Author: Hakobian Adrine

GAZPROM IS LIKELY TO BUY IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE

Lragir.am
30 June 06

Alexander Ryazanov, Vice President of Gazprom, presently the only
supplier of gas to Armenia, stated June 30 that Gazprom is likely to
buy the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, reports the news agency ARKA.

According to Ryazanov, the operation of Iran-Armenia will guarantee
supply of gas to Armenia. `There are problems connected with transit
of gas to Armenia via Georgia because Georgia uses gas without
permission,’ stated Alexander Ryazanov.

Democratic Azerbaijan
Ïðàî ûáîðà, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006

Hafiz Pashayev: Azerbaijan Won’t Compromise Over Sovereignty and
Territorial Integrity of Azerbaijan
30.06.2006

Several days later the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States,
Hafiz Pashayev will complete his diplomatic mission in this country.
Reportedly AzerTaj, the diplomat stated about it in his speech made
at the Institute of Research of the Central Asia & Caucasus of the
John Hopkins University. In his last speech before the American
community the Ambassador, summarizing his 13-years activity in the
U.S., said that for these years U.S.- Azerbaijan relations made a
great path of development, and Azerbaijan turned to be one of the
countries, presenting an interest for the United States as a
strategic ally. In respect to Azerbaijan the United States pursued
four main political purposes: uphold of Azerbaijan’s independence,
transition period to democracy and market economy, natural resources
development projects and efforts for settlement of the
Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict. Both countries achieved substantial
progress in political field. Noted that "to represent Azerbaijan to
the U.S. is difficult and responsible affair for each diplomat that
particularly concerns Azerbaijan, faced the numerous internal and
external pressures from the beginning of its independency," H.
Pashayev underlined that the most difficult stage of his diplomatic
mission to Washington was to make popular Azerbaijan in the U.S.
Congress, and to raise to awareness of Congressmen unfairness and
wrong of such political step as Amendment 907. Ambassador said: "In
talks with one of the Congressmen from California, he was surprised
with that geographically Azerbaijan does not surround Armenia all
around and if he knew it before, he would not vote for sanctions
against Azerbaijan." The favorable side of the activities due to
Amendment 907 implies that it was lesson for American policy.
Azerbaijani diplomats should have learnt the specifities of the
Congress and complexity of the U.S. political system as soon as
possible. Equally with political talks the Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev
should brought to awareness of the Americans the culture, history,
rich heritage of Azerbaijan, its hopes and expectations.
In his last speech the Ambassador expressed Azerbaijan’s position to
Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict: "Armenia and separatists in
Nagorno-Garabagh should understand that Azerbaijan won’t compromise
over the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."
H. Pashayev said: "If we do not solve our problems, others will solve
them at the cost of our independence. The people constantly glancing
in past cannot see the future. The Nagorno-Garabagh conflict is a
result of territorial claims and obsolete views. Looking at
successful cooperation of many years between the West and Japan and
Germany, it is difficult to believe that once these allies fought
with each other in cruel war."
In conclusion, Hafiz Pashayev expressed his gratitude to the
Presidents of Azerbaijan who trusted and entrusted him to represent
our country in major center of the world on the important phase.
Very soon H. Pashayev’s book "Racing Uphill" will be published. This
book says views of political struggle conducted for the last 13 years
for the purposes of broad popularization of Azerbaijan in Congress.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

JUNE 29, 2006

ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE BEGINS SUNDAY
Seventy students (ages 13 to 18) from thirteen parishes, and ten
clergymen, will gather at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, this Sunday, July 2, for the 20th annual weeklong St. Gregory
of Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, under the
directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Prelacy, the Institute offers a unique opportunity for the youth to enrich
their Armenian Christian faith in a wholesome and nurturing environment.
Each day the program begins with Morning Service at 7:15 a.m., followed by
four classes until 12:30 pm. After lunch the students participate in various
recreational activities. In the evening there is a general lecture from 7:30
to 8:20, followed by three concurrent Bible studies from 8:30 to 9:30 for
different age groups. The day comes to a close with the Compline Service
(Husgoom) from 9:45 to 10:30 pm.
Instructors this year are: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, V.
Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Khoren
Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr.
Sarkis Aktavoukian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Arsen
Mekaelian, and Ms. Jeanette Nazarian.
Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, a prominent biblical scholar from St. Vladimir’s
Orthodox Theological Seminary (NY) will teach four classes to the upper
level students, and he will conduct a three-hour session with the clergy.

20th ANNIVERSARY OF DATEV TO BE MARKED NEXT WEEK
In conjunction with the weeklong Datev Institute program, this year the
20th anniversary of the Institute will be marked with special events.
On Saturday, July 8, a special seminar led by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi and
Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian will take place at the St. Mary of Providence
Center where the Datev Institute takes place. That evening a 20th
anniversary celebratory banquet will take place at the nearby Holiday Inn
(Morgantown, Pennsylvania) for Institute participants, alumni, and friends.
On Sunday, July 9, the 2006 Datev Institute will conclude with Divine
Liturgy celebrated at St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, followed by a
farewell picnic on the church grounds.
For more information on Datev click

PRELATE IN WASHINGTON, DC YESTERDAY
Archbishop Oshagan attended a reception yesterday at the U.S. Capitol
building in Washington DC, in honor of His Excellency Ashot Ghulian, Speaker
of the Nagorno Karabagh National Assembly, and His Excellency Georgi
Petrosian, Nagorno Karabagh Foreign Minister.
The reception was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the
Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee of America,
and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the U.S., in cooperation
with the co-chairs of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Representatives
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

VICAR WILL ATTEND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will represent Archbishop
Oshagan and the Prelacy at the 160th anniversary celebration of the Armenian
Evangelical Movement on Saturday evening, May 1, in New Jersey.

CILICIAN SEMINARY CONCLUDES ACADEMIC YEAR
The Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia concluded its
76th academic year with commencement ceremonies on June 23 in Bikfaya,
Lebanon.
Addressing the graduates, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, said: "A person is a value in as much as he serves the
collective values of the church and nation. It is with this spirit and
commitment that we formed you under this roof to send you off to our people.
Whether you serve as spiritual or as secular servants, you will live the
Bible and bring it to life in the lives of the faithful. Go and take with
you what you received in the Seminary and use it in your service to our
people."
It was recently announced that V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian (currently
pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, NJ) has been invited by His
Holiness to assume the leadership of the Seminary beginning with the
2006-2007 academic year.

DISCOVERY OF RELICS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, July 1, the Armenian Church commemorates one of three
feast days dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator: The Discovery of His
Remains. The other two commemorative days are Entrance into the Pit and
Deliverance from the Pit.
St. Gregory is the greatest figure of the Armenian Church. The Christian
Dictionary published by Thomas Nelson publishers describes Gregory the
Illuminator as "Apostle of Armenia," and says: "A Parthian of royal descent,
he converted King Tiridates of Armenia to the Christian faith and thus
established the first national Christian church. He was consecrated
catholicos, and the episcopate remained in his family for a few generations.
His son Aristakes attended the Council of Nicaea. His biography was written
by Agathangelos, the first Armenian historian."

FEAST OF STS. SAHAG AND MESROB
Next Thursday, July 6, the Armenian Church commemorates the lives of the
Holy Translators, St. Sahag Bartev and St. Mesrob Mashtots. The feast of the
Holy Translators is one of the most beloved feast days for the Armenian
faithful. It is celebrated two times during the liturgical year: on the
Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost (can occur in June or
July), and on the second Saturday of October.
Catholicos Sahag Bartev was the son of St. Nerses the Great. He received
his primary and higher education in Caesarea and Byzantium. He was a very
learned and literary person who guided Armenia’s Golden Age following the
invention of the Armenian alphabet. He was a mentor and supporter of St.
Mesrob in his quest for an alphabet.
St. Mesrob was born in the province of Daron. He learned Greek and
Persian at an early age, and came to realize the vital need of an alphabet
for the Armenian language. According to tradition, while meditating in a
cave near the village of Palu, he had a vision where "the hand of God wrote
the alphabet in letters of fire."
The first words to be translated into Armenian were from the Book of
Proverbs: "That you may know wisdom and instruction, and understand words of
insight." (Proverbs 1:2).

REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS KAREKIN I
Today, June 29, is the 7th anniversary of the death of His Holiness
Karekin I, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians from 1995 to
1999; Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia from 1977 to 1995, and
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy from 1973 to 1977.
To date seven volumes of his works have been printed in the Karekin I
Series, undertaken by "The Karekin I Theological and Armenological Studies
Series," under the sponsorship of "The Haig and Elza Didizian Fund." The
8th volume will be published this fall, with others to follow, until all of
his major works (Armenian and English, published and unpublished) are
printed. The editors of the series are Vazken Ghougassian and Iris Papazian,
both of whom worked closely with the late Catholicos during his years of
extraordinary service to church and nation.

THE FOURTH OF JULY
On Tuesday, July 4, we commemorate the 230th anniversary of the adoption
of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Thirty-three year old Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the
Declaration as a member of a committee that included John Adams and Benjamin
Franklin. Some changes were made in the draft, but it remains primarily the
work of Jefferson that was adopted on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia. It was
the most daring document ever produced at a time when it was unheard of a
fledgling, divided country made up of thirteen separate colonies having the
boldness to produce a damning document against the most powerful country of
the time demanding "certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
The Fourth of July, as the holiday is popularly called, quickly became a
time for joyous and boisterous celebration, including ringing of bells,
firecrackers, concerts and merriment. John Adams, the second president of
the U.S. would be pleased. He had written that the day should "be celebrated
by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be
celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells,
bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other.."

INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM TURNS 50
Today is the 50th anniversary of the Federal Interstate Highway System
Act, which was signed on June 29, 1956. It was the beginning of the vast
Interstate highways from coast to coast, which when completed prompted the
late broadcaster and traveler Charles Kuralt to quip: "We can now go coast
to coast without seeing anything."

OUR BARREN GARDEN. . .
We end this week with a statement about our vegetable garden, because so
many of you have inquired about its status and the lack of a report thus
far.
We are sorry to report that for the first time in many decades our large
vegetable garden is barren and will remain dormant this year. As many of you
have followed from last season, last summer’s crop was decimated by a family
of very hungry groundhogs. The crops were gone, one by one overnight.
Decisions had to be made for this year. The answer-offered by many of
you-was to put up a fence around the garden. One person, perhaps recognizing
the futility of it all, simply advised, "Move!" V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian
consoled us with this: "Just consider that you are feeding some of God’s
creatures." (We are still contemplating that statement!)
Moving, at this time at least, was not an option. A fence was a
possibility until we were advised that to keep groundhogs out a fence must
start at least four feet below ground. Then suddenly the weather became
unusually and prematurely hot, then very cold, and then came the
never-ending rain. It was too late to do anything. So, we are giving the
land a rest this year-which is a good thing, we are told. But we confess
that we sorely miss the morning outings in our garden, weeding and
cultivating, cajoling and harvesting in the silence and coolness and
freshness of early morning.
Perhaps, next year. We shall see.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 2-9-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. For details click here

July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.

August 8-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone
Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261.

August 13-Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York.

August 13-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual picnic at Camp
Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts.

August 20-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For
details: 508-234-3677.

September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.

November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.

Visit our website at

Construction Industry Update

BISNIS
July 27, 2006

BISNIS Trades & Tenders Leads:

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2. Millennium Challenge Armenia – Armenia: survey on technical and
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U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-3729, Fax: 202/482-2293
e-mail: [email protected]

RICE ADDRESSED TO REVISE DECISION TO RECALL U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

Regnum, Russia
June 27 2007

Four leaders of Congressional Armenian lobby George Radanovich (R-CA),
Adam Schiff (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
have strongly recommended to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to
reconsider the recall of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Evans, Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) reported.

In a June 22nd letter, the legislators noted that "after months of
speculation," the recall of Ambassador Evans "was confirmed when the
President nominated Richard Hoagland to serve as the new United States
Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia on May 23. While there has been
no official acknowledgement that Ambassador Evans removal was a result
of his February 2005 statement that the Armenian Genocide was the first
genocide of the 20th Century, all evidence points to that conclusion."

"We join with Armenian Americans across the country in thanking
Congressman Radanovich, Schiff, Pallone, and Knollenberg – the four
leading authors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, for once again
taking the lead in challenging the State Department’s failed policy
of complicity in Turkey’s denial of this crime against all humanity,"
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

The Congressmen urged in their letter that "the United States must
formally recognize the Armenian Genocide, and we will continue to work
towards that goal. Allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to
Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of Turkish recognition,
and will be an important step in establishing the U.S. position on
the Armenian Genocide."

The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Ambassador Evans in response to his February 2005 statements in which
he properly characterized the Armenian massacres in the beginning
of the 20th century as "genocide." Later Ambassador Evans was forced
to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the Armenian
Genocide were his personal views and did not represent a change in
U.S. policy. He subsequently issued a correction to this statement,
replacing a reference to the genocide with the word "tragedy." The
American Foreign Service Association, which had decided to honor
Ambassador Evans with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing
creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service,
reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the State
Department prior to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
visit to Washington, DC to meet with President George Bush.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 26, 2006
___________________

ARMENIAN CHILDREN FILL UNITED NATIONS WITH MUSIC

By Florence Avakian

Friday, April 7, 2006, was both historic and inspiring, as 26 young Armenian
musicians filled the United Nations headquarters in New York City with
Armenian sharagans and popular music from the homeland. The audience of
world diplomats was treated to two hours of joyful, uplifting Armenian
music.

The concert by the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C. was sponsored by the United Nations Russian Book Club and
held in the United Nations’ Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium. The sweet
voices and instruments of these Armenian youth, ranging in age from 8 to 18,
could even be heard in the hallway outside the auditorium as diplomats went
about their duties.

The honored guests in attendance included Armenia’s Ambassador to the United
Nations Armen Martirossian, Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, Knights of
Vartan former Grand Commander Kegham Tcholakian, the Eastern Diocese’s
Coordinator of Music Ministry Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, and well known
musicologist Krikor Pidejian, as well as several members of the United
Nations diplomatic corps.

Following welcoming remarks by Alexandre Toubolets, president of the Russian
Book Club, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church, related that Armenian sacred and secular music has spanned the
centuries, from the 4th through the mid-19th century. "All music was
written with neumes which Gomidas Vartabed deciphered," he related.

Several beloved hymns from the Divine Liturgy by Makar Yegmalian were
presented in song and with bells by both choirs. Accompanying on the piano
was the director of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church Junior Choir, Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian.

Especially moving was the rendition of "Aysor Don eh Soorp Dzunutyan,"
("Today is the Feast of the Holy Nativity"), sung with exceptional phrasing,
breath control, and tonal purity by 14-year-old Tatevik Martirosyan. "Park
Ee Partsoons" ("Glory to God in the Highest)" by the 6th-century composer
Movses Kertogh was another impressive offering by this gifted choir.

Pieces by legendary Armenian composers were introduced to the audience by
the Narek Bell Choir, under the baton of its music director Leon
Khoja-Eynatyan. The program included works by three 12th-century composers
(Movses Kertogh, Nerses Shnorhali, and Grigor Pahlavuni), two 13th-century
composers (Hovhanesess Yerzngatsi and Vartan Areveltsi), Gomidas Vartabed,
and contemporary composer Socrates Boyajian.

Movses Kertogh’s "Khorhoort Medz" ("O, Great Mystery"), and Nerses
Shnorhali’s "Norahrash" ("New Wonders") evoked the soulful messages of these
timeless hymns. Gomidas Vartabed’s "Gakavik" ("Partridge") was creatively
presented with several bells thumping as an accompaniment to the melody.

Tamara Martirosyan delighted the audience with several melodies played with
great aplomb and expertise on the kanon, a stringed instrument native to
Armenia. Accompanied with piano, the result was a sweet taste of Armenia in
New York.

The mood turned from one of spirituality as the Junior Choir members sang,
with piano accompaniment, several popular songs. Before each presentation,
a choir member explained its meaning. Special favorites were Aram
Khachatourian’s "Karoon Yerevan" ("Yerevan in Spring"), describing the
happiness of a newly wed bride, and Armen Tigranian’s "Ambee Dageets" ("From
Underneath the Cloud"), a love song from his opera "Anoush."

"Noobar Noobar" featured the extraordinary talent of David Gevorkian on the
duduk. His fingers flew on this traditional Armenian instrument as he wove
a lyrical tapestry.

The concert concluded with both choirs joining together for the ever-popular
"Yerevan — Erepoonee" by Edgar Hovhanessian, performed with the majesty and
emotion it deserves. It inspired a well-deserved standing ovation, lasting
several minutes.

Ambassador Martirossian expressed his pride and appreciation to the
organizers, parents, and the "youth of the Armenian nation who brought the
spirit and culture of my nation with its ancient and rich history to this
international institution and audience."

The Junior Choir, organized by Konstantin Petrossian in 1995, has performed
in many special events, including the visits to the United States of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I and Karekin II. The Narek Bell Choir,
the only such group in the Armenian Church today, was founded in 2000 under
the leadership of Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian and Leon Khoja-Eynatyan. It has
performed at the White House, the Library of Congress, the St. Vartan
Cathedral, and several churches in the United States.

In September 2004, the combined choirs released their first CD, "Park Ee
Partsoons" ("Gloria in Excelsis"), for which they received the 2005 Gomidas
Award and the Armenian Music Award for liturgical and spiritual albums. The
CD is available from the St. Vartan Bookstore online at

— 6/27/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church
of Washington, D.C. perform at the United Nations in New York City on April
7, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Junior Choir members from Providence, RI, perform at the
United Nations.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Narek Bell Choir members from Washington, D.C., perform
at the United Nations.

RADANOVICH LEADS CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO URGE

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 25 2006

Four leading Congressional friends of Armenia, George Radanovich (R-CA)
and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), have strongly encouraged
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to reconsider the recall of
Ambassador Evans, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

In a June 22nd letter, the legislators noted that "after months of
speculation," the recall of Ambassador Evans "was confirmed when the
President nominated Richard Hoagland to serve as the new United States
Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia on May 23. While there has been
no official acknowledgement that Ambassador Evans removal was a result
of his February 2005 statement that the Armenian Genocide was the first
genocide of the 20th Century, all evidence points to that conclusion."

"We join with Armenian Americans across the country in thanking
Congressman Radanovich, Schiff, Pallone, and Knollenberg – the four
lead authors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution – for once again
taking the lead in challenging the State Department’s failed policy
of complicity in Turkey’s denial of this crime against all humanity,"
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We share their
belief that Ambassador Evans’ recall should be reversed and look
forward, in the days ahead, to learning more about the circumstances
behind this ill-advised, morally unjustifiable, and increasingly
controversial action."

The Congressional letter closed with the four legislators expressing
their belief that "the United States must formally recognize the
Armenian Genocide, and we will continue to work towards that goal.

Allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to Armenia sends a
strong message on the necessity of Turkish recognition, and will be
an important step in establishing the U.S. position on the Armenian
Genocide."

The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements at Armenian
American community functions, during which he properly characterized
the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." Following his statements, Amb.
Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying that his references to
the Armenian Genocide were his personal views and did not represent
a change in U.S. policy. He subsequently issued a correction to
this statement, replacing a reference to the genocide with the word
"tragedy." The American Foreign Service Association, which had decided
to honor Amb. Evans with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing
creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service,
reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the State
Department in the days leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.

TURKS-MESKHETIANS ARRIVED IN JAVAKHK AS "TOURISTS"

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.06.2006 13:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Some 40 Turks-Meskhetians arrived in Javakhk. They
visited the villages of Khavet and Davni, Akhalkalak region, where
their ancestors used to live. When talking with Armenians residing
in the villages the Turks said they arrived as tourists and have no
intention to resettle there, reported A-info news agency. To note,
after the expulsion of Turks-Meskhtians in 1944 their houses in
the Aspindza and Adyga regions in Samtskhe Javakhetia were occupied
by Georgians.

L’HISTORIEN RENE REMOND CRAINT POUR LA LIBERTE DE LA RECHERCHE

Le Temps, Suisse
23 juin 2006

L’histoire au piège de la loi

Tout inscrire dans la loi: telle semble etre le peche mignon des
deputes francais. Une tendance propre a une nation continentale,
comme l’a souvent souligne un Michel Rocard, qui l’oppose au goût
du contrat propre a l’Angleterre, nation maritime. Or cette manie
legislative vient de marquer quelques rates, dès lors que le parlement
francais, en quelques annees, a vote plusieurs lois "memorielles",
qui soulèvent la colère des historiens tout en contentant telle ou
telle communaute qui se regarde comme victime.

Loi Gayssot sanctionnant la contestation de la Shoah, soeur jumelle de
la loi relative au genocide armenien, loi Taubira assimilant traite
negrière au genocide, article conteste sur les effets benefiques de
la colonisation.

C’est sur cet etrange edifice, transformant l’historiographie en
delit potentiel, que revient l’excellent historien qu’est Rene
Remond. Repondant aux questions de Francois Azouvi, l’auteur des
Droites en France critique vertement cette manie legislative. Car elle
a conduit un groupe d’Antillais a deposer plainte, pour contestation de
genocide, contre un historien, Petre-Grenouilleau, dont la thèse a ete
saluee pour l’evaluation, approfondie et nuancee, de la traite negrière
qu’elle presente. Du coup, un collectif d’historiens, entraîne par Rene
Remond, a demande le retrait de l’ensemble de ces lois memorielles.

L’auteur ne se contente pas de souligner que ces lois sont de nature a
paralyser la recherche en histoire, toujours sujette a revision et au
doute. Si la Shoah, relève-t-il, ne prete plus a contestation, sinon de
la part d’hommes dont on doit interroger les motivations – Rassinier,
Faurisson, Le Pen, Gollnish… – un thème tel que l’affaire armenienne
ou la traite des esclaves n’interdit pas le questionnement. Car la
recherche de la verite est en jeu ici. Et si l’on retirait les lois
memorielles – entreprise au reste delicate – le dispositif legislatif
ordinaire suffirait, selon lui, a sanctionner l’insulte raciale.

L’essai ne s’arrete pas la. Remond repond avec subtilite et
intelligence a ceux qui reprochent aux historiens de pretendre au
monopole du traitement de l’histoire. Belle occasion de s’expliquer:
c’est une discipline ouverte, note-t-il, a tous ceux qui, non
professionnels, s’astreignent a la rigueur de la methode. Une
discipline qui demande de la sensibilite. Remond met un accent
particulier sur les intentions des acteurs de l’histoire et ne refuse
pas le jugement moral de l’historien, dans des conditions precises.

Dans un très beau chapitre sur le thème memoire/histoire, où il
se demarque en passant de Ricoeur – "la memoire est spontanee et
s’impose comme une evidence; l’histoire est une construction qui
procède d’un travail methodique" – Rene Remond evoque de manière
nuancee le "devoir de memoire", et s’arrete a l’attachement, fort,
des Francais, a leur patrimoine. Signe, selon lui, d’un besoin de
se raccrocher au passe au moment meme où les mutations rapides et
profondes des modes d’existence genèrent, en nous, de l’angoisse.

Quand l’Etat se mele de l’histoire, Rene Remond, Stock, 107 p.

–Boundary_(ID_pN9vOCZgcTRquI8mMkpPWw)–

Talks ‘hopeless’ and Azerbaijan ready for war with Armenia: president

Agence France Presse — English
June 23, 2006 Friday 11:32 AM GMT

BAKU, June 23 2006 — International mediation over the disputed
Nagorno Karabakh enclave is "hopeless," oil-rich Azerbaijan’s President
Ilham Aliyev said, vowing to retake it by "peaceful means or by war,"
in a speech to the military on Friday.

Aliyev, who’s country fought its neighbour and fellow former Soviet
republic Armenia over control of the majority-Armenian enclave in
Azerbaijani territory from 1988 to 1994, also said he would use oil
revenues to beef up the military.

Oil will bring Azerbaijan 140 billion dollars over the next two
decades, Aliyev said and "there is no doubt we will use this money
to strengthen the army so that it can return our lands at any moment."

The president said international efforts to mediate the conflict were
"hopeless" and Azerbaijan was willing only to negotiate the restoration
of its full control over Karabakh.

Aliyev was speaking at a graduation ceremony of cadets at Azerbaijan’s
highest military academy, named in honor of his father Heydar Aliyev
whom the younger Aliyev succeeded as president in 2003.

Azerbaijan’s first major oil pipeline, which is operated by energy
giant BP and is backed by the United States, goes online on July 13
and will give the landlocked Caspian Sea an important export route
to Western markets.

In his speech, which was followed by a military parade with the
participation of troops, Russian-built helicopters and fighter jets,
Aliyev said "we will restore our territorial integrity by peaceful
means or by war."

Military spending in this predominantly Shiite Muslim country of
eight million has quadrupled to 700 million dollars in 2006 over
the past four years Aliyev said, adding that on Thursday he ordered
servicemen’s wages to be increased by 100 percent.

"We are buying modern armaments," Aliyev said without elaborating,
"our expenses in the military sphere will grow even more," he added.

Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan in the late 1980s, sparking a
six-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that claimed 25,000
lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Despite a 1994 ceasefire, tensions remain high in the mountainous
region — one of the world’s most militarized zones.