Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

BLACK BOXES LOCATED

Lragir.am
11 May 06

The experts searching for the Armenian A320, which crashed on May 3,
have located the black boxes of the plane, which is lying at the bottom
of the sea, at a depth of 600 meters. The news was reported by one
of the heads of the search team to Ria Novosti. The measurement of
the French apparatus was confirmed by the Russian apparatus Kalmar
designed for underwater work, said the head of the search team. On
May 12 Kalmar will be lowered to the bottom of the sea to confirm
the location of the black boxes.

Experts say the French are highly interested in finding the black
boxes. They hope that the records of the black boxes will refute the
suggestions that the equipment of the aircraft went out of order. At
the same time, the rescuers have only 20 days to take the black boxes
out of water, for these black boxes transmit radio signals within 30
days after a crash. Then the charge runs low. Hence, the search team
has only 22 days. “Our time is limited,” said Alexander Davidenko,
the head of the search team, in an interview with Interfax. The
experts need to decide how to lift the black boxes.

Robot-manipulators must be used, which presently are not available
because the Russian ships, equipped to locate and lift objects from
6000 meters, cannot be used for the search. “These ships are in
different parts of the ocean and cannot reach here in such a short
period of time,” said Davidenko to Interfax. In the meantime, the
airport of Adler refuted the information about the disappearance of
the dispatcher. The airport reported that the dispatcher is in service
and will be working on May 12. The officers of the Interstate Aviation
Committee have already interrogated the dispatcher. The head of the
Department of Investigation of Air Accidents Aleksey Morozov stated
May 11 that immediately before the crash the dispatcher instructed the
crew of A320 to stop landing and gain height, turning to the right. The
aircraft began gaining height, however, it soon began to go down and
plunged into the sea. The Interstate Aviation Committee reported that
the last communication between the aircraft and the dispatcher was
recorded at 2.12.34 Moscow time. At 2.13.2 the aircraft disappeared
from the screen of the radar.

ATTORNEY GENERAL PLANTED TREES IN STEPANAKERT

Lragir.am
10 May 06

On the occasion of May 9 holiday the delegation of Armenia, including
Attorney General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan, arrived in Karabakh.

The Attorney General did not make any statements. Instead the head of
Nig-Aparan Society planted trees in Stepanakert. The newly-appointed
Attorney General of NKR Armen Zalinyan also planted trees. Plant
trees and sleep tight!

REGIONAL MESS, AS INTERPRETED BY ARAM G. SARGSYAN

Lragir.am
10 May 06

A conference on regional prospects will be held May 17 and 18 in
Yerevan, entitled “The Caucasus Without Terrorism and Conflicts:
Dialogue of Civilizations in the Caucasus Crossroad.” The conference
is organized by National Center Dialogue of Civilizations NGO. The
president of the board is Aram Gaspari Sargsyan, leader of the
Democratic Party of Armenia. He informed about the conference on May 10
in a press conference at the National Press Club. It is notable that
the conference is supported by Ara Abrahamyan, the president of the
Union of Armenians of Russia. What is interesting about it? may ask
the reader. It becomes interesting starting with the moment when Aram
Gaspari Sargsyan presents the geography of the invited participants of
the conference: Russia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, NKR and Azerbaijan. Only
experts are invited. The conference is not related with the ruling
circles. It is uncertain whether the Azerbaijani guests will attend
to the conference because they said they had problems in their own
country. Besides, European experts have been invited from Germany
and Switzerland. In this connection it is interesting that they did
not invite experts from the United States to conduct science-based
debates on the future of the Caucasus, whereas the United States
is one of the most active architects of the future of the Caucasus,
if not the most active one.

It became clear from Aram Gaspari Sargsyan’s words that the Americans
were not invited for financial reasons. The expenses are covered by the
organizers, and they do not have money to invite experts from America.

“We have informed the U.S. Embassy, if they want they can take part.

Besides, the session of the World Armenian Congress is scheduled
on these days, and our compatriots from the United States and other
countries will take part in it. They may participate in the conference
too,” says Aram Gaspari Sargsyan. He disagrees that the conference
is pro-Russian, therefore the experts of the country which has
considerable interests in the Caucasus were not invited. “If we had
invited everyone who has interests in this region, France, Germany,
the UK, China, the U.S. and others would all be invited. In other
words, it is a center of clash of interests. We are speaking about
the countries of the region, which are to establish their relations
themselves. Because if we keep trying to remain in the focus of clash
of these interests, we are going to lose every time,” says one of
the organizers of the conference.

Aram Gaspari Sargsyan gave the idea, Ara Abrahamyan pays for gasoline.

Apparently, this principle underlies the international conference,
and the one who pays for gasoline decides who will “get in the car.”

However, this question is not going to be discussed either during
or after the conference. “I have no wish to discuss today the
thesis on being pro-Russian, pro-Western etc. I only consider the
postulate, recently often considered, that Russia’s presence here
is not desirable. In this case, if we are supposed to be absolutely
sovereign, independent and free from influence from the outside, I
am willing to discuss all these questions with these people. On the
other hand, if others come, who are likely to move from some slavery
into other slavery, I have nothing to discuss with such people,”
says Aram Gaspari Sargsyan.

Besides the United States, Abkhazia and South Osetia will not be
invited to the press conference either. This fact is obvious against
the background of participation of Karabakh. But everything becomes
clear due to the perception that “Karabakh is ours.” Aram Sargsyan says
inviting the other unrecognized countries of the region is a subtle
question, which is related with Georgia. The organizers did not want
to assume such a responsibility. And maybe they were not needed since
the most responsible country of the region is with them. Aram Gaspari
Sargsyan says the Russian experts will represent Abkhazia and South
Osetia in the conference.

Airline Industry Information
May 8, 2006

Funerals held for Armenian aircraft crash victims

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-©1997-2006 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

A moment’s silence was held on Saturday (6 May) for the 113 people
killed in the Armenian air crash on Wednesday (3 May).

In addition funerals for some of the victims took place on Saturday
and more were planned for Sunday (7 May).

According to The Associated Press only 53 bodies have currently been
recovered from the site of the crash, and of those 42 had been
identified by Saturday.

The aircraft, which was operated by Armavia, crashed in heavy rain
and poor visibility as it was approaching the airport in Adler.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

TWO ARMENIAN PLANES BURN DOWN AT BELGIAN COMPANY’S BASE

Noyan Tapan
May 05 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Early May 5, four planes, which had
been sent to Brussels for technical examination, including an A-320
plane of the Armavia airline and an A-320 of Armenian International
Airways, burnt down at the base of the Sabina Technic company
(Belgium). Spokeswoman for the RA Civil Aviation Main Department
Gayane Davtian told NT correspondent that there were no victims.

BUSH, ALIYEV PRAISE OUTCOME OF TALKS

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

US and Azeri leaders George Bush and Ilham Aliyev praised the outcome
of their meeting at the White House on Friday, saying they concur on
a number of key issues, including Iran and global energy security.

The United States reaffirmed that Azerbaijan is its important and
strategic partner in the region. “We highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s
involvement in the anti-terror coalition,” Bush said following
a 45-minute meeting with Aliyev. Bush expressed his appreciation
to Aliyev for the support in the Iraq war and for help in achieving
“what we all want, which is energy security.” He said the country had a
“very important role to play” in meeting the world’s energy needs.

Bush described Azerbaijan as “a modern Muslim country that is able
to provide for its citizens and understands that democracy is the
wave of the future.” The two presidents also discussed the crisis
over Iran’s nuclear program. Bush said the sides agreed that the
problem must be resolved through diplomatic channels. “Obviously we
talked about Iran and I assured the president of my desire to solve
this problem diplomatically and peacefully.” Bush said, however,
that options were still open to settle the issue, including the use
of force, but he did not elaborate. Aliyev, speaking in English, said
Azerbaijan’s stance coincides with that of Washington on all issues.

“Just like the US, Baku supports a peaceful settlement of the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict [with Armenia] and other problems, as well
as the establishment of peace in the region. “We have agreed on the
need to expand and strengthen the strategic cooperation between our
countries.” Aliyev spoke highly of the US support in the development
of Azerbaijan’s energy resources. “We appreciate the US leadership’s
support in strengthening regional security, i.e. establishing a
reliable transport infrastructure enabling to take the entire bulk
of Caspian oil and gas to world markets.” The Azeri leader told a
news briefing after the talks that the military cooperation between
U.S. and Azerbaijan is “profound and firm”. Both countries intend to
continue cooperating in this field, he said.

Asked if he took on any commitments during his meeting with Bush,
President Aliyev said he “did not come to Washington to do that”. “I
came as a full-fledged partner and a friend,” he said. Stance on Iran
President Aliyev made it clear that Azerbaijani territory could not be
used for a possible US attack on neighboring Iran. “Azerbaijan and Iran
have signed an agreement banning the use of each other’s territories
for third country attacks. We try to honor all the agreements we have
reached,” Aliyev said addressing the Council on Foreign Relations as
he opened his visit to the U.S. last Wednesday.

Some experts said earlier the Bush administration was likely to
focus on efforts to draw Azerbaijan into an international coalition
against Iran over what the West describes as Tehran’s ambition to
develop a nuclear weapon. The president issued a harsh response to
a question concerning US-Iran tensions, saying his country would
not be used by those trying to engage in confrontation. “Azerbaijan
is not a suitable venue for the realization of such objectives.” A
representative of the International Crisis Group, an organization
engaged in conflict prevention worldwide, said it is beyond doubt that
one of the reasons President Aliyev had been invited to the White
House had to do with Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The project director
on South Caucasus, Sabine Frasier, said that if the US is trying to
gain long-term Azeri support for its policy on Iran and the entire
region, the best alternative would be for Washington to ensure a
peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. “So long as
the conflict remains unresolved, Azerbaijan will not be interested in
spoiling its developing relations with Iran. And the other way round,
if Azerbaijan decides to use military action in Upper Garabagh, which
is located near Iran’s border in the north, this could compromise US
energy and security interests and lead to a halt of foreign investment
in the Azerbaijani economy. “The US should be interested in conflict
resolution, as the territory hosting the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
export pipeline, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline,
both considered an important element of Western energy security, is 30
miles away from the conflict zone,” Frasier said. While commenting on
the visit outcomes, the head of the international relations department
of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Novruz Mammadov,
said the visit had opened up a new page in the history of bilateral
relations. Mammadov told state-owned Azerbaijan television that the
negotiations would have a soothing impact on bilateral relations
because the visit has helped elevate all spheres of cooperation
to a completely new strategic level. Now Azerbaijan, as a regional
leader, will demonstrate its role and significance in the developments
unfolding in Eurasia, Mammadov added.

A.R.F. Shant Student Association
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 306
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: 818-462-3006, Fax: 866-578-1056
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Chris Minassian

PRESS RELEASE
May 4, 2006

Unprecedented Event Demonstrates the Politicized and Unified Activism
of Armenian-American Students Across Southern California Universities
and Colleges

LOS ANGELES, CA – The All-Armenian Student Association Genocide
Recognition Committee (All-ASA GRC) under the chairmanship of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Shant Student Association (ARF SSA)
held a rally on Saturday, April 22, 2006 in support of world-wide
recognition for the Armenian Genocide. The event took place at the
Homenetmen Ararat Center in Los Angeles and attracted an estimated
1,000 college students and activists from across the Los Angeles
metropolitan area. The rally, promoted under the theme “Stain of
Denial”, was the united genocide commemoration event of the All-ASA.

The rally had a dynamic program that featured live musical and dance
renditions, the showing of an original video documentary about the
Genocide produced by the Shant Student Association, and remarks by
distinguished political, community, and student leaders. In a moving
speech, United States Congressman Adam Schiff advocated for a renewed
sense of urgency in the just pursuit of federal recognition for the
Genocide. He noted that in a couple of years, the last set of Armenian
Genocide survivors will have passed away and it was imperative that
they see justice served for family members massacred by the Ottoman
Turkish government between 1915 and 1923.

Other speakers included Paul Krekorian, President of the Burbank
School Board, and Glendale School Board Member Greg Krikorian. In an
emotional speech, Greg Krikorian expressed his indignation at a recent
luncheon in Beverly Hills featuring Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul. Krikorian, who had managed to enter the luncheon, said he could
barely control his anger as some of the Turkish officials present
at the luncheon began to mock the crowd that had gathered outside to
protest the Turkish government’s ongoing denial of the Genocide.

Armenian National Committee Western Region (ANC-WR) Chairman Raffi
Hamparian delivered the evening’s keynote address. In his remarks,
Hamparian emphasized the importance of a united effort in achieving
justice for the Armenian Genocide. He also offered appreciation
to Shant and the All-ASA for organizing such an event that brought
together 20 different student organizations for a common cause. But
most of all, Hamparian stressed that all those who believe in justice
must work year-round and not only in the month of April, to ensure
that the first genocide of the 20th century is properly recognized
and its perpetrators are punished.

About the All-ASA and ARF Shant

The primary goals of the All-Armenian Student Association (All-ASA) are
to promote cooperation between its Constituent Organizations and create
a united front of Armenian student organizations on the principles
of democracy, equal opportunity, responsibility, accountability, and
transparency. The All-ASA was officially confederated on January 11,
2003 at the General Meeting of All Armenian Student Organizations
in Southern California. There are currently 20 signatory member
organizations in the All-ASA.

The mission of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation “Shant” Student
Association (ARF Shant) is to bring a higher level of political and
cultural awareness to Armenian students within American Universities
and institutions of higher learning. Shant’s goal is to work side
by side with the Armenian Student Associations and other Armenian
Student organizations to further the Armenian Cause. At the last
All-ASA General Meeting, ARF Shant was elected chair of the All-ASA
Genocide Recognition Committee.

IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE AZERI CULTURE IN ARMENIA

A1+
[05:32 pm] 04 May, 2006

The RA Government allocated 2million and 308 thousand AMD in order
to find the Azeri graveyards and monuments of historical and cultural
importance, to fix their sites and to take photos.

“THE RA GOVERNMENT KNOWS ITS BUSINESS”

A1+
[04:20 pm] 04 May, 2006

Ukrainian Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia
Alexander Bochco sent his condoling message to Armenians on behalf of
his country in connection with the “A – 320” aircraft crash and noted
that Armenia is not that large and every person felt the terrible pain.

The President of Ukraine also sent a condoling message to RF President
Vladimir Putin. Alexander Bochco mentioned that there was one Ukrainian
citizen among the victims, 20-year-old Inga Chkar. “Ukrainians mourn
and condole with Armenians in all their tragedies and disasters.”

The Ukrainian Ambassador stated the fact that certain political figures
want to use this tragedy for their interests with great sorrow and
grief. He avoided giving any evaluation and conclusion on the matter
and advised to wait till the specialists make public the main cause
of the crash.

Then he referred to the Armenian – Ukrainian relations, which, in
his words, develop constantly.

This mainly refers to commercial relations, which became more active
and was estimated to 110 million USD according to the data of the
previous year. This is a good result for Armenia. “The trade in January
and February twice outnumbered in comparison with last year data. The
trade of the two countries’ products has activated both in Armenian
and in Ukrainian markets.”

The Ambassador also mentioned that their views coincide with Armenians
in many issues, especially in connection with the EU membership. As
for the gas price increase, he urged that it was expected in both
countries but a bit later. In his words the sudden increase was a
real surprise for the Ukrainian Government.

“The current solution of the matter is not the best one, but if we take
into consideration that it was in winter and people needed heating,
we shall understand the logic of the increase. As for the 5th bloc of
the Hrazdan heat generating plant, I think the Armenian Government
knows its business and realizes the further serious consequences of
its deal,” said Alexander Bochco.

AZERBAIJANI ARMY OFFICER RAMIL SAFAROV’S FATHER APPEALS TO PUBLIC

Today, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Sahib Safarov, father of Ramil Safarov who is accused of murder of
Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan in Hungary, appealed to public
requesting for removal of his son’s photos from public places and
transportation.

Father told in his statement that the reason why he appealed is that
his son’s photos on buses, subway trains and other public places
can be considered as influence on the Court of Appeals during his
upcoming trial.

“Of course, I understand that with these photos, people try to express
their support, love and sympathy for my son. So, I express my gratitude
to them, to all people and highly appreciate their support.

But I request them to avoid sticking my son’s photos in streets if
they want to help him. My son phoned me two days ago saying that
Armenians have become more active in Hungary after the trial. The
publicize news spread in Azerbaijani media, KLO chief Akif Nagi’s
statements on the issue, opinions that court decision has bad influence
on Azerbaijani-Hungarian relations. This information forms bad,
false impression about Azerbaijan in Hungary and can badly influence
decision of Court of Appeals. So, I appealed the public not to stick
my son’s photos on public places. Secondly, I ask them to understand
me properly, from good side of my words.”

Next trial on claim raised against Ramil Safarov by jailers will take
place in Pesht court today. Hungarian lawyer Klara Fiser defends Ramil,
APA reports.

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