Author: Khondkarian Raffi

AZERI PRESSURE GROUP VOWS TO HINDER TIES WITH HUNGARY
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
13 Apr 06
[Presenter] The chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organization, Akif
Nagi, regards as unjust the Hungarian court ruling [against Azerbaijani
officer Ramil Safarov sentenced to life for killing Armenian officer
in Budapest]. Akif Nagi believes that it is important to ensure Ramil
Safarov’s safety during his imprisonment.
[Correspondent] The fact that the Budapest court passed
an unjust ruling in Ramil Safarov’s case will deal a blow to
Azerbaijani-Hungarian ties. The chairman of the Karabakh Liberation
Organization, Akif Nagi, said that his organization will try towards
the freezing of ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary.
[Nagi] First, as an organization, we will hinder the development of
ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary. We will do our best towards this
end. If there is a will and determination, an organization can also
do much enough.
[Passage omitted: Safarov’s safety needs to be ensured as he will be
held in one prison cell with other prisoners]

SHAKHIDS APPEAR IN AZERBAIJAN: IMPOVERISHMENT AND THE UNSOLVED PROBLEM OF KARABAKH TRANSFORM THE COUNTRY INTO A BRIDGEHEAD FOR RADICAL ISLAM
by Sokhbet Mamedov
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, April 10, 2006, p. 10
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
April 12, 2006 Wednesday
ACTIVIZATION OF RADICAL RELIGIOUS AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN
AZERBAIJAN: ANALYSIS; Activization of radical religious and terrorist
organizations in Azerbaijan: analysis.
National Security Minister of Azerbaijan Eldar Makhmudov made
a sensational statement the other day. Speaking of successes of
Azerbaijani secret services (they celebrated their 87th anniversary not
long ago), Makhmudov said, “We are fairly experienced in dealing with
radical religious and terrorist organizations, but we were shocked by
the reports that Al-Qaeda Caucasus, a terrorist group we liquidated,
intended to recruit Azerbaijani girls into the shakhid.”
According to the minister, as recently as five years ago most
terrorists arrested in Azerbaijan were on their way to other countries
or else they were using the territory of Azerbaijan to organize
terrorist acts elsewhere. These days, they plan terrorist acts in
Azerbaijan itself – either on their own or acting on orders from
international terrorist organizations.
Secret services encounter religious-extremist groups “bent on toppling
the secular democratic regime in the country and on having Azerbaijan
quit the international counter-terrorism coalition” more and more
frequently nowadays. Activization of radical religious and terrorist
groups in Azerbaijan is ascribed to its convenient location, major
international projects under way on its territory, existence of a
great deal of vital objects of infrastructure and transport, and to
some other factors. All of that transformed Azerbaijan into an arena
of a vicious struggle between different Islamic trends and schools –
Arab, Turkish, and Iranian. All of that generates considerable problems
for the authorities to handle.
The worst threat is posed by the forces and circles proliferating
Islamic fundamentalism in the republic. Missionaries from Arab
countries (particularly from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey)
are extremely active. The nucleus of the cells of extremists they
establish in Azerbaijan comprises young locals 20 to 25 years from
impoverished families, students of theology, and the unemployed.
These missionaries offer local youths free religious education in
Islamic countries. This practice is used to import the newly acquired
knowledge and views to Azerbaijan.
Just like in the Russian Caucasus, the Wahhabi are particularly
radical in Azerbaijan where they amass around all sorts of charity
foundations, religious establishments, and media outlets. According
to some estimates, the Wahhabi already number more than 25,000 men.
This Islamic trend is predominant in the northern regions of
Azerbaijan on the border with Russia, the ones with the mostly Sunni
population. Local newspapers call the Abu-Bekir, a mosque built with
money from Saudi sponsors, the center of Wahhabi in Baku. A great
deal of the believers who regularly attend the mosque are citizens
of Russia – ethnic Chechens residing in Azerbaijan. “The Wahhabi are
already a force capable of exerting serious clout with sociopolitical
life in the country,” political scientist Rafael Gasanov said.
Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies claim that liquidation of a
number of structures in the last ten years or so that shipped young
Azerbaijani abroad for combat training and that recruited mercenaries
for wars abroad. Secret services arrested and extradited numerous
activists of Al-Qaeda, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Al-Jamaa Al-Islamia,
Islamic Army of the Caucasus, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. They
neutralized local organizations of Jeishullah, Hizb-ut-Takhrir,
Al-Qaeda Caucasus, Al-Muvahiddin. Baku offices of a number of foreign
humanitarian organizations were closed as suspected sponsors of
terrorism.
Studying radical Islamization of the Azerbaijani youth, political
scientist Sanan Nuri pins the blame on the growing number of illiterate
and desperate youths, the continuing occupation of 20% of the territory
of Azerbaijan by Armenia, and refugee camp where all sorts of external
forces operate under the guise of humanitarian organizations. Unless
these problems are addressed to and solved, Azerbaijan will remain
a perfect site for radical organizations and sects.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: ARMENIAN SIDE EXPECTS FROM “MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE” CORPORATION CLEAR AND DISTINCT RELATIONS OF PARTNERSHIP
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 12 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian-American
relations develop in a rather practic and dynamic way, widening the
volumes year by year. RA President Robert Kocharian stated about this,
receiving on April 12 the delegation headed by U.S. Congressman Jim
Kolbe. Congressman Scott Garrett, Ambassador John Danilovich, the
Chief Executive Officer of the “Millennium Challenge” corporation,
other officials are in the delegation. Congressman Jim Kolbe
greeted in his turn the Armenian peace-keepers’ successful mission in
Iraq. Expressing his gratitude for the financial assistance allocated
to Armenia within the framework of the “Millennium Challenge” program,
Robert Kocharian said that Armenia remains faithful to strengthening
of democracy and liberty, to keeping and progress of which the
program is aimed. The head of the country considered the program to
be double important as it involves the marzes of the republic and,
as the President mentioned, may arise great qualitative changes,
supporting reduction of discrepancy among the city of Yerevan and
rural communities. Robert Kocharian also said that the Armenian
side expects from the “Millennium Challenge” corporation clear and
distinct relations of partnership. Issues of securing good indexes
in the spheres of just management, making investments in the humane
capital and encouriging the economic freedom, issues of struggle
against corruption were considered primary for getting continuous
assistance from the “Millennium Challenge” fund. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA President’s Press Office, for raising the level of
holding elections to take place in 2007 and 2008, the interlocuters
attached importance to improvement of the electoral code and promotion
of as wide discussions on it as it’s possible. The Karabakh issue
settlement was also touched upon during the meeting.

