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NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ARMENIA TO PUBLISH COLLECTIONS OF DOCUMENTS ON
THE OCCASION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of Armenian Genocide the National Archives of Armenia
(NAA) prepares for publication collections entitled “Tragedy of
Armenian Genocide with the Eyes of Eye-Witnesses” and “Losses
Sustained by Armenians during the Slaughter in the Ottoman Turkey.”
Noyan Tapan was informed about this by Amatuni Virabian, Director of
NAA. The first collection contains 188 documents representing the
chronology and the number of the victims of the slaughter committed by
Young Turks in Bitlis and Erzrum, as well as the names of the
Armenians who forcibly adopted Islam. And the second collection
contains about 500 documents. According to A.Virabian, it’s planned to
publish another collection, in which the names of the Genocide victims
will be mentioned. He said that such work has been done only in Spyurk
by now. According to A.Virabian, the documents on Genocide kept in the
Armenian Archives have always been open. But the NAA Director is
surprised that no foreign researcher has applied to the archives for
studying these documents by now. However, a letter was received from
Turkey lately, in which the addressee asked to send him the copies of
the documents regarding Genocide. Today 3 mln files – nearly 300 mln
documents, are kept in the NAA. About 12 thousand registered documents
concern the Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Seconds Out
March 29 2005

Darchinyan Unstoppable says Fenech

IBF/IBO champion Vic Darchinyan

Paul Upham
Contributing Editor

After IBF flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan’s win over IBO
champion Mzukisi Sikali by 8th round TKO on Sunday night in Sydney,
his trainer Jeff Fenech says that the improving “Raging Bull” will be
unstoppable once he learns to fight for the full three minutes of
each round.

“When he learns to do what I want him to do, that is punch for three
minutes, nobody can beat him,” said Fenech. “He stops and starts and
I don’t want him to get hit and he doesn’t need to get hit because of
his power. We have to do everything perfect in our preparation.”

29 year-old Darchinyan 23-0 (18), making the first defence of his IBF
title after he had stopped long-reigning former champion Irene
Pacheco last December, was simply too powerful for the experienced 33
year-old South African 29-6-2 (17). The only negative for the
Armenian born Australian citizen was his obvious tiredness from
rounds four to six.

Watching amongst the live audience at ringside, undisputed world
junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu feels that Darchinyan is
not training properly. “Vic needs to train harder,” he said. “He
needs to work harder and smarter in the gym and be able to fight for
twelve rounds.”

Co-trainer Billy Hussein felt that Darchinyan went out too fast early
looking for a spectacular knockout. “Vic trains hard, but because he
threw a lot of hard punches, you expect him to get tired,” he said.
“By about the 6th round, he got his second breath. Usually, he starts
slow, but with the excitement of fighting at home, he is trying to
impress his fans.”

Commentating for television, Team Fenech team-mate Hussein Hussein
who established his own reputation amongst the flyweight division
elite against Mexican Jorge Arce one week earlier in the USA, felt
that Darchinyan’s power was too much for Sikali.

“I was impressed with Vic, his power, strength and his speed,” he
said. “I knew as the rounds progressed, his power was going to wear
Sikali out. He was taking too many clean punches. He stood there
trading punches and you don’t do that with Vic Darchinyan. He punches
like a middleweight.”

Can Darchinyan be considered the best flyweight in the world yet? “I
think he has to beat WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam or WBA
champion Lorenzo Parra first,” said Hussein.

Fenech, the three-time world champion, has no doubt that Darchinyan
will prove to be the undisputed world champion. “We have two belts,
but there is a couple more to go yet,” he said. “Vic can beat
Wonjongkam and Parra. But he has to get in better condition in his
sparring. What he did here was what he does in the gym. I want him to
punch continuously and when he does that, nobody will beat him.”

Was Fenech happy with Darchinyan’s first world title defence?

“No,” he replied with a smile. “Because I know he is better than
that. I’m never happy with him because I just know he is so much
better.”

There has been talk of a match-up in Japan next, but Darchinyan
doesn’t care where he fights, he just wants to fight the best. “I
want the WBA champion Lorenzo Parra,” he said. “He is rated No.1 by
Ring Magazine and I only want to fight the best and I want to win the
WBA title.”

Photo: ;cs=15931

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HEARINGS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Two-day public hearings on the theme of
“Nagorny Karabakh Conflict: Ways of the Settlement” organized by the
Permanent Commission on Foreign Affairs of Armenia’s National Assembly
continue.

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, Defence Minister Serje
Sargsyan, representatives of Armenian President’s staff and
parliamentary and non-parliamentary forces, NKR Foreign Minister Arman
Melikyan, members of NKR Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions in
Armenia, representatives of international organizations, scientists,
as well as Armenian and Russian experts participate at the hearings.

All the speakers stressed the significance of public and large-scale
hearings in such an enlarged format and noted that the action is
organized by the state structure for the first time within the last 13
years. Speaker of Armenia’s NA Artur Baghdasaryan noted that the role
of the parliamentary diplomacy rises every day as three international
inter-parliamentary structure – the OSCE, NATO and PACE discuss the
Karabakh problem now. He appealed country’s political forces to stand
higher that their narrow party interests and to be consolidated round
the solution of the Karabakh conflict.

Head of Armenia’s NA Commission on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan
noted that the hearings will allow to specify mechanisms of the
parliamentary diplomacy for achieving the speedy solution of
conflict’s settlement, to summarize the position of Armenian party in
this issue, to specify the place and position of Nagorny Karabakh in
negotiation process. Rustamyan also informed that the organizational
issues on holding the hearings were discussed with Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan.

The opposition representatives demanded participation of Kocharyan at
the hearings. A representative of Justice bloc Shavarsh Kocharyan
noted that it is necessary to elaborate the national concept based on
the issue of NKR’s independence. As regards the reimbursement of
territories controlled by the Armenian party, the issue should be
solved by Karabakh itself. Democratization of Armenia and Nagorny
Karabakh is the guarantee of conflict’s fair solution.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia
Henry Cyuny especially noted the importance of such discussions and
stated that the solution of Karabakh’s conflict is the prerogative of
only its participants. He stressed the necessity of conflict’s speedy
settlement to provide the economic development and integration of
Armenia into the international process. -r-

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ISSUE OF KARABAKH’S STATUS MUST BE SOLVED TO FINALLY SETTLE THE
CONFLICT AND NOT RESUME IT: ARMEN ROUSTAMYAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Head of the Armenian Parliamentary Foreign
Relations Commission Armen Roustamyan thinks it necessary to establish
a consultative body at the parliament at the level of the heads of
parliamentary delegations for elaboration of a consolidated position
on Karabakh issue at international structures.

Speaking at the hearings of Karabakh problem at the Armenian
parliament, Roustmayan has proposed general features of the concept on
Nagorny Karabakh. The future document must be based on the people’s
right to self-determination in international documents and fulfillment
of this principle in the own territory. The document is to fix a
position ruling out recognition o the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan with inclusion of NKR in it. The document is also to fix
that the juridical force of “the illegal decision of the
Transcaucasian Bureau of the USSR was exhausted, it was effective in
the Soviet period of time.” Besides, the document is to fix that in
the period of Karabakh’s being part of Soviet Azerbaijan, its
territory was cut. The results expected from adoption of such concept
are people’s right to self-determination, adoption of a trilateral
agreement on the status of NKR, provision of security to it, fixing of
Armenia’s status as a guarantor of security of NKR and then solution
to the problem of refugees and territories, Roustamyan says.

He says that implementation of all the points must secure either full
independence of NKR or its joining Armenia, but never a status of
autonomy as part of Azerbaijan. The concept is to fix that Armenia
represents and protects the interests of NKR at international
structures, but its has no right to sign documents instead of it. The
document is to say that the conflict differs from all the others and
requires a differentiated approach.

Roustamyan says that the issue of the status must be solved to finally
settle the conflict and not resume it, however, Azerbaijan’s
aspiration to provide a status of autonomy to Karabakh leads to the
second version. He says that Armenia insists on international
recognition of NKR’s status and a relevant agreement on this basis.
As regards the “issue of territories,” it must be solved taking into
account the position of the three parties. Azerbaijan’s statements
that in the territorial aspect only it suffered losses do not
correspond to reality, one should not forget about Getashen, Shahumyan
and other Armenian territories under control of Azerbaijan. He calls
wrong Azerbaijan’s position that return of the territories is not a
compromise, only the issue of the status can be a compromise. While,
Armenia’s tough or compromise policy must proceed from the policy of
Azerbaijan. He says that the package settlement-scheme can be
implemented stage by stage. Simultaneously with settlement of the
conflict, regional cooperation should be developed, Roustamyan
says. He emphasizes NKR’s participation in the neogtiaitons.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MOSCOW RESPONDS TO PUTIN’S YEREVAN VISIT

Azg/arm
30 March 05

I did not notice many articles in the Russian press concerning the
Yerevan visit of President Vladimir Putin and those I read really
surprised me: the flourishing Russian-Armenian relations please not
everyone. Even if I came across stinging motives, they were equally
addressed to both states. The headlines themselves spoke well for the
implication of the visit. “Putin Visits the Last Outpost in CIS”,
“Putin Trying to Keep the Last Ally by His Side”. One of the
newspapers hailed the visit – “The Yerevan Gambit”.

The cunning Russian press guessed right indeed the main purpose of its
president’s “tour”. “The protocol pompous arrangements that the
presidents opted in were a veil to hide the tension of the dialogue
Embarrassed over colorful revolutions in the CIS, Russia fears to
lose its nearly the last trustworthy leg”, wrote Commersant. The paper
highlighted Russia’s hopes to transport its troops and armament from
Georgian bases to Armenia. Meanwhile, the paper writes that Armenia
gave consent to this initiative but putting forward a number of its
own preconditions.

The state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta points out, “A political libretto is
ready for the Days of Russia launching today in Armenia”.

Putting in a nutshell that Armenia is the most faithful partner of
Russia, Izvestia tracks down why, “=80¦ because its relations with US
policy’s outposts – Azerbaijan and Turkey – are historically
complicated. It’s possible that Yerevan’s policy will change but not
in a rather long perspective”.

Remaining faithful to the gutter press manner, Moskovski Commersant
thinks that Putin is rather popular in Armenia and takes the chance to
be witty, “Perhaps more than Kocharian himself”. The author of the
article, AlexanderBudberg, could not help displaying his anti-Armenian
“astuteness”, “Alliance with Russia is of great significance for the
republic. They say shamelessly in Yerevan that the country lives on
the money that Armenians worldwide send to their homeland. But at
least half of the country has moved to Russia”.

Interestingly, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, not distinguished for pro-Armenian
views, was rather moderate in its “independent” approach. “Visit of
the Moscow delegation was called to show that there are still
countries among the post-soviet republics that are not under the
West’s influence yet”.

By Ruben Hayrapetian in Moscow

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

World Bank Group, DC
March 29 2005

Young and at Risk : Living With HIV

March 28, 2005 – The 1990s ushered in many positive changes in Eastern
Europe and Central Asia, but rapid social change also exposed these
transition countries to problems that tight borders previously held
at bay-drug and sex trafficking and the onset of HIV/AIDS.

Sharing needles and injecting drugs is driving the spread of the
HIV/AIDS in this region, particularly among youth.

Between 1.5 and 3 million Russians are believed to inject drugs.
Ukraine has more than 800,000 injecting drug users, while Kazakhstan
some 200,000.

Economic hardship has been especially difficult on young people, who
are increasingly poor and jobless. An increasing number aren’t
completing secondary school and are exposed to trafficked drugs and a
burgeoning sex trade.

All of this makes youth more vulnerable to drug use, and,
consequently, to HIV/AIDS. As a result of this risky behavior, the
number of new infections has skyrocketed over a short period of time.

While the number of actual infections (prevalence rate) in the region
remains low-0.8%-the number of those infected reached some 1.4
million people by the end of 2004, which represents more than a
nine-fold increase in less than 10 years, according to UNAIDS
estimates.

The Russian Federation has the largest number of infections in the
region – 860,000. HIV is thought to have gained a foothold among
high-risk groups – injecting drug users and commercial sex workers —
in Southeastern Europe.

Under 30 at the Epicenter

More than 80% of those living with HIV are under the age of 30.

Young men are at the greatest risk. Drug use often lands them in
prison for possession, where they continue injecting and sharing
needles, spreading HIV to other inmates and becoming susceptible to
tuberculosis, which easily attacks those whose immune systems are
weakened by HIV.

Tuberculosis has emerged as a parallel epidemic to HIV/AIDS and is
considered to be “critical” in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova,
Romania, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,
and Uzbekistan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Sexual transmission of HIV is increasing as well, particularly in
Estonia, Russia, and Ukraine, the region’s most seriously-affected
countries, allowing the epidemic to gain a foothold in the wider
population.

Difficult socio-economic circumstances are forcing young women and
girls to engage in commercial sex work, which also fuels the spread
of HIV.

Demographic Decline Fueled Further

Unless its spread is contained, HIV/AIDS will have grave economic and
social consequences.

In Russia, where prevalence is estimated at around 1.1%, AIDS is
accelerating a pre-existing demographic crisis- further reducing life
expectancy as well as overall population.

If current trends continue, Russia’s GDP could drop by 4.15% by 2010,
and without any intervention the GDP could fall by 10.5% by 2020,
according to a 2002 World Bank study.

The uninhibited spread of HIV would diminish the economy’s long-term
growth rate, taking off half a percentage point annually by 2010 and
a full percentage point annually by 2020.

Stemming the HIV Tide

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia started
relatively late compared to other places in the world.

In many countries the epidemic is still in its early stages-largely
contained within high risk groups- providing a window of opportunity
to contain its spread.

Increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS and establishing effective
prevention, care and treatment services are crucial to tackle the
epidemics. Country governments, civil society, the private sector and
international agencies must work together for these interventions to
succeed.

Two examples of such joint action are taking place this week in
Moscow – a Russian Business Summit on HIV/AIDS being supported by the
World Bank Group and other partners, and a CIS ministerial meeting
from March 31-April 1, organized by UNAIDS and its co-sponsors.

Mobilizing Resources

In addition to helping mobilize resources to fight HIV/AIDS in
Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the World Bank has conducted
extensive research and analysis of the issue to support policy design
and project planning.

In a regional strategy laid out in 2003, Averting AIDS Crises in ECA,
the Bank estimated that the region will need US$1.5 billion in
resources by 2007 to stem the spread of HIV.

International assistance for fighting HIV/AIDS in the region has
risen twelve-fold over the past four years -from US$52 million in
2001 to more than US$600 million by the end of 2004-through the
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria (GFATM), the World Bank,
and major bilateral donors.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

`AS FAR AS THE ARMENIAN NATION HAS THE WILL TO GO ON WITH ITS CLAIMS,
IT WILL GAIN ITS RIGHTS’

Azg/arm
30 March 05

“Our wish is that the Armenian nation regains its former borders, gets
back its historic lands and creates free, independent and united
Armenia”, Muhammad al Fares, head of the Al Tay tribe, said after the
12 Arab tribe leaders prayed at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide.

Delegation of the Syrian tribe leaders accompanied by representatives
of the Armenian Revolutionary Party visited Tsitsernakaberd yesterday
to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Each of them
has something to say as they brought with them memories of their
families about the Armenians who escaped massacres and their starving
orphans.

Sheikh al Fares recalled his grandfather telling that their settlement
was dangerous for Armenians and together with his tribesmen he led the
Armenians out to a Yezidi at the mount of Snjar until situation
settled in his region.

“Our Armenian brothers are part of our life. We contribute to
Syria’s social, economical development hand in hand. At first,
Armenians lived in rural areas, working the soil, breeding cattle,
wearing our national dresses and keeping their traditions and
customs. They lived their lives beside us, identified with us, showing
their courage, hospitality, openness, the best features oftheir
character. Moreover, during arguments, discords and even clashes
within our tribes they stepped in displaying the main feature of the
Armenian nation- love for peace. We have noticed no evil intentions in
Armenians”, he said adding that Armenians living in deserts with Arabs
even got used to eating with hands.

Answering daily Azg’s question as to what he thinks about
Turkey’s denialist policy in the Armenian Genocide issue, he said
that the existence of today’s Armenia is the greatest answer to the
Turks and that it’s not essential whether they recognize the Genocide
or not. “As far as the Armenian nation has the will to go on with its
claims, I am sure it will gain its rights”, he said.

Sheikh Nauaf al Bashir from the Bagar tribe told that the Arabs helped
Armenians even when their were threatened not to do so. But the Arabs
fearlessly hid the Armenians in their homes treating them as friends.

“They want to tell those questioning the fact of Armenian Genocide
that their fathers were eyewitnesses of the events, that all they told
was true”, Khachik Majikian from Aleppo said.

The tribe leaders said that the elders of their tribes bequeathed to
have a place for the Armenians in their hearts. There were newborn
orphans among the Armenians of Al Tay tribe who were fed up by Arab
women. Half of around 70 thousand Armenians of Syria returned to
motherland in 1946, others wedded Arabs.

Armen Melkonian, Armenian envoy to Aleppo, was in the Syrian
delegation as well. He noted that the tribe leaders voice their
personal opinion, as Syria has not defined its state policy in regard
to the Armenian Genocide.

By Ruzan Poghosian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanArmenian News
March 29 2005

PHILIP KIRKOROV WILL TRY TO SMOOTH AWAY MISTAKES

29.03.2005 04:09

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian singer Phlip Kirkorov considers the project
of performing Turkish songs to be a rash decision, press secretary of
the company-initiator of Kirkorov’s concert tour in Armenia Termine
Ayrumian stated. She reminded that these songs were performed 4 years
ago and it is a bit late to speculate in this subject. When
commenting on the incident with the Armenian journalist she said that
Kirkorov has already apologized to the young woman. Meanwhile,
Termine Ayrumian informed that Philip Kirkorov and his father Bedros
Kirkorov, who will arrive with him, are going to visit the Memorial
to Armenian Genocide victims and the Genocide Museum. Besides, Bedros
Kirkorov promised to make a surprise for the Armenian audience and
sing some favorite Armenian songs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Aravot, 29 March 2005

AS SOON IT IS SETTLED AS BETTER

Samvel Babayan about Karabakh conflict

Q: You were taking part actively in the process of changes of the
authorities in 1998 the official reasons of which were discrepancies
round Karabakh conflict. The settlement of the Karabakh conflict was
delayed for 7 years as a result. Will we win or loose during those 7 years?

A: I’m not introduced to today’s negotiation activities, I don’t know
what issues are being discussed now, so I can’t say what we have reached
to. As regards to the changes of the authorities in ’98 then there was a
principle problem- the status of Karabakh and its neighbor territories-
I have the same opinion; Neither Karabakh nor certain territories can be
the part of Azerbaijan.

Q: But what territories can be the part of Azerbaijan?

A: It isn’t right to declare beforehand what we’ll give and what we’ll
take when the issue still must be negotiated. There must be a situation,
which must provide the security of the Karabakh population.

Q: Do you see the opportunity of settlement of Karabakh issue?

A: I don’t see in the present stage. There is such an economical and
political situation both in Armenia and Azerbaijan that the authorities
of those countries can’t make concessions.

Q: Must this conflict be settled or we must keep this situation 50 or
100 years more?

A: I consider that it must be settled and as soon as better for us and
for South Caucasus in general. For this region to develop economically
the military tension must be weakened and the Karabakh conflict must be
settled. If these three states intend to be integrated in the European
Union first they must solve all such kind of problems, then integrate
economically and politically with each other. Having such prospects we
must settle the Karabakh conflict. But to settle not to the prejudice of
any party. First of all the independence and security of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh is important for us.

Q: Almost everyday the Azerbaijani side threatens to solve the issue by
military way. Do you consider those declarations serious?

A: I think Azerbaijanis preparing to take steps for military activities.
It tries to improve its military positions and save up artillery and
other ammunitions. That means it makes some preparations in case of
failure of the negotiations. And they form such a background in the
world that the concession is impossible that the Armenians want more
than it is possible to give and they have right to attack in favor
territorial integrity.

It is another question whether Azerbaijan is ready for the war. Maybe it
only seems to them. And the problem of Armenia and Karabakh is to have
such an army and economy to prevent the enemy of taking such steps.
Because if the war begins, new victims, invalids and distractions are it
isn’t important who will win. It must be so powerful to prevent the war.

Aram Abrahamian

—

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN SEISMOLOGISTS RECORD STRONG QUAKE ON SUMATRA

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. The National Service of Seismic Protection
of Armenia recorded a 8.7-point earthquake on Sumatra (Indonesia)
Monday 9:18 pm (local time).

7 consecutive 11-12-point strong quakes shook the epicenter 200 km
west of Sumatra. Some 2,000 people are reported to have died with much
more wounded. The quake was so strong that it was felt as far as
Malaysia. The quake has spurred a tree meter tsunami that has come
down on Simelue island today.

This is one of the 10 strongest quakes to have shocked Indonesia since
1990. For three months already seismologists have been reporting
unprecedented volcanic activity in the country with every next tremor
exceeding the previous in magnitude.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress