Author: Torgomian Varazdat

MINISTER OSKANIAN’S INTERVIEW TO THE TURKISH HURRIYET DAILY
Sefa Kaplan

Hurriyet
March 27, 2006
Istanbul

1. What will happen after the Armenian Constitutional Referendum? How
will it affect Turkish-Armenian relationship?

The Armenian Constitutional Referendum was a domestic process.

It can have no effect, one way or another, on Armenian-Turkish
relations. It brought about changes in government structure, checks
and balances, and as a result, will strengthen Armenia’s democratic
processes.

2. There are some rumors in Turkey about double-citizenship.

Your New Constitution doesn’t prohibit the double-citizenship. What
will happen if Diaspora becomes more influential on Armenian political
life?

Dual citizenship is an issue that will still be discussed and addressed
in Armenia. The conditions and requirements of dual citizenship have
yet to be defined. The degree and kind of engagement and responsibility
of Diaspora Armenians must still be explored and agreed upon. It
is clear however, that in Armenia, as in any sovereign country,
our political life will be determined by the people who live in
Armenia. In any case, those, too, are domestic issues. However, your
question is correct in that there are many rumors, misunderstandings
and misperceptions about Armenia in Turkey. Part of the reason for
this is that the Turkish government refuses to establish diplomatic
relations with Armenia. If there were relations between our two
countries, and our peoples were able to interact, then the obvious
would become clear to the people of Turkey – that they have nothing
to fear from Armenia.

3. Most people in Turkey believe that Armenian and Turkish relationship
would be better if Diaspora didn’t exist. What do you think – is
Diaspora the main barrier between Turkey and Armenia?

I can’t help but to respond by saying that the Diaspora would not
exist in this form if it were not for the events of 1915. Armenia
and Diaspora both want recognition and condemnation of those events.

Furthermore, I am convinced that closed borders, absence of relations
simply exasperates and further deepens the abyss that exists between
the two peoples today. Our peoples do not have the opportunity to share
new experiences, to create new memories to replace old memories. The
Diaspora wants what is best for Armenia, and what is best for Armenia
are normal relations with all its neighbors. We hope and expect that
the people of Turkey, too, want good relations with their neighbors.

4. Does Diaspora have the right of voting or being elected?

It does not.

5. Do Turkish Armenians have the same right with the rest of Diaspora
in Armenia?

All Armenians living outside Armenia have the same right, opportunity,
and even the obligation to become part of life in Armenia, in any
way that they choose. Armenia wants and needs all its compatriots
everywhere in the world. But relationships between Turks and Armenians,
between Armenians from Turkey and Armenians from Armenia, cannot and
do not replace the need for official relations between the Republic
of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey. The Turkish government cannot
keep repeating that there are Armenian tourists in Turkey, or that
there are Turkish flights to Armenia.

That is lamentably insufficient. That is certainly not the same as
having official relations, knowing that the country and people on the
other side of the border can cooperate and interact when necessary
so that both feel safer, prosper and live in peace and security with
each other.

6. Do you have perceptible offers for Turkish people for regional
peace and credibility?

Peace and stability anywhere can only exist when there are normal
relations, when there is dialogue. Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian
said that Prime Minister Erdogan’s suggestion of a historic commission
can be considered as part of a larger intergovernmental dialogue which
takes place under normal conditions – with diplomatic relations and
open borders.

Turkey has not responded to that offer. The European Union has said
that Turkey must have, as any normal country in the world today must
have, normal relations with all its neighbors, even those with whom
it has disagreements.

Turkey has disagreements, some serious ones, with almost all its
neighbors, yet it has relations with all of them. Why does it
insist on pretending that Armenia and Armenians are not across
the border? Turkey, as a major power in the region, is obliged to
enter into normal relations with its neighbors, not because the
European Union demands it, but because that is what is good for its
own citizens, and for the region. It is a political reality that
both Turkey and Armenia exist today in the international community
with their current borders. It is a political reality that we are
neighbors and we will live alongside each other. It is a political
reality that Armenia is not a security threat to Turkey. We, too,
want regional peace and security.

That is why we have said that if the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railroad were
to be made operational again – Armenia would be willing not to use or
benefit from that railroad because we know that regional security,
even European security, would benefit from that transportation
line. Just let it begin to run. Let’s begin to create some normalcy
in this region. There is $120 million in trade between our countries,
now, through third countries, with difficulty, at extra cost to all
sides. Imagine if there could be direct trade. Imagine the benefit
to Turkey’s eastern provinces and cities.

7. Turkey is discussing Armenian problem and looking for real answers
to what happened in 1915. What is your comment about this kind of
discussions in Turkey? Do you follow them?

We do follow the discussions in Turkey and we are encouraged that
there is greater openness in recent months. We can only hope that
there will be greater freedoms for speech and expression so that the
Turkish people become familiar with the events of 1915, reject them
for what they were and condemn them. Today’s Turks do not bear the
guilt of the perpetrators, unless they choose to defend and identify
with them. Armenians are able to distinguish between the perpetrators
and today’s Turkey. As with any nation, we hope that these internal
discussions will lead to Turks coming to terms with their history,
recognizing the good and denouncing the bad. That is what every modern
state has had to do, after World War II, after the fall of the USSR,
and Turkey, too, will have to go through that process.

Thank you very much.

ARMENIA SHOULD MEET 24 CRECO ANTI-CORRUPTION RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 18 MONTHS

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.03.2006 01:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia received 24 recommendations from the Group
of States against Corruption (GRECO), head of the Armenian delegation
to the GRECO Artur Osikyan said at a press conference in Yerevan today.

In his words, the recommendations were elaborated basing on the
report on corruption in Armenia. At that he added that Armenia
should meet the recommendations within 18 months. For his part,
RA President’s Advisor for struggle against corruption Bagrat
Yesayan voiced hope that the ruling coalition will spare no effort
to fulfill the recommendations. He informed that 364 criminal cases
were initiated in Armenia in 2005. The damage from corruption made
3.4 billion drams. 236.4 million was restored. He also noted that 97
Armenian officials were charged with corruption in 2005.

CREDIT LINES TO ARMECONOMBANK TO BE INCREASED

Panorama.am
14:37 29/03/06

Armeconombank has carried on negotiations with the representatives of
foreign banks present in Armenia concerning the increase of the volume
of trade financing. In particular, the credit lines to Armeconombank
will be opened on the one hand and increased on the other hand.

Talking about the work of the International Banking Conference in
Yerevan Ashot Osipyan, president of Armeconombank, mentioned that
new instruments of trade financing and the advantages of their use
have been introduced to Armenia in the course of the 2 days of the
conference. The foreign participants suggested that such conferences
should be held annually. As the banker thinks banking conferences can
promote development of export in Armenia and increase of its volume.

Ashot Osipyan also informed that according to the results of the
conference two foreign banks and two native companies (importer
and exporter) will be awarded prizes – statuettes of God of Trade
Hermes. To note, the initiators of the three-day international banking
conference was the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development,
Armeconombank and the EU.

STATE DOOMS ITS CITIZENS TO HUNGER OR SUICIDE
By Ara Martirosian

AZG Armenian Daily
29/03/2006

81-Years Old Pensioner Is Deprived of Her Family Benefit.

Seda Ohanian, a 81 years old lonely pensioner, was returning home
from the Social Security Department of Malatia-Sebastia borough, when
she felt she was about to faint. Fortunately, her neighbors rushed to
help her, called the emergency and rendered her with first aid. But,
certainly they couldn’t ease the pain of the old woman and solve
her problem.

Mrs. Ohanian became another victim of the recent rise in
pensions. Having received a pension that grew by AMD 1000, she was
deprived of her family benefit that totaled to AMD 7000. She learnt
about this news at “Paros” office. But the most terrible though for her
was that she is doomed to survive on AMD 10.800 monthly pension. How
she will manage to pay her utilities, to buy food or medicine on that
sum, she wonders. Even AMD 16.000 she used to receive before didn’t
cover all her expenses.

There occur urgent questions that require the answers of the Labor
and Social Security Ministry officials.

How do they define the degree of poverty? Who they consider poor, if
an 81 years old pensioner is not included in the list of the socially
insecure people?

Is it their right concept of family benefits? Or how can the same
pensioner survive on AMD 10800, when the poverty limit totals to AMD
19.000, according to RA National Statistic Service? Even if we add
AMD 7 000 of family benefit to her AMD 10.800 of pension, it will
not keep in line with the poverty limit. Thus, we can state, that
in this given case, the state officials doom a citizen to hunger or
suicide. If one of the officials just tries to deny this statement,
we offer him to try to survive on AMD 10.800.

NEWLY APPOINTED RA AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA HANDED CREDENTIALS TO SAAKASHVILI

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 20:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Newly appointed Armenian Ambassador to Georgia
Hrach Silvanyan handed his credentials to Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili, RA MFA press office told PanARMENIAN.Net. During
the meeting the parties discussed the prospects of development of
bilateral relations.

INTERVIEW: ARAM HAMPARIAN: ANCA FOCUS IS TO END U.S. COMPLICITY IN TURKEY’S CAMPAIGN OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.03.2006 GMT+04:00

The Armenian National Committee of Armenia (ANCA) is one of the
U.S. most influential lobbying organizations the activities of
which are targeted at the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On
the threshold of the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in
the Ottoman Empire in 1915 PanARMENIAN.Net requested ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian to cover the Committee activities and comments
on some recent event referring to the Armenian-American relations.

Lately we have heard that the Armenian lobby is more powerful than
the Jewish Lobby. How accurate is that opinion?

While it is hard to compare the strength of lobbies that are working on
very different issues, it is clear that the Armenian lobby is strong
and growing stronger, confident in the knowledge that as Armenians –
in the homeland and the Diaspora – we are collectively the authors
of our own destiny. Here are just a few examples of our progress:

* We launched the pioneering California-Armenia Trade Office to
increase bilateral trade and create jobs in the U.S. and Armenia. In
just the past two years, due in large part to our efforts to normalize
U.S.-Armenia trade relations, Armenian exports to the U.S. rose >From
$37.6 million (2003) to $45.8 million (2005).

* The growth of our local ANCA chapters to more than fifty –
particularly in non-traditional states such as Nevada, Arizona,
Florida, and Texas.

* The increased level of assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh,
which has amounted to $1.6 billion since 1991 – and especially the
new $235 million Millennium Challenge grant to Armenia.

* The growing opposition to Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide
in the U.S. Congress, the media, and academia. For example, within the
past year the Armenian Genocide Resolution passed a key Congressional
committee by a vote of 40 to 7, a dramatic increase over the 24 to
11 vote on a similar measure in 2000. Also, 38 of the 50 U.S. states
have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

What type are activities / efforts are you planning in the U.S. with
regard to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide?

Our focus, this April as always, is to end U.S.

complicity in Turkey’s campaign of Armenian Genocide denial, to press
Turkey to acknowledge its responsibility for this crime, and to work
toward a just resolution for Armenian nation.

As in past years, we will hold a Congressional observance on Capital
Hill and in local communities around the nation. These events will
build support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
and the effort to encourage President Bush to properly recognize the
Armenian Genocide in his April 24th remarks.

We are, of course, very interested in the controversy surrounding
Amb. Evans and are strongly opposing any steps to punish or recall
him due to his truthful statements on the Armenian Genocide. Another
special concern this April is PBS’s decision to provide a platform for
Genocide deniers – which we are strenuously opposing at the national
and grassroots levels.

Has there been any U.S. reaction to the destruction of the Armenian
Cemetery in Djugha?

For more than three months, the U.S. government did not utter a
single word about this systematic desecration of an Armenian holy
and cultural site.

During a recent visit to Armenia, a State Department official responded
to questions on this matter during a press conference by condemning the
destruction – but the Department seems to have done little else. This,
of course, stands in stark contrast to the vocal U.S.

outrage over the Taliban’s destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues
in 2001.

What steps are being taken by the Armenian lobby to ensure military
aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan?

We are working very actively within the Congressional appropriations
process – on both the House and Senate sides – to see that military
aid parity is restored.

The key to this effort is explaining that disparity in favor of
Azerbaijan will embolden Baku to act on its increasingly violent
threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

ALIYEV ACCEPTS CREDENTIALS OF NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 28 2006

On March 28, President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ýlham Aliyev
received the credentials of Bernard Amaudric du Chaffaut, newly
appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of France to
Azerbaijan at the Presidential Palace.

After Bernard Chaffaut presented his credentials, President had a
warm conversation with ambassador. Ilham Aliyev congratulated Bernard
Chaffaut on his appointment and stressed that bilateral relations
between France and Azerbaijan will be further strengthened.

“My visits to France once more evidence that cooperation between
us in political, economic and cultural spheres is strengthening,”
said President. “At the same time, our expanding cooperation with
the European Union has a positive effect on the bilateral relations”.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that France as OSCE Minsk Group co-chair
makes its contribution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution and wished ambassador every success in his
further activities.

Ambassador Bernard Amaudric du Chaffaut expressed his gratitude to
the Head of State for accepting the credentials and stressed that both
sides are bound up with friendly relations. According to ambassador,
President of France Jacque Chirac has a special friendly attitude
to Ilham Aliyev. These friendly relations serve as an impetus for
development of cooperation in all spheres. President Jacque Chirac and
French Government take a very tactful approach to Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict being aware of their political commitments.

–Boundary_(ID_QiwwJIKLGT9n4sQCQJA3Z g)–

From: Katia M. Peltekian <[email protected]>
Subject: Kenya: Armenians: Was Kalonzo Naive?

ARMENIANS: WAS KALONZO NAIVE?
Collins Apuoyo Khartoum, Sudan

East African, Kenya
March 28 2006

The admission by politician Kalonzo Musyoka that he met and even had
a photo session with the two Armenians suspected of being mercenaries
is rather interesting, if not shocking.

It is interesting because government sympathisers have quickly jumped
to the conclusion that the Orange Democratic Movement have something
to do with the Armenians. This has given pro-government ministers
and MPs a weapon with which to attack and trivialise the movement
and its leadership.

The admission is shocking in that it shows how simple actions –
such as taking an innocent photo – can have serious consequences.

There are several lessons that Kalonzo should learn from this:

1. There are people out there who are keen to make him appear to
be unfit for the leadership of Kenya. They will try all tricks and
it is up to him to make a fine judgement on his actions in order to
disappoint them.

2. His actions and utterances are important and will bring out the
real leader in him. At this point in time, he should not start claiming
imagined enemies. The real enemy is the one he would least suspect.

3. Kalonzo is presidential material and should behave and act like
one! He must vet those who want to get him into business deals before
agreeing to photo sessions. It reflects badly on his judgement.

Many Kenyans are looking up to Kalonzo and other ODM leaders to get
us out of our current quagmire. Do not disappoint us with actions
and utterances that reflect a lack of focus.

PACE TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS OF REFUGEES IN SOUTH CAUCASIAN COUNTRIES

Regnum, Russia
March 28 2006

On April 10-13, spring session of PACE is to start in Strasbourg.

Unlike other sessions, it will last three days, because on April
14 Europe celebrates Easter, stated head of Armenian delegation to
PACE, Deputy Speaker of Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan at a news
conference on March 27.

He said that agenda of session has two questions regarding Armenia
– conditions of refugees and deported persons in Armenia, Georgia
and Azerbaijan, and human rights in Armed Forces. Latvian MP Boris
Tsilevich will report on the first topic. The report will be made on
April 13.

Bulgarian MP Alexander Arabadjiev is the rapporteur on the second
issue. Project of the resolution after second report does not directly
concerns Armenia, but the situation in the country is described
in the report as it is described of each country of the Council of
Europe. 35th article is dedicated to Armenia, where the situation in
Armenian Armed Forced in 2001-2003 is described.

Torosyan notes that the Armenian Defense Ministry currently examines
the report project to address with possible corrections to rapporteur.

According to the head of the Armenian delegation, the agenda includes
other questions of interest, for instance, regarding fight against
corruption and poverty in the Council of Europe countries. Several
questions may be added to the agenda later. Torosyan also spoke on
visits of PACE officials in Armenia that would take place in the near
future, informs “Noyan Tapan”.

PARLIAMENTARY HEARING OF PROBLEM OF TEACHING ARMENIAN STUDIES AT SCHOOLS TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 27 2006

Yerevan, March 27. /ARKA/. A parliamentary hearing of the problem
of teaching Armenian studies at Armenia’s schools is to be held
in Yerevan on April 4, 2006. The public relations department,
RA Parliament, reports that the hearing has been organized by the
standing parliamentary commission for science, education, culture
and youth affairs.

On March 21, 2006, the RA Parliament approved a package of bills on
Armenian studies in its first reading. One of the authors of the bills,
Head of the parliamentary faction Armenian Revolutionary Federation
“Dashnaktsutyun” Levon Mkrtichyan, said that under the bill the
Government is to approve programs of Armenian studies.

“We insist that two fundamental subjects, the Armenian language and
Armenia history, be taught at all the higher schools in Armenia for
at least two terms and end in tests or examinations,” Mkrtichyan
said.