Month: October 2005

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 14 2005

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS KAREKIN II AND UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO
ARMENIA MEET

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14. ARMINFO. Catholicos of all Armenian Karekin II
met with New Ambassasdor of Ukraine to Armenia Alexander Bozhko,
Friday. It is noteworthy that Ambassador Bozhko has been appointed
the head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission to Armenia for the
second time. The press-service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
told ARMINFO.

In the course of the meeting, Supreme Patriarch welcomed Alexander
Bozhko and expressed confidence that the Ambassador will further
contribute to developing the friendly relations of the Armenian and
Ukrainian peoples. “It is pleasant that the old friend of Armenia,
Azexander Bozhko, is entrusted with this honorable mission. Both
Armenia and the Ukraine will gain from this,” said His Holiness
Karekin II.

In his turn, Ambassador Bozhko said Armenia has become dear to him
and he was with Armenia during the last 4 years of his absence from
the country. The Ambassador touched upon his close cooperation with
the Armenian community of the Ukraine, in particular, with Leader of
the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Grigoris Buniatyan. He assured the Supreme Patriarch that he intends
to further help developing and strengthening the Armenian- Ukrainian
relations.

Catholicos Karekin II wished the Ukraine to overcome the domestic
political problems and achieve stability in all the spheres.

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005

TURKISH LAWYER CONSIDERS PUNISHMENT IMPOSED ON HRANT DINK TO BE
INSUFFICIENT

ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The lawyer of
Mehmed Soykan, a party involved in the legal proceedings against
Hrant Dink, editor of the “Akos” Armenian newspaper of Istanbul,
submitted a claim to Turkish Cassation Court insisting that the
punishment of 6 months imposed on Hrant Dink and the delay of the
punishment contradicts the laws. As the “Marmara” daily informs
referring to the “Anatolu” agency, the lawyer insists that the court
had no right to impose a minimum punishment and to delay it. The
lawyer also reminded that another legal proceedings against Hrant
Dink continues in Urfa.

To recap, by the decision of the court Hrant Dink was convicted to 6
months’ imprisonment for “insulting the national originality of the
Turks.” At the same time, in consideration of defendant’s model
behaviour during the trial, the court delayed the punishment, which
means that Dink won’t be imprisoned unless he repeats what he has
done.

In an article published in early 2004 Dink applied to Armenians
calling up them to “give up hatred towards Turks, which poisons your
blood.”

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005

VICE-SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT INTENDS TO REFUTE STATEMENTS MADE
BY HALIL BERKTAY IN YEREVAN IN HIS LETTER TO NATO PA

ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Turkish
press widely touched upon the participation of historian Halil
Berktay, Sabanc University lecturer, in the Rose Roth Yerevan seminar
of NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA). According to the “Marmara” daily
of Istanbul, the publications in Turkish press make known that the
Turkish parliament refused to send a Turkish delegation to the
seminar in order that Halil Berktay should become the only Turkish
participant of the seminar. Berktay left for Yerevan and speaking at
the seminar, supported the point of view that the leadership of the
Ottoman period pursued the goal of annihilating the Armenian people
by means of displacement and slaughter and the events of 1915 must be
qualified a genocide.

Simon Lu, NATO PA Secretary General, sent the text of Halil Berktay’s
Yerevan speech to Vahid Erdem, Vice-Speaker of Turkish Parliament,
after which Vahid Erdem gave commentaries at the October 12 press
conference. He reported that NATO PA had applied to the Turkish
parliament with a request of sending a delegation to the seminar, but
the parliament, putting forward reasons about a “long and unsafe
way,” decided that the Turkish delegation won’t participate in the
seminar. Erdem mentioned that indeed the delegation was able to come
to Yerevan but the parliament made the opposite decision motivating
it by the fact that Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia.

After these explanations Erdem regretted to say that the organizers
gave the floor to “such a historian as Halil Berktay” whose speech
was “one-sided.” Objecting to Berktay’s viewpoints, Erdem declared at
the press conference that there is no study proving that Armenians
became victims of a genocide.

Vahid Erdem noted that the NATO organizers didn’t have a secret
purpose but they had better send someone who were “unbiassed” and in
this case there would be a more “sound” debate on the issue.

Vahid Erdem added that he is going to send a letter consisting of 3
pages to NATO PA Secretariate General, in which he will respond to
Berktay’s points of view.

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005

DEPUTIES OF GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SEE “RUSSIAN TRACE” IN LATEST
PROVOCATIONS IN AKHALKALAK AND AKHALTSKHE

TBILISI, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to Van
Bayburt, a Deputy of the rulling majority of the Georgian Parliament,
who is of Armenian origin, proclamations threatening Armenians
appeared in Akhalkalak and Akhaltskhe are a provocation organized by
Russia. “Who else is not satisfied with the peace in Georgia?” the
Deputy questioned.

According to the “Vesti.net” site, Giga Bokeria, one of the leaders
of the rulling party “United National Movement” doesn’t dout the
presence of a “Russian trace” either. “We don’t share the country by
the ethnic principle. All citizens of Georgia are equal. Those who
wants to lead the country on another way are enemies of this state.
In the given case, all this is too similar to actions of our northern
neighbour,” he said. During the intervew to journalists some other
Georgian Deputies also expressed such opinion.

To recap, proclamations appeared in Akhalkalak and Akhalthkhe, the
cities of the region Samtskhe-Javakhketi, Georgia, mainly
Armenian-populated, which , particularly, say: “It’s time for
revenge. Armenians, we come, one who appears on our way will die.
Russians won’t help you, their time on our land passed.” The
proclamations are signed by “Akhaltskhe Liberation Brigade.” A
criminal action has been brought on the fact.

A Russian military basis is placed in Akhalkalak which must be
replaced from the territory of Georgia till late 2008. A definite
part of Armenian inhabitants demands replacing of the basis, and,
besides, demands giving the region populated with Armenians an
autonomous status in the structure of Georgia.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 14 2005

ARMENIAN FLAG HOISTED ON MOUNT ARARAT

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. Rene Reacher, Director of the
Environmental Research and Protection Center, American University of
Armenia (AUA), is the first woman-conquerer of Mount Ararat. She
hoisted the national flag of Armenia on the top of Ararat and
descended from 3,000 meters on a paraplane. The AUA press service
reports that the ascent was started from Dogubayazet, Turkey, on
August 18, 2005, in association with two other US citizens, Dan Retz
and John Tace. The ascent lasted for three days. P.T. -0–

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 14 2005

VARTAN OSKANIAN MEETS WITH HIS COLLEAGUE, LOCAL ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN
SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Vartan
Oskanian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia who is on an
official visit to countries of Asia and Pacific Ocean, met with his
colleague George Yeo on October 13 in Singapore.

At the meeting Minister Oskanian presented briefly the state of
Armenia within the present geographic-political surroundings,
opportunies of the region and development tendencies. Then exchange
of ideas was promoted around a number of issues of mutual interest.

In this sense, possibilities of development of bilateral relations
were discussed starting with holding consultations between the
Foreign Ministries and creation of a legal-contractual field. The
possibilities of holding a consultation concerning the Singaporian
development experience was also discussed. Appreciating the attempt
of cooperation in international organizations, especcially the UN, a
bilateral readiness was expressed to deepen that cooperation from now
on as well.

As Noyan Tapan was ifnormed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Information
and Public Relations’ Department, conflicts present in different
parts of the world and ways of their settlement were spoken about at
the meeting. Within this framework, Minister Oskanian presented the
present state and prospects of the negotiation process of the Nagorno
Karabakh issue.

On the same day, Minister Oskanian visited the Armenian Church of
Singapore and had a meeting with local Armenians.

In the evening, V.Oskanian had a working visit with Zainul Abidin
Rasheed, the State Minister of Singapore. Late on the same day, RA
Foreign Minister left Singapore for Yerevan.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 14 2005

PROJECT OF ARMENIAN CAPITAL’S GENERAL DESIGN, RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES ARE TO BE DISCUSSED IN YEREVAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2005

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. Discussion of the project of Yerevan
city general design and related environmental issues is to be held in
Yerevan on November 12, 2005, Armenian capital’s Municipality says in
its press release. The press release says more detailed information
will be available on Ecologic Information Center’s Internet site
M.V. -0–

The Age, Australia
Oct 15 2005

Lonely at top for flyweight
By Stathi Paxinos
October 15, 2005

FLYWEIGHT Vic Darchinyan, Australia’s sole remaining world champion,
says he will be forced to go to America for his pay days if interest
in boxing in this country falls any lower.

Darchinyan, who arrived in Melbourne yesterday to attend tonight’s
Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame induction dinner, said
Australian boxers needed to reverse this year’s disappointing results
and claim world titles to maintain interest in the sport.

Australian boxing’s year started brightly, with Kostya Tszyu and
Darchinyan holding world titles and Robbie Peden winning the
International Boxing Federation junior-lightweight belt in February.

But the Armenian-born Darchinyan conceded he was now feeling a bit
isolated at the top after a year that included junior-welterweight
king Tszyu losing his crown, Peden also losing his belt last month
and super-middleweights Anthony Mundine and Danny Green both being
beaten in world title shots.

“At the moment, we are a little bit down in Australia, but what can I
say? I hope that we have a lot more world champions and Australians
get more involved in boxing … I want to tell all of Australia (that)
I’d like you to support me. If I can’t see support, I can’t stay long
here. If they give me more money in America, I will leave but I don’t
want to go. I’ve been here for five years … I love Australia, it’s
the best place,” Darchinyan said.

Darchinyan, planning the third defence of his IBF belt
on November 25 against Northern Ireland’s Damaen Kelly in Sydney, was
confident Australian boxers could bounce back next year.

The boxing fraternity is gathering in Melbourne for the announcement
of 10 inductees, who have been chosen in six categories (moderns,
old-timers, veterans, pioneers, non-participants and honorary
internationals) by boxing historians and commentators. This will be
the event’s third year, with previous inductees including Jeff
Fenech, Jeff Harding, Les Darcy and Johnny Famechon. Nominees include
Tony Mundine, Hector Thompson, Paul Ferreri and Bobby Dunlop
(moderns); Fred Henneberry, Tom Uren, Bill Squires and Jack Green
(old-timers); and Merv Williams, Johnny Lewis, Ray Mitchell and Bill
Mordey (non-participants).

Lynn News, UK
Oct 15 2005

Murder victim was murder suspect

A man who was shot and stabbed at a Lynn factory before his body was
doused with petrol and set alight belonged to the mafia and was
suspected of a murder in Belgium, a court heard this week.
Hovanhannes Amirian had been butchered in the medical room at Cooper
Roller Bearings factory in Wisbech Road, South Lynn.

His burning body was found dumped in a field in Upton, near
Peterborough, and it took detectives almost a year to identify him.

A former security officer at the factory, Nishan Bakunts (28), and
his father-in-law, Misha Chatsjatrjan (44) allegedly killed the
42-year-old Armenian over a “family quarrel”.

Mr Amirian, who was Bakunts’ godfather, had been staying at Bakunts’
Yarmouth home with his partner Arpine Karapetian (24) and their two
children for several months.

The murder is alleged to have happened between December 19 and 20,
2002, while the factory was closing down for Christmas.

Bakunts and Chatsjatrjan then sought to destroy evidence linking them
to the crime, Norwich Crown Court has heard.

A statement read to the jury by the prosecution on Wednesday revealed
that Mr Amirian was wanted for questioning about the murder of
Pogosian Ernait, who was killed on November 30, 2000, at Ostend in
Belgium.

Belgium police suspected Mr Amirian and he was described as “a
self-confessed mafia man”.

Clare Matthews, junior barrister to David Farrell QC, prosecuting,
said: “It was known that he was involved in organised crime”.

The jury also heard from Bakunts’ sister Lucinne Karepetian who said
Chatsjatrjan had confessed to her that he put eight bullets into Mr
Amirian’s head.

She said he told how Mr Amirian had fallen to his knees and pleaded
“don’t kill me, I have children”.

On Tuesday, the court heard from Vanessa Armstrong, who is a
secretary at Coopers. She had recognised a scorched piece of memo
found next to Mr Amirian’s burning body.

The memo, containing the names Armstrong and Talbot, turned out to be
a health check appointment addressed to factory employee, Paul
Talbot, which had been left in the medical room at Coopers three days
before the body was found.

Detectives had targeted 2,099 people with those name in a mailshot
between August and September, 2003, and it was a “major breakthrough
in the investigation” when Miss Armstrong contacted police – linking
the murder to Coopers.

She told the court: “I recognised the memo immediately, because it is
something I do fortnightly. It was quite clearly my writing and my
memo.”

She said Mr Talbot had attended the medical room on December 18, and
the factory closed for Christmas on December 20 and didn’t re-open
until the New Year.

The jury heard Bakunts was in charge of security on the night of the
murder, and Miss Armstrong said he would have had keys to the medical
room and showers. Forensic officers discovered traces of Mr Amirian’s
blood on the couch and walls.

Bakunts, of Litchfield Road, Yarmouth, and Chatsjatrjan, of The
Straat, The Netherlands, deny murder.

The trial continues.
14 October 2005

;ArticleID=1222827

Life Style Extra, UK
Oct 14 2005

Pilot at centre of US terror alert jailed

LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) – A student pilot at the centre of a US terror
alert was today jailed for a year for using a bogus UK passport to
gain entry to America.

Zayead Hajaig, 35, remains on the FBI’s most wanted list since the law
enforcement agency discovered he had used the false passport to
continue flying lessons after he was unable to obtain a visa under his
real name.

He illegally entered the US in 1997 but fled on March 8 this year
after the FBI became suspicious and wanted to question him as security
following the September 11 attacks were tightened up.

Today at Snaresbrook Crown Court the father of three was sentenced to
12 months in prison for obtaining by deception a British passport.

However Judge David Richardson ruled out any terrorist connections
between Islamic extremists and the Nigerian-born British citizen of
Armenian parents.

The judge said: `In 1997 you applied for a UK passport and
deliberately and dishonestly adopted the identification of someone
you knew, so that you obtained a passport with his name but your
photo.

`You did this in order to gain entry into the US. Previously you had
overstayed in the US on a tourist visa and you knew you would not be
able to gain entry again.’

Judge Richardson said Hajaig had used the fake passport to flee the
US earlier this year.

He said: `After the atrocities of September 11 someone in your
position was bound to fall under suspicion.

`However I make it clear there is no evidence before the court to
suggest for a moment that you had any terrorist connections. I accept
you were genuinely training to be a pilot.’

He added: `Nevertheless to obtain a passport by deception in
circumstances like this is a very serious matter.

`To commit such an offence now when proper immigration controls is
one line in the defence against terrorism is highly culpable and
calls for a long sentence.

`In 1997, when you committed this offence, the world was a different
place. The terrorist threat did not exist in the same way and your
sentence will reflect that.’

Hajaig, of Ilford, Essex, stole the identity of colleague Barry
Felton when the pair worked as security guards at a record store in
Barking.

He then studied flying at a school in Atlanta, Georgia, where two of
the September 11 suicide hijackers also trained, triggering the alert
when he reportedly tried to have his pilot rating upgraded to fly
commercial planes – despite lacking the necessary qualifications.

The FBI launched an international hunt after he fled to Britain but
the court heard that at present there was no application before the
British courts to extradite him.

And Hajaig was placed on the `no fly list’ which essentially means no
airline would allow him to board a commercial airline.

Last month Hajaig admitted the deception charge, but denied stealing
Barry Felton’s driving licence. That charge remains on file.

Hajaig pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a UK passport by
deception between January 29 and February 6 1997. He falsely
represented that the details of a passport photo was a true depiction
of Barry Felton, together with Barry Felton’s personal details.

He denied one charge of theft involving Mr Felton’s driving license
on January 1, 1994, which he allegedly stole between January 1, 1994
and December 31, 1996.

Chubby, clean-shaven Hajaig wiped his eyes with a white tissue as
Judge Richardson warned he faced time behind bars before being led
away.

;news_headline=pilot_at_centre_of_us_terror_alert_jailed

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress