GEORGE BUSH EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES ON RA PM DEATH
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.03.2007 19:31 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S. President George Bush sent a condolence message
to Armenian President Robert Kocharian on the untimely death of Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan, the RA MFA press office reports.
Presidents of Brazil and Lebanon as well as European Parliament
President Hans-Gert Poettering and Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga
also sent condolence messages.
UN envoy recommends Kosovo independence
Agencies
Monday March 26, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Independence is "the only viable option" for Kosovo, according to the
UN’s envoy to the province.
Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated in year-long talks between ethnic
Albanians and Serbs in the former Yugoslav province, delivered his
proposals to the UN security council today.
In an introductory report, Mr Ahtisaari made his conclusions clear,
saying that "upon careful consideration of Kosovo’s recent history,
the realities of Kosovo today, and taking into account negotiations
with the parties, I have come to the conclusion that the only viable
option for Kosovo is independence, to be supervised for an initial
period by the international community".
It was the first time he had explicitly mentioned independence in a
document dealing with the 90% Albanian province’s future.
Mr Ahtisaari’s proposals would grant Kosovo its own constitution,
flag, anthem and army, combined with some rights of self-government
for the 100,000-strong Serb minority.
But the province would not be totally autonomous immediately, with the
plans envisaging a European Union overseer. The UN has administered
Kosovo since 1999, when Nato air strikes ended a Serbian crackdown on
ethnic Albanian separatists. An estimated 10,000 ethnic Albanians and
1,000 Serbs were killed during the 1998-1999 war.
The UN plan is an attempt to resolve the final major dispute remaining
after Yugoslavia’s bloody break-up in the 1990s.
The foreign secretary, Margaret Beckett, said Mr Ahtisaari’s proposals
gave Kosovo clarity over its future, that "would enable the Balkan
region as a whole to draw a line under the conflicts of the recent
past".
"We look forward to working with our partners in the UN security
council, on the basis of the UN special envoy’s settlement proposals,
to bring the status process through to completion," she said in a
statement.
Stressing the urgency of the issue, Mr Ahtisaari said that allowing
the territory’s status to remain ambiguous was a destabilising factor.
"Independence is the best safeguard against this risk," he wrote. "It
is also the best chance for a sustainable long-term partnership
between Kosovo and Serbia."
The envoy presented his proposals to regional leaders in
February. Ethnic Albanians supported the plan, while Serbian
officials, opposed to the province’s secession, rejected it, saying it
granted Kosovo de facto independence.
"A return of Serbian rule over Kosovo would not be acceptable to the
overwhelming majority of the people of Kosovo," Mr Ahtisaari wrote in
his report.
"Belgrade could not regain its authority without provoking violent
opposition.
Autonomy of Kosovo within the borders of Serbia – however notional
such autonomy may be – is simply not tenable."
He added that continued international administration was not
sustainable, saying: "Only in an independent Kosovo will its
democratic institutions be fully responsible and accountable for their
actions. This will be crucial to ensure respect for the rule of law
and effective protection of minorities." Mr Ahtisaari noted that
Kosovo’s Serb community continued to face difficult living conditions.
After the war, the Serb minority was targeted in revenge attacks and
about 200,000 of them were forced to flee the province.
"I therefore propose that the exercise of Kosovo’s independence … be
supervised and supported for an initial period by international
civilian and military presences," he wrote. "Their powers should be
strong – but focused – in critical areas such as community rights,
decentralisation, the protection of the Serbian Orthodox church, and
the rule of law."
The plan faces an uncertain future in the security council, which is
split on the issue. Russia supports Serbia, while the United States
and the EU back the UN plan.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and other officials have said
that granting Kosovo statehood could set a precedent for separatist
regions in former Soviet republics.
POLAND-ARMENIA MATCH TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 28 BY EURO-2008 PROGRAM
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian national football team
has left for Poland. The team will compete with that country’s
national team on March 28. Trainers Vardan Minasian and Armen
Gyulbudaghiants accompanied the team to Poland. 20 football-players
will represent Armenia in the match:
goal-keepers Roman Berezovski, Gevorg Kasparov, full-backs Sargis
Hovsepian, Robert Arzumanian, Valery Alexanian, Yeghishe Melikian,
Ararat Arakelian, Karen Dokhoyan, half-backs Levon Pachajian, Rafael
Nazarian, Henrik Mkhitarian, Artavazd Karamian, Romik Khachatrian,
Samvel Melkonian, Hamlet Mkhitarian, Armen Shahgeldian, forwards Ara
Hakobian, Edgar Manucharian, Robert Zebelian, Arman Karamian.
The match will be served by Norway’s judges’ group headed by FIFA’s
judge Rune Peterson.
PanARMENIAN.Net
28 Armenians died during 4 years in Iraq
24.03.2007 15:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After the launch of second Iraqi campaign more than
3 000 Armenians left the country, head of National Management of
Armenians in Iraq Paruyr Hakopian stated. `Four years have passe since
the launch of military campaign in Iraq by Coalition forces. And I
confirm with certainty that the number of Armenians who have
immigrated abroad does not exceed this mark,’ he noted. Mr. Hakopian
said four years ago there were 18 000 Armenians in Iraq and now only
15 000 of them live in the country. Generally during the past 4 years
1500 Armenians immigrated to Syria, about 1000 arrived in Armenia and
about 500 departed for Jordan,’ he stressed.
Hakopian also underlined that during four years 28 representatives of
Armenian community died in Iraq. `This is our information and surely
I am responsible for it to every single community member. All those
who died were not servicemen they were ordinary people of Iraq who did
not have any relation to military actions. During the same period 28
Armenians were kidnapped, 25 of which were returned after paying
ransom, they returned to their families. Fates of other two people are
still unknown, the body of the third captive was returned to his
family,’ Hakopian underscored.
At the same time he noted that the Armenian community of Iraq does not
experience any significant problems. `We do not run for participation
in political life of Iraq, Armenians living in Iraq traditionally deal
with trade, craft and construction. Before the second campaign there
were a lot of physicians, teachers of Armenian origin in Iraq,’
Hakopian said.
He noted Armenians in Iraq absolutely do not have any problems with
either authorities or population of the country. `The same was during
Saddam Hussein’s reign, the same is now,’ he told, `Novosti-Armenia’
reports.
Regnum, Russia
March 23 2007
Nagorno Karabakh to build 12 houses for refugees this year
3, 840 families of refugees have been registered a the Nagorno
Karabakh’s government’s Office for Migration, Refugees, and
Resettlement. Today, the refugees fill out forms in which they are
are supposed to specify in detail, what moral and material damaged
they suffered. This information is to be then used as a foundation in
defining an amount of compensation a family is going to receive,
REGNUM correspondent reports.
According to the head of the agency Serzh Amirhanyan, the process of
registration is almost complete. In 2008-2010, main effort will be
directed at solving the problem of refugees’ housing. 26 houses were
built and reconstructed in 2006 for the families of refugees, 11 of
them in Stepanakert. Besides, 24 houses for refugees have been
bought. 12 more are to be built in 2007.
155 families (487 people, including 66 children) have moved from
Armenia and other countries to NKR in the recent years. They have
received the refugee status and enjoy benefits provided by the state.
A total of 105 resident houses have been built and 38 reconstructed
for the people. Last year, 1, 036bn drams were allocated for the
program. Serzh Amirhanyan says that, to solve the problems of
refugees comprehensively, Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, and diaspora
have to consolidate efforts.
Ghukasyan met Semneby again
24-03-2007 12:34:09 – KarabakhOpen
On March 23 NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan met with Peter Semneby, the
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, we learned from the
Permanent Representation of NKR to Armenia. During the meeting the
current stage of settlement of the Karabakh conflict was discussed.
Arkady Ghukasyan reasserted the stance of NKR that it is impossible to
reach a lasting settlement without involvement of NKR in the talks and
creation of an atmosphere of confidence between the sides.
Peter Semneby expressed readiness on behalf of the EU to make more
efforts to help the sides reach a solution based on a compromise, as
well as overcome the consequences of the conflict.
The sides underlined the importance of direct contact between the EU
and Karabakh. Peter Semneby touched upon the projects that will
possibly be implemented by the EU in Karabakh. Agreement was reached
to study the projects thoroughly during the upcoming visit of Peter
Semneby to Artsakh.
IRAN AND ARMENIA TO BUILD JOINT POWER PLANT
Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain
March 20, 2007 Tuesday 8:19 AM EST
Iran and Armenia to build joint power plant march 19, 2007 Tehran,
Mar. 19, (BNA) — Iranian minister of energy Parviz Fatahhis and
his Armenian counterpart, Armen Movsisyan, on Monday, signed a memo
of cooperation to build a joint hydroelectricity-generating station
on the bordering Aras river bank. Both sides stressed the need to
develop cooperation between both countries during the signing of
the memo which came on the sidelines of Iranian president Mahmoud
Ahmadinejads visit to Armenias Nurdouz region on the border with Iran
to open the Iranian gas pipeline to Armenia, Mehr news agency said.
TURKEY PRODS U.S. AGAINST ‘GENOCIDE’
By Jason Motlagh
Washington Times, DC
March 20 2007
YEREVAN, Armenia — Inside the tomblike confines of the Armenian
Genocide Museum, a haunting narrative of images and words unfolds. A
list is posted at tour’s end of nations that have officially recognized
the tragedy, minus one major endorsement: the United States.
U.S. lawmakers have introduced nonbinding resolutions in Congress
that would declare up to 1.5 million Armenians victims of genocide
at the hands of Turkish forces almost a century ago.
Support is reported to be strong enough in the House to pass the
measure if it goes to a vote; the Senate introduced a similar
resolution last week with 21 co-sponsors.
Historians and analysts here in the Armenian capital say recognition
from Washington is long overdue because evidence validating the case
for genocide is "clear-cut, more than factual, and very obvious."
But Turkey’s priority status as a vital strategic ally in a troublesome
region stands in the way.
"Although Turkey needs the U.S. more, the U.S also needs Turkey
right now … so it’s not realistic to think the government will
formally acknowledge [the genocide]," said Hagop Avedikian, editor
of Azg newspaper.
He noted that every April 24, a day of observance, President Bush
"highlights the genocide and explains it without using the word."
In the past month, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Chief of
the General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and a parliamentary delegation
have met with U.S. lawmakers and Bush administration officials in an
attempt to derail the resolution.
Mr. Gul was quoted as saying the delivery of a U.S. genocide resolution
would inflict "lasting damage" on bilateral relations.
Such statements were not lost on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who last week wrote a joint
letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and other
senior members warning that the measure would hurt national security
interests.
Passage of the House resolution, they wrote, "could harm American
troops in the field, constrain our ability to supply our troops in
Iraq and Afghanistan and significantly damage our efforts to promote
reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey."
Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried has warned that Turkey
might respond by closing Incirlik air base, used for operations in
nearby Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Turkish military severed all ties with the French military and
terminated defense contracts after the French National Assembly voted
in October to criminalize the denial of genocide.
The Israeli Knesset killed a motion to discuss recognition earlier
this month, fearing a political crisis with Ankara.
Failure to pass the resolution would be "too bad because it could
be a very catalytic moment for rapid recognition by other states,"
said Hayk Demoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.
Several Western countries have recognized the massacre in the waning
days of the Ottoman Empire as a genocide, some making genocide denial
a punishable offense.
An ethnic Turkish politician, Dogu Perincek, received a $2,500 fine
and a suspended prison sentence from a Swiss court on Friday for
calling Armenian genocide an "international lie" at a political rally
two years ago.
The dispute is over whether hundreds of thousands of Armenians who
died between 1915 and 1923 were part of systematic eradication campaign
by Ottoman Turkey.
Armenians contend mass killings and forced deportations amount to
genocide, while the Turkish government insists the deaths were the
result of chaos at the time.
PROCESS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ENTERED NEW PHASE
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2007 13:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The process of Armenian Genocide international
recognition has entered a new phase, head of "Hay Dat" International
Office Giro Manoyan stated to a press conference in Yerevan. He said,
currently Turkey has directed all his efforts towards preventing
discussions around 106th resolution that recognizes the Armenian
Genocide, in the U.S. Congress. "But actually Turkey betrays his
strategic ally and partner, which is unacceptable for the United
States," Manoyan stressed.
The "Hay Dat" Office head also noted formulations in U.S. State
Department’s human rights report concerning Armenia can be viewed
as a method of pressure on Yerevan on the eve of parliamentarian
elections. "Such a report clearly shows that the United States being
a OSCE Co-Chair state, backs one of the conflicting parties. The
statement of U.S. Embassy in Armenia is also obscure concerning ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian’s comments on Richard Hoagland’s
nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. Such statements are not
accepted in diplomatic practice," Giro Manoyan underscored.
As to the next steps of the Armenian side, Giro Manoyan thinks if
suddenly Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, it is necessary to
demand that Ankara declares about his responsibility for the committed
crime. "Modern Turkey is the assignee of the Ottoman Empire and fully
accounts for the events in 1915," the "Hay Dat" Office head underlined.
The U.S. State Department in its annual report on Human Rights
concerning Armenia called the Nagorno Karabakh and the territories
under her control "occupied territories". It is also worth
mentioning that the United State’s Embassy in Armenia "expressed
deep disappointment" for Aram Hamparian’s words, who said that
the U.S. Senate will not approve Richard Hoagland’s nomination as
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.
The latter denies the Armenian Genocide and doubts in deliberate
actions of Ottoman Empire authorities. Aram Hamparian’s statement is a
"wishful distortion of reality", says the statement of U.S. Embassy
in Armenia.
IN MEMORIUM: AUA REMEMBERS MR. SARKIS ACOPIAN
AZG Armenian Daily
20/03/2007
A memorial ceremony commemorating the life of the great friend and
supporter of the American University of Armenia, Mr. Sarkis Acopian
(1926-2007), was held on March 14, 2007, at the University.
Speakers during the ceremony included His Holiness Karekin II,
the Catholicos of all Armenians, AUA President Haroutune Armenian,
Dr.Martin Adamyan, author of "A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia,"
and Mr. Karen Aghababyan, Coordinator of the Environmental and
Conservation Research Center at AUA.
Dr. Haroutune Armenian began the memorial with a talk in which he
described Mr. Sarkis Acopian as a person deeply concerned about
environmental conservation and environmental education and as an
initiator of many important industrial and scientific projects,
a benefactor of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and as a generous
supporter of a variety of development activities in the United States
and Armenia. "Mr. Acopian’s goal, which he obtained so brilliantly,
was to achieve the highest international standards in all his work. He
was an ingenious person, entrepreneurial, hard working, diligent,
and a man with the highest levels of integrity. His standards were so
impeccable that we can use his profile as a model for our students at
AUA to encourage them to emulate his approach to life. He was a model
of strong moral and ethical principles and it was a great pleasure
to know such a man," continued Dr. Armenian.
Karen Aghababyan, remembered Mr. Sarkis Acopian with a slide
presentation that covered the major activities of Mr. Acopian’s life
with a special focus on his generous contributions in Armenia in a
variety of areas from environmental protection to the building of
new churches.
His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of all Armenians delivered
the eulogy in remembrance of Mr. Acopian, a person devoted to the
Armenian Church and the community at large for a very long time. "We
praise with our respect and gratitude the highly devoted Armenian
son, Sarkis Acopian. We have today the opportunity to live through
once again those beautiful moments and times which we enjoyed with
happiness together with Mr. Acopian and to share his ideals and his
very humane and God loving devotion to his motherland."
Mr. Sarkis Acopian made numerous donations to national and
international causes including the environmental education program
at the American University of Armenia and the Florida Institute of
Technology. Other major philanthropic endeavours included the Nature
Conservancy Acopian Bog Turtle Preserve, and the St. Sarkis Armenian
Apostolic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, built in memory of
his beloved mother, Dr. Arax Acopian. Other important donations
have included gifts to the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the
Embassy of Armenia in Ottawa Canada, the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America, the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, the
Armenian Assembly of America, the Children’s Home of Easton and the
building of two churches in Armenia, St. Hakop and St. Mesrob. His
great sense of gratitude to his adopted country played a major part in
his being the largest individual donor to the World War II Memorial
in Washington, DC. He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, and an honorary Doctor of Science
degree from Muhlenberg College.