Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 28, 2006

His Holiness Karekin II Completes Pontifical Visit to Istanbul

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
having completed his first Pontifical Visit to Istanbul, returned to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the early morning hours of June 28. The
seven-day visit included a two day fraternal visit to the Ecumenical
Patriarch, followed by five days with the Armenian community of Istanbul and
the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Although His Holiness’ flight arrived in Yerevan in the middle of the night,
waiting for him in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin at 4:00 AM, were
hundreds of faithful who had come to welcome him home. His Holiness’
procession was escorted into the Mother Cathedral under the singing of the
`Hrashapar’ hymn. Standing before the Holy Altar of Descent, the Catholicos
of All Armenians offered prayers of thanks to heaven and thereafter conveyed
the unforgettable and warm impressions from his pontifical visit to all
those present. His Holiness Karekin II joyfully reflected on the
enthusiastic reception he received from the Armenian community of Istanbul,
as expression of their love and devotion to the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Holiness stated, `Glory and thanksgiving to God. We return from our
pontifical visit to our sons and daughters in Constantinople with a content
heart. Our soul was filled with joy to personally see and meet our faithful
children, their enthusiastic devoted faith, and their patriotic spirit. We
communed with 600 years of history and treasures of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Constantinople.’

The Pontiff of All Armenians stated with contentment that the Armenian
community of Istanbul, a community that lives, breathes and speaks Armenian,
is active today with a vibrant national life. The community has 39
churches, 17 Armenian schools and many institutions, the largest of which is
the Holy All-Savior National Hospital. His Holiness also fondly recalled
his meetings with Armenian intellectuals and youth of Istanbul.

As the visit of His Holiness was widely covered by the Armenian and Turkish
press and media in Turkey, His Holiness spoke of the press conference
convened in Istanbul on Sunday, June 25, following the Pontifical Divine
Liturgy, during which the Armenian Genocide was discussed. (The full text
of the press conference will be available tomorrow on the website of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, ). In reply to the
concerns about the prospect that His Holiness’ statements on the Armenian
Genocide could negatively affect the attitude of the Turkish authorities
towards the Armenians of Turkey, the Catholicos stated, `We do not believe
that our thoughts and words can affect the attitude of the authorities
towards our Armenians in Istanbul, because we never expressed hatred or
enmity, we simply stated the reality and the truth. Taking into account the
process of democratization, which the Turkish authorities desire to achieve
in their country, we also do not believe that extremist nationalistic forces
will succeed in sowing hatred and enmity toward the Armenians or other
minorities living in Turkey.’

His Holiness continued, stating that as many countries have recognized the
Genocide of the Armenians, so too must Turkey recognize the Genocide, for
which there exists no need for deliberations.

Regarding the protests that had been organized in Istanbul during his visit,
noting that the Turkish authorities characterized them as the `actions of
extremist groups’, His Holiness emphasized that in no way did they diminish
his impressions from the trip. Due to the unprecedented security measures
which were implemented, they did not obstruct the activities of the
Pontifical Visit and generally remained unnoticed by the delegation.

Just before daybreak in Holy Etchmiadzin, as His Holiness concluded his
remarks, he once again expressed his appreciation to the Armenian Patriarch
of Constantinople and the faithful people of Istanbul for the warm
reception, and offered his prayers for the stability and vibrancy of the
Armenian Patriarchate. The Pontiff of All Armenians also warmly expressed
his thanks to all those present who had waited all night long to greet him
upon his return to Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian

UNITED STATES GO INTO A NEW STAGE

Lragir.am
28 June 06

Aram Gaspari Sargsyan, the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia,
thinks that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mathew Bryza’s famous
interview and the revelation of details of the negotiations for the
settlement of the conflict over Karabakh means that the United States
is opening a new stage. On June 28 Aram Sargsyan told news reporters
that the United States is in a hurry because there is little time,
and the United States pursues aims in the region, which are known
to everyone. Aram Sargsyan hints at Iran, for according to him,
the United States pursues the presence of NATO forces in the region,
by stationing peacemakers in the conflict area.

"Because at present the United States is tired of this government,
it must directly impose what it says. I very much doubt that they will
be able to resist. In my opinion, the only way out is Mr. Kocharyan’s
resignation to allow postponing everything for a couple of years and
overcoming this state over that period. I cannot see another way,"
states Aram Gaspari Sargsyan. He says that stationing peacemakers
is unacceptable, independent from all. The leader of the Democratic
Party is even against Russian peacemakers.

Peacemakers will aggravate the situation and disturb the balance of
forces in the region. He does not think that the purpose of Mathew
Bryza’s statement was to increase the influence of the United States
on internal policies through the Karabakh issue.

"I think,if Bryza wished to increase the influence of the United
States, on the contrary. There might be political sets, which are
satisfied with that statement. Our party is not one of them. As for
the possible increase of their influence, it is possible because it is
not accidental that 235 million dollars of the Millennium Challenge as
if disappeared. It means they offer stipulations to the government of
Armenia," says Aram Gaspari Sargsyan. The leader of the Democratic
Party thinks that the internal political situation will give an
adequate response.

"Let nobody be confused if nothing significant happens in the summer
months. Everything goes on normally, and the results will be seen
later," said Aram Gaspari Sargsyan.
From: Baghdasarian

RF PRESIDENT ORDERS TO ASSIST RESETTLEMENT OF RUSSIAN SPEAKING CITIZENS IN RUSSIA
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily
28/06/2006

RF President Vladimir Putin instructed to assist the voluntary
resettlement of the Russian-speaking citizens in the territory of
Russia. Regnum agency informed that the implementation of the relevant
program began on January 1, 2007. Before that, an interstate committee
will be shaped to deal with the implementation of the program. The
Federal Migration Service will regulate the realization of the project.

The probation realization programs will be carried out in Kaliningrad,
Kaluga, Lipetsk, Tambov, Tver, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk,
Primorye and Khabarovsk from September 1, this year. It is envisaged
that several millions of Russian-speaking citizens will be resettled
there, including those from the CIS member states. It is expected
that the project will be completed by 2012.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN LGC PARTY TO MAKE ITS PRIORITIES PUBLICS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 25 2006

YEREVAN, June 26. /ARKA/. At its congress this autumn, the Law-Governed
Country (LGC) party will make its political priorities public, LGC
Chairman Artur Baghdasaryan stated at the 5th congress of the LGC
Women’s Union.

"At the LGC’s congress in autumn the party’s political priorities
and our concept of the country’s development will be formed,"
Baghdasaryan said.

According to him, the party will be consistent in its struggle for
"the triumph of the truth."

He also pointed out that in August the party will start negotiations
with "various healthy political forces of Armenia."
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE INSUFFICIENTLY DEVELOPED, ANDRANIK MANUKIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The 4th regular sitting of the
Armenian-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic,
scientific and technical cooperation is taking place in Yerevan on June
26-27. The commission’s Armenian Co-Chairman, RA Minister of Transport
and Comunication Andranik Manukian said that the Armenian-Bulgarian
economic relations are insufficiently developed, underlining the
necessity for their strengthening. In 2005, the commodity turnover
between the two countries made only 85 mln USD, with Armenia’s exports
amounting to 6-7 mln USD.

A. Manukian noted that there are a lot of unsolved problems in the
trade and economic relations between the two countries. Particularly,
up to now the sides have failed to come to an agreement on the issue
of Yerevan-Sofia air communication, to decide a company of which
country will operate flights.

According to the minister, the Armenian side takes a view that these
flights are not profitable.

It was noted that the RA Ministry of Agriculture intends to purchase
fruit and vegetable processing conveyers from Bulgaria. The problem
of Varna-Port Kavkaz ferry transportation is also under discussion.

A. Manukian attached special importance to the experience of the
Bulgarian side, which allows this country to join the European Union
in 2007.
From: Baghdasarian

PACE SUMMER SESSION TO START IN STRASBURG

ArmRadio.am
26.06.2006 10:45

The summer session of the Parliamentary assembly of the Council
of Europe will start today in Strasburg. Yesterday the Armenian
delegation headed by NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan left for France. The
question of the mandate of the Azeri delegation is also on the agenda
of the session.

The discussion of the issue scheduled June 29 will be preceded by the
report of the CO-Chairs of the Monitoring Commission Andreas Gross
and Andres Herkel. The issue of Chernogoria’s independence will be
discussed at today’s sitting.
From: Baghdasarian

ITEMS SOUNDED BY BRYZA DON’T REFLECT CORE OF DOCUMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.06.2006 13:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The items of the draft agreement on the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement sounded by OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair
Matthew J. Bryza are just elements of the document submitted to the
conflicting parties and certainly do not reflect the essence of the
project thus causing inappropriate comments, RA President’s Spokesman
Victor Soghomonyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. Anyway, if media
publishes such revelations again the Armenian party will make public
all the documents discussed during the recent 7-8 years, specifically
the Key-West draft agreement and the draft discussed in Bucharest
recently. I am sure that everything will become clear then. By the
way all the projects were rejected by the Azeri side," Soghomonyan
said. As for the recent statements by Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, Victor Soghomonyan said, "It’s irrelevant to keep on commenting
on the statements with different wording but the same meaning."
From: Baghdasarian

Armenians: Minister insists House probe is wrong
By Joseph Murimi

The Standard, Kenya
June 23 2006

The Government on Thursday pressed harder to scuttle the two
Parliamentary committees investigating the activities of the deported
Armenian brothers.

But the chairman of the joint probe team, Kabete MP Paul Muite,
vowed to go ahead with the investigations by questioning its first
witness Immigration minister Gedion Konchella at 10am on Friday.

Artur Margaryan (left) and Artur Sargasyan during a past Press
conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

In a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Francis Ole Kaparo,
Justice minister Martha Karua dismissed arguments by Muite in support
of the probe. She warned that "unnecessary confrontations with the
Executive would only erode the dignity and authority of Parliament.’~R

"Investigations of alleged criminal activities can never be the role
of Parliament, nor is the maintenance of national security the role,’~R
she said.

Karua said Parliament passes the necessary legislation to be
implemented by the Executive. She said it was absurd to argue that
Parliament could exercise parallel powers with the Executive when it
is expected to oversee the same.

She was responding to a letter Muite had written to the Speaker
responding to her earlier one. He dismissed Karua’s arguments as
lacking merit in law and fact. Muite said the letter tabled by
Karua in the House on Tuesday was "an attempt to block impartial,
independent and thorough investigations into a matter where the
Executive is heavily implicated.’~R

‘Handpicked commission’

Muite, who co-chairs the joint Parliamentary committees investigating
the Armenian brothers saga, said emerging evidence showed that the two
enjoyed close relations with powerful individuals within the Executive.

He said in view of the gravity of the issues that call for
investigations and the involvement of the Executive, only Parliament
could unravel the truth. A commission of inquiry appointed by the
President could not be expected to unravel the whole truth regarding
the activities of the two brothers, he said.

Muite said unlike the joint committee that would report to Parliament,
the handpicked commission would report to the President.

But Karua said she was surprised at Muite’s casual dismissal of the
central pillar of a democratic government – the doctrine of separation
of powers.

"He does not at all respond to the fact that Government cannot function
if there were no clearly separated roles for the three arms," she said.

A ruling by Kaparo that could have allowed or blocked the sessions by
the joint committee was not delivered, giving Muite a chance to go on.

The fate of the joint committee was thrown in abeyance after Karua
declared it illegitimate and an attempt by Parliament to usurp the
role of the Executive.

Karua tabled her misgivings on the floor of the House and asked
the Speaker to give directions. Kaparo is expected to make a ruling
next Tuesday.

hp?articleid=1143954372
From: Baghdasarian

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
June 23, 2006 Friday 2:02 PM MSK

Karabakh talks proving unproductive – Aliyev

BAKU June 23

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has admitted that the negotiations on
Nagorno-Karabakh have proved unproductive.

"Unfortunately, the negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh have not produced
any result. They are moving ahead but remain inefficient, as we cannot
come to any result," Aliyev said at a graduation ceremony of military
officers from Azerbaijan’s three military academies on Friday.

"We remain committed to negotiations, despite the continued occupation
of our lands and the existence of one million refugees. This fact
manifests our constructiveness. But, unfortunately, Armenia’s non-
constructive position prevents the resolution of the conflict,"
he said.

Aliyev criticized Armenia for ignoring resolutions by the UN Security
Council and other international organizations demanding the immediate
withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan and called for reform
to these organizations to ensure they fulfill the decisions that
they pass.

The president positively assessed the international community’s
role in attempting to settle the conflict. "I also highly value the
activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen, who are truly trying to
facilitate the resolution of the conflict, but Armenia’s destructive
approach does not provide for this opportunity. In these conditions,
we need to adjust our policy. How long are we supposed to tolerate
the occupation of our lands?" he said.

"I simply regret that we are losing time. Armenia is dragging out
the process," he said.
From: Baghdasarian

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006

President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan needs to change its policy as
Armenia shows incompliance with international norms

[ 23 Jun. 2006 15:48 ]

Graduation ceremony was held at Azerbaijan’s Higher Military School
named after Heydar Aliyev on the occasion of graduation from the Armed
Forces educational institutions and Medical University’s military
medicine faculty (APA).

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also attended the graduation
ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, the head of state said the state
is taking much care of army institution in Azerbaijan noting that
military budget was raised for four times in the past three months.

The President stressed that the military budget was $135 million in
2003 and reached nearly $700 million in 2006.

"The salaries of military men increased three times in the past three
months. We know well from the history that a strong army means a
strong state," Mr.Aliyev said.

Touching on the Nagorno Garabagh conflict, the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief regretted for fruitless result so far.

"The world is ruled in accordance with certain rules. The influential
organizations such as the UN, Council of Europe, GUAM, Organization
of the Islamic Conference, Organization of Economic Development have
stated their positions and adopted fair decisions regarding this
issue. However, Armenia ignores the positions of the international
organizations. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan cannot
be the topic of the negotiations. We welcome the efforts of the
international organizations regarding the continuation of the
negotiating process. However, out patience is not endless. Armenian
does not comply with international norms, in this case, Azerbaijan
has to make changes to its policy. How long will the negotiating
process last and how long shall we wait?

Armenia cannot be a rival to us and it is a reality that we are
more powerful. As far as we know, they find it difficult to protect
the contact front line due to lack of forces while Azerbaijan is
developing speedily in all spheres and becoming powerful day by day,"
President Aliyev noted.

The President also said the state budget has reached $5 billion and
total budget is much higher. The head of state stressed that the Gross
Domestic Product increased by 26% and by 40% in the past five months,
400,000 new work places have been opened, more than 300 schools were
built and several other important measures were implemented./APA/
From: Baghdasarian