Author: Tumanian Talar

MORE OUTBREAKS OF AFRICAN PLAGUE ARE REPORTED

KarabakhOpen
23-05-2008 13:45:15

The epidemic of the African plague which affects pigs has not
been fought completely, said the minister of agriculture Armo
Tsatryan. During our interview another report of outbreak of the
disease came from the region of Shahumyan.

A few days ago a report came from the village of Minjevan of the
region of Kashatagh but there was no outbreak.

The minister says the risk of outbreak persists because there are wild
pigs in many places, especially the forests of the region of Kashatagh,
and there is a fear that the next outbreak will come "from the forest".

CONFERENCE CONVENED ON ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS

armradio.am
21.05.2008 10:54

Eurasia Partnership Foundation, together with the Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation NGO and with funding from
USAID, held an international conference on Armenia-Turkey relations
on May 20 at the Congress Hotel in Yerevan. The conference, entitled
"Global Challenges and Threats: Are Joint Efforts between Armenia
and Turkey Possible?"

brought together a number of distinguished experts from Turkey and
Armenia, representatives of diplomatic missions and international
organizations accredited to Armenia, political scientists, economists
and legal experts, as well as media representatives.

The conference examined whether the European aspirations of Turkey
and Armenia will diminish the historical and political differences
between the two nations. The conference also explored the capacity
of Armenian and Turkish analytical centers and expert communities
to play any significant role in the process. The Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation and their Turkish partner
Diba Nigar Goksel (Analyst of the European Stability Initiative and
Editor of the Turkish Policy Quarterly) also presented a survey of
political and civil society elites from Armenia and Turkey.

Keynote speakers included Diba Nigar Goksel; Cem Toker (Leader of
Liberal-Democratic Party, Turkey), Arda Batu (Member of the Board of
the ARI Movement, Turkey), Stepan Grigoryan (Chairman, Analytical
Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation, Armenia), Armen
Ashotyan (Member of the National Assembly of Armenia), and Alexander
Iskandarian (Director of the Caucasus Media Institute, Armenia).

"By supporting partnerships between Armenian and Turkish citizens,
Eurasia Partnership Foundation aims to promote cross-border contacts
that will improve mutual understanding between the two countries"
said Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan, Country Director of Eurasia Partnership
Foundation in Armenia. He added, "Increased understanding can
contribute to the formation of professional cross-border networks,
promote tolerance among the two societies, and, over the longer term,
accelerate the normalization of inter-state relations."

The conference is part of Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s
Armenia-Turkey Initiative, which promotes improved dialogue and
cooperation between representatives of the non-government, government
and private sectors in Armenia and their Turkish counterparts.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
AND CHURCH FAMILIES MEETING

Ecumenical Affairs Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, chaired the second meeting of the Consultative Committee of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Secretaries of Church Families
convened on May 13-15 in Geneva.

Representatives from the Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican,
Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist and Churches and other families from the
Protestant Church participated in the meeting.

In his opening remarks Bishop Nareg emphasized the uniqueness of the
gathering as a meeting place for regional and international ecumenical
relations. He stressed the need for cooperation and united approaches
towards issues of concern to all churches.

The following items were discussed during the meeting: The Ecumenical
Movement in the 21st century, inter-faith relations and Christian-Muslim
Dialogue, Theological dialogues, inter-church conferences in 2010 and 2015,
the participation of families of churches in WCC projects.

The participants decided to hold the committee’s next meeting in Geneva in
2009.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HONORS KAUFMAN, JCRC FOR AFFIRMING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND FIGHTING AGAINST DENIAL

armradio.am
19.05.2008 11:12

The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) recognized Nancy K. Kaufman
and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston
for their continued leadership and support in the affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide during an award reception, May 9, at the Grand
Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA. The emcee for the evening was ARAMAC
Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan.

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said that the Assembly has a
"unique opportunity to advance the fundamental principles and ideals of
human rights, democracy and truth and justice." Ardouny added that the
Assembly accomplishes this by its advocacy on Capitol Hill and through
"outreach to like minded individuals and organizations," drawing the
parallel between the shared vision with Kaufman and the JCRC.

"The Assembly commends the leadership Ms. Kaufman and the JCRC has
demonstrated standing up against denial and for firmly articulating
the record on the Armenian Genocide this past year," said Assembly
Public Affairs Chair Anthony Barsamian. "This award is presented in
Boston to honor Nancy and the JCRC for the organization’s continued
leadership in the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. This leadership
is greatly appreciated by the Armenian-American community."

Mayor of Newton David B. Cohen also attended and spoke about his
belief that acknowledging an indisputable truth, the truth of the
Armenian Genocide, is very simple. "Together, the Assembly, JCRC
and men and women of conscience throughout the country will continue
to fight until we recognize the reality and horror of the Armenian
Genocide. We will continue to struggle until that time."

Henry Morgenthau, III, grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the then Ottoman
Empire Henry Morgenthau, compared Kaufman to his grandfather and said
that "she is indeed a worthy and courageous descendant of the spirit
of my grandfather and the spirit of those non-Armenians who stood-up
at difficult times and spoke out. I congratulate her and all of us
for honoring her."

In accepting the Assembly’s honor, Kaufman asked the question, "What
would have been if Nazis remained in power after WWII and there were
no Nuremberg trials? ‘The Nazis, just as the Turkish government does
today, would have undoubtedly denied the accusations and the memory
of what had taken place might have faded into history.’"

During her remarks Kaufman quoted Professor Elie Wiesel who said,
"we know that for the dead it is too late, but it is not too late
for today’s children – ours and yours – and it is not too late to
remember the forgotten genocide and remind the world that it should
never happen again."

Kaufman closed by saying "all I did was speak the truth. I will
continue to speak the truth. We will never forget the Armenian
Genocide."

JUSTICE MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENT

Panorama.am
19:12 16/05/2008

It is announced from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
that the Government of Armenian implementing the recommendations of
Human Rights European convention has published since March 15 the
decision of the European Court and the translation of the following
case "Galstyan vs. Republic of Armenia".

According to the ministry the translation of the case will be published
in the "Official Reference Book".

Hürriyet, Turkey
May 17 2008

Gul says concerns of EU over Turkey are baseless

Concerns that the EU cake would be lessened after Turkey’s membership
were baseless, "on the contrary, the cake will get bigger," Turkish
President Abdullah Gul said on Saturday, Anatolian Agency reported.

"We are aware that there are some concerns about Turkey in EU
countries. Turkey has to carry out works convince European public
opinion. We have lots to do. We will not come before finishing our
homework," Gul is quoted as saying in an interview with daily Kronen
published in Vienna.

Referring to decision made in 2005 to launch negotiations between
Turkey and the EU, Gul said Austria also approved this
decision. "There is no need for the Austrians to feel concern over
Turkey’s EU membership as a referendum would be held in the end," he
added.

Gul said views that reform process slowed down were "partially right",
indicating that, "Turkey had two elections last year. The government
was engaged with the elections. However a new period started in
2008. As the president, I am closely following the reform process."

When Kronen newspaper journalist Kurt Seinitz said Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described assimilation a crime against
humanity and this led to discussions in Austria, Gul said, "such kind
of expressions can be interpreted differently in different
languages. The communities should integrate in the best way with the
societies they have been living in and should share, strengthen and
defend their common values."

Gul responding to a question about Armenian claims said, these claims
were not a "taboo" in Turkey, adding that, "we are sorry over what had
occurred in the past. However, this is not a genocide which the Jews
had to experience in Europe. The incidents erupted after revolt of
Armenians with the affect of some foreign forces. But one thing is
important, all the churches were open even during the incidents and
the Armenians, who were in important posts in the Ottoman
administration, continued to work."

Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5 million of
their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in 1915. However
300,000 Armenians along with at least as many Turks died in civil
strife that emerged when the Armenians took up arms for independence
in eastern Anatolia.

Referring to Turkey’s call to all related parties to open their
archives, Gul said, "Turkey assumed a pioneering role here and
accepted to open its secret military archives."

PRESS RELEASE
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29)
Sean Oblack, Communications Director
202-226-8348 direct
202-225-3278 cell

May 15, 2008

Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a bill
urging the President and Secretary of State to call upon Turkey to
immediately lift its ongoing blockade of Armenia. The "End the Turkish
Blockade of Armenia Act" requires a report from the Secretary of State
within 30 days of final passage that will outline steps taken by the
U.S. to end Turkey’s blockade of Armenia.

"We need to step up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian blockade of
Armenia, permitting Armenian businesses to fully participate in the
global economy and assisting Armenia’s integration into Europe," said
Schiff.

The State Department has estimated that the blockade is inflating
Armenia’s transportation costs by 30-35%, and the blockade has prevented
U.S. and international humanitarian assistance from crossing its
borders, which is a violation of U.S. law and international humanitarian
standards.

Rep. Schiff is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
and the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security He
serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the House Judiciary
Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He
represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the
communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San
Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena
and Temple City.

-30-

NEW RULES ON PROVISION OF PHONE SERVICES TO BE APPROVED ON MAY 20

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Public Services Regulatory
Commission will approve the new rules on provision of phone services
on May 20, the head of the commission’s telecommunication unit Gevorg
Gevorgian announced at the May 13 discussion on the communication
sector. At the same time, he said that although NGOs participated in
the discussions on these rules, they have not submitted any written
proposals.

The chairman of the Association of Consumers of Armenia Armen Poghosian
said that the current rules were developed in 1999 and are not in line
with the current situation. However, according to him, several points
of the new rules cause concern as they are not aimed at protection of
the interests of consumers. In particular, the consumer should have
the opportunity to limit the amount to be paid by him/her, that is,
if the subscriber wants to fix a sum and to disconnect the phone
after exceeding this sum, ArmnTel has to do so.

In the words of A. Poghosian, the new rules reduce the obligations
and responsibility of the supplier and increase those of the
consumer. Besides, it is not definitely stipulated what is the
responsibility of the supplier if he does not implement the given
obligation.

REP. COSTA CALLS ON NEW NOMINEE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
14.05.2008 10:57

Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), a long time friend and supporter of
the Armenian American Community, sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L.

Yovanovitch, the new ambassadorial nominee of the United States to
the Republic of Armenia, requesting her to answer questions regarding
her views and opinions about the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

"It is important that the United States fill this empty diplomatic
position in Yerevan, Armenia," said Costa. "But before she is confirmed
by the United States Senate, it is critical for my constituents and
me to know her thoughts on the first genocide of the 20th century:
the Armenian Genocide," he added.

"In light of the events that took place with previous ambassadorial
nominee Richard Hoagland, the Armenian American community welcomes
Rep. Costa’s tough questions to Ambassador Yovanovitch on the subject
of the Armenian Genocide," said Andrew Kzirian, ANC-WR Executive
Director. "It is imperative that the next ambassador of the United
States to Armenia accepts the importance of genocide recognition,"
he added.

Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch currently serves as the United States
Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. On March 28, 2008, President George
W. Bush announced plans to nominate Yovanovitch as U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia.

Yovanovitch will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
for confirmation hearings, followed by a confirmation vote by the
panel and the Senate, before she is officially appointed.

The full text of the letter is included below"

"Congratulations on your recent nomination to be our Ambassador
to the Republic of Armenia. Your experience and current service as
Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic makes you an ideal candidate to
serve in Armenia.

As you are well aware, the United States has not had an Ambassador
in Yerevan since former Ambassador John M. Evans correctly stated
the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was the
first acknowledged genocide of the 20th century. I believe it is in
the best interest of our nation to have this position filled, but it
is also important that my constituents know your views of the Armenian
Genocide, as this issue can strengthen or hurt our relationship with
the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian-American community.

