Author: Tavakalian Edgar

PRESS RELEASE
The Genocide Education Project
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 264-4203
[email protected]
www.GenocideEd ucation.org

Contact: Raffi Momjian – [email protected]

L.A. CITY ATTORNEY TEAMS UP WITH THE GENOCIDE EDUCATION PROJECT
4_13_2006a.htm

San Francisco, CA, April 3, 2006 – Education, art and politics came
together for the opening of the “iwitness” photo exhibit and The
Genocide Education Project’s teacher training workshop, co-hosted by the
Los Angeles City Attorney.

The “iwitness” exhibit by Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian, which runs
through the month of April, is a series of photographs of survivors of
the Armenian Genocide taken over the past ten years and accompanied by
testimony from the survivor represented.

Coinciding with the opening of the exhibit, The Genocide Education
Project held its second teacher-training workshop for Los Angeles
Unified School District teachers. Participants were exposed to the
dramatic and educational exhibit as well as the new lesson plan created
by The Genocide Education Project, which is based on the exhibit. The
lessons are available online at

After the workshop, participants and City Hall employees had the
opportunity to ask the artists questions about the exhibit. Armenian
students from St. Gregory Hovsepian School in Pasadena were also able to
attend the Q and A along with members of the Armenian community in
Southern California.

A post-workshop reception was held for City Hall employees, LAUSD
representatives, artists and exhibit guests, to reflect together on the
lessons of the day, and the importance of preserving the history of the
Armenian Genocide and the honor of its survivors.

###

The Genocide Education Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
that assists educators in teaching about human rights and genocide,
particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and distributing
instructional materials, providing access to teaching resources and
organizing educational workshops.

—
PICTURE CAPTION: “iwitness” exhibit at L.A. City Attorney’s office

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN NOT AT ALL AGAINST TERRITORIAL ENTITY OF GEORGIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 11 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The ARF
Dashnaktsutyun party is not at all against the territorial entity
of Georgia, and the strained situation in Javakhk is not absolutely
connected with activity of the Dashnsktsutyun. Vahan Hovhannisian,
the RA NA Deputy Speaker, a member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau
stated about this, answering a question of the “Hot Line” of the
“Golos Armenii” (Voice of Armenia) newspaper. According to Vahan
Hovhannisian, if the Georgian state is ready to give wide autonomous
rights to any national minorities (Abkhazians, Osetians), Armenians of
Javakhk who are law-abiding citizens of that country, deserve the same
attitude as well. “I think that Georgia, entering different European
structures, of course, must show European approach to the issue of
national minorities,” V.Hovhannisian stated.

Regnum, Russia
April 8 2006

Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline may not be sold (Armen Movsisyan)

Yerevan, 8 April 2006 (Regnum – website) – `Construction of
Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline is still not finished, and it is not yet
subject of economy, hence, it is not a joint-stock company, and it
has no stock, which is why it may not be sold,’ stated Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan. `I state it clear, the matter
concerns only 5th energy unit of Hrazdan TPS,’ he stressed,
commenting on OAO Gazprom’s information, published on the eve, but
corrected later, about achievement of agreement with the Armenian
government on gas prices and some other questions of energy
cooperation.

As it has been already stressed, within several hours OAO Gazprom
corrected information, already published by its Press Department, on
signing 25-years-long agreement with Armenian government, which
defined strategic principles of cooperation in gas-energy projects in
Armenian territory. In last version of news release, published in
Gazprom official web site, information, concerning Iran-Armenia
gas-pipeline, is completely excluded. In preliminary variant of news
release, sent to mass-media on April 6, it was mentioned the
agreement foresees ZAO ArmRosgazprom acquires Armenian government’s
40-kilometer-long Iran-Armenia pipeline, which is under construction
now, and 5th energy unit of Hrazdan TPS (Hrazdan-5). Also, in
accordance with the agreement, Armenian government engaged to charge
ZAO ArmRosgazprom with duties of customer to construct second section
of 197-kilometer-long Iran-Armenia pipeline. In the document’s new
version, only acquiring of Armenian government’s 5th energy unit of
Hrazdan TPS (Hrazdan-5) is mentioned.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 7 2006

RF FM HOPES FOR OSCE MG MEDIATORS’ INTERMEDIARY ROLE IN KARABAKH
SETTLEMENT

Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov hopes that
the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs’ intermediary role will help reach
accords in the Karabakh conflict, RF FM told journalists on the
outcomes of his meeting with RA FM Vardan Oskanyan, RIA Novosti
reports.
According to the Russian Minister, the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs
(Russia, the U.S. and France) are constantly elaborating proposals
that can be submitted for the parties’ consideration to make it
easier for the sides to continue the settlement process. `On obvious
reasons we do not go into detail, it is not our, but the parties’
property. However, I believe the Co-Chairs’ intermediary role will
help the conflict parties come to an agreement’, noted Sergey Lavrov.
RF FM believes `it is the key for the future settlement’.

Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
The Washington Daybook
April 6, 2006

ORGANIZATION: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
holds a discussion with Vahram Nercissiantz, chief economic adviser
to the President of Armenia, on “Armenia’s Economic Reforms.”

TIME: 12 noon

LOCATION: CEIP, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: 202-483-7600;

TYPE: Discussion (Revised)

COUNTRY: ARMENIA; ASIA;

SUBJECT: Foreign Affairs; ECONOMIC POLICY (90%); ECONOMIC NEWS
(90%);

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 7 2006

ARMENIA’S HIGHER SCHOOLS TO INTRODUCE CREDIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

YEREVAN, April 7. /ARKA/. Most of Armenia’s higher schools will
introduce a credit system of education in 2006-2007 academic year, RA
Minister of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsyan told reporters at a
workshop on the introduction of the system. According to him, this
transition will only concern the first-year students that will be
admitted to higher schools in 2006.
“The transition will start with pilot programs in higher schools that
have necessary conditions,” the Minister said.
Yeritsyan pointed out that the greatest expectation from the credit
system is the improvement in the quality of education.
He added that each higher school will be independent in introducing
the new system, and the terms will be set by the Academic Council.
Yeritsyan explained that the credit system is a mechanism of
appraising students’ work, particularly the attendance of lectures,
laboratory and practical training, examinations.
The Minister reported that pilot programs are currently under
implementation in four higher schools – Yerevan State University,
Yerevan State University of Linguistics, Yerevan Teachers Training
Institute, State Engineering University of Armenia and Agrarian
University of Armenia.
Yeritsyan added that the results of the programs will be summed up at
the end of the year.
On September 18, 2002, Armenia acceded to the Bologne declaration
thereby assuming a number of commitments, including the introduction
of the credit system in higher and post-graduate education. P.T. -0–

Armenian minister, Russian security supremo discuss ties

Arminfo
6 Apr 06

Yerevan, 6 April: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and
Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov discussed the current
level of relations between the two countries and prospects for their
development in Moscow last night.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed regional security, the
press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

Oskanyan also met the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Yuriy Merzlyakov, on 6 April. They discussed prospects for the
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

[Passage omitted: Oskanyan met Armenian entrepreneurs living in
Russia] The Armenian foreign minister is to meet Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov on 7 April.

BUILDING OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE IS A STRATEGIC DECISION

Panorama.am
13:24 05/04/06

Today the international scientific-practical conference “Iran: A
Glance from Armenia” started its work in Russian-Armenian (Slavonic)
University in Yerevan. As the RAU Armena Darbinyan mentioned in his
opening speech Iranian-Armenian relations have reached quite a high
level. According to his words one of the proofs is the building of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

“It’s an important economic and strategic decision which will allow
Armenia become a transit country for energy resources,” A. Darbinyan
mentioned. The RAU rector also emphasized that both sides have rich
cultural heritage.

In his turn the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Iranian Republic in Armenia Ali-Reza Khagigyan mentioned that there is
a great potential of development of economic and political relations
between Armenia and Iran.

The Deputy of RA Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan also had a
speech and wished that the economic relations reach the same level
as the political relations.

DRAFT BILL ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP INTRODUCED IN RA PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2006 00:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Levon Mkrtchian, National Assembly’s Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) faction leader and Armen Rustamian
introduced on Wednesday the concept of a draft law, which would grant
a dual citizenship right to foreign Armenians.

“During the Constitutional referendum, the ARF presented its view on
this issue and our support of the constitutional amendments stemmed
from this stance,” Armen Rustamian said. “The ARF has prepared a
concept that could become the base for further discussions.” He said
three key issues would be resolved: organizing of worldwide Armenians
to contribute in national goals; new possibilities for Armenia’s
strengthening; and protection of rights of Armenians around the world.

He noted that while working on the concept the international practices
were studied to make the law compliant with international laws also
put in balance the rights and obligations. Levon Mkrtchian, in turn,
said a group of professionals, including Constitutional Court Chairman
Gagik Harutyunian, worked at the draft law. The concept consists of 15
sections each of which is to become a chapter in the future law. “The
dual citizenship for Armenians stems from the unique situation the
Armenians have found themselves after the Genocide,” Mkrtchian said.

Rustamian and Mkrtchian spoke of the necessity to clearly define
the rights and obligations, including the right to elect and be
elected. The concept will be submitted to the National Assembly as
a draft law in the fall, reported Yerkir Online.

HUNGARIAN ATTORNEY REQUIRED TO SENTENCE RAMIL SAFAROV TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT

Yerevan, April 5. ArmInfo. As the advocate Nazeli Vardanyan reported
to ArmInfo, the Hungarian attorney required to sentence Ramil Safarov
to life imprisonment.

To be reminded that on February 19, 2004, in Budapest, R. Safarov
killed the sleeping Armenian officer Gourgen Margaryan by an ax and
tried to kill another Armenian officer Haik Makuchyan. The officers
were studying English language in Budapest. R. Safarov was arraigned
according to article 166.2 of Hungary’s criminal code (murder at
aggravating circumstances) which assumed imprisonment from 10 to 15
years or life imprisonment. The advocate Vardanyan represents the G.

Margaryan’s family interests in the court. The representative of
Armenia’s Defense Ministry Haik Demoyan also represents the Armenian
party. Andrash Vashkuti is the chief judge.

According to Vardanyan, the attorney required to sentence R. Safarov
to life imprisonment with a right to appeal for pardon in 30 years.

Commenting today’s publications in Azeri press concerning the fact
as if the attorney required to sentence Safarov to 30 years of
imprisonment, Vardanyan noted that these publications purpose their
aim to reassure the own society that the sentence will be lighter than
that the attorney had required. In his turn, the representative of
the injured party, the advocate Gabriela Kaspar required to sentence
Safarov to life imprisonment without a right for pardon.

Safarof himself was brief during the trial. He only repeated the
advocate application to conduct the fifth expertise (moreover,
according to the application, it must be conducted by a special
Commission) which was declined. The R. Safarov’s sentence will be
proclaimed on April 13.