Author: Emil Lazarian

“GERMANY AND ARMENIA: 1914-1918” COLLECTION OF DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS BY JOHANNES LEPSIUS PUBLISHED IN ARMENIAN FOR FIRST TIME

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the occasion of
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide the History Institute of
RA National Academy of Sciences continues to publish works dedicated
to the Armenian Genocide. The “Germany and Armenia: 1914-1918”
collection of diplomatic documents by Johannes Lepsius has been
published in Armenian and Wolfgang Gust’s “Armenian Genocide” has
been published in Russian this year. The collection of documentary
materials by J.Lepsius that was published in Armenian for the first
time is one of the most important evidences of the genocide committed
by the Turkish government towards the Armenian people. The collection
contains secret reports of German ambassadors, consuls, diplomatic,
military representatives, which openly present the whole essence of
the Turkish government’s anti-Armenian policy. The documents were
translated from German by Valentina Minalian. She wrote in the book’s
preface that “numerous reports make certain the Turkish methods and
purpose – to exterminate the 2-million Armenian population of the
Ottoman Empire. Already in 1915 July 7 German Ambassador Wagenhaim
confessed on the basis of the reports presented to him that the
Turkish government indeed pursues the goal to exterminate the whole
Armenian nation in the Turkish Empire”. The second volume of “Germany
and Armenia: 1914-1918” collection of diplomatic documents by Johannes
Lepsius will be published in 2007. The work by W.Gust, editor of the
“Schpigel” well-known German magazine, also presents official documents
and materials kept in German archives. W.Gust continued J.Lepsius’
work and found out that the number of documents on Armenian Genocide
kept in German archives is more than 3000. To recap, W.Gust carries
out huge work in the direction of the international recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. For this purpose he created
the web site containing documents on Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1918, kept in German archives.

GEORGIA IS ON THE VERGE OF SPLIT
by Irakly Gelashvili

Source: Rossiiskie Vesti, No. 11, March 23-29, 2006, p. 6

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
March 29, 2006 Wednesday

Tbilisi Plays The Dzhavakhetia Card; The Problem Of Dzhavakhetia Poses
A Threat To Georgia’S Security; Dzhavakhetia is another potential
hot spot on the Georgian map.

Residents of the region protest against the withdrawal of the Russian
military base.

The problem of Dzhavakhetia, which is inhabited by Armenian, poses
a serious geopolitical threat to Georgia. Incidents happen in this
region from time to time. A conflict between Georgians and Armenians
recently happened in Tsalka. One Armenian was killed.

Those who understand the mechanism and nature of ethnic conflicts in
the South Caucasus know that the matter concerns a qualitative change
of relations between residents of Dzhavakhetia and Tbilisi. Social
organizations support the federative structure of Georgia.

Dzhavakhetia is a region in the south of Georgia, which borders Turkey
and Armenia. Expert Alexei Vashenko said that the region plays a
very important role in Georgia’s geopolitical destiny. He noted:
“Dzhavakhetia could become a hot spot in the late 1980s. Armenia
established the Karabakh committee, which sought to restore Great
Armenia. The committee made decisions concerning the armed struggle.

Ass a result of voting the committee decided to start in Karabakh;
not Dzhavakhetia.”

Georgia faced a lot of ethnic problems after 1991. Abkhazia and the
South Ossetia became independent. Azerbaijanians defended their rights
in the east of the republic.

Saakashvili understands the challenges of the time. What does he do?

Firstly, he appoints Georgian officials in this region and tried to
merge Dzhavakhetia with neighboring regions inhabited by Georgians. A
branch of the Georgian University opened in Akhalkalaki in order
to integrate Armenian young people into Georgian society. All this
irritates Armenians. A serious conflict happened in the region last
year. Armenian customs officers were replaced with Georgian on the
border between Georgia and Armenia. At present, Armenia social forces
organize actions of protest against the withdrawal of the Russian
military base from this region. They note that the base created almost
2,000 jobs. Georgia tries to convince residents of Dzhavakhetia that
unemployment does not threaten them.

(…)

‘I WILL USE MY AWARD TO PAY TRAFFIC FINE’
by Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
March 28, 2006 Tuesday

Dubai: Care on the roads paid off for 12 drivers who were rewarded
with Dh750 each after being spotted by the Caltex RoadStar team on
the third day of the annual safety campaign.

One winner, Virginia Marutyan from Armenia, said she will use some
of the money to pay a traffic fine.

“I know I have received this reward for being a safe driver, but I have
one traffic fine that I will pay for with this money,” Marut-yan said.

She said it was good to see a motor sports federation carrying out
such a campaign to make drivers aware of safe driving.

