MosJan

http://www.armeniaweek.com/current/photos/city_1_s.jpg http://www.armeniaweek.com/current/photos/city_2_s.jpg http://www.armeniaweek.com/current/photos/cit y_3_s.jpg Sacred Remains: Ancient city yields up 5,000 years of secrets By Nara Markossian ArmeniaWeek reporter "We can't exactly say what is it yet, but it's obvious that what we've found is built by people's hands and is a precious masterpiece." The excited judgement of archeologist Pavel Avetisian on the latest surprise from beneath Armenia's soil concerns the discovery of the remains of a city dating back to at least 3,000 years BC. The site at Agarak village in the Aragatsotn Region, about 35km north of Yerevan, measures about 200 hectares in size. Hidden in its depths for thousands of years are remains of Early Bronze Age civilization and culture. Excavations so far have also made clear that the city was inhabited in Third and Fourth Centuries A.D, and existed until the Early Middle Ages up to the 12th Century. Archeologists are still investigating how its ancient citizens lived. They have discovered stone tables measuring several meters in height, which they believe were used for sacrifice, and small rooms that could have been places for prayer. Altars that were probably the centerpieces of open-air ceremonies have also been found, suggesting the site was sacred to local inhabitants. Preliminary results suggest all this was built between the 29th and 27th Centuries BC. Special places have been preserved on the tables, where sacrifices were very likely tied up. Archeologists have yet to learn which gods were worshipped by the people who lived here and what was sacrificed. But they think they may have uncovered houses of priests who carried out the rituals. So far, only one of these buildings has been excavated but discoveries included small statuettes of women, bulls and dogs; cart wheels, bronze knives, rings, ceramics and coins. Discoveries from the Middle Ages - pits for wheat and grape-pressing devices - have proved just as exciting. Two skeletons - one buried in the Christian manner and the other according to Muslim tradition - are provided fascinating details of funeral procedures. The Muslim corpse was buried curled up in a ball while the skeleton of a Christian woman lies with arms folded across her chest. Archeologists on the project have named her Suzi the Skeleton and are sure she was tall and beautiful. Jokingly, they discuss ways of keeping her warm now that snows have fallen on the site. Forty people are working on the dig, which has been going on for three months. Some are villagers from Agarak, for whom the find is a welcome source of work. One problem encountered by the project, however, is that villagers have been cultivating parts of the land for years and various layers of the site have become mixed. The team invited President Robert Kocharian to view the site in mid-November to show him the early results. He promised government support in sorting out any problems associated with the excavation. The "Gfoeller" foundation in the United States has assumed responsibility for financing the project. It has already spent about $23,000 on the excavations and expects to commit $50,000 in all before the end of the year. "If Armenia can ensure the security of the territory, then the foundation is ready to finance the excavations for the next 30 years," says archeologist Boris Gasparian, director of its Armenian branch. He believes the results of the dig so far are very promising. Avetisian is equally excited, saying: "The most original discoveries here are the stone constructions. "By finding them, we have revealed a new cultural phenomenon. We couldn't even image that such a huge complex of sacred places could have existed in Armenia during the Bronze Age," said the leader of archeologists Pavel Avetisian. Time will tell what surprises this land has yet to yield up. Photo by Karen Minasian & Courtesy of The Institute of Archeology and Ethnography ©Copyright ArmeniaWeek Nov. 30, 2001. all rights reserved. WWW.ARMENIAWEEK.COM is published by the FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY, publishers of ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE. Articles may not be published without prior consent

Boghos jan Thsi is a fine Site man i love it ":

Bad News for Cows: Khash season comes early this year http://www.armeniaweek.com/current/photos/khash_1.jpg By Ashot Gareginian ArmeniaWeek reporter Winter has come early to Armenia this year with the coldest November in recent memory. While they shiver prematurely, Armenians at least console themselves with one thought - the high season for eating Khash has come early too. Whoever has never eaten Khash cannot claim to know true Armenian cuisine. It is one of the culture's most ancient traditional dishes - and comes with its own detailed ceremonial preparation. Those of a tender disposition may wish to stop reading here. For Khash is an unusual soup made from the boiled feet and haunches of cows. As a rule, Khash is a dish saved for weekends or special occasions and its preparation has been handed down through the generations. Khash is served early in the morning at the end of 24 hours spent cleaning and cooking the ingredients. "There is a proverb devoted to genuine Khash eaters," says Radik Khachatrian, director of Vernatoun restaurant in Yerevan. "They are asleep by 10 am because they start to eat Khash at 7 am and afterwards they need time to digest quietly what they ate. Khash is exceptionally filling." Besides, would anyone want to go anywhere with a stomach full of the warmest broth and breath fragrant with the smell of garlic and pickled green pepper? So how to prepare Khash? First the feet and haunches must be washed thoroughly - and any hair shaved off - before being soaked for around six hours in water that is changed every two hours. Then they are boiled for at least eight hours, turning slowly into glutinous cholesterol-packed soup. The softened flesh of the cows' feet and haunches adds to its appeal. When it's ready, Khash is served into bowls, flavoured with salt and garlic, and thickened with the national bread, lavash. Pieces of lavash are placed in the bowl until the broth is almost entirely soaked up, turning the Khash into a filling semi-solid meal. Side dishes of radish and pickled cucumbers add variety to the feast. And what is Khash without vodka, drunk in a series of toasts to the occasion? Popular belief attributes a number of miraculous properties to Khash. For example, it is said to have a sobering effect on those who have drunk too much - perhaps that's why Khash is offered to guests on the third day of Armenian wedding celebrations. Many prominent Armenian men were lovers of Khash, among them the poet Eghishe Charents and the architect Rafael Israelian. Present-day fans include Russian demagogue Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party. Tradition has it that Khash should only be eaten in months with an 'r' in them, like oysters. In practice, Armenians wait until the weather turns cold before the Khash-eating season begins. The dish is an acquired taste, one many Armenians are happy to pass up. But for enthusiasts, the first cold spell is a time dripping with gastronomic anticipation. As warming as the Sun, as clear as a tear, as strong as an embrace - a good Khash, they say between mouthfuls, has all of these qualities. Photos by Karen Minasian ©Copyright ArmeniaWeek Nov. 30, 2001. all rights reserved. WWW.ARMENIAWEEK.COM is published by the FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY, publishers of ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE. Articles may not be published without prior consent. http://www.armeniaweek.com/current/photos/khash_2.jpg

Shnorhakal em Boghos jan

Pan-Armenian Charity Cites Progress In Artsax Road Project By Anna Saghabalian The All-Armenian Fund Hayastan hopes to complete the ongoing construction of a strategic highway in Nagorno-Artsax, its single largest project yet, within the next two years, executive director Vahan Ter-Ghevondian said on Wednesday. The 160-kilometer road passing through rugged terrain is meant to link northern and southern parts of Artsax. Work on the $25 million project began last year, with 30 kilometers already built. Ghevondian told reporters that the fund has raised $2 million this year and needs another $17 million to complete the project. He said the collected funds will enable Hayastan to build a new ten-kilometer stretch of what the Artsax and Armenian authorities call a strategic road. Ghevondian said the fund has decided against holding this year an annual telethon in Los Angeles, its crucial source of revenue, because of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. He added that the worsened outlook for the US economy has already kept some Armenian-American donors from taking part in Hayastan’s fund-raising activities. Founded in 1992 by then president Levon Ter-Petrossian, the charity has spent more than $70 million on various infrastructure projects in Armenia and Artsax.

Armenian Earthquake Zone ‘Will Be Rebuilt In 2002’ By Atom Markarian Minister for Urban Development David Lokian pledged on Wednesday that Armenia’s northwestern regions devastated by a catastrophic earthquake in 1988 will be completely rebuilt before the end of next year. Lokian told a news conference that the implementation of a three-year government plan on the reconstruction of houses and public infrastructure in the Lori and Shirak provinces is proceeding on schedule, with about $30 million spent this year. He said the government will raise an additional $60 million to provide the remaining 14,000 families with housing next year. The program on the earthquake zone worth a total of $150 million was launched at the beginning of last year. The bulk of the money is to come from external sources, including the US government and leading Diaspora charities. Official figures cited by Lokian show that nearly 2,000 families that were made homeless by the disaster have settled in new houses and apartments this year. Just over half of those families, living in the northern cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor, have acquired new apartments under a $15 million housing scheme funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The USAID has been underwriting the purchase of apartments by those families who obtain special housing certificates from aid officials. The scheme has been praised by President Robert Kocharian who made the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas a major theme of his election campaign in 1998. A considerable part of the ongoing construction work, $15 million, is financed by the Lincy Foundation of Armenian-American billionaire Kirk Kerkorian. Other major contributors are the US Huntsman Corporation and the All-Armenian Fund Hayastan. Armenia will mark on Friday the 13th anniversary of the quake which killed some 25,000 people and left hundreds of thousands without shelter.

WHAT IS POPULAR IN MASS MEDIA? Many processes that took place in Armenia during the ten years of independence influenced the local mass media immensely. The freedom of mass media and freedom of speech gained new meaning in Armenia. Today Armenian residents can chose among huge variety of TV channels, radio broadcasts and newspapers. The supply is of course great, but does it fit the needs of the audience- this is the question now. For finding out an answer to this question the Public Opinion Research Center of the Information and publication department under Armenian government carries out surveys every three months. The results of the polls are being announced at the ‘Opinion’ program of the national radio channel, and according to the needs and wishes of the audience the programs of TV and radio are being changed or replaced. The polls are being carried out in Yerevan and the provinces. The surveys aiming to find out opinions of people about mass media are important because the mass media are working for wide masses of society, and if they do not meet the demands of people they will have no audience. The research carried out by the Public Opinion Research Center gives the following interesting details. According to the center big popularity enjoy entertainment weeklies- Eter, Efir, TV channel, 02- i.e. which contain interesting news, crosswords, shocking criminal stories, anecdotes, humor. Newspapers containing political, economic and cultural news are moved to the background. So the daily newspapers are on the second place. Most readable dailies in Armenia are Aravot (39,4%), Daily Azg (32,4%), Hayastani Hanrapetutyun (29,4%), Hayots Ashkharh (24%). The fifth in the top list is Daily Erkir. The majority of the respondents (90,1%) said that they watch TV as a source of information, 48% pointed out radio, and only 26,4 said they read newspapers. It is clear form the poll that most part of the population receives political, cultural and other information via TV broadcasts. In frontier communities TV is the best and cheapest way of receiving information. Among the news broadcasts on TV the most popular ones are the public channel’s “Haylur’ program (77,2%), second comes ‘Lraber’ news program of Prometheus channel. Third is ‘Orakarg’ informational-analytic program, the audience of which is 47 percent. Interesting is the fact that many respondents said they watch the programs but are not sure in the objectivity of the news. The research showed that soap operas also enjoy big popularity. Reporters of different TV channels, radio and newspapers were also surveyed on this issue. Most of them watch TV (88,7%), second information source for the mass media workers is press (78,4%) and third is radio (35,9%). By Marlena Hovsepian © Copyright AZG

KAREKIN II MEETS WITH TECAHERS OF RELIGION On December 2, the day following the Feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew Apostles, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, had a meeting with teachers teaching religion at the Sunday-Schools functioning in various Dioceses of Armenia. The meeting took place at the large hall inside the Catholicosal Residence. On the eve, His Holiness, when paying a visit to the Diocese of Syounik to consecrate the newly built Church of St. Mesrob Mashtots of Kapan, had had a meeting with the teachers of religion of Syounik Diocese. This meeting, which has already become a tradition, is organized since the period of the ministry of the late Catholicos Karekin I The Armenian Pontiff, of blessed memory, proclaimed the day of the Feast of St. Thaddeus and St.Bartholomew Apostles as the day of Sunday-School teachers and Christian education dedicated to Christian preaching and apostolic mission. It is already several years that the Feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew Apostles is being celebrated solemnly. Teachers of religion, coming from various parts of Armenia, receive the blessing of His Holiness and return to their Dioceses strengthened by prayers recited at the Holy Place of Descent of the Only Begotten Son of God. The students of Sunday-Schools had organized a moving concert program and sang spiritual hymns and songs during the meeting.n Chamber orchestra and violinists' quartette of the Center for Christian Education and Preaching of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin also participated in the concert program. © Copyright AZG

ST. MESROB MASHTOTS CHURCH CONSECRATED IN KAPAN On December 1, early in the morning, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, left for the Diocese of Syounik to consecrate the newly built Church of St. Mesrob Mashtots in Kapan. The Church of St. Mesrob Mashtots is the first church in the town of Kapan, which was founded during the period of the soviet rule. Blessing of the church foundation by Catholicos Karekin I, of blessed memory, had taken place still in 1996. The local authorities of Syounik region, with the support of the local faithful flock, had undertaken the sponsorship of the church construction. His Holiness first consecrated the Holy Altar of the Church, after which His Grace Bp. Abraham Mkrtchian, the Primate of Syounik Diocese, consecrated the baptistery basin. Very Rev. Fr. Derenik Davtian, the Vicar General of Gegharkounik Diocese, accompanied by the diocesan clergy, attended the ceremony of consecration. Mr. Edik Baghdassarian, the Governor of Syounik region, Mr. Souren Abrahamian, the ex-Governor of Syounik region, Mayors of the towns of Kapan, Goris and Sissian, deputies, state officials, numerous faithful people attended the ceremony. Following the ceremony, turning to the people of Kapan, who had assembled in the courtyard, His Grace Bp. Abraham Mkrtchian said: "Let this church from now on become the place of your faith, your culture and your national feelings. This is our national home, our national church which has guided our people for many centuries."Afterwards His Holiness gave his pontifical blessing and message to the people in attendance. "The church of Kapan is perhaps the first church, that was built by means of your honest earning, the personal tribute of each of you. We believe that you will create the model of this Church in your souls, so that each Armenian should live in the spirit of St. Mesrob and entirely devote his life to the well-fare and prosperity of his Motherland and his nation," said His Holiness. His Holiness expressed appreciation to the Diocesan Primate and all those who made their contribution in the construction of the church. On that occasion His Holiness handed pontifical letters of appreciation to Mr. Edik Baghdassarian, the present Governor of Syounik region, and Mr. Souren Abrahamian, the ex-Governor. On the occasion of consecration His Holiness presented to the church a chalice.The ceremony of the consecration was concluded by a concert program. © Copyright AZG

ARMEN NAVASARDIAN AWARDED LEBANESE NATIONAL ORDER OF CEDAR On completing his diplomatic tour in Lebanon, Armenia's extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador Armen Navasardian paid farewell visits to the president of Lebanon General Emile Lahoud, parliament chairman Nabih Berri and prime minister Rafik Harirri. According to the Armenian foreign affairs ministry public relations department, the leadership of Lebanon highly praised the present situation of the Armenian-Lebanese friendly relations and expressed willingness to further develop bilateral co-operation in the political, cultural, economic, military and other areas. The president Emile Lahoud awarded Armen Navasardian the National Order of Cedar for his contribution to the development of the Armenian-Lebanese relations. The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I for his part awarded Armen Navasardian the Medal of Cilician Knight, while the Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Paul XIX a medal of St. Mesrop for supporting the Armenia-Diaspora relations and the Armenian community of Lebanon. © Copyright AZG

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM BRITISH AIRWAYS ARMENIA Two thousand deprived children in Armenia are set to enjoy a Christmas celebration, thanks to the generosity of our customers and to the efforts of British Airways and British Mediterranean Airways staff, backed by travel agents in the former Soviet republic. The campaign, promoted by the charity World Vision, is aimed at raising $3,000 to pay for a Christmas dinner, for music, games and gifts. It involves British Airways sales staff and travel agents who sell our tickets asking passengers to donate $2 with each ticket they purchase. The effort has been aided by collecting boxes placed at the Yerevan Airport and town offices of British Airways. One British Airways client donated $100. Even client paying excess baggage charges are being urged to contribute the same amount, which will go into the fund to provide the Christmas treats for the children, from the area of Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, who live in orphanages or are mentally or physically handicapped. British Airways staff have also made personal donations, and crews on the aircraft of franchise partner British Mediterranean Airways which operates the Armenia-London route, who have donated clothes, toys and sweets for Armenian orphanages, will lay on special consignments to be given to the children at the dinner. Dougie Douglas, our Commercial Manager Armenia, Georgia, Khyrgizia and Turkmenistan, said, “We are really delighted to have the opportunity to work at raising these funds for such a deserving cause. “The staff have taken this mission to heart, and they are doing all they can to see that the funds are raised. “We are also particularly grateful to the travel agents for taking up their role in helping to provide the Christmas dinner.” The campaign, once achieved, it to be followed by staff of the airline backing another World Vision project aimed at providing all children in the area of Gyumri with a proper school lunch throughout the winter. British Airways Armenia will also be seeking to provide a soup kitchen for the children over weekends, making sure vegetables are bought from the local region, and thereby backing the economy of the area. © Copyright AZG

NEW INVITATIONS FOLLOW SUCCESSFUL TOURS OF ARMENIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS The Armenian State Chamber Orchestra is back from the USA, where it successfully performed at the New York Alice Hall. The head of the orchestra Armen Arabian said the performances passed in full halls. He said that they had to play 6 encores. The orchestra received invitations to go on tours to San Francisco and Fresno. As Mr. Arabian said, this year was an important one for the orchestra as it has performed in 7 different countries of the world and received new invitations.

OFFICES OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH COMMITTEE ON RECONCILIATION TO BE SET UP IN New York, YEREVAN AND ANKARA 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the meeting of the committee on reconciliation that took place in New York in November, at discussion on the regulations an agreement to set up ATCR offices in the USA, Armenia and Turkey was achieved. According to "Azg" newspaper a decision to create committee's Iternet site with information regarding the activities of this committee is made. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

ACCORDING TO ARABIAN SOURCES AGREEMENT ON MILITARY SUPPLIES TO AZERBAIJAN BY ISRAEL ACHIEVED AT THE SECRET TALKS 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to «Muari» newspaper issued in Beirut, recently secret talks between the representatives of military authorities of Israel and Azerbaijan have taken place in Arkara. The newspaper keeps informed that the result of the talks is the agreement of the delivery of a hundred of «Merkawa» tanks and thirty warplanes to Azerbaijan by Tel Aviv. Besides Baku expects to receive a part of old defense technology which utilization problem Tel Aviv will have after completion of the modernization of defense technology that has already started. Russian, Irani and Turkmen experts in the arming sphere do not cover their worries with the fact that further militarization of Azerbaijan will result in the breach of agreements on quotas and flank restrictions of usual arms in Europe.Such fears, particularly, have been expressed by «Nezavisimaya gazeta» Russian newspaper stating that the observed process might «provoke tension of the old and the rise of new conflicts». Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

SPEAKING AT THE MEETING OF OSCE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS VARDAN OSKANYAN HAS EMPHASIZED Artsax HAS FLAWLESS LEGAL BASIS FOR INDEPENDENCE 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday the meeting of the Committee of the ministers of the OSCE, at which Armenia's foreign minister spoke, finished its work. In his speech the minister emphasized that Nagorno Artsax's withdrawal from the Soviet Azerbaijan's structure had been realized taking into account all the procedures provided for by the law so the Nagorno Artsax's right for independence could not be contested by anyone. Oskanyan noted that the official Baku's appeals to the territorial integrity principle are completely groundless, as Artsax had never been a part of independent Azerbaijan. Armenia's foreign minister confirmed the readiness of Yerevan and Stepanakert for compromises. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

TALKS OF CYPRUS PRESIDENT WITH HEAD OF TURKISH SEPARATISTS CONTROLLING NORTH OF ISLAND NOT CROWNED WITH SUCCESS 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday the talks between the President of Cyprus Glavkos Kliridis and the leader of the Turkish separatists controlling the north of the island Rauf Denktash took place. The initiator of the meeting was the head of so called " Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", declared after the occupation of the part of the island by Turkish army. Last time President of the country and the leader of the separatists met four years ago. The one-hour conversation did not have any results. But the country's head and the leader of the separatists agreed that they would meet next year January to continue the dialog on the united Cyprus structure. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

BAKU ALLEGES "ARMENIAN LOBBY" BRIBED WORLD BANK NOT TO GIVE CREDITS TO AZERBAIJAN 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan Avez Alekperov has made a sensational statement. In his words, there are some forces in the World Bank that work in favor of Armenian lobby and hamper giving credits to Azerbaijan. He did not name anyone concretely. The interest of the World Bank to Azerbaijan has really decreased recently. Because of the failure in implementing the poverty reduction program by the Government payment of the next trench credit SAC-2 to the country is being retarded. Baku considers this delay to be the consequence of "Armenian intrigues" in the reality. Meanwhile the Armenian Government does not connect the delay of the trench credit SAC-4 payment promised by the WB to Armenia with "Azeri intrigues." The Baku press is worried by the present situation and writes that the problems emerged through the fault of "the pro-Armenian elements hidden in the depths of the World Bank" can cause failure to carry out the year 2002 budget. Baku authorities threaten that if the WB does not change its policy towards Azerbaijan it will refuse the bank credits and will sever relationships with it. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

CONGRESSMEN KNOLLENBERG AND PALLONE ASK U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE TO URGE TURKEY TO REMOVE BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA 05.12.2001 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) have addressed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell calling to urge Turkish authorities to lift its blockade of Armenia in the course of his coming visit to Ankara. The letter in particular noted that "Turkey has not reciprocated the good faith efforts of Armenia relative to the Reconciliation Commission". Commenting the Congressmen's letter to the State Secretary Armenian Assembly Executive Director John Jamian agreed with the Co-Chairs that International Monetary Fund assistance to Turkey and Turkey's accession to European Union should be conditioned upon lifting its blockade, establishing diplomatic relations and finally coming to terms with the Armenian Genocide." Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

VatJan

Azat Jan ham@ chem nayum urraki ushadir nayum yev hetevum em, stugum em amen or vor chpchana. ba im baxts el espes a. Hayi Baxt

ALL EU INSTITUTIONS TAKE STAND AGAINST BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA For the first time, all EU institutions have over the least two months taken a clear stand against the blockade of Armenia by Turkey. The establishment of diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries is now considered both as a pre-condition to Turkey joining the European Union and to some extent as a pre-requisite to conflict resolution in the Caucasus. The most notable of these statements is that adopted by the Council of EU Foreign Ministers, which concluded a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian (on 30/10/01) by stating that they the EU remains convinced that regional prosperity and stability are best served by removing barriers to trade and exchange, and it attaches particular importance to the opening up of the borders’ between Armenia on the one hand, and Turkey and Azerbaijan on the other. This statement complements an earlier statement made to the Parliament in which a representative of the EU Council stated to that “cooperation between the EU and Armenia is part of the “acquis communautaire” which Turkey will have to adopt.” The European Commission, furthermore, confirmed in its 2001 report on Turkey’s progress towards accession (13/11/01) that Turkey’s closure of the border with Armenia is contrary to EU legislation and thus constitutes an obstacle to its accession to the Union. This position has also been reaffirmed in the European Parliament’s resolution on Turkey’s progress towards accession (adopted 25/10/01). But the Parliamentary partnership and cooperation committee, whose members are Armenian and European Parliamentarians, produced the most explicit statement so far on November 20, welcoming “all efforts in good faith to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey and particularly underlines the need for early arrangements to be taken at the level of governments, calls for Ankara to reopen its borders with Armenia in line with its commitment as a candidate for EU membership, and as a sign of sincerity by Turkey in regard to European cooperation”. Debate on the blockade of Armenia by Turkey has emerged among the EU institutions as a result of the deepening dialogue between Turkey and the European Union. It has further gained in relevance with the debate on a “Stability Pact for the Caucasus”, an idea launched by the Turkish government. At a prominent conference on the Stability Pact organized jointly in Brussels by Turkish Think-Tank TESEV and Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies, Turkish policy towards Armenia emerged as one of the principle obstacles to an enhanced role for Turkey in the region. The European Union’s stance on the question of Armenian-Turkish relations is crucial in unblocking the situation in the region, and in impressing upon Turkey to reconsider its aggressive policy towards this small country. Since the EU accepted Turkey’s candidacy in 1999, it has set in place an “enhanced dialogue”, and is pushing for comprehensive reforms in Turkey. No other external power is therefore able to help reshape Turkish policy as the EU can do. The European Parliament has had a seminal role in generating this debate. The debate has yet a long way to go however. While each of the institution has now established its position on the issue, it is still overshadowed by more high-profile questions such as Turkey’s occupation on northern Cyprus, the democratic transition and the continued widespread violation of human rights in Turkey. It should furthermore be noted that while relations between Armenia and Turkey have now emerged as an issue in their own right, the question of the Armenian genocide is still off the agenda of the EU Council and Commission. © Copyright AZG

KARABAGHI PRESIDENT INVITES OSCE MISSION FOR PUTTING AN END TO AZERBAIJANI MISINFORMATION On the eve of the OSCE ministers’ council meeting, which started in Bucharest December 3, the president of Nagorno-Karabagh Arkady Ghukasian sent messages to OSCE president Mirca Joana, as well as to OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen Nickolay Gribkov (Russia), Philip d’Sureman (France) and Rudolf Perina (USA). According to the president’s press office, the letters are connected with the non-stopping campaign Azerbaijan is carrying out for discrediting Karabagh. The campaign is deliberately accusing Karabagh in training terrorists, transferring drugs, using Karabagh’s territory for burying nuclear wastes etc. In the letter addressed to Mirca Joana it is particularly underlined that the Azeri side actually rejects the agreements concluded between Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents during Paris and Key West negotiations, and undertakes steps which oppose OSCE’s principles of Karabagh conflict’s peaceful regulation and not using the military way for solving the conflict. Arkady Ghukasian especially stressed the fact that the bellicose announcements of Azeri authorities and their anti-Armenian propaganda create obstacles for the quick adjustment of the conflict. Karabaghi president noted that this policy only deepens the mutual distrust of the conflict sides and delays the establishment of stability and peace in the region. It is also noted in the message that although the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen disagreed with all the accusation of Azeri side directed towards Karabagh, the Karabaghi side applies to the president of OSCE – asking to form a delegation of OSCE diplomats and dispatching it to Karabagh for getting acquainted with the situation existing in all the spheres in Karabagh on the spot. ‘I hope that despite the opposition of the Azeri side, which usually hampers the dispatching of international missions to Nagorno-Karabagh and allows the Azeri authorities to easily misinform the international society, our proposal will have a positive response and will be implemented in short period of time’,- reads the letter of Karabaghi president. In the letters sent to the Minsk group co-chairmen Arkady Ghukasian asked them to contribute in every possible way to sending such a delegation to Karabagh. © Copyright AZG

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 10 PERCENT Unemployment level in Armenia was 10 percent as for December 1,2001, social security ministry said, a 1.1 percent fall against the same period of time last year. The total number of employed people in the last 12 months has decreased by 17,000. Employment and labor centers explain this by the fall in the number of people applying for centers. They argue that many people are concealed behind the so-called "hidden employment," which is outside the tax authorities' control. According to official studies, 2.2 percent of the unemployed find jobs in private and state-owned companies. Many people also prefer quitting their jobs because of very low wages. The unemployment allowance is 3,900 Armenian Drams, approximately$7 a month. According to official figures, the economically active population stands at 2 million, 100,000. © Copyright AZG

TURKEY CONCERNED WITH LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN GEORGIA BUCHAREST, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Turkey's foreign affairs minister Ismail Cem said his country was concerned with the latest developments in neighboring Georgia. According to the press department of the OSCE, Cem announced about this during a session of the OSCE Ministers Council in Bucharest, Romania, which is holding currently the rotating post of the OSCE chairmanship. Cem was quoted as saying that Turkey defends territorial integrity, sovereignty and political unity of Georgia. "Turkey is sure that with the assistance of the international community Georgia will be able to overcome the current problems," Cem said. Meantime the Georgian Prime News agency has said that an opinion poll on its Internet site revealed that 57.2 percent of Georgians were for equal development of relations with Russia and USA.

HAMAZGAIN THEATER GROUP WINS AWARD IN IRAN YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: In the Third International Theatrical Festival of Persian World, which took place in the city of Shush in Iran's Khuzistan region, the Hamazgayin Theater of Armenia, led by prominent actor Sos Sargsian, won the Grand Prize with a play entitled "Perhaps We'll Be Saved," directed by David Hakobian. The Hamazgayin Theater of Armenia was the only group representing a Christian country, out of the 17 theatrical groups participating in the festival. Iranian press praised the Armenian theatrical group, highly appreciating the prolific performances by the actors and the ingenious direction as well as the contents and casting.