Author: Maghakian Mike

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04/11/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ARF Is for Territorial Integrity of Georgia 2) Armenia Must Always Be Ready for War 3) Azeri Leader to Meet George W. Bush 4) Case against Four Turkish Journalists Dropped 5) Armenian Writers' Conference Ends with Special Ceremony 6) Armenian Military Says Hundreds Still Kept in Azeri Captivity 1) ARF Is for Territorial Integrity of Georgia YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Vahan Hovhannisian, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member, said that the ARF is not at all against the territorial integrity of Georgia. Responding to a question of the "Golos Armenii" (Voice of Armenia) newspaper, he also said the ARF is not responsible for the strained situation in Javakhk. According to Hovhannisian, if the Georgian state is willing to give wide autonomous rights to its national minorities (Abkhazians, Ossetians), the law-abiding Armenian citizens in Javakhk deserve the same rights. "I think that Georgia, entering different European structures, must show a European approach to the issue of national minorities," Hovhannisian stated. 2) Armenia Must Always Be Ready for War YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsian said Tuesday that Armenia, like any other country, must always be prepared for war. "The Defense Minister of any country, the Armenian Defense Minister in particular, must realize that military operations may start at any moment," said Sargsian in response to a question about whether or he foresees a chance of war. Regarding the increased ceasefire violations along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone, the Defense Minister said that today's situation is no different from the previous situation. "There have always been shots fired, and even if there is a difference, the situation has become milder," he added. 3) Azeri Leader to Meet George W. Bush WASHINGTON (Armenpress)--Azeri President Ilham Aliyev will meet with US President George W. Bush later this month to discuss energy and the promotion of democracy in Asia, the White House said Monday. Bush and Aliyev will also discuss Azerbaijan's role in helping stabilize Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo during the April 28 meeting. Aliyev will also discuss Karabagh conflict regulation issue and US-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, Trend news agency cited the head of the social-political department of the Azeri president's executive staff Ali Hasanov as saying. 4) Case against Four Turkish Journalists Dropped ISTANBUL (AP)--A court on Tuesday dropped charges against four Turkish journalists accused of insulting the country's courts, but decided to press ahead with the trial of a fifth journalist. All five journalists were on trial for criticizing in print a court's decision last year to shut down a conference in Istanbul about the genocide of Armenians by Turks during the Ottoman Empire. Prosecutors said their writings were illegal attempts to influence the outcome of a trial and insulted the court system. On Tuesday, the court dropped charges against journalists Hasan Cemal, Ismet Berkan, Haluk Sahin, and Erol Katircioglu, on grounds that prosecutors had not filed charges within the required two-month period following the publication of the articles, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. The court, however, decided to proceeded with the trial of Murat Belge, a columnist for the liberal Radikal newspaper, the agency said. The trial is seen as a test of Turkey's readiness for membership in the European Union. Turkey, which embarked on membership talks in October, is under heavy pressure from the EU and human rights organizations to address its infringements on freedom of expression. The five had faced between six months to 10 years in prison. Charges on the grounds of insulting the republic, state institutions or "Turkishness" are frequently leveled against journalists, scholars, and dissidents. Discussion of the Armenian genocide is still extremely sensitive in Turkey, which vehemently denies that the Genocide took place. The conference in September went on despite the court order to close it down after organizers changed the venue at the last minute. It was the first time the issue was publicly discussed in Turkey. A case against Orhan Pamuk, the country's best-known novelist, for "insulting Turkishness," was dropped earlier this year after Turkey came under harsh criticism from the EU. 5) Armenian Writers' Conference Ends with Special Ceremony The Third Pan-Armenian Writers' Conference officially ended with a special ceremony held on the evening of April 9 in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I. The president of the Writers' Union of Armenia, Levon Ananian thanked His Holiness Aram I on behalf of the participants in the conference and Armenian writers who were unable to make the conference. Ananian expressed his gratitude not only for the organization of the conference, but for the love, support, care, and commitment that the Armenian Pontiff shows towards Armenian writers and culture. Following the heart-felt words of the oldest participant in the conference, poet Jack Hagopian, a similar opportunity to speak was given to the youngest participant, poet Nanor Indjedjigian. IN her speech during the closing ceremony, the young poet said she considered Armenian literature to be a source of youth. His Holiness Aram I then delivered the concluding remarks, expressing his impressions of the conference. The Catholicos made use of his experience as a participant in numerous national and international conferences to make several constructive suggestions for the next conference. The Pontiff proposed that in the future more time be reserved for discussion sessions, which should include more questions than statements. He suggested penetrating into the heart of the presented topics and bringing problems clearly under the spotlight. His Holiness stressed the importance of participation by the youth, considering it the source of persistence of Armenian institutions, culture, and literature. His Holiness Aram I particularly emphasized the importance of looking for new paths to cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora and pointed out that Armenian literature can help contribute to this. In this context, he focused on mutual recognition and acquaintance, stressing that Armenian language textbooks should include the works of both Armenia-based and diaspora-based Armenian writers. His Holiness called on bravely facing difficult and sensitive issues rather than escaping from them. Mentioning the issue of dictation as an example, he said that as one of the strong factors of the Armenian nation's unity, the matter needs to be discussed in a periodical manner. His Holiness Aram I then identified the deterioration of quality in all the fields of Armenian literature as a major problem and called for establishing a new level of quality with collective efforts and commitment. At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness Aram I decorated the president of the Writers' Union of Armenia with the "St. Mesrob Mashdots" insignia. The Seminary choir then performed a series of national and patriotic songs to mark the end of the conference. 6) Armenian Military Says Hundreds Still Kept in Azeri Captivity YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Hundreds of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians remain in Azeri captivity nearly twelve years after the end of large-scale fighting in Karabagh, a senior Armenian Defense Ministry official said on Tuesday. "We have information that they are used as slave labor in Azerbaijan," said Colonel Ashot Balian, a member of a ministry commission dealing missing Armenian soldiers and civilian hostages. "The Azerbaijani authorities keep moving them around and leaving no traces of them." "I therefore can't name any specific locations, but we are convinced that they are in Azerbaijan. Some are even said to have been relocated to Turkey," he said. "We still hope that our missing sons will return to their families one day." The Azeri authorities have denied holding any Armenian prisoners in the past. The Red Cross, which has offices in both Baku and Yerevan, is the main international institution that arranges Armenian-Azeri prisoner exchanges and repatriations. Both conflicting armies continue to turn to it for assistance after reporting soldier disappearances. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

GARABAGH TO TOP AZERI-EUROPEAN TALKS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted on April 10 2006
Baku, April 7, AssA-Irada
The Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) intends to discuss the Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict at a meeting with the chairman of the organization’s
subcommittee for the conflict, Lord Russell Johnston, the head of
the Azerbaijani delegation Samad Seyidov said Friday.
The sides are expected to explore ways of applying the PACE resolution
pertaining to the recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
to the process of negotiations.
With regard to the session proper, Seyidov said issues concerning
Azerbaijan would not be discussed during the spring session of PACE.
However, human rights, the situation in the army and the plight
of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs would remain in the focus of the
discussions. The repeat parliamentary elections in ten constituencies
due in May will be tabled at the session of the organization’s
monitoring committee on May 19.

ARMENIAN-IRANIAN UNIVERSITY “ARIA” TO OPEN IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. “The two-year efforts of Armenian and
Iranian scientists aimed at founding an Armenian-Iranian University
in Yerevan were crowned with success: a new University “Aria” will
open in September this year in Yerevan”. Noyan Tapan correspondent
was informed about it by professor Garnik Asatrian, Head of the
Iranian Studies Chair of Yerevan State University (YSU). He also
heads the group of Armenian scientists working at the foundation of
the University “Aria”. According to him, the agreement about founding
“Aria” was reached between YSU and “Bayamenur”, the largest Iranian
University in the region, having 27 branches in Iran, as well as
in Afghanistan and in countries of Central Asia. Professor Asatrian
said that the Armenian-Iranian University will be in the system of
the private higher education institutions. It is supposed that four
faculties will work at the University at the level of magistrasy:
oriental studies, international relations and political sciences,
energy of biomass and ecology, as well as a faculty of radiophysics.
“The opening of the University is a very pleasing event that
demonstrates the high level of interrelations between Armenia
and Iran. This is the first joint scientific-educational and
cultural center,” G.Asatrian declared. According to him, as it is
planned, Armenian and Iranian specialists, as well as scientists
from Georgia, Russia and countries of West Europe will work at the
University. “I think that the University will become not only a center
for concentration of the scientific thought of the region but will
also create an opportunity to involve and concentrate the scientific
cadres who have had no demand by now and academic scientists who are
literally in a disastrous condition,” professor Asatrian declared.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
April 9, 2006
Armenian Church Blesses Children
Palm Sunday has been declared to be the `Day for Blessing Children’ in the
Armenian Church by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians.  On this occasion His Holiness extends his message of love
to all children everywhere.
Message of Blessing of His Holiness Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians
To All Young Children
On the occasion of the wonderful feast of Palm Sunday, we send to you, our
dearest children, our fatherly love and blessings from the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.
Today we commemorate the glorious entrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ into Jerusalem, when along with the adults, young children went out
to greet Christ with palm branches and songs of praise.  Jesus would always
receive boys and girls with open arms and bless them, citing their innocent
souls and honest emotions as examples to men of a path to God filled with
faith.
And today in our holy churches, the daily blessings of our Lord are granted
to our beloved children, so that they may grow full of faith, grace and
wisdom; and through their life and works, become the worthy sons and
daughters of our Holy Church and people.
>From deep in our heart, we pray to our All-Merciful God that He keep and
protect all children of the world under His Holy Right Hand in peace.  May
He bless the course of their lives with happiness, goodness and benevolence.
With Blessings and Love,
KAREKIN II
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS

RA EMBASSY TO EGYPT PUBLISHES “ARMENIANS NEWS” OFFICIAL REFERENCE BOOK
IN ARABIC
CAIRO, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The RA Embassy to Egypt
published on April 6 the first issue of the “Armenian News” quarterly
official reference book in the Arabic language. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, it’s the first time that a reference book with similar
contents is published in the Arabic language. Numerous materials both
about official-political life of Armenia and Armenian-Egyptian
relations are included in the reference book. The reference book has a
goal of wide propaganda: to inform the political and public circles of
Egypt about the Armenian-Egyptian ties and Armenia- Arabic world
relations. The reference book is published with coloured photos and
with 1000 copies print run.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 7 2006
Armenian faces deportation to Baku

Source: Trend
Author: Z. Ibrahimli

07.04.2006

19 year old Karen Avanesyan can be forcefully deported from UK to
Baku.
Avanesyan arrived to the country 3 years ago as an illegal immigrant,
unable to prove his rights for asylum he will be deported from the
country, MediaMax reports, citing sources in London.
In UK he was studying in school and lived on the means provided by
the government as he did not have rights to work.
Considering the fact that Avanesyan was born in Nagorno-Karabakh UK
government decided to deport him to Baku. He was already announced
that on April 12 he will be put on the plane London-Moscow and later
deported to Azerbaijan.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN AND PITER SEMNEBY ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO HOLDING UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS
YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A wide range of
issues regarding EU-Armenia relations, development of democracy and
assistance to civil society in Armenia, organization of preelection
and election processes, fighting corruption, legislative changes made
after amending the Constitution was discussed at RA NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian’s April 7 meeting with the delegation led by newly
appointed EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus Piter
Semneby. Both sides attached importance to the holding of the upcoming
state elections in accordance with the democratic
standards. Ambassador P.Semneby presented NA Speaker his viewpoint
about interrelations with EU mentioning that EU pursues the goal to
develop relations with the South Caucasus and Armenia and to promote
deepening of democracy, which is the basis of progress. He also spoke
about the powers of his mandate, within the limits of which he will
carry on the mission of the Special Representative. RA NA Speaker
provided him thorough information about the above-mentioned issues
highlighting the importance of EU-Armenia relations in the respect of
deepening and development of democracy. Establishment of regional
security and peaceful settlement of conflicts, in which EU plays an
important role, was also mentioned as important. The reforming of the
Electoral Code was spoken about. It creates good grounds for holding
elections corresponding to the democratic standards, the importance of
which is great in the respect of Armenia’s future.

ALREADY 8 DEPARTMENT S OF THE NATIONAL EXPERTISE BUREAU FUNCTIONING
Yerevan, April 6. ArmInfo. Already 8 of the 17 departments of the
National Expertise Bureau are functioning. The deputy-director of
the Bureau Aram Gakhtnapetian 80 expertises were realized in the 5
moths of the departments’ functioning.
The independent expertise is needed for analyzing the quality
of computer equipment, cost of real estate and other property of
material or cultural value. The Bureau also works out new methods of
expertise, organizes trainings for experts. Thus, 600 employees of
the Prosecutor’s Office Service and of the Rescue Service took part in
trainings organized by the National Expertise Bureau. The Bureau also
published a catalogue of expert institutes of Armenia. The Government
of the USA will render technical assistance to the Bureau.
The Bureau has already received ballistic expertise equipment of
$300-500$ thousand.
The non-governmental National Expertise Bureau was founded with the
$1 million financial assistance of the USA. A similar program was
also run in Georgia, but there, unlike Armenia, the Police, Justice,
Military and Healthcare expertise centers were closed. Soon the
National Expertise Bureau of Armenia will move to a new building.

ARMENIAN LEADER SAYS GOVERNMENT TO COMPENSATE PEOPLE FOR GAS PRICE RISE
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
5 Apr 06
[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today visited the
ArmRosGazprom company in Yerevan and held a working meeting with the
management of the company.
Kocharyan said that ArmRosGazprom was a large company and played a
significant role in developing the Armenian economy. He added that the
main goal of his visit was to summarize the results of the company’s
work in 2005 and outline the main tasks for 2006.
The head of ArmRosGazprom, Karen Karapetyan, said that 1.69bn cu.m.
of gas was delivered to the republic in 2005, which was 24.2 per cent
more than in 2004. He said that today ArmRosGazprom supplies gas to
360,634 customers. The company is planning to finish the intensive
stage of restoring gas supplies in 2007. In the future, ArmRosGazprom
is planning to increase the number of customers by 80,000.
The Armenian president said with confidence that the company would
keep up with the pace of development of recent years.
[Kocharyan] First, we should realize that from now on we will be
buying gas not at 54 dollars per 1,000 cu.m. Gas at this price can
be found nowhere. The tariff commission was to approve a new gas price.
We have carried out an intensive work with the Russian side over the
past three months in order to soften the negative impact of the gas
price rise on our people. We have found a way for solving this problem,
and the Armenian government will adopt a final decision related to
this issue in the near future.
We intend to implement a major investment programme with Russia
related to the fifth block of the Razdan power plant. As a result,
the Armenian government will have enough funds to compensate people
for the gas price rise within three years. At the same time, the
unfinished block of the Razdan power plant will be built, which will
make it possible to lower prices in the future.
People should not worry because the retail gas price will increase
only by 10-15 per cent.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR MOSCOW ON A WORKING VISIT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 05 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April 5, RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian left for Moscow on a working visit. He is
to meet with RF Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, RF Security Council
Secretary Sergei Ivanov, as well as OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-chair
Yuri Merzliakov in Moscow.
According to RA Foreign Ministry Press Service, within the framework of
his visit to Moscow RA Foreign Minister will take part in discussions
about numerous issues of Armenian-Russian relations agenda, including
bilateral cooperation in different spheres, within the framework
of a number of regional and international organizations, as well as
issues of providing security and stability in the South Caucasus. The
consultations on the Nagorno Karabakh settlement are of special
significance. The issues of energy security will be discussed not
only in the Armenian-Russian, but also in the regional context. The
issues of relaunching of the Abkhazian part of the Russian-Georgian
railway will be also discussed in the context of growth of bilateral
trade circulation volumes. During the 3-day visit Vartan Oskanian
will also visit the Carnegie Center of Moscow where he will give a
lecture under the title “South Caucasus: Cooperation and Security”. The
Armenian Foreign Minister will also meet with the students of Moscow
State Institute of International Relations. A separate meeting with
Russian Armenian businessmen is envisaged at the Armenian Embassy
in Russia. The “Program of Assistance to Armenian Villages” will be
discussed with them. Vartan Oskanian is to give interviews to the
“Rossiyskaya Gazeta” newspaper and the Russia Today TV company. RA
Foreign Minister will return to Armenia on April 7.