Author: Badalian Vardan

PRESIDENT OF ICRC TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN ON 3 APRIL
Azerbaijan Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jacob
Kellenberger will pay his first visit to Azerbaijan on 3 April. The
ICRC representative office in Azerbaijan informed APA that the ICRC
President will have talks with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev
and deputy Prime Minister, head of the State Committee for Refugees
and Displaced Persons, Ali Hasanov.
Mr.Kellenberger will also hold meetings in the Foreign Ministry,
National Security Ministry, Defense, Justice and Health Ministries.
The issue on implementation of ICRC’s Action Plan in Azerbaijan is
expected to be discussed during the visit. The discussions will also
focus on the missing persons as a result of the Nagorno Garabagh
conflict, teaching of international humanitarian law in Azerbaijan’s
armed forces and tuberculosis treatment program in the country.
Besides, Mr.Kellenberger will visit Azerbaijan Society of Red Crescent
and displaced-persons camp in Sabirabad.
The ICRC President will leave for Georgia on 4 April and to Armenia
after that. Kellenberger will end his visit to the South Caucasus on
7 April.
The previous head of the ICRC last visited Azerbaijan in 1995. The
ICRC has been functioning in Azerbaijan since 1992.

ARMENIAN WEBSITES IN THE HANDS OF AZERBAIJANI HACKERS
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
30/03/2006
Propaganda Against Andre or Armenian People?
As the recent web events suggest, Azeris are slow to put up with
Andre’s coming performance at the Eurovision and his possible
success. They are also slow to put up with our achievement in the
war that they themselves levied on us. To express their resentment
they turn to the Internet but, alas, using it to deceit others.
It transpired yesterday that several Armenian websites are in the
hands of Azeri hackers. Singer Andre’s website ()
, , ,
, , and a number
of other Armenian sites were attacked by Azeri hackers who, having
broken security, erased all information replacing it with information,
pictures and links on alleged Khojaly massacre.
website is hosted at Dolphin Company’s server in the
USA. Talking to Daily Azg the company’s network administrator Khachatur
Meliksetian said that they immediately closed access to the site when
the website designer turned to them in the morning.
Dolphin’s American chiefs have already confirmed that Azerbaijani
hackers are behind these crimes.
In such cases when the server is located in a foreign country a
state has to apply to the Interpol. But to have grounds for this,
the police should have a complaint from the injured party.
Reportedly the Azerbaijani criminals attacked the website of Alfael
Production Center () too. Alfael representative Vardges
Kirakosian informed something like this happened 2-3 weeks ago. Azeris
hacked the Center’s website notifying that its their work.
If years ago Turks and Azeris used the Internet merely to
disseminate offenses, then today their anti-Armenian propaganda
gets more well-weighed and politicized. For someone unaware of
history information posted at Azeri website can seem convincing
and truthful. One can only dread of the effect that these websites
with ensanguined posters and lively graphic design can produce in
uninformed people.
Should we fight back deceit with deceit by hacking Azeri and Turkish
websites or should we hope that they will some day become mature
enough for a fair game?

