Author: Emil Lazarian

PRESSURE ON TURKEY CONCERNING ARMENIAN ISSUE INTENSIFIED: EXPERT
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. Pressure on Turkey concerning the Armenian
issue intensified, mainly by Europe, Head of the Department on Turkey,
the Institute of History of the Armenian National Academy, doctor of
historic sciences Ruben Safrastyan stated today during a round table
on the genocide issues and the Armenian-Turkish relations.
“The Europarliament’s resolution of 1987 ‘On Political Resolution to
Armenian Issue’ means that Europe admits existence of the Armenian
issue and proposes its solutions. The integrated Europe considers
recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey to be the most important
precondition to it,” Safrastyan said.
On the other hand, according to him, the genocide issues and
Armenian-Turkish relations are not included in the list of the 150
issues, which will be discussed in connection with Turkey’s admission
to the EU.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN-LITHUANIAN TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION STILL ON LOW LEVEL
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. The Armenian-Lithuanian trade and economic
cooperation is still on a low level and does not open up the two
parties’ potentials, despite the fact that some goods turnover growth
was recorded in 2005 compared to 2004.
The Public Relations Department and Press Service of the RA Government
reported that Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan expressed such an
opinion during his meeting with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
In this context, Margaryan expressed confidence that organization
of a business-forum in the frameworks of the Lithuanian President’s
visit to Armenia will serve as an additional incentive for a further
extension of trade and economic relations between the two countries The
parties also pointed out the importance of signing of the agreement
“On Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments”, and also
amendments to the agreement “On Trade and Economic Cooperation
between Governments of Armenian and Lithuania” Margaryan and Adamkus
emphasized the importance of business conferences, frequent mutual
visits, periodic exchange of business information and organization
of exhibitions for encouragement of trade and economic relations.
“Extension is necessary in the cooperation between chambers of commerce
and industry, manufacturers and enterprise unions, strengthening of
interaction in the field of small- and medium-scale enterprises’
development, and also fields of science, technologies, innovation
policy, agriculture, transport and tourism,” they said.
In their turn, the two countries’ vice-ministers of agriculture and
transport presented possibilities of cooperation in these fields.
Adamkus stressed the necessity in improving transport networks,
including putting the Abkhazian railway into operation. Margaryan
responded that Armenian repeatedly expressed readiness to participate
in practical works in this field.
They also touched upon cooperation in the sphere of energy,
particularly the energy security issues.
Margaryan also told the Lithuanian president about the current
situation with Armenia’s relations with the region’s countries in
the frameworks of the regional cooperation.
The delegation led by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus is currently
in Armenia by invitation of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan until
25-26 April.

UNION OF ARMENIAN YOUTH OF POLAND ORGANIZES “PROCESSION OF SILENCE” IN FRONT OF TURKISH EMBASSY IN WARSAW
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. Union of Armenian Youth of Poland
organized “procession of silence” in front of the Turkish Embassy
in Warsaw. According to the Press and Information Department of the
RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was held on April 23, in
memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.
On the same day in Warsaw was held a memory evening organized by Polish
Union of Friends of Armenian Culture, “Poland-Armenia” community and
Union of Armenian Youth in Poland.
In the evening in St. Khach (St. Cross) Warsaw Church a liturgy was
chanted in memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HISTORIC 6-0 WIN FOR ARMENIA VS IRELAND IN DIV III
European Hockey.Net News, UK
April 26 2006
First ever win for lowest seeded IIHF member country.
Armenian ice hockey history was written as Armenia’s national team
won its first game ever as it defeated Ireland 6-0 in the 2006 IIHF
World Championship, Division III in Reykjavik, Iceland.
John Ghazanchyan was the hero with two goals and three assists while
Gevork Kandakharyan had one goal and three assists. Goaltender Lavik
Ghazaryan was credited with the shutout, also a historic first.
Armenia, who going into the championship was ranked 45th out
45 nations in the IIHF World Ranking, debuted in the IIHF World
Championship program in 2004. The historic win came in Armenia’s
10th world championship game. It is a remarkable result given the
fact that Armenia lost to Ireland 23-1 only a year ago and 15-1 in
the Division III championship two years ago.
Link:
s/story.html?id=20060426204516historic60winforarme niavsirelandindiviii
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VALDAS ADAMKUS: ANY NATION HAS RIGHT TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT, TO PRESERVE ITS ORIGINALITY IN ITS TERRITORY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 26 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Any nation, state,
human being has the right to be free, independent, to preserve its
originality in its territory. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
declared this on April 26, answering the question about Lithuania’s
position in connection with the Nagorno Karabakh problem at the
meeting with lecturers and students of Yerevan State University. “In
my opinion, what belongs to you should remain your possession, there
should be no argument in connection with this, but all this should be
formed through a dialogue,” he emphasized. The Lithuanian President
called on to start speaking with one another as only in this way
there can be a mutual understanding based on right solutions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

7th COMPETITION OF YOUNG PIANISTS AFTER ARNO BABAJANIAN TO START IN YEREVAN ON APRIL 26
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 26 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 7th competition
of young pianists after the distinguished Armenian composer and pianist
Arno Babajanian will be held in Yerevan on April 26 – May 20. NT
correspondent was informed from the press service of the RA Ministry
of Culture and Youth Issues that the purpose of this competition held
every three years since 1986 is to discover young talented pupils of
musical schools, improve their performance art, encourage teachers’s
work and promote the works of the Armenian composers. According to
the same source, pupils of the piano departments of various musical,
art and other schools of Armenia, Javakhk and Artsakh will take part
in the competition. There are two age groups: junior (children under
12) and seniour (those under 15). The young pianists to win first,
second and third places will be given diplomas and money awards, while
those who have not taken a prize-winning place – encouragement letters
of acknowledgement and souvenirs Besides these three awards, the jury
has established three special awards – for the best performance of an
Arno Babajanian’s musical composition, for the best young participant
and for the best performance of an Armenian composer’s work. The
main requirement of this competition is that each participant has to
perform one of Arno Babajanian’s works.

MEMORY EVENTS DEDICATED TO 91st ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TAKE PLACE IN KIEV AND ODESSA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 26 2006
KIEV, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A joint event dedicated
to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, organized by the RA
Embassy to Ukraine, the Armenian community of Kiev and the Ukrainian
diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church took place on April 24 in
the yard of the Pokrovskaya church of Kiev, at the memorial stone
proving former existence of the Armenian church of the 15th century
there. Armen Khachatrian, the RA Ambassador to Ukraine, Roman Balayan,
a famous film director living in Kiev, representatives of the Armenian
community of Kiev made speeches condemning the Genocide. A memory
liturgy was celebrated by priest Hovhannes, the clergyman of the
Ukrainian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. As Noyan Tapan
was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, a memory event dedicated to the 91st anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide was held in Odessa as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ISSUE OF INTRODUCING INSTITUTION OF BANK OMBUDSMAN IN ARMENIA TO BE DISCUSSED IN MAY
Noyan Tapan
Apr 26 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of Armenian Banks (UAB)
will discuss in May the expediency of introduction of the institution
of bank ombudsman in the country. NT correspondent was informed at
the UAB that in accordance with the developed regulations, the bank
ombudsman shall mainly protect the interests of bank customers and
in case of necessity propose the appropriate punitive measures that
the bank should apply against unscrupulous employees. The ombudsman
will also examine complaints about a bank filed by another bank.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA MARKS 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. 91st anniversary of Armenian Genocide has
been marked in Moscow and in Russians regions populated by Armenians,
Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reports. Armenian Apostolic
Church New-Nakhichevan and Russian dioceses leader Bishop Yezras
Nersisyan served a liturgy in Armenian Church of St. Resurrection in
Moscow to remember and honor 1.5mln killed in the genocide.
Then a mourning rally was held in the church’s yard. Armenian Embassy
staff and representatives of Armenian NGOs in Russia attended the
event.
A protest action was staged outside Turkish Embassy in Moscow.
Members of Union of Russian Armenians, Russian-Armenian Cooperation
organization, Armenian Community Organization of Moscow and Ararat
cultural association took part in the rally.
Documents related to Armenian Genocide were shown and Four Years
under Half Moon book written by Raphael de Nogales, these horrible
events witness and Turkish army mercenary, was presented in Ararat
Park Hayat hotel.
Concert of Arax Belgian musical band took place in Hermitage Moscow
Garden.
Besides, Federal Russian TV Channel showed Atom Yeghoyan film “Ararat”
on February 23.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EVENTS DEDICATED TO 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HELD IN THREE ARMENIAN DIOCESES OF IRAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 26 2006
TEHRAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Hay Dat (Armenian
cause) Committees of three Armenian dioceses of Iran worked out
all-embracing programs of spiristic events dedicated to the 91st
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, on
late April 23 the divine liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Sepuh
Sargsian, the primate of the Tehran Armenian Diocese at the Surb
Sargis church of Tehran. Then RA Ambassador to Iran Karen Nazarian,
representatives of Iranian Armenian unions and organizations as well
as citizens of Armenia being in Iran laid wreaths to the Armenian
Genocide martyrs’ monument placed in the yard of the church. After the
April 24 morning church ceremony, about 20 thousand Iranian Armenians,
after a mass meeting taken place in the yard of the church, started
an organized march in the central streets of Tehran with calls and
slogans condemning the Genocide. A spiritism evening dedicated to the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place in the evening
in the big hall of the “Ararat” sports and cultural complex. Haykazun
Alvrtsian, a professor of the Armenology Department of the Yerevan
State University, a candidate of philological sciences made a speech
at the event. The RA Ambassador to Iran and the primate of the
Armenian diocese of Iran also made speeches during the event. The
mass media of Iran touched upon the Armenian Genocide. An interview
with Ambassador K.Nazarian was published in the April 24 issue of the
“Iran News” daily. Numerous events, artistic-theatrical performances,
spiritual concerts, speeches, photo exhibitions and other events are
held in other cities of Iran populated by Armenians as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress