Author: Emil Lazarian

PanARMENIAN.Net

Baku Hopes for Karabakh Conflict Soonest Settlement
23.06.2006 15:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At present the peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the most
admissible variant. Moreover taking into account the
intensity of the talks some progress can be expected
in the process, Milli Mejlis deputy, member of the
permanent parliamentary commission for international
affairs Aidyn Abbasov said. In his words, the work is
targeted at a peaceful solution of the problem. ~SIf
there is no precise wayout, other solutions, which
also imply peaceful settlement, should be sought for.
War can be announced at any time but settling a
problem this way is not the most sensible thing. That
is why Baku during many years proceeds with the
efforts to settle the conflict peacefully and the
problem will be solved in the near future,~T he
remarked.

At that Abbasov refrained from commenting on the
statement by the Azeri MFA, which said that Baku is
ready to grant Nagorno Karabakh a status equal to the
status of Tatarstan within Russia, reported Echo newspaper.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian International Policy Research Group

Washington Office:
P.O. Box 28179
Washington, DC 20038-9998
USA
Phone: (202) 623-8605, (202) 458-2589
Fax: (202) 478-0934

Yerevan Office:
50 Nalbandyan Str, Suite 16,
Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Phone: (+374 10) 528 723

Contact Person: Naira Harutyunyan at
<[email protected]>
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 22, 2006

For Immediate Release

AIPRG Conference on Dual Citizenship Offers a Forum for Concepts and Views

Yerevan, Armenia – On June 17-18, 2006, the Armenian International
Policy Research Group (AIPRG) held an international conference entitled
"Dual Citizenship: Alternative Arrangements, Economic Implications and
Social Dimensions." The conference covered various topics surrounding
dual citizenship, including legal, economic, and socio-political
aspects, as well as international experience with dual citizenship
and regularizing Diaspora-homeland relationships. The event was
co-sponsored by the UNDP-Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF-Dashnaktsutiun), Armenian Bar Association, American University
of Armenia, and Birthright Armenia, and held in collaboration with
relevant government agencies and civil society groups.

The two-day conference drew together over 200 participants, including
high-level members of the government and National Assembly, multiple
political party representatives, members of local and Diaspora civil
society groups, academic institutions, and student bodies.

The conference was opened by AIPRG representatives who emphasized the
importance of holding such a conference ahead of the parliamentary
debate on the dual citizenship law to help achieve a more active and
meaningful arrangement between Armenia and the Diaspora.

Following the opening remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Vartan Oskanian, in his keynote opening address stated his support of
dual citizenship arrangement in Armenia as a way of addressing the
historical injustice that has divided the nation. Acknowledging the
existence of legal and administrative problems, Mr. Oskanian stressed
the importance of introducing simplified procedures for administering
the dual citizenship arrangement for Diasporan Armenians. He also
mentioned that dual citizenship may be viewed as a mechanism for
addressing Armenia’s growing demographic imbalances.

The Minister of Justice, Davit Harutyunyan, who chaired the first panel
session entitled "Legal Aspects Related to Dual Citizenship", touched
upon the experience of other countries in dealing with issues related
to dual citizenship and pointed out that this issue is currently on
the agenda for debate in the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia. Mr. Harutyunyan also highlighted the government’s desire to
see a Law on Dual Citizenship passed before the end of 2006.

In his keynote luncheon speech Peter Spiro, Professor of International
Law at the University of Georgia, presented the experience of the
US and other countries with regard to dual citizenship arrangements
stating that "dual citizenship is an increasingly commonplace incident
of globalization, and in approximately thirty years will be universally
accepted." He stressed that if the experience of other countries is
of any guidance, a liberal process of acquisition of dual citizenship
is likely to provide the states with a valuable asset.

Other presentations and discussions on the first day focused on the
international experiences with, and economic and social aspects of,
dual citizenship. This was followed by a roundtable on individual
country experiences with regularizing Diaspora-homeland relations
chaired by David Gregorian, Co-chair of AIPRG, featuring Reena
Pandey, India’s ambassador in Armenia; Ioannis Kiparissidis, the
General Director of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad; Patrick
O`Sullivan, Irish Diaspora Research Unit of the University of Bradford;
and Raffy Semerdjian of Saint Josef University in Lebanon. The final
session of Day 1 discussed the labor market and general developmental
implications of repatriation and was chaired by Deputy Minister of
Finance David Avetisyan.

The second day of the conference featured panels dealing with
the socio-cultural aspects of integrating Diaspora Armenians into
the socio-political and culture fabric of Armenia, as well as the
examination of cases of repatriation both in the 1940s and during
the third Armenian Republic. The panel’s chair, Professor Aharon
Adibekyan, provided a balanced opening statement on cons and pros of
dual citizenship for Armenia.

Following the first panel, three alternative proposals on dual
citizenship arrangement for Armenia were presented by Gevorg
Malkhasyan, First Deputy Minister of Justice; Hrair Karapetyan, Head
of the Parliamentary Faction of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
in the National Assembly; and David Grigorian. Presentations focused on
the differences in their treatment of issues related to voting rights,
military service, and taxation issues pertaining to dual citizens.

In his presentation, Grigorian stressed that the Affiliate Citizenship
status proposed by AIPRG aims at addressing historical injustice, by
providing Armenians around the world with a formal link to the country
of their ancestors, and creating opportunities for repatriation and,
through that, enhancing Armenia’s economic potential and strengthening
national security. The proposal offers flexible and easy-to-implement
mechanisms of achieving these objectives without causing any undue
legal difficulties with countries hosting Diaspora Armenians that
prohibit dual citizenship.

These three proposals were subsequently discussed by a panel of legal
experts. Peter Spiro, Henk Van Goethem, a Legal Adviser at UNHCR’s
Department of International Protection Services, and Vardan Poghosyan,
Director of "Democracy" Center of Political and Legal Studies, placed
the existing proposals in the context of the international legal
norms while acknowledging the specifics of Armenia and its Diaspora.

Professor Andranik Migranyan of the Moscow Institute of International
Relations, the keynote luncheon speaker of Day 2, expressed his belief
that dual citizenship in Armenia would help import new values of civic
engagement and facilitate the transformation of state-civil society
relations in Armenia. In his opinion, the right to vote should be
granted without tying it to residency requirement. He also highlighted
the problem of approximately 500,000 Armenians who "illegally" (from
Armenian legislation’s point of view) hold citizenships in both Russia
and Armenia.

The conference concluded with an open discussion and brainstorming
session moderated by Dr. Anna Ohanyan of Stonehill College in
Massachusetts, also an AIPRG Fellow. The open forum touched upon the
issues related to the possible ramifications of dual citizenship
in both Armenia and the Diaspora. During this session a research
agenda was set up, with the aim of clarifying the demand for dual
citizenship among the members of the Diaspora and quantifying potential
implications of dual citizenship for Armenia. A wide array of views was
expressed from those seeing dual citizenship as an absolute necessity
for Armenia and the Diaspora to those questioning the need for any
type of new citizenship arrangement.

Overall, the conference managed to achieve its goal of initiating a
professional public debate on the issue of dual citizenship ahead of
the deliberations in the parliament. It succeeded in bringing together
a broad spectrum of stakeholders to discuss the issues relevant for
dual citizenship, including its impact on Armenia and the Diaspora,
and to subject the existing proposals of dual citizenship to public
scrutiny. All materials regarding the conference, including the
proposed concepts, are available through the AIPRG website at:

* * *

AIPRG is a non-partisan, non-political association that researches
and encourages the dissemination of discussion of public policy
issues in Armenia and the Diaspora. AIPRG aims to consolidate the
existing Armenia related expertise around the world by bringing
together accomplished researchers and practitioners of economics,
political science, law, and governmental affairs. By way of research
and conferences, AIPRG collaborates with Development Agencies,
International Financial Institutions, the donor community, individual
researchers, and policy practitioners in order to achieve a greater
understanding of the development issues related to Armenia and the
Diaspora. Registered as a 501(c)3 corporation in Washington, AIPRG has
an office in Yerevan and unites over 40 Fellows from around the world.

##################

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
June 23, 2006 Friday

WITHDRAWAL OF MILITARY HARDWARE FROM GEORGIA CONTINUES

Withdrawal of military hardware from Akhalkalaki (the 62nd Military
Base) and Batumi (the 12th) continues. Another echelon (the sixth)
with equipment of the 62nd Base left Tsalka railroad station for
Russia the other day. It is carrying 51 vehicle and weapons system.

The fifth echelon of 20 flatcars carrying auxiliary equipment like
cisterns, field kitchens, etc. will leave Batumi for the 102nd
Military Base in Armenia, tomorrow. A fourth convoy of 14 vehicles
will depart Akhalkalaki for Gyumri, tomorrow.

Despite what some media outlets have been insinuating, it is mostly
transport vehicles and suchlike gear that are ferried from bases in
Georgia to the one in Armenia. Only some battle equipment is moved to
the 102nd Military Base of the Russian Army Group in the Caucasus,
all the rest is sent to Russia.

Georgian state structures observe the process. Observers always
accompany convoys leaving Akhalkalaki for Gyumri and railroad
echelons departing Georgia for Russia.

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, June 21, 2006, p. 3

Translated by A. Ignatkin

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian leader urges upgraded activities of CSTO

ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 23, 2006 Friday 01:14 PM EST

MINSK, June 23 — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has called on
CSTO member countries to upgrade activities of the organization.

"We should update CSTO mechanisms for broadening cooperation in the
response to modern challenges," he said. "I hope that the Collective
Security Treaty will be implemented in the near future.
Armenia will contribute to that."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEd ucation.org

THE GENOCIDE EDUCATION PROJECT REACHES OUT TO CALIFORNIA STUDENTS AND
TEACHERS
006/06_23_2006.htm

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Genocide Education Project concluded a series of
workshops over the last two months targeting junior high and high school
students and teachers throughout California. Developed by a team of
educators, Sara Cohan, Armen Sedrakian, and Hasmig Tateossian, the
interactive workshops provided a vehicle for students and teachers to learn
about the Armenian Genocide in more depth, and also how it relates to
current human rights issues.

At John Muir Middle School in Burbank, Hasmig Tateossian, Southern
California Regional Assistant Coordinator for The Genocide Education
Project, conducted workshops throughout April for over 600 students,
engaging them in discussions about the problem of genocide. She presented a
comparative perspective to the Armenian Genocide, and together with the
students, explored actions they can take in response to modern-day
genocides.

John Muir social sciences teacher, Glenn Jaffe, was very satisfied with the
workshop for his students, saying the "same presentation should be done
yearly at Muir." Mim Oettinger, Assistant Principal of Instruction at Muir,
found most beneficial ‘the fact that other genocides, both past and
current, were discussed and students were informed that they were
responsible to take action to prevent genocides.’

In San Francisco, The Genocide Education Project presented two workshops to
high school students at the Holocaust Center of Northern California, during
its "Day of Learning" program on April 30th. Armen Sedrakian conducted one
of the first workshops focused on the Armenian Genocide and the Rape of
Nanking which was part of the "Generation to Generation" theme. The second
workshop focused on armed resistance during the Armenian Genocide with a
particular focus on Musa Dagh.

In Fresno on May 13th, The Genocide Education Project held a joint seminar
on genocide for more than 100 high school students, with Dr. Matthew A.
Jendian, Professor of Sociology at Fresno State University. The three-hour
seminar included discussions about the Armenian, Cambodian, Rwandan and
Darfurian genocides. It also contained crucial lessons regarding the
responsibility of individuals when genocide occurs. The seminar was
organized by the Fresno Chapter of the Armenian National Committee and
funded by the Bertha and John Garabedian Foundation.

Earlier this spring, The Genocide Education Project conducted several
successful workshops in San Diego, Los Angeles and Glendale, California
targeting educators. Positive feedback included comments like those of
teacher Karen Bennett, "Please keep up the work you are doing! This
information needs to be kept alive in our schools!!" and teacher/curriculum
coach Nancy Witt, "A very worthwhile day – I have already thought of a way
to incorporate this in class."

"Genocide education is imperative, especially at a time when such a crime is
not just a historical reality, but is part of our contemporary reality as
seen in Darfur," said Raffi Momjian, the Executive Director of the
organization. "The opportunity to work directly with students and teachers
over the last few months was truly rewarding, as their passion for the
subject was palpable in all the workshops."

####

The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and
genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and distributing
instructional materials, providing access to teaching resources and
organizing educational workshops.

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
June 23 2006

Muslim Leaders Urge Armenian Withdrawal from Karabakh Enclave Print

Friday , 23 June 2006

Leaders of Muslim states urged the immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of ethnic Armenian forces from the disputed
Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in Azerbaijan in a declaration signed in
Baku on Wednesday.

In a document called the Baku Declaration, the 57 member states of
the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said they "strongly
condemn the aggression" of Armenia against Azerbaijan and "urge the
immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
occupying forces."

The Armenian-majority enclave of Karabakh seceded from Azerbaijan in
the late 1980s, sparking a six-year conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan that claimed 25,000 lives and displaced hundreds of
thousands of people.

Despite a 1994 ceasefire, tensions remain high in the mountainous
region — one of the world’s most militarized zones.

The OIC declaration called on member states to "support Azerbaijan on
the issue of full restoration of its territorial integrity."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Session of EurAsEC Interstate Council being held in Minsk

Kazinform, Kazakhstan
June 23 2006

MINSK. June 23, 2006. KAZINFORM /Yernur Akanbai/ Today June 23 Minsk
is hosting session of Interstate Council of Eurasian Economic Community
(EurAsEC).

At first the leaders of EurAsEC countries will convene in restricted
attendance. The Summit under chairmanship of Belarus President
Alexander Lukashenko will be attended by leader of Kazakhstan Nursultan
Nazarbayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, his counterpart form
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev,
leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov.

President of Armenia Robert Kocheryan has arrived in Minsk as well.
He is expected to attend the top-level meeting as an observer.

In his speech of welcome A. Lukashenko noted that his country had
always supported and would support integration processes on the
post-Soviet territory.

He stressed, unification of the states into regional economic and
political organizations was an objective process.

~SEurAsEC has everything to be an effective integration structure. 6
member-states of the organization possess vast economic, energy,
transport and human resources. We should learn how to organize our
work on mutually advantageous basis~T, the President of Belarus said.

According to A. Lukashenko, EurAsEC greatly contributed to economic
integration on the territory of CIS. It impeded disintegration in
the region.

In future the organization should become a progressive association
of economically and politically stable states. It will be a reliable
instrument for boosting efficiency of comprehensive cooperation of
member countries of the Community.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 23 2006

Azerbaijani Soldier Is Ready to Liberate Our Occupied Territories
23.06.2006

21 June a group of MPs visited some military unites on frontline
conducted the press-conference devoted to visit results. Members of
Milli Majlis said that soldiers’ morale, their food securing, etc.
are at high level. Our soldiers are ready to liberate our lands from
occupation any time and are waiting for just order of the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief.

MPs said that attention and care of the Head of State, the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev about Armed Forces, the steps taken
by him for strengthening of logistics of the Army and reinforcement
of the military’s social protection are perceived in military units
with great enthusiasm.

Affirming the facts of burning of occupied territories by Armenians,
MPs told: "The enemy understands well that time does not work for them,
and very soon they will be obliged to leave the occupied lands.

That’s why they burn down our grounds, forests, and destroy our
national cultural wealth, monuments, demonstrating once more their
true brutal face."

Our MPs stated that they will address to international organizations
in order to bring the facts of vandalism to awareness of international
community.

Then MPs responded to journalists’ questions.

–Boundary_(ID_rVCD5dHP7NO7Z/iyU9XePw) —

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 23 2006

"Zerkalo": Wanted Zori Balayan who secretly visited Holland, holds
that Armenians should support Persians
23.06.2006

Yesterday joint meeting of initiative group of Congress of Azerbaijanis
living in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, World Union of
Azerbaijani Political immigrants and society "Friends of Azerbaijan"
was held in Amsterdam. The Union informed APA about it.

During the meeting the issue on recent secret visit of wanted Zori
Balayan to Holland was discussed.

It should be mentioned that Z. Balayan is accused of terrorist
activity. During the meeting it was informed that Z. Balayan stressed
the weakness of activity of Armenian diaspora in Holland during secret
meetings with Armenian community. He also said that if situation is
not changed, organizations of Turks and Azerbaijanis would be stronger
than Armenian diaspora.

Z. Balayan expressed his attitude towards events in Iran. He declared
that these events may cause problems for Armenia that is why Armenians
should support Persians.

–Boundary_(ID_5HwodITDULIi+Q+CruQlAw)- –

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

For immediate release

COAF Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Model Cluster Press Club
& Three Other Cluster Initiatives

Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, June 21, 2006 ¾ Today, the
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) celebrated the grand opening of the
Cluster Press Club in the Model Cluster village of Lernagog. The
event also marked the launch of a number of inter-village projects
in the Model Cluster, including the Waste Management system and the
Inter-Village Transportation system.

Additionally, not far from Lernagog, COAF established today the Center
for Psycho-Social Services in Dalarik. The Center will serve all six
villages of the Model Cluster ¾ namely Argina, Dalarik, Karakert,
Lernagog, Myasnikyan, and Shenik.

Speaking at the event were Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF Founder and
Chairman, Mr. Vache Terteryan, Deputy Minister of Territorial
Administration, Dr. Artsvik Minasyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and
Social Issues and Dr. Larisa Muradyan, Vice Governor of Armavir. In
their brief addresses at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the speakers
emphasized the utmost importance of strengthening inter-village
relationships, improving communication and ensuring cooperation among
cluster villages. The guests also hailed the initiatives launched
today by COAF.

The projects launched today by COAF in the Model Cluster communities of
Armavir District are integral to its Comprehensive Rural Development
Program, which comprises a) economic development; b) infrastructure
rehabilitation, and c) community development, including health care,
social and educational projects. In each of these program components,
COAF’s efforts focus on resolving the most critical problems that
have the potential for the highest positive impact on the young
generation. The uniqueness of COAF’s clustering approach lies in
the design and implementation of such projects, which ensure lower
costs while benefiting the highest number of villagers. As such, each
cluster project is intended to cover the needs of all six villages
of the Model Cluster and also develop inter-village relationships
and shared services.

The Cluster Press Club based in the Lernagog Municipality aims at
training 13 local youth in journalism for a period of seven months.

The participants will be trained in mass media principles and
legislation, the different genres of journalism, newspaper production,
freedom of speech and responsibility, and computer literacy.
The project will result in the establishment of a self-sustaining
small business that will publish the Cluster Monthly.

The Waste Management System is considered to be an innovative approach
to the collection and disposal of garbage. The systematic management
of waste will eliminate existing sanitary and hygienic issues in
the Model Cluster, thus further improving the lives of the 16,600
cluster residents. The children of these villages will live and play
in a garbage-free healthy environment. Hay Mshak, a Lernagog NGO,
recently established a limited company that aims to serve as the
revenue-generating arm of the NGO for ensuring the sustainability of
public operations, including the long-term maintenance and renovation
of public buildings.

The third Model Cluster project that COAF launched today is the
inter-village transportation system. The thirteen-seat van will
operate in the Model Cluster facilitating the movement of local
residents from one cluster village to another, whether to attend an
inter-village community event, utilize a service available elsewhere,
for personal business reasons, or for leisure. The transportation
timetable is set in a graphic that allows residents to connect with
other operating public transportation systems that connect to major
hubs, Armavir and Yerevan.

The Cluster Psycho-Social Services Center, launched today in Dalarik,
is dedicated to defending the rights of children to give them the
opportunity to live and grow in a safe and supportive environment.

Specifically, it aims at raising public awareness of child’s rights
in the community, with emphasis on training parents and educators
on the rights of socially-disadvantaged or disabled children. By
making psycho-social services available to the cluster communities,
COAF intends to secure the integration of disadvantaged and disabled
children and their families in the larger society. This project is
co-funded by UNICEF.

—————————–

Hay Mshak NGO is a Lernagog-based non-profit organization, which
aims at ensuring a healthy and safe environment for the youth and
at contributing toward the balanced development of children and
adolescents. Recent achievements of Hay Mshak NGO include organization
of various cultural events both in Lernagog and through the Armavir
District of Armenia.

–Boundary_(ID_PwFfMxb53wGcSAwGwV0ynA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress