Author: Ekmekjian Janet

BARBARIANS IN YEREVAN
A1+
01-04-2005
«It is not a secret for us that in our city trees are constantly being
cut. And all this is done before the eye of the people. We found a
terrible scene near the hotel «Golden Palace» which is being built
near the Victory Park. The sycamores of the pavement which could still
live up to 65 years were cat, and several poplars which were really
object of cutting slipped the eye of the cutters.
It is obvious that this is done on purpose with the aim of destroying
the little left green area in our city. We call to you to stop this
criminal attitude towards our city», this was the letter of Silva
Adamyan, head of the non-governmental organization «Center of
Bird-lovers». At the end of the letter, bringing as witness the photos
sent by her, Silva Adamyan calls us to witness this «barbarian
attitude».

ANCA WARNS ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY GROUPS ABOUT TARC/ICTJ THREAT
TO ARMENIAN CAUSE
WASHINGTON, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Responding to the Turkish
government’s increasingly aggressive campaign to deny justice for the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
circulated on March 28 a letter warning all the leading Armenian
American organizations about the “quiet, but profoundly dangerous,
campaign by Turkey aimed at the very heart of our community’s struggle
to secure full recognition, proper commemoration, and a just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide.”

THE ARABS APPEAL TO THE WORLD ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
A1+
01-04-2005
The 12 leaders of the Syrian North-Eastern tribes who have come to
Armenia in connection with the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, appealed to the international organizations today. The leaders
of the Arabian tribes think that «the world must reconsider their
attitude towards the Armenian Genocide and return to the Armenian nation
their just rights and demands».
The Arabs who first visit Armenian are those people who govern their
tribes. It is noteworthy that each Syrian tribe consists of more than a
million people. The leaders arriving Armenian represent the tribes which
during the Genocide received and helped the immigrants saved from the
Turkish jatagan. «The Arabs all know about the Genocide and they have
done many services to the Armenian nation», said the leaders in the
today’s press conference.
The guests have met the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, students
and many other people, they have visited Matenadaran and got acquainted
with the Armenian history. Today they will go to the town of Abovyan,
where there are many people who returned to Armenia years after the
Genocide. Tomorrow the representatives of the Arabian world will meet
the Catholicos of all Armenians.
As a result of the meetings already taken place, the representative of
the `Bagyara’ tribe, for example, has concluded, `It is already clear
for us that the Armenian nation has a history of thousand and thousand
of years, even before Christ. So this nation must recover its
fatherland’.
The leaders of the tribes represented the role of the Syrian Armenian
community in the activity of their country. The Armenians have many high
posts and always have places in the Parliament. By the way, the Syrian
Parliament has not officially recognized the fact of the Armenian
Genocide. According to the leaders, it is accounted for by the fact that
in that issue Syria is like Armenia:’There is no need to recognize an
issue which is testified to by every stone of the country’.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005
Documents on Ottoman Empire developments to be sent to UN
Baku, March 28, AssA-Irada
Historical documents on the developments in the Ottoman Empire in
1915-1919 will be presented to the United Nations shortly to condemn
Armenians’ claims on the fake `genocide’ through historical evidence,
says chairman of the Turkish History Committee Yusif Hallac.
Hallac said that the number of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire
and exiled during World War I, as well as that of Armenians and Turks
killed in armed clashes, are based on the documents of the Empire and
the Armenian Church.
`The official documents prove again that the claims on the false
`Armenian genocide’ are not based on any historic facts and are much
ado about nothing,’ said Hallac.
On Monday, Turkey uncovered about one million unknown archive
documents of the Ottoman Empire, which are currently kept at the
Turkish Senior Department on State Archives.
The archive materials include official documents of the `Yildiz
Sarayi’ (the chancellery of Ottoman sultans), as well as those of
State Council, Interior and Foreign Ministries. Archive materials of
the Ottoman Empire, England, Germany, France and USA are among the
disclosed documents that will be available for employees of history
institutes, analytical centers and scientists.
According to historic facts, about 100,000 Armenians were killed in
armed clashes and died of various diseases in the Ottoman Empire in
1915.
519,000 Turks were killed by Armenian armed groups in the territory
of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 till 1919.
644,900 Armenians, who were exiled during World War I, returned to
Turkey in 1921, while most of them went to Syria, France, USA,
Greece, Russia and Iran.*

MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY OF ARMENIA HAS 50 VACANCIES
THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILLED FOR A 1.5-YEAR
YEREVAN, MARCH 25. ARMINFO. The Ministry of Finance and Economy of
Armenia has 50 vacancies that have not been filled for a 1.5-year.
Minister of Finance Vardan Khachatryan says during a regular
examination for one of the vacancies.
He says that the ministry needs chief specialists and even heads
of the department at a salary of 40-90,000 AMD. The minister says
that this salary is not high, but it is higher than pensions and
allowances in the republic. He says that examinations to the post of a
civil servant at the ministry are no so difficult, besides there are
promotion funds at the ministry, which double the salary. At present
some 750 people work at the ministry and the minister complains of
lack of qualified specialists.
Today, 10 applicants passed examination for the vacant post of
the first class specialist of the department of methodology of the
department of development of financial market and currency settlement
(34,000 AMD salary). It is only the first step to climb up the
ladder. The examinations are held in Armenia in connection with the
Law on civil servant that came into effect two years ago. The present
contest was the 2,000th in succession. On the whole, there are 7,200
civil servants and 250 vacancies in Armenia. Specialists say that the
posts connected with control, licensing and certification are highly
in demand unlike the others.

Easter a time of rebirth, renewal
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Don’t let the miles or grudges keep you separated from friends,
loved ones
>>From turmoil comes an appreciation for life’s bounty. So too is it
that the harsh and barren winter gives way to spring as nature renews
the cycle of life.
Flowers start to bloom and farmers begin to till the soil that will
nourish life with fruits and grains.
As part of this renewal, Christians today celebrate Easter and the
resurrection of Christ. They mark the conclusion of his journey
from darkness into light and the Christian tenant that mankind has
been redeemed.
But, while Easter Mass and the Resurrection serve as the cornerstones
of today’s celebration, cultures around the globe magnify the day’s
significance in many special ways.
In Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red to symbolize and honor the blood
of Christ. In Germany and Austria, green eggs commemorate Christ’s
last supper. An Armenian tradition involves decorating hollowed out
eggshells with religious images significant to the holiday.
In the United States, the traditions also vary while still recognizing
the egg as the symbol of germinating life and the coming of spring.
Pennsylvania Dutch children are taught that if they are good, the
Oschter Haws will lay a nest of brightly colored eggs.
On Monday, children will descend on the White House to roll Easter
eggs down the South Lawn continuing a tradition that Congress outlawed
in 1877 because it was tearing up the grounds of the Capitol.
But, in 1878 President Rutherford B. Hayes issued an official order
that “should any children arrive to egg roll on Easter Monday, they
were to be allowed to do so.” Now, over 125 years later children still
flock to the White House dressed in Easter finery to hurriedly move
brightly colored eggs across the South Lawn.
In New Hampshire and southern Maine, communities have come together
to renew their celebration of life and family.
Bolduc Park in Laconia was the site of an Easter egg hunt.
The Center Harbor fire station played host to an Easter party
In Portsmouth, children enjoyed an indoor beach party at the Edgewood
Center.
Rochester came together for a potluck supper at the Roberge Center.
In Kittery, Maine, children and adults decorated Easter eggs at the
Community Center and Traip Academy high schoolers sponsored an Easter
egg hunt for their younger counterparts.
Such traditions celebrate Easter and the meaning of the Resurrection
by fostering a sense of community and of family, the foundation on
which civilizations are built.
Of course, there will be families which will not be able to come
together for an Easter celebration. Many are separated by war and
illness. Children are away at college, others have chosen jobs in
warmer climates.
But physical separation is no excuse. Through His resurrection and
ascension, Christ taught us that it is our spirit which is important.
The miles need not separate families and friends if they are united
in spirit.
Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Repair a damaged relationship. Renew
your life and the life of someone you care about.
That is the message of Easter.

VIKTOR DALLAKIAN: ARMENIA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA BECAME VASSAL
YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The relations with Russia are important
but as a result of the policy carried on by the Armenian government
they have turned into “vassal relations.” Viktor Dallakian, Secretary
of NA Ardarutiun (Justice) faction, expressed such an opinion at
the March 25 parliamentary briefing. The MP mentioned that first
of all he means the “Property for Debt” transaction, according to
which the Russian side was obliged to make investments amounting to
more than $107m, which wasn’t done and the enterprises transferred
to the Russian side aren’t working. According to Dallakian, Russia
also plays a negative part in connection with the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline. According to him, if Armenia was given a possibility of
becoming a transit territory the sums received from this could exceed
the country’s budget twice. But Armenia doesn’t manage this because
of the Russian pressure, which also binds to use the Iranian gas in
Armenia exceptionally for the purpose of producing electricity. The
projects of Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran railway, as well as the project
of foundation of a common electric system with these countries show
that Armenia is again left out of the regional development programs,
Dallakian mentioned. The speaker also expressed anxiety about the
circumstance that the delegations representing Russia in different
international organizations don’t support the Armenian delegations in
connection with the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Viktor Dallakian assured
that the events dedicated to the Year of Russia in Armenia are called
up to keep the balance as events dedicated to the Year of Azerbaijan
are simultaneously being held in Russia.

PRESIDENT PUTIN TO ASSIST IN SOLUTION OF KARABAKH ISSUE
RIA Novosti
2005-03-25 17:33
YEREVAN, March 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin
hopes that Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents will hold a regular
bilateral meeting.
In the course of the press-conference in Yerevan the Russian President
said that he and the Armenian President discussed the settlement of
the Nagorny Karabakh issue, situation in the Transcaucasia and the
issues concerning the development of the transportation infrastructure.
Speaking about the perspectives for the settlement of the conflict in
Nagorny Karabakh (Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, which proclaimed
its independence from Baku) Putin assured that “Russia will render
all the necessary assistance to settle the conflict.”
The Russian President noted that at the talks they both seriously
considered the regional problems.
“Our countries are interested in the stabilization of the situation
in the Transcaucasia, formation of the trustworthy atmosphere and the
formation of relations, which will contribute to the development of
the social and economic spheres,” Putin said.
Moreover, the Presidents closely considered the issue concerning the
development of the transportation infrastructure. Putin reminded that
the first ferry from the Russian port Kavkaz (situated on the left bank
of the Kerch strait, which divides Ukrainian Crimea and the Russian
Taman peninsula) came to Poti port with cargo for Georgia. “I hope that
in the future this ferry route will be used for deliveries of cargo for
Armenia and other countries in the region,” the Russian President said.
“These steps will open broad opportunities for business, serve for the
creation of new jobs, intensify the economic life of the region and
provide for the enhancement of the integration processes,” President
Putin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kyrgyz opposition figure claims control a day after president ousted in massive protests
By BAGILA BUKHARBAYEVA
AP Worldstream
Mar 25, 2005
Kyrgyzstan’s interim prime minister, acting to fill a power vacuum
after the ouster of the president, named four acting key ministers
and a chief prosecutor Friday, the speaker of parliament’s upper
house said.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev chose mostly prominent opposition figures for the
posts of foreign, defense and finance ministers and chief prosecutor.
For the job of acting interior minister he picked a former chief
prosecutor who had been fired by deposed President Askar Akayev on
Wednesday, speaker shenbai Kadyrbekov.
By appointing them as acting ministers Bakiyev avoids the need to
have them approved by parliament’s upper house.
The opposition worked quickly in an effort to restore order a day
after protesters drove Akayev’s government from power, unleashing
widespread looting.
The new leadership faced an immediate challenge in halting vandalism
and looting that left major stores in the capital, Bishkek, gutted
and many others damaged by rowdy youths who roamed the city overnight,
with few police to be seen.
The drama of the events, propelled by widespread anger over disputed
elections, were heightened by Akayev’s sudden flight. It was not yet
clear where Akayev was.
Bakiyev emerged from the Parliament building Friday and said he had
been named Kyrgyzstan’s acting leader.
“Freedom has finally come to us,” Bakiyev told a crowd in the central
square of the capital, Bishkek.
Bakiyev’s appointment as acting president was endorsed by a
newly restored parliament of lawmakers who held seats before the
elections, which fueled protests against longtime leader Akayev and
his government.
The move set Bakiyev squarely at the helm of the leadership emerging
from the fragmented former opposition.
Kyrgyzstan became the third former Soviet republic over the past 18
months _ after Georgia and Ukraine _ to see popular protests bring
down long-entrenched leaders widely accused of corruption.
Another opposition figure, Felix Kulov, who was released from prison
during Thursday’s turmoil and appointed head of law enforcement,
said Akayev had fled to a foreign country after being turned away by
Russia. The Russian news agency Interfax said Akayev and his family
were in neighboring Kazakhstan.
“He had a chance to resign, but he fled,” Kulov said in televised
comments. “He wanted to go Russia, but the Russians didn’t accept him.”
Bakiyev told the crowd on the square that Akayev was “not on the
territory of the republic. I don’t know where he is.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, however, that the Kremlin
wouldn’t object if Akayev wants to go to Russia. Russia’s Foreign
Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said Friday that Moscow doesn’t
know where Akayev is.
Putin, speaking during a visit to Armenia on Friday, lamented the
violence and looting in Kyrgyzstan, saying that “it’s unfortunate that
yet again in the post-Soviet space, political problems in a country are
resolved illegally and are accompanied by pogroms and human victims.”
He urged the Kyrgyz opposition to quickly restore order, and praised
the Kyrgyz opposition leaders for helping develop bilateral ties
during their earlier work in the government.
Kyrgyz lawmakers met early Friday to consider the country’s new
leadership but were interrupted by youths throwing stones at the
Parliament building. Bakiyev then emerged and told about 1,000
demonstrators in the central square that he had been appointed “acting
prime minister and acting president” and would seek to form a Cabinet.
The crowd shouted his name in support.
Bakiyev urged opposition supporters not to allow looting, and
stressed that the popular opposition figure Kulov would coordinate
law enforcement. Bakiyev proposed that former Foreign Minister
Roza Otunbayeva be named the country’s top diplomat, and said,
“All intergovernmental agreements will remain in full force and are
in full effect.”
Bakiyev said he would fight corruption _ a major complaint against
Akayev’s regime _ and the clan mentality that roughly splits the
country between north and south.
“I will not allow the division of the people into north and south,”
he said. “We are a united nation.”
The square was the scene of swift political change Thursday, when
opposition protesters seized control of the presidential and government
headquarters. The takeover followed weeks of protests over disputed
parliamentary elections the opposition said were aimed at keeping
Akayev in power.
The Red Cross reported dozens injured in the turmoil Thursday, while
lawmaker Temir Sariyev said three people had been killed and about
100 injured overnight.
On Friday, a shopping center on the main avenue stood mostly destroyed
by fire and strewn with wreckage that spread into the street, as smoke
hung in the air. At another shop gutted by fire, a few elderly people
and children picked through what was left after looting overnight. Cars
were picked clean, their windows and tires gone.
The 60-year-old Akayev had led Kyrgyzstan since 1990, before it gained
independence in the Soviet collapse.
The takeover of government buildings in Bishkek followed similar
seizures by opposition activists in the country’s impoverished south.
The protests began even before the first round of parliamentary
elections Feb. 27 and swelled after March 13 run-offs that the
opposition said were seriously flawed.
The fractious opposition unified around calls for more democracy,
an end to poverty and corruption, and a desire to oust Akayev. There
was no sign the new leadership would change policy toward the West
or Russia. Unlike the revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, foreign
policy has not been an issue.
Both the United States and Russia have military bases near Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan has been a conduit for drugs and a potential hotbed
of Islamic extremism. There was no indication, however, that the
opposition would be more amenable to Islamic fundamentalist influence
than Akayev’s government has been.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Railroad ferry link between Russia, Georgia opens Wednesday
Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
March 23, 2005
MOSCOW, Mar 23 (Prime-Tass) — The opening of the railroad ferry
link between Russia’s Kavkaz seaport in the Krasnodar Region and
Georgia’s Poti seaport opened Wednesday, the press service of Russian
Transportation Ministry said.
Two trial voyages were expected to be made, the press service said.
The press service said that on Wednesday the first ferry carrying 18
railway cars loaded with grain to Armenia is expected to sail from
Kavkaz to Poti. The ferry is expected to return in five days with
railway cars loaded with manganese ore.
The second ferry passage, which will also carry railway cars loaded
with grain, is scheduled for the beginning of next week.
The agreement on opening the railroad ferry link was signed on
January 10.
The land-based railroad link between Russia and Georgia was cut in
August 1992 after the breakout of an armed conflict in Georgia’s
breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian
states may also use the Poti-Kavkaz route. End