Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
E-mail:[email protected]
PR ESS RELEASE
October 18, 2006
Contact: keveork Manguelian
Tel. (613) 235-2622
Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia Concludes a Successful
Visits to Canada
“It is not our Intention to Humiliate or Corner Turkey,”–Minister Oskanian
Ottawa-Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia,
concluded a successful working visit to Ottawa on October 18 meeting Canada’
s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Peter MacKay and Canadian
legislators.
To honour His Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Gary Goodyear, (MP – Cambridge)
and Chairman of Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, in
cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa, and the
Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), hosted a luncheon-meeting for
House of Commons and Senate of Canada members.
After welcoming the minister, Gary Goodyear emphasized that the high turn
out of Parliamentarians demonstrates “the positive relationship that exists
between Armenia and Canada. It also illustrates the importance of our
commitment to developing bilateral agreements with our Armenian friends and
counterparts.” Goodyear concluded that by establishing Canada-Armenia
Parliamentary Friendship Group “we have the opportunity to share experiences
and develop warm friendships that will serve and strengthen our two
countries.”
After thanking the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada members, and
the Canadian Government for their recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
Minister Oskanian said that the purpose of his visit is to strengthen
Canada-Armenian bilateral relations in economic and political fields,
Canada -Armenia cooperation in international organizations and obtain Canada
‘s assistance in enhancing Armenia’s peace-keeping capacities.
Minister Oskanian reviewed Armenia’s political, economic and social
development, Armenia’s relation with its neighbours, and the French National
Assembly’s principled stand on the Armenian Genocide.
Minister Oskanian stressed that Armenia has always advocated dialogue and
the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Armenia and Turkey
without precondition. “It is not our intention to humiliate or corner
Turkey,” stated Minister Oskanian.
Jason Kenney, Parliamentary Secretary of the Prime Minister of Canada, on
behalf of the Government of Canada welcomed Minister Oskanian and wished him
a successful visit.
The two-hour meeting provided an excellent opportunity for Canadian
legislators to get first-hand knowledge of Armenia, its concerns and hopes.
In addition to the Parliamentarians, the gathering was attended by ANCC
Chairman Dr. Vagharch Ehrmdjian, ANCC central and regional board members,
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Rev. Mher Khatchigian
and representatives from the Congress of Canadian Armenians.
Later in the day, Minister Oskanian met his counterpart– Hon. Peter
MacKay–to discuss issues of mutual interest to Canada and Armenia.
Minister Oskanian’s visit was covered by many major Canadian media
organizations.
“We are sure that such ministerial visits will pave the way for closer
relation between the two nations. The vibrant Canadian-Armenian community
and ANCC, will play, as they have done in the past, a pivotal role in
bringing Canada and Armenia closer,” said Aris Babikian, Executive Director
of ANCC.
#
For media inquiries please contact:
Kelly Williams, Gary Goodyear- MP Office. Tel. (613) 996-1307
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE October 23, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
Armenian Embassy, with Leading Armenian American Organizations, Celebrates
Armenia’s Fifteenth Anniversary in Washington, DC
On October 21, 2006, the fifteenth anniversary of Armenia’s independence was
celebrated in Washington’s renown Omni Shoreham Hotel with a special event
drawing near 500 guests from all Armenian communities in the United States
and the heads of all the leading Armenian-American political, cultural,
religious, and benevolent organizations. Represented at the event were
organizations that made an essential contribution to sustaining the Armenian
independent statehood, such as the Armenian National Committee of America,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America,
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Missionary Association of America,
the Cafesjian Family Foundation, and the Armenian Relief Society, whose
representatives had the opportunity to make congratulatory remarks.
Also present at the event were representatives of U.S. State Department,
USAID, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, as well as former U.S.
Ambassadors to Armenia. An official delegation headed by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian traveled to Washington to participate in the
celebration.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Armenia to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian
noted that among the major and irreversible achievements of independence
were democratic development, liberal market economy, strong state
institutions, and consolidation of the entire Armenian nation around the
newly-independent state. Ambassador Markarian stressed the essential role of
the strong Armenian-American community and U.S.-Armenian relations in
sustaining the newly-independent statehood and promoting Armenia’s economic
development. He noted that the above organizations and the Diaspora in
general enthusiastically embraced the newly-independent Armenia and
supported the efforts of the Armenian government. The Ambassador of Armenia
noted that the presence of all the leading organizations at the celebration
once more demonstrated the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is the best guarantee for success of Armenia and all Armenians
in the twenty-first century and beyond. Excerpts from the Ambassador’s
remarks are presented below.
Speaking on behalf of U.S. administration, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for Europe and Eurasia and Special Negotiator Matthew Bryza offered
warm congratulations on the fifteenth anniversary of independence and noted
the friendly relations and close cooperation between the United States and
Armenia on issues of regional and global importance.
Delivering the keynote address during the celebration, Minister Oskanian
drew historical parallels between the current independence and the
experience of the First Republic and noted that upholding Armenia as an
independent, democratic, and prosperous state is a task for the Armenian
nation as a whole. He stressed the importance of unity and solidarity
between Armenia and Diaspora in further enhancing the indepependent
statehood. The keynote address by the Minister is available in full at the
Foreign Ministry website, at
——————
Excerpts from remarks by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian at the special event
celebrating fifteen years of independence
It is a great honor to welcome you to the event celebrating the fifteenth
anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Fifteen years
ago, the citizens of Armenia voted to make Armenia an independent and
democratic state. The newly-born Republic of Armenia has made enormous
efforts and tremendous sacrifice to build Armenia we all dream about. Among
the major and irreversible achievements of independence are democratic
development, liberal market economy, and strong state institutions. Armenia
has become an active and responsible member of the international community.
The restoration of Armenia’s independence also gave new life to the Armenian
Diaspora, helping revitalize the Armenian identity, revive the strength of
the Armenian communities, find new mission and adjust towards new goals,
especially in Armenia and Artsakh. Not having been a nation-state in the
conventional sense of the word, independent Armenia has become a truly
national state.
…
Celebrating the anniversary of Armenia’s independence in Washington, D.C. is
indeed appropriate since the U.S. government, and also the World Bank and
the IMF have been the biggest investors in Armenia’s independence from the
very beginning. Its latest manifestation is the Millennium Challenge
Corporation program in Armenia. The U.S. Congress has always been an
unreserved supporter of Armenia throughout its political and economic
transition. Our American friends on the Hill and in the Administration have
never had doubts about the dedication of the Armenian people and leadership
to our shared values and principles, and I want to thank them for that. Our
strong cooperation all these years and your eagerness to share our today’s
celebration express the warm friendship between the United States and
Armenia.
…
Washington also symbolizes the strong Armenian American Diaspora, which has
distinguished itself by its essential contribution to sustaining Armenia’s
independence from day one. The Armenian-American community was in the
forefront of the efforts to help make true the centuries-long dream, the
building of Armenian statehood, and worked tirelessly to help expand
U.S.-Armenian relations.
The Armenian Church, the Diasporan communities, patriotic individuals, and
organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Fund for Armenian
Relief, Cafesjian Foundation, Armenian Missionary Association of America,
and Armenian Relief Society have enthusiastically embraced the
newly-independent Armenia. These organizations supported the efforts of the
Armenian government, and not only – in a way – co-sponsored the newly-born
independence, but also willingly came forward to co-sponsor with the Embassy
today’s celebration, which we appreciate highly. The list of patriotic
organizations naturally is not limited to those only, and there are also
great examples like Kirk Kirkorian’s Lincy Foundation and others.
I cannot enumerate all of them today but I want assure you that their
commitment and dedication will be admired and deemed even more monumental
from the horizon of the future by generations to come.
Independence has always been a unifying factor, and tonight’s celebration
once more demonstrates the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is a prerequisite for success of Armenia and all Armenians in
the twenty-first century and beyond.
Once again, I want to congratulate and also thank each and every one of you
for being with us tonight. And thanks to all the individuals and
organizations who have helped us in organizing this event.
Thank you.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Federation of Armenian Organisations of the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April committee for recognition and commemoration of the Armenian
genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – The Hague, The Netherlands
K.v.K. 27264382
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
PRESS RELEASE

Armenian Federation meets minister Verdonk
Genocide education is necessary

The Hague, 24 October 2006 – Representatives of the Federation of Armenian
Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) met today with minister Verdonk of
Immigration and Integration. The reason for this meeting was connected with
the commotion after the removal of three MP candidates of Turkish descent
from the candidates¹ lists of CDA (Christian Democrat Party) and PvdA
(Labour Party) for publicly denying the Armenian Genocide.

The FAON asked the minister to clearly express and continue to express the
Dutch position on this subject both internationally, such as the policy
carried out by Foreign Minister Bot with respect to Turkey since the motion
of Rouvoet (December 2004), as well as in the Netherlands, by showing
solidarity with the Armenian minority.

In response to that Minister Verdonk underlined that in the international
context the Dutch government has raised the Armenian question repeatedly,
both in EU framework and in the bilateral contacts with Turkey and will
continue to do so.

The Armenian Federation, that got the ball rolling on the matter of the MP
candidates through a letter to the CDA (Christian Democrat Party), expressed
concern towards the minister on the one-sided way in which particularly
Turks in the Netherlands are informed about this episode of the history,
which hampers their integration into Dutch society. Moreover, because of
current Turkish legislation, it is in fact impossible for Turks, also those
living in the Netherlands, to give other opinions on this matter than the
official Turkish point of view.

The FAON for this reason urged the minister to adapt the education programme
on this subject. By means of objective material, attention should be paid to
this history on different levels, as is the case in neighbouring countries,
in one package together with the Holocaust and other genocides. The
Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam can play an
important role in this matter.

Minister Verdonk promised that she will transmit the request of the FAON
concerning the adaptation of the history curriculum on this subject to her
colleague of Education, Culture and Sciences. The minister subscribes to the
need of sound provision of information on the matter.

Additionally, the FAON asked for an active attitude of the Dutch government
by acting against denial on internet sites stirring up hatred, and other
forms of public denial, minimisation, justification or reversing of the
Armenian Genocide; action is also necessary against hackers who continuously
try to destroy Dutch and Armenian internet websites with pictures of the
Turkish flag and the Grey Wolves.

In response to this request, minister Verdonk promised to ask the Dutch
Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet (MDI) to be alert to
any form of discrimination towards Armenians.

Finally minister Verdonk also promised that under her orders a profile (an
information booklet) of the Armenian community in the Netherlands will be
established.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WESTERN ARMENIAN LITERATURE AND LITERATURE OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA TO BE DIGITALIZED SOON
By Melania Badalian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/10/2006
As a result of “Digital Library of Armenian Bibliography” project
launched at the American University of Armenia in 1999, the digital
collection of the Armenian literature of 5th to 18th centuries
was created. This initiative greatly contributed to spreading and
recognition of the Armenian Classical Literature. The readers may
find the digital version of the Armenia literature pieces at www
digitab.am. At present, thanks to the donation of Tourpanjian family
fund, the library launches the digitalization of the Western Armenian
and the Literature of the Armenian Diaspora of 1800-2000.
On October 10-12, the DIGITAB Coordination Scholarly Board held
its first sitting at the AUA. The members of the board, namely
Karo Armenian, Henrik Bakhchinian, Vazgen Gabirielian, Souren
Danielian, Albert Makarian, Albert Sharounian, Haroutiun Gevorgian,
Zhirayr Danielian, Mark Nshanian, Grigor Pltian, Poghos Snapian and
Harutyun Kyourkchian, discussed such issues as, the main principles of
digitalization, the lists of the authors and their works, the working
stages, as well as various issues concerning the copyright principles.
Certainly, the initiative of digitalization of the Western Armenian
and the Literature of the Armenian Diaspora will make these literature
pieces more available for everyone.
We believe that this important initiative would have been more
successfully and professionally implemented, if other Literature
critics from the Armenian Diaspora, such as Yervand Azatian, Oshin
Keshishian and Gevorg Bardakchian from USA, or Karo Abrahamian from
Lebanon and Yuri Khachatrian from Yerevan, were included in the
Digitab Scholarly Board.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TAX REVENUES TO EXCEED 1 BILLION DRAMS IN 2007
Panorama.am
13:11 23/10/06
Tax revenue indicators will exceed 1 billion Armenian drams in the year
2007, deputy head of tax services, Armen Alaverdyan said. In his words,
revenues from income tax for the last 5 years have doubled. However,
he said this indicator does not meet the demands of the public and our
international rating. “A tradition must be developed in the public
to voluntarily pay taxes,” he said. He also said taxes will not go
up in the year 2007.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA DECLINED PROPOSAL TO CREATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON GENOCIDE
Panorama.am
14:57 23/10/06
Opposition deputy Tatul Manaseryan made a proposal at the National
Assembly of Armenia to set up an interim committee on genocide of
Armenians. Deputy Hmaiak Hovhanisyan said the standing committee on
foreign relations must deal with the issue. Spartak Seiranyan from
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun) said setting
up a committee may torpedo recognition of the genocide throughout
the world. He said if our discusstion may mean that we are not sure
if there was really a genocide or not. “The decision may put under
question the decisions of many parliaments throughout the world which
have already recognized and condemned the genocide,” he said. On the
other hand, Tatul Manaseryan believes, “We urge countries to recognize
the genocide but fail to fix it on legislative level.” He also said
Armenia does not have any law punishing refusal to recognize the
Armenian genocide like France does. Anyway, the draft decision on
setting up an interim committee on genocide was declined from the
big agenda and Manaseryan suggested to organize closed hearing on
the issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AND BELARUS PRIME MINISTERS HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON YEREVAN
Panorama.am
16:14 23/10/06
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is content with the pace of
cooperation between the governments of Armenia and Belarus. “I am
content with today’s negotiations,” he told a press conference with
Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Sidorski.
Respective officials in the field of trade and economy, culture,
sports and tourism, social, customs signed documents today aimed to
bolster small and mid size business.
Prime Minister Sidorski who arrived with a big delegation late
yesterday said his country has high level of interest in high and
information technologies, cognac production and other fields of
Armenia. Sidorski said information technologies have high priority
both for Armenia and Belarus, saying his country has 40% of GDP in
information technologies.
Sidorski also said the two countries may seriously cooperate in the
field of energy. “Like Armenia, Belarus has no gas and oil,” Sidorski
said saying the president of the country has assigned the government
to cut fuel energy resources by 25% on behalf of alternative energy
sources.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: ARMENIA SHOUD NOT INTERFERE IN SOLUTION OF THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN PROBLEM
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian-Belarusian agreements on
cooperation in several sectors such as customs, social, cadastre, and
sports were signed on October 23 within the framework of the visit of
the delegation headed by the Belarusian prime minister to Armenia. The
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and the Belarusian Prime
Minister Sergei Sidorski took part in the signing ceremony. Following
the signing ceremony, S. Sidorski said that it is envisaged to open in
Armenia a center of machinery and equipment spare parts produced in
Belarus, as well as an office of Belarusian companies maufacturing
medical equipment. The Belarusian side expressed an intention to
cooperate with Armenian technoparks. S. Sidorski noted that they also
take interest in Armenian information technologies. According to him,
commodity turnover between the two countries is growing: in 2005,
it made 15 mln USD, while in the first seven months of this year –
14 mln USD. At the same time he said that they are following closely
the problems that arise in connnection of transporting goods from
Belarus to Armenia and in the opposite direction. In his opinion,
the current relations of Russia and Georgia have a negative impact
on the volume of commodity turnover between Belarus and Armenia. He
said that Belarus attaches great importance to activation of
negotiations on development of transport corridors between the two
countries. According to A. Margarian, the current Russian-Georgian
relations is an internal problem of these countries. In his opinion,
neither Armenia nor Belarus should interfere in the solution of
this problem. The Armenian government is prepared to help with the
problem’s solution, if Russia or Georgia express such a desire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FAMOUS BRITISH JOURNALIST NAMES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE “THE FIRST HOLOCAUST”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 23 2006
LONDON, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On October 14th
renowned British journalist Robert Fisk talked at the Maria Assumpta
hall in London Kensington on the issue of what he refers to as the
Armenian ‘Holocaust.’ Robert Fisk is the Middle East correspondent
for the British newspaper The Independent. Organised and hosted by the
Campaign for the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide (CRAG) a British
based lobby group, Mr Fisk, whose most recent book The Great War For
Civilisation, includes a chapter entitled ‘The First Holocaust’ was
invited to present his experiences and thoughts concerning Armenian
Genocide recognition, and its wider implications. Mr Fisk presented
his long-years activity on the issue, including his discovery of an
Armenian mass grave in Syria, his deportation from Turkey in the
early nineties and his numerous trips to collect testimonies from
the Armenians of Beirut. He spoke passionately about the need for
recognition and of said recognition’s importance as a prerequisite
for Turkish entry into the EU. Talking in the wider Middle Eastern
context, Mr Fisk highlighted the Armenian Genocide as another case
of the failure of western governments in pursuing justice in a
region so bereft of it. The veteran reporter criticised the British
and American governments for denying the existence of something he
believes requires no proof. The Armenian Genocide is self-evident and
Fisk remains exceptionally critical of the immoral and hypocritical
policy towards the issue. Fisk’s latest book, The Great War for
Civilisation, is soon to be published in Turkey, where the publishing
house has forewarned him that charges might be brought against him
under the infamous article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. Mr Fisk
told the primarily Armenian audience at Maria Assumpta that he would
consider it an honour to stand in the Turkish dock and defend his
writings. He said he was keen to point out that he does this, not out
of any pro-Armenian sentiment, his motives were a want to defend and
uncover the historical truth.

RA NA TAKES UP DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENTS TO ELECTORAL CODE IN FIRST READING
Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. At the October 23 last plenary
sitting, the RA NA took up in the first reading discussion of
the package of amendments to the Electoral Code. It involves EC
amendments and additions consisting of 100 articles as well as
drafts envisaging additions to the RA Criminal Code and the law “On
Parties.” Particularly, the amendments proposed for the Criminal Code
envisages to make stricter punishments for electoral falsifications
and breaks. The variant of the legislative package presented for
discussion was signed by representatives of all the factions and the
group, excluding the “Ardaroutiun” (Justice) and “Azgayin Miabanutiun”
(National Unity) factions.
“Ardaroutiun” recalled its signature still in late August and
stopped its participation in works of the working group formed from
representatives of all the NA factions and the group being engaged
in working out of the draft. The faction conditioned this decision
with refusal of its proposal considered primary one for itself to
form the parliament by 100% proportional electoral system. As the
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Samvel Nikoyan, a member of
the RPA faction, main reporter of the draft at the NA, after giving
the draft complete appearance, the “Azgayin Miabanutiun” party also
refused to sign it 2 days ago, with the same reasoning. S.Nikoyan
presented only some amendments because of having little time fixed
for the report at the sitting. He, particularly, attached importance
to widening of confidants’ rights, clerifying the order of appeal
of votion results. Some innovations, including votion with envelops,
orders of counting votes, using movable ballot-boxes for ill people
were also touched upon. The deputy mentioned at the same time that the
authors expect that as a result of discussions at plenary sittings,
it will be possible to find mechanisms of making clear the difficult
process of votion as well as to reach agreement on some of those
principles on which it was not managed to form a joint viewpoint in
the working group. It especially relates to the political force’s
right to recall the member proposed by it in the electoral commission
as well as the possibility of video-recording at the polling station.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress