Author: Nahapetian Samvel

The Times of Malta, Malta
April 14 2006

Deported Armenian journalist flies home via Malta

TV reporter Gina Khachatryan was expected to board the flight from
Malta to Moscow early this morning en route to Yerevan, the Armenian
capital, unaware of her fate.

The Armenian journalist, who fled to the UK after allegedly
witnessing and exposing electoral fraud was deported yesterday, amid
a media frenzy calling for her protection.

Ms Khachatryan, who has been living with her family in Bury for three
years, claims her life will be in danger if sent back after blowing
the whistle on ballot-rigging.

Together with her husband and five-year-old daughter, Ms Khachatryan
was thrown out of the UK after their asylum appeal was rejected.

She says she will have to go into hiding on her return having
previously received death threats.

The Khachatryans arrived in Malta on board an Air Malta flight in the
afternoon but her nine-hour stay in Malta was kept under wraps.
Efforts to reach her were in vain.

Both the Home Affairs Ministry and the Refugee Commissioner told The
Times they could not do anything unless Ms Khachatryan applied for
asylum here.

In the meantime, the Journalists’ Committee called on the Maltese
government to seek the reassurances of the British government that Ms
Khachatryan will be free from any form of persecution and
intimidation by the Armenian authorities, and that the reason for the
removal of her asylum status is in full conformity with fundamental
human rights.

The committee also called on the government to seek the reassurance
of the British government that Ms Khachatryan has been granted the
right to contest her deportation, including access to the European
Court of Human Rights, as is the right of every refugee.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists yesterday called on the Justice
and Home Affairs Ministry to intervene in Ms Khachatryan’s case.

The institute also called on the British authorities to reverse their
decision not to extend Ms Khachatryan’s stay in the UK.

Neil Falzon, head of the UN Human Rights office in Malta, was in
touch with his foreign counterparts to try and find ways and means of
assisting her.

Though technically she has every right to apply for asylum, the EU’s
Dublin Convention means Malta need not reopen her case – especially
since her calls for refugee status were turned down in the UK. Her
only resort is to apply to the European Court of Human Rights, which
may call for the postponement of her deportation.

Sue Arnall, of the UK-based Castaways organisation, told The Times
the Armenian journalist was unable to fax her information to her
lawyer. This, Ms Arnall added, was crucial because the journalist did
in fact want to take the case to the Court of Human Rights.

Ms Arnall said Ms Khachatryan was very distressed before leaving the
UK.

"Gina was a very political journalist and because of her very high
profile she believes she will be imprisoned for escaping from
detention four years ago. She’s especially concerned about her young
daughter," Ms Arnall said. The 30-year-old journalist worked for the
public TV station Armenia 1, but had also supported the campaign of a
political candidate in local elections four years ago. While an
observer at a polling station, she and others spotted ballot boxes
being interfered with and alerted the police, according to British
media reports.

After purportedly being released from jail after 40 days in September
2003, she was warned by a lawyer that she faced charges likely to
lead to a lengthy prison term. Following a period in hiding, she fled
with her husband and daughter to the UK and asked for asylum. It was
reported that the Khachatryans actually spent a week or so in Malta
in 2003 before leaving for the UK.

British Home Office officials said the assessment by immigration
services and subsequent appeal hearings had deemed that the family
did not face sufficient risk. The family were moved from their home
in the early hours last Monday and taken to a detention centre in
Bedfordshire. Immigration officials would not allow The Times to
speak to Ms Khachatryan at Heathrow airport, yesterday morning.

.php?id=258171

Panorama.am

18:09 14/04/2007

HOVANNISYAN FORECASTS MORE EXPLOSIONS

Speaking about the explosions at Prosperous Armenia Party
headquarters, Hovannes Hovannisyan, leader of Liberal Progressive
Party, said that cannot be a self PR organized by Prosperous Armenia
itself. `Gagik Tsarukyan has high self-respect and he would not do PR
at that price,’ he said. Hovannisyan made a forecast of more
explosions saying the politics has turned into a `show of power’.

Source: Panorama.am

POLICE REFUTE INFORMATION ABOUT THREATS TO CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTACY BY PHONE

Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Though there were no victims, the
explosions at Bargavach Hayastan Party’s offices are grave crimes,
as this is infringement upon democracy and country’s authority. Hrayr
Karapetian, Head of RA National Assembly ARFD faction, stated at the
April 13 press briefing. Reminding that over 200 foreign observers
are in Armenia, he said that this time "we should be able to prove
that we are able to hold normal elections as a civilized people."

In H. Karapetian’s words, before these cases many signals were received
at Police from preelectoral headquarters of various candidates that
they received threats of explosions from unknown people by phone. In
particular, about 10 days ago the businessman who provided territory
to one of candidates registered at electoral district N 5 received
such threats. "I think investigating all signals of the kind is the
task of Police. It is possible that the same people threatened at
one place and fulfilled it without threatening at another place,"
Hrayr Karapetian said.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from Information and Public Relations
Department of RA Police, the Police have not received any signal
about such threats.

Author: Karapetian Rita Editor: Eghian Robert

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF
CANTERBURY

Bishop Anthony Boll, the representative of the Head of the Anglican Church
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, visited His Holiness Aram I in
Antelias on April 12. He was accompanied by Rev. Nabil Shehadi, Archbishop
of Canterbury’s representative to the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The aim of the visit was to consult His Holiness Aram I on behalf of the
Archbishop of Canterbury to organize a visit by the Head of the Anglican
Church to the Middle East. His Holiness expressed his thoughts on making
this visit positive and purposeful. Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, also attended the meeting.

##
View photos here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

MEDIA ALERT
April 13, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

RE: PBS/FRONTLINE: "NEWS WAR"

On March 27, PBS/FRONTLINE broadcast "NEWS WAR," which included a
three-minute segment on slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. 
The program, which was part of a four-part series, examined persecuted,
imprisoned and assassinated journalists in 2006. Photographs used in
broadcast were provided by the Armenian National Institute (ANI). To
watch the program online, go to:

video2.html#.

For more information on Hrant Dink, including media reports and more,
please visit the Hrant Dink Resource Page on the Assembly’s Web site
at:

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-047

METALLIC CROSS WITH HEIGHT OF 2.5 M MADE FOR AKHTAMAR ISLAND’S CHURCH

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 11 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Hurriyet Turkish
newspaper published a large report on the metallic cross made on the
initiative of Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople for Akhtamar’s
Surb Khach Church and presented a big picture of the cross.

Architect Zakaria Mildanoghlu said that the metallic cross was made
by specialist of Armenian church architecture Varazdat Haroutiunian by
similarity with the former cross and has 2.5 m height. But Mildanoghlu
as a specialist considers that the cross should have been made
from stone.

Touching upon the story of the former cross, the newspaper reports
that though some icons of the church were moved to Tavris, the cross
was not among them and he considers it probable that it had been lost
after falling down during the earthquake.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Welcomes Passage of SB 515 by California Senate Committee

— Passage Extends "Sunset" of the California Armenia Trade Office

Sacramento, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) welcomed news of the passage of SB 515 through the
California Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
Committee. The Senate Committee passed SB 515, which extends the
"sunset" of funding for the California Armenia Trade Office (CATO) by 2
years until 2010. The CATO, which opened under the leadership of
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and California Senator Jack Scott
(D-Pasadena), was administered to stimulate trade between California and
the regions of Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the newly independent
states of the former Soviet Union.

Testimony in support of the CATO was provided by Johnnie Nalbandian,
Executive Director of the Foundation for Economic Development, Inc.
which is the privately-funded sole contractor of the CATO. Mr.
Nalbandian discussed the past, present and future of the CATO and
specifically mentioned that the "gateway" that exists must be cultivated
to bring markets in Eastern Europe and Western Asia closer to
California. Mr. Nalbandian also discussed various companies that are
interested in pursuing opportunities through the CATO. Specifically,
Mr. Nalbandian mentioned feasibility studies that are in the process of
being conducted for Cedarlane Natural Foods and Mattel Toys. Marani,
which has already begun to work with CATO and can be found in almost
1000 stores, utilized demographic research studies done by the CATO to
identify marketing and resale opportunities. Other companies with which
the CATO works are Nic Nak clothing, which has agreed to work with an
Armenian company to knit children’s clothing to be shipped for the
winter season, and Tesco Stores, a United Kingdom-based retail grocery
chain which has already contacted the CATO to determine the viability of
products that it could import from Armenia.

Also providing testimony in support of the CATO was Souzi
Zerounian-Khanzadian, who testified on behalf of the Los Angeles –
Yerevan Sister City Association. Zerounian-Khanzadian discussed the
distinguishing characteristics of the CATO from previous trade offices;
namely that 1) it is a contract trade office, 2) it does not receive any
state funding, and 3) the authorizing legislation provides
accountability provisions. She also noted the stabilizing factors
associated with extending the sunset date which include helping
interested companies grow in California’s robust economy while
strengthening opportunities for California companies to reach out to
untapped regions in Eastern Europe, the Caucus region and Western Asia.

