Author: Khondkarian Raffi

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 30, 2005 Friday
Armenian pres meets with head of Russia Union of Armenians
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met on Friday with the head of
the World Armenian Congress and the Union of Armenians of Russia, Ara
Abramyan. They discussed prospects for cooperation between the
organisations and the country’s authorities.
The union has done substantial and consistent work to coordinate ties
between Armenian communities in Russian regions and Armenia.
It will allow them to participate more actively in all-Armenia
actions – forums, congresses and conferences, the president believes.
Proposals of the union on activities in Armenia and participation in
various national-scope events were also under discussion.
The president also told about settlement of the Karabakh conflict and
the prospects for normalisation of relations with Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
Fresno Bee
Opinion Section
‘Preposterous claim’
September 30, 2005
Again we read in a newspaper story (Sept. 24) of the Armenian massacres,
the claim by Turkey’s apologists that “the [Armenian genocide] deaths
were part of a war in which an equal number of Turks died.” The
implication is that losses on both sides were a consequence of World War
I.
Such a claim is preposterous and perverted. Virtually the entire
Armenian population of Turkey in 1915 (whole families, including women
and children) was forcibly deported from its homeland of nearly 3,000
years by the leaders of the much more recently arrived Ottoman Empire.
About 1.5 million died.
That occurred during World War I when Turkey, a member of the Central
Powers together with Germany, was at war with the Allies. Of course, the
Turks did lose many lives in the war (which was not against Armenians).
But an equal number — more than a million? Hardly.
Armenian lives (families, not military personnel) were lost at the hands
of Turkish forces and the Kurds.
Turkish lives (virtually all military) were lost in a war at the hands
of British and Russian troops.
This needs to be repeated, for the preposterous claim of Turkish
apologists will not cease.
Arra Avakian
Fresno

RA PRESIDENT MET HEIKKI TALVITIE
A1+
| 15:00:42 | 29-09-2005 | Official |
Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian received EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Haikii Talvitie to discuss
cooperation within the New Neighbors EU Program.
The parties also touched upon the Karabakh conflict settlement,
some regional problems and development programs. The process of
constitutional reform was as well considered.
Robert Kocharian and Mr. Talvitie stressed the importance of the
constitutional amendments rating them as a new possibility for
developing and strengthening democracy in Armenia.

WAC-RA GOVERNMENT COOPERATION MECHANISMS NOT ELABORATED YET
Pan Armenian News
28.09.2005 08:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Days of the World Armenian Congress and the
Union of Armenians of Russia are starting in Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh today.
Special mechanisms of collaboration between the WAC and the Armenian
government have not been worked out yet and the organization develops
activities in scientific, educational and economic fields only,
Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamian stated
during today’s press conference dedicated to the 5-th anniversary
of the organization. He also informed he is meeting with Robert
Kocharian tomorrow and is going to offer the RA President to elaborate
a mechanism of the kind. He also noted that the organization is not
engaged in politics, since its members are citizens of Russia. However
he informed that they will assist in conducting the parliamentary
and presidential election in Armenia. When commenting on the demand
of the Armenian community of Georgia to grant an autonomy status to
Samtskhe-Javakhetia Ara Abrahamian said that Georgia is an independent
state but if it is incapable to secure employment for its citizens,
the residents of Samtskhe-Javakhetia have the right to ask for
autonomy. “We should show concern for the fate of our compatriots”,
he stated.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS “ARABOT” DELAYED
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION ADOPTED
On September 28 the RA National Assembly passed the draft amendments to the
Constitution of Armenia in the third reading and finally.
As it has been reported, before the discussion of the draft in the third
reading Yerevan Press Club made its proposals to the National Assembly on
the amendments to the Constitution. The statement of YPC, disseminated on
September 15, noted the insufficient involvement of Armenian public in the
constitutional reform process and concern was voiced over certain provisions
of the draft, particularly, those referring to freedom of expression and
information. Since the draft cannot be substantially improved after the
second reading, Yerevan Press Club made proposals of editorial nature that
would make the appropriate provisions more specific and would contribute to
the greater clarity of phrasings (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 9-15, 2005).
The proposals of editorial nature made by YPC were taken into account in the
final text of the Constitution.
At the same time, YPC proposed to introduce the greatest clarity possible in
the status and the role of body created in the sphere of broadcast media.
Namely, it was recommended that Article 83.2 (“To ensure freedom,
independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance with the
law, an independent body is established. Half of its members are elected by
the National Assembly, and the other half is appointed by the President of
the Republic – for 6 years’ term of service. The National Assembly elects
the members of this body by a majority of the total number of deputies”) be
narrated as follows: “In accordance with the law, a body is established,
regulating the activities of public and private broadcast mass media,
contributing to their diversity. To ensure the greatest independence of this
body, half of its members are elected by the National Assembly and half is
appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of service.
The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority of the
total number of deputies.”
In the text of the Constitution adopted in the third reading Article 83.2
did not undergo significant changes, but for one clarification: the body
mentioned in it is now specified on only as “independent”, but also as
“regulatory”. Thus, the Article is presently narrated as follows: “To ensure
freedom, independence and diversity of broadcast mass media, in accordance
with the law, an independent regulatory body is established. Half of its
members are elected, for 6 years’ term of service, by the National Assembly,
half is appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies.” In other words, the purpose of
establishing a regulatory body and its status remain vaguely defined in the
Main Law.
ENP, MCA AND MDG IN ARMENIAN MEDIA
On September 23-25 in Tsaghkadzor a seminar “Coverage of International
Programs in Armenian Media” was held. The event was organized by Yerevan
Press Club with the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The event
brought together representatives of media, NGOs, also journalistic
associations, state structures of Armenia and international missions
accredited in the country.
The prospects of the program of the EU European Neighborhood Policy in
Armenia were presented to the seminar participants by the Head of Department
on Cooperation with World Trade Organization and EU of the RA Ministry of
Trade and Economic Development Vahagn Ghazarian and the Head of the EU
Department of the RA Foreign Ministry Armen Liloyan. The Chairman of
“European Integration” NGO Karen Bekarian told about the impact of the
program on democratic reforms in the country and its coverage in media.
The start of implementation of another major program in Armenia, the
Millennium Challenge Account, funded by US Government, was the subject of
the presentation by Deputy Head of Armenian group of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation Hovhannes Azizian. The necessity of ensuring the
transparency of this program was highlighted by the head of the Center for
Regional Development/Armenian branch of “Transparency International” Amalia
Kostanian.
Another project, also implemented in many countries of the world, including
Armenia, the UN Millennium Development Goals was presented by the economist
of UNDP Armenian Office Aghasi Mkrtchian.
The producer of Internews Armenia NGO Armen Sargsian told about how Armenian
media cover these issued and the subjects of public importance in general.
HEARINGS ON THE SUIT VERSUS “ARABOT” DELAYED
On September 23 at the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and
Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan the hearings on the suit of the former
assistant of Electrical Energy Chair of State Engineering (Polytechnic)
University Karen Khachatrian versus “Aravot” daily started and were
postponed. The plaintiff demanded that the daily publish the refutation text
prepared by him to the article “Sexual Harassment of a Student”, published
in “Aravot” on June 24, 2005. The piece was based on the complaint of a
group of students and professors of the Engineering University about the
behavior of Karen Khachatrian and his father Varos Khachatrian, a professor
of the same Chair, addressed to the RA Human Rights Defender.
The consideration of the suit of Karen Khachatrian versus “Aravot” was
postponed since presently criminal proceedings are underway on the appeal of
the father of a female student of the Engineering University. The court has
no competence to consider the civil suit, filed by Karen Khachatrian, until
the investigation is over.
As it has been reported, a similar suit with the same claim was filed by
Karen Kachatrian versus “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” newspaper. The court
hearings again were delayed due to the same reason (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 9-15, 2005).
Meanwhile, it became known that Karen Khachatrian is no longer employed by
the Engineering University. As “Aravot” daily reported on September 24 with
a reference to the Rector of the Engineering University Yuri Sargsian,
considering the big amount of complaints from students, the administration
did not find reasons to sign a contract with Karen Khachatrian.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

Congressional Record
September 27, 2005 Senate
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the Armenian
American community in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The Pontiff
will be visiting the State of California this October at the invitation
of His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
His Holiness is one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the
Middle East and a spiritual leader for hundreds of thousands of
Armenians around the world. The Pontiff presently serves as the
Moderator for the World Council of Churches which is comprised of more
than 340 churches from different cultures and countries around the
world representing over 400 million Christians. Currently serving his
second term, His Holiness is the first Orthodox and the youngest person
to be elevated to Moderator.
The theme of the Pontiff’s visit is “Towards the Light of
Knowledge.” This theme reflects the Pontiff’s faith that only with
greater education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be addressed
properly.
I take this opportunity to not only thank The Pontiff for his time
and worthy endeavors in California, but also thank the sizable Armenian
community which has been actively contributing to the California
culture and economy since 1878. California cities of Los Angeles and
Glendale are home to the second and third largest populations of
Armenians outside of Armenia and are important members of their
communities serving as business leaders and city council members.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS RUSSIAN BASE REMAINS SECURITY ELEMENT
Armenpress
Sept 27, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Speaking to a news conference
after talks with the visiting president of Finland Tarja Halonen,
Armenian president Robert Kocharian said Russian military bases
in Armenia were not imposed on it, but established in line with an
Armenian-Russian agreement.
He said also the Russian base is in line with Armenia’s national
interests.
Kocharian said Armenia is located in a complicated region where
relations between countries are not finally regulated yet. He said
Russian bases in Armenia are looked on as an element of its national
security. “There is no need to expand these bases, but what is there
is regulated by the intergovernmental agreement,’ he said. The press
conference was preceded by face-to-face talks between Kocharian
and Halonen, who according to Kocharian’s press office, discussed
bilateral relations, Armenia-EU cooperation, regional problems and
exchanged views on a set of key international issues.
Mrs. Halonen welcomed Armenia’s inclusion in the European Neighborhood
Policy (ENP), saying Finland was going to attach greater attention
to its relations with South Caucasian nations. President Kocharian
in turn said involvement of influential international organizations
in the process of regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would
have a positive impact, especially in providing political and economic
support to the sides after they reached a peace deal.
Kocharian said there were moments when the conflicting sides were
very close to hammering out the deal, but some circumstances have
slowed down the process. He said talks are very intensive now and
there is hope for reaching a mutually acceptable peace formula.
Mrs. Halonen said after learning the latest developments in the process
he encouraged Kocharian to continue active efforts for reaching final
peace with Azerbaijan.

DEPUTY FM CLARIFIES RUSSIAN MEDIATOR’S STATEMENTS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2005
Baku, September 26, AssA-Irada
Deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov told journalists on Monday that
there are no grounds for Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group mediating the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh conflict,
to be concerned over the increase in Azerbaijan’s military expenses.
Such statements mean interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs,
Azimov said. “The increase in the budget is normal. The budget will
be raised as much as needed.”
The deputy foreign minister said the move is based on Azerbaijan’s
national interests.
“This is Azerbaijan’s internal affair. The decision was made by the
country’s leadership and government agencies and no one is allowed
to meddle in this”, he said.*

NEW TIES OF COOPERATION ESTABLISHED BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND FOREIGN YOUNG DOCTORS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 26 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. In total, 400 scientific works
dedicated to modern problems of medicine were presented at the
3rd International Conference of Young Doctors held in Yerevan on
September 19-21. 100 works from them were presented by young doctors
of Armenia. As Vardan Karamian, the Chairman of the conference
informed at the September 24 press-conference, authories of 4 works
from those present got an opportunity to participate in conferences
to be held abroad with financial assistance of the Armenian Medical
Association. And the author of the best work, Artem Grigorian was
honoured with the presidental prize of the conference: he will get
100 US dollar scholarship during a year and undertake the obligations
of the Chairman of the 4th International Conference of Young Doctors
to be held in 2007. Besides, authors of 25 works were honoured with
diplomas of the organizers of the conference: the Armenian Medical
Association, the RA National Academy of Sciences, the RA Health Care
Ministry and National Institute.
V.Karamian mentioned that during the conference, numerous new ties
and prospects of further cooperation were created among Armenian
and foreign doctors, among them a preliminary agreement was reached
concerning implementation of the “summer schools” program of young
doctors in Armenia and Iran.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A BAND’S ARMENIAN ROOTS
Arts Briefly
Broadway World, NY
Sept 26 2005
The rock band System of a Down plans to visit the Batavia, Ill.,
office of Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, Republican of Illinois and speaker
of the House, at noon tomorrow to urge him to bring a resolution
recognizing the Turkish genocide of Armenians between 1915 and 1923
to a full House vote. A rally is scheduled for tomorrow from noon
to 2 p.m. The band joins the Armenian National Committee of America,
Axis of Justice and the Armenian Youth Federation in this campaign.
System of a Down’s four members – Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian,
Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan – are of Armenian descent and have
worked to raise awareness of the issue of genocide against Armenians
and others. On Sept. 15, the House International Relations Committee
approved the resolution.