Author: Arbi Tashjian

SOUTH CAUCASUS REGION’S SECURITY IMPORTANT TO LITHUANIA, WHOLE INTL COMMUNITY – PRESIDENT
Baltic News Service
June 15, 2006 Thursday 3:06 PM EET
During a meeting with Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan,
currently on a visit to Vilnius, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
noted that South Caucasus region’s security was very important to
Lithuania and the whole international community.
According to a press release from the Lithuanian president’s
press service, Adamkus expressed hope that this year would give new
possibilities to solve the problem of Mountain Karabakh. The president
assured that this issue would receive sufficient attention from the
international community.
Clashes between Azerbaijanis and ethnic Armenians in Mountain Karabakh,
which then belonged to Azerbaijan SSR, started in 1988. The conflict
escalated in around 1992 and grew into a real war between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, which had already become independent republics. The
war claimed some 35,000 lives. Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis
became refugees.
Mountain Karabakh is currently controlled by Armenians, and there is
only a fragile truce between the two sides in the conflict.
Mountain Karabakh is a region of strategic importance. The main gas
pipeline linking oil fields in the Caspian Sea with global markets
is several kilometers from the conflict zone.
During his two-day visit to Lithuania, Sargsyan will also meet
with acting Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas to discuss Armenia’s
relations with NATO, the course of Armed Forces reforms, participation
in international operations, prospects of bilateral and regional
cooperation.
Later on Thursday, the Armenian defense minister will visit the
Lithuanian parliament to meet with members of the National Security
and Defense Committee.
On Friday, Sargsyan is planned to visit the Grand Duchess Birute
Motorized Infantry Battalion in Alytus, where Armenian officers have
been interning since 2005.
Lithuania has been cooperating with Armenia in the field of defense
since 2002. Lithuania finances Armenian officers’ studies at the
Lithuanian Military Academy and the Baltic Defense College. In early
March this year, Lithuania accredited its first defense attache to
Armenia, Lieutenant Colonel Albertas Charzevskis.
Sargsyan has been heading the Armenian Defense Ministry since 2000.
He also held the office of defense minister in 1993-1995, later worked
as interior minister and national security minister, held other high
positions in the country’s security structures.
This is his third visit to Lithuania. He already visited the Baltic
state in 2002 and 2004.
Irakli Okruashvili, the defense minister of another South Caucasus
country, Georgia, visited Lithuania earlier this week.

“FAIR OF IDEAS” EXHIBITION OPENED TODAY AT YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 14 2006
YEREVAN, June 14. /ARKA/. “Fair of Ideas” exhibition was opened today
at the Yerevan State University.
Head of the Department for youth policy and youth issues at the
Ministry of Culture of Armenia Arsen Soghomonyan reported that about
60 organizations were represented at the exhibition.
Among them are students councils of Armenian universities, youth
wings of political parties, youth NGOs from all the regions of the
country and also local offices of international organizations.
“This activity will enable the participants to exchange their
experiences and establish new contacts between organizations,” he said.
The exhibition is held within the frameworks of the three-day
conference “Youth, Reality, Perspectives”, organized by the Ministry
of Culture and Youth Affairs of Armenia and Center for Organization
of Youth Activities and will last until June 15.

RAMIL SAFAROV TO MAKE STATEMENT AT COURT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The special sitting
of the trial of Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov being accused of
Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian’s murder will take place in Budapest
on March 7.
On the previous day Safarov’s attorney Adil Islamov stated that
he met with the defendant who has seriously prepared for today’s
sitting. According to the defence advocate’s evidence, Safarov’s
main goal is to explain the world what instigated him to kill
Gurgen Margarian with an axe. Ismaylov also mentioned that he has
no information about results of Safarov’s regular judicial-medical
examination.
Before that Safarov and the team defending him has chosen the strategy
of proving the defendant’s irresponsibility. Nazeli Vardanian, the
attorney defending interests of Gurgen Margarian’s legal successor
said to Radio Liberty: “If they decided to inform all the society
why Safarov conducted that crime and give new reasonings, this may
become something new.”
“After the anti-Armenian statements made during the preliminary
investigation, Safarov read during the first court sitting the speech
prepared by the attorneys in which he expressed sorrow for what he
had done. During all the five sittings taken place after that Safarov
said no word, even in prejudice of him, refused to answer questions. If
now he decided to say anything it would be interesting to listen to,”
the attorney mentioned.
The first two examinations made concerning Safarov’s mental state gave
reasons for dissenting opinions as for the first time the Hungarian
psychologists decided that the Azeri soldier killed with an axe the
Armenian officer of 26 years old during the English Language courses
organized by the NATO in Budapest in 2004 was liable, and for the
second time they decided that Safarov wasn’t able to control his
actions completely, thus, he’s limited liable. The third expert’s main
activity and conclusions rose serious doubts in his being just what
made to state that conclusion invalid and appoint a new examination.
“The court refered this issue objectively, gave a correct
estimation to the last two experts’ conclusions and appointed a
new examination. Besides, on December 15 the Prosecutor presented
intercession for two witnesses not having been examined at the court
were invited,” Nazeli Vardanian finished.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE TO TOUR AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State on Europe and Eurasia, Daniel Fried,
will visit Azerbaijan next week. The exact date of the visit is still
to be defined, the US embassy in Baku told Trend.
U.S. Ambassador Steven Mann, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, will
accompany the Deputy Secretary of State in this tour.
Moreover, spokesman for the US Department of State, Sean McCormak
announced that along with Azerbaijan Fried will also visit Armenia.
One of the objectives of the visit is to discuss the results of
the results of the recent meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents in Paris.

KENYAN PAPER URGES GOVERNMENT TO COME CLEAN ON MERCENARY ISSUE
The Standard website, Nairobi
14 Mar 06
Text of editorial entitled “More questions than answers in mercenaries
saga” published by Kenyan newspaper The Standard website on 14 March.
There is clearly more than meets the eye in the drama surrounding
reports of mercenaries linked to the raid on this newspaper’s premises
and those of its sister TV station KTN.
Yesterday, two Armenians – whose pictures and personal information were
recently published in the press – presented themselves at the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport to claim they are wealthy businessmen
legitimately seeking investment opportunities in Kenya.
Claiming they are fabulously rich and deal in gold and diamonds, they
made serious allegations against Langata MP Raila Odinga, who has
spearheaded the campaign to unmask them, some of which hinge on the
security and stability of the state. They claimed to have met Raila
and Mwingi North MP Kalonzo Musyoka and that a request was put to them
to finance an anticipated no confidence vote in parliament against the
government at a cost of 3bn shillings. One of them, who says he is a
nephew of Armenia’s president and the country’s presidential candidate,
claims to have given Raila a 1.5m dollars (105m shillings) loan.
Raila has denied all the allegations, and challenged the pair to
produce evidence of their claims.
As we have said before, the allegation that mercenaries are operating
in Kenya is a serious security issue, which should be handled as such
by the government. But since the statement was made following the
raid on The Standard and KTN premises, all we have seen is a denial
by the director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under
which falls the dreaded Kanga Squad that carried out the midnight raid.
It is instructive that the director has not told Kenyans who the
foreigners commanding the hooded policemen, who were captured by
the closed circuit television cameras, were. He also has not told
Kenyans whether these foreigners joined the raid in an official or
personal capacity, and who was paying for their dirty work. Yesterday
the Armenians denied any link to The Standard raid. However, they
confirmed taking residence at the house in Nairobi that Raila had
pointed to. The CID boss is yet to explain under what circumstances
his officers have been visiting the house.
It is also curious that they made their claims at a selectively
convened press conference at the airport’s VIP lounge that is reserved
for senior state officials and foreign dignitaries. The lounge is
well guarded and special passes are required to access it.
On what grounds were these men allowed to hold their press conference
in this government lounge? Which government official made special
arrangements for them to use this facility?
But even more important, why would a man claiming that the two MPs
were involved in such a criminal act as seeking foreign funds to
undermine the government be allowed to leave the country, without as
much as recording a statement with the police.
We strongly believe Kenyans are being taken for a ride here. The
government must come clean on this matter, once and for all.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ABSENCE OF RESULTS IN PEACE TALKS DIMINISHES DIPLOMATIC PROGRESS – ALIYEV
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 15 2005
Baku, October 14, AssA-Irada
President Ilham Aliyev has cited diplomatic progress in talks with
Armenia on settling the long-standing Upper Garabagh conflict but
said the lack of results diminishes this progress.
“There is certain diplomatic success in the process, as
‘positive changes’ have occurred in the positions of international
organizations. But all these achievements are worthless in the absence
of any results.”
The President said that the negotiating process will continue as
long as its potential is not exhausted. “But our patience is not
inexhaustible. How long will this situation persist?”, he said.
“I am absolutely confident that if we want to return our [occupied]
land on the basis on fair peace, we should attach great importance
to army building”, Aliyev said.
The President noted that Azerbaijan’s military budget will reach the
overall budget of Armenia in the future and the occupied territories
will be liberated.
Whereas the country’s military expenses made up $175 million in 2004,
the figure will reach $600 million in 2006.
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
October 14, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN BEAUPREZ JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
First Colorado Rep. to Join Body
WASHINGTON, DC – At the urging of the Armenian Assembly, Congressman
Bob Beauprez (R-CO) on October 6 officially joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus membership to
147. Beauprez is the first lawmaker from the state to be part of this
all-important body.

“I’m proud to have joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues,” said Beauprez. “I look forward to working with the
Armenian-Americans in the 7th District of Colorado and across the
entire country to ensure Armenian-American issues are articulated in
Washington.”
The Assembly’s Western Office organized and led a meeting with the
Congressman’s district staff in August to discuss the community’s
concerns and encourage the lawmaker’s membership to the Caucus.
Armenians of Colorado, a coalition of local Armenian-American
activists, also participated in the meeting.
“We’re pleased Congressman Beauprez decided to join the Caucus as a
result of direct meetings with the Assembly and Armenians of
Colorado,” said Western Office Director Lena Kaimian. “The
Congressman has been highly receptive to our issues. We look forward
to working with him and his colleagues in securing continued robust
assistance to Armenia and Karabakh, combating Armenia’s isolationism
and strengthening democracy and the rule of law.”
ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam Brown added, “The local
effort of Armenians of Colorado coupled with the Assembly’s national
efforts, helped advance the interests of Armenia and
American-Armenians on the federal level with Representative
Beauprez. I welcome his membership to the Armenian Caucus and look
forward to working with him and his staff.”
Participants in the August meeting with Beauprez’s office included:
ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam Brown, Assembly Western
Office Director Lena Kaimian, Ken Allikian, Armene Brown, Arous
Christianian, Anahid Katchian and Simon Magakyan.
Beauprez is currently serving his second term in office and is a
member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Earlier this year, he
signed on to a congressional letter to President Bush urging him to
formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.
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#2005-103
Photograph available of the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
03-1.jpg
Caption: Congressman Bob Beauprez (R-CO)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANTI-PLAN WORKING WELL FOR SYSTEM OF A DOWN
By Ross Raihala Knight Ridder Newspapers
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA
Oct 13 2005
“We’ve really never approached anything from the typical angle. We
came into the music scene in L.A. from left field. We always did our
own thing, taking everyone’s career advice and then not following it.”
Vocalist Serj Tankian of System of a Down
With its innovative, complex music and surreal lyrics, System of a Down
isn’t just the most unusual band in metal (that’s the closest genre
that fits the virtually unclassifiable band). It’s quite possibly
the weirdest million-seller on the charts.
“I love that,” vocalist Serj Tankian said during a phone interview
from Manhattan. “We’ve really never approached anything from the
typical angle. We came into the music scene in L.A. from left field.
“We always did our own thing, taking everyone’s career advice and
then not following it.”
So far, the anti-plan has worked.
The Armenian-American quartet is having its most successful year to
date. The band launched “Mezmerize” in the spring with an instantly
sold-out guerrilla club tour. Follow-up disc “Hypnotize” hits stores
in November and is already one of the fall’s most hotly anticipated
releases.
“‘Mezmerize’ and ‘Hypnotize’ are really one record divided into two,”
Tankian said. “It’s not a concept album in terms of completing a story,
but it is kind of like completing a circle.”
Critics have long praised System of a Down’s unbridled creativity,
which brings a Frank Zappa-esque sense of the surreal to pounding,
operatic and politically charged metal.
But it’s the kids who fill the mosh pits at SOAD shows and have
snatched up more than 10 million copies of the band’s albums worldwide.
Does Tankian ever worry his young fans might be missing some of System
of a Down’s more subtle commentary in favor of merely rocking out?
“No, no – rocking out is the reason why we’re doing this,” he said.
“I think as long as people instinctively feel our music, they don’t
have to psychologically analyze it.
“A lot of people do come up with all sorts of theories and
understandings from the lyrics. A lot of people don’t, too, and that’s
OK. We just want people to connect to our music in some way.”
Tankian points to the song “B.Y.O.B.”
As far as SOAD goes, it’s a fairly straightforward protest song with
pointed lyrics: “Why don’t presidents fight the war? Why do they
always send the poor?”
“You may not be anti-war yourself,” he said, “but you will definitely
feel the power of the sarcasm in that song. You don’t have to theorize
about it – you just feel it.”
But there’s also a satirical side to System of a Down that often gets
overlooked amid all the anger.
“There has been such a focus on the political aspect of the band or
the heritage aspect of the band,” Tankian said.
“But I think people are starting to get now that humor is a huge part
of what we do, too.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT BACKS POLICE HANDLING OF ETHNIC ARMENIAN PROTESTERS
Imedi TV, Tbilisi, Georgia
Oct 6 2005
[Presenter] This is a different Georgia and we will not put up with
disturbances. That is how the Georgian president commented on recent
events in Akhalkalaki [reference to the dispersal by Georgian police
of a rally by mainly ethnic Armenian demonstrators]. According to
Mikheil Saakashvili, the police have always been up to the mark and
all they did in Akhalkalaki was keep the peace.
[Saakashvili, speaking to journalists on a visit to eastern Georgia]
There is no disturbance anywhere. We are just restoring law and order
as we always do where necessary. Our police have always been up to
the mark. In general, we are establishing the rule of law in these
districts, which were completely unruly in the past. Establishing the
rule of law is always associated, at some point, with certain attempts
to stir things up, but they will fail. This is a different Georgia,
with different agencies and different relations with local people,
so I do not expect serious problems from any quarter. Of course,
public order always needs to be protected. We will never let our
guard down and we will never retreat.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

L’Express , France
29 septembre 2005
Le drame arménien
Dates clefs 1894-1896 Entre 100 000 et 300 000 Arméniens sont
exécutés dans un contexte de réveil nationaliste. 1909 En avril,
attaque du quartier arménien d’Adana, en Cilicie. 1915 Après la
défaite de Sarikamich, les soldats et gendarmes arméniens, accusés de
trahison au profit des Russes, sont désarmés. Massacre des Arméniens
révoltés à Van.
Le 24 avril, 600 intellectuels sont arrêtés à Constantinople. Mai:
une loi sur le “déplacement des personnes suspectes” autorise “les
commandants d’armée à déplacer la population des villes et villages
soupçonnée de trahison et d’espionnage”. Déportations à l’Est et à
l’Ouest. 1916 Massacres dans les camps de déplacés du Sud. 1919
Procès à Constantinople par la justice ottomane des dirigeants du
Comité Union et progrès et des ex-ministres jugés responsables des
massacres et déportations. Ils sont condamnés à mort par contumace.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress