Author: Emil Karabekian

Armenian Daily AZG: When Armenia is Strong Enough It Will Take Territories from Turkey
Journal of Turkish Weekly
July 22 2005
Armenian daily newspaper AZG argued that Armenia is not strong enough
to demand territory from Turkey now. But the AZG said, Armenia will
take territories by force from Turkey when it is strong enough.
By Harut Sassounian from AZG further continued:
“Armenians have to wait until such time when Armenia is strong
enough to act on those demands. As everyone knows, territories are
not freely given. They can only be taken by force or diplomacy backed
by strength. The time for that is definitely not now!”
According to AZG, “Pres. Kocharian was careful to avoid acknowledging
that Armenia had territorial demands from Turkey, while just as
carefully refusing to state that Armenia did not have such claims.
Given Armenia’s many current political and economic problems, clearly
this is not the right time to make territorial claims from a powerful
and hostile neighboring state. Pres. Kocharian is correct in neither
asserting such demands nor in giving them up.”

SYNOPSIS ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARITY FOUNDATION
ArmenPress
July 21 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS: Synopsis Corporation announced today
establishment of Synopsis Charity for Armenia Foundation.
Rich Goldman, chairman of Synopsis Armenia, said the new
Foundation’s activity will consist of two major components-
education and social. The first one envisages provision of equipment
to universities offering majoring in engineering. The foundation
will also provide funds for awarding best IT students and winners of
Olympiads. The social component will be directed to solution of social
problems. Deputy trade and economic development minister Tigran Davtian
said Synopsis is a best example of a foreign company’s integration
with local social life with its long-term development programs that
could promote the country’s social and economic development.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
July 8 2005
RA AMBASSADOR TO USA MET IMF DEPUTY MANAGER IN WASHINGTON
YEREVAN, July 8. /ARKA/. RA Ambassador to USA Tatoul Margaryan met
Augustine Carstenson, IMF Deputy Manager, in Washington. The Press
and Information Department, RA Foreign Office, reports that the
meeting took place on the threshold of Carstenson’s visit to Armenia.
During the meeting Carstenson made a high appraisal of economic
reforms in Armenia, which resulted in steady economic growth, poverty
reduction and revaluation of national currency. He stated his
intention to get acquainted with the reforms and expressed the
confidence that his upcoming visit will be efficient.
In his turn, Margaryan pointed out importance of the IMF’s assistance
to Armenia and stated that the Armenian Government will continue
implementing economic development programs in cooperation with IMF.
A.A. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CNN.com
June 30, 2005 Thursday 3:43 PM EST
EW review
By Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly
[parts omitted]
‘Yes’
Reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum
In Sally Potter’s “Yes,” an American research scientist meets a
Lebanese chef at a London dinner party. She’s an unhappy, pale beauty
and he’s a soulful, swarthy hunk, and the two fall upon each other
with ravenous desire.
She’s a scientist, lost in a sterile marriage (her husband is a
cheating British diplomat), and he’s a chef, lost in a country not
his own (at home he was a surgeon). She is played by Joan Allen,
radiantly, maturely sexy, and he is played by Armenian-Lebanese actor
Simon Abkarian, ditto.
The two speak in verse — iambic pentameter, to be precise, the
rhythmic beat that echoes that of hearts — even when chopping
parsley, making love, arguing about religion and culture and
geopolitics. And after an East-meets-West,
old-world-meets-new-imperialism quarrel (about religion, culture,
geopolitics), the two cry oui, oui, oui all the way home. Or rather
si, si, si: For reasons as unexplained as any in this flushed,
impetuous folly, reconciliation takes place in that lovers’ Eden
called Cuba.
Exotic, no? Potter, the writer-director of “Orlando” and “The Tango
Lesson,” has said she made “Yes” as an artistic response to 9/11 —
her own idiosyncratic affirmative, as it were, in the face of a
cataclysmic negative. And she sets herself such a high formal level
of difficulty — and achieves images of such sensual intensity —
that there is a fascination to be had merely in swooning along with
She and He.
Allen actually glows with arousal; Abkarian boasts black hair so
romance-novel photogenic that he’s excused from wearing a hairnet in
the restaurant kitchen. Parse the philosophy behind the spill of
words, though, and you’ll find intellectual jumble, junk. Better to
nod to “Yes” as a drowsing chant than take it seriously as a
statement of global concerns.
EW Grade: C+

US AID TO ARMENIA MAY MAKE $75 MILLION IN 2006
Pan Armenian News
30.06.2005 05:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Senate State, Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee today approved $75 million in assistance to Armenia
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 – an increase of $20 million over the
Administration’s request and nearly $8 million more than the House
request, reported the Armenian Assembly of America. In addition, the
overall funding level for the former Soviet states was increased to
$565 million, up from the Administration’s request of $482 million
and the House allocation of $477 million. Today’s action also
allocated $5 million in Foreign Military Financing and $750,000
for International Military Education and Training to Armenia as
requested by the Administration. Armenia’s neighbors, Georgia and
Azerbaijan, are slated to receive $70.5 million and $38 million
respectively. The spending measure will be considered later this
week by full Senate Appropriations Committee. It should be noted that
the House bill provides $67.5 million for Armenia and an additional
$5 million for Nagorno Karabakh and maintains military assistance
parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan with $5.75 million allocated
to each country. Once the Senate completes action on their version
of the bill, a joint House-Senate Conference Committee will reconcile
the differences.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Farewell Ceremony For Taschji, A Friend Of Turks…
Turkish Press
June 28 2005
NEW YORK – A farewell ceremony was held on Monday in New Jersey for
Edward Taschji, an American friend of Turks, who passed away last
Wednesday (June 22nd).
The religious ceremony was held at St. Marks Syrian Orthodox Church
for Taschji and his coffin was wrapped in a Turkish flag. Turkish
prayers were also read in the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Turkish Consul General to New York Omer
Onhon said that Taschji was a man of peace who founded bridges between
different cultures and peoples.
Ata Erim, chairman of the Federation of Turkish-American Associations
(TADF), referred with great gratitude to the studies and services
Taschji made for Turks. “I am an Armenian, but not a traitorous one,”
Erim quoted the words of Taschji.
Edward Taschji was buried in Laurel Cemetery in New Jersey with Ataturk
badge on his collar, his license plate written “Vatan–meaning
‘Motherland’ in Turkish” on it and his new book “I am Called A
Friend of Turks, Armenian Allegations, The Truth Must be Told.”
TADF met the expenses of Taschji’s funeral upon the demand of Turks
living in the U.S.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Young scientists from Armenia, Syria,
the USA, Germany, Russia, who will present 135 reports, participate in
the Information Technologies (IT) international youth forum being held
in Yerevan on June 23-25. As Sergo Yeritsian, the RA Minister of
Education and Science stated at the June 23 plenary sitting, the forum
gives young scientists an opportunity to present their works, discuss
them and find ways of their practical usage. According to Artak
Sahradian, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, IT
international youth forum is held within the following scientific
spheres: IT in social sciences, IT in medical-biological sciences and
IT in technical sciences. The spherical presentation of themes gives
an opportunity to organize discussions on particular specialities
among the young scientists. On June 25, at the end of the forum, young
scientists presented three best reports will be awarded, and all the
reprots presented at the forum will be published.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
June 10, 2005 Friday 8:30 AM Eastern Time
Pullout of mil equipment to Armenia won’t upset balance – lawmaker
By Alexander Konovalov and Sergei Ostanin
MOSCOW
A pullout of part of the Russian military equipment from Georgia to
Armenia will not boost the quantity of Russian armaments in
Transcaucasia, nor will it change the balance of forces in the
region, member of the committee on security under the State Duma
lower house of the Russian parliament Gennady Gudkov told reporters
on Friday.
“Part of the military equipment of the Russian military bases in
Georgia, which Russia plans to deploy in Armenia, will be handed over
to the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, to replace the
decommissioned vehicles,” Gudkov answered in response to an Itar-Tass
query.
“The balance of forces in the region won’t be upset because it’s
about bringing to strength the equipment of the 102nd base,” he
noted.
In his connection, he noted that Azerbaijan has no reasons to be
concerned.
“This is Russian equipment; its transfer to Armenia is not
envisioned,” according to the lawmaker.
The parliamentarian also said that the transfer of the administration
bodies of the Russian troops in Georgia to the Gyumri base is in the
plans as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
May 31 2005
Iran gives priority to expansion of ties with neighboring states
Tabriz, East Azarbaijan prov, May 31, IRNA
Iran-Ties-Armenia
Iran’s Ambassador to Yerevan Ali-Reza Haqiqian on Tuesday referred to
expansion of multifaceted relations with the neighboring countries in
line with the policy of promoting regional peace, stability, balance,
security and welfare in the region as one of the basic principles
of Iran.
Speaking at inaugural ceremony of a conference held by Iranian and
Armenian tradesmen, he added that given the historical commonalties
and peaceful communication between the two nations, the two countries
should further bolster cooperation.
“The economic potentials of the two states and the interests associated
with the privilege of being neighbors justify making optimum use of
the favorable conditions.
He hoped to witness the achievements of Iranian and Armenian tradesmen
after the necessary grounds are prepared by the officials of both
countries for such cooperation.
Stressing that bolstering mutual ties is one of the objectives of
the high-ranking officials of the two states, the Iranian diplomat
said, “Establishment of Aras Free Trade and Industrial Zone, joint
construction of Nowzar bridge and Armenia’s access to the remarkable
facilities of East Azarbaijan province will serve as a proper
infrastructure to strengthen collaboration between the two states.
He reiterated the need to hold similar conferences in Iran and Armenia
and noted that looking for new fields of cooperation and struggling
to use the available potentials requires close assistance of the
officials in charge.
The two-day conference is held at the premises of Tabriz Chamber of
Commerce, Industries and Mines.
During the seminar, the attending tradesmen and industrialist will
discuss trade cooperation between the two countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Register-Guard, Oregon
May 15 2005
Ukraine in a struggle between east and west
By Kevin Capé

ODESSA, Ukraine – This country, Europe’s largest apart from Russia,
seems about midway between the industrial West and the Third World.
Odessa’s town center, with its panoply of 19th century architecture,
delights the eye with its pastel colors and its liveliness.
Yet there are the beggars who have been left behind by the new
capitalist economy, usually older people with their outstretched
hands, mumbling blessings for those who put a few coins into their
plastic cups.
In this month, with its Soviet anniversaries of May Day and the end
of World War II, there is much debate between those who favor closer
relations with the West and others who prefer to follow Moscow’s
lead. This comes after the April visit of President Victor Yushchenko
to the United States, where his “Orange Revolution” was widely
applauded. But it is worth remembering that about 40 percent of
Ukrainians are not Yushchenko supporters.
Indeed, in this port, the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” most people speak
Russian, not Ukrainian, as their first language, and the place is
redolent with the memories of everyone from Catherine the Great (who
founded the city) to the great writer Alexander Pushkin, to
Catherine’s lover Potemkin, for whom Odessa’s majestic stairway to
the port is named.
Like many countries of the ex-Soviet bloc, Ukraine does not have a
monolithic identity. In the west, where some of its territory was
once Poland, it feels Western and is mostly Catholic.
Here in the east, where the nearby Crimea was given to Ukraine as a
capricious gift of Nikita Khrushchev, people look mostly to Moscow
for cultural and political identity. One frequently hears the phrase,
“Never mind what the Western press says. We are really Russian.”
At one of Odessa’s many Orthodox churches, I cheerfully greet a
female caretaker, asking if there is an admission charge, as I would
like to see the church’s icons.
“No, there is no charge,” she snaps in almost comically Soviet style,
“But you can buy some candles. For people like you, the cost amounts
to nothing.” Complimenting her on the precision of her English, I buy
a raft of mostly defective candles. My profuse thanks elicit only the
slightest glimmer of a smile.
At the very Soviet-style monument to the unknown sailor, the
atmosphere is paradoxically more cheerful, perhaps because it is
manned by teenagers from the local naval academies. There is also the
zany touch of Hare Krishna devotees chanting away in the distance.
Two boys with guns stand next to the red granite obelisk, while two
unarmed girls periodically do a very competent goose-step around the
square, swinging their arms theatrically. People leave red flowers at
black marble slabs with the names of the scenes of World War II
carnage: Kiev, Kursk, Smolensk, Minsk, Sebastopol.
A few hundred yards away in this park by the sea is a monument to the
200-odd sons of Odessa who lost their lives in a less glorious cause,
the Afghanistan war. This sculpture seems particularly fitting: An
exhausted-looking soldier seated – and the dates 1979-1989, with the
seven tumbling against the nine, its neglect suggesting that this is
a war everyone would prefer to forget.
Ambiguity in relations with Russia is everywhere in the eastern
Ukraine. One item of local gossip is the story of a Russian bank
having bought a Ukrainian coastal dacha once frequented by Leonid
Brezhnev for the use of Vladimir Putin. Like so many acquisitions in
today’s Russia and the Ukraine, the conditions of sale were decidedly
shady, and Yushchenko’s government says it is investigating.
As one Odessa resident told me, “Of course, they will find fraud. …
The new government here is just trying to embarrass Russia, so as to
separate our two countries.”
Yet 100 miles north of Odessa, in the seemingly interminable steppes
of fertile black soil, the attitude toward Russia is different. Here
the popular memory still is haunted by the terrible collectivization
campaigns of the 1930s, in which some 5 million people are said to
have died.
“They’re always talking about the Holocaust of World War II against
the Jews. Even the Armenians get their share of attention. But who
remembers the millions of Ukrainians starved to death by Stalin?” one
farmer asks, and then recites a roll call of his relatives who died.
So where does Ukraine belong? Many in Washington apparently believe
that it belongs in NATO, though that is not a popular idea here. One
man comments, “We Ukrainians are complicated and divided, so we
should avoid new controversies while we find a common way forward.”
Eugene native Kevin Capé is a writer and teacher living in Paris.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress