Asbarez.com news room 07-24-2000

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1. In Historic Move, Venice and Vienna Mekhitarist Orders Unite

 

VENICE--The Venice and Vienna orders of the Mekhitarist organization announced that they have merged to make up the Mekhatarian Order, following a meeting

which adjourned Friday at the St. Lazzaro Monastery in Venice.

 

The union came following years of talks between the leaders of the two orders. The meeting, which convened on July 10, decided to merge the two branches of the

order under one leadership.

 

This historic decision coincided with the 300th anniversary of the Order, the 2000th anniversary of Christianity and the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of

Christianity as a state religion.

 

During its session on July 19, Right Rev. Yeghia Kilaghbian was elected as the 15th Chief Abbot of the Mekhitarist Order.

 

A press release from the organization announced that the center of the united Mekhitarist Order will be the St. Lazzaro Monastery in Venice, while the monastery in

Vienna will become the primary abbey of the Order.

 

The Vienna Monastery will have its own leader who will bear title of an Abbot.

 

All entities working under the two Orders will be governed by the new Chief Abbot and one administrative council.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Sarkissian, Cohen Sign Military Cooperation Pact

 

WASHINGTON--Armenia's defense minister Serge Sarkissian arrived in Washington on Sunday and met with US Secretary of Defense William Cohen Monday,

when the two military leaders signed a agreement on ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

 

The agreement that Minister Sarkissian and I have just signed is important for two reasons. It will help Armenia to improve its customs and border patrol services in

order to control the spread of weapons of mass destruction. In addition, the agreement will strengthen cooperation between Armenia and the United States," said

Cohen following his meeting during a joint briefing at the Pentagon.

 

"In working together to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the United States will provide Armenia with $300,000 of equipment and training. The

equipment will include nuclear and contraband detection kits to help Armenian authorities to prevent the unauthorized transportation of nuclear, chemical and

biological weapons and components," added Cohen.

 

"Earlier this year we agreed to assist Armenia with de-mining, training and equipment to help clear land-mines left by the conflict over Nagorno-Artsax with

Azerbaijan. The US supports the cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan and encourages negotiations between the presidents of the two countries to reach a

durable peace settlement," continued the Secretary of Defense.

 

"I am glad that during this visit a document will be signed which will prevent the distribution and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Armenia is against

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the government of the Republic of Armenia understands the region it is in," said Sarkissian during the briefing.

 

"We also discussed a very important issue with the Honorable Mr. Secretary, which is the issue of humanitarian de-mining, and we found some areas of mutual

interest. We believe that after the conflict in Nagorno-Artsax is solved, the military cooperation between Armenia and the United States will get started and will

start. We hope that the settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Artsax will come soon," expressed Armenia's defense minister.

 

During the question and answer portion of the briefing, Cohen clarified that the agreement signed between Armenia and the US did not envision troop involvement in

Armenia, adding that the agreement "it pertains to the transfer of equipment and some training, but not on any troop involvement."

 

Cohen added that training will be conducted by US civilian personnel from the Department of Defense, Customs Service and the FBI.

 

"We do not have a military-to-military relationship [with Armenia] with the exception of dealing with humanitarian de-mining and other types of military-to-military

cooperation dealing with promotion of democratic institutions, rule of law, and civilian control of the military. So we do have contact in those exceptions that are

carved out under Section 907, but those are the only exceptions that we have. This, as far as the transfer of equipment, it will pertain to border control and their

customs people, so that will be where the training and equipment will take place," clarified Cohen.

 

The Armenian defense ministry press service reported that Sarkissian is also scheduled to meet high-level officials in the State Department and discuss with them the

Nagorno-Artsax peace process, as well as issues of regional security and stability.

 

Sarkissian will return to Yerevan Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Uncertain Prospects For Energy Privatization As Parliament Opens Debates

 

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The success of the Armenian government's efforts to privatize state-run electricity distributing networks did not appear a foregone

conclusion on Monday as the country's parliament began final debates on whether foreign companies should be given a controlling interest in the sector.

 

With the People's Party of Armenia, a key member of the ruling coalition, said to be opposed to the sell-off, the government of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian

faced serious difficulties trying to win over the majority of deputies.

 

Energy Minister Karen Galustian presented the main points of a draft law setting "the main principles and conditions" of an international tender for the four electricity

companies. The bill has to be approved by the National Assembly in order for the bidding to go ahead.

 

The cabinet, backed by President Robert Kocharian, is keen to complete the privatization process by the end of next fall to secure among other things more vital

loans from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

 

Galustian reiterated the authorities' main arguments, saying that the sell-off is essential for attracting capital investments in the loss-making sector and achieving a 100

percent enforcement of electricity bills. He also said that it is part of a government strategy of turning Armenia into a "major exporter of energy in the region."

 

The issue again brought to light serious differences inside the country's ruling elite, with some pro-government lawmakers saying that they will help opposition factions

scuttle the bill.

 

A deputy from the People's Party, Aramayis Barseghian, told RFE/RL that the center-left party, which together with Markarian's Republican Party forms the Unity

bloc, has decided to vote against the proposed legislation. Unity controls 49 seats in the 131-member assembly. Twenty-three members of its faction represent the

People's Party. Some members of the allied 18-strong Stability group, which is also represented in Markarian's government, have also threatened to block the

initiative.

 

Also opposed to the sell-off are the Armenian Communists, the nationalist Right and Accord bloc and most members of a parliamentary group uniting members of

the Yerkrapah Union of Artsax war veterans. Other parties represented in the parliament have yet to formulate an official position on the issue. The debates will

continue on Tuesday.

 

Meanwhile, parliament committee on budget, finance and economic issues endorsed the government bill on privatization of four energy distributing companies by 15

votes to 3. The committee members from the Right and Accord alliance and the Communists voted against the bill.

 

Speaking to Armenpress on last Friday, parliament deputy speaker Tigran Torosian endorsed the bill drafted by the government saying that the process of energy

companies' privatization was unprecedented in the entire history of the privatization process in Armenia.

 

He swept off concerns of some deputies who claim that the absence of the starting price for the companies is the main shortcoming of the draft law. "It is very well

known that some tenders are held without fixing the starting price, and I hope the draft law will be passed by the parliament," he said.

 

Armenia's energy minister Karen Galustian said that the privatization of energy grid will allow to supply energy uninterruptedly to consumers, will raise the reliability

of electricity distribution networks, minimize the huge losses of electricity, and replenish the budget.

 

"While calculating the price of the power grid we have to take into account that the strategic investor has to buy 51 percent of shares and will try to bring back the

money as soon as possible which may have a negative impact on the energy tariffs and raise the social tension," he said.

 

He claimed that the higher the price of the energy companies the higher the tariffs will be, "that is why we have to conduct a balanced policy in privatization of energy

grid and the government draft law is called to secure that balance from the perspective of demands put forward by the Armenian government," he said.

 

In the meantime, Manuk Gasparian from the People's Party of Armenia said that he was authorized by his party to announce that the People's Party of Armenia

would endorse the government's draft law if several suggestions, proposed by his party, are accepted. The People's Party of Armenia proposes to sell not the 51

percent of the shares but only 40 percent, and give the management of the companies to the owner for a period of 4 years. If the latter does justify the confidence,

the remaining 11 percent of shares should be privatized.

 

Another Armenian party, Liberal Democratic, not represented in parliament, issued a statement on Friday endorsing the privatization of energy companies. The

statement says that the privatization of the energy companies will put an end to corruption in the sector and will create possibilities for an uninterrupted supply of

energy to consumers. The privatization will also allow to secure material investments directed towards technical updating of the nets, their expansion and

development will also create new jobs.

 

The government proposes to sell the four electricity companies in two separate packages. None of the shortlisted contenders - the Electricite de France giant,

Swiss-Swedish group ABB, Spain's Union Fenosa and the US operator AES Silk Road - would be allowed to buy more than two companies put up for sale in a

single package. The future owners would not have the freedom to decide on electricity fees, with the government's Energy Commission retaining a final say in setting

the tariffs.

 

The successful completion of the privatization process is essential for the release of some $50 million in fresh World Bank loans that would cover about half of

Armenia's budget deficit for this year. Judy O'Connor, the Bank's regional director for the South Caucasus told reporters in Yerevan on June 5 that the fresh

structural adjustment credits will be disbursed very shortly after the government selects the winners and finalizes takeover negotiations with them.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Khatami Donates $120,000 To Ararat

 

TEHRAN (Armenpress)--In accepting the wishes of His Holiness, Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Khatami

donated $120,000 to the Ararat soccer team of the Tehran's Ararat sport-cultural union. The president also promised to support the union during the upcoming

years.

 

As it was reported earlier, His Holiness met with the president Khatami last week. During the meeting he presented the needs and concerns of Iranian Armenians.

President Khatami promised to meet their needs in the near future.

 

The Catholicos on Sunday said Armenian-Iranians form an inseparable part of the Iranian nation, and stressed that people of his faith in Iran are not really a religious

minority.

 

Aram I, who was meeting with the Speaker of the Iranian parliament (mejlis) Hojjatoleslam Karrubi said all nationals in Iran, regardless of their religion, are entitled

to full rights and privileges of citizenship. He thanked Iran's religious leaders for providing Armenians with the freedom to worship.

 

He lauded Iran's progress at the national and international areas, and expressed hope that Armenians would contribute to that progress on the side of their Iranian

fellow-citizens. The Catholicos also called for the help of the Iranian Government for Armenian schools in Iran.

 

Karrubi, in response underscored the contribution of Armenians to the development of the country in all areas, and promised to set to Aram I's request.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Council of Europe Tells Turkey to Pay Damages

 

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters)--The Council of Europe on Monday issued a stern warning to Turkey to comply without further delay with a 1998 court

decision and pay damages to a Greek Cypriot refugee.

 

The 41-nation group's executive council of ministers said failure to obey a European Court of Human Rights judgement was unprecedented.

 

``The refusal of Turkey to execute the judgement of the court demonstrates a manifest disregard for its international obligations,'' the ministers said in a

strongly-worded statement.

 

``In view of the gravity of the matter (the council) strongly insists that Turkey comply fully and without further delay,'' they said.

 

The court ordered Turkey in 1998 to pay $537,000 in compensation to Titina Loizidou for property seized after Turkey invaded the northern part of Cyrpus in

1974.

 

Turkey has refused to pay, arguing that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which only Ankara has recognised, is an independent country. Turkey has kept

30,000 troops in northern Cyprus since it invaded in response to a Greek Cypriot coup backed by Athens.

 

The ministers did not say how they could force Turkey to pay up, and a council spokeswoman said they would review the dispute at their next meeting, in

September.

 

She would not speculate on what measures the ministers could decide. She said that in theory a member country could be suspended and eventually expelled from

the council for failing to obey a court order.

 

Although the 41-nation Council of Europe, which monitors human rights and democracy in the region, is independent of the European Union, a sanction would reflect

badly on Turkey's bid to join the EU.

 

The EU has said Turkey must improve its human rights record if it is to join the club.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Babayan's Trial In Armenia Problematic, Lawyers Say

 

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—The continuing uncertainty of Nagorno-Artsax's international status calls into question the legitimacy of demands by the former

commander of the disputed enclave's army, General Samvel Babayan, that his upcoming trial on coup charges be held in Armenia, leading Armenian lawyers said on

Friday.

 

Babayan, who was Artsax's most powerful figure a year ago and is accused of plotting to overthrow the current authorities in Stepanakert, declared a hunger

strike on Thursday, saying that only an Armenian court can guarantee him a fair trial. In a statement released from jail, the general claimed that a Artsax court can

not hold "impartial and objective proceedings" because the main victim of the crime he is charged with masterminding is the president of the unrecognized

Nagorno-Artsax Republic, Arkady Ghoukassian. Ghoukassian was seriously wounded on March 22 when gunmen opened fire on his limousine.

 

Artsax prosecutors say that the foiled assassination bid was the work of Babayan who thus wanted to regain his once dominant status in the Armenian-populated

territory. But critics, many of whom are supporters of the ex-commander, counter that they lack evidence to prove that theory and have mistreated suspects to

extract testimony.

 

According to Gagik Ghazinian, president of Armenia's biggest lawyers association, "legal uncertainty" surrounding Artsax's status makes it difficult to judge how

justified Babayan's demands for a trial in Armenia are. In an interview with RFE/RL, Ghazinian said meeting those demands is problematic given that the

Nagorno-Artsax Republic considers itself a "different state" independent of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

 

He said a Babayan trial on Armenian territory would be "logical" if Armenia viewed Artsax as its integral part, something which successive governments in

Yerevan have refused to do. Another lawyer, Tigran Yesayan, said there are "no legal grounds" for such a trial.

 

In his statement, Babayan also demanded that Artsax law-enforcement agencies "take measures to prevent further deterioration of my health condition." He

alleged that he was "twice subjected to beating" and suffered serious injuries.

 

The torture allegations were earlier made by his lawyers and family members. "Having spent around four months in the jail of the Nagorno-Artsax Republic's

Department of National Security I am deprived of the legally guaranteed possibility to go for a walk [in the prison courtyard] and breathe fresh air," the 35-year-old

former war hero claimed.

 

Babayan also effectively denied prosecutors' claim that he has pled guilty to the charges.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Prosecutor Considers Statement By Babayan's Lawyer Groundless

 

STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)—Judex Shakarian, the defense attorney of the former Defense Ministerof the Nagorno Artsax Republic Samvel Babayan,

stated that for the purpose of ensuring objectivity of the trial of the case of the March 22 assassination attempt on the Nagorno Artsax Republic President, it is

necessary that the trial be held in Armenia.

 

In this connection, the Nagorno Artsax Republic General Prosecutor's Office stated that the Nagorno Artsax Republic was a de-facto independent state

possessing all the attributes of statehood, including judicial power. Thus, it was difficult to understand Shakarian who tried to defend the interests of the Nagorno

Artsax Republic citizen, and at the same time ignored the state. It was stressed that the Prosecutor's Office was guided only by the Criminal Code, according to

which the case was to be considered in the Court situated in the district of a crime committed. The Prosecutor's Office qualified Shakarian's statement as farfetched

and following one goal — to cast a shadow on the Nagorno Artsax Republic judicial power by accusing it of incompetence, moreover, on the eve of bringing the

case into court.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Karekin II Visits St. Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Kissag

Mouradian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, and His Grace Bishop Navassard Ktchoyan, Vicar General of Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, paid a visit

to St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan on July 21.

 

Members of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, headed by the President Mr. Fadey Sarkisian and the members of the Congregation of the Mother See

of Holy Echmiadzin joined His Holiness to become acquainted with the course of the construction works, to express their support to the Armenian Church and to all

those who contributed the realization of that large-scale national undertaking. In the course of the visit His Holiness presided over a requiem service in memory of

Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Marie Manoogians, the prominent Armenian benefactors of blessed memory.

 

National hero Alex Manoogian, the fourth anniversary of whose death will be commemorated, is the chief sponsor of the Cathedral of Yerevan. After his death,

realizing the promise of their late parents, the daughter and the son of the honest benefactors, Louise Simone and Richard Manoogians, donated $3 million for the

construction of the Cathedral. With satisfaction, His Holiness and blessed and noted that recently the benefactor's daughter and son have added another $2 million

for the construction of the Cathedral in memory of their parents.

 

St. Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral, unprecedented in the history of churches' construction by its sizes, is being built on the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of

Proclamation of Christianity as the State Religion of Armenia. The Cathedral is already built, the crosses are consecrated by His Holiness and decoration works are

in process. Although there are some financial difficulties, His Holiness is hopeful that next year - the year of the Armenian nation's great jubilee, this magnificent

Cathedral will be completely ready thanks to the efforts of its faithful flock.

 

"Building of churches is really building the Motherland, because church is not merely a stone building, but a spiritual treasury, and without spiritual and moral values

any society and any state are unstable and do not have any future," said His Holiness, in the focus of whose permanent attention is the Cathedral's construction.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Armenian Students Rank Third In Mathematics Olympiad

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Armenian students ranked third in the Mathematics division of the 5th National Scientific Olympiad held in the Iranian Western

provincial capital of Hamadan on Friday.

 

Iranian students ranked first. Following Iran were university students from Ukraine. University students from eight countries Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan,

Turkmenistan, Cyprus, Oman and Iran participated in the scientific competitions.