Author: Emil Lazarian

VAHRAM NERSISYAN NAMED POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR

ArmRadio.am
05.06.2006 17:13

Together with the “Enemy of the press” and other similar negative
titles, often awarded to our politicians, we should not forget the
positive. The young should be shown a good example. According to
the survey among state o fficials, carried out by the Youth Party
of Armenia, Adviser to the President Vahram Nersisyan is the most
exemplary. The latter was awarded a diploma by President of the Youth
Party Sargis Asatryan.

In our country a post is the shortest way to well-being. Vahram
Nersisyan, however, suggests his own theory, “The state official
should content with a modest life. The pleasure of an official is
occupying his post, not getting reach through this position,” Adviser
to RA President said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRIME MINISTER WILL ASK PRESIDENT AS SOON AS HE IS BACK

Lragir.am
05 June 06

On June 4 the standing committees of the National Assembly started
discussing the performance of the state budget 2005. The first debate
was attended by Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The questions of
the reporters were not only about budget performance.

“Two main posts in the country are occupied by Republicans. What
grounds do you have for such confidence?”

Andranik Margaryan: “We did not avoid responsibility. We have a duty
to fulfill, if we have entered politics and ran for elections with
a clear program, it means we realized the difficulty we would face?”

“Will you spare some office for Sergo Yeritsyan or did you let
him down?”

Andranik Margaryan: “Who said that we let him down? I haven’t promised
him anything.”

“They promised him the post of adviser to president.”

Andranik Margaryan: “Well, if they promised, they will keep their
promise.

The president is not here. I will ask him as soon as he is back.”

“Why do teachers intensively affiliate with your party? Recently it
was reported in the region of Armavir.”

Andranik Margaryan: “They affiliate with not only the Republican
Party. As for the complaints from the region of Armavir, I know. They
are not real.

Nothing extraordinary has happened, there are no such
considerations. The party has always accepted members, and not only
teachers but workers of other spheres. If you remember, last year
the Republican Party announced after its congress that changes will
be made inside the party, we will get rid of opportunists, people,
who exist on lists only. People become enrolled, years pass, but
they do not work actively. Naturally, we do not want to exaggerate
the number of party members. The lists of the members were reviewed,
some members were dismissed, others quit themselves and joined other
parties. This is a natural process for each party. There is no need
to look for sensations.”

“Judging by the tense relations between the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation and the Attorney General, can we say that a new scandal
is coming up inside the government?”

Andranik Margaryan: “No, those were separate cases. We will be trying
to settle everything.”

“What do you think, are there drawbacks in the budget performance?”

Andranik Margaryan: “I am satisfied with the performance of the state
budget in 2005. With regard to some points that the expenditures were
not complete.

But it is not because of setbacks in the programs. Purchases by the
State Agency for Purchases allow cutting the costs. Several programs
were not implemented. These are mainly loan programs, particularly
in the health sector.

These had been transferred to the year 2006.”

“You were satisfied with the work of the former minister of
culture. The minister was replaced, however.”

Andranik Margaryan: “It was the result of political arrangements,
not the work of the minister.”

“Before becoming part of power, the United Labor Party announced
that they were going to be tough with the coalition. Gurgen Arsenyan
accompanied you during your last visit. What was his attitude?”

Andranik Margaryan: “There was no toughness.”

“Do you think it is possible that the government will receive a vote
of no confidence connected with the performance of the budget?”

Andranik Margaryan: “But there must be some reason. Even the political
purposes need to have a ground. A political demand is not determined
by wishes.

One needs to have a ground for success.”

ROBERT KOCHARYAN DELIVERED A SPEECH AT THE SUMMIT OF THE BLACK SEA FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND PARTNERSHIP

ArmRadio.am
05.06.2006 17:48

Summit of the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership started
today in Bucharest. The event was attended by Presidents, Prime
Ministers and Foreign Ministers from a number of countries,
high officials from EU, NATO, OSCE and the Council of Europe,
representatives of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, as
well as experts from Europe and South America. The Armenian delegation
was headed by President Robert Kocharyan, who delivered a speech at
the summit. President Kocharyan said, in particular, “First of all,
let me thank President Basesku for initiating this Forum and for the
extended hospitality.

Countries of the Black Sea region have rich and at the same time
dramatic history of co-existence. The Black Sea has always been
a center of strategic interest. This led to many devastating wars
that have formed its current political map, ethnic and religious
diversity. However, this all has also resulted in substantial
interrelation of our cultures and traditions. Partially that is
why there are so many similarities in the process of transformation
underway in our countries. This is true in case with the internal
transformation, aimed at deepening of democracy and transparency of
the society. This also influences the shaping of new types of foreign
interactions in the context of the changing world.

We are present at the formation of new dynamic processes, changing
the region, forming new perceptions about it. Two objective questions
come across: how possible is a common direction of development of the
region? Will this lead to the formation of the new regional identity,
based on a common interest and inherited cultural interaction? Our
Forum is called to address these challenging issues.

We shall first evaluate the level of motivation in each country of
the region. Secondly, we shall work out approaches increasing our
mutual will for partnership.

For Armenia, with limited natural resources and emphasized
entrepreneurial mentality of the people, the choice was
clear. Transformation for us primarily meant the liberalization of
economy, open trade regimes, and a competitive environment. These
reforms substantially changed the structure of Armenian economy. Today
over 85 per cent of GDP is produced in private sector, with over 40
per cent of it being produced in small and medium businesses. Annual
growth of GDP during last five years has averaged at above 12 per
cent. It is natural, that we watch openness and regional cooperation
as the most effective way for our development.

Only lazy people do not speak about benefits of regional
cooperation. It is an axiom, which however comes across many obstacles,
which are often of a subjective nature. There is a need for pragmatic
evaluation of the positive and negative realities.

Let us first assess what unites us: -Commitment to a common system
of values and readiness to play along the same rules; -Obvious,
tangible economic benefit of regional integration processes; -Common
challenges and threats to the stability and security caused by the
increasing transnational crime, extremism and terrorism.

Meanwhile, we are divided by: -Unresolved ethnic conflicts; -Certain
deficit of trust, caused by the negative experiences of the history
of the region.

I am confident that we shall concentrate on those elements which
unite us.

We shall take steps to harmonize our reforms, achieve unification of
trade regimes and transportation tariffs. There is a need for joint
investment projects in the infrastructures of the region. First of all,
for energy and transportation projects, covering the entire Black Sea
basin, and increasing its economic attractiveness. This will create
favorable environment for resolution of existing conflicts. Through
cooperation to the settlement, through communication to a bigger
trust – that is the best formula for overcoming the controversies,
based on a search for a common interest.

In this context we are ready to continue dialogue with Azerbaijan
for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and with Turkey
on establishing relations without any preconditions.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
22 Concord Lane Cambridge MA 02138 USA
Phone 617 871-6764 Fax 617 491-1011

Contact: Bianca Bagatourian, President
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
617-871-6764
[email protected]
www.arme niandrama.org

6/1/06

Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance presents a reading of Saroyan’s Hello
Out There at ALMA

Please join the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance for an afternoon of
excitement and celebration at the Armenian Library and Museum of
America on Sunday, June 11, 2006, at 3 PM.

A Reading of William Saroyan’s highly acclaimed short play HELLO OUT
THERE will be directed by Zoya Khachadurian form New York City and
will star Paul Schafer, Danielle Bauman, Jason Taylor, and Michele
Markarian.

William Saroyan is regarded as the greatest playwright of Armenian
heritage in the 20th century. As a playwright, Saroyan is best known
for his story “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze” and his
play “The Time of Your Life”. His short wistful play “Hello Out
There” was produced for the first time at the Lobero Theatre in Santa
Barbara on Wednesday, the 10th of September, 1941, as the curtain-
raiser to George Bernard Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple. It was also the
play in which Al Pacino made his Broadway debut. The play tells about
the bad luck of an itinerant gambler who is arrested and jailed in a
small Texas town, charged with rape. The charge is a lie, but the
only one who hears his call for justice and understanding is a young
girl who cooks for the jail. The gambler gives all his money to the
girl before a mob breaks into the jail and the lying woman’s husband
shoots him. ADAA & ALMA will present the play reading at ALMA’s
contemporary art gallery on 3rd floor.

The reading will be followed by a presentation by Jacqueline Kazarian
Papasian, Saroyan’s niece, who will share some stories about her
uncle Bill.

Please RSVP to ALMA @ 617.926.2562 ext. 3, or email [email protected]
by 5pm on June 8. Seating is limited. Armenian Library & Museum of
America is located at 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA

California Courier Online, June 8, 2006

1 – Commentary

Interview on UPN (KCOP-TV)
On the Armenian Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Henry & Anahis Derian Donate $100,000
For Expansion of AMAA’s Camp Arev
3 – Element Band Garners ‘Best Newcomer
Album’ at Armenian Music Awards
4 – Prelacy Religious and Executive
Councils Elect Executives
5 – Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools
Publish Genocide Instruction Book
6 – Haig Kelegian Buys Crystal
Park Casino for $17.5 Million
7- Governor Names
Achadkjian to
Coastal Commission
8- Catholicos Aram I
Invited to Keynote
Conference in US
9 – UAF’s 138th Airlift Delivers
$12 Million of Aid to Armenia
****************************************** *******************************
1 -Commentary
Interview on UPN (KCOP-TV)
On the Armenian Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

FOX-TV (KTTV, Channel 11) and UPN (KCOP-TV, Channel 13) in Los Angeles, in
their evening news hours on April 23, interviewed this writer on the eve of the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During both interviews, live
footage was aired via satellite of the procession of hundreds of thousands of
Armenians at the Genocide Memorial Monument in Yerevan.
The transcript of the 6-minute long in-studio interview with FOX-TV was
published in an earlier column. Here is the transcript of the more than 5-minute
long in-studio interview with KCOP-TV:

Anchor 1: Joining us now in studio to help us put some perspective on the
anniversary is Harut Sassounian of the United Armenian Fund.
Anchor 2: Let’s start off by just getting all of our viewers up to speed on
exactly what happened with the Armenian Genocide. Can you quickly tell us what
happened, where, and when this all occurred?
Sassounian: Armenians lived in their historic homeland for thousands of
years. They were later on occupied by what turned out to be the Ottoman Empire. On
the eve of World War I, while the world was busy with its own fate, the
Turkish government decided to eliminate the Armenians, as a result of which 1.5
million Armenians were deported and killed from what was historic Armenia.
Anchor 1: We have already mentioned that Turkey does not call it genocide.
How do they define these events at this time, and what would it mean politically
if they do?
Sassounian: They — the whole world, including the Turkish leaders —
recognize the facts, but they just don’t want to admit it. For political and
psychological reasons, they [the Turks] think that it would be like a scar on their
history, if they recognize it. But I think they would be better off if they
recognize it because they’re trying to join the European Union, and they would be
classified in the rank of civilized European countries. Just like Germany
recognized the Holocaust, Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Anchor 2: We had some live pictures earlier from Yerevan. Can you tell us
what’s going on there right now, because it is the next day — its actual day.
Sassounian: It’s already April 24th. Its the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in Yerevan, Armenia – they are 12 hours ahead of us — and hundreds
of thousands of people, despite the rain, are proceeding in a solemn
procession to the Eternal Flame, the Monument of the Armenian Genocide, putting flowers
there and paying their respects. And this year especially, they’re paying
tribute to U.S. Ambassador John Evans, who’s being recalled because he said a
word that hes not supposed to say, according to the State Department — the
Armenian Genocide. So they’re recalling him. So there’s a yellow ribbon campaign –
I’m wearing one myself — as a tribute to his good sense of recognizing the
truth and the facts of history.
Anchor 1: That’s right, you mentioned that the U.S. Ambassador John Evans did
in fact call it a genocide. He has received some flack obviously from the
State Department. President Bush calls it a tragedy, does NOT call it a genocide.
What would it mean if he actually called it, recognized it, as a genocide,
and what peacemaking or peacekeeping effects would it actually have between
Turkey and the U.S.?
Sassounian: Of course, President Bush, when he was a candidate, he did call
it a genocide. But when he won and became President, he started calling it
tragedy and massacre. He even said 1.5 million Armenians were killed. So he used
all the words to describe what happened factually, except the word [genocide].
It would not have a major legal effect — just like President Reagan issued a
Presidential Proclamation in 1981 saying genocide — but it has more a moral
and psychological effect in acknowledging the fact, that it’s something that
the victims and their descendants would feel much better if people did not lie
about what took place. As they say, truth is the last victim of genocide.
Anchor 2: Now, in Turkey, how are they recognizing what’s going on tomorrow?
Sassounian: Well, there’s a leftover, a small Armenian community in Turkey,
and they’re under all sorts of repressive situations – circumstances — so they
do not dare to talk about it. They do not commemorate it, they do not have
any special ceremonies, except maybe they go to church and say their prayers.
But more and more, recently, Turkish scholars themselves are coming out and
writing books and articles, saying it is genocide. So there’s a slight movement
under pressure from the European Union.
Anchor 2: Now tomorrow, there are many things going on around town [L.A.],
right?
Sassounian: Right. At 10 a.m., there’s a huge march in Hollywood, Little
Armenia. Between 50,000 and 80,000 Armenians will gather. I’m the keynote speaker
there. And in the afternoon there’s a protest in front of the Turkish
Consulate, on Wilshire.
Anchor 2: Thank you so much, best wishes for tomorrow.
**************************************** **********************************
2 – Henry & Anahis Derian Donate $100,000
For Expansion of AMAA’s Camp Arev
HOLLYWOOD, CA – One of the highlights of the 29th Annual Camp AREV Banquet on
May 20 was the announcement of a $100,000 gift to the Camp by Henry and
Anahis Derian.
Held at the Paul Avazian Hall of UACC, the banquet saw founders of the camp
mingling with campers, parents, and friends during the social hour as a video
of campers played on the screen.
Co-Chairs, Debbie Levonian and Arsine Phillips welcomed all on behalf of the
finance/banquet committee who coordinated the evening.
M.C., Jon Khoshafian, a former camper and counselor, kept the program moving
along as he introduced Maggie Kchoyan, Camp AREV Executive Director, who
shared her vision for Camp AREV. Anthony Dorian, Lara Tovmassian, and Ara Darakjian
conveyed their impressions and experiences of camp life.
Zaven Hanessian, immediate past Chair of the Camp AREV Committee, was
congratulated by Chair Hagop Ketenjian, for his years of dedicated service to the
camp. John Jamgotchian presented him with a plaque commemorating his efforts.
The Dust to Glory band and singers lifted everyone’s spirits with their
musical selections, which included some audience participation.
Guest speaker, Aren Balabanian shared his experiences at AREV as a camper and
counselor, and how they shaped his life. He said, “Camp AREV fulfills its
original mission of the Armenian Evangelicals to realize the importance of
Scripture and the purity of the Gospels. The Camp ministry reaches all Armenians
-and helps create life-long friendships.”
Hagop Ketenjian gave a PowerPoint presentation of camp ministry, finances,
and plans for the new chapel/dining hall which will cost approximately $350,000.
The new facility, a focal point for the camp, has been designed by architect
Nubar Aroyan. He projects the completion to be in the spring of 2007 and will
not interfere with ongoing camp activity.
Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North
America, read the biography of Henry and Anahis (Jambazian) Derian and invited Mrs.
Derian to the podium where she presented a check for $100,000.00 on behalf of
her husband Henry and herself, for the much- needed chapel/dining hall for
150 people for Camp AREV at the Edward J. Manishagian Armenian Evangelical
Conference Center in Frazier Park.
Co-chairs Levonian and Phillips presented Mrs. Derian with a bouquet of
flowers and a lighted birthday cake, as the audience sang “Happy Birthday.
The banquet came to a close with the benediction by Razmig Minassian.
Those wishing more information about Camp AREV philanthropy, summer/winter
camp dates, etc., may call 818-507-8297 or log on
************************************************** ************************
3 – Element Band Garners ‘Best Newcomer
Album’ at Armenian Music Awards
LOS ANGELES–Element Band, one of the hottest emerging Armenian bands
received the 2006 Armenian Music Awards “Best Newcomer Album of The Year” on May 25,
for their CD “Yev O Phe” that debut in March 2006.
Since its release, “Yev O Phe” has lured an incredible mix of listeners to
give the band a fan base that spans not only three generations, but has also
transcended the diverse musical preferences prevalent in Armenian culture.
The arrangements are bold with sounds of the Flamenco, Tango, Rembetika
wafting in and out of performances of traditional Armenian songs that are never
forsaken to foreign sounds. Refusing to compromise Armenian melodies, Element
nevertheless complements them with the use of the accordion, bouzouki, mandolin,
classical guitar, violin, and the purity of the band’s vocalists to serve-up
a compelling combination of fiery Mediterranean and hauntingly raw Armenian.
The band members were also featured last week in KPFK 90.7-FM’s “Global
Village” program, as well as their award-winning music.
And just as the Armenian alphabet incorporated two additional letters o and
phe during the Middle Ages to better reproduce the sounds of European tongues –
all the while remaining utterly Armenian – so it is with Element’s Armenian
compositions that incorporate the sounds of Europe and the Mediterranean, while
remaining untethered, simply free… to be uniquely Armenian.
Element Band can be heard in concert on Friday, June 16 at 8PM at the Ford
Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. For tickets
or information, call (818) 343-4757 or (818) 342-6624.
Also visit for additional information about Element.
***************************************** **********************************
4 – Prelacy Religious and Executive
Councils Elect Executives
ENCINO, Calif. – The newly elected Religious and Executive Councils of the
Western Prelacy, elected at the 34th National Representatives Assembly (May
19-20), held their first meeting on May 30, at the temporary Prelacy office in
Encino.
During the meetings, held under the auspices of Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, the new councils elected their executives.
The Religious Council consists of the following executives and advisors:
Chairman, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian; Vice Chair, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian; Secretary, Rev. Vazken Atmajian; and Advisors, Rev. Gomidas Torossian, Rev.
Razmig Khatchadourian, Rev. Vahan Gosdanian, and Rev. Ardag Demirjian.
The Executive Council consists of the following executive members: Chairman,
Dr. Garo Agopian; Vice Chair Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, Secretary, Boghos
Sassounian; Treasurer, Vahan Bezdikian; and advisors, Garbis Bezdjian, Garo
Avakian, Meher Der Ohanessian, Dr. Navasart Kazazian, Nerses Melkonian, Vahe
Hovaguimian, and Varoujan Der Simonian.
********’******************************* **********************************
5 – Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools
Publish Genocide Instruction Book
LOS ANGELES – The Board of Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schools announced
the publication of an age-proper instructional handbook for teaching the
Armenian Genocide to Armenian students K-12.
The book is the first of its kind to employ psychological and pedagogical
approaches to offer age-proper instructional methodology-hands-on materials and
lesson plans-to teach the Armenian Genocide, the most complicated, doleful, and
inexplicable period of our history.
Teaching about this harrowing experience begins at an early age in our
schools, and this handbook will assist teachers of each grade level to approach this
difficult subject with approved methods and proper tools. In fact, the
handbook suggests teaching about fundamental ideas such as fairness, similarities
and differences, freedom, rights and responsibilities, justice, loss and how to
cope with it, survival, etc., in lower grades to prepare the students to grasp
the complicated concept of Genocide in the upper grades.
The 315-page handbook is the result of diligent research and hard work of the
committee of educators, appointed by the Board of Regents and led by Dr.
Rubina Peroomian. It is being published after completing a period of a two-year
classroom testing and ensuing necessary changes and revisions.
The Board of Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schools thanked the Armenian
Educational Foundation for the donation of $2500 toward the publication of the
handbook. The handbook was published in April, 2006 in limited numbers and
distributed to all Armenian schools in California.
