Month: October 2006

PRESIDENT CHIRAC DID NOT APOLOGIZE TO TURKISH MP
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
18/10/2006

3 days ago after the French Parliament adopted a bill penalizing
denial of the Armenian Genocide and when anti-French hysteria was in
full swing in Turkey, president Jacques Chirac of France had a phone
conversation with Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey’s state-run public TV reported that the French president had
expressed regret over the passage of the bill, considered it needless
and promised to do everything to prevent the draft bill from turning
into a law. According to Turkish public TV, PM Erdogan criticized
Jacques Chirac for the latter’s statement during his Yerevan visit and
said "it’s impossible to accept your approach" meaning recognition of
the Genocide as a precondition for EU membership. The French president
displayed comprehension.

Turkish TV’s reporting was entitled "Chirac Regrets".

Yet, during the phone conversation president Chirac did not regret
neither apologized for the passage of the bill. He simply repeated
what he had said about the Genocide in Armenia.

This information comes from Turkish Milliet newspaper.

Correspondent Sabetay Varol of the paper writes in October 16 issue:
"The staff of the French president did not confirm the information
disseminated by PM Erdogan according to which president Chirac
expressed regret on the phone and promised to do everything to
block the passage of the bill by the Senate. According to Agence
France-Presse, Chirac has emphasized on the phone the need for Turkey
to restore historic memory and said that the French Parliament’s bill
is needless in this context."

Quoting AFP, Milliet points out that Chirac has repeated his statements
made in Yerevan. Associated Press confirms this information.

ARMENIAN YOUTH MARCHES FOR 3000 MILES RECOGNITION OF THE CRIME COMMITTED AGAINST HUMANITY
By Gohar Gevorgian

AZG Armenian Daily
18/10/2006

On June 27, at the initiative of "The United Armenian Students"
organization, the youth of California began a march that was to
stretch for 3000 miles. The procession was entitled "For the Sake
of Humanity" and lasted for already 3,5 months. The initiative is
aimed to inform the people about the crimes committed against the
humanity and make the government settle the issue. The young people
are carrying posters that condemn the genocides. They hope to reach
from Los Angeles to Washington in November. They expect to meet with
the US Government there.

In the information rendered to "Azg," the organizers of the procession
state that in the course of the procession they meet with congressmen
and senators, hold various arrangements and political meetings
dedicated to not only the Armenian genocide but also about all of
the crimes committed against the genocide. The initiators of the
arrangement aim to achieve the state recognition of these crimes.

Another important goal of the program is to show the undeniable
connection between the genocides to the American society and
its government. The students from a number of California based
universities, collages and educational institutions participate in the
procession. They believe that recognition of genocides will help avert
new crimes. Albrik Zohrabian, who has taken photos of the procession,
said this in the telephone conversation with "Azg."

PATRIARCH MUTAFIAN OBSERVES RAMADAN FAST NOT TO DESERT MOSLEM BROTHERS
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
18/10/2006

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, is a holy month for
all Moslems. From dawn to sunset they fast during Ramadan. Mesrop
II Mutafian, Armenian patriarch of Constantinople, has decided to
observe Ramadan fast, Agos newspaper informs in an article titled
"Patriarch Observes Ramadan Fast" on September 29.

Here is what the Turkish-language Armenian paper writes: "On the first
day of Ramadan Mesrop II Patriarch of Turkey’s Armenians took part at
a party organized by Sisli mayor Mustafa Saregyul opening the fasting
period and made astonishing statements. The Patriarch announced to
Turkish journalists that he will fast during this year’s Ramadan,
too. ‘Prayer and fasting,’ he said, ‘are common values for both
Christians and Moslems. We, the Christians, observe a 7 days’ fast
before the Easter. Since I am always invited to the ceremonies of fast
opening, I’ve decided to join my Moslem brothers in fasting month’.

Mesrop II wished good Ramadan to all at the end."

These statements of Mesrop II to Turkish media require no comment. Let
us only remind that in 2004, when the European states were seriously
discussing whether to start or not talks for EU membership with Turkey,
the Patriarch was touring in Europe. Asked by Danish state minister
in Copenhagen "Are you not an Armenian?" he answered: "I am both
Armenian and Turk."

By joining Moslems in observing Ramadan fasting the Patriarch is
apparently preparing to announce: "I am both Christian and Moslem".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PACE SITTING TAKES PLACE IN YEREVAN

AZG Armenian Daily
18/10/2006

The sitting of the PACE Monitoring Commission for Implementation of
Commitments to EU took place at RA National Assembly, yesterday. In
the course of the sitting the parliamentarians discussed issues of
Russian-Georgian relations, the implementation of Monaco’s commitments,
the issues of carrying out monitoring in Ukraine and in the Great
Britain. Tigran Torosian, Speaker of RA National Assembly, Head
of the Armenian delegation to PACE, informed "Noyan Tapan" about
this. The deputies didn’t discuss Armenia’s implementation of its
commitments. Most likely, this issue will be discussed at the December
12 sitting, in Paris.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CELEBRATION OF FOUNDERS’ DAY AT HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY

AZG Armenian Daily
18/10/2006

Monday, October 16, 2006

After the Lebanese anthem and an invocation by the Campus Minister
Rev. Nishan Bakalian, those participating in the celebration of
the Founders’ Day at Haigazian University received a call to find a
balanced life amidst the imbalance our country and the world at large
is experiencing these days.

The call came on Monday, October 16, 2006 at noon from the President
of Haigazian University, who addressed students, staff & faculty
who had gathered to remember the founders, who had the vision and
commitment to establish this unique institution of higher learning.

President Paul Haidostian’s message also stated that, other than
the Baccalaureate Service & Commencement exercises, the Founders’
Day was the most significant event during the whole academic year,
because it tells us all why we are here; it reminds us of who made
it possible for our university to exist and it allows us to move
forward. Talking about the need for a balanced leadership and finding
a balance, Dr. Haidostian said, "Education should help us find the
balance between the rebel and the conformist inside us, between the
egocentric part and the exocentric in each of us."

"One does not need to be a prophet to know that the future of
Lebanon and of the whole world will be threatened by imbalance,
unbalanced perspectives, unbalanced power struggles, unbalanced views
of the other, unbalanced representations of religion, add to that an
increase in problems of emotional, physical, and ecological imbalance,"
he added.

After being introduced by Mr. Antranig Dakessian, the Student Life
Director, Michel Majdalani, Student of the Year 2006, addressed
the audience with a word, in which he acknowledged that Haigazian
University had enriched him with lifelong friends with whom "I spent
the most beautiful days of my university life" as he said. Calling
Student Life at Haigazian the "student door to experience and success",
Majdalani urged his fellow-students to enjoy the opportunities at
Haigazian University and to transmit its culture to the society around
and the future generations.

An informative audio-visual presentation about the founders & the
founding of the University was presented by Mrs. Maria Bakalian.

The program of the celebration ended with the HU Alma Mater.

Public Relations Office, Haigazian University

COURT REJECTS PARTY’S CLAIM AGAINST POLICE

Panorama.am
15:07 17/10/06

District court of Yerevan rejected today the claim of New Times
Party Chairman Aram Karapetyan against the Armenian police. Karapetyan
claimed that the police have violated the Law on Freedom of Information
by refusing to supply with requested information.

Armenian police posted information in its web site on May 2, 2005
saying 8 out of 21 interviewed people close to New Times Party and its
chairman Aram Karapetyan have criminal records. The police interviewed
the mentioned people in relation to a clash during a demonstration
organized by New Times Party in Sevan.

Hayots Ashkhar (Armenian World) newspaper cited this information
in its September 8, 2006 issue saying the real criminals are around
Aram Karapetyan. The newspaper said that in relation to Karapetyan"s
recent statements as part of anti-criminal initiative.

So, Karapetyan applied to the Armenian police requiring to name the
persons who have criminal records and are in his close team. New Times
Party says that the police information posted in the mentioned site
is inaccurate as only 3 not 8 people involved in the demonstration
have criminal records.

The court rejected Aram Karapetyan’s claim based on point 2, item
1 of article 8 of the Freedom of Information Law which prohibits to
unveil information on somebody’s private life.

New Times Party says they will check the supporting argument and if
it is true each member of New Times Party will require information
about himself/herself.

The party also says they reacted to the police information so late
because their site has not affect on public opinion whereas the
newspaper does. The party also believes that the pro-government
newspaper, Hayots Ashkhar, deliberately discredits Aram Karapetyan
because of his affiliation to anti-criminal movement.

UWP VOICES SUPPORT TO HAKOB HAKOBYAN

Panorama.am
15:47 17/10/06

The leader of United Working Party (UWP), Gurgen Arsenyan, raised
his surprise that some representatives of pro-government and
opposition parties try to take up functions of prosecutor general by
saying half of the deputies sitting in the parliament hall may be
arrested. Arsenyan called his colleagues to support Hakob Hakobyan
and was happy that the latter said he has nothing to be afraid of.

He said life will show who will be arrested and who not. He blessed
god that the opposition is not in power. Otherwise, he said, they
would arrest everybody.

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT IN ARMENIA IS JUST AN IMITATION

Panorama.am
15:37 17/10/06

The fight against corruption in Armenia has just an imitation,
Transparency International Armenia said in relation to anti-corruption
policy of the government of Armenia. The office officials said USAID
and Counterpart International took party in anticorruption policy
report which Transparency International Armenia prepares. "Three
years ago there were only talks about corruption and the power
authorities launched an anticorruption policy. However, studies
of different international organizations show that nothing has been
changed since that time and the level of corruption remains the same,"
Amalia Kostanyan, head of Transparency International Armenia said. She
think there is no political will to punish the transgressors and also
believes the society will not support, either.

POLITICAL SCIENTIST: ARMENIA HAS BETTER CHANCES TO JOIN NATO

Panorama.am
18:24 17/10/06

Igor Muradyan, a political scientist, told a press conference today
that the problem of South Caucasus is monopolized and is dealt by
Havier Solana in Europe and Daniel Freed in USA. He said American and
European experts are also interested in Javakhk affairs but show no
open interest.

Muradyan said someone in Brussels has said Georgia will never comply
with NATO standards and there is no need to spend time on it. The
political scientist called that "cynical" saying that Romania and
Bulgaria which are part of NATO do not comply with the standards of
the alliance, either. Muradyan thinks Armenia has better chances to
join NATO.

ARMENIA MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN INTERESTS IN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA: KONSTANTIN ZATOULIN

Yerevan, October 17. ArmInfo. Armenia cannot constantly maneuver
maintaining friendly relations with all states. There are situations
when it should choose between the interests in Russia and Georgia,
especially as the interests of Armenia and Russia are incomparable
with those of Armenia and Georgia, said Konstantin Zatoulin, member
of the Russian State Duma, in an interview with ArmInfo.

The parliamentarian is dissatisfied with the passive position of
official Yerevan in the tense Russian-Georgian relations. "Has Armenia
tried to support its strategic partner at least once? Has it made
a single statement to Tbilisi calling on it for restraint? I cannot
remember such statement," he said.

He said that Armenia tries to take into consideration the interests
of Georgia even in the Karabakh problem. "It is quite evident that
the approaches to Karabakh, South Ossetic and Abkhazian conflicts
must be identical. However, Armenia constantly tries to isolate
the Karabakh conflict from the above two conflicts in order not
to infringe the interests of Georgia. However, I think Armenia
should not be guided with the interests of Georgia and must not
isolate the Karabakh conflict from the South Ossetic and Abkhazian
ones. It should protect its own interests, first of all. After all,
I am simply surprised at such a position of Armenia with respect to
Georgia. Has Tbilisi ever taken into account the interests of Armenia
when building its relations with Azerbaijan? Never. While, Armenia
still supports the interests of Georgia. I just cannot understand
this," the parliamentarian says with bewilderment. As regards the
ways of settling the Karabakh conflict, K. Zatoulin thinks they in
Russia are impressed with the last developments in Abkhazia, Ossetia
and Transdniestria. A new approach to the unrecognized states is being
formed. This approach must undoubtedly apply to Karabakh conflict as
well. "Russia and the world must define their impartial position in
the Karabakh issue taking into account the reality.

During the last 15 years new generations of unrecognized states have
originated. In case of further devotion to the term ‘unrecognized
states,’ we can not only torpedo the settlement of conflicts, but also
occur in rather an ambiguous situation when terms not reflecting the
reality are used," he says. At the same time, regarding the Karabakh
conflict, Russia is in rather an uneasy situation when it should
maintain good relations with Azerbaijan, in addition.

"However, I’d repeat that Russia must display a similar approach to
the conflicts in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Karabakh. It is quite
another case if Armenia does not want to draw parallels between these
conflicts," K. Zatoulin said.