Author: Emil Lazarian

KASHATAGH REGION IS BECOMING EMPTY
A1+
[01:24 pm] 09 November, 2006
We would like to draw your attention to a recent series of reports
that have appeared in both the Armenian and Diasporan press focusing
on the worsening socio-economic situation in the Kashatagh region. As
a result, Armenians are leaving this vitally strategic area in
increasing numbers.
When the Karabagh war ended, Armenians the world over heaved a
collective sigh of relief and jubilation.
After years of struggle and much sacrifice, Artsakh was once again
delivered into the hands of its rightful owners. So too had Kashatagh
(Lachin), the lands once artificially separating Armenia from Artsakh,
been liberated.
But Kashatagh needed an influx of Armenians to make the land flourish
once again. Therefore, in 1994, Armenia initiated a much-heralded
policy of repopulating Kashatagh and its environs. Primarily, Armenian
refugees from Azerbaijan and other indigent families from Armenia were
encouraged to move to Kashatagh with promises of generous financial
and material assistance.
Many did heed the call and moved to Kashatagh. Given the fact that
Armenia itself was in dire financial straits at the time, this
initiative was both commendable and noble. According to various
sources, Kashatagh’s repopulation reached a peak of about 20,000 in
the late 1990s.
Today, however, the remaining population has dipped below 10,000. Some
say it has reached a low of 7,000.
In the last few years, authorities of the NKR have taken over the
governance of Kashatagh from Armenia, and yet the situation has
continued to deteriorate.
Armenians who initially were encouraged to move there now feel a
sense of neglect and isolation.
Surprisingly, some news reports cite the fact that many local officials
agree that the situation in Kashatagh needs immediate attention. We
fear that if conditions do not improve, we soon might be facing an
area of land devoid of Armenians. No one wants this to happen.
We the undersigned find it troubling that the responsible authorities
in Armenia and Karabakh seem to be indifferent to the unfolding tragedy
in Kashatagh. Therefore, we ask that your respective governments
analyze the situation and take the necessary measures to ameliorate
the conditions faced by the residents of Kashatagh and thus reverse
the present exodus from the region.
We also ask that your governments clarify their positions regarding
the resettlement policy in Kashatagh. Unfortunately, many Armenians
there believe they have been betrayed and are to be used as pawns in
future political negotiations. The Armenians of Kashatagh deserve to
know where they stand.
As Armenians concerned with the plight of our compatriots in
Kashatagh we can no longer remain silent when faced with the inaction,
mismanagement, and dare we say, corruption, that is the hallmark of
many local officials in Kashatagh. “Business as usual” should not be
tolerated and we urge you to take appropriate and quick action.

FIRE BROKE OUT IN KENTRON
A1+
[02:38 pm] 09 November, 2006
On November 8 an alarm went off that a fire broke out on Moscovian 31,
Yerevan at 6:55p.m.
Two fire brigades immediately arrived on the scene.
The fire was extinguished at 7:36 p.m.
Five-square roof of a car-maintenance service belonging to H.Tamazyan
was burned to ashes.
Another fire broke out in house 33, Rustavelli Street, Yerevan at
about 5:56 p.m. on November 8. A fire brigade was sent to the scene.
Six-square ceiling was burnt down.

EC REPORT PRAISES, CRITICISES TURKEY
NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Nov 9 2006
One of the key requirements set by the EC is the opening of Turkish
ports and airports to Greek Cypriot trade.
Guncelleme: 21:14 TSİ 09 Kasim 2006 PerşembeBRUSSELS –
The European Commission’s report on Turkey’s progress in meeting the
requirements of the European Union’s membership criteria, released late
Wednesday, contains both praise and criticism, along with a threat.
While noting that Turkey had made some progress in certain areas,
notably regarding relations between military and civilian authorities,
the report also highlighted a number of deficiencies, especially in
the fields of human rights, freedom of expression and minority rights.
The report also called on Turkey to open its ports and airports
to trade from Greek Cyprus, setting a time limit of mid December,
when the EU is to hold its end of year summit. The report said that
Turkey is obliged to allow the free movement of goods from the ten
new members of the EU, including the Greek Cypriot administration,
under the Ankara Agreement.
“The EU will monitor whether or not Turkey fully implements this by
the end of 2006,” the report said. Turkey has not fully implemented
the Additional Protocol to its customs union with the EU, and has
not opened its ports to Greek Cypriot ships.
“This limits free movement of goods and means violation of the Customs
Union agreement,” the report said. The report also said that there are
communities which can be defined as a minorities in Turkey other than
Jews, Armenians and Greek Orthodox people, according to international
and European standards.
“Turkey’s position on minority rights has not changed,” according to
the report. “According to Turkish authorities, minorities in Turkey are
defined by the Lausanne Treaty signed in 1923 as the Jews, Armenians
and Greek Orthodox people.” Human rights violations in Turkey are
declining, the report noted, but there was still room for improvement.
While Turkey had made some advances in allowing broadcasts in mother
tongue languages other than Turkish, the EC said that freedom of
expression remained a concern, especially in regard to article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code, which covers the crime of insulting Turkish
identity.
The report said that Turkey has to amend Article 301 in order to be
more closely aligned to EU standards.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FEST IS THIS WEEKEND
Providence Journal, RI
Nov 9 2006
Sts. Vartanantz Church holds its annual Armenian Fest on Saturday and
Sunday at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston. Here children’s dance
group of the church performs at last year’s festival.
The Armenian Fest 2006 of Sts. Vartanantz Church will be held this
weekend at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston. The
festival features homemade dinners of chicken, losh and shish kebob
and kufta. There will be dancing, music, arts and crafts, flea market,
gift baskets, a country store, cultural exhibit and silent auction.
The event and parking are free. The food is available for purchase.
The hours are Saturday 1 to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8. For more
information, call (401) 831-6399.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. ELECTIONS RAISE ARMENIAN HOPES FOR GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 9 2006
Washington, DC – The balance of power has shifted in Washington as
Democrats took control over the House of Representatives, paving the
way for Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to become
the first female Speaker of the House. Pelosi’s anticipated rise,
coupled with the likelihood of numerous Caucus Democrats picking up
important leadership positions, will expand the scope and influence
of this important body in the next congressional session.
As part of that power shift, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill)
will pass the Speaker’s gavel to Pelosi, making her the first Armenian
Caucus Member to hold that position.
In a press release issued on Wednesday the Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA), the largest Washington-based nationwide organization
promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues,
refers to Pelosi’s strong record of support on Armenian-American
issues and says she has regularly called on the Administration to
properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.
She is currently a cosponsor of H. Res. 316 – a bill that affirms
the attempted annihilation of the Armenian people as genocide. Last
year, Pelosi participated in a Capitol Hill observance of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and in April 2001, spoke on
the floor of the House saying that “the Armenian Genocide is a
historical fact. The Republic of Turkey has adamantly refused to
acknowledge that the Genocide happened on its soil, but the evidence
is irrefutable….We must learn from the past and never forget the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.”
Additionally, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) will run for Majority
Leader, and if elected, will be another Caucus first. Like Pelosi,
Hoyer has co-sponsored legislation reaffirming the Genocide and has
given commemoration addresses to Congress during the month of April.
During the Assembly’s pan-Armenian Advocacy Conference in March of
this year, Hoyer pledged to continue fighting for U.S. reaffirmation
of the Genocide and said that he has asked Turkish leaders why they
cannot acknowledge the crimes.
“Representatives Pelosi and Hoyer have strong records on Armenian
issues of any Democratic leadership and we look forward to building
on these strong relationships, as well as others in the House, to
address issues and concerns facing Armenian-Americans, as well as
our homeland,” said Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member
Annie Totah.
In total, some 50 Democratic Armenian Caucus Members are positioned
to take over important leadership positions and full committee
chairmanships.
“The Assembly congratulates Armenian-American supporters in the Senate
and House on their victory and looks forward to reaching out to new
members in the coming year,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Adouny. “To that end, we also encourage Armenian Americans to join
us in our outreach efforts and build on our advocacy successes in
the current Congress.”
Ardouny noted that, with this election, the anticipated leadership of
the 110th Congress will offer new opportunities to pass an Armenian
Genocide resolution, to ensure that attempts by Armenia’s neighbors
to isolate her are addressed, and to make security issues facing
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia priorities.
When Congress returns next week for the lame duck session, several
outstanding items remain including the rail legislation, appropriations
funding for Armenia and Karabakh, as well as the confirmation process
for Ambassador-designate Richard E. Hoagland.
The 110th congressional session will convene in January when
the Speaker of the House will be elected by the full House of
Representatives.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE ENVOY DOWNPLAYS CEASEFIRE BREACHES
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
The OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andrjej Caspzyk has said the
situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan frontline is stable, despite
frequent ceasefire breaches documented by officials and international
experts.
Caspzyk told the press in Armenia that talks between the two countries’
defense chiefs were important. This will provide an opportunity to
agree ways of preventing truce violations.
“My position on the issue overlaps with those of the Azeri and Armenian
governments. Observance to the ceasefire requires the will of both
sides,” the diplomat said.
Caspzyk said that monitoring he regularly conducts on the frontline
facilitates compliance with the ceasefire. Relevant bodies and military
men of both countries have always been willing to provide assistance
in this respect, which shows that they are interested in honoring
the ceasefire.
Earlier reports said that Azerbaijani and Armenian defense ministers
Safar Abiyev and Serzh Sarkisian met on October 20 to mull ways of
preventing ceasefire violations, promote trust between the conflicting
sides and strengthen border control.
Armenian forces have been occupying Azerbaijan’s Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh region since a 1994 cease-fire ended separatist hostilities
that killed an estimated 30,000 people and ousted about a million
out of their homes. Years of OSCE-brokered talks have brought little
tangible result.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS DURING UPCOMING MEETING WITH AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
The Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and the Co-coordinator of
the American Assistance for Europe and Eurasia Tomas Adam voiced their
hope that at the time of the forthcoming meeting of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian Foreign Ministers on November 14 in Brussels, progresses
will be achieved in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Vardan Oskanyan and Tomas Adams discussed the realization of
the programs within the Fund “Challenge of Millennium” and duly
implementation of the obligations undertaken by Armenia, Mediamax
reported quoting press-service of Armenian Foreign Ministry.
Adam said that the USA will continue assisting in strengthening the
democracy in Armenia, mentioning the importance of conformity of 2007
parliamentary elections with the international standards.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR PREPARING FOR REFERENDUM DUE DECEMBER 10
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.11.2006 13:04 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
has allocated 40 million AMD for conduction of the constitutional
referendum due on December 10. According to chairman of the NKR Central
Electoral Committee Sergey Nasibian, 280 polling stations will function
on the territory of the republic. One polling station will be opened in
the NKR Permanent Representation in Yerevan. Presently the electoral
rolls are being ascertained. Then the rolls will be put up in the
polling stations two days before the referendum, reports Mediamax.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ELECTIONS AMERICAINES: “TRèS GRANDE VICTOIRE” POUR LES DEMOCRATES (ERDOGAN)
Agence France Presse
8 novembre 2006 mercredi 1:15 PM GMT
Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a estime mercredi que
le resultat des elections parlementaires americaines constituait
“une très grande victoire” pour le Parti democrate.
“Le resultat aux Etats-Unis etait attendu, mais les scores qui ont
emerge sont bien plus eleves qu’on ne l’avait initialement estime”,
a declare M. Erdogan lors d’une conference de presse au siège de son
Parti de la justice et du developpement (AKP). “Les Democrates ont
remporte une très grande victoire”.
“Pour la première fois, une femme sera presidente de la Chambre des
representants, et pour la première fois il y aura un representant
musulman”, a note le Premier ministre, issu de la mouvance islamiste
mais qui se definit aujourd’hui comme “conservateur”.
Il faisait reference a l’elue californienne Nancy Pelosi, pressentie
a la tete de la Chambre des representants, et a celui du Minnesota
Keith Ellison, tous deux Democrates.
M. Erdogan a rejete l’hypothèse qu’une majorite democrate relance
au Congrès les initiatives pour une reconnaissance du caractère
genocidaire des massacres d’Armeniens commis en 1915-1917 dans l’empire
ottoman, un sujet très sensible en Turquie.
“Quelle que soit la majorite au pouvoir (republicaine ou democrate),
notre relation avec les Etats-Unis est vouee a etre bonne”, a-t-il
estime. “Nous nous entendons bien avec les deux”.
La Turquie, membre de l’Otan, est un allie fidèle des Etats-Unis meme
si les relations entre les deux pays ont connu un refroidissement après
le refus par le Parlement turc, lors de l’invasion de l’Irak en 2003,
de laisser transiter des troupes americaines en territoire turc.
–Boundary_(ID_HZ7bcvdBAU4W1nHwQmJ/9w)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW COMPANY GAINS DOMINANCE IN LOCAL SUGAR MARKET
Armenpress
Nov 08 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s state commission for
protection of economic cooperation has declared today the emergence of
a new company that has gained the dominating position in the country’s
sugar market.
The commission said Salex Group has replaced Flitfood company of
a parliament member Samvel Alexanian that accounted for almost 92
percent of sugar imports in 2005. The commission said the share of
Flitfood has dropped to 7 percent this year while Salex Group has
gained 91.4 percent of the market .
The commission chairman Ashot Shahnazarian said in the first six
months of 2006 there were 24 registered companies dealing with sugar
imports and production which altogether brought to Armenia 34,000
tons of sugar. Some 600 tons of sugar was produced in Armenia itself
and overall sales in the reported time amounted to 29,200 tons.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress