Author: Emil Lazarian

60 PERCENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE PREFER LIVING ABROAD

Lragir.am
28 April 06

Between 2002 and 2005 147 000 citizens left Armenia. In the past
several years the continuous migration of people from Armenia is often
illegal. These people often lack knowledge of migration and other laws
of the country they leave for. The Armenian branch of the Czech-based
Man in Trouble NGO conducted a survey from February 24 till March 10
to trace the cause of the outflow of people, which has already become
a tradition in our country. The results of the poll suggest that 56.9
per cent do not have any income, 13 percent earn very little, and only
9 percent earn 50-200 thousand drams monthly. By the results of the
same poll, 9.8 per cent of people appeared in a camp of refugees, 4.9
percent had legal jobs abroad, 7.3 percent worked illegally. 26
percent of questioned people would sell their house to leave abroad.

During the poll the citizens suggested legislative reforms, social and
economic improvement and protection of human rights as the best ways
of struggle against migration. They say no one would leave Armenia if
these things were guaranteed.

Since 2005 there is a hotline at Man in Trouble NGO. 475 citizens have
already called. Statistics shows that the callers are people of
different social classes who want to find out how they can get a legal
job in Europe, live there permanently, get a status of a refugee and
study there.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VICTOR DALLAKYAN COPIED AAM PROGRAM FOR BARGAVACH HAYASTAN

Lragir.am
28 April 06

Member of the bureau of the All-Armenian Movement Aram Manukyan told
the reporter of Lragir.am April 27 that the programs of the AAM and
Bargavach Hayastan Party (Prosperous Armenia) might be quite similar.

`If they copied the wise things, it must be rather similar. But
writing is one thing, and acting is another thing. I haven’t read
it. I do not have the health and vigor to read a hundred-page-long
program. My approach is more general: the birth of a new political
force is impossible in Armenia. The offices of all kinds of political
ideologies have been occupied, the ones that are being set up are
either a person’s political party or units, stemming from the
conjuncture,’ says Aram Manukyan. He refuted the information that the
intellectual potential of the All-Armenian Movement, namely several
members of the party, contributed to the creation of the program of
Gagik Tsarukyan’s political party.

`Well, if you consider Victor Dallakyan (pro-AAM), I don’t know. I
know there are approaches that are close to the AAM’s, it is quite
normal. Not in terms of people. In terms of ideas, I also have heard
that they used these. I am glad about it, I do not feel bitter, I am
even glad that the AAM is not there absolutely, but the ideology of
the AAM triumphed,’ says Aram Manukyan.

He learned from press that the program of the Bargavach Hayastan Party
was written by the secretary of the Ardarutiun Alliance Victor
Dallakyan. Aram Manukyan says he trusts the information in press and
he is even convinced that it is true. `In fact, I know it is true. He
took our program, other programs, copied, made up a nice program,
that’s all,’ says Aram Manukyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAVAKHETI IS FACING NEW PROVOCATION

Lragir.am
28 April 06

It is almost a fact that Javakheti has appeared on the
Russian-Georgian theater, though it is situated rather far from the
borders of both countries. However, sure enough, it does not hinder
Russians from transforming this region into an epicenter of
anti-Georgian movement. On April 26 the inhabitants of Javakheti
blocked the way of the armored radio communication car, which had set
off from the Russian Military Base 102, stationed in this city.

The inhabitants of Akhalkalaki say they blocked the way of the armored
car because it means the withdrawal of the military base has already
begun. The Armenians of Javakheti are dissatisfied because when
Russians leave, their life will become harder. Russia is skillfully
using this card to guarantee its military presence in Georgia through
the Armenians of Javakheti. However, the Russian policy seems to be
acquiring elements of a double provocation. On April 27 the Russian
Federation urged the Georgian government to guarantee the security of
withdrawal of the Russian military base. Mikhail Kaminin, a Russian
foreign ministry official, stated that Moscow waits for Georgia to
take necessary steps in Akhalkalaki.