CRAG
E-mail: [email protected]
Web-sites: w3.crag.org.uk / w3.accc.org.uk
Commemorative Community Evening on Friday, 21st April, at 7:00 pm at
Victoria Hall, Ealing Town Hall, Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London W5.
The programme of this open and public event is geared toward the
Armenian community as a whole. It includes talks by a number of
prominent speakers (Armenian and non-Armenian) as well as interesting
cultural interludes by talented artists.

Annual March on Saturday, 22nd April, 11.00 from Marble Arch to
Whitehall & Cenotaph.
The march will be led by the Armenian Church, ACCC & CRAG and there
will be prayers at the Cenotaph and the placement of a wreath, as well
as the handing of a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing St by
ACCC & CRAG representatives.
Divine Liturgy (Hokehankisd) on Sunday, 23 April, at 11:00 am led by
HG Bishop Nathan Hovhannesian at St Yeghiche Armenian Church, Cranley
Gardens, London SW7.
Short Memorial Service and laying of wreaths on Monday, 24 April, at
7:00 pm at St Sarkis Church, Iverna Gardens, London W8.
Commemorative Evening “The Truth about Armenia” on Tuesday, 25 April,
at 7:00 pm, by Wales-Armenia Solidarity, at the Temple of Peace,
Cathays Park, in Cardiff CF10.

ARMENIAN DM CONSIDERS EXPEDIENT TRANSFER OF ARMENIAN PROPERTY TO RUSSIA AS COMPENSATION FOR GAS TARIFF RISE
Yerevan, April 11. ArmInfo. Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan
considers expedient the transfer of Armenian property to Russia as
compensation for the gas tariff rise.
He wonders that all and sundry are holding forth about this subject
but have no slightest idea what the 5th unit of the Hrazdan TPP
actually is.
Today the unit is like a three-floor house with only ground floor
built. But some know-alls say that “only” $150 mln is needed to repair
it. So, it turns out that the unit has already worked and just needs
repairs and that $150 mln is a very small sum for those know-alls. The
real situation is quite different. The repairs require at least $180
mln – money that could be repaid in 10 years at earliest. In such a
case Armenia would have a profitable unit by 2017 at best. But only
Nostradamus knows what kind of profit that would be and what kind of
gas prices there would be at that time, says Sargsyan.
So, Sargsyan asks: what is more profitable for the state – to sell
inoperative unit for $250 mln or to wait for it to begin to give
some tiny profit in 2017. The key principle here is what the state,
industry and people need.
Sargsyan does not agree with the opinion that all energy companies of
Armenia are in the hands of Russia. He says that one should not mix
politics with economy. One should see what is good for the Armenian
economy. Simply some local hysterical politicians think that we
should decline any offer by Russia, but accept an offer by, say,
Belgium. The word “Russia” for them is like a red rag for a bull.
This is a wrong approach. One should not create problems for oneself
and then heroically overcome them.
The 5th unit deal has a long history. 5-6 years ago RAO UES and
Rosgazprom offered to buy it but stipulated that Armenia should buy
the whole electricity to be produced there. It was not profitable for
Armenia and the country declined the offer. But now that the terms
have got better Armenia has agreed.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video of the message of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia here:
TH E THIRD PAN-ARMENIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE CONVENES ITS SESSIONS IN ANTELIAS
The second session of the Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference was held in the
hall of the Veharan on the evening of the conference’s inauguration on April
6.
Two writers spoke on “Globalization and the modern Armenian literature.”
Karnig Ananian from Armenia presented an analytical speech on the topic,
focusing on the challenges posed by the globalization on the field of
literature and particularly Armenian literature. In this context he spoke
about the threats to national identities and the value of nations, the
“poetisation” of the concept of global citizenship and tendencies to reject
literary values and engage in “garbage writing.”
The second writer to speak about the topic, Lebanese-Armenian writer Sarkis
Giragossian, presented a brief overview of the globalization wave,
highlighting its consequences on the Armenian culture and literature.
Giragossian said that a new image of Armenians has formed in the Armenian
literature of the last decade. He opposed the centuries-old visionary
national literature of rich values and traditions to materialism, the stress
on the physical being of individuals and their instinctive drives. He
assured the former would overcome the waves of globalization.
The participants then exchanged views on the topic under the chairmanship of
Henrig Etoyian (Armenia) and Hrant Markarian (United States).
The third session of the conference was held on April 7 and focused on two
main themes: “New life experience and new literature” and “The conflict of
identity in the literature of the Armenian Diaspora”.
The first topic was presented by Jenya Kalantarian from Armenia who talked
about the inter-fusion between various literary genres such as poetry and
prose in recent times. Vehanoush Tekeyian from the United States talked
about the conflict of identity in the literature of the Armenian Diaspora.
She related the literature of various Armenian communities to the Diaspora
Armenians’ struggle for survival.
Hovhannes Krikorian (Armenia) and Hagop Mikaelian (Syria) then chaired the
session on discussions and exchange of viewpoints by the participants.
The fourth session of the conference was dedicated to the Diaspora
literature and included presentations on “The Armenian Diaspora Literature
assessed by the modern literary criticism of Armenia” and “Modern Thinking
in the Armenian Diaspora literature”.
The presenter of the first topic, Souren Tanielian from Armenia assessed the
Armenian Diaspora literature in light of the influences of globalization. He
talked about the persistent contradiction between globalization and national
identities. Tanielian spoke in detail about the viewpoints of such Armenian
writers as Kegham Sevan, Vazken Kaprielian and Alex Topdjian, the
perceptions of Armenian literary critics of the Soviet Union and the
adoption of the Diaspora literature in Armenia.
The second topic was presented by Hilda Kalfaian-Panossian, who talked about
the formation of various natures of literature in the post-Genocide Armenian
communities of the Diaspora as a result of different intellectual
influences. As such, Paris was the first to attract attention whereby new
Armenian writers opposed the emotionalism of the old generation. Istanbul
followed with new writers adopting new approached to both prose and poetry
after World War II. The presenter warned that the greatest difficulty the
Armenian Diaspora literature faces today is the issue of being understood
with difficulty.
Vazken Kaprielian (Armenia) and Aram Sepedjian (Lebanon) chaired the
discussions’ session.
The fifth session of the conference featured the topic “The Armenian
Genocide and the Modern Armenian Literature” which was presented by Azad
Yeghiazarian from Armenia. Talking about the large place to this topic in
Armenian literature, Yeghiazarian said: “The national destiny has been one
of the major concerns of literature and literature itself has deeply
affected on national destiny and psychology. In other words, a nation’s
literature is what its history and destiny are; and a nation’s history and
psychology are what its literature is. This is one of the most important
unique aspects of Armenian literature.”
An exchange of viewpoints followed under the chairmanship of Roupen
Hovsepian (Armenia) and Arshag Kazandjian (the United States).
The main theme of the sixth and last session of the day was “The
internationalization of Armenian literature”. Alexander Topdjian from
Armenia talked about the comprehensive procedure by which Armenian
literature should be internationalized.
“The internationalization of Armenian literature should first and foremost
become an indivisible part of government policy. This means that a clear and
comprehensive plan should be devised to introduce our literature to the
world. This is a difficult mission the achievement of which requires the
unity of not only the artistic unions of Armenia but also that of the
Diaspora’s intellectual potential,” he said.
The second presenter, Harout Kuirkdjian from Greece, stressed the value of
quality, highlighting the importance of writers and a literature that would
follow the progress of the global literature, renewing the Armenian language
and exhibiting a revolutionary loyalty.
Berdj Zeitountsian (Armenia) and Haroutioun Berberian (Canada) chaired the
discussions of the last session.
##
View photo here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

NATO KEEN ON DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 10 2006
Deputy Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, head of the Azerbaijan
delegation at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Ziyafet Askarov met
with the special envoy of the NATO Secretary General in the South
Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simons.
Having noted, that after signing in 1994 between Azerbaijan and NATO
of the PfP program, the bilateral contacts dynamically develop, Z.
Askarov has stated, that today Azerbaijan as the present partner takes
part in many actions of NATO. Azerbaijan is interested in development
and strengthening of communications with the Euro-Atlantic alliance
and for this purpose carries out all the obligations assigned. We also,
he said, take active part in the antiterrorist coalition. Militaries of
Azerbaijan have joined the peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, Afghanistan
and Iraq. The relations between Milli Majlis and Parliamentary
Assembly of NATO have reached a desirable level. In 1997, Azerbaijan
was admitted to the Assembly with observer status, and in 2002 0 became
member of this Organization, which is evidence to development of links,
and that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner. Despite this, there are
problems impeding all-round development of these ties. Territorial
claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan are threat both for the country
and the entire South Caucasus, he emphasized.
Then, Ziyafet Askarov has in detail informed on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, emphasizing importance of activation of the role of NATO,
being the guarantor of peace and stability on the planet.
Mr. Robert Simons has told, that the NATO also is interested
in development of links with Azerbaijan and closely watches the
processes ongoing in the country, and that the Organization highly
estimates the progressive steps undertaken in the country after the
past parliamentary elections.
The sides had comprehensive exchange of views on other questions
representing mutual interest.

GREGORY PECK PROFILE – FATHER OF ARMENIAN ROOTS
>From Diana Saenger,
About – News & Issues, NY
April 10 2006
Notable Film Star
Date of Birth: April 5, 1916
Place of Birth: La Jolla, CA
Date of Death: June 12,2003
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California
Cause of Death: natural causes
Gregory Peck was a major screen idol in feature films from 1944 to
1998, but he was also known for many other endeavors. He was the
national chairman of the American Cancer Society (1966), president
of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (1967-1970), charter
member of the National Council on the Arts (1968-1974), recipient of
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation’s highest civilian award
in 1969 by Lyndon Johnson and he marched with Martin Luther King.
Peck’s Early Interest in Films Born Eldred Gregory Peck in the sunny
and posh seaside of La Jolla, California, Peck’s father, from Armenian
roots, was a pharmacist in San Diego. After his parents divorced when
Peck was five, he went to live with his grandmother, Kate Ayres. It
was she who sparked his early interest in films by taking him to
the movies every week. Peck attended grammar school in La Jolla,
graduated from San Diego High in 1933, and then headed north.
While enrolled in a pre-med program at Berkeley, Peck reconnected with
his childhood enjoyment of films and began taking acting classes. So
bitten by the acting bug, he ducked out on graduation at UC Berkeley
in 1939 and took a train to New York to enroll in the Neighborhood
Playhouse in New York. While honing his craft, Peck worked at Radio
City Music Hall as a tour guide and as a catalog model for Montgomery
Ward. After graduating he made his stage debut in 1942 in The Morning
Star. That same year Peck married Greta Kukkonen.
Instant Stardom Only one year later the handsome actor found himself
in Hollywood working for RKO pictures. Days of Glory (1944) was his
film debut; Peck played Vladimir in a film about the Nazi invasion
of Russia.
It’s rare for an actor to be nominated for an Academy Award on their
second film, but Peck was with his role as Father Francis Chisholm,
a young priest, sent to China to establish a Catholic parish among
the non-Christian Chinese in The Keys of the Kingdom(1944). Next came
the films Spellbound (1945), Duel in the Sun (1946), and The Yearling
(1946), which garnered Peck another Academy Award nomination.
Still feeling a draw to the stage, in 1947, Peck returned to La
Jolla accompanied by Mel Ferrer and Dorothy McGuire. The trio of
actors founded the La Jolla Playhouse, today a world renown playhouse
responsible for many Broadway bound long running shows. Their hope to
create a theatre where film actors could hone their craft on stage
away from Hollywood became a reality. The La Jolla Playhouse hosted
a myriad of stars from Vivian Vance to Dennis Hopper, and Peck would
return often to add his support to theatre’s fundraising campaigns.
“As our founder, Gregory Peck’s contribution to the Playhouse
and theatre in San Diego, as well as American film, leaves a
lasting legacy,” said Playhouse Artistic Director Des McAnuff in an
interview. “We want to honor that legacy by celebrating his life. He
is our artistic soul and will be in our hearts and minds as the
Playhouse moves forward into the future.” Fast becoming an extremely
fruitful actor, that same year in 1947 Peck earned two more Academy
Award nomination for his roles in Gentleman’s Agreement (1947) and
Twelve O’Clock High (1949). Other films would follow – Yellow Sky
(1949), The Great Sinner (1949) and The Gunfighter (1950) among them.
With his impressive resume, Peck could now call the shots. He chose
scripts that appealed to him, ones with noble and ethical undertones
such as Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951), The Purple Plain
(1954), Moby Dick (1956), Pork Chop Hill (1959) and The Guns of
Navarone (1961).
“They say the bad guys are more interesting to play but there is
more to it than that,” Peck once said. “Playing the good guys is more
challenging because it’s harder to make them interesting.”
In 1955 Peck divorced Greta Kukkonen. The couple had three children
– Jonathan, Stephen and Carey. That same year he married Veronique
Passani, who remained his wife until his death and gave Peck two more
children – Tony and Cecilia.
With his tall statue and heroic looks, it was only natural that
studios also wanted him for romantic leads. Peck chose these roles
as well based on stars he admired and wanted to work with, such
as Susan Hayward David and Basthsheba (1951), Audrey Hepburn Roman
Holiday (1953), Lauren Bacall Designing Women (1957) and Deborah Kerr
Beloved Infidel (1959). Peck lost the adage, “Always a bridegroom,
never a bride,” when he won his first Oscar for his performance as
Lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
So heartfelt was his performance, the film still ranks among many
classic fans’ favorite films. Atticus Finch, was voted the greatest
screen hero of all time by the American Film Institute in May 2003.
By the late 1970s, Peck was losing his A-list star status. He tried
his hand at producing in The Trial of the Catonsville Nine (1972)
and The Dove (1974), the 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985). He did
return to his native San Diego to film scenes for MacAuthur, in which
he played Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Peck appeared in some roles in TV
mini series during these years. His last role was as Father Mapple
in the 1998 TV movie Moby Dick .
His peers, coworkers, and fans all hailed Peck as a generous, talented
and kind man, who gave Hollywood some excellent films reels and deeply
cared about the world around him. “He was exactly what I expected,”
said La Playhouse’s artistic director Des McAnuff when he met Peck
in person at the Playhouse. “A giant of a man with wonderful dignity,
a great sense of humanity and humor.
Gregory Peck died at age 87.
gPckprfe40906.htm

PRESS RELEASE
Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Tel: 508-793-8897
Web:
April 10, 2006
Clark’s Payaslian to speak about Politics and the Armenian Genocide on
April 20
LECTURE
“Power, Politics, and the Armenian Genocide”
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Tilton Hall, Clark University
7:30 p.m.
Simon Payaslian, Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies at
Clark University, will discuss the advent of the United States as a
global power and its correlation with the internalization of the
Armenian question in the late nineteenth century. Payaslian will
discuss how the Wilson administration (1913-1921) promoted American
missionary and economic interests while still maintaining friendly
relations with the Ottoman government during the Armenian Genocide.
This lecture is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the
Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. For more
information, call 508-793-8897.

UNITING THE NATION
Editorial
Yerkir.am
April 07, 2006
The dual citizenship is a unilateral obligation the Republic of Armenia
assumes under the international law to make Armenia the spiritual
homeland of all Armenians and partly offset the history’s wrinkles
and contribute to repatriation.
The dual citizenship stems from the unique situation of the Armenian
people because we are a nation, which has found itself spread all
over the world after undergoing a genocide in its homeland at the
end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
The Armenians of Diaspora have for decades preserved their culture,
national identity with a vision to have an independent state and
return to their homeland.
Any Armenian who has a national dignity wants to see Armenia as the
homeland of the entire nation.
Currently, only one-third of the Armenians reside in the independent
homeland. This situation calls for a united national identity, which
would include close cooperation in such areas as ethno-culture,
language, spiritual and traditions, and would formulate a joint
responsibility for the homeland and future of the Armenians based on
national and historic memory.