Author: Adrine Hakobian

Armenpress
HAYRUSGAZARD TO SUSPEND ELECTRICITY SALE TO GEORGIA
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS: Hayrusgazard joint Russian-Armenian venture
that is the sole supplier of Russian gas to Armenia, has confirmed today its
plans to suspend electricity supplies to neighboring Georgia. A press
release by the company said it has agreed with Georgian United Distributor
Company (UDC) to stop electricity delivery in a week time.
Hayrysgazard said the main reason behind stopping sale of Armenian
electricity to Georgia was the rise of Armenian national currency’s value
against US Dollar, making electricity export unprofitable.
Hayrusgazard also said it is ready to consider a new request by UDC to
resume electricity supplies

African press 12 May
BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
May 12, 2005

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and other
material published in the 12 May editions of the African press. Unless
otherwise stated, the newspapers are published in English.
Take over of South African bank by UK’s Barclays “should raise some
eyebrows”
Zimbabwe’s Herald [govt daily]: “Barclays PlC’s proposed take over of
Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA), which has the largest
shareholding in the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe [CBZ], should raise
some eyebrows in as far as the future of CBZ is concerned… Of
interest to Zimbabwe is that ABSA has the largest shareholding in CBZ
with a 25.75 per cent stake… The questions now are: Should the deal
succeed, will Barclays PLC want to keep the Zimbabwean integrity of
CBZ despite the change of control of ABSA?” (Editorial – “ABSA
takeover needs scrutiny”)
2. “We believe the government should not watch from a distance but
must take close interest and scrutiny on the latest developments that
will certainly have an impact in our banking industry. Foreign
investment is most welcome, but we must at the same time ensure that
our interests are protected.” (From the above editorial)
USA “closing its eyes and pockets on Darfur”
Kenya’s Times [published by former ruling KANU party]: “We contend
that only international action may be able to protect the people of
Darfur. We also believe that the United States, as the only super
power, has a unique capacity and obligation to make this
happen. However, we also strongly believe that Washington has
completely abandoned this civilized path and has embarked on playing
politics on a crisis of this magnitude.” (Commentary by Aabdillahi
Alawy – “Can’t mighty US end this Darfur crisis?”)
2. “Scary signs all over Washington clearly point to the fact that the
White House has developed cold feet on Darfur. Whether it is
government officials openly avoiding questions on Darfur during press
interviews, or backtracking on defining the Darfur crisis as genocide,
Washington is closing its eyes and pockets on Darfur.” (From the above
commentary)
3. “The situation in Darfur is bad… We must stop the
genocide… This is a combination of Rwanda, the Holocaust, and
Armenia… The whole world knows that ‘Darfur butchery’ is a
calculated campaign of slaughter, rape, starvation and
displacement… sponsored by an Islamic government with indirect
support of the mighty United States of America.” (From the above
commentary)
Ties between Algeria, France “threatened”
Algeria’s L’Expression [French-language, daily independent]: “Without
any apparent reason, the commemoration of the 8 May 1945 (killing of
45,000 Algerians) are threatening ties between Algeria and France and,
maybe, even brings back to question the signing of a treaty of
cooperation between Algeria and France. Yet a similar treaty between
France and Germany had actually taken into consideration German
recognition of the nationalist-socialist crimes.” (Editorial – “Winter
clouds”)
2. “Everyone knows it: Colonialism was not a simple walk in the park
nor a great activity of civilization. There were crimes, massacres,
smoky chambers, during the whole occupation period. In the entire
country, there was a society of two calibres in a system that cannot
be differentiated from Apartheid. There were Europeans on the one
hand, who enjoyed all the rights, and on the other, Algerians,
subjugated under an indigenous code, which France cannot be proud of
today nor see anything positive in.” (From the above editorial)
3. “It is therefore, hard to understand exasperation on the part of
French officials when Algerians want to jog their memory and recall
their history. There is no place for acrimony between Algiers and
Paris on the evils of colonization and the colonial army’s repression
in Algeria.” (From the above editorial)
France not pleased by Algerian president’s speech on colonial
atrocities
Algeria’s Liberte [French-language, daily liberal independent]:
“Relations between Algeria and France had never been better in the
last few years… However, the past is casting its dark shadow over
these good times with threatening clouds threatening a storm. Indeed,
the president’s speech, to mark the 60th anniversary of the 8 May 1945
massacres, in which he urged France to honourably atone for the acts
committed during the colonial period did not apparently please Paris,
which has its own views concerning colonialism.” (Commentary by N.
Sebti – “Cloud”)
2. “French response is simply tantamount to a denial of reality
because that past is there and it we are just leaking our wounds,
soothing our pain, our resentments by jogging our memory… memory has
its rationale that politics knows not.” (From the above editorial)
Nigerians “do not want any more of Obasanjo’s tyrannical misrule”
Nigeria’s Vanguard [Lagos-based, widely-read independent]: “Any
attempt by President Obasanjo to succeed himself in 2007 will surely
fail. It will not augur well for the unity, peace, stability and
security of the nation… The rest of the world is bound to mount a
clamorous campaign of resistance against it. And when at the same
time Nigerians who do not want any more of Obasanjo’s tyrannical
misrule begin to rise up against him, the entire third term project
will come to a very shameful end.” (Commentary by Peter Elenwo – “No
way for third term”)
2. “Obasanjo ought to be grateful to Nigerians that despite his
semi-illiterate status, he would have ruled them for 12 good
years… Let him then go in peace. If he engages in any act of mass
provocation, he will have only himself to blame. Then he will come to
realize that he is as nothing where the whole of this nation is
concerned.” (From above commentary)
Nigerian paper says political reform can rid country of corruption
Nigeria’s Daily Champion [Lagos-based, pro-Igbo]: “Corruption has
assumed the frightening dimension of a bubonic plague… [The]
government’s swift swoop on all the guilty officials must elicit
applause. Part of what we envisage from the political reform is a
situation where no-one will be a sacred cow in this country… We
envisage, with the political reforms, a corruption-free society,
beginning from the top to bottom.” (Commentary by Joseph Ohiaba
Suleiman – “Reforms for sustainable democracy”)
Nigerian leaders “visionless”
Nigeria’s Daily Champion [Lagos-based, pro-Igbo]: “There is no hope
for Nigerian renaissance with the present crop of selfish, greedy,
corrupt, and visionless political leaders… If each one of them could
be courageous enough to search their conscience and reflect on the
pertinent issues, they would create a society that is truly beneficial
to everyone… With good leadership, Nigeria could resolve most of its
problems (corruption, unemployment, crime, social injustice).”
(Commentary by Victor E. Dike – “Is Nigeria a cruel society?”)
Kenya’s food deficits a “national shame”
Kenya’s Times [published by former ruling KANU party]: “We revisit the
issue of food situation in the country, not because it is our pet
topic but simply because, for many years, this nation has suffered
food deficits too frequently. It is, however, saddening to note that
the government has never shown serious resolve to put an end to this
tragic scenario.” (Editorial – “Government should spare us the shame
of begging for food”)
2. “Since independence, this country has suffered humiliating bouts of
famine. Regrettably, the government has displayed utter ineptitude in
resolving this intermittent national shame… It is inexcusable on the
part of the Government that after 42 years of freedom, we are unable
to feed ourselves – both under good and bad weather conditions.” (From
the above editorial)
Shortage of HIV testing kits in Kenya “disturbing news”
Kenya’s Nation [top selling daily – independent]: “The National AIDS
Control Council has disturbing news. They claim some voluntary
counselling and testing centres are closing for lack of [HIV] testing
kits, whose importation has been temporarily blocked by a court
case. Without delving into the details of the litigation, the
bottlenecks that may exist should be removed speedily to ease the
kits’ importation procedures.” (Editorial – “Resolve AIDS test-kit
snag”)
Kenyan civil servants, government urged to avert pay strike
Kenya’s Standard [independent]: “For close to a month now, talk of a
strike by the country’s civil servants has been in the air. They have
threatened that should the government not award them a 600 per cent
pay rise, they will down their tools beginning next month… A strike
involving over 25,000 government workers would have grave
repercussions on the economy and the delivery of services…”
(Editorial – “Intended strike by civil servants is ill advised”)
2. “Court ruling or no, of more importance is an effective dialogue
between the union and the government that would yield a solution to
this looming crisis. The country cannot afford the loss of man-hours
that would result from a strike of that nature.” (From the above
editorial)
Ugandan first lady says ex-US envoy’s comment on president “an insult”
Uganda’s New Vision [govt]: “As a member of the president’s family, I
feel obliged to say something about [ex-US ambassador to Uganda
Johnnie] Carson’s recent article in the press about threats to
Africa’s success story… I believe this attempt to bring bad light to
the president’s reputation is not only wrong, but also a real insult
to our family…” (Commentary by Janet Museveni – “Museveni protecting
Uganda, not family”)
2. “We live in a world where the media rises up in the morning to feed
the world with lies but the truth always gets home long before the
lies do… I, therefore, choose to forgive you Mr Carson because
precisely I believe you accepted the lies you probably learned from
the media which has really been on a crusade to demonize our family.”
(From the above commentary)
3. “President Museveni ignores the innuendos and insults of people
like Mr Carson, now, the same way he ignored them from the
unforesighted in his young resistance days… Can Mr Carson now
convince us that he knows better what Uganda needs?” (From the above
commentary)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russia shows second highest inflation rate in CIS
RosBusinessConsulting Database
May 6, 2005 Friday
The inflation rate in Russia in Q1, 2005 against Q1, 2004, reaching
13.1 percent, was the second highest in the CIS countries, the CIS
statistics committee has reported. The highest inflation in the CIS in
Q1, 2005 against Q1, 2004 was registered in Ukraine (13.5 percent),
and the lowest inflation was reported in Kyrgyzstan (3 percent). The
corresponding figures for Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Armenia were 13.1 percent, 13 percent,
12.4 percent, 9.4 percent, 6.9 percent, 5.7 percent and 4.4 percent
respectively. The CIS statistics committee has not provided inflation
data for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COMMODITY TURNOVER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND BELARUS CONTINUES GROWING
Pan Armenian News
03.05.2005 06:39
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «In spite of the fact that the commodity turnover
between Armenia and Belarus is not to large, it continues growing,»
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko stated at a meeting with
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian in Minsk. The Belarus
President said he was satisfied with both countries being able to find
ways to realize mutual trade in rather hard conditions. Lukashenko said
he was sure that the visit of the Armenian parliamentary delegation
to Belarus will pass successfully. «Other officials and I at least
will do our best to meet the desires and realize the arrangements
that will be made during the visit,» Lukashenko noted. In his turn,
Andranik Margarian noted that there is unused potential available in
the bilateral relations and in this respect the parties should work
much. «The recurrent meeting of the Armenian-Belarus Intergovernmental
Commercial Commission will be held in Yerevan this year, at which
ways of activation of bilateral cooperation will be determined,»
the Armenian PM noted. He also noted that after his latest visit to
Belarus five years ago many positive changes took place in the country,
as well as in relations with Armenia.
–Boundary_(ID_LFeqe2NMqWY5gzgekO6Ceg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY WILL NOT AVOID PRESSURE
A1plus
| 17:20:16 | 02-05-2005 | Politics |
Today RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan received, mayor of the
French town Bourg de Valance, member of the French Senate and head of
the Armenian friendship Committee Bernard Piras and his first deputy
Jacques Collette.
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan thanked the French Senate for
recognizing the Armenian Genocide mentioning that Armenia highly
appreciates Mr. Piras’s investment in this matter. Finding the
establishment of relations between Bourg de Valance and Talin as sister
towns important the Prime Minister mentioned that the majority of the
residents of Talin are Armenians from Western Armenia who migrated
as a result of the Genocide.
Bourg de Valance mayor Bernard Piras in his turn mentioned that if
today the Armenian Nation thanks France and the French, the French
in their turn thank the Armenians for becoming the citizens of their
country and taking active participation in the economic and cultural
life of France.
He underlined that now they must work jointly so that other European
countries will recognize the Genocide and Turkey to recognize it too
under the pressure of the European countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Council of Europe approves committee to deal with Karabakh
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
27 Apr 05
[Presenter] The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE]
has approved the composition of the temporary committee to deal with
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. In addition to parties to the conflict
and the chairmen of PACE committees, representatives of six countries
were included in the committee. The former chairman of the assembly,
British MP Russell Johnston, will lead the committee.
[Correspondent over video of the Council of Europe building in
Strasbourg] The PACE has approved the composition of the temporary
committee for the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The committee will
tackle the implementation of Article 5 of the [PACE] resolution which
deals with the conflict in the Nagornyy Karabakh region. It will be
headed by Lord Russell Johnston.
A source in the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE has told “Son Xabar”
that the new committee will include the heads of the delegations from
Azerbaijan, Armenia, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden and
Turkey, the chairmen of the PACE political affairs and monitoring
committees, and MPs from Turkey and Romania, Abdulkadir Ates and
(?Georgiy Chukhrumba).
The committee also includes the Azerbaijani and Armenian members of
the monitoring group, co-rapporteurs Andreas Gross and Anders Herkel
and the author of the report on Nagornyy Karabakh, David Atkinson.
The committee’s mission will be to collect, on a yearly basis, reports
from countries and entities where [PACE] members are represented about
the work done to achieve a negotiated solution to the
conflict. Members of the temporary committee are expected to visit
Baku, Yerevan and the conflict region.
Vaqif Aydinoglu for “Son Xabar”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

College board shifts positions
Glendale News Press
April 19 2005
Gabrielian is named president, and new vice president says replacing Najarian, Davitt will be tough.
By Rima Shah, News-Press and Leader
GLENDALE — There were no surprises at Glendale Community College’s
reorganization of the board Monday night when Anita Gabrielian was
unanimously appointed president.
Gabrielian, SBC’s executive director of external affairs, public
policy and community affairs, was the third-highest vote-getter in
the April 5 municipal election.
She replaces Victor King, the outgoing president who was also reelected
to the board.
Board Clerk Kathleen Burke-Kelly was appointed as vice president
and Armine Hacopian, reelected to the board with the most votes,
was named the new clerk.
“The challenges that lie ahead for the board are replacing [Ara]
Najarian and [John] Davitt,” Burke-Kelley said. “I am happy to be in
a position to be able to do that.”
Gabrielian has many challenges ahead as president, Hacopian said.
“The biggest challenge is to appoint a consulting team and to interview
for the post of the superintendent,” Hacopian said.
The consulting team will help conduct a nationwide search and
interviews to replace Davitt, the superintendent president who will
retire in 2006.
The new board must also select a replacement for Najarian, who won
a seat on the City Council in the April 5 election.
“We will be conducting interviews within the next 60 days,” Hacopian
said. “We have a choice of having an election, but we probably are
going to appoint someone.”
Academically, Hacopian said she hopes the board will look into ways
to increase the transfer rate to four-year colleges.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Government Invites Decker to Perform at Memorial Concert
Commemorating 90th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Government has officially invited U.S. world musician
Daniel Decker to perform at the Memorial Concert in Yerevan, Armenia on
April 23 to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the 1915 Armenian
Genocide. Decker will sing Adana,” a song that tells the tragic story of
the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians during WWI. It is a collaboration
between Decker, who wrote the song’s lyrics, and Ara Gevorgian, one of
Armenia’s premier composers.
PRWeb.com
April 6, 2005
Syracuse, NY (PRWEB) April 6, 2005 — American singer-songwriter
Daniel Decker () today announced that the Armenian
government has extended an official invitation to him to perform the
song “Adana” at a special Memorial Concert it is hosting to commemorate
the 90th Anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The concert
will take place at the Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre in Yerevan,
the capitol of Armenia, on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
The Armenian Opera Orchestra, and Ara Gevorgian, one of Armenia’s
premier composers, will accompany Decker’s performance at the Memorial
Concert. Armenia’s President, Robert Kocharian, will be attending. Also
in attendance will be the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
The song “Adana” tells the story of the Armenian Genocide, during which
soldiers of the Ottoman Empire forced 1.5 million Armenians into
starvation, torture and extermination because they would not renounce
their Christian faith. The song is a collaboration between Decker, who
wrote its powerful lyrics, and Gevorgian, its composer. “Adana” is
already played at the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia, whenever
visiting foreign dignitaries visit.
Decker met Gevorgian by chance on a trip to Armenia in 2002. They first
collaborated with Decker writing the lyrics to a song the composer had
written for Armenia’s National Independence Day. “Noah’s Prayer”
chronicles the biblical story of Noah and his spiritual journey on the
ark to Mt. Ararat. With Gevorgian and the Armenian Opera Orchestra
accompanying him, Decker performed “Noah’s Prayer” live in 2002 during a
nationally televised outdoor concert with Mt. Ararat looming in the
background. Armenia’s President Kocharian, as well as ambassadors from
countries around the world, attended the event. After the concert,
President Kocharian approached Decker to shake his hand and personally
thank him for his participation.
The television broadcast transformed the song “Noah’s Prayer” into an
immediate hit and Decker into an instant celebrity in Armenia. The song
was repeatedly featured on Armenian radio and television, and Decker
gave numerous performances and press interviews. On his last visit to
the country in 2004, a reporter and television crew followed him
everywhere he went for three days.
It was the day after the 2002 concert that Decker heard Gevorgian’s
composition entitled “Adana.” Decker felt it was perfect to tell the
story of the Armenian genocide, an issue that moved him deeply, so he
arranged to meet Gevorgian the next day. “Before I could tell him my
idea to write the about the genocide, he said, ‘Please choose “Adana,
and please write about the genocide.'” Decker later discovered that
“Adana” is the name of the city in present-day Turkey where one of the
first massacres of the Armenian people took place. Thus, a second
collaboration was born.
“I wrote ‘Adana’ not only as a way to draw international attention to a
terrible tragedy, but as a source of healing to the Armenian people,”
explains Decker. Neither modern day Muslim Turkey, nor the United
States, an ally of Turkey, has formally recognized the Armenian
Genocide. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to perform with Daniel
again,” says Gevorgian. “Daniel has done a great thing for the people of
Armenia. When you listen to ‘Adana,’ you know that he was meant to write
the lyrics of this song to bring greater international awareness to the
Armenian Genocide.”
In addition to the work Decker has done to garner attention for the
genocide, Decker has also been working with relief organizations in
Armenia to bring aid to the poorest regions and to those that have been
hit the hardest, children and the elderly.
Both “Adana” and “Noah’s Prayer” can be found on Decker’s latest
recording entitled, “My Offering,” available on his website. With a
musical journey that has taken him to England, Puerto Rico, Canada and
Armenia, this CD reflects Decker’s love and appreciation of the many
cultures he has experienced. Along with his unique piano stylings, the
CD “My Offering” is a rich fusion of world music influences, with
flamenco guitars, Armenian duduk, Brazilian samba, Latin jazz, and
special performances by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.
For more information about Decker, please visit
Please direct press inquiries to Anne Sharp at (818) 994-2309.
# # #
Contact Information:
Anne Sharp
SHARP CONCEPTS
818-994-2309
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

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/24/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF Lebanon Condemns Recent Attacks against Population 2) Amnesty International Voices Concern about New Turkish Penal Code 3) Russia's Putin in Armenia 4) Armenia's Customs Chief Survives Bomb Blast 5) Kyrgyzstan Uprising Forces President to Flee 6) Pascal Message of the Armenian Catholic Exarch 1) ARF Lebanon Condemns Recent Attacks against Population BEIRUT--In a strongly worded statement issued on March 25, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of Lebanon condemned the violent outpour that has rocked the country in recent weeks, ending over a decade of relative peace following a debilitating fifteen year civil war. Criticizing the bombings and shootings that have occurred since the February 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the statement called for an immediate end to acts such as the March 23 bombing of the Alta Vista Shopping Center of Kaslik. "We reaffirm our stance on this issue, and condemn the detrimental position of those who believe that acts of terror aimed against a peaceful Lebanese population will help address the country's political problems," the ARF statement noted. "The abuse of internal political issues in an attempt to create an unsafe and unstable environment is totally unacceptable to us. "Abhorrent acts of violence can only serve to further aggravate the political divisions that exist in Lebanon. We reject any attempt that endangers the country's internal security and endangers its economic stability. "We call on the people of Lebanon to stand with us in solidarity against any act that threatens the well-being of this country and its population," the statement concluded. 2) Amnesty International Voices Concern about New Turkish Penal Code In recent days, various press groups and professional bodies in Turkey have articulated their concerns regarding the new Penal Code, due to come into effect on April 1, and called on the government to urgently review the new law which they believe will restrict press freedom. Amnesty International has joined in these concerns and urged the government to take further steps in bringing Turkish law into line with international human rights law and standards related to freedom of expression. (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL)--In a public statement, Amnesty International addresses Turkey's new Penal Code, noting that though it has introduced many positive changes--most notably in the removal of gender-discriminatory articles--it still contains numerous restrictions on fundamental rights. The statement says that some provisions, which the authorities had used before to breach international standards related to freedom of expression, were carried over from the old Penal Code. For example, Article 159 which criminalized acts that "insult or belittle" various state institutions--and which Amnesty International has repeatedly called for to be abolished--reappears as Article 301 of the new Penal Code in the section entitled "Crimes against symbols of the states sovereignty and the honor of its organs" (Articles 299--301). Amnesty International is concerned that this section could be used to criminalize legitimate expression of dissent and opinion. In other cases, new articles have been introduced which appear to introduce new restrictions to fundamental rights. For example, Article 305 of the new Penal Code criminalizes "acts against the fundamental national interest." The written explanation attached to the draft, when the law passed through Parliament, provided as examples of crimes such acts as "making propaganda for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or for the acceptance of a settlement in this issue detrimental to Turkey...or, contrary to historical truths, that the Armenians suffered a genocide after the First World War." Amnesty International considers that the imposition of a criminal penalty for any such statements--unless intended or likely to incite imminent violence--would be a clear breach of international standards related to freedom of expression. Many of the provisions in the new law envisage higher sentences if the "crime" has been perpetrated through the press and raise the possibility of custodial sentences for journalists. Chair of the Press Council Oktay Eksi has evaluated the new law as "an unfortunate reversal from the point of freedom of expression and of the press." BACKGROUND The new Penal Code was presented by the government as a less restrictive and democratic piece of legislation and hastily passed by Parliament in September 2004 as a result of pressure from the European Union. This pressure appears to have resulted in insufficient consultation with members of civil society, such as press and human rights groups, and may have contributed to the continuing problems in the law. Amnesty International is also concerned about aspects of the Penal Code which are related to areas other than freedom of expression. For example, Article 122 of the draft of the new Penal Code, which forbids discrimination on the basis of "language, race, color, gender, political thought, philosophical belief, religion, denomination and other reasons," was amended at the last moment so that "sexual orientation" was removed from the draft. The organization is concerned that discrimination on the basis of sexuality was not criminalized in the new law. In addition, Amnesty International is concerned that the statute of limitations still applies in trials in which individuals are accused of torture. While the new law has extended this time limit, trials against alleged torturers are frequently deliberately delayed and subsequently dropped through this provision, thereby contributing towards a climate of impunity. Given the frequency with which this happens and the status of torture as a peremptory norm of general international law, Amnesty International considers that there should be no statute of limitations for the crime of torture. Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. Its mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights. Amnesty International is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights. 3) Russia's Putin in Armenia YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrived in Armenia late Thursday on a brief working visit which, according to Armenian officials, will cement the close relationship between the two allies. Putin will meet with President Robert Kocharian on Thursday to discuss mostly economic issues, notably Russian-Armenian cooperation in the energy sector, according to a Kremlin official cited by the Russian Itar-Tass news agency. Further development of bilateral military ties will also be on the agenda, the official said. It is unclear whether the two plan to sign any agreements. The Armenian side is expected to again raise its concerns about the implementation of a 2002 swap agreement that settled Yerevan's $100 million debt to Russia. Armenian officials have repeatedly complained that the Russians are slow in revitalizing the five Armenian enterprises that were handed over to them in payment for the debt. 4) Armenia's Customs Chief Survives Bomb Blast YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--A car belonging to the chief of the Armenian customs Armen Avetisian, was rocked by an explosion early on Thursday in what law-enforcement authorities see as a botched attempt on the influential official's life. President Robert Kocharian called an emergency meeting of his top law-enforcement officials, asking them to take "all necessary measures to solve the incident," and keep him informed about the course of the investigation. The blast occurred outside the building in downtown Yerevan housing the State Customs Committee just minutes after Avetisian entered his office. Investigators said an explosive device was planted under a tree next to which his car was parked. The car was not seriously damaged. An aide to Avetisian and another customs official who stood nearby were said to have sustained minor injuries. Still, residents of nearby apartment buildings said the blast was powerful. The chief of the Armenian police Hayk Harutiunian, and the first deputy head of the National Security Hrachya Harutiunian, personally inspected the scene but declined to comment on the incident. "Nothing is known yet," the head of Yerevan's police department Nerses Nazarian, told reporters. He said Avetisian has told investigators that he does suspect anyone of seeking to assassinate him. The Office of Prosecutor-General launched criminal proceedings under an article of Armenia's Criminal Code that deals with attempted assassinations of senior government officials and public figures. The Customs Committee also characterized the explosion as an attempt on Avetisian's life in a statement issued later on Thursday. The statement attributed it to a crackdown on smuggling and tax evasion announced by the authorities earlier this year. "To all those who hope to weaken the committee leadership's will to fight against the shadow [economy] with such terrorist acts we find it necessary to say that the State Customs Committee will continue to be consistent in identifying violations of customs rules," it said. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian also condemned the blast as he opened a weekly cabinet meeting. "Nobody should hope that they can hamper the work of the bodies collecting state revenues with such actions," he said. The crackdown was announced after Kocharian's high-profile meetings with the management of the customs and tax agencies. In particular, Kocharian decried widespread corruption among customs officials, accusing them of helping large-scale importers avoid taxes in return for kickbacks. 5) Kyrgyzstan Uprising Forces President to Flee --Parliament elects interim leader; protesters seize state-run TV BISHKEK (AP)--President Askar Akayev fled Kyrgyzstan on Thursday after protesters stormed his headquarters, seized control of state television, and rampaged through government offices, throwing computers and air conditioners out of windows. A leading opponent of the Akayev regime, Felix Kulov, was freed from prison and praised the "revolution made by the people." Kulov said Akayev had signed a letter of resignation, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Members of the parliament--that was in power before February's disputed election--met Thursday night and elected former opposition lawmaker Ishenbai Kadyrbekov as the country's interim president. Sitting in Akayev's chair surrounded by supporters, another opposition activist, Ulan Shambetov, praised the latest uprising to sweep a former Soviet republic. The takeover of government buildings in Bishkek followed similar seizures by opposition activists in southern Kyrgyzstan, including the second-largest city, Osh. Those protests began even before the first round of parliamentary elections on Feb. 27 and swelled after March 13 runoffs that the opposition said were seriously flawed. Another opposition leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, appeared on state TV and declared: "Akayev is no longer on the territory of Kyrgyzstan." Bakiyev also said the prime minister had resigned but that those in charge of the Security, Interior and Defense ministries were working with the opposition. The whereabouts of Akayev, who ruled Kyrgyzstan for 15 years, were not clear. The Interfax news agency, without citing sources, said Akayev had flown to Russia but later said he had landed in Kazakhstan. 6) Pascal Message of the Armenian Catholic Exarch The Feast of Victory The resurrection of Jesus is the central event of Christianity and the basic truth of our faith. It is true that without the nativity of Christ we would not have the Messiah, the Savior of the world. But if the Gospels had ended with the end of Jesus' life by his death, all the content of the Gospels would have vanished. The message of salvation of Christ would not have had any sense, because it was based on the affirmation that he was the master of life and death, and specifically the eternal death, which is the result of sin. All the preaching of the apostles, especially that of St. Paul who developed the teaching of Christ in his epistles, is based on the certitude that Jesus has triumphantly risen from the sepulcher. The angels who announced the resurrection said to the women, the first visitors to the tomb, "Why are you searching the living amidst the dead? He is not here, he has risen!" Departing from this event that became an evidence for all the followers of Christ, we have been celebrating for twenty centuries the resurrection of Jesus. If Christmas is for us the feast of joy, Easter is the feast of victory. If Jesus has triumphed over death, we also will triumph over it, and we will share his glory. So that when we are submitted to trials and sufferings of life, we have strong conviction that all this will have a happy end. No suffering can be senseless or overcome our faith, for we share the suffering of Jesus who has predicted it as a precondition of the success of his mission as the savior of mankind. Concerning the credibility of resurrection, some argue that it is based on a negative evidence: the empty tomb. Could we deduct from it, they say, that Jesus really has risen alive from dead or that his body was not fraudulently took away by the disciples? This is a nonsense, when we know from the Gospels that these poor men were so despaired of the tragic end of Jesus's life that, terrified and disoriented, they escaped one after the other, not ever daring to accompany him during his passion and crucifixion. Yet, after the resurrection became a certitude for them, they were radically transformed, they proclaimed it courageously, and witnessed it at the cost of their lives, shedding their blood for it. Who would sacrifice his life for a phantasm or a legend? We are not asked today, but in exceptional circumstances, to shed our blood to testify to the resurrection of Christ. Yet we are called to proclaim it in sometime difficult conditions: when we have to respect our engagement as followers of Christ, in the face of enemies of our faith who despise or deride it, or when we must make critical choices between our interests and our spiritual and moral convictions, or when we are asked to sacrifice our time or goods for the improvement and growth of the Church's mission. As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ with all Christianity, we must consider our own resurrection as the fruit of his resurrection. Not as a historical glorious event belonging to the past, but as a permanent presence in our daily life, inspiring our acts and thoughts, guiding our steps and our decisions according to the plans God has for each of us, until our final victory on sin and death. Christ has risen from the dead. Let us share the joy and hope of all who share our faith! Bishop Manuel Batakian Armenian Catholic Exarch in United States All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress