Author: Nanijanian Alex

COURSE DE LENTEUR A L’ASSEMBLEE A PROPOS DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Patrick Roger

Le Monde, France
19 mai 2006

Memoire Proposition De Loi

C’EST une sorte de course contre la montre qui devait decider, jeudi 18
mai, du sort de la proposition de loi deposee par le groupe socialiste
de l’Assemblee nationale visant a sanctionner la negation du genocide
armenien (Le Monde du 2 mai). Pas sûr, en effet, que le temps imparti
a cette seance d’initiative parlementaire suffise a faire voter le
texte. Et le president de l’Assemblee nationale, Jean-Louis Debre,
defavorable a cette proposition, et qui a decide de presider lui-meme
la seance, entend veiller a ce que les debats traînent suffisamment
en longueur pour l’eviter.

Dans ses deux ” niches ” parlementaires des mardi 16 mai et jeudi
18 mai, le PS a, en effet, demande l’examen de trois propositions de
loi. La matinee de mardi n’a pas suffi a terminer la discussion de la
première, portant sur l’insertion des jeunes dans l’emploi. M. Debre,
qui avait deja pris les renes de cette seance, a laisse tout le temps
necessaire aux orateurs pour developper leurs arguments. Le ministre
delegue a l’emploi, Gerard Larcher, a pris pas moins de cinquante
minutes pour repondre aux intervenants.

Au cours de la seance de jeudi matin, outre la fin de l’examen du texte
sur l’insertion, etaient inscrites une proposition du socialiste Paul
Quilès (Tarn) elargissant les pouvoirs du Parlement et celle sur la
negation du genocide armenien. Le president du groupe socialiste,
Jean-Marc Ayrault, a demande par lettre rectificative, mercredi
après-midi, d’inverser l’ordre de passage des deux textes.

M. Debre a refuse.

La proposition visant a penaliser la negation du genocide de 1915
soulève pourtant d’ardents debats. Qui traversent l’ensemble des
forces politiques et divisent aussi bien le PS que l’UMP. Oppose, au
depart, a l’idee de soumettre ce texte a la discussion, le president
du groupe socialiste, Jean-Marc Ayrault, a dû se ranger a la demande
du premier secretaire du PS, Francois Hollande, qui en avait fait la
promesse a ses homologues armeniens. Nombre de deputes socialistes
restent neanmoins reserves sur cette initiative. Jack Lang, depute du
Pas-de-Calais, y voit ” une derive electoraliste pas très heureuse,
qui va renforcer en Turquie le camp de ceux qui freinent la reflexion
sur l’Histoire “. ” Je voudrais ne pas voter ce texte “, ajoute-t-il.

” QUESTION SENSIBLE ”

Du côte de l’UMP, les clivages ne sont pas moins marques. Une centaine
d’elus du groupe, emmenes notamment pas Richard Mallie et Roland
Blum, deputes des Bouches-du-Rhône, où vit une forte communaute
armenienne, ont cosigne une proposition de loi identique a celle
du PS. Ils souhaitent, en debat, joindre leurs suffrages a ceux de
leurs collègues socialistes, mais aussi de l’UDF et du PCF, egalement
favorables a cette proposition. Le groupe UMP, majoritairement,
a estime qu’il n’appartient pas au legislateur de s’immiscer dans
ce qui relève de l’Histoire. Le debat sur le ” rôle positif ” de la
colonisation a laisse des traces douloureuses.

L’Elysee, de plus, a ouvertement critique cette initiative. Mercredi,
l’entourage de Jacques Chirac en a appele a l'” esprit de
responsabilite ” sur cette ” question sensible “. Le chef de l’Etat
s’est entretenu de ce sujet, recemment, avec le premier ministre
turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, qui menacait la France de sanctions
commerciales en cas d’adoption du texte. Le ministère du commerce
exterieur a adresse a chaque depute un document recensant les contrats
industriels en cours ou en projet en Turquie qui risqueraient d’etre
remis en question. ” Un lobbying très mal vecu par les deputes “,
denonce M. Mallie, qui ne desespère pas d'” une heureuse surprise “.

–Boundary_(ID_xG8ruKI8UQhqKuoBlGiz5A)–

ARMENIA HAS NOT RECOGGNIZED THE GREEK GENOCIDE

A1+
[04:16 pm] 19 May, 2006

In 1922 the Turks killed about 300 thousand Greeks but Armenia has
not yet recognized the Genocide which causes the confusion of the
Greeks living in Armenia.

The Greek Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia
refused to speak about the non-recognition of Armenia of the Greek
Genocide. Ambassador Panayota Mavromikhali mentioned that the question
must be given to the Armenian Parliament. As for the Armenian Genocide,
he said, “History is a fact which cannot be erased. Genocide is a
fact and the only thing we can do is to speak about it loudly and
struggle so that it won’t be repeated again.”

Head of the Greek community in Yerevan Frontik Nikolaidi thinks that
in case of uniting the Armenians and the Greeks can be a power against
the denying policy of Turkey. “We have had the same history. Both the
nations have suffered from the blood-thirsty Turkish yataghan. So
every year on May 19 we come to Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to
the victims.”

According to Nikolaidi there are about 1800 Greeks in Yerevan,
and about four thousand in the whole republic. Many of them came to
Tsitsernakaberd today together with the staff of the Embassy.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

18-05-2006

Minister Oskanian participated at 116th session of the Council of Ministers
of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian is in Strasbourg to participate
in the 116th session of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

This marks the fifth year of Armenia’s Council of Europe membership, and the
first since the passage of the Constitutional Referendum which has made
possible the signing of the 13th Protocol of the European Convention of
Human Rights on abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.

Minister Oskanian addressed the Council in French and spoke about democratic
processes, democratic reforms and in that context, he raised three issues:
He said, “First, even as there is a momentum the world over toward adopting
democratic processes which assure the development of free societies where
freedom of expression is an essential component of life, the Turkish
government has become more and more aggressive in denying the Armenian
Genocide abroad and criminalizing its discussion at home. As a result, there
is a natural response to such denial in some of our member countries, to
attempt to legislate against all denialist efforts. The irony is that the
Turkish government considers this a travesty of freedom of speech and
expression while sustaining their own right to punish their own citizens who
use the term.”

The Armenian Foreign Minister also addressed issues of human rights. “I can
only wish that the ideas and ideals of Europe came automatically with
membership. Perhaps then I would not be here today to mourn the
irreversible, irrational, intentional destruction of a medieval Armenian
cemetery on the territory of Azerbaijan. Thousands of massive, unique stone
sculptures which had survived through centuries are no longer there. A
cemetery has been wiped out and the hillside has been turned into a shooting
range. This destruction is a blatant attempt to wipe out traces of Armenian
presence on those lands.”

Finally, in addressing the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution, the
Minister said, “Upon membership, Armenia and Azerbaijan made a commitment to
see a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. There are
positive elements in the negotiations process in which we have been involved
over these last several years, but that can produce results only if the
parties understand – and clearly declare – that they don’t have a military
option here. Europe offers a new context for negotiation, regional
cooperation and post-war reconciliation. This is the Europe – the place of
peace and cooperation – to which our two countries belong.”
In the framework of the Ministerial, Minister Oskanian met with Thomas
Hammarberg, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.

On the evening preceding the Ministerial meeting, a special informal
gathering, hosted by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, featured former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, Special Envoy of
the UN SG for the Future Status Process for Kosovo.

AZERI, BRITISH STUDENTS PROTEST AT LOP-SIDED KARABAKH FILMS

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

A series of films on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno
Karabakh screened in a British educational institution have stirred
a scandal.

According to AssA-Irada, the tension escalated after an influential
London-based university held an event on Tuesday dedicated to the
causes underlying the long-standing dispute and ways of solving it.

The attending Azeri, Armenian and European students were presented
with six films featuring the Karabakh war.

Half of the movies screened were acquired from Armenia and
the other three were presented as films directed by Azerbaijani
cinematographers. However, after the films were shown, it turned out
that all of them served Armenian interests.

The films authored by Armenians featured gruesome developments
and showed Azeri soldiers allegedly committing atrocities against
Armenians.

The films shot by Azerbaijanis, on the contrary, portrayed humanism
and tolerance of Azerbaijanis toward Armenians. It is astounding that
these films did not feature the devastated Azeri towns and villages,
destroyed historical monuments and mosques, as well as the vicious
Khojaly massacre committed by Armenians, and just showed the occupied
territories.

The Armenian-authored presentations described the development of
Karabakh and its forging ties with Europe.

Azerbaijani students, joined by their British classmates, protested at
the injustice. They further appealed to the university administration,
saying the films were one-sided and served propaganda purposes.

Nagorno Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as part of
Azerbaijan, has both Azeri and ethnic Armenian population. It was
occupied by Armenia in early 1990s, along with seven other Azerbaijani
districts, after large-scale hostilities that killed up to 30,000
people and forced over a million Azeris out of their homes.

The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but peace talks have been
fruitless so far and refugees remain stranded.

ARMAVIA ACQUIRES NEW A-319 PLANE

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 18, the airline Armavia
acquired a A-319 plane of the Airbus company on leasing. The plane
was manufactured in late 2004, in the French city of Toulouse,
and was operated for a year – from 2004 to December 2005 by the
CIT company (U.S). According to Armavia’s press release, prior to
being sent to Armenia, the plane underwent technical servicing in
Mexico. This 134-seat plane has 8 business class seats and 126 econom
class ones. Armavia has an A-320 plane, two A-319 and a YAK-42. The
company is conducting negotiations on acquiring on leasing a
70-75 seat CRG plane of U.S. production. According to the press
release, all medium-term and long-term projects of Armavia are in
force. Particularly, work is underway to open Yerevan-New York-Los
Angeles and Yerevan-Milan flights.

ZORAVAR ANDRANIK’S MUSEUM TO RE-OPEN IN YEREVAN ON MAY 27

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On the eve of the Republic’s Day, May 27,
Zoravar Andranik’s museum will re-open in a private residence near
the Komitas Pantheon. It will act on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the
private house. The museum re-opening is initiated by “Electromekar”
OJSC Chairman Ilyich Beglarian who, by the way, is a poet and author
of 17 books as well. I.Beglarian founded Andranik’s museum in this
building still in 1995. But then, the building was privatized, and
the museum was closed. I.Beglarian bought the building from the owner
by his financial resources and recostructed it as well as completed
the museum collection with new interesting exhibits.

FINAL AND MOVING-UP EXAMS TO START THIS YEAR IN SCHOOLS OF ARMENIA ON JUNE 12

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The academic year will end in
institutions of comprehensive education of Armenia on June 10. Final
and moving-up exams will be held in the 3rd, 8th and 10th forms of 1362
schools of the country from June 12 to June 28. As Narine Hovhannisian,
the Chief of the RA Education and Culture Ministry’s Comprehensive
Education Department informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, 3rd form
pupils will take the Armenian language exam on June 13, and the exam
on Mathematics on June 15. 8th form pupils will take three exams:
Mathematics (written) on June 13, the Armenian Language (reproduction)
on June 16, foreign language (Russian, English, French, German, Persian
or Spanish by pupil’s choice, orally) on June 19. The reproduction
theme of the Armenian language and the task for Mathematics will
be stated by radio, a half an hour before the exam. The examination
works of the 8th form pupils will be estimated by 5-points system. 47
thousand 10th form students of Armenia will take 6 exams 3 of which,
the Armenian language (on June 12), Mathematics (on June 15) and
Natural Sciences (on June 21) in written form. The exam on Natural
Science, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, will be held by pupil’s choice.

The task for the Armenian Language will be sent by the Ministry for
each of pupils in a separate envelope to schools, and the task for
Mathematics will be announced by radio. The exam on Biology will be
held by question card formed by the Ministry. School leavers will take
oral exams on the Armenian Literature, Armenian People’s History,
Physical Education and foreign language, English, Russian, French,
German, Spanish or Persian (by pupil’s choice) at school during the
period of time from June 12 to June 28, by the schedule fixed by the
pedagogical council. Written exams will be estimated by 20-points,
and oral ones by 5-points system. 8th and 10th form pupils will
take the exam on Physical Education at least 5 days earlier before
starting exams on other comprehensive subjects. 8th form pupils of
schools with deep teaching of Russia will also take all the exams
fixed by the Ministry, added Russian reproduction.

10th form pupils of same schools will also take all the exams fixed
for school-leavers, added exams on Russian dictation and Russian
Literature.

STATE COMISSION ON PRISONERS OF WAR, HOSTAGES AND MISSING PEOPLE REPORTS

Today, Azerbaijan
May 17 2006

The State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons
regards widespread recently in mass media by the coordinator of the
“International working group on release of POWs, hostages and missing
citizens” in Azerbaijan messages on arrest of the persons released
from captivity and, ostensibly, prosecution of relatives of the persons
sent to the third countries, as the action directed on public opinion.

The questions connected with citizens, taken in captivity as a result
of aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and sent to the third
countries (concerning their biographical particulars, addresses
of parents, the countries in which they are sent and so forth),
are known to the State Commission, other corresponding bodies, and
also parents. We inform, that the said persons, quite possibly, were
sent to the third countries with their consent according to norms of
the international humanitarian law. Parents of the persons taken in
captivity were pursued in connection with the fact of their sending
to the third countries neither by the State Commission nor other
corresponding bodies, and now such steps are not undertaken. We remind,
that according to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, close
relatives of any person who have made this or that act, cannot be
pursued and made answerable. The Azerbaijan Republic with respect
concerns to the supreme principles of law and human rights and
protect them.

We inform, that from 1381 persons taken in captivity and hostages as
a result of aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and released
subsequently, only 20 persons have been involved in the criminal
liability. The specified persons have been punished not in connection
with the fact of capture and hostages, and for the concrete criminal
actions accomplished in captivity against the Azerbaijan Republic
and its citizens.

The majority of the mentioned persons have been arrested not after
release, but later some years when their criminal actions have come
to light. If the given persons and their relatives were pursued,
they would be arrested right after release from captivity. In spite
of the fact that it was informed on the appeal to the Commission on
pardon in connection with release of arrested 7 persons, nevertheless,
the Commission has informed, that the given question was not discussed.

The State Commission cooperates with some international organizations,
including the “International Working Group on Release of POWs,
Hostages and Missing Citizens in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict”, IWG, created in 1997, while carrying out of search work
and performance of other problems it faces, realization of activity
in Armenia and on our occupied lands.

IWG is managed by Bernhard Clausen (Germany), Svetlana Gannushkina
(Russia) and Paata Zakareishvili (Georgia) with financial support
of the German Fund of Henry Bell. The State Commission positively
estimates the objective approach of IWG co-chairman from Germany
Bernhard Clausen to search work and the questions connected with
destiny of the missing, and the work done by them for achievement of
result. At the same time, IWG coordinator for Azerbaijan satisfies
only with the statements calculated on public opinion, trying to
build its work in the given context. Its divergence is shown since
2001 when it has started to work as the coordinator.

It causes concern that during his group visit to Armenia and on
the occupied Azerbaijan territories he does not lift the questions
connected with citizens of Azerbaijan fact of capture and hostages
of which is known, and we consider, that during the said visits his
work was limited only to support of co-chairmen. It is obvious from
IWG reports covering the given period. During cooperation the State
Commission prefers observance of ethic standards, reminding at the
same time that it is proxy to make objective estimation to any act
pursuing the purpose to confuse public opinion, AzerTAg reports.

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CBA CHAIRMAN: ECONOMIC JOURNALISM INSTITUTE NOT DEVELOPED IN ARMENIA YET

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 16 2006

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Institute of economic journalism has not
developed in Armenia yet, as the head of the CBA Tigran Sargsyan
said during interview with “ARKA” News Agency. He finds that it is
conditioned with the fact that in times of Soviet Union there were
no such independent and effective institutions.

“Today the exacting market decides and determines itself analytical
products worth paying. Development of professional economic journalism
is at a top important stage, in the process of which objective analysis
and demand appears in the market, Sargsyan said.

In his words, especially thanks to this gradually appear professional
economic journalists.

He emphasized that the CBA intends to put forth all efforts to
development of the sphere of economic journalism.

GRAPEVINES DAMAGED BY ABOUT 70%, AND TREE FRIUTS BY 30% IN ARMAVIR MARZ

Noyan Tapan
May 16 2006

ARMAVIR, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Prior to April 1, the peasants belived
that the harvest had been saved from frost, whereas now they are sure
that as a result of a drop in temperature they have lost everything
they expected. NT correspondent reported from Armavir that the
residents of several communities of Armavir marz say confidently
that the grapevines were harmed by about 70%, tree fruits – by 30%
and greenhouse plants – by nearly 50% by the frost. Head of the
Agricultural Department of the Armavir regional administration noted
that a commission has been set up to assess the damage done in the
shortest possible time. “Just imagine the state of a poor peasant
who has been waiting for the harvest for a whole year, pinning his
hopes on it as a means to make his living, not to mention the loans
taken for agricultural work and 2-3 drams for each seed,” the peasants
said. “Naturally, this year too the frost will be followed by uncertain
promises to provide aid,” they continue, adding that they know by
the experience of previous years that a bag of flour or wheat does
not matter much. The villagers are facing another problem as well:
the nitric fertilizer, which the government promised to provide to
them as aid at prices lower than the market price and for which they
paid in January, has not yet been received. NT was informed from
the Armavir regional administration that the fertilizer is being
brought into the marz stage-by-stage, and the distribution is behind
the schedule. According to the same source, in all likelihood, the
next consignement of fertilizer is expected to be tarnsported to
the marz next week and will be distributed to communities, then –
to farms. “Now we have no other thing to do but to cultivate gourds
and melons, hoping that this time they will not be damaged by hail
or drought,” the peasants said.