Author: Torosian Aram

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA CALLS FOR WHITE HOUSE WITHDRAWAL OF HOAGLAND NOMINATION

— Asks Senators to Urge President Bush to Drop
Controversial Candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia

WASHINGTON, DC – Citing the growing controversy surrounding
Ambassador-designate Dick Hoagland’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide – as reflected by the "hold" placed by Senator Bob
Menendez on his confirmation – the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) has asked members of the U.S. Senate to call on
President Bush to withdraw his nomination for the next U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia.

In letters sent on November 8th to all one hundred Senators, ANCA
Chairman Ken Hachikian stressed that: "Very simply, a genocide
denier cannot effectively promote U.S. interests or American values
in Armenia – a country that rose from the ashes of Turkey’s
genocidal campaign." He added that, "confirming an Ambassador to
Armenia who denies the Armenian Genocide would dramatically
undermine U.S. diplomacy in Armenia and mark a major retreat from
our nation’s noble commitment to genocide prevention." Community
activists across the country are echoing this message in thousands
of ANCA WebFaxes being sent to Senate offices from the ANCA website
–

In announcing his decision to block the Hoagland nomination on
September 12, 2006, Senator Menendez (D-NJ) highlighted the
principled stand taken by former U.S. Ambassador John Evans, who,
by all accounts, was fired for speaking truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide. The New Jersey legislator stated that he has
"great concerns that Mr. Hoagland’s confirmation would be a step
backward."

Neither Ambassador-designate Hoagland, nor the Department of State,
have taken any meaningful steps to address the three concerns
raised by the ANCA in opposition to the Hoagland nomination. In a
September 1st letter to members of the U.S. Senate, the ANCA called
for Senate opposition to the Hoagland nomination until:

1) Ambassador-designate Hoagland provides a responsible and
unambiguous public statement affirming that he does not question
the clear genocidal intent of the Ottoman Turkish government
against its Armenian population.

2) The State Department provides a full, honest, and public
explanation regarding the reasons for the controversial firing of
the current Ambassador, John Marshall Evans.

3) The Administration explains any and all communications, directly
or indirectly, between the U.S. government and the Turkish
government concerning Ambassador Evans.

For an overview of the firing of Ambassador Evans and the Hoagland
controversy, visit:
p

The full text of the November 8, 2006 ANCA letter is provided
below.

#####

Dear Senator __________:

I am writing to respectfully call on you to urge President Bush to
withdraw the deeply flawed and increasingly controversial
nomination of Dick Hoagland as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

As we have shared with you on several occasions, Ambassador-
designate Hoagland’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide
disqualify him from serving in an effective capacity as America’s
representative in Yerevan. As you recall, in his written responses
to questions posed to him during his confirmation hearing, he went
far beyond the bounds of the Administration’s already deeply flawed
policy, actually calling into question the Armenian Genocide as a
historical fact. His statements are all the more troubling in
light of the White House’s continued refusal to explain why it
fired the previous U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, or to
reveal the role that Turkey played in his dismissal.

Very simply, a genocide denier cannot effectively promote U.S.’
interests or American values in Armenia – a country that rose from
the ashes of Turkey’s genocidal campaign. Confirming an Ambassador
to Armenia who denies the Armenian Genocide would dramatically
undermine U.S. diplomacy in Armenia and would mark a major retreat
from our nation’s noble commitment to genocide prevention.

Based on these considerations, I respectfully call on you to
publicly support the hold placed by Senator Robert Menendez and to
urge the White House to withdraw the Hoagland nomination.

Thank you for your consideration of the concerns of the Armenian
American community on this matter. We would, of course, be pleased
to meet with you to discuss this matter in person, or to forward to
you additional materials in support of our request. If you have
any questions, please contact the Armenian National Committee of
America at (202) 775-1918 or [email protected].

Sincerely yours,

[signed]
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED CO-CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIAN-AMERICAN WORKING GROUP ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 9 2006

The press-service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told the ArmInfo
news agency that Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received
Thomas Adams, the Co-chairman of the Armenian-American working group
on economic cooperation, the Acting Coordinator of US assistance to
Europe and Eurasia, Thursday.

The sides discussed the development of bilateral cooperation and
the prospects of implementation of the worked out programs. Special
attention was paid to the joint programs of Armenia and the Millennium
Challenge Corporation, particularly, the issue of implementation of
the obligations assumed by Armenia. Thomas Adams assured that the US
Government will contribute to the deepening of democratic processes in
Armenia, and stressed the importance of free and fair elections. The
sides also touched upon regional issues, particularly, the Karabakh
peace process, hoping for the efficiency of the forthcoming meeting
of the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers on November 14.

NKR PRESIDENT CALLS FOR TAKING ACTIVE PART IN NOVEMBER 23 TELETHON AT NEW YORK MEETINGS

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 8 2006

NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On November 7,
NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian visited the central office of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) where he met with organization
Chairman Perch Sedrakian.

As NT was informed from the General Information Department under NKR
President, the interlocutors touched upon a number of issues relating
to programs implemented by AGBU in Artsakh and cooperation prospects.

In his speech P.Sedrakian assured NKR President that henceforth the
Union will continue and will extend programs of restoration of Artsakh
villages and financing of various educational and cultural programs
in the country.

Congratulating AGBU on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its
foundation, A.Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to the organization’s
whole staff in the person of P.Sedrakian for all-round assistance to
Artsakh and wished success in its activity carried out for the sake
of the nation.

In the evening of the same day NKR President met with the leading
staff and members of the U.S. Eestern Coast’s Association of
Armenian Jewellers. At the request of the meeting participants
Arkady Ghoukassian touched upon the situation in NKR, emphasizing
country’s economic progress registered in the issue of restoration
and development in the post-war period. In his speech the President
especially stressed the important contribution of the Armenian Diaspora
in the above mentioned process.

During the meetings NKR President called for taking an active part
in the coming telethon.

During his visit to New York Arkady Ghoukassian was accompanied by
RA Ambassador to UN Armen Martirosian, NKR Resident Representative
to U.S. Vardan Barseghian, as well as Chairman of Board of Directors
of New York Branch of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund Gevorg Toroyan.

To recap, NKR President had left for U.S. to take part in the
organization activities of annual charity telethon of the Hayastan
All Armenian Fund dedicated to restoration of NKR Hadrut region’s
infrastructures to be held on November 23 within the framework of
the Artsakh Revival program.

BALARUS READY TO ASSIST IN SIGNING FINAL DOCUMENT ON NK CONFLICT

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006

Official Minsk realizes the essence of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"Belarus supports the treaty on violability of borders signed in
1975 and meets commitments took upon it," said Nikolay Paskevich,
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus to Azerbaijan,
APA reports.

The ambassador considers that the efforts of changing the borders
result in blood, loss and torture. He noted that OSCE Minsk group
performing mediating mission, was formed as a result of the conference
held in Minsk and announced that official Minsk is ready to pave the
way for signing final document on Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"The problem of refugees is familiar to our country. After the accident
in Chernobyl atomic power station the country faced with the problem
of refugees. The accident caused the damage of $235bn; this figure
is 32 times more than Belarusian budget for 1985. We understand the
problem of refugees most of all. I hope Nagorno Karabakh conflict will
be solved peacefully, according to the international legal norms,"
the ambassador said.

URL:

NUMBER OF ARMAVIA EMPLOYEES TO BE REDUCED FROM CURRENT 490 TO 400

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 7 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Work on technical, personnel and
other improvement is underway at the airline Armavia after the crash
of A-320 plane on May 3 near Sochi. Armavia’s owner Mikhail Baghdasarov
said on Novemeber 7 that the company has overcome the crisis.

Responding to NT correspondent’s question, he noted that it is planned
to reduce the number of the airline’s employees from current 490
to 400. "There are many people in Armavia, who, in addition to not
working, also spread rumors that the company is allegedly being sold,"
M. Baghdasarov said.

In his words, he will develop the Grand insurance company founded
by him because "we are afraid of trusting others to insure the
aviation." According to him, in their pursuit of profits, some
insurance companies do not reinsure their risks in "strong companies"
and "if there is something, problems will arise." He said that
insurance companies keep part the sum envisaged by the insurance
contract and give the remaining sum to the reinsurer. Reinsurance
is often done in the amount of 60-80% of the value of the contract
subject. If the price of an aerobus makes 30 million dollars, the
insurer "gets quite a large sum from reinsurance, while we are left
0.1-0.5%".

In the words of M. Baghdasarov, after the May 3 tragedy the financial
"losses were minimal" thanks to the fact that all risks related to
Armavia were reinsured.

OSKANIAN DOES NOT HAVE MUCH EXPECTATION FROM MEETING WITH MAMMADYAROV

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.11.2006 17:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian will leave for Brussels
without "much expectations" but "with certain interest" to have a
recurrent meeting with his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov within
the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "There
are some issues subject to discussion on the agenda and I am going
to Brussels without much expectations but with certain interest,
always hoping that we will be able to make positions closer this time
and create conditions for a meeting of the Presidents this year,"
Oskanian told RFE/RL. The Armenian and Azeri FMs will meet in the
Belgian capital November 14.

IN 2007 ARMENIA WILL GIVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH 19.4 BLN AMD BUDGETARY CREDIT

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006

In 2007 Armenia will give Nagorno-Karabakh 19.4 bln AMD budgetary
credit.

Today, at budget hearings in the Armenian Parliament, Deputy Minister
of Finances and Economy of Armenia Pavel Safaryan said that since
1997 Armenia has been giving budgetary credit to Nagorno-Karabakh in
compliance with the scheme agreed with Stepanakert beforehand.

According to this scheme, expenses for defense sphere, membership
fees to international organizations, and expenses for repayment of
foreign credit debts are deducted from the total budget of Armenia.

The 4.4% of the amount left is sent to Nagorno-Karabakh as a budgetary
credit.

OLLI REHN: RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE NOT PRECONDITION FOR TURKEY EU ACCESSION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2006 15:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn stated
that recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not a precondition for
Turkey’s EU accession. He expressed an opinion that EU-Turkey talks
should not "hang in the air," if Turkey "does what it should". He
urged the EU to have a "fair" stance on Turkey. "We should keep our
promises to Turkey, if we want it to respect European standards of
basic liberties, freedom of expression and belief. We undervalue the
importance of Turkey," stated the EU Enlargement Commissioner.

Olli Rehn underscored that there is "a vicious circle," based
on the one hand on widely spread opinion among Turks that the EU
does not want to see Turkey among its members, on the other hand –
EU disappointment in democratic reforms in Turkey. "We should tear
down this vicious circle, otherwise we will not have any progress,"
Olli Rehn said, reports RFE/RL.

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER, EUROPEAN REPS DISCUSS KARABAKH

Day.az , Azerbaijan
1 Nov 2006

Baku, 1 November: The settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
is the most topical issue in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has told a meeting with the
PACE co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan, Andres Herkel and Tony Lloyd,
the ministry’s press service reports.

"Being a member of such an authoritative organization like the Council
of Europe, Armenia has violated all international legal norms and
principles by occupying part of Azerbaijan’s territory. As a result,
over one million of Azerbaijanis have become refugees and displaced
persons," Mammadyarov said.

He said that the world community should make it clear to Armenia which
aspires to be part of Europe that it is necessary to withdraw troops
from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The co-rapporteurs stressed the importance of speedy resolution of
the conflict and voiced the hope that the peace process would continue.

[APA news agency, in Azeri 1154 gmt 1 Nov 06 reported that the
co-rapporteurs met the Azerbaijani election chief, Mazahir Panahov,
to collect information about elections held in the country.]

[Bakililar.az in Russian 0505 gmt 1 Nov 06 reported that leaders of
the opposition parties Musavat and People’s Front of Azerbaijan, Isa
Qambar and Ali Karimli, informed the co-rapporteurs about the freedom
of speech problem and vote rigging in the country. The co-rapporteurs
also met of MP Camil Hasanli, head of the committee to protect the
rights of jailed ex-economic development minister Farhad Aliyev.]

VOSKANIAN’S APPOINTMENT AS ROMANIA’S REPRESENTATIVE TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION MAKES TURKEY UNEASY

AZG Armenian Daily
31/10/2006

As we previously informed, senator and head of the Romanian-Armenian
community Varuzhan Voslanian was appointed Romania’s representative to
the European Commission. Hurriyet Turkish newspaper reports that this
fact stirred unrest in Ankara as Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the
European Commission, himself contributed to this appointment. Romania,
which is set to join the EU on January 1 2007, marks April 24 as
Armenian Genocide remembrance day thanks to the senator’s initiative.