bid to secure support. But the Bazeyan/Geghamian/Demirchian alliance is no less, and possibly more, pro-Russian than the present Armenian leadership. There would thus seem to be no compelling reason for Moscow to intervene in Armenian domestic politics to shore up Kocharian -- unless either there appeared to be a danger that Azerbaijan might seek to take advantage of domestic upheaval in Armenia to launch a military strike to recover Nagorno-Artsax that would risk destabilizing the entire South Caucasus, or the pivotal figure in Russian-Armenian relations is not in fact Robert Kocharian but Defense Minister Sarkisian, and a move to oust Kocharian risked jeopardizing Sarkisian's future role. (Liz Fuller) AND IS THE ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ALSO AT RISK? That the scope of Serzh Sarkisian's influence and activities far exceeds those commensurate with his official position first became apparent during his visit to Moscow in June 2000, during which he was received by President Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and then Russian Security Council secretary Sergei Ivanov. That high-profile visit and the VIP treatment Sarkisian was accorded led observers to speculate that he was already at that time the second most powerful official in Armenia after Kocharian, and that he was in line to succeed Andranik Markarian as premier (see "RFE/RL Caucasus Report," Vol. 3. No. 27, 7 July 2000). That latter hypothesis was further substantiated during Putin's visit to Yerevan earlier this month, during which Markarian was, according to Noyan Tapan's commentator David Petrosyan, conspicuously absent from all official meetings. In advance of that visit, Sarkisian traveled to Moscow in August to discuss economic issues with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 4 September 2001); and it was Sarkisian, not Markarian, who on 15 September co-signed with Klebanov an agreement on the mutual protection of investments. Markarian is, however, still chairman of the HHK, which is now the largest single faction within the parliament, and thus Kocharian's most effective protection against impeachment. According to "Iravunk" on 3 August, relations between Markarian and Sarkisian are said to be good, which would suggest that the former is prepared to accept playing second fiddle to the latter. Meanwhile the possibility that shared pro-Russian sympathies could be parlayed into an alliance between Sarkisian and the three opposition leaders seems minimal, at least at this juncture. Asked whether the HZhK/Hanrapetutiun/AHCh alignment would consider cooperating with other political parties, Bazeyan on 7 September stated explicitly that Hanrapetutiun as a right-center party could not cooperate with Orinats Yerkir which, Bazeyan claimed, "was founded, and is protected and led by Serzh Sarkisian." (Liz Fuller)

Armenia 'Ready To Cooperate' With U.S. Against World Terror Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on Monday Armenia is ready to cooperate with the United States and the international community on fighting international terror networks blamed for the September 11 attacks on new New York and Washington. Reaffirming Yerevan's support for American military action against Afghanistan, Oskanian called for a consolidated global effort to eradicate "international terrorism." Oskanian was quoted as marking the remarks at a meeting with a visiting team of diplomats from the European Union. The suicide attacks and their aftermath were high on the agenda of the meeting, according to the Armenian foreign ministry. Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian said last week that Armenia "can not fail to support anti-terrorist actions" taken by the US. But neither he nor Oskanian specified what concrete form that support could take. Meanwhile, members of a Russian-Armenian inter-parliamentary commission on bilateral cooperation, on Monday urged Washington to display caution in its efforts to identify and bring to justice the masterminds of the terrorist hijackings of four American commercial planes. In a statement issued after its session in Yerevan, the commission, said the planned retaliatory strikes "must be strictly measured and must not lead to a destabilization on both regional and global levels."

Armenia Consecrates New Cathedral http://www.armenialiberty.org/images/photo/Cathedral1.JPG By Anna Karapetian The celebrations of 1700 years of Christianity in Armenia came to a head on Sunday with the consecration of a new cathedral in Yerevan. Catholicos Garegin II and other high-ranking clerics from worldwide prelacies of the Armenian Apostolic Church presided over a two-hour ceremony in the presence of thousands of believers and representatives of several dozen sister churches. The 60 meter-high cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the man who converted the ancient kingdom of Armenia into the Christian faith in 301 A.D., is the biggest Armenian church in the world. Perched on a hill overlooking central Yerevan, it is now a visible feature in the city landscape. Work on the building began three years is now by and large complete. In his sermon broadcast live on state television, the Catholicos heaped praise on wealthy Diaspora Armenians who have donated the bulk of $10 million spent on its construction. Among foreign religious leaders attending the ceremony was Patriarch Alexi II of the Russian Orthodox Church. Addressing the crowd, he said: “This cathedral is a symbol of the victory of Christian hope over the difficult trials suffered by the pious Armenian people over the centuries.” The newly built church will be on Wednesday the scene of an ecumenical liturgy celebrated by Garegin and Pope John Paul II who arrives in Armenia on Tuesday. The joint service will mark an important milestone in the growing ties between the Armenian and Roman Catholic Churches

Argentine Tycoon To Run Armenia’s Main Airport Saturday, September 22, 2001 By Hrach Melkumian The government and an Argentinian billionaire of Armenian origin, Eduardo Eurnekian, finalized on Saturday an agreement that will place Armenia’s main airport under his control for the next 50 years. Eurnekian’s Aeropuertos Argentina group will be granted management rights to Zvartnots International Airport in a deal which officials hope will bring it into conformity with international standards. The Argentinian tycoon pledged to invest $50 million for that purpose. The money will be spent on construction of new airport facilities, upgrading of existing ones and re-training of personnel. It will also be used for boosting safety standards at Zvartnots, including the expansion of its runway. The chief of Armenia’s civil aviation authority, Hovannes Yeritsian, told reporters after signing a “memorandum of mutual understanding” with the Argentinian company that the investments are vital for the aviation sector. He said that adequate airport infrastructure and services will benefit the tourism sector by helping the country attract more visitors. Zvartnots, which was built in 1981, will remain state-owned despite being run by a foreign company. It is expected that a final agreement on the change of management will be signed during President Robert Kocharian’s visit to Argentina due later this year or early next year. Kocharian welcomed the planned deal on Saturday. “The state is not the most efficient owner,” he told Eurnekian at his official residence. “The executive authority should not run a business, it should create normal conditions for economic activity.” With Aeropuertos Argentina owning and operating 33 airports across South America, Eurnekian is thought to be one of the wealthiest ethnic Armenians in the world. A member of the Board of Trustees of the All-Armenian Fund Hayastan, he has donated over $1 million to the charity. Speaking to journalists, Eurnekian indicated that he is unlikely to take part in the planned privatization of the state-run Armenian Airlines. The government so far has set no dates for the start of what is likely to be an international tender for the troubled national carrier. Copyright © 2001. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. http://www.rferl.org

ARMENIAN ECONOMY EXPANDS 7.7% IN JAN-AUG 9/21/2001 Armenian GDP grew 7.7% year-on-year in the first eight months of this year and measured 611.4 billion dram, the national statistics service reported. GDP in August was up 19.5% from the previous month Industrial production rose 2.3% year-on-year to 190.6 billion dram in the eight months, and was up 7.1% in August from the previous month. The foreign trade turnover edged up 0.5% to $759.2 million in the eight months, as exports rose 12% to $213.7 million while imports slumped 3.4% to $545.5 million. The number of registered unemployed fell 12.1% to 143,900 at the end of August. The average monthly wage was 22,724 dram in the eight months, up 12.4% year-on-year. The official exchange rate was 553.93 dram/$1 on September 20. Copyright © 2001 by Interfax International, Ltd

WORLD CHRISTIAN LEADERS CONGREGATE FOR ARMENIAN ANNIVERSARY Monday, September 24, 2001 Representatives of the world's Christian churches conducted a joint ecumenical service at Echmiadzin on 22 September as part of the celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as its state religion, RFE/RL's Yerevan bureau reported. Among those attending were Patriarch Aleksii II of Moscow and All Russia, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist. Aleksii also met on 22 September with Armenian President Robert Kocharian and with Armenian Catholicos Garegin II, who affirmed that "there is no closer friendship than that between the Russian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic churches," according to ITAR-TASS. Aleksii also attended the consecration of a new cathedral in Yerevan on 23 September. Copyright © 2001. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. http://www.rferl.org

1700-YEAR BELIEF LIGHT SPREAD FROM KHOR VIRAP http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200117104.jpg All Armenian Catholicos Karekin II and leaders of sister churches visited Khor Virap (where Gregory the Illuminator lived in captive for 13 years) on September 21. By the supervision of Karekin II and Indian Malabar church’s leader Vasilyos Mar Toma ecumenical ceremony of ‘Christian light’s distribution’ took place at Khor Virap, after which All Armenian Catholicos delivered a speech and everybody lit his candle from the Gregory the Illuminator’s torch. The religious leaders prayed to the God and wished peace to the world- not forgetting the victims of New York and Washington terrorist acts. Head of Romanian Orthodox Church Theoktist Patriarch, Supreme Patriarch of African Orthodox Church Peter VII, Chairman of World Council of Churches, Doc. Conrad Riser, many clergymen from all over the world and of course the primates of Armenian church dioceses of many countries were also present at the ceremony. After the ceremony the clergymen headed for Tsitsernakaberd, put wreaths on the memorial of 1915 Genocide victims and served a special liturgy there. In the evening they participated in the solemn session dedicated to 1700-th anniversary of Christianity adoption in Armenia and 10-th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence, after which Armenian president Robert Kocharian received them. Today, September 22, starting 10 AM an ecumenical ceremony will be held in Mother Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin, and at 6 PM a holy ceremony of myrrh consecration will take place in newly built open altar of the church city. And tomorrow, September 23, the consecration ceremony of Yerevan’s St. Gregory the Illuminator church will take place at 10 AM. By Marietta Makarian © Copyright AZG

