Author: Maghakian Mike

ARRIVAL OF SECOND PLANE WITH BODIES OF KILLED EXPECTED MAY 5

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.05.2006 01:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The arrival of the second plane with the bodies of
the killed in the A-320 jet crash in Yerevan is expected tonight,
head of the department of territorial integration of rights at the
RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, member of the governmental
committee Khachatur Vardanyan said.

In his words, the precise time of the arrival is not determined yet. It
will become clear after the sitting of the commission. “The number
of bodies to be conveyed to Yerevan depends on the identification
process and the wish of the relatives to bury them in Armenia,”
he said, reported Novosti-Armenia.

PRESIDENT AWARDS EDGAR HILSENRATH

AZG Armenian Daily
06/05/2006

At the sitting of “Hayastan” Pan-Armenian Fund yesterday president
Robert Kocharian presented German writer Edgar Hilsenrath with an
award for his contribution in bringing international recognition to
the Armenian Genocide.

The writer received the award for his novel “The Fairy Tale of Last
Thoughts”.

RUSSIA ASKS FOR FOREIGN HELP TO RAISE CRASHED PLANE’S “BLACK BOXES” FROM SEA

Channel One TV, Moscow
4 May 06

[Presenter] Russia will be seeking foreign help to raise the fragments
of the crashed [Armenian] airliner from the sea, said the chairman
of the investigation commission, Russian Transport Minister Igor
Levitin. It has been found out that big fragments of the plane that
may contain the “black boxes” are lying on the seabed at the depth of
680 m. Russia has no equipment capable of working at such depth. Our
correspondent Kirill Polynin joins us live from Sochi.

What’s new Kirill?

[Correspondent] The main news is that the flight recorders, the
so-called “black boxes” have been detected. They are 680 m deep
in the sea at the place of the disaster. This is much deeper than
expected. Experts believed that the “black boxes” were lying at the
depth of no more than 400 m.

A meeting at the operational headquarters ended about an hour ago.

The head of the governmental commission, Russian Transport Minister
Igor Levitin, said that Russia did not possess the necessary equipment
to lift the “black boxes” from the seabed and would have to ask for
international help.

[Levitin] The Ministry for Emergencies is asking the navy for help.

We shall also appeal to other countries which have the experience
of raising objects from this depth. We do not have the necessary
equipment here in the Black Sea.

[Correspondent] Right after the French experts returned from the sea,
it became clear that the recorders’ whereabouts would be established
quite soon. The experts from Airbus, which produced the aircraft that
crashed off the Adler airport [on 3 May], went to sea early in the
morning together with the officers of the Russian Emergencies Ministry
and began to explore the seabed using the equipment they brought with
them from France. They detected the “black boxes” very quickly.

[Passage omitted: 53 dead bodies have been recovered from the sea
and 28 of them have been identified]

ALIYEV IN WASHINGTON (PART 2)
By Vladimir Socor

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
May 3 2006

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s April 25-28 visit to Washington
— his first as chief of state since 2003 — was a long overdue event
for the president of a country allied to the United States and key
to energy supplies to the West.

On the White House lawn following their 45-minute meeting, U.S.
President George W. Bush twice named Azerbaijan and its president as
“our ally.” Citing Azerbaijan’s contributions to U.S.-led and NATO
operations in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan and its role in Caspian
energy deliveries, Bush also invoked a “need for the world to see a
modern Muslim country … that understands that democracy is the wave
of the future.” Aliyev in turn expressed confidence in the “strength
of our strategic partnership” and his country’s “high level of trust
in the United States.” With U.S.-supported multinational energy
projects now coming on stream in Azerbaijan, the country posted a
world-record GDP growth of 26% in 2005 and is set to at least match
that rate this year.

In an extensive briefing for the Council on Foreign Relations in New
York and an address to the conference of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber
of Commerce in Washington, Aliyev focused on three main issues for his
country: energy transit (see EDM, May 1), the Karabakh conflict, and —
responding to persistent questions — Azerbaijan’s position regarding
possible U.S. strikes against Iran’s suspected nuclear installations.

Defining the Karabakh conflict as “the major problem facing
Azerbaijan,” Aliyev called for its resolution based on international
law and territorial integrity as non-negotiable principles. A
stage-by-stage resolution process would ultimately permit the opening
of transport communications and enable Armenia to join regional
development projects. Azerbaijan cannot accept Armenia into such
projects as long as Armenian forces occupy Azerbaijan’s territory.

Meanwhile, Section 907 of the U.S. Freedom Support Act adopted by
Congress in the context of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war in 1992 bars
direct assistance to Azerbaijan from the U.S. government. Section
907 hits the wrong target, Azerbaijan, ignoring the seizure and
ethnic cleansing of part of its territory by Armenian forces. The
Bush administration obtains annual congressional waivers of this
section since 2002, in recognition of Azerbaijan’s contributions to
the anti-terror coalition; but the section remains in force. In his
meetings with Congressional leaders, Aliyev urged repeal of this absurd
piece of legislation. The response on Capitol Hill was sympathetic, but
one of the key figures involved ruefully noted that to repeal section
907 it would first be necessary to “repeal politics in Washington.”

Media speculation about Azerbaijan’s possible role in U.S. operations
against Iran provided a constant distraction during the visit.

Presumably, Bush intended to ask for Azerbaijan’s support in some
form; and Aliyev’s meetings with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
and Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte fed further
speculation. Aliyev, however, repeatedly and unambiguously stated
that Azerbaijan would not become involved in any kind of military
operations against Iran, but favored a diplomatic solution ensuring
that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons. He alluded to the risk
for Azerbaijan should Baku end up in the crossfire: “For us, this is
not a remote issue of the kind you see on TV and can switch off to
another channel.” Aliyev and his minister of foreign affairs, Elmar
Mammadyarov, also cited Iran’s role in providing transit and energy
supplies to Azerbaijan’s isolated exclave Nakhichevan; and referred
as well to a bilateral treaty stipulating that neither country shall
allow hostile actions from its territory against the other.

Aliyev’s demurral over Iran, however genuine, is not necessarily
the final word on the matter. It still allows for deniable support
to the United States in a crisis; and it certainly does not preclude
intelligence support, which is believed to be ongoing. International
economic sanctions against Iran, however, would confront Azerbaijan
with the dilemma of either cooperating with the sanctions or risking
Iranian retaliation that could at a minimum include a blockade of
Nakhichevan.

Concluding the presidents’ meeting on the final day of the visit,
Bush told the press that they merely “touched on” the issue of Iran
and that both favored a diplomatic solution. Bush did not mention a
possible military option on this occasion. For his part, Aliyev stated
that his country will continue standing “shoulder to shoulder” with
the United States in Iraq and is prepared to undertake “additional
steps” if necessary in Afghanistan.

(Federal News Service, April 26; ANS, ATV, Trend, Turan, April 25-29)

PRECONDITIONS FOR SHOOTING ARMENIAN-AZERI FILMS ARE APPARENT

A1+
[12:25 pm] 02 May, 2006

One of the main and profitable conditions of films is the source
of money necessary for the film shooting and not the skills or the
sophistication of the artists. An organization will be set up in the
South Caucasus which is aimed at teaching the cinematographers the
ways and means of getting financial means.

The representatives of the new cinematographers’ Association of the
South Caucasus were in Armenia for a few days and they were looking
for producers, directors and scenario writers, who would like to
become members of the above-mentioned Association.

After the meeting with the Armenian representative of state and
private studios they claim that there is an obvious interest in
Armenia towards their initiative.

The Association which is mainly sponsored and financed by the
Sweden Development and Cooperation Agency will direct its work in 4
directions. A lobbing of the cinematography field will be organized
for the Armenian, Georgian and Azeri specialists, training will be
held for different specialists of the field, and the producers will
take a course so that the films made by them will meet the European
standards. By the way, there is much work to be done on this score.

After the collapse of the Soviet cinematography the former USSR
countries are unable to finance and make proper films according
to the European criteria. “We shall invite experts who will give
a training course on the methods how joint production is realized
and how to present the project and details of films,” mentioned
the representative of the Association Tamara Tatishvili. Thus, the
Association is aimed at bringing the cinema field representatives in
line with the current international criteria.

By the way, the Association will not finance film production. It will
merely provide ground for the right and profitable cinema industry and
for the joint film production in conditions of regional cooperation
and possibilities. Though Tamara Tatishvili doesn’t think that it will
be possible to shoot joint Armenian – Azeri films in close future,
she states that the regional establishment, the Cinematographers’
Association of the South Caucasus, will contribute to the realization
of the idea. “At present I think that it is improbable to make joint
Armenian – Azeri films though I cannot give a definite answer to that
question today. If there are such preconditions when people attempt
to work and make films together and to develop the field of film
industry on the national level, this is already a progress.”

PRESS RELEASE
California Assemblyman Dario Frommer
CONTACT: Karen S. Kim
(916) 319-2043
April 28, 2006

FROMMER’S BILL TO OFFER ARMENIAN CREDENTIAL FOR TEACHERS PASSES
ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The Assembly Education Committee late Wednesday
passed legislation by Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer
(D-Glendale) that would expand the single subject foreign language
California Subject Examination for Teachers to include the Armenian
language.

`Our state boasts the largest Armenian population outside of
Armenia, and yet we have no program available for teachers who want to
be credentialed in the Armenian language,’ Frommer said. `This bill
will not only better equip teachers in districts with large Armenian
populations, it will also allow all interested students to study the
Armenian language in elementary and high schools.’

Of the 1,064,578 English learners enrolled in California, 12,786
students said Armenian was their native language. In Frommer’s own
district, the Glendale Unified School District reported that it had
3,904 English language learners who speak Armenian primarily, making
up 49% of the districts total English language learner population. In
Los Angeles, there are 3,824 English language learners whose primary
language is Armenian.

Assembly Bill 2913’s expansion of the CSET’s single subject teaching
credential to include the Armenian language will permit high schools,
colleges and universities to offer the Armenian language as a course
in the curriculum and will guarantee that those courses will be taught
by teachers credentialed in Armenian. The first Armenian CSET must be
administered by September 1, 2009, according to the bill.

Frommer introduced the bill upon the request of constituent Saro
Nazarian. Groups supporting the bill include: the Armenian Assembly of
America, Armenian American Chamber of Commerce, Board of Regents of
Prelacy Armenian Schools, Glendale Community College and Glendale
Unified School District.

###

AZG Armenian Daily #078, 29/04/2006

Society

DISABLED PEOPLE ARE FREQUENTLY DEPRIVED OF OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY

“Disabled people are frequently deprived of the opportunity to study,
” Anahit Tovmasian, head of “Bridge of Hope” NGO, stated this at “The
School Is for Everyone” exhibition held at the UN office in
Yerevan. She said that thought there is no concrete statistics on the
issue, many disabled children do not attend school.

“Education for Everyone” action program was adopted in Senegal. The
program is aimed to secure compulsory elementary education for
everyone till 2015. Armenia also signed this program which is the
second challenge for the millennium development. “Education for
Everyone” arrangement is held in the world on April 24-30. On the
initiative of “Mission East” Danish international organization and
with the collaboration of “Bridge of Hope” NGO, painting and
composition competitions were held at the special schools of three
Armenian regions. The socially insecure children, including disabled,
pupils of special schools tried to depict the school of their dreams
in their paintings and the compositions.

Victoria Harutyunian, pupil at the special school of Hatsik village,
Armavir region, told about a little orphan who dreams of going to
school but has no opportunity to in her composition “I Want My Friend
to Go to School.” Victoria’s composition won an award.

“I will spare no efforts to help such children when I grow up and have
a good job,” Victoria Harutyunian said.

The five best pictures and 3 best compositions were awarded with
prizes, while the special schools received gratitude letters at the
closing ceremony of the exhibition.

By Gohar Gevorgian

Reuters, UK
April 28 2006

Renovated kindergartens and schools for children in Armenia
28 Apr 2006 08:41:24 GMT

Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)

Children get good daytime sleep in the kindergarten’s newly renovated
bedroom

World Vision MEERO, Background CHILD
SOLDIERS: Who’s recruited where?

More than 25 children from the mountainous village of Tsav, 40
kilometers away from Kapan town in southern Armenia, now receive
pre-school education in clean and comfortable conditions. World
Vision’s Kapan Area Development Programme in close partnership with
the local community completed the renovation and furnishing of the
village kindergarten earlier this month.

‘I did not want to send my child to the kindergarten before,’ said
Elena Arustamyan, the mother of five-year-old Alen.

‘The toilet smell spread all over the place, and the dishes were
being washed in the room adjacent to the toilet. The children often
had diarrhea, because of the poor sanitary conditions. Now the
kindergarten has changed beyond recognition,’ she continued.

This kindergarten is the only place, where young children receive
preschool education and learn social skills through play and
interactive activities.

The previous dilapidated and unhygienic conditions of the
kindergarten’s rooms, kitchen and bathrooms created an unpleasant and
unhealthy environment for the children. The furniture was old and
broken, and there was a lack of toys, games and teaching materials.

This is sadly all too common in many other villages in the region,
where schools and kindergartens have not been renovated for many
years due to the lack of funds.

In addition to complete renovation of the kindergarten, the Kapan ADP
provided furniture, toys and games for the children’s playroom.

‘Most of our children had never seen board games before. Thanks to
World Vision, they now enjoy their leisure time at the kindergarten’s
renovated playroom,’ says the village Mayor Seyran Zakaryan.

‘This project has helped to mobilize our community. People now
believe that much can be done if they work together,’ said Jasmin
Abgaryan from Geghanoush village, where World Vision has
rehabilitated the sanitation system at the local school.

[/rquotebox]This kindergarten is the only place, where young children
receive preschool education and learn social skills through play and
interactive activities[/rquotebox]The Kapan ADP, which is funded by
World Vision Switzerland, has already completed three
community-initiated projects this year. Fifteen more projects,
including renovation of schools, kindergartens, recreational areas
and community centres in the villages, are currently being
implemented. World Vision provides construction materials, while
community members carry out renovation or construction works.

World Vision has also renovated dilapidated toilets at the school in
Tsav with 56 children.

NKR President met Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office

ArmRadio.am
28.04.2006 14:14

NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan received Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Anjey Kasprchik. The interlocutors discussed
the results of the April 27 monitoring of the contact line of Armed
Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

NKR President’s Office informs that the interlocutors discussed the
situation at the contact line and exchanged views on prospects of
resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

ONE AZERBAIJANI ARMY SOLDIER WOUNDED AS RESULT OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATED BY ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 27 2006

As a result of ceasefire violation by Armenian Armed Forces in Terter
region direction, one soldier of Azerbaijani Army was deadly wounded.

According to the information of Garabagh bureau of APA Novruz
Ismayilov Nuraddin has been taken to a hospital with a wound on his
face. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service has confirmed the
information. Press service chief substitute Ilgar Verdiyev has informed
APA that, Ismayilov was drafted to military service in October 2005
from Dashkesan region military commissariat. He said the health of
the soldier in the hospital to be medium-constant.