Author: Karakhanian Suren

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES GRANT TO ARMENIAN NGO FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-LANDSLIDE PROGRAMS

Armenpress

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS: The Japanese government is going to
provide 80,254 USD grant to the Armenian "Mkhitar Gosh" NGO for the
implementation of anti-landslide programs in the Armenian provinces
of Tavush and Gegharkunik.

The document of providing the grant was signed today at the Foreign
Ministry by the second secretary of the Japanese embassy in Armenia
Yukiko Mizuno and head of the "Mkhitar Gosh" NGO Lena Arzumanian.

Mizuno said that the Japanese government highlights the implementation
of anti-landslide programs. Before providing the grant, preliminary
studies and experimental programs were carried out in Gosh and Martuni
communities which showed that there exists a necessity of fighting
against landslides.

The second secretary said that overall the Japanese government has
provided 1.6 million USD within the framework of which 18 programs
have been carried out in Armenia.

The head of the NGO said that the funds provided by the grant will
be directed towards the implementation of tree-planting and drainage
works.

WASHINGTON BACKS TURKISH TROOP PRESENCE IN LEBANON

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Aug. 17, 2006

The U.S. on Tuesday backed the possible deployment of Turkish troops
in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon but also stressed
that it’s a decision Ankara has to make based on its national interests
and own foreign policy guidelines.

In a move to encourage Turkey in this issue, U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch also expressed
Washington’s great confidence in the Turkish military, citing his
country’s experience in working with Turkey in such peacekeeping
operations.

Welch made the remarks at a press conference when asked about the
U.S.’ position on Turkey’s potential contribution to the force and
the reasons for Ankara’s cautious stance on deploying Turkish troops
in the region.

"We consider that the first most important step to be taken now for
implementation of the UN resolution is that the parties observe a
cessation of hostilities. Second, the United Nations rapidly should
form the new elements to be added to the existing UN Interim Force in
Lebanon [UNIFIL] so that those are prepared as quickly as possible
to deploy into Lebanon to help UNIFIL do its job pursuant to this
new resolution," Welch said while listing other reasons for Turkey
to send the troops.

"The present resolution authorizes the composition of a new and
enhanced UNIFIL. A second resolution is out there as a possibility
should it be necessary to have an additional mandate for United
Nations activity. But presently there’s sufficient legal authority
under international law to do what is necessary to make the new force,"
he added.

Armenian lobby urges Bush to block Turkish troop deployment

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) yesterday urged
U.S. President George W.Bush to block Turkey deploying troops in
Lebanon in a letter sent to the president.

The letter, which is signed by the head of ANCA (an umbrella Armenian
lobby which gathers various radical Armenian groups) Ken Hachikian,
claimed that the deployment of Turkish troops in the region would be
contrary to the U.S.’ national interests and would undermine efforts
to ensure permanent peace in the region.

Reiterating the Armenian genocide claims, ANCA also claimed in its
letter that the Ottoman Empire ruled the Middle East for centuries
through violence. "Turkey’s presence in Lebanon will only make the
situation in the region worse," the letter also asserted.

There’s a sizable Armenian minority living in Lebanon.

In related news, the Greek lobby the American Hellenic Institute
has also reportedly sent letter to the White House against a Turkish
contribution to the peacekeeping force.

LARGE AMOUNT OF STALE MEDICINES IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 10, 2006

YEREVAN, August 10 /ARKA/. A large amount of stale medicines is kept in
Armenia, stated Chairman of the Standing Commission for Social Affairs,
Health and Nature Protection, RA Parliament, Mnatsakan Petrosyan at his
meeting with Director of the Medecins sans Frontieres Christer Terling.

"The stale medicines have mainly been accumulated since the devastating
earthquake in 1988 and have become a serious problem for us,"
he said. Petrosyan reported that the Armenian Parliament is now
considering a bill "On medicines".

In his turn, Terling informed Petrosyan that a plant reclaiming stale
medicines was constructed in Bosnia with partial sponsorship of the
Medicins sans Frontieres organization.

Petrosyan proposed the construction of an identical plant with
the organization’s sponsorship in Armenia. Terling expressed his
willingness to support this project.

DOES ARMENIA WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH TURKEY?

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Aug. 9, 2006

Armenia is trying to be close with Turkey. Regnum News-Agency referring
to the document entitled Armenian commitments within the framework
of the Individual Partnership with NATO, placed in web-site of the
Ministry of Defence of Armenia informed. The document says that the
main purpose of Armenian foreign policy is a full-fledged integration
to European structures, and also aiming at being close with NATO,
it intends to activate practical and political cooperation with the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The document highlights that allegedly "in the point of relations with
neighbors Armenia desires stability and security in the region as well
as a constructive development and improving of these relations. Armenia
makes efforts aiming at peace regulation of the Nagorno-Garabagh
conflict and will assist the OSCE Minsk Group."

It is noteworthy that "Armenia provided to be aimed at regulating
of relations with Turkey and will be consistent with regulation of
a constructive dialogue with Turkey, including relations with Turkey
for these purposes." The document affirms so.

It is appropriate mention that Armenia is a military-strategic partner
of Russia, a member of the Organization of Treaty for Collective
Security, and also a military bastion of Russia in the South
Caucasus. Because making a curtsey towards the European structures,
particularly NATO, can mean the policy of double standards. While
NATO-Russian relationship develops not simple and Russia has been
always against NATO enlargement to the East, Armenian foreign policy
looks hypocritical and double-faced. The statement that Armenia
will assist the OSCE Minsk Group causes distrust, as its destructive
position and desire to keep status quo is also available.

Armenian’ desire "to be consistent with regulation of a constructive
dialogue with Turkey" within the context of the demands of recognition
of "Armenian genocide", and consequently, demands of compensation
from Turkey, are beneath criticism, in general.

–Boundary_(ID_epXW9h9fbl/uqM3JXya92w)–

EXHIBITION ABOUT DISPLACED EUROPEANS OPENS IN BERLIN

Agence France Presse — English
August 9, 2006 Wednesday 4:45 PM GMT

An exhibition about Europeans displaced, deported and expelled during
the 20th century opens in Berlin on Thursday amid concerns that it
will minimise the Nazis’ role.

The exhibition, titled "Paths unchosen", is being mounted by a
foundation created by the powerful Federation of the Expelled.

The federation represents some 14 million Germans who were forced to
leave their homes in eastern Europe from 1944 as the Soviet Red Army
advanced and the Third Reich began crumbling.

Poland and the Czech Republic have warned against any initiative that
could give rise to compensation claims from these Germans against
the countries they were forced to leave.

The Czech Republic has repeatedly baulked at giving special recognition
to the three million Germans who were expelled from the Sudetenland
along the German-Czech border at the end of World War II under the
Benes decrees.

The organisers, the Centre Against Expulsion, has taken care to
highlight the plight of other Europeans who were displaced by conflict,
not only by Nazism, but in Armenia, the Balkans and Poland.

But they are courting controversy by describing the exhibition as
a first step towards creating a centre in Germany to document the
plight of victims of expulsion.

Critics of such a move include former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

They have warned that it could put undue emphasis on the German
victims, thereby diverting attention from the fact that it was Nazi
Germany that began the war in the first place.

Poland is bitterly opposed to the idea of a German-based centre and
there have been suggestions that it would be more appropriate to
honour the displaced in a joint European project spread out over
several capitals.

The deputy president of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Thierse, told AFP:
"We want a project which takes place in accord with our European
partners and not against their will."

The exhibition at the Kronprinzenpalast runs until the end of October.

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATORS CHARLES POOCHIGIAN AND JOSEPH SIMITIAN TO
INTORDUCE RESOLUTION ON DESIGNATING SEPT 21 AS ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Armenpress

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, ARMENPRESS: California State Senators Charles
Poochigian (R-Fresno) and Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto) decided to
introduce a resolution in the State Senate designating September 21,
2006 as "Armenian Independence Day."

A similar resolution will also be introduced in the State Assembly
by Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assembly Member
Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton), making California the first state to
mark the anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

Both resolutions recognize September 21, as "A Day of Celebration
of the California-Armenia Relationship," and encourage the people
of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and
contributions that Californians of Armenian heritage make.

The resolutions also note that California is home to the largest
population of Armenians in the U.S., and state, "those citizens have
enriched California through leadership in the fields of academia,
medicine, business, agriculture, government, and the arts, and are
proud patriotic practitioners of the American citizenship."

ABOUT 100 CITIZENS APPLY TO RA OMBUDSMAN REGRADING RESORATION OF THEIR RIGHT
TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. About 100 citizens, whose health
suffered during the process of work but who were deprived of the right
to receive compensation, have applied to the RA Ombudsman Office. NT
was informed about it from the RA Ombudsman Information and PR
Department. Under the RA government decision No. 579 of November 15,
1992, point 16, if an organization stops operating as a result of its
liquidation or restructuring, the damage done to health is compensated
by its legal successor, and in case of the latter’s absence – by
the social security body with state budget resources. Article 1086
of the RA Civil Code that took effect in 1999 stipulates that in
case of liquidation of the legal entity responsible for damage done
to life or health, the payments to be made are capitalized in order
prescribed by law or other legal acts – in order to pay them to the
person who suffered. However, neither law nor a governmental decision
have established such an order over the past 7 years. Instead, the RA
government made a decision on November 11, 2004, under which point 16
of the above mentioned law lost its force. As a result the problem
remains unsettled. According to the press release, the RA Ombudsman
called the Prime Minister’s attention to the problem, proposing that
respective measures be taken in the shortest possible time in order
to fill in this legislative gap.

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

Press Release
For Immediate Release ~ August 3, 2006
(617) 923-1933

AYF-YOARF Hosts Successful Picnic at Camp Haiastan

WATERTOWN, Mass. — On July 23, over 540 AYF members, alumni, Camp
Haiastan campers, parents and staff gathered on the camp’s picnic
grounds to enjoy a regional picnic sponsored by the AYF-YOARF Central
Executive.

Aimed at celebrating its past achievements and its future prospects,
the AYF-YOARF Central Executive said the picnic succeeded in again
gathering Armenians to celebrate their history. The picnic featured
kebab, salad and pilav prepared and served by Central Executive as
well as current and alumni members.

As campers, staffers and parents stopped by the picnic for lunch
or dinner, old friends were reunited and new friendships were
established. The AYF’s fraternal spirit was once again passed on from
generation to generation.

"It was great to see ungers and ungerouhis from all different chapters
working together, especially in the kitchen. It was definitely a fun
time and we all worked really hard," said Greater Boston AYF chapter
member Anoush Essajanian. "I think the picnic was a great success
and a fabulous day overall."

The event also featured music by the Aravod Ensemble, tables with
information from various organizations and vendors who sold such
items as framed pictures from Armenia, t-shirts and jewelry.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Ungers and Meat: (L to R) AYF Central Executive member
Masis Koumrigian and chairman Jim Kzirian preparing the meat, fresh
off the grill Preparing the Food: AYF members from Boston, Providence,
Philadelphia, and New Jersey worked together to prepare food for the
AYF Regional Picnic

MARGARYAN WANTS POLICE OUT OF RUNDA HOUSE

The Standard, Kenya
Aug 2 2006

By Judy Ogutu

One of the alleged Armenian brothers being probed by the Kiruki
Commission of Inquiry, Artur Margaryan, wants the High Court to order
the removal of police officers from his former rented home.

Through his lawyer, Oscar Avedi, he moved to court under a certificate
of urgency and named Police Commissioner and the Attorney General as
respondents to the suit.

"The applicant most urgently needs the court’s intervention in this
matter where members of the Kenya police have invaded his home and
property and denied him access to the same," said Avedi.

Margaryan wants the court’s greenlight to seek orders quashing the
Police Commissioner’s decision to send officers to the Runda house.

Lease agreement

Avedi said under the commissioner’s command, the officers forcibly
occupied and took possession of his client’s property after he left
the country in June.

Margaryan has expressed fears that since he is out of the country,
his property could be damaged, stolen or lost as a result of the
alleged illegal occupation.

He said having established huge investments in East Africa, he had
set up a base in Kenya, got into a lease agreement and went on to
buy furniture worth millions of shillings and vehicles.

"As things stand, one of the applicant’s dogs has died as a result
of neglect," his lawyer said.

Margaryan, who claimed to be a businessman and director of Brotherlink
International and Kensington Holdings, said he was "very attached to
these dogs and they are of great sentimental value".

Court vacation

The police chief, he claimed, also chased away his employees in his
absence, an action that amounted to trespass and a denial of his
right to quiet enjoyment of property.

Avedi said the police officers invaded his client’s property without
a court order.

Margaryan, who is seeking to stop the proceedings of the Kiruki
Commission, failed to convince the court to hear the case during
vacation.

Avedi told Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch that the commission, chaired by
Shedrach Kiruki, had denied him an opportunity to be heard.

Justice Aluoch directed him to file a further affidavit on behalf
of the applicant to enable her to decide whether to admit the matter
for the court vacation.

Turkish Writer Indicted for "Insulting Turkishness"

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.08.2006 14:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Arizona University professor, writer of Turkish
origin Elif Shafak is indicted for "insulting Turkishness". Novel
Father and Illegitimate Son gave cause for criminal prosecution
on article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code, which provides for
imprisonment up to 3 years. The novel of the 35-year-old writer tells
about the events in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire, reports United Press
International.

"Armenians and Turks live in different eras. If we want a genuine
dialogue between the two parties, we need to recognize this time
factor," Shafrak writes. One of heroines of the novel is Armenian
Armanush, who tells about her ancestors, killed in the Armenian
Genocide and waits for repentance.