Obviously Russia is calling Georgia for applying force against the
Armenians of Javakheti who protest against the withdrawal of the
Russian military installation. In other words, Moscow is asking
Tbilisi to punish the same Armenians who are reflecting the interests
of the same Moscow.

Sure enough, a trick is played on Javakheti, and the Russians are
exposing Javakheti to two dangers. The method of ethnic provocations
failed, now the relations with the Georgian government are
employed. In other words, facing the imminent reality of losing
military presence, the Russians want to make a maximum use of this
imminent reality. One can imagine Georgian forces trying to disperse
the inhabitants of Akhalkalaki, protesting against the pullout of the
Russian forces. One can also imagine Russian channels showing
videotaped images of cruel repression of Russia’s friends, people whom
the Russian military base gave bread, and the Georgian forces give a
strike. Fortunately, the Georgian government has neglected these
provocations so far.

The minister of internal affairs Vano Merabishvili announced that
Russia is responsible for complications that occur during the
withdrawal of the Russian military base. Merabishvili also guaranteed
that there would be no mass protests against the withdrawal of the
Russian military installations from Samtskhe-Javakheti. Nevertheless,
it is certain that the withdrawal of Russian military bases may cause
greater trouble than the past years of its stationing. At any rate it
is clear that there is a demand for government level provocations
along with the withdrawal, which means that the event on April 26 will
not be the last.

Who will benefit from this? This question should not interest the
people of Javakheti, for they should have known the answer of another
question ` who will suffer from these provocations. Moreover, the
answer of this question might become quite tangible in some time.

HAKOB BADALYAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 28 2006

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO EARMARK 586.5THND SQUARE METERS OF
YEREVAN AREA FOR EXPANDING GREEN SPACES IN CAPITAL

YEREVAN, April 28. /ARKA/. Armenian Government decided to earmark
586.5thnd square meters of Yerevan area for expanding green spaces in
the capital.
The Government says it was guided by Land Code in making this
decision.
In particular, 435thousand square meters were given to
Malatia-Sebastia district, 12thnd square meters to Erebuni, 19.5thnd
square meters to Arabkir and 120thnd square meters to Nor-Nork.
These areas are to receive special care and special protection. M.V.
-0—

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Watertown TAB & Press, MA
April 28 2006

Commemoration becomes cultural celebration
By Christopher Loh/ Staff Writer
Friday, April 28, 2006 – Updated: 11:19 AM EST

The message was clear last Sunday afternoon at the St. James Armenian
Apostolic Church – the Armenian culture, 91 years after genocide, has
survived and is thriving.

The performances and speakers at the commemoration ceremonies
were simple yet powerful in their message, and an audience of 800
people helped to ring that message forth.

Lalig Musserian, the master of ceremonies, said the commemoration
was to “underscore the survival” of Armenians.

“It’s an affirmation and a commemoration,” said state Rep. Rachel
Kaprielian, D-Watertown, who attended the event. “An affirmation of
the resilience of the culture.”

A representative of church leadership said the commemoration was
to be a positive celebration of the future and of Armenian survival:
“We’re still here, celebrating our culture.”

The culture was well represented through performances by the
Shushi Dance Ensemble of New York City and Sami and Solange
Merdinian, Armenian siblings from Argentina who performed in voice
and violin.

Musserian said the planning for the fourth annual commemoration
started immediately after last year’s event, especially when she saw
the Shushi dancers perform.

“We wanted them last year, but couldn’t book them,” Musserian
said, adding that she booked the ensemble for this year long in
advance.

The 48 members of the group, composed of children, were all
sponsored, room and board, by the church which raised nearly $5,000
for the entire commemoration.

Musserian said the planning for next year’s commemoration is
already in the preliminary stages as she thinks, “What do we do next
year to top this?” especially as the crowds grow significantly each
year.

“We were delighted with the turnout,” Musserian said.

A highlight of this year’s commemoration was the speech of Henry
Morgenthau III, whose grandfather was the United States ambassador to
Turkey during the 1915 genocide.

Morgenthau’s grandfather spoke out against the Turkish acts,
writing the book “Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story.”

Announcing that his grandfather’s book was recently published in
Turkish, Morgenthau said there is a “small straw in the wind that the
climate is changing” regarding denial themes.

Morgenthau spoke of the recently aired documentary “The Armenian
Genocide” on various PBS affiliates throughout the country.

While a controversy over a panel discussion carrying denial
themes to be aired after the documentary infiltrated the country,
Morgenthau called the panel “quite ridiculous.”

“In my 90th year, I am encouraged to live to see the day when the
Armenian Genocide is fully acknowledged,” Morgenthau said.

“We are here today not because of the path before us, but because
of the path behind us,” Musserian said to the crowd. “The path, once
filled with blood, with hatred and genocide.”

Musserian said the blood of countless Armenians “soils the hands
of the Turkish government. Our blood makes their hands unclean.”

“We live with the pain of our past,” Kaprielian said, “we have
risen from the ashes.”

Christopher Loh can be reached at [email protected]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
April 28 2006

Saint Petersburg Meetings

On April 28 RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan met with Sergey
Mironov, Chairman of RF Federal Assembly Federal Council. During the
meeting an agreement was reached in autumn on holding Days of RA
National Assembly in RF Federal Assembly and a conference over the
inter-regional cooperation problems in any RF region full of
Armenians.

During the meeting of Rene van der Linden, PACE President and Artur
Baghdasaryan, RA NA President issues concerning the process of the
fulfillment of Armenia’s undertaken commitments were discussed. Both
sides touched upon the Electoral Code, highlighted the formation of
political consent around Electoral Code and holding the coming
general elections in conformity with democratic standards. The PACE
President Rene van der Linden expressed readiness to assist in the
name of the Council of Europe.

As BSEC President, the NA President Artur Baghdasaryan and RF State
Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov signed a cooperation agreement between
PABSEC and European Economic Community Inter-parliamentary Assembly,
by which it is designed to promote the cooperation of two structures,
the formation of parliamentary dialogue between countries and
peoples.

Regnum, Russia
April 28 2006

Armenian MP calls for impeaching the speaker

During the next week’s parliamentary session the member of the
Armenian parliament Hamayak Hovhannissyan is going to call on the
political coalition (Orinats Yerkir, Republican Party and ARFD –
REGNUM) to impeach the speaker of the parliament Artur Baghdassaryan.

`Artur Baghdassaryan is not a private person or a company director to
express private views during official visits. He is the speaker of
the parliament and, when at international organizations, must
represent the position of the parliamentary majority that elected him
to his post. If today the president, the Republican Party and the
ARFD say that when speaking about the country’s priorities
Baghdassaryan did not represent their position, they must demand that
Baghdassaryan resign, which is exactly what I propose. Artur
Baghdassaryan is not a dissident or a revolutionary to make
statements contrary to the country’s foreign policy, and the Armenian
people should be confident that the first figures of its state are
unanimous on the issue of national security. If the coalition wants
to make the country’s national security an object for external
speculations, then they and Robert Kocharyan must leave Baghdassaryan
in his post; but otherwise, he has no more right to represent the
parliamentary majority,’ says Hovhannissyan.

He says that `in an interview to a German newspaper the speaker has,
in fact, slapped the country’s leadership and the coalition in the
face, and if the majority fails to dismiss him, it is politically
incapable,’ reports Haykakan Zhamanak daily.

To remind, in an interview Frankfurter Allgemaine Zeitung,
Baghdassaryan said that `Armenia’s future is the EU and NATO’ and
`Russia must not stand in the way to Europe.’ Commenting on the
speaker’s statement, President Robert Kocharyan quoted Armenia’s
Constitution: `Armenia’s foreign policy is determined by the
President.’ `The speaker’s statement might reflect his own changed
position,’ Kocharyan said. Meanwhile, when in St. Petersburg Artur
Baghdassaryan said that `Armenia’s aspiration to enlarge its
relations with the EU and NATO is not aimed against Russia, and
Armenia has no aim to join NATO.’

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Fox News
April 28 2006

Bush, Azerbaijani President Talk Iran, Energy Security
Friday, April 28, 2006

WASHINGTON – President Bush told the president of Azerbaijan on
Friday that his oil-rich country has “a very important role to play”
in guaranteeing energy security around the world. The two leaders
also discussed Iran, an area of potential difference.

Bush said he assured President Ilham Aliev that the United States
wants to resolve a crisis over Iran’s nuclear program through
diplomacy. Aliev has made it clear that he would not allow his
country to be used for any operations against its neighbor.

Bush and Aliev met in the Oval Office after the White House
acknowledged that parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan have not met
international standards.

Bush said he told the president that “democracy is the wave of the
future.” Aliev said, “We share the same values.” He said Azerbaijan
is a “secular, democratic country.”

Energy was a major issue. “I appreciate the vision of the government,
the vision of the president, in helping this world achieve what we
all want, which is energy security,” Bush said. “Azerbaijan has got a
very important role to play and we discussed internal politics and we
discussed the politics of the neighborhood as well.”

In a personal note, Bush congratulated Aliev on the wedding of his
daughter this weekend.

Ahead of the meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
called Iran “our big neighbor” and emphasized that the two countries
“share history, culture and religion.” He said Iran guarantees
Azerbaijan transit rights for land shipments and provides gas
supplies to its Nakhichevan enclave, cut off by Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh.

“All this plays a great role when we speak about the situation around
Iran,” he said.

Mammadyarov said the Bush-Aliev meeting signified the two countries
were entering a new level of cooperation as Azerbaijan becomes a key
energy transit country. The newly built Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline,
which provides an alternative to Russian routes and energy sources in
the volatile Middle East, is scheduled to deliver the first shipments
of Caspian Sea oil to Western markets this June. In the fall, the new
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline will provide a new source of energy
for the Turkish market.

“This answers our national interest and signifies the strengthening
of Azerbaijan’s independence, of our position on the international
arena and the region,” Mammadyarov told The Associated Press in an
interview.

Azerbaijani officials also hope Bush and Aliev will discuss the
18-year-old conflict over the ethnic Armenian-dominated enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh. At least 30,000 people were killed and 1 million
made refugees during six years of war that ended with a shaky
cease-fire in 1994. Ethnic Armenian forces occupy the enclave inside
Azerbaijan.

The United States, together with Russia and the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, is trying to mediate a
resolution.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 28 2006

GLO issued statement denouncing foreign minister Vardan Oskanian’s
visit to Khankendi

[ 28 Apr. 2006 14:42 ]

Today Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) has issued a statement
denouncing Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian’s visit to
Khankendi, GLO press service has informed APA.

GLO evaluated in the statement Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian’s
visit to Nagorno Garabagh as position in the settling of the
conflict: ` The visit of foreign minister’s visit to Khankendi in
this level of the negotiations shows their not being withdrawal from
their occupation intention. Continuing the talks leads to nothing.’
In the statement it is demanded from Azerbaijani state to stop
negotiations: `Taking into consideration the position of Armenia,
Azerbaijan should continue negotiations and launch anti-terror
operations to free the occupied lands in military way. Not any state
can deprive Azerbaijan from this right.’/APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
April 28 2006

Two police officers killed in Moscow shooting
11:24 | 28/ 04/ 2006

(Rewrites with investigation details)

MOSCOW, April 28 (RIA Novosti) – Two police officers shot dead early
Friday were killed by members of a Moscow-based organized crime group
set up by ethnic Georgians, a source close to the investigation said.

The officers came under fire from an automatic weapon as they entered
an apartment in the south of the Russian capital, following a
telephone call reporting an ongoing burglary.

“The attackers are members of a Moscow-based organized crime group of
ethnic Georgians,” the source said, adding that the gang had been
raiding the apartment, owned by ethnic Armenians, as part of a war
between crime groups feuding over economic interests.

He said the killers left the apartment through a window, and that no
casualties among members of the Armenian family that owned the
apartment have been reported.

Police said earlier Friday that one police officer was killed at the
scene, and the other was wounded and died while being taken to the
hospital. The second officer said before he died that there had been
six attackers in the apartment.

Prosecutors said they had opened a criminal case into the incident,
and police have launched a search for the killers.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress