Author: Emil Lazarian

RIGHTS & CONCERNS OF THE LEBANESE-ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
Elias Bejjani
Global Politician, NY
Sept 10 2006
The LCCC (Lebanese Canadian Coordinating Council) strongly denounces
the Lebanese Government’s unjust refusal to call off the Turkish Army’s
participation in the UN Peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) mandated by
the UN Security Council to deploy in South Lebanon in the aftermath
of the devastating 34-day long Israeli-Hezbollah war. The denied
request was made officially by Lebanon’s Armenian community in all its
denominational, political and social sectors and representatives. The
same appeal was made to the UN General Secretary, Mr. Kofi Annan.
The government’s refusal of the request is not merely a harsh
response of indifference and an act of condescendence in dealing
with one of Lebanon’s basic eighteen communities that make up the
multicultural and multiethnic Lebanese society, but it is in fact a
blatant infringement on a central article of the Lebanese constitution
that states: “No authority violating the common co-existence character
shall be legitimate”.
Alienating the Armenian community, ignoring its genuine concerns and
keeping a blind eye on its painful history hinders Lebanon’s national
unity, indicates plainly and sadly that the Saniora government is
ruling with the same oppressive strategies of marginalization and
discrimination inflicted by the Baathist Syrian regime on numerous
Lebanese communities during Syria’s 29-year long horrible occupation
that came to an end 16 months ago.
The Lebanese Armenian’s community cry for justice is well understood
and well supported by the majority of the Lebanese people. This
well-respected community does not believe that the Turks should be
allowed under any given circumstances to be a part in any peacekeeping
mission before their state admits publicly the genocidal massacres
the Turkish Ottoman rulers committed in 1915 against the Armenian
people. 1.5 million Armenians were brutally murdered in cold blood
by the Ottoman Turkish Army in 1915 and many territories of their
country were confiscated and still are.
This is besides the fact that the Turkish Army is not qualified to play
a neutral role between the parties involved in the current conflict
unfolding on the Lebanese soil. The Turkish Parliament has made the
participation of its troops in UNFIL conditional on not taking part
in any assignment aiming to disarm Hezbollah.
Meanwhile the Lebanese people did not yet forget the hardships,
oppression, starvation, displacement, torture and humiliation
committed by the Ottomans during their 400 years of bloody and criminal
occupation of Lebanon and neighboring countries that ended with World
War I.
The LCCC appeals to both the Lebanese Government and the United Nations
to call off immediately the participation of the Turkish Army in the
peacekeeping mission of UNIFIL in Lebanon, and to block any other
UN similar task involving the Turks before the Turkish Government
publicly and officially admits the Genocide Massacres the Ottomans
committed in 1915 against the Armenian people and accepts all ethical,
moral and legal responsibilities.
The LCCC affirms the fact that any marginalization of any of Lebanon’s
eighteen distinct cultural, ethnic and religious communities is in
effect a flagrant infringement on the Lebanese constitution, the
principle of shared living, consensual democracy, national unity and
the UN Human Rights Charter.
We salute the Lebanese Armenian community in its longing for justice
and fully support its legitimate request submitted for both the
Lebanese government and the UN.
Elias Bejjani is a human rights activist, journalist & political
commentator. He is the Spokesman for the Canadian Lebanese Human
Rights Federation (CLHRF) and the Media Chairman for the Canadian
Lebanese Coordinating Council (LCCC) E-Mail: [email protected]
LCCC Web Site: com/articledes.asp?ID=2129&cid=2&sid=5
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FALSE ARMENIAN MAPS CLAIMING TO NK AND NAKHCHIVAN ON SALE IN TAIWAN AND HK
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2006
“False maps, globes and school textbooks showing Azerbaijani
regions-Nakhchivan and Karabakh- as Armenian territories are on sale
in East and Southeast Asia,” Akbar Huseynli, an Azerbaijani living
in Hong-Kong, told APA.
He said that these school facilities are sold in Hong-Kong, Shankhay
and Taiwan.
“African, European, Arabian nations and even Armenians have a number
of economic and cultural societies in Hong-Kong and Taiwan. Most of
people living here are unaware of Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan”.
He said that articles on Azerbaijani oil have recently spread in
media but Southeast Asia is not well known here.
“The reason may be that Taiwan has no political-economic ties
with Azerbaijan. It is a pity that Azerbaijan plays no part in the
activities of here- the most competitive trade center”.
He regretted that there is no Azerbaijani Diaspora in Southeast Asia
while there are about 17 diasporas in Belgium and the Netherlands. A
lot of Azerbaijani businessmen are active in China but they have not
gathered together to form a Diaspora”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR PRESIDENT MET WITH CATHERINE PORTER
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09 Sept 2006
On September 5 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian met with Catherine
Porter, Chair of the Council of Leaders for Human Rights,
Washington. During the talk Ms. Porter told about the project of
the organization to present the cultural values of Artsakh to the
international community. The guest mentioned that the monuments of
the Christian period and the rich pre-Christian heritage may greatly
foster tourism in Nagorno Karabakh, and international scholars will
get to know the country. The president commended the initiative of
Ms. Porter and expressed the willingness of the NKR government to
cooperate. On September 5 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian met with
the delegation of the Moldavian Republic of Transdnyestr visiting
Stepanakert on the 15th anniversary of independence of NKR. They
discussed the policy on economic development in both states and
questions of peace settlement of conflicts in the post-Soviet space.
Acting Press Secretary Of NKR President
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PAYS TWO-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. By the invitation of Gagik
Tsarukian, the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of
Armenia, a delegation headed by Patrick Hickey, the newly elected
Chairman of the European Olympic Committee (EOC), a member of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Chairman of the Olympic
Committee of Ireland, arrived in Armenia on late September 6 on a
two-days visit. Ishkhan Zakarian, the RA Sports Committee Chairman
received the guests on September 7. Cooperation of the state sports
structure and the Olympic Committee was especially attached importance
during the conversation. I.Zakarian presented the state of sport
in Armenia and the committee’s work with federations of different
kinds of sports. P.Hickey greeted the circumstance that mass sport
is paid great attention in Armenia. He said that they will continue
showing financial assistance, especially for progress of the youth
sport. Then the EOC delegation met with the NOCA members of the
executive committee and commissions chairmen. After the meeting the
EOC delegation visited the newly built sports base of Abovian where
it had a meeting with NOCA Chairman G.Tsarukian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MELINE DALUZIAN WINS 3 GOLD MEDALS AT EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP OF
WEIGHTLIFTING
PALERMO, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Weightlifting
Championship continues in the city of Palermo, Italy. On September 7,
Meline Daluzian (63 kg, Gyumri) showed 101 kg for the pull, 121 kg
for the push, had result of 222 kg in biathlon and became the Europe
champion, winning 3 gold medals.
Sevak Sahakian (94 kg, Kasakh) performs on September 8.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THIS YEAR YBC’S GRAPE PURCHASE EXCEED 2005 INDEX BY 5 THOUSAND TONS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The purchase season will start at
the Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC) on September
11. The plant’s director Philippe Tibaut stated at the September 8
press conference that starting September 15, grapes will be purchased
at the Aygavan branch, and starting September 21- at the comany’s
Berd branch. According to him, grapes will be purchased for 130 drams
(about 0.32 USD) a kilogram at the Armavir and Aygavab branches,
and for4 123 drams – in Berd. Those farms, which have cooperated
with the YBC based on long-term agreements and will sell by 50% more
grapes than last year, will get an extra payment of 15 drams per a
kiologram in Armavir and Aygavan, and extra 12 drams per a kiologram
in Berd. It was noted that this year the company invested 1 million
euros in its branches, thanks to which the capacities of raw material
containers were increased by 3.3 thousand hecaliters and new equipment
was installed in the Aygavan and Armavir branches. These investments
will allow the YBC to purchase about 30 thousand tons of grapes from
5.5 thousand farms this year against 25 thousand tons in 2005.
The plant, which was bought by the company Pernod Ricard in 1998,
purchased 15 thousand tons of grapes from 3.5 thousand farms for 80
drams a kilo in 2002, and 15 thousand tons from over 4,000 farms in
2005. During the press conference, the subject of the allegations
made by Aram Sargsian, leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia,
concerning the YBC management was addressed as well. Zara Nazarian,
head of the comapny’s PR and Marketing Unit, noted that A.
Sargsina’s accusations that over 6-7 years, the plant has not operated
at the required capacity are not true. It was noted that this year it
is envisaged to produce the same amount of brandy as last year – 3.5
mln decaliters, 2.5 decaliters of which will be sold in Russia. In the
words of Z. Nazarian, Rospotrebnadzor (Moscow’s Consumer Market Control
Department) has lifted the ban imposed on the operation of the comapny
Pernod Ricard Rus – the distributor of the YBC’s production in Russia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHO IS FIGHTING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Lragir.am
08 Sept 06
During their recent scandalous meeting the Council of the Republican
Party decided last week not to interfere with the local election
in Ajapniak. And on September 6 Bargavach Hayastan made a similar
decision. Logically, Ajapniak remains up to the Attorney General.
A question occurs: all this is done for the Attorney General, or the
Attorney General becomes the guard of the community, which has become
an apple of discord. Perhaps both. After the election in the village
of Nalbandyan, Armavir region the Republicans would hardly wish to
taste defeat again. Besides, the Republicans would hardly miss the
chance of conciliating Serge Sargsyan and Aghvan Hovsepyan through the
situation in Ajapniak. For the sake of this they could sacrifice the
reputation of Galust Sahakyan and the strength of the Republican Party.
The question occurs why the factor of the Attorney General is so
important for Serge Sargsyan. Serge Sargsyan relies on the Republican
Party, and the compulsory “Republicanization” may be viewed as the
guarantee of the success of Serge Sargsyan on his way to the post
of president. It seems that having considerable administrative and
financial resources this “political monster” is able to solve even
the most complicated problem. Logically, the policy of enhancing the
unity and increasing the number of members of the political party
should not have an alternative. But in fact the contrary is happening.
The leaders of the political party do not hide this. It means that in
the Republican Party a lot of things are sacrificed in the Republican
Party. First they do not hide the meaning of the strategic alliance
with the Office of the Attorney General. It means that despite the
bombastic statements about the large number of governors, mayors,
heads of village communities, the Republican leaders know their real
potential. They realize that this category of “chiefs”, in fact, has
a political lever only if it works in accord with the law enforcement
agencies. Not a local government leader can be the boss in their
“zone” if it does not appeal to the police and the procuracy. It is
not accidental that after the defeat in the village of Nalbandyan
Galust Sahakyan sighed that those who have the support of the law
enforcement agencies win.
In that case, how will the Republicans win, however? It is clear that
the expansion of the pro-president political party Bargavach Hayastan,
as well as the indistinct attitude of Robert Kocharyan towards the
plans of Serge Sargsyan the hope for the victory is almost null. It
is null because the Republican Party does not control the electoral
committees and the law enforcement agencies. The police and the
procuracy stand aloof from Serge Sargsyan’s plans. And without this
control there cannot be other guarantees of implementation of Serge
Sargsyan’s plans.
The Republicans are starting to understand that they made a bad
mistake – they overestimated the role and importance of the minister
of defense, they got cheated by the stereotype of 1998. They thought
that Serge is Vazgen Manukyan. No, there is nowhere to retreat. And
it is already visible that Serge Sargsyan and Andranik Margaryan have
adopted a policy of making Robert Kocharyan accept their plans. This
is absolutely obvious.
It is obvious, however, that they had thought a wrong thing from the
beginning. They chose the Attorney General as a target. The procuracy,
as a main lever of compulsion, is viewed as a mechanism of influence
both on their own team and President Kocharyan. The choice, as it
appears to be, is a ruse. It is supposed that in case of success
Serge Sargsyan may enhance his position. However, they carefully
hide from the members of their party that their thought is a threat
of complete failure.
As to Aghvan Hovsepyan, we should confess that he is in a complicated
position. For him, it is difficult and dangerous to oppose Serge
Sargsyan; he does not know how the struggle for power in Armenia
will end. However, an alliance is practically impossible. There is
a danger to remain without office, and Aghvan Hovsepyan’s office
is his only political resource. This circumstance is clear to both
the Attorney General and Serge Sargsyan. It means they have to wait
for complicated combinations. And it is already apparent that the
combinations will end badly for our masters of “political cards”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DASHNAKS HELD A MEETING
Aravot.am
08 sept 06
Armenian politicized circles discuss two themes todayâ~@~] the growth of
violence and the coming parliamentary elections. It seems, nobody denies the ties
between those two themes. The parliament itself has no authority in Armenia: it
isnâ~@~Yt a legislative body and is nothing as a state institution. In that case
youâ~@~Yll ask why the whole criminal world directly or indirectly participate
in the electoral processes. Just for the above-mentioned reason: legislative
activities and state institutions are as far from them as Schubertâ~@~Ys
symphonies. The only sacred thing for the representatives of our criminal is the
MONEY; they make great efforts to have it more.
As money is the end in this «pre-electoral fight», so money and power must
be the means, and now money and power are accumulated and assigned before â~@~
decisive battlesâ~@~]. As it is known money is used to give electoral bribes, as for
power, it is necessary for administrative levers and own interests. Is it
possible for different â~@~power centersâ~@~] not to have discrepancies, the part of
which can be solved by shoots and blasts? Is it possible for media, which
detects all those mechanisms not to be oppressed?
In time, when «October 27» happened, there were people who were saying that
Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargsian wanted to fight against corruption, but
terrorism prevented that fight. I consider such explanation as a «black humorâ~@~]
. The services of those state men towards the Homeland are enormous but why
should we ascribe their intentions, which they have never had to them. Now the
official explanation of Shahen Hovasapian’s murder is that he wanted to
collect taxes fairly but the taxpayers persisted by terrorism. Mr. Hovasapian
also had great merits but that version will lead the investigation by a wrong
direction.
Aram Abrahamian
Armenian politicized circles discuss two themes todayâ~@~] the growth of
violence and the coming parliamentary elections. It seems, nobody denies the ties
between those two themes. The parliament itself has no authority in Armenia: it
isnâ~@~Yt a legislative body and is nothing as a state institution. In that case
youâ~@~Yll ask why the whole criminal world directly or indirectly participate
in the electoral processes. Just for the above-mentioned reason: legislative
activities and state institutions are as far from them as Schubertâ~@~Ys
symphonies. The only sacred thing for the representatives of our criminal is the
MONEY; they make great efforts to have it more.
As money is the end in this «pre-electoral fight», so money and power must
be the means, and now money and power are accumulated and assigned before â~@~
decisive battlesâ~@~]. As it is known money is used to give electoral bribes, as for
power, it is necessary for administrative levers and own interests. Is it
possible for different â~@~power centersâ~@~] not to have discrepancies, the part of
which can be solved by shoots and blasts? Is it possible for media, which
detects all those mechanisms not to be oppressed?
In time, when «October 27» happened, there were people who were saying that
Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargsian wanted to fight against corruption, but
terrorism prevented that fight. I consider such explanation as a «black humorâ~@~]
. The services of those state men towards the Homeland are enormous but why
should we ascribe their intentions, which they have never had to them. Now the
official explanation of Shahen Hovasapian’s murder is that he wanted to
collect taxes fairly but the taxpayers persisted by terrorism. Mr. Hovasapian
also had great merits but that version will lead the investigation by a wrong
direction.
Aram Abrahamian
–Boundary_(ID_CC0L+EYV1/XOeBzxdRlYxw) —
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DISCUSSES CITIZEN COMPLAINTS
Panorama.am
17:57 08/09/06
The Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia will hold its first session
ever to discuss applications by citizens, CC Staff Head Arushan
Hakobyan, told Panorama.am. The first application was about social
cards for getting pensions or family allowances, he said.
CC will deliberate on the application of Artak Zeinalyan, board
member of Republic Party, on November 14. Zeinalyan disputes part 1,
article 150 of RA Civil Judiciary Code. The Armenian courts refuse
to consider invalid decrees issued by the president of the republic
and the Armenian government based on this provision. Zeinalyan claims
that the provision contradicts article 18 of the Constitution, which
says that every person has the right for effective legal protection.
Up to this date, 328 citizens have applied to CC and 214 of them have
received legal consultations. Some applications were poorly supported
and were returned for additional information. CC has also received
applications from prisoners who wanted to appeal court rulings. The
President of the Republic, Robert Kocharyan, also applied to the CC
to deliberate the compliance of an international treaty with the main
document of the republic.
Physical entities pay AMD 5,000 and legal entities pay AMD 20,000 as
a state due for applying to CC./Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.N. Draft Resolution on Karabakh Pursues Precise Political Aims
PanARMENIAN.Net
08.09.2006 16:50 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The draft resolution at hand addresses an issue,
which we thought had been brought to a close, two weeks ago, through
discussions with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Minsk Group Co-chairs
and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative. A decision
was taken to send a mission of experts under the OSCE to assess the
fires,” said Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to
the United Nations, Ambassador Armen Martirosyan at the 98th plenary
sitting of the U.N. General Assembly’s 60th session.
“The authorities of Nagorno Karabagh had already accepted this
proposal, and Armenia was certainly ready to use its good offices to
facilitate such a mission. It was our understanding that Azerbaijan
had also agreed.
Given all this, it was surprising to see a draft resolution circulating
at the UN on this same issue, especially since it called for a parallel
mission under the UN auspices.
This approach was unacceptable. We considered such a step to be an
obstacle to continuing negotiations.
And, since it was clearly intended to pursue other political ends,
Armenia opposed this motion.
However, as a result of our consultations with the Minsk Group
Co-chairs, we have come to agreement on a text that simply reiterates
support for the OSCE mission. In this regard we would like to welcome
the readiness of all the parties to negotiate in the spirit of
compromise under the able and very effective mediation of the Minsk
Group Co-chairs.
Nevertheless, although we support the content of the agreement, we
continue to remain opposed to the general idea of this agenda item
and a UN resolution under it. That is the reason Armenia dissociates
itself from the consensus on this resolution,” he said, reported the
RA MFA press office.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress