Author: Nalbandian Eduard

HAYPOST ANNOUNCES ILLEGAL STAMPS

Lragir
Aug 31 2007
Armenia

The Director-General of the Armenian Postal Service "HayPost"
CJSC informs:

HayPost CJSC has learned that in 2007 at least 51 different illegal
postage stamps have been printed, issued and are being sold both in
and outside the Republic of Armenia, which resulted in significant
losses for HayPost. HayPost has applied to UPU to invalidate these
stamps. Details on these stamps can be found at

These illegal stamps are issued in the name of "Armenia" and are
not a valid means for postage. HayPost CJSC strongly denounces and
condems this practice.

Any mail item that bears an illegal postage stamp will be immediately
confiscated by the Postal service, regardless its destination or
contents.

Currently, all post offices in Armenia have valid and official stamps
for postage in stock, and these stamps will be sold in the case of
clients need stamps to send letters or parcels.

Official and legal stamps bear the words POST and ARMENIA.

Any other postage stamp is considered invalid or illegal.

PROSECUTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE: NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON THE CASE OF MURDER OF LORI REGION’S PROSECUTOR

arminfo
2007-08-30 15:37:00

Nobody has been arrested yet on the case of murder of Albert
Ghazaryan, Prosecutor of Lori region of Armenia, the spokesperson of
the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office, Sona Truzyan, told ArmInfo
correspondent. Thus, she denied the information disseminated by some
local news agencies today that Garnik Gavuzyan, Director of Lori
department of ArmRosgazprom, a resident of the town of Vanadzor,
has been detained on the case of A.Ghazaryan’s murder.

To recall, on August 25, 12:20 am, Albert Ghazaryan, Prosecutor of Lori
region, 3rd rank Counselor in Justice, was killed near his house when
returning from his workplace. He was shot four times. The operational
search group found 4 bullets of "Makarov" handgun in the place of
murder. The place of the crime and A.Ghazaryan’s body were thoroughly
examined, forensic medical and forensic investigative examinations
are to be conducted. The case is under the jurisdiction of the
investigation department of the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office.

Criminal proceeding was instituted under Article 104, Part 2, Item
2 of RA Criminal Code (a person’s murder related to his official
activities or fulfillment of his public duty).

To note, unlike official sources, which prefer keeping silence about
possible persons that ordered this loud crime, rumors in the republic
emphasize the tense relations between Prosecutor of the region, Albert
Ghazaryan, on the one hand, and Mayor of Vanadzor, Samvel Darbinyan,
former governor of Lori, Henrik Kochinyan, and Director of the Vanadzor
branch of Haypost, Eduard Khlghatyan, on the other hand.

According to unofficial sources, the Public Prosecutor has recently
instituted several proceedings, in which the names of the above listed
officials and their relatives are mentioned.

GARA GARAYEV IS NOT ARMENIAN COMPOSER, RUSSIAN HISTORIAN CONFESSES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 27 2007

Russian historian Kiril Tomov, who introduced Gara Garayev as Armenian
composer confessed his fault, APA’s Eastern Europe bureau reports.

Professor of California University, historian Tomov confessed his
mistake in the response to the protest letter of Azerbaijani Shahla
Aliguliyeva working for OXFA organization.

"I am grateful to you for your opinion about my book and revealing
my mistake. This is a mistake. Gara Garayev is not Armenian, he is
Azerbaijani composer. I will try to correct the mistake in the second
edition of the book," he said.

Gara Garayev is introduced as an Armenian composer in the scientific
work about the Soviet composers by Tomov and in the famous Britanika
Encyclopedia.

FOURTH PAN-ARMENIAN GAMES FINISH IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Aug 27 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The fourth Pan-Armenian Games finished
in Yerevan on August 26. The teams from Yerevan won in the competitions
of basket-ball, volley-ball and football. The team of Stepanakert
was the first in the football tournament. Chess players Gor Virabian
(Nor Hatchn) and Diana Mnatsakanian (Abovian), table tennis-players
Murad Sargsian (Gyumri), Anna Poghosian (Yerevan), Hasmik Matevosian
– Tatev Yengibarian (Yerevan), and Alexandre Diarian (Stepanakert) –
Arshak Haroutiunian (Yerevan) couples received the championship title.

Hovhannes Davtian (solo games, Yerevan) and Haroutiun Saringulian –
Henrik Nikoghosian, Lusine Davtian – Ani Amiraghian couples (all from
Yerevan) were the best in the men’s tennis tournament.

The obvious leaders with the number of the gained medals are the
sportsmen from Yerevan: 36 golden, 22 silver, and 19 bronze medals.

Gayane Tunian (Yerevan, tennis) was recognized as the beauty of
the games.

The prize "Fair game" was handed to the volley-ball team of Los
Angeles. The team of Istanbul was recognized as the best sporting
delegatation of the Diaspora. The prize "Sporting soul and patience"
was given to the men’s basket-ball team of Kahire.

Serge Sargsian, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, was
awarded with the "Sign of Honor" order of the world committee of the
Pan-Armenian Games.

The closing ceremony of the games took place in the Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theatre after A. Spendiarian. A great concert
was organized in the Azatutiun (Freedom) square after the official
ceremony.

The fifth Pan-Armenian Games will take place in four years, that is,
in 2011.

ARMENIAN-CAPTURED SAMIR MAMMADOV’S PARENTS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE

Azeri Press Agency
Aug 22 2007
Azerbaijan

Armenian-captured Azerbaijani soldier Samir Mammadov’s parents today
held a press conference, APA reports.

Captured soldier’s father stated that they wrote more than 20 letters
since December 24, 2006, but they received only 5 response letters
through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Mammadov
said that they do not believe in the information the ICRC tells them.

"Coordinator of the ICRC representation in Azerbaijan Susanna Lopes
tries to convince us that Samir writes the letter. But it is not
Samir’s handwriting. Because Samir was taught Latin in secondary
schools, he could not write Cyril. On the other hand, we are sure
that Samir’s physical health is bad. ICRC recommends us that they
quote their Yerevan representation," he said.

Captured soldier’s mother Tarana Mammadova said that they were not
allowed to write their heart-felt words in the letter.

"They did not allow me to write him that "We are waiting for you".

ICRC called it a means of influence and they told us, "You are trying
to take Samir to Azerbaijan with these words. He has right of making
his own decision," she said.

The parents said that they will have meeting in the Working Group of
State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons
and Azerbaijani Ombudsman’s Office today.

The press service of the ICRC representation in Azerbaijan told the
APA the captured soldier’s parents visited the organization today.

The officials of the organization clarified the issues concerning
them. The parents were also informed about ICRC’s mandate. The
captured soldier’s parents were informed that they met Samir Mammadov
on August 14 for the last time and monitored his health and detention
condition.

"VAZGEN MANUKIAN CAN BECOME BEST COMMON CANDIDATE OF OPPOSITION FORCES," ARSHAK SADOYAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Aug 24, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, NOYAN TAPAN. "The participation of Levon
Ter-Petrosian, the first President of the Republic of Armenia, in
the 2008 presidential elections will only create a good opportunity
for Serge Sargsian to declare that he has been elected as a result
of fair elections." This opinion was expressed by Arshak Sadoyan,
the Chairman of the National Democrats’ Alliance, during the meeting
with journalists on August 24.

According to him, the common candidate nominated by the opposition
should assume the superintendance process of the elections. In the
opinion of the Chairman of the National Democrats’ Alliance, Vazgen
Manukian, the Chairman of the National Democratic Union, can become
the best common candidate of the opposition forces.

Arshak Sadoyan also mentioned that a number of parties and
non-governmental organizations are envisaging to apply to the European
Council and a number of international organization in the near future
with a suggestion to create an independent television for the purpose
of contributing to the development of democracy in Armenia. In his
words, the international organizations, which are interested in
democratic values, will be offered to initiate the hiring of a daily
one-hour ether by any TV channel spread throughout the territory of
Armenia before the creation of the above-mentioned television.

AN IMPRUDENT POLICY OF NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM

Azat Artsakh Daily
21-08-2007
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

According to the armenian representative, "The member-countries of
UNO , which are aware of the region, the essence of NKR antagonism,
find out that an imprudent policy can be harmful for the negotiative
process", said the armenian representative in UNO Armen Martirosian
in the agenda of 62nd session of General Assembley. According
to A. Martirosian, the representatives of the USA and France
on last days during the meetings with him, assured once again,
that they will protect the draft which will be acceptable for
Armenia. In any case, the question has entered into the agenda of
the session. There weren’t radical changes in the mood of the rest
member-countries. The overwhelming majorit of the member-countries
of UNO find the enterprise not suitable. The armenian representative
works with the member-countries of UNO for finding mutual, acceptable
solutions. Officially any enterprise hasn’t been put into circulation
yet, only 4-5 working enterprises have been represented which ,
according to A. Martirosian, are not acceptable for Armenia, also
for the member-countries of Minsk group.

Only the decisions of General Assembley of UNO are of advicing
importance, from the legal point of view they don’t assume any
compulsion.

By *Associated Press*
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Anti-Defamation League yesterday reversed itself and called World War
I-era killings of Armenians a genocide.

ADL director Abraham Foxman’s statement that the killings of Christian
Armenians by Muslim Turks "were indeed tantamount to genocide" came after
weeks of controversy. The ADL had called the deaths of up 1.5 million
Armenians an atrocity, but stopped short of saying it was genocide: a
planned extermination.

Last week, heavily Armenian Watertown withdrew from the ADL’s "No Place
for Hate" program. The ADL fired New England regional director Andrew Tarsy
after he agreed the killings were genocide. Acton and Newton were mulling a
break with the ADL, and several Jewish groups signed a letter urging the ADL
to acknowledge the genocide.

Foxman would not comment on whether Tarsy would be rehired.

James Russell, professor of Armenian studies at Harvard University,
said evidence of the Armenian genocide is overwhelming. He said the word
"genocide" was invented in the 1940s by a lawyer looking for a legal term to
describe the Armenian killings.

"The word was invented to describe what had happened to the Armenians
in the first place," he said. "If there’s any ambiguity there, then the
Declaration of Independence might as well be considered a British royalist
document."

State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown) said she was "relieved and
heartened and glad." Asked if Watertown would re-establish its ties to the
ADL, she said, "The dust has to settle on this."

Source: cleid=1018359

City of Newton, Massachusetts
Office of the Mayor

August 21, 2007

Mr. Abraham Foxman, Executive Director
Anti Defamation League
605 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10158

Dear Mr. Foxman,

I write this letter on behalf of the citizens of the City of Newton,
Massachusetts – home to the largest Jewish population in the state and a
"No
Place for Hate" community since the program’s inception – as we stand with
Israel, and with our Armenian brothers and sisters. There is no uncertainty
that more than 1.5 million Armenians were summarily displaced and marched to
their deaths by the Ottoman rulers in the early 20th century – a genocide.

I am in full support of the actions taken by the New England Regional Board
of the ADL, and its Executive Director Andrew Tarsy in recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. I am also in full support of the legislation introduced
by U.S. Representative Adam Schiff calling on the United States to formally
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The recognition of the Armenian Genocide is an important step along the path
of peace and freedom, and crucial in combating other genocides now and in
the future. As history has shown, failure to recognize atrocities of the
past leaves open the possibility of violence in the future. In fact it was
Hitler himself who, when contemplating the Holocaust said: "Who, after all,
speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" The Armenian Genocide is
a tragic fact of history, and failure to recognize it as such does a
disservice to people all over the world who have suffered from
discrimination and injustice.

Since its inception in 1913, the Anti Defamation League has been a forceful
advocate for tolerance and justice throughout the world. I am calling on you
to stay true to your mission, "To secure justice and fair treatment to all,"
by providing your support of the Armenian people around the world.
Specifically, I call on you to reverse the national ADL position and
recognize the World War I genocide perpetrated against the Armenian people.
Furthermore, I call on you to reinstate Mr. Tarsy. With these two acts, you
can ensure that people around the world will continue to look to the Anti
Defamation League as a beacon of hope and justice and as an intractable
barrier to intolerance and hate.

I believe that this is a defining issue, and the manner in which ADL
resolves it will determine whether Newton continues as a "No Place for Hate"
community.

Sincerely Yours,
David B. Cohen

Source: er.pdf

Statement on Armenian Genocide

8/18/07 — The following statement was released by the JCRC on
behalf of Nancy K. Kaufman, Executive Director and James Segel,
President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
concerning the current controversy in Boston between the ADL and
Armenian Community:
The Jewish Community has had a warm and collegial relationship with
the Armenian community in greater Boston for many years. The Jewish
Community Relations council of Greater Boston released the following
statement on April 21st 2005 in commemoration of the 90th anniversary
of the genocide.
"Today we join together with the Armenian community remember the
darkest chapter of Armenian history, when, in 1915, the Ottoman Empire
initiated a policy of genocide that continued until 1922. More than one
and a half million Armenian men, women and children were systematically
murdered and the survivors scattered around the world.
The Armenian genocide represented a failure of the international
community to intervene aginst the worst possible crime, the destruction
of a people. We must never forget the Armenian genocide and maintain
our guard against those who deny its occurrence."
In light of the current controversy between the ADL and the Armenian
community, we stand by that statement and applaued the N.E. Regional
chapter of the ADL and its Director, Andrew Tarsy, for their bold and
unprecedented action of standing up to their national body. We stand
with them and in support of the local Armenian community which has
always recogznied the Holocaust and been with us each and every year to
commemorate it.

© 2007 Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.
ws/august-2007/statement-on-armenian.html