Author: Toneyan Mark

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: SENSELESS TO SPEAK OF PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION
09.03.2005 02:54
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ â~@~There is no pressure exerted upon the
President by outer forces presently and such is not expected
in future. Consequently it is senseless to speak about the
Presidentâ~@~Ys resignationâ~@~], Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian stated. When commenting on the possible collapse of the
ruling coalition, the Prime Minister expressed assurance that there
are no preconditions for it, so it is groundless to create artificial
clamor around this issue. A. Margarian noted that during the period
of the coalition activity no single item of the Memorandum has been
violated. At the same time the Premier stressed that independently
of the positions occupied all the coalition parties are responsible
for the parliamentary activities. As for the statements of the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir parties on the â~@~joining of
authorities and crimeâ~@~], Andranik Margarian offered the parties
to present him the data available â~@~especially regarding such
kind of unions in the ministries and departments headed by them.â~@~]
–Boundary_(ID_BdeoQoWCaf6ntDIXBVLUlg)–

Honest George
By John McCaslin, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Washington Times
March 7, 2005 Monday
“The Wounded Warrior,” a new documentary produced by X-Back Pictures,
presents a strong parallel between the visions of Abraham Lincoln and
George W. Bush.
According to director Yervand Kochar, grandson of
communist-persecuted Armenian artist Yervand Kochar Sr., the film
proves Lincoln was the first president to lay down the doctrine of
spreading freedom throughout the world as a means for national
defense – “the doctrine known and revived today as the ‘Bush
Doctrine.’ ”
By a strange twist of destiny, the filmmaker adds, Lincoln expressed
his line of thinking on September 11, 1858.
Finally, the docudrama reminds that Lincoln was one of the most
despised presidents, was falsely accused of stealing elections,
divided and dragged the country in a war over the economy and
tariffs, and was proclaimed a social tyrant who violated the
Constitution and civil liberties.

Azad-Hye, Dubai
March 5 2005
Peace and Rest Service in Sharjah Armenian Church
You are invited to attend the Peace and Rest Service on Sunday 6th
March 2005 in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of
Sharjah (UAE) at 08:00 p.m.
At the Service the sermon will be delivered by Rev. Father Serop
Azarian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in Indian
Orchard Massachusetts (Eastern US).
After reading the following article you will know the meaning of: 1)
Great Lent, 2) Poon Paregentan, 3) Palm Sunday, 4) Peace, Rest and
Sunrise Services
In the tradition of the Armenian Church there are several fasting
periods that precede important feast, but the one preceding Easter is
called the Great Lent (Medz Bahk).
The Great Lent begins on the Monday following Poon Paregentan and
lasts for 48 days, that is until the day before the Resurrection of
Lazarus (Palm Sunday). Palm Sunday marks also the triumphal entering
of Jesus to Jerusalem (Opening of Doors, Trnpatsek).
The week following Palm Sunday is known as Holy Week (Avak Shapat)
and each day of that week, Monday through Saturday, is prefixed with
the word Holy.
In the Armenian Church, lent (fasting or abstinence) means to refrain
from all meat and animal by-products and to partake only of those
foods which are plants or grown in the earth.
What are the services that take place in the Armenian Church during
the Great Lent?
The Peace Service (Khaghaghagan), the Rest Service (Hanksdyan), and
the Sunrise Service (Arevakal) are performed more often during Lent
than at other times of the year.
Peace Service, performed in the late evening, contains prayers for
peace at the end of the day. Rest Service, which comes just before
retiring for the night, asks God’s continuing care through the night.
Sunrise Service, performed first thing in the morning, reminds us
that God is the giver of the light of the morning and the light of
salvation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanArmenian News
March 4 2005
TURKEY READY TO DISCUSS GENOCIDE ISSUE WITH ARMENIA BUT NOT DIASPORA
04.03.2005 13:48
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey cannot carry on pursuing the policy of the
Armenian Genocide denial, head of the parliamentary faction of the
Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Socialist Union of
Germany Wolfgang Bosbach during the event with the subject `How will
the dialogue with Turkey proceed?’ organized in Koln by the Union of
Turkish Democrats. The declaration by the leader of the German
opposition aroused indignation of the Turkish Prime Minister’s
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Cuneyd Zapsu. He stated that Turkey is
ready to discuss these issues with the representatives of Armenia but
not of the Armenian Diaspora. He also noted that there are many other
issues to be discussed thus trying to distract attention from the
topic of the Armenian Genocide. In response Mr. Bosbach asked, `What
other issues besides the Genocide can arouse during the dialogue with
Armenians? I wonder about the facts you can furnish for this
discussion. Do you think Germany would become an EU member and one of
the leading states without having recognized the Holocaust and
denying the fact of its history. In this case no single state would
maintain relations with us. If Germany acknowledges its history so
why cannot Turkey do that?’ Mr. Bosbach stated. After these words the
Turkish Prime Minister’s Adviser preferred to finish up the
discussion saying, `If our ancestors were so blood-thirsty, there
would not be any Christian left in Europe.’

ARKA News Agency
March 4 2005
Delegation of Latvian Seym to visit Armenia
RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan received the Chief Deputy
Commander of the North -Caucasus Military Unit
Coordinated actions will help to enhance efficiency of CIS
structures: Vladimir Rushailo
CIS observer mission needs reforming: Vladimir Rushailo
Informal Summit of the Presidents of the CIS states to be held in
Moscow on May 8
*********************************************************************
DELEGATION OF LATVIAN SEYM TO VISIT ARMENIA
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. A delegation of the Latvian Seym headed by
Speaker Ingrida Udre is to pay an official visit to Armenia on March
7. The Public Relations Department, Ra National Assembly, reports
that the same day the Latvian delegation are to hold a meeting with
Speaker of the RA Parliament Artur Baghdasaryan, Vice-Speaker,
Chairman of the Interim Commission for European Integration Tigran
Torosyan, members of the `Armenia-Latvia’ deputy group. The
delegation is also scheduled to hold meetings with RA President
Robert Kocharian, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Catholicos of
All Armenians Garegin II. The delegation members are to lay wreathes
to the Memorial to victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire
in 1915. P. T. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA MINISTER OF DEFENSE SERGE SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE CHIEF DEPUTY
COMMANDER OF THE NORTH -CAUCASUS MILITARY UNIT
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan
received the Chief Deputy Commander, Head of the Headquarter of
Troops of the North -Caucasus Military Unit, General -Lieutenant
Alexander Postnikov- Streltsov, as stated the RA Ministry of Defense
Secretary, Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan. In the course of the
meeting, Postnikov- Streltsov introduced the newly appointed
commander of the Group of Russian Troops in Transcaucasia (GRTT),
General-Mayor Alexander Bespalov to the Minister. Sargsyan expressed
his gratitude to the ex-Commander of GRTT Alexander Studenkin for his
good service and wished him further success. In the course of the
meting the parties discussed the current Armenian-Russian military
relations and touched upon the issue of introducing military duty,
battle readiness of forces, as well as the issue of providing
officers with housing. Sargsyan emphasized that `out relations
develop dynamically and well’.
According to the press-release, in the framework of the arrangements
devoted to the 60th anniversary Sargsyan, Vladimir Rushailo, the
Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, who is in Armenia, and
veterans accompanying them put wreaths on the Grave of the Unknown
Warrior. During the meeting organized in RA MFA Rushailo awarded
veterans gratifying letters and books. A.H. – 0 –
*********************************************************************
COORDINATED ACTIONS WILL HELP TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY OF CIS
STRUCTURES: VLADIMIR RUSHAILO
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. Coordinated actions will help to enhance
the efficiency of the CIS structures’ activities, Chairman of the CIS
Executive Committee Vladimir Rushailo told a press conference in
Yerevan. He pointed out that in spite of the available contractual
basis, the CIS countries have some problems with the execution of
previously made decisions. `The CIS was formed ten years ago and the
legal acts adopted at that time require revision. In this connection,
the contractual basis is being inventoried, experts are revealing the
most interesting points from the viewpoint of amendments aimed at
enhancing efficiency,’ Rushailo said. He also reported that the
experience of the EU and other structures is being studied. According
to him, the most interesting is the experience of Latin American
structures, especially in the economic sphere. `It is rather
difficult to mechanically apply any schemes to the CIS for a number
of reasons, so certain fragments which have positively been practiced
by other international organizations should be adopted and applied to
the CIS,’ Rushailo said, adding that the CIS leaders have the final
say. P.T. -0–
*********************************************************************
CIS OBSERVER MISSION NEEDS REFORMING: VLADIMIR RUSHAILO
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. The CIS observer mission needs reforms and
closer cooperation with other international organizations, Chairman
of the CIS Executive Committee Vladimir Rushailo told a press
conference in Yerevan. According to him, the activities as a member
of the CIS observer mission in elections in the CIS countries is an
importance directions of humanitarian cooperation. `This work
requires higher-quality approaches, improved methods, closer
cooperation with other international organizations. We have followed
this way since September 2004 and have held seven meetings with the
OSCE mission leaders on election days in the CIS countries, during
which we compare the sides’ approaches and viewpoints,’ Rushailo
said.
Responding to journalists’ questions concerning `revolutionary’
sentiments in the CIS countries, Rushailo pointed out that the
situation in the CIS have to some extent been influenced by
techniques elaborated by western European institutes for a long time.
`But the situation should not be dramatized, through there are a
number of signals we must respond to. It appears that we have to
change the quality of our observation of election processes, we must
be better prepared for observing elections and see the processes
going on in the CIS countries,’ Rushailo said. P.T. –0 –
*********************************************************************
INFORMAL SUMMIT OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE CIS STATES TO BE HELD IN
MOSCOW ON MAY 8
YEREVAN, March 4. /ARKA/. On May 8, informal Summit of the Presidents
of the CIS States will be held in Moscow. The Summit will be dated
for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the victory in World
War II (WWII), as stated Vladimir Rushailo, the Chairman of the CIS
Executive Committee, at a press conference in Yerevan. He stated that
in the framework of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the victory
in WWII arrangements are held connected with the implementation of
the program approved by the presidents of the CIS states. He also
stated that in regard with this, meetings with veterans of the war
and men serving in rear will be held in the CIS states, in
particular, in Belarus, Tajikistan and Armenia. A.H. –0 –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MarkopoloFilms
450 North Brand Blvd. Ste 600
Glendale, CA 91203
PRESS RELEASE
March 4, 2005
Contact: Teni Melidonian
Protocol & Prose Int’l
[email protected]
ARMENIAN-AMERICAN FILMMAKER’S PROJECT TO SCREEN AT ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL

Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2005) – MarkopoloFilms announced today that
Raffy Ardhaldjian’s short film, “Wedding Gift,” will be featured at
the 2005 International Ankara Film Festival with screenings scheduled
for March 4, March 6 and March 12 in Ankara, Turkey.
Starring Oscar Torres, Kelly Galindo, Shaunt Benjamin, Chidem Alie,
Emilio Roso and Jordann Kimley, “Wedding Gift” depicts a suicidal
divorcee’s journey over the course of an evening. While holding a gun
to his head, Joe receives a call from a friend – his ex is at a
bar. Taking the lead, Joe becomes entanglement in a bizarre life and
death situation with a hooker, her thugs and a mobster. The events of
the night provide Joe with the unusual chance of redeeming himself of
sins that destroyed his marriage – greed, violence and sex.
“Wedding Gift” has screened at numerous international film festivals
including the Palmeres Film Festival in Paris, Arpa International Film
Festival in Hollywood and the New York International Film and Video
Festival.
Shot on Mini DV in 2004, the short was written and directed by
Ardhaldjian and presented as his thesis project at USC. He currently
has two feature projects in development with MarkopoloFilms. Zoran
Popovic, cinematographer and editor, has been the director of
photography on numerous music videos, commercials and feature
films. He has worked with such directors as Gary Oldman (“Joe Black”)
Illeana Douglas (“Supermarket”) and Michael Stevens (“Sin”).
MarkopoloFilms is an independent film production company based in
Hollywood, California. Upcoming projects include “Three Angelinos” –
featuring the tales of three fathers – and the “Thirst” – the horrific
adventure of four college friends in the desert.
For information on the International Ankara Film Festival visit
For information about Markopolofilms visit
For all press and media inquiries, contact Teni Melidonian via email
at [email protected].
###050304

European organizations demand action against killer of Azeri journalist
AP Worldstream
Mar 03, 2005

European organizations expressed outrage Thursday over the murder of a
prominent Azeri journalist and urged authorities in Azerbaijan to
bring his killers to justice.
“I am shocked by the brutal murder of Elmar Huseinov, which bears the
marks of a contract killing, and condemn it in the strongest terms,”
said Terry Davis, secretary general of the Council of Europe.
“This is an attack on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan,” Davis said
in a statement released from Council of Europe headquarters in
Strasbourg, France.
Huseinov, founder and editor of the opposition magazine Monitor, was
shot to death in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
Reacting to the killing, European Union spokeswoman Emma Udwin said
the EU wanted to underline “the wish to see freedom of expression,
freedom of the press in Azerbaijan.”
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, based in
Vienna, Austria, said it would closely follow the investigation.
“The OSCE community expects the investigation to find out whether the
murder is linked in any way with Mr. Huseinov’s work, as his
colleagues suspect, or with other recently reported cases of
harassment of journalists in Azerbaijan,” said Miklos Haraszti, the
OSCE’s representative on freedom of the media.
Davis also called “on the Azeri authorities to carry out a thorough
and public investigation and bring those responsible for this crime to
justice.”
The European Union has been researching and designing action plans for
various countries in Europe, Asia, and North Africa to strengthen
economic, trade, and security ties with the European bloc.

Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Deutschland
28. Februar 2005
Türkei verärgert über Union;
Massaker an Armeniern Thema im Bundestag
Berlin (dpa) – Ein von der Union in den Bundestag eingebrachter
Antrag zum 90. Jahrestag der Vertreibung von Armeniern im damaligen
Osmanischen Reich hat eine heftige offizielle Reaktion der Türkei
ausgelöst.
In einer Erklärung warf der türkische Botschafter Mehmet Ali
Irtemcelik der CDU/CSU-Fraktion vor, “sich zum Sprecher des
fanatischen armenischen Nationalismus” zu machen, der sich gegen die
territoriale Integrität der Türkei richte und auf der ganzen Welt von
organisiertem Terror Gebrauch mache. Im Antrag vom 22. Februar heißt
es, am 24. April 1915 “wurde auf Befehl der das Osmanische Reich
lenkenden jungtürkischen Bewegung die armenische politische und
kulturelle Elite Istanbuls verhaftet und ins Landesinnere
verschleppt, wo deren größter Teil ermordet wurde”. Den Deportationen
seien 1,2 bis 1,5 Millionen Armenier zum Opfer gefallen. Die Republik
Türkei als Rechtsnachfolgerin des Osmanischen Reichs bestreite bis
heute, dass dies geplant und die verübten Massaker gewollt gewesen
seien.
Vor einem Monat hatte das Land Brandenburg auf diplomatischen Druck
der Türkei hin den Völkermord an den Armeniern aus den Lehrplänen für
den Geschichtsunterricht gestrichen. Nach heftiger Kritik wurde
dieser Schritt teilweise zurückgenommen.
–Boundary_(ID_74ddmyV20Jcav21FgQM6tQ)–

EVERYBODY ADMITS THAT KARABAKH CANNOT BE GIVEN BACK TO AZERBAIJAN: US
AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. Although the US advocates a state’s
territorial integrity everybody admits that Karabakh cannot be given
back to Azerbaijan, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans said while
speaking in Berkeley University, CA.
If Baku and Yerevan draft a plan of action to settle the Karabakh
conflict everybody will assist them in effecting it. If they reach
agreement nobody will be able to prevent it. Today there is some
ground for optimism – neither party is holding elections, a situation
that always contains some risk.
As regards Elizabeth Jones’ statement Evans said that her phrase
“criminal separatist” did not concern Karabakh. He noted that Jones
has already apologized to the Armenian government for her words.
Commenting on the statement of Azeri DM press secretary Ramiz Melikov
that there will be no single Armenian in the world in 25 years Evans
said that this is an aggressive statement. US officials are often
there to prevent such problems. Evans said that one of Washington’s
key tasks is to ensure stability in the South Caucasus. This region
needs no more wars, he said.

ROBERT SIMMONS REGRETS ASSASSINATION OF ARMENIAN OFFICER IN BUDAPEST
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. NATO regrets the assassination of
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan by his Azeri counterpart Ramil
Safarov in Budapest a year ago, NATO Secretary General’s Special
Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert F Simmons
stated at today press-conference in Yerevan.
Simmons said that the partners should not have such relations and
noted that it is necessary to look ahead. -r-