Author: Emil Lazarian

PACE RESOLUTION ON NAGORNY KARABAKH REFLECTS PROCESSES INSIDE OSCE
MINSK GROUP: ARMENIAN OPPOSITION MP
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1. ARMINFO. The PACE resolution on Nagorny Karabakh
is an unprecedented document in terms of Armenia’s having been
recognized as a direct party to the Karabakh conflict and an occupant,
says Shavarsh Kocharyan, Armenian delegate to PACE from the Justice
opposition bloc.
No international document except for the resolutions by the
Organization of the Islamic Conference has ever recognized Armenia as
a direct party to the Karabakh conflict. The appointment of a new PACE
rapporteur on Nagorny Karabakh will not change the situation. The new
rapporteur will follow the logic of the PACE resolution.
Shavarsh Kocharyan calls a lie the statements that the resolution will
not affect the OSCE MG peace process. On the contrary the resolution
reflects the processes inside the MG and this unfavorable atmosphere
is the result of Armenia’s ineffective foreign policy.
Shavarsh Kocharyan says that during the resolution discussion the
initiatives of the Azeri delegates were strongly supported by their
Turkish colleagues while the Armenian delegation could hardly expect
the same from any other foreign counterparts. Even Armenia’s
strategical partner Russia was not supportive. For example at PACE
the Russian delegates were first neutral but when it turned out that
the proposals of Armenian MPs were passing some of them began voting
in favor of Azerbaijan.
If Armenia wants European support it should effect democratic
reforms. No coincidence that before 1995 when Armenia held free and
democratic elections the international community sympathized with i
but the situation changed after the electoral fraud of 1996. Of course
Azerbaijan is not a democratic state either but in Azerbaijan there is
oil, says Shavarsh Kocharyan adding that Pres.Aliev is much liked in
the world and the international community is ready to support him
everywhere even in the Karabakh issue just to reinforce his positions
in Azerbaijan and to launch democratic reforms there.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA: BUILD A SOLID AND LASTING PEACE
VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 2005 (Vatican Information Service) – This
morning John Paul II received the president of the Republic of
Armenia, Robert Kocharian, recalling other meetings they had held, in
the Vatican in 1999 and later in Yerevan in 2001, during the Pope’s
apostolic visit to Armenia.
The Pope told the president of his “sincere appreciation for the good
relations between the Holy See and the government of your country. I
know that the Catholic community is welcomed and respected, and that
its various activities contribute to the wellbeing of the entire
nation.”
He went on: “Everyone earnestly hopes that the collaboration between
the Holy See and the Armenian government will continue to grow and,
where the situation calls for it, that eventual improvements to the
status of the Catholic Church will be made.”
The Holy Father also gave assurances of the “friendly and respectful
relations between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic
Church. This understanding, which is even more active thanks to the
initiative of the Catholicos Karekin II, will certainly have positive
repercussions for the peaceful coexistence of the entire Armenian
people, who are called to face no small number of social and economic
challenges.”
“I also hope,” said the Pope., “that true and lasting peace comes to
the region of Nagorno-Karabagh where you, President Kocharian, come
from. This will come about by a decisive refusal of violence and a
patient dialogue between the parties, thanks also to active
international mediation.”
The Pope concluded by recalling that the Holy See, “which over the
centuries has not failed to denounce violence and defend the rights of
the weak, will continue to support all efforts aimed at building a
solid and lasting peace.” AC/VISIT PRESIDENT/ARMENIA:KOCHARIAN VIS
050128 (300)

RENATO BRUSON TO PERFORM IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS: One of the most famous world
baritones, Renato Bruson, will give a concert in Armenia on February 5
together with Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert sponsored
by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is part of events
dedicated to the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian genocide to be
marked on April 24.
After studying at the Padua Conservatory, Bruson made his debut
atthe Spoleto Experimental Theatre in 1961 in Verdi’s Trovatore. He
immediately started a brilliant career that led him to sing in all the
most important opera houses in the world, alongside the most famous
singers.
With his soft, rich, deep voice he has emerged as the leading
romantic baritone of our time, specializing above all in Donizetti and
Verdi, but not disdaining eighteenth-century opera.
Among his most important recordings we remember Donizetti’s
Poliuto, Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and Tosca, Verdi’s Alzira, Luisa
Miller, Falstaff, Macbeth, Rigoletto, La Traviata and Il Segreto di
Susanna by Wolf-Ferrari. Bruson will perform in Yerevan Verdi’s arias.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIA ACCUSES RUSSIA OF DELAYING TANK REPAIR PLANT HANDOVER
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
31 Jan 05
(Presenter) The Russian tank repair plant (in Tbilisi) still belongs
to its old owner. Russia was supposed to have the plant handed over to
Georgia on 30 January, but the Russians are not in a hurry.
The plant, which is situated in Moskovis Avenue, is used as a service
centre for equipment belonging to the Russian and Armenian armed
forces.
The Defence Ministry says that Russia has failed to meet its
obligations.
(Davit Sikharulidze, deputy defence minister) As in all other cases,
in this specific case the Georgian side has honoured all its
obligations. As I said before, unlike all other civilized countries,
this is how you negotiate with Russia: first, you need to make a lot
of effort to agree with it about something and sign a document, but
then you need to do even more to make sure that this document is
implemented.

ARMENIA SETS NO CONDITIONS FOR DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TURKEY, DIPLOMAT SAYS
Mediamax news agency
31 Jan 05
YEREVAN
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan met French President
Jacques Chirac, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on 27-28 January during a
ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the
Auschwitz concentration camp.
This was announced at a briefing today by Armenian Deputy Foreign
Minister Ruben Shugaryan, who accompanied the prime minister during
his visit to Poland.
At a brief meeting with the Turkish foreign minister, Andranik
Markaryan confirmed Armenia’s readiness to establish diplomatic
relations with Turkey without any conditions, Ruben Shugaryan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hovnanian Enterprises Selected to Forbes List of 400 Best Big Companies
for the Fourth Consecutive Year
PRNewswire-FirstCall
Thursday, January 27, 2005
RED BANK, N.J., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hovnanian Enterprises,
Inc. (NYSE: HOV), a leading national homebuilder, announced today that
for the fourth consecutive year it has been named to Forbes Platinum
400, an annual listing of “America’s Best Big Companies.” Hovnanian
ranked fifth on the list based on five-year annualized total return.
To make the list, a firm must have revenue of more than $1 billion and
rank in the upper half of one of 26 industry groups in Forbes’ composite
scoring for return on capital, sales growth and earnings growth. Forbes
also considers a company’s accounting and corporate governance practices.
“In 2004, we once again achieved significant returns on capital, as well
as revenue and earnings growth, and we are honored that Forbes has
recognized this outstanding performance and acknowledged us as one of
America’s Best Big Companies,” said Ara K. Hovnanian, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Our achievements are a direct
result of the efforts of our operating management teams and talented
associates across the Company. We expect to continue our strong
performance in 2005 as we build on our solid market position and
implement further improvements to our operating processes.”
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian,
Chairman, is headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey. The Company is one
of the nation’s largest homebuilders with operations in Arizona,
California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Michigan,
Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas,
Virginia and West Virginia. The Company’s homes are marketed and sold
under the trade names K. Hovnanian(R)Homes, Goodman Homes, Matzel &
Mumford, Diamond Homes, Westminster Homes, Forecast Homes, Parkside
Homes, Brighton Homes, Parkwood Builders, Great Western Homes and
Windward Homes. As the developer of K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons
communities, the Company is also one of the nation’s largest builders of
active adult homes.
Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., including a
summary investment profile and the Company’s 2003 annual report, can be
accessed through the Investor Relations page of the Hovnanian website at
To be added to Hovnanian’s investor e-mail or fax
lists, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or sign up at
Source: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

Pan-Turkism in European Council
Yerkir/arm
January 28, 2005
Every time we speak about pan-Turkism, we are accused of being unable
to leave the past behind and to understand that the ideology of
pan-Turkism has long been exempted from the Turkish political agenda.
They are trying to convince us that Turkey wants to live on the
European values and that Turkey’s accession to Europe benefits
Armenia, since we will then border upon a European civilized
state. After this we are driven to the idea that we should not try to
prevent Turkey from the accession without recognizing the Armenian
Genocide and matching the European standards.
The Turks themselves proved how dangerous these statements are. At the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, during the discussion
of the Karabagh issue, a Turkish politician from `civilized, not
biased with pan-Turkism’ Turkey , using a suitable occasion, passed an
anti-Armenian resolution. He acted to the full power available. So
imagine how much more power he will have after becoming a member of
the EU and how he will use it.
Some people, forces will say this has nothing to do with pan-Turkism
and civilized Turkey. And we will allow ourselves to state that these
forces, who voluntarily assume the role of Turkey’s advocates, who are
seeking to return power, have nothing to do with the Armenian state
and Armenian national interests.

OSCE mission arrives in Karabakh to check facts of Armenian settlement
Regnum, Moscow
30 Jan 05
The OSCE expert mission to collect facts of settlement in the
territories controlled by the Karabakh forces arrived in the Nagornyy
Karabakh capital of Stepanakert on 30 January.
The members of the group have met the foreign minister of the Nagornyy
Karabakh Republic, Arman Melikyan, and discussed the forthcoming
monitoring with him. At this moment, their meeting with the republic’s
president, Arkadiy Gukasyan, is continuing.
Passage omitted: Details of the visit

Agence France Presse
28 janvier 2005 vendredi 9:21 AM GMT
Une assurance américaine va indemniser des victimes du génocide
arménien (MAGAZINE)
EREVAN
Petros Petrossian n’avait que cinq ans lorsqu’il a vu ses parents et
sa petite soeur se faire tuer lors du génocide arménien de 1915-1917,
puis son frère mourir au cours de leur fuite, mais il ne savait rien
de l’assurance-vie américaine que son père avait contractée au début
du siècle.
Près de 90 ans après, et suite à une décision en juillet d’un
tribunal américain, la compagnie d’assurance New York Life Insurance
a assuré qu’elle indemniserait les descendants de ses 2.300 clients
morts au cours de ce génocide organisé par les autorités de l’empire
ottoman.
“Quand nous avons appris que le grand-père de mon mari était sur la
liste de la compagnie d’assurance, nous avons été surpris et très
émus”, reconnaît Anaïd Petrossian, 50 ans, qui a entamé les
procédures pour bénéficier des indemnités dues à sa famille.
“Plus personne n’espérait voir le jour où les victimes du génocide et
leurs familles pourraient récupérer ne serait-ce qu’une miette de ce
qu’elles avaient perdu dans l’ouest de l’Arménie”, a-t-elle ajouté.
La famille Petrossian a pu faire valoir ses droits grce à un groupe
de juristes, mis en place par le ministère arménien de la Justice,
chargé d’aider les bénéficiaires potentiels à compléter leurs
dossiers avant la date butoir du 28 février.
Ce travail, commencé en septembre, s’avère cependant très difficile.
La majorité des rescapés du génocide ayant pris la fuite avec
seulement quelques vêtements, laissant le plus souvent derrière eux
tous leurs papiers, y compris les polices d’assurance.
“Nous enregistrons les demandes, nous ouvrons des dossiers et
cherchons les preuves de liens de parenté dans les archives”, a
indiqué à l’AFP le porte-parole du ministère de la Justice, Ara
Sagatelian.
Dans toute l’ex-URSS, des familles de victimes recherchent avec
l’aide des autorités arméniennes les certificats de mariage, les
actes de naissance, des lettres ou encore des photos pouvant prouver
leur lien de parenté avec un client de la New York Life Insurance.
“Jusqu’à présent, 700 personnes nous ont soumis une demande après
avoir trouvé le nom d’un proche sur les listes de la compagnie
d’assurance. Neuf seulement avaient encore la police d’assurance. Il
y aussi des personnes qui ont la police mais qui ne sont pas sur les
listes”, a ajouté M. Sagatelian.
Selon le ministère arménien de la Justice, 180 dossiers ont pu être
transmis à la fondation mise en place à New York par la justice
américaine pour rassembler les demandes d’indemnisation.
La New York Life Insurance a d’ores et déjà promis de payer un total
de 20 millions de dollars, dont 11,9 millions devraient revenir aux
familles des victimes. Trois millions doivent aller à des
organisations caritatives arméniennes et le reste à l’Eglise
arménienne, compte-tenu du fait que dans de nombreux cas les
indemnités ne pourront pas être perçues, faute d’héritiers. En effet,
nombreux sont les clients de la compagnie dont la famille entière a
été exterminée.
Les massacres et déportations d’Arméniens de 1915 à 1917, ont fait
1,5 million de morts, selon les Arméniens, entre 300.000 et 500.000,
selon la Turquie, héritière de l’empire ottoman, qui n’a jamais
reconnu sa responsabilité.
“La Turquie refuse de reconnaître le génocide notamment parce qu’elle
craint que les Arméniens ne réclament ensuite des compensations pour
les biens qu’ils ont perdu”, a expliqué à l’AFP un expert arménien,
Akob Tchakrian.

WE HOPE THAT VERY SOON TURKEY WILL OPEN BORDER WITH ARMENIA: ARMENIA’S FM
YEREVAN, JANUARY 27. ARMINFO. In an interview to Zaman Armenia’s FM
Vardan Oskanyan said that there is no reference to territories or
compensation on the Armenian foreign policy agenda.
Our foreign policy goal is international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, together with recognition by Turkey. What happened in 1915
is quite obviously Genocide. Turks have differing opinions about
that. Let’s let people openly discuss this issue. We are democratic
societies. There is no need to become concerned that Armenia is trying
to place this issue on other countries’ agendas. Turks, too, can lobby
in different countries, work with them. However, Armenia absolutely
does not view this as a precondition for the improvement of relations
with Turkey. We have never said that Turkey first acknowledges the
Genocide. We could have resolved the matter through dialogue, had
there been diplomatic relations between the two countries. How are we
to resolve this issue? Since we’re not able to resolve it at the
governmental level, then there are efforts to seek solutions at other
levels, through other channels.
Asked if Turkey’s entry into the EU will facilitate this claim
Oskanyan said that today, there are two important problems between
Armenia and Turkey: opening the border, and Genocide. For the
improvement of relations, Genocide recognition is not a precondition
but open borders automatically are. No one can insist that there can
be normal relations between two countries if the border between them
is closed. However, even without Genocide recognition, it is possible
to normalize relations. The Genocide is a moral, broader issue. The
EU, too, would like for Turkey to recognize the Genocide at some stage
in the process. We hope that these matters will be included in the
agenda for negotiations between Turkey and the EU to begin later this
year. But on the border issue, we can’t wait 10-15 years or longer,
for Turkey to be accepted into the EU, for there to be some positive
movement. We hope that very soon, Turkey will open the border.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress