Author: Hakobian Adrine

HEARINGS ON CASE OF TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS AGAINST TEACHING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SUBJECT IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO BE HELD TODAY IN BOSTON DISTRICT COURT

ARMINFO News Agency
September 18, 2006 Monday

Hearings on the suit of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations
against the charter of the Education Department of Massachusetts
state, which allows teaching of the Armenian Genocide subject in the
educational program, will be held today in Boston District Court.

As ArmInfo was told in the Armenian Assembly of America, the court
action was initiated by the Assembly of Turkish- American Associations
last year. The Turkish associations insist on the Education Department
of Massachusetts to remove the Armenian Genocide subject from the
training materials. In its turn, the Armenian Assembly had responded
without delay and forwarded an answer suit, as well as created a
command of well-known advocates to deal with the protection of the
Armenian Genocide fact in the USA territory.

TURKEY SEEKS MORE REFORMS, EU CRISIS SEEN AS INEVITABLE

Reuters
Gulf Times, Qatar
Published: Monday, 18 September, 2006, 11:29 AM Doha Time

ANKARA: Turkey’s parliament reconvenes tomorrow, nearly two weeks
ahead of schedule, to pass fresh reforms that the government hopes
will demonstrate its commitment to joining the EU.

But analysts and diplomats say the laws will fall well short of what
the EU wants and will do nothing to avert a looming crisis between
the wealthy bloc and Ankara over Cyprus.

With scant room for manoeuvre over the politically delicate issue of
Cyprus ahead of 2007 elections, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan should
compensate with bolder reforms, for example in the area of freedom
of expression, to disarm his critics and reassure his allies inside
the EU, they say.

"Everyone’s pleased with the (early) parliament recall, but the
government needs to do more to win time over Cyprus," said a senior
EU diplomat in Ankara.

"What Turkey needs to do is give pro-Turkey countries in the EU
something to bite on, namely by improving freedom of expression or
opening the Greek Orthodox seminary."

The EU has long urged Erdogan to reopen the Halki seminary near
Istanbul, viewing it as a symbol of religious freedom in Muslim but
secular Turkey. But nationalists oppose such a move.

Erdogan’s ruling centre-right AK Party is expected instead to propose
laws increasing civilian control of the military and improving property
rights of non-Muslim religious foundations.

It is unclear whether Erdogan will bow to EU pressure and scrap or
amend a controversial article of the penal code that makes it a crime
to insult "Turkishness" and state institutions.

Article 301 has often been used by nationalist prosecutors to launch
cases against intellectuals and writers over sensitive issues such
as Kurdish rights and the killing of Armenians under Ottoman Turkish
rule during World War I.

"I think 301 will be amended. The details are being worked on," said
one Turkish diplomat, adding he expected this would give Turkey some
breathing space from EU attacks.

But as with the Halki seminary, officials say privately, the AK Party
fears a big nationalist backlash if it scraps 301.

Turkish public support for joining the EU has already fallen sharply
since entry talks began last year due to a feeling that the EU demands
a lot but does not really want Ankara to join.

"Article 301 has turned into a litmus test of how serious the
government is about EU reforms," said Semih Idiz, diplomatic editor
at CNN Turk private television and a veteran EU observer.

"The environment is a nationalist one now in Turkey.

If you concede on 301, it’s fodder to the right wing because they
say why do you throw yourself against the wall and give up our values
and get nothing in return," said Idiz.

Any last-minute reforms would help blunt criticism in the European
Commission’s annual report on Turkey’s progress due on October 24, but
Turkey’s refusal to budge over Cyprus still makes a crisis virtually
inevitable by the end of 2006, analysts say.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 under its internationally recognised
Greek Cypriot government, but Ankara backs a breakaway Turkish Cypriot
enclave in the north of the island.

The EU says Turkey must open its ports and airports this year to Greek
Cypriot ships and planes and Cyprus has said it may block Ankara’s
entry talks if it does not acquiesce.

Last week, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s position that it will only
act if the EU honours its own commitment to lift long-standing trade
restrictions against the Turkish Cypriots.

"Right now I don’t see a solution on Turkey … I don’t see anything
major happening until the EU summit in December," the senior EU
diplomat said.

"Like in the past it’s probable we won’t get any real movement (in
the EU) on Turkey until we face a real crisis. Then everyone will
jump in and start real negotiating."

ArmeniaNow.com

Spin Doctors: Marriott fitness team rolls out another
charity ride

By Suren Musayelyan
ArmeniaNow reporter

An international fitness consultant has kept his
promise of a year ago, to turn a charitable spinning
marathon into an annual event.

Last year’s spinfest prompted the 2006 repeat.

This Saturday, September 16, will see the second
annual `National Charity Schwinn Cycling Marathon in
Armenia’ with hopes that it will raise even more than
it did last year for a charitable project.

Last October’s similar spinning marathon drew about 50
cyclists representing a number of organizations and
hundreds of onlookers and guests who also had a chance
to contribute to charity while 11 (one-wheeled)
bicycles were in motion for six hours. As a result,
Armenia’s first spinfest raised $3,200 for the Nerses
Mets Special Boarding School.

Co-organizer of the event, Marriott Hotel Fitness
Consultant Andrzej Hentszel, from Poland, says: `I
feel very happy that I can organize it again. We hope
to raise even more money for charity this year,
especially that now we have sponsors who support our
preparations.’

All money raised during this year’s marathon will be
spent to support Yerevan Special School N 15 for Deaf
Children and Children with Hearing Disabilities.

Charity cyclists who have reserved bicycles already
began training at Marriott Hotel on weekday nights in
preparation for the Saturday event.

Schwinn "Spinning" is an indoor training on a special
bike accompanied by loud music with a clear beat.

Participants spin according to the trainer, and each
rider can change speed and resistance of the bike.

The six-hour marathon will begin near Armenia Marriott
Hotel in the capital’s Republic Square at 2.00 pm
Saturday. Throughout the event participants and guests
will be entertained by singers, dancers, comedians,
and will have a chance to watch fashion and martial
art shows.

`Our goal is not only to make it to the end of the
marathon, but we mostly wish to collect funds for
charity. We want people to come and join us, support
our charity goals and simply have fun with us,’ say
Hentszel, who together with instructor and event
co-organizer Mher Grigoryan, plans to repeat their
achievement of last year, by spinning all six hours.
Other participants may replace each other.

Each participant offers a symbolic contribution of
10,000 AMD (about $26) for each hour spent on the
bike.

Raffle tickets, at 2,000 AMD, will give buyers a
chance to win a flight to Vienna for one person and a
weekend stay for up to two people, as well as gifts
and prizes.

Armenia Marriott Hotel will also support the school
with the entire revenue made on September 16 in the
outside restaurant `Vienna Café’.

Hentszel says the motto of the marathon remains the
same: `There are no losers – we all can feel like true
winners’.

The event is held in partnership with Armenia Marriott
Hotel, ArmenTel, Austrian Airlines, HSBC Bank, Kotayk,
the British and US. Embassies in Armenia, Quality
School International (QSI), IAB Center.

PanARMENIAN.Net

NKR Constitution Can Make International Recognition of Karabakh Closer
15.09.2006 15:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ This is not the first time that the matter on
«occupation of Azeri lands by Armenia» is raise at the UN by
Baku, head of the Department of Issues in International Relations of
the Institute of Political and Military Analysis Sergey Markedonov
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, including the issue in
the GA agenda was already suggested in 2004. «However the
discussion was postponed. Later Baku and Yerevan reached a compromise:
Baku quits its claim, while the Armenian party agrees to admitting
OSCE fact-finding mission’s visit to territories, controlled by
Nagorno Karabakh. Visiting the seven disputed regions in winter 2005
the mission made public a report, according to which Armenia and NK do
not organize planned settlement in these regions,» the Russian
political scientist noted.

Sergey Markedonov believes that the attempt to attract attention to
the Armenian aggression» is not casual. The NKR will soon join the
parade of referendums» of unrecognized state formations of the
post-soviet space – nation-wide vote on the Constitution will be held
in NK December 10, 2006. The territorial issue is the most important
in NKR Constitution: were is the beginning and the end of the
fatherland of the Karabakh people. The last attribute of a full state
– the Constitution – will help make the day of international
recognition of NK closer,» he underscored.

INFORMATIONAL TERROR AGAINST THE OPPOSITION

A1+
[06:18 pm] 13 September, 2006

The Parliament has been discussing the draft laws about introducing
amendments to the NA regulations for the last three days. One draft
has been represented by almost all the political powers, including the
"National Unity" and the "Justice" bloc. The other one was represented
by the United Labor Party.

"Three days of fruitless discussions and loss of time", independent
deputy Manouk Gasparyan qualified the work of the first days of
the Parliament.

Another independent deputy Viktor Dallakyan noted that not the number
of sessions of the Parliament is important but the level of that very
Parliament – if it consists of political figures or those who simply
push buttons.

He also announced that what the Government wants to do, that is –
to deprive the national TV channel of the chance to broadcast
the question-and-answer process of the Parliament, is simply
unacceptable. "To deprive the national TV channel of the chance to
broadcast the question-and-answer process of the Parliament means
to deprive the opposition of air. It is informational terror against
opposition", Viktor Dallakyan announced.

Independent deputy Tatoul Manaseryan noted that today’s session
is not broadcast on the radio. Manouk Gasparyan underlined that if
the National T Company does not want to highlight the work of the
Parliament, the money given to them for that work can be given to
another TV Company which will do that work gladly. He especially
stressed the names of "Kentron" and "AR" TV Companies.

September 8, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]

Website:

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
LET US CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL
DECLARED THE PRELATE

On the morning of Wednesday, September 6, the schools of the Western
Prelacy commenced the 2006-2007 academic year with traditional
ceremonies including opening prayer and remarks by principals and
directors. Since 2006 was declared "The Year of the Armenian School"
by H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the opening
ceremonies were marked with the Prelate’s message of "Let us celebrate
the year by highlighting the values of the Armenian school".

On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
visited both the Encino and North Hills campuses of Ferrahian
School, while Prelacy Christian Education Department Co-Directors
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Fr. Barthev Gulumian visited Rose
and Alex Pilibos High School and Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School
respectively. Parish priests visited schools in their parishes where
they conveyed the Prelate’s message to the administrators, staff,
and students.

The Prelate began his opening remarks by thanking the Lord for a safe
return to the academic year following summer break. He stressed that
the start of each academic year offers us the opportunity to highlight
the role that education and the Armenian School play in our collective
lives, adding that this year a special emphasis is placed on that
role in response to the Pontifical declaration of 2006 as the Year
of the Armenian School. "I am pleased that many of our schools have
already planned events in honor of the Armenian School, however, it
is my wish that we collectively celebrate the Year of the Armenian
School. It is also my wish that each individual student recognize
the value of attending an Armenian school, to learn our language
and history, and to participate in the advancement of our culture,
because this is the mission of the Armenian school. I pray to God to
grant strength and patience to our principals, directors, teachers,
administrators, and parents, to enrich the spirit and minds of our
youth. Finally, I pray to Almighty God to keep a watchful eye over our
schools and to bless the endeavors of the Board of Regents, donors,
organizations, and committees who contribute to the unwavering mission
of the Armenian School with their continuous and invaluable support."

The Prelate concluded by wishing success to the educators,
administrators, students, and parents during the academic year.

CRIMINAL – ANTI-CRIMINAL WATERSHED SHOULD BE ENHANCED

Lragir.am
11 Sept 06

The situation generated by the rule of the criminal in Armenia is
unprecedented, said Hrant Khachatryan, the leader of the Constitutional
Right Union. He mentioned that the quality of the government in Armenia
has always corresponded to the criminal, but currently the situation
is simply unprecedented. "This time, it is not only our evaluation
but also the evaluation of the ambassadors of the countries which
have always been loyal to the violations of our government, that the
situation is unprecedented," stated Hrant Khachatryan.

He thinks that the government, which is supposed to keep down the
level of crime in the country not to threaten the national security,
is busy strengthening its power through the criminal, which directly
threatens the security of the nation.

"The country, where the level of crime is so high that it threatens the
national security, will simply collapse. Either these countries are
colonized by other countries, or their systems, including the system
of government are destroyed, and the country stops existing. And the
questions if there are no killings, in Germany, Europe or America
are for justifying their idleness or maybe also criminal activities,"
says the leader of the Constitutional Right Union. According to him,
the criminal – anti-criminal watershed, which is forming in the
consciousness of the public, perfectly corresponds to the present
state of the republic.

"We only have to establish this watershed to be able to organize this
unification on a higher level, in a larger sphere than our political
sphere. I mean the layers of the society, which have been bound to
their political parties in terms of orientation and were reluctant
to become engaged in the policy or did not want to become member of
affiliate to a political party, they must already join in forming
this watershed. They must share the problem that the relations of
the criminal and the anti-criminal will be made clear under the flag
of these elections. And in the middle of the next year it will become
clear if the country will be fully ruled by the criminal or conditions
will be created, nevertheless, to reduce the criminal below the level
that threatens the country’s security," states Hrant Khachatryan.

He disagrees that publishing names is effective in an anti-criminal
campaign. "For people know the names of people who are engaged in
criminal activities better than we do. And facts are "denied" with two
words, "do you have the decision of the court that these people are
involved in criminal activities?" In other words, people know better
who is a plunderer, who is a strongman," says Hrant Khachatryan. He
thinks organizational steps are more important than giving names.

The leader of the Constitutional Right Union underlines the involvement
of the public in the anti-criminal movement, saying that the activity
of the leaders of political forces is not a sufficient condition. "In
other words, the society should make up its mind whether it wants to
form political units and then demands their unification, or demands
an artificial unification, and then stops supporting these artificial
units," asks Hrant Khachatryan.

The leader of the Constitutional Right Union mentions that besides
statements, speeches and calls the opposition is busy fortifying these
political units to have clear basis for unification and struggle
against electoral fraud and the victory of the criminal through
this. Hrant Khachatryan repeated the information he had given several
weeks ago that the opposition parties are making clear the number of
their effective members, who are able to battle the electoral violence.

FALSE ARMENIAN MAPS CLAIMING TO KARABAKH AND NAKHCHIVAN ON SALE IN CHINA’S TAIWAN AND HONG KONG

Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2006

"False maps, globes and school textbooks showing Azerbaijani regions
-Nakhchivan and Karabakh- as Armenian territories are on sale in East
and Southeast Asia," said Akbar Huseynli, an Azerbaijani living in
Hong Kong.

He told APA that these school facilities are sold in Hong-Kong,
Shanghai and Taiwan.

"African, European, Arabian nations and even Armenians have a number
of economic and cultural societies in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Most of
people living here are unaware of Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan."

He said that articles on Azerbaijani oil have recently spread in
media but Southeast Asia is not well known here.

"The reason may be that Taiwan has no political-economic ties
with Azerbaijan. It is a pity that Azerbaijan plays no part in the
activities of the most competitive trade center."

He regretted that there is no Azerbaijani Diaspora in Southeast Asia
while there are about 17 diasporas in Belgium and the Netherlands. A
lot of Azerbaijani businessmen are active in China but they have not
gathered together to form a Diaspora.

URL:

UN AGAIN POSTPONES DISCUSSION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SITUATION IN KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2006 13:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The discussion of the draft resolution on the
situation in Nagorno Karabakh at the UN General Assembly (GA)
is postponed till September 7. Representatives of all UN member
states, including Azerbaijan and Armenia work over the final version
of the document, which will be submitted for consideration by the
Assembly. The resolution will be adopted based on consensus, which
means the accord of all UN GA members over the issue, including
Armenia.

OSCE MG co-chairs hold consultations with interested parties to work
out a coordinated version of the resolution language for adoption
by the UN GA session, reports Leader Azeri TV channel. We note that
earlier the discussions of the situation in NK at the UN GA were
postponed from September 5 to 6.

CHIEF OF OPERATIVE SECRET SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF RA STATE TAX SERVICE DIED IN CONSEQUENCE OF CAR EXPLOSION

Noyan Tapan
Sept 06 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The official car of Shahen
Hovasapian, the Chief of the Operative Secret Service Department of
the RA State Tax Service attached to Government was blown up at about
9:30-10:00, September 6, in Byron street, Yerevan. Shahen Hovsepian
died in the car. As Noyan Tapan was informed by a reliable source,
the explosion took place when Sh.Hovasapian left the house and took his
car. According to the information not checked yet, an explosive placed
in the car was the reason of the explosion. There is no information
about other injuried people.