TUFENKIAN HANDMADE CARPETS MODERN AND TRADITIONAL The founder of American Tufenkian Import-Export Venture James Tufenkian, who became number one entrepreneur in the world in handmade carpets filed during the last ten years, re-launched the production of handmade carpets in Armenia in 1993. The company established its enterprise near lake Sevan and after first difficulties were gradually mounted – raising the number of employees of the enterprise’s Armenian branch from 4 people to 1000, several new workshops were also opened in different cities of Armenia- Krasnoselsk, Lchashen, Yerevan and Gavar. The skilful and efficient management of the enterprise’s director Hambardzum Chilingarian greatly promoted the success of the company’s works. The rugs Tufenkian company produces are all hand made- starting from sheep wool washing, drying, etc. Traditional Armenian technologies are used for these purposes- ilik and chakharak. The design of the rugs is made in New York, the technical pictures – in Armenia, and the final processing is done in Zurich. So we can see that the process of the carpets’ production is long and detailed. On September 20 the opening-presentation of Tufenkian handmade carpets took place in Yerevan. The company’s carpets, furniture, inner decoration examples were exhibited at the presentation. The beautiful and colored rugs will pleasantly decorate any apartment and house- creating an original atmosphere and design. Up till now the production of the company was fully exported to USA and Europe, but now it is also on sale in Armenia- in the Tufenkian handmade carpets’ shop-saloon on 21/1 Tumanian Street. By Melania Badalian © Copyright AZG

NUMBER 1 TERRORIST COOPERATING WITH AZERBAIJAN The Defense & Foreign Affairs journal published a story indicating to a significant number of highly-placed sources in Russia and the Caucasus who advise that radical Islamist forces are expanding their infrastructure in Azerbaijan in preparation for a sustained escalation, both in the Caucasus and at the heart of Russia. Planned terrorist "spectaculars" include the use of suicide bombers. Significantly, these developments are based on long-standing relationships and understandings between Azeri officials and the Islamist leaders from Al Ghaida terrorist organization. The escalation began in 1997 when the Islamists basically agreed with the Azerbaijan Government of Heydar Aliyev that they would -- in exchange for allowing a free flow of people, weapons and ordnance through Azerbaijan -- not interfere with or overthrow the Aliyev Government. The organization has its network in 60 countries. According to US special services, terrorist acts against US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were directed from Baku. The organization committed to providing outside mujahedin to undertake operations against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh in early 90s. This Azerbaijan-based infrastructure is aimed at both pushing arriving mujahedin to the forward training and operational bases in Chechnya, as well as launching operations against Russia and Armenia (including Nagorno-Karabagh). The Islamist infrastructure in Azerbaijan is built on the experience of bin Laden, Khattab and their companions in not only absorbing volunteers for Afghan jihad during the 1980s, but of transforming them into a cohesive elite corps (which is still cohesive and most active more than a decade after the Afghan jihad). In anticipation for escalation and expansion, senior officials of the International Muslim Brotherhood, the National Islamic Front, and several branches of Islamic Jihad arrived in Azerbaijan in the latter days of September 1999. In their conversations with Azerbaijani Islamists and "forth-coming" officials, these emissaries acknowledged that their primary objective was the consolidation in Azerbaijan of a "spring board for inserting their main forces [into Chechnya and Dagestan]". They also set up a flow of cash into the accounts of the Islamist charities and camps. Since late September 1999, there have been repeated transfers of funds from Saudi Arabia via Beirut, totaling tens of millions of dollars. © Copyright AZG

http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200117103.jpg Charles Aznavour, the famous French singer of Armenian origin arrived on Thursday night in Armenia on a visit related to his charitable activities and the official celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the country's independence and 17 centuries of Armenia's conversion to Christianity. He will also review the work of the Azvanour pour l' Armenie charity set up in the wake of the 1988 devastating earthquake in northern Armenia. He is due to visit the city of Gyumri and Vanadzor located in the area. It is expected that Aznavour will be present at the unveiling of his statue in Gyumri. The 77-year-old signer, who ended his long and successful career with a series of performances in Europe earlier this year, will give no concerts in Armenia. In response to a question whether he would come to Armenia more frequently the singer said that he would do more good to his homeland outside Armenia. "We are very much concerned with the future of Armenia-its children and our primary interests are schools and children's education," he said. He also spoke about the latest film by Canadian Armenian director Atom Yegoyan in which he plays one of the leading roles. "This is a story which tells about the Armenian Genocide and I am sure it will be taken with great interest everywhere." On Friday the singer participated in a ceremony which named a square in central Yerevan, located between the Moskva Cinema House and Yerevan Hotel after him. The relevant decision of the Yerevan City Council says: " For his invaluable services rendered to the homeland and Armenian people and for presentation of Armenia to the world through his work and activity to name the square between the Moskva Cinema and Yerevan Hotel After Charles Aznavour." "Unfortunately my knowledge of Armenian does not allow me to express my feelings," he said in Armenian and continued in French: " I am very touched today to be here, next to you and by what you have done for me. I know that my parents who are in heaven are proud of me and for what is to be done here in Armenia," he said, adding that though he was born in France, his roots are in Armenia. In 1992 Aznavour pour l'Armenie built an infant formula factory in Armenian Armavir, in 1998 the charity organization built a nursing house in Vanadzor. Since 1993 the organization has been implementing a range of projects: restoration of hydro power stations, allocation of compensation for energy bills in winter months, assistance to Armenian villages in Kashatagh, irrigation systems restorations, schools and many others. © Copyright AZG