Month: March 2007

CONGRESSMAN SCHIFF, SECRETARY RICE DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION DURING HEARING ON CAPITOL HILL

Arminfo
2007-03-22 14:46:00

In a hearing today before the State, Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee in the House of Representatives, lawmakers raised a
series of concerns regarding past and current genocides, reports the
Armenian Assembly of America.

Specifically, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) raised pointed questions
regarding the Administration’s opposition to H. Res. 106, which he
introduced in January, and that reaffirms the historical fact of
the Armenian Genocide and recalls the proud chapter of humanitarian
intervention by the United States.

The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by more than 180 Members
of Congress, and is buoyed by the recent introduction of a similar
bill in the Senate by Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL)
and Senator John Ensign (R-NV).

In a spirited exchange, Schiff asked Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice how the U.S., if unwilling to recognize the Armenian Genocide as
such, has the "moral authority that we need to condemn the genocide
in Darfur if we do not acknowledge those atrocities that occurred
earlier…" Schiff continued, "Is there any doubt in your mind?"

"I think the historical circumstances require that we allow historical
commissions to explore this issue and come to terms with their past,"
Rice answered.

"You come from academia, is there anything in your background or
training that would leave you to believe that this murder of 1.5
million people was not a genocide?" he asked.

"Yes, I do come from academia, but now I am secretary of state,"
Rice explained. "I think that the Armenians and the Turks need to
resolve their past before they can move forward."

"When Hrant Dink is murdered on his doorstep, when the Turkish
government moves to bring him up on charges of ‘insulting Turkishness,’
I don’t see Turkey as being a democracy that signifies progress,"
Schiff explained.

"I do think there is an evolution going on in Turkey," Rice
replied. "Like many historical tragedies, people need to deal with
their past." Rice also added this: "Congressman, we have recognized
the historical circumstances [and] we do recognize it in Presidential
statements."

Schiff, in a second round of questioning, said "urging the Congress
to igno re [the Armenian Genocide] or abide by Turkish Article 301"
is not the solution. "We should encourage Turkey to acknowledge the
undeniable facts of the Armenian Genocide." Schiff also noted that
the U.S. does not support commissions to study Holocaust denial and
that we should not get into the business of historical commissions.

Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, who attended today’s hearing, thanked
Congressman Schiff for raising this important human rights issue.

"We have a fundamental policy disagreement with the Administration,"
Ardouny said. "We cannot allow Turkey’s insidious Article 301, which
penalizes discussion of the Armenian Genocide, to be exported to the
U.S. Further, calls to establish an historical commission to study
the Armenian Genocide ignore the existing scholarship. Every serious
study on the events of 1915 has reached the same conclusion. The fact
of the Armenian Genocide is incontestable."

Ardouny added that 126 Holocaust and genocide scholars have declared
the genocide an incontestable fact. Furthermore, the International
Center for Transitional Justice released a legal study on the use of
the term Armenian Genocide, which states that: "The Events, viewed
collectively, can thus be said to include all of the elements of the
crime of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars as
well as historians, politicians, journalists and other people would
be justified in continuing to so describe them."

"I was disappointed that Secretary of State Rice was unwilling to
acknowledge the plain facts of the Armenian Genocide," Schiff told
the Assembly. "We cannot maintain the moral force we need to take
action against the genocide going on in Darfur, if the Administration
continues to equivocate about the genocide against the Armenians."

VARDAN KHACHATRIAN AND JUAN MIRANDA DISCUSS DETAILS OF CREDIT PROGRAM OF ASIAN DEVELOPMEMT BANK

Noyan Tapan
Mar 22 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Minister of Finance and
Economy Vardan Khachatrian on March 22 met with Juan Miranda, Director
General of the Central and Western Asia Regional Department of the
Asian Development Bank (ADB).

According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, Mr. Miranda came
to Armenia with the aim of discussing details and implementation
process of programs envisaged by the agreement between Armenia and
the bank.

During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed a number of
issues related to Armenia-ADB cooperation, including the issue of
implementing the program on 66 mln dollar credit to be provided by
ADB to Armenia. The sides agreed to sign this credit agreement during
a meeting in Milan in February. Juan Miranda said that several ADB
missions will visit Armenia in order to become acquainted with the
programs and problems related to them on the spot.

Being a new international financial partner of Armenia, ADB plans to
implement a number of programs to promote the Armenian economy. Out
of the indicated sum of 66 mln USD, it is envisaged to allocate 30
mln USD for repairs of about 230 km of community roads, and about 30
mln USD – for repairs of water supply systems and solution of social
problems in marzes. Agriculture, transport, as well as the social
and private sectors are possible spheres of cooperation with ADB.

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON A PRIVATE VISIT

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 11:47

RA President’s Spokesman Viktor Soghomonyan confirmed in an interview
with Mediamax agency that the President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili
will arrive in Armenia today on a one-day private visit at the
initiation of RA President Robert Kocharyan.

Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Mikhail Saakashvili will leave for
Tsakhkadzor today.

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN’S CONDOLENCES TO VLADIMIR PUTIN

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 11:53

President Robert Kocharyan sent a telegram of condolence to the
President of Russia Vladimir Putin connected with he recent tragic
events in Russia, President’s Press Office informs.

The message says, "On behalf of the Armenian people and myself I
express sincere condolence connected with the recent tragic events
in Russia, which took many human lives.

Please, convey my sincere compassion and support to the families and
friends of the victims."

PACE RAPPORTEUR WELCOMES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN TURKEY

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 12:12

PACE General Rapporteur for the Cultural Legacy of the South Caucasus
Edward O’Hara welcomed the reopening of the Armenian Church of the Holy
Cross (Akhtamar Island) scheduled March 29, Mediamax agency reports.

"Participation of the Turkish Government, the Armenian Church, experts
of Turkish and international universities is an exceptional evidence
of cooperation directed at preservation of the cultural legacy of
the region," PACE Rapporteur said.

Edward O’Hara noted that "the reconstruction of the Armenian Church
on Akhtamar Island shows what we are aspiring to attain in the whole
region. The PACE Rapporteur expressed hope that Armenian authorities
will have the opportunity to participate in the opening of the Church.

MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AKHTAMAR CHURCH KNOWN

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 13:03

The delegation of RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs headed by
Deputy Minister Gagik Gyurjyan will participate in the official opening
ceremony of the Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island. Press
Secretary of the Ministry Gayane Durgaryan said at today’s press
conference that the delegation comprises Director of the Oriental
Studies Institute of RA Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan, President
of RA Union of Architects Mkrtich Minasyan, Archeology Institute of
RA National Academy of Sciences Pavel Avetisyan, Head of the Culture
Ministry Department on Maintenance of Historic and Cultural Monuments
Artyom Grigoryan, PhD in Architecture Murad Hasratyan. The date of
the delegation’s departure has not been fixed yet.

Let us remind that the Church of the Holy Cross is one of the
exceptional examples of Armenian medieval architecture and sculpture, a
masterpiece of world culture of the 10th century. After reconstruction
the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism took the decision to
invite the Armenian delegation to participate in the opening ceremony.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GENOCIDE MUSEUM-INSTITUTE TO PRESENT A NEW DISPLAY

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 13:44

On the eve of the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915
the Genocide Museum-Institute will present partly renewed items.

Director of the Museum Hayk Demoyan told ArmInfo that documents,
photos, as well as the diary of witnesses will be displayed. Part of
the documents will be dedicated to the heroic defense of Musa Dagh. In
Hayk Demoyan’s words, the opening of the exhibition is expected on
April 20.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GABRIEL SARGSYAN LEADING IN THE CHESS TOURNAMENT IN SPAIN

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 15:11

Armenian Grand Master Gabriel Sargsyan celebrated his fourth victory,
defeating Ukrainian Grand Master Ruslan Ponomaryov in the 5th round of
the international chess tournament under way in the Spanish city of
Safra. Gaining 4.5 points in 5 rounds Gabriel Sargsyan is leading in
the tournament with the advantage of 1.5 points over Peres Kandelaria
and Grande Sunega occupying the 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

NATIONAL ACADEMIC OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE TO TOUR TO EGYPT

ArmRadio.am
22.03.2007 14:26

April 12-19 the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after
Alexander Spendiaryan will go on tour to Egypt. Head of the Foreign
Relations Department of RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs
Susanna Khachatryan said at a press conference today that at the
invitation of the Ministry of Culture of Egypt "Gayane" ballet will
be performed in Cairo and Alexandria.

Susanna Khachatryan also mentioned that in response, a cultural group
will arrive in Armenia from Egypt in autumn.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RAIFFEISEN BANK AVAL STARTS SELLING SILVER COIN ‘PAINTER IVAN AIVAZOVSKY’

Arminfo
2007-03-22 14:08:00

Raiffeisen Bank Aval has started selling silver coin "Painter Ivan
Aivazovsky," reports the bank’s PR department with reference to the
head of the precious metals and coins department Alla Ischenko.

This is a Brilliant Uncirculated legal tender 100 Dram piece made
by the Polish State Mint. The coin measures 40 millimeters by 28
millimeters and is minted from 28.28 grams of .925 silver. One can
buy the coin in all Raiffeisen Bank Aval divisions participating in
the World Coins program.

The reverse of the coin pictures Aivazovsky and a fragment of one of
his pictures.

The averse pictures the emblem of the Republic of Armenia and one
more painting by the artist.

Ivan (Hovhannes) Aivazovsky is Russian painter of Armenian descent,
most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of
his 6,000 paintings.