Author: Toganian Liana

SHOTS FIXED DURING THE OBSERVATION

A1+
[08:39 pm] 06 April, 2006

A radio monitoring of communication line was initiated by the mandate
of the OSCE representative Anjey Kasprshik on the Armenian – Azeri
border, in the section Idjevan – Ghazakh near the village Berkhaber
on April 6. During the monitoring works Anjey Kasprshik contacted
the OSCE representative in Azerbaijan. According to the RA Defence
Ministry data shots were fixed by the participants of the monitoring
from the Azeri side during the observation.

Summing up the results of the observation the Armenian side offered
the OSCE representatives to change the monitoring with the visual
observation of the communication line with the direct participation of
commanders, regional governors and representatives from communities,
but the suggestion was refuted by the Azeri side.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

MARCH 31 – APRIL 6, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS:

“PRESS CLUB+”: ARF “DASHNAKTSUTIUN” ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AND
CORRUPTION

11TH ATTEMPT OF “A1+” TO GO BACK ON AIR

ANNUAL REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE RELEASED

PARLIAMENT IS UNWILLING TO RECONSIDER RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC TV

THE SUIT OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER VS ARMAVIR MUNICIPALITY
SATISFIED

MDI CONFERENCE: AMSTERDAM MEETING OF SOUTH CAUCASUS MEDIA DECISION MAKERS

BROCHURE FOR THE “THIRD SECTOR”

“ARMYANKA” MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

“PRESS CLUB+”: ARF “DASHNAKTSUTIUN” ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AND
CORRUPTION

On April 4 fourth “Press Club+” talk show went on “Yerkir Media” evening
air.

The guests of Aram Abrahamian, program host, Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily,
were leaders of Armenian Revolutionary Federation “Dashnaktsutiun”. As
experts, representatives of NGOs were invited. The TV discussion was on
Armenian-Turkish relations and fighting corruption in Armenia.

Earlier, on March 28, second issue of “Press Club” was aired on “Yerkir
Media” TV. The representatives of media and journalistic associations of
Armenia discussed two hot topics: media coverage of interethnic problems;
strained relations of the Council of Public TV and Radio Company and RA
National Assembly, legally obliging the First Channel of the Public
Television to broadcast parliamentary programs on a concrete day and time.

It is planned that next Tuesday, April 11, at 21.00 representatives of the
Popular Party of Armenia will share their opinion at “Press Club+”.

11TH ATTEMPT OF “A1+” TO GO BACK ON AIR

On March 27 the deadline of the bids for the radio broadcast licensing
competitions expired. The competitions were announced by the National
Commission on Television and Radio on December 27, 2005. As it has been
reported, two vacant FMs of Yerevan – 90.3 and 90.7 MHz were introduced (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, December 23-29, 2005).

Among the applicants for the both frequencies is the founder of “A1+” TV
company, “Meltex” LLC. One more bid for each of the frequencies were
submitted by “Ulis Media” LLC on FM 90.3 MHz and “Radio Pro” LLC on FM 90.7
MHz.

The bids will be considered by the National Commission on April 7.

It is already the 11th attempt of “A1+” to go back on air. On April 2 it has
been four years since the TV company was deprived of air after refusal of a
license by the National Commission on Television and Radio. From 2002 up to
now, “A1+” has participated in all the TV broadcast licensing competitions
announced in Yerevan, and each time its bid was graded lower than the rest.
Similarly useless were its efforts to get access to at least radio air. On
February 14, 2005 based on the results of voting by the National Commission
members, “A1+” lost the competitions for two FMs of Yerevan (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, February 11-17, 2005). The appeals of the international and
local communities to the Armenian authorities for changing their politicized
attitude to the TV company also failed to influence the situation.

Meanwhile, recently (April 4) one of the high-ranking officials, Chairman of
RA National Assembly Arthur Baghdasarian said at the press conference:
“Personally, I miss “A1+” and want “A1+” to come back (on air – Ed.). I
think that’s all there is to say.”

ANNUAL REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE RELEASED

On March 30 International Press Institute (IPI), based in Vienna, published
its annual world press freedom review for 2005. Having studied the situation
in various countries, IPI concluded that “in virtually every region of the
world the media are engaged in a struggle to uphold their fundamental right
to report news”. Similarly to 2004, in 2005 journalism remained one of the
most dangerous professions: within a year, 65 journalists in 22 countries
were killed while on duty, including 23 in Iraq. Among the events mostly
influencing the freedom of press, IPI mentions the terrorist act in London
on July 7 and the political debates over the cartoons of Mohammad Prophet,
published by “Jyllands-Posten” Danish newspaper on September 30. Commenting
on the situation in general, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz notes: “A free
media has always been essential to democracy; however, 2005 saw a subtle
shift in this thinking and there is now a worrying political mindset that
views some of the media’s work as damaging to both the war on terror and
relations with Islam.”

In the section on Armenia, several cases of pressure on media and
journalists are cited. In particular, IPI refers to the continuous attempts
of the National Academy of Sciences to evict “A1+” TV company from its
premises, and that in 2006 the European Court of Human Rights will most
likely consider the suit on depriving “A1+” of air in 2002. The IPI review
also mentions the incident on the night of April 1 in Goris with the car of
Chief Editor of “Syunyats Yerkir” newspaper Samvel Alexanian burnt down.

International Press Institute also paid attention to the constitutional
reform in Armenia. The IPI review quotes the July 13 joint statement of the
seven journalistic organizations (Yerevan Press Club, Journalists Union of
Armenia, Internews Armenia, Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression,
Investigative Journalists, “TEAM” Research Center and “Asparez” Journalists’
Club of Gyumri – Ed.), which criticized the provisions of constitutional
amendments on the freedom of expression and media. In particular, it is
about inadequate guarantees for independence of the National Commission on
Television and Radio, regulating private broadcasting, and the absence of
the provisions on the formation of the Council of Public TV and Radio
Company. The IPI review runs that Media organizations on July 27 released
another joint statement, criticizing the July 21 Final Opinion of the
Council of Europe Venice Commission, which positively evaluated the latest
version of the draft of constitutional amendments, proposed by the Armenian
authorities. The review emphasizes that journalistic organizations believe,
“The Commission’s proposals on the freedom, independence, and diversity of
mass media are flawed and cannot put in place the necessary guarantees of
freedom of speech in Armenia.”

PARLIAMENT IS UNWILLING TO RECONSIDER RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC TV

In media discussions on the relations between the Council of Public TV and
Radio Company and RA National Assembly continue. As it has been reported,
the Chairman of the Council of PTRC Alexan Harutiunian sent a written
address to Speaker of the Parliament Arthur Baghdasarian with a proposal to
reconsider the Rules of Procedure of RA National Assembly. According to the
latter, the Public TV (the PTA First Channel – Ed.) is to broadcast
parliamentary programs on a concrete day and time fixed by the National
Assembly. In the opinion of the head of the Council of PTRC, this legal
obligation creates a contradiction with the charter of the European
Broadcasting Union, of which Public TV and Radio Company has been a full
member since July 2005. Namely, there is a violation of the principle of
editorial independence and the right to use the air on their own discretion
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 17-23, 2006).

The letter of the Chairman of the Council of PTRC was considered at the
meeting of the Speaker of Parliament with the representatives of
parliamentary factions and groups. At the meeting it was decided that there
will be no amendments to the Rules of Procedure of RA National Assembly as
to the broadcasting of the parliamentary programs.

In the interview to “Aravot” daily (March 28, 2006), titled “The NA Forces
Want Promotional Privileges for Themselves?”, Alexan Harutiunian reminded
that the necessity to reconsider the legal provisions is conditioned not by
his personal initiative but by the requirement of the Constitution and the
European criteria of press freedom. “The deputies admitted that they are
against this proposal since elections are coming, and this argument meets my
statement that there is a gross violation of our editorial independence. It
is unacceptable that any political force, moreover a state body, attempt to
legally endorse their own privileges on air not only of the Public but also
any other TV company”, head of the Council of PTRC emphasized. Alongside
this, Alexan Harutiunian proposed new solutions. In particular, he thinks
that the relevant amendments to the law may be introduced already today,
specifying, however, that they will be enforced after the elections. He also
expressed willingness to make an agreement with the National Assembly even
right now for broadcasting the parliamentary programs under the same
conditions as stipulated by the law, so that the current restrictions be
removed from the NA Rules of Procedure.

At the April 4 press conference, National Assembly Speaker Arthur
Baghdasarian explained the decision of the parliamentary forces not to amend
the Rules of Procedure also proceeding from the “international experience”.
“In particular, the rules of procedure of Moldova, Lithuania, Italy and
other countries clearly stipulate for the manner of broadcasting the
parliamentary agenda. (…) It would be fine if we had our own TV channel,
similarly to Russia, France and other countries. However, considering that
this is pre-election year, and all types of talks, debates and speculations
are likely (…), we unanimously decided not to return to this problem”,
Speaker of RA National Assembly said.

THE SUIT OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER VS ARMAVIR MUNICIPALITY
SATISFIED

On March 21 the court of primary jurisdiction of Armavir region satisfied
the suit of the Freedom of Information Center versus Armavir Municipality.
The court obliged the city administration to provide the information
requested by this NGO. In the request filed in October 2005, the Freedom of
Information Center asked the Armavir municipality to give the copies of the
decisions, adopted by the Council of Aldermen in the second quarter of 2005
(April-June), including the annual budget and the financial report on the
execution of the budget in the second quarter of 2005. Having received no
response, Freedom of Information Center appealed to the court in February
2006. The respondent did not attend any of the three sessions (March 8, 15
and 21).

MDI CONFERENCE: AMSTERDAM MEETING OF SOUTH CAUCASUS MEDIA DECISION MAKERS

On March 28-29 in Amsterdam, South Caucasus media decision makers conference
was held. It was organized by the Media Diversity Institute (MDI), based in
London, under a three-year project “Minority Empowerment and Media
Development in South Caucasus”, which is implemented by this
non-governmental organization with the support of the European Commission
and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Support to the event was
also rendered by a number of Dutch NGOs (De Balie Cultural Center, European
Cultural Foundation, Mira Media, Press Now), IREX-Azerbaijan, Open Society
Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia, Open Society-Georgia Foundation.

At the conference, the results of the monitoring of Armenian, Azerbaijani
and Georgian media coverage on various minorities and socially vulnerable
groups were presented. The two-year research (2004-2006) was conducted by
MDI, jointly with the partner organizations of the three countries,
including the Yerevan Press Club. The participants of the event discussed
the role of public service broadcasting in reflecting diversity, the issues
of freedom of expression and political/religious/ethnic/racial sensibility,
prospects for joint regional media initiatives in the South Caucasus.

BROCHURE FOR THE “THIRD SECTOR”

A brochure “How to Build Relations Between Public Associations and Media?”
was issued. Its author is Levon Barseghian, the Chairman of the Council of
“Asparez” Journalists’ Club of Gyumri. The book offers practical advice for
the representatives of NGOs on collaboration with media, organizing and
holding of events for public awareness, including also the data on the
Shirak media and journalistic organizations in Armenia. The brochure is
developed by the order of the School of Civil Society, with the support of
ICCO Dutch NGO.

“ARMYANKA” MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

On April 6 at the Journalists Union of Armenia the presentation of a new
Russian language magazine for women “Armyanka” was held. The Chief Editor of
this monthly colored edition is Narine Baghdasarian. The first issue has a
circulation of 4,000 copies on 62 pages.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN

Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

DASHNAKTSUTIUN MANEUVRING BETWEEN POWER PLANT AND GAS PIPELINE

Lragir.am
05.04.2006

The government of Armenia has not answered the question how close to
the rumors on transferring the fifth generating unit of the Thermal
Power Plant of Hrazdan or 45 per cent of the Iran-Armenia pipeline
to Russia are reality. This helps the political forces of Armenia,
including the national political forces to avoid expressing an
opinion on another attempts of “property exchange” with Russia. This
opportunity was used by the leader of the faction of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Levon Mkrtichyan as well, whom the reporter
of the Lragir.am asked to express opinion about the possible deal.

“When these rumors are confirmed or refuted, we will express our
opinion,” answered Levon Mkrtichyan. But he does not seem to mind
this exchange, at least the leader of the political force viewed
the problem on an economic plane, underlining the pipeline and the
thermal power plant from the very beginning.

“You know the problem is the following if it is a question of
investment. If we cannot build the thermal plant for years on,
and now the opportunity arises, it is important what type of a
business project it is. It does not matter if Iran, Russia or the
United States builds it. It is a problem, as such. Let us not forget
that the other four generating units belong to Russia, and we cannot
manage to build the fifth generating unit this year, if you remember,”
said Levon Mkrtichyan. He has a similar opinion about transferring
the shares of the gas pipeline to Russia. That is, he also thinks
that everything depends on the manner. “One should know for sure to
be able to comment,” declined to comment Levon Mkrtichyan.

SITUATION QUIET IN TSALKA

Armenpress
Apr 04 2006

TSALKA, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS: A-Info news agency operating in the
southern Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti that has a predominantly
Armenian population, said the situation in Tsalka where a group of
Svans (ethnic Georgians) attacked on March 9 and stabbed to death a
23-year-old Armenian man, was now quite.

It said local Armenians expecting a fair trial of several men of this
group arrested on charges of killing the Armenian man. A-Info also said
the Council of Armenian Organizations of Javakheti has become more
vigilant now and avoids any provocative actions. It particularly did
not react to some non-member organizations’ calls to stage a rally
on March 16.

Tsalka, population 22,000, is predominantly populated by ethnic
Armenians and Greeks. Up to 2,000 Azerbaijanis also live there. In
the early 1990s, the Georgian government moved a group of ethnic
Georgians (about 2,500, mainly Ajarians and Svans), to Tsalka after
a devastating landslide in their native mountainous villages.

Tsalka is also close to the predominantly Armenian-populated
Samtskhe-Javakheti locality, which is considered a “complex region”
because of the presence of a Russian military base and increasing
demands for political autonomy by some local Armenian groups. Clashes
between ethnic Georgians and the Greek-Armenian community in Tsalka
have been reported for several years, nevertheless, Georgian officials
continuously argue that the conflicts in Tsalka have no ethnic context
and represent mostly “communal violence.”

SYSTEM OF A DOWN TO LAUNCH THREE-DAY WASHINGTON, DC CAMPAIGN FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 04 2006

LOS ANGELES, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Serj Tankian
and John Dolmayan of the Grammy Award-winning band System of a Down
will travel to Washington, DC on April 24th for a three-day campaign
to urge Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and other Congressional
leaders to end their complicity in Turkey’s ongoing denial of the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
reported. On the evening of Monday, April 24th, the group members
will join with the ANCA and Armenian Youth Federation in leading a
grassroots demonstration outside the gates of the Turkish Embassy
in Washington, DC. The Turkish government, through its Embassy
in Washington, spends millions of dollars each year to bully,
threaten, and blackmail the U.S. government not to recognize the
Armenian Genocide. The band members will devote Tuesday, April 25th
to providing interviews to the political media in Washington, and,
in the evening, hosting a Congressional screening of “Screamers,”
a new documentary by filmmaker Carla Garapedian about the band’s
worldwide campaign for Armenian Genocide recognition. On Wednesday
April 26th, System will meet with key Members of Congress to urge
them to allow a vote on legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
and will participate in the annual Capitol Hill commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide. This event, now in its 11th year, is regularly
attended by over 30 Members of Congress, diplomats, ethnic community
leaders, human rights activists, genocide prevention advocates, and
Armenian Americans from across the country. Congressional legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.316 / H.Con.Res.195 /
S.Res.320) has broad bipartisan support, but has been blocked from
coming to a vote by Congressional leaders, despite the fact that,
five years ago, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert promised to allow
Members to vote on this human rights measure. In September of last
year, Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan from the band traveled to the
Speaker’s hometown of Batavia, Illinois to lead a rally urging him to
allow a vote on the Armenian Genocide legislation. During the rally,
Tankian delivered a personal and powerfully worded message calling
on the Speaker to do the right thing, and stressing that “historical
truths should never be denied in a democracy – especially one with
such a proud heritage of freedom.” Speaker Hastert has it in his power
to accomplish one of System’s goals – official U.S. recognition of
Turkey’s destruction of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. By
allowing Congress to vote on this legislation, Speaker Hastert can
end U.S. denial of this crime and open the doors to justice – to
the restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of
genocide. By continuing to block a vote on this legislation, Hastert
effectively joins in the denial of this crime against humanity, and the
denial of justice to an entire nation. The members of System of a Down,
Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, John Dolmayan and Shavo Odadjian, who
are of Armenian descent, all personally lost family members and family
history to the Armenian Genocide. “Because so much of my family history
was lost in the Armenian Genocide,” said Malakian, “my grandfather,
who was very young at the time, doesn’t know his true age. How many
people can say they don’t know how old they are?” Tankian, Dolmayan
and Odadjian all identify their grandparents’ memories as the only
links they have to their respective family heritages, as most of their
families were obliterated during the Armenian Genocide. “It’s important
for people to be aware of the Armenian Genocide,” explained Tankian,
“and that those actions continue to be covered up by the Turkish
government, the U.S. State Department, Turkey’s allies in the defense
and oil industries, and by our present U.S. Administration. Had the
Armenian Genocide been acknowledged as a Crime Against Humanity as
it was, Hitler might not have thought he could get away with the
Jewish Holocaust. History does and will repeat itself, unless we stop
that cycle.”

MAJOR DETROIT ARMENIAN BENEFACTOR KARL SOGOIAN PASSES AWAY

AZG Armenian Daily
04/04/2006

The Detroit Armenian community was saddened on Saturday, March 11,
by the loss of the prominent Armenian benefactor Karl (Kaloust)
Sogoian, who died after a long illness at Beaumont Hospital in a
Detroit suburb at the age of 80.

Karl Sogoian was an ingenious individual and very original in his
thinking. Thanks to his precocious intelligence he was able to excel
in his studies and he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the Detroit Institute of Technology.

He was the son of immigrants from Kharpert, in Armenia and he was
born in Detroit. For over 50 years he had been an active leader and
innovator in the engineering and manufacturing field and he developed
a number of successful industrial projects, in addition to operating
a precision manufacturing company, which he founded in the high tech
machining industry, serving such major customers as General Motors,
Detroit Diesel Corporation and the U.S. military complex. One of the
examples of many successful patents is the hydraulic door closer in
common use for over 40 years in buildings around the world. He also
held many patents of mechanical innovations and he was always hopeful
that he would implement them to be able to better serve his community.

Karl Sogoian was a respected businessman in the Detroit manufacturing
world and many challenging mechanical problems were directed to him
and he was able to solve them, thanks to his ingenuity in mechanical
engineering.

Karl Sogoian’s interests were many and varied. Besides his work as an
innovative engineer and industrialist, he was a pillar of the Armenian
Church and the Armenian community. He was respected throughout the
Detroit Armenian community, and his munificence extended to many
Diaspora communities, as well as Armenia. His philanthropic deeds
are well known worldwide as they relate to humanitarian causes and
alleviating human suffering.

Similar to his unique talent in his own profession, Sogoian was a
very original thinker in community life, and he had developed his
own philosophy of serving the Armenian community. He would be ranked
as the most ecumenical benefactor throughout the Armenian community
because he never directed his philanthropic endeavors to one single
organization or group.

Regardless of their affiliation all religious and cultural
organizations benefited from his charitable activities. That is why
he became a patriarch, in a way, on the path of Alex Manoogian, who
was his close friend and associate in many relief projects. One of
his major concerns was the Church unity. As a respected benefactor
he pleaded, reasoned, and sometimes chided church leaders in his
relentless pursuit of unifying the Church. In his mind the Armenian
Church was one and indivisible, and that is why he treated with equal
respect all church entities and all clergy.

Karl Sogoian also developed many scenarios in helping to resolve
problems facing independent Armenia, which is surrounded by hostile
nations. He had an obsession to develop certain strategies and to
appeal to world leaders to attract attention on Armenia’s plight. One
of his significant feats was to meet Soviet President Gorbachev’s
wife in Washington, D.C. and present a Slavonic Bible to generate
awareness of Armenia’s needs among the Soviet hierarchy. His contacts
with the world leaders were featured in the news media at the time.

Probably his most passionate interest outside of his work was the
pursuit of world peace. He had written “Thunderbolt to National
and International Forced Behavior NOW!” and “Thunderbolt AGA”, a
paper detailing plans for the Caucasus region to become an economic
unit. He presented his plan to the top officials at the United Nations
in New York City in 1997. He had also sent copies to political and
church leaders in all the major countries represented in the United
Nations. He traveled extensively, identifying humanitarian projects and
financing them to completion. Some of the projects he had undertaken
are as follows:

He rebuilt a school for 400 students in Karabagh. He was very proud
in financing generously the building of an impressive church in
the region of Vayk in Armenia, inhabited by 75,000 parishioners. He
also funded projects at the headquarters of the Armenian Church at
Etchmiadzin and Cilicia.

As an art lover, Karl Sogoian was an avid collector of ancient
Armenian manuscripts and artifacts and he prided himself for having
acquired major paintings by Aivazovsky and many other prominent
Armenian painters whose works he treasured dearly, and at times he
generously donated to major Armenian organizations and museums as
gifts. Although he admitted that his proficiency in reading Armenian,
let alone ancient Armenian texts was limited, he had a knack of
selecting choice manuscripts for acquisition. That is how he became
the proud owner of one of Sargis Pitzak’s masterpieces.

Many artists and intellectuals who would visit from Armenia benefited
from Mr. Sogoian’s generosity, extending his reputation also among
the intellectual circles of Armenia.

Karl Sogoian was also a collector of Americana. He was known for
his glass and historic gun collection and he was very knowledgeable
in those areas. He knew how to delicately preserve his guns and
glasses apart.

The Detroit Armenian churches especially were the major beneficiaries
of his generosity. Both St. John’s Armenian Church and St. Sarkis
Armenian Church were able to acquire new organs, thanks to Mr. and Mrs.

Sogoian’s generosity.

Karl Sogoian’s respect and admiration went far beyond the awards he
was accorded. The honors bestowed upon him were as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Karl and Emma Sogoian were honored with the titles of
Prince and Princess of Cilicia by the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias
in 1996. He was also awarded the medal of St. Gregory the Illuminator
in 1999 by the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians at
the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. In 1996 he was also awarded the Sarafian
Medal by the Armenian Student’s Association. On many, many occasions
Karl Sogoian was honored by the Armenian Relief Society, by the Tekeyan
Cultural Association, by Hamazkayan Cultural Society, Cultural Society
of Armenians from Istanbul, Detroit Institute of Arts, Pierpont Morgan
Library in New York, Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, the State of
Michigan and the United Nations in New York. He was among the list
of distinguished Armenians who received the prestigious Ellis Island
Medal of Honor in May of 2001.

Karl Sogoian leaves an entire community in bereavement. He will
be missed because of his straightforward ideas, his innovative
leadership, his wisdom and above all, his kindness. Many, many
artists and intellectuals who would visit from Armenia benefited
from Mr. Sogoian’s generosity, extending his reputation also among
the intellectual circles of Armenia.

Karl Sogoian always said that he could not have accomplished what
he had, without the help and support of his caring and loving wife
and close business associate for over 45 years, Emma Sogoian (nee
Tabibian), who is the President and major stockholder of the Royal Oak,
Michigan based K.P. Sogoian Manufacturing, Inc.

Karl Sogoian will be missed by many, many people who are devastated
by his loss.

I INQUIRED ABOUT THE MATTER AND CLARIFIED IT FOR MYSELF
Levon Tokmajian Sculptor, academic

Yerkir.am
April 01, 2006

Recently you can hear on TV and radio or read in the newspapers
that illegal facilities are built on top of different buildings
belonging to art workers unions. The Armenian Artists’ Union was
not an exception. Construction works have started in the exhibition
halls. As a member of the Artists’ Union for forty years, I feel pain.

I am upset by the changes that have occurred after the collapse of the
Soviet system. Even though the art workers’ unions were established
based on socialist ideology they played an important role in developing
arts: they contributed to the organization of exhibitions and sale
of the artists’ works, they organized various trips for the artists,
allocated apartments and studios to them. In other words, they did
everything possible to encourage and unite artists.

Today nothing is left except the buildings and the exhibition
halls. The administration, the secretariat, the departments and
the president of the Artists ‘ Union are also left from the past. A
natural question arises: is it worth to preserve a structure that
does not function? Yes, the exhibition halls were demolished with
the intention of building new ones. I visited the construction site
because people call me from newspapers and TV asking what is going
on at the Artists’ Union.

I met the architect of the design Ruben Azatian and found out
that a construction company called “Renga” has arranged with the
administration and the secretariat of the Union to build a three-floor
building in the location of the exhibition halls. The basement
floor will host a cafeteria, the first and second floors will have
exhibition halls and will belong to the Union while the third floor
will be used by the construction company as office space. This is
what is happening with the Artists’ Union. How will the Union benefit?

It will benefit because it will get more space to use as exhibition
halls.

Wasn’t it possible to request the consent of at least some of the
1000 members of the Union? Of course it was possible. Today people
make a big noise of this issue saying that everything was done in a
secret manner without informing the members of the Union.

Everything around us is being destroyed and sold. Poor artists,
they are trying to do their job as well as they can and then suddenly
someone calls them and asks, do you know what is going on in the yard
of the Artists’ Union?

What are they supposed to answer? Then once again the question arises:
what is the purpose of the existence of the Artists’ Union?

Of course, the painters and sculptors need exhibition halls to show
their works. Then why not create an administration of the exhibition
halls that would organize the exhibitions for artists? Today the whole
concept of the Artists’ Union has been modified. Life has changed,
relations between people have changed. Armenians, Armenian art and
Armenian artists have changed. But the structure of our Artists’ Union
has remained the same. This is the reason why we don’t know what is
going on around us especially in the yard of the Artists’ Union. Thanks
God, I inquired about the matter and clarified it for myself.

TRAGEDIES TEST FAITH, HUMANITY
By Rabbi Garry Loeb
For the Times Herald-Record

Times Herald-Record, NY
April 2 2006

Do not stand idle while your neighbor bleeds.

– Leviticus 19:16

As spring comes to Orange County, the days warm and lengthen,
birds sing, flowers and trees bloom. It is a sweet time. Two great
religious festivals mark this season. Christians celebrate rebirth at
Easter and Jews celebrate freedom at Passover. Yet for many of us,
our hearts and minds are turned to a faraway place, halfway around
the world to Darfur, in Sudan.

The genocide there mars our springtime. Hundreds of thousands are
dead. Millions have been driven from their homes into refugee camps.

The world has looked on, at first indifferently, then with grudging,
ineffective gestures. Slowly, we are beginning to respond with
real help.

Throughout the past month, members of the Monroe-Woodbury Clergy
Association have attempted to educate their faith communities about
Darfur. We represent a tapestry of religious traditions, but we are
united in our belief that the injunction from the book of Leviticus,
above, has real meaning.

Our clergy members have seen many world horrors in their lifetime:
the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the Killing Fields of Cambodia,
the slaughters in Bosnia and Kosovo, the mass murder in Rwanda.

In each of these cases people said, “We didn’t know! There was nothing
we could do.” People weep at memorials, shake their heads and wonder
how people could let such things happen.

What if, instead of mourning a new tragedy, we could prevent one?

Darfur has been called the first genocide of the 21st century. We see
it as a test of our faith and our humanity. At a time when religion
is often seen as the root of much misery and strife, we know that
religion can also bring people together and call to the best in us.

Our traditions give us the moral center and ethical strength to speak
out and teach. Darfur is an opportunity to make real the declaration
“Never Again!”

All across the country, Americans are raising their voices about
Darfur. On April 30, many of us will go to the nation’s capital to
march and urge our leaders to take strong, effective and urgent action.

In the Monroe-Woodbury area, congregants from our different
faith communities have written to our officials and government
representatives. We have worn pins, green bracelets and ribbons,
displayed banners and signs with the message “Save Darfur!” The work
continues and calls to all of us. We challenge all of you: What are
you doing about Darfur?

It is spring, a time of hope and new beginnings. Let’s give hope and
a new beginning to the people of Darfur.

Rabbi Garry Loeb, of Monroe Temple Beth-El, coordinates the Darfur
Project of the Monroe-Woodbury Clergy Association.

NO CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 31 2006

YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. No constructive opposition has been formed
in Armenia, RA Presidential Advisor for National Security Garnik
Isaghulyan stated, answering the questions of the “hot line” of the
“Golos Armenii” newspaper.

“The opposition has no alternative ideology, nor a clearly stated
program, but they are obsessed with the idea of changing power. This
may result in undesirable consequences,” Isaghulyan said.

According to him, the mass media have divided into two camps as well.

Some believe that everything is all right in Armenia, other see
everything in black colors, “and this all does not correspond to the
facts.” P.T. -0–

SABINE FREIZER: “NAGORNO KARABAKH IS NOT A ‘FROZEN CONLICT'”

Today, Azerbaijan
March 29 2006

Sabine Freizer, Caucasus project director for the International Crisis
Group, said March 28 in Washington that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is not a ‘frozen conflict’.

“There are still people being killed regularly,” she underlined.

As many as 19 people, including eight civilians, have been killed in
cease-fire violations over the past month, following inconclusive
peace talks in Rambouillet, France, she said. As many as 90 people
were killed in 2005, Trend repoted.

She said renewed warfare does not seem imminent but could be triggered
by “an unraveling” along the tense, heavily armed confrontation line.

Many of the Armenian-occupied towns outside of Nagorno-Karabakh have
been destroyed and would require substantial rebuilding, Freizer said.

The region is especially sensitive because of its geography. Renewed
military operations in Nagorno Karabakh potentially could involve
Russia, Iran, the Republic of Georgia and Turkey, Freizer said.

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