Author: Nahapetian Samvel

Sada Al-Watan (Arab-American News), Michigan
May 5 2008

Christian divisions complicate politics

By Mona Alami
Saturday, 05.03.2008, 09:39am

BEIRUT (IPS) ‘ The political crisis gripping Lebanon has chipped away
at what has been viewed by most since the 2005 parliamentary elections
as an unlikely alignment of two political heavyweights.

The recent falling out between Michel Aoun, head of the Christian Free
Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Michel Murr, the Greek Orthodox former
vice-president of parliament, heralds a change that will undoubtedly
affect the 2009 electoral landscape in the Lebanese Christian region
of the Metn in the north.

Inexplicable alliances have long been a tradition of Lebanese
politics, defined by short-sighted tactical partnerships rooted in the
intense rivalry of opposing parties, communities and political
families. Such alliances have played a key role in the struggle for
power among the various Christian factions.

To strengthen their positions, the Christian Kataeb party
(Phalangists) and the Lebanese Forces ‘ led by Amin Gemayel and Samir
Geagea respectively ‘ joined forces in the 2005 elections with the
largely Sunni Future Movement (headed by Saad Hariri, son of slain
former prime minister Rafik Hariri) and the Progressive Socialist
Party (PSP) headed by Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. Comprising the
March 14 Movement and holding a total of 67 seats out 128 in
parliament, the alliance is considered the majority.

At the other end of the spectrum is the opposition, consisting of the
surprising "memorandum of understanding" between the FPM and
Hizbullah, the Shia "Party of God," which is led by Hassan
Nasrallah. Also part of the alliance is the Shi’a Amal party, headed
by current speaker of the parliament, Nabih Berri.

Since the assassination of Rafik Hariri in 2005, the two sides have
failed to reach a compromise on the balance of power in government,
which has resulted in an ongoing sit-in protest by the opposition in
Beirut since December 2006 and an empty presidential seat since the
position was vacated by former president Emile Lahoud in November
2007.

It is, in fact, the postponement of presidential elections 19 times
thus far that has incited Murr to warn Christian MPs who abstained
from voting that they might not be re-elected. "Christians should not
be lied to; under the false pretense of defending the rights of their
community, presidential elections are being blocked," he said.

"Murr believes presidential elections should take place as soon as
possible, while the FPM links elections to a basket of measures, such
as agreement on the future cabinet composition and the replacement of
the inequitable 2001 parliamentary law," says Armenian MP Hagop
Pakradounian.

So, what does the growing rift between Murr and Aoun over the
appointment of a president mean for the 2009 elections?

The battle for power in the Metn pits the Kataeb party and LF against
the FPM, which is joined by a few independents, including Murr. The
impact of Murr’s defection from the opposition can be measured by his
political weight in the area, which affects the outcome of eight
parliamentary seats: four Maronite positions, two Greek Orthodox, one
Catholic and one Armenian.

Research shows that participation of voters has been customarily low
in the area, as is the case with the rest of the country. According to
statistician Kamal Feghali, 51.2 percent of registered voters
participated in the 2005 elections, in which Murr represented 20,000
votes. In the 2007 partial elections (prompted by the assassination of
Kataeb MP Pierre Gemayel), 47.2 percent of voters participated, with
15,600 votes influenced by Murr. During both elections, total votes
amounted to about 80,000.

"There are currently four independent members of parliament, of which
three are allied with the FPM ‘ Hagop Pakradounion, Selim Salhab and
Ghassan Moukheiber ‘ while the fourth is Michel Murr. Four other seats
are occupied by FPM deputies," explains Alain Aoun from the FPM.

According to Aoun, Murr’s new position will be restricted to the Metn
and will not affect national elections. "It is too early to measure
the exact repercussions of this new realignment on the political
landscape. The disagreement between Mr. Murr and the FPM might
dissipate before the 2009 elections, as long as the political
discourse remains toned down," he points out, adding that the
political context in 2009 will ultimately define the outcome of the
next parliamentary elections.

Another factor that could disrupt the balance of power in the Metn is
the Armenian sway. "Armenian voters represent some 12,000 votes in the
Metn, of which our party, Tachnag, traditionally garners 80 percent,"
explains Pakradounian. Some 10,000 people voted for the Tachnag party
in the 2005 elections, while this figure came down in 2005 by 1,150
votes, according to statistics provided by Feghali.

"Murr’s recent change of heart does guarantee his realignment with the
majority," says Pakradounian. "I think his main objective is to exert
enough pressure to resolve the deadlock and accelerate presidential
elections. My belief is that he is still trying to find a common
denominator between the opposition and majority.

"We maintain excellent relations with both Gen. Aoun and President
Murr, who are our allies, and their disagreement may be short-lived,"
continues Pakradounian. While Tachnag’s alliance with Michel Murr is
more than 44 years old, Pakradounian states that General Aoun has also
frequently proven his loyalty to the Armenian party by refusing to
participate in the cabinet in the absence of the Tachnag.

With the power to sway votes in one direction or the other, the
Tachnag is certainly proving a force to be reckoned with. Their
influence could even reach the elections of the eastern Bekaa city of
Zahle, where the party holds one of seven seats.

.php?mod=article&cat=Lebanon&article
– 7

Panorama.am

18:36 05/05/2008

B. FUSSIER: `SARGSYAN AND ALIEV PROBABLY MEET IN
ST.PETERSBURG IN JUNE’

The OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen are going to raise
the question of Serzh Sargsyan’s and Ilhaam Aliev’s
meeting in the further discussion with the Foreign
Affairs Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to French co-chairman Bernard Fussier the
meeting of the both ministers will have more
introducing mission. According to him the meeting will
take place on 7 May before the Council of Europe
Ministers 118th session. `We can see a wish to
continue the negotiations in the both sides,’ said B.
Fussier.

He also notified that they are not going to make any
proposals but hey will discuss some questions about
their visit to the region and should try to organize
the meeting of the two presidents.

Source: Panorama.am

AND YOU SAID THEY DON’T ALLOW MEETING RELATIVES
VREJ AHARONYAN

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 06, 2008
Armenia

According to the latest information received from the General
Prosecutor’s, from the 89 criminal cases under the proceeding of the
special investigative service, 60 people were detained as a
precautionary measure and 29 people gave signatures on not leaving the
country, by pledge. Another 44 cases have been sent to the court – 9 by
the National Security Service and the others by the special
investigative service.

It’s worth mentioning that the before mentioned number changes very
frequently and swiftly, because lots of cases are being sent to the
courts, in some cases the precautionary measures are being changed (a
fresh example is Yerjanik Abgaryan, the latter’s precautionary measure
has been changed to a signature on not leaving the country), many facts
are clarified during the court procedure.

In parallel to all this some Mass Media continue to spread
misinformation saying that: `They torture and torment the detainees,
the human rights are violated and they don’t allow the detainees to
meet with their relatives¦’ and so on and so forth. These people are
trying to make an impression that they torture the detainees and they
don’t even allow them meet with their lawyers.

But, as it turned out in reality, the inquest bodies have put
restrictions on only 20 detainees to meet with their relatives,
considering the interest of the inquest.

Of course these people can meet their lawyers. They can meet with their
defenders any time. The before mentioned restrictions are conditioned
by the fact that, in the beginning there were cases when, some people
introduced themselves as the relatives of this or that person trying to
meet with them, but as it came clear later they were not their
relatives. Thus they were trying to put pressure on the investigation
process or the detainees

The restrictions lasted around a month, and even less, but during this
period the before mentioned detainees have received lots of parcels
from their relatives and after lifting the restrictions they have met
them many times. Whereas many of them have met their relatives more
than two times in a month, in a manner envisaged by the law.

By the way the detainees can receive only a 20 kg parcel, and not more
than 70 kg during a month.

As it came clear Davit Matevosyan, for example, has met his relatives
three times and has received 16 parcels.

Sasus Mikaelyan’s relatives, his wife, his daughter and son, have
exceeded others in terms of their visits. They have visited him four
times. He has received 7 parcels.

In this regard a former Chief Prison Officer Mushegh Saghatelyan also
doesn’t leg behind ` three meetings, 19 parcels.

Former Assistant to the Head of the National Security Service Gurgen
Yeghiazaryan had three meetings with his relatives and received 8
parcels.

As for the former Judge-Advocate Gagik Jhangiryan, he met with his
relatives two times, as envisaged by the law and was satisfied with 8
parcels.

The same is about Karapet Rubinyan and Yerjanik Abgaryan, in terms of
their meetings with the relatives, and they were satisfied with 7
parcels.

Hakob Hakobyan had three meetings with the relatives and received 7
parcels.

Aram Karapetyan met with his relatives once and received 8 parcels.

As for Harutyun Urutyan, from Shirak marz arrested for beating Serge
Sargsyan’s entrusted individual, he has established a record. Urutyan
met his relatives 8 times and received 16 parcels.

A question arises here: Doesn’t all the before mentioned testify to the
fact that the rights of the detainees have not been violated, they meet
their relatives and get parcels. The only thing left to do is to allow
money transfers.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]

May 5, 2008
Contact: Adrin Nazarian

Assemblymember Krekorian Announces Panel of Judges for FILMFEST 43

Glendale, CA – Praising their "artistic ability and experience," and "a
willingness to donate time and expertise to reviewing films of aspiring
local filmmakers," Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) named the
judges who will consider the 103 submissions to the first FILMFEST 43,
set for 6:30 pm, Friday, May 16, at Glendale’s iconic Alex Theatre.

"I am very grateful that Mike Petros, Dug Ward and Robert Peterson have
taken time from their busy schedules to judge the work of these talented
and ambitious filmmakers from a dozen high schools throughout my
district," Assemblymember Krekorian said. "These visual-arts
professionals bring a wealth of experience and fine critical eyes to
their task. FILMFEST 43 is greatly enhanced by their presence and
judgment," he added.

Mike Petros is an associate professor of television at Glendale
Community College. He teaches writing and production, and lectures on
the pervasive influence of this medium. Dug Ward is an adjunct faculty
member at UCLA’s Animation Workshop. A former animator for Fox’s King
of the Hill, he directs the school’s MFA graduate-animation program.
Robert Peterson chairs the graduate film program at Art Center College
of Design, in Pasadena. He has more than 25 years as an award-winning
director/cinematographer.

"FILMFEST 43 submissions include narrative, documentary, animation and
experimental projects," Assemblymember Krekorian said. "I am very proud
and pleased that so many young artists in my district have entered their
work," he added. "This bodes well for the future of the film industry
in California." Assemblymember Krekorian chairs the Select Committee on
the Preservation of California’s Entertainment Industry.

FILMFEST 43 is open to the public and admission is free. To RSVP for
free tickets contact Assemblymember Krekorian’s District Service Office
at (818) 240-6330.

# # #

Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:national.office@anc-canad a.com

PRESS RELEASE

May 3, 2008
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian

CBC Ombudsman Rejects Turkish Government’s Denial of the Armenian Genocide

Ottawa – A well-financed campaign to censor CBC Radio’s `As It
Happens’ program, orchestrated by the Turkish government and its
agents, has been rejected by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Ombudsman Vince Carlin.

After a professional examination of the Turkish denialists complaint
that CBC `did not give sufficient attention to Turkey’s official claim
that the events of 1915 did not constitute a genocide,’ Mr. Carlin
said, `While not ignoring significant dissent from ‘mainstream’ views,
the journalist must not distort the concepts of ‘balance’ by giving
equal weight to any contending theory.’

The ombudsman added, `In the cases at issue, the preponderance of
credible academic work has found that the Turkish government took
deliberate action against the Armenian population and those actions
fit what became the definition of Genocide.’

The ombudsman elaborated on the journalist’s ethical conundrum of
`giving voice to those who deny events which were part of the
historical consensus.’ On this thorny issue, Mr. Carlin said, `the
implications of such notion are evident when one thinks of giving
substantial time to those who deny that there was a genocide directed
against Jews during World War II.’

In the ombudsman’s view, ` while fairness and balance would impel
journalists to be on the look-out for credible contradictory evidence,
appropriate weight must be given to broad-based conclusion, in this
case not only academic-based, but also endorsed by UN agencies and the
Canadian Government.’

The CBC ombudsman concluded his findings by noting that `the concept
of balance is not mathematical.’ Accordingly, he found that `no
violation of CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices in treatment
of theses items.’

The latest campaign of silencing freedom of speech in Canada was
launched after CBC’s `As It Happens’ program interviewed United States
Congressman Adam Schiff (Oct. 18, 2007), Turkish historian Taner
Akçam (Oct. 12, 2007), and an official from the Toronto District
School Board on the proposed Grade 11 Genocide Curriculum (Dec. 14
2007).

The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) cognizant of the
campaign, responded to the Turkish government’s misinformation by
making essential presentation (testimonies of historians’ and
scholars, books, and other relevant documents) to the ombudsman to
refute the Turkish denialist fabrications.

Aris Babikian, Executive Director of ANCC, commended the CBC
ombudsman’s findings and conclusions. ‘Once again CBC has demonstrated
that it is not willing to compromise its journalistic integrity. We
congratulate the CBC ombudsman and `As It Happens’ staff for not
capitulating to the Turkish government’s propaganda machine, threats,
intimidation, and bullying.’

`It is high time the Turkish government recognized that its Armenian
Genocide denial policy is a bankrupt one and that Turkey can not
muzzle freedom of the press and suppress freedom of expression in the
civilized world, as it has done in Turkey,’ Babikian said, urging the
Turkish people to rise against the `Turkish Deep State’ and
utranationalists who are running the country’s denialist policy.

Dr. Girair Basmadjian, President of ANCC observed that `By its
persistent policy of denial, the present Turkish Government is making
itself automatically the inherent target of responsibility for the
1915 Genocide.’

####

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of
issues.

——

Le CNAC est l’organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus
large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux,
chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations
affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s’occupe activement des
inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.

Regional Chapters/Sections régionales

Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St. Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver

In-Forum, ND
May 3 2008

Roundup: Remembrance and denial move to U.S. Congress

Published Saturday, May 03, 2008
Los Angeles Times

History can comfort or afflict us, and affliction was the order of the
day Thursday as Armenians around the world commemorating the genocide
of their people by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1917 were met by
Turks protesting that the genocide never took place.

The argument over remembrance and denial of the Armenian genocide has
in recent years moved from France to the U.S. Congress and now to
Israel, which faces its own moral and political dilemmas in deciding
whether to debate the issue in the Knesset. Turkey is strongly
lobbying to prevent such a debate. Like the United States, Israel is
now torn between its commitment to confront genocide deniers of all
kinds and its geopolitical interest in maintaining relations with its
only Muslim ally.

It’s a lose-lose proposition for any nation involved in the dispute,
and for the millions of Turks and Armenians alive today who will have
to continue to live next to each other. It’s a winner, however, for
Russia, which has been competing with the United States for influence
in Armenia and which has leverage over the former Soviet republic’s
economy.

A friendly, democratic government in Ankara could help Turkey rebuild
its frayed ties with the West, improve its economy and, eventually,
negotiate peace with Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Demonstrating the political maturity to pursue
rapprochement with Armenia could bring Turkey closer to its goal of
joining the European Union. History need not be destiny.

ANOTHER TWO CASES ON MARCH 1 EVENTS SENT TO COURT

Noyan Tapan
May 1, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The Northern Criminal Court on April
23 received a criminal case, by which Edik Khachatrian is accused of
keeping ammunition belonging to the owner of the Vanatur Restaurant
Sasun Mikaelian (city of Hrazdan) in the yard of the restaurant’s
fish-farm from October 2007 to March 1, 2008. NT correspondent was
informed about it by spokeswoman for the RA Cassation Court Alina
Yengoyan. By the indictment, in order to hide the crime traces,
E. Khachtrian had thrown the boxes full of ammunition into the lake
near the yard.

The court of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash communities on April
29 received a criminal case, by which Masis Aivazian is charged with
violence against a representative of authorities. According to the
indictment, on March 1st, at about 7:30 am he together with a group
of persons near North Avenue "committed violence, not dangerous for
life or health, by hitting policemen with the hand and foot".

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

NKR REPRESENTATIVE TO USA: NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM DIRECT RESULT OF
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. NKR Representative to the United States
Vardan Barseghian spoke at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on
Capitol Hill that also featured U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez
(D-NJ) and other members of Congress, the Press Office of the NKR
office in the USA reports.
To note, the event was organized by the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, co-chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI), in cooperation with the Armenian Embassy in
Washington and leading Armenian-American organizations. Armenian
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Dr. Gregory Stanton, President of the
International Association of Genocide Scholars also spoke to the
audience that included Armenian Genocide survivors, human rights
activists, and members of the Armenian community.
In his remarks, Representative Barseghian called upon the United
States to recognize the Armenian Genocide saying that it would "send a
powerful warning signal to those who plan new ethnic cleansing
campaigns that the truth will prevail, that criminal actions will be
named for what they are and that the perpetrators will be condemned
and will bear responsibility."
Tying past crimes against humanity to today’s situation, Barseghian
said that the Nagorno Karabakh problem was a direct result of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.
"Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread devastation
inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on to its
historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet
pressure to include it within administrative borders of Soviet
Azerbaijan. And the consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including
that particular decision by the Bolsheviks, continue affecting our
lives today, over 90 years later", the Artsakh representative said.
Stressing that the risk of genocide still exists, Barseghian said that
"Azerbaijan continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war
because we insist on our right to live in freedom."
"Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities
to be up to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol
Hill and those who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to
send a clear signal to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be
tolerated," he said.
On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked Representatives
Pallone and Knollenberg and other congressional leaders for their
steadfast support on issues related to Artsakh’s security, freedom,
and economic development. He urged greater U.S. political and economic
support.
"We hope that the U.S. Congress will continue its leading role in
charting a new format for relations with Nagorno Karabakh that looks
beyond conflict resolution to collaboration on issues of security,
democracy and economic development."
Concluding his remarks Barseghian said that leaders on Capitol Hill
acknowledged that in "parallel to our common efforts to make this
world genocide-free, we also need to deal with consequences of past
crimes and to support those who still struggle for freedom and
justice."

NO FORCES IN AZERBAIJAN CAPABLE OF UPSETTING STABILITY

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 29 2008

Azeri presidential chief of staff Ramiz Mekhtiyev has said he is upbeat
about the current socio-political situation in the country."Stability
ranks today among the most important issues for Azerbaijan. Stability
is leading Azerbaijan towards development. If anyone attempts to upset
stability, the entire nation must offer resistance," Mekhtiyev told
journalists on Tuesday.

"The future of Azerbaijan strongly depends on stability. Although there
are no forces in the country capable of destabilizing the situation,
individual people are there," he said.

Commenting on the situation in Armenia after the elections and on
whether similar events could be repeated in Azerbaijan, Mekhtiyev said,
there are no forces in the country capable of organizing such events.

"I do not know who has what plans, but no one will allow similar events
to unfold in Azerbaijan. And no one will be strong enough to venture
unrest similar to that in Armenia," the presidential chief staff said.

Again, absolute stability reigns in Azerbaijan. The future presidential
elections will be open and democratic. There are no doubts today that
the people and President Ilham Aliyev are one and that he will again
be elected president with a large margin, Mekhtiyev said.

The upcoming presidential elections will be model elections, he
also said.

The elections will be observed by international organizations. We
will not hide anything from anyone. Again, we will hold open elections.

The current socio-political situation shows that really good, model
elections will be held in Azerbaijan, he said.

10-12% GROWTH OF STONE FRUIT HARVEST EXPECTED IN ARMENIA THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
May 1, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Spring sowing started earlier than usual
this year due to the unprecedentedly high temperature as compared
with the previous years, the RA deputy minister of agriculture Samvel
Galstian said at the April 30 press conference. According to him,
it is planned to sow 200-205 thousand ha with grain crops instead of
the previous 100 thousand ha.

He said that the first reproduction of elite barley seeds brought
from Ukraine last year will be used for spring sowing. Their average
crop yield made 45-50 centners in 2007.

In his words, the weather can be considered as favorable for
agriculture but if there are no rains in foothills and mountains –
along with a rising temperature, the agricultural sector will incur
losses.

The deputy minister said that no fruit trees or vines were harmed
by frost, except for a few early-ripening peach trees and vines. 260
thousand tons of fruit and 218.9 thousand tons of grapes was harvested
in 2007, and a 10-12% growth of harvest is expected this year.