Author: Chatinian Lara

THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY PROVIDED THE NEWLY REFURBISHED ROOM FOR THE LABORATORY
Panorama.am
May 18 2006
On May 18, 2006, U.S. Ambassador John Evans participated in the
official opening of the Library Science Computer Laboratory at the
Yerevan State Pedagogical University. The creation of the computer
lab was made possible by the donation of six computers and the
installation of library automation software by the U.S. Embassy in
Armenia. The Pedagogical University provided the newly refurbished
room for the laboratory.
Since 2000, the Information Resource Center of the U.S. Embassy
has cooperated with the School of Library Science at Yerevan State
Pedagogical University. This has included bringing in American speakers
every year to lecture on modern developments in library science, as
well as an expert in 2005 to help design a new, up-to-date library
science curriculum. The Information Resource Center and staff are an
open resource for all students and researchers who want to learn more
about the U.S. and about developments there.

OSKANIAN FLIES TO FRANCE, USA AND CANADA
Armenpress
May 17 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 17, AREMNRESS: Armenian foreign ministry said minister
Vartan Oskanian will fly to Strasbourg on May 18 to attend a recurrent
gathering of Council of Europe Foreign Ministers Committee.
The ministry said Oskanian is scheduled to have an unofficial meeting
with Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis. The meeting
will be attended also by a former foriegn minister of Finland,
Marti Ahtisaar, a special envoy of the UN Secretary General for
Kosovo talks. The ministry said the meeting will be about Kosovo’s
future staus.
In Strasbourg Oskanian will also meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart
Elmar Mamedyarov and chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group.
On May 19 Oskanian will address the gatehring and the same day he
will head for USA and Canada to meet with senior officials of Armenian
communities of Los Angeles, Boston and Ottawa to discuss the Septemebr
18-20 third Armenia-Diaspora conference in Yerean.
Oskanian will be back to Armenia on May 24.

WORLD ARMENIANS CONGRESS TO CONSOLIDATE ARMENIA-DIASPORA TIES
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
16 May 06
[Presenter] A regular sitting of the supreme board of the World
Armenian Congress [WAC] opened in Yerevan today. Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan took part in the sitting.
The chairman of the WAC, Ara Abramyan, said that the report on the
supreme board’s activities in 2004-05 was presented at the sitting.
The supreme board will also discuss the WAC’s goals and work done
during the third Armenia-Diaspora forum in 2006. More than 100,000
Armenians live outside Armenia and every condition must be created
for those who want to return to the motherland, Ara Abramyan said.
The chairman of the WAC said that he was talking about the creation
of jobs and development of the Armenian economy.
[Ara Abramyan captioned] We should create jobs and conditions in
Armenia with help from the diaspora and people who are working
abroad so as those who are looking for jobs would be able to return
to the motherland.
[Vardan Oskanyan speaking at the sitting] We have done a lot to boost
the Armenian economy, maintain our statehood and settle the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict. The congress has done a lot to deepen relations
between Armenia and the diaspora and will continue to work towards
uniting the Armenians.

EU PROBABLE TO ADJOURN ADOPTION OF ACTION PLAN WITH S CAUCASUS COUNTRIES
Author: À.Mammadov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 16 2006
The European Union might adjourn the adoption of the Action Program
with South Caucasus countries, Benita Ferrero-Valdner, the EU commissar
on foreign policy stated in Brussels.
The development of a new stage of talks with Armenian, Azerbaijan
and Georgia is not rules out, Radio Liberty reports. “One more stage
of talks is expected. The talks will be held as soon as we witness
these countries’ readiness for it. I hope we will reach agreement,”
Valdner stressed, according to Prime News agency.
–Boundary_(ID_xknYa/eNyJ/I1SRC/Xd69g)–

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN NOMINEE AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 15 2006
WASHINGTON, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. During her Senate
confirmation hearing on May 12, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee
Anne Derse reiterated U.S. policy for a peaceful, mutually acceptable
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that “a return
to violence would be a tragedy.” According to the Armenian Assembly
of America, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), a senior member of the
Foreign Relations Committee, submitted a series of questions for
the record, including the government of Azerbaijan’s continuing war
rhetoric and other bellicose actions taken against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. Specifically, the Senator inquired about the impact of such
acts on the Karabakh peace process, and what steps will be taken to
end Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Armenia. Further, he addressed
Azerbaijan’s attempts to isolate Armenia via a proposed railway
that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, but not traverse
Armenia. The Senator also raised questions regarding the decision
of the Administration to provide asymmetrical military assistance
to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as on Azerbaijan’s human rights
record. “The Assembly commends Senator Sarbanes for his outstanding
leadership on these issues of great significance,” said Assembly Board
of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah. Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) asked Derse
about the status of the Karabakh issue and her general assessment
of democracy in the Azerbaijan. Lugar added that Azerbaijan will not
reach its full potential if the rule of law is not improved.
Derse responded that if confirmed, she will work toward expanding
and strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan security cooperation and help
promote democracy and governance. She said a peaceful settlement to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is critical to achieving this goal
and expressed hope that President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will work together on this
issue. She further stated that as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, the
U.S. will also urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain engaged in the
process and demonstrate political courage. Derse also expressed
her commitment to work with both countries towards a peaceful
resolution. “We appreciate Ambassador-designate Derse’s intentions to
promote democracy in Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” said Totah. “But the Nagorno Karabakh
problem calls for the full commitment of the United States to require
Azerbaijan to end its threats of renewed warfare and to defend the
right of the population of Nagorno Karabakh to determine its political
future through a democratic government of their free choice. Regional
security, economic prosperity, and peace will be possible only if
these principles are followed.”
On the issue of good governance, Derse stressed the importance of a
genuine effort by Azerbaijan to respect human rights in order to pursue
democratic reform and ensure long-term political stability. Derse most
recently served as Director for Bio Defense Policy at the Homeland
Security Council at the White House. Prior to this, she served as
Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Embassy
in Baghdad, Iraq. Earlier in her career, she served as Minister
Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Mission to the
European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

Armenpress
KAPAN TO HAVE MORE WORKING ELEVATORS
KAPAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Authorities of Kapan, a
town in Armenia’s south and the capital of Syunik
province, were promised by the government 40 million
drams this year for a major repair of local elevators.
Deputy mayor Norayr Harutunian told Armenpress this
money is enough for repair of 18 elevators in blocks
of apartments and resumption of operation of 6 control
points. He said out of 158 elevators now only 96
operate.
In 2002 there were only 14 working elevators in
Kapan. By the end of this year their number will be
114. The municipality also plans to allocate money
from its budget to subsidize elevators’ operation
because many residents cannot pay for it.

Armenpress
ARTHUR BAGHDASARIAN DECLARES ABOUT HIS RESIGNATION

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenian National
Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian called a special
news conference today to declare his resignation from
the second important post in the country. He said the
decision was made yesterday late at night by the
governing council of his Orinats Yerkir party.
He said he informed about his decision the
Republican Party of Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
and the Armenian Republican Federation – two other
members of the ruling coalition. Arthur Baghdasarian
said they agreed to part in a “civilized way”.
Baghdasarian said that he decided to leave the
coalition because of existing controversies between
him and his partners in the coalition. He said
according to the law, he will present the written
application about his resignation to the next
parliament session that will take place on May 22. He
has to reconfirm his decision within next five days.

Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
e-mail/ [email protected]

Armenia Fund USA Restores Neurosurgical Division of Astvatsatsin
Hospital in Yerevan
~Building on the successful maintenance of somatic division of the same
hospital~
NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of
Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce that much
needed renovation works to restore the neurosurgical division of the
Astvatsatsin Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia, have started in April, 2006. The
project is a continuation of the previous restoration works done for the
somatic division (a division for children with issues such as malnutrition,
lack of normal growth and other developmental physical conditions) of the
same hospital. Having started last year, the project was brought to its
successful completion through the generous contribution of Mr. Agop
Giritliyan – an Armenian philanthropist from Istanbul where he is well-known
for his assistance to more than 5,000 promising Armenian students.
Agop Giritliyan’s generosity has restored not only two of the most critical
wings of the hospital, but, most importantly, the hope of the children and
staff of Astvatsatsin Hospital for a better quality of healthcare service.
The hospital which provides care for children from ages two to eighteen is
also considered to be the primary emergency care provider in the region.
Built in 1982 and not having undergone any kind of renovation since Soviet
times, the hospital represented an example of a construction in deplorable
conditions suggesting an image of a place to die rather then heal. With Mr.
Giritliyan’s generous support, Armenia Fund USA’s undertaking of the
restoration of this critically important healthcare center was a step to
meet immediate healthcare needs of many children in Armenia.
The renovation of the somatic division last year was implemented in parallel
with a World Bank initiative to moderately renovate the first two floors of
the hospital. This year, building on the success and well-maintenance of the
infrastructure, Mr. Giritliyan is undertaking the renovation of the
neurosurgical division of the children’s hospital. The project is scheduled
to be completed by August 25 of 2006. The state-of-the-art renovation of the
division is a bold initiative to take the provision of adequate healthcare
service to a different level for children who are in desperate need.
The right of every child and adult to proper healthcare, established by
multiple international protocols and conventions, still remains an
unaccomplished task for thousands of children in Armenia and Karabakh. The
Fund’s initiative of renovating the children’s hospital in Yerevan is a
working example of how Armenia Fund USA collaborates with its donors who
have specific philanthropic goals in mind and choose a direction in their
efforts to make a difference. The Fund’s other projects in the area of
public health and medical care include the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and
Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia Fund USA has distinguished itself by implementing projects ranging
from grassroots development to specific problem-solving initiatives. With
the support of its donors and constituents, the Fund will continue in its
mission of improving lives by building foundations that will sustain the
economic growth and stability of the country and its people.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the
first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.
Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic
infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as
major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian
programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted
a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for
projects it sponsors.

A CULTURAL VANGUARD BRINGS PARIS TO THE ISRAELI SPRINGTIME
By Goel Pinto
Ha’aretz, Israel
May 11 2006
PARIS – During a visit to Israel six months ago, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor
decided to hold a French cultural season in Israel. The decision was
certainly not taken thoughtlessly. For the most part, the personal
ideology of someone who believes that culture mirrors everything in
life lies behind the idea to hold a “French spring” in Israel.
Poivre d’Arvor heads the French Association for Artistic Action
(AFAA), which has been operating for over 80 years to create cultural
cooperation between France and the rest of the world. The association’s
headquarters is located in the 7th Arondissement in Paris, between
the Austrian consulate and the military museum, Les Invalides. In the
entrance hangs a picture of the Eiffel Tower painted red, a one-time
gesture by the AFAA to mark the Year of China in France, in 2004.
Each year, France announces it will focus on a different country,
and during that year, the best of that country’s culture is presented
to the French audience. Last year was the Year of Brazil and next
year will be the Year of Armenia, during which a huge concert by the
world’s most famous Armenian, singer Charles Aznavour, will be held.
The Year of Israel took place eight years ago.
Poivre D’Arvor, a man with a dry sense of humor, sometimes – perhaps
deliberately – forgets his diplomatic role. The initiative for a
season of French culture, to kick off next week in Israel, he says,
was not conceived as a gesture of mutuality in the wake of the Year
of Israel in France.
“I still have not received the letter of invitation,” he says with
slight sarcasm.
A few months ago, Israel refused to sign the “Convention for the
Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions”
initiated by UNESCO, and its refusal was what led to the decision.
“We are not all the same,” and “do not all have the same culture,”
states the convention, which is based on a consensus that every
country has the right to promote its culture. It was signed by 148
countries, four abstained and two were opposed: the United States,
which felt that it was an activity directed against the American
culture dominating the world, and Israel, which followed suit.
“Today, everyone’s fantasy is to be American,” says Poivre d’Arvor.
“In another 20 years everyone will want to be Chinese, and in another
50 years we will all be citizens of Dubai or Brazil or India. The
UNESCO document states that differences exist. I don’t understand why
Israel was so quick to refuse to sign the document, since it of all
countries has to protect its very fragile culture, the Hebrew language,
which is spoken by so few people. The founders of the State of Israel
were dreamers, but in order to dream you need culture.
Enough with watching American television all day long,” he says,
raising his voice.
“Halas,” he adds, and for a moment it seems as though he is returning
to the late 1980s, when he served as the director of the French
Institute in Alexandria, Egypt and as his country’s cultural attache
at the embassy. “There is more than that to life. To open a book,
to take an interest in the cultures of others, and then one day the
Israelis will take an interest not only in the sounds of explosions,
but in culture as well.”
We will help the Palestinians
The French season in Israel, which has the charming name “Voila!” –
with a logo that emphasizes the letters “IL” to represent Israel –
will begin on May 16 with a pyrotechnics extravaganza, a performance
and fireworks display by the “F Group.” The group will light up the
skies of Tel Aviv with a cacophony of color, just as it did at the
Athens 2004 Olympics, the Winter Olympics in Torino and the Millenium
festivities on the Eiffel Tower. Poivre d’Arvor says that he chose
this show as the opening shot, because “anyone who has been in Tel Aviv
and does not see that you like craziness, is either stupid or blind.”
Aside from the opening evening, there will be, among other things,
the “Dialogues” fashion show by Christian Lacroix, in the Reading
power station building in Tel Aviv (May 17-June 15), and at the
Jerusalem Film Festival there will be a retrospective of the films
of Isabelle Huppert.
Surprisingly, the season of French culture will take place only in
Israel, and will not spill over to the Palestinian Authority areas.
“I respect Israel,” he says, “because it respects its culture and it
has the means to display important works of art, and cinematheques
in which to present films. In Palestine there are not even minimal
conditions. In the coming years we will help the Palestinians construct
such buildings, so that in the future we will be able to have a season
of French culture there.”
Poivre d’Arvor believes with all his heart that culture can change
situations, even a serious conflict such as that between Israel and
the Palestinians. “I am very familiar with the situation in the Middle
East, I come to Israel often, my partner is Israeli, and I don’t hear,
from any direction, that culture can change the situation between the
Israelis and the Palestinians. It sounds absurd to people, a statement
by Don Quixote on his donkey. But I believe in it. The Jews, like
the Muslims, are a nation with a glorious cultural past. Why are we
connected to the Jewish people? Because of its culture, not because
of the prime ministers, who are replaceable.”
Poivre d’Arvor believes that if Israel were to build a cultural
institution in other countries, it would gain sympathy. “You only
have to look around,” he says. “The British have the British Council,
the Germans have the Goethe Institute and the French have the French
Institute. The goal of all these groups is to connect to countries on
the cultural level. With a relatively modest budget, Israel should also
establish an Israeli cultural institution in countries it considers
important to gain international public opinion. Artists like Daniel
Barenboim contribute to the improvement of Israel’s image in a way
that no foreign ministry can. Nobody can accuse cultural figures of
defending government policy, and that can change everything.”
Poivre d’Arvor, 48, began his career as a journalist at Le Matin de
Paris and afterwards directed a theater group in Lyon. Over the past
20 years, he has served as a cultural attache at French missions in
Alexandria, Prague and London. He is a writer who has written many
novels, some with his brother Patrick, who is 11 years his senior
and one of the most famous journalists in France.
Inferiority complex
Poivre d’Arvor believes that the French connection to Israeli culture,
and vice versa, is no coincidence. “Which country welcomes Israeli
culture more than any other country?” he asks. “I know that the Jewish
community in France, and Israelis in general, have a great deal of
criticism about France’s attitude towards them, but the fact is that
not a day goes by when one opens a newspaper – Le Monde, La Figaro,
Liberation – and doesn’t find an article in it about a new Israeli
book that has been translated, or about an Israeli film.
France has many shortcomings, but in one area, culture, there is a
genuine consensus that culture must be supported. We believe that
the world does not consist only of numbers and economics, but also,
and mainly, of emotions and an exchange of opinions. We have also
been enriched by importing culture and artists. All the great French
artists of the last century were foreigners: Picasso, Chagall, Dali.”
However, even Poivre d’Arvor admits that French culture has declined
in recent years. “It’s true, and it’s a good thing,” he says.
“Culture that consistently remains on a high level becomes arrogant.
Today, nobody has any right to dominate the world. It is important
that we received some blows, that the French language is no longer
spoken and admired, that our cinema does not sweep the world off its
feet, and that our writers are not the greatest writers in the world.
When I read Israeli writers I have an inferiority complex. It was
hard to accept that, and in France there are doubts and questions
regarding this matter. We are trying to change it, not in order to
dominate the world again, but in order to better understand it.”

RESIGNATION OF ARMENIAN SPEAKER NOT RESULT OF CONFLICT WITH PRESIDENT: HEAD OF RPA FACTION
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. “The expected resignation of Armenian
parliamentary speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan cannot be connected with
his interview with the German newspaper ” Frankfurter Allgemeine
” wherein the speaker tried to specify the priorities of Armenia’s
foreign policy ahead of the country’s president,> Galust Sahakyan,
Head of RPA faction, told ArmInfo.
G. Sahakyan believes that “withdrawing from the coalition, “Orinats
Yerkir” team is settling its own tasks.> He thinks it untimely
forecasting the election of the new speaker. Naming no nominee from the
RPA, G. Sahakyan stressed the role of the party in the election of the
new speaker. “The frames of cooperation with political forces remain
wide enough and our legislative activity will not be interrupted,
he says.
Commenting on the statement by “Orinats Yerkir” representative
Hovhanness Margaryan, that “OY” displayed readiness to leave the
posts for ideas, hereby gaining new voters, G. Sahakyan says:
“We shall only welcome if they gain new voters.”