PARUYR HAYRIKIAN: “WE SHOULD PERCEIVE GEORGIA AS OUR COUNTRY AND ON THE CONTRARY”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 29 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “We should carry
on more open policy with Georgians and perceive the whole Georgia as
our country, also being ready to give Armenia to Georgians as their
country. This is the right way of Armenian-Georgian relations,”
Paruyr Hayrikian, Chairman of the National Self-Determination
Union, expressed such an opinion in his interview to Noyan Tapan
correspondent. According to him, this idea should be put into practice
at the state level by taking almost imperceptible but essential steps.
In his opinion, there are serious possibilities for making
Armenian-Georgian relations closer, in consideration of the age-old
friendship between the two peoples, in particular, the Golden Age,
the 12-13th centuries. P.Hayrikian considers that Armenia should show
exclusive attitude towards the Georgian Armenians and, particularly,
towards the Armenians of Javakhk. According to him, the residents of
Javakhk who will display willingness to become RA citizens should be
given this opportunity.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
28-03-2006
Statement by H.E. Vartan Oskanian
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Armenia
Washington DC
Advocacy Conference
March 27, 2006
I want to thank you for the invitation to speak here today. I
especially appreciate the fact that in this hall are members and
activists from the Assembly, the Armenian Church, the AGBU, and
individuals – all of whom are here to plan together, to work together,
to register successes together.
Since independence, we have indeed registered successes together –
significant US assistance to Armenia, trade privileges, military
assistance parity, progress in genocide recognition and education
efforts, a better understanding by opinion and policy makers of
Armenia’s geographic, historic and economic limitations.
If I think back, I don’t know where Armenia would have been without the
Diaspora. The dedicated, focused efforts of the Armenian Assembly of
America have resulted in a support base that is essential for Armenia.
We know we can always depend on the real, sincere, deep commitment of
the Assembly leadership and the dedicated work of the Assembly staff.
In Yerevan, we are very aware that for you to be able to promote
Armenia, its policies, its future, Armenia must be the kind of
place that you can and want to promote. The Diaspora will promote
and support an Armenia that reflects its own best dreams, values and
ambitions. The Armenian-American Diaspora will promote and support
an Armenia that is a friend of the United States.
And we are. Despite the huge geographic distance between Yerevan
and Washington, we are partners in the war on terror, in supporting
the non-proliferation of weapons, in searching for global peace thru
regional security, in supporting the rule of law, as well as democratic
and economic freedoms.
Not only are we ideological partners, but we share the values that
have made America. We want those values to be not just aspirations
for the citizens of Armenia but solid realities, to be comfortably
taken for granted.
The US is the country that makes it possible for individuals to
reinvent themselves – to relocate, to take on new careers, to pursue
new challenges and new directions.
Armenians have been a people who have reinvented themselves throughout
the centuries on every continent. The challenge in this century is:
for the first time in history, will we be able to reinvent ourselves
on our own land?
Do we want to become a country where every man and woman assumes
they have a right to speak their mind, to cast their vote, to affect
change? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where we can take the impartiality
of judges, the decency of policemen and the ethics of teachers for
granted? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where you pay taxes to the system
rather than fees to the official? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where the difference in rich and poor
is only a matter of time and not a matter of destiny? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where each person believes that he or
she can individually reinvent themselves? Of course we do.
That is the Armenia we want. That is the Armenia you want.
How do we get there? You are blissfully unaware of the difficulties
and travails of the process of becoming a democracy because Americans
live in the only country to have been born democratic. America was
built from the ground up, democratic institutions were defined and
created as you went along. As such, you have the good fortune to be
able to take this system for granted.
The entire process of nation-building has been different for us,
since we had to undo an existing system and build a new one. That is
why we have welcomed the various US programs which have supported our
institutional, democratic and economic reforms. We also appreciate that
in anticipation of the elections of 2007 and 2008, the US has proposed
additional, targeted assistance so we can hold normal elections and
rise to the next level of democratic development.
But democracy is more than elections. Democratic institutions and
processes are not just ends. They are also means to creating the
necessary political and economic environment which lead to distributed
growth and dignified development. The cruelties inherent in the process
of massive economic readjustment which we have been making have led
to a sense of powerlessness on the part of ordinary citizens. So,
democracy is a tool for development, just as economic development is
a facilitator of democratization.
This afternoon, I will be attending the signing of a
visionary instrument that drives both economic development and
democratization. The Millennium Challenge Compact is intended to
bolster development in countries where the society and leadership
comprehend their political responsibility to nurture and sustain
democratic practices. This is the single largest government investment
in Armenia’s economy. It consists of $235 million over 5 years.
Before I tell you what we’re going to do with the money, let me tell
you why we were fortunate enough to receive this grant.
The US government chose Armenia as one of the potential recipients
because Armenia is needy. That’s no secret. But there are lots of
needy countries in the world. Why Armenia? Because the US government
determined to contribute to the budgets of those countries that are
themselves attempting to grow in the right direction – to govern
justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in people.
Armenia is. And being made eligible for the MCC is evidence of
this. Simply put, Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is
there plenty about our society that needs to be put right, but because
we are on a path that is right. This farsighted program provides a
generous push in the direction that we have chosen for ourselves.
I said to Ambassador Danilovich when the decision was made, and I say
this to you now, Armenia has the honor and the obligation to build
on the confidence that has been placed in our government and our
people. And so, even as we spend these funds to turn mud into asphalt
and to give farmers the irrigation water that is their lifeblood,
we will work to make sure that good governance and the principles of
an open and fair society take root in our homeland.
In the 21st century, philanthropy is more than charity. It is
about finding lasting solutions to deep-seated social and economic
problems. That is what the MCC intends to do. And so I am going to
use this opportunity to say to the Diaspora loudly and clearly that
that is what the Diaspora should do as well.
Before I ask you to do more, and I’m going to do just that, let
me thank you for all that you have done. The Armenia – Diaspora
collaboration has been invaluable in this decade and a half of
upheaval, confusion and learning. The value of the Diaspora is in
its ingenuity, non-conformity, its belief in a dream, its access to
networks, its ability to be international and national all at the
same time, and its tremendous resources.
I am now going to ask you to partner with Armenia – even more deeply
and broadly and seriously than you have already done -in addressing
Armenia’s domestic and international challenges.
Look, most of you have been to Armenia. It is clear that not all
Armenians have been able to share in the double digit growth of which
we are justifiably proud. As soon as one leaves Yerevan, the statistics
become reality: One out of every two Armenians still lives in poverty,
mostly in Armenia’s rural areas. Half of those living in poverty,
live on less than one dollar a day. Yet, these rural men and women
represent a critical portion of Armenia’s economy.
If we want to ensure that these rural communities are not destined
to remain stagnant, permanent pockets of poverty, that Armenians are
not born into a cycle of poverty, then we cannot allow development to
simply take its course. Even at this current fast pace, it will take
decades before we reach the average European level of prosperity. We
must take practical steps to intervene, to take a short-cut towards
an improved quality of life for our rural citizens.
This is the first time that I am announcing from a podium that at the
next Armenia Diaspora Conference, we will be launching a Rural Poverty
Eradication program – a kind of Diaspora Marshall Plan for Armenia.
The Millennium Challenge Account has indeed taken on the renovation
or construction of two of the most expensive infrastructure sectors –
roads and irrigation canals.
Imagine that a village will, in a few years, have irrigation water
and roads.
But imagine that there will be no drinking water, no health care,
no school, no gas or electricity in that village.
Imagine children growing up in a 21st century rural community without
access to telephone, television or internet.
Now imagine what we could do together if the Armenian government,
Armenia’s business community, international organizations, and you,
the Armenian Diaspora came together to leverage the MCC contributions
and to build on the MCC momentum. Imagine a country where development
is comprehensive, even, fair and just.
Imagine an Armenia whose borders are secure because its border
communities are stable, where cross-border interaction is possible,
where out-migration is minimal. Imagine a day in the village filled
with pride and satisfaction, rather than tears and frustration.
As investments and growth spread through Yerevan, this program will
coordinate information about the many wonderful, generous programs
that are already being implemented in rural Armenia by Armenian
and international organizations and individuals. This program will
work to remove the real and artificial obstacles to productivity,
and will help identify access to markets and finance to make the
village economically sustainable.
If you are wondering whether those with personal interests will allow
this kind of access and transparency, join me in challenging those
who obstruct. Rally the forces of the diaspora and the international
community and see if we can’t replace obstacle with opportunity.
Through this program, we will approach every individual, organization,
parish, family and business in the Diaspora and will solicit your
participation. Your time, your money, your expertise, your contacts
– they are all needed so that the infrastructure is rebuilt and a
village is reinvented. This program will strive to bring a new look,
a new ethic, new hope to each rural community in Armenia, starting
with the border villages first.
In plain language, by eradicating poverty you will be eradicating
hopelessness. You will bring prospect and possibility to
the most vulnerable in our society. Hope, faith and confidence
transform economically empowered citizens into politically empowered
citizens. And it is they who will be the best defenders of their votes,
their voices and their rights in meetings, elections and throughout
the governing process.
These are the major domestic challenges that Armenia faces
today. But our foreign policy challenges are no less difficult and
complicated. Fundamental among them are relations with our neighbors,
transportation, energy diversification and conflict resolution.
Our agenda with the US today is very broad and diversified. We have
transcended from being a one issue country and our relations today
are built on mutual respect and interest. Armenia needs America. And
America needs Armenia as a reliable partner in the region.
This year we’ll be celebrating the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. 15 years of independence,15 years of statehood, 15 years
that Armenians around the world have had an Armenia that is theirs,
to which they belong, that they represent.
No longer are we just Armenian-Americans, but now, we are, whether we
want it or not, whether we feel it or not, perceived as being piece
of that country, that place. Our identity has changed.
The Diaspora exists, it will continue to exist, and you will need
Armenia, not to substitute but to complement what you have.
The Republic of Armenia exists, it is independent, and it is ours. It
still needs its Diaspora, more than ever. We must cooperate, not
compete, in order to turn the Armenia of our dreams into the Armenia
of our future.

