Author: Ekmekjian Janet

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
March 12, 2007

His Holiness Karekin II Meets with President Abdul Kalam of India

On March 4, the final day of his pontifical visit to India, His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, met with His
Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of the Republic of India, in
the presidential palace in New Delhi.

President Kalam welcomed His Holiness to the palace and spoke of the long
history of friendship and cooperation between the Indian and Armenian
peoples.  The president specifically mentioned the Armenian merchants who
brought their contribution to the economic and societal development of
important trade cities like Calcutta, Madras and Bombay from the 17th
through the 19th centuries.

The day of the meeting between the Catholicos and the President was also a
holiday in India called `Holi’, the festival of colors.  The Catholicos of
All Armenians congratulated the President on the holiday and extended to the
people of India his best wishes on this festive day.

His Holiness Karekin II also expressed his appreciation to President Kalam
for the careful attention and kind attitude that religious and national
minorities have always enjoyed in India, and specifically thanked the Indian
authorities for the freedoms and opportunities given to the Armenians to
organize and create their national and spiritual lives for centuries.  His
Holiness mentioned that he was greatly impressed by his visits to the major
Indian cities of New Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras) and Mumbai
(Bombay), where he was able to visit at least one Armenian holy shrine or
church in each city, preserved to the present day.  His Holiness further
stated his happiness and pride at seeing the well-kept and maintained
conditions of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Calcutta,
the Armenian churches and complexes, as well as the Armenian cemeteries
located throughout India.

The Pontiff of All Armenians also stressed the importance of continuing the
cultural exchange of young students between Armenia and India, specifically
in the universities of the two countries.  More than 800 Indian students
currently study in Yerevan, most at Yerevan State Medical University, and in
exchange, a number of Armenian students are pursuing their higher educations
in major universities in different cities of India. 

President Kalam stated his pleasure with the developing ties between Armenia
and India, specifically during the last 15 years of independence.  His
Holiness thanked the Indian state and people for all of the assistance
provided during that time, first in the form of humanitarian aid in the
years immediately following the earthquake of 1988, and later through the
present day, in the form of economic development assistance in the spheres
of agriculture and information technologies.

His Holiness was accompanied during the meeting by His Excellency Ambassador
Ashot Kocharian, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Hakobian.  Also
present during the meeting was Her Excellency Reena Pandey, Ambassador of
India to Armenia.  At the conclusion of the meeting, President Abdul Kalam
guided the Pontiff of All Armenians on a tour of his private garden in the
presidential palace compound.

Having concluded his first pontifical visit to India, the Catholicos of All
Armenians and his delegation returned to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin on the following day, Monday, March 5.

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PRESS RELEASE

Monday, March 12, 2007

AGBU Donates Twelve New Ultrasound Machines to Armenia and Javakhk

YEREVAN, Armenia – In an official ceremony held on March 6, 2007 at
the Jefferson Ultrasound Training Center, AGBU, on behalf of AGBU
Trustee Nazar Nazarian, donated 12 ultrasound machines at a cost of
$290,000 to state health establishments of the Republic of Armenia and
the predominantly Armenian region of Javakhk in neighboring Georgia.

The machines will be donated to the Sisian Hospital, ARS Mother and
Child Health Center of Akhuryan, St. Grikor Lusavorich Hospital and
Maternity House in Yerevan, Akhalkalak Hospital, Berd Hospital, Nairi
Hospital of Yeghvart, "Gracia" international reconstructive center of
the Armenian Red Cross, Cardio and Radiology departments of Yerevan
State Medical University’s #1 Hospital, as well as to the Jefferson
Ultrasound Training Center in Yerevan. Included on the list of
recipients for these hi-tech machines are parts of the republic where
there is no such modern equipment, as well as Javakhk.

These machines ensure quick and secure diagnoses of diseases in the
early stage. Ultrasound is a safe and relatively inexpensive method
for imaging the body. These ultrasound machines have color Doppler
capability, which enables specialists to make state-of-art diagnoses
of a wide array of diseases involving blood vessels, the heart, and
other internal organs.

"The main advantage of these machines is that it is possible to ensure
two new examinations, cardiographic and vascular, as well as provide
emergency assistance to people with fractures and unconscious
patients," said Head of the Yerevan State Medical University Radiology
Chair, Dr. Andreas Hambardzumian.

"Last year we donated 10 such machines to the health establishments of
Yerevan and the regions of Goris and Kapan, as well as Karabakh. The
program will continue and be regularly renewed," said Ashot Ghazarian,
AGBU Armenian Representation Director.

The doctors that will work with these machines in the future undergo
training courses in the Jefferson Ultrasound Training Center under the
supervision of its co-directors Dr. Andreas Hambardzumian and
Dr. Hmayak Sissakian and with the participation of specialists from
the United States. The new ultrasound-trained doctors will not only
acquire the skills necessary to work with the machines, but also get
acquainted with innovations in the fields of tomography, sonography
and echocardiography. Experienced doctors also receive instruction in
ultrasound research. It is worth noting that the Center is regularly
updated with a vast array of academic materials (journals, videos,
etc.) that arrive from abroad.

The Ultrasound Center will help maintain the connection between the
hospitals that received the machines and the doctors that received
training to work on them. Regular follow-up courses and consultations
will be organized to keep them current and informed.

During the press conference, Ghazarian noted that the initial idea for
the Ultrasound Center originated with Dr. Levon Nazarian, Professor of
Radiology and Vice Chairman for Education at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital, and was facilitated with generous funding
provided by Nazar Nazarian, formerly treasurer of the AGBU Central
Board of Directors and currently a member of the organization’s newly
formed Board of Trustees. Recently, Dr. Nazarian became a member of
AGBU’s Central Board of Director.

Yerkir Media TV company () has placed its video
material of the above-mentioned distribution ceremony on its Internet
site, and it can be viewed-in Armenian-at the following URL:
;page=1& amp;id=1409.

Established in 2000, Yerevan’s Jefferson Ultrasound Training Center
was founded as a joint venture of Yerevan State Medical University,
Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute of Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and AGBU. More than
100 doctors and medical internship program students from Armenia,
India, Pakistan and Russia have completed training courses at the
Ultrasound Center.

AGBU is the largest Armenian nonprofit organization in the world. It
promotes the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural,
humanitarian, and media projects. For more information on AGBU and its
projects in Armenia, please visit

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
March 9 2007

US Department of State Armenia Human Rights Practices Report: Armenia
Occupies Azeri Territories

Friday , 09 March 2007

US Report says "Armenia continues to occupy the Azerbaijani territory
of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories"

The report continues:

"Armenia continues to occupy the Azerbaijani territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories.
During the year incidents along the militarized line of contact
separating the sides again resulted in numerous casualties on both
sides. Reporting from unofficial sources indicates that approximately
20 persons were killed and 44 were wounded, including both military
and civilian casualties on both sides of the line of contact.

All parties to the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict have laid
landmines along the 540‑mile border with Azerbaijan and along
the line of contact. During the year there were reports that a
landmine killed one civilian and unexploded ordnance killed another.

On September 5, unknown persons killed a senior tax official using a
bomb apparently planted under the seat of his government car. State
prosecutors opened an investigation and arrested two suspects, based
on the testimony of the official’s driver. One suspect was released
from prison on medical grounds. At year’s end the investigation was
ongoing."

The OSEC and the EU have also recently named Armenia ‘occupier’ in
Azeri territories.

The News – International, Pakistan
March 10 2007

Turkish leader guilty of genocide denial

GENEVA: A Swiss court on Friday found a Turkish leader guilty of
denying the Armenian genocide, the first time Switzerland’s
anti-racism law has been applied to the World War I slaughter.

Turkish Workers’ Party leader Dogu Perincek received a suspended jail
sentence of 90 days or an equivalent fine from the Lausanne court as
well as a fine of 3,000 Swiss francs (1,900 euros).

Perincek had described the Armenian genocide under the Ottoman Empire
as an `international lie’ at a Turkish rally in the Swiss city in
2005.

The Turkish government also fiercely rejects the genocide label and
the issue has sparked diplomatic tensions with Switzerland in the
past.

Judge Pierre-Henri Winzap called Perincek an `arrogant provocateur’
in his ruling at the end of a week-long trial, adding that he had
`racist and nationalist motives’.

Lausanne was also the site of the international conference and treaty
signed in 1923 which sealed the break-up of the Ottoman Empire and
the birth of the modern Turkish state.

Winzap said the Armenian genocide was `a proven historical fact
according to Swiss public opinion’ and the fact that it was not
listed as a genocide by an international court did not rule out its
reality.

He also ruled that Perincek made two speeches in May 2005 in the full
knowledge that he would be breaking the law.

Charges against Perincek were pressed under Swiss anti-racism law,
which includes an offence of denial of genocide or crimes against
humanity, following a complaint by a Swiss-Armenian group.

The verdict marks the first time that the 1995 law was applied to the
massacre of Armenians, said Doris Angst of Switzerland’s official
anti-racism watchdog.

`The commission welcomes the fact that the issue has been clarified
in a certain way with this ruling,’ the secretary of the Federal
Commission Against Racism told AFP.

Perincek said afterwards that he would appeal the verdict of
Lausanne’s magistrates court. `I will appeal this decision. I still
have confidence in Swiss justice. We will take it to the end to the
European Court of Human Rights if necessary,’ he told the Anatolian
news agency.

`This decision reflects in a concrete manner the Swiss judge’s hatred
for Turkey and the Turkish nation,’ he added.

In 2001, a court in the capital Bern acquitted 12 Turks facing
similar charges.

However, two years later the Swiss lower house of parliament formally
recognised the massacre of Armenians during World War I as genocide,
despite fierce protests from Turkey.

Perincek argued in court that he had not committed an offence with
his statements during the rally, insisting there had been no genocide
in 1915.

Swiss anti-racism law was not applicable in the Armenian case while
it was fully justified for the Holocaust in World War II, claimed the
Turkey-based militant.

Taliya, Iran
March 9 2007

Iran’s fiber-optic network to be connected to Armenia
March 9, 2007 11:55 PM

Tehran, March 11, Taliya News – Infrastructure Telecom Company’s
Technological Affairs Deputy said here Tuesday a delegation comprised
of experts and technicians would be dispatched to Armenia to connect
country’s fiber optic network to Armenia’s through Jolfa
International Border.
Jalal Mahfouzi referring to the visit of an Iranian delegation from
Armenia a while ago, added in an interview with ISNA, `During that
visit the members of the Iranian delegation had talks with Armenian
officials regarding connection of the two countries’ fiber-optic
networks and the Armenian ICT Minister approved of the proposal.’
He said, `A company called `Fiber-Net’ has recently been established
in Armenia and commissioned to take advantage of the Iranian
fiber-optic network, of which Iran’s entire neighbors, save for
Pakistan are now benefited.
He added, `Those benefits particularly included getting connected to
the fiber-optic networks of Iran’s southern neighbors on the southern
shores of the Persian Gulf, that are connected to the international
fiber-optic network.’
Pointing out that these networks are able of transforming voice and
data inputs, he said, `It is predicted that the capacity of the
capacity of these lines would be some two STM1 links, and the
contract would be based on the IRI ratified tariffs.

"NOR ZHAMANAKNER" PARTY TO SUPPORT LPPA CHAIRMAN HOVHANNES
HOVHANNISIAN IN ELECTORAL DISTRICT No5

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. At the RA National Assembly elections
to take place on March 12, the "Nor Zhamanakner" (New Times) party
will support candidature of Hovhannes Hovhannisian, the Chairman of
the Liberal-Progressive Party of Armenia nominated at electoral
district No5 by the majoritarian electoral system. This is said in the
March 3 statement of the information service of the "Nor Zhamanakner"
party.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 7, 2007 Wednesday

WHAT AWAITS AZERBAIJAN IN A CLASH BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
IRAN?;
Experts refuse to hazard a guess

by H. Gasym

AZERBAIJANI EXPERTS REFUSE TO SPECULATE ON THE EFFECT THE AMERICAN
WAR ON IRAN WILL HAVE ON THE SITUATION WITH THE CASPIAN SEA STATUS
AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION; The Azerbaijanis do not
know what to expect from the American invasion of Iran.

The possibility of a war between the United States and Iran is the
talk of the day. For some reason, practically nobody is speaking of
what military action of the Americans, Azerbaijan’s strategic
partners, may mean for Azerbaijan itself. Will it help the status of
the Caspian Sea or the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
Or will it advance the Armenian-American rapprochement? Traditionally
enough, officials of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry decline
comments and refuse to speculate. Hazar Ibragim, Chief of the Foreign
Ministry’s Directorate of Information Policy and Press, only says
that the Foreign Ministry does not want another conflict in the
region.

Milli Mejlis deputy, Jamil Gasanly, points out that the potential of
negotiations with Iran is not yet exhausted.

Neither does Gasanly expect the installation of a new regime in
Tehran to have any effect on the Armenian-American relations which
are already fairly close. "Armenia is ahead of all other counties in
the southern part of the Caucasus in US aid programs," the lawmaker
said.

Political scientist Fikret Sadyhov thinks that the Americans’
appearance in Iran will lead to the installation of a democratic
government. "But not even that will facilitate solutions to the
problems of the Caspian status or Karabakh conflict resolution,"
Sadyhov shrugged. "The Americans display dual standards in the
Karabakh conflict resolution and force their will on us. Some changes
in the US foreign policy are nevertheless possible, and relations
between Azerbaijan and Iran may be somewhat corrected. It may have
positive results, but I’m not sure that the problems will be solved
any time soon."

Speaking of the future of Armenian-American relations, Sadyhov
recalled that Washington regularly issues statements on supporting
Azerbaijani territorial integrity, but these are only words, nothing
more. "All the same, I do not expect any serious changes in
Armenian-American relations," he said.

Source: Ekho (Baku), March 2, 2007, EV

PROCèS PERINCEK: BERNE DETOURNE LE REGARD

La Tribune de Geneve, Suisse
07 mars 2007 mercredi
Edition Tribune de Genève

Haltiner

SUISSE Diplomatie Le procès du nationaliste turc risque a nouveau
d’envenimer les relations avec Ankara.

SUISSE Diplomatie

Le procès du nationaliste turc risque a nouveau d’envenimer les
relations avec Ankara.

Le procès de Dogu Perincek (photo) s’est ouvert hier a Lausanne. Le
nationaliste turc, renvoye devant le Tribunal de police pour
discrimination raciale après avoir qualifie le genocide armenien de
"mensonge international", campe sur ses positions. Du côte armenien,
on considère le genocide comme un fait incontestable.

Alors que les autorites et les medias turcs ont les yeux rives sur le
procès de Dogu Perincek, a Berne le Departement federal des affaires
etrangères (DFAE) se refuse a tout commentaire. "Il est essentiel de
tenir compte de la separation des pouvoirs. Nous ne nous prononcerons
pas sur une procedure judiciaire en cours", explique Carine Carey,
porte- parole du DFAE. Rien ne filtrera donc de l’administration
federale. Et pour cause: le procès s’inscrit dans un contexte
international tendu et pourrait avoir de repercussions sur les
relations turco-suisses. Ce ne serait qu’un differend de plus, dans
une serie de rapports deja tumultueux: en automne 2003, les autorites
turques, fâchees que le Grand Conseil vaudois ait reconnu le genocide
armenien, annulent une visite officielle de Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Quelques semaines plus tard, le Conseil national reconnaît a son tour
le genocide, alors meme que le Conseil federal ne le fait pas. Ce
ne sera qu’en mars 2005 que la ministre se rendra en Turquie. Mais,
quelques mois plus tard, alors que les poursuites sont entamees contre
Dogu Perincek, c’est la visite de Joseph Deiss qui est annulee.

L’annee suivante, pour une raison inexpliquee, le Ministère de la
defense turc exclut l’avionneur suisse Pilatus d’un appel d’offres pour
de nouveaux avions d’entraînement. Plus recemment, en automne dernier,
Christoph Blocher, en visite en Turquie, provoque un tolle en remettant
en cause la norme antiraciste suisse. Enfin, ce week-end, lors de sa
rencontre avec son homologue turc, Cemil Cicek, le conseiller federal
a admis avoir evoque le procès. Il lui aurait explique que la Turquie
devait s’attendre a ce que Dogu Perincek puisse etre condamne. Verdict
d’ici la fin de la semaine.

–Boundary_(ID_12p3SiEDdOUOoXkd2vJLrQ)–

GEORGIAN PRINCIPALS IN ARMENIAN SCHOOLS

Panorama.am
20:36 05/03/2007

Nine out of 94 candidates for the post of principals of Akhalakalak
secondary schools passed the test, including one Armenian and eight
Georgians.

Bagin reports that the concern that the Armenian schools may have
Georgian principals have come true.

>>From now one, not the boards of trustees but Georgian education
minister will appoints school principals.

The Armenian candidates failed to pass the tests because they did
not know Georgian. Many have appealed the decision and the answer
will be clear in two weeks.

Panorama.am

17:54 03/03/2007

HHK APPLIES TO CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

Today the Armenian Republican Party (HHK) submitted the final list of
the party, comprising 112 persons with Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan, Defense Minister Serzhe Sargsyan and NA Chairman Tigran
Torosyan in the first three places.

The list continues with the names of Hovik Abrahamyan, territorial
administration minister, Karen Karapetyan, Razmik Zohrabyan, Galust
Sahakyan, Hranush Hakobyan, Harutiun Pambukyan and Gagik Minasyan.

Source: Panorama.am