Author: Emil Lazarian

—
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
~LNew Answers to Old Questions: Armenians in the 21st century¹ is the
title of a forum which will take place on the second and third days
of the Third ArmeniaDiaspora Conference to be held, from September
18th -20th in Yerevan.
More than a dozen international experts and an equal number of
specialists from Armenia will participate in the first-of-its kind
forum.
Following the first day¹s session which will deal with general
Armenia-Diaspora and the new Rural Poverty Eradication Program,
the forum will focus on the old issues of identity, culture,
belonging, homeland-diaspora relations, but from the point of view
of a transnational people living in a globalized 21st century world.
The first panel of the forum, to be held on Tuesday, September 19,
is entitled Nation, State and Identity in the 21st Century, and will
explore new approaches to understanding the evolution of culture and
identity in relation to the diaspora, as well as Armenia. Khachig
Tololyan, editor of the Toronto, Canada-based Diaspora, A Journal
of Transnational Studies, and a professor of Comparative Literature
at Wesleyan University, will open the forum and moderate this first
session which will consider such questions as whether diasporan
political and institutional development can occur without a homeland,
whether the homeland can develop independently of the diaspora,
and whether the diaspora can develop outside of its traditional
structures and institutions. The role of language, literature, arts,
religion and history will also be discussed in relationship to how
they define citizenship and culture.
Participating in this panel are Chandrashekhar Bhat of the Center
for the Study of the Indian Diaspora in Hyderabad, India and Tsypylma
Darieva of Humboldt University in Berlin. Challenges of Identity will
be presented from two perspectives: Gagik Harutyunyan, President of
the Constitutional Court of Armenia, will present a view from Armenia,
and Khatchik Der Ghougassian, a political analyst from Argentina will
present a view from the Diaspora.
The second panel will address the mechanics of diaspora-homeland
relations.
Reciprocal perceptions of Armenians from Armenia and from the Diaspora,
as well as the need to make both socio-economic and political relations
a two-way street will be addressed by Harutyun Marutyan of Armenia¹s
National Academy of Science¹s Institute of Archeology and Ethnography
and Gloria Totoricaguena from the Center for Basque Studies at the
University of Nevada, Reno. In the same panel, Yevgeny Kuznetsov, an
economist with the World Bank in Washington, will speak on Diasporas
bringing know-how and networks to the homeland.
Razmik Panossian, Director of Policy, Programs and Planning of Rights
and Democracy, of Montreal, will be discussing whether mechanisms
and approaches be created in the future to direct cultural and social
developments toward ideal Homeland-Diaspora configuration.
Repatriation and territory of common identity will be the theme of
the third session of the forum covering topics such as emigration,
repatriation, the role of government in these areas, and whether
existing trends might be reversed.
Edward Melkonian, a Historian at the Slavonic University in Armenia,
will be moderating the session. Armenuhi Stepanyan, from the National
Institute of Sciences¹ Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, will
talk about Lessons of Post-War Repatriation in Armenia. This year,
2006, is the 60th anniversary of the year when the largest number
of Armenians repatriated to Soviet Armenia, in the Stalin years. A
look at current international migration will be presented by Sossi
Kasbarian of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
Gevorg Poghosian, Sociologist, will speak on the causes, consequences
and prospects for emigration from Armenia. Avetik Chalabian, a young
economist with the McKinsey Corporation, in Russia, will cover New
Migration, New Investments and New Diasporans.
In the same session, Judge Eduard Muratian of Armenia will speak
about the perspectives, prospects, promises and possibilities of
dual citizenship.
The final session of the forum will be held on Wednesday morning,
September 20, when four professionals from diverse backgrounds
will take a look at the Diaspora in 2020 and will explore possible
scenarios. This segment will look at what facts and analyses are
prerequisites to future programming and policies.
Moderator Noubar Afeyan of the US, one of the leaders of Armenia 2020,
will present four keynote speakers each of whom will present their view
of the Diaspora in 2020: Arman Jilavian, Editor-in-Chief of Nexion
Publications in Russia; Levon Abrahamian from the Armenian National
Academy of Sciences¹ Institute of Archeology and Ethnography; Bedros
Terzian of Petrostrategies in France, Lebanese-born, and a member
of the Board of Trustees of the Armenia Fund; and Tom Samuelian,
an American-Armenian who has been residing in Armenia for a decade
and heads the American University of Armenia Law Center.
Following each panel, a group of invited discussants representing
different communities, ages, and backgrounds, will comment on the
speakers¹ theses.
There will be simultaneous translation into four languages. Everyone
is welcome to participate. For more information and
last-minute registration, visit
< iaforeignministry.am> .
–Boundary_(ID_Rx29Jyqi1Ng8aEFcmtcJ0w)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GREEK
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
His Holiness Aram I received the central committee of the Greek
Catholic community’s league in Bikfaya on September 5. They
consulted the Catholicos on the problems in Lebanon and the region in
general. They expressed their support for the Armenian opposition to
the participation of Turkey in the peacekeeping forces to be deployed
in South Lebanon.
“We completely support the position of the Armenian Community. Let’s
not forget that it was the same Turks who massacred Christian and
Muslim Lebanese,” said the chairman of the league.
His Holiness Aram I praised the brave stand of the Greek Catholic
community.
“The Armenians of Lebanon as a whole clearly and publicly expressed
their opinion and concerns regarding the participation of Turkey in
the peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon. As a spiritual leader, I
also expressed our viewpoints to the General Secretary of the United
Nations, the President of the Republic of Lebanon, its Prime Minister
and government. Our position was based on clear facts. In fact, how
can a country contribute to a peacekeeping mission when its past and
present are full of massacres, occupations, human rights violations
and trends that do not suit such mission,” said Aram I.
His Holiness and the delegation also discussed the possibilities
of strengthening the dialogue between the Christian and Muslim
communities.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
Ecumenical activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA OMBUDSMAN CONDEMNS THE INFRINGEMENT AGAINST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
ArmRadio.am
07.09.2006 18:12
RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan severely condemns the recurrent
infringement against media representatives.
The statement spread by Press and PR Department of the Human Right
Defender’ s Office notes that the attacks against the journalists badly
harms the reputation of the country and jeopardizes the full guarantee
of the freedom of speech and accessibility of information. Yesterday’s
assault against editor of ” Iravunk” newspaper Hovhannes Galachian
was the recurrent action against freedom of press.
The Ombudsman calls on law-enforcement bodies to be most consistent
and anticipates that corresponding bodies will disclose any step aimed
at disturbing the journalists’ activity and the guilty will punished
with the whole strength of law.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MORALS AND MANNERS OF OUR COUNTRY
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot.am
07 Sept 06
As it is known, journalism isn’t one of the most dangerous
professions. It’s better to work as the head of district. You sit
at your residence; take bribes, pay others and you have nothing to
worry about. Being a customs or tax inspector isn’t also bad. But it
is also relative, as it was affirmed yesterday.
Our main newspapers /including ”Iravunq”/ have 3-4 publications,
which touch human interests, abuse and offend them. The offended person
has several ways to act: 1/ not to pay attention to the publication,
2/ try to answer, 3/ to turn to the court, 4/ to beat the author
or editor-in-chief.
This last way of reaction, which is illegal and immoral and which
was used against editor-in-chief of ”Iravunq” newspaper Hovhannes
Galajian, shows the morals and manners of our state.
Everyday we face to those morals and manners. For instance, our
newspaper published that Tatul Manaserian’s had left “Justice”. We
tried to speak to Mr.
Manaserian supposing that he would like to give explanations. But
the parliamentarian refused because he was offended. A person phoned
me in the same day instead and said that I MUST publish his article
defending Mr. Manaserian.
Threats and violence are used instead of civil way of solution.
As I understand, Robert Kocharian and Serge Sargsian are less
interested in using violence against journalists. Each case of
such violence is recorded in all kind of international reports as
the greatest “minus” of our state and authority. I don’t think that
Galajian’s attack is ordered by the highest authority. But we have all
reasons to accuse just the authorities for that violence. Because Hamo
from Bangladesh and ”Alraghatsi Lyovik’s” guard of Tzakhkadzor villa
have got light punishments for using violence against journalists
on May 5, 2005. Because the morals and manners of our country are
like this.
–Boundary_(ID_wMc4XhJ185ymR+Wx0tI0mA)–

ARAM SARGSIAN IS READY TO TURN TO THE COURT
Margaret Yesayan
Aravot.am
07 Sept 06
And prove that Frenchmen and RA authorities “have drunk” the Armenian
Cognac.
