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

RUSSIA'S PUTIN CONGRATULATES ARMENIA ON INDEPENDENCE DAY Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Armenia's independence. Putin's message said: "Over the last 10 years, Armenian-Russian relations, which are based on age-old friendship between our peoples, have become truly allied in nature in compliance with the vested interests of Armenia and Russia." The Russian president pointed out that bilateral Armenian-Russian cooperation, which has been successfully developing, has become the main factor in consolidating interaction between the two countries within the framework of the CIS and the Collective Security Treaty and in the cause of ensuring peace and stability in the Caucasus. Vladimir Putin stated that he remembered with warmth his meetings and productive talks in Yerevan during his official visit last week. © Copyright AZG

IRANIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES ARMENIANS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammed Khatami has sent a congratulatory message to the Armenian president, government and the people on the tenth anniversary of Independence day which says, in particular: "I hope that friendly relations between the two countries and people will enlarge in bilateral, regional and international areas to the glory of the interests of all." President Khatami also wished good health and prosperity to the president, government and the people. © Copyright AZG

Armenian president Robert Kocharian, parliament speaker Armen Khachatrian, prime minister Andranik Margarian and other top government officials visited today the Yerablur military cemetery in Yerevan, where soldiers perished in Karabagh war rest, to pay tributes to those who sacrificed their lives for Armenia's independence in the early 90s. http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200117101.jpg The officials laid wreaths on the monument to perished soldiers to once again evaluate their self-sacrifice. Defense minister Serzh Sargisian said that "without struggle Armenia would not have been what it is now. Perhaps, we would have not lost independence but would have certainly lost territories." According to prime minister Margarian "it is impossible to build statehood without sacrifices." "What is important is that we were able to maintain our independence through these ten years. I hope that we will be able to improve the shortcomings we had in the past," he said. © Copyright AZG

"ZVARTNOTS" YEREVAN AIRPORT WILL BE TRANSFERRED UNDER ARGENTINÅ COMPANY MANAGEMENT FOR 50 YEARS 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Zvartnots" Yerevan Airport will be transferred under management of "Airpuertos Arhentina 2000" for a term of 50 years. The company already controls 33 airports. Chairman of the Company Committee Eduardo Ernekian and Chief of civil aviation Central Administrative Board Sergey Yeritsian signed a mutual understanding memorandum, which stipulated for "Airpuertos Arhentina 2000" Company's obligation to invest 50 million dollars in development of the airport. This is a preliminary figure, which can be reconsidered before signing the treaty, as the Armenian side considers 50 million not to be enough for a fifty-year-long lease. Saturday President of Armenia Robert Kocharian received Ernekian, who presented his proposals and plans to the President. The head of the Argentinean Company particularly pointed out the necessity for repairs of the landing strip and providing the airport with up-to-date equipment, and personnel retraining. In Ernekian's opinion, investments in management of the airport will allow to make Armenia a centre of tourism and to operate in the back. He is convinced that "Zvartnots" Airport will become the regional centre of air communication in the course of time. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ALEXY II ACCOMPLISHED HIS VISIT 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexy II, who arrived in Yerevan September 22 to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia, has completed his visit to this county. Yesterday he was present at the solemn ceremony of opening of Saint Grigor Enlightener temple in Yerevan. On completion of sanctification of the temple the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia came out with a welcoming speech. As a token of congregation of the two churches Aleksy II presented a golden icon-lamp to the new temple. The same day the head of the Russian Orthodox Church met with President of Armenia Robert Kocharian. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

SOLEMN OPENING CEREMONY OF SAINT GRIGOR ENLIGHTENER TEMPLE HELD 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Solemn ceremony of opening of Saint Grigor Enlightener cathedral was held in Yerevan yesterday. Construction of the cathedral had already started during the lifetime of Catholicos Vazgen I and continued under Catholicos Garegin II. Opening of the temple, bearing the name of the founder of Armenian Apostolic Church, became the culmination of the festivities, dedicated to the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. Heads and representatives of 25 fraternal Christian churches, the Presidents, members of the Governments and Parliaments of both Armenian states, members of French Senate and Russian State Duma, the Governor of Saint-Petersburg, world-wide known singer Charles Aznavour were among the honorary guests present at the solemn ceremony. After the ceremony of consecration of the temple, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia came out with a welcoming speech. Relics of Saint Grigor Enlightener, brought from Vatican by Catholicos Garegin II, will be stored in the temple. Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Garegin II and head of the Roman Catholic Church John Paul II will celebrate a joint ecumenical mass in Grigor Enlightener temple the day after tomorrow. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

REPUBLIC" PARTY LEADER CEASED CONCEALING HIS RELATION TO LEVON TER-PETROSIAN 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian and representatives of the former leadership of Armenia did not participate in the official ceremonies dedicated to celebrations of the tenth anniversary of independence. Leaders of the Armenian ruling regime of 1991-1998, celebrated Independence Day, having secluded themselves in the building of the headquarters of "Armenian National Movement" Party. It is noteworthy that one of the leaders of "Republic" opposition Party Aram Sargsian, brother of the late Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, was among the participants of the celebration. Many of the mass communication media in the Republic tend to view it as confirmation of close connection unifying the ideologists of the former regime and the leaders of the new opposition coalition created by People's Party, "Republic" Party and "National Unity". Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

KILIKIA CATHOLICOS ARAM I WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 1700 ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTIANITY ADOPTION BY ARMENIA 22.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Kilikia Catholicos Aram I will participate in the celebration of the 1700 anniversary of Christianity adoption by Armenia. The delegation that will accompany the Patriarch includes archbishops, the heads of the eparchy of Teheran, Canada, the west and east of the USA, patriarchal vicar of Kuwait and the countries of the Arabian Gulf, the head of the patriarchal committee on the celebration of the 1700 anniversary of Christianity adoption. Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik Khariry has given the Patriarch for his visit to Armenia his own airplane. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

ARGENTINE PRESIDENT INVITED ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT BUENOS AIRES 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of Armenia Robert Kocharian received representative of the Argentine President, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Norberto Padila. The guest handed the President an invitation to visit Buenos Aires on behalf of the head of his country. Argentinean delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister, had arrived in Yerevan to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Armenia. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

JACQUES CHIRAC: "ARMENIA ENJOYS THE SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, OF WHICH FRANCE WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE FIRST RANKS" 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of Armenia Robert Kocharian has received Chairman of French-Armenian friendship group of the French Senate, Senator Jack Uden, who delivered the congratulation message of President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac and Chairman of Senate Christian Poncelet on the occasion of the independence of Armenia. The message particularly says: "Let us congratulate you and the whole Armenian nation. On the one hand the year 2001 signifies the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Armenia, and on the other – entry into the Council of Europe. As you know Armenia enjoys the support of international community, of which France will always be in the first ranks. Please, receive assurance of my respect, Mr. President." Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

JOHN PAUL II ARRIVING IN YEREVAN TOMORROW 24.09.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tomorrow Pope John Paul II will arrive in Yerevan to participate in the festivities dedicated to the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. He will visit the country not as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, but as head of the state of Vatican. Within the framework of the visit John Paul II will visit the Holy See of Echmiadzin and Khor Virap cloister, will lay wreaths to the memorial of the victims of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey and will celebrate an ecumenical mass together with Catholicos Garegin II in Saint Grigor Enlightener temple opened yesterday. The Pope will return to Rome September 27. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

khodja you need to bee nice!!! Your insulting a HyeForum member who has been in this forum for over a year and has contributed much of his time to help each and every one of us, your offensive comments and insults to MJ are not welcomed in hear. stop insulting and stop your offensive comments to MJ, if I see one more of this sort or of comments, you will loose your HyeForum membership for good. MOvses

wh00t Jan / Many Americans are crying for 1,500,000 Armenians Americans have not only cried but also have helped Armenians, during the earthquake, have provident shelter to many of us, American Armenians, , Americans have there own country and now have there own problems and sorrow, I do not expect every Armenian to cry there eyes out, but my friends and business partners who know Armenians and who are aware of our issues, do anted My Armenian church wit me on April 24 every year. it was my American friend who has join me and the others and provident his own $$$$$ to help my Armenian from Artsax to get cured in a American Hospital, in Glendale. US government is not in favor of Armenia most of the time, I know, Americans have the own business and there own problems to worry about. and lets not forget USA is still one of the only countries that Helps Armenia, and if I`m not wrong USA is the largest contributor to Armenia. wh00tjan you need to get to know Americans. [ September 22, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

Azat jan haw sure are you that it was Bush him self j/k