Asbarez.com news room 07-20.2000

[Guest]

. Jerusalem Patriarchates Want Voice At Camp David

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters)--Christian leaders in Jerusalem have said they want their representatives to attend the Camp David talks and any future peace summits as

Israelis and Palestinians discuss the status of the holy city.

 

They made the request in a letter, dated July 17 and sent to Reuters on Wednesday, addressed to US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at the summit near Washington.

 

``...it might be well advisable to have representatives from our three Patriarchates and the Custody of the Holy Land at the Camp David summit meeting as much as

at any future (forum) in order to provide continuity and consultation on our future and on our rights...'' the letter said.

 

It was sent by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Diodoros I and Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Torkom II.

 

The letter said the churches wanted to ensure by their presence at summits that the rights of Christians were ``maintained unequivocally and safeguarded fully.''

 

As the location of sites sacred to Christians, Moslems and Jews, Jerusalem has been the most sensitive issue to be resolved at the Camp David talks. Barak was

preparing to leave the summit on Wednesday after eight days.

 

The letter urged the leaders to prevent any divisions of the ``inseparable'' Christian and Armenian quarters in the Old City.

 

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified, is located in the Old City, as are Judaism's holiest site the Western Wall and

the al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third most sacred shrine.

 

Israel's annexation of the eastern half of Jerusalem has not been recognized internationally. The Palestinians want sovereignty over East Jerusalem, which Israel

captured from Jordan in 1967.

 

``As you deliberate over those issues that impact the Holy City of Jerusalem, we trust you will not forget or overlook our age-long presence here,'' the letter said.

 

 

 

 

 

2. ARF Bureau Congratulates Assad on his Election

 

YEREVAN (ARF Press Service)--The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau dispatched a congratulatory telegram Wednesday to the newly-elected

president of Syria Bashar Hafez Assad.

 

"We are confident that under your presidency, complete and just peace will prevail in the region, in the process of which our party will stand in solidarity," expressed

the Bureau in its telegram.

 

"We are also confident that under your leadership, the deep and brotherly relations between the Syrian and Armenian people will continue," continued the telegram.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Krasnodar Authorities to Blame for Tensions

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Tensions between the Russian-Armenian community in Krasnodar and the local Russian community were blamed on Krasnodar

authorities, announced the Russian Ethnic Congress president and Russia's ombudsman on human rights issues Antoine Arakelian during a press conference in

Yerevan Wednesday.

 

Arakelian stated that public statements by and press accounts on the Krasnodar regional governor have come to show a pattern of racism toward minorities.

 

The human rights activist added that often times, the Armenian population in Krasnodar does not know where to turn for defense of its rights. According to

Arakelian, the authorities in Armenia must also shoulder a portion of the blame, since the government does not have concrete measures to address issues relating to

dispersed Armenians.

 

Furthermore, Arakelian stressed that the absence of an organized community with a coordination council, also adds to the process of sidestepping racial tensions and

racially motivated actions against the community.

 

The Armenians of Krasnodar are the largest minority of the region. The Russian-Armenian community, in general, has seen a tremendous growth in the past several

years as a result of immigration from Armenia.

 

The discrimination against the Armenian community comes from a general pejorative posturing in Russia toward the people of the Caucasus.

 

This so-called syndrome, according to Arakelian, has been successfully countered in St. Petersburg, where the community feels more secure that the communities in

Moscow and Stavropol.

 

Arakelian was hopeful that state intervention might better the situation in those areas.

 

 

 

 

 

4. ARS Participates In Geneva General Assembly Special Session

 

WATERTOWN--A global conference organized to accelerate the momentum toward people-centered development took place in Geneva, Switzerland from

Monday, June 26 to Friday, June 30, 2000, announced the Armenian Relief Society Central Executive Inc. office.

 

The special session of the General Assembly, officially titled the "World Summit for Social Development and Beyond: Achieving Social Development for All in a

Globalizing World," followed up on 10 international commitments made in Copenhagen in 1995 aimed at eradicating poverty, achieving full employment and

strengthening social integration.

 

Among more than 500 Non Governmental Organizations accredited to attend the conference, the Armenian Relief Society was the sole Armenian organization

present.

 

Representing the ARS were Helen Merjanian of France, Rosanna Schumecz of Sweden, Garine Hovsepian of Canada, Penelope Giragosian and Valentine

Berberian of the United States. In collaboration with representatives of the Republic of Armenia, the ARS delegation worked towards the actualization of

commitments made in 1995, namely: universal and equitable access to quality education and health services; equality and equity between woman and man and

international cooperation for social development.

 

The General Assembly concluded the Special Session by calling for reducing to half, by the year 2015, the number of persons living in extreme poverty; for the

achievement of free and universal primary education by the same year; for avoidance of 'unilateral measures' affecting the health and well-being of women and

children; and for greater steps to ease the debt burdens of developing countries.

 

Calling the Special Session a success, General Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab said, "Let us now turn away from this hallowed place of ideas and

recommitment, and act." In assessing the overall impact of the Special Session, Nitin Desai, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social

Affairs, drew attention to the greatly strengthened framework of cooperation for poverty eradication, the clearer connection between globalization and its social

impact, and the focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

 

John Langmore, Director of the United Nations Division of Social Policy and Development called the outcome "an international policy pact that can make the world

economy less turbulent, less cruel, and much more fair." He concluded by stating, "Although governments disagree on many issues, there is a broadening and

deepening political consensus that governments must look out for the weaker members of society, and that strong nations have a comparable responsibility to pay

much closer attention to the needs of weak ones."

 

 

 

 

 

5. Markarian Arrives in Minsk

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—A delegation headed by prime minister Antranik Markarian arrived in the Belarussian capital of Minsk Wedneday.

 

At the airport, Markarian and the delegation were greeted by Belarus prime minister Vladimir Yermoshin and other officials.

 

While speaking with reporters at the airport, Markarian expressed optimism that the results of the visit will be positive. According to him, this is the first official visit in

the history of the Armenia-Belarus relations and must make the trade and economic ties "as close as the military and cultural ties between the two countries."

 

Armenia completely agrees with Belarus' position on that the military and technical cooperation may become the "locomotive" which is able to intensify the bilateral

trade and economic cooperation, expressed Markarian.

 

During his two-day visit Armenia's prime minister will hold meetings with Belarus' top-ranking officials, business circles and local Armenians. He will also visit various

industrial enterprises of the country.

 

During the visit, which came about at the invitation of Belarus' Prime Minister Vladimir Yermoshin, a number of intergovernmental agreements are expected to be

signed, including on avoiding double taxation, on mutual assistance and cooperation in maintaining tax legislation, on cooperation in the financial and banking spheres,

on social protection of citizens temporarily working outside their countries, and on economic and scientific-technical cooperation in agribusiness.

 

The government quoted Markarian, who gave an interview to the Sovetskaya Belorusia newspaper, as saying the signing of the agreement will create a legal

framework in which it will be possible to unfold active work. According to Armenia's premier, the current economic relationships do not satisfy either Belarus or

Armenia. While Belarus has great possibilities of exporting agricultural machinery, goods of the woodworking and light industries, Armenia can export electronic

appliances, rubber, and foodstuffs.

 

Markarian positively assessed the establishment of a common customs territory within the CIS as well as the CIS Collective Security Treaty. He said Armenia was

not going to join the Russia-Belarus Union but deemed that it could closely cooperate with these countries both within the framework of the CIS and through

establishing bilateral economic and political relations.

 

 

 

 

 

6. ANCA Participates In White House Conference On "One America"

 

* Supports President Clinton's initiative to promote a national dialogue on race.

 

WASHINGTON--The Armenian American community was represented last week at a White House "One America" conference to help foster a national dialogue

on race aimed at encouraging racial reconciliation and expanded opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities.

 

The conference was organized by the White House Office on the President's Initiative for One America, and chaired by Ben Johnson, the Director of the office and a

Special Assistant to President Clinton. Leaders of over twenty different ethnic groups participated in the program, which was held in the historic Indian Treaty Room.

 

"We thank President Clinton for welcoming the Armenian American community's contribution to this vital undertaking," said ANCA Executive Director Aram

Hamparian, who participated in the conference. "The President, Ben Johnson, and the One America team deserve a great deal of credit for creating this opportunity

for Armenian Americans to work with our friends in our nation's diverse ethnic communities to promote greater cross-cultural understanding and increased

cooperation on the many issues that we share in common."

 

Among those joining the ANCA at the conference were leaders of the American Jewish Committee, Sons of Italy, Portuguese American Leadership Council, Arab

American Institute, Congress of Romanian Americans, Serbian American Leadership Council, Anti-Defamation League, National Italian American Foundation,

Federation of Polish Americans, Hellenic American Women's Council, Hungarian American Coalition, the National Albanian American Council, German Society,

National Federation of Croation Americans, and the Lithuanian American Community.

 

President Clinton, in announcing the One America initiative in June of 1997, asked "the American people to join [him] in a great national effort to perfect the promise

of America for this new time as we seek to build our more perfect union... That is the unfinished work of our time, to lift the burden of race and redeem the promise

of America." Over the past two years, the President has organized programs to advance this agenda in the fields of civil rights, education, economic opportunity, fair

housing, crime, health, and child care.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Hamazkayin Summer Studies Begins

 

BEIRUT (Aztag)--The fifth Hamazkayin Forum program in Lebanon officially began Sunday at the Nshan Palandjian High School, with the participation 32 young

adults from Iran, Armenia, Artsax, Georgia, the US, Canada, Switzerland, England, France, Belgium, Italy, Syria and Lebanon.

 

The official opening ceremonies were held at the Jemaran's Vasbouragan hall, with program director Torkom Chanan welcoming the participating students and

explaining the general rules of the program. He also introduced the organizing committee of the Summer Studies program, detailing each individual's responsibility

during the course of the program.

 

Chanan, then, introduced Hamazkayin Central Executive member Sella Tnjoukian, who welcomed the participants to the fifth annual Forum.

 

Dr. Hrant Markarian, the educational program director of the Forum, outlined the goals and aims of the Hamazkayin, emphasizing the organization's commitment to

preservation of culture and heritage of the Armenian people.

 

Each participant made introductory comments, presenting his/her field of study and institution where those studies are being completed.

 

The Forum will end on July 29. During the three-week program, the participants will follow an educational program, with presentations scheduled by Markarian,

Prof. Richard Hovannisian, Berdj Fazalian and Movses Hergelian among others.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Two Artsax Votes Annulled

 

STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)—Recently, the constitutional instance of the Nagorno-Artsax Republic Supreme Court, having examined the appeals of

candidates for the Artsax National Assembly deputies, arrived at the decision to hold revoting in the Stepanakert 4th and 7th election districts. The Court

declared the results of the elections of the mentioned districts invalid, as a result of which Seiran Hairapetian, who was nominated on the civil initiative and Maxim

Mirzoyan from ARF Dashnaktsutjun were unseated.

 

Roules Aghajanian and Hrant Melkoumian argued their protest with the inaccuracies in the voting lists, violation of the voting procedure, as well as law demands on

inadmissibility of agitation on the election day. In their opinion, these factors affected the election outcome.

 

The revoting is planned for July 30 by the CEC.

 

The Nagorno-Artsax Republic Supreme Court constitutional instance rejected the suits of candidates for the Artsax National Assembly deputies-leader of the

Artsax Communists Valery Atajanian and Aram Baghirian on declaring of the election results as invalid.

 

The Court considered the plaintiffs' arguments unconvincing, as they made reference to inaccuracies in the electors lists, accused their rivals and their agents in the

blackmail of voters and in campaigning on the election day.

 

 

 

 

 

9. OSCE Chairwoman Arrives in Baku

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—After meeting with key Armenian officials in Yerevan, the OSCE head and Austria's foreign minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner arrived in

Azerbaijan's capital Baku July 18 to continue talk around the Artsax conflict.

 

In her meetings with the Azerbaijani leadership, Benita Ferrero-Waldner emphasized the OSCE's steady commitment to facilitating a long-lasting peace settlement to

the unresolved Nagorno-Artsax conflict.

 

She expressed her satisfaction that serious efforts by both sides had been made to revive the negotiating process. She called on the presidents of Azerbaijan and

Armenia to "take the courageous steps necessary to settle the conflict now, as the final responsibility and the power of decision remains with the two presidents."

 

In particular, she was encouraged by the renewal of bilateral talks between presidents Aliyev and Kocharian. She emphasized the importance at the present stage of

adopting the small but significant confidence-building measures proposed by the OSCE in the economic and military fields.

 

Ferrero-Waldner said that yesterday's release of prisoners of war held in Nagorno-Artsax and Yerevan were important gestures toward reconciliation. Her

Personal Representative on the Nagorno-Artsax conflict, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, witnessed the arrival of the six POWs at a Baku airport this morning.

 

 

 

10. French University Of Armenia Opened

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The French University of Armenia, opened in Yerevan July 18 by president Kocharian, was the fourth French University, opened in a

foreign country along with the ones in Germany, Portugal and Greece. The University will be operating as a CJSC with 15 percent of shares belonging to the

Armenian government and the rest to the French side in the persons of the Rone and the Distrilog Informatique organizations.

 

Speaking at a news conference preceding the official opening, Armenia's education and science minister Edward Ghazarian, the head of Armenia-France caucus

Arthur Baghdasarian and France's ambassador in Yerevan Michel Legras noted that the University had been supposed to be set up by an agreement signed by the

Armenian and French governments back in 1995. The work for establishing the University actually started in 1998 after a memorandum between Armenian

education and science ministry and France's embassy in Yerevan had been signed.

 

France's ambassador Legras, as well as former and current education ministers and Arthur Baghdasarian were instrumental in helping to establish the University. The

latter is likely to be appointed the University's rector.

 

Armenia's president Robert Kocharian has also contributed to the establishment of University by helping to allot a building in central Yerevan to the University. This

year the University will admit the first 100 students who will be taught law, economics and management along with studying French, English and German.

 

Luke Terterian, the chairman of the Distrilog Informatique, that is to secure the curriculum, noted with satisfaction that the University will yield highly efficient

specialists.

 

The tuition fee will be equal to that of Armenian private universities. The government of Armenia is expected to approve the University's graduate status.

 

Speaking to numerous guests attending the ceremony, president Kocharian said the FUA was another higher education establishment corresponding to the European

standards, which along with the American University of Armenia and Russian University will allow to prepare specialists necessary for realization of Armenia's

foreign policy.

 

"France has always occupied a big place in Armenians' culture and the opening of the new University will give a new impetus to traditionally friendly relations

between the two nations," president Kocharian said.

 

Legras noted that the entire program was conceived by the Armenian side and the opening of the FUA is a manifestation of France's trust towards Armenia. The

ambassador awarded Armenian education minister Edward Ghazarian and Arthur Baghdasarian medals on behalf of his country's foreign ministry.

 

 

 

11. Expedition To Mount Ararat Postponed

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—An expedition to Mount Ararat, initiated by two Armenian travel agencies that was supposed to set off July 17 has been postponed

until July 19 due to several unresolved financial problems, Ghazar Mirzoyan, the head of one of the agencies told in a news conference.

 

Mirzoyan said the expedition is fully prepared to set off with all the necessary communication means at hand, donated by an American Armenian Shant Hovnanian.

The Turkish side has pledged to solve food problems and has also provided a helicopter for rescue work. The two doctors involved in the expedition are well

equipped with all the necessary medicine.

 

An agreement with two Armenian TV channels on shooting the entire process of mounting was also reached.

 

The famous mountaineers Angela Palego and George Marshal from Europe will join the multinational expedition including 30 Germans, British, Hindu, Norwegians,

Russians and Georgians and 15 Armenians. Also, another 20 Turkish climbers will join the expedition in Turkey.