Erve Karof, the president of Brandy Factory of Yerevan has sent an
open letter to NA parliamentarian, DPA leader Aram Sargsian as the
latter accuses the factory of not saving the valuable, old alcohol
of Armenian brandy and intention to sell the factory. It’s known
that according to the agreement signed between the RA government and
“Perno Rikar” the owners of the factory are obliged to save and not
to expire the old base alcohol of cognac. It seems, the director of
factory threatens Aram Sargsian in his open letter: ”I inform you
that we assume us the right to arrange actions against you that will
be necessary for defending our interests”.
This story has started some years before when Aram Sargsian has
addressed questions to the RA government for many times to find out
what happens at the brandy factory. The government has sent a short
answer to Aram Sargsian, which says nothing. The parliamentarian has
asked the same question from the NA pulpit, and the NA minister has
answered that time that there is a truth in the parliamentarian’s words
and the prosecutor’s office is engaged in it. Aram Sargsian has talked
to the prosecutor general lately, and the latter has informed him
that they are engaged in cases of alcohol takeover. The parliamentary
meant just it. Once the director of the factory and Aram Sargsian
have flied together on plane. DPA told about the conversation in the
plane; ”As you have noticed there is a threat in the open letter,
and I’m not surprised. When I was introduced to Mr. Karof in plane I
didn’t pay attention to his words but now I understand that it is in
his style. We were talking in Russian: he has worked in Moscow and
has learned the lexicon of oligarchs. I want to say that I’m ready
to prove in legal form that my facts are true or I want to remind
that I have no problem to solve my problems in other way.”
Aram Sargsian said that open letter was simply an advertising pamphlet
as there was no elucidation about the certain questions. He doesn’t
say whether he admits my accusation or doesn’t. The point is our
national wealth, which has been sold very cheaply to the Frenchmen. I
want to stress that my accusations aren’t addressed to France, I’m
simply surprised how the representative of French people can make
such declaration.” Aram Sargsian is sure that the RA government is
guilty because it sold an enormous and serious factory by $28 million,
which gave us a golden profit.
Besides the government doesn’t follow at all how the points of
agreement are realized. According to their official facts, they
have already sold a plenty of cognac/ two times more than the base
alcohol is/ but they haven’t stored up enough. This means we won’t
have appropriate alcohol for the variety of Armenian brandy and the
best cognac trademarks will disappear. I think that just because
of our government this person assumes him a right to speak to the
NA parliamentarian in that way. Aram Sargsian also thinks that
not only the French side but also the Armenian government must be
responsible. ”I will fight until we get rid of these authorities,
there isn’t another way”.
–Boundary_(ID_EM0moBPlCnwgh0xwd 13C3A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VAN BUYTEN EARNS BELGIUM WIN
uefa.com 1998-2006
Wednesday, 6 September 2006
A Daniel Van Buyten goal ensured Belgium returned to winning ways
with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Armenia. René Vandereycken’s
team could only draw 0-0 with Kazakhstan in their opening UEFA EURO
2008â~D¢ qualifier on 16 August, yet they managed three points in
Yerevan despite not having things all their own way.
Slow start
The Armenians, playing their first game in the section, held their
own in an opening half-hour of limited opportunities. Midfielder
Hamlet Mkhitaryan hit a left-footed shot over the bar for the hosts,
while at the other end Luigi Pieroni and Karel Geraerts fired wide
of Gevorg Kasparov’s goal.
Pieroni denied
Samvel Melkonyan then sent a right-footed effort wide of Belgium keeper
Stijn Stijnen before visiting forward Pieroni forced the first save of
note in the 30th minute, Kasparov smothering his left-footed strike
from outside the box. The Armenia custodian was called into action
by the same player five minutes later, this time denying Pieroni with
his feet.
Pressure pays off
R. Standard de Liège midfielder Geraerts then volleyed wide as the
visitors continued to pepper the hosts’ goal. The Belgians reaped
the reward for their pressure four minutes before half-time when Van
Buyten’s header from Jelle Van Damme’s cross found the top corner.
Belgium comfortable
In the second period, Feyenoord defender Pieter Collen was forced
off through injury just before the hour, with Anderlecht’s Anthony
Vanden Borre coming on. Despite the enforced switch, the Belgians
coped comfortably with Armenia’s attemps to restore parity to secure
the first win of their Group A campaign.
–Boundary_(ID_xj3MpxqxOZQh4BTOaE4+GQ)- –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AND AZERI YOUTH MEET IN ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2006 13:23 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian and Azeri youth had a meeting at Gugark
children’s and youth camp in Lori region of Armenia. The event, called
Mutual Trust Camp, was organized with participation of Helsinki Civil
Initiative organization. Young people from Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh participated in the initiative.
Within the framework of the project, Azeri participants visited an
Azeri cemetery not far from Vanadzor town, which was lately restored
by the Vanadzor branch of Helsinki Civil Initiative NGO.
Within a few days the Azeri participants learned to Armenian Kochari
and make a declaration of love in Armenian, while Karabakh residents
got an opportunity to taste pilaf and traditional tea, reports Day.az.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPEN UP THE LISTS, HMAYAK IS COMING
Lragir.am
07 Sept 06
“I want to clarify something once and for all. Hence, I have always
been guided by my own ideas. Whenever I cooperated with one political
force or another, I had only one purpose: to bring into being my own
ideas through the possibilities of that organization,” confessed Member
of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan, political scientist, September 7 at
the Pakagits Club in connection with the parliamentary election and
in an effort to shut the mouths of people “who are trying to stain
his faultless biography”.
And people are trying to stain the “faultless” biography by remembering
and reminding Hmayak that he ran in one parliamentary election on
the ticket of the People’s Party and in the other election on the
ticket of the National Unity Party. And judging by this “consistency”,
people are trying to find out which party ticket Hmayak Hovanisyan will
prefer. But before answering this question the political scientist
first states which idea he prefers, by the way, it is his idea about
the underlying necessity to form a political class.
“I’ve told Robert Kocharyan for a number of times, Serge Sargsyan
in 2002, 2001 that I consider forming an effective political
class, political elite in the country to be a priority. Not a
stable-fashion establishment but an effective political class,”
says Hmayak Hovanisyan. He does not approve the forces which become
engaged in politics to guarantee the security of their own capital
and have turned this capital into a political resource. He says he
will meet the force which will set an aim to push forward professional
legislators, professional politicians.
“I know I will be encountering challenges. Yes, I will. I will be
looking through the lists. If I see that one team of another, with me
as one of the coaches, may, in fact, reach that level and represent
those political qualities in the parliament, and if this team considers
me worth, I will think about it,” says Hmayak Hovanisyan.
But when someone asked what may happen if no team invites him, Hmayak
Hovanisyan said, “Don’t be so naive.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SENATOR SCHUMER URGES HOAGLAND TO CLARIFY HIS POSITION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2006 14:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the eve of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
consideration of Richard E. Hoagland as America’s next Ambassador to
Armenia, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), sent a letter to Hoagland
criticizing the Administration’s policy on the Armenian Genocide
and urging the nominee to clarify his position on the matter,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America. In his letter, Schumer
also expressed concern that the current Ambassador, John M. Evans,
is being prematurely replaced for properly recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. “I am concerned that the Senate is reviewing your nomination
for this post as a result of Ambassador Evans’ departure, possibly
because of statements he made which, in my view, accurately describe
the Armenian Genocide as such,” Schumer wrote.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JOHN EVANS: THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHICH ARE SPOKEN ABOUT ONLY IN U.S.
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Sept 07 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. John Evans,
the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary who finished
his mission to the RA, in response to a question of a correspondent
of the Public Television of Armenia if, however, the Ambassador’s
pronounciation of the world “genocide” was a diplomatic error or a
personal opinion, mentioned that he does not discuss this issue in
Armenia. In his words, there are some issues which are spoken about
in the U.S. Responding the question “However, do you go, because
you pronounced the word “genocide” at a meeting with the American
Armenian community?” the Ambassador said, “They would not say like
that, you say in that way.” He did not exclude that he may once write
a book where there will be exhaustive answers and the complete picture
will be seen. John Evans also informed that he intends to have a rest
in New York for about a year as soon as he returns the Fatherland,
then to return Washington, but not for a diplomatic service: “I have
left the sphere of diplomacy, retired , but it does not mean that I
will do nothing,” the former Ambassador to Armenia said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress