Month: March 2007

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CALL FOR DECISIVE ACTION TO END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
28.03.2007 17:56

With the Armenian National Committee of America and Genocide
Intervention Network (GI-Net) two-day anti-genocide advocacy campaign
as a backdrop, Members of Congress called for decisive action to end
the cycle of genocide during a Capitol Hill Observance.

Ten Members of Congress, including House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee
on Africa Chairman Donald Payne (D-NJ), Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Armenian Genocide Resolution author Adam
Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier
(R-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), John Sarbanes
(D-MD), and Jean Schmidt (R-OH), joined together in urging continued
grassroots advocacy to secure proper acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide and targeted divestment of firms aiding and abetting the
ongoing Genocide in Sudan.

PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN BURIED IN KOMITAS PANTHEON

Yerkir
28.03.2007 14:49

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Today, Armenia bid farewell to Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan. Yesterday, President Robert Kocharian, NA Speaker
Tigran Torosian, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan and other officials
attended the civil rites.

The official farewell ceremony took place at the State Academic
Opera & Ballet Theater of Armenia named after Al. Spendiaryan. At 3
p.m. Andranik Margaryan was buried in the Pantheon named after Komitas.

Delegations from a number of states as well as NATO Envoy for South
Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons and Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, OSCE MG Co-chair Matthew
J. Bryza arrived in Yerevan to participate in the funeral.

Andranik Margaryan died on March 25 afternoon from a cardiac arrest
caused by loss of circulation of the blood in coronary vessels.

LAST FAREWELL TO RA PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARIAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian society bade a last
farewell to RA Prime Minister, Chairman of the Republican Party of
Armenia Andranik Margarian on March 28 at A. Spendiarian National
Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Present at the ceremony were:
RA President Robert Kocharian, Defence Minister Serge Sargsian, NA
Speaker Tigran Torosian, members of RA government, RF Minister of
Transport Igor Levitin, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli,
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, as well as
high-ranking officials who arrived from another countries.

"The Armenian people had a great loss. We lost not only a high-ranking
official, but also a national figure. A. Margarian’s role in country’s
economic, as well as political stabilization is invaluable," NKR
Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian said.

In the words of Orinats Yerkir Party Chairman Artur Baghdasarian, A.
Margarian was a kind and tolerant person and a figure "playing the role
of ferment" in the political field. He had always distinguished himself
with his balanced conduct. We lost a good person," A. Baghdasarian
emphasized.

"He was one of country’s leaders who loved the people, worked for it
and the people loved him, too. A. Margarian was also a good Prime
Minister, a Party Chairman and a friend," Chairman of NA Committee
on State and Legal Issues Rafik Petrosian said.

In the words of Chairman of People’s Party of Armenia
Stepan Demirchian, now it is not expedient to give political
estimations. "This was a loss for the people of the whole country:
in our memory Andranik Margarian will remain as a person having
high human values who had his deserved contribution in the issue of
establishment of our independent statehood," PPA leader said.

In the words of Ararat Governor Alik Sargsian, A. Margarian stood at
the sources of our independence. "We should do our best to be able to
consolidate for even more after his death for the sake of our future,
our success," the Governor emphasized.

In the words of Executive Director of Hayastan All Armenian Fund
Naira Melkumian, Prime Minister’s death will have an impact on the
future processes, as A. Margarian played a great role in the country.

In the words of Chairman of United Labor Party Gurgen Arsenian,
"A. Margarian had a very serious influence on our history, he was
a political figure having a very serious political heritage and his
death was a great blow to the Republic of Armenia and to the Armenian
people." In his words, the values A. Margarian was fighting for will
remain our goals for us to be able to build our desired state.

In the words of MP Arshak Sadoyan, first of all the opposition suffered
a great loss, as A. Margarian with his ability to understand, to
appreciate and to consider national values as primary served as a
bridge and was able to easily settle relations with everybody.

For Chairman of National Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikian A.
Margarian was one of the most important figures of national liberation
struggle.

"True, our ways were different from some stage, but it’s a pity he
will not be with us any longer," P. Hayrikian said.

"I had an honor to be acquainted with A. Margarian. He was a good
partner.

To lose him was very hard for us," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Matthew Bryza said. And in the words of Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Arseny Yatsenyuk, though the loss of RA government head is very hard,
nevertheless, Armenia will overcome all this and Ukraine is ready to
extend a helping hand to the Armenian people.

A. Margarian was buried at Yerevan’s Komitas Park Pantheon.

6th NATIONAL EXHIBITION "OUR HOME 2007" TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN FROM MARCH 30 TO APRIL 1

Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of "Expomedia"
center, the 6th national exhibition "Our Home 2007" will be held at
the RA Government sitting hall from March 30 to April 1.

According to a press release submitted to NT by the center, over 60
companies – exhibition participants will present their production
and services in the construction sector.

It is the sixth year that the Armenian government, the RA Ministry of
Urban Development, the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development,
Yerevan Mayor’s Office and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry assist
with holding such exhibitions.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY, ATATURK, WAS HOMOSEXUAL, BOOK PUBLISHED BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF BELGIAN STATE OF VALON MENTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2007

BRUSSELS, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Ministry of
Education of Belgian state of Valon published a book, in which the
founder of modern Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal – Ataturk, is
numbered among the most important and the most prominent homosexuals
in the history.

With this step, in fact, the Belgian state joined the step of Greek
young people who placed similar information about Ataturk on the
well-known web-site in early March.

According to the Zaman Turkish newspaper, the book under the title
"Fight Against Homophobia," which consists of 144 pages, was given
out to pupils of pre-school and secondary colleges of the state of
Valon. On book’s page 105 Ataturk is numbered among the most famous
homosexuals in the world history.

According to the book, Alexander of Macedon, Leonardo da Vinci,
Goethe, as well as the Pope John Paul III were also homosexuals.

Marriage of homosexuals is permitted in Belgium.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER MARGARIAN BURIED IN YEREVAN

The Associated Press
Published: March 28, 2007

YEREVAN, Armenia: Tens of thousands of Armenians on Wednesday paid
their respects to Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, who died Sunday
of a heart attack aged 55.

Margarian’s coffin was pulled on an artillery caisson to the Spendiarov
Opera Theater, where it lay in state and crowds filed in to view it
for three hours. The body then was taken for interment at the Komitas
Parthenon, where many prominent Armenian artistic and public figures
are buried.

Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosian, in his elegy, said that Margarian
often joked "that the people would remember him for what he left
undone, but in reality he will remain in the people’s memory because
of his achievements."

Under the Armenian political system, the prime minister has mostly
executive powers and is a much less powerful figure than the president.

Margarian, educated as a computer specialist, became active in
opposition to the Soviet Union in the 1970s and was imprisoned for two
years in that decade for espousing Armenian independence, according
to his official biography.

Margarian is survived by a wife, two daughters and a son.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI, RUSSIAN SPEAKERS DISCUSS KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
28 Mar 07

Text of report by Azerbaijani private TV station ATV on 28 March

[Presenter] Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Russian Federation Council,
is visiting Baku. Milli Maclis [Azerbaijan’s parliament] Speaker Oqtay
Asadov received the guest. The main topics during their meeting were
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and strategic cooperation.

[Correspondent] The keys for resolving the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
are in Baku and Yerevan. Despite mediation of the [OSCE] Minsk Group
and other international organizations, it is the sides themselves who
have to make principal decisions. For its part, Russia will support
these decisions, Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Russian Federation
Council, has said.

During the visit to Azerbaijan Mironov visited the grave of national
leader Heydar Aliyev and the Martyrs’ Avenue. Later, Mironov had
a meeting with Oqtay Asadov. They discussed the visit of Russian
President Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan and the visit of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev to Russia, as well as the successful celebration
of 2005 as the year of Azerbaijan in Russia and the year of 2006 as
the year of Russia in Azerbaijan. Mironov said that relations between
Russia and Azerbaijan have been successful recently.

[Mironov speaking in Russia with Azeri voice-over] Russia is
Azerbaijan’s strategic ally. Bilateral trade is worth 1.5bn dollars.

Some 390 Russian companies operate in Azerbaijan and 171 of them are
joint ventures with 95 per cent of Russian capital.

Russia is also one of the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group which
tackles the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. I am sure that Russia will
do its best to help resolve the issue as soon as possible.

[Correspondent] Such meetings will boost relations between the two
countries’ parliaments, Mironov said. Russia is ready to render any
kind of help to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, he added.

[Mironov] It would be wrong and illogical to not bring up the Nagornyy
Karabakh issue, a wound that does not heal, while in Baku.

Certainly, this will be discussed during the meetings I will have.

The keys for resolving the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict are in the
capitals of the two countries. Despite mediation by the Minsk Group
and other international organizations, it is the sides themselves
who have to make principal decisions. For its part, Russia will
support the decisions made by Armenia and Azerbaijan on resolving
the conflict. Should the sides need a guarantee from Russia, we are
ready to provide it. I should also note that it is unacceptable to
force any nation to live under pressure.

[Correspondent] Mironov also commented on the energy security
memorandum signed between Azerbaijan and the USA last week [on
22 March].

[Mironov] Each country acts in accordance with its national
interests. We understand and respect this. We hope that Russia’s
interests will also be protected by this memorandum. On our part,
we act in accordance with our own interests when taking any steps
and this is normal.

The Azerbaijani president visited Russia yesterday and had a meeting
with President Vladimir Putin. As far as I know, they discussed
various issues. As MPs we will strengthen the legal aspects of all
results of these talks.

[Correspondent] At the end of the meeting, the sides signed a
document on founding the Baku branch of the international institute
on developing democracy and parliamentarism in countries which are
members of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and on monitoring
the rights of citizens to vote. This will be the first branch of the
institute in a CIS country.

[Video showed the meeting, Mironov and Asadov signing documents]

ARMENIA PAYS LAST TRIBUTE TO ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN

Arminfo
2007-03-28 15:34:00

Today Armenia paid the last tribute to Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan.

An ArmInfo correspondent reports that Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan,
Locum Tenens of the Ararat Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
made a prayer near A.Margayan’s grave at Pantheon after Komitas. During
a short mourning meeting, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran
Torosyan emphasized that A.Margaryan will enter the history of
independent Armenia as an outstanding statesman, politician and party
worker as he has headed the Republican Party of Armenia for 10 years
and led the Armenian Government for 7 years. During this period, great
economic progress was registered in Armenia, and the RPA became one of
the leading political parties of the country. Despite the bad weather,
thousands of people came to say farewell and pay a last tribute to
their prime minister, T.Torosyan said.

Present at A.Margaryan’s funeral were Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan, Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan, Head of the Constitutional
Court Gagik Haroutyunian, as well as ministers, deputies, ambassadors
and foreign delegations.

A.Margaryan died of infarction on March 25.

VICE-SPEAKER: DEPARTURE OF ARMENIA’S PRIME MINISTER WON’T AFFECT INTERNAL POWER SHIFTS

Arminfo
2007-03-28 17:46:00

Departure of Prime Minister and Head of Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA) Andranik Margaryan won’t affect shifts of political powers
in the republic, Vice-Speaker and a Member of RPA’s Bureau Vahan
Hovhannesyan said after the Prime Minister’s funeral ceremony in the
Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet today.

V. Hovhannesyan pointed out that political situation in the country is
stable and there are no destabilizing threats. "Andranik Margaryan has
contributed to political stability in Armenia. I think RPA will make
some minor changes into the pre-election campaign," Vice-Speaker said.

Note: The funeral of Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan took
place at 3 p.m. today. Tens of thousand of citizens, representatives of
executive and legislative powers, state authorities, representatives of
diplomatic corpses, as well as delegations from Georgia, USA, Russia,
Canada, Turkey, Belarus, Lithuania, Greece, Ukraine and NATO attended
the funeral ceremony.

YURI LUZHKOV: ANDRANIK MARGARIAN DID A GREAT DEAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Telegrams of condolence in connection
with the death of the Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian are
continuing to come on March 28.

"I am deeply shocked by the untimely death of the prime minister of
the Republic of Armenia Andranik Margarian. I lost a sincere friend
and supporter with the death of this wise politician and prominent
son of the Armenian people.

At this difficult moment we are with the friendly Armenian people,
sharing its grief," is said in the telegram of the Georgian prime
minister Zurab Noghaideli.

In the telegram of condolence sent on behalf of the government of
Kyrghyzstan and himself, the country’s prime minister A. Isabekov notes
that "with the death of Andranik Margarian, the Armenian people lost
its worthy son who made an invaluable contrubution to the political
and economic development of the country."

"I heard the news of the death of the Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian with a deep grief," is said in the telegram of the Greek
prime minister Kostas Karamanlis. On behalf of the government and
people of Greece and himself, he expressed condolence to the Armenian
authorities and people.

The telegram of condolence of Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov in particular
reads:

"A talented organizer and skilful leader has passed away. He made
a worthy contribution to stabilization of the situation in Armenia,
strengthening of the country’s economy and improvement of the life of
the Armenian people. A. Margarian did a great deal for defelopment and
deepening of the cooperation between Russia and Armenia, between Moscow
and Armenia in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. Memory
of Andranik Margarian will remain in our hearts."

"With the death of Andranik Margarian, the Republic of Armenia and
the Armenian people lost a statesman dedicated to his ideas and the
people. Armenia and the Armenian people could have made use of his
merits and experience for a long time. The prime minister Andranik
Margarian strongly believed in the prospect of developing the relations
between Armenia and Lebanon. The untimely loss of Andranik Margarian
is a deep pain to all of us," is said in the telegram of member of
the Lebanese parliament Doctor Yeghik Jerejian.

According to a press release of the RA Government Information and
PR Department, telegrams of condolence were received from the CIS
Economic Court, the central department of the Tekeyan Cultural Union,
the Komitas state string quartet, the Armenian Assembly of America,
the Armenian Culture Development Fund of Moscow, "Armenia 2020"
Program Management Board, the American University of Armenia, the
Union of Journalists of Armenia, many other local and international
institutions and organizations, as well as various figures.

According to a press release sumitted to NT by the RA MFA Press
and Information Department, the Armenian president Robert Kocharian
received telegrams of condolence from the French president Jacques
Chirac, the Secretary General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the
Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, the president of Tajikistan
Emomali Rahmonov, Chairwoman of the Armenian Cultural Association
of America Rita Balian, President of the Tekeyan Cultural Union
Harutyun Arzumanian.

Belgian foreign minister Karl de Gucht, Estonian defence minister
Yurgen Lig, Regional Representative of Central and Esatern Europe of
the UN Food and Agriculture Program (FAO) maria Kadlechikova, Chairman
of the Armenian Union of Romania, the Romanian minister of economy
and trade Varuzhan Voskanian, Head of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union in South Africa Jacques Adanalian expressed their condolences in
connection with the death of the RA prime minister Andranik Margarian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress