Author: Emil Lazarian

Special account opened
04.05.2006 17:19
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A special account (Acc. Number 900013017026) has been
opened at the Armenian Finance and Economy Ministry for transfers from
non-governemntal sources to aid the families of the victims killed in the
crash of the Armenian plane flying from Yerevan to Sochi on May 3.
Those willing to aid the families can transfer money to the mentioned
account.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
04-05-2006
Minister Oskanian Participated at International Conference in Vilnius
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian is concluding a two-day visit to Vilnius,
Lithuania, where he participated in the international conference entitled
“Common Vision for a Common Neighborhood.” The presidents of Lithuania and
Poland opened the conference. High level officials from two dozen European
countries were in attendance.
President Adamkus, on behalf of all participants, expressed condolences on
the tragic crash of the Armavia plane yesterday, over Sochi, and the
resulting loss of life.
In his statement, Minister Oskanian first expressed Armenia’s appreciation
for the generous expressions of sympathy, and proceeded to speak about
political processes in the post-soviet space.
Minister said, “Democracy is not a one-shot deal, it does not happen
overnight. We know that, and we believe that as long as you know that you
are on the right track and are confident that you are moving forward and not
backtracking, then the evolutionary and incremental approach to democracy is
more effective and enduring.”
He also reflected on the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process.
“With their oil resources and with high oil prices, Azerbaijan has
unfortunately come to believe, or at least they publicly proclaim, that
there is a military option available to them. With that kind of thinking, it
will not be easy to compromise. But they need to be told very clearly by the
EU and others, that there is no military option, so that they make the
necessary compromises, as Armenia has already done, to reach a peaceful
resolution,” Minister Oskanian said.
In the margins of the conference, Minister Oskanian met with Javier Solana,
High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy,
Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. They discussed the
European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan which is near completion. They also
spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the Minister updated the High
Representative on the status of the process.
Minister Oskanian also met with Karel de Gucht, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Belgium, and the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE. They explored
Armenia-OSCE relations, as well as the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The two
ministers discussed Armenia-Belgium bilateral issues, as well.
Finally, Minister Oskanian met with the Foreign Minister of Romania, Razvan
Ungureanu with whom he discussed bilateral issues and matters dealing with
the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership to be held in Bucharest in
early June.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE ODYSSEY OF GOLDBERG’S ‘THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’
AZG Armenian Daily
04/05/2006
“Public television’s attempt to illuminate a dark period of European
history is demonstrating that in the world of documentaries, few
topics are black and white. ‘The Armenian Genocide’ began airing this
week on dozens of PBS stations, including nine in the nation’s top
TV markets. Josh Belzman, cover producer on the MSNBC.com, writes on
April 23.
“We chose to air ‘The Armenian Genocide’ based on its merits and
because we felt it was balanced and presented both sides of the story,”
said Lucy Sholley, director of media relations of the WGBH station
in Boston. “We felt the documentary stood on its own.”
KCTS in Seattle aired the film and the panel discussion. Program
manager Eric Maki said in a statement that the station wanted to give
viewers as much information as possible to “make an informed decision”
and “better understand the world around them.”
On April 24 Goldberg screened his documentary at Hollywood’s Egyptian
Theatre before an audience estimated at 1,000. “I didn’t want
this story to not have a chance to be shown to the Armenians in Los
Angeles,” he said. “It’s a story that many of them had taken part in,
through their involvement or just being connected with it.”
Through tattered photos, letters and celebrity voiceovers, the
documentary created by New York-based filmmaker Andrew Goldberg
depicts a Turkish campaign of expulsion, rape, and murder that led
to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million ethnic Armenians between
1915 and 1920.
As they come of age, a growing number of Armenian Americans are
demanding the government recognize their ancestors’ deaths as genocide,
Josh Belzman writes.
Filmmakers and Grammy-nominated bands with Armenian roots, such
as System of a Down, have staged benefits calling attention to the
issue. The band and other activists are scheduled to meet with members
of Congress next week to again press their case.
“Is change near? Another look at history casts doubt: Nearly every
year federal legislation is introduced.
All of the measures have either died in the House or languished in
the Senate,” he concludes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SITUATION IS STILL TENSE IN AIRPORT “ZVARTNOTS”
A1+
[09:03 pm] 03 May, 2006
20 doctors have been working in the “Zvartnots” airport since 06:00
AM. They give medical assistance to about 100 relatives of the victims
of the air crash. Some of them were prohibited to fly to Sochi because
of health problems. “They realized they cannot get on the plane and
refused to fly themselves,” doctor Svetlana Hayrapetyan said.
The doctors are on duty in the whole territory of the airport. During
each Yerevan-Sochi flight today at least three doctors accompany
the passengers.
MORE RELATIVES ARE LEAVING FOR SOCHI
The story of every victims of the A-320 plane crash is a separate
tragedy. 28 of the 113 victims were foreign citizens. Anahit
Khachatryan had come to Ararat from Adler to participate in the funeral
of her mother. His husband accompanied her. After living with their
relatives for four months they decided to go back home where they
had left their sons.
They were to return to Adler on May 1, but the flight was
postponed. Anahit Khachatryan’s cousin who is going to Sochi to
recognize their bodies saw them off exactly 24 hours ago in the same
airport promising to visit them in the closest future.
A THIRD FLIGHT TO BE ORGANIZED
The wife of one of the aircrash victims, Albert Avetisyan, arrived
at the airport immediately after learning that she can leave
for Sochi. Her nephew was on board the plane together with her
husband. Of all the relatives only Albert Avetisyan’s wife failed
to get a ticket. “They tell me they have no more tickets and no more
places on board”, she said, with tears welled in her eyes.
By the way, having a ticket was not a guarantee to leave for
Sochi. “Armavia” did everything not to refuse the relatives of the
victims but it was clear that the places were not enough. “Armavia”
will have to organize a third flight which will probably take place
late in the evening.

LITHUANIA’S ADAMKUS: ‘DEMOCRATICC CONSOLIDATION’ IN EAST EUROPE ‘GREATEST ISSUE’
Vilnius ELTA WWW-Text
03 May 2006
[“Adamkus: Europe Far From Being Finished Business” – ELTA headline]
Vilnius, May 3 (ELTA) – When opening the Forum of Non-Governmental
Organizations at the “Vilnius Conference ’06: Common Vision for the
Common Neighbourhood” on Wednesday [ 3 May], President Valdas Adamkus
highlighted the development of freedom and democracy in eastern Europe
and talked about how to apply the knowledge of successful transitions
in the past to make the processes inspired by the Rose and Orange
revolutions irreversible.
“Let me begin by saying that Europe is far from being ‘finished
business’. In fact, the fate of democratic consolidation in the
eastern part of Europe today is, in my opinion, the greatest issue
in Euro-Atlantic politics,” Adamkus said during his address.
The situation today, noted the president, differs from what we had
to deal with before, because we are faced with a combination of
factors: strong remnants of the post-communist past, national and
regional identity problems, and, at its worst, “frozen conflicts”
that in some cases have instilled fear and economic stagnation for
more than a decade.
“It is also challenging, because the speed and depth of democratic
transitions that we witness is astonishing. It is also demanding
because democratic consolidation in the eastern part of Europe is
related to a number of significant external factors. By this I mean
the rapidly evolving neighbourhood policy of the European Union. By
this I also have in mind the actions of other important stakeholders
such as neighbouring Russia and the trans-Atlantic community, first of
all the United States. And when sometimes these external influences
go in the opposite directions, we suddenly end up playing the game
of competition, and not that of cooperation,” the head of Lithuania
said at the forum.
In the judgment of the president, before crafting a common approach it
is also wise to ask whether all current Euro-Atlantic structures are
fit enough to develop a strategic vision of Europe, whole and free,
in the century of globalization.
“I personally believe that a common vision for the common neighbourhood
cannot be solved in isolation by a single actor, whether that would
be the EU, the USA., NATO, or Russia. A vision that will commit us
to a Europe bound by common values and linked by economic integration
will require common action from all responsible stakeholders.”
The NGO Forum “Europe’s New Democracies and the Euro-Atlantic Agenda”
is being attended by representatives of non-governmental organizations
from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Georgia,
the USA., Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands,
Norway, France, Russia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, Hungary,
and Germany.
The Forum of Non-governmental Organizations is considering how
to respond to the most critical challenge of today’s Europe: what
measures should be taken to irrevocably consolidate the democratic
transformations in Eastern Europe and the southern Caucasus region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“ARMENTEL” WILL SERVE FREE OF CHARGE
A1+
[05:10 pm] 03 May, 2006
“ArmenTel” condoles with the relatives of the victims of the air crash
of the plane flying from Yerevan to Sochi and informs that on May 3
and 4 the calls from Armenia to Sochi by the fixed hot lines will be
free of charge. The telephone numbers of the hot lines in Sochi are:
00-7-86-22-44-00-88
00-7-86-22-44-12-32
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NGOS IN VILNIUS FORUM SAY EU NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS
Vilnius BNS WWW-Text
03 May 2006
[“EU Neighbourhood Policy Fell Short Of Expectations – Ngos In Vilnius”
– BNS headline]
VILNIUS, May 03, (BNS) – The enlargements of the EU and NATO have
made Europe more secure than ever before, however, the European
neighbourhood policy fell short of expectations because human rights,
freedom and democracy are yet to come to Belarus and Russia, while
“frozen” conflicts are still smoking in Moldova, Georgia, Nagorno
Karabakh and Chechnya, reads a resolution adopted at an international
forum of non-governmental organizations in Vilnius.
According to the conclusions passed at the forum held in the framework
of the conference Common Vision for Common Neighbourhood, the EU’s
Neighbourhood Policy “has not lived up to expectations for a truly
common foreign policy effort.” “The policy’s focus on the new Eastern
European democracies should be reinforced. Anchoring these countries
to the Euro-Atlantic community is a strategic imperative for Europe’s
long term security,” reads the document.
“The EU needs a bolder, more consistent and coherent foreign and
security policy towards the Europe’s East before it is “too little,
too late.” The EU has to develop an active policy for promotion of
democracy as well as adequate instruments to support in a direct
and flexible manner democratic entities and civil societies in the
Eastern Europe,” the conclusions suggest.
According to the resolution, “Europe’s re-unification project cannot
be finished without the new Eastern European democracies. The
Euro-Atlantic community needs a common vision and a concerted,
imaginative effort, encompassing political, economic, social, and,
when necessary, military measures.” “Europe’s power of attraction
may not be sufficient to offset Russia’s power of compulsion,” read
the conclusions.
Participants of the forum said that the EU and NATO should not shy
away from raising difficult questions to Russia about its ambiguous
role in the “frozen conflicts” and support to regimes that hold
rigged elections. The official Russian support to Belarusian hard-line
President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime especially compromises Russia’s
democratic credentials, they said.
“The people of Belarus should not suffer because of a criminal
regime. The EU and NATO should continue a consistent policy line of
isolating and pressuring Lukashenko’s regime, while reinvigorating
efforts to help the fledgling civil society of Belarus, which has made
its voice heard during the recent fraudulent presidential elections
in Belarus. As anti-democratic forces have proven in Serbia and
Montenegro, Georgia, and Ukraine, tanks and guns cannot overwhelm
the spirit of freedom,” they noted in the conclusions.
The document passed by the NGOs also speaks about the “double
challenge” that the countries of the Community of Democratic Choice –
first and foremost Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova – face: they must
carry out rapid, painful and all-encompassing domestic reforms; and at
the same time prove their democratic, European credentials. According
to the resolution, the Eastern European countries must understand
that integration is a two way street – whatever the political
and strategic considerations, both the EU and NATO will condition
membership perspective upon an aspirant’s ability to meet the strict
membership criteria.
Forum participants also agreed that the improvement of energy security
should be one of Europe’s political and economic priorities.
“Russia’s use of energy supplies as a geopolitical tool causes
a particular concern, prompting to the need for the EU to
launch a common energy strategy in the face of a common security
challenge. (…) Europe should also seek to further diversification
of the sources of supply both according to geographic origin and
resource base and devise vigorous programmes for the development of
alternative sources of energy,” read the conclusions.
The document also reminds that the Russian Kaliningrad region must
be kept on European neighbourhood agenda because Russia has not yet
delivered on its promises to turn this region into a pilot project
in EU-Russia relations. The EU and its member states should continue
pursuing active relations with the region to ease its international
isolation, imposed by Russia. Otherwise, the EU may face numerous soft
security challenges stemming from Kaliningrad due to worsening social,
economic and crime situation and degrading health and environment
standards.
The forum of non-governmental organizations is attended by NGO
representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the Czech Republic,
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden,
Ukraine and the United States.
A conference of state leaders will take place in Vilnius on Thursday
and will be attended by presidents of Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria,
Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, US vice-president,
EU’s high commissioner for common foreign and security policy, and
officials of EU and Eastern European countries.
Vilnius Conference 2006: Common Vision for Common Neighbourhood is held
by Lithuanian and Polish presidents, Valdas Adamkus and Lech Kaczynski.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH SPEAKER VIEWS REFORMS, ARMENIAN ISSUE AT TURKEY-EU MEETING
Anatolia news agency
3 May 06
Ankara, 3 May: “Turkey is ready to cooperate to reveal the 1915
incidents. We want historians to objectively research this tragedy
which Anatolian people lived together (during World War I) without
prejudice,” said Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc.
Inaugurating the 56th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission (JPC) at Turkish parliament on Wednesday [3 May], Arinc
said: “A new period has started with 3 October 2005, the date Turkey-EU
accession talks started. With its decision (to open talks), the EU
gave a positive message to the whole world that Europe is based on
common values and norms. Turkey-EU JPC had great contributions to
current level on Turkey-EU relations.”
“Turkey has been in an impressive transformation process in recent
years. We have extended the individual rights and freedoms of
our citizens. Reforms in economy area have brought stability and
prosperity. Turkey is now among the most attractive countries for
foreign investors,” he noted.
Arinc said: “Turkish parliament is determined to pursue this reform
process. We will exert efforts to complete new legal arrangements
within the scope of 9th Adjustment Package before summer.”
Regarding globalization, Arinc said: “Globalization has brought various
tests to the EU. Terrorism, human trafficking and organized crimes are
threatening us all. Such global problems can only be solved through
cooperation and solidarity.”
“We should reconstruct our economies in order to deal with
international competition on one hand, and make fundamental rights
and freedoms prevalent on the other. This is the deal target of the
EU’s enlargement process. The EU has strengthened its influence in
the surrounding geography, and protected its peace, security and
prosperity as a result of the enlargement process,” he said.
Stressing that the EU would have to make a comprehensive definition of
itself, Arinc said: “This definition will include a transformation from
a social and economic organization into a global force. We consider
the EU membership a strategic target. It will be a part of a great
reform movement bringing forth universal standards and practice in
every aspect of daily life in Turkey.”
Referring to the so-called Armenian genocide, Arinc said: “Turkey
has been accused of committing genocide against Armenians during the
World War I for a long time. Historians could not come to a conclusion
yet. While Armenian circles describe these saddening events of 1915 as
‘genocide’, a number of distinguished Turkish and foreign historian
say that the Ottoman Empire decided in 1915 to relocate Armenian
people due to security reasons, and that it could not be described as
‘genocide’. Countless documents in our archives also proved it. Turkey
is ready to cooperate with the relevant sides to enlighten the 1915
events which Anatolian people had to suffer altogether during the
World War I. We want historians to carry out an unbiased research
without any prejudice on this tragedy. Last year, we proposed that
Turkish and Armenian historians should come together to carry out
a detailed, unbiased research both in Turkish and Armenian archives
and share all their findings with the world public opinion.”
“However, some friendly countries, especially France, which says
disputed events in its own past should be left to historians for
evaluation, but cannot endure even the debates on 1915 events,
contradict themselves. Their efforts to make legal arrangements which
accept even questioning the baseless Armenian claims as a crime are
nothing, but serious mistakes that will seriously disappoint Turkey.”
“We expect all our friendly countries to support our historical
proposal instead of making parliamentary decisions for domestic
reasons on these claims as if they are indisputable historical facts,”
Arinc added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA CONDOLED ON A-320 CRASH
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2006 21:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “I join condolences presented by Ukrainian President
Victor Yuschenko to the Armenian people over the tragedy over the
Black Sea,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Armenia Alexander Bozhko said. In
his words, a20-year-old Ukrainian citizen was on board the liner.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A SECTION OF THE RAILWAY WAS DAMAGED
A1+
[12:30 pm] 04 May, 2006
A section of the Arjut – Spitak railway was damaged alongside with the
adjacent sowing areas because of the overflow of the river Pambak. It
resulted in the violation of the Yerevan – Tbilisi passenger service
traffic. According to the head of the Gyumri station Vahan Gasparyan
the results of the accident have been already eliminated and the
railway works normally according to its schedule.
By the way, the corresponding specialists claim that the technical
state of the RA railways satisfactory.
Most of the railways were reconstructed within the years 2004 –
2005. And accidents are mainly determined by overflowing. As for the
technical state of carriages, according to the Gyumri station they
require great sums to buy new carriages, that is why it is preferable
for them to realize systematic constructions.
The cargo transportation has multiplied in comparison with the data
they had at the beginning of the year.
Most transportation is done from Ukraine, RF and other
countries. Mainly fuel, construction material and food are imported
to Armenia.
TV Company “Tsayg” of Gyumri