After testimony, the Committee passed SB 515 by a vote of 8-0.

"The CATO represents a wonderful opportunity for the State of California
to establish viable economic ties to global markets that are not yet
saturated," commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "We
are happy to see the California Senate Business, Professions and
Economic Development Committee move forward with this measure."

The Armenian National Committee of America is 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.

###

Photo Caption: The Foundation for Economic Development, Inc.

WE ARE FOR UNBIASED EVALUATION IN ANY CASE
Norair Hovsepian

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

On April 4 Prosecutor General Armen Zalinian held a news conference
to sum up the work of the Office of Prosecutor General in 2006. The
Prosecutor General began with information on the state of crime
in the country. Namely he said 513 offenses were reported in 2006
against 538 in 2005. In the regions, the rate of crime went down,
but in Martuni, Shushi and Shahumian the rate of crime went up. Armen
Zalinian also informed that in 2006 the Office or Prosecutor General
enforced repayment of government loans, 105 929 381 drams were repaid
to the state budget, as well as 24 million drams for the rent of
land. He assured that the target was not minor borrowers. "It is
impossible to collect 133 million from minor borrowers. The Office
of Prosecutor General mainly focused on major borrowers who did not
repay the loan for years on." The prosecutor general touched upon the
recent mutual accusations of the City Hall and the Office of Prosecutor
General. Mr. Zalinian said the statement of the Office of Prosecutor
General released on March 3 answered all the questions. As to the
explanations in the media, those were meant to prevent misunderstanding
among people rather than to answer Mayor Edward Aghabekian. "The
impression is that with such behavior the mayor is trying to prevent
the Office of Prosecutor General from revealing illegal actions,"
said the Prosecutor General, adding that the Office has checked
different government agencies and offices on reports from people,
charges were brought, but only the City Hall opposed.

The news reporters raised the "cadastre case", "doctors case" as
well. The prosecutor general assured that they treat any sphere,
especially health workers with respect. However, once you transgress,
you are responsible. The recent scandal involved the director of
Artsakhkap, who was charged with embezzlement and forgery. In the
end, the prosecutor general said the Office of Prosecutor General is
ready to cooperate with the media and expects unbiased evaluation in
any case.

CONCERT NOT CANCELED DUE TO THREATS, ASA PRESIDENT SAYS
Debbie Lehmann

The Brown Daily Herald, RI
April 10 2007

The Turkish-Armenian concert planned for Friday that was canceled
last week was not called off because the president of the Armenian
Students Association received threats, ASA President Ruben Izmailyan
’09 wrote Monday in an e-mail to The Herald. Izmailyan wrote that he
was not in any way "threatened, intimidated or even asked to pull out."

The Herald reported Monday that the concert was canceled due to
threats, citing an e-mail from a Turkish Cultural Society member.

That e-mail, which included a message sent from the TCS president to
the group’s members, read that the ASA president and musicians received
"warning messages" from members of the Armenian community and that as
"the situation got serious, warnings turned into threats."

Izmailyan, who declined to explain the cancellation for Monday’s
article, told The Herald the cancellation was a joint decision between
the two groups after the Armenian musicians decided not to participate.

"I have received nothing but encouragement in my handling of the
innate complexities involved in such an event," Izmailyan wrote
Monday, "including from individuals who believed that this event was
inappropriate at this time and with the given circumstances."

Izmailyan wrote that the musicians pulled out of the concert because
many members of the Armenian community expressed concern about the
"potential misuse of the event." The musicians "did not wish to
participate in an event that the Armenian community was not united
behind," he wrote.

Izmailyan added that he was the only person who spoke to the musicians
about their decision to withdraw from the concert.

SPIRITISM EVENING TO BE ORGANIZED AT U.S. CONGRESS ON APRIL 24

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 10 2007

WASHINGTON, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A spiritism
evening which will be dedicated to the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide will be organized in the Capitolium of the United States on
April 24.

This all-Armenian event will be held jointly with the Armenian Embassy
to the United States. During the event U.S. former Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans will perform as the main speaker.

The Armenian Genocide already for few years was marked at the Congress
on the initiative of Congress Armenian Caucus head Frank Pallone and
Joe Knollenberg.