MJ

By south-east Europe analyst Gabriel Partos Allegations that former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic smuggled more than $1m of gold abroad last year are part of a wide range of claims that have been made against the former Serbian strongman whose arrest may not be far away. One of the first moves of the newly-elected post-Milosevic authorities in Serbia was to place Mr Milosevic under 24-hour surveillance at the end of January. At the time this was presented as being partly inspired by the need to protect Mr Milosevic from his enemies or potential bounty hunters keen to collect the $5m reward offered by the United States Government for delivering the ex-leader to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Since then the surveillance has turned increasingly into a form of informal custody as various criminal charges against Mr Milosevic are being looked at. However, investigators may not find it easy to gather the required evidence. Mr Milosevic was adept at issuing orders verbally - in person, on the phone and even indirectly - so that there may be little written evidence around that could prove his guilt. The charges are: Gold smuggling - A Belgrade prosecutor has asked police to investigate claims that Mr Milosevic's associates moved 173 kg of gold to Switzerland between September and November last year - around the time of Mr Milosevic's fall from power. The gold, worth $1.1m, was then sold, and the proceeds were apparently paid into bank accounts in Greece and Cyprus, the two favoured destinations for illicit money transfers from Serbia since the time of the UN sanctions on Belgrade during the period of the Bosnian war. The implication is that Mr Milosevic may have removed state funds from Serbia for his own private use. False claims over property - Mr Milosevic has been accused of making false claims about the extent of his assets to secure for himself a luxurious government villa. If the ex-leader were to be found guilty of forging documents to conceal his assets, he could be sentenced to up to three years' imprisonment. Assassinations - The former secret police chief, Rade Markovic, was arrested last week amidst charges that his organisation was involved in the attempted assassination of the prominent opposition leader, Vuk Draskovic, in an apparent road accident in 1999. Four of Mr Draskovic's associates were killed in the incident which involved a truck plunging into Mr Draskovic's convoy of cars. The killing in 1999 of newspaper publisher Slavko Curuvija, a one-time ally who had turned against Mr Milosevic, has also been blamed on the secret police - which could implicate Mr Milosevic himself. Abduction - Former Yugoslav President Ivan Stambolic was kidnapped in August last year while out jogging. Rade Markovic is suspected of being behind assassinations and kidnaps No evidence has come to light so far as to who was behind the abduction of Mr Stambolic who had become a bitter critic of the Milosevic regime. But Mr Stambolic's friends have been pointing an accusing finger at the secret police. Election fraud - Following the Yugoslav presidential election in September, the Federal Electoral Commission tried to deprive Vojislav Kostunica of victory by claiming that he received less than the required 50% of the votes cast. Five members of the commission are now facing trial for the falsification of results - and the matter could be extended to the municipal elections at the end of 1996 when the Electoral Commission annulled opposition victories in a number of Serbian cities. The chain of command behind the ballot rigging could well lead to Mr Milosevic. War crimes - While investigators in Serbia are gathering evidence against Mr Milosevic in the run-up to a possible indictment in the future, The Hague Tribunal says it could start a trial any time on the basis of an indictment it issued against Mr Milosevic nearly two years ago for war crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo. The Serbian authorities are reluctant to extradite the former leader, partly on the grounds that such a move could provoke political unrest. However, the latest opinion poll suggests that the majority of Serbs (56% against 31%) would be willing to see their former leader tried in The Hague.

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was arrested on Friday, a source close to the Serbian government said. The development came on the eve of a deadline set by U.S. legislation for President Bush to declare Yugoslavia is cooperating with the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal, which has indicted Milosevic, or impose economic sanctions on Belgrade. Milosevic was to be transferred to a justice administration building in central Belgrade, the source told Reuters. ``He has been arrested and he should be brought to the palace of justice,'' the source said. Belgrade's B92 radio station also reported the arrest, citing well-informed sources. A convoy of jeeps, including two with darkened windows, later entered the courthouse building at around 11:30 p.m. A Reuters reporter said one of the jeeps with darkened windows moved out of reporters' view after entering the building. Local BK television said Milosevic was in one of the vehicles, quoting policemen at the scene. One source close to the government said he was suspected of several crimes, including abuse of office. But an official in Milosevic's Socialist party denied he had been arrested. ``I am right here with him. This is nonsense,'' Socialist Party vice president Zivorad Igic told Belgrade's B92 radio by telephone. However Igic refused the radio presenter's request to put Milosevic himself on the telephone to prove he was still free. Opposition leader Vuk Draskovic from the Serbian Renewqal Movement told BBC Television: ``That's very clear -- Milosevic is arrested. I don't know what is the charge. But anyway he is responsible for many, many terrible things.'' Earlier on Friday, a police van, an ambulance and several unmarked cars showed up near the former Yugoslav president's home, sparking speculation that his arrest was imminent. Deputies of Milosevic's Socialist party rushed to their leader's home in the exclusive Dedinje district of Belgrade to join a band of his supporters after they informed parliament that the vehicles had arrived. Yugoslavia's new reformist rulers have said the former leader will not be arrested on war crimes charges before the U.S. deadline. But they have left open the possibility that local justice authorities might order his arrest for alleged offences such as corruption. A spokesman for the U.N. war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Jim Landale, told Reuters on hearing the reports of Milosevic's arrest: ``Our position is exactly the same as it has always been. ``Yugoslavia has a legal obligation under international law to transfer all fugitives on their territory, of which we believe there is a substantial number. ``If Milosevic is in custody, that can only make that international legal obligation easier to fulfil. We expect him to be transferred to the tribunal at the earliest possible opportunity.'' [ March 30, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

quote:Originally posted by Aghmug: What will happen to the literature written in Western Armenian? Will it eventually only be accessable to a select few? Mike, I think that even now it is accessable to a select few. P.S. BTW, in my high school days in Armenia, the Western Armenian literature was an equally significant part of the High School Literature curricula. [ March 30, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

We have discussed this topic in the past. Regardless of how I feel about this matter (and I love the Western Armenian), I think the Western Armenian has no future. Perhaps, in some colonies, it may still exist as a family language for one or two generations. But that's about it. The survivability of a language, especially its written form of communications, depends on the heritage that is being communicated in that language, and the numbers of people who do advance it further. It is clear that no professional books are going to be written in Western Armenian. Neither Armenian Science nor other technical or professional literature is going to choose the path of Western Armenian as the media of communication. Sure there will be a handful of competitive and competent professionals and writers writing handful of books in Western Armenian, but I strongly doubt that this possibility itself may serve the cause of survival of the Western Armenian. BTW, I don't want to make this issue as an issue of Western vs. Eastern Armenian dialects. Unless some global issues are adequately resolved in the strategic national domain, there is no way that Eastern Armenian would survive in Diaspora beyond 2-3 generations, either, I think. Over the long run, the Armenian (Eastern) language would survive only in Armenia, and in those (minority) families of Diaspora, which would maintain active relationship with Armenia. [ March 30, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

There was a period, when I could also dance Foxtrot, and Cha-Cha, and a little bit os Vals. Have forgotten all of that. Just remember some Rumba, Salsa and Marrenge. Having a wife who is a master of Latin dance makes you learn some.

quote:Originally posted by Gayane: love salsa, and a guy who can dance to a slow rumba is my kind of guy. Coming Gayane, be ready.

PRESS RELEASE Gomidas Institute PO Box 208 Princeton, NJ 08542 Orders: (800) 865-6405 Tel: (609) 883-9222 Fax: (609) 883-9277 Email: books@gomidas.org Web: http://www.gomidas.org/ Rita Kuyumjian, in Montreal, Discusses Her Groundbreaking Study on Komitas Princeton, N. J. --Speaking on 18 March in front of over 300 people in Montreal, Dr. Rita Soulahian-Kuyumjian introduced her groundbreaking study, "Archeology of Madness: Komitas, Portrait of an Armenian Icon." Dr. Kuyumjian, who is a professor of psychiatry at McGill University, gave a beautifully written paper on the famed Armenian cleric who defined the modern Armenian musical tradition. Her talk touched on three key aspects of Komitas's life: his relationship with the Armenian Church, his relationship with Margaret Babaian, and his final years at a mental institution in Paris. The presentation, enhanced by numerous slides, captivated Dr. Kuyumjian's audience from beginning to end. Komitas survived the Armenian Genocide and developed a severe form of posttraumatic stress disorder. This diagnosis was not made at the time, but Dr. Kuyumjian's research into Komitas's medical records indicates that the symptoms were clearly there. The original research, in the words of Vahakn Dadrian, "brings to relief the psychiatric dimension of the toll of the Armenian Genocide." "Archeology of Madness" took 13 years to complete. It was a labor that Dr. Kuyumjian shared with her husband and son. Her research took her to libraries and archives in Yerevan, Istanbul, Paris, and Montreal. Some materials were readily accessible, while others, such as the archives at the Hopital de la Paix in Istanbul, had been discarded many years ago. Dr. Kuyumjian shared some of the precious moments she experienced when working on this book with the audience. She was still visibly moved as she recalled examining Komitas's medical records for the first time at the Ville-Evrard psychiatric hospital outside Paris. The presentation was closed with a passage from the book, the last paragraph, where she summarized Komitas's significance as an Armenian cultural icon today: "Komitas performed no miracles in his lifetime, but his music had a profound healing effect on the psychological wounds of the Armenian people. Indeed, its restorative powers are still felt by Armenians to this day. His personal, highly creative method of mourning played an integral role in healing an entire nation. What he gave to the Armenian people is similar to what Bartok gave to the Hungarians--the voice of a nation's spirit. Through Komitas and his work, Armenians were able, both consciously and unconsciously, to liberate themselves from the pain and injustice inflicted on them by history." The evening had been opened by Mr. Viken Attarian of the AGBU, Montreal. Janna Garabedian performed some of Komitas's works on the piano before Dr. Kuyumjian's presentation. There was also a brief word from Ara Sarafian of the Gomidas Institute, which published "Archeology of Madness." Dr. Kuyumjian signed copies of the book for members of the audience, which included His Excellency Ara Papian, the ambassador of Armenia to Canada. Dr. Kuyumjian will make a similar presentation in Glendale, California, on Sunday, 22 April, at 2:30 P.M., at the Glendale Public Library, 222 East Harvard Street. Her book, "Archeology of Madness: Komitas, Portrait of an Armenian Icon" is available and can be ordered from the contact information provided above. END

Thanks a lot, Gayane.

PRESS RELEASE Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services, March 26, 2001 Address: Holy Etchiamdzin, Republic of Armenia Tel.: (00 374 1) 28 51 52 Fax: (00 374 1) 151 624 E-Mail: holysee@etchmiadzin.am His Holiness Karekin II: "Holy Etchmiadzin has Inspired and Directed the Way of Mekhitarian Fathers' Mission" 300th Anniversary of Mekhitarian Congregation's Establishment Celebrated in the Hall of the Catholicosal Residence On March 24 a festive ceremony, dedicated to the 300th Anniversary of Mekhitarian Congregation's establishment, was held in the hall of the Catholicosal Residence (Veharan). His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the ceremony. Together with the clergy of Holy Etchmiadzin members of Mekhitarian Congregation, Abp. Nerses Nersisian, Head of the Armenian Catholic community, intellectuals, guests attended the ceremony. As His Holiness noted, the aim of the festive ceremony was not the summarizing of Mekhitarian Fathers' legacy, but it was a nice opportunity to bow and pay tribute of respect to the 300 years' work and activity of the Mekhitarian Congregation. "Mhkitarian Fathers' love towards the Church and patriotic spirit, which has never decreased and hesitated, was nourished from the same source, from which our ancestors living and creating in the Motherland received strength. The light of Illuminator's lantern has gleamed in their souls. Holy Etchmiadzin has inspired and directed the way of their mission. I am sure that today Mekhitarian Fathers' souls are rejoicing in the sky, as their vision has turn to reality. Today, at the Catholicosate of All Armenians, together with their spiritual brothers - the members of the Congregation of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Mhkitarian Fathers evaluate our great values of the past," said His Holiness. The speakers, referring the centuries-old work and activity of the Congregation, once more stated that being far away, Mekhitarian Congregation has lived with the vision of the Motherland, always preserving their Armenian spirit, always remaining Armenian in divine services and rites. Expressing his gratitude to His Holiness. Fr. Elia Kilaghbian, the General Abbot of the Mekhitarian Congregation, considered the festive ceremony, organized in the Catholicosal residence, a great honor. He expressed hope that under the auspices of Holy Etchmiadzin the Congregation will manage to support the Motherland and the creation of the Armenian nation's bright future. At the end of the ceremony His Holiness presented to the Members of Mekhitarian congregartion the bas-relief of Holy Etchmiadzin. Students of Kevorkian Theological Seminary and Vazkenian Semianry, as well as the musicians and Ethnographic songs' company, presenting the Youth Centers of Holy Etchmiadzin, welcomed the people in attendance by their concert program.

Noyan Tapan News Agency http://www.noyan-tapan.am/ ARMENIA HAS GOOD CHANCES TO BECOME THE REGION'S CENTER: TIMOTHY JONES YEREVAN, March 26 (Noyan Tapan). A British Week began in Armenia on March 22. Various cultural events, fashion shows, meetings of commercial representatives were held within the framework of the Week. A British delegation led by Lord MacCluskey was on a visit to Armenia. The British Week in Armenia is organized by the British Embassy. A press conference of the British delegation members was held on March 24. The press conference covered prospects of further developing bilateral relations and issues concerning the current situation in the region. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Armenia Mr. Timothy Jones also participated in the press conference. Ambassador Jones announced that the Week of cultural events was held under the banner of "Cutting Edges". Incidentally, the expression has a figurative meaning as well: Armenia and the United Kingdom, although geographically situated on the opposite edges of Europe, are developing successful cooperation. At the same time, the diplomat noted that in Great Britain people have a knowledge about Armenia first of all in connection with the persisting problem of Nagorno Artsax. According to him, the solution to this problem will make it possible to "open borders", which will promote a flow of investments in Armenia. Further, the British people will surmount the psychological barrier that Armenia is an unstable country. Ambassador Jones is convinced that the settlement of the Artsax conflict will enable Armenia to become the center of the region. To Noyan Tapan's question if it was really possible, taking into consideration the West's inclination to regard Georgia as the center of the Caucasus, Mr. Jones answered that Armenia has vast opportunities to become the region's center, and if the borders are opened this advantage of Georgia "will simply cease to exist". "I can assure you that businessmen see much more favorable conditions and are treated much better in Armenia than in other countries," Timothy Jones emphasized. John Slate, a representative of the Trade Partners governmental organization, noted that the goal of their mission was to study the possibilities of investing in Armenia and present them to the business circles in Great Britain. Simultaneously, he noted that the Armenians, too, must make efforts to promote their good image in Great Britain. It should be mentioned that UK exports to Armenia in 2000 totaled $69 million (in 1999 - $62 million). The exports of Armenia to the UK in 2000 amounted to $13 million. © Copyright 2001, Noyan Tapan News Agency. All Rights Reserved, All reproduction prohibited. All inquiries to: Noyan Tapan Information & Analytical Center E-mail: nt2@noyan-tapan.am Tel & Fax: (3742) 56-59-65, (3742) 52-42-79 http://www.noyan-tapan.am/

quote:Originally posted by bellthecat: There is a more up to date book on the Paulicians / Tondrakians - it is "The Tondrakian Movement" by Vrej Nersessian, London, 1986. It contains a section on "The Key of Truth". Steve Steve, If you have Vrej Nersessian's contact info, would you mind inviting him to participate in our forum? Or, if you prefer, would you give me his info so that I could invite him. Thanks. Martin

quote:Originally posted by koko: "Dolma" worldknown armenian food, wich of course other cultures like turkey has embraced as there nationalfood. Koko, Any Greek will declare war to Armenia for the appropriation of “Dolma.” The word "Dolma" itself originates from the Greek language, as far as I know. Don't know about the rest of the items in your list.

quote:Originally posted by bellthecat: Talked with Vrej Nersessian, the exhibition's curator - he told be about the upcoming book I have just mentioned. I'll write something soonish, promise. Steve Thanks. Looking forward to it.

DRUNK A guy stumbles through the front door of a bar completely drunk. He walks up to the bartender and asks for a drink. The bartender kindly tells the guy he can't give him a drink because he is already drunk. Angry the guy stumbles back out the front door. About five minuters later the guy stumbles through the side door of the bar. He asks the bartender for a drink and once again the bartender tells the guy no because he is already drunk. The guy stumbles back through the side door. A few minutes later the guy stumbles through the bars back door. The guy walks up to the bar, looks at the bartender for a moment then says, "Damn, man how many bars do you work at?"

The Independent, 25 March 2001 Rush to get away before the lights go out Once Armenia was envied. Now its people can't leave fast enough By John Kampfner in Yerevan Every day before sunrise they are out there. Hundreds of desperate people, dressed in their finest, queuing outside the American embassy in Yerevan for their ticket to economic survival. Armenia is literally dying on its feet. It is nearly lunchtime and Aliona is fourth in line, stamping her feet to ward off the cold. It is seven or eight degrees below freezing. "It's cold, it's humiliating, but I've got no choice," she says. She is a teacher, and teachers here get £20 a month. Her journey out is only beginning. Once inside the embassy, the building that once housed the Komsomol, the Communist Party's youth organisation, she is given her first interview. If she passes that, she is given a voucher for a second one. The waiting time is until August. Then she will be interrogated about her motives. Currently 80 per cent of applicants are being turned down. Those who fail take the bus north through Georgia to Russia, where they try to eke out a living. This picture is common to all parts of the former USSR. What makes Armenia different is that this was, in its heyday, a cultural beacon. Armenian writers and scientists were envied. The lifestyle was better than elsewhere. The people are as educated and hospitable as anywhere in the world. The potential for tourism and other inward investment should be great. And yet, half of Armenia's population is believed to have left since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In truth, nobody knows how many people are left. The government tries to work it out by counting loaves of bread sold. It is supposed to be holding a census, its first since 1989, but does not have the money. Western institutions have said they will pay, as they do for most things here. The government does not want to confirm the drop in numbers as international funds are calculated per head of population. So the old figure of 3.8 million nominally stands; the true number is probably around 1.5 million. At least Aliona is employed - up to three-quarters of the population are not. Serzhik Sarkisyan has been an engineer for 20 years. If the European Union gets its way, he will be out of a job by 2004. His problem is that he works at Armenia's nuclear power station at Metsamor, half an hour to the west of the capital, on the road to Turkey. So unsafe is the plant considered to be that foreign diplomats in Yerevan have been supplied with tape to seal their homes, plus tablets and breathing equipment. Not only is the plant designed along the same lines as Chernobyl, but the Soviets also built it on the faultline of the 1988 earthquake which killed 25,000 people and virtually wiped out towns in the north of the country. When the Armenians were fighting to break away from the USSR, Metsamor became a cause celebre among dissidents. They saw it as a symbol of Soviet domination. The authorities were persuaded to close it after the quake for five years and the country went into virtual darkness. Now, with few other sources of energy, they have all changed their minds. "We all know something could happen, but what do you want us to do?" asks Serzhik, as he and half a dozen friends stand outside their flats in the concrete jungle of their town on a Sunday evening. All they do is talk and smoke. Many of the flats are deserted. Serzhik is the only one with work. His 80,000 dram (£100) per month is far more generous than average. It allows him also to help his extended family. Farm buildings along the perimeter of the power station lie derelict. The roads are lined with the shells of disused factories, their contents taken away and sold. Throughout the country trees have been chopped down and used as firewood. The nuclear plant's single working reactor is operating to full capacity and is keeping the country going. Western technicians, mainly French, monitor safety. As one official put it: "It's as safe as it's ever likely to get, but that's not much." And that is why the government is ready to call the bluff of international institutions and refuse to meet the 2004 closure target. "They would like it shut down as soon as possible. So would we," says Vartan Oskanian, Armenia's foreign minister. "But we can't afford to do it." Artyom Grigoryan has been manning his stall, stocked high with vodka and cognac, all day and all night. He shifts a few bottles – to passing trade and the small contingent of foreigners - but mostly he just stands there. Artyom came straight home after finishing his national service to help his parents and 15-year-old sister to make ends meet. His mother, Sosanna, huddles over her makeshift dustpan, as she sweeps shavings from the small pieces of wood they have collected to keep their stove going. They even burnt the wooden heel of an old shoe. They are all pale and malnourished as they huddle together in their single room, no more than 10 feet square. Sosanna and her husband used to work in the local textile factory. They have not bought any clothes for years. "I feel like an animal, not a woman," she says. "People are nostalgic. I can't blame them," says Mr Oskanian, the foreign minister. "We can only change their mentality when we put money in their pockets." So who is to blame? It is not just acts of God – the Armenians devoted huge resources to a war with Azerbaijan, their neighbours to the east and long-time friends, over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Artsax. A peace deal is said to be close, but not that close. Long the victims of others' aggression, culminating in the genocide by the Turks in 1915, the Armenians are not used to statehood. For centuries more of them have lived in far-flung regions rather than in their homeland. And what of the diaspora? Many of the more established Armenians abroad are doing very well. They have always sent money home – it is how many survive. But few are prepared to invest in starting a business, complaining of that well-established post-Communist combination of bureaucracy and corruption. But there are glimmers of hope. Some small businesses are starting up, and succeeding. New sources of energy are being sought, including a gas pipeline deal with Iran, to make it easier to close the Metsamor plant at some point over the next decade. The economy is expected to grow up to 10 per cent this year, albeit from a tiny base. An influx of tourists is expected for this year's 1,700th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Church - the oldest established church in the world. Outside Yerevan's covered market on Mashtots (formerly Lenin) Avenue, Agavni Sochanyan is holding a live chicken by its neck. She is asking 2,500 dram for it, but settles for 2,000 from a middle-aged couple walking by. I ask her why she is selling it. She explains that she takes the bus out every morning to a farm in the nearest village, and buys anything she can find. She then brings it into town and sells it at a mark-up. She has made 300 dram profit, about 40p, enough to get by for the rest of the day. She is 65 and used to be a midwife. And she is smiling.

As a matter of fact, they claim that one day for God amounts to thousands of human years, which addresses, in their view, the issue of the age of the universe and the human life.

RFE/RL Armenia/Azerbaijan: Pessimism Over Nagorno-Artsax Peace Talks Prevails By Jean-Christophe Peuch Early next month (April 3) leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan travel to the southeastern U.S. state of Florida for a new round of talks to try to find a solution to the Nagorno-Artsax territorial dispute under the aegis of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). But both presidents have recently expressed pessimism over the upcoming meeting. RFE/RL correspondent Jean-Christophe Peuch looks at the latest developments. Prague, 23 March 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Heidar Aliev have both recently dismissed hopes that a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Artsax dispute is within reach. Addressing students at the Yerevan State Institute of Economics on Wednesday (March 21), Kocharian admitted that direct talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart were in a deadlock: "We have exhausted the resources of our face-to-face meetings [with President Aliev]. We have discussed all possible solutions, all possible combinations of plans, and we have no more resources to continue within this format." Speaking the same day in Baku for the Nowroz New Year celebrations, Aliev warned that if a peaceful settlement is not attained, "the Azerbaijani people will show all their strength and power and liberate the occupied Azerbaijani lands by military means." An ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, Artsax seceded from Azerbaijan in 1988, triggering a six-year war with Baku. The conflict halted with a ceasefire in 1994, but ethnic Armenian forces still occupy the enclave and six neighboring districts in Azerbaijan. An estimated 800,000 Azerbaijanis from Artsax and occupied territories were turned into refugees during the active phase of the conflict. Kocharian and Aliev are due to hold a new round of talks next month in Key West, Florida. The meeting will start April 3 and is expected to last at least four days. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who met on Tuesday (March 20) with visiting Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, will open the meeting. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the U.S. administration expects the next round of talks to bring the negotiating sides closer after a fruitless meeting earlier this month in Paris: "The Key West talks are another attempt to move this process forward, to narrow the differences." Kocharian and Aliev have already had 16 face-to-face meetings since 1998. They met most recently in Paris on March 4 and 5 under the auspices of French President Jacques Chirac. France co-chairs with the United States and Russia the so-called "Minsk Group" that has been tasked by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, with monitoring the peace talks. Aliev returned from Paris in a rather pessimistic mood, saying the meeting had been unable to produce any concrete results. Last month, media outlets in Baku released for the first time details of three proposed peace plans drafted by the Minsk Group since 1997. A debate in Azerbaijan's Milli Meclis (National Assembly) immediately followed the publication of these drafts, which legislators and political leaders ultimately described as "unacceptable." Since then opposition parties, war veterans, and refugees called for the return of occupied territories through military means. In a passionate speech before the Milli Meclis last month (February 24), Aliev warned his opponents that should hostilities resume, he would declare a state of emergency and ban all opposition parties and media, thus making clear he would favor a peaceful solution. Azerbaijani journalist Hasan Guliyev is a former aide to late President Abulfaz Elchibey. He notes that, within only a month, Aliev's stance has significantly changed: "When you look at his public speeches over the past month, you see that the emphasis is progressively shifting. During the first 10-15 days (following his address to the parliament), he spoke more of the potential of the peace negotiations and seemed to obstruct the militaristic psychosis that was developing [in the media and the opposition]. But now, in his speeches, he sounds more sympathetic to those who favor a military solution." Shortly after the Paris talks, Aliev went on a five-day state visit to Turkey for meetings mainly focused on regional security problems. Turkish media have reported that the Artsax issue was the main topic of Aliev's talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and Army Chief-of-Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu. Details of the talks remain sketchy. Observers point out that, contrary to Aliev's previous trips to Ankara, this month's visit was unusually confidential. Upon his return to Baku, Aliev declined to comment on the results of his talks with Turkish leaders. Guliyev noticed a change in the Azerbaijani president's attitude after his visit to Ankara: "There have been changes in Aliev's behavior that you can explain to a certain extent. Of course it is not the main explanation but, still, it certainly played a significant role. [i think that] his talks in Turkey gave him a reason to change his tune." Turkey supports Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia. Since Baku's military defeat, Ankara has introduced economic sanctions against Yerevan and has closed its border with Armenia. Relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey were particularly close under Elchibey's nationalist regime. In 1993 both countries were considering signing a broad defense cooperation treaty similar to the one that was signed four years later between Armenia and Russia. But Elchibey was then ousted by a military coup that brought Aliev to power and the Turkish-Azerbaijani treaty was shelved. Guliyev believes that Aliev may have discussed with Turkish officials ways to boost bilateral military cooperation. In a interview with Turkey's NTV private television channel, Aliev last week called for increased military cooperation with Turkey, saying he would welcome a Turkish military base on Azerbaijani territory. Russia has a military base in Armenia. Also last week, a high-ranking Turkish General Staff officer went to Baku to meet with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiev. Details of the talks between General Nusret Tasdeler and Abiev were not disclosed. Vahan Hovanisian is one of the top leaders of the Armenian nationalist Dashnaktsutyun Party. He also chairs the defense, interior, and national security committee in the Armenian National Assembly (parliament). In an interview with RFE/RL, Hovanisian said that despite Aliev's harsh rhetoric, prospects of fighting resuming between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain hypothetical for the time being. "I think that not only Aliev but also a significant part of Azerbaijan's society are, deep in their heart, perfectly aware that the reality has changed and that they are ready to compromise. They are ready to make real compromises that would take into account the interests of both the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples." Yet both Hovanisian and Guliyev believe that there is little chance that the Key West talks will produce any result. In his address Wednesday to the Yerevan State Institute of Economics, Kocharian said if the Key West meeting fails to bring the two sides closer to an agreement, a new meeting will take place in Moscow.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY MINISTER WELCOMES US RESTRAINT POLICY IN CAUCASUS YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's deputy foreign minister Tatoul Margarian met on Thursday with a US military delegation, led by the deputy commander-in-chief of US troops in Europe General Carlton Fulford. According to Armenian foreign ministry, the two sides discussed both US-Armenia and region-related issues. The deputy minister was quoted by the foreign ministry press office as saying that Armenia welcomes the US restrained and balanced policy in the Southern Caucasus, which is in harmony with the principle of complementarity, a main component of Armenia's foreign policy. Specific programs on deepening bilateral contacts were discussed, particularly arrangements were reached for US assistance in implementation of mine-clearing actions and creation of an Armenian peace-keeping battalion.

http://www.un.org/Overview/eng50.gif Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948 On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories." PREAMBLE Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction. Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. Article 8. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. Article 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 10. Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. Article 11. (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed. Article 12. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Article 14. (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 15. (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. Article 16. (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Article 17. (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. Article 21. (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Article 22. Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Article 23. (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Article 24. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Article 25. (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. Article 26. (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Article 27. (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. Article 28. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized. Article 29. (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 30. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein. http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html [ March 24, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/htms/commer...html#Apartments http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/jpgs/jaragayte.jpg [ March 24, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

P.S. Even when interpreting the Bible "literally," different people interpret it differently. That's what gives rise to many sects even within one Denomination. Many years ago, when I used to reside in Glendale, you could get a knock at the door, and before you could figure out who was at the door, representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses would be sitting on your sofa. They would start preaching, with the purpose of the salvation of your soul, and your conversion, and would claim that, in fact, they are not saying anything other than what the Bible says. And each time they would make an assertion, they would open the Bible and say, "See it is written here." And they would claim that nobody else but them follows the Bible to its fullest extend. Later I had acquaintances with a Christian Fundamentalist Sect of Baptist orientation. They would say absolutely the same thing - they say and do everything that the Bible teaches us. And would claim that nobody else does it. They were good people, but with a very narrow exposure to the world. I guess that's why they are called "sect." Later, while residing in West LA, not too far from the LA Mormon Center (don't remember the exact name), I used to get knocks at my door from young Mormon ministers, who would also wind up on my sofa before I could figure out who was knocking the door. And they would claim that they are saying absolutely everything that the Bible says, and they mean it. Only, instead of one testament (the New Testament), they offer two - the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. If you are given a choice of one testament or two, and they don't contradict each other, which one would you choose, they would ask? Failing to convert me, they passed the torch to a higher level Minister, who started to visit my residence, and preach. I told him I have great academic interest in the Book of Mormon, but have no intentions to convert. He said, "That's OK. As long as you want to learn about our teachings, and as soon as you would find out that what we preach is exactly what is consistent or coincides with the teachings of the Bible, you would ask us to be converted." In a while, I started to receive visits from an even higher-level Minister. Once he asked me if I was ready to convert. I figured out that there is not going to be an end to these efforts. So I asked him: "Is it true that Mormon men are allowed to have multiple wives?" He said: "O, no... It used to be the case historically. But we don't practice it in our days. Besides, it could've been done only at very high levels." I replied: “Then what's the point to convert?” This was our last meeting. To summarize, all of them say they interpret the Bible literally, and others don't. Otherwise it would be hard to explain why yet another Church, if the Good Lord has established just one? [ March 24, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

1970 Vs 2000 - 30 YEARS MAKES A DIFFERENCE 1970: Long hair. 2000: Longing for hair. 1970: The perfect high. 2000: The perfect high yield mutual fund. 1970: Keg. 2000: EKG. 1970: Acid Rock. 2000: Acid Reflux. 1970: Moving to California because it's cool. 2000: Moving to California because it's warm. 1970: Growing pot. 2000: Growing pot belly. 1970: Watching John Glenn's historic flight with your parents. 2000: Watching John Glenn's historic flight with your children. 1970: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor. 2000: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor. 1970: Popping pills, smoking joints. 2000: Popping joints, taking pills. 1970: President struggles with Fidel. 2000: President struggles with fidelity. 1970: The Grateful Dead. 2000: Dr. Kervorkian. 1970: Getting out to a hip new joint. 2000: Getting a new hip joint. 1970: Rolling Stones. 2000: Kidney stones. 1970: Being called into the principal's office. 2000: Calling the principal's office. 1970: Screw the system. 2000: Upgrade the system. 1970: Peace sign. 2000: Mercedes logo. 1970: Parents begging you to get your hair cut. 2000: Children begging you to get their heads shaved. 1970: Take acid. 2000: Take antacid

RISE N' SHINE Marge was telling her friend Grace how she gets her son out of bed in the morning. "I just open his door and toss the cat on his bed. He sleeps with his dog." MAKING MONEY Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50." The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100." Little Johnny says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

ETERNAL BLOATING A dietitian was once addressing a large audience in Chicago. "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?" A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake."

SEX TALK Tired of a listless sex life, the man came right out and asked his wife during a recent love-making session, "How come you never tell me when you have an orgasm?" She glanced at him casually and replied, "You're never home!"