Author: Emil Lazarian

160 ARMENIAN CHILDREN UNDERGO COURSE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT IN GERMANY UNDER PATRONAGE OF "FRIEDENSDORF" CHARITY ORGANIZATION

Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006

VANADZOR, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A group of Armenian children undergoing
a course of medical treatment under the patronage of the German
"Friedensdorf" international charity organization will leave for
Germany in August. Children’s removal is implemented by a specially
rented plane expenses of which are incured by the "Friedensdorf." The
minimal duration of the treatment is 6 months, the maximal one is
3 years.

In total, 160 Armenian children already underwent a course of medical
treatment under the patronage of the "Friedensdorf" organization. This
organization has implemented continuously for 14 years a wide-spread
program of free medical service for children who need it. They are
mainly children up to 13 years old, whose treatment is possible to
implement only in European countries.

The organization implements its mission in different marzes of Armenia.

As Varuzhan Sedrakian, the Chairman of the "Children’s Association of
Armenia" public organization mentioned in the interview to the Noyan
Tapan correspondent, medical examinations were held in the Lori marz
during the previous years only for children living in the city of
Vanadzor. Children of different regions of the marz as well will be
involved in medical examinations this year. Expenses of taking them
to the center of the marz were covered by the Health Care Department
of the Lori Regional Governor’s Office. Those children who will be
taken to Germany for treatment are chosen by doctors after medical
examination and diagnosis of disease.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS ARRIVES IN ISTANBUL

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 21 2006

ISTANBUL, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians arrived in Istanbul on late June 20. Radio Liberty
informs about it, mentioning that this Catholicos visit is the 12th
one in number during the whole history.

During the last 50 years heads of the Armenian church visited Turkey
only three times. Vazgen I Catholicos paid an official visit to Turkey
in 1961. He met in Ankara with the authorities of Turkey and laid a
wreath to the grave of Ataturk.

Karekin I Catholicos visited Turkey the next time, in 1996. That visit
was not official: the Armenian community of Turkey received Karekin I.

Ara Gochunian, the editor-in-chief of the "Zhamanak" (time) daily being
published in Istanbul informed that the present visit of Karekin II
is not official, either, but, unlike the previous Catholicos visit,
Karekin II met with t he Istanbul Governor.

The Catholicos of All Armenians will visit the Armenian representation
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization as well. During the
first two days of the visit, His Holiness Patriarch will be received
by the Greek Patriarchate.

38 Armenian churches, 15 colleges function in Istanbul today where
more than 3500 Armenian children study. Two dailies and one monthly
are published.

There are other adjacent publications as well.

Though there is no official statistics about the concrete Armenian
inhabitation’s number, according to calculation of the Armenian church
and numerous Turk officials, 70-80 thousand citizens of Turkey of
Armenian origin live in the country.

Dozens of thousands of Armenians emigrated Turkey from Armenia, after
Armenia’s becoming independent. Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah
Gul stated in one of his recent speeches that there are about 40
thousand Armenians in Turkey. But, in the opinion of representatives
of the Armenian community, those numbers are exaggerated.

His Holiness will stay in Turkey for a week.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BOXER KAREN AYLAZIAN TAKES 3rd PLACE IN EUROPE YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Noyan Tapan
Jun 21 2006

TIRANA, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Karen Aylazian (Yerevan, 48 kg weight
category) took the 3rd place in the Europe Youth Boxing Championship
held on June 15-20 in the capital of Albania Tirana. 187 delegates
of 28 countries took part in the championship.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN PEACEKEEPERS: THE CAUCASUS UNDER ME?
by Sergei Markedonov, Political and Military Analysis Institute
Translated by Elena Leonova

Source: Izvestia, June 21, 2006, p. 6
Agency WPS
What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
June 21, 2006 Wednesday

What does the European Union really want in the Caucasus?; The
Europeans are saying that Russia should not only abandon its exclusive
political role in the South Caucasus, but also open up the gates to
European peacekeeping in the North Caucasus. For Russia, such an
approach would be tantamount to admitting its own incompetence as
a state.

Europe has come to the Caucasus. "The Caucasus and Central Asia region
will be among the most important issue for Germany’s forthcoming
period of chairing the European Union. The Caucasus is being called a
‘special region’ which has been overlooked by Europe for some time,"
says Roland Goetz, head of the Russia and CIS group at the German
Institute for International and Security Affairs (an influential
think-tank consulted by the German government).

What kind of significance do the Europeans attach to the Caucasus
region? Its unique natural and geographic significance isn’t the only
reason for their interest. "The Caucasus, with its fairly limited
natural resources, is not a key region," says Roland Goetz. The
Americans regard the Caucasus as important primarily as a bridge for
their sweeping geopolitical combinations (Iran, the Middle East).

Europe, which is building a "good neighbor" policy, regards the
Caucasus as a political patient suffering an illness known as "ethnic
conflicts." For European politicians, the priority in the Caucasus
is to overcome ethnic conflicts and disseminate the "European" system
of values.

But the Europeanization of the Caucasus goes back before 2006. The
"special region" has been a focus of attention for European politicians
since the early 1990s. In contrast to the United States, the European
Union’s approach to Caucasus policy emphasizes socio-economic issues,
not military-political issues. The EU’s second priority direction is
promoting stability in the region, as well as striving to ensure that
"European standards" in human rights and democratic liberties are
respected and observed. The common policy plan on South Caucasus
states, adopted by the EU Council in 1995, emphasizes the need
for assisting the former Soviet republics in the Trans-Caucasus
to establish democratic institutions. However, while the EU claims
to uphold universal democratic values, it frequently fails to take
account of ethnic and cultural differences and traditions in Georgia,
Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Russia plays a special role in the "great game" of the Caucasus
region. Firstly, part of Russia’s own territory is in the Caucasus.

Secondly, Russia is extremely active in the South Caucasus, and its
role in regulating the "frozen conflicts" can hardly be disregarded.

It seems that European experts are now prepared to see the Caucasus as
an integrated region, not isolating the problems of the "independent"
South Caucasus from those of the Russian North Caucasus. But this
approach, which is shared by most Russian politicians and analysts,
is interpreted differently in Europe. The Europeans are saying that
Russia should not only abandon its exclusive political role in the
South Caucasus, but also open up the gates to European peacekeeping
in the North Caucasus.

For Russia, such an approach would be tantamount to admitting its own
incompetence as a state and in government. It isn’t clear exactly
what kind of solutions the countries of Europe are proposing to
Russia. Negotiations with the separatists? In the wake of the Beslan
school hostage siege and the death of Aslan Maskhadov, the "Ichkerian
movement" itself has experienced a severe crisis, becoming fragmented
and essentially giving up calls for secession from Russia. Even when
"Ichkerian President" Maskhadov was still alive, negotiating with him
was no more than a sweetly utopian European idea, since the reality
of Chechnya is such that no separatist leader had his authority
recognized by all the others. These days, the European view of the
Caucasus is a combination of obsolete impressions from the mid-1990s
(that is, the period of active military confrontation between the
federal government and the separatists).

All the same, Europeanization of the Caucasus region is a political
reality that we must learn to live with. We need to be able to defend
our vital national interests in language that is comprehensible in
terms of European political and legal thinking. We need to initiate
not only conservation, but also progressive development of the South
Caucasus countries, recognizing that stability in itself, without
progress, is impossible. Russia is the country that can teach the
Europeans to combine the schemes and formulas of legal theory with
Realpolitik in a rational way. Without that, long-lasting pacification
of the Caucasus is impossible.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MUSLIM LEADERS URGE ARMENIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM KARABAKH ENCLAVE

Agence France Presse — English
June 21, 2006 Wednesday 2:04 PM GMT

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

"IF IT CONTINUES IN THIS WAY, WE CAN’T HOLD STATE ELECTIONS"
Margaret Yesayan

Aravot.am
21 June 06

The "Justice" group representative in the CEC Felix Khachatrian
expresses his apprehension.

The "Justice" group representative in the CEC Felix Khachatrian
opposing to the CEC chairman Gourgen Azarian’s thought that the
opposition makes declaration for justifying its real defeat, said;
"We have never lost, we have won both in presidential and parliamentary
elections in 1998 and 2003 and during constitutional referendum in
2005, people like Spartak Eghiazarian and those who appoint them
have lost, it’s another matter that the authorities have rigged our
real victory. And Grigor Haroutiunian’s words are completely true,
he had said that they had gathered for taking courses in Goris city
but the lecturers hadn’t come, I myself has phoned the chairman of the
commission informing him about it". Felix Khachatrian explains this
unorganized situation with a special intention by the authorities,
to do their best for less people take courses and for being possible
to give certificates whom they want.

Felix Khachatrian considers important the teaching project of the
members of commissions but he thinks as a specialist that the project
doesn’t serve its purpose as the responsibility of the case is given
to the leaders of communities who try to fail the process.

Mr. Khachatrian also has complaints from the whole duration of
course organization though he is also a teacher; Â"16-hour project
is formed which is too little for realizing such a great documental
study. I was myself taking part as a teacher in Masis City of Ararat
region. My first impression was too bad and referred to organization
part of courses. The group with which I must have lessons was a group
by 154 members by the list. But a hall with 90 seats was given for
lectures. It was the hall of Masis Municipality. And it became clear
that only 92 persons were present in the hall and on the end of the
day the future members of commissions have run away from lectures and
it became clear that only 27 remained. And only 25 persons instead
of 154 took part in the test. This means if everything continues in
this way we won’t be able to hold the coming state elections. But
perhaps it will become clear that all future members of commissions
have passed the test in Masis region", – F. Khachatrian expressed
his apprehension. M. Khachatrian is sure that if a lot of people from
this region get certificates of commission members, it will be obvious
that the authorities acted by their designed scenario again. To our
question the representatives of the authority or opposition take part
in the courses more, Felix Khachatrian answered that only the name and
surname if written in list given to him and the number of passport,
there isn’t any other information and he can’t answer to that question.

–Boundary_(ID_2+4QZKZAsEhmG4OhFCcefg)- –

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE FUTURE OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISSUE IS THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN NKR AND AZERBAIJAN

A1+
[07:13 pm] 21 June, 2006

Today President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkadi Ghoukasyan sent
a message to the members of the international scientific conference
titled "Nagorno Karabakh Republic: past, present and future" which
opened today in the capital of the country, Stepanakert.

The message says, "Today Azerbaijan spares no effort to turn back the
hands of time and deprive our nation of the freedom and independence
won by heavy losses.

This is an unpromising way. I am sure that the futures lies in the
negotiations between NKR and Azerbaijan in order to look for mutually
convenient ways of settling the conflict and to start cooperation
between the two countries."

The President of NKR also added that although the NKR is not recognized
by the international community, Azerbaijan lacks behind Karabakh in
holding the country up to democratic standards. Besides, according to
Arkadi Ghoukasyan, the past 15 years proved that the people of Nagorno
Karabakh have the right to have an independent republic of their own.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A VISIT TO ENJOY THEIR WORK

A1+
[05:30 pm] 21 June, 2006

RA Minister of Agriculture David Loqyan, and NA deputies Hranoush
Hakobyan and Hakob Hakobyan visited the marz of Gegharqounik yesterday.

The Minister of Agriculture got acquainted with the course of the
reconstruction of the road Gavar- Gegharqounik. He also visited
Verin Getashen the population of which has disagreements with those
of Nerqin Getashen about the exploitation of the water pipeline.

Regional Governor of Gegharqounik Arsen Grigoryan mentioned that two
major problems of the region have been solved. "The RA Government has
allotted 63 million AMD in order to realize the cleaning of Gavaraget
in Noratus", he mentioned.

David Loqyan too mentioned that there are still many problems in the
region, but the majority is in the solution phase.

TV Company "Qyavar", Gavar

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COUNCIL SUMS UP RESULTS OF TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HIGHWAY IN YEREVAN

Armenpress
Jun 21 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, ARMENPRESS: The press office of the Armenian
president said the council set up to manage and coordinate a set of
development projects funded by the US-based Lincy Foundation, met
today to sum up the results of a tender announced for construction
of a new highway in downtown Yerevan that would join three streets
of Heratzi, Saralanj and Avetisian.

It said the meeting was chaired by Armen Gevorkian, chief of president
Kocharian’s staff and also chairman of the council. The press office
said based on the recommendations of the tender commission the council
recognized three construction firms winners of the tender. It said
these companies will build the new road on three sections.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHERE IS ARKADY GHUKASYAN?
Melik Mejlumyan

Lragir.am
22 June 06

On these days the media of Nagorno Karabakh is focused on the NKR
presidential election in 2007. In particular, there is a lot of
consideration about the Constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
and the hustle and bustle thereof among the ruling elite. The point
is the anxiety among the public that President Ghukasyan is likely
to use the factor of the Constitution to establish a legal basis to
run a third term.

Ghukasyan and his aides refuse to give an explanation that would
relieve the anxiety of the public. During his short visits to his
office, the president simply gives some new instructions concerning the
Constitution and quickly leaves in some direction. Moreover, a process
is underway among the ruling elite, which is difficult to explain,
which interests the public more. Namely, different senior and junior
officials convey information to the media, which damages one another’s
reputation. A real fight started between the NKR government and Armenia
Foundation. The escalating conflict between the two pro-governmental
factions of the parliament is becoming known to the public. People
who are fond of the topic of the president’s successors are emerging.

However, the public is more anxious about President Ghukasyan. The
Karabakh society is considering more and more often the fact that
Arkady Ghukasyan was not in the country all through 2006, and almost no
information was given where he was. The people of Karabakh are already
"used" to the long absence of the president, which was interrupted by
"short visits to the country" on different occasions. The year 2002
(the first year of his reelection) was a record; people learned
about him from his interviews with the foreign media. At that time
the popular joke about the "short visit of the Karabakh leadership
to Karabakh" was born.

But not everyone has got used to it. The lasting absence of Arkady
Ghukasyan is arousing special interest among a certain circle. Along
with kneading the idea of running a third term it is suggested that
Ghukasyan no longer believes in the possibility of a third term and
is busy thinking about his future. Besides, one of the purposes of his
visits to different countries is said to be "settlement of complicated
financial problems with various sponsors who have provided assistance
to the NKR people at different times."

The Armenian media have published a lot of information about
Ghukasyan’s property. Now, however, when the danger of publishing
information about the "black" activities of the leaders of the ruling
elite emanates from the government, he cannot remain calm.

One way or another, the end of terms of presidency in both NKR and
Armenia is giving rise to big problems. The activities of top officials
has "localized" within the concern about their own future. It appears
that for someone the problem of Nagorno Karabakh has reached the
problem of their own future. This circumstance, in fact, may worry the
society in Karabakh. In a period when the country’s political issue
is under "international pressure," the absence of the head of state
from the processes underway may lead to dramatic consequences. It is
becoming clear for many that Ghukasyan does not have time for Karabakh.

It would be unfair to state that Ghukasyan’s future is not a
state affair (especially that he is haunted by Samvel Babayan’s
revenge). However, Ghukasyan probably cannot realize that the
question is being solved a little differently. For instance, it
would be expedient if Arkady Ghukasyan quitted office earlier at a
more convenient moment. Everybody remembers how the former president
of Russia Boris Yeltzin gave away power on time, guaranteeing his
future. He could have realized, but only real figures act so. In
Armenia and Karabakh they wait until the danger of total defeat hangs
immediately overhead, then they start complaining of others. They
hope to find a way out by creeping to "different lords."

People should therefore rely on themselves. Karabakh needs a new and
practical leader. Especially now, when there is no time to look for
Ghukasyan all over the world and return him to his presidential duties.

P.S. June 22 is Arkady Ghukasyan’s birthday, and we congratulate him
with all our hearts.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress