I’m back in Yerevan. More meetings, more leads to follow and a strange but expected reaction from the government to the latest investigation. I can’t tell you right now what I’m investigating, but can just say that in the course of our investigation, the government has learned as to what were up to and they are taking drastic measures to remedy the problems and cover up their involvement.

The weather today is great!!! When I came a couple of days ago, it was sunny and I was in shorts. Yesterday was rain for most of the day. Crazy weather. I’m going to risk it today and put on shorts, but keep a pair of pants in the car just in case it cools down.

It seems that there is a great deal of tension in the air here in Armenia, with the opposition having meetings to protest the Kocharian government. They are not calling for revolution, but for a change in government. Sorry to say this, but their idea is to get into a position of power and not reconcile with the past. Their idea is the problems started after October 27th, 1999 and not back in 1990. Until we face our past and reconcile, we can’t move forward. Until the opposition recognizes this, they are no better than the present day government and for that reason, I hope that their efforts fail (which I think they will).

One thing good that can come from these meetings is that maybe Kocharian will understand that the way he is running the country is wrong and he needs to implement social and economic changes that will benefit the greater population, but by doing this, will be economic suicide for him and his friends and for that reason, I don’t believe he can take the necessary steps we need today.

Were living in a very challenging time.

Yesterday I was in Stepanagert and stopped in to see one of Godchildren who I had not seen for a few months.

He greeted me and told me that I had come just in time and if I was willing to take his wife to her village. I told him I didn’t have a problem if he needed me to do this. He told me he guessed that I didn’t understand, his wife wanted to leave him and had packed her bags.

I took him into the bedroom and asked him if he wanted to talk about it? He did and told me that he understood that he was to blame, but he said that if his wife leaves, he will not take her back and has no problem living alone.

He went on to tell me about what had happened in the morning and his being demanding with his wife in regards to breakfast not being what he wanted it to be when he had an unexpected guest. He said that he knew this was not that big a deal, but knows that her wanting to leave was a build-up of things that he had done.

I asked him if he was interested in my opinion? He agreed and said that as his Godfather, he as no right to object to what I say.

I started out to tell him the importance of family and how such a change would have an adverse effect on his 2 children.

I went on to tell him what I have observed in the past and had pointed out to him long ago was his being harsh with his wife and daughter, belittling them in front of friends and how I would guess this really bothers his wife.

I called in his wife and the three of us discussed his discontent with her and her discontent with him. She told of how her biggest complaint is the belittling in front of his friends.

I told them that it was very important to communicate and at least talk everyday for 5 minutes with each other, even it is talking about nothing.

We came to an agreement that each of them would request from the other one reasonable thing they would like to see change, which they would work on this week.

I then said that I was going to leave the room and they should sit next to each other for 5 minutes and talk. I added that if it was not too difficult, to hold hands while talking.

It seems that in this country there are no such things as marriage counseling, but there sure is a big need for it. These were very big issues to this couple, but in less than 30 minutes we put things into perspective.

As this exchange was going on, all I could think is that here I am in Artsakh with an Armenian couple and was fully understanding their problems and knowing what each one of them was feeling, not by that half hour talk, but from what I have observed in the last 6 years from talking to people here and really feeling what they feel. The women feel like slaves to their husbands and children. The men feel like they have to show they are men and are very aggressive towards their wives.

My aunt who was a social worker would have been so proud of me, as 5 minutes later, my Godson and his wife joined me in the living room and they were both talking and smiling.

They have agreed to give their marriage a second chance and if they feel like there is a problem that they can’t resolve, they will call me and we will sit down again and see what can be done to fix it and move forward.

TWO-YEAR SENTENCE FOR THEFT OF 503 KILOS OF WHEAT

March 25, 2004

MARTUNI, ARTSAKH – As the Martuni district court handed down the sentence to 3 convicted thieves for stealing 503 kilos of wheat, the victim was surprised and pled with the judge saying, “Your honor, I feel that these men have already suffered enough. They have paid me back for what they have stolen and I have never heard anything bad about them before this…”

On October of 2003, the 3 family men had on two occasions stolen wheat from the victim in all 11 sacks of wheat totaling 503 kilos, which they divided among themselves. For this, they sat in jail for 3 months until trial, at which time the prosecutor read off the charges of premeditated theft, working as a criminal group and a number of other charges that allowed a total sentence of 2 years in prison.

Of the 3 men, one had once been convicted of theft and the other two had never before been charged with any crimes, were both said to be well educated and driven to commit this crime by a need to provide for their families.

The question now comes as to if the sentence was too harsh, or was there a need to make an example of these men so others living under similar conditions would think twice before committing such a crime?

Of course when following the law, these men had what was coming to them. On the other hand, if these men were driven by economic hardship and a need to feed their children, then could the court have found room for leniency, taking into consideration that they had repaid the victim for his loss (paying 200 dram a kilo, which is higher than the current market value)?

Then the question also should be asked as to what effect incarceration will have on the men and their families? Who will provide for the collective 9 children and 3 wives for the next 21 months (the balance of their sentence)?

Though it’s not fair or right to compare this crime with other crimes, there was a case of the Prosecutor General’s son who ran over and killed not one, but I believe 2 people and never even had to set foot in a police station or even had charges filed against him.

And the case of a Armenian-Georgian, who was murdered by President Kocharian’s security staff and only one person faced criminal charges and in the end was let off without spending time in jail.

And then there is the case of the “victim” who the 3 men stole 503 kilos of wheat from to presumably feed their children and his being arrested in 1995 for stealing truck loads of supplies from an army base in Artsakh where he was the keeper of, which later part of said supplies were recovered from his home. He got off after fleeing to Russia and the commander of that base arranged to have the case dropped.

The same “victim” who the 503 kilos were stolen from was again arrested a few years ago when he struck a man who he broke his jaw after the man whose jaw was broken by the “victim” had complained about the “victim’s” wife who is a pediatrician and had incorrectly medicated the man’s daughter, causing a permanent loss of her speech. Instead of going to jail for 8 years, he was given probation. It should also be noted that the “victim” at that time was the brother-in-law of the Martuni Regional Minister.

So you see, the way the law works here is based not always on the law, but on who you know and how much you have to pay your way out of trouble.

I can tell you right now that if the 3 men were able to come up with a few hundred dollars, they could have paid their way out of jail, but seeing that they had to steal wheat to feed their children, it’s clear that they don’t have access to such a luxury.

What are the dangers of revolution in Armenia today?

This is a very serious question that people are talking about more and more.

In Armenia as the weather starts to heat up, it seems that people will take to the streets to protest against the President and his government.

People are in fear of Azerbaijan taking advantage of instability and starting the war again.

People fear that there are no good leaders better than Kocharian to replace him.

Though everyone seems to have legitimate concerns, much of these fears are unrealistic and for the speculation of war breaking out, this seems to be more of a bluff that the pro present day government people are passing around to try to scare people from starting a revolution.

The reality is that war will not break out as long as Kocharian does not try to use the army to prevent civil unrest and leaves the army to do what it is intended to do, protect our boarders.

War can only break out if Russia and the West allows it to and at this point, a war would further prevent economic gains for Russia and the West, so there is a very good chance that such a conflict right now will not happen.

Why I’m bring this up now is that for over a month, this has been the topic of discussion every place I go and it always ends in people better understanding that even if we do have a revolution and if Kocharian and the people in power are truly Armenian, then there will be no devastating effect to national security.

The big question remains. Is Kocharian really Armenian and is he thinking of what is best for this country or if he is thinking about staying in power at all costs and if there is revolution, will Kocharian and Sarkissian deploy the army?

One thing that comes to mind is the presidential and parliament elections and how Kocharian and Sarkissian used the army for getting votes. They also used army personal, police and national security persons from Artsakh, dressed in Armenian police uniforms who were deployed to Armenia, to do what they had to in the even of civil unrest. Those that were taken over which from what I remember was in the neighborhood of 4,000 people, where first asked if they had a problem in doing what they had to do to Armenians?

Also I remember that in the village of Khachig, that during the parliament elections, they took so many conscripts to vote for Sarkissian and HIS people, that the Azeri’s were able to capture and hold a strategic hill.

In short, Kocharian and Sarkissian have shown that they are ready to do what they have to, to stay in power and for that reason, I’m not sure if they will in this case use the army to protect their interests.

I will say this for sure, if they do deploy the army, there is a good chance that it will backfire on them and in the end, they will have to flee the country to stay alive. Of course if you know Armenians, that period of time will only be temporary until someone catches up with them.

One thing that Sarkissian has recently said is that anyone that tries anything will be punished according to the law. I guess what he does not seem to want to understand is that during a revolution, the law does not apply and in some cases depending on how things end, the law becomes null and void and things start once again from square one.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
25 March 2004

Controversial MP Named Provincial Governor

By Emil Danielyan

A controversial lawmaker accused by critics of leading a mobster clan in his native region was appointed on Thursday as the new governor of Armenia's southeastern Syunik region.

Surik Khachatrian, who has close ties with Prime Minister Andranik Markarian's Republican Party (HHK), was named by the government to replace Edik Barseghian, a former chief of the Armenian traffic police. A government statement gave no reasons for Barseghian's sacking and the choice of his successor.

A parliament deputy since 1995, Khachatrian, 47, is better known to the public with his "Liska" nickname. A former car mechanic, he rose to prominence during the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in 1992-94 when he was the commander of paramilitary and army units in his native town of Goris. He later became a senior member of the once powerful Yerkrapah Union of war veterans.

Goris and the surrounding district are adjacent to the Lachin corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh and are part of the bigger Syunik region. The area has long been considered a de facto personal fiefdom of Khachatrian and his extended family. The clan controls the local administration and most businesses, reportedly fighting back any challenges to its hegemony.

Media speculation has often linked Khachatrian to violent incidents reported from Goris. His two nephews, for example, are currently facing criminal prosecution on charges of murdering a local man earlier this month.

In a recent newspaper interview, Khachatrian did not deny their guilt, but insisted that he had no role in the killing. He also acknowledged his unofficial status, saying that Goris residents know that "their ultimate salvation lies in my office." "Things are always sad here when I'm not in town," he said.

That Khachatrian will be appointed governor was announced by the
"Haykakan Zhamanak" daily in its Thursday edition. The paper suggested that he will get the job to make way for Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian's election to the Armenian parliament from the Goris constituency. It claimed that Sarkisian has set his sights on the post of parliament speaker.

Incidentally, Khachatrian had been a bitter enemy of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a member of the ruling coalition that was in opposition to Armenia's former government. The nationalist party accused him of overthrowing in 1992 the elected head of the Goris district administration affiliated with Dashnaktsutyun.

I’m back in Martuni. What great weather we are having. It was 30c yesterday. I really wanted to go out with shorts on, but didn’t.

My car got all fixed up in Yerevan, though it took 2 days longer than I was expecting. Not a big deal and I’m glad it’s taken care of.

Thanks to the weather, it looks like we will be starting demolition and then construction of a new building for our salon, offices and rental space. I’m suppose to be entering into the property agreement in the next day or so and as soon as the papers are signed, we will start work. My general manager tells me that if all goes as planned, we will finish construction in 3 months. I’ll be happy if it’s ready by the end of the year.

As always, I can expect fires to be burning when I return home and as expected, my dog has once again been snacking on the neighbors chickens. This has to stop and now that we have discovered how she gets out of the yard, it should not be too difficult to put an end to this problem.

There has once again been talk of why I have gone to Yerevan. Again it’s the same subject of me having been married and also about the Americans coming and beating me up. Small town, big imagination. I love this place.

News from the lake is that due to the weather change, the fish are playing and there are reports that we have Sazan (a type of Carp) which are the size of Dolphins. I saw one myself last year, but now it seems there are quite a few. This is a direct result of not allowing land mines to be blown up to catch fish. I am looking forward to the summer heat and swimming with the “Dolphins”.

I’m now back to working on my book, which due to the lack of winter and my traditional hibernation period, I really didn’t get much done. It’s very hard work and though there are many fond memories from the past, I really don’t have a super desire to revisit them now. I guess one reason is that I literally have thousands of type written pages of journals that will take me years to sift through. At this point other than the early years, it’s going to be a random pick of stuff, since it’s all good stuff and it’s too much for a book.

I had always envisioned this book or more so my journals, for my reading pleasure when I am 90 years old and have much time on my hands. On the other hand, I get the feeling at the rate I’m going, when I’m 90, I’ll be even busier than I am now, have thousands of more pages added, so maybe this is a good time to do this work and get this part of my life out of the way. I wonder if there is a better way to keep things organized in the future so it will be easier to compile? Maybe one of our children we can birth for the sole purpose of working on this book? I don’t know and the whole idea of a book just makes me tired.

My car is still not ready, though I should have it by Sunday. I guess it’s not that big a deal right now since I’ve come down with a cold/flu, probably due to the radical temperature changes and all the people I’ve met with in the last few days that have runny noses.

For my cold, I went to the pharmacy and picked up some Anti-Cold, which is produced in Armenia by Parsarmen Pharm JVCJ. Co. I don’t know how well this stuff is working, but I keep having to drink water, as it is drying out my mouth. Every few hours I wake with a totally dry mouth, which is not all that great a feeling.

I’ve been exploring the possibility of purchasing a house in Yerevan, since my fiancé still has 6 years of studies here. We have discussed where to buy and with all the tree cutting and increase in pollution, we have decided to look for land outside the smog-belt and build a house.

I know building from scratch could be a real nightmare, but I’m figuring if it’s going to be the way we want it, then instead of a major renovation to a house that knowing me will in the end be torn down and then we start from scratch, it’s just best to build new. I also will bring my crew from Artsakh, which means there will be only delays due to weather.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a glimpse at the 2004 calendar book that the Ministry of Defense published. Very interesting stories and reprinted articles, including one about my grandfather Shahan Natalie.

I was shown the calendar book by my Godson Lavrent, who also had an article written about him, but it was not as flattering as the one about my grandfather.

Just some really quick background on Lavrent. He was one on Monte Melkonian’s soldiers who Monte was quite fond of and took this boy from a village who drove a bulldozer and made him into a tank driver in a matter less than a month.

In battle, Lavrent was usually the lead tank and during the war, he hit 29 land mines. Once being mistaken for dead after being removed from his blown up tank and while at the morgue, he started to grown and was rushed off to the hospital where they revived him. In short this guy is the real Energizer Bunny who just keeps on going.

So Lavrent came to me with his Ministery of Defense’s 2004 calendar book and showed me the article about him which at the heading read “The Real Story”.

“The Real Story” which was titled “You Never turn your back to the Turks” talked about an operation that Monte executed where they were to capture 5 or 6 Azeri tanks using land mines. It went on to say that Lavrent didn’t understand his orders and hit a tank destroying it. Monte got upset and called Lavrent an “Avanag” (Jackass) and saying that he hit a tank that was to be ours.

According to Lavrent, this never happened and as many times as Monte got upset with Lavrent, he never called him an “Avanag”. On top of that, Lavrent never heard Monte use the word “Avanag” in Martuni, he would use the word “Esh”, which means the same thing, but again, never had he used this word on Lavrent.

Lavrent wanted to find out where this “real story” originated, as it was not all that real and in a sense, made Monte even look bad, as no one in their right mind uses land mines to capture tanks and no such operation had taken place with Lavrent present.

The other day when Lavrent arrived to Yerevan, he asked me if I had looked into who the publishers were of the calendar? I had not had time, but as soon as he asked, we drove to the Armen Press building and went to the administrators office, where I knew that people who love books are always helpful and sure as can be, like a reference librarian, the worker found who the publisher was and in a couple of minutes I was talking to Verg Israelyan, the chief editor, who is a Kuntabed in the Armenian army (he has 3 large stars on his shoulder, one more than my neighbor who commands a large base).

I told Israelyan that I was Shahan Natalie’s grandson and had read the flattering article about my grandfather in his calendar and wanted to meet with him to discuss the origin of some of the other articles. He said that since he office is at the Ministry of Defense, it would be difficult for me to gain access and we should meet somewhere. We agreed to meet at the Armenia Hotel at 3 PM.

At 3 PM Lavrent and I arrived at the Armenia Hotel and waiting for us out front was Kuntabed Israelyan. He was delighted to meet Shahan Natalie’s grandson and as we sat for a cup of coffee (I had tea), he told me of his publishing carrier and how he use to work with a newspaper that had republished Shahan works and articles of his very inspiring work that the Armenian army promotes regularly among the ranks.

I thanked Israelyan for all the nice compliments and focused on the reason of our meeting, finding out the origin of the “real story” that belittles Lavrent. He said that he was not really sure of the origin of the story and said that he didn’t even know if “Lavrent” was a real person? I told him that Lavrent was a real person and was sitting next to him.

Lavrent said that it was important that we find out where he obtained this “real story”, as there was very little in it that was real.

At first he became defensive, which I guess we were expecting, but in time he said that he would do his best to find where it came from, but it would be difficult, as it could have been a story that one of Monte’s friends told. I told him that it didn’t matter who it was or where it came from, he needs to tell us or he himself will have to answer for publishing a not so “real story” which we will visit with Serg himself if need be.

We clearly upset the Kuntabed, who was expecting a friendly meeting with the grandson of someone who he greatly admires. Oh well, if he wants to have a friendly relationship with me, he’s going to have to produce results and show that he responsibly published “The Real Story”.

A few months ago, I had the engine replaced in my car with a engine that took us over a month to find, since all the engines we looked at had signs of a potential problem of them burning oil.

At one point, I gave up hope that we would find a engine and agreed to have my engine rebuilt, which was followed my mechanic Vova calling me the next day to tell me he found an engine that was in almost new condition and did not burn oil.

Vova put in the new engine and when I drove it the first time, I noticed excess smoke coming out of the exhaust. I pointed this out and also pointed out that my transmission was not working as it use to and asked if they had changed it also?

I was told that the smoke would pass in time and the transmission was working differently because the new engine had more power. I was not sure what to think at this point, as next to my old engine was a Mercedes transmission that looked like it could fit on my engine.

I went to my Stepanagert mechanic Arnold, when I returned from Yerevan and was given the news that this new engine was burning oil.

We called Vova in Yerevan, who also happens to be from the village of Jardar (Martuni region) and is somehow related to Mavrik Ghoulkasyan, the NKR Prosecutor General, informing him of our discovery.

He told me the next time I come to Yerevan, to stop in and he will make adjustments to rid me of the problem.

After 3 visits to Vova did not rid me of the oil burning problem, so when I came to Yerevan 10 days ago, I brought with me Lavrent, my newest Godson, the person that now drives my dump truck and also someone who has taken it on himself to make sure that people who trick me in technical matters, such as things related to my motor vehicles, understand that they will correct their mistakes.

Lavrent and I went to see Vova the day we arrived. Vova told us that he was swamped with work and he will contact me in the next week to give me a solid date as to when Lavrent can come and he would change with Lavrent present any parts that are worn and causing the engine to burn oil.

I sent Lavrent back to Stepanagert the next day and called Vova 4 days later to see when he will start the work so I can tell Lavrent when to come back? He said he would call me the next day.

The next day passed and my trying to call Vova was just not working. His cell phone would ring and then I’d call again and it was unreachable, meaning he was out or range or turned it off. Calling his home was no use, as the phone would just ring and at one point a message came on that it was disconnected.

I called Lavrent to tell him what was going on and my having no luck in contacting Vova. He said not to worry, he would come on Tuesday and we would drop in to see Vova, if need be at his home, which I kind of knew were it was from conversations I had had with Vova.

On Tuesday night, we drove to Vova’s neighborhood and by asking, located his house. He was not home, but his wife was quite helpful and told us when he would be coming home.

We waited and at midnight, Vova pulls up to his house to see my car parked in his driveway. We greeted him and got him to agree to start the work today.

I know Lavrent and know that he will make sure that the engine is properly repaired and also my transmission is reinstalled on my car, since the transmission that is on it now knocks when it changes gears.

RFE/RL Press Review

16 March 2004

"Iravunk" says Yerevan's chief prosecutor, Hrachya Badalian, has imposed an information blackout on the criminal investigation into Friday's café gunfight in central Yerevan that was heard by the Armenian and Georgian presidents. "This fact suggests that individuals linked to high-ranking officials were indeed involved in the incident," the paper says. Among the "active participants" was the son of Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian.

"Hayots Ashkhar" similarly complains that the only information on the case it managed to obtain on Monday was that Badalian "is not in the office." The paper finds the very fact of groups of young men settling scores in a public place outrageous. Citing information from unofficial sources, it says the gunfire was provoked by a disputed over the ownership of the café called Triumph.

"Azg" notes in this regard that Triumph belongs to Armen Gevorgian, a key aide to President Robert Kocharian.

This is a must read for all of you to better understand how some of our aid is being used.

ASSOCIATION OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS OF ARMENIA / HETQ ONLINE

http://www.hetq.am

March 2004

HUMANITARIAN MEDICINE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT TO EXPIRE
By Edik Baghdasaryan

Out of the entire amount of medicine that entered Armenia as humanitarian assistance in 2001-2002, one billion drams worth expired before it could be used. In May 2001, Artashes Bisharyan was appointed head of the Department of Medical and Technological Supply of the Ministry of Health. He is the founder of Deghabaza Yerevan, Ltd., and was also the chairman of the Association of Pharmacists at the time of his appointment. Between August 2001 and November 2002, Artashes Bisharyan's department was in charge of the distribution of medicine sent to Armenia through humanitarian channels. During the same period, one billion drams worth of medicine expired. The main reason for the expiration was the promotion of the local pharmaceutical business; in other words, drug distribution was delayed intentionally, to protect local businesses.

In 2003, drug distribution was carried out by the Center for Humanitarian Assistance of the Ministry of Health. 1.3 billion drams worth of medicine was distributed; 40 million drams worth expired.

In the fall of 2002, the Ministry of National Security carried out an inspection of the Center for Humanitarian Assistance and in December 2002 the results were sent to the Office of the Prosecutor General. In July 2003 an action was brought against the Center. In October 2003, the Prosecutor's Office requested an inspection by the Supervision Department of the Ministry of Finance.

What really happened? Arthashes Bisharyan was engaged in the pharmaceutical trade through his company Deghabaza Yerevan, Ltd. When there were stocks of specific drugs at the Center for Humanitarian Assistance, only a part of them were distributed among the republican clinics, in order not to harm companies that traded in these drugs.



Period Distributing organization Value of expired medicine

January-August 2001 Ministry of Health Department of Medical and Technological Supply 139,000,000 drams

August 2001 - January 2002 Ministry of Health Department of Medical and Technological Supply (Head - Artashes Bisharyan) 241, 682,853 drams

January-November 2002 Ministry of Health Department of Medical and Technological Supply (Head - Artashes Bisharyan) 687,433,400 drams

2003 Ministry of Health Republican Center for Humanitarian Assistance (Director - Armen Hovsepyan) 40,000,000 drams



Now let's see which drugs expired while the department headed by Artashes Bisharyan was distributing the humanitarian medicine. Zitromax is an antibiotic in widespread demand. In 2001-2002, 200 million drams worth of
Zitromax expired. Tricor is for cardiac diseases and cholesterol. 300 million drams worth of Tricor expired as well. This drug is in widespread demand among the elderly; thus tens of thousands of pensioners were denied the possibility of getting this drug free of charge. Keppra is for psychiatric illnesses, and is in great demand in psychiatric hospitals. 54 million drams worth of Keppra expired. 55 million drams of Zofran (for cancer treatment) expired. Thus state officials wasted drugs that came to Armenia as humanitarian assistance in order to promote their own and their friends' businesses.

We haven't yet been able to find out which specific organizations sent these and similar drugs, or whom the State purchasing agency bought these drugs from.

The Republican Center for Humanitarian Assistance of the Ministry of Health is in charge of the humanitarian assistance sent to the Ministry of Health by the United Armenian Fund (USA) and other donor organizations - it stores, itemizes and distributes the assistance. All drugs and medical supplies are registered and catalogued, which makes it possible to check the availability and the quantity of the remainder of any drug at any given moment.

The December 18, 2000 Order # 726 of the Minister of Health established procedures for the distribution of humanitarian assistance. The ministry itself carried out the distribution. The donor organizations sent the lists of the available medicine in advance; they were examined, compared with the demand by the ministry, and sent back to the donors. The lists of the humanitarian medicine and medical supplies imported to Armenia were approved by the Ministry of Health. In this way, there were to be no surpluses of any given drugs.

The December 11, 2003 Order # 1283-A of the Minister of Health established a commission to draw up an inventory at the Republican Center for Humanitarian
Assistance. E. Ekmedjyan was appointed chairman of the commission. He is a member of the Armenian Association of Pharmacists. Another member of the commission, L. Isakhanyan, is the director of Levon and Lamara Pharmacy,
Ltd. Not only are these men are representatives of the pharmaceutical network, but they are Artashes Bisharyan's schoolmates as well. The ministry selected as its experts people who export and trade in medicine and medical supplies.

On February 12, 2004 the Aravot daily published a piece of news-based on documents presented by Bisharyan himself-that refutes information regarding criminal proceedings instituted against him. Strange as it may sound, Bisharyan also presented a document from the Prosecutor's Office stating that no criminal charges had been brought against him.

Nevertheless, criminal proceedings were instituted against Health Ministry employee Artashes Bisharyan. Moreover, the deadline for the preliminary investigation was twice postponed. Under Artashes Bisharyan, medicine for the public health service was purchased from his own company, and medicine provided as humanitarian aid was intentionally left to expire, in order to promote the pharmaceutical businesses of Bisharyan and his friends.

It should also be noted that the licenses for importing medicine to Armenia were granted by the chairman of the Association of Pharmacists, again Artashes Bisharyan. In other words, the gathering of information on all kinds of medicine imported to Armenia , their prices, and their demand and supply also went through Bisharyan. Therefore, the expiration of one billion drams worth of humanitarian medicine can be traced directly to deliberate actions by Bisharyan.

Our attempts to obtain clarification of this issue from the office of the
United Armenian Fund (USA) have thus far been unsuccessful.

But we do have at our disposal a copy of this August 12, 2002 letter from
UAF employee Nouritza Abujamra, addressed to Artashes Bisharyan:

"Thank you for forwarding the distribution report for medicines and medical supplies sent to the Health Ministry on airlifts 113 and 114.

Upon reviewing the report and adding up all the quantities distributed, we noticed that very minimal quantities were distributed. Please note the last two columns of the enclosed report, which I had added. The "Total Qty.
Distributed" shows the total number of bottles and boxes distributed. The following column "Qty. Not Yet Distributed" shows after more than one year of arrival of these medicines how much still is left in the warehouse, which is the bulk of the quantity sent. Most of the undistributed products cannot be used now because of their expiry dates. Could you explain to us why only very limited quantities are distributed?

We have noticed also that there are many hospital names among the recipients. We often receive in our office medical professionals from Armenia that visit Los Angeles, all expressing their dire need for medicines. Yet when we send medicines, the distribution report shows limited recipients. Please clarify this point too.

Forwarding this report in its present format to Catholic Medical Mission
Board will be more negative than positive and will affect on future donations for Armenia from them.

Waiting to hear your explanations as soon as possible."

We don't know how the head of the Department of Medical and Technological
Supply of the Ministry of Health, Artashes Bisharyan, responded to this letter. But the story doesn't end here. We have also found out that the Department of Medical and Technological Supply has been distributing the medicines in gross violation of regulations.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
15 March 2004

Yerevan Prosecutors Silent On Cafe Gunfight Probe

By Ruzanna Stepanian

Law-enforcement authorities declined on Monday to divulge any details of their investigation into a high-profile gunfight in downtown Yerevan that threatened to disrupt a dinner between the presidents of Armenia and Georgia late on Friday.

President Robert Kocharian entertained his visiting Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili in his favorite nightspot when gunfire erupted in an adjacent cafe. Police said five men aged between 30 and 23 were hospitalized as a result of what is widely believed to be a bitter dispute between two rival groups. At least one of them is related to a member of the Armenian government.

Citing police sources, the Associated Press reported that the clash involved two "criminal groups" and that one man was subsequently arrested by the police. The information could not be officially confirmed. The national Police Service referred to all inquiries to the Yerevan prosecutor's office, saying that the investigation is conducted by the latter. But officials there could not be reached for comment throughout the day.

Three of the victims ended up in intensive care at the city's Nork hospital. One of them was stabbed in the abdomen and was still in a serious condition on Monday, according to hospital officials.

Minister for Urban Development Ara Aramian confirmed that another injured man, identified as Hayk Aramian, is his son. Aramian referred to him as an "exemplary young man" who has never carried firearms. He claimed that he is not aware of possible reasons for the shootout and his son's involvement in it. He also denied reports that Hayk Aramian was wounded by the relative of another highly-placed official.

There were unconfirmed rumors that the son of Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian, one of the most influential Armenian cabinet members, also took part in the cafщ clash and escaped unscathed.

The shooting occurred only 20 meters from the Aragast jazz cafe which Kocharian commonly visits with foreign dignitaries. It earned notoriety in September 2001 when a man was found dead in its restroom moments after Kocharian left the place together French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour.

According to eyewitnesses accounts, Poghos Poghosian, an ethnic Armenian citizen of Georgia, was beaten to death by presidential bodyguards after greeting the head of state in a way which they found disrespectful. Only one of the security officers was prosecuted and given a one-year suspended jail sentence amid allegations of a high-level cover-up.

I'm not really sure what's going on with Blogger, but on my computer it shows that what I log is not making my site and what does, shows the wrong date and time. I hope this condition passes.

For those readers who have been following the up and coming fighter (and fellow reader) Shawn Yacubian, here is a chance to see him from the comfort of your home this Saturday (the 13th) at 1 PM, not in a fight, but in an interview on Armenian television.

This is a rebroadcast of an interview he gave with Sarki Mouradian (AMGA Television www.amga.tv), that aired live last Sunday night.

Anyway, here is your chance to see Shawn in an interview talking and not him knocking out some guy in the ring.

A1 Plus | 20:56:32 | 12-03-2004 | Social |

MANASARYAN RELEASED FROM DETENTION

Armenian National Assembly member Tatul Manasaryan, who had been arrested in January in the U.S., is already released from custody, Azatutyun radio station reported Friday quoting Armenian Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Hamlet Gasparyan.

Manasaryan has been charged with attempt of abduction of his child living with his former wife in the U.S.A. Charge against him was dropped yesterday at the court session.

The U.S. Ambassador to Armenian John Ordway received today MP's relatives and said them Manasaryan is still under supervision of the U.S. law because of some problems linked to migration regime.

However, Manasaryan's relatives said radio station he was in hospital because of health problems.

A1 Plus | 20:56:32 | 12-03-2004 | Social |

MANASARYAN RELEASED FROM DETENTION

Armenian National Assembly member Tatul Manasaryan, who had been arrested in January in the U.S., is already released from custody, Azatutyun radio station reported Friday quoting Armenian Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Hamlet Gasparyan.

Manasaryan has been charged with attempt of abduction of his child living with his former wife in the U.S.A. Charge against him was dropped yesterday at the court session.

The U.S. Ambassador to Armenian John Ordway received today MP's relatives and said them Manasaryan is still under supervision of the U.S. law because of some problems linked to migration regime.

However, Manasaryan's relatives said radio station he was in hospital because of health problems.

Last night I was driving down Broshan Steet (aka Grill Street) and as I was passing the Golden Fork resturant, my friend warned me of a guy that was running across the street with a kebab in his hand!!! I veered right and came to a sudden stop, as did the guy with the kebab.

I hate Yerevan at night. During the non-tourist season, many of the streetlights are not turned on and the natives wear BLACK, which means that they are hard to spot as they J-walk.

Thank goodness that a friend was with me and saw what I didn’t see, or else there would have been a kebab stuck to my windshield.

This close call reminds me of an incident that a friend of mine told me a couple of weeks ago about an automobile hitting a pedestrian crossing the street on Gomidas and killing him.

He said that it was about 2 years ago when the accident happened and said that the guy that hit and killed the pedestrian was a well know host from a popular television show called The Bernard Show.

He said after the accident happened, the actor was not on the show the next day and they figured since killing someone with an automobile is a criminal offence even if someone jumps out in front of your car, he was going to jail.

A couple of days later, the host was back to work and nothing more was said about the accident, as if it never happened.

The person who witnessed the accident added that if you have money, then you can hit as many people as you want and not even sit in jail.

I know this to be true as in Artsakh a similar situation happened when the Prosecutor General’s son hit and killed a little girl crossing the street near the military hospital in Stepanagert a number of years back and he didn’t even sit an hour in jail. The whole case was dropped and I’m sure the family was compensated for their loss.

Armenia, what a wonderful country!!!

MARCH IS A CRAZY MONTH

March weather seems to always be crazy and this year was no exception. A few days ago I found myself in the Masis region on a somewhat warm day.

I went to a village and noticed that there was a lake on the side of the road that had not been there a couple days before. As I drove on, I noticed houses surrounded by water.

At one point, the road was covered in water. I as not sure how deep it was, so I waited a bit until a minivan came along and crossed. I followed the same path he did.

It seems that due to the warm weather, the snow on the mountains melted and overloaded the canals and flooded the fields, roads and gardens.

Yes, March weather is very unpredictable. Last night it started to rain and when I talked to someone in Stepanagert, they told me that it is snowing.

TREE TRIMMING IN STEPANAGERT

I was in Stepanagert the other day and came across tree trimming work on the main street that lead cuts down the center of town.

I had noticed a couple of trees cut a week before, figuring that they were dried trees, but when I saw that all the trees were being cut leaving a 6 foot stump it made me wonder what was going on.

Until now I’m not sure what the deal is, but know that these trees were planted long ago from their enormous height and were great shade for the 5 story buildings that line the street in the summer.

As you can also see, the wood was hauled off and you have to wonder where it was sent off to and if sold, for how much?

When I came to Yerevan, I asked why one would cut down such large trees and was told by someone in the city of Masis that the same thing happened in their city years ago and they were told to make the trees younger. Then later on, the sumps were removed and new trees were planted. They added that it’s all about wood and someone creating an economic opportunity for themselves. I sure that’s not the case in Stepanagert, because if it is, when the time comes for all accounts be to settled, this one too will be addressed.

A1 Plus | 17:44:24 | 11-03-2004 | Social |

AN ATTEMPT AT OUR CITIZEN

Last night at attempt upon life of Armenian MP Tatul Manaseryan who is in
San Bernardino cell of California was made. A black male prisoner of the jail attempted Manaseryan's life. {BR}

The relatives of Tatul Manaseryan held a protest action near the USA Embassy in Armenia. Manaseryan's aunt Kima Virabyan assured that Manaseryan had been arrested baselessly and no accusation had yet been brought over the case.

It is to remind that Tatul Manaseryan was arrested on January 15 in one of
Washington airports. Mrs Virabyan said that the arrest played into the hands of our Authorities. "They want Tatul to be abroad this period. The first session was to take place today. But everything was done to drag it out".

Virabyan said they had come to ask USA Ambassador to support to release Manaseryan. She stated the reason for oppressing Manaseryan is his activity in the opposition field.

USA Embassy didn't receive Manaseryan's relatives. Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs promised to receive them tomorrow.

A1 Plus | 16:51:16 | 09-03-2004 | Social |

KOCHARYAN DOESN’T GRANT CITIZENSHIP TO A WAR HERO

Robert Kocharyan has recently ignored the application by Jirayr Sefilyan on citizenship. Sefilyan was the Commander of Shushi special battalion during Artsakh War.

Later he was the Commander of NKR Defense Army brigade. He is a knight of “Battle Cross” Order. During the recent years Sefilyan coordinates “Protection of Liberated Territories” social initiative.

Intelligentsia Forum focused its attention on the fact president’s staff didn’t grant citizenship to Jirayr Sefilyan. Intelligentsia Forum established on the initiative of Silva Kaputikyan, Rafael Ghazaryan, Khoren Palyan, Lenser Aghalovyan, Sargis Muradyan and other intellectuals approved a statement condemning refusal by Kocharyan at its March 6 conference.

Last night I went to Diamond Pizza with my girlfriend, a childhood friend from LA who has moved to Yerevan to get away from what I escaped and his date. As always, the food was good and this time we sat in the basement to avoid the live music so we could talk.

As we were sitting, we noticed that the lighting was similar to lighting have in the states, with a dimmer on the pole of the light. Everyone tried out the dimmer, which didn’t dim the light, but just turned it off. When it came time for me to try the dimmer, the waitress walked up to the table and told me to stop playing with the light!!! She did it such a way that everyone thought she was going to smack me. She went on to explain that it was not allowed. We all looked at each other and began to laugh.

My friends date is a university student and I asked her what the youth feel about or future. She said that many are optimistic and feel that things can only get better.

It seems that there is a lot of tension in Yerevan and there is lots of talk of revolution everywhere I go. There are many people who want Kocharian and Sarkissian out, and though I would have to agree with their discontent, no one has stated who will replace them if this happens?

There is also word that if revolution hits, Azerbaijan will once again start the war in Karabagh. I’m not so sure about this and if it does happen, it will be a real mess for both sides and though there is nothing good about war, there is a very good chance that we will use our big guns that Russia has gifted us and have an excuse to liberate more territory. For this reason I don’t think speculation of the start of the war is all that accurate.

Today I really didn’t do much other than catch up on some very much needed sleep and make a few phone calls. I guess I’m tried since my arrival, I have not really had much more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night.

Last night we went to the Wheel Club. It was movie night and they showed Dream Catcher. I really didn't get too much into the movie at first, but since I went with a few friends, I had no choice but to watch until the end and I'm glad I did, or else, I would have had a very low opinion of the movie. Not that I would go out of my way to see it again, but it was not all that bad.

The food and service at the Wheel Club is good, but a bit spensive. Would I go again? Yea, I think I would.

The weather has been great these last few days, with lots of sun. I guess I'll be here for a few more days.

Back on the road and in Yerevan for meetings.

Last night and today it rained quite a bit. The weather is great in my opinion. I'm not sure if winter is over or not, but if it is, so be it.

I guess I'll be here a week and hope that I can meet up with friends. Anyone intersted in a logger gathering at Artbridge? Let me know.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
5 March 2004

Kocharian Reveals 'Abuses' In Gyumri Housing Distribution

By Emil Danielyan

The distribution of thousands of new homes built in the earthquake-ravaged city of Gyumri with the multimillion-dollar assistance of a U.S.-Armenian charity was accompanied by "numerous and quite serious" corrupt practices, President Robert Kocharian said late on Thursday.

Kocharian revealed in televised remarks that the process, completed late last year, has been scrutinized by an ad hoc government commission for the past three months and that its findings deserve a criminal inquiry by law-enforcement authorities.

The existence of such a commission, led by the head of the presidential oversight service, Vahram Barseghian, was not previously made public. Its low-key investigation has centered on a key segment of the $45 million project to rebuild Armenia's northwestern regions devastated by the 1988 earthquake. Work on the project has been underwritten by the Lincy Foundation of Kirk Kerkorian, a U.S. billionaire of Armenian descent.

The Lincy money led to the construction of some 3,700 apartments in the Lori and Shirak regions. Most of them were built in Gyumri, the capital of Shirak and Armenia's second city. The housing scheme was designed for thousands of families that have lived in squalid temporary shelters for more than decade.

But according to Barseghian, they were not the sole beneficiaries of the construction work carried out in Gyumri from 2002 through the end of last year. Presenting the commission's findings to Kocharian before television cameras, he said the local authorities failed to ensure the transparency of the process and have manipulated lists of families entitled to free housing. He also said that some of the new buildings in Gyumri have still not been connected to public utilities.

A somber-looking Kocharian responded by instructing law-enforcement agencies to look into the "abuses" which his commission claims to have detected. He accused the local government of hampering his administration's efforts to fully rebuild the earthquake zone.

However, it was not clear whether the criticism applied to the Gyumri municipality or the government-appointed regional administration. The two were locked in a bitter dispute last summer over who should distribute the new apartments. The distribution was previously handled by the city hall.

The Shirak governor, Romik Manukian, faced fierce resistance from Mayor Vartan Ghukasian when he attempted to implement a December 2002 decision by the Yerevan government to transfer that prerogative to the regional administration. The row was apparently settled in September with a compromise agreement brokered by Artashes Tumanian, the chief of Kocharian's staff.

Tumanian has personally overseen the implementation of the housing scheme and other infrastructure programs funded by Lincy. The charity has spent a total of $150 million for that purpose since 2001.

Here is the story that relates to what I saw on television about Vahram Barseghyan.

A1 Plus | 21:09:26 | 04-03-2004 | Social |

COMMISSION DISCOVERED FACTS OF ABUSE

Session convened Thursday by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan was focused on distribution of apartments built in quake-stricken Armenian town of Gyumri with assistance of Lincy Fund. Report of the commission engaged in the process was heard at the session.

Robert Kocharyan said distribution of apartments had been under intense scrutiny over three months and the commission found out many omissions.
He said local governing bodies had to take seriously investments and implementation of Gyumri recovery program.

The President assessed local authorities' work as unsatisfactory and said they should solve all the problems by April 20. He also ordered to give law enforcement bodies evidence of abuse.

---
http://www.a1plus.am

Wonder who this guy is talking on Armenian television? Get a good look at him. I’ll give you a hint. He is talking about all the money spent on projects that Krikorian supported and how his governmental department has worked for three months checking to make sure things were in order.

If your still wondering who this is, his name is Vahram Parseghyan and I wrote about him and his misappropriating money back in 1999 from the Diaspora in the name of an injured soldier who needed to have immediate surgery, but the person whose name he used, was a close friend of mine and that person didn’t have the need that Vahram was claiming. I can’t say that he has done anything other than that, but from what others tell me, he has. Makes one also wonder how well he checked Krikorian’s projects?

Vahram is now Kocharyan’s Controller and leads the same department that I filed a claim with back in 1999. I guess their investigation of him revealed that he had enough dirt and was willing to play along with the rest of the people indulging in the feast of embezzling funds, that they hired him to be the big fat fox with a tape-worm in the henhouse, who can’t satisfy his and Kocharyan’s appetite for what should be used to secure the future of our nation.

Yes, the whole thing makes perfect sense to me and should make us better understand who Kocharyan is and in which direction he will take this country if we let him. These are the things that spark revolutions my friends and if things continue the way they have been, you may just see things in Armenia implode soon.

My Martuni Love Story

When I first came to Martuni back in 1995, my friend Edik Baghdasaryan (the now well known journalist) guided our driver Vartan to Saribek Mardirosyan’s house.

We pulled up to find that Saribek’s widow Lilia was at work and found 4 of his 5 children home.

Edik was greeted with hugs and kisses from the children, while I stood off to one side with my hands behind my back and a serious look on my face, wearing my army green tee shirt and kaki pants, which were tucked into my combat boots.

We left Edik and Alec (another friend) and agreed that we would meet up in Mardakert later that night.

The next time I found myself in Martuni was in the summer of 1996, this time I came with Seta Melkonian (Monte Melkonian’s widow), where Seta and I would become the Godparents to 100 children in a mass baptism that took place on June 12th, the day that Monte and Saribek were killed in battle 3 years earlier.

Seta and the women stayed at Saribek’s in-laws house (the present day Mayor of Martuni’s parents house) while the men stayed at the military hospital.

My next trip would be later that summer, where I stayed where Seta and the women had stayed and was very quickly adopted by Saribek’s children as their big brother.

The following summer we once again had a mass baptism where 40 people were baptized, one of who was Saribek’s widow Lilia.

Seta and I had a nice long talk about Lilia, her children and their family situation in regards to the challenges they are facing. Many people were concerned with the future of their youngest child who was the only boy and Saribek’s friends who had been enriching his life since Saribek was killed. Unfortunately, they were not teaching him good manors and Lilia was quite concerned. Seta said that one thing that especially concerns her is this stupid Artsakh mentality of now that the father is dead, the son becomes the man of the house and the son was not dealing well with this as he was only 6 years old. Seta added that if I was going to be a part of their lives, I needed to do everything I could to provide them with a stable environment.

The following year, I moved to Martuni and before I moved into my own house, I lived at Lilia’s house. Lilia was the Judge for the Martuni region and for the most part we didn’t see much of her at home. Because of this, I would not only be big brother, but would also for the most part be mom and dad to the kids. By this time, the oldest sister went off to study in Yerevan, so my responsibility to her was providing a monthly allowance and occasional visits.

The years flew by and in that time, I attended many birthdays parties, trips to Yerevan to go clothes shopping for school, 3 weddings for the 3 oldest girls and many heart to heart talks to solve problems kids face.

The problematic son, who lost his father to a war that he himself almost lost his own life to at the age of 4, has turned into what his teachers call a man with a capital M. You can’t imagine how proud I feel when I hear these things and know who he takes after. When I see him interacting with others, I notice many things I showed him that have become a part of who he is today.

So what makes this a love story?

The love story comes from one of Lilia’s daughters who I immediately recognized as someone very special. Special in a way that she was the most angelic of Lilia’s children and someone who didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

Of the 4 children that I helped raise, I never had a reason to discipline this little angel (her name just so happens to be Angela). I mean 2 of the 3 other children, I use to physically spank to get them to behave, they were that bad.

I always thought that Angela would make a good wife to some lucky guy, if not me, but also decided that it was very important that even if that was to happen, she first had to grow up without presure from me in regards to getting married and only after that time would I decide if in fact she is what I would want in a wife. I also decided that if she for any reason was not interested in me, I would not pressure her.

Well the years passed and at one point it looked like I was not going to have my chance to find out if Angela would become my wife or not.

When Angela turned 17, she decided that she wanted to become a translator and would attempt to be admitted into Yerevan State University. She tried, but due to the problem we face with corruption, she didn’t get in and was so discussed with Armenia that she packed her bags, went to visit her oldest sister in Moscow and then with the help of her sister who got marred and moved to Europe, was going to join that sister.

To say the least I was very upset, but for the most part understood what she was feeling. I also knew from one of her sisters that Angela had feeling for me, but knew that I was not leaving Armenia, so she was no longer interested in me.

I had at that time decided that if Angela made it to Europe, all hell was going to break loose in Armenia and those that were responsible for her discontent of the country that her father gave his life for to make not what it had turned into, but what it should be, would pay for with their lives, since I knew my attachment to her was inseparable and even if I did get married to someone else, it would be very hard that the love would be what I needed to be happy. To say the least I was very pissed.

During this time and my trying to accept the fact that she will make it to Europe and when she does, it will be years before she has the right to come visit us, my general manager was introducing me to girls that I could maybe marry. As hard as I tried, none of them were even sparking a little fire in me. Yes they were good girls who would take good care of me, but I just could not get Angela out of my mind.

I did a lot of praying and asking God what I had done or not done to deserve this and if she did not return, I know I will never get married and will grow old alone. I told God that I have never asked for anything from him, but just this one time, please help me.

Fortunately for those responsible for her leaving, following September 11th and all the problems with illegal immigration, it became more difficult for 17 year single girls to get tourist visas and after living in Moscow for 3 months, Angela got a taste for the big city, which didn’t taste all that good. She decided that she would return to Armenia.

When she first returned, I was not sure if this was a return for good, or just to regroup and try again. Her sister in Europe was missing her family and to bring Angela to her side would be a welcome relief to her homesickness. For almost a year, I kept my distance and only after she committed to study in Yerevan, did I start to poke around and see if Angela was the person I was hoping she would grow up to be.

During the years, Angela had a couple of boyfriends, but their expectations of a wife and her expectations of a husband didn’t seem to correspond. In their minds, a woman’s place is in the home and for her, it is important to have a good education and possibly a carrier.

After 8 years of waiting, the wait ended. I figured out that Angela had turned into who I thought she would. The big question was if she was interested in me as much as I was in her (her sister answered question last December)? I popped the question a few weeks ago and of course since this is a love story, she accepted my offer to marry me.

This summer when her sisters come to visit, we will get engaged and then on June 25th, 2005 we will be married.

What a great country I live in!!!

Today I went to Stepanagert with the Mayor of Martuni to meet with a the Minister of
Culture about a dilapidated building in the center of Martuni that I plan on demolishing and building a retail complex.

The meeting went well and the minister agreed to what we would like to build. He said that whatever the Mayor and I find to be appropriate, he will support.

Then we went off to the main traffic police headquarters, where the Mayor had license plate to turn in for a vehicle which no long works that belongs to the city.

While I was there, I asked my good friend, the chief of licenses (automobile and drivers) how he can help me with my problem of not having a license and the harassment I get in Armenia?

He told me to go to the polyclinic to have a full physical and take with me one photograph. He added that as soon as I get a clean bill of health, he will contact a driving school to issue a paper to say that I have completed driving school and then he can issue me a license.

I went and got my picture taken and then off to the polyclinic, where I went to see the director about what I needed to do to complete the exam?

The director told me that it will take about 15 minutes and sent me off with a worker, who took me to register, where I paid 4,000 dram and then off to see the doctors.

The first doctor we saw was the Neurologist. She asked me if I had any complaints? I said no and she signed the report. She asked me if I ever watch movies and said that I look like an actor she has seen. I asked her me? She said “no, me” and began to laugh. I think the Neurologist just may have neurological problems.

Then we went off to the bone and internal organ specialist, who didn’t even ask me anything and just signed the paper.

Next was the Optometrist, who was not in and I was told we needed to come back at 1 PM.

Then off to see some other doctor, who was not in today, so some other doctor signed the paper for her.

The woman asked me if I could come back at 1 PM, which I agreed to.

After running around with the Mayor a bit and having lunch, I returned to the polyclinic to finish my “exam”.

I went up to the woman’s office that was taking me around and she handed me the completed report, which had a signature from the ears, noise and throat doctor and from the Optometrist.

I completed my medical exam for a drivers license and didn’t even have anyone ask me to drop my pants…darn!!! And the whole thing took less than 15 minutes.

Tomorrow I’ll be dropping off the report to the traffic police headquarters. It wont surprise me if I don’t walk out of there with a license a few minutes later.

I really don’t understand where all this talk about red-tape, bribes and corruption is from? I sure don’t see it. Artsakh, what a great place to live!!!!

My Martuni Love Story

When I first came to Martuni back in 1995, my friend Edik Baghdasaryan (the now well known journalist) guided our driver Vartan to Saribek Mardirosyan’s house.

We pulled up to find that Saribek’s widow Lilia was at work and found 4 of his 5 children home.

Edik was greeted with hugs and kisses from the children, while I stood off to one side with my hands behind my back and a serious look on my face, wearing my army green tee shirt and kaki pants, which were tucked into my combat boots.

We left Edik and Alec (another friend) and agreed that we would meet up in Mardakert later that night.

The next time I found myself in Martuni was in the summer of 1996, this time I came with Seta Melkonian (Monte Melkonian’s widow), where Seta and I would become the Godparents to 100 children in a mass baptism that took place on June 12th, the day that Monte and Saribek were killed in battle 3 years earlier.

Seta and the women stayed at Saribek’s in-laws house (the present day Mayor of Martuni’s parents house) while the men stayed at the military hospital.

My next trip would be later that summer, where I stayed where Seta and the women had stayed and was very quickly adopted by Saribek’s children as their big brother.

The following summer we once again had a mass baptism where 40 people were baptized, one of who was Saribek’s widow Lilia.

Seta and I had a nice long talk about Lilia, her children and their family situation in regards to the challenges they are facing. Many people were concerned with the future of their youngest child who was the only boy and Saribek’s friends who had been enriching his life since Saribek was killed. Unfortunately, they were not teaching him good manors and Lilia was quite concerned. Seta said that one thing that especially concerns her is this stupid Artsakh mentality of now that the father is dead, the son becomes the man of the house and the son was not dealing well with this as he was only 6 years old. Seta added that if I was going to be a part of their lives, I needed to do everything I could to provide them with a stable environment.

The following year, I moved to Martuni and before I moved into my own house, I lived at Lilia’s house. Lilia was the Judge for the Martuni region and for the most part we didn’t see much of her at home. Because of this, I would not only be big brother, but would also for the most part be mom and dad to the kids. By this time, the oldest sister went off to study in Yerevan, so my responsibility to her was providing a monthly allowance and occasional visits.

The years flew by and in that time, I attended many birthdays parties, trips to Yerevan to go clothes shopping for school, 3 weddings for the 3 oldest girls and many heart to heart talks to solve problems kids face.

The problematic son, who lost his father to a war that he himself almost lost his own life to at the age of 4, has turned into what his teachers call a man with a capital M. You can’t imagine how proud I feel when I hear these things and know who he takes after. When I see him interacting with others, I notice many things I showed him that have become a part of who he is today.

So what makes this a love story?

The love story comes from one of Lilia’s daughters who I immediately recognized as someone very special. Special in a way that she was the most angelic of Lilia’s children and someone who didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

Of the 4 children that I helped raise, I never had a reason to discipline this little angel (her name just so happens to be Angela). I mean 2 of the 3 other children, I use to physically spank to get them to behave, they were that bad.

I always thought that Angela would make a good wife to some lucky guy, if not me, but also decided that it was very important that even if that was to happen, she first had to grow up without presure from me in regards to getting married and only after that time would I decide if in fact she is what I would want in a wife. I also decided that if she for any reason was not interested in me, I would not pressure her.

Well the years passed and at one point it looked like I was not going to have my chance to find out if Angela would become my wife or not.

When Angela turned 17, she decided that she wanted to become a translator and would attempt to be admitted into Yerevan State University. She tried, but due to the problem we face with corruption, she didn’t get in and was so discussed with Armenia that she packed her bags, went to visit her oldest sister in Moscow and then with the help of her sister who got marred and moved to Europe, was going to join that sister.

To say the least I was very upset, but for the most part understood what she was feeling. I also knew from one of her sisters that Angela had feeling for me, but knew that I was not leaving Armenia, so she was no longer interested in me.

I had at that time decided that if Angela made it to Europe, all hell was going to break loose in Armenia and those that were responsible for her discontent of the country that her father gave his life for to make not what it had turned into, but what it should be, would pay for with their lives, since I knew my attachment to her was inseparable and even if I did get married to someone else, it would be very hard that the love would be what I needed to be happy. To say the least I was very pissed.

During this time and my trying to accept the fact that she will make it to Europe and when she does, it will be years before she has the right to come visit us, my general manager was introducing me to girls that I could maybe marry. As hard as I tried, none of them were even sparking a little fire in me. Yes they were good girls who would take good care of me, but I just could not get Angela out of my mind.

I did a lot of praying and asking God what I had done or not done to deserve this and if she did not return, I know I will never get married and will grow old alone. I told God that I have never asked for anything from him, but just this one time, please help me.

Fortunately for those responsible for her leaving, following September 11th and all the problems with illegal immigration, it became more difficult for 17 year single girls to get tourist visas and after living in Moscow for 3 months, Angela got a taste for the big city, which didn’t taste all that good. She decided that she would return to Armenia.

When she first returned, I was not sure if this was a return for good, or just to regroup and try again. Her sister in Europe was missing her family and to bring Angela to her side would be a welcome relief to her homesickness. For almost a year, I kept my distance and only after she committed to study in Yerevan, did I start to poke around and see if Angela was the person I was hoping she would grow up to be.

During the years, Angela had a couple of boyfriends, but their expectations of a wife and her expectations of a husband didn’t seem to correspond. In their minds, a woman’s place is in the home and for her, it is important to have a good education and possibly a carrier.

After 8 years of waiting, the wait ended. I figured out that Angela had turned into who I thought she would. The big question was if she was interested in me as much as I was in her (her sister answered question last December)? I popped the question a few weeks ago and of course since this is a love story, she accepted my offer to marry me.

This summer when her sisters come to visit, we will get engaged and then on June 25th, 2005 we will be married.

I’m kind of excited at the prospect of opening a Mc Donald’s in Martuni. This will be the first one in Artsakh EVER!!!!

I’m thinking details and the sign that will show how many people have been served that will read that we have served over 1 thousand people.

I know that a Big Mac tastes different in every country, but I’m going to shoot to make it taste like the Big Mac that you get at the Mc Donald’s in Glendale on Colorado Blvd.

I’m also thinking to be really authentic, that I will have to enlist my friends in the states to visit Mc Donald’s often and empty out the napkin holders, request fists full of ketchup, salt and pepper, so we can stock the Martuni Mc D’s with the real thing that makes Mickey D what it is.

Transportation is not a problem. Every person that comes to Armenia that I know needs to max out on the 64 kilo limit and 5 kilo carry-on. Stuff napkins, freedom fry’s containers and other usable packaging in every nook and cranny you have left. For you extremist, wear as much clothes on you as you can. Yea, it may make you look fat, but it’s for a good cause.

Anyway, as you can see, I’m really excited about this Mc Donald’s idea. I know that if Artsakh was a recognized country, then my desire would only be a dream. God bless Azerbaijan for making this dream ascertainable. I just hope that the Mc Donald’s people don’t push to get us recognized so they can sue me, but if they do, I'll be more than happy to pay the franchise fees.

I love this place!!!

I paid my taxes today. I was late by a couple of months I thought, tough I had been told before the new year that it should not be any problem.

I paid the taxes on my 1.2 hector piece of land that is where my new industrial complex will eventually be. That cost me 30,000 dram (less than $60).

Then while paying my taxes for my houses and a small plot of land, I discovered that my accountant had not paid the taxes for the last 2 years as I had thought she had. What a mess. I was sure it was going to be some big amount, but after they added up everything, the property tax on the 2 houses and small plot of land came out to 5,740 dram (a little more than $10).

Today, I went to the Mayor’s house for lunch. We were joined by workers who were installing natural gas lines for his house.

As we were finishing up, one of the workers asked me a question. He asked me how many buildings there are in Africa? I looked to him and told him that I’m not sure, but I’m guessing tens of thousands.

At first he didn’t want to believe me and then the Mayor and I went on to say that Africa is not just jungles, but a very developed society with over 50 countries.

I then asked him how many building there are in Yerevan? He said there were many. The Mayor said that he can multiply that by thousands.

The Mayor asked his mother to bring out this encyclopedia, where he found Africa and read to us what was written.

The whole thing was kind of cute and when I told the Mayor’s nephew tonight what had happened, he said that he learned about Africa when he was 10 years old and added that it worries him that this guy is installing gas pipes.

Today I also had a chance to get on Karabagh chat on the Mayor’s nephew’s computer to join in and talk English with some 19 year olds in Stepanagert. I was using the nephew’s nick name while doing this. The 19 year olds were very impressed with the 15-year-old nephew’s English and wanted to know where I learned such good English? The nephew told me to tell them by watching CNN, BBC and MTV. Very impressive and I was impressed to see the Mayor’s daughter and Nephew reading and understanding what I was writing in English. The conversation ended on a little bit of a sour note, when I suggested to some guy with the nick “president” that he tell his teacher who is teaching him English to put a television set in their class to watch CNN. He lashed back to me and said that we should not watch American television. I told him that he would not fear America, but learn about them so later we are not enslaved by them. He became a bit hostel with me and then our connection got cut. By the time we got back on, he had just signed off.

I feel kind of bad that my log in the last month has turned into a collection of news article, but other than working on investigations that right now I can’t talk about, my life has been boring.

Let’s see what I can tell you that is a little bit about my life in Armenia/Artsakh.

The other day I got my hair cut, which as always, I turn down the offer from the barber to cut to the front of the line, but in the end, all the guys waiting insist on me going next.

I took a ride out to my lake yesterday to see how things are. Very nice weather and my guard reported to me that every now and then he gets an offer from army officers to blow up landmines in the lake to remove fish. Of course, he turns down their request. I like this guard, since every time I go to the lake, he is there, where the other guards, I rarely found at their post.

I’m in the process of working on possibly building a new business complex in the center of Martuni, which I will move the salon to and also have a bunch of shops to rent and maybe I’ll put small television and radio station there. I'm also thinking that since Artsakh is not yet recognized by the West, or anyone for that matter, I can avoid the franchise costs and put in a little McDonalds and KFC (though this didn’t stop them from putting a KFC in Yerevan).

I’m getting engaged this summer and married the following summer. If you happen to have plans to be in Armenia in June/July of 2005, let me know so I can send you an invitation.

Other than the above, I’m flooded with work, collecting evidence on anything and everything that passes my way. I’ll be soon releasing open letters, articles and the likes, at which time you will see what I’ve been up to these last couple of months.

Here is a flattering picture of the good work our Kocharian government is doing and the fruits of their hard work and efforts.

I know this one is very long, but once you get started, your going to want to read it to the end.

ASSOCIATION OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS OF ARMENIA / HETQ ONLINE

http://www.hetq.am

27 February 2004


YEREVAN DORMITORIES- A PANORAMA OF POVERTY

Out of six children, only one lives at home

Forty-year-old Hambardzum Sargisyan is one of the longest-standing residents f the Kimreactive Plant dormitory, here with his family for 17 years now. He has six children. His oldest daughter, Nazik, 19, left the dormitory because she couldn't take her father's drinking anymore, and now she's a waitress in a cafe.

Three of her sisters have been at Mother Arusyak's Children's Home in Gyumri for several months now. They like it there, and don't want to go back home. Their mother, Margarita, isn't sure how to cope. "If they stay with Mother Arusyak, I'll at least know that they are safe and are kept off the streets. I can't take care of them here," she says.

Now only their youngest daughter, Astghik, lives with Margarita. Their only son, Arthur, (not his real name) is serving a prison term for theft. Arthur went to school up to fifth grade and then began working - selling paper bags. His parents say he was supporting the family. Hambardzum blames the fact that Arthur is now in prison on his new friends. "My son went to a camp with the assistance of the Red Cross and met up with a group of boys. They taught him to steal. They got out, but my son is still in prison," Hambardzum says.

Arthur sent them a letter recently which says: "Happy New Year to my family. Read what I say carefully, Pa. I understand that you have said good-bye to all hope, but that's no way out, either. I have been rotting in prison for one year and two months. If you don't send 100 dollars, I'll be here for another three years. I've had pneumonia three times already. I will be in the zone until the 10th. It'll be good if you can manage it by then." When he got his son's letter, the father went to friends and relatives, but he couldn't come up with the money. "They pressure my son in prison, they force him to take responsibility for someone else's crimes. He's a decent kid, he falls victim to them. I don't know what to do. I'm desperate, and I take it out on my wife," says Hambardzum.

The first time we went to Hambardzum's, his wife wasn't home. He had gotten drunk the night before, beaten her up, then thrown her and their daughter out of the house. Margarita went to her parent's home. "It wasn't the first time he beat me up and threw me out on the street in this cold weather. I'm forced to go to my parents'. But they're in a tough situation, too, and I am a burden on them," Margarita says.

Last year at Margarita's request the Red Cross put Hambardzum into the hospital to be treated for alcoholism. He spent thirteen days there, but it didn't do any good. "During the treatment, my condition got worse. They put people who didn't pay in cold rooms. They didn't even feed us. They gave me the same drugs they give to the mentally ill. That's no cure. Besides, my whole family was on its own, they didn't do anything to help them," Hambardzum complains.

Now Hambardzum works loading trucks. But his wife says he spends his pay on vodka, and the children go without food. "There's nothing left in the house, he sold everything, even the pots and pans. He sells the rice and sugar that we get in aid. I try to keep things away from him," Margarita explains. Their room has a cupboard, a bed and a decrepit couch. There is no bathroom or kitchen. Water drips constantly from the roof. Sometimes they try to heat the room with an electric stove, but the wind penetrating through the windows keeps it from getting warm. "We used to sleep three or four of us on the couch to keep warm. Besides, there's no other place to sleep. It gets so cold in the wintertime that the children shiver with cold," Margarita says.

Because of the cold and damp, the children are constantly sick. "I am a believer, that's why I have so many children. I'd always say, God gave them, we should have them. Now I understand I was wrong."


In their homes, it's always raining

"We've been renting in this dormitory for five years now. We had to sell our house because of hard times, and we were homeless. Now we pay 10,000 drams a month for this place. Sometimes after we pay the rent, we can't buy bread," says Naira Galstyan, a mother of two young children.

The 41-year old woman lives on the eighth floor of the dormitory of the former chemical plant in the Erebuni district of Yerevan. Her 18-month-old daughter has no birth certificate yet. She was born at the Erebuni hospital, but in order to get her birth certificate, her parents were required to pay $10, which they didn't have. Naira's husband, Ashot Galstyan, is a driver, though he has higher education. Naira, trained as a teacher, is unemployed. The money Ashot earns doesn't cover their monthly expenses. The children are often sick. It's chilly and damp in the apartment. Water drips from the ceiling and the naked concrete floors are cold. The children go barefoot - they have no shoes. "My younger daughter is almost always sick, she never gets better. She's already been in the hospital twice. She's still got an eye inflammation because of the dampness. My other daughter has a chronic cough. We can't call the doctor, since we can't pay. They say that children under seven are supposed to be treated free of charge in the district polyclinic, but in reality, they don't help if you don't have money," Naira complains.

They try to heat this two-room apartment with a wood stove, burning whatever comes to hand, since wood is too expensive. Naira says that they scavenge things from the streets--they even burned their couch and their stool. "When I see my children shivering I can't think about anything else. I would burn up anything just to keep them warm. I even burned my shoes. My children's being warm is more important than anything," she says.

The family doesn't receive any allowance or aid, since they are not registered at the dormitory. They get some help from relatives or neighbors from time to time. Every day the neighbors get together, in the apartment of whoever has coffee, to share their problems and worries. It's also a way to kill time; they have nothing else to do. Many of them don't have TV sets.

Dorm residents say their biggest holiday is when they have running water to bathe in. Usually, the women on the eighth floor have to bring water from the building across the street, while neighbors look after the kids. The children can't be left alone in the hallways, because the windows are missing panes, and the stairways are icy in winter. “Imagine, we even have guests in these conditions. We are poor, but our hearts are big. Although we always warn our guests to bring umbrellas along since it's always raining in our house. Santa Claus even brought an umbrella for my daughter's New Year present," Naira says with irony.

There are not many rental apartments in the dormitory, but they are in the worst condition-no kitchen, no toilet, exposed wiring, water dripping from the ceiling when it rains. And for this, people pay the owners $20 a month in rent.

We've been waiting for new apartment for ten years now

"It's impossible to live in this dormitory. Especially when it rains, and all the rooms fill up with water. We constantly get sick because of the dampness. We've been with the neighbors to various agencies, but nothing has changed," complains dormitory resident, Ararat Khachatryan.

The Khatchatryan family has lived in the dormitory for 20 years now. Ararat and his wife, Laura, are from Artsakh. The lived in Martakert before they moved to Yerevan. Ararat is an agronomist by training. He got a job at the chemical plant, and, he says, at least managed take care of his family. Eventually the three-room apartment on the eighth floor became theirs through privatization. Over the years they renovated the apartment and installed a sink and a toilet.

As in other eighth-floor apartments, running water doesn't reach their apartment. "There are no communal facilities in this dormitory. The conditions are awful. On paper, we have three rooms, but two of them unfit to live in - the ceiling always drips," Laura says. Ararat and Laura have two children - 22 and 25 years old. Ararat's parents live with them as well. But because there's nowhere for them to sleep, they've been staying at their daughter's for the last two months. "Both my children should have gotten married long ago. But they can't start new families until we get a new place to live," Laura explains.

Their son Haik was killed in the Artsakh war when he was 16. He joined the joined the militia and went to Martakert in 1993. He was killed the same year. Ararat lost a brother in the war, as well, and served himself. The ministry of defense promised to give then an apartment, as the family of a slain veteran. "We've been waiting for the apartment for more than 10 years. There has been continuous red tape. They keep promising and letting us down," Ararat says.

They have appealed to the administration of the Kentron district of Yerevan, to the Yerevan Mayor's Office, to the Ministry of Defense, and to the President's Office for the apartment. In 2003 the Ministry of Defense put the family on the list of its Social Security Fund, and they were in line for an apartment last year. But they were subsequently informed that as a family which already had a privatized apartment they were not entitled to another.

They receive a 7,000 dram (about $12) allowance, as a family of a slain war veteran, barely enough to pay the monthly electricity bill. Ararat's current job, as a construction worker, is seasonal. He is usually out of work in the winter, and his son and wife provide for the family. "There is no greater punishment for the man of the family than being out of work. This is not a state; we don't even have a homeland. What did our sons get killed for? For a country that doesn't exist? I curse our leaders; they have no idea what it means to lose a son. I wish I had been killed," says Ararat with a deep sigh.


Dormitory economics

There are a number of dormitories in the Erebuni district of Yerevan. On the road to the right of the Erebuni Museum are the dormitories of three big plants, shut down long ago. The locals call them the Kimreaktive (chemical reagent), Vadarod (hydrogen) and Dzerzhinsky (machine-tool) dormitories. The people who used to work in these plants still live here.

The eight-story dormitory of the Kimreaktive plant was built in 1972. It has 200 rooms, and today houses some 370-380 people. The apartments were privatized in 1987-1988, and five years ago the Mush condominium was created to take responsibility for the building. The chairman of the condominium is Jirair Martirosyan, a resident of the dormitory. People blame him more than anyone for the condition of the building. "Our condominium chairman doesn't do anything. The building is falling apart, water from the roof is pouring into every apartment. He doesn't even try to find a way out," one resident complains.

But Jirair Martirosyan says his hands are tied. "The condominium must survive on its own. The state doesn't help us. Our budget is based on the residents' service dues. But since they are unable to pay, we don't have a budget. The residents' debt amounts to 3 million drams," he explains. Ninety percent of the people in the dormitory are extremely poor. Nevertheless, Martirosyan is getting ready to collect the money by force.

The building has never been renovated. Ceilings on the eighth floor don't just drip, they rain. The elevator doesn't work, the hallways have no doors, the windows have no panes. In winter the stairs are icy, and the wind blows from every direction. The hallways are unbearably cold. It's impossible for people to heat their apartments. And in summer, they have no peace from mosquitoes and the stench from the garbage dump.

The upper floors of the buildings have no water. People bring water in buckets from the buildings across the street. But the biggest problem is the crumbling roof. "The condition of the roof is awful. We have appealed to the district administration, the Yerevan mayor's office, and other agencies, but the water keeps dripping on us. We get a multitude of diseases caused by dampness," says Sonik Sargisyan. Years ago some parts of the building were renovated, new pipes were laid, hallway windows were replaced, but most of the work has been ransacked.

"Our building is not yet in a state of emergency, but it could be," warns Jirair Martirosyan. Meanwhile the government spends thousands of dollars elaborating its poverty reduction program. Seminars and round-table discussions are organized, diagrams and indices are presented, books are published, but nothing is done to improve the lives of the people in this Yerevan dormitory. They have fallen off the edge of a cliff, and there seems to be no way back up.

---
Arpine Harutiunyan