Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

"A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. A JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

AZG Armenian Daily
02/04/2008

Genocide

Margaret Anhert is to present her "A Knock at the Door. A Journey
through the Darkness of the Armenian Genocide" book at Cambridge and
the Harward Internjational Research Center on April 23. The stories
of the author’s mother spread light on the struggle of the Armenian
people in the most horrible period of its existence. The event is
organized by the Armenian Union of Harward and the National Center
of Armenian Studies and Research.

STRANGE APPROACH

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
April 01, 2008

The Ago group submitted to the Foreign Minister a package of proposals
aimed at "regulating the situation". The proposal consists of 6
points and contains no single word on the obligation of the parties
(clearly, the conversation in particular case is about the opposition)
to recognize the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the election
results. On February 19, John Prescott, member of the Monitoring
Commission and Head of the CoE Observation Group, clearly defined
this obligation as a priority.

How come that the approach enshrined in the draft document was
not included in package consisting 6 proposals? Has the monitoring
commission changed its attitude or is the issue on a different plane?

PER SYORGUEN yesterday actually avoided answering this question of
"Hayots Ashkharh". "All the political forces must have a platform
for discussions. We say, ‘Do form such platform!’ There is an agenda,
there is a format and there are a number of pivotal issues that need
a solution. The decision of the Constitutional Court is, of course,
one of those issues … But the most important thing is to initiate
a dialogue so as it will be possible to achieve reconciliation and
find a way out of the existing difficult situation," he said.

INFLATION MAKES 4.8% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-MARCH 2008

Noyan Tapan
April 1, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, NOYAN TAPAN. 4.8% inflation was registered in
Armenia’s consumer market in January-March 2008, with inflation making
1.4% in March on February, which had a direct impact on the notable
rise in prices of some goods.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, food commodity prices
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) grew by 1.8% in March
on February 2008. The overall price level remained unchanged in the
nonfood commodity market, while tariffs of services increased by 1.1%
in the indicated period.

Growth tendency of bread, flour, butter and vegetable oil prices
continued in the country. The indicated foodstuffs make up 13.91%
of the consumer basket and have an overall inflation of 7.8%. They
contributed by 1.08% to the overall growth of consumer prices in
March. Without the price changes of these foodstuffs, the consumer
price index would have made 100.3% instead of 101.4% registered in
the indicated period.

The consumer price index made 104.8% in March 2008 as compared with
December 2007, including the index of food commoities (including
alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) – 106.5%, of nonfood commodities –
101.1%, of service tariffs – 103.7%. The consumer price index made
109.6% in March 2008 on March 2007, including that of food commodities
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) – 113.1%, of nonfood
commodities – 104.7%, of service tariffs – 105.7%. The same indices in
January-March 2008 on January-March 2007 made 107.9%, 110.7%, 104.5%
and 104.5% respectively.

The consumer price index in March 2008 as compared with 2005 made
117.7%, including the index of food commodities (including alcoholic
drinks and cigarettes) – 123.7%, of nonfood commodities – 106.1%,
of service tariffs – 113.3%.

CRISISWATCH N°56, 1 APRIL 2008

International Crisis Group
=5368&l=2
April 1 2008
Belgium

Eight actual or potential conflict situations around the world
deteriorated in March 2008, and four improved, according to the new
issue of CrisisWatch released today.

Early results of Zimbabwe’s 29 March presidential, parliamentary and
municipal elections were strongly disputed, underlining the risk that
escalated repression and unrest may follow but also highlighting
the possibility of positive change. As CrisisWatch went to press,
reports suggested President Mugabe was under pressure from close
associates to resign and/or negotiate a transfer of power.

Protests in Tibet turned violent on 14 March and unrest spread to
Tibetan-populated areas of neighbouring provinces, prompting the
deployment of thousands of police. Casualty numbers were difficult
to verify after foreign media access was heavily restricted; Beijing
said there were 22 deaths, while the Tibetan government in exile
said over 140. In Kosovo, violence in Mitrovica and Belgrade’s push
for partition underscored the fragility of the post-independence
situation. Hundreds were killed in Iraq after the government mounted
a major operation against Shiite militias operating in Basra, with
serious clashes also in Baghdad and cities across the south.

The situation also deteriorated in Armenia, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan), North Korea, and Somalia.

The situation improved in Cyprus as President Christofias and Turkish
Cypriot leader Talat met in Nicosia for the first time, where they
agreed to open the Ledra border crossing and begin preparations for
formal reunification talks. In Pakistan, new Prime Minister Yousaf
Raza Gilani ordered the release of several members of the judiciary,
including former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, amid a relatively
peaceful political transition after February’s elections. In the
Comoros Islands, the government, backed by African Union troops,
restored control over rebel-held Anjouan island quickly and with
little resistance. The situation also improved in the Taiwan Strait
following the election of Ma Ying-jeou as President, who pledged to
improve relations with China.

For April 2008, CrisisWatch identifies Zimbabwe and Nepal as both
Conflict Risk Alerts and Conflict Resolution Opportunities. It also
identifies Cyprus and Uganda as Conflict Resolution Opportunities.

MARCH 2008 TRENDS

Deteriorated Situations Armenia, China (internal), Democratic Republic
of Congo, Kosovo, Iraq, Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan), North Korea,
Somalia

Improved Situations Comoros Islands, Cyprus, Pakistan, Taiwan Strait

Unchanged Situations Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola,
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Basque Country (Spain), Belarus, Bolivia,
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Chad, Chechnya (Russia), Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt,
Ethiopia/Eritrea, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India
(non-Kashmir), Indonesia, Iran, Israel/Occupied Territories,
Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Macedonia, Mali,
Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar/Burma, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria North Caucasus
(non-Chechnya), Northern Ireland (UK), Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somaliland (Somalia), Sri Lanka,
Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan,
Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zimbabwe

APRIL 2008 OUTLOOK

Conflict Risk Alerts Nepal, Zimbabwe

Conflict Resolution Opportunities Cyprus, Nepal, Uganda, Zimbabwe

*NOTE: CrisisWatch indicators – up and down arrows, conflict risk
alerts, and conflict resolution opportunities – are intended to
reflect changes within countries or situations from month to month,
not comparisons between countries. For example, no "conflict risk
alert" is given for a country where violence has been occurring and
is expected to continue in the coming month: such an indicator is
given only where new or significantly escalated violence is feared.

–Boundary_(ID_p+8z/pOan2+IfnoD4kO/dg)–

MINISETR OSKANIAN RECEIVED THE DELEGATION OF THE AGO GROUP

armradio.am
31.03.2008 17:45

On March 31 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the delegation
of the Ago Group of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers
headed by Sweden’s Ambassador to the EU Per Sjögren.

Noting the regular meetings of eth Ago Group to Armenia and the
contacts with Armenian authorities, Minister Oskanian positively
assessed the effectiveness and usefulness of the cooperation with
the Ago Group of the CoE Committee of Ministers.

The interlocutors discussed the internal political situation in Armenia
after the presidential elections and the steps directed at restoring
concord among the society, attaching importance to conducting fair and
transparent investigation and the dialogue between political forces.

During the meeting the parties turned to the Karabakh issue,
underlining the necessity to continue the peace process.

–Boundary_(ID_7LdXVOTsblJs08nlCEj88g)–

The Armenian Weekly On-Line
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Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]

http://www.a rmenianweekly.com

The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 12; March 29, 2008

AYF Section:

1. ARF Youth Leaders Gather in Armenia

2. Orange County AYF Organizes Lecture on Kurdish Issues

3. AYF Announces New Summer Internship Coordinator

***

1. ARF Youth Leaders Gather in Armenia

>From March 20-23, an international conference of ARF youth, student and
junior organizations convened in the ARF Bureau’s "Krisdapor Mikaelian"
center in Yerevan. Close to 50 representatives took part in the conference,
including delegates from such regions as Armenia, Artsakh (Karabagh),
Russia, Germany, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Greece, South America, the
United States and Canada.
The main purpose of the conference was to evaluate the social and political
conditions of Armenians in the homeland and diaspora. More specifically, the
meeting sought to shed light on the current and future challenges
confronting Armenian youth throughout the world and to forge new strategies
for how to deal with them.
Some of the key issues discussed included the current internal and external
obstacles to Armenia’s development, the state of the traditional diaspora,
and the composition of more recent segments in the diaspora brought in by
the latest waves of Armenian emigration. These issues were discussed in the
context of what role young people can play to improve the conditions of
Armenian communities and how best to capture the progressive potential of
Armenian youth worldwide.
In order to realistically address these complex and multifaceted issues,
representatives attending the gathering each presented evaluations of the
most pressing issues affecting their respective regions, creating a broader
picture of the top-priority issues needing redress.
Caspar Jivalagian, chairman of the AYF-Western Region Central Executive,
served as the tivan of the meeting and facilitated much of the discussion.
"Although we were all gathered from different parts of the world, it was
interesting to find out how the general issues at the core for all of us
were so similar," said Jivalagian. "We all have to deal with many of the
same problems and coming together to exchange ideas on how to resolve them
proved to be extremely important."
As a means of resolving those issues deemed most critical, several proposals
were put forward by the conference. Some of the key decisions included
implementing new forms of news and information sharing, working and
expanding relations with other youth organizations around issues of common
concern, and reaching out to organize newer segments of each respective
community. Action plans for advancing these pan-Armenian issues and
timelines for their implementation were also adopted.
Although the delegates eventually returned to their respective locales, the
ties that were built throughout the four-day conference were another
indirect benefit of the gathering. "It was an amazing experience meeting
AYF-agans from all around the world and building such tight bonds with
them," said Jivalagian. "Although we had to part ways, I came back home
feeling truly inspired by the fact that we have such dedicated youth working
internationally for the same unified cause."
————————————- ————————————————– ———–

2. Orange County AYF Organizes Lecture on Kurdish Issues

SANTA ANA, Calif.-On March 9, the AYF Orange County "Ashod Yergat" Chapter
hosted a lecture on Kurdish issues featuring the director of the American
Kurdish Information Network (AKIN) and Kurdish-American activist Kani Xulam.
Over 50 local youth and community members turned out for the talk held at
the Orange County Armenian Center.
"I am honored to be a guest speaker for the Armenian Youth Federation of
Orange County," said Xulam. "As a Kurd, I wanted to do my share to bring the
two communities together. Our estrangement is new; our peaceful co-existence
is historical. Our recent enmity was, unfortunately, imposed on us. As
Kurds, we must acknowledge it. I was glad I got the chance to do so."
As the director of AKIN, Xulam resides in Washington, D.C., where he works
to foster Kurdish-American understanding and friendship. His work was
recently featured in the documentary "Good Kurds, Bad Kurds: No Friends but
the Mountains."
The lecture was comprised of three passages from talks given by Xulam in the
United States Congress, Johns Hopkins University, and the Naples Council of
World Affairs, followed by a question and answer segment with the audience.
Xulam’s lecture encompassed the current situation of Kurds in Turkey and the
Middle East, the Kurdish peoples’ struggle to survive, as well as
Kurdish-Armenian issues.
Before beginning his lecture, Xulam bowed to the crowd stating, "eight years
ago I appeared before my first primarily Armenian audience. The day marked
the 84th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I was asked to offer a
Kurdish perspective. I shared with the audience my thoughts on the difficult
topic. But before doing so, I did what came naturally, and that was I bowed
before the children of those who had met violent ends in the hands of the
Turks, and unfortunately, some Kurds. Today I want to repeat the gesture."
He went on to highlight the injustices committed towards the Kurdish people
by the Turkish government, outlining numerous examples of Turkish aggression
and acts of violence towards the Kurdish community. "They won’t let us count
ourselves, speak our language, raise our own flag, issue our own coin, or
call ourselves Kurds," Xulam explained. "They hate us, and in turn are hated
by us."
Xulam concluded by addressing the Kurdish role in the killing of Armenians
during the Armenian genocide. "We were wrong to do the bidding of our
masters who have now become our oppressors," he said. "We are not shy to ask
for forgiveness. We hope the Turks will do the same. Hopefully, our children
will have a brighter future than our grandfathers and grandmothers."
—————————— ————————————————– —————-

3. AYF Announces New Summer Internship Coordinator

For over 16 years, the AYF Summer Internship in Armenia has been providing
diaspora youth with the opportunity to travel to their homeland and build
ties with their counterparts in Armenia. In many respects, the strength of
this enduring program-the longest running of its kind-lies in its youth-led
character. From its very inception, it has been young people who have
organized, participated and run the program.
This year, the AYF-YOARF Central Executive has chosen another qualified and
experienced young activist to head the internship. They recently announced
that Garine Palandjian, an AYF member with a long track-record of activism
in the community and experience in Armenia, will serve as the coordinator of
the 2008 AYF Internship in Yerevan.
Originally from the Providence "Varantian" AYF Chapter, Palandjian has been
an active member of the AYF since she was 10 years old. Throughout her years
in the organization, she has served in many capacities including both as a
junior and senior executive, a junior advisor, and an instructor at Camp
Haiastan. By the time she was 20, Palandjian had also decided to join the
ranks of the ARF. Today, she lives in southern California and serves on the
Glendale "Roupen" AYF executive.
Her activism and involvement in the community eventually led her on two
separate occasions to Armenia, where she has traveled as both a volunteer
and student. In 2003, she herself took part in the AYF Summer Internship in
Yerevan and worked as an instructor at a local orphanage.
She traveled there once again in 2005, this time as a participant in the
Glendale Community College’s study abroad program. When the other students
in the program went back home, Palandjian extended her stay and secured an
internship within the Ministry of Education.
With her experience as a volunteer and background in the AYF, she is
confident that she can rise to the challenge and ensure that this year’s
interns gain the most from their experience. Palandjian explains that her
goal is to have the participants "see the country, get beyond the
stereotypes and immerse themselves in the Armenian culture."
She goes on to say, "I believe they will gain memories that will last them a
lifetime and experiences that they are going to share with their families,
friends and with the next generation."
In addition, she hopes to provide participants with the opportunity to
explore the critical issues facing the country and encourage them to think
about ways they can be a part of Armenia’s future. "This country has a lot
of potential to grow and diasporan youth have the ability to share their
ideas with the younger generation in Armenia," says Palandjian. "Together we
can all better Armenia."
She also stresses what a vital role the program plays in forging a closer
bond among Armenians in the homeland and the diaspora. "The importance of
having this program lies in its ability to link the gap between the diaspora
and Armenia," she insists. "Traveling to Armenia is not like going to
France or Spain; it’s more like a duty that all diasporan Armenians must
fulfill at least once in their lifetime."
As a program that is built on the foundation of youth such as Garine, who
are striving to not only visit Armenia but to give back to their homeland,
the AYF program is truly one of a kind.
For more information about the AYF Summer Internship in Armenia or to
download an application, visit or email [email protected].

TEST BY THE WIND
Editor’s column

Azat Artsakh Daily
Published on March 29, 2008
NKR Republic

In children’s hospital, for example, there was no the elementary fuel
engine, which could supply an electricity. In many objects there
were no elementary fire-prevention means: a shovel, sand, etc. At the
same time it is necessary to note farourably the help and actions of
military subdivisions and subdivisions of services of extreme
situations. The municipality’s potential, both technical and human, has
been mobilized operatively. Certainly, it is necessary to give due
also to the management of the republic. The same day the management, by
the head of the President, from early morning has got acquainted with
the situation in capital, having visited the objects of vital
importance, as well as the most suffered buildings and streets. Then
they have left for Martuni, Hadrut and Askeran regions. During the
conversation with the President B.Sahakian, on my question how did the
republic withstand the test of natural calamity, the President answered
: "Generally, it is possible to ascertain, that both the management of
the republic and corresponding institutions reacted operatively on such
unprecedented disaster. This rigid, even severe practical examination
revealed weak sides of all spheres of our activity. It revealed not
only economic and organizational omissions, but also our positive
achievements. I am satisfied with the actions of military
subdivisions,services of extreme situation and fire-prevention.. I’m
dissatisfied with a condition of communication:the question has been
arisen, why in such situations when an electricity is turned off, it is
impossible to take an advantage of a radio communication for
maintaining relations with population? It is inadmissible to leave
population alone with natural or other calamity. The authority is
obliged to support citizens, my decision is conditioned by it " to be
next to people either in capital, or in Martuni, or in villages. ¦The
most important for us is the moral-psychological condition of people,
it should not be depressed." "I operate and I shall operate
following this principle, namely: people should feel and trust, that
they are always in the focus of the authorities attention, in their
care – here I want to emphasize -in fair care of authorities… "
Then the President mentioned today’s the most urgent question. "The
care, attention and validity really appear only in conditions of
reciprocity. How much these principles are obligatory for the
management of the country, so they are obligatory for citizens. The
only difference is, that an initiative and first steps should proceed
from authority. At present it is mentioned, that some part of the
population, may be majority, incorrectly understand a role of the state
in questions of rendering assistance to citizens suffered from
disaster, basically this is restoration or repair houses’ roofings.
Even rich states are not available to take completely on themselves the
expenses on rendering assistance to those, who suffer from disaster
We are not a rich country, besides, we have military problems with the
neighbour state¦ So the state is obliged to support those, who are
dissatisfied. Prosperous farmers, rich men should not only hope for the
state, and are obliged to assist their neighbours. All these are
consequences of absence of ideological and propaganda activities with a
society. In a society a principle of SOCIAL SOLIDARITY should be
urgently input". "I must emphasize, – said the President in the
end, – that all responsible persons who are guilty for neglects towards
their direct duties, they will be fairly punished Especially it
concerns the building organizations, firms and officials. Till now I
cannot calm down from that fact, that the wind has torn down roofings
of those houses, which had been repaired the year, two or three ago,
and furthermore newly built buildings ¦ "

BOOK READING ENDED IN FAILURE

A1+
26 March, 2008

Today’s book reading at Northern Avenue was doomed to failure. Only
three people were able to read the books taken with them. The police
"spoilt" reading and detained about 60 participants of the so-called
"political" walking.

On learning the latest arrests Heritage Party MPs Armen Martirossian
and Larissa Alaverdian left for the avenue.

It is due to mention that Armen Martirossian’s father and Leader
of the Social Democratic Henchak Party Lyudmila Sargsian are among
the detainees.

To note: today people dispersed before policemen’s "interference."

TRAFFIC CEASED IN SEVERAL STREETS OF YEREVAN DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

ARKA
March 27, 2008

YEREVAN, March 28. /ARKA/. Traffic has been terminated in several
streets in downtown Yerevan due to construction of underground tunnel
connecting Abovian Park with Miasnikian Avenue and a transport nodal
point at the crossroad of Heratsi-Koriun-Nalbandian-Charents.

Driving from Koriun Street toward Heratsi is not allowed; instead
an alternative bypass route from Charents is suggested, the Yerevan
Municipality reported.

The route from Abovian Park to Heratsi Street will serve an alternative
for approaching Miasnikian Avenue from the Park.

During the construction the following public transport will operate
by altered routes – trolleybus N1, bus N9 and minibus N34, the
Municipality reports.

Under the government decree, the Yerevan Municipality is implementing
a number of major projects, particularly on construction of pedestrian
subways and on-land crossing.

REFUGEES’ APARTMENT PROVISION STATE PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN YEREVAN THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
March 27, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. It is already the 4th year a state
program under the title Apartment Provision of People Who Repressed
from Azerbaijan is implemented in Armenia. Apartment purchase
certificates are provided to refugees under the program. This year the
program will be implemented in Yerevan, for which 815m drams (more
than 2.6m USD) has been allocated from the state budget. As Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed by Gagik Yeganian, the Head of the
Migration Agency of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration,
the program’s beneficiaries of this year are 23 families living in
the student hostel in Yerevan, Moldovakan, 70.

Besides, according to him, the agency proposed the RA Ministry of
Urban Development involving other families as well in this year’s
program if possible. G. Yeganian said that the number of families
needing an apartment in Yerevan is nearly 1100. In total, nearly 30m
USD is needed to provide them with apartments.

It was also mentioned that the program has been already implemented in
the country’s regions. 900 out of 1200 beneficiaries of the program
have purchased apartments so far. And the rest 300, according to
G. Yeganian, have failed to purchase apartments yet for different
reasons. One of the reasons was that the certificate’s value
did not correspond to the prices of real estate sold in the given
territory. G. Yeganian said that the latters continue to be considered
program’s beneficiaries. Their problem will be solved in the future.