Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

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FIRES ARE ALREADY A USUAL THING
[12:48 pm] 23 June, 2006

A fire broke out today in the green area near the Abovyan street
today. Two fire-fighting vehicles were trying to extinguish the
fire. When we tried to learn the reasons of the fire from the Armenian
Rescuers Service of the Ministry of Regional Government, we were told
half in jest, "There are fires every day; you just haven’t seen them".

According to the Rescuers Service, there were 13 suchlike fires
yesterday. Three of them were in the area near the Grigor Lousavorich
street.

The Rescuers Service claimed that the reason of the frequent fires
is the heat, the drought, as well as the carelessness of the people,
"Even a cigarette-end can cause a fire", they added.
From: Baghdasarian

MINE EXPLOSION DAMAGES TWO SERVICEMEN

Armenpress
Jun 22 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS; Two servicemen in a military unit in
the southern province of Syunik were hit by fragments of a mine that
exploded on June 21.

The 20 year-old servicemen, one from Yerevan, and the other from
Tavush province, were taken to hospital, where the doctors had to
amputate the foot of one of the soldiers.

The other soldier did not sustain serious wounds and was soon
discharged. There is no yet exact information about the cause of the
incident but most likely one of the servicemen hit against the mine
that had been planted in the earth near the village of Pelasar in
early 90-s.
From: Baghdasarian

OTE MAY SELL ITS SHARE OF "ARMENTEL" COMPANY

ArmRadio.am
22.06.2006 10:48

The sitting of the general assembly of the OTE Company – the owner of
90 percent of "ArmenTel" shares – will be held today in Athens. The
Assembly may possibly take the decision to sell its share of the
monopolist company of Armenia’s telecommunications. Eight Companies
have applied to purchase "ArmenTel" shares.
From: Baghdasarian

THE HONORABLE RICHARD G. STEARNS, US FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE, VISITS ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
22.06.2006 11:08

The Honorable Richard G. Stearns, a U.S. Federal Judge, accompanied
by US Department of Justice Prosecutor Michael Yoon, visited Armenia
June 17 through 23. In Armenia at the invitation of the US Embassy
and the US Department of Justice, Judge Stearns met with several of
Armenia’s leading judges and with Justice Minister David Harutyunyan,
who chairs Armenia’s Judicial Reform Council. Judge Stearns also
conducted training sessions for Armenian judges, the Prosecutor
General’s Office, and the Armenian Police Department. The training
sessions focused on human trafficking issues, and specifically on
the victims’ rights and the protection of witnesses.
From: Baghdasarian

IS DUAL CITIZENSHIP A MEANS TO STRENGTHEN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
16:33 21/06/06

All-Armenian National Movement (ANM) board vice chairman Andranik
HOVAKIMYAN expressed his surprise today that Armenian Republican Party
was against dual citizenship in the past discussions on constitution.

"I do not know why they defend dual citizenship so much now," he said.

Armenian Republican Party member Samvel NIKOYAN noted that problems
which may arise with dual citizenship may be regulated by law. However,
he did not clearly answer why they were against dual citizenship in
the past and now they support it. Nikoyan is sure that with dual
citizenship links with diaspora will strengthen and the Armenia
economy will grow with their investments.

ANM board vice chairman, however, argued that diaspora Armenians
have always made donations to Armenia and their link with Armenia is
strong. According to S. Nikoyan only Armenian nationals should have
the right to have dual citizenship but Hovakimyan argued that right
of minorities would be violated in that case.
From: Baghdasarian

June 21, 2006

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]
Website:

DURING HIS SERMONAT HOLY MASS ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONA
PARISH

COME, LET US BUILD THE ALTAR OF LIGHT AND

BRIGHTEN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES

Preached His Eminence the Prelate

On Sunday June 18, 2006, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate conducted Holy Mass at the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Corona, Riverside County, on the occasion of the first anniversary
of the establishment of the parish community. Holy Mass took place
at St. Anthony and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church.

Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian assisted at the altar. Also
participating in the Holy Mass were deacons and choir members of the
local parish as well as from Forty Martyrs Church of Orange County
and St.Garabed Church of Hollywood.

The procession entered the church with the singing of "Hrashapar"
as youngsters carried candles and recited a psalm.

In his sermon, the Prelate first gave glory and thanks to Almighty
God for looking over the parish community and keeping them away from
harm. God is love and we are the result of that love, therefore we
must have that same love and bond toward God and toward each other,
said the Prelate. "Let us build the Altar of light and brighten our
spiritual lives," invited the Prelate and concluded by asking the Lord
to accept our prayers, to keep our families prosperous, to enlighten
the Armenian Church, and to keep us all in His mercy and love.

Following Mass and the offering of Holy Communion, the parishioners
sang "Giligia" and "Mer Hayrenik" along with the clergy.

After church services, the parishioners headed to the church hall
where the Ladies Auxiliary had organized a reception.

Among the guests were Nazareth Dishoian, Chair of the Forty Martyrs
Board of Trustees, and Leo Donian, Chair of the Colorado parish Board
of Trustees, who delivered remarks and made donations on behalf
of their parishes. Various donations were also made throughout
the reception. Following welcoming remarks by parish Chairlady Ani
Barmaksyan, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian made remarks in which he
congratulated the Prelate on the occasion of Father’s Day, reminding
the faithful that on this very day thirty years ago, the Prelate
vowed to devote his life to serving the Armenian church and people.

On this occasion, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Vartkes Dishoian,
and Suren Hazarian sang songs for the Prelate and for all fathers.

In his concluding remarks, the Prelate commended the enthusiasm
of the parish community, offered them guidance and encouraged them
to be active in the parish and to work together to brighten their
parish and community. The reception concluded with the "Bahbanich"
prayer by the Prelate.
From: Baghdasarian

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LOOKS
TO SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR
ANSWERS TO AMB. EVANS FIRING

— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Set to Consider
New Nominee on June 28th at 2:30pm

WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian Americans across the U.S. will be closely
following the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation
hearings for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland,
in hopes of gaining concrete insight into the exact nature of the
State Department’s policy of complicity in Armenian Genocide denial
– particularly as it relates to the firing of the current U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

The nomination hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:30
pm in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee room, 419 Dirksen
Senate Office Building and is open to the public.

The hearing comes as Armenian American activists across the U.S.
continue to call on Senators to demand a full explanation for the
early recall of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans.
Concerned Americans can join the ANCA Congressional Call-in
Campaign to urge their Senators to attend the upcoming hearing and
press for answers by visiting:
t?alertid=8836481&type=TA

Amb. Evans, who first took on his post in August 2004, spoke openly
and honestly about the Armenian Genocide in community briefings in
San Francisco, and other cities in February 2005. The Ambassador
was later forced by State Department leaders to twice recant his
statement. The American Foreign Service Association, set to award
Amb. Evans with the Christian A. Herter Award for constructive
dissent, rescinded the decision, according to the Washington Post,
following pressure from State Department officials.

Calls by Members of Congress, the media and activists for answers
to Amb. Evans’ recall have been ignored or sidestepped by State
Department spokespeople, who have simply repeated the fact that
ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the U.S. President.

In recent weeks, Rep. Markey spearheaded a Congressional letter
with sixty signatories calling for clarification on the recall. In
the Senate, Massachusetts Democrats Edward Kennedy and John Kerry
registered a similar letter of concern. In previous months,
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) have each publicly
called for an explanation for the State Department decision. No
concrete answers have been provided to date.

On June 9th, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, urged Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members to demand the truth about the Evans
firing prior to confirming his replacement. "The U.S. Senate
cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new
ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current
envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully, officially, and
openly explained to Congress and the American people," stated
Hachikian. More broadly, the Administration needs to honestly
explain its policies concerning the Armenian Genocide. This is
especially true given that serious questions remain unanswered
concerning the role that the Turkish Government played in
Ambassador Evans’ firing."

Below find a list of suggested questions that Senators may ask Amb.
Hoagland.

#####

=========================== =====================================
The Firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans:
Suggested Questions for the Ambassador to Armenia-Designate
================================ ================================

* What guidance has the Department of State given you concerning
your public statements on the Armenian Genocide?

* Has the Department of State instructed you not use the word
genocide in characterizing the Armenian Genocide?

* Has the Department of State instructed other Department of State
employees or government officials not use the word genocide in
characterizing the Armenian Genocide? If your answer is yes, was
this instruction given in writing?

* What instructions do you intend to give your Embassy staff
concerning statements about the Armenian Genocide?

* What, in your opinion, is the impact on U.S.-Armenia relations
of having an Ambassador in Yerevan who fails to properly recognize
the genocidal crime that destroyed the majority of the Armenian
people, exiled a nation from its historic homeland, and continues
to severely impact the future of the Republic of Armenia?

* What is your understanding about the recall of your predecessor?
Specifically, can you describe the events, policies, and process
that led to his recall; explain the reasons for his replacement,
and; share your views on the implications of this action on the
U.S. Embassy in Armenia?

* What training and education have you received from the
Department of State on the Armenian Genocide?

* What are your thoughts about the Armenian Genocide – as a
historical event, a moral issue, a subject of denial, and a matter
of ongoing geopolitical significance?
From: Baghdasarian

DIASPORA IS MY POLITICAL PARTY
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
19 June 06

When the Armenian foreign minister announced in Stepanakert that Robert
Kocharyan’s Karabakhi origin allows him to represent Nagorno Karabakh
to the negotiations, many might have thought that Oskanyan curtseyed to
the first person of the Republic. However, very few people might have
thought that it was just another public appearance of the heir of the
president of Armenia. On June 17 the foreign minister announced in a
conference in Yerevan that the introduction of dual nationality in
Armenia would double the population of Armenia. "This opportunity
must be used," said Vardan Oskanyan. He announced that Armenia
cannot frustrate the Diaspora and adopt the law on dual nationality
after withdrawing the provision from the constitution. Therefore
in Stepanakert Vardan Oskanyan put forward the thesis on Robert
Kocharyan’s Karabakhi origin as a right to powers in government.

We should not forget that the recognition of the Genocide is on the
agenda of the foreign policies of Armenia. And which president would
have more rights to present this problem to the world according to
Vardan Oskanyan’s thinking? Of course, a president who was born in
the Diaspora. And naturally Vardan Oskanyan urges not to frustrate
Diasporans. In fact, it is not clear yet whether a Diasporan, who
becomes a national of Armenia, is eligible. This is the next step,
however. The profession of a diplomat teaches a lot. Therefore Vardan
Oskanyan did not become one of the favorites of the president at
once. In answer to his being favorite the minister already does
not say "no", although he has never said no. But he did not say
yes either. Perhaps it will happen immediately after settling the
questions with the Diaspora.

Vardan Oskanyan is the least discredited official of Armenia,
however, he also has a considerable share. People have not forgotten
the accident, when his son ran down a person, riding the car of
the ministry, but was not punished, in fact. And before people had
forgotten about it, another episode involving Vardan Oskanyan became
known. In one of the buildings of North Avenue the foreign minister
is going to have an entire floor accommodating some analytic center.

The minister neither refutes nor confirms this information. Therefore
the question must be asked where he will take the money to buy
space, which costs 1000 dollars per sq m. Maybe he gets support,
maybe also from the Diasporans, who might be enthusiastic about dual
nationality. Therefore the Diasporans standing in queue for dual
nationality must not be disappointed. Even if they are not eligible,
they can have a rather active influence in fulfillment of eligibility
of other voters. The least thing they can do is to analyze the chances
of Vardan Oskanyan among "single nationals." Perhaps Vardan Oskanyan
needs help in this matter, because as a foreign minister he can deal
with the outside himself.
From: Baghdasarian

DRP LEADER MET WITH EMPLOYEES OF FRENCH DEPARTMENT ON PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND FORCED MIGRANTS
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 19 2006

One June 19, chairman of Democratic Reforms Party (DRP) Asim
Mollazadeh met with Elsa Gadebski and Marie Recher, executives for
Eastern Europe and former USSR, French Department on Protection of
Refugees and Forced Migrants.

Trend reports with reference to the party’s press service that the
meeting was dedicated to discussion of Azeri-Armenian conflict,
refugees and forced migrants in Azerbaijan, social and political
situation in the country and Azerbaijan’s integration with Europe.
From: Baghdasarian

SENATE OF CZECH REPUBLIC IS LIKELY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN AUTUMN
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily
20/06/2006

The Senate (parliament) of Czech Republic is likely to adopt an
announcement recognizing the Armenian Genocide committed by Ottoman
Turkey in 1915, Jaromir Stetina, member of the second chamber of
Senate said at the meeting with the members of Armenian parliament’s
committee on foreign relations. Backed by the Armenian community
of Czech Republic and foremer president Vaclav Havel two months ago
Stetina organized a conference on Armenian Genocide.
From: Baghdasarian