Author: Nalbandian Albert

AGENDA – 17 AVRIL: A STORY OF PEOPLE IN WAR AND PEACE

CollectifVAN.org, France
April 5 2007

Vardan Hovhannisyan, 2006
Tuesday 17 April 2007 10.30pm-11.40pm

For his first documentary, Vardan Hovhannisyan returns to a subject
he reported on as a war correspondent: the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

How have the people fared since the shaky ceasefire of 1994?

Nick Fraser
Storyville Series Editor

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was a territorial dispute between
Armenia and Azerbaijan which arose around the time of the collapse of
communism in Russia. For a while it had some attention in the West –
then it was forgotten. But the participants never forget.

This is a first, eloquent and ultimately hopeful film made by a
filmmaker who was involved in the conflict as a war correspondent
– Vardan Hovhannisyan. He tracked down all the people he filmed
10 years ago in order to see how they had been affected. His film
footage is remarkable: it could come from the World War I. But then
maybe the essence of war – being bored, killing people, becoming
passionately attached to those people with whom you fight – never
really changes. That seems to be the message of Vardan’s terrific film.

US WARNS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVELING TO GARABAGH

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 4 2006

The US State Department has prohibited Americans from visiting the
Armenian-occupied Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and sent a special warning
to US citizens of Armenian descent. US citizens must refrain from
visiting Upper Garabagh and the occupied territories surrounding it,
as their security there cannot be guaranteed, says a special statement
of the State Departments consular bureau. The statement indicated
further that although a ceasefire agreement was reached in 1994, small
pockets of hostilities are still in evidence on the frontline. Since
military action is still underway, there is no consular service for
Upper Garabagh which US citizens could use, it said. Touching on the
crime situation in Azerbaijan, the State Department said that while
the rate of grave crimes is relatively low, the muggings and attacks
on foreigners have become regular.

Those traveling to Baku have to be prepared for assaults in any part
of the city. It is also recommended that visitors do not walk alone
after the fall of darkness and report all incidents to the police or
the US embassy.

VARTAN OSKANIAN HIGHLY APPRECIATED CIS’S INITIATIVE ON SENDING OBSERVERS TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.04.2007 17:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Acting Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
hosted CIS Executive Secretary, Chairman of CIS Executive Committee
Vladimir Rushaylo, currently in Yerevan preparing the observation
mission for the May 12 parliamentarian elections. Highly appreciating
CIS’s initiative on sending observers to Armenia, Vartan Oskanian
underlined the importance of conducting elections in accordance with
the highest international standards. The sides also highly appreciated
Armenia’s activities in CIS framework, particularly the deepening and
enlargement of humanitarian cooperation and Armenia’s constructive
participation during discussions over CIS reforms, the RA MFA Press
Office reports.

LAVROV SATISFIED WITH HIGH LEVEL OF RUSSIA-ARMENIA RELATIONS

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
April 4, 2007 Wednesday

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov "is satisfied with a high level
of relations between Russia and Armenia and effective cooperation
in international organisations." The Russian minister gave this
judgment to Russian-Armenian relations, summing up the results of the
negotiations with the Armenian leadership. Lavrov rounded off his visit
to Armenia on Wednesday and went on a working trip to Turkmenistan.

Upon arrival in Yerevan on Tuesday, the Russian foreign minister
held talks with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan and met
with President Robert Kocharyan on Wednesday. The visit of the
Russian minister is timed to the 15th anniversary of establishing
diplomatic relations between the two countries. The sides "stated with
satisfaction a growing dynamics of political dialogue, intensification
of trade and economic cooperation, noticeable progress in humanitarian
and interregional relations." The talks focused on the implementation
of the agreements the presidents of Russia and Armenia reached during
the Sochi summit last January.

The sides praised highly "the current level of bilateral cooperation in
all directions, which creates possibilities for expanding partnership,
and noted a high level of cooperation within the framework of the CIS
and the CSTO." During the negotiations a special emphasis was laid on
"improving bilateral cooperation within the framework of universal
and regional international organisations, particularly the UN, OSCE
and the Council of Europe."

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was given priority at the meeting between
the foreign ministers of Russia and Armenia. "The conflict pretends
to be called unique, as in the practical aspect the interests of
the United States, Russia and the European Union do not contradict
each other, and with the conflicting parties as well," Lavrov
emphasized. "The Minsk OSCE Group has drafted a concrete project,
which allows for loosing the knot, but the final say is with the
leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan." "We praise highly the efforts
the sides are taking to settle the conflict," the Russian minister
remarked. "Russia will be ready to act as a guarantor of agreements,"
Lavrov indicated. The ministers "noted the importance of continued
coordinated efforts to counteract international terrorism, transborder
organized crimes and other modern challenges and threats."

The sides "expressed mutual interests in further broadening of
Russian-Armenian multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership,
which promotes the development of integration processes in the CIS
states, acts as a substantial factor of maintaining peace and stability
in the Caucasus."

In Yerevan the Russian foreign minister visited the memorial to the
victims of genocide in Armenia. Lavrov laid down a wreath of flowers
to the memorial and planted a fir tree on the alley of honorary
guests. On Wednesday, the Russian minister spoke for students and
professors of the Yerevan State University, met with Catholicos of
the Armenian Apostolic Church Garegin II, and had a meeting with
Russian compatriots living in the republic.

The Russian foreign minister left for Ashgabat after his Armenian
visit. During his visit to Turkmenistan Sergei Lavrov is expected
to meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and his
Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov.

NATIONAL STRATEGIC PROGRAM OF EMPLOYMENT SPHERE WORKED OUT IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 04 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. One-day seminar on the theme "Social
Partnership in Armenia" dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the
"State Employment Service" was held in Yerevan on April 4. As Sona
Haroutiunian, the agency Chief mentioned, the law "On Social Defence in
the Case of Employment and Unemployment of Population" functioning from
January, 2006, had an essential role in the affair of implementation of
reforms in the employment sphere. He stated that a national strategic
program of the sphere of employment was at present worked out. It
will be presented to the RA Government’s adoption in 2008.

Anahit Parsadanian, the Chief of the Labour Market Analysis and
Foresight Department of the agency mentioned that as of March 1,
the level of unemployement in the republic made 7.2% what reduced 5%
as if compared with the same day of the previous year. In her words,
102.6 thousand people searching a job were registered at the agency in
the same month, and 1400 vacancies, mainly for workers’ professions,
were presented by employees during the month. 650 unemployed people
found work in January-February. Women made 56% of them.

STATE BUDGET FULFILLED WITH 20.9 BLN DRAM SURPLUS IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007

Noyan Tapan
Apr 04 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-February 2007, the RA
state budget (without the inflow of resources received under credit
programs financed from the foreign sources) was fulfilled by a surplus
of 20.9 bln drams (about 58.1 mln USD). The state budget was financed
in the amount of 20.1 bln drams from domestic sources of financing,
and in the amount of 759.8 mln drams from foreign sources.

According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, the state budget
was negatively financed by 1.9 bln drams at the expense of treasury
bonds (their issue made 6 bln drams, redemption – 7.9 bln drams). 433
mln drams was spent on redemption of promissory notes at the expense
of domestic sources of deficit financing. Available budgetary resources
increased by 17.8 bln drams.

In the period under review, 759.8 mln drams was allocated for payment
of foreign liabilities. This sum was allocated for payment of the US
commodity credit, as well as for payment of liabilities by a number
of programs implemented with the assistance of the World Bank.

In the first two months of this year, 957.5 mln drams was allocated
for servicing the state debt of the RA, which made up 43.5% of the
quarterly program.

557.2 mln drams was allocated for servicing the foreign debt, 400.3
mln drams – for domestic debt. Expenditures on state debt servicing
declined by 15.1% compared with January-February 2006.

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 4, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Attends Town Hall Meeting Hosted by CA Senator Jack Scott

GLENDALE, CA – Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) and its local ANC affiliates attended a
town hall meeting hosted by California State Senator Jack Scott
(D-21-Pasadena). The meeting took place on the evening of March 16,
2007 at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Glendale. The community forum was
attended by several ANCA-WR Board Members including Peter Musurlian and
Leonard Manoukian as well as current ANCA-WR interns Andre Arzoo and
Tina Avanessian. They were joined by Hollywood ANC Chairman Onnik
Keshishian.

Several local elected officials and community leaders also attended the
event, including Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kasskhian and Glendale
Community College Board of Trustees Member Vahe Peroomian as well as
Deputy Consul of the Armenia in Los Angeles Harutyun Kojoyan. During
the evening Scott addressed several issues of concern for the residents
of the district including education legislation and the rising cost of
higher education.

Scott also discussed the California-Armenia Trade Office (CATO) which
was established through legislation he authored in 2002. CATO was
established to promote international trade and investment between
California and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union,
particularly the Republic of Armenia in which it operates its overseas
office. The legislation, SB 1657, was the culmination of a three-year
grassroots effort by nearly a dozen local ANC chapters as part of its
efforts to promote greater and mutually beneficial relations between the
United States and Armenia.

The California Armenia Trade Office is operated by the Foundation for
Economic Development, a non-governmental, non-profit organization
contracted by the state. The FED’s newly appointed Executive Director
Johnny Nalbandian attended the event. He was joined by ANCA extern to
the FED, Hovik Harutyunyan. Harutyunyan has been working with the FED
as part of the 2007 Spring session of the ANCA-WR’s
Internship-Externship Program.

"We appreciate the fact that Senator Scott continues to reach out to his
constituents and the local Armenian American community to keep them
informed and to hear from us about important issues that affect us,"
said Manoukian.

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: California State Senator Jack Scott (D-21-Pasadena).

12 STRONGEST ARMENIAN CHESS-PLAYERS TO TAKE PART IN EUROPE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP TO START ON APRIL 3 IN DRESDEN

Noyan Tapan
Apr 02 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Men and women Armenian chess national
teams left for Dresden on April 1 to take part in Europe Individual
Championship.

Nine men (Karen Asrian, Gabriel Sargsian, Rafael Vahanian, Ashot
Anastasian, Artashes Minasian, Tigran L. Petrosian, Arman Pashikian,
Tigran Kotanjian, Zaven Andriasian) and three ladies (Lilit Mkrtchian,
Eline Danielian, Siranush Andriasian) are included in Armenian national
teams. The championship will start on April 3 and the games of last,
11th tour will take place on April 16.

The championship is of elimination character. 33 men’s and 13 ladies’
leaders will take part in world championship to be held at the end
of the year in Khanty-Mansiysk by knockout contest rules.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN YEREVAN ON TUESDAY

ARMENPRESS
Apr 02 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov
is arriving in Yerevan on Tuesday, April 3, for an official visit. In
Yerevan Lavrov will meet with president Robert Kocharian, foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian and will also travel to Etchmiadzin, 20 off
Yerevan, the residence of Catholicos, head of the Armenian Church,
where he will be received by Catholicos Karekin II.

Oskanian and Lavrov will also hold a joint briefing for journalists
right after they meet. Armenian foreign ministry said Lavrov will
also visit the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial to lay a wreath
at the monument erected to commemorate 1.5 million Armenians killed
in the last years of the Ottoman Empire at the hands of the Turkish
government.

On Wednesday Lavrov will meet with students of Yerevan State
University.

OPENING CEREMONY OF SURB KHACH CHURCH IS INSULT TO ARMENIAN
INDEPENDENT STATEHOOD, ARAM G. SARGSIAN FINDS

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The opening ceremony
of the Akhtamar Surb Khach (Saint Cross) church was an insult not only
to Armenians’ national dignity but also to the Armenian independent
statehood. Aram Gaspar Sargsian, the Chairman of the Democratic Party
of Armenia, a deputy of the National Assembly made such a statement at
the March 31 press conference. In his words, Turkey planned "to gain
from the church reconstruction" and gained by mastering, making
Turkish and distorting another monument of the Armenian culture, by
concreting the cross stones on the floor, taking out the cross from
the cupola of the church, decorating the church with Turkish flags and
Ataturk’s pictures.

In A. Sargsian’s words, that sacrilege was a consequence of
non-professional, inert and defensive style of activity of the RA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The DPA leader mentioned that the RA
Ministry of Culture, which did not warn its delegation sent on mission
how to act in the case of not forseen development of events, has its
share of sin in the happened. Seeing such a distortion of the meaning
of the Armenian church, in A. Sargsian’s words, the Armenian
delegation was "to organize a demarche and make speeches of protest."
The NA deputy stated that their party will address to the RA Foreign
Ministry, demanding to address a note of protest on the occasion of
the happened to the international community, particularly, to
Christian states.