Author: Antonian Lara

US DOES NOT CONSIDER KOSOVO POSSIBLE INDEPENDENCE PRECEDENT FOR KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.03.2006 19:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US thinks that the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh
and South Ossetia have unique characteristics and need to be dealt with
“as separate issues”, US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said
when commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning that
granting independence to Kosovo might set a very dangerous precedent
for settlement of conflicts in the former Soviet Union. “Our position
is that conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia have unique
characteristics that need to be dealt with on their own merits and
that’s how we view the issue,” Sean McCormack remarked.

MATTHEW BRYZA ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO DEEPENING OF DEMOCRACY IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 09 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues concerning
Armenian-American relations were discussed at RA NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian’s March 8 meeting with Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. Touching
upon the parliament’s work, Artur Baghdasarian mentioned that
after the adoption of the constitutional amendments 70 new laws and
amendments to laws are envisaged mainly in three directions – local
self-government and territorial government, court and legal systems
and Electoral Code. NA Speaker expressed gratitude to the U.S. for
the assistance rendered to Armenia attaching importance that economic
assistance is accompanied by assistance to democratic reforms. Matthew
Bryza also attached importance to deepening of democracy in Armenia
mentioning that conflicts settlement, energy security and economic
development are within this framework. A special importance was
attached to fighting corruption as ensuring of a possibility of
stable investments. Touching upon energy problems, Matthew Bryza
attached importance to development of alternative possibilities in
the respect of energy security. As Noyan Tapan was informed by NA
Public Relations Department, both of the sides attached importance
to the implementation of the Millennium Challenge program, publicity
in the course of this program’s implementation – ensuring of public
control by means of NGOs. In connection with the Nagorno Karabakh
problem Artur Baghdasarian said that the year 2006 hasn’t exhausted the
possibilities of problem’s peaceful settlement yet and there are still
opportunities of success in the negotiations process. M.Bryza also
attached importance to the problem’s settlement for the development
of the region. Within this framework they also attached importance to
normalization of relations with the neighbors to which the U.S. can
provide assistance. They also attached importance to possibilities
of development of the EU New Neighborhood program and Euroatlantic
cooperation. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans was also present
at the meeting.

ARMENIA INVITED FOR NGOS’ CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON PROJECT OF ROADS RESTORATION IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHK, GEORGIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006
YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. Armenia is invited to take part in NGOs’
consultative meeting on March 14 in Tbilisi on the project of roads
restoration in Samtskhe-Javakhk, Georgia’s Armenian-populated province,
as part of Millennium Challenges American Corporation program, Caucasus
Environmental NGO Network’s press service told ARKA News Agency.
The press-release says Millennium Challenges Georgian Office’s
conditions on the project are to be discussed at the meeting.
The aim of the meeting is to present the process of the project
implementation to NGOs and people and consider possibility of public
participation in it, the press release says.
Millennium Challenges American Corporation approved five-year program
for Georgia that costs $295.3mln. Tbilisi intends to target some
$130mln for Samtskhe-Javakhk development, of which $110mln will be
spent for new highway construction.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Network of America, Washington Region
P. O. Box 100865
Arlington, VA 22210-9998
Email: [email protected]
Washington, DC. The Armenian Network invites you to a presentation on the
pace of economic development in Armenia hosted by the World Bank.
Armenia’s economy has been roaring at breathtaking double digit rates for
the past five years. What explains this pace of growth, and how likely is
it that it will persist over the foreseeable future? Dr. Saumy Mitra,
World Bank Lead Economist (ECSPE), will explain the various factors
underlying the record growth that Armenia has experienced in recent years,
and discuss policy options to ensure the continuation of such growth.
The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 6:30-8:30pm. It will
take place at the World Bank Auditorium J1-050, 701 18th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20433. The auditorium is located between Pennsylvania
Avenue and G Street, one block from the White House. Farragut West is the
nearest metro stop on the blue and orange lines.
The Armenian Network of America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
membership funded organization dedicated to the advancement of the
Armenian American community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Library & Museum of America, Inc.
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-926-2562 ext. 3
Fax: 617-926-0175
Website: <; Contact: Mariam Stepanyan March 3, 2006 Contact Person: Mariam Stepanyan Phone: 617.926.2562 , ext. 3; Email: [email protected] REFLECTIONS & EXPRESSIONS BY MEGERDITCH TARAKDJIAN Armenian Library & Museum of America (ALMA) hosts sculptor and painter Megerditch Tarakdjian's exhibit "Reflections & Expressions". After numerous solo and group art exhibits in Canada, Tarakdjian opens his first exhibit in New England area at ALMA's contemporary art gallery. Tarakdjian is originally from Syria, but has been living in Montreal, Canada since 1982. While being a graduate of the Saryan Academy of Arts in Aleppo, Syria, Tarakdjian started his artistic ventures relatively later in life. Tarakdjian finds that his profession as a medical doctor helps him to better understand and later reflect different facets of human condition in his sculptures or painting. His oil paintings are mostly in vibrant and unique combination of colors. The subjects in his paintings are naïve in serene life scenes. Tarakdjian's bronze and fired clay figurines depict the various states of the human condition. His treatment of the eyes of his subjects brings to life the richness of the subject's character in the sculptures: the viewer can see a smile, a tear, or a deep thought in their depth. Arto Tchakmakchian, sculptor and member of The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, finds Tarakdjian's art "original in conception" and with "a unique style of composition". Tarakdjian's sculptures are on permanent display at the College des Médecins du Québec in Montreal and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa. The artist reception is scheduled for 4-7pm March 18 at ALMA's contemporary art gallery (in the heart of Watertown Square, 65 Main Street, Watertown MA). It is open to public. The exhibit will last through April 30. Gallery hours are Thursday 6-9pm, Friday and Sunday 1-5pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm. For more information about this and other exhibits on display at the gallery this spring please visit <; or call 617.926.2562. Attached is an image of Tarakdjian's bronze sculpture "Cuddle". About ALMA Founded in 1971, ALMA's mission is to present and preserve the culture, history, art and contributions of the Armenian people to Americans and Armenians alike. Since its inception, ALMA's collection has grown to over 22,000 books and 20,000 artifacts, making it perhaps the largest and most diverse holding of Armenian cultural artifacts outside of Armenia. As a repository for heirlooms, the collection now represents a major resource not only for Armenian studies research, but as well as for preservation and illustration of the Armenian heritage. In 1988, ALMA acquired a 30,000 square foot facility in Watertown, MA - one of North America's oldest and most active Armenian communities. The facility includes exhibition galleries, Library, administrative offices, function hall, climate-controlled vaults and conservation lab. ALMA is the largest ethnic museum in New England and the only independent Armenian Museum in the Diaspora funded solely through contributions of individual supporters. An active Board of Trustees and volunteer base augments the museum's staff. Museum's active schedule of changing exhibits includes the use of the library primarily by researchers and interested general public seeking research materials on Armenians. In addition, the museum sponsors lecture and presentation program on related topics. Hours: Friday and Sunday, from 1-5 P.M., Saturday 10AM-2PM and Thursday evenings from 7-9 P.M. Admission: ALMA members are free/ $5 for non-members. Children under 12 get in are free. For more information please visit our website <; , or call 617.926.ALMA (2562). Directions Driving: Take route 95 to 128 to 90 (Mass Pike East) towards Watertown. Take exit 17- Watertown/Newton. Go North 1 mile towards Watertown Square. As you cross the small bridge, get into the 2 left lanes. Turn left on Main Street. Turn right on Church Street, and then turn right into the municipal parking lot. MBTA: Buses 71, 70/70A, 57, 52, 59, 502, 504. Please visit <; for schedules and maps.

GROWTH IN GAS PRICE TO RAISE BUSINESS COST PRICE IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Mar 13 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development is studying the possibilities of mitigating the
consequences of growth in price for gas supplied for Armenian
economy. Director General of the Armenian Development Agency
Vahagn Movsisian informed about this at the March 11 press
conference. According to him, the growth in price for gas supplied
to Armenia will raise the cost price of business run in Armenia.

MODERN OUT-PATIENTS’ DEPARTMENTS TO BE BUILT IN THREE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF GEGHARKUNIK MARZ BY WB FINANCING
Noyan Tapan
Mar 13 2006
GEGHARKUNIK, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Modern typic out-patients’
departments will be built during this year in the rural communities
of Zolakar, Geghahovit and Yeranos, the marz of Gegharkunik, by the
World Bank financial resources.
Those departments will be provided with newest medical equipment and
transport means. According to data of the Health Care Department
of the Gegharkunik regional administration, 50 thousand dollars
equivalent drams were spent on building and equipment of each of
the medical departments. The construction works will start from
April. Re-training courses for the medical staff of the mentioned
communities will be organized in parallel to implementation of the
program within the framework of the “Family Doctor” program.

KARABAKH WAR PARTICIPANTS: YEREVAN SHOULD QUIT TALKS WITH BAKU
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2006 23:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Any Armenian-Azeri dialogue is possible only if
official Baku stops anti-Armenian hysteria, recognizes Artsakh belongs
to Armenians, Artsakh war participants say. Armenian authorities should
quit the Armenian-Azeri talks over the Nagorno Karabakh settlement,
says an open letter of a group of participants of the Artsakh war. The
message authors are convinced that participation of Artsakh (Nagorno
Karabakh) in the talks is not acceptable either. “We do not trust
these talks and those, who negotiate on behalf of Armenians. Any
Armenian-Azeri dialogue is possible only if official Baku stops
anti-Armenian hysteria, recognizes Artsakh belongs to Armenians, as
well as recognizes its responsibility for violent deportation of Azeri
Armenians and unleashing a war against the autonomy,” the statement
says. The document notes that there is no actual settlement of the
Karabakh issue, as during the talks it was not possible to form any
compromise, all OSCE MG proposals contained unilateral concessions
and violated the rights of the Armenian people of Artsakh for living
in their homeland.

ARMENIAN FM MET WITH CSTO SECRETARY GENERAL
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.03.2006 19:32 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Vartan Oskanian yesterday met with Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Nikolay
Bordyuzha, reports the Armenian MFA Press Service. During the meeting
the parties discussed situation in the CSTO territory and prospects
of enhancing organization efficiency.
Besides, CSTO cooperation prospects with other organizations were
discussed. Thereupon, N. Bordyuzha presented the results of his visits
to Central Asian countries and the UN Headquarters.

TURKS STEP UP EFFORTS AGAINST ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS
New Anatolian, Turkey
March 14 2006
The Turkish diaspora is stepping up efforts to rescind recognition of
Armenian genocide claims and to win support against its proponents
ahead of April 24, the date Armenians say is the anniversary of the
so-called genocide.
While Turkish associations in France joined forces under an umbrella
committee to overturn the 2001 French law recognizing the Armenian
genocide claims, the Workers’ Party (IP) gathered over the weekend
in Istanbul to outline plans for the Talat Pasha Movement, which
will include a mass rally in Berlin on Saturday to denounce the
Armenian claims.
The Turkish groups’ decision to put forward a unified response to
French recognition of Armenian genocide claims came during a meeting on
Sunday with the participation of representatives from 10 associations
under the leadership of the Anatolian Culture Center and the Kemalist
Thought Association.
Besides starting an initiative to bring about the repeal of a the
French law that recognizes the Armenian genocide, the umbrella
committee decided to launch an initiative to give concrete answers
“based on historic realities to foreign claims that aim at damaging
Turkish independence.” They also decided to conduct programs to
inform and inspire Turkish society against Armenian claims and to
inform French society about the realities of the issue.
Representatives of Turkish associations in France stressed at the
meeting that they are not against the existence of Armenians but aim
at making the historic realities supported by documents an issue of
discussion for French citizens.
Turkish associations also stated they will give priority to the
publishing of a book in French. They also announced that they will
gather again next month to view strategies and activities that will
be followed during the campaigns.
At a press conference last week, the groups organizing the committee
meeting demanded that the French Parliament’s recognition of the
alleged genocide in 2001 be reversed, saying that judging history
was up to historians not lawmakers, making reference to an earlier
statement by French President Jacques Chirac.
As part of the activities to overturn Armenian claims, the organizers
of the Talat Pasha Movement met over the weekend in Istanbul to
finalize preparations to launch the movement in Berlin beginning
on Saturday.
A mass demonstration aimed at denouncing Armenian genocide claims, to
be held in Berlin under the slogan “Take your flag and come to Berlin,”
has caused tension between Turkey and Germany. Flyers announcing the
movement read, “If Western capitals don’t want to be burned like Paris,
unjust treatment towards Turkey must end.”
IP leader Dogu Perincek and former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) President Rauf Denktas will lead the planned demonstration
with the participation of many representatives from Turkish political
parties and European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within the
framework of the Talat Pasha Movement. The main aim of the group is to
put pressure on the German Parliament to remove official recognition
of the Armenian genocide claims. The movement also aims to attract
some 5 million supporters, including some 1,000 from Turkey.
Denktas is expected to lay flowers at the place in Berlin where
Talat Pasha was assassinated on March 15, 1921 by an Armenian, and
an assembly will gather in a memorial for Talat Pasha on Sunday.
In an effort to hamper these efforts, the German Embassy in Ankara
turned down yesterday visa applications for some who might be intending
to participate in the demonstration.
The same group last year also held a demonstration to mark the
82nd anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne. At that demonstration
Perincek lashed out at a decision by Switzerland to punish those who
deny the Armenian genocide claims, saying, “The Armenian genocide is
an international lie,” after which the prosecutor from Winterthur
opened an investigation into Perincek and the incident turned into
a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Switzerland.
Czech president: Who will benefit from Turkish recognition of Armenian
‘genocide’?
Czech President Vaclav Klaus stressed on Sunday that stirring up and
bring the past events back to the agenda of the international community
is useless, saying, “Who will benefit from Turkish recognition of
the Armenian ‘genocide’?”
Speaking to German daily Der Spiegel, Klaus questioned the necessity of
facing the past, saying, “The past is the past. Nowadays the European
Parliament is urging Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide
claims. Who will benefit from this recognition? Russian President
Vladimir Putin apologized for the suppression of the Prague spring
reform process by harsh methods in 1968, saying that his country takes
moral responsibility for the events of 1968. This was a gesture for the
Czech Republic but I don’t think that we have to discuss with Putin
the things a former Soviet leader did to us. In other words Putin is
not the inheritor of Leonid Brezhnev and I am not the inheritor of
the communist regime that took power in 1948 in my country.”