Month: July 2007

The visit may hardly be helpful in the political context

05-07-2007 14:35:09 – KarabakhOpen

Recently a group of Azerbaijani activists led by the Armenian and
Azerbaijani ambassadors to Russia Armen Smbatyan and Polad Byul-Byul
oghli have visited Karabakh on an initiative of international
organizations. Does the visit mean change of the political stance of
Azerbaijan? What consequences can this change have for Karabakh?
KarabakhOpen.com asked Vahram Atanesyan, chair of the Committee of
External Relations and Information, to comment on this visit.

`This is a commendable move. The intelligentsia of the two peoples may
have an important role in building confidence without which resolution
is not realistic. We live side by side and neighbors cannot remain
hostile forever.

In the political context, this move will hardly be helpful but I think
if the initiative has continuation, it may underlie a dialogue. If the
intelligentsia of both countries are willing to set up a dialogue, it
will encourage politicians to look for more acceptable proposals,’
Vahram Atanesyan said.

AZERBAIJANIS’ PROTEST CONTRADICTS TO PACE RESOLUTION

Lragir.am
05-07-2007 14:49:42

Rene van der Linden, president of the PACE, said during the meeting
with Speaker Tigran Torosyan on July 4 there is no progress towards the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, and no efforts are made to shape
public opinion to solve the issue through talks, the public relations
department of the National Assembly reported. Speaker Torosyan said the
underlying index regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
is the opinion being shaped in Armenia, Karabakh and Azerbaijan, and
this index suggests that nobody in Armenia or Karabakh instills hatred
or hostility among the public against Azerbaijan, whereas Azerbaijan’s
efforts are made in the opposite direction. Evidence to this is the
reaction to the recent visit of the Armenian and Azerbaijani activists
to Yerevan, Stepanakert and Baku. Armenia and Azerbaijan appreciated
this initiative, whereas Baku met with reproach and protests through
the media and meetings. And this contradicts to the PACE resolution
which condemns propaganda of war and hatred. The speaker said the
international organizations will be helpful to the settlement if they
give an unbiased evaluation of the attitude of each country. Besides,
cases of propaganda of hatred and war cannot be explained by elections.
At least, no such cases were reported during the parliamentary
election, and as the presidential election is drawing nearer, the
public relations department of the National Assembly reported.

EXPECTATIONS FROM ARMENIA ARE GREAT BUT THEY WILL NOT RECOGNIZE
ELECTION OF KARABAKH

Lragir.am
05-07-2007 14:48:48

On July 4 the president of the PACE Rene van der Linden met with the
leadership of Armenia in Yerevan and held a news conference in the
evening. The president of the PACE was late for an hour and a half
because the meeting with the Armenian president lasted for about two
hours. Rene van der Linden congratulated the reporters for the
presidential election which was very much better than the previous
election and the shortcomings are to be taken into account in the next
election. First, however, Rene van der Linden apologized for being late
saying that the meeting with President Robert Kocharyan lasted longer.
However, van der Linden said he likes an honest and open talk.

The president of the PACE said he discussed with the president the
situation in Armenia, the role of the Council of Europe, as well as the
developments in Europe and in the region. According to him, Armenia’s
fulfillment of obligations assumed before the CoE is monitored. Armenia
assumed obligations and the PACE has great expectations from Armenia.
Rene van der Linden thinks there is no progress in Armenia’s relations
with neighbors. He means Turkey and Azerbaijan. However, the president
of the PACE gives general answers to the question on who is to blame.
He avoided telling that the lack of progress is due to the stiff stance
of the neighbors.

The president of the PACE touched upon the freedom of the media and the
recent events involving Radio Liberty. Rene van der Linden thinks the
media must be free and available for everyone, for all the political
forces, because in a democracy an independent judiciary and free media
are more important than elections. In Armenia Rene van der Linden
discussed the problem of Radio Liberty and A1 Plus, and says they must
be treated like all the other media. As to the new law on the media, he
thinks the opinion and recommendations of the Committee of Venice must
be taken into account.

The reporters asked Rene van der Linden’s opinion on the arrest of
Alexander Arzumanyan, Jirair Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan. According
to most NGOs and political parties, they are persecuted and are
political prisoners. Rene van der Linden said if a country fulfills its
commitments to the Council of Europe, political prisoners are not an
acceptable thing. He said he would not go deep into these events but
the Council of Europe must scrutinize this issue.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan
repeated in the presence of the guest there are no political prisoners
in Armenia, and not every statement is sufficient to describe Alexander
Arzumanyan, Jirair Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan as political
prisoners. According to Tigran Torosyan, charges were brought against
them, and evaluations must come after the investigation. For the time
being, it is necessary to urge law enforcers to carry out an unbiased
investigation. Tigran Torosyan also stated that political prisoners are
unacceptable in a country which is a member of the Council of Europe.
Rene van der Linden announced about another unacceptable thing. He said
the Council of Europe does not recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh
presidential election of July 19.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Constitution is firm base for strengthening democracy
and stable development of Armenia
05.07.2007 14:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of Armenia Robert
Kocharian congratulated the Armenian nation on the
Constitution Day. Particularly, the message of the
President underlines that Constitution has a special
meaning for any country, it outlines the ways of
development of the state. `The RA Constitution is a
firm base for strengthening democracy and stable
development. The Constitution guarantees basic rights
and freedoms of people. It provides balance between
power branches and effective cooperation between them,
guarantees strengthening of local self-government
bodies,’ Robert Kocharian stressed. The Armenian
President expressed assurance that the Organic Law
will serve to the stability of the state and welfare
of people.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenian Constitution predetermines development of
country and solution of vital problems
05.07.2007 14:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Speaker of the Armenian Parliament
Tigran Torosyan sent a congratulatory message upon the
Constitution Day of the Republic of Armenia, the RA NA
Press Office reports. Tigran Torosyan’s message, in
particular, reads as follows, `Dear compatriots! I
congratulate you on the Constitution Day. This is one
of the most important holidays of our country, since
the Organic Law predetermines both the development of
the country and solution of vital problems of our
every citizen. The most authoritative corresponding
special structures acknowledged our Constitution,
which was amended two years ago, as fully meeting
international criteria. It created qualitative new
opportunities for deepening democracy, protecting
human rights, rule of law and providing adequate and
prosperous life for our citizens. I congratulate you
once again on the Constitution Day wishing success and
full realization of constitutional guarantees for the
power of our state and welfare of our nation.’

PanARMENIAN.Net

Ethnic Armenian sir Ara Darzi appointed Minister of
Healthcare of Great Britain
05.07.2007 15:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Prime Minister of Great Britain
has appointed practicing surgeon Ara Darzi (Terzian)
as Minister of Healthcare. Ara Darzi was born in Iraq
in a family with Armenian descent, which escaped the
Genocide of 1915. But the greater part of his life he
has spent in Ireland, independent French journalist
Jean Eckian told the PanARMENIAN.Net. His father, the
son of a Genocide survivor Vartkes Darzi settled in
Dublin, in a city which did not even have an Armenian
community. He has raised his son as an Armenian.

Ara Darzi himself remains greatly interested in
Armenian issues. In a recent interview, Dr. Darzi said
he must add his knowledge about Armenia. `I would love
to visit and do something constructive in Armenia. I
have not had the chance until now, but I hope to get
more involved in the coming years. I want to go to my
roots. I have served in many countries around the
world. Why not also Armenia? I would like to volunteer
and even take some essential equipment to Armenia to
train other doctors there. All I need is the right
opportunity,’ he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
July 5, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY INTERNS GAIN CAREER EXPERIENCE WHILE BUILDING
LIFELONG BONDS IN WASHINGTON AND YEREVAN

U.S. Program in its 30th Year

Washington, DC – Now in its 30th year, the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly
Internship Program in Washington, DC remains one of the country’s most
competitive and rewarding programs offered to students of Armenian
descent. Like the hundreds before them, in June, a group of talented
Armenian-American college students arrived to the nation’s capital to
jump start their careers by working in various government offices,
think tanks, media outlets and cultural institutions.

During their first weeks in Washington, the interns attended several
lectures by prominent officials in the federal government including
U.S. Department of State Office Director for Caucasus Affairs and
Regional Conflicts Elizabeth Rood and Adjudications Officer Noris
Balabanian and Vartan Vartanian from the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. In addition, Dr. Levon Avdoyan the Armenian and Georgian
specialist at the Library of Congress, led a tour of the facilities
and discussed the vast collection of Armenian artifacts.

In the upcoming weeks, the students will meet with the Co-Chairs of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
and Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), as well as Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
and Congressmen Mark Kirk (R-IL), Ed Royce (R-CA) and Adam Schiff
(D-CA). Participants will also meet with Armenia’s Ambassador to the
U.S. Tatoul Markarian and attend a lecture by the Executive Director
of the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) Mark Krikorian.

"The Armenian Assembly of America has provided us with an amazing,
stimulating internship program that features dynamic speakers from
various professional backgrounds," said intern Bianka Kadian-Dodov
from Reno, Nevada. "I am looking forward to the rest of the
summer. I’m sure it will be an experience I will never forget."

Meanwhile, participants of the Assembly’s Armenia program are spending
the summer interning at various governmental offices and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), health and wellness facilities
and media outlets, among others. Like their counterparts in the U.S.,
students will be meeting with senior government officials and other
prominent individuals to gain a better understanding of the social,
economic and political development of Armenia.

Since their arrival, they have met with Armenia’s then Minister of
Justice David Haroutunyan who currently serves as Chairman of the
Committee on Legal Affairs of Armenia’s Parliament, Ombudsman Armen
Harutyunyan and Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Anthony
Godfrey. During a three-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh, interns visited
the HALO Trust Demining Center and met with Minister of Foreign
Affairs Georgi Petrosian. They also had the opportunity to travel to
the Khor Virap, Noravank, Haghpat, Sanahin and Geghard Monasteries,
and Garni Temple.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship with the Armenian Assembly,"
said intern Christian Ohanian from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. "I feel
as though living in Yerevan, and working with the International Center
for Human Development (ICHD) has helped me to better understand
Armenia’s ongoing transformation."

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny applauded the success of
both internship programs. "Over the past 30 years, we have had more
than 860 students of Armenian descent from virtually every state and
eight countries, participate in the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly
Internship Program in Washington. We hope that both the Washington and
Yerevan programs continue to grow for years to come and expand
opportunities for Armenian-Americans students to learn about the
democratic process."

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues.  It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2007-076

Edito r’s Note: Below is the complete list of Armenian Assembly 2006
Summer Interns.

WASHINGTON, DC INTERNS: Name, school – placement

* Ani Avagyan, University of California, Berkley – Library of Congress
* Khachatur Avalyan, Boston University, Graduate School of Management – Armenian International Policy Research Group
* Serop Babayan, Southern Utah University – Armenian Assembly of America
* Sarkis Balkhian, Clark University – Armenian National Institute
* Zari Bazarian, University of Vermont – Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
* Marrissa Boyajian, Syracuse University – Fox News
* Von Chorbajian, College of Wooster – Armenian American Cultural Association Inc.
* Bianka Dodov, University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Committee on the Budget, U.S. House of Representatives
* Aram Hanessian, Vanderbilt University – Armenian Assembly of America
* Benjamin Hanessian, Tufts University, Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
* Ani Hatza, Bryn Mawr College – Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA)
* Jenna Ishkanian, Franklin and Marshall College – Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
* Theresa Kevorkian, Colgate University, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
* Alexander Kircikoglu, Queens College -Representative Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY)
* Melinda Mitchell, Grand Vally State University – Center for Immigration Studies
* John Paul, Shamshoian, Emory University – Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
* Galine Torossian, University of Michigan – Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
* Natalie Yazidjian, University of Massachusetts – Federal Deposit Insurance Cooperation

YEREVAN, ARMENIA INTERNS: Name, school – placement

* Mark Berberian, University of Chicago – Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center
* Michelle Biglarian, University of California, San Diego – Armenian-American Wellness Center
* Talar Hovnanian, University of California, San Diego -  Armenian Center for National and International Studies
* Brynne Janeway, University of Michigan – Ombudsman’s Office
* Rebecca Jarvis, Claremont McKenna College – Armenian Tree Project
* Haig Kherlopian, American University – Armenian Center for National and International Studies
* Samantha Kyrkostas, Oberlin College – Armenian Tourism Development Agency
* Nelli Martirosyan, University of California, Berkeley – Ministry of Education and Science
* Yanina Nersesova, University of Michigan – Markaryan Medical Center
* Christian Ohanian, University of Chicago – International Center for Human Development
* Deanna Schanz, Sarah Lawrence College – Orran Benevolent Non-Governmental Organization and ArmeniaNow News Agency

RA Prime Minister congratulates on Constitution Day

armradio.am
05.07.2007 11:42

RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan issued a congratulating message on the
occasion of the Constitution Day. The message says:

`Dear compatriots,
I congratulate you on the Constitution Day: based on the fundamental
principles of Armenian statehood and national objectives, the reformed
Constitution provides new and greater opportunities for the fulfillment
of these objectives for the reinforcement and development of our
statehood and ensuring the wellbeing of people.

Proceeding form the Constitutional amendments, considerable changes are
envisaged in the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, which will
enhance the implementation of reforms of new generation and new quality
of life, development of a state based on democratic values."

Blesisng from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

armradio.am
05.07.2007 12:02

Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and the Catholicos of All Armenians,
issued a congratulating address on the Constitution Day.

`From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin we bring out patriarchal
blessing and congratulate all Armenians, the citizens of the Republic
of Armenia on the occasion of the Constitution Day.

We attach importance to the fundamental values and principles, which
became the basis of our independent statehood and led by which our
people shall realize its fair view of creating a strong and prosperous
Motherland.

Let the Lord bless the efforts of our people for the sake of progress
of our country and fulfillment of all the hopes and dreams.

We pray to God to grant peace to our country and people,’ says the
message of His Holiness Karekin II. "

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

President Kocharyan congratulates people on Constitution Day

armradio.am
05.07.2007 12:13

RA President Robert Kocharyan issued a congratulating message on the
Constitution Day. The message says:

`Dear compatriots,
I congratulate you on the Constitution Day.
Constitution is of pivotal importance for any state, it presets the
path of development of the country. The Constitution of the Republic of
Armenia is a firm basis for the reinforcement and stable development of
democracy in out country.

The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia guarantees the fundamentals
rights and freedoms of citizens. It ensures balanced distribution of
power between the branches of Government and their productive
cooperation, provides reliable guarantees of strengthening of local
self-governance.

Once again I congratulate you and wish that the Main Law of the
Republic of Armenia serve for the sake of stability of our country and
the wellbeing of people."