Month: June 2005

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
June 8, 2005 Wednesday 9:45 AM Eastern Time
Media-advisory: news conference by Union of Armenians of Russia
President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abramian and a
member of the Union, political scientist Andarnik Migranian will hold
a news conference on the release of six Armenian pilots jailed on
coup charges in Equatorial Guinea in 2004 at the Itar-Tass news
agency (2, Tverskoi Boulevard, 6th floor) at 17:30 on Friday, June
10.
Admission of Russian and foreign journalists, TV and radio
broadcasting companies by journalist identification cards.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Moscow Times, Russia
June 9 2005
A Woman’s Right to Self-Defense
By Oksana Yablokova
Staff Writer
Prosecutors are asking the Moscow City Court to overturn a woman’s
murder conviction on the grounds that she acted in self-defense
against a man who was trying to rape her.
In what is being seen as a landmark ruling on a woman’s right to
self-defense, the City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday asked the court
to overturn a verdict last Thursday by the Lyublinsky District Court.
Alexandra Ivannikova, 29, stabbed Sergei Bagdasaryan, 23, in the
thigh with a knife after waving down his car for a ride in December
2003. The knife struck Bagdasaryan in an artery, and he was dead by
the time police arrived at the scene.
The Lyublinsky court found Ivannikova guilty of murder and gave her a
suspended sentence. District prosecutors had sought a three-year
prison sentence.
In their appeal, city prosecutors said that Ivannikova’s actions “did
not constitute a crime,” spokesman Sergei Marchenko said by telephone
Wednesday. “The district prosecutor has expressed her opinion. We
disagreed and said so.”
City prosecutors appeared to have taken note of public outcry over
the conviction. Ivannikova’s relatives and independent observers had
expressed dismay at the original verdict of the district court, which
found her guilty despite accepting that she had acted in self-defense
to avoid being raped.

“This is a landmark case, not because it is a victory for justice but
one for public opinion, which is still taken into account sometimes,”
said Yulia Latynina, who hosts a show on Ekho Moskvy radio.
The prosecutors’ decision to seek to overturn the conviction came as
a surprise to Ivannikova and her lawyer.
“I sighed with relief when I got a suspended sentence last week, and
I cannot say how surprised I was to learn the prosecutors are on my
side,” Ivannikova said by telephone. “I realize that this is not over
yet and no one knows which decision the city court will take.”
Ivannikova’s lawyer, Alexei Parshin, said, “It is no secret that our
judges are reluctant to acquit defendants, especially on murder
charges.”
No date for the city court hearing has been set.
Ivannikova got into Bagdasaryan’s Lada car in southern Moscow on Dec.
8, 2003, after he agreed to take her home for 100 rubles, according
to court documents. She became alarmed after she noticed that he had
passed her house and turned instead into a dark side street near
Donetskaya Ulitsa.
Bagdasaryan parked the car and locked the doors. Ivannikova testified
that he then pulled his pants down and attempted to undress her,
despite her protests. Ivannikova said she eventually managed to take
a kitchen knife out of her purse and stab him in the leg.
Then she got out the car and ran away. She stopped a police car and
told officers what she had done, but by the time they found
Bagdasaryan he was already dead.
Parshin, Ivannikova’s lawyer, insisted that his client had acted in
self-defense, and that she had carried the knife for self-protection
after being raped at the age of 16.
Nikolai Rylatko, a lawyer for Sergei Bagdasaryan’s father, Andrei,
said in remarks published Wednesday in Gazeta that he was preparing
to appeal the Lyublinsky court sentence as too mild, and criticized
prosecutors for making what he called a political decision.
A small crowd from the Movement Against Illegal Immigration and other
radical nationalist groups rallied outside Lyublinsky court in
Ivannikova’s defense last week in an apparent attempt to whip up
racial prejudice against Bagdasaryan, an ethnic Armenian.
But Parshin insisted that race was not a factor in the case, and that
Ivannikova was not seeking the nationalists’ support.
Dmitry Olshansky, a prominent defense lawyer, said that in the past
those accused of killing in self-defense had been routinely sentenced
to prison terms, but that this policy was slowly changing, with more
leniency being shown to defendants.
The turning point was the adoption of an amendment to the Criminal
Code late last year that rejected the concept of adequate response,
he said.
“Earlier, if one was attacked by a fist, he was allowed by law to
defend himself only with a fist and not with a knife or a gun,”
Olshansky said. “Now, someone defending himself and his property can
use a gun against anyone trying to get into his apartment, regardless
of whether the intruder is armed or not.”
According to Interior Ministry statistics, about 8,000 rapes and
attempted rapes were recorded last year.
Olshansky said that although the number of rape cases that reached
court was quite large, it were only the tip of the iceberg.
“Policemen often try to prevent these cases from being recorded in
order to keep good clear-up rates,” he said.
Staff Writer Nabi Abdullaev contributed to this report.

The Times, UK
June 9 2005
Spanner in works stops Kerkorian taking 9% stake in GM
By Elizabeth Judge

KIRK KERKORIAN, the US billionaire, failed in his audacious attempt
to secure a near 9 per cent stake in General Motors, taking nearly 10
million shares fewer than he had hoped for.
The 87-year-old investor offered last month to spend up to $868
million (£473 million) to buy as many as 28 million shares in the
ailing car group. He offered $31 for every GM share.
But his firm, Tracinda Corp, revealed yesterday that he failed to pry
loose enough shares from other investors. Only about 18.9 million
shares were offered, raising Mr Kerkorian’s 3.9 per cent stake to 7.2
per cent. Shares in GM jumped 4.2 per cent on the news to close at
$32.02.
Mr Kerkorian, the majority owner of the MGM Mirage casino and hotel
operator, now owns 40.9 million shares in the embattled company.
Analysts said that Mr Kerkorian’s offer, which is still expected to
make him GM’s biggest individual investor, may have been hurt by his
bid buoying investor confidence in GM.
When the offer was announced on May 4, GM’s shares surged more than
18 per cent to $32.80 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Analysts speculated that Tracinda may now raise its tender offer
price for GM shares because it was so largely undersubscribed.
Himanshu Patel, analyst at JP Morgan, said: `We view the tender offer
being undersubscribed as a useful gauge of sentiment towards GM
shares.’
But David Healy of Burnham Securities said that market forces simply
worked against Mr Kerkorian.
`It was undersubscribed because during most of the time that the
tender offer was in effect the market price of the stock was higher
than the tender offer,’ he said.
`If you wanted to sell your GM stock you would receive more if you
sold it on the open market than if you tendered it to Kerkorian.’
Ten years ago, Mr Kerkorian, the son of Armenian émigrés, shook up
Chrysler Corp, another American icon, with an attempted hostile
takeover bid. He began building a stake in Chrysler in 1990 and
attempted to buy the whole company for $21 billion five years later.
Alhough he failed, because of insufficient finance, to buy the whole
company, he continued to exert pressure on the management and gave
his support to the merger between Chrysler and Daimler-Benz of
Germany.

Analysts believe that he may now put pressure on GM’s management to
speed up the restructuring of the company. However they predict that
he will shy away from a full-blown takeover attempt.
Mr Kerkorian, who has bought and sold the MGM film studio three
times, has said that he will be a passive investor. He has said the
acquisition is `solely for investment purposes.’

Tracinda yesterday declined to comment on whether he was disappointed
with the reaction to his offer.
Although General Motors is still the world’s biggest carmaker it has
been hit in recent years by Americans spurning local cars in favour
of cheaper Asian models.
In a bid to turn itself around GM is to cut 25,000 jobs by 2008 and
close a string of plants in North America.
The group hopes that the cuts, which have yet to be agreed by unions,
will reduce overheads by as much as $2.5 billion a year to help
reverse losses that, in the first three months of this year, reached
$1.1 billion.

MHER SHAHGELDIAN: THERE IS NO OFFICIAL AGREEMENT ABOUT EXTENSION OF
RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. There is no official arrangement or
agreement between RA and RF about moving Russian military bases from
Georgia to Armenia, there in no official agreement about the extension
of Russian military base in Armenia, either. Mher Shahgeldian,
Chairman of NA Standing Committee on Defence, National Security and
Internal Affairs, reported this at the June 8 press conference.
According to him, the Russian military base dislocated in Armenia is
replenished from time to time, including replenishment with military
equipment and ammunition. “As I know, in this case the replenishment
was carried out not from Russia but from bases dislocated in Georgia,”
the MP mentioned.
Answering a journalist’s question, Shahgeldian said that he has no
information about moving of 15 wagons of Russian ammunition to
Armenia.

HEADMASTER OF AKHALTSKHA SCHOOL AFTER HOVHANNES TUMANIAN CHANGED
AGAINST TEACHERS’ AND PUPILS’ WILL
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 7, the employees of Georgian
Ministry of Internal Affairs, dispersing thousands of Armenians that
gathered around Akhaltskha secondary school N 3 after Hovhannes
Tumanian, entered the school building. According to the A-Info agency,
the people gathered near the school after the June 3 incident when
representatives of Akhaltskha power structures, Yura Zaridze, Head of
the Enlightenment Department, and representatives of the staff of
Georgian President’s Plenipotentiary in Samtskhe-Javakhk wanted to
realize Georgian Education Minister Kakha Lomaya’s May 24 decree about
dismissing school headmaster Lyuba Matevosian against the will of the
teachers and pupils. As Robert Muradian replacing L.Matevosian isn’t
trusted by people a demonstration was organized by pupils and
teachers.

Azerbaijan News Service
June 8 2005
QARABAQ LIBERATION ORGANIZATION HELD UNSANCTIONED ACTION
2005-06-08 18:59
Qarabaq Liberation Organization (QLO) started mass protest actions
from June 8. Organization members demanding Russia, France and the
United States, OSCE Minsk group member states not to let
parliamentary elections take place in so-called Daqliq Qarabaq
republic tried to unsanctioned action in front of embassies of these
countries. Though faced with resistance of the police in front of
France embassy, the participants could come up to the building and
sound their slogans. Policemen detained Firudin Mammadov, deputy
chief of QLO till the end of the picket. In front of the Russian
embassy, the police allowed only one of the organization members to
presented resolution of the action to embassy. QLO also protested
against Russia’s removal its military bases from Georgia to Armenia.
The police didn’t allow the organization members to approach the
American Embassy. The organization members accompanied by the police
presented resolution to the embassy. We stated that elections in
fictitious republics shouldn’t be allowed. If these states don’t take
measures, we will continue our actions, said Firudin Mammadov, deputy
chief of QLO. He said following actions will be more radical.

ARTSAKH STATE AWARDS GIVEN TO A NUMBER OF RA AND NKR FIGURES ON
OCCASION OF 1600TH ANNIVERSARY OF INVENTION OF ARMENIAN LETTERS AND
FOUNDATION OF AMARAS SCHOOL
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 4, Arkadi Ghukasian, the NKR
President signed a number of decrees on the occasion of the 1600th
anniversary of the invention of the Armenian letters and the Amaras
school’s foundation. As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Information
Department attached to the NKR President, Academimician Radik
Martirosian, the Yerevan State University’s Rector was awarded with
“Mesrop Mashtots” medal for exclusive services to the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh in the sphere of education and science
development. Kamo Atayan, Khoren Baghdasarian, Varduhi Gabrielian,
Stepan Dadayan, Jamil Martirosian, Mels Minasian and Rafael Petrosian
were awarded with “Vachagan Barepasht” medal for purposeful and
productive activities in the spheres of development of education and
science in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, training qualified
specialists, teaching and education. Zhanna Anastasian, Margo Lalayan
and Anyuta Mnatsakanian were awarded with the medal of
“Yerakhtagitutiun” (“Gratitude”) for significant contribution in the
spheres of teaching and education of the young generation. Sokrat
Khanian, the Literature and Journalism Department Chief of the Artsakh
State University, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor was
awarded with an honorary title of the Honoured Scientist of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh for the great contribution in the
development of the education and science spheres, displaying exclusive
professional abilities. Romela Avagian, Susanna Gabrielian, Rafael
Gasparian, Sveta Gevorgian, Sveta Davtian, Naira Tamrazian, Albert
Khachatrian, Arpik Khasapetian, Vigen Hayrapetian, Ofelia Hayrapetian,
Zaven Shahbarian, Rita Poghosian and Ira Sarinian were awarded with an
honorary title of the Honoured Teacher of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh for the exlusive contribution in the spheres of teaching and
education of children, teenagers and youth. Rashid Aghamalian and
Samvel Virabian were awarded a honorary title of the Honoured Artist
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh for the high mastery, activities
supporting to the art development.

MONUMENT TO ZORAVAR ANDRANIK OPENS IN CITY OF LE PLESSIS-ROBINSON,
NEAR PARIS
PARIS, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 4, in the city of Le
Plessis-Robinson near Paris, Edvard Nalbandian, the Ambassador of
Armenia and Philippe Pemezec, a French MP, the Le Plessis-Robinson
Mayor opened solemny a monument to Zoravar Andranik. As Noyan Tapan
was informed from the Press Office of the State Commission on
organizing events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, the monument was presented to the city of Le
Plessis-Robinson by the Arabkir Prefect’s Office. A delegation of the
Arabkir Prefect’s Office headed by Prefect Levon Haroutiunian arrived
from Yerevan to participate in the event. Ambassador E.Nalbandian
mentioned that the monument to national hero Zoravar Andranik is added
to more than a hundred of memorials, streets and squares in French
cities and regions dedicated to Armenia and the Armenian people, which
symbolize in a peculiar way the great friedship and warmness and
intensity of the relations established between Armenia and
France. Patrik Devejian, a former Minister, French statesmen and
politicians, Senators, Deputies, the Paris Region Prefect, hundreds of
representatives of the Armenian community were present at the
monument’s opening ceremony which was dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Romania rejuvenated by Bucur
Wednesday, 8 June 2005
Gheorghe Bucur scored twice to help Romania defeat
FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 rivals Armenia in
Constanta.

Romania goalscorer Gheorghe Bucur with Aleksandr
Tadevosyan of Armenia

Petre opener
The FC Sportul Studentesc forward scored a goal in the
latter stages of each half to add to Ovidiu Petre’s
29th-minute opener, but Romania are still five points
off a play-off place having played a game more than
runaway duo the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Five retained
Romania’s 2-0 defeat against the Dutch at the weekend
caused coach Victor Piturca to shuffle his pack,
retaining only five players from that game in his
starting lineup.
Defensive strategy
The visitors’ defensive strategy was clear from the
outset, with Edgar Manchurian providing their only
real presence up front. Unsurprisingly therefore,
Romania were soon dominating possession and went ahead
just before the half-hour mark. Gigel Coman was the
architect, creating space down the left flank before
delivering a superb cross that Petre headed in from
five metres.
Berezovsky beaten
The game was effectively over eleven minutes later
when Mihaita Plesan lofted a long ball to Dorinel
Munteanu, who in turn nodded into the path of Bucur.
The striker, starting in place of Adrian Mutu, made no
mistake as he fired past Roman Berezovsky.
Clean sheet
Bucur added his second ten minutes from time in a poor
second period to add a touch of gloss to the
scoreline, although Piturca will have been pleased to
see his team keep a clean sheet for the frst time in
18 months.
Must-win matches
If Romania are to keep alive their slender hopes of
qualification, they must win their next fixture at
home against Andorra next month before tackling the
Czechs at home on 3 September. Sixth-placed Armenia
face the Netherlands on the same

Congressional Record
June 7, 2005 (Extensions)]
ANNOUNCING THE PUBLICATION OF AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF PASSAGE THROUGH
HELL: A MEMOIR
HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce the publication of an
English translation of Passage Through Hell: A Memoir. The original
version was written in 1955 by Armenian poet, educator and author Armen
Anush. It has been published by Hagop and Klar Manjikian on the
occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Armen Anush was an eyewitness to the deportation and massacre of
Armenians by the Turks during 1915-1916. On April 24, 1915, the Turkish
government began to arrest Armenian community members and political
leaders. Many were executed without ever being charged with crimes.
Then the government deported most Armenians from Turkish Armenia,
ordering that they resettle in what is now Syria. Many deportees never
reached that destination.
From 1915 to 1918, more than a million Armenians died of starvation
and disease on long marches, or were massacred outright by Turkish
forces. From 1918 to 1923, Armenians continued to suffer at the hands
of the Turkish military, which eventually removed all remaining
Armenians from Turkey. The Armenian Genocide was a tragedy not only for
the Armenian people but a tragedy for all humanity. Passage Through
Hell: A Memoir is critically important because it recounts the horrors
of genocide and the psychological impact it had on the survivors.
I hope the day will soon come when it is not just the survivors who
honor the dead but also when those whose ancestors perpetrated the
horrors acknowledge their terrible responsibility and commemorate the
memory of genocide’s victims. This book should be read by all whose
ancestors were in any way involved and by everyone who cares about
understanding history.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute
to Hagop and Klar Manjikian for making this important book available in
English.