Author: Nadirian Emma

EDUCATION SYSTEM IS IN A DISASTROUS STATE, ACCORDING TO TATUL MANASERIAN

AZG Armenian Daily
18/08/2007

Spontaneously Developing Economy of Armenia has no Guiding Lines

"We cannot speak of development, while there are no economic
development guiding lines: supreme spheres, here", announced NA
previous MP, economist Tatul Manaserian at a press conference in
"Pastark" club, on August 16.

"We don’t contribute to the development of Armenian economy, but
due to import we promote the economic development of Russia, Turkey,
etc.", said Doctor of Economy, Prof. Tatul Manaserian.

He is not against the integration into the World Economy, but is
concerned about the issue of our unawareness of neighboring countries’
economies and its influence on the Armenian economy and competition.

Anyway, the main issue, according to Tatul Manaserian, is the absence
of the systematized economic strategy.

There are several ways for the development of Armenian economy,
which can even make a surplus of working places in our country. For
this purpose, it’s necessary to recognize the Armenian economy,
take account of the resources, reveal the competition advantages,
clarify the guiding lines, etc, according to Prof. Manaserian.

We must have a national development model in Armenia, as the models of
the World Bank or International Monetary Fund has not worked anywhere
and will not work in Armenia likewise.

Prof. Manaserian mentions the following sicknesses of the Armenian
economy: inability to use own opportunities, too much politicization
of everything, not working laws, etc.

Tataul Manaserian touched upon one of the most important factors in
the development of economy – education system. He mentioned that the
situation here is disastrous in terms of corruption and the educational
system of Armenia needs fundamental amendments.

PRESSURE MOUNTING ON ADL PROGRAM ARMENIAN GROUPS EXPAND INITIATIVE
By Keith O’Brien, Globe Staff

Boston Globe, MA
Aug 16 2007

Less than 24 hours after Watertown pulled out of a popular antibigotry
program, national Armenian leaders prepared yesterday to target the
No Place For Hate program elsewhere unless the program’s sponsor,
the Anti-Defamation League, is willing to acknowledge the Armenian
genocide.

Some residents of nearby Arlington have already begun mobilizing to end
their town’s involvement in the No Place For Hate program, launched
there just two months ago. Two politicians — state Representative
Rachel Kaprielian, a Watertown Democrat, and Watertown Councilor
Marilyn Petitto Devaney — vowed to lobby local communities that have
the program and send a message that other towns, not just Watertown,
oppose the ADL’s position.

"The Armenian community is completely up in arms about it," said
Hilda Silverman, an Arlington resident who hopes to put the issue
before town officials soon. "There’s just massive mobilization,
and the ADL’s position is indefensible, I think. What can they
say? They can change. They can say it’s a genocide. Otherwise, it’s
all gobbledygook."

The controversy over No Place For Hate, a national program that had
encountered no controversy until now, centers on what critics say is
the ADL’s refusal to acknowledge the genocide. While saying that mass
killings took place in the last century, the ADL’s leadership has
said it has no position on pending federal legislation to recognize
the Armenian genocide.

>From 1915 to 1923, Ottoman Turks massacred as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in what is now modern-day Turkey. Armenians, historians,
and some European nations recognized the killings as genocide. The
Turkish government has refused to accept the genocide label, and
the ADL’s national director, Abraham H. Foxman, has also infuriated
Armenian-Americans for refusing to call it a genocide.

When asked in a Globe interview last month if he believed what happened
to the Armenians was genocide, Foxman replied, "I don’t know." Critics
have seized on the remark as suggesting the issue is open to debate,
and some have called it genocide denial.

ADL regional and national leaders, including Foxman, did not return
calls yesterday seeking comment on Watertown’s decision to end the
No Place For Hate program and whether it would affect the program
elsewhere. But in a brief, written statement, Foxman said, "We
believe that the No Place For Hate program will continue and stand
on its merits."

Regional ADL leadership made public a letter drafted yesterday to
Watertown’s council president, Clyde L. Younger.

"We are deeply saddened by the council’s action last night adopting a
proclamation calling for the town to withdraw from the Anti-Defamation
League’s No Place For Hate program," the ADL’s New England regional
director, Andrew H. Tarsy, and regional board chairman, James Rudolph,
said in the letter. "As a result, Watertown will lose a valued resource
for your community in promoting diversity and cultural harmony."

The ADL initially formed in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism. But over the
years it has become a prominent human rights group that has spoken out
on issues from ethnic cleansing in the Balkans to genocide in Darfur,
and in 1999 it launched the No Place For Hate program.

Under the program, communities organize diversity days and other events
focused on challenging bigotry, and after a year they receive placards
to be posted in public, declaring the community as "No Place For Hate."

Armenian and political leaders agree that the program is positive.

But Armenian-Americans in Chicago and Los Angeles cheered the
decision in Watertown, where more than 8,000 people of Armenian
descent live. The Town Council voted 8 to 0 Tuesday night to rescind
Watertown’s participation in the program.

Ara Khachatourian — editor of the Asbarez Daily, a 99-year-old
Armenian newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. — said the Watertown
story would lead his newspaper today.

"Genocide denial, whether it happens in Watertown, Massachusetts,
or Beijing, China, is something that resonates with every Armenian,
regardless of where they live," Khachatourian said.

Meanwhile, some are organizing in the hope that others will follow
Watertown’s example. In the days ahead, Kaprielian said she plans to
ask Beacon Hill politicians to talk with their towns about following
Watertown. Devaney said she plans to talk to leaders in Newton and
Waltham and will contact the other 64 Massachusetts communities that
currently participate in the program to explain why Watertown dropped
out. And the Armenian National Committee is calling for the ADL to
alter its position.

If the ADL would recognize the Armenian genocide, Kaligian said, the
problem would be solved. But if that does not happen, Karine Birazian,
the Armenian National Committee’s Eastern region executive director,
said the group hopes to target the program in other cities and towns.

"I think the fact that the town of Watertown was able to . . . make
this change will actually have a ripple effect within other
communities," Birazian said.

But she conceded that it will not be an easy sell politically,
especially in communities lacking large Armenian-American
populations. It is an issue that Arlington residents who oppose the
program may soon encounter.

"We are cognizant of world issues and are willing to work with
any group," said Arlington Police Lieutenant Ken Hughes, who leads
the town’s No Place For Hate steering committee. But even knowing
Watertown’s issues, Hughes said he still supports the program. "What
this program attempts to do is foster better relations with all
people," he said. "Although people may differ on issues, this gives
us the chance to work together."

In Watertown, however, the time for working together seems to have
passed. Even before the council meeting had ended Tuesday night,
Town Manager Michael Driscoll had spoken to the town’s superintendent
of public works, Gerald Mee, about taking down the No Place For Hate
sign in front of Town Hall.

A night shift worker was dispatched to do the job, and by the time
the meeting ended the sign was gone.

SECULARISM – ABDULLAH GUL’S MAIN PRINCIPLE

AZG Armenian Daily
17/08/2007

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, the candidate for the
presidency of the ruling Justice and Development Party, at a press
conference, held in parliament, announced that his main principle is
secularism. He underlined that he would spare no effort to protect the
secular system in Turkey and he would only be led by the Constitution
of the Republic of Turkey.

NUMBER OF TOURISTS TO ARMENIA INCREASES BY 36.3% IN JANUARY-JUNE 2007 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Aug 13 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, NOYAN TAPAN. 181 thousand 239 tourists came to
Armenia in January-June 2007 against 132 thousand 937 tourists in
the same period of 2006. The growth rate made 36.3%.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, 172 thousand 297
people left the country for the purpose of traveling abroad in the
first half of 2007: the growth rate made 37.8%.

ALLEGED ARMENIAN-CAPTURED AHSRAF JAFAROV’S BROTHER: ICRC SAYS THE CAPTURED IS STILL INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS SAMANDAR GULIYEV

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 9 2007

"Azerbaijani citizen, who was captured on the front line in Agdam on
July 30, this year, is still introducing himself as Samandar Guliyev,"
Ramin Jafarov, brother of Ashraf Jafarov, who is allegedly captured
by Armenians, told APA’s Karabakh bureau.

The brother said he applied to the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) to get information about his brother. The ICRC said that
the captured is still calling himself Samandar Guliyev.

"We have recently presented a letter to the ICRC office in Baku. I
have visited the office to learn whether there is a reply to our
letter and get information on Ashraf Jafarov.I was told there that
the captured said he has no brother named Ramin. And he also said
he is Samandar Guliyev. So, we could not get exact information on my
brother," Ramin said.

Azerbaijan’s State Commission for prisoners of war, hostages and
missing persons has not responded to APA’s oral and written inquiry
regarding the case within 48 hours.

ANOTHER PARTY OF SEVAN’S VANISHING TROUT YOUNG FISH IS LET OUT INTO THE LAKE

arminfo
2007-08-07 18:54:00

Within the frames of the fish recruitment program 2 000 young fish of
Sevan’s trout- ishkhan were let out into Lake Sevan on Monday. Each
of the young fish weighted 80-100gr.

As the Head of Pubic Relations Department of RA Ministry of
Nature Protection Artsrun Pepanyan told ArmInfo correspondent,
this is the first time that the young fish are bought not by the
resources of the state budget. They were provided free of charge
by the fish-rearing organization "Miavar". RA Minister of Nature
Protection Aram Harutyunian was also present at the event. He wanted
to get acquainted with the control process of commercial fishery.

To note, state budget 2007 foresees purchase and letting out of trout
and other young fish totaling 30mln AMD. 20mln of the sum has already
been spent. Presently, the mirror surface level in Lake Sevan rose
and reached 1899m thanks to the relevant governmental program.

Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
August 7, 2007
Contact: Sevag Arzoumanian
Tel: 617-233-3174

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL FUELS BOSTON AREA CONCERNS SURROUNDING
LOCAL TOLERANCE PROGRAM

— Watertown "No Place for Hate" Program Urged to Sever Ties with
ADL, Following Genocide Denial Remarks by National Director Abe
Foxman

WATERTOWN, MA – Boston area civil rights advocates have teamed with
Armenian and Jewish American community activists in expressing
disappointment and outrage at recent statements by Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) National Director Abraham Foxman denying the Armenian
Genocide and opposing Congressional legislation affirming that
crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of
Eastern Massachusetts (ANCEM). Foxman’s statements have seriously
jeopardized the credibility of the Watertown "No Place For Hate"
(NPFH) anti-racism and tolerance promotion program, with pressure
mounting on its leadership to sever ties with its parent
organization, the ADL.

The controversy first came to light on July 6th when the Watertown
Tab published a letter by an Armenian American citizen that
spotlighted Foxman’s recent statements opposing Congressional
Armenian Genocide legislation. The letter asked the local "No Place
For Hate" chapter to disassociate itself from the ADL.

Foxman’s statements were from an April 21st Los Angeles Times
article titled "Genocide Resolution Still Far from Certain" in
which Foxman argued that "The Turks and Armenians need to revisit
their past. The Jewish community shouldn’t be the arbiter of that
history. And I don’t think the U.S. Congress should be the arbiter
either." The July 6th letter spurred a flurry of responses from
Armenian Americans and others that were printed in the Watertown
Tab. One letter, from New England ADL Regional Director Andrew
Tarsy, defended Foxman, but was subsequently countered by a series
of articles by local columnists Frank Mazzaglia, John DiMascio and
community citizens expressing concerns about a loss of credibility
by NPFH if it continued its association with genocide deniers.

In a letter to the Watertown Tab, ANCEM chairperson Sharistan
Melkonian wrote, "Foxman’s use of euphemistic language to deny the
Armenian Genocide runs counter to the fundamental tenets of No
Place for Hate… and also runs counter to the ADL’s own charter,
which, according to the ADL’s Website, states that the ADL’s
`ultimate purpose is to secure justice and fair treatment to all
citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair
discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of
citizens.’"

"For the parent organization of No Place of Hate, or rather the
national director of that organization, to deny genocide, goes
against the basic concepts of tolerance and respect for diversity
the organization is working so hard to promote in our communities,"
continued Melkonian.

————————————– —————————–
Boston Globe Documents Genocide Denial Concerns
—————————————– ————————–

The situation intensified after an August 1st article in the Boston
Globe, titled "Anti-Bias Effort Stirs Anger in Watertown," where
Foxman, again, in reference to Armenian Genocide recognition
efforts, stated "We’re not party to this, and I don’t understand
why we need to be made party." In response to a direct question by
reporter Keith O’Brien whether "what happened to Armenians under
the Ottoman Empire was genocide, he [Foxman] replied, ‘I don’t
know.’" He went on to note that "’I’m not going to be the arbiter
of someone else’s history,’" . . . adding that he does not believe
that Congress should either."

In her interview with the Globe’s O’Brien, Melkonian condemned
Foxman’s genocide denial and stated that the ANC EM would "call for
the Watertown ‘No Place for Hate’ program to sever its ties with
the ADL unless it denounces Foxman’s position and acknowledges the
genocide."

Watertown’s NPFH Co-Chairman Will Twombly, in response to O’Brien’s
inquiries, stated that "Not to condemn the genocide and fully
recognize it for what it was, I personally find inconsistent with
the mission of No Place for Hate." He noted that his group would be
asking "tough questions" of the New England ADL’s Tarsy. "At that
point, Twombly said, the committee will decide on the best course
of action, including the option of severing ties with the ADL
altogether, effectively ending the program."

In a subsequent August 3rd editorial, the Boston Globe called on
the ADL to "acknowledge the genocide against the Armenian people
during World War I, and criticize Turkish attempts to repress the
memory of this historical reality." Citing Israel’s close ties with
Turkey, the editorial countered that "the ADL is not an arm of
Israel, and whatever it does will not affect Turkish foreign
policy." The editorial concluded, noting "failure to acknowledge
past atrocities will encourage would-be perpetrators to believe
they can get away with them, just as the Ottoman Empire did."

————————————– —————————–
Jewish American Leaders / Activists Speak Out Against Genocide
Denial
———————————- ———————————

Amongst key community leaders joining the Armenian American
community in expressing concern about Foxman’s genocide denial and
its repercussions on the "No Place for Hate" program are Jewish
American academics and organization leaders. In a letter to the
Boston Globe, Jewish Voice for Peace – Boston Co-Chair Martin
Federman noted that "Abraham Foxman’s contention that his Anti-
Defamation League (ADL) should not be the ‘arbiter of history’ by
acknowledging the historicity of the Armenian Genocide is at best
disingenuous, at worst craven self-interest." Federman argued that
"if anyone were to sidestep the issue of whether the Holocaust
really happened, by refusing to be the ‘arbiter of history’, Foxman
and the ADL would (appropriately) be apoplectic."

In a press release issued on August 5th, Boston University
Professor Michael Siegel condemned the ADL’s genocide denial and
urged Watertown ‘No Place for Hate’ to "sever its ties with the ADL
unless the organization acknowledges that this genocide occurred."
A public letter from Siegel to New England ADL Regional Director
Andrew Tarsy stated "As a long-time ADL supporter, it is with great
disappointment that I write you today to express my disgust with
your organization’s refusal to publicly acknowledge the Armenian
genocide, and in particular, your July 26 response to the recent
controversy in Watertown, in which you refused to acknowledge the
genocide, and instead, stated that the question of whether a
genocide occurred: " was one to be resolved between the two
countries — Armenia and Turkey."

Similar statements of outrage have been spotlighted on a number of
blogs, including articles by the Huffington Post’s Mark Oppenheimer
and Jewcy’s Joey Kurtzman. Oppenheimer, in a July 10th post, argued
that "for a non-profit like the ADL, which in fact has done
important work to combat not just anti-Semitism but other forms of
ethnocentrism and racism, to shill for Holocaust-deniers (yes, the
Armenian genocide can fairly be called a Holocaust) is inexcusable.
He should be fired." Kurtzman stated that "It is a scandal of
unprecedented proportion when one of the most prominent figures in
our community, a man who claims to speak on our behalf, publicly
challenges the historicity of another community’s genocide.
Foxman’s ADL no longer represents the interests of the Jewish
community."

————————- ——————————————
ANCEM APPEALS TO NPFH
——————————————— ———————-

In an August 3rd letter to No Place for Hate Watertown, the ANCEM
noted that "affiliation or acquiescence with Mr. Foxman’s
unconscionable position on the Armenian Genocide seriously
undermines the efforts of the NPFH – a leader in the fight against
bigotry and intolerance in Watertown.’ The letter went on to urge
the NPFH to call on Foxman to `publicly and unequivocally renounce
its [ADL’s] denialist agenda.’

An ANCEM sponsored community petition called on No Place for Hate
"in keeping with its principles" to " issue a public statement
opposing Turkey’s state-sponsored campaign to deny the Armenian
Genocide and call on NPFH sponsor, the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL), through its National Director Abraham Foxman, to openly and
unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and support
Congressional affirmation of this crime against humanity."

Within days, the petition gathered over 300 hundred signatures. To
learn more about the Foxman/ADL genocide denial controversy visit:

"No Place for Hate" is a community-based campaign established by
the Anti-Defamation League geared to bring awareness to and fights
against anti-Semitism, racism and all other forms of bigotry. Some
50 cities throughout Massachusetts are termed "No Place for Hate"
zones, and participation is growing throughout the United States,
including: Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los
Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; and Santa
Barbara, CA, among other cities.

The Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts is part of
the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots
political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

WHITE HOUSE BOWS TO SENATE PRESSURE ON NAMING ENVOY TO ARMENIA

The Associated Press
Published: August 3, 2007

WASHINGTON: The White House gave in to Democratic objections and on
Friday withdrew the nomination of a career diplomat to be ambassador
to Armenia.

Sen. Robert Menendez placed a hold on the nomination of Richard
Hoagland for the second time in January because of Hoagland’s refusal
to call the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide.

A hold is a parliamentary privilege accorded to senators that prevents
a nomination from going forward to a confirmation hearing.

Hoagland’s confirmation was blocked by Senate Democrats in the last
Congress and the Bush administration resubmitted his name in January
when the new Congress convened.

Hoagland’s predecessor, John Evans, reportedly had his tour of duty
in Armenia cut short because, in a social setting, he referred to
the killings as genocide.

Today in Americas As presidential campaign gets going in Guatemala,
the body count mountsBush pushes Congress on surveillance lawStructure
in 10% of U.S. bridges is deemed faultyIn urging the administration
to submit another candidate, Menendez said that "the State Department
and the Bush administration are just flat-out wrong in their refusal
to recognize the Armenian genocide. It is well past time to drop the
euphemisms, the wink-wink, nod-nod brand of diplomacy that overlooks
heinous atrocities around the world."

The administration has warned that even a congressional debate on
the genocide question could damage relations with Turkey, a moderate
Muslim nation that is a NATO member and an important strategic ally.

Turkey has adamantly denied claims by scholars that is predecessor
Ottoman state killed Armenians in a planned genocide.

THREE TURKISH SOLDIERS AND 5 KURDISH REBELS KILLED NEAR TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.08.2007 16:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Three Turkish soldiers and five Kurdistan Workers
Party (PKK) guerrillas were killed in clashes in eastern Turkey near
the Iraqi border.

Five soldiers were also injured in the clashes in the eastern province
of Tunceli, said a source in the army, who did not wish to be named. He
also said dozens of soldiers have been killed this year in military
operations carried out by Turkey in country’s east and southeast. This
has prompted calls from the army for a cross-border incursion into
northern Iraq to deal with rebels based there. The Justice and
Development party (AKP) government, re-elected last month, resists
the powerful army’s calls to launch military operation against Iraq.

The United States also opposes incursion into northern Iraq. Bases
of PKK are located in northern Iraq since 1984.

11 MEMBERS OF DISTRICT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS RECOGNIZED GUILTY OF SIMULATING BALLOT RESULTS OF RA NA ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Aug 1, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Eight cases with regard to seventeen
people were filed to court among the criminal cases sued on account of
criminally prosecuted infringements registered during the elections of
the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, which were held on
May 12. The charges presented by the preliminary body were regarded
as grounded ones with regard to 16 people with seven of the criminal
cases filed to court and bills of indictment were also passed. Twelve
members of the District Electoral Commission were found guilty of
four criminal cases. Eleven members of the above-mentioned commission,
including three people, that is to say, Chairmen of District Electoral
Commissions, were found guilty of simulating the results of the ballot
and one of them was charged with laying obstacles in the path of the
proceedings of the District Electoral Commission.

According to the message received from the RA Prosecutor General’s
Office, three people with two criminal cases were found guilty
of laying obstacles and attempting to lay obstacles in the path of
implementing a free will of a voter. One person with one criminal case
was found guilty of making a row in the electoral constituency. The
trial of a person with one criminal case is still under process.