Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Democratic Armenia Union: US policy in Armenia has failed
Regnum, Russia
July 17 2006
The Democratic Armenia Union has initiated signatures collecting to
support the decision to recall US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans.
On behalf of the union on July 17 Chair of the National Press Club
Narine Lazarian talked to the press. She read out the statement and
informed that over 100 signatures haâ been collected and several
political parties joined the statement. As a REGNUM correspondent
reports, it is still unknown, which parties signed the document.
The statement says that drastic Armenia’s withdrawal from democratic
processes, decline of Armenia’s authority at international agencies,
deepening and encouraging of vicious deeds in the party sphere,
decline of freedom of speech, full control over electronic mass
media and censorship taking root, increase of corruption etc. have
become the basis for “a cynical falsification of outcomes of the
referendum on amending the Armenian constitution in November 2005,
which, in turn, brought about desperation in the country fixing a
social and political crisis.” The Democratic Armenia Union announces
that all that has shown failure of the US policy to spread democracy
and establish freedom values in Armenia. At the same time, the union
puts responsibility for the failure upon US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans, US embassy and institutions that were designed to develop
democracy in the country on the account of US taxpayers.
“We, Armenian citizens, being concerned and interested in establishing
democracy, law obedient state and civil society in Armenia, call upon
the US Senate to speed up the process of replacing the ambassador,”
the statement runs. Besides, the union calls upon the Armenian
lobby to secure that a new US ambassador is devoted to democracy,
values of freedom in the name of strengthening Armenia and improving
Armenian-US relations.
The statement, according to Narine Lazarian, will be sent to the US
Senate and Armenian organizations.
It is worth mentioning, in March 2006 the issue was posed of
recalling US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans before hid term was
over. However, at present time the process has been suspended for an
unknown period. Richard Hoagland, who is now head of the US diplomatic
mission in Tajikistan, is a possible candidature to the post. It should
be noted, the reason for recalling the US Ambassador John Evans was,
most probably, his statement concerning the Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Empire in 1915. At a meeting with members of the Armenian
community in San Francisco on February 19, 2006, John Evans stressed
“necessity of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.” “I will today call it
the Armenian Genocide,” Evans said. Members of the US administration
and officials refrain from using the word “genocide” concerning the
events that happened in Turkey in the beginning of the last century
and preferred to use various descriptive phrases and attributes. “No
US official have ever denied this fact. Things should be called by
their proper names,” he noted.
“The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide in the 20th century,”
Evans is quoted as saying noting that the world was not ready for a
proper reaction then. “I pledge to you, we are going to do a better
job at addressing this issue,” Evans reportedly said then.
–Boundary_(ID_UxEWD7xpa8xRKBxhUdVp7g)–

US State Department Denies Turkey Linked to Recall of Evans
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.07.2006 14:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US State Department denies that Turkey
communicated with them in any fashion regarding US Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Executive Director Aram Hamparian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. This
denial is simply not credible given Turkey’s past conduct, Hamparian
said.
It should be reminded that during a meeting with San Francisco Armenian
community February 19, 2005 J.
Evans said, “recognition of the Armenian Genocide is important.” “Today
I will call it Armenian Genocide,” Evans stated. US Administration
and officials are used to avoiding the term “genocide”. “No US
official ever denied this fact – I believe playing with words in
this case would not suit Americans,” Evans said. “I believe things
should be called their proper names, however US official policy has
not changed yet, as ties with Turkey are available within the NATO,
especially in the military field.” “The Armenian Genocide was the
first genocide in the 20th century. I assure you that we are going
to work well over this problem,” John Evans added.
Later on, when delivering a speech at the US Embassy in Armenia
February 28, 2005, John Evans wished to clarify his statement,
made February 19, reports IA Regnum. “I want to explain the US
policy. The definitions on the tragedy of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey and future status of Nagorno Karabakh that I assumed during an
unofficial meeting with the US Armenian community can give cause for
misunderstanding.” “In spite I noted that the US policy towards the
Armenian tragedy did not change, I used the word “genocide”, which
reflected my personal point of view – that of John Evans and not a
politician. However, it was inappropriate,” the Ambassador stated.

RESULTS OF YEREVAN GOLDEN APRICOT-2006 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SUMMED UP
YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Yerevan Voske
Tsiran-2006 (“Golden Apricot-2006”) International Film Festival ended
on July 15. The festival was launched on July 10.
In the nomination of the “Best fiction film” film director from Taiwan
Hsiao Hsien Hou received the main prize, The Golden Apircot award
for his film “Three times” (Taiwan-France). In the same nomination
Spanish film director Isaki Lacuesta “Legend of time”, and French film
director Rober Gedikian “Trip to Armenia” shared the second prize,
The Silver Apricot.
In the nomination “The best documentary film,” Austrian film director
Michael Glawogger received the Golden Apricot main award for his film
“Workingman’s Death.” In the same nomination Brazilian and Swedish film
directors Marcos Prado and Gunnar Bergdahl were given special awards
correspondingly for their films “Estamira” and “Lyudmila and Anatoli”.
In the nomination “The best Armenian film” of the Festival’s
“Armenian Panorama” competition program the main award was given to
director Hrant Hakobian from Armenia, for his film “The Dwellers of
the Forgotten Islands.” Vardan Hakobian and Maria Sahakian residing
in Russia received special diplomas for their “My name is happines”
and “Lighthouse” films, respectively.
Hasmik Poghosian, RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs handed
world-famous film director Artavazd Peleshian the certificate of the
award of the RA People’s Artist given according to the decree of RA
President Robert Kocharian.

AZG Armenian Daily #132, 15/07/2006
Judicial Reforms
DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN SUGGESTS NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO CURRENT
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF ARMENIA
RA Justice Minister David Haroutiunian suggested to make a number of
amendments in the current Administrative Code of Armenia. He informed
the journalists about this today, when representing the initiative to
make amendments to RA Administrative Code. He said that the suggested
amendments are conditioned by the life and the court practice. He meant
the unfair court verdicts that were taken because of the drawbacks
in the laws.
In particular, he stated that according to the current law, the
parents should bear responsibility for the damage made by a child
under 14, if it isn’t proved that the damage was made because of the
parents. The minister suggests to exclude this part, i.e. the parents
should always be responsible for the actions of children under 14. The
same thing concerns the educational or other institutions in which
charge the children are of. In the given case that institution is
as responsible, as the parents are. The next amendment concerns the
owner of an object in case of making a harm. The minister brought
the example when an upper neighbor pours you with water. “According
to the current legislation, the responsibility should bear the one
who makes the damage, i.e. the water. We suggest to make the owner
of the property bear responsibility,” he said. Besides, the owner
of the animal that bit someone should also bear responsibility for,
notwithstanding whether the animal escaped, was lost or is in the
charge of another man. The minister also touched upon the so-called
sources of special danger that include the transport, the electricity
lines, etc. In this case, the owners should bear responsibility,
if it isn’t proved that the damage was made because of the suffered
side. The owners also should make compensations, if it is proved that
the sources went out of control without the awareness of the owner,
for example, the sources were stolen. In these cases, the owner is
responsible, if the owner didn’t take relevant measures to return his
property. At the same time, if the object is given to another person
on legal grounds, the owner is still responsible. For example, if you
trusted your car to someone who ran over a passer-by, the owner of
the car is responsible for the incident. The minister also touched
upon the amendments in the Criminal Code.
By Ara Martirosian

DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN HAS NOT YET DECIDED WITH WHAT POLITICAL FORCE TO
PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
YEREVAN, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. “When the ways proposed by different
political forces, i.e. the practical steps how to achieve results
become clear, only then I can express my opinion,” RA Justice
Minister David Haroutiunian declared in response to NT correspondent’s
question, with what political forces he is going to participate in
the forthcoming parliamentary elections. He thinks “this will take
place when the preelection struggle flares up, probably, in late 2006
or in early 2007.”
The Minister emphasized that at the moment the political forces have
only outlined their goals, which are very good, but the concrete
practical and priority ways have not been presented yet.
According to D.Haroutiunian, discussions on joining different
political parties were held over the past 8 years, but after his
statement about his intention to be engaged in active politics he
has not yet received any proposal.
The Minister did not exclude that his decision not to take part in
the 2008 presidential elections can change emphasizing that everything
will depend on the situation.

MIKA TO RECEIVE STRONG COMPETITOR ON JULY 13
YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 13, Ashtarak “Mika” will receive
Swiss “Young Boys” in the first game of the UEFA Cup Tournament’s
firts tour at the Republican stadium of Yerevan.
On the same day, “Banants” will compete with the Tbilisi “Ameri”
within the framework of the UEFA Cup Tournament.

SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS ON AMB. EVANS FIRING
WASHINGTON, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Concerns continued
to grow this week regarding the circumstances surrounding the firing
of U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold
(D-WI) becomes the ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign
Relations Committee to call for clarification of the State Department
policy on the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland, Sen.
Feingold noted that, “I want to express my deep concern about the
Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge the acts of genocide
that were committed against the Armenians almost a century ago. The
Administration’s continued failure to recognize these tragic events
is troubling to me and to those who share my belief that we should
speak honestly about, and insist on accountability for, past crimes
against humanity and genocide.”
Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen. Feingold
asked:
Why was Ambassador Evans removed as Ambassador to Armenia?
What is the Administration’s policy towards acknowledging the Armenian
genocide and what boundaries have been set for your position as
Ambassador to address or speak about the Armenian genocide?
Do you anticipate that the departure of your predecessor, Mr. Evans,
will harm U.S.-Armenian relations? How do you plan to respond to
those in the Armenian community who are upset about his departure?
Sen. Feingold’s concerns are shared by half of the influential Senate
Foreign Relations Committee members – including Senators George Allen
(R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara Boxer (D-CA),
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT),
John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) – who must first approve
Amb. Evans’ replacement prior to a full Senate confirmation. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed action on Ambassador
Designate Hoagland, while quickly voting for the incoming Ambassadors
to Switzerland and Ireland, who were before the Committee the same
day as Ambassador Designate Hoagland.
During the June 28th nomination hearing, Sen. George Allen (R-VA),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pressed
the nominee for an explanation of the State Department’s guidance
regarding the use of the word “genocide” to properly characterize
this crime against humanity. Senators Allen and Coleman peppered
the nominee with numerous questions and expressed frustration as
the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of the
questions, resorting to the use of euphemisms.
In addition, Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have urged
Secretary Rice to reconsider the decision to recall Amb. Evans. Over
the past several months, scores of Senate and House Members have
directed questions to State Department officials, calling for answers
surrounding the controversial firing of Amb.
Evans, including 60 Representatives who joined Rep. Edward Markey
(D-MA) in a letter to Secretary Rice, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
who submitted questions to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried,
and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who submitted questions to Secretary
Rice. Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry also asked
Secretary Rice for clarification on Amb. Evans’ dismissal. The
Administration has either failed to provide responses or provided
responses, which have been largely perfunctory, citing that Ambassadors
serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no clear insight
into the State Department’s decision to dismiss the career diplomat
after 35 years of distinguished service.
The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements before
American audiences in the United States, during which he properly
characterized the Armenian Genocide as “genocide.” Following his
statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying that
his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal views and
did not represent a change in U.S. policy. He subsequently issued a
correction to this statement, replacing a reference to the genocide
with the word “tragedy.” The American Foreign Service Association,
which had decided to honor Amb. Evans with the “Christian A. Herter
Award,” recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within
the Foreign Service, reportedly rescinded the award following pressure
from the State Department in the days leading up to Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC to meet with
President Bush.

FOREIGN CITIZENS ADOPTED 44 CHILDREN FROM ARMENIA IN 2005
Yerevan, Julky 11. ArmInfo. Forty-four children from Armenia were
adopted by foreign citizens in 2005, Armenian Justice Minister David
Haroutiunyan told ArmInfo.
He said foreign citizens adopt about 40-50 Armenian children yearly
in average. 75% of foreign citizens adopting children from Armenia
are Armenians residing in the USA, France, Italy, Russia and other
countries. Of course, tragic cases cannot be overseen, however,
the government carefully studies the financial and social state of
parents. Psychologists work with them for a long time to find out
how the new family will perceive a new child, the minister said.
Presenting an International Convention on protection of children’s
rights when adopted by foreign citizens at the Constitutional Court of
Armenia, Minister Haroutiunyan said the document, which was signed
on 29 May 1993 in Hague, aims to create mechanisms guaranteeing
protection of children in case of their adoption by foreign citizens.
Among the commitments Armenia undertook when signing the document is
establishment of a consultative body regulating the adoption process.
To note, Armenia joined the Convention with a reservation related
Article 22: adoption of children by foreign citizens must meet the
Armenian legislation and not the provisions of the Convention. To
come into effect, the document requires ratification by the Armenian
National Assembly.

ARMENIAN AND LEBANESE FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS ISSUES ON AGENDA OF
BILATERAL COOPERATION
YEREVAN, JULY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 11, RA
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received Lebanese Foreign Affairs
and Diasporan Minister Fawzi Salloukh who is in Armenia on a three-day
official visit.
The sides expressed satisfaction that Armenian-Lebanese relations
are based on the centuries-old friendship, mutual sympathy and many
communities between the peoples.
Minister Oskanian said that Armenia highly evaluates the warm attitude
of the Lebanese people to the Armenian people after the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and attaches importance to the Armenian
community’s role in strengthening of bilateral relations.
In response, the Lebanese Foreign Minister emphasized that the
Armenian community of Lebanon played a great role in the country’s
restoration after the war and now continues to play a positive role
in the country’s internal life.
The Minister specially emphasized the role of a bridge of the community
in the relations between the two countries.
The interlocutors discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral
cooperation paying a special attention to deepening of cooperation
in the economic sphere.
They attached importance to organization of the meeting of the
Armenian-Lebanese Intergovernmental Economic Commissions in the
future. The sides also touched upon issues relating to development
of the legal-contractual base and cooperation at international
organizations between the countries.
The meeting participants also touched upon the developments around
the Iranian nuclear programs, Iraqi events, Israel-Palestine conflict,
as well as the current developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
and other problems of the Caucasian region.
Below is the biographical data of the Lebanese Foreign Minister
provided to NT from RA Foreign Ministry Press Service:
Fawzi Salloukh was born in 1931 in Lebanon. In 1960 he was admitted
to the system of Lebanese diplomatic service. In 1978-1985 he was
the Ambassador of Lebanon in Nigeria, in 1985-1987 in Algeria. In
1990-1994 he was Ambassador in Austria, simultaneously representative
of Lebanon in UN and International Nuclear Energy Agency. In 1994-1995
he was the Ambassador of Lebanon in Belgium, Luxemburg, simultaneously
a representative in EU.
He has published books in Arabian, has been awarded numerous orders.
He is married, has three children.

OP’s Sh29bn vote under threat over Armenians
Story by NATION Team | Parliament
Publication Date: 7/12/2006
The Nation, Kenya
July 11 2006
Opposition MPs threatened to shoot down a Sh29 billion vote for the
Office of the President, accusing it of inefficiency and corruption.
They demanded the resignation of minister John Michuki, saying he
had embarrassed the Government over the raid on the Standard Group
and the Armenians’ saga.
Several Kanu and Liberal Democratic Party MPs veered from debate
to demand that the minister quit for allegedly defending the two
foreigners and for admitting government involvement in the March raid
by masked gunmen.
But MPs on the Government side came to Mr Michuki’s defence, and
asked those opposed to him to confine their debate to the vote on
the ministry and not his personal conduct.
Temporary deputy Speaker Samuel Pogishio (Kacheliba, Kanu) had a hard
time trying to control debate.
He told MPs that the issue at hand had nothing to do with the minister
as a person but the money voted for his ministry.
Mr Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem, Narc) rose on a point of order when Mr
Michuki stood up to move the motion on the vote soon after the end
of question time.
He said MPs would be demanding for Mr Michuki’s resignation since
had failed to run his ministry well by allowing Armenian foreigners
to treat the country with contempt.
Mr Joseph Nkaiserry (Kajiado Central, Kanu) said it would be bad for
Parliament to debate and pass a budget for a ministry that had been
voted the most corrupt in an opinion poll.
Mr Raila Odinga (Langata, Narc) described Mr Michuki as a political
liability who had failed President Kibaki and the Government.
He said the minister should be ashamed of asking for Sh29 billion,
adding: “Kenyans woke up one morning to the shocking raid on the
Standard Group, only for this minister to say two days later that the
government had ordered the raid. Are we being ruled by a government
of human beings or snakes?”
The former Roads minister accused the Government of harassing Narok
North MP William Ntimama for defending the rights of the Maasai.
Mr Odinga said if there was anybody who should be charged, it was Mr
Michuki. “Infact, Mr Michuki’s ministry should be renamed the ministry
of Internal Insecurity.”