Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Burbank Leader, United States
September 17, 2006

Genocide suit moves forward
By Tracy E. Gilchrist

GLENDALE – A judge’s ruling on Monday to move forward in a
class-action suit against two German banks accused of withholding
money and property from victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide brings
their descendants a step closer to restitution and recognition of the
tragedy, their attorneys said.

"It’s a watershed moment," said Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos, who
represents the plaintiffs who are descendants of the victims of the
genocide.

United States District Judge Margaret M. Morrow’s ruling marks the
first time a lawsuit against

a non-insurance company regarding assets withheld from Armenian
Genocide victims’ descendants has gotten this far along, Geragos said.

Officials from Deutsche Bank could not be reached for comment.

Descendants accuse German banks Deutsche Bank A.G. and Dresdner Bank
A.G. of holding on to assets deposited by Armenians prior to the 1915
genocide and holding on to assets the Ottoman Turkish Empire looted
from the victims. .

The suit further contends that by concealing and preventing recovery
of the assets, the banks profited from atrocities committed against
the Armenian people within the Ottoman Turkish Empire. advertisement

"The ruling allows us to proceed with discovery and depositions,"
Geragos said.

Morrow delivered a 78-page decision, which Geragos called
"well-reasoned and involved."

"She did a fantastic job of analysis," said Vartkes Yeghiayan, an
attorney working with Geragos, said of Morrow’s ruling.

"Armenians lost and banks benefited," Yeghiayan said.

Plaintiffs have won several lawsuits against insurance companies that
benefited from the Armenian tragedy, Yeghiayan said. "It’s only a
question of time to file a lawsuit against Turkey," for committing
genocide, he said.

The ruling comes a week before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected
to sign a state Senate bill that allows for the victims’ descendants
to pursue the assets that financial institutions kept, said Haig
Hovsepian, community relations director with the Armenian National
Committee of America – Western Region.

"The state of California has an interest in returning wrongfully
withheld assets," Hovsepian said of the timing of Morrow’s decision
and the bill, which the group anticipates will be signed within a few
days.

ERDOGAN: SOME FORCES "TRYING TO BLACKEN GLORIOUS HISTORY OF TURKISH PEOPLE"

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.09.2006 18:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Some forces are "trying to blacken the glorious
history of the Turkish people and the statements on the Armenian
Genocide are a typical example of this", Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan stated. "It’s hard to find a nation with such huge
historical heritage. As Turkey’s Prime Minister I personally proposed
Armenia to form a joint commission for investigation of the last years
of the Ottoman Empire," Erdogan said, stressing that the government
headed by him does the utmost to support the department of Turkish
history and language. "These two departments lay in the basis of the
formation of the Turkish Republic," the Prime Minister concluded.

Italy supplants Turkey’s place

Sabah, Turkey
Sept 7 2006

While the debates continue about where in Lebanon Turkish soldiers
would go, Italian soldiers deployed between Sur and Litani, a location
which was demanded by the Turkish government.

The place and the task of Turkish soldiers that would join United
Nations Force in Lebanon became definite: Tukey first wanted the
region between Sur and Litani; however, military discharge decision
was delayed and Italy snatched this region. ‘Turkish city’ will be
established in two towns nearby Sur. The region was chosen because
of the fact that there were no Armenians and Hezbollah members.

IN CASE OF FAILURE OF THE PEACE TALKS BAKU WILL SEARCH FOR OTHER WAYS OF CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 15:19

Azerbaijan is not willing to restart the war against
Armenia. Nevertheless, in case of failure of the talks on the peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, it will have to discuss other ways
of "resolving the issue of occupation of Azerbaijani territories,"
said Ramiz Mehtiev, Head of Staff of the Office to the President of
Azerbaijan, Day. Az reports.

Mehtiev noted also that Azerbaijan continues undertaking consistent
measures for the reinforcement of the militant capacity of the
armed forces, and one of the steps in this direction was the recent
establishment of the Ministry of Military Industry.

"Creation of the Ministry was necessary in the light of the fact that
20 percent of the country’s area is occupied," Mehtiev said.

GRAND MUFTI IN YEREVAN

SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
Aug 5 2006

In the Armenian capital of Yerevan , Grand Mufti discussed yesterday
with Chairman of Armenian National Assembly Arthur Bagasarian Bilateral
relations between the two countries and means of boosting them.

Chairman of Armenian National Association emphasized the importance of
Dr. Hassoun’s visit and its political and spiritual benefit, conveying
members of Hassoun ‘s delegation the Armenian people’s regards and
big respect to the President Bashar al-Assad and he Syrian people.

Armenian Catholics Karekin II underlined the significence of Mufti’s
visit to Armenia and the cooperation between the two sides in the
frame work of religions dialogue, hialing the national unity that
the Syrian people enjoy with all different spectrums.

Dr. Hassoun stressed Syria’s durable keenness to enhancing dialogue
among religions in the world.

Armenian Catholics Karekin II underlined the significence of Mufti’s
visit to Armenia and the cooperation between the two sides in the
frame work of religions dialogue, hialing the national unity that
the Syrian people enjoy with all different spectrums.

Dr. Hassoun stressed Syria’s durable keenness to enhancing dialogue
among religions in the world.

EVANS SAYS GOOD-BYE

A1+
[08:15 pm] 05 September, 2006

Today RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with John Evans,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia in connection
with the cease of his work and activity in Armenia.

While expressing his gratitude to Mr. Evans for his work The Defense
Minister stated that the Armenian-American relations have become
firmer and closer in the recent two years. He also voiced hope that
these relations will become still closer and continual during the
office of the next ambassador.

John Evans thanked the Armenian Defense Minsiter and the personnel
of the Ministry for their efficient and high-level work in the sphere
of defense.

While referring to the Karabakh conflict, Serge Srargsyan expressed
his high opinion of the Minsk group co-chairs’ role and voiced hope
that the conflict is likely to be regulated by peaceful means.

The two parties also touched upon the regional security issues.

IMF DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ARMENIA FOR TWO-WEEK VISIT

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 31, 2006

YEREVAN, August 31. /ARKA/. An IMF delegation led by Hasan Al-Atrash,
head of the Middle East and Central Asian department, arrived Thursday
in Armenia for two-week visit. IMF Yerevan office reports that the
delegation came to Armenia for monitoring the process of Poverty
Reduction and Growth Facility program implementation by Armenia.

The delegation will also discuss the IMF’s Annual Article IV
consultation.

Global Insight Daily Analysis says IMF sees progress in the process
of putting the program into reality in Armenia.

According to the document, World Bank’s International Development
Association and International Monetary Fund point out that economic
growth and double-digit GDP in Armenia as result of agriculture and
construction development. They also point out low inflation rate and
improving situation with foreign debt.

National Statistical Service of Armenia says economic growth was
recorded at 11.5% in Jan-July 2006, compared with the same period
a year earlier. GDP grew 16.9% in June 2006, compared with the same
month in 2005.

International Monetary Fund has approved Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility, a tree-year credit program worth 23mln SDR (about $34.2mln),
for Armenia.

IMF-provided assistance to Armenia totals $350 million.

INFORMATION ABOUT PARTICIPATION OF CHINA AND KAZAKHSTAN IN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY PROJECT NOT CONFIRMED OFFICIALLY

Noyan Tapan
Aug 30 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Speaker for the RA President
Victor Soghomonian failed to receive any "official confirmation"
that China and Kazakhstan intend to participate in the construction
of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway. He stated this at the August 30 press
conference. In response to a question of NT correspndent about official
Yerevan’s attitude to the participation of China and Kazakhstan in
the indicated construction project, V. Soghomonian said that "it
is worth waiting a bit and then watching the developments to take
place." He reminded that official Yerevan has repeatedly expressed
its negative position and concerns about the project. "If there
are developments in the future as well, we’ll not keep silent," he
pointed out. To recap, in his recent interview with the newspaper
"Zaman", the Turkish minister of transport Binali Yeldrum told
about China’s and Kazakhstan’s intention to participate in the
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project. In his words, the "previous
contradiction" between Armenia and Turkey allegedly caused a delay
in this project’s implementation for years on end. In his opinion,
the railway is going to change the current situation in the region
and to improve general conditions there.

"Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are working jointly in order to
overcome all those difficulties that have a negative impact on the
regional economy," the Turkish minister said. According to him, the
project will establish a direct link between Turkey and Azerbaijan
via Georgia: "The Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway will link Turkey with
Azerbaijan. It is important that all cargos in the region reach
Europe and Asia through Turkey." It is noteworthy that many donor
states refused to participate in the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku construction
project on the grounds that in this way Armenia would be isolated
from the regional railway transportation network.

ENVOY SAYS RUSSIA INTERESTED IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ANS TV, Baku
23 Aug 06

The newly-appointed Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Vasiliy Istartov,
has said that as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia is doing
a lot to find a solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh problem.

In an interview with the "Point of View" programme on commercial
ANS TV on 23 August, Istratov said: "As a co-chair, Russia is doing
quite a lot within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to ensure
that the parties can negotiate and resolve the problem between
themselves… A decision cannot be imposed. A decision can be imposed
on the negotiating group. A decision cannot be imposed on this or
another people… A decision should be adopted. This issue will take
some time."

Asked about his reaction to the statements that the problem is not
resolved as Russia does not want it, the ambassador said that Russia
is interested only in good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan and
praised the current level of Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

Commenting on a statement that Russia wants to join the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline, Istratov said that "if
there arises a need for the Russian companies to use it, … then
they will probably use it. The issue is about the economy. Will it
be economical? If they want to send their oil products to the region
of the Mediterranean Sea, they will take their decision".

The ambassador said that Russia is very interested in the
implementation of the North-South energy project. Speaking about
economic projects that Russia intends to launch in Azerbaijan, Istratov
said that Ural Region was ready to take an active part in trade with
Azerbaijan and stressed that RusAl [Russian Aluminium] company is
going to invest about 1bn dollars in Azerbaijan for a lengthy period.

Asked about repeated attacks on Azerbaijanis by skinheads in Russia,
the ambassador said that their violence was not directed only against
Azerbaijanis.

Meanwhile, he regretted attacks on them. The ambassador was optimistic
about the situation of Azerbaijanis in Russia as a whole. He also
praised ethnic and religious tolerance in Azerbaijan.

Asked about Russia’s position on the development of Iran’s nuclear
programme, the ambassador said that "in view of the fact that during
the previous decades, Iran did not show that it is actually open
for cooperation with the international community [changes tack]
In short, some secret programmes were found in Iran which caused
rather serious doubts on the part of the international community. In
view of this situation, an offer was made to Iran to enrich uranium
on its behalf but – in line with a somewhat more complex scheme –
not on its territory… This was a temporary measure proposed by
the international community, including Russia. Unfortunately, as a
rule, Iran rejected our proposals which we all regard as logical and
reasonable. This is one of the reasons why the given problem is acute".

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, the ambassador said
that Russia wanted stability and peace in the region. He stressed
that the international community needs at least to ensure that the
crisis does not deepen even further.

OLEXANDER BOZHKO: "THOUGH THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY OF ARMENIA IS NOT
OF GREAT NUMBER, BUT IS ACTIVE"

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The history of the Ukrainian community
of Armenia started at least from the middle of the 19th century when
a group of settlers who came from the region of Poltava founded
the village of Nikolayevka near Stepanavan. As Olexander Bozhko,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the
RA mentioned in the interveiw to the Noyan Tapan correspondent,
their huts have been kept there by now. It was also mentioned that
according to data of the 2001 census, 1633 ethnic Ukrainians lived in
Armenia, though, according to non-official data, their number makes
about 3000. The Ambassador stated that the "Ukraine" Ukrainians’
Federation of Armenia functions in Armenia. The federation founded
in 1995 has departments in the cities of Vanadzor, Gyumri, Hrazdan,
Ijevan and Sevan. The federation publishes the "Dnipro-Slavutich"
monthly in the Armenian and Ukrainian languages.

O.Bozhko stated that the community members have possibility to study
in Ukraine: the most gifted of them are sent annually to Ukraine to
get education.

"It’s pleasant for us that Ukrianians founded in Armenia the "Dnipro"
choir, "Verbichenka" song ensemble, children’s "Dzvinochek" choir
and "Malyatko" dance ensemble. Participants of those organizations
every year hold their holidays in Ukraine, particularly, in the
"Artek" camp," the Ambassador said. The Ukrainians’ world forum, in
which representatives of the Ukrainian community of Armenia as well
participated, started in Kiev on August 18. In O.Bozhko’s words, the
"Ukrainian Song in World" artistic festival is being held within the
framework of the forum. The Ukrainian choir from Armenia participates
in the festival with its program. The Ambassador mentioned that this
choir, almost half of participants of which is ethnic Armenians,
performs songs both in Ukrainian and Armenian. As for the Armenian
community of Ukraine, in O.Bozhko’s words, about 30 thousand Armenians
lived in Ukraine in early 90s, and their number reaches 400-500
thousand at present. The Ambassador mentioned names of famous figures
of the Armenian origin, functioning in Ukraine: film director Roman
Balayan, Mher Mkhitarian, the Chairman of the "Poznyaki-Zhilstroy"
powerful construction corporation, Arsen Avagov, the Kharkov regional
administration head. He also emphasized that four Armenians were
deputies of the 4th convention of the Supreme Rada (parliament) of
Ukraine. O.Bozhko mentioned that the "Aragats" newspaper (enclosure
of the "Golos Ukraini" official newspaper of the Ukrainian Supreme
Rada) is published in Ukraine in the Armenian and Ukrainian languages,
the "Masyats Aghavni" periodical is published in Crimea, illustrated
"Haykakan Lraber" is published in Donbass. Besides, there are radio
and TV programs in Armenian. By financing of the state budget, Armenian
books are published in Ukraine, Sunday schools function, classes with
deep teaching of Armenian open. O.Bozhko stated that the Armenian
community very seriously arises the issue of creating the Armenian
University in Ukraine. "I consider it to be a very serious program, and
as of today, the Armenian community of Ukraine has all possibilities
for implementing it," the Ambassador stated. In O.Bozhko’s words,
a new Armenian church is built in Ukraine every year. Today they
function in Kiev, Lugansk, Dnepropetrovsk, Simferopol, Odessa and Lviv.

"So, one may say for sure, that today Armenians are a noticeable part
of the Ukrainian society as well as Ukrainians of the Armenian one,
though their number is not big," the Ambassador of Ukraine to the
RA said.