TIGRAN TOROSYAN TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KARABAKH AND NAKHIDJEVAN TO TERRY DAVIS
Lragir.am
27 March 06
There has been no new response from the Council of Europe on the
destruction of khachkars in Old Djolfa, Nakhidjevan, and the Armenian
public will be informed about the meeting of the corresponding
commission, stated the head of the Armenian delegation in the PACE
Tigran Torosyan during the news conference on March 27. He mentioned
that during the PACE Spring Sitting an opportunity may arise to
talk to Terry Davis, Secretary General of the PACE, and tell him
that the decision on sending a CoE mission to monitor the state of
the cultural monuments in the region contains a principle that is
unacceptable for Armenia. In accordance with this decision, the CoE
has foreseen to send a commission to Nakhidjevan and Karabakh to
observe the state of cultural monuments. Tigran Torosyan considers
this leveling unacceptable.
“Unlike Karabakh, there was no war in Nakhidjevan, and in Karabakh
the military actions ceased in 1994 only,” says Tigran Torosyan,
implying that in Karabakh cultural values were damaged or destroyed
at war, whereas the cultural monuments in Nakhidjevan were destroyed
consistently and at peace. “It is another problem that the PACE
delegates want to visit Karabakh for other questions. But they can
arrange with the Karabakh government to visit.”

ALIYEV: “AZERBAIJAN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY HAS TO BE RESTORED”
Today, Azerbaijan
March 27 2006
Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno Karabakh conflict remains unchanged
-territorial integrity of the state has to be restored.
The president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev said at the flag handling
ceremony during an opening of a museum and monument of Heydar Aliyev
at the Ministry of National Security Academy, Trend reports.
Azerbaijan still follows the strategy of peaceful negotiations,
but unfortunately, they do not yield any results.
“In that case we have to introduce changes into our policies,”
Aliyev said.
“Armenia disrupted the February meetings in France, showing a lack
of constructivism. Their desire to drag out the negotiating process
is obvious. However, the peace process’ potential has not yet been
completely exhausted,” he said.
“There is an impression of prolonging time and imitating the
negotiations. Armenia should know that we are capable to solve the
problem militarily,” he said.
Azerbaijan annually expands state budget expenditures on defense and
they will continue to get increased, the president stated.
“This is country’s sovereign right to increase defense expenditures.
It is a natural process for a country engaged in a military conflict
and with a violated sovereignty,” he concluded.
URL:

LEVON ARONYAN SHARES THE 9TH TO 10TH PLACES WITH RUSSIAN PYOTOR SVIDLEV
ArmRadio.am
27.03.2006 12:42
After the 8th round Chess Master of Armenia Levon Aronyan shares
the 9th to 10th places with Russian Pyotor Svidlev at the “Amber”
International Super Chess Tournament held at “Fairmont” Hotel of
Monte Carlo, Monaco.
In the 8th round Levon Aronyan played a draw with Russian Alexander
Grishchuk. In the previous round he had lost Alexander Morozevich
with the score of 0:2.
After eight rounds Alexander Morozevich is leading with 11 points. With
10.5 points Vishvanatan Anand of India is the second. Francisco
Valekho occupies the third position with 9.5 point.
Three rounds are left till the end of the tournament.

Conference on initial planning of the `Joint target ` 07′ military
exercises will be held in Yerevan

ArmRadio.am
25.03.2006 14:06
The `Best joint effort’ and `Joint partner’ military exercises held
under the NATO’s partnership for peace project have been united under
the `Joint bow’ name. The conferences on initial and general planning
of the exercises were held in Moldova. Two Staff Officers of the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Armenia participated in each of the
conferences.
Representatives of RA Armed Forces will participate also in the final
conference, the place of which has not been set so far.
Press Service of the Ministry of Defense informs that the exercises
will be held September 11-29 in Moldova.
The conference on initial planning of the `Joint target ` 07′ military
exercises will be held September 11-15 in Yerevan.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I DELEGATES
A REPRESENTATIVE TO EGYPT
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian, Primate of the Diocese of Tehran has been
delegated on a special mission to Cairo by His Holiness Aram I.
The Archbishop will meet with the Sheikh of Azhar for consultations on
issues related to the Christian-Muslim dialogue. He will then participate in
the meeting of the inter-religious dialogue committee which also includes
Christian spiritual leaders and officials. His Holiness has played an
important role in the establishment of this committee which operates under
the Middle East Council of Churches.
Archbishop Sebouh had also been invited to represent His Holiness Aram I in
an inter-religious dialogue meeting in Isfahan. He could not attend the
meeting, however, because of his official visit to Egypt.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT INTERESTED IN INFLOW OF ARMENIAN CAPITAL: GEORGIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 20 2006
YEREVAN, March 20. /ARKA/. The Georgian Government is interested in
the inflow of the Armenian capital to the Georgian market, Georgian
Ambassador to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze told reporters.
According to him, tendencies of expanding Armenian-Georgian economic
relations have come into being over the last time.
“Introduction of such Armenian products as ‘Noyan’ juices, ‘Sigaron’
company’s and ‘Ararat-cement’ company’s production into the Georgian
market is a graphic evidence of it,” he said. Gachechiladze emphasized
the fact of the construction of a hotel in Kobuletti (Georgia’s
district) by an Armenian construction company.
“My mission in Armenia is to strengthen friendship and cooperation
between our countries,” the Ambassador said.