Author: Emil Lazarian

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

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

Internet Connects Karakert to the World

The Karakert Schools Celebrate the Launching of the Internet

Karakert, Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, May 16, 2006 ¾ Today,
the Children of Armenia Fund’s (COAF) Model Village Karakert celebrated
the launch of internet connectivity in the school and the larger
community. The project, realized through partnership with Project
Harmony (PH), will benefit the students of both schools in Karakert
allowing the young generation and other members of the community to
expand their horizons and take advantage of the unlimited informational
and technological potential internet offers.

The School Connectivity Project implemented by PH is in its end phase of
connecting the last group of six schools in Armenia. In Karakert, PH
will provide up-to-date digital equipment necessary for the organization
of educational activities and will conduct training of teachers and
students in the multiple uses of computers and the internet. Within the
parameters of this partnership, COAF provided the furniture and
computers of the Internet Classroom in the newly renovated Karakert
School #2.

The official launch took place today in a ceremony attended by David
Simpson, PH Country Director. Addressing a happy crowd of students and
staff of both Karakert schools, Mr. Simpson emphasized the importance of
being connected through the internet, whether with the rest of Armavir,
with other schools in Armenia, or globally. Mrs. Tamara Baghdasaryan,
principal of the Karakert School #1, noted with pride, “We are happy
today to acknowledge the input of donors for the revitalization of our
village and the contributions made for making our community a better
place for these talented children. This Internet Classroom is yet
another example of the opportunities our children now have to learn and
become productive citizens.”

Both schools of Karakert are co-located in the renovated school building
and have an equal opportunity to be connected to the world. COAF and PH
believe that this joint initiative will open new doors in the lives of
the children of Karakert. COAF will also pursue bringing connectivity
to the other villages of the Model Cluster.

Children of Armenia Fund was founded in 2000 with the aim to reduce
poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the realization
of projects that are instrumental for the revival of communities. With
the introduction of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006,
COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster working in six villages
in the Baghramyan region of the Armavir District. The key components of
COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure and Economic
Development Programs, and Community Development including Health, Social
and Educational Programs. In 2006, besides its Model Village Karakert,
COAF is also working in Myasnikyan, Shenik, Dalarik, Lernagog and
Argina.

The Armenia School Connectivity Program (ASCP), a program of the US
Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, funded
through the Freedom Support Act and implemented by Project Harmony,
builds local, regional and national capacity to assume responsibility
for the long-term sustainability of the program. ASCP provides
resources, Internet access, and training for a network of schools across
all 11 regions of Armenia. The program allows students, educators and
community members opportunities to access and share information, to
engage in online collaborative projects, and to develop technical skills
marketable in a digital world.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/17/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

1) Karabagh’s Participation in Peace Talks Is Necessary
2) Oskanian to Visit France, Canada, And The US
3) Mkrtchian Appointed Minister of Science And Education
4) Nationalist Protesters Attack Hrant Dink during Trial

1) Karabagh’s Participation in Peace Talks Is Necessary

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Former Russian Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which
mediates the Karabagh conflict settlement, Vladimir Kazimirov said that he
considers the participation of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic’s (MKR)
delegation essential to the success of peace talks.
According to Kazimirov who co-chaired the Minsk Group from 1992-1996, the
exclusion of MKR’s delegation from the negotiation process started immediately
after the OSCE summit in Budapest in December 1994. He said the exclusion of
MKR was initiated by Azerbaijan.
“Official Baku said that if Karabagh is engaged in the talks, it should be
represented by the Azeri community headed by Nizami Bahmanov as well,” said
Kazimirov.
This offer was rejected both by the Armenian side and the mediators.
“Then Baku insisted on the exclusion of the Armenian delegation of Karabagh.
Nevertheless I consider that the participation of the MKR representatives is
essential,” Kazimirov underlined.
As for the current stage of negotiations, Kazimirov stated that the
responsibility of resolving the conflict should be shared by the Foreign
Ministers and Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said that NGO’s should
also engage in the process.

2) Oskanian to Visit France, Canada, And The US

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian will fly to
Strasbourg, France on May 18 to attend a gathering of the Council of Europe
Foreign Ministers Committee, reported the Armenian Foreign Ministry.
Oskanian is scheduled to have an unofficial meeting with Council of Europe
Secretary General Terry Davis. The meeting will also be attended by former
Foreign Minister of Finland, Marti Ahtisaar, a special envoy of the UN
Secretary General for Kosovo talks. According to the ministry, the meeting
will
be about Kosovo’s future status.
While in Strasbourg, Oskanian will also meet with his Azeri counterpart Elmar
Mamedyarov and the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group.
On May 19 Oskanian will address the gathering of Foreign Ministers and then
head for the US and Canada, where he will meet with the leaders of Armenian
communities of Los Angeles, Boston, and Ottawa to discuss the third
Armenia-Diaspora conference which is to take place September 18-20 in Yerevan.

3) Mkrtchian Appointed Minister of Science And Education

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) boosted its
presence in Armenia’s government on Wednesday when President Robert Kocharian
named one of its leaders minister of science and education.
Levon Mkrtchian, who has led the party’s parliament faction until now,
replaced Sergo Yeritsian as a result of the Orinats Yerkir party’s expulsion
from Kocharian’s ruling coalition.
Kocharian replaced Yeritsian despite his defection from Orinats Yerkir along
with the two other ministers representing the party led by Artur Baghdasarian,
the outgoing parliament speaker. He is expected to be given another, less
important government post.
Orinats Yerkir has controlled the Armenian ministries of education, urban
development, and culture under a power-sharing agreement which it had signed
with Kocharian, the ARF, and Prime Minister Andranik Markarian’s Republican
Party (HHK) three years ago. The ARF had been given three other ministerial
posts.
Mkrtchian, who already served as Education Minister in 1998-99 and 2001-03,
emerged as the top contender for the job.
“The idea of taking over [the ministry] for a third time is not quite
attractive to me, but I am the kind of person who complies with party
discipline,” said Mkrtchian on Tuesday.

4) Nationalist Protesters Attack Hrant Dink during Trial

ISTANBUL (BIA)–Ultra-nationalist spectators attacked defendants, their
lawyers, and observers during the court hearing of bilingual Armenian-Turkish
Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink, the paper’s editor-in-chief Sarkis Seropyan,
and columnist Aydin Engin at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance.
Dink, Engin and their lawyers Fethiye Cetin and Ergin Cinmen said that
tensions in Tuesday’s hearing, where the defendants are on trial for
“attempting to influence the judiciary,” started when they turned up in front
of Istanbul’s Sisli justice hall.
The group arrived at the court building to find its entrance blocked by angry
nationalists shouting “get the hell out of this country” and physically
threatening them.
“We had to enter the court building surrounded by a police cordon,” Cetin
explained.
Dink added, “Thankfully the police officers did everything to get us into the
court building safely. They took us up to the court room in a special
elevator.”
The defendants and their lawyers were then verbally harassed and had to dodge
physical assaults in the corridor before they entered the court room itself.
During the hearing, coins and pencils were thrown at them as a group of
observers believed to be led by nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz shouted
insults.
Nationalist “Jurists Union” lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, Civilian Society
Organizations Union of Turkey (TSTKB) member Ramazan Kirkik, retired general
Veli Kucuk, and Independent Turkish Orthodox Patriarchy spokesman Sevgi
Erenerol were among those at the hearing demanding to be accepted as official
complainants against the defendants.
Agreeing with prosecutor Mustafa Dag’s views, the court decided to reject
three separate appeals by the nationalists to be accepted as complainants on
grounds that they were “not directly affected by the alleged offense” while
judge Yalcin Hayret issued a warning to Kerincsiz and those around him for
repeatedly interfering in the case.
Kerincsiz claimed the judge himself had “lost his objectivity” and asked for
his removal on the grounds that he was preventing the intervention of
complainants. Kerincsiz’s requests for Hayret’s removal were rejected.
The verbal and physical assaults endured by the defendants and their lawyers
were so intense that they were noted in the court’s records and according to
Cetin, the judge almost called the police into the courtroom.
When the hearing came to an end a group gathered downstairs and attacked the
defendants, lawyers, and observers. Two people were hit and the defendants
could only leave the building an hour later under police escort.
Following Tuesday’s hearing the trial was adjourned to July 4.
Hrant Dink is on trial in this case for his article titled “Is democracy
going
to be established with this penal clause?” while Aydin Engin is charged for
his
article “One should touch the justice system.” Both defendants are charged
under Turkish Penal Code article 288 for attempting to influence fair justice.
Dink’s son, Arad Dink also went on trial Tuesday.
Dink, Engin, and Arad Dink refuted the charges brought against them and
maintained they had committed no offense.

Dink: I have been made a deliberate target

Aside from defending themselves to the court, Dink and his co-defendants were
forced to defend themselves to the intervening groups and nationalists that
turned up at the hearing.
“The marginal nationalists are clearly trying to make such cases popular and
are trying to produce a nationalist policy” Dink said after the hearing. “We
should not fall into this trap.”
Dink added, “In all of the cases launched against me up till this day, I have
not asked any support from inside or abroad, from the press or politicians,
because this would mean falling into the trap of the marginal nationalists.”
“I have been deliberately made a target. And they want to use this target
over
and over. By giving the impression that I have committed a crime that I have
not, the impression that I have insulted, they want to isolate me in front of
the Turkish society. At least those who know how to read and who understand
are
standing up against this.”
Aydin Engin said, meanwhile, that justice itself was being lynched.
“A group led by Kerincsiz and his friends have attempted to lynch justice” he
said. “And in a big way they have succeeded.”
He added, “I have seen many trials but throwing coins and pencils at us and
the defense lawyers by those who managed to enter the court room as
complainants is something I have seen for the first time.”
Engin argued that the conditions of a “fair trial” no longer existed in the
case noting, “we ourselves are being put on trial for influencing a fair trial
but in reality today the conditions of a fair trial have been eliminated.”
Defense Lawyer Cetin agreed, explained that the case of Dink and his
co-defenders was launched based on allegations of influencing justice.
“What has taken place today and what is being done in other trials is
influencing justice itself,” she added.
“They are creating such an atmosphere that one cannot talk about a fair
trial.
They are putting pressure on the defendants, the defense, the judge, and
prosecutor. During the hearing they insulted the prosecutor,” she said.
Cetin continued, “The pressure is directed at the court. When [the
nationalists] wanted to be accepted as complainants they said the Turkish
nation is a complainant and we are watching.”
Defense Lawyer Cinmen said the incident at the end of the hearing “reflected
the intolerance toward freedom of expression in Turkey.”
“The number [of protestors] is small but because they are extremely fanatic,
it is a mass that can show itself,” he said.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

news from the western diocese

Primate Presides over DIVINE Liturgy

Armenian Apostolic Church of Burbank

On May 14, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Western Diocese, presided over Divine Liturgy at the Burbank
Parish. He related his message bearing the theme, `Our Communion With
God’ to Mother’s Day, stating that our mothers have been the first
influence in our lives who have established within us a bond with
God.

On the occasion of Mother’s Day he congratulated all mothers, and
asked the faithful in attendance to pray for one mother in
particular, Mrs. Sylva Natalie Manoogian, whose son Vahan will soon
depart to serve in the Army in Iraq. His Eminence prayed for Vahan’s
safe return and the welfare of his parents. Mrs. Manoogian is the
Director of the Diocesan Library.

anglican armenian Dialogue

The Committee for Anglican-Armenian Dialogue met on May 15, 2006 at
All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Pasadena to deepen the relations
between the two churches through collaboration in the various
missions of the two dioceses. During the meeting the representatives
of the churches also reflected upon the joint commemorative service
held at St. Mark Episcopal Church for the Armenian Genocide, the
first Genocide of the 20th Century.

Meeting of

Los Angeles COuncil of Religious Leaders

The monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
will take place on May 17, 2006 at the Claremont School of Theology.
The meeting will also serve as an opportunity for the Religious
Leaders to get acquainted with the Claremont Seminary, where
currently two of our candidates onto the priesthood, Deacon Vahe
Abovian and Deacon Mayis Shahbazyan, are working on their degrees of
Master of Divinity.

Each month the monthly meetings of the Los Angeles Council of
Religious Leaders are hosted by a different religious group.

Primate Presides over meetings

The Summer Camp Committee and the Summer Camp Board will hold their
regular meetings at the Diocese on May 20, 2006, presided by His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.

The summer camp program has served the youth of the Western Diocese
for over 40 years. If you or someone you know is interested in
attending Summer Camp 2006, please visit
{} for more information.

To make camp part of your summer plans, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Pick a week of camp to attend

Week 1 – July 23, 2006 through July 29, 2006

Week 2 – July 30, 2006 through August 5, 2006

Week 3 – August 6, 2006 through August 12, 2006

Step 2: Visit our website beginning Easter Sunday,
April 16, 2006

Step 3: Print out a camper application, fill it out and mail it in

Step 4: Get ready to make friends and memories that will last
forever!

Cathedral Fundraising and Celebration Gala

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate will preside over
the Mother Cathedral Fundraising and Celebration Gala to be held on
Saturday, May 20, 2006, at the Kalaydjian Hall of the Western
Diocese, under the Chairmanship of Antranik Zorayan.

Total proceeds and donations received on the evening of May 20th
will benefit the construction of the long-awaited Mother Cathedral of
the Western Diocese.

The committee is proud to announce that Hovig Krikorian’s wonderful
voice and music will ensure the night to be an evening of
celebration. Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, Chair of the Diocesan
Council, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the gala.

Festivities of the night will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a Cocktail
Reception and will continue with Dinner and an entertaining program.

For your invitation, please contact the Diocesan Office at
818-558-7474.

Primate TO Preside over Divine Liturgy

St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, Van Nuys

On May 21, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van
Nuys. During the Liturgy, His Eminence will bestow the St. Nersess
the Graceful Medal of Honor upon Mr. and Mrs. Arpiar Janoyan, issued
by the Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, in appreciation for their dedication and service to the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

Primate Attends Events by armenian Schools

On May 21, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
will attend the 25th anniversary celebrations of TCA Arshag
Dickranian School. The Primate will also attend the 13th annual
Paradon of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
May 16, 2006
Burbank, California

AND WHY WAS BAGHDASAROV AWARDED?

A1+
[09:15 pm] 16 May, 2006

Today in the Russian Embassy to Armenia a number of Armenian
authorities were awarded with great military orders of the pan Russian
academy on security, defense and legal issues.

RA Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepyan was awarded the medal of the
first degree of Peter the Great. RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
will also be awarded with that medal but a bit later, as he wasn’t
present at today’s ceremony.

Colonel-General Michael Haroutyunyan, deputy minister of the RA Defense
and chief of the RA military main headquarters, was awarded with the
medal of the first degree of Alexandre Nevski, and Gurgen Dalibaltayan,
RA Military Attorney General and RA President’s councilor, was awarded
with the medal of “Great Victory.”

Michael Baghdasarov, president of the company “Mika Limited” was among
them and he was awarded with the medal of the second degree of Peter
the Great (it is difficult to say for which service exactly)

The official registration of the awards is as follows, for their
personal share and service in the establishment of RA and RF national
security and increase of fighting ability.

The ceremony was held at the head of the Russian ambassador to Armenia
Nikolay Pavlov who was also awarded with the medal of first degree
of Peter the Great.

By the way, Mher Shahgeldyan, chairman of RA Defense and National
security and Internal affairs standing committee was awarded the
medal of the first degree of Alexandre Nevski but the medal was not
given to him for certain reasons.

Nobody made a speech at the ceremony. They merely enjoyed drinks and
spoke of their personal affairs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALL ARMENIAN CONGRESS HOLDS A SESSION IN YEREVAN

Panorama.am
16:37 16/05/06

All Armenian Congress (AAC) opened its session today in Yerevan. The
session discussed AAC activities in the course of the last 2 years
and participants watched a film about the organization.

However, the participants think that only half of the information on
what the congress does was presented.

“I can assure you that you don’t know even 1 % of what we do. I did
not want to talk about the programs of the congress as it would take
much time,” the head of the Congress and chairman of the Union of
Armenians A. Abrahamyan told Panorama.am.

A. Abrahamyan mentioned that they have provided Armenian schools with
computers and the organizers intend to continue the project both in
Armenia and Diaspora. During the last 2 years, refugees were provided
with 130 flats. “It is very important since by providing refugees
with flats we connect them with Armenia,” Abrahamyan said. They also
engage in building schools in Nagorno Karabakh. The most important
among programs may be considered AAC’s initiative to apply to the
International Court on Human Rights with a request to consider the
Armenian Genocide.

Another important aspect Abrahamyan considered the development of
Armenia-Diaspora relation which, in his opinion, is not sufficiently
well developed.

In the words of NKR prime minister Anushavan Danielyan, a more
professional and organized attitude is needed to the problem
of Diaspora. “Up till now we have been dealing on amateur
level. Concurrently, if we ask Armenians what is our economic
and intellectual capital, most frequently we will hear the answer
“Diaspora,” Danielyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NK SETTLEMENT WITHIN OSCE IMPORTANT, KOCHARYAN STATES

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 15 2006

YEREVAN, May 15. /ARKA/. At his meeting with OSCE Secretary General
Mark Peren Brichambaut , RA President Robert Kocharyan pointed out
the important fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is being settled
within the OSCE, which format is a rather efficient one.

The RA President made a high appraisal of the effectiveness, level
and prospects of the Armenia-OSCE cooperation.

The sides thoroughly discussed the processes going on in the OSCE
member-countries and the organization’s structural reforms. They also
addressed the Armenian-Turkish relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROINTEGRATION FOR ARMENIA – PERSPECTIVE WITHOUT ALTERNATIVES: ARMENIAN SPEAKER

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 16 2006

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Eurointegration for Armenia is the
perspective without alternatives, Armenian Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan
told reporters.

According to him, being a full member of the Council of Europe,
Armenia should continue fulfilling her commitments before this
structure. “Our country should display more determination in
implementing ‘New Neighborhood’ EU program, as democracy and freedom
bring to a totally new perspective of development,” Bagdasaryan said.

He pointed out that the further intensification of democratic processes
and consistent inculcation of European values in the country will
result in development of economy and prosperity of Armenia.

“A freely developing economy and society can do much more than all
governmental programs taken together,” Bagdasaryan said and added
that Armenia should employ much more determination while moving
toward Eurointegration.

The third round of negotiations on the development of the EU-Armenia
Plan of Actions in the frameworks of the “New Neighborhood” EU policy
was held in Yerevan on 3 May.

The European movement of Armenia recognized Artur Bagdasaryan as the
best European of the year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TO EXPLAIN HIS PARTY DECISION TO QUIT RULING COALITION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 12 2006

YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Armenian National Assembly Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan is expected to explain why his Orinats Yerkir, one of
three governing parties, quits the ruling coalition.

Orinats Yerkir press service told ARKA News Agency that the party
board made this decision at its session held Thursday night.

The ruling coalition members are Armenian Republican Party, Orinats
Yerkir and Dashnaktsutyun.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KONSTANTIN ZATULIN: ADMINISTRATIVE BORDER IS THE ONLY BASIS THAT ALLOWS AZERBAIJAN TO LAY CLAIMS TO KARABAKH

ArmRadio.am
17.05.2006 13:52

“Non-complete peace is more preferable than war. From South Caucasian
countries only Armenia is interested in the maintenance of peace,”
Director of the CIS Institute, Deputy of the Russian State Duma
Konstantin Zatulin said today in Yerevan.

“The status-quo in the Karabakh issue is not favorable for the Azeri
side, which considers its interests are violated. Azerbaijan demands
resumption of territorial integrity recognized in Soviet era. The
administrative border is the only basis that allows Azerbaijan to
lay claims to Karabakh,” Zatulin said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ARMENIA IN FAVOUR OF CONFIDENCE IN CAUCASUS

Mediamax news agency
17 May 06

Yerevan, 17 May: An international conference called “Caucasus Without
Conflicts and Terrorism – Dialogue of Civilizations at the Caucasus
Crossroads” opened in Yerevan today.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ara Abramyan, president
of the Union of Armenians of Russia, noted that “the problems facing
the great Caucasus region can be resolved only through a dialogue”.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Gegam Garibdzhanyan said that the
formation of an atmosphere of confidence in the region may facilitate
the implementation of the regional programmes of the international
community.

“Armenia’s position on issues of regional policy is based on
the exclusion of new dividing lines and on the establishment of
cooperation,” Gegam Garibdzhanyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress