Author: Jalatian Sonya

Turkish Press
Jan 20 2007

Assasination Of Dink, A Trap Set For Turkey Says Retired General Edip
Baser
Published: 1/20/2007

ISTANBUL – Retired General Edip Baser, Turkey`s special
representative for countering terrorism, said murder of Hrat Dink,
editor-in-chief of bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, is a trap
in order to put Turkey on the spot in terms of its international
relations, and added that Turkey should not walk into this trap.
Retired Gen. told A.A that this is a very sad event. "The murder of
one of our citizens in such a mean terrorist attack is very sad in
the first place. On the other hand, one has to see the trap set for
Turkey and one must be sensible in order not to walk into this trap.
In my opinion, all our citizens, no matter from which ethnicity,
should have common sense regarding these issues," said Baser.

"I think this was a trap to put Turkey on the spot in terms of
international relations. Especially in a period when Armenian claims
of genocide are brought to spotlight, that such an attack has
occurred these days when all Turkey`s attention was on the troubled
region in the south (north of Iraq) is reminiscent of different
intentions," continued retired Gen. Baser.

Baser said one of the aims can be to reach faster solutions in
countries where the claims of the so-called Armenian genocide will be
discussed.

Turkey`s special representative for countering terrorism said another
reason could be to direct Turkey`s attention from Iraq and the
national interests there, and keep Turkey busy with internal
conflicts.

Baser who drew attention to journalist identity of Dink said his
assassination will attract reactions from more than one aspect.
"Those who planned this attack calculate the reactions, its zone of
influence, therefore they select people such as Dink in order to have
a wider zone of influence."

Retired Gen. Baser offered his condolences to everyone, Armenian
citizens in particular.

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ARMENIA’S COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICES EXTENDED RIGHTS OF "ARMENTEL"
FOR USE OF RADIO-RELAY LINES

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. The Armenia’s Commission for Public
Services has resolved today, at extra session, to allow the "ArmenTel"
CJSC to use the radio-relay lines, by which the Company render a fixed
and cell communication, till March 3, 2013. As the Chairman of the
Commission, Robert Nazaryan, told ArmInfo, the necessity of an extra
session has been caused by the fact that the permission for "ArmenTel"
Company to use some radio-relay frequencies expires on January 21,
2007. Otherwise, "ArmenTel" would be deprived of the right for
rendering of the fixed and cell communication services in some regions
of Armenia. In particular, this decision concerns 50 base cell
stations of "ArmenTel". The Company totals 200 base cell stations. By
another decision, Commission has allowed the Company to use the
radio-relay frequencies till March 3, 2013, to render a fixed
telephone communication in the towns of Spitak and Yeghegnadzor. The
permissions for use of the above-mentioned radio-rely frequencies were
given to "ArmenTel" by the "Republican Telecommunication Center" CJSC
on July 25, 2000. "ArmenTel" is a national communication operator in
Armenia, 90% of shares of which have been sold to the Russian
"VympelCom" OJSC at the end, 2006. The remaining 10% of shares
belongs to the Armenian Government.

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER: IT’S NOT STRANGE THAT MY NAME IS NOT AMONG
"HEROES OF OUR TIME" ACCORDING TO GALLUP PUBLIC OPINION POLL

Yerevan, January 19. ArmInfo. Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan
considers that it’s not strange that his name is not among the "heroes
of our time" according to the Gallup public opinion poll, S.Sargsyan
said at a press-conference, Friday.

Asked to point out the "heroes of our time", the Armenian public named
both commanders of the past (Andranik, Dro and Nzhdeh), and their
contemporaries (Monte Melkonyan and Vazgen Sargsyan). Explaining his
opinion, the Minister emphasized that he considers himself neither a
hero nor a great commander.

Moreover, in the Minister’s opinion, the results of the public opinion
poll show the common and modern thinking of the society.

As regards some people’s opinion that Serzh Sargsyan’s personality
doesn’t associate with the army, the Defence Minister reminded that
anyhow he has been connected with the army over the past 20 years, 5
years of them – indirectly.

"I have been serving in the Armenian Army for 15 years. Even if in
this case I am not associated with the army, then there is no
problem>, the Minister stated, adding that one should also know the
opinion of officers and soldiers to clarify this question.

THREE DOCUMENTS SIGNED WITH RA CCI DURING VISIT OF DELEGATION OF ALEPPO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Noyan Tapan
Jan 18 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Agreement on Cooperation,
Memorandum on Creation of Armenian-Syrian Business Council and Mutual
Understanding Memorandum were signed on January 18 between the RA
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Chamber of Commerce
of Aleppo (Syria). The documents were signed by Chairman of the RA
CCI Martin Sargsian and Chairman of Aleppo CC Saleh Mallah, Executive
Director of the RA CCI Gagik Vardanian and Head of Aleppo CC Committee
of Fairs Hasan Zeidou.

To recap, S. Mallah heads the 12-member Syrian delegation representing
various sectors of industry, services and trade, which is on a visit
to Armenia on January 16-19.

At the press conference following the signing ceremony, Chairman of
the Aleppo Chamber of Commerce said that the sides will co-operate
in organization of exhibitions. According to him, an exhibition
of Armenian products will be held in Aleppo in September. It will
be accompanied by the RA CCI’s visit. In the words of S. Mallah,
about 800 Armenian traders are included in the Aleppo CCI. 300-400 of
them are famous in their spheres of activity, particularly technical
servicing of cars and spare part production, jewelry making, production
of heating systems.

M. Sargsian said that during the visit to Armenia, Syrian businessmen
showed interest in production of small hydropower plants and
transformers of Armelectromachine OJSC, Erebuni knitted garment
factory, Viasphere Technopark’s developments of the solar energy
sector, Lida garment factory, Ardin studio, Tamara Fruit, Euroterm
and Trans Alliance companies and in Arevik publishing house. It was
noted that the Syrian side has reached an agreement on joint work with
Tamara Fruit company and a cooperation agreement with Erebuni company.

According to him, rubber items, precious and semiprecious stones,
and foodstuffs make most part of the export from Armenia to Syria. He
expressed a hope that an opportunity will be created to export Armenian
food and knitted wear half-finished products to Syria and organize
production there.

PRESS RELEASE
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Anush Babayan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

17.01.07
O n e m o r e p r o j e c t o f H a y a s t a n F u n d b e
n e f i ts Sa i n t Vi r gi n m e d i c a l c e n t r e
On January 12, the neuro-surgical unit of the Saint Virgin medical
centre was unveiled. Ms. Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of the
Hayastan Fund, Ms. Nani Oskanian Mr. Yervand Zakharyan, Mayor of
Yerevan, Mr. Tatoul Hakobyan, Deputy Minister of Health delivered a
speech at the opening ceremony. Then Prelates of Armenian Apostolic
Church consecrated the newly opened unit. Mr. Nikolai Dallakyan, Head of
the Hospital, expressed his gratitude to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
and Hagop Giritlian who had sponsored the project. The 96-year old donor
has retired to the at Saint Saviour Church house for elderly people in
Istanbul and uses all his savings for benevolence. In 2003-2004 through
the sponsorship of Hagop Giritlian the Fund renovated and refurbished
the third floor of the hospital. Following that, benefactor decided to
assist the Fund to renovate the children’s neuro-surgical unit of the
hospital – the only one in Armenia. Mr. Dallakyan noted that the
upgraded facilities will make the medical services more efficient.
Thanks to the pictures presented to the hospital by the National Center
of Aesthetics the unit looked more attractive. Ms. Melkoumian noted that
the Hayastan Fund is likely to implement other projects at the hospital
in the future. `A great many individuals approach us wishing to
support special projects’, said Ms. Melkoumian. `As for the funds
raised at Himnadram annual Telethons, we use them for major projects of
strategic importance within a program that is approved by the Board of
Trustees. Similarly, the program of the Telethon 2007 will be defined at
the Meeting of the Board of Trustees on May 8".

The Armenian Fund Will Always Carry Out Activities in Artshakh

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is going ahead with its Rebirth of
Artsakh project in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Most of the projects
carried out in Mardakert will be completed in summer 2007.
Reconstruction of the regional hospital and a number of other projects
will be over in autumn. The Fund has announced a tender for
reconstruction of Vank village water supply system. Tender has been
announced for construction of 21 km long water-main within the Hadrout
project. 4 ambulance cars have been ordered for the Hadrout hospital.
The 8 km long gas pipe-line, Hadrout hospital and Hakaku village school
are currently in design stage. Togh village is a model project within
which infrastructure facilities such as gas, water supply system,
school, aid station, cultural centre will be dealt with. Togh is also
the centre of the Hadrout Agricultural Development project. As for the
forthcoming projects of the Hayastan Fund, they will be publicized as
soon as they are finally approved.

The PR department of the Hayastan Fund is authorized to announce that
whatever complex project the Fund will be implementing, it will always
make sure that Artsakh is included. By doing so, the Fund will do its
best to increase its investments in the region, which is in full
compliance with the approach of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

CAPTURED AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2007

One more captured Azerbaijani soldier will be released tomorrow,
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Press Center told the APA.

The chief of International Committee of Red Cross Azerbaijani
Office Martin Amasher said in his meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. The chief of the office also stated that
he will continue the issues concerning the captures, trainings will
be conducted for the local staffs, take measures for the treatment of
the prisoners suffering from tuberculosis. Stressing that the committee
had done a lot in 15 years of its work, the minister said that they won
the confidence of the government. Answering the guest’s question on the
current situation of the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,
the minister stressed the necessity of agreement for the preliminary
stage and noted that some forces, mainly Armenian Diasporas hamper the
regulation of the conflict. The minister said that Armenia’s attempt
to change the borders is inadmissible, and noted that Armenia tried
to cover up the occupation under "self -determination".

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND ODIHR DIRECTOR DISCUSS THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
15.01.2007 17:32

On January 15 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the Director
of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR),
Ambassador Christian Strohal, who is paying a two-day visit to Armenia.

Greeting the guest, the Minister noted that Armenian authorities
positively assess he activity of the OSCE ODIHR in the process
of democratic development in Armenia and attached importance to
Mr. Strohal’s visit on the eve of elections.

Ambassador Strohal underlined that the visit is aimed to discuss the
cooperation between OSCE ODIHR and Armenia and issues related to the
forthcoming elections in Armenia.

Stressing the importance of conducting free and fair elections, the
parties turned to the process of development of Armenia’s election
system, underlining the role of the OSCE in the elaboration of the
Electoral Code of Armenia, retraining of electoral bodies and provision
of expert assistance to them.

The interlocutors expressed hope that Armenia will successfully
continue the process of making the internal legislation fit
contemporary international standards, reforms of the legal and judicial
systems, which will promote the defense of human rights.

EUROPEAN GREEN CARD RESEMBLING AMERICAN ONE LIKELY TO BE ISSUED SOON
By Aghavni Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
16/01/2007

It’s lilely that very soon the European Commission will suggest
to issue the so-called Euroepan green cards. Thus, they are going
to try to apply the green card policy conducted by the United
States. "Reuters" agency informed that only selected people may get
the permission for living and staying in Europe. The countries where
there are great may of foreigners aren’t very pleased with the idea
of issuing European green cards.

SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ALLOWS WEAPONS FACTORY TO EXPORT ITS GOODS TO ARMENIA

FoNet news agency, Belgrade, Serbia
10 Jan 2007

Belgrade, 10 January: Serbian Foreign Economic Relations Ministry
today issued a permit to [Kragujevac-based] "Zastava Weapons" factory
for export of weapons to Armenia, the Serbian government has stated.

The statement adds that the permission was requested on 3 January.

Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown Massachusetts 02472
617-926-1918 – [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE: January 11, 2007
For more information contact: 617-926-1918

Greater Boston Community Welcomes Genocide Documentary `Screamers’

WATERTOWN – More than 75 community members gathered at the Arsenal Center for
the Arts Monday, January 8, to hear director Carla Garapedian discuss her
new film, Screamers, the gripping documentary about the multi-platinum,
Grammy-award winning band System Of A Down’s campaign to end the cycle of
genocide.

The event, organized by Maya Releasing and the Armenian National Committee,
featured a video presentation of excerpts from the film and presented the
community with the opportunity to meet and talk with Garapedian. The
gathering also was aimed to garner community support for the film’s release.

"Screamers is about exposing the denial of all genocide, Armenia, the
Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, the Iraqi Kurds and the current
horror in Darfur," said Garapedian. "It is about making sure the same
critical message George Clooney and Don Cheadle are ‘screaming’ about is
heard, that these atrocities ‘never happen again.’ And I believe, it is this
generation, the ‘screamers,’ who will make sure all genocide is recognized
and ends, because ‘screamers’ will no longer tolerate or accept previous
generations of politicians and humanitarians who have so miserably failed
them."

Garapedian explained that she got the term Screamers from Harvard Professor
Samantha Power, the virtual narrator in the film, who in her Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, A Problem From Hell: America in the Age of Genocide,
argues that in each case of genocide, whether it is the Armenian genocide or
the genocide on in Darfur, Sudan, now, there are always individuals who
raise the alarm and say this is going on and we have to do something about
it. Powers calls those people screamers.

Garabedian, who earned her Ph.D. in international relations at the
prestigious London School of Economics and is the only American even to
anchor the BBC World News, also discussed the power of highlighting the
Screaming of Grammy award winning System of a Down.

Garapedian also attentively listened to comments and suggestions from the
audience regarding how the community can play a role in advancing the film’s
message and rally crowds to fill theaters when the film debuts in Boston.

Earlier, in her welcoming remarks, ANC’s Sharistan Melkonian said any one
interested in advancing human rights and the prevention of genocide must see
the film.

Kevin Benson, the president of Maya Releasing, the company distributing the
film nationwide, outlined the plans his company has to promote and release
the film nationally and delineated the strategy, by which the film would be
distributed.

Maya’s community outreach director Ara Khachatourian urged the participants
of the event to become `ambassadors’ of the film and to ensure that their
personal and professional circles are aware that such an important
documentary will be playing in a theater `near you!’

Also present during the evening was artist Donna Eichholz who displayed a
commemorative glass art pendant she designed exclusively for Screamers.. The
pendant can be viewed and purchased in Boston exclusively at Adamas Jewelers
in Newton.

Screamers debuted at the American Film Institute Film Festival on November 2
and won the coveted AFI Audience Award. On hand for the opening were
Garapedian, "System Of A Down" band members Serj Tankian, John Dolmayan and
Shavo Odadjian, producers Pete McAlevey and Tim Swain, sponsor Raffy
Manoukian of the Raffy Manoukian Charity and a host of genocide recognition
and prevention activists from the ANCA, Save Darfur, and other groups.

Screamers is a production of MG2 productions in association with BBC
Television and The Raffi Manoukian Charity. Garapedian, a veteran reporter
who has made a career of covering the most difficult stories, from Chechenya
to repression in Afghanistan, follows the European tour of System Of A Down
and their ongoing efforts, through music and activism, to raise awareness
about denial of all genocide, tracing the band members’ own personal journey
of their grandparents surviving the Armenian Genocide and its legacy of a
century of atrocities. The film, distributed by Maya Entertainment, is
currently playing in the Los Angeles area and will have a special Capitol
Hill screening on January 17 at the Library of Congress,

The film opens in Boston on January 26. For more information on the film and
film locations, visit the officials Screamers web site at
Screamersmovie.com.