Those educational institutions who would like to obtain a copy of this
handbook are requested to contact the Board of Regents office at (818) 500 0822, or
e-mail: [email protected].
************************** *****************************************
6 – Haig Kelegian Buys Crystal
Park Casino for $17.5 Million
LOS ANGELES – As the owner of several California card clubs, Haig Kelegian
has made some large wagers – but none possibly as high as buying the Crystal
Park Casino Hotel in Compton, Calif.
Kelegian, who owns the 151-table Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, is buying
the property for close to $17.5 million. The card club, now known as Crystal
Casino, contains a 226-room hotel that sits on 20 acres at 123 E. Artesia Blvd.
The seller, Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., decided to sell the property shortly
after California voters roundly rejecdted a 2004 referendum that would have
allowed card clubs to operate slot machines.
Card clubs and racetrack owners complain they can no longer compete with
casinos operated by Native American tribes that have been allowed to have slot
machines.
“We took it out to everyone – commercial and industrial buyers,” said Colin
Walker, a CB Richard Ellis Inc. associate who represented Pinnacle in the
transaction. “We didn’t expect another casino operator to be the buyer.”
Except Kelegian sees promise.
The operator, who also runs Oceans’ 11 Casino in Oceanside, plans to invest
money renovating the casino and hotel to make the casino a regional
destination. Walker said CBRE valued the replacement cost of the land and structures at
close to $50 million.
“He bought the property based on the gaming,,” Walker said. “It’s the only
part that really makes money, though that could change under the new ownership.”
Kelegian could also stand to benefit from a large mixed-use development that
would surround the Compton casino and be called the Gateway Towne Center.
Costa Mesa-based prism Realty has purchased 40 acres in the area and is planning a
large retail and housing project that could draw more visitors to the area.
Meanwhile, Kelegian may have redevelopment plans of his own for the property.
With the hotel and casino occupying only 20 percent of the 20-acre site,
there’s an opportunity to propose a project on the site’s vacant land, currently
parking lots. “If they want to take advantage of it, there’s a strong real
estate play there,” Walker said.
******************************************** *******************************
7 – Governor Names
Achadkjian to
Coastal Commission
SACRAMENTO – Khatchik Achadjian, 54, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed
to the California Coastal Commission. He is the chair of the San Luis Obispo
County Board of Supervisors and has served as a San Luis Obispo County
Supervisorsince 1998.
Achadjian is a cofounder and director of Santa Lucia Bank and the owner of
three service stations in the City of Arroyo Grande. As a member of the Board of
Supervisors, he has served as a member of the San Luis Obispo County Air
Pollution Control District, Council of Governments and Regional Transit Authority.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is
$100 per diem.
Achadjian is a Republican.
************************************** ****************************************
**
8 – Catholicos Aram I
Invited to Keynote
Conference in US
ANTELIAS, Lebanon – Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia was
invited as a keynote speaker at a conference entitled “Faith and Health” that will
take place at the University of Notre Dame from December 3-5, 2006. It is
sponsored by the departments of Psychology and
Theology of Notre Dame as well as the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The conference represents a conversation between disciplines that have
developed individual perspectives on faith and health but have only recently begun
to integrate them. Hence, the main thrust of the conference will be to bring
scholars from theology, medicine, and psychology together in a way that will
allow them to not only present information from their respective disciplines but
also to integrate that information in order to set a new agenda for the field
of faith and health.
Because of the broad base of knowledge that will be presented at the
conference, the information will be of value to people from a wide variety of
professions.
************************************ **************************************
9 – UAF’s 138th Airlift Delivers
$12 Million of Aid to Armenia
GLENDALE – The United Armenian Fund’s 138th airlift arrived in Yerevan on
June 3, delivering $12 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $10.8 million of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($9.9 million); MAP
International ($481,000); Health Partners International of Canada ($298,000) and
Catholic Medical Mission Board ($150,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were: Pfizer
Inc. ($445,000); UMAF from France ($309,000); Armenian Eyecare Project
($74,000); Armenian International Ophthalmic Association ($50,000); Nork Marash Medical
Center ($44,000); International Academy of Telepathology ($38,000) and Howard
Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation ($36,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Foundation Semra ($28,000); Armenian
American Health Association of WA ($20,000); Armenian American Cultural
Association ($20,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $441 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 138 airlifts and 1,312 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the Lincy
Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
**************************************** ***********************************
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STEVEN MANN: PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN DEMONSTRATE INTEREST IN DISCUSSIONS

ArmRadio.am
05.06.2006 13:54

“Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan demonstrate interest in
discussions,” said OSCE Minsk-Group Co-Chair Steven Mann, commenting
on Kocharyan-Aliev talks held in Bucharest.

Does the fact that it is two days that the talks are continuing mean
that certain progress was achieved at negotiations yesterday? In
response to the question, Steven Mann noted the Co-Chairs always
anticipate progress.

Refusing to report any details of yesterday’s talks, the American
Co-chair did not rule out that it will be possible to report more
precise information after today’s meeting.

Today RA President Robert Kocharyan had a meeting with the Foreign
Minister of Belgium, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Karel de Gucht. During
the meeting the parties discussed the prospects of settlement of the
Karabakh conflict as the regional developments.

President of Romania Traian BÄ~Csescu. The same topics were discussed
also during the meeting with Deputy Assistant to US President on
Security Issues J.

Crauch and EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus Peter
Semneby.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev also met Karel de Gucht,
J. Crauch and Peter Semneby.

–Boundary_(ID_QAWRJ2p5fiGikXuT2rR+xw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY USES ‘RESTORATION’ AS NEW METHOD TO DESTROY ARMENIAN MONUMENTS

Yerkir
05.06.2006 12:29

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Turkey uses new methods to destroy Armenian
cultural monuments, Candidate of Historical Sciences Hayk Demoyan told
journalists.”If earlier monuments were openly destroyed in Turkey,
the situation has changed drastically lately,” the historian notes.

In his words, “restoration works” are held in Ani and in Akhtamar
Island at the moment. Demoyan said that under the pretence of
“restoration” Turkish authorities complete the genocide of Armenian
monuments, that they launched already in 1915 – simultaneous to the
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey.

“Not only 1.5 million Armenians were destroyed by Turks at the time,
but also thousands of Armenian cultural monuments,” the historian said,
reports Novosti-Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHESS: INDIA HAS A DISAPPOINTING FINISH

Chennai online, India
June 5 2006

Turin (Italy), June 5: India had a disappointing finish at the 37th
Chess Olympiad here with the women’s team bagging the 12th spot and
the men managing to get the 30th place after the concluding round of
the meet.

Indian men yet again failed to make the most of the situation and
managed a minimal 2.5-1.5 victory over Italy ‘B’ in the 13th and
final round.

Armenia attested their supremacy in the event with a quick draw on
all four boards against Hungary and won the gold medal with a huge
score of 36 points out of a possible 52.

The silver medal went to China who came with yet another fine
performance in the final round game to beat Holland by a 2.5-1.5
margin. The Chinese men finished with 34 points.

In an amazing turn of events, pre-Olympiad favourite and top seed
Russia were thrown out of medal contention after they lost their
final round game against Israel by a 1-3 margin.

It paved the way for United States men that beat Norway 3.5-0.5 to
join Israel in the third spot on 33 points and after the tie-break
was resolved US got the bronze.

Behind Israel, Hungary finished fifth overall on 32.5 points while
Russia ended sixth.

Indian men who had been given the second billing here behind Russia
finished 30th on 29.5 points after the final list was announced.

In women’s section, Ukraine won the gold after taking a draw with
Armenian eves. Ukraine ended with 29.5 points out of a possible 39
and won the gold with a 1.5 point lead over Russia, who defeated
Indian eves in the final round 2-1.

Indian eves, seeded ninth, had a better finish than their male
counterparts and tallied 23 points to finish 12th.

The Chinese women, the defending champions, had to be content with
the bronze this time. In the final round, China drew with Belarus
and ended on 27.5 points overall.

For Indian men, the final round also did not bring any good news
as national champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly was outdone on the third
board by unknown Sabino Brunello of the Italy ‘B’ team.

In fact, the Indian opposition did not have a single International
Master against four Indian Grandmasters and it was again a tragedy
of errors that failed to propel the team to a better finish.

Viswanathan Anand was expectedly rested and Krishnan Sasikiran won
his game against Niccolo Ronchetti after former World Junior Champion
P Harikrishna gave the team an early lead defeating Daniele Vocaturo.

However, Ganguly’s loss combined with a draw by Sandipan Chanda
against Denis Rombaldoni on the fourth board could yield only a
minimal victory.

The Indian women looked better placed to hold Russia with Grandmaster
Koneru Humpy settling for an early draw with Russian top player
Alexandra Kosteniuk. On the second board, Dronavalli Harika also
did well to get a half point against Natalia Kosintseva but on the
third Swati Ghate fumbled from a promising position against Nadezhda
Kosintseva — giving the Russians a 2-1 victory.

AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA PRESIDENTS CONTINUE TALKS IN BUCHAREST ON REGULATION OF NK CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 5 2006

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and president of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan held talks in Bucharest on regulation of Nagorno Garabagh
conflict.

Eastern Europe bureau of APA reports that the meeting was held at first
between Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian
foreign minister Vardan Oskanian, OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs – Yuri
Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven Mann (the USA), Bernar Fasie (France),
OSCE chairman in -office, foreign minister of Belgium Karl de Gucht,
OSCE chairman personal representative Andrzey Kasprzyk, then presidents
met in private. No information is given about the meeting results which
lasted for 4 hours. Presidents will continue the talks today at 16.00.

It should be noted that President Ilham Aliyev visiting Bucharest to
participate in Forum “Black Sea for Dialogue and Partnership”, has
met with Romania president Trayan Basescu. In the meeting state heads
discussed development ways of bilateral relations, Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict settlement was the objective of the talks. Ilham Aliyev has
stated that position of Azerbaijan in the meeting is unchangeable in
the meeting. “We are for the settlement of the conflict within the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”

Ilham Aliyev met with ex-president of Romania, senator Ion Iliyesku,
visited the monument of Heydar Aliyev built in 2004 and lay flowers
to the monument.

Today in Bucharest Forum “Black Sea for Dialogue and Partnership”
starts in Bucharest with participation of series of countries
leaders’ participation as well as with participation of Ilham Aliyev,
international organization leaders. /APA/ Azerbaijan and Armenia
presidents continue talks in Bucharest on regulation of Nagorno
Garabagh conflict

05.06.2006. BAKU. President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and president
of Armenia Robert Kocharyan held talks in Bucharest on regulation of
Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Eastern Europe bureau of APA reports that
the meeting was held at first between Azerbaijani foreign minister
Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian,
OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs – Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven
Mann (the USA), Bernar Fasie (France), OSCE chairman in -office,
foreign minister of Belgium Karl de Gucht, OSCE chairman personal
representative Andrzey Kasprzyk, then presidents met in private. No
information is given about the meeting results which lasted for 4
hours. Presidents will continue the talks today at 16.00.

It should be noted that President Ilham Aliyev visiting Bucharest to
participate in Forum “Black Sea for Dialogue and Partnership”, has
met with Romania president Trayan Basescu. In the meeting state heads
discussed development ways of bilateral relations, Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict settlement was the objective of the talks. Ilham Aliyev has
stated that position of Azerbaijan in the meeting is unchangeable in
the meeting. “We are for the settlement of the conflict within the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”

Ilham Aliyev met with ex-president of Romania, senator Ion Iliyesku,
visited the monument of Heydar Aliyev built in 2004 and lay flowers
to the monument.

Today in Bucharest Forum “Black Sea for Dialogue and Partnership”
starts in Bucharest with participation of series of countries
leaders’ participation as well as with participation of Ilham Aliyev,
international organization leaders.

ARMENIANS OF MOSCOW ARE COMPLAINING

A1+
[02:09 pm] 05 June, 2006

The Armenian community of Moscow has started a series of rallies in
memory of the victims of the skinheads. The organizers of one of the
rallies were young people from the Armenian community of Moscow and
the nearby areas.

Students and lecturers of the Moscow State University, representatives
of NGOs and members of the Armenian Intellectuals’ Union participated
in the rally. By the way, the Union of Armenians in Russia refrained
from participating in the June 3 rally saying that it was not allowed
by the authorities, newspaper “Yerkramas” informs.

Let remind you that on May 25 19-year-old Arthur Sardaryan was
killed. The experts think that the murder was committed at the present
of at least 20 eyewitnesses/ On April 22 Vigen Abramyants was killed
in the Moscow Underground. No one has been arrested up to day.