Author: Ekmekjian Janet

AZERBAIJAN: FOUR PEOPLE MORE ARE JUDGED FOR BETRAYAL OF MOTHERLAND
Source: Information agency “Turan” (Baku), April 28, 2006
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 3, 2006 Wednesday
In the grave crimes Court under the chairmanship of Gadim Babaev
private session of the court on the case of four military people
accused on the basis of Article 274 (Motherland betrayal) and 338.1
(infringement of action post rules) has taken place. All the four
military are accused of giving Armenia secret information. Soldiers
of military service for a regular term Binali Mamedaliev (arrested in
October 2005), Shakhriar Ismailov, Shamkhal Agadzhamaliev and Parviz
Khabibov (arrested in 2006) served in Fizulinskiy region. During
their service time they were hooked by Armenians and worked for them.
The hearing of the case will take place on May, 4. As there it concerns
secret information, the case will be closed, and no information
is given about any mentioned facts. It is not the first case when
Azerbaijan soldiers are judged for cooperation with Armenians. Armed
Forces command has not yet given any explanation to the facts.

THEY SILENCE JOURNALISTS WITHOUT KILLING THEM
A1+
[05:39 pm] 02 May, 2006
“No one can suppress the truth for ever, but some people never stop
trying. It is journalists who pay the price” said Terry Davis on the
occasion of the 2006 World Press Freedom Day.
“Restrictions on freedom of expression are widespread, often violent
and sometimes lethal. In 2005 more than 150 journalists around the
world died carrying out their profession, and more than half of them
were murdered. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been deprived of their
freedom being either kidnapped or put in prison, and there are no
reliable statistics for those who have been threatened or persecuted.
As a rule, journalists in the 46 Council of Europe member states are
no longer tortured or killed, but that does not mean that they are
always free to do their work. The European Convention on Human Rights,
calling on public authorities to refrain from interfering with freedom
of expression, is frequently ignored. Some journalists may be silenced
through intimidation, others may be bought into compliance, but the
end result remains the same because democracy cannot properly function
without media which is genuinely free of governmental interference
and control.
A particularly insidious form of intimidation is the threat of
prosecution for libel. In fact, more than two thirds of the Council
of Europe member states maintain criminal sanctions for defamation,
and these laws are often used to stifle criticism. I call on all
Council of Europe member states to review their legislation, abolish
criminal provisions and prevent disproportionate damages in civil
cases against journalists. Progress in the protection of journalists
is the only credible way to mark the World Press Freedom Day. “

SERGE SARGSYAN TO LEAVE FOR MOSCOW TO FIND OUT CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH
Lragir.am
03 May 06
On May 3 President Robert Kocharyan held a consultation with the
prime minister, the ministers of defense and territorial management,
the Attorney General, the Police, the National Security Service and
the Department of Civil Aviation on the crash of the plane, flying
from Yerevan to Adler.
The head of the Department of Civil Aviation presented the details
of the crash.
The head of state instructed Serge Sargsyan, Defense Minister, Co-chair
of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Committee, to leave for
Russia to study the causes and circumstances of the crash on the spot,
informs the Press Office of RA President.
An intergovernmental committee will be set up, headed by the minister
of territorial management to deal with transportation of the bodies
and funeral.
The Attorney General reported that an action was suited.
The heads of the relevant agencies were instructed to report regularly
on the results of the investigation to the head of state.

Hellenic News of America
April 30 2006
Greek American Membership Organizations’ 2006 Policy Statement on
Compensation to Turkey’s Victims
Greek American Membership Organizations’ 2006 Policy Statement on
Compensation to Turkey’s Victims
WASHINGTON, DC– American Hellenic Institute president Gene Rossides
announced today that the major Greek American membership
organizations endorsed the 2006 policy statement on Compensation To
Turkey’s Victims. Prepared by the American Hellenic Institute, it is
part of the 2006 Greek American Policy Statements. The major
membership organizations are: the Order of AHEPA, the Hellenic
American National Council, the Cyprus Federation of America, the
Panepirotic Federation of America, the Pan-Macedonian Association of
America, the PanCretan Association of America, the Pan-Pontian
Federation of U.S.A. and Canada and the American Hellenic Institute.
The endorsed statement follows:
Compensation To Turkey’s Victims
We cite the compensation paid by the government of Germany to
holocaust victims and to the state of Israel and the government of
Japan to the victims of its actions in Asia before and during World
War II. We call on the U.S. government to press Turkey to pay
compensation:
* to the victims of Turkey’s illegal invasion of Cyprus of 1974;
* to the owners of property in Cyprus illegally taken, occupied and
used by the Turkish authorities and individuals since 1974;
* to the victims of the September 1955 Turkish pogrom against its
Greek citizens in Istanbul. The Turkish government at the time said
it would pay compensation to those victims but it has failed to do
so;
* to the victims of the Turkish genocide against the Pontian Greeks
in the 1920’s;
* to the victims of the Turkish massacre of the Greek and Armenian
populations of Smyrna (now Izmir) in 1922 under Kemal Ataturk’s
orders; and
* to the victims of Turkey’s Armenian Genocide in 1915.
Turkey, under threat of expulsion from the Council of Europe, finally
complied with the ruling of the European Court and paid the judgment
of the European Court of Human Rights which awarded $1.3 million in
damages to Titina Loizidou for the violation of her property rights
in the occupied area in connection with Turkey’s illegal invasion of
Cyprus in 1974 and its continuing illegal occupation. It demonstrates
that forceful action regarding Turkey will bring results. We call for
payments to all similarly situated Greek Cypriots and other owners of
property in the occupied area, including American owners.
###
For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202)
785-8430 or at [email protected]. For general information about
the activities of AHI, please see our website at

RIA Novosti. Russia
April 28 2006
Suspect in Armenian student killing released from custody
17:27 | 28/ 04/ 2006

MOSCOW, April 28 (RIA Novosti) – A high school student detained in
connection with the killing of an Armenian teenager in Moscow last
weekend has been released from custody, a lawyer for the student’s
family said.
Sixteen-year-old Denis Kulagin had been detained for 72 hours in
connection with the fatal stabbing of Vagan Abramyants, a 17-year-old
student at a Moscow manager training institute, at Pushkinskaya metro
station in downtown Moscow on April 22.
But his attorney Simon Tsaturyan said, “Prosecutors found no grounds
to charge [the suspect], so he was released.”
However, he added the status of his client remained unclear, as
investigators had to establish whether he was a witness or suspect.
The lawyer, though, said the dropping of charges showed that
prosecutors were inclined to probe further into a race-hate version.
The other version under consideration was that a row had broken out
between the two young men over a girlfriend.
“Our version that the crime was racially motivated has taken the
upper hand,” the lawyer said, adding that prosecutors were pursuing
another line that a group of young men had carried out the fatal
attack.
“Whether Kulagin was a suspect or an eyewitness is a question that
investigation will have to answer,” the lawyer said.

SPRING CONSCRIPTION STARTS
A1+
[01:01 pm] 28 April, 2006
Robert Kocharyan has signed a decree about the starting the 2006
spring conscription.
In April-May of the current year all those RA citizens who are 18
years old and have not served in the army will be summoned to fulfill
their military duty.
During the same period all those soldiers who have been serving for
the last two years will be sent home.

PRIMATE GALSTANIAN MAKES AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
AZG Armenian Daily
28/04/2006
On Monday, April 24, 2006, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese, sent a letter of
appreciation and gratitude to The Right Honorable Stephen Harper,
Prime Minister of Canada. In his letter, Bishop Galstanian thanked the
Prime Minister for his courageous action and pressed forward to urge
the Harper government to pass a law condemning all Genocide deniers.
The faithful of our Diocese and Armenian communities of Canada should
note that His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian met with The Right
Hon. Stephen Harper on March 21, 2006 in the office of the Prime
Minister in Ottawa. The purpose of the meeting was to thank Mr.
Harper for his past support of Bill M-380 in the House of Commons,
and use the opportunity to further the discussion on the Armenian
Genocide. On this occasion, Bishop Galstanian also presented a letter
from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians.
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada, in Montreal, is pleased
to go on record to express its gratification that the accelerated
pace of efforts of the Diocese for recognition of Medz Yeghern
has been successful. This diligent and conscientious process has
brought about a timely and concrete statement from the Office of the
Prime Minister. Mr. Harper signed and sent the statement to Armenian
organizations across Canada on Wednesday April 19, 2006, days leading
up to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese

ADAMKUS: ARMENIA SHOULD JOIN EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Regnum, Russia
April 26 2006
“After Lithuania gained independence, the principle of proper attitude
became a leading one of our foreign policy regarding to all countries
of the world, including Russia,” Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
stated during his official visit to Armenia, meeting with students
and lecturers of Yerevan State University on April 29.
“Of course, we may have some difficulties concerning certain questions,
but we should find ways to overcome them for the sake of today’s
generation, i.e. of our future,” Adamkus stated. The president
is quoted by a REGNUM correspondent as saying that “Lithuanian
foreign policy will not change, and will base on mutual trust and
respect.” “Since the time of gaining political independence by our
countries, relations between Lithuania and Armenia have been based
on friendship and mutual respect, and I do not see any reasons to
change the policy,” he stated.
“Armenia should join the European community, become a full family
member and assume appropriate obligations,” Adamkus stated. Answering
the question, how Lithuania can particularly help Armenia in the
way of Euro-integration, the president stated: “We already have
such cooperation; our specialists meet with Armenian colleagues,
widely exchanging experiences. Political will to effect reforms in
all spheres is important here; and the Armenian authorities have
such will. We are open and ready for cooperation. Of course, we made
mistakes, joining the EU, but we do not want you to repeat them.”

PRESS RELEASE
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
4125 Fessenden St. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Contact: Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian
T: 202.363.1923
[email protected]
ACYOA Leads Vigil; Secures Location for `System of a Down’ & Genocide Rally
Church Group Stands Ground in Face of Police and Turkish Pressure
Washington, DC. – Members of the St. Mary Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA) secured the front entrances and
property in front of the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC in
preparation for an annual April 24 genocide rally while leading a
91-hour vigil in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Armenian
Christians from the Washington, DC area were participating in a 91
consecutive hour prayer vigil when United States Secret Service
(Uniformed Division) officers, and later a representative from the
Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), attempted to
displace the Armenian group from the area that it had already occupied
for over 3 days.
`After speaking to the Secret Service and DC Metropolitan Police itwas
clear that they preferred that we move from our designated location.
When the ATTA representative arrived he attempted to relocate us as
well so that they would be able to use that space for their denial
campaign. But we had been stationed in front of the Embassy for over
75 hours and weren’t about to give it up to the Turks,’ remarked
Sarine Zenian, a spokesperson for the St. Mary ACYOA. `The police
ultimately sided inour favor and worked tirelessly and professionally
throughout the duration of the vigil and rally to ensure public
safety.’
Soon after, members of the Washington/Baltimore Armenian community, as
wellas others from around the country, rallied in support of the
recognition ofthe Armenian Genocide. Over 400 participants from
several local Armenian organizations and institutions including: the
ACYOA Central Council, the Armenian National Committee, the Armenian
Youth Federation, Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Homenetmen Scouts
and Athletic Union, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church, St. Mary Armenian
Church, and others; gathered together to call on the Turkish
government to admit its crimes, repent, and give the Armenian
peoplethe justice they deserve.
Special guests at the rally were members of the popular rock band
`System of a Down’ represented by band members John Dolmayan and
SerjTankian. Their presence added a unique element to the rally and
attracted Armenian-Americans to the annual rally in record numbers.
After the rally ended, the 91-hour vigil resumed through the night
ending at 10am on Tuesday, April 25, 2006. St. Mary ACYOA Chairman
Sevan Ohanian explained, `This vigil, and the 90-hour vigil of 2005,
sends a powerful message to the American people and the Turkish
government. We remained present on the street around the clock to
witness to the truth of the ArmenianGenocide.’ Vigil organizers
estimate an average of 50 vehicles drive past the Turkish Embassy each
minute during rush hour traffic. The vigil, which spanned 5 days,
exposed over 30,000 Washingtonians, including Turkish diplomats and
embassy staff, to the facts of the Armenian Genocide and thegreat
suffering that the Armenian people endured at the hands of the Ottoman
Turks.
Vigil participants endured inclement weather, cold nights, and
torrential rain during the first 50 hours and were repeatedly heckled
by area Turks and genocide deniers among the American community.
However, the vigil also provided an opportunity to engage pedestrians,
one on one, to discuss the issue and enlighten them about Armenia and
Armenian history. Muslims on their wayto the neighboring National
Islamic Center and Mosque offered insightful and often inspirational
views about humanity, human suffering, and mankind’s cruelty to
mankind.
Evenings at the vigil brought about opportunities for reflection and
prayer. Vigil spiritual leader, Dn. Zaven Kalayjian of Yerevan, led
the group in daily requiem services and group prayer focused on the
need for God’s grace and wisdom to be imparted on to the Turkish
people so that truth mayprevail over denial and ignorance in Turkey.
Vigil participants humbly prayed for God’s blessings on the martyrs of
the Genocide as well as the survivors and their legacy.
# # #

TURKEY REFUSED COOPERATION WITH CANADA OWING TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 22:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey refused Canada’s participation in the tender
for the building of the nuclear power plant. The decision was passed
due to Ottawa’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey
in 1915. “Canadian companies, which are going to take part in the
tender for the building of the nuclear power plant in Sinop Black Sea
province, will not be admitted due to Ottawa Administration recognition
of the Armenian Genocide,” the Hurriyet Turkish newspaper writes.
Referring to a senior representative of the Turkish MFA the newspaper
notes Ankara could not presume “the Canadian Government will
jeopardize the wide-scale cooperation between the two countries for
the sake of a few Armenians’ votes.” “All foreign governments should
now understand that they will have to pay for unfair accusations
against Turkey. Everyone should know we follow with attention all
initiatives in all regions of the world and they will encounter
the same attitude,” the Turkish diplomat said, reports RIA Novosti
referring to the Hurriyet.