Author: Emil Lazarian

AZG Armenian Daily #157, 19/08/2006
Armenian Genocide
ZORYAN INSTITUTE LAUNCHES NEW INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GENOCIDE
As part of its continuing effort to integrate the Armenian Genocide
into world genocide studies, the International Institute for Genocide
and Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) (IIGHRS),
chaired by Dr. Roger W. Smith, announces the co-founding and joint
publication of a new journal, Genocide Studies and Prevention, in
partnership with the International Association of Genocide Scholars
(IAGS), headed by Dr. Israel W. Charny. The journal’s first issue,
Summer 2006, published through a partnership with the University of
Toronto Press, is available now.
“Genocide Studies and Prevention, as a peer-reviewed journal, was
established to fulfill several goals at the same time,” remarked
Dr. Smith, a founder of the IAGS. “First, as the official journal of
the IAGS, its mission is to understand the phenomenon of genocide,
create an awareness of it as an ongoing scourge, and promote the
necessity of preventing it. Second, as an initiative of the IIGHRS,
it is intended to help stimulate, educate and develop new generations
of scholars to engage in research and provide an academic forum
on genocide. Third, it is hoped that it will educate government
policy-makers, as well as the general public, on why and how genocide
occurs so that they may be persuaded to use all of their influence
to prevent genocide, or at least intervene if it is already taking
place,” he concluded.
The first issue of this inter-disciplinary journal is devoted to
the genocide in Darfur. It features articles written by such noted
experts as award-winning author Rene Lemarchand; Samuel Totten, who
served as an investigator on the US government’s Darfur Atrocities
Documentation Team; legal experts Kelly Dawn Asking and Jerry Fowler;
Political Science Professor Scott Straus; and Major Brent Beardsley,
who served as General Romeo Dallaire’s personal staff officer in the
UN peace-keeping mission in Rwanda in 1994 and was an eye-witness to
the genocide there.
The second issue, which is already in press, will be devoted to the
Armenian Genocide and will have many distinguished contributors,
including Taner Akcam, Vahakn Dadrian and Roger W. Smith. Subsequent
issues will be devoted to such themes as the Genocide in Rwanda,
Genocide and International Law, and Genocide and Ethnocide of
Indigenous Peoples.
Israel W. Charny, President of IAGS stated that, “Today, one can look
with some satisfaction on the increasing emergence of scholarship and
the scientific study of genocide, and therefore one may also dare to
begin to think of the possibilities for preventing genocide. It is for
these reasons that we are especially pleased to see the synergies of
our relationship with the IIGHRS, with whom we share a deep commitment
to the study and genocide of all peoples, in the establishment of
this new journal.”
Genocide Studies and Prevention is published three times a
year. Subscriptions are $50.00 per year, but a discount is available
for the first year. For more information, contact the IIGHRS (Zoryan
Institute), [email protected], Tel: 416-250-9807.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #157, 19/08/2006
People
KAREKIN II CHEVALIER OF RUSSIA’S PRIDE MEDAL
On occasion of upcoming 54th anniversary of Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians, on August 21, a charity fund of Russia “Pride of
Fatherland” has decided to decorate His Holiness with Russia’s Pride
gold medal. According to Yerkramas newspaper of Russian-Armenians,
the Catholicos will receive this medal for his contribution to
spiritual unity of world’s nations, for fostering good-neighborly
Russian-Armenian relations and for his tireless struggle against
interethnic hostilities in the world and the Caucasus.
By Susanna Margarian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #157, 19/08/2006
Region
GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN COME TO TERMS OVER KARS-AKHALKALAK RAILWAY
Commenting on the results of a sitting of the Georgian-Azerbaijani
intergovernmental committee that kicked off two days ago, Azerbaijani
prime minister Artur Rasizade stated that Baku and Tbilisi have agreed
on constructing Kars-Tbilisi-Akhalkalak-Baku railway. His Georgian
counterpart, Zurab Noghaideli, urged the Azerbaijani investors to
invest in Georgia saying that Georgia is “ready to create privileged
environment for Azerbaijani investors.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO PAY TWO-DAY WORKING VISIT
TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Antonio Guterres, the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees will pay two-day working visit to Armenia
on August 20-22. It is written in the information submitted to
Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department. During the visit A.Guterres will meet with RA President
Robert Kocharian, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians. Visits are envisaged to the marz of Lori
as well as to the UN Office in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia sells major rubber plant to British company
Arminfo
18 Aug 06
Yerevan, 18 August: The Armenian government today decided to sell 90
per cent of the shares of the state-owned closed-typed stock company
the Nairit factory – the only producer of polychloroprene rubber in
the Commonwealth of Independent States – to the British-Irish company
Rhinoville Property Limited for 40m dollars, the government said in
a press release.
The press release said the British-Irish company had applied to buy
the plant and said it could invest in the plant to upgrade it.
The government instructed the energy minister to allow the Armgazprom
joint-stock company to sell 90 per cent of the shares of the Nairit
factory to the foreign investor for 40m dollars.
[Passage omitted: details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Aztag Armenian Daily, Lebanon
Aug 16 2006
C O M M U N I Q U E
by the Spiritual Leadership of the Armenian Community in Lebanon
Based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, while
deploying in Southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Army will be assisted by
multinational forces, who will arrive to reinforce UNIFIL units who
are already there to monitor the situation.
Consultations on the formation of this multinational forces and many
countries are considered as candidates to contribute troops, and
Turkey also is expressing readiness to participate in the
peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
The participation of a Turkish military unit in peacekeeping
operations must be considered as unacceptable considering that Turkey
is a state facing many instances of violations of human rights and
international law. To say the least, it is strange for Turkey to
present itself with the mask of enforcer of justice and peace. The
continuing occupation of Northern Cyprus, the obstinate denial of the
Armenian Genocide and the the trampling upon the rights the rights of
the Kurds are only but few of the issues revealing the true face of
the Turkish state. Lebanon too was not left untouched by the Turkish
atrocities. And today, the Israeli-Turkish military pact does not
allow Turkey to represent itself as an impartial peacekeeper.
Based on these facts, the Armenian spiritual leaders of Lebanon, call
upon the Lebanese government in the name of the Armenian community,
not to accept Turkey’s offer to participate in the peacekeeping
force.
August 16, 2006
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Aztag Armenian Daily, Lebanon
Aug 16 2006
S T A T E M E N T
by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsoutiune Central
Committee of Lebanon
We ReJECT the Participation of Turkish Troops in the U.N.
Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon
The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in
Lebanon held a meeting yesterday (August 16, 2006), during which it
discussed the events that occured after the beginning of the
implemenation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. The following
statement was released after the meeting.
The participants in the meeting discussed the loss of life and
material damage caused by the war waged by Israel on Lebanon, and
highly praised the spirit of solidarity and cooperation shown by the
Lebanese people during the conflict, as well as their determination
to defend their land, their rights, and their dignity. The A.R.F.
also highly praised the Lebanese resistance for its brave actions in
protecting Lebanon, and invited all Lebanese to ensure their victory
by remaining united, and by resisting any attempts to jeopardize this
unity, for as long as Israel continues to threaten Lebanon.
The A.R.F. Central Committee also welcomed Resolution 1701, and
discussed the possible make-up of the expanded U.N. Force in Lebanon.
The Central Committee underlined that the composition of these forces
must be accepted by all Lebanese parties and factions. The Central
Committee reiterated that the deployment of Turkish troops in south
Lebanon under the umbrella of the U.N. Forces is unacceptable to the
Armenian community in Lebanon, and expressed hope that the Lebanese
government would take a similar stance on the issue, given that
Turkey has ongoing disagreements with many nations, and also given
its black history, filled with massacres and persecution, such as the
Armenian Genocide, which the Turkish government continues to deny. In
addition, Turkiey has signed military pacts with Israel that threaten
the peace process in the region.
We all know that Lebanon was not spared under Ottoman dictatorship.
Lebanese of all religions and denominations were persecuted, abused,
famished, and murdered by Turkish authorities, and Turkey opposed all
who stood up for freedom. During its reign of Lebanon, Turkey
commited inhumane acts.
Turkey must first rethink its past and calculations before thinking
of participating in multination peacekeeping forces.
We insist, that placing any Turkish troops in Southern Lebanon under
the umbrella of the U.N. Forces is an insult to the collective memory
of the Armenian people.
A.R.F. Lebanon Central Committee
August 16, 2005
Beirut

MILLENIUM CHALLENGE-ARMENIA FUND OFFICE TO BE ESTABLISHED BY LATE SEPTEMBER
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The Millennium Challenge-Armenia (MCA)
Fund Office will be established by late September. RA Deputy Minister
of Finance and Economy, head of the preparation team of the Millennium
Challenge Armenia Program (MCAP) Davit Avetisian stated this at the
August 17 sitting of the program’s beneficiaries. According to him,
in addition to funds envisaged by the MCAP, the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) allocated up to 500 thousand USD for the office’s
foundation, design and advice activities. The first tranche of this
sum will be transferred by October 1. D. Avetisian introduced Ara
Hovsepian (who won the competition with the participation of 48
candidates and, by the August 5 decision of the MCAP management
board, was appointed the executive director general of the MCA Fun)
to the board members. The deputy minister said that prior to his
appointment, Ara Hovsepain was the head of the Natural Resource
Management and Poverty Reduction Program being implemented in
Tavush and Gegharkunik marzes with the assistance of the British
government. D. Avetisian reminded that the Armenian government and the
MCC signed the major agreement of the MCAP. The government approved
the agreement on distribution of funds and the management agreement
between the sides. Among three other documents are the subagreements
on achievements, on fiscal agent and banking agent, which are almost
ready to be submitted to the US side. In his words, the selection
of the MCAP’s fiscal and banking agents is proceeding in accordance
with the schedule. The speaker noted that in October-December 2006,
design work of 2-2.5 mln USD will be done, based on which the MCA
Fund’s 2007 programs on constrcution and repair of infrastructures and
business assistance will be implemented. Part of the Bid on Writing
Off has already been developed. The 2007 activities will be financed
on the basis of this document.
To recap, the MCC will allocate 235.65 mln USD to Armenia in 5
years. It is envisaged that 75% of the country’s rural population
(about 750 thousand citizens) will be the MCAP’s beneficiaries. A
6% poverty reduction in rural areas is anticipated as a result
of the program’s implementation. Out of the program’s funds,
67.1 mln USD will be allocated for repairs of community roads,
145 mln 670 thousand USD – for development of irrigation systems,
the program’s management and control expenditures will amount to 17
mln 790 thousand USD, while monitoring and assessment expenditures –
to 5 mln 80 thousand USD. Out of funds to be used for the development
of irrigation systems, 32.42 mln USD will be allocated for provision
of credits to farmers, strengthening of water user companies, and
delivery of advisory services.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“MISS CAUCASUS-2006” CONTEST TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA IN SEPTEMBER WITH
SLOGAN “WORLD IN CAUCASUS”
Yerevan, August 17. ArmInfo. A ceremony of awarding a title “Miss
Caucasus-2006” will be held September 2 in Spendiarov Academic Theatre
of Opera and Ballet of Armenia.
As Aram Antonyan, the chairman of the Contest Organizational Committee,
told ArmInfo, this year the Contest will be held under a slogan
“Peace in the Caucasus”. The shooting of beauties will be carried
out in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh. According to the source,
the Contest winner will receive a permit ticket to Czech Republic
to participate in the Contest “Miss Tourism-2006”. The main prize
of the winner will become a silver crown with semiprecious stones,
as well as prize money, the size of which is kept in secret as yet.
To be noted, the ceremony of “Miss Caucasus-2006” title awarding will
be broadcasted by all TV channels of the Caucasus, as well as by the
“Mir” Interstate TV Company channels.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GROWTH OF SPHERE OF TOURISM MAY BE CHANGED BY FALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF UNION OF INCOMING TOUR OPERATORS OF ARMENIA WARNS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Phenomena of careless competition got
an extended character in the sphere of incoming tourism may create
such a situation that the 20-25% annual growth of the sphere may be
changed by a fall.
Arayik Vardanian, the Executive Director of the Union of Incoming Tour
Operators of Armenia (UITOA) mentioned about it in the interview to
the Noyan Tapan correspondent. According to his data, about 150 tour
operators are registered in Armenia, but only 30 of them work in
the legal field. Tour operators joined the union occupy 70% of the
incoming tourism market. According to A.Vardanian’s words, cases,
when “firms having a butterfly’s life are founded for receiving
a concrete group of tourists” which propose low price services
to tourists, became more. But their quality very often does not
satisfy any accepted standard. It was mentioned that it relates
particularly to the suggested inferior food and transport means. The
UITOA Executive Director emphasized that to prevent so careless
competition with the help of licensing, the Union proposed the RA
Government and National Assembly to make amendements to the RA laws
“On Tourism” and “On Licensing.” A.Vardanian believes that a licensed
tour operator functioning in an open legislative field must not be
able to offer inferior services and ones not corresponding to the
price to a client. He mentioned that the Union of Tour Operators took
steps aimed to self-arrangement of the sphere as well. For example,
it’s envisaged to adopt the Code of Laws for Tour Operators during
coming months. The UITOA was founded in late 2004 by 10 companies of
incoming tour operators. The process of formation of the union lasted
three years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress