Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARARAT BRANDY FACTORY HOLDS SOIREE OF “5 SENSES”
YEREVAN, JULY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. An event entitled “5 senses” dedicated
to 5 human senses – hearing, smell, touch, sight and taste – was held
by the Ararat Brand factory at the Golden Palace Hotel in Yerevan. The
duduk master Jivan Gasparian, saxophonist Didier Malier and guitarist
Patric Miheure performed during the first part “Hearing”. Famous
French perfumer Bertrand Du Chauffour created an aroma of dreams
“Ambroisie” at the request of L’arrisan Parfumeur for “Smell”. Arsen
Avetisian’s sculptural invention specially made for the Ararat Factory
was presented during “Touch”. “Sight” featured Zaven Khachikian’s
exhibition. The guests had a chance to taste unique salads of Nubar
Jivanian during the “degustation” part of the soiree.

VARDAVAR HOLIDAY CELEBRATED IN DILIJAN
YEREVAN, JULY 5. ARMINFO. Yerkir Nairi travelling agency organized a
number of events in Dilijan July 3 to mark the Vardavar holiday.
The objective was to acquaint the foreign guests with Armenia’s
national holidays. The guests were simply amazed with the holiday and
said that Armenia’s culture proved to be far more wonderful than they
could expect. The festivities were held according to the anciet
Armenian tradition. The people made wooden crosses adorned with sweets
and flowers and “kachburs” and “khdums” – wheat ears with multi-colour
threats – the symbol of Vardavar.
All the festivities were accompanied by folk song and dance with the
active involvement of tourists.
The events started at Aghartsin monastery, a complex of three churches
of XII-XIII – Grigor the Enlightener, Mother of God and St. Stepanos –
and proceeded to a one of the Dilijan health care centers.
Vardavar is one of the holidays of the Amenian Apostolic Church dating
back to the pagan times. People pour water on one another to “wash
off” their sins.

PRESIDENT OF LITHUANIA REITERATES READINESS OF HIS COUNTRY TO ASSIST
ARMENIA IN PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
VILNIUS, JULY 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Andranik Margarian,
the RA Prime Minister, and a delegation headed by him, being in
Vilnius on an official visit met with Valdas Adamkus, the President of
Lithuania, on June 30. At the meeting, the RA Prime Minister mentioned
the importance of mutual visits at different levels for the
stimulation of the Armenian-Lithuanian relations. In this sense, he
especially emphasized the significance of the mutual visits of the RA
President in June, 2002, and the President of Lithuania in September,
2003 in the issue of the stumulation of the bilateral cooperation. The
Prime Minister expressed confidence that the present visit of the
delegation of the RA Government to Lithuania will also support it. He
mentioned that Valdas Adamkus’ visit to Armenia at the RA President’s
invitation is also looked forward in Armenia with great expectations.
Assuring the inflexibility of Armenia in the choice of the way of the
integration into the European family, formation of a state
corresponding to the European political and economy standards,
Andranik Margarian mentioned that the involvement of Armenia in the
“European Neighbourhood Policy” gives great opportunity for deepening
relations with the EU member countries, including Lithuania. Informing
that on June 16, Armenia officially presented to the observation of
the European Commission the preliminary package of proposals of the
Armenian party of the EU-Armenia Join Actions Plan within the
framework of the European Neighbourhood policy, the Prime Minister
mentioned that Armenia is ready to observe possibilities of the
cooperation with Lithuania within the framework of the Actions
Plan. President Adamkus assured that Lithuania numbers relaions with
countries of the South Caucasus chosen the European way of development,
and with Armenia among them, among primary tasks of its foreign policy
attempting to take a role of a connecting circle among the European
Union and those countries. In this sense, the President of Lithuania
once more reiterated the readiness to assist Armenia in the issue of
overcoming difficulties of the European integration process, to share
its experience gathered on that way. Touching upon problems of the
regional cooperation, the parties attached importance to efforts made
in that direction by international organizations, particularly, by the
EU, OSCE, NATO and CE, which are aimed to strengthening of peace and
stability in the South Caucasus. In this context, Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian emphasized the leading role of Lithuania in the
issue of the 3+3 (Baltic+South Caucasian countries) initiation. In his
turn, President Valdas Adamkus assured that the Lithuanian party will
continue to explain the importance of that initiation to his partners
from Estonia, Latvia as well as Scandinavian countries. The
interlocutors attached importance to making close the cooperation of
the two countries within framework of other international
organizations as well. The current situation and development prospects
of the settlement of the Armenia-Turkey, the Armneia-Russia-Georgia
relations, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were touched upon from the
viewpoint of strengthening stability and security in the region. The
RA Prime Minister mentioned that he expects the assistance of
Lithuania in the issue of raising the blockade of Armenia by Turkey,
improvement of relations with that country as well as recognation of
the Armenian Genocide by other EU countries. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA Government’s Information and Public Relations
Department, after the meeting with the President of Lithuania, Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian left for the “Antakalnis” pantheon and
laid a wreath to the Monument to Victims for Independence. After a
dinner given on behalf of Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis
and his wife in honour of the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and
his wife, the Prime Minister and members of the RA delegation visited
the Mayor’s Office of Vilnius. Accompanied by the Mayor, they observed
the new building of the Mayor’s Office, got acquianted with
development projects of the city and subconstructions. After midday,
members of the RA delegation went to the Genocide Victims Museum of
the Genocide and Confrontation Research Center where RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian left a writing in the honoured guests’ book. In the
evening, in honour of RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and his
wife, an official dinner was given on behalf of Lithuanian Prime
Minister Algidas Brazauskas and his wife. The RA Prime Minister’s
meeting with Arturas Paulauskas, the Chairman of the Parliament of
Lithuania is scheduled for July 1.

Iran to develop ties with Armenia after presidential polls – envoy
Arminfo, Yerevan
1 Jul 05
YEREVAN
The results of the recent presidential elections in Iran will have
absolutely no effect on Armenian-Iranian relations, the Iranian
ambassador to Armenia, Ali Reza Haqiqian, has told Arminfo, while
commenting on Mahmud Ahmadinezhad’s election as president of Iran.
“No matter who becomes Iranian president, Armenian-Iranian relations
will continue to develop steadily in all directions,” the ambassador
said. He said that relations have been developing intensively since
the first days of Armenia’s independence, regardless of who was
Iranian president. This will continue, he said.

ARMENTEL BIGGEST TAX PAYER IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 30. ARMINFO. THe ArmenTel telecom company is the biggest
tax payer in Armenia – 11.204 bln AMD paid in taxes in 2004 -0.5%
more than in 2003, says AEPLAC survey.
The second biggest tax payer is Flash – 8.643 bln AMD (+32%), the
third one ArmRosgazprom 6.873 bln AMD (-36.5%). Electrical Networks
of Armenia paid 3.305 bln AMD (-67.6%).
At the same time the company leads in the number of employees –
8,344. ArmenTel and ArmRosgazprom employ 5,388 and 5,274 people (-6.4%
and +77.2%) respectively.

ARMENIA WANTS TURKEY TO BECOME EU MEMBER
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS: A senior Armenian diplomat rebuked
today the government of neighboring Turkey for keeping its border
with Armenia closed for more than a decade saying the closed border
is a major obstacle to promoting regional integration.
Addressing a round table discussion on what Armenia could expect from
Turkey in a new geo-political situation, deputy foreign minister
Gegham Gharibjanian said the Armenian-Turkish border is not only a
border separating two nations, but a border with a NATO member country
and possibly may become a border with a European Union member nation.
Gharibjanian said Turkey’s borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan are not
enough for adequate response to ongoing geo-political developments. He
said Armenia expects Turkey to open the border and establish diplomatic
relations without any precondition.” A nation that has been striving
for decades to join the European Union must open its border with
all neighboring countries,” he said, emphasizing Armenia’s policy of
“open doors” for all and its willingness to build friendly relations
with all its neighbors.
Gharibjanian also welcomed indications of positive shifts within the
Turkish society, particularly, the removal of a taboo on Armenian
genocide, the intensified contacts between representatives of the
two countries, exchange of journalists, cultural events and so on,
which he said should become a precondition for normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relationships.
Gharibjanian said Armenia wants Turkey to become an EU member, but
” a Turkey that deserves it, a Turkey which respects the European
system of values.”

PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2005
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:
Scholarships Available to Diaspora Armenians to Attend Armenian Universities
The Government of Armenia has established 70 full scholarships to
allow Diaspora Armenians to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies
in the Armenian public universities and colleges for the academic
year 2005/2006.
Applications for scholarship and enrollment will be considered
by a special commission of the Armenian Ministry of Education and
Science. Priority is given to applicants pursuing studies in Teacher’s
Training, Armenian Studies, and Fine Arts. The applicants are expected
to have sufficient command of Armenian in order to enroll.
In addition to tuition-free positions, Diaspora Armenian applicants
will also have an opportunity to apply for and be enrolled in public
universities on paid basis, following the procedure outlined above.
The deadline for submitting applications is August 20, 2005. The
application forms, list of universities and departments, as well as
tuition are available upon request from the Embassy of Armenia,
via email: [email protected] or telephone: 202-319-1976,
ext. 348. Further inquiries can be directed to the Diaspora Department
of the Ministry of Education and Science in Yerevan, at +374-10-581391.

KARABAKH IS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 June 05
Nvard Ohanjanian: “Mr. Avanessov, you must have visited different
polling stations in Karabakh, observed the polls. How did the polls
pass from the logistical aspect?” Avanessov: “The polls
passed on a due level. Especially I was impressed by the work going
on at the press centre of the Central Election Committee. Free of
charge telephones were available there to communicate objective
information on the course and results of the election to different
countries of the world. Telephone communication with Yerevan was
available too. Of course, it would be good if the polling stations
were equipped with air conditioning, especially in summer weather. I
must say that I have also visited the polling stations of Stepanakert
and saw the degree of activity of the voters. This is surprising and
commendable.” N.O.: “What would you say about the political
significance of this event?” A.A.: “I think elections in
Karabakh must be organized better than in the US or any other
civilized country. In his interview NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan
Danielian said it is not the results of the election that matter but
the reputation of the state. Karabakh must prove to the world that it
is a democratic country. If you do not believe, come and see
yourselves.” N.O.: “In your opinion, will the interest of the
world in Karabakh, which has not been recognized by the international
community yet, grow?” A.A.: “I believe that the parliamentary
election will greatly promote the international recognition of
Karabakh. In the press conference Constantine Zatulin stated that he
had officially requested the government of the Russian Federation to
provide sums from the State Budget 2006 funds for fostering democracy
outside of Russian Federation. And this is normal because similar
measures are taken in any developed country. That is to say, if the
USA takes such measures in reference to Nagorno Karabakh, officially
or non-officially, why cannot the Russian Federation do the same? The
fact that a large delegation arrived from the USA the majority of the
members of which are former officers of the US State Department means
something.” A.A.: “What is your opinion about the failure of
the Alliance ARF-Movement 88 in the election? What will the new
parliament be like? Will it have an opposition in the course of
time?” A.A.: “Yes, I am aware of the defeat of the
oppositionist party, the alliance but I do not know the reasons. In
fact, the picture is the following. There are 33 seats in the
parliament and only three have been taken by the opposition. I cannot
predict what position the representatives of the Azat Hayrenik Party
will take, whether they will adhere to the oppositions or not. The
same can be said about the candidates elected under the majority
system.” N.O.: “Let us pass to another topic. Mr. Avanessov,
what is your opinion about the protracted talks for the Karabakh
issue? Do you think the key to its resolution will ever be
found?” A.A.: “The delay is favourable for the Armenians.
Eleven years have passed since the ceasefire. And today I come to
understand the position of the Republic of Armenia on this subject,
which is to delay the time; another ten years and the issue will stop
existing. Whatever Azerbaijan does will befall the next generation. I
want to emphasize another fact as well. The soldiers of the Defence
Army are conscious of why they defend the borders of their
motherland. They have families, children in the rear. Yet the
soldiers of the Azerbaijani army, in case war is resumed, do not know
what they are going to fight for. This is the difference. This is one
thing. On the other hand, the propaganda machine of Azerbaijan
carries out tremendous work to slander the Armenian side. What we
need is that our diplomacy starts working more intensively in this
direction and conveys the truth to people.” N.O.: “Mr.
Avanessov, if the talks come to a deadlock in a certain stage, do you
think one of the parties, particularly the Armenian party will be
pressed to accept an unacceptable solution?” A.A.: “The
threat of compelling has persisted and will persist. There will,
probably, be proposals, but the Armenian side must realize whether
these are acceptable or not. Besides, no trade on the status of
Nagorno Karabakh is acceptable, which is the pivotal principle. Of
course, deadlock in the talks is not excluded. It may occur in 10 or
15 years. Generally, it is difficult to predict but Azerbaijan may
start military actions in this period. Most probably, there will be
no war in the near future, as long as the oil factor, the factor of
the oil pipeline Baku – Geyhan exists.” N.O.: “What about
the statements on returning territories, manipulated by
Azerbaijan?” A.A.: “I consider the issue of returning
territories to be an unserious topic, unserious talk, and it goes
without saying that the winner side cannot take such a step and will
never do.”
NVARD OHANJANIAN.
26-06-2005

Pan Armenian News
CRIMEA PARLIAMENT NOT GOING TO REVOKE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
24.06.2005 04:19
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The adoption of the resolution recognizing the Armenian
Genocide aroused indignation not only in Azerbaijan and Turkey but in
Ukraine as well, APA Azeri news agency reported. Yesterday’s sitting of the
Crimean Supreme Rada was rich will calls to revoke the Armenian Genocide
resolution. Parliament Speaker Boris Deich mentioned of expediency of
revocation, however the deputies rejected the proposal. Deputy Vladimir
Kazanin said the demand on revocation of the Armenian Genocide resolution
was caused by pressure exerted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In his
words the Azeri leader, who arrived in Kiev to participate in Mini Davos
Forum on June 17-19, during the meeting with Supreme Rada Chairman Vladimir
Litvin that adoption of such a resolution in inadmissible. The deputy also
informed that Ilham Aliyev urged V. Litvin to exert pressure on the
parliament to revoke the resolution. He also added that the Crimean
parliament did not define the event of 1915 as `genocide’ and the delicacy
manifested by Kiev at present is groundless. V. Kazanin stated that
Armenians have lived in Crimea for over 1500 years and play an important
role in its history. Leader of the Crimean branch of the Republican party of
Ukraine Alexander Gress stated of impossibility of revoking the resolution.
`In the course 90 years no parliament in the world has ever cancelled any
decision referring to the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide victims.
So why should we do it?’ he said. To note, only 13 deputies voted in favor
of including the issue of revocation the resolution in the agenda.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/23/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF Artsakh Demands Investigation into Manukian Beating Incident 2) New Jersey Recognizes Armenian Genocide 3) Homenetmen Establishes New Chapter in Hungary 4) ARF Youth Delegates Discuss Genocide at IUSY Conference in Turkey 1) ARF Artsakh Demands Investigation into Manukian Beating Incident STEPANAKERT--The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Artsakh released additional details about the beating of Pavel Manukian by Mountainous Karabagh Republic authorities, and demanded that those guilty of the crime be punished according to the law. "Pavel Manukian, a candidate running for MKR National Assembly, remains in stable condition, after being beaten on June 21 in MKR's Defense Ministry offices." The ARF press release states that Manukian has been transferred from the critical care unit to the regular section of the hospital, though he suffers severe headaches. Manukian's wife has asked that he be transferred to a hospital in Yerevan, but the request has been denied by a military judge, who cited the unstable condition of the patient. Mrs. Manukian on Wednesday filed a plea in MKR Superior Court, for a criminal investigation into the beating incident, directly implicating MKR Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian and his deputy Samuel Garabedian in the beating. She also named generals A. Haroutunian, V. Balayan, and M. Hagopian as participants. Manukian's fiery speeches during election campaigning evidently prompted the beating. Manukian, a prominent participant of the war with Azerbaijan, bashed the meddling of the commanders of MKR's army in the electoral process, accusing them of voter intimidation and coercion. In a declaration to various political parties in Karabagh, the ARF and Movement 88 parties stated on Wednesday, "We view the severe beating of the candidate for National Assembly in the offices of the Defense Ministry, as a grave crime--one that landed him in the military hospital with life threatening injuries. The fact that this act--organized by the country's military sector--has been overlooked by the legal entities, and that no criminal investigation has been launched, allows us to question the authority of the country's legal sector, as well as the public's faith in it. `We view the freedom of expression as one of the most valuable of democratic principles. Political forces reject coercion, as well as the insolent trampling of the human honor and dignity, acts which can lead to civil unrest, and ultimately cause instability in the country. `We find that the only correct direction for the president of our country to take, is to strive to implement all means to maintain lawfulness, in order to ensure internal accord, to have a handle political `excesses,' and to not compromise our unrecognized country's international standing." With plans to release their own statement, the Artsakh Democratic Party and Free Homeland party refused to sign the declaration. 2) New Jersey Recognizes Armenian Genocide Commission on Holocaust Education Approves Armenian Genocide Curriculum TRENTON--New Jersey's General Assembly voted 79 to 0 on June 22 approving of a joint resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, while the state-appointed Commission on Holocaust Education announced a comprehensive curriculum on the Armenian genocide. The resolution, which was sponsored by State Assembly members Joan Voss (D-38) and Robert Gordon (D-38), honors the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the Ottoman Turks. "This joint resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic significance," it says, in part. "Man's inhumanity to man knows no bounds," said Voss, whose comments were echoed by Gordon, and Assemblymen William Payne (D-29), Bill Baroni (R-14), and former Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian. New Jersey officials have played a strong role in spearheading human rights education since 1982, which has led to the inclusion of Armenian genocide studies as part of the statewide curriculum. The action, announced by the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education (NJCHE), marks the first time that a stand-alone curriculum on the Armenian genocide will be incorporated in US public and private schools. The new curriculum consists of the resource book on the Armenian genocide developed by the Facing History and Ourselves Foundation (FHAO) titled "Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: the Genocide of the Armenians," which will be distributed to middle and high schools throughout New Jersey, along with a guide to teachers prepared by the NJCHE. 3) Homenetmen Establishes New Chapter in Hungary BUDAPEST--As the Armenian community of Budapest was celebrating the 87th anniversary of Armenia's First Independence Day on May 28, they had cause for another momentous celebration as a new chapter was added to the Homenetmen family. More than 120 youth, alongside 32 members from Homenetmen Vienna chapter, assembled in Budapest's City Hall to mark the occasion while Adam Sarksian emceed and Homenetmen Vienna chapter's Chairperson Rima Paroyan gave the keynote address. Homenetmen Western Region Central Committee member Manuel Marselian was present to convey the organization's message. Speaking about the importance of passing on Homenetmen's legacy to the youth of tomorrow, Marselian said, "Though it might be easy to create a new chapter, the real challenge comes when the youth work together, through self-sacrifice, to strengthen and preserve our Armenian identity." Praising the determination of the Hungary chapter, Marselian then introduced the chapter's first elected executive, presenting them with the organization's by-laws and constitution, as well as the Homenetmen flag. The 2005 executive members are Nigoghos Hagopian, Hayastan Aghegian, Gagik Jotian, Adam Sarksian, Haroutioun Papzapanian, Ermani Mardaian, and Lilit Outamian. The chapter will begin its activities by developing the athletics division, while a scouting division will be formed in the future. 4) ARF Youth Delegates Discuss Genocide at IUSY Conference in Turkey YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Armenian youth who recently attended a youth conference in Turkey, told a news conference in Yerevan on Thursday that they spoke openly about the Armenian genocide and even distributed booklets to participants. The two Armenian Youth Federation of Armenia participants, Zinavor Meghrian and Karen Mnatsakanian, along with AYF delegates Talline Tachdjian (France), and Khatchik Mouradian (Lebanon) attended the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) meeting June 16-19, and were interviewed by the Turkish newspaper, Milliyet. "We discussed the Armenian genocide from different angles during the interview," Meghrian told the news conference. "We also spoke of the closed borders and formation of a group of [Turkish] historians, to review Genocide "allegations;" we told the paper we reject this idea, since we have no doubt about facts concerning the Genocide." Mnatsakanian revealed that Turkish youth wrongly assumed that the Armenian government is not concerned about the Genocide issue, but that only diaspora Armenians pursue it. "It is because some young Armenian politicians make such statements," he said. Asked to name those politicians, Mnatsakanian said he was referring to Sargis Asatrian, the chairman of the Armenian Youth Party. Participants of the IUSY conference, "We all are Minorities," included delegations from Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, Sweden, and other countries. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. 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