Author: Khondkarian Raffi

ORINATS YERKIR IS GOING TO APPEAL AGAINST ELECTIONS RESULTS AT
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 13 sitting RA CEC ratified
with a protocol the results of the NA elections by proportional system
held the day before. 3 out of 9 members of CEC, representative of
Ardarutiun bloc Felix Khachatrian, representative of National Unity
Zaven Pluzian and representative of OYP Sona Sargsian refused to sign
the protocol. In their words, violations in preelectoral and electoral
processes could have a considerable impact on the election
results. The OYP representative also stated that on the day of voting
the party officially applied to proper bodies and CEC in connection
with the violations. The party is also going to appeal against the
election results at the Constitutional Court. It is noteworthy that
before ratification of protocol of preliminary results the
representative of Ardarutiun with the same motivation had offered to
invalidate the election results by proportional system, but only above
mentioned three members were for the proposal.

According to the CEC protocol, from 2 316 038 voters included in the
lists 1 389 521 voters took part in voting at all of 1923 polling
stations. 40 312 ballot-papers were recognized invalid. The number of
valid ballot-papers is 1 350 559, the number of inaccuracies is 10
942.

The Republican Party of Armenia received 457 032 votes,

Bargavach Hayastan Party 204 443 votes,

ARFD 177 192 votes,

Orinats Yerkir Party 95 256 votes,

Zharangutiun Party 80 890 votes,

United Labor Party 59 307 votes,

National Unity Party 49 863 votes,

Nor Zhamanakner Party 47 018 votes,

People’s Party 37 034 votes,

Dashink Party 33 093 votes,

People’s Party of Armenia 23 629 votes,

Hanrapetutiun Party 22 609 votes,

Impeachment bloc 17 808 votes,

Communist Party of Armenia 8835 votes,

National Democratic Party 8591 votes,

Democratic Way Party 8468 votes,

National Consent Party 4251 votes,

Marxist Party of Armenia 2896 votes,

Democratic Party of Armenia 3780 votes,

Christian-Democratic Revival Party 3591 votes,

Youth Party of Armenia 2302 votes,

United Liberal National Party 2748 votes,

Social-Democrat Hnchakian Party 1033 votes.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 11 2007

Relationships between Baku Moscow in Deadlock

Azerbaijan, Baku / Òrend corr A. Gasimova / The relationships between
Moscow and Baku is experiencing a difficult period, the chairman of
the Committee on International Relations of the Russian Federation
Council, Mikhail Margelov, said on 11 May.

`The difficulty is caused by the turning from mutual political impact
to economically expedient partnership and regional cooperation,’
Margelov said. He did not agree with the assumption that relations
had come to a crisis. `I am not denying the fact that the gas for
Azerbaijan has been sold for market prices since January and
Azerbaijan has stopped transportation of oil through Russia’s
territory. But the events are caused by economic reasons rather than
political ones. Our political aims and tasks remain the same. The
main purpose is to maintain regional stability in the Caspian region,
the prevention of spread of Iraqi chaos on Iran and other
neighbouring country, the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh situation
and other issues. The views of both countries mainly coincide in this
connection,’ Margelov added.

The relationships with Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, Baltic countries
and partly with Belarus are established for independent and
economically well-to-do countries. The occasion is rather positive
than negative,’ he stressed. `The bonds between the two countries
cannot be defined only by economic and political expediency at least
due to the fact that over 3mln Azerbaijanis reside in Russia, and
some 200,000 Russians reside in Azerbaijan. We have the
responsibilities to strengthen trade relations, cultural and social
bonds. Internal political stability in Azerbaijan is one of our
priorities for Russia,’ Margelov noted.

According to the chairman, Azerbaijan and Russia are on a temporary
break and further relations between the countries in partnership,
sound competition, and open policy conditions are difficult to be
foreseen. `At present Azerbaijan experiences the process of
self-identification in new political and economic conditions. Such
organizations as Organization for Democracy and Development GUAM
(Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova), projects on new gas
pipelines laid through Georgia and Turkey, which touch the interests
of Russia, undoubtedly disunite the two countries,’ the politician
noted. However, there are common grounds as well. In 2006, the
turnover between the countries for the first time made up record
$1,5bln. The current task is to diversify the bilateral economic
cooperation, redirect it from energy field to other industrial
fields, agriculture, light industry, metallurgy and machine-building.
`The two countries have a vague historical experience of bilateral
partnership, human potential as well. The potential for co-operation
is almost unlimited. I am confident that the visit of the Russian
Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, to Baku will promote further
extension of economic contacts and rapprochement in foreign policy
conditions,’ Margelov summed up.

PRICES OF NON-FOOD COMMODITIES GROW BY 0.8% IN ARMENIA IN APRIL 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The 0.8% inflation in Armenia’s non-food
commodity market in April on March 2007 was mainly conditioned by 5.3%
growth in the price of gasoline. The price of diesel fuel remained
unchanged in the indicated period.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, there was 0.1-1.1%
growth in prices of kitchen utensils, stationery, cosmetics, footwear,
jewelry, horticultural items, cultural goods in April on March 2007.
Prices of detergents, fuel, medicines, clothing, cloths, household
electric appliances, building materials fell by 0.1-0.4%, while prices
in other commodity groups under observation remained unchanged.

Congressional Record: May 7, 2007 (House)
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

STATE DEPARTMENT’S HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, each year, the Department of State issues a
report outlining the human rights practices of various Nations, and I
object this evening to the inaccuracies in the Armenia section of the
2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Originally, the State Department issued erroneous language about
Armenia being an occupier of Azerbaijani territory and Nagorno-
Karabakh, the report was substantively revised with more balanced,
although still not fully accurate, wording and then revised again to
restore the original inaccurate language.
I am deeply disturbed by the State Department’s mischaracterization
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is unprecedented and
counterproductive to our government’s goal of actively promoting
constructive engagement in the peace negotiations of the region. It
also sets a troubling example by allowing a foreign State, in this case
Azerbaijan, to shape the assessments of our human rights report.
To assert that Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory or that
Armenia occupies Nagorno-Karabakh and other territories is simply
wrong. This version ignores the reality that the current conflict is
about the self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Like many other ethnic autonomous regions with the status of Oblast
under the Soviet Constitution, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh declared their
independence. They then conducted a referendum as set forth in the same
Soviet Constitution, and they are now an independent republic and
should be recognized as a Nation, just like Azerbaijan, Armenia and any
other former Soviet Republic. The situation has absolutely nothing to
do with Armenia. The only role Armenia plays in this conflict is that
country’s part in peace negotiations.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that Armenia is being characterized as an
abuser of human rights in the region when it is Azerbaijan who
continues to maintain a blockade of both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia,
and regularly threatens a new wave of violence against Nagorno-
Karabakh.
Such misrepresentations will undermine our Nation’s credibility as an
impartial mediator and jeopardize prospects for successful peace
negotiations. It could also have a negative impact on U.S.-Armenia
relations.
Our common aim as a country should be to focus on workable diplomacy
that brings parties together in the spirit of conflict resolution, not
to cause additional tension by introducing new and controversial
elements into an already complex negotiating process.
Mr. Speaker, the United States has a long history of supporting
Nagorno-Karabakh’s democracy and its right to live in freedom and
peace. The State Department has never made assertions in previous
reports about Armenia being an occupier of Azerbaijani territory and
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Last week, I sent a letter to Secretary Rice with my concerns over
the State Department report’s language, and I urged her to quickly
reverse the State Department’s mischaracterization.

ANKARA CRITICIZES YEREVAN FOR BLOCKING OBSERVERS

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 9 2007

Describing Armenia’s refusal to allow Turkish observers to monitor an
election this month as "extremely unfortunate," the Turkish Foreign
Ministry has called on the international community to evaluate
Yerevan’s decision in light of whether it really has the intention
of developing good neighborhood relations with Turkey.

Yerevan said on Monday it was not letting Turkish nationals join
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observers
at the May 12 parliamentary election because of the absence of
diplomatic relations between Yerevan and Ankara. Noting that Armenia
has constantly accused Turkey of avoiding steps toward dialogue
between the two countries, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Levent Bilman said late on Monday that Armenia’s suspicion of
the Turkish election observers, the appointment of whom should be
considered "a confidence-building measure between the two countries,"
was "an extremely unfortunate development for Armenia." Earlier on
Monday democracy watchdog the OSCE also voiced concern over Armenia’s
approach, saying it didn’t comply with "the principles of transparency
and objectivity."

AU CENTRE POMPIDOU, LE CINEMA INTIMISTE DE L’EXPLORATEUR ATOM EGOYAN
Jean-Luc Douin

Le Monde, France
9 mai 2007 mercredi

Première retrospective consacree a l’oeuvre du cineaste, qui interroge
les images et leur rapport a la realite

Ne en Egypte en 1960 dans une famille issue de la diaspora armenienne
qui emigra au Canada lorsqu’il etait encore tout jeune, Atom Egoyan
a toujours proclame ce qu’il devait aux images, photos ou films. Il
a raconte comment ces vecteurs privilegies de la memoire lui ont
permis de connaître ses origines culturelles, son histoire familiale,
et par la meme de faconner son identite. Confessant aussi que cette
omnipresence de souvenirs visuels crea en lui un trouble : " Mon père
a realise beaucoup de petits films familiaux en 8 mm, qu’il nous a
souvent montres. Si bien qu’il y a un brouillage dans ma memoire entre
ce que j’ai vecu dans mon enfance et ce que j’ai vu dans ces films. "

En 1995, il signa un court metrage de quatre minutes, A Portrait of
Arshile, dans lequel lui et son epouse, sa comedienne fetiche Arsinee
Khanjian, adressent une lettre a leur tout jeune fils, lui racontant
l’histoire de son prenom qui etait aussi celui du peintre armenien
Arshile Gorky : " Tu t’appelles comme cet homme qui a change de nom
a cause des sentiments que provoquait en lui le souvenir du visage
de sa mère (…), un visage qui contemple aujourd’hui depuis le mur
d’un musee une terre qu’elle n’avait pas imaginee. "

Onze ans plus tard, Atom Egoyan a realise Citadel, l’un des films
inedits de cette retrospective que lui consacre le Centre Pompidou.

Il y filme le retour de la Libanaise Arsinee a Beyrouth, la ville
natale qu’elle quitta adolescente et qu’elle n’avait pas revue depuis
28 ans. Ce documentaire, aussi beau que malicieux, se presente comme
un journal de voyage adresse par le cineaste a son fils, alors âge de
dix ans. Outre une reflexion sur la memoire, le couple, l’identite,
la rencontre douloureuse entre l’histoire individuelle et l’histoire
collective, ce film touristique pose la question qui hante tout le
cinema d’Atom Egoyan : celle de la representation.

" Comment parler de l’intimite ? C’est cela qui m’obsède. Je suis
un cineaste formaliste, qui cherche dans chaque film une forme de
narration adaptee a mon exploration. Chaque fois un dispositif qui
joue entre la psychologie du personnage, la facon dont il se voit
et souhaite se montrer, en refoulant parfois une partie de sa vie,
et la facon dont le spectateur l’apprehende. Ce que je m’acharne
a montrer, c’est a quel point nous sommes conditionnes, objets ou
voyeurs. A quel point nous sommes otages d’un type de narration, et
combien il est facile, pour le filmeur, de manipuler le spectateur. "

Pour prouver que les apparences sont trompeuses, pour explorer
les rituels que se fabriquent les gens afin de vivre avec leur
nevrose, ou comment ils se reinventent un passe grâce a la video,
Atom Egoyan a raconte comment un adolescent se faisait adopter
par un couple de refugies armeniens dont il avait visionne les
confessions therapeutiques (Next of Kin, 1984), comment un homme
divorce enregistrait ses ebats avec sa maîtresse sur une cassette
evoquant sa vie avec sa première epouse, pour l’effacer (Family
Viewing, 1987), comment le client d’une boîte de nuit se trouvait
confronte au souvenir incestueux de sa fille en voyant danser devant
lui une strip-teaseuse en minijupe ecossaise (Exotica, 1994). Le
combat entre l’ordre et le fantasme, entre verites et desirs, est
depeint dans The Adjuster (1990), où l’employee d’une commission de
censure duplique des films pornographiques pour son propre usage.

L’image dissipe la frontière entre sphère privee et sphère publique.

On ne peut plus faire la distinction entre simulacre et realite. On
retrouve ces ambiguïtes dans Citadel, qui renvoie a un autre journal
intime filme en 1993, Calendar. Atom Egoyan y retracait un voyage
en Armenie avec son epouse Arsinee, en mettant en scène sa jalousie
devant les rushes où elle apparaît eprise de son guide. Cette fois,
il abat les cartes. " Je fais des images, ta mère y joue la comedie,
nous avons besoin de dramatiser, ca fait vingt ans que ca dure,
je ne peux pas t’expliquer pourquoi ", dit-il a son fils en voix
off. Et le pretendu voyage autobiographique tourne au vertige.

Car ce qui se joue dans Citadel, ce n’est pas seulement la brutale
confrontation d’Arsinee avec ses racines, l’adhesion du couple aux
pensees de Khalil Gibran, dont ils visitent la maison, et l’evocation
des massacres de Sabra et Chatila dont Egoyan denonce l’absence de
traces : " Ce massacre a ete choregraphie, theâtralise. Les assassins
ont agi a la lueur de projecteurs militaires. Puis l’obscurite s’est
abattue, plus rien ne nous permet de les identifier. Il y a la un
paradoxe terrifiant ! "

Comment se fier a ce que l’on voit, ce que l’on montre ? Qui nous
prouve qu’une image n’a pas ete manipulee, et que l’absence d’images
constitue une preuve ? Graves questions qu’il soumet a ses petits
arrangements. Citadel est une partie de jeu du chat et de la souris
entre Egoyan-filmeur, sa femme-comedienne, et le spectateur-voyeur.

Tout est mine dans cette sequence où Atom doit donner a la police
une bobine de film où figure un plan suspect susceptible de demasquer
deux citoyens.

Puis dans la scène de menage entre Arsinee et Atom. " J’ai voulu
prouver que le public est pret a croire tout ce qu’on lui montre,
meme s’il est conscient des strategies qu’on peut deployer. " La lecon
est aussi posee dans la sphère conjugale, où les parents conscients
d’etre observes par leur fils sont renvoyes a leurs responsabilites.

–Boundary_(ID_vJv5AF9mk3b4yB/tg kKBuQ)–

120 MILLION CUBIC METERS OF WATER TO BE LET OUT OF LAKE SEVAN FOR IRRIGATION THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
May 10 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 10 sitting, the Armenian
government made a decision to set the amount of water to be let out
of Lake Sevan during the 2007 irrigation season at 120 million cubic
meters. The water will be let out for Sevan-Hrazdan irrigation-energy
and Lake Sevan’s mechanical irrigation purposes. The minister of
nature protection and the chairman of the state water industry
committee of the RA ministry of territorial governance received
respective instructions.

Chairman of the state water industry committee Andranik Andreasian
told reporters after the sitting that in case of greater demand,
it is possible to let out another 50 million cubic meters of water
from Sevan. According to him, the necessary reserves of water have
already been stored in the country’s reservoirs.

A. Andreasian said that 3.2 bln drams was collected for irrigation
water supplied last year, which exceeds by 200 mln drams the 2006
index. Subsidies of a total of 5.42 bln drams were allocated from the
2007 state budget for current expenditures of the irrigation system.

CRIMINAL CASE OPENED AGAINST FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER AND FORMER DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
May 07 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. While in Moscow on April 24-26, initiators
of the Civil Disobedience Movement – former Armenian foreign minister
Alexander Arzumanian and former Armenian deputy defence minister Vahan
Shirkhanian came to an agreement with Russian citizen Levon Grigor
Markos to organize transfer money of dubious origin to Armenia and
legalize it there. Panorama.am was informed about it by the press
service of the National Security Service (NSS).

Since 2005, L. Markos has been wanted by the police under the
criminal case No 62205103 opened by the RA Prosecutor Generals’
Office for embezzlement.

According to the NSS press service, "on April 27, 180 thousand US
dollars was transferred part by part from Moscow to Yerevan’s Converse
Bank – under the name of dummies, but actually the money was meant
for themsevles." On May 5 the apartments of the above mentioned
persons were searched, as a resuly of which large sums of foreign
currency were found. During the questioning, A. Arzumanian refused
to say anything about the origin and use of 55.4 thousand dollars
confisacted after a search in his apartment.

In connection with the fact, a criminal case was opened in accordance
with Article 190, Part 3 of the RA Criminal Code. The investigation
department of the RA NSS is conducting an investigation into the case.

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 8, 2007
___________________

AMBASSADOR EVANS SPEAKS OF IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING RELIGION DURING
DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY

By Jake Goshert

Diplomats are good at following politics, military affairs, and breaking
news. But when it comes to the soul of a people, they often lack any
understanding, says Ambassador John Evans, America’s former envoy to
Armenia.

In August 2000, a Russian submarine, the Kursk, sank in the cold waters of
the artic. Because of its Cold War posture, technology, and reporting
infrastructure, Ambassador Evans said the American government knew of the
sinking, where it happened, and why it occurred almost immediately.

On that same day, thousands of Russian Orthodox Church leaders gathered for
a historic conference at the Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Moscow. It was
the first such large-scale gathering since the demise of communism. But this
meeting went wholly undetected by American officials.

"Not one U.S. Embassy official knew it was happening. Not one officer was
there. No one talked about the reasons for it," Ambassador Evans said. "This
was a major milestone in the rebirth of the Russian Orthodox Church after
the fall of communism. And we missed it."

Ambassador Evans spoke to the delegates at the 105th Diocesan Annual
Assembly on Saturday, May 5, 2007, outlining the often missing relationship
between religion and diplomacy. With a lack of understanding of religion, he
said, diplomatic efforts can be hampered.

PRIESTS AND AMBASSADORS

In discussing the nexus between religion and diplomacy, Ambassador Evans
noted that both arenas use some of the same tools to communicate and
educate. Historically, with the existence of national Churches, they worked
hand-in-hand to further the political and social goals of a society. Often,
ambassadors would travel to new lands along with priests from their
homeland. However, with increasing secularization, he said diplomats have
lost the connection to priests.

"Today’s diplomats, and I emphatically include American diplomats, have
developed a tin ear for religious issues. Why is that? It is because here,
in our American political life, we draw such a solid line between Church and
state," he said.

As an example of the problems caused by that disconnect, he spoke of the
nation where he had his first foreign assignment: Iran. He said America was
caught off-guard with the change of leadership there in the 1970s, because
diplomats ignored religion.

"As diplomats overseas we should not be blind and deaf to developments," he
said. "In my 35 years in the Foreign Service, I found we were blind. We were
deaf, too. Not only to Islam, but even Christianity."

Without learning about the religious nature of any society, he said
diplomats could never gain a comprehensive understanding of their foreign
surroundings.

"All of the Churches and all of the religions have more influence today than
the U.N., OSCE, OPEC, you name it," he said. "I believe diplomats who are
blind and deaf and do not get to know the churchmen, or in some cases women,
in the countries of their assignment are hobbling themselves. They are
crippling their work."

SWAYING POLICY

Along with being an important source of knowledge for diplomats, religious
leaders also have their own ways to shape and influence public policy,
Ambassador Evans noted. He listed three tools that religious institutions
can use to influence diplomacy: visits by high-ranking church leaders,
letters to officials, and offering of prayers.

As an example of the power of visits, he highlighted the recent trip to
Turkey by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. When discussing letters, he spoke about one
written in 1965 from Polish Catholic Bishops to their German peers to seek
forgiveness and ask for forgiveness. He lastly spoke about the power of pray
in helping two sides come together.

"I do think offering prayers, even for one’s longtime enemies, can be a
positive thing," he said.

PERSONAL COURAGE

In 2005, Ambassador Evans broke from American policy and used the word
"Genocide" to describe the killing of Armenians in 1915. After speaking
openly about the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Evans was forced to "retire"
from the Foreign Service and pulled from Armenia last September, a year
earlier than he was scheduled to leave his post.

He is now working on a book about the Armenian Genocide which traces his
personal growth from being someone with no knowledge of the Armenians to
someone who has studied and come to appreciate the culture.

"I’m hoping by tracing my own intellectual voyage to bring some other
individuals into the circle, people who don’t have Armenian names, to try to
bring them along to understanding why this issue is so important," he said.

He told delegates that he believed the Armenian and Turkish people could one
day find a way to live together. However, he believed the Turks must first
show contrition before there could be forgiveness.

"I do think at some future date, this progression through recognizing the
truth must include an apology or contrition, some definite act by Turks," he
continued. "Legally, a son is not guilty of the crimes of his father, or
much less his grandfather. But although it is a new state, it’s not the same
enterprise but a continuation of the same sovereignty. It does seem to me
that it is incumbent upon the Turks in some way, although their state may
not be held guilty of genocide, there needs to be an apology."

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), said the cause for justice and peace are well served
through individuals like Ambassador Evans who are willing to speak the
truth, even at great consequence.

"You are a partner for bringing reconciliation and peace among the people,
so we pray that the Lord will grant you many, many years so you can continue
your mission to be a wonderful leader of our country," he said.

Ambassador Evans was honored during the closing Assembly Banquet with the
"Friend of the Armenians" Award.

— 5/8/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Ambassador John Edwards, America’s former envoy to
Armenia, speaks to the delegates at the Diocesan Assembly in Nashua, New
Hampshire, on May 5, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Ambassador John Evans was pulled from his post in
Armenia and forced to resign the Foreign Service following his use of the
word "Genocide" to describe the killing of Armenians in 1915.

Panorama.am

18:00 05/05/2007

MOST TOURISTS VISITING AJARIA ARMENIANS

Georgian tourism information center will open in
Yerevan late May, Georgian sources say referring to
Temur Diasamidze, head of Ajaria tourism and resort
department. In his words, the center will open after
the parliamentary elections. According to official
sources, 65,000 foreign tourists visited Ajaria last
year. Some 45,000 of them were citizens of Armenia.

Source: Panorama.am