MJ

Reported in the Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal, the following are questions actually asked of witnesses by attorneys during trials and, in certain cases, the responses given by insightful witnesses: 1. "Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?" 2. "The youngest son, the twenty-year old, how old is he?" 3. "Were you present when your picture was taken?" 4. "Were you alone or by yourself?" 5. "Was it you or your younger brother who was killed in the war?" 6. "Did he kill you?" 7. "How far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?" 8. "You were there until the time you left, is that true?" 9. "How many times have you committed suicide?" 10. Q: "So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?" A: "Yes." Q: "And what were you doing at that time?" 11. Q: "She had three children, right?" A: "Yes." Q: "How many were boys?" A: "None." Q: "Were there any girls?" 12. Q: "You say the stairs went down to the basement?" A: "Yes." Q: "And these stairs, did they go up also?" 13. Q: "Mr. Slatery, you went on a rather elaborate honeymoon, didn't you? A: "I went to Europe, sir." Q: "And you took your new wife?" 14. Q: "How was your first marriage terminated?" A: "By death." Q: "And by whose death was it terminated?" 15. Q: "Can you describe the individual?" A: "He was about medium height and had a beard." Q: "Was this a male or female?" 16. Q: "Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?" A: "No, this is how I dress when I go to work." 17. Q: "Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?" A: "All my autopsies are performed on dead people." 18. Q: "All your responses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?" A: "Oral." 19. Q: "Do you recall the time that you examined the body?" A: "The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m." Q: "And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?" A: "No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy." 20. Q: "You were not shot in the fracas?" A: "No, I was shot midway between the fracas and the naval." 21. Q: "Are you qualified to give a urine sample?" A: "I have been since early childhood." 22. Q: "Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?" A: "No." Q: "Did you check for blood pressure?" A: "No." Q: "Did you check for breathing?" A: "No." Q: "So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?" A: "No." Q: "How can you be so sure, doctor?" A: "Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar." Q: "But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?" A: "It is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere." 23. Q: What is your date of birth? A: July 15th. Q: What year? A: Every year. 24. Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact? A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks. 25. Q: How old is your son, the one living with you. A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which. Q: How long has he lived with you? A: Forty-five years. 26. Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke that morning? A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?" Q: And why did that upset you? A: My name is Susan. 27. Q: Where was the location of the accident? A: Approximately milepost 499. Q: And where is milepost 499? A: Probably between milepost 498 and 500. 28. Q: Sir, what is your IQ? A: Well, I can see pretty well, I think. 29. Q: Did you blow your horn or anything? A: After the accident? Q: Before the accident. A: Sure, I played for ten years. I even went to school for it. 30. Q: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in the voodoo or occult? A: We both do. Q: Voodoo? A: We do. Q: You do? A: Yes, voodoo.

I don't think so. But it sure may cause serious problems to the entire Armenian economy, if the deal is as sloppy as with ArmenTel. For example, one of the American giants of power industry - the TXU, owns major part of the UK system, parts of Australian system, and currently is bidding for similar systems in other European countries. Apparently those countries have not found these actions threatening their national security. As always, Armenians are frequently more Catholic in this issue than the Pope. The ownership of the system is one issue, but the regulations are another. In the united states there are at least two regulatory bodies Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and National Energy Reliability Council (NERC), which regulate the market, and impose constraints for the purpose of guarantying the reliability and the stability of the system, as well as the open access to the system. There are problems because of the bad regulatory judgments exercised by the states, but it is primarily created by the incompetence of the state governments (like California).

Oz, But what is wrong with the Armenian government's current policy? I think it is a very balanced one. Don't you think so? Why do you have the opposite impression? We (whether Armenian government or Armenian people), are not talking about the Armenian casualties in the WWI. We don't even know the number of Armenian casualties in the WWI. When referring to the Genocide, we are referring to the attemt of systematic annihilation of the Armenian nation – the peaceful and loyal Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire, perpetrated by the Turkish government of the time. I know that the Turkish casualties of WWI have been more than 1 million, of which about 600,000 have been from different diseases. We have had pretty intensive discussions in our forum on this subject. So that you have a better feel of where we stand, maybe you could read our discussions at http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000082&p=1]http://arme nians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000082&p=1]http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...10&t=000082&p=1 http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000064]http://armenians.co m/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000064]http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000064 http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000108]http://armenians.co m/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000108]http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000108 http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000102]http://armenians.co m/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000102]http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000102 as well as the materials at http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000093?]http://armenians.c om/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000093]http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093://http://armenians.com/cgi-bin/forum/...c&f=10&t=000093 ? [ April 18, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

Oz, I don't see how getting emotional in this matter can help. We are very open to your arguments, and would appreciate if you can express them in an orderly manner. What exactly you want us to recognize? Would be good if you can formulate precisely all your allegations, try to be as factual as you can, and may perhaps use statements formulated in bullet points. Then, we will go through them together. What corresponds to our understanding - ewe will accept. What doesn't correspond to it - we will ask you to deliberate further. Otherwise your statements are too general, and while they may have some merit, perhaps, the way you have formulated them sound very inaccurate to me.

Artsax Leader Meets With US Congressmen YEREVAN (combined sources)--Artsax President Arkady Ghoukasian, said on April 17, that conditions are ripe for a decisive breakthrough in the settlement of the conflict with Azerbaijan, following the recent flurry of diplomatic activity by international mediators. "Favorable conditions for the conflict settlement have now been created, and the great powers' interest in the peaceful settlement of the conflict and in the establishment of stability in the region is quite obvious. The parties' interests also coincide, and they are sure that the problem is impossible to solve in a military way. I think that we have a real opportunity to settle the conflict. I am optimistic," Ghoukasian told a visiting group of US Congressional aides in Stepanakert. Ghoukasian's remarks followed similarly upbeat statements by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan who, earlier this month, held four-day intensive peace talks in Florida, sponsored by the US, Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliev told reporters over the weekend that he is "very pleased" with the results of the negotiations and his subsequent meeting in the White House with President George Bush. Though no breakthrough has been announced yet, the parties now appear to be closer to hammering out a peace deal than ever before. The mediators have said that they will draft a new peace plan on Artsax, based on agreements reached in Key West, Florida, in time for the next round of negotiations due in Geneva next June. Official Stepanakert has repeatedly made it clear that any peace deal that might be signed by Aliev and Kocharian would need its approval. The visit of top US politicians was organized and sponsored by the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). During their stay, the guests were informed of the restoration works during the post-war period in Stepanakert. The guests also held a number of meetings with representatives of humanitarian organizations operating in the NKR and visited several medical establishments. During a meeting with the president, the guests pointed out the serious progress in eliminating the aftermath of the war. In his turn, Ghoukasian addressed his thanks to the US Congress for the financial assistance and moral support to the people of Artsax. He pointed out that the states of the region are interconnected, therefore no serious economic progress is possible in any individual state. "Equal development of the whole region should be ensured. As regards to our country, due to the implementation of the current programs, Artsax may find its worthy place in the region's economic system," the NKR president said. According to him, a favorable atmosphere for investments was created: relevant legislation and government guarantees are the achievements the NKR has gained during the last few years.

Why do you think that Ottoman Government decided to relocate Armenians after peaceful centuries? What was the reason for that? Yes, there was a reason. Feel free to give us your opinion, and we will go from there. We have already discussed this issue in our forum in the past with some other Turkish guys. But I, personally, don’t mind to start it over. If they decided to kill all Armenians why didn't they started in Istanbul? Wouldn't be easier? It would’ve been too visible. Nevertheless, the killings have started in Istanbul. The date of April 24th that we commemorate is associated with the date when in excess of three thousand Armenian intellectuals residing in Istanbul have been arrested on bogus charges and executed – thus beheading the Armenian population of Ottoman Empire. If you don't accept the fact that also Turks were killed by Armenians at that time, how can we communicate? It would be naïve to expect that Turks have not been killed by Armenians. But we should communicate, indeed, so that we can understand who (which Armenians) have killed them, how many Turks have been killed in the hands of Armenians, in what circumstances, when, etc. Overall, what has been the scale of Armenian killings, and who is responsible for it? Do you think Armenian deads are more important than Turks? No. I we don't. At least we shouldn't. But many of us don’t know what you are referring too, as much as many Turks would be in dismay when we would tell them that the Turkish government of the time has organized systematic annihilation of Armenians. Welcome to the forum again, Oz. Feel free to express yourself. We are eager to hear your perspective on all these issues.

In traditional Armenian families, fathers’ primary role has been providing for the family, and pretending that he runs the household. They have not been very close with the children, as it has been considered as a breach of authority. Much of that has been sort of a play. Not that they have not felt tenderly for their children, but it has been the norm – the father has to pretend to be tough, you should not show any, or at least, much emotions. Traditionally, however, Armenian men have felt enormous responsibility for their family and children. In my view, this motto of “no emotions” is wrong. Fathers should be as tender with their children as the mothers are, and they have to show it. Their authority has to be manifested not through the “toughness,” but the ability to earn respect. With all this, I think that the major chunk of responsibilities, and the major function in the family (beyond the earning function), in healthy families, at least, has belonged to the mothers. Mothers have been the axis of the family, and they have been the leaders of the family (not explicitly). Most of the functions have been delegated to the mothers by the good fathers/husbands. In our days, the role of the exclusive “earner” of fathers is changing in the society in different ways and for different reasons (for example, in Armenia, due to the high levels of unemployment and low wages). I expect this would imply tremendous changes in the fabric of Armenian families. I don’t know how would fathers cope with this over the long run. But I am sure that it will become (if it hasn’t already become) a source of huge psychological complex for Armenian men. This complex may be manifested in many different ways in the spectrum from the lack of desire to get married in the first palce, to domestic violence. Nevertheless, I think the women have to do their best to establish themselves as independent personalities before their marriage. If they have such personality before the marriage, the will maintain it throughout the marriage regardless of who earns for living. Clearly, there may also be significant differences with respect to fathers’ posture in the family, whether they have female children or male. Clearly, if you have daughters, your style of their upbringing, and the amount of functions delegated to your wife would be much greater then if you had sons. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is that the children have the feeling that their father loves them, they are there for them, and they are fair and honest with them. In my view, from certain age of children, the family relations have to be one of a partnership, rather than hierarchy. Children appreciate it, it makes them more responsible people, and they feel important and respected. And if children don’t feel respected, they are not going to respect. The worst thing to give them is a feeling of fear, which in some Armenian families has been the norm. But the most important thing to have in the family is an atmosphere of partnership between the father and the mother. If this relationship is in place, it doesn’t matter who seems on the surface to be delegated with what functions and powers. To summarize, I think healthy fathers’ role (beyond earning) in the family has to be to raise children as if they are partners in the family. Obviously, that starts from the partnership with their wives, as mentioned above.

Ara, Just as a side note, the Gulbenkian fund is operated by non-Armenians for very long time, now.

Well, Berj, I know what you mean. But Russia didn't want or plan to do it. It was just the natural development of history, I think.

Chess: Akopian shares the lead with Bareev and Bacrot Armenian News Network / Groong April 16, 2001 By Khatchig Mouradian ENGHIEN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE After a day of rest, the fifth round of the Enghien-les-Bains chess tournament was played on Monday, which turned out to be a great day for Akopian.The armenian grandmaster beat one of the three leaders, Loek Van Wely, and joined Bareev and Bacrot on the top of the standings chart. During his match with Akopian, Van Wely employed an interesting strategy, which gave him the advantage, but as time control approached he let the advantage, and the match, drift away. With four rounds to go, Akopian, who is ranked 7th in this tournament, has emerged as one of the contenders for the title, and has paved the road to disproving the forecasts that at the end of the tournament his name would be somewhere in the middle of the scoreboard. Round 5 Results(April 16, 2001) Bacrot, Etienne vs. Fressinet, Laurent 1/2 -1/2 Van Wely, Loek - Akopian, Vladimir 0-1 Lautier, Joel - Grischuk, Alexander 1-0 Tkachiev, Vladislav - Bareev, Evgeny 1/2 -1/2 Bauer, Christian - Bologan, Viktor 0-1 Round 5 Standings: 1. Bareev, Evgeny g (RUS) 3.5 pts. 2. Akopian, Vladimir g (ARM) 3.5 3. Bacrot, Etienne g (FRA) 3.5 4. Van Wely, Loek g (NED) 3.0 5. Lautier, Joel g (FRA) 3.0 6. Tkachiev, Vladislav g (FRA) 2.5 7. Bauer, Christian g (FRA) 1.5 8. Fressinet, Laurent g (FRA) 1.5 9. Grischuk, Alexander g (RUS) 1.5 10. Bologan, Viktor g (MDA) 1.5 Pairings of Round 6 (17 April) Vladimir Akopian (ARM) vs. Viktor Bologan (MDA)) Evgueny Bareev (RUS) vs. Christian Bauer (FRA) Alexander Gritchouk (RUS) vs. Vladislav Tkatchiev (FRA) Laurent Fressinet (FRA) vs. Joel Lautier (FRA) Loek van Wely (NED) vs. Etienne Bacrot (FRA) The moves of the games played by Akopian in rounds 3, 4 , and 5 Enghien-les-Bains (FRA) (Round 3) Laurent Fressinet (FRA) - Vladimir Akopian (ARM) 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 h6 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6 8. Bh4 c5 9. Bc4 a6 10. O-O Be7 11. Bb3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 O-O 13. c3 Ne4 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Re1 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qc7 17. Nf3 Bd7 18. Rad1 Bb5 19. Qe5 Qxe5 20. Nxe5 Rfd8 21. a4 Be8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rc8 24. Rd4 1/2-1/2 Enghien-les-Bains (FRA) (Round 4) Vladimir Akopian (ARM) - Christian Bauer (FRA) 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nf6 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Qe2+ Be7 8. dxc5 O-O 9. Nb3 Re8 10. Be3 a6 11. Bd3 Ba4 12. Nfd4 Bxb3 13. Nxb3 Nbd7 14. O-O-O Nxc5 15. Qf3 Nxb3+ 16. axb3 Qa5 17. Kb1 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Qf4 Ne4 20. Rhe1 Rac8 21. Re2 g6 22. Rde1 Qd6 23. Qxd6 Nxd6 24. Ka2 Kf8 25. Ka3 Rxe2 26. Rxe2 Ne4 27. b4 b5 28. Kb3 Nf6 29. Re5 Re8 30. f4 Rc8 31. Be2 h5 32. g3 Rc6 33. Bf3 Rd6 34. Kc3 Rc6+ 35. Kd3 Rc4 36. c3 d4 37. Bb7 dxc3 38. bxc3 Ng4 39. Re2 Nf6 40. Bxa6 Nd5 41. Bxb5 1-0 Enghien-les-Bains (FRA) (Round 5) Loek Van Wely (NED) - Vladimir Akopian (ARM) 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nd4 4. e3 Nxf3+ 5. Qxf3 g6 6. b3 Bg7 7. Bb2 d6 8. g4 Nf6 9. g5 Nd7 10. h4 Ne5 11. Qg2 Bg4 12. Be2 Bxe2 13. Kxe2 Nc6 14. Rab1 h5 15. Nd5 O-O 16. f4 Bxb2 17. Rxb2 e6 18. Nf6+ Kg7 19. a3 Rb8 20. b4 cxb4 21. axb4 Ne7 22. Ra1 a6 23. b5 axb5 24. Rxb5 Ng8 25. Ne4 Qc7 26. d3 d5 27. cxd5 Qd7 28. Raa5 Rbc8 29. Kf3 b6 30. dxe6 Qxd3 31. Rd5 Qb1 32. Rab5 Qe1 33. Rxb6 Ne7 34. Qb2+ Kh7 35. Nf6+ Kh8 36. Nxh5+ Rc3 37. Qd2 Rxe3+ 38. Qxe3 Qxe3+ 39. Kxe3 Nxd5+ 40. Kd4 Nxb6 41. Nf6 fxe6 42. Ke5 Nd5 0-1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western Azerbaijan plagued by mice from occupied zone ANS TV April 14,2001 BAKU [Presenter] Some villages in the Azerbaijani-controlled section of Agdam District are suffering from rodents. Though local residents say that these mice are sent by the Armenians, the village authorities have a reaslistic view of the problem. [Correspondent] The remaining part of Agdam District will be occupied by mice too, this is true however strange it may sound. This is said by residents of Agdam District's Camanli village whose sown fields are being attacked by mice. They said that the village's sown land had been plagued by mice for four months and rodents had badly damaged the fields. We have to say that the village of Camanli is situated 300-500 m from Agdam District's occupied territories and the local residents think that the rodents are coming from there. [Ahmad Ahmadov captioned as a village resident] This is the situation not only in our Camanli village but in all the villages close to the frontline zone, in Zangisali-Mahrizli, Qaradagli, Afatli, Saricali and Ahmadagali villages, they [mice] destroy all the crops sown in this zone, I cannot say whether this is because of the drought or not. [Correspondent] Another theory is that the occupied territories have not been sown for eight years and therefore rodents from that zone have started coming here. Some people say that the Armenians are deliberately sending mice to Azerbaijani cultivated areas. But the fact remains. Village resident Vaqif Cavadov said that he had sown 700 kg of grain to a two-hectare area but if the situation remained he would not harvest even 100 kg of grain. [Passage omitted: the last mice invasion was in the 1960s.] The Agdam District executive authority has been informed about the situation but no measures have been taken to combat rodents in the village. The district executive authority said that not mice but gophers had invaded the cultivated areas and chemicals should be put on these areas to kill them but they had no funds to do this. The aide to the Agdam District executive authority head, Cingiz Quliyev, said that the republic's authorities should render assistance to the district to tackle the problem. Vafa Ibrahimova and Zaur Naibov, ANS from Agdam. P.S. I sort of don't know, whether I sould've posted this material in here, or in the Humor Forum. [ April 17, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

"AZG" Armenian Daily # 70, 04/17/2001 Economy WHY DO THE PEOPLE NOT FEEL THE OUTCOME OF REFORMS? The chief advisor to president Kocharian on economic affairs Vahram Nersisiants is not an Armenia born Armenian, but has already adapted himself to Armenian realities. He does not smoke cigars, he does not live in a mansion, but in an ordinary apartment and sometimes makes use of public transport, he is a frequent attendee to various public events, he does shopping in markets and so on. “I have a strong desire to know my people from inside,” Nersisiants said with an interview to Azg daily. He has been living in Armenia for already eight years, (he was the World Bank first Resident representative in Armenia from 1993-1998) and is regarded as the ideological father of Armenia’s transitional period. “The roots of our problems I see in the despotic political culture, inherited from the past, consolidation of force and its willful application . The ordinary citizens were unprotected both under the Soviets, the tzar, the sultans, because the despots could seize their property, honor and life. The consolidated force, by the way, was not only in the hands of the despots, but also in the hands of many smaller officials: governors, school inspector, sometimes in the hands of the family’s father. The poor citizen had to seek for means to make both ends meet after all these manifestations of despotism, he had to lie, to please, to steal, which, altogether create a despotic political culture, common to our immediate neighbors. The establishment of Armenian statehood cannot be considered accomplished unless we diagnose this disease and get rid of it. Q. It’s been ten years since attempts are being made to disperse that force, but people do not feel any tangible progress in their lives. A. Ten years is a short period of time next to 2000. Yes, ten years ago we started dispersing that force in different directions. The political forces through parliament, the executive power through reforms by creating private sector of economy, reforming the legal system and last but not least, by creating free press. In some places the reforms are more visible than in others. For example, in the press and parliament these changes are more conspicuous, in the executive and legal branches they are less visible. The process of dispersing this consolidated force will take much time, as long as old traditions and customs continue to live among the people. This is the reason why the progress is accompanied by recess. A change of generation is needed. Q. Therefore, you regard the created situation as normal? A. Yes. It is not possible to get rid of the heavy burden of the past in some years. Q. But there are examples of more successful changes in the post-Soviet territory. A. This exception covers the Baltic States, Poland and Czech republic in Eastern Europe. The velvet revolutions in these countries were deeper than in Armenia with complete ousting of the older ideology. Vaclav Havel in Czech republic prohibited former state officials, involved in corruption, to hold senior positions in the next 15-20 years. The case was different with us as we had Karabagh problem and the problem of national unity, arising from it. Q. When holding the post of World Bank resident representative in Armenia, you used to say that Armenia was several steps ahead of other post-Soviet republics in terms of establishment of democracy and market relations. A. I continue to think so. Armenia went to reforms quicker than any other former soviet republic, irrespective of the press and the public’s failure to assess it at this point. But since our leaders cannot act as Havel , the old nomenclature has penetrated into the new system giving rise to corruption, economic and political clan. Q. The economic reforms in the first place should address the people’s needs, the majority of which is suspicious of the reforms and does not believe that they will bring any tangible outcome in their lives. What must be done so that the people believe in reforms? A. The reforms in Armenia are more basic than in many other countries and imply big sacrifices, which, unfortunately, fall on one generation. Armenia saw a rapid economic downfall, making the people come to a conclusion that everything around them is limited, so if his neighbor gets richer it is at his expense and consequently, he must prevent others so that he does not suffer. This is called “zero sum game”. There is this psychology among Armenians. And in this situation all the assessments are strictly negative, but this will change quickly for the positive, provided there is a three-digit economic growth for several years. Q. As you worked with the former authorities as well can you draw some comparison between the former and current authorities? A. I would say that the policy of the current authorities comes to supplement that of the former ones. One should not forget that in the first years of independence the authorities had to revive the substructures and save the country from collapse, to create private sector and favorable legislation. And it was done. The policy of current president Kocharian lies in the attraction of foreign investments, to secure economic growth, create new jobs, increase in incomes and improvement of life. But it takes time and professional and honest realization. Q. Can you list briefly president Kocharian’s main achievements in economic policy? A. First, economic stability and its maintenance, second, development and prosperity of the private sector, third, economic growth (6percent annually). This year Armenia has a two-digit economic growth in many sectors and 28 percent growth in export volumes. If the political stability is maintained I think by the end of the year we shall have a ten-percent economic growth. If this speed is maintained for several years the positive outcome of the reforms will be tangible for all layers of the society and the quality of live will significantly improve. Gayane Mukoyan

Azerbaijani President Satisfied With Key West Results BAKU (RFE/RL)--Azerbaijan's President Heydar Aliev said over the weekend that he is satisfied with the latest round of negotiations with Armenia over Nagorno-Artsax, described by international mediators as a significant step towards a peaceful settlement. In his first public comments on the results of the peace talks in Florida, Aliev appeared to share Armenian leaders' cautious optimism about the possibility of a breakthrough in the peace process. "Everything is alright," the Azeri leader was quoted by Turan news agency as telling reporters in Baku upon his return from the United States late on Saturday. Aliev, 77, ended his two-week stay in the US with a medical examination at a clinic in Ohio. His Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, on Tuesday gave a positive assessment to the four-day "proximity talks" in Key West, Florida earlier this month with Russian, American and French negotiators acting under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Kocharian said he looks forward to the next round of talks due in Geneva next June. Aliev declined to comment on Kocharian's assertion that new peace proposals currently prepared by the mediating troika will be in tune with the Armenian position on how to end the Artsax conflict. Some Azerbaijani politicians have accused Yerevan of breaching the confidentiality of the talks. Aliev, however, said Kocharian's statement "will not damage the future negotiations." Aliev's son and most likely successor, Ilham, told reporters on Friday that Baku is ready to grant Artsax the "highest degree of autonomy," or a status similar to that enjoyed by the Republic of Tatarstan within the Russian Federation.

Welcome to the forum, Oz. Hope we'll engage in constructive discussions, and learn more about each other.

Berj, I cannot question your facts. But how do they imply that Armenia was built by Russia?

Alpha, the chronological overlap of the environmental and Karabagh demonstrations has been of accidental character. They were not coordinated. I agree with many of your observations. However, have some small disagreements. You say: “… in 1988 Soviet Union turned from a defender of Armenian nation from Turkish threat to a collaborator with Turks.” I think that USSR has never been defender of Armenia from the Turkish threat. First, because there would’ve been no Turkish threat to Armenia, if it was not for Russia. Secondly, it has never been the USSR’s agenda to defend Armenia. That can be read even when studying the Tactical Defense Concept of the Soviet Army – the task of the Soviet Army dislocated in Armenia was to resist the “advancing NATO army (read Turkish Army)” for 8 minutes. The real resistance was to take place just south of Krasnodar, i.e. Armenia has been (and remains) a buffer zone for Russia. I consider Zory Balayan and Silva Kaputikyan to be two of the most disgusting representatives of Soviet Armenian nomenclature intelligentsia – especially Balayan. As the Armenian saying goes, “ With Balayan I wouldn’t eat even ‘madagh’.” If they were not removed from the movement, the movement would’ve proclaimed “Lenin-Partia-Gorbachev,” till 1993. You have to talk to some local Karabagh people, to get the real feel of who Balayan was. You are right that in some way, Sumgait was the turning point. As to Igor Muradyan, he indeed was an extremly nationalistic person (and remains so) of communistic type – something unhealthy, I think. And I agree with you that Armenian Communists of those days were very nationalistic. By the way, they used to proclaim (and rightly so) that there was no difference between them and ARF. In fact, in 1989, they were holding intensive discussions with the ARF Buro to merge the parties, i.e. all Communists would’ve abandoned the Communist Party and join ARF on the capacity of local leaders. They felt that it was their vehicle to resist HHSH. ARF initially was “four tombs up” about it, but then, they reevaluated that would've created a huge image problem for them. In fact, there has never been any serious difference between ARF and Armenian Communists – as much as ARF would like to present the opposite picture. I am sure you know that since early 80s, there were intensive secrete discussions between the ARF Buro of Marukhian and the Armenian Communist party leaders, and almost full coordination. Your observation about the mysterious shift of the leadership of the Karabagh movement is also correct. As to Demirchian, as much as I dislike that person, and I think his corps has to be dug out and be brought to justice (figuratively speaking, obviously), apparently he was right with his very cynical expression. He could see what was ahead, beyonf that of rhetoric venting of the others. Besides, Gorbachev was looking for opportunities to dismiss him. One thing that I disagree with you about is that “KGB did a stupid thing by arresting the leaders of Karabagh committee.” In fact, I think it was one of the smartest things they did in the entire 3 years process. They instantly raised the profile of HHSh up, and shifted the movement from a nationalistic and, potentially, separatistic venue, towards the venue of “perestroika.” Since than the liberation movement became a movement of “democratic transformation of Armenia,” and thus the internal affair of USSR. As you understand, this is a huge topic, and we can discuss it for very long time. So much has taken place since 1988 (even 1985, as I indicated above). [ April 16, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

It may be that becasue Saryan was very unique artis. Ayvazovski was not. By the way, I don't consider Ayvazovski to be an Armenian artist, while clearly, he was Armenian. To the contrary, I consider Arshil Gorky to be a fully Armenian artist.

Harut, The problem is the availibility of online materials. No biases. here.

The popular internal Armenian logic (at least within Armenia) claims that the conflict doesn’t depend on Armenia and Azerbaijan, and is totally instigated and controlled by the superpowers and the regional powers. And even if Armenia and Azerbaijan would come to terms, the conflict would not be resolved. Perhaps, at the earlier stages of the conflict this might’ve been a legitimate and, moreover, correct opinion. However, I think the conflict is past that level. Pretty much everybody wants and needs resolution of the conflict – starting from Armenia and Azerbaijan, all the way to Russia, Turkey and the USA. However, the process has become hostage to the public opinion in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey and, to lesser degree, Russia. The example of Palestine and Israel, and Clinton’s eight years long systematic efforts demonstrate that the superpowers, with all their influence, cannot resolve such conflicts, if the public opinion of the conflicting parties doesn’t accommodate solutions. It is especially true, when various internal political forces benefit more from the problem than from its solution. The potential conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia did not require especial effort from Russia. In its initial stage, some circles in Kremlin, by the way Armenian influenced circles, with the support of Moscow based Armenian academicians, presented a theory to Gorbachev that it was more beneficial for the economy of the Caucasian region that Karabagh be joined with Armenia. I think this was a legitimate theory then, and it is even more so, today. The issue was studied scientifically by these academic circles, some of whom I have known, since I was a graduate student of Moscow University at the time. Some of the fellow graduate students, by the way members of the Communist Party, who were the activists of this movement, used to come to my room in the University dormitory to have a glass of Armenian Coniak (for which I could’ve been dismissed from the university ) , and used to brag how close they were to those circles, and how the “matter was already resolved.” I haven't believed in that solution for a moment, and have always been sarcastically skeptical. Nevertheless, it was correct that the matter had been investigated during 1985-87 (part of my tenure in Moscow), and there was a positive attitude in Kremlin towards the resolution. However, in early 1988, the matter was also studied at the Institute of Oriental Studies of USSR, and the commission headed by Dr. Kim had concluded that it was of utmost danger for the USSR to make such alterations of recognized borders. Clearly, Dr. Kim was right. Nevertheless, “the genie was out of the bottle.” When the demonstrations under the slogan “Lenin – Party –Gorbachev” broke in Karabagh (“Party” above meant Communist Party), Kremlin had already concluded that they had to be suppressed by all means. They ascribed to the recommendation of the same Dr. Kim “Turn the public opinion against Armenians, do everything to present it as a nationalistic outbreak from the Armenia side, portray it in negative tones asianst Armenians.” The Kremlin adopted the recommendation. When the first demonstrations supporting Karabagh’s parliamentary movement started in Armenia, by the way, under the same slogan “Lenin-Party-Gorbachev,” about 95% of the population, both in Armenia and in Diaspora didn’t know where Karabagh was. But sure, everybody new its name, and knew that something unjust had happened in our history - what a revelation. The people were mostly skeptical, until the Soviet partisan machine started the anti-Armenian propaganda. They thought they would intimidate Armenians by doing so. But it had the opposite effect – Armenians got furious. Even the meekest Armenian grandmas got so outraged that they were ready to go against the Soviet troops, that were shortly introduced in Yerevan, with bare hands. So the process slipped from under the control of Kremlin, and started to systematically gain attributes of a liberation movement. At that time, handful of Armenians started to unbundle also a parallel movement for the independence of Armenia. They were considered to be the crazy. This is a very long story, and would take days to communicate it with even moderate details. To cut the chase, yes, even though legitimate reasons existed for the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, to a certain degree it was orchestrated from the Kremlin. More exactly, at some point, the Kremlin was inclined to transact with the transfer of Karabagh per Armenian argumentations, but subsequently it walked away from that plan, and as the USSR started to crumble with acceleration, certain forces of increasingly competitive nature in the Soviet military, KGB, Kremlin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc, started to develop each its own scenario for the “resolutions” of the conflict – frequently mutually exclusive scenarios. However, in the big picture, the situation was used by the Armenian side in a very skillful manner, in spite of all the internal Armenian conflicts, and the variety of the opinions on the correct path of development of our own processes. Overall, in my opinion, the Armenian Foreign policy, effective late 1988, has been brilliant – as much as the domestic policies were criminally outrageous. The way I understand, as it stands today, there are two Karabagh problems – one is global, the other is local. The continuing Armenian conventional wisdom claims that the local problem is being aggravated by the competing geopolitical concepts of the West, Russia, Iran and Turkey. To a very limited degree, I think this is correct. However, the way I see it, the differences between all interested powers are of a tactical character rather than of strategic. Their differences may be easily resolved. And I think they are pretty close to a resolution –especially due to the positive foreign policy paradigm shift towards the competency in the US in the light of the latest elections, i.e. Bush’ victory, and the maturation of the need for improved relationship between Iran and the USA. But at the end of the day, the solution of the local problem of Karabagh is in the hands of Armenian and Azerbaijani people. Unfortunately, I don’t think either side is ready for a solution. All the optimism of the Key West talks looks like idle propaganda to me, and their failure may be quite costly and may spark new violence - much like in West Bank. In this scense, the seclerations of the Armenian Defense Minster on Azerbaijan's inability or non-readiness to start a war are resulted from his incompetence. Under the possible scenario, Azerbaijan doesnot have to be ready to win, so that to start a war. And regardles if Azerbaijan loses the renewed war or not, Armenia will pay an ireversibly high price. I think that at this point, regardless of what has been the attitude of the relevant powers in not so distant past, they are genuinely interested in putting an end to the Armenian-Azerbaijani ordeal. Even Turkey is genuinly interested in it. However, I think the West doesn't understand how to do it. They have tried different methods, and they have failed. With all its professionalism, the West still doesn’t understand Armenia. Armenia is a unique mix of rationalism and irrationalism. Understanding irrationalism is beyond the intellectual capacity of the West, since it is not an intellectual issue, in the first place. I don’t know how much does it understand Azerbaijan. [ April 16, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

quote:Originally posted by Gayane: Do women jeopardize the overall well being of their family and their children when they choose to have a career? What effect does a woman's committment to her career have on the children? Is there an effect? Is it negative? How severe? It is very likely, however not necessary. It may vary. In general, the effect is negative, but in good families it may be mitigated. The same concerns to career oriented dads. Kids need to spend time with their fathers, too. Frequently, the fathers' unavailability - whether due to his career or "nardi," also has huge negative effects. This is also a Women's Issue, in my view. Especially, if the father is not available due to "nardi." This is not an Armenian issue, clearly. As always, "it is difficult to eat your cake, and have it." I don't know the answer. Both alternative lifestyles have their pros and cons. Each person should decide based on her/his values and circumstances.

quote:Originally posted by Gayane: Yet is the heightened sensitivity currently surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace the result of our litious nature, or is it the result of many years of work on the part of womens' rights activists to increase awareness about the problem? Gayane, Let me disagree with the above. In American society it has become more about litigation rather than victimization. In some peculiar way, the framework of harassment has become an instrument of exercise of power by the feminists. Men are scared to death from their female colleagues. They would be afraid even to say, "You look good, today." This doesn't imply that there are no expressions of real harassment. However, the overly zealous attitude of the feminists has had, in my view, adverse effect on the health of the relations of the genders. As to the harassment of males by the females, I am aware only of such expressions in the Soviet Army. The scariest for male solders punishment has been their subordination to female junior officers of the army for disciplinary purposes. I am not aware of harassment of men by the females in the US.

PRESS RELEASE Harvard Armenian Society 2314 Harvard Yard Mail Center Cambridge, MA 02138 contact: Lara Setrakian Tel: 617-493-3544 E-mail: setrak@fas.harvard.edu On Tuesday, April 24, 2001, the four-month-old Harvard Armenian Society will present a free symposium on the Armenian Genocide. The program will consist of talks from Professor Kevork Bardakjian, Marie Manoogian Professor of Armenian Literature at the University of Michigan, Professor Vahakn Dadrian, Director of Genocide Research at the Zoryan Institute, and Professor Peter Balakian, Author and Donald M and Contance H. Rebar Chair in Humanities at Colgate University. The program begins at 7 pm at the Harvard Science Center, Hall D, and the speakers will be interrupted by a thirty minute dessert reception from 8-8:30. Moderating part of the event will be Professor James R. Russell, Mashtots Chair of Armenian Studies at Harvard University. The themes of the Symposium will be `Justice Under One Empire: Turkish Court-Martials of Ottoman Genocide Perpetrators' and `The Armenian Genocide: Ottoman and German Documentation and American Cultural Response.' The program is sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union, with the extended patronage of the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge. Harvard University is providing security in anticipation of a hotly controversial event. The program is the first undergraduate-run Genocide commemoration in over two decades. The Harvard Armenian Society was resurrected in January, 2001, and currently consists of over one hundred Armenians affiliated with the University. Members of the Society include residents of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, California, New York, Canada, Armenia, and Lebanon. The standing Co-Presidents of the Society are Lara Setrakian and Zareh Ekmekjian, who can be reached at 617 493 3544 and 617 493 3813, respectively, for comment. Graduate and undergraduate members of the organizing committee can be reached through the Society presidents. The Harvard Armenian Society with the support of The Armenian General Benevolent Union presents A Symposium on the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians in Ottoman Turkey Tuesday, April 24, 2001 Harvard University Science Center (corner of Oxford and Kirkland Streets, Cambridge) 7:00 pm, Science Center Hall D "Justice Under One Empire: Turkish Court Martials of Ottoman Genocide Perpetrators" Professor Kevork Bardakjian, Marie Manoogian Professor of Armenian Literature, University of Michigan 8:00 pm, Science Center Lobby Reception and Intermission. Refreshments will be served. 8:30 pm, Science Center Hall B "The Armenian Genocide: Ottoman and German Documentation and American Cultural Response" Professor Vahakn Dadrian, Director of Genocide Research at the Zoryan nstitute, former Guggenheim Fellow, and Professor Peter Balakian, Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Chair in Humanities, Colgate University Moderator: Professor James R. Russell, Mashtots Chair of Armenian Studies, Harvard University contact Lara (617) 493-3544 or Zareh (617) 493-3813 with questions free admission

Mr. Bush's Caspian Diplomacy Editorial The New York Times April 16, 2001 Although President Bush has spoken sourly of his predecessor's enthusiasm for trying to solve foreign conflicts, he met recently with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, two nations locked in a seemingly intractable ethnic dispute. Mr. Bush's involvement in negotiations over Nagorno-Artsax - an ethnic Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan - is undoubtedly in part due to the extensive oil and gas reserves in the Caspian region. Nevertheless, it is a welcome move, which we hope signals that Washington will remain engaged with troubled regions of the globe. In close coordination with Armenia, residents of Nagorno-Artsax went to war to break away from Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union disintegrated. Ethnic Armenians now effectively run Nagorno-Artsax and occupy an area around it and a corridor connecting the enclave to Armenia. The 800,000 Azeris driven out of the area live in miserable refugee camps around Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has maintained a blockade against Armenia, where the dismal economy has provoked the emigration of nearly half the nation. The Armenian community in America, in turn, persuaded Congress to prohibit American aid to Azerbaijan. Past talks have foundered on disagreement over Nagorno-Artsax's legal status. Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan's president, says he would allow the region wide autonomy if it remained part of Azerbaijan. Armenia and Nagorno-Artsax seek full independence for the enclave. But some Bush administration officials now seem optimistic that Armenia may become more flexible. They express hope that Armenia's president, Robert Kocharian, a Nagorno-Artsax native who was leader of the enclave, could convince Armenians - and especially the powerful military - to abandon their claim for independence should he determine to. A major reason for Mr. Bush's involvement is that peace would speed the development of the Caspian oil fields and the construction of a pipeline to carry the oil from Azerbaijan to the West. The favored route would avoid Russia, where the oil flow could be hostage to political events, but it is nevertheless seen as vulnerable because it passes very near to Armenian-controlled territory. In a region dominated by Russia, and by British and French oil companies, Mr. Bush no doubt hopes to increase American influence. It is welcome that he is doing so by furthering the possibility of peace.

MIDDLE EAST EXPERT DJEREJIAN: -''TURKEY CAN MAKE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS'' Anadolu News Agency 14 April, 2001 WASHINGTON D.C., April 13 (A.A) - Edward Djerejian, the director of the James Baker Institute of the American Rice University and expert on Middle East said on Friday that Turkey could make very important regional contributions in the Middle East peace process. Djerejian assessed the developments in the Middle East in a press conference held for the foreign journalists in the U.S. Upon a question, Djerejian said Turkey had an important role in the peace process, especially in the Arab-Israel process. Noting that he thought that the biggest contribution of Turkey would be to strengthen various elements of the regional peace, Djerejian said this could be done with the water issue which has a critical importance in the region, noting that Euphrates and Tigris rivers spring from Turkey. Djerejian recalled that Turkish government had previously proposed to set up of a peace pipeline which would pass through Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine and which could be even extended to Saudi Arabia in the future, adding that Turkey could play an important role in the strengthening of peace in the region from this critical aspect.

I'm glad you are not insulted, Azat. However, I haven't said Armenia needs or doesn't need Russia, or any other state. I have only attempted to introduce some factual clarity as it pertains to our history, have made a conditional statement on the subject of "Our lands" and Russia, and my implicte underlying thought has been that we should not put "all our eggs in one basket." [ April 15, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]