Author: Madatian Greg

STATUS OF U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA QUESTIONED
By Lisa Friedman, Washington Bureau

Los Angeles Daily News
Pasadena Star-News, CA
March 21 2006

WASHINGTON – Members of California’s congressional delegation are
questioning reports that the U.S. ambassador to Armenia is being
recalled because he referred to the 1915 massacre of Armenians in
Ottoman Turkey as a genocide.

In separate letters sent to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice,
Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena and Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs,
demanded answers about Ambassador John Marshall Evans’ status. Both
strongly opposed recalling him.

Schiff said he reiterated that message last week in a closed-door
meeting with State Department officials.

“I expressed my opposition to any disciplinary action being taken
against the ambassador for speaking the truth,” Schiff said. “I made
it very clear I thought any action taken against him would merely
compound the erroneous policy of the administration.’

A State Department spokesman insisted that Evans has not submitted
his resignation nor told to return. That, however, hasn’t quelled
persistent rumors in California’s sizable Armenian-American community.

“It’s a big issue here. It’s very concerning and very upsetting,”
said Zaku Armenian, a member of the Armenian National Committee’s
board in Glendale.

“The word that we have is pretty clear that this is in the works,”
Armenian said about Evans’ recall. “It’s clear that the State
Department is bowing to pressure from Turkey.”

Evans attracted wide attention in Armenian-American communities
last year when he unequivocally called the massacre of Armenians in
post-World War I Ottoman Turkey a genocide.

“I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play word games
here,” Evans said in February 2005 during a stop at the University of
California at Berkeley. “I will today call it the Armenian genocide.”

In doing so, Evans became the first U.S. administration official to
use the loaded word in an Armenian context. The Bush administration,
like its predecessors, refers to the killings as a massacre and a
tragedy, but never genocide.

“It felt like a breakthrough moment,”

Armenian said. “It felt like we were getting somewhere.”

Armenians contend the Ottoman Empire began a centrally planned
slaughter in 1915 under cover of World War I in which about 1.5
million Armenians were killed. Turkey, a key U.S. and NATO ally,
strongly opposes the genocide label.

Tuluy Tanc, minister counsel at the Turkish embassy in Washington,
D.C., called the killing and deportation of Armenians “terrible
events.” But, he said, it was precipitated by Armenians taking up
arms in eastern Anatolia and siding with invading Russian troops.

“For genocide to occur, there has to be a plan to annihilate a people
based on their ethnicity. That was not the case at all,” he said.

Tanc called Evans’ comments “personal views” and not a reflection
of U.S. policy. He said he did not have any knowledge about Evans
being recalled.

But Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National
Committee of America, said the State Department already is quietly
vetting a new ambassador to replace Evans in late spring or early
summer.

“I think it’s pretty clear he’s being ushered out the door,” Schiff
said.

Evans, for his part, has sidestepped questions about his tenure in
Armenia. In response to a query during a press conference last week,
he replied, “I serve at the pleasure of the president. Period.”

TURKISH WAR MEMORIAL IN NAHCIVAN OPENED
By Cihan News Agency, Ordubad

Zaman Online, Turkey
March 21 2006

A Turkish War Memorial, for Turkish soldiers who died protecting
Nahcivan (Naxcivan/Nakhchivan) lands from Armenian occupation during
World War I, was opened with a ceremony in Ordubad.

“Turkish Armed Forces will always stand beside its Azeri brothers as
was the case in the past,” said Staff Officer Celalettin Bacanli in
his speech.

“Have no doubts; the Turkish people and Turkish Armed Forces will
always stand beside Azerbaijan, just as they did throughout history,”
added Bacanli, declaring the memorial a sign of recognition for Azeri
and Turkish brotherhood, as he reminded of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s
words, “Azerbaijan’s problem is our problem, its happiness is ours.”

Turkey’s Nakhchivan Ambassador Ismail Sefa Yuceer, Military Attache
of Naxcivan Mehmet Torun, Deputy Governor of Ordubad, Itibar Ismailov;
and many citizens from both countries participated in the ceremony.

During World War I, soldiers from some of the divisions under Nuri
Pasha were martyred fighting against Armenians.

The location of the Turkish Memorial was determined after talking
to witnesses of the war and historians. President of the Nakhchivan
Assembly Vasif Talibov also helped in the preparations of the war
memorial.

SUBSTITUTE CONDUCTOR FILLS MONDAVI CENTER WITH ENERGY
Edward Ortiz Bee Arts Critic

Sacramento Bee (California)
March 13, 2006 Monday
Metro Final Edition

It’s hard to imagine a more shimmering and sonically expansive
performance of Mahler’s First Symphony than what was given by the
London Philharmonic at the Mondavi Center on the UC Davis campus
Saturday evening.

The appearance of Finnish-born conductor Osmo Vanska, who was filling
in for the ill Kurt Masur, was as memorable a conducting debut as
will be seen on the Mondavi stage for quite some time.

In Vanska’s hands, Mahler’s work blossomed into a captivating sonic
experience that filled Jackson Hall with delicate but brooding,
soft passages and explosive, life-affirming crescendos.

The evening began with brash young Armenian violinist Sergey
Khachatryan delivering a brilliant and emotional reading of fellow
Armenian Aram Khachaturian’s “Violin Concerto.” Taking the stage in
an untucked black shirt and black pants, Khachatryan wasted no time
in injecting his cadenzas with enough musical grit and no- nonsense
punch to avoid any sentimentality. Khachatryan attacked the deeply
moving passages of the second movement as if he owned the concerto –
and Saturday night he proved he did with dazzling technique.

But the highlight of the evening was clearly Mahler’s “Symphony No.

1,” which began with the strings low and slow, giving way to its
cuckoolike two-note motif, whose energy later morphed into orchestral
wildfire.

Vanska, a rising star on the conducting scene who is well-known for
his interpretations of Jean Sibelius’ work, conducted with a unique
visual flair – one that flirted with bombast but never quite stepped
over the line. Watching him conduct was like a visual primer on how
a conductor uses body language to express and coax tonal color out
of an orchestra. A knee bend here, an exultation of arm waving there
characterized his conducting. The result was stellar playing.

The London Philharmonic proved Vanska’s equal in every way. The
rich intonation of the orchestra’s string section lived up to its
reputation. That was most evident during the funeral march in the
third movement, which incorporates the “Frere Jacques” theme. Here
the strings bowed with feeling and crisp clarity.

But it was the titanlike shimmer of the brass section that proved
most memorable. From their powerful playing in the first movement to
the thunderous moments of the finale, the horns thrilled and provoked
listeners into a state of musical exultation. Their playing was warm,
almost youthful, but also capable of capturing a mature, somber glow,
especially in the second and third movements.

It remains to be seen whether what was heard Saturday night had as
much to do with Vanska as it did with the work that Masur has done
with this orchestra.

You get the feeling that much is owed to Vanska’s energizing influence,
which owes its origin to the fact that he hails from a country where
classical music is as much a national pastime as baseball is here.

The Bee’s Edward Ortiz can be reached at (916) 321-1071 or
[email protected].

ARMENIA SHOULD RETAIN POSITIVE SHIFTS ACHIEVED DURING SUMMIT IN RAMBOUILLET

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 17 2006

YEREVAN. March 17. /ARKA/. Armenia should retain the positive shifts
achieved during the summit in Rambouillet, RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan stated in an interview to the Second Armenian TV channel.

“The process that began from the moment of the last summit of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in France became a positive
incentive for the further settlement to the Karabakh conflict,”
Oskanyan said.

On February 10-11 negotiations between Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev over the Karabakh settlement were held in
the Paris suburb Rambouillet. R.O. -0–

IMMIGRATION ADDS MYSTERY TO NATIONALITY OF TWO MEN

Standard, Kenya
March 16 2006

The nationality of two men at the centre of mercenary claims remains
a mystery as records at the Immigration Department show they were
Indian and Armenian nationals.

Contrary to Immigration minister Gideon Konchellah’s remarks that both
individuals were Armenians, we have learnt that they were registered as
nationals of different countries to disguise their identities. During
their Monday Press conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport, the ‘businessmen’ said they were Armenian brothers. They
also refuted claims they were mercenaries.

Mr Artur Margaryan is registered as an Indian in file No. 1211129,
while Mr Artur Sargsyan is registered in file No. 1211130 as an
Armenian. But Margaryan insists that he is Armenian. They are both
listed as directors of Brother Link International Ltd with Group H
working permits, which allow them to work in Kenya for two years.

Group H permits are reserved for company directors. The permits were
said to have been approved at a meeting between Investment Promotional
Authority and the Immigrations Department on January 19.

An Immigration official, Evelyne Cheluget, is said to have chaired
the meeting that allegedly approved their permits. The company is
listed as “offering services to various organisations in marketing
business development.”

According to the panel, the names did not feature in their meeting.

“When we discussed the permits, their names did not feature. I am
certain about that,” stated the source.

Efforts to get a comment from the Indian High Commissioner were futile
as he was said to be out of office.

Relations with a Narc activist

Meanwhile, the Government has said it had nothing to do with the
business the two are doing in the country.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said Brother Link Ltd was registered
in the names of the two men on December 1, 2005.

“They were later issued with class H type immigration investors
permits on January 23, 2006,” said Mutua.

He said the Government could not explain any relations they may be
having with a Narc activist.

“Ask the activist, but you cannot expect the Government to answer
questions for a person who is not its employee,” said Mutua.

He, however, said the two brothers could be having other companies,
among them Kensington Holdings Ltd, where Ms Winfred Wangui Mwai is
also a director.

Mutua said it appeared the Armenians have been meeting several people
in the country, such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and others.

“As we speak here, they are at the police station recording a statement
on allegations that they are mercenaries,” said Mutua.

However, Artur Margaryan was at the time addressing journalists at
a Press conference in KTN offices. Mutua said the police would be
particularly interested in the pictures and CCTV footage the Armenians
claim they have. He said there was nothing wrong with businessmen
or any other people holding a Press conference at the airport VIP
lounge. He, however, did not explain why they were using GK vehicles,
concealing their car number plates or the kind of business they did
in the country.

Elsewhere, Office of the President Assistant minister Joseph Kingi
and Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Cyrus Gituai, said the
two men were already under investigation.

“Give the Government time to carry out investigations. We are
investigating whether they are mercenaries or not,” Kingi said.

Businessmen or hit men?

And the mystery over the two deepened after National Security minister
John Michuki said he could not tell whether the individuals were
businessmen or hit men.

Michuki declined to state the nationality of the two men, saying
investigations would reveal their real identities.

“Going by what you have been writing they could be Russians, Armenians,
Americans. We will ascertain who they are,” Michuki said.

Michuki, who had called a Press conference at his office on Thursday
evening, said the matter was under “active” investigations. “I do
not know whether they are mercenaries or not. It will come up in the
investigations,” he said.

He said allegations by Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga about the existence
of mercenaries in Kenya were serious as far as State security was
concerned. He said the Government should be given an opportunity to
carefully investigate the matter devoid of political interference.

Michuki said the media should not misinterpret or unnecessarily
exaggerate delicate security issues to limits designed to serve their
interests. He said he agreed with some media houses which have stated
that politics should be kept out of security matters, “although the
same media houses have been on the fore front of politicising these
matters.”

Michuki said the Police were highly efficient and would be able to
unravel the unfolding drama involving the two men.

USA WISH QUICK RETURNING OF AZERBAIJANIS TO NATIVE LANDS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 15 2006

The United States wish quick returning of Azerbaijanis to their
native lands, stated the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried at press conference
on March 14 in Baku.

D. Fried has emphasized, that on the meetings he held in
Baku, discussed were negotiations on peace settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and also results of
the meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in February in
France. He has told: “The delegation of Azerbaijan during negotiations
very persistently and resolutely protects the national interests. At
the same time, they are ready to research of constructive ways of
the settlement’.

The Assistant Secretary of State, having informed also about the
carried out exchange of opinions concerning strategic relations of
the USA and Azerbaijan, has told: “Between the USA and the government
and people of Azerbaijan, there are strong friendly connections. We
wish to see Azerbaijan on the Euro-Atlantic space as a country living
in peace conditions, independent and economically developing. This
condition is the important stimulus for the further development of
our relations with Azerbaijan”.

Having informed that at meetings discussed were basically regional
questions, successes of Azerbaijan in power sphere, and also democratic
development in the country, the diplomat has emphasized, that the
United States support development of democracy in Azerbaijan.

Having noted, that cooperation of the USA with Azerbaijan in military
sphere and in sphere of safety constantly becomes stronger, D. Fried
has highly estimated the contribution of military cooperation to
development of relations.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN HEADS DOCTORS
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
March 15 2006

Kamajian takes special care of homeless, poor

GLENDALE – Dr. Steven Kamajian brings a long history of volunteerism
to his new job as chief of staff at Glendale Adventist Medical Center,
the first Armenian-American to hold the position.

For years, Kamajian has run three health clinics at churches in
Glendale, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, where the homeless and
the uninsured come for free medical care. Doctors, nurses, dentists,
chiropractors, students and other volunteers pitch in.

The biggest clinic, at a Thousand Oaks Methodist church, has 17
doctors volunteering. The Glendale clinic has several doctors,
including specialists who see indigent patients in their offices.

“As people have become progressively less insured, it became apparent
to me that I should try to do something to help the less fortunate
people in society,” Kamajian said.

Kamajian, 53, is also an osteopath rather than a medical doctor,
the first time a physician from that branch of medicine has held the
top spot. Osteopathic medicine originated 130 years ago and is based
on physical therapy and the inter-relationship of the body’s nerves,
muscles, bones and organs.

“I have a different interpretation of things that I think is
wonderful,” he said. “And adding that to my unique American background
and my unique ethnic background, I think that I have been truly
blessed by this opportunity.”

At least 70,000 of Glendale’s more than 200,000 residents are Armenian,
according to an estimate from the western region of the Armenian
National Committee of America.

Glendale City Councilman Bob Yousefian said having an Armenian-American
as chief of staff at Glendale Adventist is meaningful.

“It’s important for the younger generation to see that there are
no glass ceilings in this country and you are elevated to positions
based on your merits,” he said.

Kamajian is a native of Waco, Texas, who grew up in Philadelphia and
now lives in Glendale. He has worked at Glendale Adventist since 1981,
and was elected four years ago by the hospital’s 700 physicians to
serve as chief of staff.

After the election, he went through the standard rotation of
secretary-treasurer to vice chief of staff, and on Jan. 1, started
his first year as the head of the hospital’s physicians.

“He’s a very caring physician,” said Scott Reiner, the hospital’s
CEO. “He’s creative and he thinks of new ways to do things to take
care of his patients. He’s very into supporting the homeless and
patients who don’t have financial resources.”

US TOP DIPLOMAT SEES KARABAKH WAR RESUMPTION AS CATASTROPHE FOR REGION

ANS TV, Baku
14 Mar 06

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried has said that a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Nagornyy Karabakh will be a catastrophe for the region and the
peoples there.

In a news conference in Baku on 14 March, Fried said that “the
Azerbaijani government is ready to find a constructive way out of
the situation. We will discuss this in Yerevan”.

Private TV station ANS quoted the visiting US co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Steven Mann, as saying that the war would not be decisive
now or in 20 years.

“The sides who want war should first ask what would Azerbaijan’s
strategic borders be if war starts? What will be the situation in the
energy sphere and the investment flow? I know the Azerbaijani people
very well and don’t believe that the Azerbaijani people would want
war again,” Mann said.

The TV quoted the Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO)as saying that
different opinion polls show that over 60 per cent of the population
want war for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

“Although they are trying to prepare the Azerbaijani people for a
capitulation, they will fail to achieve this,” ANS TV quoted the KLO
as saying.

In remarks to the TV, the head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
information department, Tahir Tagizada, said that “Azerbaijan’s
position is resolute. If talks fail, war will be inevitable”.

BLUE MOSQUE IS BEING RECONSTRUCTED IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 14.ARMINFO. The reconstruction works of the Blue
Mosque in the center of Yerevan are in full swing. Shapour Lotfi,
coordiantor of the construction works, said in the interview to ARMINFO
that the reconstruction of rites’ hall of the mosque will be completed
in summer.

He said that the reconstruction works began in the summer of 2005.

According to the intergovernmental agreement on reconstruction of
the mosque signed between Armenia and Iran, only the South-Western
and the Northern parts of the mosque were reconstructed. A minaret
standing for 24 meters, 28 pavillions, library, the main hall, the
cupola and the yard are situated in this part.

“The Blue Mosque” covers 7 thousand cubic meters of territory and was
built in 1765. The Yerevan’s History and Nature Museum was situated
in the territory of the mosque after the World War II till 1995.

FESTIVAL OF BRITISH FILMS TO BE HELD ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the Embassy
of Great Britain to Armenia and the British Council, a festival of
British films will be held on March 10-15 in Yerevan, and in 17-19
in Gyumri. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Press Service of the
Great Britain Embassy, films will be shown in the “Nairi” cinema
in Yerevan, and the “Hoktember” (October) cinema in Gyumri. Famous
British films of different genres in the English, Russian as well as
Armenian languages during the festival days.