Author: Kalashian Nyrie

VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN: IN KARABAKH PROCESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN
SHOULD BE NO LONGER CONSIDERED AS FIRST AND FOREMOST
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The official Yerevan is not going
to make more concessions that those being spoken about for already
several years. Vahan Hovhannisian, RA NA Vice-Speaker, member of the
ARF Dashnaktsutiun Bureau, declared this at the April 20 meeting at the
National Press Club. “I think that the negotiations strategy, as well
as statements made for the purpose of presenting Armenia in a more
beneficial position in the negotiations process for making progress
in the negotiations should not be mixed with the ultimate aim,”
he mentioned commenting upon RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s
statement that the Armenian side is ready to delay the discussion
of the issue of Nagorno Karabakh status for some time. Oskanian, in
particular, had declared that “if Azerbaijan agrees to the reality
that the Nagorno Karabakh people has the right of self-determination,
that can be used not immediately but in the future, the Armenian
side is ready to immediately discuss the issues connected with
liquidation of the consequences of the conflict – territories,
refugees, other issues connected with security”. “After all, if
Azerbaijan once admits that it recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh’s right
of self-determination, it can retract its words with difficulty in
the future”, Vahan Hovhannisian emphasized. According to the speaker,
such statements voiced by the Armenian side show that henceforth not
such a great importance is attached to what Azerbaijan will do or
will say. According to him, today the negotiations with Azerbaijan
should be no longer considered as the first and foremost issue on
the agenda. The first and foremost should be the efforts of Armenians
aimed at Nagorno Karabakh recognition in the international sphere in
this or that way, which will contribute to Azerbaijan’s taking more
conciliatory position.

EU demands closing down the nuclear power plant
ArmRadio.am
20.04.2006 16:42
“The European Union ids interested in closing down Metsamor nuclear
power plant,” Head of the EU Trio delegation, Foreign Affairs State
Secretary of Austria Hans Winkler declared today in Yerevan.
Hans Winkler said that “the Armenian nuclear power plant uses old
technologies, which do not come up to modern security standards.”
“On the other hand the European Union respects the sovereign right
of every state to chose the type of energy, which best corresponds
to its capacities and interests,” Hans Winkler said. In his words,
during the talks in Armenia the prospects of construction of a new
nuclear power plant were not discussed, “since it is not in the
liabilities of the European Union.

FUNDS FROM PRIVATIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN ARMAVIR MARZ AMOUNT TO 1 BLN DRAMS IN 2005
Noyan Tapan
Apr 19 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The work done in Armavir marz in
2005 was summarized, as well as the programs to be implemented
this year were discussed during the April 19 working meeting of the
Armenian President Robert Kocharian and the governor of Armavir marz
Albert Heroyan. The President inquired about how the money received
from privatization of agricultural lands in Armavir is invested
in the local infrastructures. A. Heroyan said that 1 bln drams
(about 2.2 mln USD) from the sale of lands was mainly allocated for
the installation of gas supply system in the villages of Baghramian
region: 14 out of the 15 communities there will be supplied with gas
by late 2006. According to the governor, the land privatization also
allowed to create jobs. According to the RA President’s press service,
the opportunies of setting up small and medium processing enterprises
and improving the irrigation networks and community roads in Armavir
marz with financial resources of the Millennium Challenge Fund were
also discussed at the meeting. In terms of infrastructure development,
the governor attached importance to repairs of Yerevan-Armavir-Gyumri
motorway included in the Lincy program, which may enable to reduce
agriculatural produce sale expenses by nearly 30%.

U.S. EMBASSY HOLDS FIFTH ANNUAL JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
Panorama.am
14:09 20/04/06
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia is proud to announce that it will hold
its fifth annual Jazz Appreciation Month in Armenia April 26-30. This
year”s program will include multiple events including film showings, a
jazz dance performance, and Armenian and American jazz music concerts,
which are open to the public.
The Judy Bady Quartet from New York City, along with many well-known
Armenian jazz musicians, will take part in this week-long celebration
of jazz. A new addition to this year”s events is a jazz dance
performance at the Paronyan Theater.
Tickets for all performances are on sale at the Opera and Paronyan
Theater box offices. Additional information can be found on the
U.S. Embassy website at
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH 2006 “Colors of Jazz”
Wednesday, April 26, 12:00 pm National Aesthetic Center, Children’s
Art Museum, Abovian Street 13 Armenian young musicians will play live
American jazz music while student painters create live performance
art. No tickets needed.
Jazz Dance Performance “American Suite” Wednesday, April 26, 7.00 pm
Paronyan State Theater A twelve-person Armenian professional dance
troupe will perform interpretive dance to jazz music.
“Jazz Parade” Saturday, April 29, 7.00 pm Opera House This gala event
will feature various well-known Armenian bands and the American Judy
Bady Quartet, and will bring the audience through the various ages
and genres of jazz music.
“Judy Bady Quartet” Sunday, April 30, 7.00 pm Opera House The American
Judy Bady Quartet, a jazz band from New York, will perform jazz
standards and original compositions.

S7 AIR COMPANY STARTED ‘VICTORY DAY’ COMPANY
Yerevan, April 18. ArmInfo. ‘S 7’ air company starts a company
dedicated to the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. The
company office in Armenia reports that the action gives World War II
veterans and prisoners of Nazi camps the opportunity of traveling
free on the territory of Russia and the CIS. ‘Code sharing’ joint
flights with other air companies are not subject to this action.
Booking of tickets by in the frameworks of ‘Victory Day’ is available
in “S 7” representations in April 14 – May 20, 2006. The ‘Victory
Day’ trip must start in May 1-20. The ticket is valid in a month
after the first flight. The ‘Victory Day’ flights are available in
eth economy class.

SENTENCED AZERI OFFICER’S DEFENDERS POISED TO FIGHT TILL THE END
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted April 17 2006
Baku, April 14, AssA-Irada
The Hungarian court’s decision issued on Thursday to sentence an
Azeri officer to life in prison indicates Europe’s attitude toward the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, said MP Azay
Guliyev, member of the Coordination Council for Ramil Safarov’s Rights.
Ramil Safarov was convicted of killing an Armenian serviceman during
a NATO course in Budapest in a lengthy trial that many in Azerbaijan
labeled as unfair.
“I believe it was a ruling issued on Azerbaijan as a whole. It aims
to defeat the country in the Garabagh conflict,” Guliyev said.
Guliyev said the Council plans to renew the tactics in its activity.
It will also work to ensure a high-level representation of Safarov’s
rights in the court of appeals where the case will be filed.
The MP said the Committee suggests that Azeri judiciary bodies
immediately start talks with their Hungarian counterparts.
“The Budapest court’s ruling does not mean we have lost completely. I
believe that if Safarov’s rights are further properly protected,
it is possible to achieve a fair decision in the court of appeal.”
The Coordination Council on Friday forwarded an appeal to the Hungarian
higher legislative bodies, the Council of Europe, OSCE and other
influential international organizations. It voiced hope that the
court will take into account the Azeri officer’s condition at the
time of the incident, as well as Armenia’s occupation of 20% of Azeri
territories and the atrocities committed by Armenian troops against
innocent people, including the Khojaly massacre. “Unfortunately,
this has yet to happen,” the statement said.
The forensic expertise was conducted four times. Armenians insisted
on the accuracy of the first examination indicating that Safarov’s
actions were premeditated, while the defense says he was in emotional
distress when reacting to the Armenian officer Gurgen Markarian’s
insults, which is confirmed by the second and third one.

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN NAKHICHEVAN
Anatolian Times, Turkey
April 17 2006
NAKHICHEVAN – The ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) deputy
Mahmut Kocak and 14 deputies met Vasif Talibov, chairman of the
Nakhichevan Assembly.
Kocak stated that the Armenian diaspora have increased their activities
recently, noting that Turkish nation never committed genocide. He
added that archives in Turkey were open for everyone in the world.
On the other hand, Talibov stressed that the economy of Nakhichevan was
developing day by day, noting that Turkish companies made investments
in Nakhichevan worth 100 million USD in 2005.
Talibov added if Turkey became a full member of the EU, Nakhichevan
would also be mentioned as a neighbor of an EU member state.

PRESS RELEASE
Sonoma State University Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide
The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust at Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Contact: Christyne Davidian
Tel: 707-738-1919
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Dr. Robert Owen Krikorian will speak at the 23rd Annual Sonoma State
University Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series on Tuesday, April 25th from
4:00PM to 5:40PM at Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall, at Sonoma State
University. Dr. Krikorian will present “Living with Genocide: The Armenian
Experience” for the first annual Armenian Genocide Memorial Lecture, a newly
established lecture established in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide and funded in part by the generosity of the Thomas
Family Foundation, the Bay Area Armenian National Committee, members of the
Armenians of the North Bay, and other community members.
This is the second Armenian Genocide lecture given by Dr. Robert Krikorian
at the SSU Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series. Dr. Krikorian is a
Professorial Lecturer at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George
Washington University, teaching courses on the Caucasus and Eurasia, and a
Research Associate at GW’s Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian
Studies. Dr. Krikorian obtained his Doctorate in History and Eurasian
Studies at Harvard University, specializing in the history and politics of
Russia and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. He also earned an
MA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard and an MA in
Political Science from George Washington University.
The SSU Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series is offered annually every
spring semester as a student course and for free to the public. This lecture
series is sponsored by the Sonoma State University Center for the Study of
the Holocaust and Genocide and The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust
at Sonoma State University. The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust,
founded in 1982, is a University-community partnership that co-sponsors the
Lectures Series, supports the Center for the Study of the Holocaust and
Genocide, provides outreach to the community including teachers and
community groups working with issues related to the Holocaust and Genocide.
Both SSU and the Alliance have provided support and a forum for the study of
the Armenian Genocide for the last 4 years and are dedicated to the
continuation of inclusion annually with the establishment of the Armenian
Genocide Memorial Lecture 501(c)3 non-profit fund.
All lectures are broadcast via LIVE WEBCAST at:
aust_lectures.html. All
lectures are also posted for streaming video approximately one week after
each lecture.
Those wishing to learn more about the SSU Center for the Study of the
Holocaust and Genocide, the Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust at
Sonoma State University, the Armenian Genocide Memorial Lecture Fund, and/or
Armenians of the North Bay, please contact Christyne Davidian.
Christyne Davidian
Board Member
Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
April 14, 2006
THE MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE FEAST OF
THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 16 April 2006
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
`SO THAT AS CHRIST WAS RAISED
FROM THE DEAD BY THE GLORY OF THE FATHER,
WE TOO MIGHT WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE’ (ROMANS 6:4)
Dear and beloved pious Armenians,
On the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, we once again greet
you, our sons and daughters dispersed throughout the world, with a joyful
spirit and the glad tiding of `Christ is Risen from the dead’, and repeat
the exhortative words of the Apostle, `So that as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.’
Today, the joy of the grace of God and the hope of resurrection have
enveloped our souls.  The ranks of angels, in elation with us, celebrate the
defeat of death and the victory of life.
The Mother of God, who standing near the cross, had lamented the loss of her
Son; through the Lord’s Resurrection was experiencing consoling joy on this
grace-filled day.
The disciples, who had fled in fear, abandoning their beloved Teacher, were
strengthened on this day with the faith of Resurrection, and became the
bearers of the glad tidings of Resurrection, to illuminate the world with
the light of the Gospel of Christ.
Two millennia after these events in the history of mankind, the Glorious
Resurrection of Christ grants the same consolation and happiness to the
living, through which we have the grace to pass from death to life, from
darkness to light.  Today as well, the words of the Apostle are very timely
for nations and peoples, `As Christ was resurrected from the dead by the
glory of the Father, the same way we shall walk with a new life’.  The world
as yet cannot completely realize this message – to walk with a new life in
paths of peace, reconciliation, love and brotherhood.  Today also, many
greet the feast of the Resurrection in tumult and unease, in difficulties
and worries, and in the dangers of war.  The world is tempest-tossed akin to
a biblical episode, but men are not eager to call upon the Lord, as did the
Apostles who pleaded with their Teacher to calm the storm.  Resonating once
again today is the greeting of the Resurrected Savior: `Peace be with you’
(John 20:19), Who revealed his wounds and pierced side in order to bring the
world to faith, while the world shows its wounds to protest against God and
to depart from God.
In contrast to the fundamental problems facing mankind, the feast of
Resurrection is the grace-filled source of new inspiration, strengthening of
faith, and in the words of the Apostle, `to walk in a new life’.  It
reinforces us to withstand difficult situations, and to establish peace,
hope and love in the lives of men.  Throughout history, as in our time,
financial means and resources, mere secular understandings and
methodologies, have simply not been enough to face challenges, stop
socio-political confrontations, or triumph over the calamities of war.  To
have a peaceful, just and philanthropic world, it is necessary to arm
ourselves today with spiritual armaments rather than deadly weapons.  We
must take up the cross and follow the Lord, accomplish the good even when
confronted with obstacles, worship the One Who was crucified even to the
point of our own crucifixion, to see the stone of disbelief rolled away from
the grotto of faith and spirituality.
Peace is the ever-present righteous desire of the soul of man, which will
truly become real and unshakeable with the comprehension that all men are
brothers in the eyes of our heavenly Father; brothers called to increase the
graces and gifts of resurrected life in the world.  Through the belief in
the presence of God, the soul of man will find ever-renewing strength to
reject evil, violence and hatred in our world.  Through the love of God and
love of neighbor, there will be no place for desecrations of one another’s
spiritual treasures or holy relics, which for months have been troubling the
world; and the justified cries of distress by thousands of decimated
Armenian Khatchkars (Cross-Stones) in Nakhichevan will be heard – Khatchkars
which were ancient cultural treasures, eternal solemn prayers and
testimonies of love toward God and men.  On this cherished day of Easter, we
pray for God to strengthen men and the will of people with His Spirit of
Truth, to condemn the actions, steps and desires that offend another’s
spiritual values and tramples on the rights of others; and to always
progress toward the light of seeing God, toward the peaceful, fair and
charitable world created by God.
Dear pious faithful,
We too were called to see the dawning of the Resurrection of Christ.  Hope,
joy and the strength of our faith in the Savior gave life to the aspirations
of our people and our culture, and guided the course of our history. 
Passing through genocidal paths, our people always believed in their new
resurrected life with Christ, in their own rebirth.  The reestablishment of
our statehood and the freedom of our people are realities today in Armenia
and Nagorno Karabagh.  On the edges of our homeland and in the Diaspora, all
our people live with new hopes, aspirations and faith, which for centuries
has been unceasingly and without shadows dispersed from the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin – from the `altars of light’ of our churches.  May our
faith and hope in Christ continue to flow through the arteries of our heart,
transforming into the power to build the vigorous and prosperous country
dreamed of by our fathers, to keep our national-ecclesiastical life vibrant,
to ignite the lights of the future, as well as to support and help all on
the paths of realizing desires for peace, liberty and justice.
>From the See of the Apostles Saint Thaddeus and Saint Bartholomew, and the
Throne of the Illuminator, with brotherly love we greet on this Easter
Sunday His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; His
Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; and His
Beatitude Mesrob Mutafyan, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.  We extend
our Pontifical blessings to the entire ranks of our oath-bound clergy and to
all our beloved people.
With the love of Christ, we greet the spiritual heads of our Sister
Churches, asking for the bountiful graces of the Savior to descend on the
Christ-loving flock entrusted to them.
We greet the President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharian,
President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh Arkady Ghukasian, high ranking
state officials of the Armenians, those in the fields of arts, education and
science, vigilant public and political advocates and the courageous soldiers
and servicemen defending our homeland.
We extend our Pontifical blessings and best wishes to the representatives of
diplomatic missions credentialed in Armenia, through whose labors the good
relationships between our countries are being strengthened and reinforced.
Our faith and our hope to walk with a new life are renewed by the rays of
Christ’s Holy Resurrection.  Let us pray in unity for God to guide men and
peoples to fortify peace, justice, and the paths of love and fraternity –
paths leading always to renewing, reborn and resurrected life.  May the Lord
keep and protect our Armenian nation – in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora
– in unity, strengthened in faith, in the name of the everlasting glory of
the All-Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.
Christ is Risen from the dead.
Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.

AZG Armenian Daily #069, 15/04/2006

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PRIVATIZATION DONE THROUGH DIRECT SELLING
The privatization profits increased by about 57% in
Armenia and amounted to $80 million in 2005, as
compared to $ 51 million in 2004. Ashot Markosian,
deputy head of RA State Property Management
Department, informed that the privatization revenue
was secured thanks to the sale of the Zangezur Copper
Molybdenum Plant. The total price of the ZCMP amounted
to $132 million. The first $45 million was paid in
2004, while $87 million in 2005. A part of the plant’s
cost was allocated to the budget of Syunik region,
where the plant is situated.
Meanwhile, the profits from privatization of minor
objects totaled to AMD 152 million and the sale of the
unfinished construction objects made AMD 141 million.
In total, 64 enterprises were privatized in Armenia,
including 37 direct sale deals, 22 competition deals
and 5 auctions, in 2005. Last year, 69 enterprises
became private property objects, Markosian said.