Author: Emil Lazarian

U.S. CONGRESSMEN CALL TO PRESERVE PARITY IN MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO YEREVAN AND BAKU

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.03.2006 21:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) called on their U.S. House colleagues today
to join them in cosigning a letter calling on the leadership of
the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian
provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The letter notes that
members of Congress are “deeply troubled” that the Administration’s
request for military aid for Azerbaijan is considerably higher then
the request for Armenia. By signing the letter, legislators will add
their voice to the effort to ensure that the agreement struck in 2001
between the White House and Congress to keep aid levels to these two
countries equal is fully respected. In addition, the letter calls
for a hard earmark of at least $75 million for Armenia, a one-year
$5 million allocation for Nagorno Karabakh, and the preservation of
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KOCHARIAN RECEIVES SENIOR U.S. DIPLOMATS

Armenpress
Mar 16 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS: US assistant secretary of state
for European and Eurasian affairs Daniel Fried, and Steven Mann,
US cochairman in the OSCE Minks group, mediating talks on Karabakh
dispute, who arrived in Yerevan on March 15 later afternoon, were
received today by president Robert Kocharian and met with foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian.

Kocharian’s press office said the two sides exchanged views on a
set of issues of bilateral interest, as well as discussed regional
and energy-related issues. They also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution process and referred to the Millennium Challenges
Account program.

A separate press release from the foreign ministry said the two sides
exchanged views on a set of issues of bilateral interest and stated
that resolution of the current regional conflicts would allow a full
use of available potential of the region. Oskanian and U.S. diplomats
dwelt also on Armenian-Turkish relations, focusing, particularly,
on opening of borders and resumption of communication routes.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF TALEAT PASHA WAS CELEBRATED

A1+
09:44 pm 15 March, 2006

More images On March 15 in 1921 opposite the house N14 in Hardenberg
street in Berlin the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Turkish
Government and one of the main organizers of the Armenian Genocide
Taleat Pasha was killed with a gun.

The avenger was 24-year-old student Soghomon Tihliryan. The act of
vengeance was carried out by the decision of the 10th Conference of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The actions named after the
Greek Goddess of vengeance Nemesis meant to punish the main organizers
of the Armenian Genocide.

Today in Yerevan the anniversary of the event was celebrated in which
about 200 people participated. The celebration took place near the
monument to Tihliryan.

Member of the Supreme Council of the ARF Armen Roustamyan explained
in his speech the meaning of the day, underlined the efficiency of
the plan “Nemesis” noting that “the demand of the Armenians was fair”,
and the trial held in Germany proved that it is not a crime to punish
the organizers of a Genocide.

During the celebration national songs were performed.

By the way, it was mentioned that in the 15th district of Ajapnyak
a monument will be erected to Gevorg Chaush.

By the way, the Security Administration of Berlin prohibited to hold a
march in Germany on March 15-18 in memory of Taleat Pasha and against
the Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI COMMUNITY IN HUNGARY HEARD NOTHING OF SAFAROV CASE

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.03.2006 19:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We heard nothing of Ramil Safarov and we hear about
this case for the first time,” stated Islan Vashari, a member of the
Azeri community in Hungary, who arrived in Baku to take part in the
Second World Azerbaijanis Congress. He regretted over the occurrence,
saying he will try to acquaint with trial on Safarov case upon return
to Budapest, APA reports.

February 19, 2004 lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Armenia Gurgen
Margaryan, sent to Budapest to take English courses within the NATO
Partnership for Peace Program, was brutally hacked by Azeri officer,
who took the same courses. Safarov is indicted in compliance with
article 116.2 of the Criminal Code of Hungary (murder, committed
with special cruelty, and attempt at lives of over one person), which
provides for punishment varying from imprisonment of 10-15 years to
life sentence.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANEWS RELEASE
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]

March 13, 2006

U.S. Government Donates Personal Protective Equipment to Support
Armenia’s Preparedness to combat Avian Influenza

On March 13, 2006, U.S. Ambassador John Evans met with Armenian
Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokyan to officially mark the donation of
1,500 set of personal protective equipment from the United States of
America to the government of Armenia. The equipment, which includes
coveralls, latex gloves, protective boots, goggles and masks,
is designed to be used by individuals involved in avian influenza
surveillance and response efforts. The bulk of the equipment, 1,125
complete sets, will be given to the Ministry of Agriculture to support
Armenia’s efforts to develop an active agricultural surveillance
program. The remainder of the equipment, 375 complete sets, will be
given to the Ministry of Health for use as needed by laboratory staff
and health care workers. This donation is part of an on-going effort
by the United States to assist the Armenian government in responding
to the threat of avian influenza.

The United States has also provided and continues to provide technical
and other types of assistance to support this effort.

Avian influenza is a global threat that does not respect
national boundaries. No country is immune, and every country has
a responsibility to be prepared. The United States government is
actively engaged with foreign partners around the world to combat
this threat. This donation is evidence of our commitment to assist
Armenia in responding to the threat of avian influenza.

More information on avian influenza as well as advice for American
citizens living in Armenia can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s website
at

rch/news031306.html

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE THIRD PAN-ARMENIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE IN ANTELIAS

The preparatory works for the third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference to be
held in Antelias on April 6-9 are underway, according to a press release by
the preparatory Committee.

In consultation with the presidency of the Union of Writers of Armenia, the
Committee has already sent invitations to all the writers in Armenia,
Nagorno Karabakh and the Diaspora. More than 90 writers from Armenia,
Nagorno Karabakh, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, France,
Germany, Greece, Switzerland, England, Australia, Georgia, the United States
and Canada have already accepted the invitations.

All writers can participate in the conference. Interested individuals can
contact the preparatory Committee for more information on the following
address:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax : (+961-4) 419 724

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

His Holiness Aram I received the chairman of the Muslim-Christian dialogue
committee, Mir Hares Shehab, on March 14. The two discussed the internal
situation of Lebanon particularly within the context of the ongoing
political dialogue in the parliament.

Hares Shehab passed some information on to His Holiness and expressed his
opinions on various issues. His Holiness welcomed all initiatives that aim
to establish close cooperation between Lebanon’s communities, strengthen the
country’s internal unity and its independence and sovereignty. His Holiness
expressed hope that the initiative and the resulting discussions on various
levels would soon yield to practical results.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

STATE DEPARTMENT ENDS THREE-MONTH OFFICIAL SILENCE
ON AZERBAIJAN’S DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC DJULFA CEMETERY

— Visiting U.S. Official Describes Desecration
of 1300 year old burial grounds as a “Tragedy;”
Calls on the Guilty to be Punished

WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of a sustained international outcry,
growing Congressional protests, and a forceful condemnation by the
European Parliament, the U.S. State Department yesterday ended its
three-month long silence on the Azerbaijani government’s
destruction of the medieval Armenian cemetery in the Djulfa region
of Nakhichevan.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Yerevan, Armenia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza responded to
reporters’ questions by describing the destruction as a “tragedy,”
and noting that, “it’s awful what happened in Djulfa. But the
United States cannot take steps to stop it as it is happening on
foreign soil. We continually raise this issue at meetings with
Azeri officials. We are hopeful that the guilty will justly be
punished. We are hopeful that in no other state of the region such
things will happen again, as there are great historic monuments in
the Caucasus and, frankly speaking, in all three states they are
endangered.”

“We welcome the end to the State Department’s long silence on
Djulfa, but regret that it took three months and sustained
international protest before our government summoned the will to
utter its first public condemnation of a clear cut and thoroughly
documented case of cultural desecration,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian.

In December of 2005, approximately 200 Azerbaijani forces were
videotaped using sledgehammers to demolish the Armenian cemetery in
Djulfa, a sacred site of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The
cemetery dates back to the 7th Century and once was home to as many
as 10,000 khatchkars (stone-crosses). An on-line video of the
destruction can be viewed at:
4.htm

The ANCA has widely distributed DVDs documenting the destruction,
educated Congressional offices about this desecration, and worked
in concert with ANCA affiliates around the world to protest
Azerbaijan’s worsening anti-Armenian behavior. The Congressional
Armenian Caucus, led by Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), has formally condemned Azerbaijan’s actions, as have
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
(D-CA). On February 16, 2006, the European Parliament adopted a
resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s destruction of the cemetery and
demanding that Azerbaijan allow an European Parliament delegation
to survey the site.

On February 28th, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura. During the meeting, the
Foreign Minister called attention to the destruction of the Djulfa
cemetery and urged UNESCO to send a team of experts to assess the
situation and take appropriate action.

#####

RUSSIA, U.S. DISCUSS “FROZEN” CONFLICTS, BILATERAL RELATIONS

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 7 2006

WASHINGTON, March 7 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s foreign minister and
the U.S. secretary of state put on a generally united front despite
recent differences Tuesday after talks on a variety of global issues,
including the “frozen” conflicts in the former Soviet Union.

Condoleezza Rice said that she and Sergei Lavrov had discussed a
number of important issues, including the Iranian nuclear crisis,
the Middle East and the conflicts in Nagorny-Karabakh, a region in
Azerbaijan with a predominantly Armenian population, and in the
self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia in Georgia. Both conflicts
erupted after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Rice said the United States was satisfied with relations with Russia,
although she expressed concern over what she termed were certain
negative developments in the country. Washington has often criticized
Moscow for allegedly “backsliding” on democracy and failing to observe
human rights.

Lavrov said the talks in the U.S. capital “were productive and
important for the future development of relations” between the two
countries, but added that Moscow was concerned about U.S. position
on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

“The U.S. is the only country that has not reached a WTO agreement with
Russia and has not abolished the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment,”
Lavrov said.

The Jackson-Vanik Amendment links U.S. trade benefits, known as Normal
Trade Relations (NTR), to the emigration and human rights policies
of communist or formerly communist countries.

The Russian minister said the solution of the issues that had been
discussed during the talks would largely influence the interaction
between Russia and its partners in the Group of Eight industrialized
nations.

St. Petersburg, Russia’s second city, will host the next G8 summit
in July.

“We have certain differences over the ways to pursue our goals,
but our final aims coincide, in my opinion,” Lavrov said referring
to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the fight
against international crime, drug-trafficking and terrorism, and the
development of global trade.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

KEVORK HOVNANIAN DONATES $1.5 MILLION TO THE FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF

Prominent philanthropist and businessman Kevork Hovnanian has donated $1.5
Million to the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), an organization he founded in
response to the devastating earthquake in December 1988. He has been
Chairman of the Board of Directors for the past 17 years.

In recognition of his dedication and devotion to the Armenian Homeland, and
his continuing generosity and vision in support of the FAR mission in
Armenia and Karabagh, the FAR Board of Directors unanimously elevated Mr.
Hovnanian to Honorary Chairman and Founder. The Directors elected a new
Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian.

Kevork Hovnanian is a generous benefactor to many noteworthy causes. His
most recent donation to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center will
create the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. Among his many charitable
gifts, he built the St. Stepanos Church in Elberon, NJ and gave a midtown
Manhattan townhouse to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to
the United Nations in 1992.

He is the recipient of numerous national and international accolades. His
Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory awarded Mr. Hovnanian with the Holy
See’s highest honor, the St. Gregory the Illuminator medal. In 2001,
Armenia’s President awarded the St. Mesrob Mashtots Medal to Mr. Hovnanian
in recognition of his outstanding services to Armenia and the Armenian
people.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church and President of the FAR Board, said “Our church and nation is
blessed with such a leader who represents the very best of human nature.
Kevork Hovnanian is a dedicated and compassionate Armenian. His latest
contribution is a material sign of his continued commitment to the
charitable mission of FAR and his strong support of the organization’s
financial well-being.”

— 03/09/06

E-mail photo available upon request.

PHOTO CAPTION: FAR’s Honorary Chairman and Founder Kevork Hovnanian with
Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian.

# # #