Author: Boshkezenian Garik

“PEACEFUL” POSITION OF ARMENIA IN KARABAKH ISSUE SHOULD NOT MISLEAD
AZERBAIJAN ABOUT OUR MILITARY ABILITIES: LEVON MKRTCHYAN
YEREVAN, MARCH 30. ARMINFO. “Karabakh is the strategic issue for ARF
Dashnaktsutyun, concerned not only with Armenia’s future but also with
all the Armenian people”, stated Head of ARFD faction Levon Lazarian
during today’s hearings on Karabakh issue.
In his words, the independence of Karabakh is the fight for both the
independence and the existence of Armenia. “Karabakh is the
compensation of rights of the people subjected to Genocide and lost
the whole Western Armenia and a part of Eastern”, Lazarian stated.
He stressed the necessity of larger covering and acquaintance of
international structures engaged in Karabakh issue with reasons of
conflict’s rise in 1988-1992.
He also stressed the role of parliamentarian groups of friendship in
distribution of information about conflict’s genesis. At the same
time, Mkrtchayn expressed confidence that the Karabakh issue will be
solved amicably, which is possible only if public consciousness in
Armenia and Azerbaijan is directed to the adoption of compromises.
“However, adherence of Armenian party to the peaceful solution of this
problem should not mislead Azerbaijan about Armenia’s military
abilities. Our peaceful position is based on our rightfulness and
fairness, but not on military weakness”, Lazarian noted. -r-

SYRIAN SHEIKHS MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PARLIAMENTARY POLITICAL
FORCES OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MARCH 30. ARMINFO. Twelve Syrian sheikhs, who are in Armenia
to take part in the arrangements, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of
the Genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey, met with representatives
of parliamentary political forces of Armenia, on March 30.
ARMINFO was informed in the press office of the Armenian parliament,
the Armenian MPs expressed gratitude to the guests for that the latter
revered the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The
guests assured that the century-old friendship of Armenian and Arab
peoples is continuous and both peoples must struggle for justice side
by side. At the same time they condemned any violence in any
country. The guests were acquainted with the structure and the
activity of the Armenian parliament, as well as with the process of
peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE REPORT MAY TURN INTO A HEADACHE FOR ARMENIA
Azg/arm
30 March 05
Stepan Safarian, expert at the Strategic and National Research Center,
thinks that the report of OSCE Minsk group’s fact-finding mission may
result in world community’s attempts to solve the issue of neighboring
territories separately, leaving the issue of Nagorno Karabakh for
future.
The Cooperation for Open Society called a round table on March 28
inviting NGO representatives, politicians, political scientists and
experts to discuss the report of the fact-finding mission.
Safarian pointed out to the threats that Armenia may face in
future. The impression Safarian got from the report is that all
neighboring territoriesof Nagorno Karabakh but Lachin are out of
control, something that Azerbaijan continuously claims. The report
notes that the region of Lachin was inhabited under direct supervision
of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The last fact, Safarian thinks, may
result in manipulations in future. But the most dangerous thingthat
may happen is that the neighboring regions can be viewed separately
from Karaba kh settlement.
Varuzhan Nersisian from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs almost
repeated all the paragraphs of a March 17 press release by the
Ministry, which said thatthe fact-finding mission refuted accusations
of Baku made at the UN in fall of 2004.
The report dispelled particularly Azerbaijan’s claims that the number
of inhabitants in neighboring regions of Karabakh is from 30 to 300
thousand, that Armenia conducts a state-financed policy of
inhabitation and that most of the settlers are citizens of Armenia or
Diaspora. Nersisian agreed that the report “cannot be put aside” but
added that it might be considered success for Armenia in the
diplomatic sphere.
Paruyr Hayrikian labeled the report “a shameful defeat” for
Armenia. He asked the Foreign Ministry representative whether there
was no Armenian at the Ministry to say “we do inhabit the territories
and will continue doing so”. Nersisian said that there is no lack of
patriots at the Ministry but the issue is considered from the angle of
international rights.
Political scientist Aghasi Yenoqian hailed the report “an awful
document”. He posed a rhetoric question, “If we are not allowed to
inhabit the territories, why did we take them over?”
We have to explain to the outsiders why the Armenian forces took under
complete control 5 and partial control 2 neighboring regions of
Karabakh. Meanwhile, Yenoqian’s meaningless rhetoric speech can only
surprise.
By Tatoul Hakobian

Azerbaijan’s attempts to regain Karabakh “pointless” – Armenian minister
Mediamax news agency
29 Mar 05
YEREVAN
Two-day parliamentary hearings on the settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict started at the Armenian National Assembly today.
Speaking at the hearings, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
stated that the Karabakh settlement process is experiencing a
“complicated stage” today, our Mediamax parliamentary correspondent
reports.
The Armenian foreign minister said that “all the attempts of
Azerbaijan to turn back time are doomed to failure”. Vardan Oskanyan
noted that at present, there are elements of the package, as well as
stage-by-stage settlements of the conflict at the “negotiating table”.
The Armenian foreign minister acknowledged that Azerbaijan is trying
to transfer the settlement process from the OSCE Minsk Group to other
international organizations which give preference to the principle of
the territorial integrity of states. At the same time, Vardan Oskanyan
noted that the world has seen precedents when the principle of a
nation’s self-determination takes priority and cited East Timor, Sudan
and Kosovo as examples.
Vardan Oskanyan stressed that the Karabakh problem has no military
solution and described Baku’s demands to return Nagornyy Karabakh to
Azerbaijan as “pointless”. Oskanyan said that the Azerbaijani side is
deliberately dodging the issue of Nagornyy Karabakh’s status, putting
forward the problem of the adjacent territories.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005
PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES TURKISH NAVY DELEGATION
[March 29, 2005, 19:10:57]
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received at the
Presidential Palace a delegation of the Naval Forces of Turkey led by
Admiral of the Fleet Ozden Ornek, March 29.
The Azerbaijani leader spoke of the steady development of relations
between Azerbaijan and Turkey in political, economic and all other
fields. `Azerbaijan and Turkey are actively involved in the global
energy projects including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan,’ he said.
President Ilham Aliyev also noted both countries hold a common stance
with respect to international issues, and, in this connection, highly
appreciated the Turkey’s constant support of the fair position of
Azerbaijan as for the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Recalling his latest visit to Turkey, he noted it
had contributed much to further strengthening of the bilateral ties.
Touching upon Azerbaijan-Turkey cooperation in the field of army
building, the President described the role Turkey plays in the
building of the Azerbaijan’s army as extremely important. He
expressed confidence that the visit by the Turkish navy delegation
would make a valuable contribution to further deepening of both
military cooperation and interplay between the two countries on the
whole.
Having expressed satisfaction with the constant development of the
relations between the two friendly countries, Commander the Naval
Forces of Turkey, Admiral of the Fleet Ozden Ornek mentioned the
strengthening of the Azerbaijan-Turkey military cooperation. He
underlined that much work has been done in army building over the
past years, and said he had witnessed a great progress in the
Azerbaijani army, including the country’s Naval Forces. The guest
expressed confidence the cooperation in military sphere will be
steadily developing in the future.

INTERNET SITE OF NKR GOVERNMENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
28 March 05
The new web page of the NKR government () provides
information on the activity of the executive, the ministries, agencies
and departments. The new web site will have separate pages on the
upcoming parliamentary elections, as well as the celebration of the
1600th anniversary of invention of the Armenian alphabet and the
foundation of the school at the monastery of Amaras. The decisions
made by the executive in the previous years will be placed in the
archive page. Vice Prime Minister A. Danielian said, in 10-15 days the
Russian and English versions of the web page will be available.
AA.
28-03-2005

THE CHAIRMAN OF RA NA COMMITTEE AND MILITARY ATTACHE OF EMBASSY OF
BELGIUM DISCUSS ISSUES OF REGIONAL SECURITY
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues concerning the regional
security and stability, Armenia-European Union, Armenia-NATO
relations were discussed at the March 23 meeting of Mher Shahgeldian,
the Chairman of RA NA Committee on Defence, National Security and
Internal Affairs, with Iohan Swinnen, the Attache on Defence Issues
of the Embassy of Belgium, the Brigadier General, and his Deputy Dirk
De Coster. According to the NA Public Relation Department, the
perticipants of the meeting attached importance to development of
Armenian-Belgian mutual cooperation and activization of cooperation
between the two countries’ parliaments.

Voice of America
Ousted Kyrgyz President Arrives in Moscow
By Anya Ardayeva
Moscow
26 March 2005
Askar Akayev (File photo)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly offered his help to the new
Kyrgyz leadership. Meanwhile, reports in Moscow say that ousted Kyrgyz
President Askar Akayev has taken refuge in Russia.
Kyrgyzstan’s interim leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, says he spoke to the Russian
leader on the phone, and was offered help.
Mr. Bakiyev says the Russian president expressed interest in what was
happening in Kyrgyzstan, and asked if any help from Russia was needed to
stabilize the situation. Mr. Bakiyev said he was grateful to the Russian
leader for showing concern and extending the hand of friendship to
Kyrgyzstan’s new leadership.
Vladimir Putin
Speaking in Yerevan, Armenia, on Friday, Vladimir Putin said the opposition
leaders in Kyrgyzstan who have formed an interim government were known well
in Russia, as they have worked in Kyrgyzstan’s government in the past, and
have contributed to developing relations between Moscow and Bishkek. He said
Russia was ready to do everything to further develop the relations between
the two nations.
Mr. Putin also said that the change of power in the central Asian nation was
a result of weak leadership and multiple social and economic problems in the
country.
The Russian leader said he was sorry that, once again, in the territory of
the former Soviet Union, political questions are solved, “in an unlawful
way,” and are accompanied by what he called pogroms and human casualties. He
called for Kyrgyzstan’s interim leaders to bring the situation in the
country under control.
The Russian president also said that ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev
was welcome to come to Russia.
Mr. Akayev fled the country on March 24, as opposition supporters stormed
government buildings and took control of the capital, Bishkek. On Saturday,
the Interfax news agency reported, the Kremlin confirmed that the ousted
Kyrgyz leader had arrived in Russia. Mr. Akayev has said that he is still
Kyrgyzstan’s legitimate president. Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the opposition leader
appointed by parliament to lead an interim government, said he would run in
a June election to replace Mr. Akayev as president.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 26 2005
AZERBAIJANI DIASPORAS TO GREATER ACTIVITY
[March 26, 2005, 17:40:33]
Bulent Gurjam, Chairman of the “Azerbaijani House” in Belgium, held a
press conference on March 25 for media representatives at the State
Committee to Work with Azerbaijani living in Foreign Countries.
B. Gurjam touching up the work done by his organization and its
goals. He noted that an opening ceremony of the monument of Dede
Gorgud attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in 2004 had
been held in front of the central building of the World Customs
Organization in Brussels. Azerbaijani House issued a booklet devoted
to the Khojaly genocide in four languages and organized a photo-stand
dealing with this topic.
Representative of the State Committee said that a joint meeting of
Azerbaijani Diaspora Organizations had been held in Vienna on March
17-23 and Novruz Bayram had been celebrated. He stressed the
importance of holding such events in Europe in order to withstand
lies disseminated by Armenian lobby and bring the truth of Azerbaijan
to world community’s notice. On the occasion of the Genocide of
Azerbaijani Day (March 31) Azerbaijani compatriots together with
members of Turkish Diaspora will march on April 2 to the OSCE office
in Vienna.
Then were answered a questions of the mass media representatives.

Las Vegas Sun
March 24, 2005
Family narrowly avoids deportation to Russia
Porter’s last-ditch efforts help professional figure skaters stay in Vegas
By Emily Richmond

LAS VEGAS SUN
A Las Vegas family of figure skaters was granted a 90-day reprieve
from their scheduled deportation to Russia this morning after Rep. Jon
Porter, R-Nev., intervened on their behalf.
It was an emotional scene as Anna Petrachenkova, her husband, Vladimir
Khatin, and their 11-year-old son Timofey, had waited anxiously
with more than a dozen friends and colleagues this morning at the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Pepper Lane to learn
their fate.
A spokesman for the congressman said Porter had been in contact with
the federal immigration officials in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday
and had secured a stay of the deportation order for the family.
“I have hope now where I did not have hope before,” the 40-year-old
Khatin said.
He, his wife and son must return to the office April 15 for a
meeting to discuss the family’s request to remain in the United
States permanently.
Khatin and Petrachenkova said they will consult with an immigration
attorney prior to their meeting with immigration officials next month
and will do whatever is necessary to gain legal status.
“This is a family that has followed the rules and has tried very hard
to become citizens. Unfortunately the avenues that they had used were
unsuccessful,” Porter said this morning. “Now we have some opportunity
to pursue other channels. We have a lot of folks who are working very
hard for the family.”
Porter said he has been talking about the case with a variety of
federal officials, from those responsible for immigration and homeland
security matters to staff at the White House.
Petrachenkova said she applied for a stay of deportation earlier this
month but received a form letter in the mail Wednesday stating that
her application could not be processed. She had written a check for
$250 when the actual cost of processing the request was $155.
“I couldn’t believe such a mistake happened,” Petrachenkova said.
As she hugged friends and wiped tears from her cheeks this morning,
Petrachenkova said she would celebrate her family’s small step toward
victory with a trip to the flower shop.
“I need to buy him (Porter) a bouquet,” Petrachenkova, 35, said.
Suzanne Butler, whose granddaughter is one of Petrachenkova’s skating
students, said she was stunned to learn of the family’s immigration
woes about two weeks ago.
“No one knew and they (the family) didn’t know that we would want
to help them,” Butler said. “This is a good, honorable family. They
deserve to stay.”
The news that the family had been granted a 90-day stay came after a
tense morning of waiting. In the small lobby of the federal office,
Timofey sat with his head between his knees as a friend patted his
back and spoke words of encouragement. Seated next to him was his
mother, who trembled and sobbed, alternately clutching her son and
pressing her hands to her face. His father sat stoically next to
her, occasionally venturing outside to talk to the small crowd of
supporters, take calls on his cell phone and chain-smoke cigarettes.
The family lost its four-year legal battle to stay in the United
States when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied its claim for
political asylum last year. A Feb. 16 letter instructed the family to
be at the federal office at 8:30 this morning, ready for deportation
with no more than 44 pounds of luggage apiece.
Instead the family put its faith in Porter and left luggage and
the family dog at home this morning when they got into their white
minivan and headed to the immigration office. Petrachenkova could
hardly speak at that time.
Once they got to the immigration office several of Petrachenkova’s
students and their parents paced outside and peered toward the tinted
glass of the office, hoping for some sign of activity.
When Khatin emerged waving a letter explaining the 90-day stay, there
were cheers and hugs. A handful of tissues was passed around as men,
women and two little girls wiped their eyes.
The family could also benefit from a private bill, granting them
citizenship, that would need to be authored by a member of Nevada’s
congressional delegation. Such bills are not unusual and have been
authored by lawmakers from various states. However the passage requires
a floor vote and Congress is in recess until the first week of April.
Of the 108 private bills introduced last session only three passed,
Porter said.
“I think they have a better chance through the legal channels,”
Porter said this morning. “Our goal this week was to make sure we
could get a stay and help the family find other options.”
A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., confirmed Wednesday
that the Senate minority leader would not be intervening on the
family’s behalf.
“We’re sympathetic to their situation but we’ve looked at the case
and they’ve exhausted all legal remedies,” said Shannon Eagan,
a spokeswoman for Reid.
The family could reapply for visas to return to the United States
following their deportation, Eagan said.
“Sen. Reid would support them in that effort and he encourages them
to consider that option,” Eagan said.
In January Reid effectively blocked the deportation of 18-year-old Emma
Sarkisian and her 17-year-old sister, Mariam, who spent two weeks in
federal custody awaiting deportation to Armenia. While the girls had
been born in Armenia they had spent most of their lives in Las Vegas
with their father, Rouben Sarkisian, who has U.S. resident status,
one step below citizenship.
Unlike Rouben Sarkisian, neither Petrachenkova nor Khatin are legal
residents. And the Russian family also did not face being split up,
as the Sarkisian family did.
Petrachenkova and Khatin first sought political asylum in December
2000, when their contract as performers with “Moscow Stars on Ice”
finished and their visas expired. But the pair said they faced
extortion threats from authorities and gangsters in their native
village outside of Russia if they returned home.
During a prior visit home the thugs had threatened the life of their
son and had shown up at their apartment in Russia waving handguns
and demanding money, Petrachenkova said.
While their case made its way through the U.S. courts, the family
was given permission to work and travel, arriving in Las Vegas about
three years ago. Timofey, who finished sixth in this year’s Southwest
Pacific Regional Championships, said he wants to one day compete in
the Olympics for the United States. He is an honor roll student at
Odyssey Charter School, a distance education program.
Friends, colleagues and students of Petrachenkova and Khatin, both
of whom teach at the Las Vegas Ice Center, have spent the past few
days feverishly collecting signatures on a petition in support of
the family. Matt Tryba, whose daughter trains with Petrachenkova,
said an immigration attorney advised him to gather a minimum of 2,000
signatures if he expected to win support from an elected officials.
“He (the attorney) told me that 2,000 signatures equals 50,000 votes,”
Tryba said. “What we have to do is show there’s real support for these
people otherwise what makes them special? Why should a politician
care enough to help?”
As of Wednesday more than 2,500 signatures had been gathered,
Tryba said.
Jeremiah Wolf Stuchiner, the Las Vegas attorney who represented the
family in the appeal of the deportation order, said if he had been
advising them five years ago he would have recommended they trade on
their skating skills.
“Applying for residency as highly trained artists might have been a
more successful route,” Stuchiner said