Author: Emil Lazarian

CPTV SHOWS GENOCIDE DOCUMENTARY
Hartford Courant,
April 17 2006
The Turkish government still denies the overwhelming evidence of the
first genocide of the 20th century: more than 1 million Armenians
killed by Ottoman Turks during World War I.
A new documentary, “The Armenian Genocide” (CPTV, 10 p.m.), lays
out the record in a way that should allay any doubts. But a planned
panel discussion that was to have accompanied the film was scotched,
in part because it was to include a denier.
[parts omitted]

PALESTINIAN CONFERENCE CONCLUDES ITS WORK IN TEHRAN
IRNA website
16 Apr 06
Tehran, 16 April: The Third International Conference on Qods and
Support for the Rights of Palestinian People concluded its work here
on Sunday [16 April].
The final declaration of the conference was read by MP from Tehran and
head of the committee in charge of codification of the declaration,
Hoseyn Sheykholeslam.
The conference kicked off here Friday evening with a keynote speech
by the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed
Ali Khamene’i.
President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, Majlis Speaker Gholamali Haddad-Adel,
judiciary chief Mahmud Hashemi-Shahrudi as well as domestic and foreign
political and cultural figures participated in the opening ceremony
of the conference, organized upon the initiative of the supreme leader.
The conference was attended by 600 foreign officials including 20
parliament speakers from Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Sudan, Indonesia,
Uganda, Cameroon, Congo, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leon, Cuba, Comoros,
Madagascar, Malaysia, Qatar, Mauritania, Mauritius, the Seychelles,
Sri Lanka and Guinea.
Eleven parliament vice-Speakers from Libya, Palestine, Jordan,
Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Tunisia, the Philippines, Gambia, Togo and
Senegal were also present in the conference.
Representatives from parliaments of South Africa, Kuwait, Russia,
Mexico, Kenya, Somalia, Benin, Mali, Bosnia, Armenia and Albania were
among other participants in the conference.
Political figures, personalities, intellectuals discussed Palestine
issues from different points of view as the most basic issue of the
Islamic world.
Over 200 foreign reporters residing in Tehran along with 50 foreign
and 200 domestic reporters covered the conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAGORNO KARABAKH IS NOT A TRANSIT ROUTE OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
17 April 2006
Recently NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan and NKR Police Chief
Armen Isagulov sent a letter to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Anne Petersson, the head of the Bureau of International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Affairs. ” Highly appreciating and commending the
contribution of the United States to the establishment of democratic
values in international relations, as well as the consistent efforts
of the American co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group for the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, we would like to draw your
attention to an issue, which is of utter importance for Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. Unlike the previous years when the elucidation
of the Karabakh government helped to reach a mutual understanding,
in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2006 Nagorno
Karabakh and the territories it controls were defined as transit
route of drug trafficking. Being convinced that these invented data
were extended by Azerbaijan, which has adopted falsification and
slander against the Armenian party to the level of state policy, we
disagree with the inaccurate information used in such a authoritative
report, especially that the government of Karabakh have applied to
relevant international organizations for a number of times to send
an independent monitoring group to Nagorno Karabakh to monitor the
situation on the spot. Obviously, by such false accusations Azerbaijan
want to have the international community admit Nagorno Karabakh as an
outlawed and uncontrollable territory. Thereby we assume responsibility
to assure you that Nagorno Karabakh is not a transit route for drug
trafficking not only because of a lack of a developed transport system
but also primarily due to the effective preventive activity of the law
enforcement agencies of NKR.” The letter contains facts proving the
abovementioned arguments. “First of all, we consider it necessary to
remind that since May 1994 the government of NKR has guaranteed the
ceasefire without any peacemaking forces, completely controlling the
front line between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan
and the border area. The letter of the NKR Foreign Minister and Chief
of the Police states that the Office of the Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office will also deny criminal facts or actions,
which regularly and fully monitors the front line, hence exercising
international control over the conflict area of NKR. It is mentioned
in the letter that in late February and late March 2005 the OSCE
fact-finding mission, including over 30 diplomats and experts from
different countries, visited Karabakh with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs. “The OSCE fact-finding mission prepared a significant
report, based on a meticulous monitoring of the areas controlled
by NKR, which contains no such negative facts. With regard to this
we emphasize the commitment of the government of Nagorno Karabakh
Republic to promoting democratic values and a peace settlement
of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, pursuing the international
recognition of NKR and fulfilling their function of government and
guaranteeing the security of their citizens for about 20 years,”
states the letter of NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan and
Police Chief Armen Isagulov. A copy of the letter was sent to the
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair
Stephen Mann, Director of the White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy (ONDCP) John Walters.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AVETIK ISAHAKYAN’S MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED IN BEIRUT
ArmRadio.am
17.04.2006 16:22
April 6-9 the second all-Armenian forum of writers, featuring 51
authors from Armenia, was held in Beirut.
According to the President of the Union of Writers of Armenia Levon
Ananyan, one of the important outcomes of the forum is that Avetik
Isahakyan’s monument will be erected in the center of Beirut in the
nearest future. A youth literary fund will be founded to publish
textbooks for Diaspora- Armenian educational establishments.
The whole revenue for the exhibition-sale held in the framework of
the forum will go to the all-Armenian literary fund.
At the end of the forum Aram A Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilikia awarded Levon Ananyan with a “Saint Mesrop Mashtots” order.

RUBEN SAFRASTIAN: TURKEY WANTS TO REVIVE ITS OBSESSION TO MEDIATE IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
“In my opinion, Turkey is trying to receive dividends from the fact
that the U.S. is interested in it in connection with the possible
military operations against Iran,” Ruben Safrastian, head of the
National Academy of Sciences’ Department of Turkey said in his
interview with Noyan Tapan.
He said Turkey is trying to derive benefit from the formed situation
and is carrying out bargaining, which in many respects is aimed at
satisfaction of its interests. In particular, Turkey is trying to
revive its obsession to mediate in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement despite the opposition from Armenia. Ruben Safrastian
reminded that in 2001 former Turkish Foreign Minister Ismayil Jem
offered Turkey’s mediation in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
“Today Turkey, making use of the interest of the U.S. in itself in
connection with the Iranian crisis, is trying to press upon Armenia
with the support of the U.S. and to squeeze itself into the process
of settlement,” Safrastian said. According to Ruben Safrastian,
in Turkey they consider that one of the main ways of strengthening
its influence in the South Caucasus is the mediation services in the
Nagorno Karabakh issue.
In this context Turkey is also interested in including its military
contingent in the peacekeeping forces in the zone of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. The scientist said that in the respect of increasing
its influence in the South Caucasus Turkey has made progress only in
Georgia that expresses willingness to join NATO. However, the Turks
have no progress either in Armenia or in Azerbaijan.
As for the latter, the expert reminded: “To all appearances, the
Turks have lost interest in Azerbaijan as they have no chances to
strengthen their influence in Azerbaijan, in any case, under Ilham
Aliyev. Of course, there is the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, there is
Turkish capital in Azerbaijan, military and political cooperation,
but the influence of the U.S., Russia and Iran becomes more and more
strong in Azerbaijan”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JAVAKHK BEFORE THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006
Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Nikol Aghbalian Student Union
has published the first book of the Student Series. The book contains
the reports of the conference titled “Javakhk Before the Challenges
of the 21st Century,” and depict the complex developments unfolding
in Samtskhe-Javakhk.
The topics and suggestions made in the book by its authors are quite
beneficial for the normal relations between Armenia and Georgia and
aimed at resolving the problems in civilized manner.
The book contains Haykazun Alvrtsian’s “The Measures of the Republic
of Armenia in Preservation and Development of Armenians in Javakhk,”
Khacahtur Stepanian’s “Autonomy of Javakhk as Precondition of its
development,” Vahe Sargisan’s “Armenian Youth and Issues of Javakhk,”
and other articles.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YES TO ABKHAZIAN, HOW ABOUT ARMENIAN
Lragir.am
17 April 06
Akhalkalaki, April 14, A-Info. According to the news agency RIA Novosty
information released on April 14 Georgian speaker Nino Burdjanadzeh
stated that everyone in Georgia must learn the Abkhazian language,
at least the elementary level. The speaker of the parliament said
this necessuty is motivated by the constitutional status of Abkhazian,
which requires honoring this language.
Khachatur Stepanyan, the representative of the Council of Armenian
NGOs of Samtskhe-Javakheti, in response to Nino Burdjanadzeh’s
statement, raised the question of the official status of Armenian
in the south of Georgia (Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka), populated
with Armenians. According to Khachatur Stepanyan, if the country’s
government considers making the language of a de-facto independent area
with a population of 60 thousand official in this area and teaching
it at schools, it would be immoral to refuse an official status for
200 thousand law-abiding citizens (the Armenians of South Georgia).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Budapest Court Has Sentenced Ramil Safarov

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15.04.2006
Final process concerning Azerbaijani Officer, Ramil Safarov, was held
on April 13, 2006 in Budapest City Court.
First, long-awaited verdict of the Court was delivered. Judge, Andras
Vashkuti, on behalf of Hungarian Republic, announced that Ramil
Safarov is sentenced to life in prison for killing an Armenian
officer, Gurgen Margaryan, with a 30-year minimum before parole
hearing.
After delivering the verdict, judge, A. Vashkuti, informed about the
details of the crime and results of investigation. To comprehend the
fact of the crime, judge informed about Armenian-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He underlined that the above conflict
caused numerous victims, and that Armenian military forces control the
territory of the Upper Karabakh. Accused, R.
Safarov, accordingly to judge, not partaking in military operations,
witnessed many killings and suffering of his compatriots. And these
facts inspired him to choose military profession.
However, despite these facts, the judge did not take into account
post-traumatic shock of the accused officer believing that R. Safarov
got the weapon earlier and was ready to commit a crime, and having
done it he voluntary gave himself up to representatives of law
enforcement authority.
After announcement of court decision, Public Prosecutor expressed her
consent with decision. The accused, said he did not agree with the
decision demanding appeal. R. Safarov’s lawyer, Gyorgy Magyar also
expressed his discontent and demanded appeal. Lawyer did not agree
with the final verdict of the judge as well as definition of the crime
as assassination committed deliberately and cruelly, in this
connection he said that appeal would be lodged immediately.
The judge announced that the court of appellate jurisdiction would
consider the case and R. Safarov would stay in the same detention
place until completion of court process.
Court meeting was over. Representatives of the Embassy of the Republic
of Azerbaijan to Hungary, our diaspora members, Azerbaijani students,
representatives of Hungarian, Azerbaijani, Turkish, Armenian etc. mass
media attended court meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Kocharian: Armenian Police Fulfills Its Mission with Honor

15.04.2006 19:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Police fulfills its mission of fighting
crime, protecting public order, human rights and citizen’s property
with honor, Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in the course
of the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Police of Armenia
today. «The Police should timely and neatly respond to all
incidents. Enhancing the professional level of policemen is important
in everyday work. Under the conditions of new challenges it is
necessary to cooperation more closely with international structures
for fighting money-laundering, drug trafficking and terrorism,» the
state leader said.
Mr. Kocharian also emphasized the need for more efficient struggle
against violations of public order and rules of the road. «During the
national liberation war in Artsakh the Police of Armenia fulfilled its
mission with honor on battlefields to guard state frontiers. Everyone
should be guided by the principle that the role of the police is very
important in a strong and developed state,» the Armenian President
said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Baku Suggests Launching Nation-Wide Information Campaign
15.04.2006 20:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia takes place
not only at the contact line of fire, but also in the information
space. From time to time and sometimes regularly both countries commit
diversion and implement campaigns to provoke the adversary and convey
their truth on the developments to the international community. There
is a huge number of examples of Azerbaijan’s defeat in information war
against Armenia, writes the Zerkalo, a Baku-based newspaper.
Another matter is who is guilty of it, the newspaper asks.
«Undoubtedly, the state structures of Azerbaijan are guilty first of
all, e.g. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee on
Affairs of Azerbaijanis Abroad. The Ministry and the Committee should
think over campaigns and work out their implementation.
«What do our Embassies do to disseminate the truth on the
Armenian-Azeri relations throughout the world? Judging from the
scarce information, received by Azerbaijan, our Embassies «do not
suffer» special activity. The same is true of the Diaspora,» the
Zerkalo writes.
The article authors see a solution as follows, «All state structures,
NGOs, political parties, citizens and all others, who care for the
image of our country, should start a nation-wide campaign
conditionally called Azerbaijan Starts Winning.» As initial actions
the newspaper recommends providing all international structures with
lists of cultural and historic values, which remained in the
«occupied» territories and attain monitoring of their state. At that
the newspaper underscores it is not «infected» with the idea that all
agitation of history and culture of Azerbaijan should be of
anti-Armenian nature.