Mailing List Service Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear frends! Arminfo news agency inform TERRORIST ACTS IN USA INFLUENCED SPECIFIED TASKS OF CB'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT AND YET TO INFLUENCE PAYMENT BALANCE INDICATORS AND IMPORT VOLUMES SEPTEMBER 27. ARMINFO. The terrorist acts in the USA did not have an essential influence on the Armenian financial system, but, indeed, they influenced the CB's specified tasks of foreign exchange assets management. The tragedy will also influence on the payment balance indicators and on operations of the economic entities, actively importing their production, the CB Board Chairman Tigran Sargssyan told ARMINFO. He said that the US events may also influence the inflation level in the country, as the reduction of import prices is observed. Sargssyan believes that an economic downturn observed in the USA is exiting apprehension that the country's export may decrease because of reduction of prices at the foreign markets, which will, in its turn, correct the GDP's growth rates envisaged in Armenia for 2001. Thus, the US tragic events will indirectly influence Armenia's financial and commodity markets as well, and the Central Bank will have to take measures to prevent any possible negative influence, Sargssyan said. GEORGIAN EMBASSY IN ARMENIA TO CAREFULLY OBSERVE INVESTIGATION OF CASE ON MURDER OF GEORGIAN CITIZEN ON NIGHT FROM SEPTEMBER 24 TILL 25 SEPTEMBER 27. The Georgian Embassy in Armenia will carefully observe the investigation of the case on murder of a Georgian citizen, 43-years old Poghos Poghossyan, the assistant of the Georgian ambassador to Armenia Georgy Tevzadze told ARMINFO correspondent. He said that the embassy has not received any information on this event so far. Poghossyan's corpse was found in the lavatory of the Yerevan cafe "Aragast" on the night from 24 till 25. According to the Armenian mass media, the victim, the head of the Georgian village of Jigrashen, was beaten to death by the Armenian president's guard, when the president was having a rest in the above cafe. On of the witnesses of the event was the former minister of health Gagik Stamboltsyan. Talking to ARMINFO, he said that he was not a witness of the crime. He also added that he was asked to help a cafe client, who felt bad in the lavatory. "Entering the lavatory, I saw two men holding another one and pouring water on his face," Stamboltsyan said. Poghossyan was unconscious, pale and with blue lips. Stamboltsyan said that when the ambulance arrived, he had been already dead. He also pointed out that he did not notice any signs of beating and did not know the men holding Poghossyan. POPE APOLOGIZED FOR FAULTS MADE BY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH DURING HISTORY SEPTEMBER 27. During his divine liturgy held on Roman ceremony at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin today Pope John Paul II apologized for Roman Catholic Church's faults made during its history. In his appeal to the believers the Pontiff said that he took upon himself a mission to visit all the Christian countries and to apologize for the Roman Catholic Church's deeds made against these countries and their churches. "There were numerous misunderstandings during the history, and I took a mission upon myself to visit all the countries and apologize for these faults. I'm bowing before my Christian brothers and apologize to them, thereby giving a stronger power to the interchurch cooperation," the Pontiff pointed out. Welcoming the participants of the divine liturgy, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, in his turn, pointed out that no precedents of such a solemn celebration of the Christianity Proclamation as a State Religious were registered in the country. However, the 150th Anniversary of its Christianity Armenia celebrated by its perfect victory over the Persian army at the Avarayr field in 451, the Supreme Patriarch said. He said that the Armenian people and the Armenian Church were deeply touched by the fact of Pope John Paul II's presence at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin during these festivities. The Catholicos said that the Pope's visit to Armenia will strengthen the fraternal love and friendly relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. He also pointed out that, though today's liturgy is held on Roman ceremony and in Latin, the prayer language is one and the Christians of the world are revering Jesus Christ equally. "God hears us in the Armenian Ancient Grabar language, as well as in Latin and in the other languages. Despite the insignificant differences, the common belief is the very factor of unity, which unites our churches," the Supreme patriarch said. The Ecumenical cooperation of the Christian churches makes new steps, with the Pope's attempts and visits serving this pleasing to God a goal. Participating in the liturgy were representatives of the Supreme Priesthood of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church, Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Nerses Ter-Nersissyan, the heads of more than 20 Christian Confessions, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, the government members and the parliamentary deputies of the country, the employees of the foreign diplomatic corps and the international organizations accredited in Armenia, as well as thousands of believers and guests arrived in Armenia on the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity Proclamation in Armenia. SPEECH BY H.E. ROBERT KOCHARIAN AT THE FAREWELL CEREMONY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II SEPTEMBER 27. During the farewell ceremony of His Holiness Pope John Paul II the president of Armenia Robert Kocharian made the following speech: Your Holiness, Your Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians, Honoured Clergy, Dear Guests, The visit of the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, to Armenia is coming to an end. Its historical significance has been profound. Its positive effects will continue to be felt in the further development and deepening of relations between Armenia and the Vatican. We are confident, too, that the partnership between the Vatican and the Armenian Apostolic Church will gain additional strength from the Holy Father's presence in our lands. Your Holiness, We express our gratitude to you for granting us the honour of your presence at the celebrations of the seventeen hundredth anniversary of the adoption of Christianity and the tenth anniversary of Armenia's re-established statehood. We are deeply touched by the warmth of your feelings towards our people and our state. Rest assured, these feelings are mutual. Throughout its history the Armenian nation has experienced many highs and lows. It has also endured the worst that humanity can suffer. Your deeds provide proof that we are not alone in our efforts to re-establish historical justice. This fact fills our hearts with gratitude. We view the servants of the Holy See as promoters of peace, justice and humanity. Your Holiness, Armenia's ten years of independence have been a powerful inspiration for the rediscovery of our nation's spiritual foundations. The moral and spiritual strength of our society is at the heart of Armenia's resolve to address its present challenges and difficulties. Our deeply rooted Christian traditions influence Armenia's present day policies. Safeguarding the freedom of man and a nation as the best condition for a self- expression is our utmost priority. We greatly value the special role that you play in promoting these values throughout the world. The Republic of Armenia and its people are determined to make their modest contribution to peace and prosperity in the world, together with others in the family of nations. With this happy thought we bid you farewell. FAMOUS FRENCH SINGER OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN CHARLES AZNAVOUR LEFT ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 27. The famous French singer of the Armenian origin Charles Aznavour left today for France. He told journalists in the airport Zvartnots that he thinks the main problem of Armenia nis the remaining emigration of Armenia's citizens. "It is necessary that every Armenian who lives in the country was employed, then no one will like to leave abroad," Aznavour said. He thanked his countrymen for the warm reception and expressed his hope that the next arrival to the historical Motherland "will not be too late". besides, the next time the singer intends to arrive with his family. As it is known, Charles Aznavour was in Armenia from 20 to 27 Sept. He had meetings with the president Robert Kocharian, the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and the Roman Pope John Paul II who was in Armenia. The great singer made a nice surprise to thousands of his countrymen and numerous guests and sang the catholic prayer "Ave Maria" during the visit of the memorial complex of the Armenian Genocide by the pontiff. From now on the place between the cinema "Moscow" and the hotel "Yerevan" bears the name of the great singer. BEFORE LEAVING ARMENIA FOR UNITED STATES MICHELLE LEMMON PLACED AN ORDER WITH AN ARMENIAN COUTURIERE TO DESIGN A COLLECTION OF DRESSES WITH ARMENIAN TRACERY SEPTEMBER 27. Before leaving Armenia for the United States the spouse of the US Ambassador to Armenia Michelle Lemmon placed an order with the Atex Fashion Center to design a collection of autumn dresses. Atex manager and chief designer Karine Dnoyan fulfilled the order. She said all the dresses are decorated with tracery "Marash," resembling of Armenian khachkars (cross-stones). "Michelle Lemmon was one of the permanent clients of our firm during her stay in Armenia and became our friend," Dnoyan said. To recap, Mrs Lemmon left Armenia with her husband who completed his diplomatic mission in Armenia. POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITED KHOR VIRAP MONASTERY SEPTEMBER 27. The Pope John Paul II visited today the medieval monastery of Khor Virap within the framework of his official visit to Armenia. Khor Virap is situated on the left bank of Araxes, 30 km from the Biblical mountains of Ararat, the south-westward from the village of Lusarat of Armenia's Ararat province. The Monastery is a holy place and a site of constant pilgrimage by Armenians. The history of Khor Virap is closely connected with Armenia's adopting Christianity as its state religion, with the whole process of religious ad cultural development of Armenia, it's enlightenment. The monastery has been a source of spiritual life for the Armenian nation for centuries. According to historian of IV Agatangeghos (Agaphangelos), Khor Virap is the very place where Grikor Lusavorich (the Enlightener) was thrown to a pit for convicts sentenced to death. 13 year later Grikor was released. The monastery's foundation was laid in V and in 653 Catholicos Nerses III completed the construction of the church. In A cathedral was built centuries later in 1212-1227. The monastery was restored in connection with the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia on the initiative of Catholicos Garegin II. The Pontiff went to the monastery's chapel of St Grikor today accompanied by His Holiness Garegin II. He took a candle from there lit from the perpetual icon-lamp of St Grikor, who was also the first Catholicos of All Armenians. The Pontiff took it with himself to Vatican to place it in the Cathedral of St Peter, while the Catholicos of All Armenians lit a second candle to place in the Holy See of Echmiadzin. ROMAN POPE JOHN PAUL II THANKED ARMENIAN CLERGY, PEOPLE AND COUNTRY'S AUTHORITIES FOR WARM RECEPTION BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FROM ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 27. The Roman Pope John Paul II thanked the Armenian Apostolic Church, people, country's authorities and journalists for the warm reception and the "time he passed on the Armenian land" before his departure from Armenia. He also stressed that the biblical mount of Ararat always was the symbol and the source of the Armenian people's hope during the history. Nor the terrible genocide of 1915, nor the catastrophic earthquake of 1988, nor other disasters could break the spirit and faith of the Armenian people. Today many young Armenians are forced to leave their country. "However, remember that Jesus Christ is with you, have hope in him and he will not abandon you. There is no prosperity without faith," the Roman Pope said. It should be noted that during his three-days visit John Paul II had meetings with Armenia's president Robert Kocharian, the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, carried out the solemn liturgy in the Holy See of Echmiadzin in the Roman rite, participated in the ceremony in the Yerevan Cathedral Saint Grigor Lusavorich, as well he visited the Memorial Complex Tsitsernakaberd dedicated to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in the Ottoman Turkey and the monastery Khor-Virap. The Pontiff took with him the candle lit from the eternal icon lamp of Saint Grigor Lusavorich. During his visit John Paul II visited the Catholic Center in the Yerevan Kanaker community. RINGLEADER OF TERRORISTS REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OF LAWYERS REPRESENTING INTERESTS OF SUFFERED SEPTEMBER 27. Nairi Hunanyan, the ringleader of terrorists carried out the act in the Armenian parliament in 1999, refused to answer the questions of lawyers who represent the interests of the suffered persons. As Hunanyan said during today's hearings, his decision is connected with the fact that the main part of question is repeating. As a request, the judge Samvel Uzunyan said that he has not the right to prohibit the lawyers to ask questions. However, the defendant did not answer a single question from 30 ones. The lawyer Ashot Sargsyan who represents interests of the killed speaker of the parliament Karen Demirchyan, tried even to provoke the defendant to answer by asking him questions affecting his dignity. Particularly, Sargsyan was interested in Hunanyan's sexual orientation and his relations with his brother Karen. The lawyer asked frankly if Hunanyan was in intimate relations with his brother. In spite of the judge's observation that the lawyers must not ask question which affect defendant's dignity and which do not concern the case, Sargsyan went on the same. Besides, Sargsyan's attempts were fruitless - Hunanyan did not pronounce a single word. AS THE CURTAIN FELL ON HIS DIPLOMATIC MISSION U.S.AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DISCUSSED WITH ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT PROSPECTS OF BILATERAL RELATIONS SEPTEMBER 27. At the end of his diplomatic mission the U.S.Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Michael lemmon today discussed with the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan the prospects of bilateral relations. As the presidential press office informed ARMINFO, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission, thanking Robert Kocharyan for fruitful joint work, mentioned that regrets to leave Armenia, as the passed years here were pleasant and useful. From his part the President of Armenia highly assessed the active three-years activity of Michael Lemmon, as well as his contribution to development of bilateral relations. Robert Kocharyan stressed the necessity of implementation of consecutive assistance the programs, being fulfilled in different spheres. He also stressed the importance of the business-forum, held in May of this year in New York and devoted to investments in Armenia's economy. According to the President, the forum was a considerable step on showing to the world the business capacities of the republic. Wishing Michael Lemmon successes in his further diplomatic activity, Robert Kocharyan expressed confidence that in the future too the Armenian-American relations will be developed successfully. ARMENIA'S POLITICAL FORCES DISCUSSED MURDER OF GEORGIAN CITIZEN AT YEREVAN'S ARAGAST CAFE SEPTEMBER 27. Armenia's political forces discussed the murder of Georgian citizen Pogos Pogosyan at Yerevan's Aragast cafe in the night of Sept 24-25. Chairman of the Dashnaktsoutyun party Agvan Vartanyan said today his party has necessary evidence that Pogosyan didn't die by accident. He said Dashnaktsoutyun representatives spoke with Yerevan's prosecutor today who assured them that his office is taking active efforts to find out the causes of the crime. Vartanyan said his party will watch the investigation and is going to meet with Pres.Kocharyan in case of need. It should be noted that Pogosyan was a member of Dashnaktsoutyun. To recap, Pogosyan was trying to meet with internationally renowned French singer Charles Aznavour while he was sitting with Pres.Kocharyan at the Aragast cafe. When Kocharyan's bodyguards prohibited him from approaching Aznavour Pogosyan addressed some swear words to Kocharyan. Pogosyan was found dead in the cafe's toilet minutes after Kocharyan's departure. No information from Site can be used without prior permission of ARMINFO http://www.arminfo.am -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=media.arminfo http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com