Author: David Nargizian

TOM CASEY HOLDS STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING
Congressional Quarterly
March 13 2006
Tom Casey, Acting State Department Spokesman
Location: Washington, D.C.
[parts omiited]
QUESTION: Can we try something easy?
CASEY: Sure, let’s try something easy.
(LAUGHTER)
QUESTION: Is the ambassador to Armenia having his career shortened
because he spoke out against genocide in Armenia?
CASEY: I know we promised you an answer on that one on Friday.
QUESTION: Yes.
CASEY: I still don’t have it, and I’ll get something for you this
afternoon.
QUESTION: You mean his future hasn’t been decided yet?
CASEY: Not that I’m aware of.
QUESTION: I think it has.
CASEY: I believe you think it does.
QUESTION: No, I do believe it does.
And so do — and I have reason to believe it does, and I know there
are least two members of Congress who believe it does.
No, I just think that the State Department is having difficulty
finding words to announce his premature retirement.
CASEY: No, we owe you an answer on that, and I’ll get it for you.
QUESTION: Do you have a readout on the Eritrea-Ethiopia meetings? I
know they were in London, but I believe there was U.S. representation
there. But did they make any progress?
CASEY: Yes, I did check on that before the briefings and don’t have a
full readout for you, and we’ll get you something later this afternoon.
QUESTION: On Slobodan Milosevic?
CASEY: Yes.
QUESTION: How his death is going to affect the new round of talks
March 17th in Vienna for the final steps of Kosovo — do you expect
a kind of postponement?
CASEY: Well, I don’t — do we expect a postponement in the next round
of discussions?
QUESTION: Yes.
CASEY: Not that I’m aware of, and obviously you know our policies on
this issue.
We’re supporting the efforts of Special Representative Ahtisaari to
negotiate a final-settlement agreement or final-status agreement,
and we look forward to seeing those talks continue.
QUESTION: Any communication between Secretary Rice and the chief of the
tribunal, (inaudible) Carla del Ponte on Slobodan Milosevic’s death?
CASEY: No.
QUESTION: And who is going to be present in the Slobodan Milosevic
funeral in Belgrade on behalf of the U.S. government since it’s a
political event — your ambassador to Serbia-Montenegro?
CASEY: I’m not aware that there are any State arrangements being made
for his funeral, and I’m certainly not aware of any U.S.
participation in it.
QUESTION: And one on Armenia.
Representative Frank Pallone in a strong statement expressed his
extreme disappointment with regards of the Department of State’s
decision to (inaudible) Ambassador John Evans from Armenia as a
retaliation for a statement he made in recognition of the Armenian
genocide in Los Angeles by Ottoman Turks. And it was reported that
already you have decided to replace him.
Could you please clarify for us what’s going on exactly at this
particular moment on this issue?
CASEY: That was a question Barry asked. We owe you an answer and
we’ll get you one.
QUESTION: It’s the same answer?
CASEY: Yes. It’s the same issue. It’ll be the same answer.
QUESTION: Is there an ambassador on post in Armenia right now?
CASEY: Yes, there is.
QUESTION: Is his name Evans?
CASEY: Yes, it is.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) suitcase packed?
CASEY: Not that I’m aware of.
QUESTION: But when you do announce this, would you kindly tell us
the difference between what happened and genocide?
CASEY: I think…
QUESTION: Because U.S. policy is there was no genocide.
CASEY: Our policy on this issue is well known. It was repeated in a
presidential statement. And, yes, I don’t have anything to add to it.
[the rest of the press conference deleted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA EXPORTS WOODS CUT IN NK – ARIF ISGANDAROV
Author: S.Aliyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 14 2006
“The woods cut in the territory of Azerbaijani reserve in Zangelan
District, which is under occupation of Armenia, is exported to
Italy, France, Greece and Iran,” Arif Isgandarov, the head of the
Ecology and Nature Protection Policy Department of the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, told Trend in an exclusive
interview. The woods are used in different purposes, including
manufacturing of furniture and ship-building.
At present the price of wood material is $1,000 per 1000 cu m.
Isgandarov also heads the Operative Center on Definition (observation)
of Destructive Impact on the Environment and Natural Resources on
the occupied territory of Azerbaijan.
Mahabbat Gurbanov, the head of the Zangilan Bureau of the Ministry
of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mahabbat Gurbanov, at present the
valuable species of trees are being cut in the territory of Basitchay
state reserve. “Armenian side terminates a platan forest an only
Europe and the second in the world,” he said.
According to the Director of the Reserve, Khudush Isgandarov, at
present the Armenian side opened a wood processing workshop, which
operates all day. The place of cut trees is fired and frequently
blasted to conceal the traces. The new trees are planted in these
areas. The Ministry obtained the information from Iran, which borders
with Zangilan District and Azerbaijani citizens who were in Armenian
captivity earlier. Moreover, the Ministry has photos and video
materials on then occupied territory of Azerbaijan.
The Director of the Reserve noted that reserves and platans that are
in this forest were included in the Red Book. They are also included
in the Red Book of Armenia. Some platans existing in the territory
of Armenia are preserved, whereas they are cut predatorily in the
occupied territory of Azerbaijan.
The trees that grow in this territory age 1500 years. The area of
the reserve was 117h when it was founded in 1974. However, further
it was reduced to 107h.
According to officials of the Ministry, the statement on facts
of termination of relict forest has been repeatedly made at
international conferences. However, no step had been taken against
such ‘ecological terror’. To solve the problem Azerbaijan suggest to
establish an international expert group which will pay an expedition
to the region, hold monitoring and assert the facts submitted by
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a member of a Convention on bio-variety and
maintenance of genetic fund of plantings, which it strictly observes
in difference to Armenia, another member of the convention.
The Operative Center on Definition (observation) of Destructive Impact
on the Environment and Natural Resources on the occupied territory
of Azerbaijan was founded in 2001. Since that period the Center has
developed two reports on environmental impact and an action plan. At
present the Center possesses huge amount of materials confirming the
destructive actions by Armenia on environment and natural resources
of Azerbaijan in the occupied territory.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BOXING: KELLY NEXT CHALLENGE FOR DARCHINYAN THE RAGING BULL!!!
By Gavin Stone
EastsideBoxing.com
Oct 17 2005
Darchinyan will make the third defense of his IBF Flyweight world
title against Northern Irelands Damaen Kelly on November 25 at the
State Sports Centre in Homebush, Sydney.
Although this will be the third defense of his title, the Australian
citizen is yet to fully gain the recognition from the Australian public
that he deserves as he is unquestionably Australia’s number one boxer
on a pound for pound scale along with fellow eastern European born
fighter Kostya Tszyu.
With this in mind, it is interesting to take a look at what has led
the southpaw Darchinyan (who is also to holder of the IBO title at
Flyweight) to the current stage of his career in which he holds a
24-0 professional record.
Darchinyan moved to Australia to train under the guidance of 3 time
world champion and Hall of Fame legend Jeff Fenech after the 2000
Sydney Olympic Games. Darchinyan reached the Quarter Finals of the
Sydney Games, and Fenech saw potential in the young Armenian who
finished with a 170 (152-18) amateur fight record. Fenech enticed
the young Darchinyan to join his growing team of fighters, and
sponsorship was obtained from Mr. Henry Hacobian, a well respected
Armenian businessman living in Sydney, Darchinyan was also given the
ring name of “The Raging Bull” by corner man Angelo Hyder and is a
reflection of Darchinyan’s aggressive boxing style. Darchinyan then
made his professional debut in November 2000 at the Sydney Star City
Casino, on a card which was shown live on Fox Sports.
After being steadily brought up through the professional ranks over a 4
year period and picking up one National and two Regional title belts,
Darchinyan built a solid 21-0 record and was ready to challenge for
a world title.
In December 2004 Darchinyan traveled overseas to fight undefeated
Colombian Irene Pacheco for the IBF Flyweight world title. Pacheco had
been world champion for 5 years, and went into the fight as a strong
favorite. In an open air arena in the Hollywood suburb of Florida
(USA), Darchinyan took the reigning champion apart and won the title
via way of an 11th round TKO.
Darchinyan was now on the way, a world title was his and he was ready
to take on the other champions in the division.
Darchinyan made the first defense of the IBF title in a unification
bout with IBO champion Mzukisi Sikali of South Africa. Darchinyan
proved far too strong for the experienced Sikali and won via an 8th
round stoppage which was of the suggestion of Sikali’s corner.
The now unified IBF and IBO Flyweight world champion made his most
recent defense against Jair Jimenez at the Sydney Entertainment
Centre in August of this year. Darchinyan put on a superlative
performance against the strong willed South American winning by a
5th round TKO after Jimenez corner saved their fighter from further
damage, a reoccurring trend with Darchinyan opponents. In this fight
‘The Raging Bull’ showed a tenacity that has been lacking from other
Australian’s in world title fights.
Darchinyan recently returned from a trip to his country of birth in
which he opened a boxing gym in his native town of Vanadzor, and
after coming back refreshed Darchinyan is now ready for his next
challenge. Damaen Kelly will be this challenge.
Kelly holds a 21-2 record and the current IBO Super Flyweight
champion. The 32yo Kelly has also held Flyweight title belts for the
IBO and WBF, and is a recognised world class fighter. The Northern
Irishman will provide Darchinyan with a solid test, however it’s
difficult to see Kelly overcoming the power and strength of the
hometown fighter.
In the opinion of a boxing fan, Vic Darchinyan is one of, if not the
most exciting boxer to watch from a fans point of view. Darchinyan
is enthralling viewing as he exhibits a mental and physical power
that his opponents so far have found impossible to overcome, and
this is delivered in a unique style, a style where by his ring name
“The Raging Bull” suits him down to a tee. Vic Darchinyan is must
see TV for not just any boxing fan, but for all sporting fans alike.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FM SAYS NATO CAN BE IMPORTANT TO PEACE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS REGION
Associated Press
Oct 6 2005
NATO can be a key player in helping stabilize the troubled southern
Caucasus region that includes Armenia, the country’s foreign minister
said Thursday.
Speaking at a joint seminar of the parliament and representatives of
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Vardan Oksanyan said “NATO can play
a large role in establishing peace in the south Caucasus and bring
countries of the region into peaceful dialogue.”
The region is troubled by tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia
over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and neighboring Georgia
is trying to bring two separatist regions back under the central
government’s control.
Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization,
which includes Russia and four other ex-Soviet states. Russia has
troops based in Armenia, but Oksanyan said “at the same time we are
working closely with NATO.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2005
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:
Ambassador Markarian Meets U.S. Ex-Im Bank Acting President
On August 12, 2005, Ambassador Tatoul Markarian met with James
H. Lambright, Chairman and Acting President of the U.S. Export Import
Bank and discussed prospects for U.S.-Armenian trade relations and
the potential for the Bank’s programs in Armenia.
Mr. Lambright acknowledged Armenia’s progress in economic reforms
and positive macroeconomic trends, noting that Export-Import Bank
had announced in March the availability of short-term and medium-term
financing for Armenia’s public sector as well. Ambassador Markarian
presented Armenia’s current economic and legal reforms, and the
efforts by the Government of Armenia to promote trade and investment.
It was agreed to work together to promote Ex-Im Bank’s programs in
Armenia and to review Armenia’s risk classification in international
institutions to better reflect the country’s significant achievements
in securing macroeconomic stability and fostering double-digit
economic growth.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS ERECTED IN ROSARIO ARGENTINEAN TOWN
PanArmenian News Network
Aug 2 2005
02.08.2005 03:35
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The solemn unveiling ceremony of the monument to
the Armenian Genocide victims was held July 30 in the Armenian city
of Rosario, the state committee for organizing events dedicated to
the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide told PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter. Mayor of Rosario Miguel Livshits and Armenian Ambassador
to Argentina Ara Ayvazian took part in the ceremony. On the same
day they agreed on considering the possibility of trade and economic
cooperation between one of the Armenian towns and Rosario, which is
a big port and industrial center.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE LEAVING ARMENIA
A1+
15-07-2005
Today RA Premier Andranik Margaryan received the Ukrainian Ambassador
extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia Vladimir Tyaglo who is
finishing his diplomatic mission in our country.
The RA Premier thanked Mr. Tyaglo for the three years of cooperation,
highly appreciating his contribution to the development of the
relations between the two countries. Mr. Tyaglo thanked the Armenian
authorities, in particular the Government and the Premier for support
and mentioned that he is leaving the country with warm memories and
impressions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #115, 23/06/2005
Armenia-NATO
‘IF ARMENIA STANDS AGAINST THE PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN FORCES IN THE COUNTRY,
NATO WILL SUPPORT YEREVAN’
Robert Simmons Does Not Consider Russian Factor an Obstacle for Armenia-NATO
Relations
The special representative of NATO Secretary General in South Caucasus and
Central Asia, Robert Simmons, says that in case Armenian government rejects
to see Russian military presence in the country then NATO will support
Yerevan.
At the meeting with Armenian, Georgian and Azeri journalists at the NATO
headquarters, Simons gave positive evaluation to the last Russian-Georgian
talks as result of which Russia agreed to remove its military bases from
Georgia by the time fixed in Istanbul in 1999.
Brussels welcomes the withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia. But Russia
maintains its military presence in Armenia and still plans to move part of
the military equipment from Georgia to Armenia. Simmons says that it does
not contradict European agreements on ordinary weapons but on the other
hand, it is not desirable to see the arms in Armenia, as they will result in
complication [once Armenia decides to remove them too].
Asked whether Russia’s military presence in Armenia stymies further
development of Yerevan-NATO relations, Simmons said that it’s no obstacle
for NATO, especially in this case when Armenia gave its consent to Russian
bases. NATO, he says, does not build its relations with partner states on
rivalry and does not consider Russia a rival country in the South Caucasus.
In his brief speech titled “The road to NATO membership”, Simmons said that
Georgia has left Armenia and Azerbaijan behind in fostering relations with
NATO. Only Tbilisi in the South Caucasus has spoke out for joining the NATO.
But it’s not realistic that Georgia will become NATO member in foreseeable
future, he said.
“Macedonia, Albania and Croatia are in the process of membership. Ukraine
has intensified and Georgia is intensifying membership process”, he said. A
state bidding for NATO has to match the criteria of the Treaty in the
spheres of defense, home politics, economy and other. Simmons added that the
doors of NATO are open to all states but today’s immediate candidates are
Albania, Macedonia and Croatia.
On June 10, Armenian defense minister handed the draft of Armenia’s
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) to NATO secretary general. On June
16, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian submitted the document to NATO
Council for ratification. Official Yerevan sees this as a decisive stage in
Armenian’s integration into Europe.
The IPAP was launched in Prague Summit of NATO in 2002. It is available for
all states that have political will and are able to deepen relations with
NATO. Countries involved in the Plan choose the forms of cooperation based
on their goals and possibilities that are written in a representational
document.
Neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan presented the IPAP document to NATO
secretary general in 2004. In November of that year Tbilisi and Brussels
elaborated the IPAP, Baku and Brussels did so in May.
Armenian Interdepartmental Commission chaired by defense and foreign
ministers elaborated the IPAP document. The document outlines official
Yerevan’s goals directed to fostering Armenia-NATO relations as well as the
mechanisms of productive cooperation in the spheres of security and defense.
As soon as NATO confirms the document, a program for implementation of the
items of the document will be worked out.
To daily Azg’s question if “we can consider the IPAP if not a promise for
NATO membership then a prospect”, Robert Simmons said, “The IPAP is not a
document enabling accession to NATO and does not mean a process of
membership”.
NATO does not see itself as a mediator in Nagorno Karabakh issue. “We
absolutely support the OSCE and does not want to imitate Minsk group”,
Simmons said. He pointed out that in case the sides offer NATO to get more
actively involved in the conflict resolution, then “we’ll discuss it”. NATO
shows no partiality and stands for peaceful settlement, Simmons concluded.
By Tatoul Hakobian in Brussels
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hovnanian Enterprises Presentation at the Friedman Billings Ramsey 2nd
Annual European Investor Conference to be Webcast Live
RED BANK, N.J., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hovnanian
Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:_HOV_ (aol://4785:HOV/) ), a leading national
homebuilder, announced that senior management will present at the
Friedman Billings Ramsey 2nd Annual European Investor Conference at
8:50 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. The presentation will be
webcast live and can be accessed through the Hovnanian website at
_ () .
To access the presentation, investors should go to the “Investor
Relations” section of the Company’s website at _
() and select the webcast icon. Participants are
encouraged to log on at least five minutes prior to the start of the
presentation. For those investors who are not able to listen to the
presentations live, an archive of the webcast will be available for 90
days.
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian,
Chairman, is headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey. The Company is
one of the nation’s largest homebuilders with operations in Arizona,
California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The Company’s
homes are marketed and sold under the trade names K. Hovnanian Homes,
Goodman Homes, Matzel & Mumford, Diamond Homes, Westminster Homes,
Forecast Homes, Parkside Homes, Brighton Homes, Parkwood Builders,
Great Western Homes, Windward Homes, Cambridge Homes and Town &
Country Homes. As the developer of K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons
communities, the Company is also one of the nation’s largest builders
of active adult homes.
Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., including a
summary investment profile and the Company’s 2004 annual report, can
be accessed through the Investor Relations page of the Hovnanian
website at _ () . To be added
to Hovnanian’s investor e-mail or fax lists, please send an e-mail to
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) or sign up at _
() .
SOURCE Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
06/22/2005 04:00 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman Online, Turkey
June 20 2005
US Armenian Lobby Prepares 7-Article Action Plan
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Published: Monday 20, 2005
zaman.com
The Armenian National Community of America (ANCA) has initiated a
protest against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s denial
of the Armenian genocide and prepared a seven-article action plan.
The first article calls for support of the Armenian bill presented to
the US House of Representatives last week calling for the recognition
of the so-called Armenian genocide. The organization asked
Armenian-Americans to bombard their local member of congress with the
messages of support.