Author: Emil Lazarian

300-400 AMMUNITIONS REMAINED FROM SOVIET ARMY DETECTED IN AGHSTAFA, AZERBAIJAN EVERY DAY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

According to initial calculations, there are more than 100 thousand
mines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) around the military base of the
former Soviet Army in Azerbaijan’s Saloghlu village in Aghstafa region.

The mine-clearance in the territory, which started in January this
year, will last for a year and six months. Nazim Ismayilov, director of
the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) told journalists
(APA). Ismayilov said that more than 6 thousand ordnances were disarmed
in the 600 hectares of area of the military base during four months.

“300-400 ammunitions are detected in Salohglu every day. ANAMA has
detected and disarmed over 16 000 mines and UXO in the territory,”
Ismayilov reported.

The ANAMA director also said that during the recent operation in
Aghjabedi region, unexploded Nurs missile has been found. The Agency
has not detected mines with kapron composition.

“The sides used Soviet-made weapons and ammunitions during the military
operations for Garabagh. So, we are likely to detect different types
of mines in our territories under Armenian occupation. It is reported
that Armenians buried mines produced in China, Italy, Pakistan and
even in Armenia in the occupied territories. “Lyagushgas” are detected
in the territory. We do not rule out that more risky ammunitions will
be detected in the occupied territories in future,” Ismayilov stressed.

ANAMA found out as a result of its research last year that, 1800
people suffered from mines in the country.

“This figure might be huge.26 incidents occurred related to mines and
UXO last year.40 mine expositions occurred in 2004.14 people suffered
from mines and UXO in the past months of this year.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COE: ARMENIAN CLAIMS OF AZERBAIJANIS DESTROYING THEIR GRAVEYARDS SOUND UNPLEASANT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

Council of Europe delegation led by Domeniko Ronkonin, head of culture
division of Directorate General IV on Education, Culture and Heritage,
Youth and Sport will visit the South Caucasus countries in June.

APA’s Europa bureau reports that the visit will be paid in the
framework of the preparation for the Kyiv Initiative- comprehensive
follow-up of the STAGE (Support for Transition in the arts and
culture in the greater Europe) project which ended in 2005-intends
to contribute through action and policies in culture and heritage to
democratic development and dialogue in, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine. The current project will be over in 2006. The
Council of Europe will continue cooperation in culture with the South
Caucasus countries in the format of the Kyiv Initiative from 2007.

The project is being prepared now. Mr.Ronkonin told APA’s correspondent
that the program was very effective and satisfied with Azerbaijan’s
active participation in the program.

Ronkonin also commented on Armenians’ claims on the alleged destruction
of their graveyards by Azerbaijanis, “Such statements are unpleasant. I
and other Council of Europe structures have not been informed about
that. So, it is important to often visit the region in order to control
the issue. Both sides should refrain from making such unfounded
statements. I don’t want to express final opinion regarding this
issue. But I must say that during my stay in Baku I did not witness
any negative nuances while visiting the graveyards of nations with
other religious.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHANGE IS EXPECTED IN NA “ARF” FACTION STAFF

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. NA “ARF” faction head Levon Mkrtchian’s
deputy’s commissions will be stopped soon ahead of time, on the
occasion of his being appointed the RA Minister of Education and
Science. L.Mkrtchian was elected a deputy by the proportional
electoral order, so after the deputy’s mandate becomes vacant, by
the Central Electoral Commission’s decision, it will be given to the
next candidate of the ARF proportional electoral list. As the Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed by the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia,
it will be defined at the late May 18 gathering who will complete
the faction staff.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARAPETIAN RECORDS ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S CD

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006

Belmont resident Noune Karapetian has ventured out of her classical
field to make a children’s CD.

The Armenian-American soprano, songwriter and music educator has
created a compilation of children’s songs that include both traditional
Armenian children’s songs as well as new songs created by Noune.

“I do keep a busy performing schedule as a classical singer, performing
with Granite State Opera, Opera Providence, New Bedford Choral Society,
singing classical repertoire,” she said. “It’s refreshing and exciting
to create something new for our children.

Having two children of my own, I know how important this work is and
I am having so much fun doing it.”

Karapetian has spent her entire adult life as a music educator and
performer. A cum laude graduate of Komitas Conservatory in Armenia
majoring in voice, she has also studied child psychology for two
years at the Pedagogical Institute in Armenia. Since moving to the
United States, she has appeared frequently in various concert venues
and operas and also was a finalist in a number of major competitions
including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, New
England division.

She has been teaching early childhood music classes along with piano
and voice for 14 years. She is the author of an Armenian music and
movement program called “Yerajisht Manouk.”

Karapetian feels that the success of this CD comes from her knowledge
of child development.

“A lot of what I do comes from a child’s perspective,” she said.

“Being a parent, of course, helps as well. I think about what the
songs should convey and the language I use, the range of the songs,
how each song can develop the child’s mental and physical capabilities
and I like to think I know how to write pretty catchy tunes. I give
a lot of thought to what is appropriate for children’s music. The
arranger Gegham Margarian did an incredible job, making each song
sound different and fun.”

The collection includes Armenian children’s folk songs. “I have done
some redesigning, like taking a children’s folk song and changing the
words a little to appeal to today’s child, making it more educational,
or taking a traditional Armenian rhyme and putting it together with
another unrelated folk tune. It sounds so natural that people hearing
it think that’s how it used to be,” she said.

She added, “I created this CD because of my passion for Armenian
music and language, my burning desire to give the children high
quality music and learning experiences.”

To celebrate the release of the CD, Karapetian and her friends Krko
the Frog, Mlavik the Cat, and others will perform on Sunday, June
25 at 3 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.,
Watertown. Tickets are $18 and $23 in advance; and $23 and $28 at
the door.

To purchase concert tickets or CDs, visit , or
call 617-733-7162.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK AGAIN THREATENED

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 18 2006

AKHALKALAK, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On May 16,
leaflets in Russian of threatening character were spread in
Akhalkalak. According to the A-Info agency, the leaflets contained
the picture of a half moon and a star and the following was
written under the signature “Brigade of Liberation of Akhaltsikhe”:
“The time of retribution for our humiliations has come. Remember
1915. Gevorgian died, the next is Rastakian”. Gevorgian is the family
name of the Armenian young man killed in March in Tsalka during the
incident between the Armenians and the Georgians and Rastakian is the
distorted family name of Co-chairman of non-registered party “Virk”
David Rstakian. Representative of the Council of the Armenian NGOs
of Javakhk Khachatur Stepanian reminded that such leaflets were also
spread in October of the last year in Akhalkalak.

According to him, at that time the representative of the National
Security Service in Georgia “promised to reveal in short terms who
threatens the population” but nothing has been done by now. “It
only remains again to raise the question of guarantees of security
of the Armenians of Javakheti before the Georgian authorities and
the international organizations,” Khachatur Stepanian concluded. On
his part, David Rstakian declared that “if in connection with the
withdrawal of the Russian military base from Akhalkalak the Minister of
Internal Affairs and National Security declares about his confidence
that the situation in Javakheti is under his control, he is obliged
to reveal those who spread the leaflets”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

50 TOURISTS FROM FRENCH CITY OF VALENCE VISIT IJEVAN EVERY YEAR

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Since 2000, about 50 tourists
from the French city of Valence visit Ijevan every year. Mayor
of Ijevan Varizhan Nersisian stated this during the May 18
press conference. According to him, Ijevan and Valence have been
sister-cities for 10 years. With the assistance of the Valence mayor’s
office, since 2000, French experts in tourism have been invited to
Ijevan under the program on cooperation between the two cities in
the tourism sector. On their advice, about 70 apartments have been
repaired and furnished in Ijevan, as the city lacks the appropriate
hotels to accomodate a large number of tourists. V. Nersisian said
that thanks to the assistance of the Valence mayor’s office, French
teachers from Ijevan underwent training in France, as well as some
young people from Ijevan – students of Yerevan Linguistic University
after V. Bryusov were provided the opportunity to attend courses for
transaltors and tour guides in France.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VIDEO FEATURES LOCAL WORLD WAR II VETS

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006

The new documentary, “Our Boys: Armenian World War II Veterans,” will
be shown in a special program on Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at
the Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown.

In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Tom Spera,
the son of a veteran of the war, was determined to find a way to
honor Armenian-American soldiers who had served their country. He
collaborated with filmmaker Roger Hagopian to produce the “Our Boys”
video, featuring oral histories interspersed with personal and
historical photographs from the wartime period.

The film’s interviewees attend the Armenian Memorial Church in
Watertown and the First Armenian Church of Belmont. These men –
some barely out of high school at the time – reflect upon the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, their induction into the service, their
harrowing journeys aboard troop transport ships through rough seas,
correspondence with their families back home, poignant and humorous
moments, and near-death experiences during combat.

Life on the home front is recalled by the wives and relatives of
the veterans. They worked for the armed services and in factories,
served as air raid wardens and plane spotters, comforted the wounded
in hospitals, and, in groups, attended USO dances, meeting soldiers
who, at a moment’s notice, could be shipped out to war.

Filmmakers Hagopian and Spera will be on hand to answer questions
and discuss the making of the video, which runs for approximately
55 minutes.

Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). There will be
a question and answer period and reception with refreshments following
the video.

The Armenian Library and Museum is located in Watertown Square at
the corner of Main Street and Church Street. Parking is available
behind the museum building and in adjacent areas. The event will
begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.

The program will take place through the cooperation of ALMA and
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research in
Belmont. For more information, contact NAASR at 617-489-1610, or
e-mail [email protected].

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION; THE CONQUEST OF THE MIDDLE EAST / ROBERT FISK
By Tom Snyders

Georgia Straight, Canada
May 18 2006

Publish Date: 18-May-2006
By Robert Fisk. Fourth Estate, 1,366 pp, $65, hardcover.

For 30 years, Beirut-based Brit Robert Fisk has covered events
in the Middle East that have shaped the terror and wars of today,
and his latest monstrous volume-in size and content-is a necessary
antidote to the sound-bitten simplification by which much of the West
understands the region. “Governments like it that way,” he states.

“They want their people to see war as a drama of opposites, good and
evil, ‘them’ and ‘us’, victory or defeat. But war is primarily not
about victory or defeat but about death and the infliction of death.

It represents the total failure of the human spirit.” A journalist’s
job is “to challenge authority-all authority-especially so when
governments and politicians take us to war, when they have decided
that they will kill and others will die.”

This book is not for those with weak stomachs or iron ideologies, as
myths and lies from all sides are exploded, revealing many shades of
grey and bloody red. Fisk travels the front lines of the Iran-Iraq war,
inside occupied Palestine and Algeria’s barbarous civil war, and (in
1996) to a remote Afghan cave to interview Osama bin Laden. Far more
than just a reporter’s memoir, Fisk’s historical analysis is blended
with stories of people we often know only as “collateral damage”,
drawing parallels between Soviet and U.S. invasions of Afghanistan,
detailing U.S. war crimes in both Gulf Wars, and linking the Armenian
genocide of World War I to Hitler’s later horrors.

The ghosts of World War I inhabit both region and writer; Fisk details
his father’s refusal to execute a fellow Allied soldier at war’s
end, and the medal he won proclaiming it the titular “Great War for
Civilisation”. “At the end of my father’s war, the victors divided up
the lands of their former enemies…[creating] the borders of Northern
Ireland, Yugoslavia and most of the Middle East. And I have spent my
entire career-in Belfast and Sarajevo, in Beirut and Baghdad-watching
the peoples within these borders burn.” And he himself burns, too,
with all the moral outrage and authority of one who has risked his
life to tell what lies in this tome.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US STILL HOPES FOR AZERI-ARMENIAN ACCORD, ITS OFFICIAL SAYS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

Baku, May 17, AssA-Irada
The United States still hopes Azerbaijan and Armenia will reach an
accord to settle the long-standing conflict over Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs, Matthew Bryza, has said.

Speaking at the US Congress on Tuesday, he said a rapprochement
has been achieved in the positions of the sides owing to the talks
carried out of late, which provides greater opportunities to reach
an agreement compared to previous years.

The American official added that the two countries should display
political will to eliminate the outstanding differences.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST TRUCK CONVOY FROM GEORGIA HEADS FOR GYUMRI, ARMENIA

ITAR-TASS News Agency
May 18, 2006 Thursday

The first truck convoy with military equipment from the Russian base
in Akhalkalaki, southern Georgia, is heading for the Russian base in
Gyumri, northwestern Armenia, an official of the Russian army group
in the Caucasus told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

The 10-truck convoy has already crossed the Georgian-Armenian border,
the official said.

“Georgian military accompanied the convoy,” the official said.

In late May, another motor convoy from Akhalkalaki will leave for
Gyumri. Aside from military assets it will redeploy some military
vehicles there.

In compliance with the Russian-Georgian bilateral agreements most
hardware and munitions will be withdrawn from Georgia this year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress