MosJan

GROONG INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH-ARMENIAN RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TARC) MEMBERS VAN Z. KRIKORIAN AND ANDRANIK MIGRANIAN GROONG: How were you approached to join the committee? Who approached you? What were the criteria for your selection? JOINT ANSWER: All four of the Armenian members of the Commission came together on this issue as a result of a number of conversations and knowledge of one another's background and work over the years. The two of us have known each other since 1991 when Van went to Moscow as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe meetings. With Raffi Hovannisian, who was in Moscow as a representative of the Assembly, the Assembly organized parallel NGO programs on Nagorno Karabagh and also arranged for congressional observers to travel to Armenia for the referendum on independence. When the idea for a Reconciliation Commission began to take form, we came together. We established the following minimum criteria for selecting Armenian Commissioners: * must have significant international and national political experience; * must be fluent in English; * must be willing to work as part of a team. Q: We've read that the imbalance of four Armenians and six Turks will be mitigated in the future. Why did we end up with four Armenians and six Turks to start with? JA: We began with three or four on each side. We may well increase to six Armenians or some other number. The process is explicitly intended to be flexible. But the most important criterion is that all participants have the ability to work well together. The chemistry and productivity of the current team have been highly successful. Q: Who else was approached to join, outside of the current commission members? Why are there no Armenians from Western Europe, South America or the Middle East on the commission? JA: We are open to including those who fit within the Commission's criteria. We certainly recognize that we need to include others and intend to do so. It is also important to point out that we do not pretend to speak for all Armenians. We hope to make recommendations. We intend to engage in activities promoting reconciliation and to be judged as Commission members on what we produce. We encourage others to engage in similar activities. Q: Ozdem Sanberk is quoted as saying: "The intent is not to find what the truth is, but it is to open new horizons for the future and enhance mutual understanding." Ilter Turkmen is quoted as saying: "The commission's task is not to come to a historical judgement." Gunduz Aktan is quoted as saying: "When it comes to qualifying events 85 years ago in the Ottoman, Empire, Turks around the table will not accept them as genocide." With only Turkish hard-liners and Armenian moderates on the Commission, one can see why Armenians feel uncomfortable about which way matters could be "reconciled." Why were Turkish scholars and dialogue advocates such as Akcam, Zarakolu and Berktay left out of the commission? Why is the Turkish side of the Commission full of only hard-liners who have career-long histories of denying the Armenian Genocide? JA: All three statements come from top diplomats and each is distinguishable. We all agree that this Commission is not focused on determining whether or not there was a Genocide. The international community and we already take that as a non-negotiable fact, and this fact is the basis for our discussions. How this Commission deals with it and what individual Commissioners say in their personal capacities are two different questions. We disagree with your premise that the Turkish side is full of only hard-liners. We note that we did not play a role in their selection and vice versa. However, we all believe the Turkish Commissioners deserve respect for joining this endeavor, which is not without risk. Q: The concerted effort of the advocacy groups in Washington has yielded powerful advances in the 90s, and should not be slowed down or abandoned until our goals are achieved. If Turks observe that Armenians relaxed just because a commission has been created, then commission and talk is all we will get. If we continue with the drive, then they will realize that the commission must achieve results - or they may face defeat. During conflicts, some of the fiercest battles continue on the field while peace talks are being held, in order to maneuver for maximal negotiating power. Does the Assembly plan to continue with the full-court press in Washington, to drive towards U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide? VAN KRIKORIAN: We disagree with your analysis and with your use of the term "recognition" for the United States. We use the term "reaffirmation" because as indicated in official government archives, the U.S. has recognized the Armenian Genocide in the past. The Assembly is and will continue to be the leading proponent of the issue in the U.S. and I can say categorically and proudly that in this regard, the Assembly's record is unsurpassed. Q: We are informed that for various reasons, the Assembly is planning to take a break from the active pursuit of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. government. Is this true, and if so, what are the reasons for it? Will the Assembly continue the aggressive pursuit of the passage of bills to recognize the Armenian Genocide? VK: Thankfully, most Armenians recognize nonsense when they hear it, and view the allegations used in your premise as such. Your information is false and we would appreciate learning its source. The Assembly continues to be more active than any other organization in pursuit of the reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Government. President Bush's April 24th statement this year, while omitting the term "Genocide," was a textbook definition of Genocide and clearly surpassed in many ways what President Clinton said during the previous eight years. It is no small victory and is an example of the Assembly's practice of working aggressively but quietly and professionally. In so doing, the Assembly has established its well-earned reputation in Washington - among leaders on Capitol Hill, the White House and the Administration, as well as with think tank experts and professional journalists - as a skilled, tenacious and authoritative advocate. We publish our goals and our results. In addition, the work of the Armenian National Institute and the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial project, two blocks from the White House, are massive and speak volumes about our commitment. Q: So then, there is no truth to the statements that the Assembly approached Congressman Radanovich to request that he not re-introduce H. Res. 596 this year? VK: No, the Assembly did not approach Congressman Radanovich with the request that not he reintroduce H. Res. 596 this year. The Assembly and related organizations are implementing our broad-based genocide reaffirmation strategy. Until the TARC was announced, the ANC was in agreement with our congressional strategy. Q: In 1991 and 1992, you had business dealings with Turkey to develop a port in the city of Trebizond, but these plans were derailed because Turkey demanded that in exchange for access to this port, Armenians stop demanding recognition for the Genocide. Do you, or other Assembly leaders, currently have such business dealings with Turks or Turkey? As leaders of the Armenian community of America, are you willing to make public your financial and business dealings, to assure the community that there are no conflicts of interest? VK: Let me answer the second part first. I'm attaching a copy of the Assembly's Conflict of Interest Policy that was in effect before I became chairman and that addresses your concern. I can report that I am in compliance with it. Neither I, nor my family has financial or business dealings with Turks or Turkey. My primary source of income is as a partner in the law firm of Vedder Price. I am willing to let you examine my tax returns at my law office in New York or at the Assembly's office in Washington, DC. I am willing to fill out a financial disclosure sheet, including a listing of all my assets and liabilities, as well as those of my family, to establish that no possible conflicts exist. Those who are busy spreading false rumors to the contrary should be ashamed of themselves. In the interests of healthy debate, it would be valuable if you asked the same of the chairmen of the policy-making boards of other organizations but I do not condition my willingness to make these disclosures on their agreement. The Assembly and all of its related organizations are perfectly transparent in their finances, which are published annually and go through an independent audit by an outside firm. The firm's report is distributed at our annual meeting. We also publish the names of our members and the fact that the Assembly members are present in all fifty states, growing faster than any other similar organization. Although I am not the Assembly's Conflict of Interest Officer, I am not presently aware of any other Assembly leader who is in violation of our Conflict of Interest Policy. With regard to your first question, the information you have obtained is wrong. Hirair Hovnanian and I were asked to look at development of the Trebizond port as part of then-President Ter Petrossian's efforts to reach out to Turkey. We met with the Turkish foreign minister and other government officials, none of whom demanded that in exchange for access, the "Armenians stop demanding recognition for the Genocide." As I am sure you know, Armenia has a treaty right to open communication through Turkey to the Black Sea. The Trebizond project can be viewed as a trial balloon. Turkey failed that trial, and in so doing, President Ter-Petrossian's position was internationally recognized as reasonable and of long-term benefit to Armenia. Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, it is worth noting that most of the countries which have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide since independence, did so while Levon Ter-Petrossian was president and Alex Arzoumanian was foreign minister or United Nations ambassador. I also recognize that the Trebizond project has been the subject of numerous rumors and innuendo. The record is clear and Hirair Hovnanian and I have long since stopped worrying about those who resort to such smear tactics. Q: What do you think about statements that this commission in general, and the Assembly's presence on it specifically, may divide the Armenian-American advocacy groups? VK: Armenian-Americans are already divided. But the reaction from the mainstream members of our community has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that those who are opposed to the Commission have shown that they are only isolating themselves from the mainstream. More significantly, the ANCA began to distance itself from the mainstream community and the Assembly long before the Commission was announced. The Assembly is accused of being evangelical in our zeal to be inclusive. But, just as the Assembly refused to be held hostage when the ARF bolted from the Assembly years ago, we recognize that the interests of the overwhelming majority of Armenian-Americans cannot be held hostage to the ARF leadership today. Our agenda is public and we continue to welcome cooperation from the ANCA; the choice is theirs to cooperate or not. Q: The ARF is not happy with the creation of this Commission in a secretive manner and which excludes them. They've written that they're concerned with the commission's effects on Armenian national interests and intra-Diaspora relations, such as the possibility of a rift in the Armenian advocacy groups in Washington - primarily the Assembly and the ANCA. Why wasn't the ANCA invited to join the Commission also? VK: We are not presently aware of anyone within the ARF/ANCA ranks who can meet the criteria for membership. We are open to discussing the matter but it is clear that their official reaction confirms the wisdom of our judgment. The ARF/ANCA is a political party primarily interested in gaining power in Armenia and we felt that it would interfere with their designee's ability to act as a team player on the Commission. For example, one of the ARF's immediate and continuing reactions to the creation of the Commission is to call for the resignation of the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, and to replace him with one of their party members. The initial basis for this political tactic was the false accusation that the Foreign Minister knew about the Commission prior to the announcement, but that President Robert Kocharian did not. When the President's spokesman fairly acknowledged that, of course, the President knew about the Commission's formation, the ARF devised new grounds to criticize the Foreign Minister. The Armenians on this Commission must be above petty partisan behavior if this effort is going to have any chance of success. Second, the ARF leadership was advised of the Commission's formation before it was officially announced. The ARF leadership was offered the opportunity to meet in person so that its leadership could react based on factual information. Instead, the ARF leadership chose to attack first and ask questions later, and has yet to accept our offer to meet. As Alex Arzoumanian said, we are still open to reconciliation with the ARF but we feel that all Armenians, and certainly this effort, ought not to be held captive to partisan politics. Q: For the record, I have heard from ARF sources that they were advised of the commission's formation only short hours before it was announced by the New York Times. JA: When the Commission met in Geneva, we did not have agreement on the Terms of Reference or a public announcement. After negotiating the final terms, we agreed to wait before making an announcement. If we had not agreed, the proceedings would have remained confidential in accordance with our prior agreement. After we agreed, and before we announced the formation of the Commission, an official telephone call was placed to the ARF Bureau to alert it to the forthcoming announcement. The call was returned the following day, and the ARF representative expressed thanks for the notice. A substantive discussion took place and tentative dates for a meeting were set. Regrettably, as stated above, the ARF/ANCA chose a different course rather than following through with the meeting. I would also note that this is a very complicated issue. Aside from the above, there was an ARF Bureau Member who knew about the Vienna meetings, which preceded the Geneva meetings and announcement. This individual either did not share the information with his colleagues or has chosen not to acknowledge it at this time. Q: Do you and the Assembly have an "exit strategy" from the commission, that is, have you defined criteria to measure acceptable progress and success, or failure of this process, so that you can evaluate whether to continue or when to quit? What are these criteria? JA: The Commission's Terms of Reference anticipate a reevaluation after one year. We have defined criteria to measure acceptable progress but at this time will make no public comment on it. We want to repeat that reconciliation is a process and not an event. We all recognize that there are more reasons for this effort to failthan succeed. But, we believe in it and we deserve the right to a fair chance, which is why we are grateful for the individual and organizational support we have received. Q: This Commission is pretty much Track Two diplomacy, searching for a path to official recognition. Regarding government involvement in the work of the Commission, there have been statements admitting and denying involvement by the governments of Armenian, Turkey, and the U.S. State Department. Can you clarify where each came in, how they facilitated, suggested people, resources and options to the Commission? Would you say that their involvement amounts to an implicit or explicit approval of the process of this commission? What does each one want out of it? JA: Questions concerning the various governments should be addressed directly to them. We are grateful for all the support we have received. Regarding what each government wants, we expect it is maximum return with minimum risk - which is why Track Two is what it is. Q: Throughout the Clinton Administrations, the U.S. State Department was tuned to support Jewish claims for reparations from German industry which used slave labor, from Swiss banks which kept Nazi gold and other funds stolen from Nazi victims, and to facilitate bringing to justice war criminals during the Holocaust who resided in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Is the State Department envisioning such a role of support for the Armenian drive to a just recognition of the Genocide? VK: Jewish claims followed after Germany lost World War II and acknowledged the Holocaust. Two years ago, the Assembly thought to try to reverse the Holocaust process, believing that an attempt to work on the Ottoman bank accounts issue would be a step toward Turkish acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. At that time, the Armenian National Institute, the Armenian Bar Association and the Assembly received a commitment from the State Department that it would raise the bank accounts issue with Turkey. We continue to believe that this and related issues need to be pursued. Q: How do you expect that this dialogue will make Turkish society more open in general, and better educated about 1915? ANDRANIK MIGRANIAN: If we succeed in convincing leading members of Turkish civil society, all of whom are well connected to their country's elite that acceptance of the Armenian Genocide is in Turkey's best interest, it would be the shortest road to reconciliation of our two peoples and two countries. Through and with the Turkish Commissioners, we will have direct access to Turkey's elite and public at large in order to prepare them for acceptance of the Genocide. If we accomplish that, I will consider that the Commission has delivered an invaluable service. If not, it means that neither the Turkish Government nor its civil society is ready for that kind of breakthrough at this time. It would harm Turkey's image on the international stage and support the notion that the Turkish government and its people are not yet ready to behave according to the norms of modern, civilized nations. Q: Irrespective of the label attached to describe 1915, what is the Turkish government ready to do, to remedy some of its consequences (overhaul genocide denial in history curricula, abandoned properties, architectural monuments), things to which President Kocharian referred to in his famous interview with CNN-Turk? What ideas have been considered? AM: While I could describe in general what our fellow Commissioners from Turkey are ready to recommend right now to their government, we have recently all agreed to refrain from publicly discussing ideas currently on the table. Their positions may change during the process, which is new and in its early stages of development. Eventually, if we come to mutual understandings, then I have no doubt that the recommendations of the Turkish members will provide a basis for future Turkish government policy. Q: Mr. Krikorian, You have mentioned talk about a special course being introduced in Turkish universities on the subject of the Genocide. Were concrete ideas floated around? Why should the Genocide, this dark chapter in Turkish history, not be taught earlier in the life of Turkish students, - Middle school, high school, etc. - and reach greater numbers, not only those who continue to higher-ed? VK: I will refrain from discussing ideas currently on the table. Regarding Genocide education in Turkish schools, it is clear that the state policy of denial and its impact on the Turkish education system has been destructive to the Turkish people. We believe that the more they know about the Armenian Genocide, including both the stories of individual Turks who saved Armenians and those which describe the evil that a government can perpetrate, the better. Q: You stated that the Turkish commission members pretty much agree that there is a three-generation-long nationwide brainwashing on the genocide issue in Turkey. However, we've read in many articles, including from the New York Times, that Turks and Kurds in Turkey know very well what happened to the Armenians during World War I. Is the problem with the Turkish nation, or the Turkish state? JA: We believe that the problem with Genocide denial is complex and does not fit easily within the two alternatives you have suggested. Clearly, there is a big difference between knowing what happened and calling it a "Genocide." In the past, substituting the word "massacres" for "Genocide" had been suggested in various resolutions and decrees, which would have assured easy passage. In the U.S., the Assembly rejected those at every turn, even though some in the community might have been willing to agree. We anticipate that a large part of the Commission's work will entail trying to determine the most effective way of dealing with these issues. However, we have agreed not to speak for the Turkish Commission members, and want to respect that. Q: What other issues, outside of the Armenian Genocide is on this commission's agenda? * Is a solution to Artsax discussed? * Is a territorial exchange between Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed? * Are the new demands imposed by Turkey on Armenia - such as the opening of a corridor through Meghri, to link Nakhichevan with Azerbaijan, - discussed? * Armenian monument preservation and attribution in Turkey? JA: Our Terms of Reference are public. Without violating our commitment not to disclose specific items on the Commission's agenda, we can state definitively that issues related to Nagorno Karabagh, territorial exchanges between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the "opening of a corridor through Meghri" are completely and explicitly outside the purview of the Commission. We disagree with those who might try to link the issues; our Commission has enough to address and a direct Armenian-Turkish dialogue is long overdue. Q: Will the commission have a secretariat? Where will it be based? JA: We thank the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna for structuring this process. We did not include plans for a secretariat in our terms of reference, but we acknowledge the possibility as the process develops. We have received positive messages encouraging us to open a web site, and based on the substantial popular support we receive, expect there will be many more good ideas that we did not have in mind. We encourage those as we believe that the Armenian people want progress and results rather than outdated rhetoric. author : AZG Daily #148

INFLUX OF TOURISTS TO ARMENIA CONTINUES YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS: Some 5,000 athletes, trainers and tourists have already arrived in Armenia from the Armenian Diaspora around the world to participate in and watch the Second Pan-Armenian Games, launched in Yerevan August 18. The influx of tourists is going on and hiring a hotel room in Yerevan has become a problem. Some of the athletes are being placed at the sporting complex in Armenian resort town of Tsakhkadzor, some 40 kilometers off the capital. Several dozens foreign reporters in addition to 79 local ones will be reporting from the Games.

SECOND PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES PROCEED NORMALLY YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS: Armando Didadurian, the head of the Argentina's delegation that has arrived in Armenia for participation in the Second Pan-Armenian Games told at a Tuesday's news conference that the ongoing economic crisis in their country has left a negative impact on sports development. The Armenian community of Argentine had sent a 180-member team to the first Games held in 1991, this year it was able to send only 45 people. But despite these hardships the community is trying to withstand them and develop sport within the community. One of the team's member tennis player David Nalbandian has already won international reputation. Mazhak Ohanian, the coach of Armenian basketball team in Istanbul said Turkish Armenian athletes are virtually in all kinds of sports, including professionals. He praised the Istanbul-based Ruben Semerjian sport union for helping develop sports within the community. The chairman of the Armenian Track and Field athletics Sergey Khachatrian said five new Games' records were set.

SUREN VAHUNI'S BUST STOLEN YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS: The relatives of the famous Armenian poet and translator Suren Vahuni informed Armenpress that unknown villains had stolen Vahuni's bronzed bust (he was buried in 1983 in the pantheon of Sovetashen cemetery). They said that some other graves were also defiled in the pantheon. Suren Vahuni was one of the distinguished figures in the Armenian art under the Soviets. He is an author to several collections of poems and it is due to his translations which made Armenian readers acquainted with world masterpieces such as Bokacio's "Decameron", Duma's "Count Monte Christo", Hashek's "Valorous Soldier Sveik's adventures", Lope de Vega's "Gardener's dog" etc.

YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS: According to the latest figures, released by the Armenian National Statistical Service, the economically active population in Armenia in the first half of the year stood at 1 million 428,000, of which 90 percent had jobs, and ten percent were jobless. According to the same source, 72.7 percent of people with jobs were engaged in the private sector, 26.6 percent in the public sector and 0.7 percent in non-governmental and religious organizations. At the end of July 169,400 people were registered with local unemployment agencies, of which 86.7 percent were granted the status of unemployed. Almost 95 percent of the unemployed is concentrated in urban areas. Sixty-five percent of them were women. 20

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS US CONGRESSMAN YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian thanked today the government of US for its constant efforts to provide assistance to Armenia since it declared independence ten years ago. Margarian was meeting with a US delegation led by Congressman Adam Schiff. The prime minister described the current level of US-Armenia relations as "having passed to a qualitatively new stage." Unlike the first years of independence when the bulk of the US aid to Armenia was of humanitarian character, now it is given for developing economy and solution of practical problems which allow to create new industries and new jobs to ease still strongly felt social tension. The government press office quoted Margarian as saying that the government was also expecting the assistance of the Armenian community in the USA and the Congress for overcoming these problems. Margarian reiterated that economic development of Armenia and the region was contingent on solving the political problems. In this respect he said that acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide by the US might help establish peace in the region and help Armenia to normalize its relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. "Building the relations on the current realities without taking into account the past realities and giving them just solutions has no perspective for the region," Margarian was quoted as saying. Adam Schift pledged to do his best to promote recognition of the Genocide by the Congress. Schift argued that development of trade and economic relations between Armenia and separate US states, practically, California with a strong Armenian community may also help development of Armenian economy and establishment peace in the region

ARMENIA TO BECOME MOST ORGANIZED COUNTRY IN THE REGION, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian met today with a US delegation, led by Congressman Adam Schif. Kocharian was quoted by his press office as praising the Congressman for his efficient cooperation with the Armenian community in the US. At the request of Adam Schif president Kocharian briefed him on how the process of regulation of Karabagh conflict proceeded. Kocharian also spoke about how he saw normalization of Armenian-Turkish relation, expressing his viewpoints over a recently set up Turkish-Armenian Commission for Reconciliation. Kocharian was quoted as defending the idea of embarking on a dialogue with Turkey, but added that "having in mind that this is a very sensitive question, it would be desirable that issuers regarding Armenian-Turkish relations be either considerd on a state level, which Armenia never denied, or with involvement of a broader community of political forces." Kocharian also praised the US government of shifting from providing humanitarian aid to Armenia, as was the case in early 90s, to a more practical cooperation aimed at creating business friendly environment, giving a boost to industry development and creation of new jobs. Noting that cooperation in development of high technologies occupied a special place on the agenda of US-Armenian relations Kocharian expressed hope that Armenia would take its stable place in the area of providing intellectual services. "Armenia will become most organized and stable country in the region enjoying a diversity of economic relations," he said.

SPORTSMEN FROM YEREVAN LEAD AT PANARMENIAN GAMES 22.08.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Panarmenian games are continuing. The participants of basketball quarterfinal are already known. Yesterday Los Angeles team defeated Cairo 115:64. Yerevan won Salonika basketball team 102:67. Basketball players from Vale – winners of the previous games – beat Vanadzor 121:67. Vale team will meet with Istanbul in the next round. Teheran team, which has won the envoys from Damascus 136:46, will become the rivals of Los Angeles. Swimmer from Yerevan Dmitry Markarian became twice champion of the Panarmenian games. Swimmer from Yerevan Juliana Mikheeva won her second golden medal, too. Emma Aslanian and Vahe Gabrielian were also on the first step of the pedestal of honour. Yerevan team showed best results in table tennis, too. The feminine combined team of the capital obtained the title of the strongest, which it had gained during the previous games. Vanadzor sportsmen got the silver. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN ADAM SHIF ARRIVED IN YEREVAN 22.08.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today in Yerevan President of Armenia Robert Kocharian received the members of the US Congress delegation, headed by member of the House of Representatives Adam Shif. The head of the state informed the guests about the developments in the process of the Artsax conflict settlement. The interlocutors also concerned the subject of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Adam Shif and the members of the delegation also had a meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Markarian. In course of the talk the prospects of cooperation between Armenia and California State were discussed together with other questions. The Premier expressed hope that the agreement on commercial-economic partnership would be signed already in this September. The head of the Government and the representatives of the US Congress also discussed the subject of international recognition of the fact of the Armenian genocide in 1995. Andranik Markarian noted that passing the resolution condemning the genocide would contribute to establishing peace in the region. In his words, this step can serve to normalization of relations of Armenia with Turkey and Azerbaijan. In his turn Adam Shif promised to make every effort to obtain formation of objective notion of just solution of the Armenian question in the US Congress. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

HEAD OF ARMENIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES IS 50-TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY On August 21 the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received many warm letters and telegrams congratulating His Holiness on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of his birth and expressing kind wishes. Letters and messages come from all parts of the world; Sister Churches; numerous prominent state, political and public figures and famous intellectuals living in Armenia and abroad; Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church; various religious organizations; cultural centers functioning on the territory of CIS; schools; families and individuals living in Armenia. In his congratulation letter His Excellency Mr. Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia, wishes His Holiness "good health and endless zeal in realizing his noble pontifical mission". In the letter of the President it is particularly said: "I wish you fruitful activity, which will be the deserving continuation of the Armenian greatest Pontiffs' patriotic and sacred work. Congratulating You on the occasion of your jubilee, let me express conviction that under your guidance 1700-year-old Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin will realize its spiritual service for the sake of our native nation, dispersed throughout the world, Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and prosperity of Armenia in a renewed spirit". His Holiness Ilia II, Catholics-Patriarch of All Georgia, has with fraternal love congratulated His Holiness on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary. "Accept our warmest and cordial congratulations on the occasion of your birthday. We sincerely wish you good health, success and long years of happy life." Praying for the Armenian Pontiff and with fraternal love in our Lord Jesus Christ, His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, has sincerely congratulated His Holiness "Recollecting the Apostle St. Paul's words, "... your mind of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ," (Thessalonians 1:3) We fraternally kiss you. We are grateful to God for granting us the centuries-old historical great friendship between our two churches. Your Holiness, let Us wish you today, this happy for the Russian Orthodox Church day, our Lord's abundant mercy, sound health, unshaken faith, vigor of soul and body so that you could successfully take care of your God-given flock to the welfare of all the Armenian nation." Among numerous Armenians, teachers and students of the secondary school of the village Voskehat have congratulated His Holiness "wishing him long and fruitful life." The current of enthusiastic and cordial letters, telegrams and telephone calls, addressed to His Holiness and the Mother See, is continued. His Holiness, reading with excitement the letters, containing sincere wishes, prays to God for everybody and each and asks for God's mercy.

INTERNATIONAL CAMP CARRIES OUT EXCAVATION WORKS IN GARNI The headquarters of Armenia’s students’ groups organized five international student camps in Armenia during the summer 2001, one of which carries out excavations at Garni’s pagan temple territory. A territory of about 50 square meters has been excavated near Garni village, as a result of which ancient wine pits with grounds where grapes were pressed into juice were found. The participants of the camp helped to clean up the Garni pagan temple’s ancient bathhouse. They also visited several other sights of Armenia- Khor Virap, Etchmiadzin, National Picture Gallery, Geghard and other places. Representatives of different nations work in the summer camps- three Germans, 2 Frenchmen, one Japanese, one Austrian and one Czech. The following are comments of the foreign guests working in the camps. Paul Barschevich (Germany): I participate in an international camp for the first time and I liked the Garni temple very much. And the camp group is very nice. The relationship between Armenian and foreign volunteers is just wonderful and they understand each other very well from the very first day. I didn’t have any difficulties with the head of the camp and two archeologists and they very nice and I also liked their organizational works. I find that our work is very interesting. But the most important thing that I found is the friendliness of Armenians towards foreigners. I never received so many invitations to participate in parties and dinners as during these three weeks. Dominica Berger (Germany): I am satisfied with both the organization and the work that we carry out, which is not only thanks to the head and the archeologists of the camp but also to the people of this country. I learned a lot of stuff here and am satisfied with the camp and am happy that I had a chance to participate in this international camp. Caroline Faulette (France): I am delighted with these three weeks that I spent in Armenia. I wanted to see country that differs from France and every day I spent here was full of surprises. I thank the head of our group very much for treating me so well. Coraly Albamazard (France): I am charmed with Armenia although I have difficulty to understand several Armenian traditions. I would likje to note that we were recived very warmly a garni’s hospital and the head of the camp always rendered great help to us. We managed to create such a group which liked both the work it does and the camp.

quote:Originally posted by Aghtchik: Bari gisher - welterusten, Huys unem vor karoghem figure out tomorrow what has been posted here today. Husov em var@ karoranam haskanal te inch er grvats iyster iysor

quote:Originally posted by Aghtchik: Barev dzes tghamardzner yev aghtchikner, intchpes eq, Aghmug, if your question was for me... I have the French Assimil course, called "L'Armenien sans peine". I think it's a very good one, however 'sans peine' is not really true I thought I was doing OK until I started this topic today. To be honest, chem haskanum intch douq asum eq. Barev dez Tiniyq yev paroniyq kam Barev dzez traner yev axchikner sa aveli jisht e jan@s

quote:Originally posted by dragon: Aghtchik jan, Mi kich Apovian garta lav el gu sovores... MI qich Xachatur Abovyan'i grvatsqnerits Karda , hnaravor vor sovores. Dragon jan do Xachatur Abovyan kartatsel es? zgatsvuam vro shat ujer ognela qez bravo drras. Movses

quote:Originally posted by gamavor: Tsankanum em tsez shat lav or. TSankanum em Dzez Shat Lav Or , Yev inchu miyayn or tsankanum em dzez Ameniyn bariq . Movses

TERRORIST ACTIONS AGAINST US EMBASSIES IN KENYA AND TANZANIA WERE GUIDED FROM AZERBAIJAN In 1998 August 7 two terrorists actions were carried out outside US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which claimed the lives of 250 people and left another 5,000 injured. Both terrorist actions were masterminded and carried out by the henchmen of number 1 international terrorist Usama Bin Ladin. A court trial involving both acts were launched last February with several perpetrators including a Saudi Arabian national Mohammed Raced Daud el Ovhali. A Baku-based Echo daily wrote in one of its latest issues that three years after the bombs explosions in Nairobi and Dar Es Salam Azerbaijan has been mentioned in the case files, moreover it appears that the terrorist actions were guided immediately from the capital of Azerbaijan Baku. An English language The Nation daily based in Nairobi has recently published a story by Paul Redfer who cites from files collected by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI report says that the terrorist action, carried out against US embassy in Kenya could have left more victims and resulted in more destruction had not the suicide terrorist Ovhali made several mistakes. It had originally been planned to eliminate the embassy’s guards, but after approaching the embassy’s gates Ovhali realized that he had left his gun in the truck. Having received slight injuries in the explosion Ovhali was confused, as according to the plan he was supposed to kill himself as well in the blast. Several hours before the explosion he had called to Saudi Arabia to say farewell to his parents and then he made another call to Yemen to say goodbye to his friends. After the explosion Ovhali decides to go back to Ramada hotel where he had stayed during his previous visit to Nairobi August 2. In the hotel Ovhali commits the second mistake, which helped the FBI to get on his tracks. He asks the hotel’s personnel to provide him with some clothes and money as he had suffered in the embassy blast. From the hotel he again calls to a friend in Yemen to say that the original plan failed and he was not killed. Another factor that helped the FBI to get on Ovhali tracks was a telegram sent to a small shop in London one hour before the blast in Arabic on behalf of an unnamed terrorist group who claimed the responsibility with mentioning the reasons behind it. According to US special services, the telegram was sent from Azerbaijani capital Baku which is confirmed by its number. However, this is not yet all. A telephone call to Ovhali’s friend in Yemen and another call to Nairobi’s Ramada hotel where the Taliban terrorists were staying were also made from a Baku-based telephone. Ovhali was arrested on the fifth day after the explosions in Kenya and Tanzania; his picture was placed in all worlds’ newspapers, including some published in Baku. Rumors were spreading on those days in Baku that a similar blast was planned to be carried out against US embassy in Baku. The US government warned its citizens who were in Azerbaijan at that time of possible terrorist actions.

PROVINCE OF LORI REPORTS 20% INDUSTRIAL GROWTH VANADZOR, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS: Local authorities in the Armenian province of Lori have said the industrial growth in the province in the first six months of the current year was 122 percent against the same period of time last year. The Manex and Valex copper smelter reported a 20 percent growth, whereas last year its output made 80 percent in the overall volume of industrial growth in the first half of last year. Several other local companies also reported a significant progress in the first half of the year. Thus industrial companies in the provincial center Vanadzor reported a 200 percent growth. An ore mining and processing company in Akhtala is expected to resume operation this week. It is supposed to process some 120,000 tons of ore annually. A progress was also reported in the sector of agricultural products procession. In the region of Tashir alone 28 cheese making companies are operating this year against 8 in 2000.

ARMENIAN PIANISTS CONTEST STARTS ON TUESDAY YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS: An All-Armenian two-week long contest of pianists from Armenia proper and Diaspora, dedicated to 17 centuries of Armenia's conversion into Christianity is to kick off in Yerevan on Tuesday, August 21 under the title of Armenia's Legacy. The head of the organizing committee Armen Babakhanian told Armenpress that 60 pianists from USA, France, Great Britain, Russia, Cyprus and other countries will compete for the contest's prizes. The competition is held to discover most talented Armenian pianists from around the world. The contest is held under the high sponsorship of Armenian president and head of the Church in concert with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and Christian Armenia-1,700 Fund.

SEPTEMBER, 16 RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT WILL ARRIVE IN YEREVAN WITH OFFICIAL VISIT 21.08.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The exact date of official visit of Russia's president to Yerevan is found out. Putin will arrive in Armenia August 16. The visit will continue three days. At the visit a number of bilateral documents, particularly the trade-economic cooperation concept between Armenia and Russia for next 10 years, agreements on the encouragement and mutual defense of investments, the cooperation in the tourism sphere, cooperation between the regions of Russian Federation and Armenia will be signed. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

IN ARMENIA THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF DECLARATION ADOPTION WILL BE CELEBRATED TOMORROW 21.08.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the declaration of independence by the Supreme Soviet of Armenian Soviet Republic. This fact marked the start of the reestablishment of Armenian State system, finished by the declaration of independence according to the results of referendum September 21. Tomorrow the grand opening ceremony of the memorial plaque placed on the elevation of the building, where the Armenia's parliament had meeting ten years ago will take place. The text, engraved on the plaque, states "the Declaration of independence of Armenia was adopted in this building August 23,1991". Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS TO ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT CUT Armenia's telecommunications monopoly ArmenTel on 16 August cut telephone lines to Armenia's Medzamor nuclear power in retaliation for the plant's unpaid 12 million dram ($21,000) phone bill, according to Arminfo on 16 August. One line to the office of the plant's director remains in operation, AP reported on 17 August. LF

FAMOUS ARMENIAN SINGER HOVHANESS BADALYAN PASSES AWAY http://www.narek-store.com/Assets/product/images/MD7169.gif Famouse Armenian Folk Singer Hovaness Badalian Died Ashot Adamian A master of the Armenian folk song, a popular singer Hovaness Badalian died in Yerevan today, at the age of 78. Badalian was honored as a National Artist of Armenia, the highest artist award in the country. He was a professor of Music at the Yerevan Conservatorium. Hovaness Badalian performed hundreds of Armenian folk songs. He was also very popular in the Armenian communities around the world. "We lost a great artist. He was the father of Armenian folk songs. We lost very honest man. I am shocked," said Armenian composer Vardan Ajemian. Today, Armenian President Robert Kocharian send his condolences to Badalian's family. The special government commission, headed by Minister of Culture Roland Sharoyan will organize Hovaness Badalian's funeral. [ August 20, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

HAmlet Jan Barov es yekel HyeForum , Nax yev araj Shnorhavoranqners qo Nor Web Site kapaktsutyamb, BRAVO urax em tesnelu Oretsor Avelatsor vorakyal Haykakan Web pager , urax em !!! De inch inchpes asum em Glendelum dzerkert chtsava Ameniyn BAriq Yev HAjorutyun qez. Movses

harout jan 2 mor days , it will be ok

http://www.terterian.org/deutsch/bilder/avetterterian5.jpg Born 29 July 1929 in Baku, Azerbaijan; died 11 December 1994 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Biography Armenian composer and pianist. He had his first lessons of music when he was six years old. From 1948 to 1951 he visited the Advanced College of Music in Baku, and from 1951 to 1952 the College of Music in Yerevan. From 1952 to 1957 he studied with Edvard Mirzoyan at the Yerevan Conservatory, where he in 1957 was appointed to the staff (as a teacher of music theory until 1959). From 1963 to 1967 he conducted his 'aspirantura' with Mirzoyan. Since 1970 Terteryan has worked as a teacher of instrumentation at the Yerevan Conservatory, since 1978 as a lecturer and 1983 as a professor. Member of the Composers' Union of Armenia; several activities at the service of the Armenian Ministry of Culture; Merited Artist of the Armenian SSR (1972); State Prize of the Armenian SSR (1977). Style His confidently written music is formed in a synthetic manner from diverse materials: Armenian 'sharakan'(hymns), free 12-tone music, aleatoric devices and Xenakis-like blocks, sometimes including parts for non-tempered folk instruments. Works Sonata for violoncello and piano (1955) "The Motherland", vocal-symphonic cycle No. 1 for soprano, baritone and orchestra, lyrics by Hovhannes Shiraz (dedicated to E. Mirzoyan)(1957) "The Revolution", vocal-symphonic cycle No. 2 for soprano, baritone and orchestra, lyrics by Yeghishe Charents (1960) String Quartet in C-major (1962) Poem for violoncello and piano (1964) "The Ring of Fire", opera in 2 acts and 8 scenes after Boris Lavrenyov's story, lyrics by Y. Charents, libretto by Vladimir Shahnazaryan (1967, second version: 1977) LP Mekodiya C10 13707-10: TV and All-Union Radio Large Chorus and Orchestra, H. Terterian (cond) Symphony No. 1 for brass, percussion, piano, organ and bass guitar (1969) Symphony No. 2 for large orchestra, male voices and mixed chorus (1972) Symphony No. 3 for large orchestra, duduk and zurna (1975) CD ASV CD DCA 986: Armenian PO, L. Tjeknavorian (cond) Symphony No. 4 for large orchestra and tape (1976) LP Melodiya C10 19949: USSR Ministry of Culture SO, G. Rozhdestvensky (cond) CD ASV CD DCA 986: Armenian PO, L. Tjeknavorian (cond) "Hymn to October", cantata for chorus and orchestra to words by Gevorg Emin (1977) "Monologue Richard III", ballet after William Shakespeare on a libretto by V. Galsthan (1977-1979) Symphony No. 5 for large orchestra, kyamancha, zurna and burvar (1978) LP Melodiya C10 19949: USSR Ministry of Culture SO, G. Rozhdestvensky (cond) Symphony No. 6 for large orchestra (1981) "The Earthquake in Chile", opera after a story by Heinrich von Kleist (1986) Symphony No. 7 (1987) CD Megadisc MDC 7826: Ural PO, D. Liss (cond) Symphony No. 8 (1989) CD Megadisc MDC 7826: Ural PO, D. Liss (cond) String Quartet No.2 (1991) Symphony No. 9 (in progress at the time of his death) (1994)