Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

FRENCH ENVOY LOOKS FORWARD TO ARMENIAN-AZERI TALKS
By Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 12 2007

France’s chief Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiator, Bernard Fassier,
was again in Yerevan on Monday to prepare for the next round of
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks which he hopes will bring the parties
closer to a peace accord.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in Geneva
on Wednesday to try to build on progress that seems to have been made
in the negotiating process in recent months.

Fassier, who co-chairs the OSCE Minsk Group with senior U.S. and
Russian diplomats, already visited the capitals of the two nations
last week to discuss last-minute preparations for the talks. He said
he briefed Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian on the results of his
discussions in Baku.

"The discussions in Yerevan and Baku were useful and constructive,
and I very much hope that the Geneva negotiations will also be
constructive," he told a news conference.

The French envoy also looked satisfied with his separate meeting
in Yerevan with Arkady Ghukasian, president of the unrecognized
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). "We will have to meet again in the
future," he said.

According to Ghukasian, the talks focused on ways of ensuring the
NKR leadership’s involvement in the peace process, which is strongly
opposed by Azerbaijan. "Mr. Fassier clearly understands that this
problem can not be settled without Karabakh, and I’m sure [the three
mediators] are working and will continue to work in that direction,"
he said. "If Azerbaijan wants a settlement it will have to negotiate
with the Karabakh side."

Ghukasian was also more pessimistic about the results of the Geneva
talks. "I don’t expect anything serious from the March 14 meeting,
but think that every meeting is important," he told journalists.

Oskanian said last week that the mediators expect him and his
Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov to set up another
face-to-face meeting of their presidents shortly after the Armenian
parliamentary elections of May 12. The mediators hope that Presidents
Ilham Aliev and Robert Kocharian will agree on the basic principles of
a Karabakh settlement before the start of campaigning for presidential
elections due in both Armenia and Azerbaijan next year.

Under a framework peace deal drafted by the Minsk Group co-chairs,
Karabakh’s future status would be decided in a referendum to be held
years after a gradual Armenian pullout from Azerbaijani districts
surrounding the disputed region.

Ghukasian, who has repeatedly voiced misgivings about this formula,
admitted "slight and more serious differences" in the positions of the
NKR leadership and official Yerevan. He refused to go into details,
saying only those differences can be overcome.
From: Baghdasarian

March 9, 2007
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

PRELATE TO CONDUCT HOLY MASS IN LAS VEGAS
AND MEET WITH THE PARISH

This weekend, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and
representatives of the Executive Council will depart for Las Vegas to visit
the parish community. On Sunday, March 11, the Prelate will conduct Holy
Mass and deliver the sermon on the Sunday of the Unjust Steward. The
Prelate will be assisted at the altar by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian.
Members of the Holy Martyrs Church choir will also participate in the Mass.
On Saturday evening, the Prelate and Executive Council members
will attend a reception dinner organized by the parish board, during which
Las Vegas Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian will be honored.

REQUEIM SERVICE AND MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
TO HRANT DINK

By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Sunday, March 11th, requiem service will
be offered in all Prelacy churches on the 40th day of the assassination of
Hrant Dink.
On the afternoon of the same day, a community memorial tribute
will take place at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian will represent the Prelate, accompanied by Prelacy parish pastors.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER SUNRISE SERVICES AND MICHINK LUNCHEON AT HOLY CROSS
CATHEDRAL

On Wednesday, March 14, the median day of Lent, the Prelate will preside
over sunrise services at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, assisted by
Christian Education Department Co-Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian.
Following services, a luncheon has been organized on this
occasion by the parish Ladies Auxiliary at `Bagramian’ Hall. On this day,
similar such events will take place at all Prelacy churches.

GLENDALE ACYA GATHERING AND LECTURE

The Armenian Church Youth Association (ACYA) Glendale chapter has organized
a youth gathering and lecture to take place at `Armenak Der Bedrossian’ Hall
of St. Mary’s Church on Saturday, March 10th. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian will speak on the topic `How the youth can find God in a crisis’.
All Prelacy youth group members are invited to attend. A question and
answer session will follow the lecture.

ORIENTAL ORTHODOX SUNDAY SCHOOLS MEETING

The regular meeting of the Oriental Orthodox Sunday School committee will
convene on Saturday, March 10th, at 2:30 p.m., at the Western Diocese
headquarters in Burbank. The committee will examine issues relating to
upcoming joint Sunday School student gatherings.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian
will attend the meeting.

PRELATE REPRESENTED AT THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS GALA

On Friday, March 9th, the 4th annual business awards gala of the Armenian
American Chamber of Commerce will take place at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel
at the California Plaza. During the banquet, Mrs. Sona Medzadourian-Crow,
Mr. Vahak Hovnanian, and Mr. Hacop Baghdassarian will be honored as
businesspersons of the year.
Rev. Vazken Atmajian, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church, will attend
and convey the Prelate’s blessings and congratulatory remarks.

PRELATE REPRESENTED AT THE SHOUSHI
SCHOOL OF MUSIC BANQUET

The fourth annual banquet of the Shoushi Daniel Ghazarian School of Music is
scheduled to take place on the evening of Friday, March 9th, at Deukmejian
Hall of Ararat Home in Mission Hills.
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Pastor of St. Garabed Church,
will represent the Prelate and convey his blessings and best wishes.
From: Baghdasarian

Armenian paper looks at parties’ chances in forthcoming elections

Hayots Ashkharh, Yerevan
6 Mar 07

Armenian newspaper Hayots Ashkharh has classified 27 parties running
in the election accordindg to their chances to win parliamentary
seats. The paper named six favourites – three pro-government and
three opposition parties that would very likely to win seats in
parliament. The following is the text of the report by Armen
Tsaturyan in Armenian newspaper Hayots Ashkharh published on 6 March
headlined "Parties form four groups"

Twenty-seven political parties and one bloc wish to stand in the
parliamentary election.

It should be noted that 28 is not a large number because we have about
70 parties. These 27 parties and one bloc can be divided into four
groups.

The first group is the one that consists of the six major contenders;
the second group comprises parties that have chances to overcome the
5-per-cent threshold [required for entering parliament]; the third
group comprises those who run under the Olympic Games slogan
"participation is that really matters"; and the fourth group consists
of those who plan to stir up trouble or simply help others.

We believe that the list of the main contenders includes the three
pro-government parties – the RPA [Republican Party of Armenia], the PA
[Prosperous Armenia party] and the ARFD [Armenian Revolutionary
Federation – Dashnaktsutyun], and three opposition parties – the PPA
[People’s Party of Armenia], the National Unity party and the Orinats
Yerkir party. The Repbulican Party of Armenia and the Prosperous
Armenia have the greatest chances among these parties.

However, if the RPA’s results are predictable, the Prosperous
Armenia’s the results would greatly depend on how the race progress
for this party. It is hard to predict one month ahead of the race how
the PA’s supporters is going to behave on the voting day. As for the
chances of the pro-government ARFD and the three opposition forces –
PPA, National Unity and Orinats Yerkir – they all currently have some
10 per cent. Each of these parties would try to do everything they
can, but only the Orinats Yerkir would go to the end, refusing to be
content with modest results.

Some of the parties in the second group – the ULP [United Labour
Party], People’s Party and the Heritage party – have chances to
overcome the 5-per-cent threshold.

The third group consists of what can be called "Olympic athletes," who
have no serious chances to reach the 5-per-cent threshold. What they
are going to do is to make maximum efforts in certain election
districts to help party leaders get elected under the
first-past-the-post system, or simply promote their
ideologies. Khosrov Harutyunyan’s Christian Democratic Revival party,
Manuk Gasparyan’s Democratic Path, Shavarsh Kocharyan’s National
Democratic Party, Aram G. Sargsyan’s Democratic Party of Armenia,
Hovhannes Hovhannisyan’s Liberal Progressive Party, the Pan-Armenian
National Movement, the Communist Party, Samvel Babayan’s Dashink, and
the Republic party are among them. The last three do not consider
themselves to be "Olymipic athletes," something that in the case of
the Communist Party can be explained by "age syndrome." But such a
loss of reality is incomprehensible to regular folks in cases of the
Dashink and the Republic party.

The fourth group includes parties which have absolutely no chances to
be elected under either the first-past-the-post or the proportional
system, neither do they wish to participate in the race under the
"Olympic system" because they have nothing to say. They are entering
the race with the goal to support other powerful forces, or – which is
even worse – to play a part in a play staged by foreign powers. The
pro-Western Impeachment bloc as well as the New Times party, a
specialist in staging "shows" that are allegedly ordered by Moscow,
represent the extreme ends of this poorly disguised army of
"lobbyists." The Marxist Party, the Progressive Party of Armenia, the
National Unity, the Youth Party and some others will be "milder"
versions of those mentioned above, with the only difference that they
are orientated towards Armenia and not towards foreign powers.

It is not the programme or ideological principles of the parties that
would be in the core of the forthcoming race but the struggle for
power between the major political forces in one camp and the
externally created "fifth column," which will be used to influence
Armenia in the 12 May voting.

The clash of these extremely opposite trends is inevitable; therefore,
the forthcoming election promises to be a serious test for Armenia and
its political system.
From: Baghdasarian

MEXICAN BOXER BURGOS REMAINS IN COMA AFTER TITLE FIGHT

Xinhua, China
March 7 2007

MEXICO CITY, March 6 (Xinhua) — Mexican boxer Victor Burgos, 32,
remains in a coma on Tuesday, four days after an operation to remove
a blood clot from his brain caused by a Saturday fight in the city
of Carlson, in the United States state of California.

Burgos was beaten by Armenian boxer Vic Darchinyan, when after a
minute and a half of the 12th round, the referee declared a technical
knockout. He had been campaigning for the world International Boxing
Federation title.

Burgos, who was born in the Mexican state of Puebla, has been living
in Baja California Norte city of Tijuana, which borders the United
States. Doctors at the University of California Medical Center,
where Burgos is lying, have not given any news on his condition.

Burgos, known as El Acorazado (Ironclad), was the world champion of
the World Boxing Federation, after beating fellow flyweight in the
U.S. city of Las Vegas in 2003. His record is 39 wins, 15 draws and
two loses; and 23 of his wins have been knockouts.

Darchinyan’s has won 28 times, 22 of those via a knockout.
From: Baghdasarian

JACQUES BARBERIS APPOINTED AS HEAD OF ICRC STEPANAKERT OFFICE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2007

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 6, NKR Deputy Foreign
Minister Masis Mayilian received Head of International Committee of
Red Cross (ICRC) Stepanakert Office George Drndarski in connection
with expiration of the term of the latter’s powers. According to the
report provided to Noyan Tapan from NKR Foreign Ministry Information
and Analytical Department, during the meeting G. Drndarski introduced
newly appointed head of the office Jacques Barberis to NKR Deputy
Foreign Minister and assured that ICRC will continue implementing
humanitarian programs in Nagorno Karabakh, in particular, will support
insecure families, will be engaged in issues of health sphere, as
well as affairs of prisoners of war and the missing.
From: Baghdasarian

P LEADER STANDS TRIAL FOR DENYING ‘GENOCIDE’
E. BariÞ AltintaÞ

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 6 2007

The leader of the leftis neo-nationalist Turkish Workers’ Party (ÝP),
Doðu Perincek, will stand trial today in a Swiss court after he called
the alleged genocide of Armenians in 1915 an "international lie"
during Turkish rallies in the city of Lausanne two years ago.

The ÝP is convinced that the decision to come out of the case has
much significance for the "Armenian question" — whether the mass
deportation of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans in 1915
constituted genocide. In a statement he made shortly before his
departure to Lausanne on Sunday, Perincek promised to bring back
"good news to our nation from Lausanne," at a press conference at
Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.

"Turkey will win this case," Perincek said, asserting his belief that
Swiss legislators were likely to abolish a law making it a criminal
offense to deny Armenian genocide claims.

Swiss Justice Minister Cristoph Blocher in a recent meeting with his
Turkish counterpart, Cemil Cicek, said the Swiss law, which refers to
"grossly minimizing or justifying genocide," should be changed.

Perincek is facing charges under that law.

"We will explain with documents that no genocide has ever taken place,"
ÝP Secretary-General Nusret Senem told Today’s Zaman on his way to
the airport shortly before taking off for Lausanne. "Our defense
statement is based on documented evidence; it explains that Perincek
was defending his country."

Senem strongly dismissed claims that Perincek’s genocide denial
had anything to do with racism. "We uphold values of revolutionary
thought. How can we possibly have any racist sentiments?" The ÝP
secretary-general expressed his certainty that they would fly back
to Turkey with a legal victory.

Turkey History Institute head (TTK) Yusuf Halacoðlu, who also faces
charges under the same Swiss law, also believes that the trial
has international significance. "At least it will show the rest
of the world whether it is the Turks or others who are two-faced,"
he explained to Today’s Zaman.

A law that considers not accepting genocide claims tantamount to
racism stands out as odd and hypocritical in a country that claims
to have an advanced democracy, Halacoðlu said.

According to former Ambassador and Foreign Minister Ýlter Turkmen,
the decision that will emerge from the court process is not likely
to have any relevance to the Armenian question for the international
community. "It’s a law of Switzerland. It is not binding for anyone
else."

Trial stirs up Switzerland

The trial has also sparked controversy in Switzerland, where Swiss
Justice Minister Blocher’s reportedly indicated his view that the
law Perincek is being tried under should be changed during a visit
to Turkey last weekend. However, a spokesperson from Livio Zanolari
later said the trial "was not a subject of discussion" between the
two ministers.

Incidentally, the meeting occurred just a day before Perincek flew
into Switzerland to stand trial. Monday’s newspapers in Switzerland
criticized the timing of the meeting for being "provocative".

Turkey fiercely rejects the label to describe the 1915 killing of
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire. However, the Swiss lower house
of parliament recognized the massacre as genocide in December 2003
and the issue has sporadically soured Turkish-Swiss relations.

–Boundary_(ID_O/nsMA2F8ZaN8VKgQhahrg) —
From: Baghdasarian

SEZER APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF NEW POLICE DIRECTOR GENERAL

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 7 2007

Oðuz Kaðan Koksal, the current governor of the Aegean city of Ýzmir,
on Tuesday was appointed the new police director-general, a post
that has been temporarily occupied by an acting official. Koksal’s
appointment decree has been approved by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The post had remained unfilled since the retirement of Gokhan Aydýner
due to age, leading to criticism of the president’s reluctance to
appoint officials selected by the Justice and Development Party (AK
Party), particularly following the murder of the Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in January.

The government and Sezer reached agreement on the appointment of
Koksal to the post, and the relevant decree was approved by Sezer.

The government will appoint governors for five cities including
Ýzmir, which will be empty after Koksal’s departure. Newly appointed
Police Director-General Koksal is well known in Turkey as a long-term
governor, as he has governed the cities of Tekirdað, Malatya, Denizli,
Adana, Bursa and Ýzmir for the last 20 years.

–Boundary_(ID_gBToDlK/3OHhv43EP/r6yw)–
From: Baghdasarian

EARTHQUAKE IN INDONESIA KILLS AT LEAST 70

armradio.am
06.03.2007 14:40

A powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra,
killing at least 70 people and flattening hundreds of buildings.

The quake had a magnitude of 6.3, and was centred near the town
of Padang.

There are fears the death toll may be higher as communications with
remote regions have been cut.

The quake struck at 10:49 local time, causing panic among residents
in western Sumatra.

A strong aftershock – magnitude 6.0 – struck two hours later causing
further damage and panic, reports the BBC.
From: Baghdasarian

SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL OF V.BRUSOV UNIVERSITY PROPOSES HRANT DINK’S
CANDIDATURE FOR RA PRESIDENT’S AWARD

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. "The Yerevan V.Brusov State Linguistic
University proposes prominent public figure, Istanbul Agos weekly
founder and editor-in-chief Hrant Dink’s candidature for the award
given to people having considerable contribution in the affair of
recognition of the Armenian Genocife."

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the university information service,
this decision was unequivocally made at the meeting of the YSLU
scietific council. The RA President’s award given to people for
considerable contribution in the affair of the Armenian Genocide
recognition, in the form of certificate of the same name, order and 10
thousand U.S. dollars monetary prize, is given every year with the
help of the "Hayastan" (Armenia) All-Armenian Fund. Two awards are
given: one to citizens of the Republic of Armenia, other to people who
are not RA citizens. The award is financed by the "Robert Poghosian
and Sons" fund (France).
From: Baghdasarian

"LET WORTHY FORCES AND NOT THOSE HAVING MUCH MONEY WIN," RAFFI
HOVANNISIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The Zharangutiun (Heritage) Party will
go to the forthcoming parliamentary elections independently and only
by the proportional system. This was announced at the Party Board
Council’s March 2 sitting. The Council of Party Board decided not to
take part in the parliamentary elections by majoritarian system "for
the purpose of not undermining the party’s resources and forces." The
proportional list consisting of 58 people was affirmed at the
sitting. The first four persons on the list are Party leader Raffi
Hovannisian, first RA Ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian, Chairman of
Party’s Board Council Vardan Khachatrian, headmaster of Yerevan school
N 27 Anahit Bakhshian. R. Hovannisian said that Zharangutiun Party’s
participation in the elections is a "civil, realized decision, love
and service for homeland."

In his words, the coming generation should inherit a democratic, legal
and sovereign state. In R. Hovannisian’s words, they will do their
best for Armenia to belong not only to separate groups, but to each
citizen. Wishing success to the parties competiting with Zharangutiun
at the elections, Zharangutiun’s leader called everybody for
struggling in an honest field based on mutual respect and ensuring
free competition. "Let the worthy forces and not those speaking much,
having much money win," R. Hovannisian said adding that Zharangutiun
will win under equal conditions.
From: Baghdasarian