Month: March 2007

GOVERNMENT APPROVES BILL ON TAX REGISTRATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 22 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. At the March 22 sitting, the Armenian
government approved the bill on tax registration. Deputy Head of
the RA State Tax Service Armen Alaverdian told reporters after the
sitting that the decision on registration of tax payers in Armenia
was taken in 1995 and since then many amendments have been made to
laws, which caused the necessity to develop a bill. According to
A. Alaverdian, the bill gives the definition of tax registration, the
order and terms of providing a tax payer code, etc. Within a month
after getting registered at the state register, the tax payer must
receive a tax payer code and retain it until bankruptcy or end of
activity. These codes are similar and used for all state bodies. By
the way, henceforth it will not be possible to open a bank account or
conduct customs transactions without such code. A. Alaverdian said that
henceforth urgent issues related to registration will be regulated by
law rather than solved by a tax body or governmental decision. Until
now tax payer codes have been given to 173 thousand tax payers in
Armenia, 50 thousand of whom either were liquidated or went bankrupt.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SELLS ITS 10% STAKE OF ARMENTEL

Noyan Tapan
Mar 22 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. At the March 22 sitting, the Armenian
government made a decision to privatize ArmenTel CJCC’s 1,883,771
shares repsresenting the 10% state property by selling them to
ArmenTel’s owner – Vympelkom OJSC. The sale price of property was set
in the amount equivalent to 1/9th of the price of 90% shares of the
company acquired by the purchaser and stipulated by a memorandum. NT
was informed about it from the RA Government Information and PR
Department.
From: Baghdasarian

FAIRS IN ARMENIA ARE TAXED, TAX BODY REPRESENTATIVE ASSURES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 22 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The fairs functioning in Armenia are
taxed, last year they paid fixed payments of 2 bln drams (about 5.5
mln USD). Deputy Head of the RA State Tax Service Armen Alaverdian
told this to reporters on March 22. In his words, the goal of tax
bodies is to clarify problems related to taxation of persons who
conduct constant business activity at fairs.

Particularly, if the matter concern a legal entity, certain taxes must
be collected in addition to the sum paid to the fair’s organizer, while
natural persons must get respective state registration. A. Alaverdian
noted that tax bodies started the installation of cash registeres
in fairs and other trade points – more than 400 cash registers have
already been installed. According to him, this process will continue
this year and finish in 2008. It was mentioned that in January-February
2007, revenues and social payments collected by tax bodies exceeded
by 8.5 bln drams and 2.2 bln drams the respective indices of the same
period of last year.

PRESS RELEASE
Hamazkayin Cultural Forum
P.O. Box. 70-1028 Antelias
Beirut, Lebanon
Contact: Arin Kalousdian
Tel: +961 (4) 71-56-84
Fax: +961 (1) 71-56-92
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society Announces Applications
Being Accepted for 2007 Cultural Forum

The Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society is currently accepting
applications for its 2007 Cultural Forum to be held in Yerevan,
Armenia, from July 15-29. All college-aged individuals are encouraged
to apply.

The Hamazkayin Cultural Forum is an annual event that started in 1995
with the aim to unite young Armenians from around the world to learn
more about Armenian art, history, culture, society, and modern life in
the homeland. It is a unique opportunity for people to visit Armenia
for the first time-or as a returning visitor-and meet with fellow
Armenians from around the globe who are interested in learning more
about their people’s past as well as where they are headed.

The Forum is an excellent way for college-aged Armenians to come
together and share ideas about what they envision as being important
for them, and if they don’t have a thorough understanding of their
history and culture, the Forum is a great medium to learn about
them. Plus, it gives people an excellent opportunity to visit
Armenia. The Forum also aims at bringing together students with
diverse backgrounds and create a melting pot where they can form close
bonds with one another which goes beyond the Forum.

There is no limit to the amount of culture that can be experienced in
Armenia. Each evening you can find multiple concerts, plays, and music
clubs to attend for entertainment. On most evenings classical
performances can be heard in one of Yerevan’s many chamber concert
halls, and in some restaurants visitors have the pleasure of hearing
authentic folk music any night of the week. Jazz and rock clubs have
become quite noticeable, and for those who enjoy dancing, there are
dozens of discos located throughout the city.