It is, by any reasonable standard, established history that between
1915 and 1923 the Ottoman Empire systematically killed an estimated
1.5 million Armenians and drove hundreds of thousands of others into
exile from their ancestral homeland. The record of this atrocity is
well documented in the United States Archives and has been universally
accepted in the International Association of Genocide Scholars and
the broader historical and academic communities.

Two days after the Ottoman Empire launched the genocide, the New
York Times reported a story with the headline "Kurds Massacre More
Armenians", and followed up this story for the next year with reports
of the mass slaughter occurring in the Ottoman Empire. On October
4th, 1915, the Times ran a front page article about a report from the
Committee on Armenian Atrocities discussing exactly what was happening
to Armenians in Turkey. "The report tells of children under 15 years
of age thrown into the Euphrates to be drowned; of women forced to
desert infants in arms and to leave them by the roadside to die; of
young women and girls appropriated by the Turks, thrown into harems,
attacked, or else sold to the highest bidder, and of men murdered
and tortured."

My district is home to many of Armenian-Americans, and many want to
know your views on the Armenian Genocide. I would like you to respond
to the questions below so I can get an insight on your opinion of
the Armenian Genocide and how you plan to resolve this ongoing issue
between Turkey and Armenia.

1. Under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide, which the U.S. is a party, it was decided that
genocide occurs when three criteria are met. In your view, does the
killing and exile of 1.5 million Armenians meet these criteria? If
it does not, please explain why it does not.

2. On March 15, 2007, Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried testified before the House Foreign
Affairs Committee and stated that the question of the Armenian
Genocide "should be resolved not by politicians, but through heartfelt
introspection by historians, philosophers, and common people." However,
in 1998, a group of 150 scholars of history, theology and law
encouraged their governments to officially recognize the Armenian
Genocide as such. Is this the type of "heartfelt introspection" from
"historians, philosophers, and common people" that Secretary Fried
spoke of? If so, why has the United States not recognized the Armenian
Genocide? If it does not, please explain why.

3. Have you done any personal research on the Armenian Genocide? If so,
what is your personal opinion about the events that occurred between
1915 and 1923?

4. What is your plan to strengthen ties with the Armenian-American
community?

5. Is there a plan to bring Turkey to the table and discuss with them
the facts of the Armenian Genocide?

A United States ambassador to a foreign nation has to clearly know
and understand the pulse, feeling and thoughts of those nations’
citizens to effectively design a diplomatic program while they are
working there. For example, an ambassador to Cambodia would need to
acknowledge their genocide because it has shaped the psychology of
that nation today. It has shaped the way the citizens of Cambodia look
at world events, political threats, cooperation with other nations,
and trade policies. The same is true for Israel or Rwanda. Denying a
traumatic event such as genocide, one cannot create, nor implement,
honest and effective diplomacy, nor gain the trust of that nation in
conducting bilateral relations."

Tribute to the memory of the killed soldiers

armradio.am
09.05.2008 14:20

On the occasion of the Day of Victory and Peace the Chairman of the
National Assembly Tigran Torosyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
representatives of the legislative and executive bodies, the senior
staff of the Armed Forces, clergymen, representatives of the diplomatic
corps, politicians visited Yerablur Pantheon today to pay homage to the
memory of those killed in the Artsakhi war. `On one hand today’s
meaning is homage to the memory of the killed, on the other hand, it is
pride for our victories and hope that we can unite at decisive times to
achieve victory,’ RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.

The prime Minister noted that steps are being taken to raise the
honorary payments to the participants of the World War II. Yesterday
the Government decided to double these starting from July 1st. `The
second step to be taken is the elaboration of a big social package of
program, which will be presented to the public during budget
discussions in 2009. It refers to the additional measures the state can
take to support the socially vulnerable classes, the veterans of war,
and orphans,’ the head of the executive body noted.

Teh leaders of teh country and senior Officers of the Armed Forces laid
wreaths at the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier as tribute to those
killed in the Great Patriotic War.

In Nagorno Karabakh RA President Serzh Sargsyan will participate in the
arrangements dedicated to the 16 anniversary of formation of the NKR
Defense Army and the liberation of Shoushi, as well as the Victory Day.