Other lucky winners wanted to share their happiness and cash with
needy people. “I will give some of the money I won to charity because
happiness grows by sharing,” said Abdul Wahid, an Indian working as
an input assistant.

“I never expected to be a winner, although I have read about the
campaign in Gulf News, but I feel such campaigns are lessons for
motorists that good behaviour on the roads is safe as well as
rewarding,” he said.

Abdul Latif Mohammad from India, said “I was scared because I thought
the police were going to fine me for something I did wrong. But I am
happy and will send this money back home.”

“I was not familiar with the campaign and was really scared when
the police pulled me over, but it is a nice feeling and I will tell
my friends about this campaign,” said Mohammad Khan, who has been
driving for five years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND BELARUSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRIES HELD IN MINSK

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 29 2006

MINSK, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Consultations between
the Armenian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries were held on March
28. During the consultations held at the departmental level the sides
registered the high level of Armenia-Belarus relations, outlined the
prospects of development of cooperation in different spheres. As Noyan
Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, during the discussions in a business atmosphere the sides
reached agreements on implementation of program of bilateral events in
2006, including organization of official visits, holding of the 7th
sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Economic Cooperation,
cooperation within the framework of international organizations,
including UN and CIS, buildings of Armenian and Belarusian Embassies
in Minsk and Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALEXANDER SPENDIARIAN’S 135th AND A.SPENDIARIAN MUSIC SCHOOL’S 75th ANNIVERSARIES TO BE MARKED IN EARLY APRIL

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of jubilee events will be
organized in coming days on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of
great composer Alexander Spendiarian and 75th anniversary of Yerevan
music school named after him. As school Director Samvel Sahakian
informed at the March 29 press conference, the events will start on
March 31 and will be completed on April 13.

The music school pupils together with the Armenian State Chamber
Orchestra will have concerts at the Aram Khachatrian concert hall and
A.Spendiarian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. It was
mentioned that Yerevan Mayor’s Office has allocated 2 mln drams (4.4
thousand USD) for the purpose of holding these events. Currently more
than 500 pupils attend A.Spendiarian music school that formerly had
more than 5000 leavers. Arno Babajanian, Edvard Mirzoyan, Alexander
Haroutiunian, Edgar Hovhannisian, Ghazaros Sarian and others are
among the leavers of this school. According to S.Sahakian, today the
country’s music schools are in a sad condition. As he mentioned,
they received a sufficient amount of financing from the state in
the Soviet years, while today these sums are miserable. Therefore,
the number of both the teachers and the pupils has reduced. It
was also mentioned that these schools haven’t been repaired and
heated for more than 30 years, as a result of which the musical
instruments spoil. “The amounts of dotations given by the state to
the comprehensive schools are gradually increasing but they almost
don’t involve music schools. Therefore, we should either raise the
payment for studies or make reductions. However, in both cases we
will have great losses,” S.Sahakian mentioned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AAA WELCOMES SENATE LEGISLATION OPPOSING RAILROAD THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 29 2006

WASHINGTON, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Senators Rick
Santorum (R-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced on March 28 a
major bill (S. 2461) in the U.S. Senate that would bar assistance for
a proposed $800 million railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Turkey while bypassing Armenia. The legislation, known as the South
Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, was introduced shortly
after participants of the Armenian Assembly of America’s National
Conference met with senior staff representing Senators Santorum
and Menendez – both longtime supporters of Armenian issues. The
three-day National Conference was co-hosted by the AGBU and Eastern
and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church. “United States policy in
the South Caucasus seeks to foster regional stability and enhanced
cooperation, and includes open borders and transport corridors,”
Santorum told the Assembly. “The proposed rail link would not only
undermine U.S. long-term goals for the region, but serves to isolate
Armenia. Efforts to foster economic integration and reduce the risk
of further tensions are in the best interests of the United States
and the South Caucasus.” Menendez, echoing Santorum, added that
“the sole aim of this costly project is to further isolate Armenia
by enhancing the ongoing Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. I look
forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and members of
the Armenian-American community to block U.S. financial support of
this rail project.” “We commend the leadership of Senators Santorum
and Menendez for this Senate initiative to prohibit funding for
this ill-conceived route, which not only thwarts U.S. policy goals,
but is also a continuation of Azerbaijan’s blockade plus strategy
to marginalize Armenia, which we cannot allow,” said Assembly
Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “The realization
of this legislation is a testament to the grassroots activism
exemplified throughout this National Conference.” Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev told an Azeri news agency last summer that,
“We are currently working on a new project – a new rail road
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku..If we succeed with this project,
the Armenians will end in complete isolation, which would create
an additional problem for their future, their already bleak
future…” Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that
a new costly railway is unnecessary given that a railroad linking
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey already exists. The existing Kars-Gyumri
route is in working condition and could be operational within
weeks. Senator Santorum has consistently supported Armenian issues. He
is a strong proponent of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide
and a cosponsor of S. Res. 320, the Armenian Genocide resolution. In
2000, he also urged the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations to direct economic aid to Armenia, to provide the timely
delivery of humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh and maintain
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Santorum currently serves on
the powerful Senate Finance Committee and is Chairman of the Senate
Republican Conference where he directs the communications operations
of the Senate Republicans and is the third-ranking member of the
leadership. His colleague, Senator Menendez, is a longstanding advocate
of the Armenian-American community and a widely respected voice on
foreign policy. During his tenure in the House of Representatives,
Menendez helped secure robust U.S. humanitarian, technical and
developmental assistance for Armenia, while continuing to push for
sustained humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh. Menendez has
also repeatedly fought for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, by publicly commemorating this crime against humanity,
co-sponsoring legislation that would properly recognize the events
and urging President Bush, as well as his predecessors, to accurately
characterize the crimes as genocide. The Senate bill is modeled after
House Resolution 3361, which was introduced by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA),
last year. The resolution currently has 77 cosponsors to date, and
is expected to garner additional supporters.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST ISSUE OF MONTHLY “ARCHITECTURE-CONSTRUCTION” PUBLISHED

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The first issue of the illustrated
monthly “Archtecture-Construction” has been published. The periodical
is published by the Union of Architects and Builders of Armenia. The
monthly’s editor-in-chief is Volodya Kirakosian, former editor of
the montlies “Carat” and “Economy”.

The first 64-page issue of the monthly “Architecture-Construction”
came out in 500 copies, and contains information about the 50-year
path passed by the Armproject Institute and its achievements, the new
solutions proposed by the Armenian architects, the modern approaches
in design, some construction organizations and new technologies,
and the benefactors the architecture and construction spheres.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION OFFICES SHOULD CHANGE CURRENT POLICY OF CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR, HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF UNION OF BUILDERS SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The program implementation offices
(PIO) of the international organizations – customers of construction
work on a tender basis, particularly the Lincy Foundation, should
get rid of the current policy of choosing a contractor based on the
offer of the lowest price, Vazgen Poghosian, Honorary Chairman of the
Union of Builders of Armenia, Chairman of Yerevanshin OJSC, told NT
correspondent. According to him, during tenders it is not taken into
consideration whether the organization that has offered the lowest
price has the proper financial and human resources and the necessary
technical and transport base. He noted that in many cases the last
remaining resources of some Armenian construction organizations were
used for the fulfilement of the obligations assumed under the Lincy
program. In the opinion of V.

Poghosian, such a situation was caused by the PIOs rather than by
the strict requirements set by the US office of the Lincy Foundation
programs management. He said that the PIOs did not inform the Lincy
Foundation that the tender terms cannot be fulfiled in case of approval
of a low price offer: if the price offered for the construction work is
lower then the real market one, the implementation of construction work
is possible in this case with the use, for example, out-of-date steel
frameworks or unuseful cement. It was noted that taking into account
the real market prices during construction contract tenders becomes an
urgent problem, since as a result of a possible increase in the prices
of gas and electricity, the prices of building materials, particularly
stone (which is considered a monopoly product), road-metal, framework
and cement may rise as well.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIAN SIDE ON GAS PRICE CONTINUE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues concerning the mechanisms
of mitigating the consequences of growth in price for gas and
construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline were discussed at the
March 29 working meeting of RA President Robert Kocharian and RA
Minister of Energy Armen Movsisian. According to the report provided
to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Service, it was decided to
continue the negotiations with the Russian side on gas price and to
submit the package of proposals to be formed at the end of them to
the public after coordinating them with the President. A.Movsisian
informed that the welding works of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
have already started and the construction will be completely over
in autumn. Issues connected with renewable energy resources, in
particular, with increase of the number of small HPPs, were also
discussed at the meeting. The Minister presented R.Kocharian the
process of construction of 38 small HPPs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN CONSUMERS WILL NOT BE DEPRIVED OF ARMENIAN “ARARAT” BRANDY

YEREVAN, MARCH 28.ARMINFO. The Yerevan Brandy Factory, the exclusive
producer of “Ararat” Armenian brandy and the leader of the Armenian
brandy market, doesn’t think that its production soon will not be
sold in the Russian market. The press service of the factory informed
ARMINFO.

According to the source, the import of “Ararat” brandy is stopped for
a while because of application of new excise marks in Russia. With
the assistance of “PR Rouss” company the YBF managed to secure export
of its production to Russia for several months beforehand. Thus,
the Russian consumers will not be deprived of the Armenian brandy.