Most of Armenia’s cultural legacy however is found outside Yerevan, in
virtually all regions of the country. Armenia is home to
hundreds-perhaps thousands-of churches both preserved and in
ruins. There are also ancient fortresses and other fascinating
structures to see, including a pagan temple in the town of
Garni. Another prominent site definitely worth visiting is the
Sardarabad Memorial and History Museum, built on the very site where
the historic battle was won against the Turks, signifying the founding
of the first Armenian republic.

During the Forum attendees have the opportunity to hear lectures,
delivered by prominent intellectuals and academics such as
Prof. Richard G. Hovannisian, Dr. Vahakn Dadrian, Prof. Herant
Markarian and others.

To learn more about the Forum and how to apply, visit
You can send an email to
[email protected] with specific questions. All applications must be
received by June 1, 2007.

Hamazkayin is a worldwide organization with chapters in many countries
that aims to preserve and promote Armenian art, history, and
literature. Its goal is to educate people about the humanities
relating to the Armenian people and perpetuate Armenian culture.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

March 22, 2007

International Public Strongly Favors Labor and Environmental Standards in
Trade Agreements

Overwhelming Majorities in Many Developing Countries and the United States
Support Protections

March 22, 2007, 01:00 GMT
Contact, International Findings:
Steven Kull, 202-232-7500
Christopher Whitney, 312-821-7516

March 22, 2007, Yerevan, 16:00
Contact, Armenia Findings:
Stepan Safarian, 37410-528-780
Syuzanna Barseghian, 37410-274-818

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today convened a roundtable discussion to present the results of the second
in a series of reports based on a poll of worldwide opinion on key global
issues. The report was devoted to labor and environmental standards in trade
agreements. The meeting brought together citizens, members of environmental
and international trade organizations, analysts, and media representatives.

ACNIS director of research Stepan Safarian delivered opening remarks. "As
improvements in trade laws become international norms, Armenia will be
compelled to make similar adjustments," he said. "Even though Armenia’s
economy cannot be compared with that of developed and developing countries,
its general public opinion is well within their average. As a result, we
must now prepare ourselves for the new conditions to be introduced in trade
agreements." ACNIS analyst Syuzanna Barseghian then presented the survey
results.

Strong majorities in developing nations around the world support requiring
countries that sign trade agreements to meet minimum labor and environmental
standards, a multinational poll finds. Nine in 10 Americans also support
such protections.

The leaders of less developed nations have generally opposed including
language mandating minimum standards for working conditions and
environmental protections in trade deals, arguing that such rules are
protectionist and would undermine their ability to compete in major markets
such as Europe and the United States.

Nonetheless, majorities in four developing countries in Asia–China, India,
Thailand and the Philippines–and two middle income countries in Latin
America–Argentina and Mexico–agree that trade agreements should require
governments to maintain "minimum standards" for working conditions or for
the protection of the environment.

Large majorities in three eastern European countries–Poland, Armenia and
Ukraine–also favor such protections as do an overwhelming majority of
Israelis.

"It has often been assumed that when leaders of developing countries argue
against including labor or environmental standards in trade agreements they
represent the wishes of their people," said Steven Kull, editor of
WorldPublicOpinion.org. "However, it appears that these publics would like
to see the international community put pressure on their governments to
raise their standards."

These findings are part of multinational study by The Chicago Council on
Global Affairs and WorldPublicOpinion.org, in cooperation with polling
organizations around the world. The larger survey includes 17
countries–China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand,
Ukraine, Poland, Iran, Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia,
Argentina, Peru, Israel, Armenia–and the Palestinian territories.

This is the second in a series of reports based on the survey analyzing
international attitudes on key international issues. Not all questions were
asked in all countries.

The U.S. public is nearly unanimous in its support of requiring that both
labor (93%) and environmental standards (91%) be included in trade
agreements. The Bush administration has opposed the inclusion of such rules
in the past, fearing that they would complicate trade negotiations and might
force the United States to change some of its own labor laws.

"The American public is clearly concerned that trade agreements fail to
protect either workers or the environment," said Christopher Whitney,
executive director for Studies at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
"This strengthens the hand of those in Congress who share this apprehension,
particularly as the White House increases its willingness to negotiate these
issues with Congress in advance of the June expiration of the President’s
Trade Promotion Authority."

Among the poll’s other detailed findings:

– The Chinese favor including labor standards in trade agreements by
a margin of 84 percent to 8 percent and environmental protections by 85
percent to 8 percent.
– The Indian public–whose government has been among those most
opposed to linking trade with labor and environmental issues–support
minimum labor standards by 56 percent to 25 percent and environmental
protections by 60 percent to 28 percent.
– Seven in 10 Thais (69%) say that environmental standards should be
included in trade pacts. Thais were not asked about labor standards.
– Fifty-five percent of Filipinos say trade pacts should include
provisions to protect working conditions, but they are divided about
environmental protections: 48 percent are in favor, 49 percent against.
– Argentines overwhelmingly support including both types of
protections in trade agreements: 89 percent are in favor of minimum
standards on working conditions and 90 percent are in favor of such
standards for protection of the environment.
– Two-thirds (67%) of Mexicans say standards for working conditions
should be included in trade pacts and three-quarters (76%) think
environmental rules should be included.
– Israelis are very enthusiastic with 91 percent favoring labor
standards and 93 percent favoring environmental ones.
– In the formerly socialist economies of Eastern Europe, there is
also strong support: overwhelming majorities of Poles favor labor (88%) and
environmental (90%) standards, as do Ukrainians (85% labor, 88%
environmental) and Armenians (79% labor, 82% environmental).

For complete findings and methodology, please visit
and For the Armenian
version, visit

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2007, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, democratic development, conflict resolution,
and applied research on critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the
state and the nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

FUNERAL OF VOSGEPERAN ARZOUMANIAN,
A DEVOTED PERSON OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

The Armenian Church and nation, and in particular the Catholicosate of
Cilicia with all its structures and dioceses, paid their last respects on
March 21 to one of their most praiseworthy and loyal followers Vosgeperan
Arzoumanian during a funeral service held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Antelias.

Arzoumanian had both served the Diocese of Lebanon in its National Council
and Central Executive Council for 40 years and worked at the Saint Joseph
French University in Lebanon during his lifetime.

Pontifical Vicar General Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian conducted the
service during which Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the Diocese of
Lebanon and V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian read His Holiness Aram I’s
condolence letters in Arabic and Armenian.

Government officials, academics, representatives from national political
parties and unions, present and former deputies and ministers and a large
number of mourners attended the service.

In his condolence letter the Pontiff stressed the late Mr. Arzoumanian’s
values as a human being, thanks to which he gained the love and respect of
all his acquaintances and colleagues. His Holiness particularly highlighted
Arzoumanian’s humility, loyalty and dedication to service.

A mourning gathering in the hall of the Veharan followed the service. All
the speakers, Dikran Djinbashian on behalf of the Diocese of Lebanon, Father
Jean Dukree, former president of the Saint Joseph University and its current
president, Father Rene Shamoussy spoke with praise about Mr. Arzoumanian’s
dedication and commitment towards all his obligations and responsibilities.

A Brief Biography

Vosgeperan Arzoumanian was born in Turkey in 1924 to parents from the
region of Yozghat. While still a newborn, only forty days old, he moved with
his parents to Beirut.

In 1958 he married Shake Mahdessian and they had four children.

Studying in the Eastern Studies School of the French Saint Joseph
University, he received degrees in Armenology and eastern sociology. He
continued his education in the same university receiving a degree in
Business from its legal and economic department.

Arzoumanian worked for two years in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Djemaran of Jesuit Fathers and served briefly in the economic department of
the French Mandate.

In 1945-1953 he worked as the chief secretary of Saint Joseph University’s
Eastern Studies and Eastern Sociology department. In 1953-1975 he occupied
the post of head secretary of the same university’s legal, economic and
business programs to be appointed as director of the Humanities and Social
Sciences Department in 1975. At the same time he served as a member of the
university’s board of directors.

Alongside his Academic career, Arzoumanian had an active contribution in
the life of his own Armenian people starting in 1956. He was appointed a
member of the Economic Committee of the Diocese of Lebanon for several
consecutive times and served as the chairman of the Educational Committee of
Armenian National Schools more than once. He was also elected several times
as chairman of the Armenian National Council.

Starting in 1963, he served as the delegate of the Diocese of Lebanon to
the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s General Assembly. Since 1965 and until his
death he was a member of the Diocese’s highest body, serving as its chairman
in 1987-1995. Also starting in 1963 he served several times as a member of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Central Executive Council, being elected as
its deputy chairman in 2003.

Arzoumanian served as chairman of the Khatcher Kalousdian Pedagogical
Center’s Committee as well as of the board of Trustees of the Hamazkayine
Educational Institutions. He represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia in a
number of international and ecumenical conferences.

Arzoumanian has also worked with Armenian and foreign language newspapers
and periodicals, writing articles on national, religious, economic and
social issues. He published articles in "Aztag", "Hasg", "Spurk", "Masis",
"L’Orient Le Jour", "La Review du Liban", "Travaux et Jour" and the
Paris-based "Direct" newspapers and magazines.

In 1974 he was awarded the Lebanese Government’s National Cedars Medal of
the "Knight" rank as recognition of his academic services. The President of
the Republic of Lebanon awarded him with the National Cedars medal of the
"Commander" rank in 1997. He also received the Saint Joseph University’s
Honor Medal in 1996.

On 19 March 2004 His Holiness Aram I presented him with the Catholicosate
of Cilicia’s "Cilician Prince" medal for his dedication to the life of the
Armenian people and its church.

##
View the photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

A MEETING OF WSCF IN ANTELIAS

The Lebanon Committee of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF)
held a meeting in Antelias on March 19 between representatives from member
unions. Vicken Djamboulian and Carla Khijoyan participated on behalf of the
Armenian Church University Students’ Association (ACUSA).

The participants discussed the various projects that have been postponed
due to the current situation in Lebanon and the election of a new regional
secretary for the Middle East in July 2007.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS STUDIES
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute)
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Aren Sarikyan
DATE: March 22, 2007
Tel: 416-250-9807

Renowned Genocide Scholars Commit to Teach at the
2007 Genocide and Human Rights University Program

Toronto, Canada- Students attending a comprehensive, two-week program
this summer will be taught by twelve renowned genocide scholars from the
disciplines of anthropology, history, sociology, philosophy, political
science, and international law. The Genocide and Human Rights University
Program (GHRUP) explores the causes, methods, and effects of genocide
through a comparative examination of major case studies, using the
Armenian Genocide as the point of reference.

"Having face to face exposure with faculty from a variety of
disciplines, universities and countries allows the students a very
holistic understanding of the phenomenon of genocide," said Prof. Roger
W. Smith, GHRUP Director. "During the program, students and faculty form
a solid basis for further interaction and cooperation. I will be pleased
this summer to see our tradition of developing a new generation of
scholars to engage in genocide research and publication, as well as
creating an academic-level support system, continue to grow," he
concluded.

The faculty of the 2007 program will be: Rouben Adalian, Director, the
Armenian National Institute; Taner Akçam, Visiting Associate Prof. of
History, University of Minnesota; Joyce A. Apsel, Master Teacher, New
York University; Elazar Barkan, Prof. of International and Public
Affairs, Columbia University; Doris L. Bergen, the Chancellor Rose and
Ray Wolfe Chair in Holocaust Studies, University of Toronto; Wendy C.
Hamblet, Prof. of Philosophy, Dominican University; Maureen S. Hiebert,
Research Fellow, the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies,
University of Calgary; Alex Hinton, Associate Prof. of Anthropology and
Global Affairs, Rutgers University; Herbert Hirsch, Prof. of Government
and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University; William A.
Schabas, Director, Irish Human Rights Centre, National University of
Ireland; Roger W. Smith, Prof. Emeritus, College of William and Mary;
and Scott Straus, Assistant Prof. of Political Science, University of
Wisconsin.

"This summer in Toronto, Canada from July 30-August 10, 2007, a diverse
group of highly motivated students will gather for the intensive
seminar," stated Torrey Swan, Program Coordinator of the GHRUP. "Over
the past five years students have attended from 19 different countries.
They have been of Argentinean, Armenian, Azeri, Bengali, Cambodian,
Colombian, Chinese, Croatian, English, Estonian, French, German,
Hungarian, Indian, Iranian, Irish, Japanese, Jewish, Kurdish, Moldovan,
Nepalese, Polish, Romanian, Rwandan, Scottish, Tanzanian and Turkish
descent. Many of the students have expressed how profoundly the two
weeks changed them, expanded their understanding and increased their
motivation for genocide and human rights studies."

The program will appeal to a wide variety of students interested in
various cases of genocide, as well as the broader issues of human
rights. Applicants must be current university students with three years
or more of undergraduate experience. Scholarships are available for
qualified students. Deadline for application is May 31, 2007.

Details and registration information, as well as the faculty
biographies, are available on the program’s web site,
For more information, contact the International
Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (A Division of the
Zoryan Institute), 416-250-9807, [email protected].

March 22, 2007
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

WESTERN PRELACY LENTEN SERVICES AND BIBLE STUDY

The forty days of Lent preceding the Glorious Resurrection of
our Lord Jesus Christ is a time of prayer, introspection, and spiritual
renewal and growth. During this period, sunrise and evening services are
offered in all Prelacy Churches on Wednesdays and Fridays.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, has been
presiding over services regularly at our Prelacy churches and offering his
spiritual messages to our faithful, encouraging them to live repentantly and
prepare for the feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ with renewed
faith.
Throughout the rest of the year, spiritual guidance is offered
to our faithful and especially to our youth through Bible studies and
spiritual gatherings under the direction of Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian, co-chairs of the Religious Education Department, with
the following schedule;

– Tuesdays: St. Mary’s Church in Glendale from 7-8 p.m. by Hayr Barthev
– Wednesdays: Crescenta Valley parish from 7-8 p.m. by Hayr
Muron
– Wednesdays: St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena from 7-8 p.m. by
Hayr Barthev
(Youth Gathering)
– Thursdays: St. Garabed Church in Hollywood from 7-8 p.m., by
Hayr Barthev
(Youth Bible Study)
– Saturdays (twice a month): St. Mary’s Church, from 5-7 p.m.
Hayr Barthev and Hayr Muron
(Youth Bible Study)

Bible studies are also conducted regularly by Mr. Krikor
Misserlian and the Armenian Ecclesiastical Brotherhood, at St. Garabed
Church, St. Mary’s Church, Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, Holy Martyrs
Church in Encino, and Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County. The schedule
is as follows:

– St. Garabed: Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:30-11:00 a.m.
– Holy Cross: Mondays 7:30-8:30 p.m., Fridays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
– St. Mary’s: Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m., Thursdays 10:30a.m.-12:00 p.m.,
Thursdays 12:30-2:00 p.m., Fridays 9:30-11:00 a.m., Saturdays 3:00-4:00 p.m.
– Holy Martyrs: Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
– Forty Martyrs: Mondays 7:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
– St. Sarkis: Thursdays 7:30-8:30 p.m.

By the ordinance of the Prelate, spiritual guidance also
continues to be offered to Armenian inmates in the Los Angeles area under
the supervision of Chaplain Raffi Garabedian. In addition, Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian visits the North County Correctional Facility in Valencia
every Saturday while Rev. Ashod Kambourian, Pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral
in Montebello, visits inmates at the Twin Towers prison in Downtown every
Monday.

SOMALIA: MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY FOR MINORITY GROUPS-RIGHTS BODY
By Aaron Kirunda.

SomaliNet, Somalia
March 21 2007

(SomaliNet) Somalia has overtaken Iraq as the world’s most dangerous
country for minority groups, a study has found.

"A new government in Somalia has raised hopes for democracy, but it
is also a uniquely dangerous time," said MRG’s director Mark Lattimer.

"There is the spectre of a return of large-scale clan violence – and
groups that supported the old order are now under tremendous threat."

He added.

Sudan, Afghanistan and Burma followed in the global survey by the
Minority Rights Group International (MRG).

It alleges the US ignored abuses of minorities in countries supporting
the US "war on terror" including Pakistan, Turkey and Israel. "US
allies have managed to barter their support for the war on terror
in return for having their human rights records ignored," said
Mr. Lattimer.

Sudan is the third worst offender, said the State of the World’s
Minorities report, because of the violence in Darfur.

Minority groups in Iraq including Christians, Yezidis and Mandaeans
face targeted killings, abductions and torture.

The group’s study links tensions in Turkey surrounding the EU
accession process to a surge in religious and nationalist extremism
behind attacks on minorities – such as the murder of Turkish-Armenian
writer Hrant Dink at the end of 2006.

The MRG also blames the "war on terror" for a rise in anti-Muslim
attacks and intimidation within the European Union affecting millions
of ethnic Arabs, South Asians and other Muslim minorities.