YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. A press conference held on April 26 was dedicated to explanation of various comments in the public on the program of digitalization of the Matenadaran's manuscripts and their computer data base creation by the Hill museum - library of manuscipts (Minnesota, the US). During the previous discussions, experts considered as especially unacceptable the fact that the Hill museum anticipates to get a digital photocopy of each manuscript in return for material aid provided by it. Director of the Matenadaran Academician Sen Arevshatian assured those present that in this issue there is no need for concern as the Hill institution (it is a library adjunct to a Benedictine monastery) is an authoritative organization, about which they have been informed from its website, as well as articles and books. The Hill museum-library has already digitalized on similar terms the Armenian manuscripts of the Patriarchate of Antelias, Zmar and Constantinople, as well as manuscripts of many Oriental Christian peoples, including Copts, Assyrians and Christian Arabs. According to Sen Arevshatian, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I gave consent for digitalization of the indicated manuscripts. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II gave his permission for digitalization of the Matenadaran manuscripts on terms proposed by the Hill museum. "I see no danger here, as we deal with reliable partners who have no material interest. Simply, a digital copy will be kept at the Hill museum-library, which is to the advantage of the Armenians - for safety reasons," S. Arevshatian pointed out. Besides, according to him, under the agreement provisions, the copyright of the Matenadaran will be retained for making use of these manuscripts. In response to reporters' questions about what guarantees and mechanisms will be created to control the Matenadaran's copyright, taking into account the fact that such powerful companies as Microsoft cannot protect their copyrights in the US, Mr. Arevshatian noted that many Diasporan Armenians - members of the board of friends of the Matenadaran, have undertaken to handle this issue in the US. Deputy Director of the Matenadaran Arshak Banuchain said that so far only a memorandum on intentions has been signed, and it is envisaged to sign three extra documents by the autumn. S. Arevshatian promised to make the agreement public after receiving the Armenian government's approval. Press conference participant, font designer Ruben Tarumian said that only 300-400 thousand dollars is needed for this work, so there is no need to deprive the Matenadaran of its uniqueness for such a sum. In response, the Matenadaran's director and deputy director stated that more funds than those for photocopying must be allocated for restoration of damaged or decomposing manuscripts. Sen Arevshatian did not announce the sum to be invested in this program (in his words, millions of dollars). Moreover, according to him, the Matenadaran did not even apply to the RA government with the request to allocate funds beacuse "the state lacks money". After the press conference, a second in its essence press conference began. Vardan Grigorian, the Matenadaran's Deputy Director for Science and Chairman of the Scientific Board, made a statement against the Hill program. He said that the program on manuscript digitalization and computer data base creation has not been discussed at the institutioin, and Matenadaran's scientific board has not made a decision on it. Vardan Grigorian called the Matenadaran management's actions hasty and expressed an opinion that the US is not a proper place for keeping copiees of the Matenadaran's treasures.

---