Author: Jagharian Tania

Political Will Essential for Ceasefire Maintenance
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The proposal for ceasefire strengthening at the NKR
and Azeri armed forces’ contact line made by the OSCE Minsk Group
was signed by Armenian Defense Minister Sargsyan, commander of the
NK army Babayan and Azeri Defense Minister Mamedov. It came into
force February 6, 1995. “The agreement was not an improvisation. Its
mechanism was item by item discussed with the top officials of the
conflicting sides. The readiness of the parties could be proved by
the fact that the document was signed the same day upon receipt,”
said OSCE MG former Russian Co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov.
Vladimir Kazimirov underscored that the agreement was not a panacea,
but it helped to alleviate the situation and take adequate measures on
the spot. “Nothing but political will was essential for it,” he said.
To note, the proposals on strengthening the ceasefire were sent by
Vladimir Kazimirov to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on
February 3, 1995. The consent of the parties was received February 4,
1995 from the Defense Ministers of all the conflicting sides.

NO DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN DEFENSE MINISTER AND ME: TIGRAN TOROSYAN
Panorama.am
14:10 22/07/06
“There are no disagreements between defense minister Serze Sargsyan and
me,” Tigran Torosyan, NA speaker, told 10th congress of the Republican
Party. He said talks on such disagreements are groundless. Speaking
about the enlargement of the part, NA speaker said that the process
takes place under the light of constitutional reforms and includes
all political forces. He said this may promote multy-party system
in Armenia./Panorama.am/

Georgia’s commodity turnover with EU member states increasing
ArmRadio.am
19.07.2006 12:43
Georgia’s commodity turnover with EU member states is
increasing. Department of Statistics of the Georgian Ministry of
Economic Development told ” Kavkazpress” that in 2005 the community
turnover increased with 14.8 percent. The share of the trade with EU
sates comprises 24.9 percent of the total.

Picnic Aids Armenian Home; Fundraiser Helps Pay for Maintenance of a Fresno Landmark.
Fresno Bee (California)
July 11, 2006 Tuesday
FINAL EDITION
by Vanessa Colon The Fresno Bee
Trimmed trees dotted with pink blossoms, spotless floors covered
by rugs and warm, hearty meals are samplings of the atmosphere and
services the California Armenian Home wants to continue for the
elderly with help from a fundraiser Saturday.
The Armenian American Citizens League and the home will host the annual
Moonlight Picnic, a gathering rooted in the century-old tradition of
Armenian-American picnics.
The home, founded more than 50 years ago by the Armenian American
Citizens League, houses more than 100 residents.
“We built this place. … We gradually fixed the grounds. We are
always trying to improve the place,” said Penny Mirigian-Emerzian,
an organizer of the picnic.
The picnic, one of the major fundraisers that helps keep the facility
running, serves to unite the Armenian-American community from all
over the Central Valley and the state.
The home was established to give Armenian-Americans a facility for
their older population. The home offers arrangements for residents who
don’t need assistance and those who do, as well as a hospital facility.
Two groups, the Ani Guild and the Armenian Home Guild, help support
the home through fundraisers and activities.
The tradition of children looking after aging parents hasn’t gone
away among Armenian- American families, but some families depend on
a facility such as the home, Mirigian-Emerzian said.
Birdie Saroyan, cousin of famous playwright William Saroyan, had no
choice but to live at the home.
Saroyan, 84, said: “I don’t have any children. I never got married. I
took care of Mommy and Daddy … I took very good care of them.”
The Moonlight Picnic will take place outside the home at 6720 E.
Kings Canyon Road and will feature Armenian cuisine such as a shish
kebab and lulu kebab sandwich. Hot dogs are on the menu for those
not wanting Armenian dishes.
Entertainment includes musician Richard Hagopian and a raffle for
cash prizes. Organizers expect about 1,000 people.
A new feature at the home is a flag staff, where an Armenian flag
flutters beneath the American flag.
The American flag flew in Washington, D.C., and the Armenian flag
once flew over the Armenian Embassy, Mirigian-Emerzian said.
Lucy Jamgotchian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide from 1915
to 1923, used to walk outside to raise the flags. Jamgotchian, 97,
now uses a wheelchair but is content living in the home where she
can stare out her window and look at the flags.
Jamgotchian said: “I’m not fussy.”
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6313.
Moonlight picnic
Where: California Armenian Home
When: 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Parking $5, meals range from $7 to $12

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA URGES SENATE TO BLOCK HOAGLAND NOMINATION
— Cites Nominee’s Genocide Denial; Inconsistent
and Contradictory Statements to Senate Panel
WASHINGTON, DC – Citing U.S. Ambassador-designate Richard
Hoagland’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and his contradictory
responses to Senate inquiries – both against the background of the
continued failure of the Administration to offer a meaningful and
forthright explanation of its reasons for firing the current U.S.
Ambassador, John Evans – the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) today issued a statement formally opposing Hoagland’s
nomination to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.
A July 16th policy editorial published by the Los Angeles Times
called on the U.S. Senate to block Ambassador-designate Hoagland’s
nomination until he properly recognizes the Armenian Genocide. The
strongly worded piece urged the Bush administration to “explain
forthrightly – not just to Armenian Americans but to all Americans
who believe in calling evil by its proper name – why U.S. policy is
being dictated by Ankara nationalists.”
The full text of the ANCA Statement is provided below.
#####
___________________________________ ___________________________
ANCA Statement on Richard Hoagland’s Nomination
for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
Ambassador-designate Richard Hoagland has disqualified himself as a
candidate to serve as our nation’s ambassador to the Republic of
Armenia.
During the course of his Senate confirmation process, Ambassador-
designate Richard Hoagland has taken a number of actions that
demonstrate that he cannot effectively represent U.S. interests and
American values, among them:
1) Asserting that the Armenian Genocide does
not qualify as an instance of genocide
2) Providing Contradictory Statements or
Failing to Respond to U.S. Senate Inquiries
3) Abandoning America’s leadership
on genocide prevention:
————————————- —————————————
1) Asserting that the Armenian Genocide does
not qualify as an instance of genocide
Ambassador-designate Hoagland has disqualified himself as the next
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia by engaging in denial of the Armenian
Genocide.
Consistent with the denials issued by the Turkish government,
Ambassador Hoagland argues that the Armenian Genocide does not
qualify as an instance of genocide because of the absence, on the
part of the perpetrator, of a “specific intent to destroy, in whole
or in substantial part,” the victim group.
In a July 14th response to a written question from Senator Barbara
Boxer (D-CA) concerning why the U.S. does not consider the Armenian
Genocide an instance of genocide, Ambassador-designate Hoagland
selectively cited one of the five “understandings” expressed by the
U.S. at the time of the U.S. ratification of the U.N. Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, namely
that, “genocidal intent meant a ‘specific intent to destroy, in
whole or in substantial part,’ the group as such.”
Additionally, in a dramatic retreat to the more blatant forms of
denial typical of the State Department’s opposition to Armenian
Genocide recognition during the 1980s, Ambassador-designate
Hoagland referred to statements on the Armenian Genocide as
allegations. In a response to a written inquiry from Senator John
Kerry (D-MA) concerning Turkey’s criminal prosecution of
journalists for writing about the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador-
designate Hoagland characterized their factual affirmations of the
Armenian Genocide as simply allegations.
As Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) stated during Ambassador-designate
Hoagland’s confirmation hearing, “I am not sure how we can continue
to have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless they
give recognition to the Genocide.” Sadly, Ambassador-designate
Hoagland has gone far beyond the traditional Administration
practice of failing to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.
He has, instead, placed himself firmly into the camp of the Turkish
government by publicly denying the genocidal nature of this crime.
His nomination, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic escalation
in U.S. complicity in Turkey’s campaign of denial.
2) Providing Contradictory Statements or
Failing to Respond to U.S. Senate Inquiries
Ambassador-designate Hoagland has disqualified himself as the next
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia by making contradictory and inconsistent
statements to the U.S. Senate regarding his views on the Armenian
Genocide. In many instances, he did not respond to specific Senate
inquiries.
In responses to questions submitted by Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-
RI) and John Kerry (D-MA), he denied that he had been counseled not
to refer to the events of 1915 as the Armenian Genocide. Yet, in
the course of responding to questioning at his confirmation hearing
and to several dozen written inquiries, he went to extreme lengths
to avoid using this term. Either he has misled Senators regarding
the guidance he has received, or he has chosen to avoid using the
term genocide on his own accord – both profoundly troubling
developments that disqualify him from serving as the U.S. envoy in
Yerevan.
More broadly, Ambassador-designate Hoagland’s July 14th claim that
the Armenian Genocide does not meet the U.S. government’s
definition of genocide stands in stark contrast to his repeated
assertions to U.S. Senators that the Administration does not deny
the events of 1915:
* In response to a question about U.S. policy on the
Armenian Genocide from Senator Allen (R-VA) during the June
28th confirmation hearing, Ambassador-designate Hoagland
asserted that, “No one in this administration has ever
denied the events beginning in the 20th century at the end
of the Ottoman Empire that befell the Armenian nation and
people.”
* In response to a question from Senator Coleman (R-MN)
regarding whether Ambassador-designate Hoagland agreed with
then-Governor Bush’s statements affirming the Armenian
Genocide, he stated: “I fully agree that the events that
occurred on 1915 and following were of historic proportion.
As I said well-documented, horrific and horrifying and as
we heard from Senator Sarbanes in his statement early on —
hundreds of valleys devastated no family untouched. It was
historic. It was a tragedy. Everyone agrees with that.”
* In response to a written inquiry from Senator John Kerry
(D-MA) asking if he disputed a series of nine facts about
the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador-designate Hoagland did
not dispute that: “The atrocities conceived and carried out
by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923 … resulted in the
elimination of the more than 2,500-year presence of
Armenians in their historic homeland.”
* In response to subsequent questions from Senator Kerry
asking about the Administration’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide and the consequences of its non-recognition,
Ambassador-designate Hoagland stated that, “the
Administration does not deny the tragic events that
occurred in the final years of the Ottoman Empire,” and
that: “the Administration does recognize the massacre or
forced exile of as many as 1.5 million Armenians in the
final years of the Ottoman Empire.”
3) Abandoning America’s leadership
on genocide prevention:
Ambassador-designate Hoagland has additionally disqualified himself
as the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia by failing to grasp the
fundamental need for U.S. moral leadership in condemning and
preventing genocide.
In response to a question from Senator Kerry, Ambassador-designate
Hoagland stated that, “The U.S. believes that the question of how
to characterize these horrific events is of such enormous human
significance that it should not be determined on the basis of
politics, but through heartfelt introspection among academics,
civic leaders, and societies.”
Ambassador-designate Hoagland’s formulation could not be more
deeply flawed. It is precisely because of the enormity of the
Armenian Genocide that the U.S. should address this crime with
absolute moral and historical clarity. By delegating the
characterization of the Armenian Genocide to a dialogue between the
unrepentant perpetrators of Genocide and the survivors and
descendants of those who perished, the Ambassador-designate argues
for effectively reducing our nation’s response to genocide to the
level acceptable to the Turkish government. Our nation’s human
rights policy should never be held hostage by a foreign country –
particularly one that is regularly cited as among the world’s worst
human rights abusers.
For these reasons, we respectfully request that the U.S. Senate not
move forward with Ambassador Hoagland’s nomination.
July 18, 2006

ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ARE FAR AWAY FROM THE AGREEMENT, PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 16 2006
In an interview to Turkey’s newspaper Cumhuriyet, President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said international mediators – Russia, France
and the United States of America – work to settle Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and assist us in reaching any kind of
agreement.
According the President, the Minsk group has recently made a statement
with some details of their proposals made public. He said, “We have
not come to agreement. Armenia and Azerbaijan are far away from the
agreement. We did not raise our objection to the proposals put forward
by the Minsk Group”
“We never wanted the talks be held in the dark. We have nothing to
hide. Considering the other side’s suggestion, we also agreed to hold
secret negotiations. As Minsk group has decided to go public about
the details of the peace talks, thus, we have to make some things
clear too”, said the Head of State.

Armenian minister says OSCE “most efficient” Karabakh mediator
Arminfo
14 Jul 06
Yerevan, 14 July: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan considers
the OSCE Minsk Group to be the most efficient mission in the
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, Vardan Oskanyan told
a news conference at the Mirror discussion club today, commenting
at journalists’ request on Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Afshar
Soleymani’s statement about “the inefficiency of the OSCE Minsk Group”
reported by the Azerbaijani media.
“Although the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairmen have announced that they
have run out of imagination, I do not think this means that their
mediation mission has ended. I think that the Minsk Group remains
the most efficient mission and I am sure that it will continue its
active participation in the process,” the minister stressed.
As far as various proposals suggested outside the OSCE Minsk Group
are concerned, the Armenian foreign minister said that proposals, no
matter whether they were suggested by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
or Iran, needed to be listened to if they were interesting and could
be put on the negotiating table.
“But I think that there is no point speaking about Iran as the main
mediator now since the OSCE Minsk Group has not yet exhausted itself,”
Oskanyan said.

Japan Stands for Karabakh Conflict Peaceful Settlement
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.07.2006 18:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Japan has a positive attitude about the talks held
by Armenia and Azerbaijan for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful
settlement, Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko Yamanaka
said at today’s press conference in Baku. She informed that during
the meeting with Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov they exchanged views on
the Karabakh conflict and the U.N. reformation, reported Day.az.

Armenian Citizens Being Evacuated from Lebanon
PanARMENIAN.Net
15.07.2006 15:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the data of July 15, there are
no Armenian citizens among population, who suffered from Israeli
aircraft bombings of Beirut, Acting Spokesperson of the Armenian MFA
Vladimir Karapetyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words,
several dozens of Armenian citizens are in Lebanon at present. “The
main goal of the Armenian Embassy in Beirut is to secure Armenian
citizens. The Armenian Embassy in Lebanon takes all measures to
evacuate Armenian citizens. They should be transported to Aleppo,
Syria, and then to Armenia,” Karapetyan remarked.

Transport Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Kazakhstan to meet by
the end of the year
ArmRadio.am
13.07.2006 11:23
The sitting of task forces to prepare for the meeting of Transport
Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Kazakhstan over the
launching of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway will be held in
Tbilisi today.
The Ministers will be by the end of the year in Kazakhstan. The
average cost of the Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku project is estimated
US$400 million