Author: Tvankchian Parkev

Russia won’t move materiel to Abkhazia – diplomat
By Alexandra Urusova

ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 3, 2005 Friday

MOSCOW, June 3 — Abkhazia was not considered as a possible location
for the Russian military bases to be withdrawn from Georgia, the
Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador Igor Savolsky said in Moscow
on Friday.

“We did not discuss Abkhazia,” he said in answer to a question about
the possible transfer of Russian military hardware from Batumi and
Akhalkalaki to Gudauta (Abkhazia) or Gyumri (Armenia).

“We discussed Armenia, because the Akhalkalaki base is only 100
kilometers away from our base in Gyumri,” he said. “The military
hardware can be transferred from one Russian base to another, and
any fears that this transfer may strengthen the Armenian army are
unfounded,” he said.

He said they are not considering the transfer of Russian military
hardware to the Armenian side. “The hardware will be stationed
exclusively on premises of the Russian military base,” he said.

OSCE EXPRESSES WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT NOT ONLY IN LAW ADOPTION, BUT ALSO IN THEIR APPLICATION

YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. Armenian National Assembly Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan received Friday Christian Strohal, the Director of the
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. According
to Armenian national Assembly’s Press Relations Department, at the
meeting, the sides discussed issues related to reformation process in
Armenia. Baghdasaryan pointed out effective cooperation with the OSCE
and its Yerevan office. As a result of this cooperation, Electoral
Code was amended and the adoption of the Law on Assemblies, Rallies,
Marches and Demonstrations is under way now, Baghdasaryan said. The
Speaker also presented the process of discussions over the Armenian
Constitution reformation. The sides stressed the necessity of close
cooperation with Venetian Commission.

Strohal emphasized the OSCE willingness to assist Armenian Parliament
not only in reforms implementation, but also in law application. M.V.

-0–

No new agreements have to be inked for taking Russian military hardware from Georgia to Armenia – Armenian Defense Ministry

YEREVAN
June 2, 2005
RIA Novosti
Gamlet Matevosyan

The moving of Russian military equipment from Georgia to Armenia will
not necessitate the conclusion of new agreements, press secretary
Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvarian of the Armenian defense minister told
RIA Novosti on Thursday.

The lifting to Armenia of part of equipment from the Russian military
bases stationed in Georgia is regulated by the Armenian-Russian
agreement on military cooperation and the disposition of the Russian
military bases in Armenia, the quotas obligations provided for in
the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, he said.

“For this reason there’s no need to conclude a new document or a new
agreement between the sides for bringing Russian military equipment
to Armenia,” Shakhsuvarian said.

On Tuesday a trainload of military equipment and ammunition had set
off from the Batumi base to the Armenian town of Gyumri, he recalled.

Simultaneously, Shakhsuvarian noted that relocation of Russian
servicemen from Georgia to Armenia has not yet been spoken of.

Back in 1995, in keeping with the Armenian-Russian interstate
agreement, the Russian 102nd military base was deployed near Gyumri and
is now doing combat duty within the framework of the united air-defense
system of countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The base is subordinated to the Transcaucasian group of troops of the
Russian North Caucasian military district. The base has an aircraft
missile system S-300 and MiG-29 fighters, a 5,000-strong personnel.

The possibility of relocating Russian military bases from Georgia
to Armenia has worried Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It believes
that the relocation will not be conducive to settling the drawn-out
Armenian-Azeri conflict around Nagorny Karabakh, an Armenian enclave
in Azerbaijan.

Today, Azerbaijan
June 2 2005

Senator Charles Heigle: “It will cause serious anxiety if military
supplies of Russia are placed in Armenia”

02 June 2005 [15:53] – Today.Az

The USA Congress Senator Charles Heigle who visited Baku yesterday
held press conference yesterday.

C.Heigle was introduced to the journalists before the press conference
started. He was reported to have been serving in the Senate for a long
time, participated in the Vietnam War, founded mobile phone company,
headed investment company and he took his first independent steps in
the radio as broadcaster of talk-show.

Then the Senator addressed the conference. C.Heigle stated that, that
is his 9th visit to the region and 3rd visit to Azerbaijan. Stating
that, he started his journey from Turkey this time, the Senator
underlined that he will visit Georgia, and Armenia and Ukraine then.

He stated he conducted several meetings in Baku as well as conducted
talks with President Ilham Aliyev: “The goal of my visit is to
display devotedness in continuing the relations in the cooperation
in the sphere of democracy, security, economic development and energy
between the USA and Azerbaijan”.

Responding to the questions, the Senator expressed his hope that free,
transparent, democratic elections will be held in Azerbaijan.

He underlined that, the USA always assists Azerbaijan in holding
democratic election. Stating that Republicans and Democracy
institutions of his country are functioning in Azerbaijan, the Senator
announced that the election depends on the will of government of
Azerbaijan and the voters at the result.

The senator expressing his relation to not allowing holding political
actions in Azerbaijan informed that it was not an estimable case. He
said that he hoped the Azerbaijani government would not impede the
opposition’s holding the action on June 4. Charles Heigle answering the
question about establishing the Russian military bases withdrawn from
Georgia in Armenia informed that withdrawing the military equipment
from Georgia was good news: “However, if the military supplies of
Russia are brought to Armenia, this would give much trouble”. The
senator considers that the military bases of the foreign country
should not be established in the territory of the independent country
in case it causes danger for the region.

/APA/

URL:

Ethiopian Armenians: Armenian life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Azad-Hye, Dubai
May 28 2005

In the 29th April 2005 issue of “Addis Tribune” (a publication of
Tambek International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, established in 1992)
printed an article by Garbis Krajian, under the title: “Genocide 90
years ago – and Denial”

Garbis Kradjian is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
and a teacher of ethics courses. His current assignment is in Ethiopia
and Zambia.

The article was more than a tribute to the memory of the victims
of the Genocide. It was a blend of memories on personal, communal,
national and trans-national levels, all intermingled in an interesting
way. After all, our life is a reflection of the reality within those
four circles.

The article begins with the following statement:

As a form of introduction, I was born in Ethiopia from Armenian
parents. My family’s history in Ethiopia goes back over 150 years.
>>From my father’s side, I am fortunate to trace my genealogy back
five generations. From my mother’s side, I am only able to go back
as far as my grandfather. Nonetheless!

I grew up in the Arat Kilo region and still remember many of my
childhood friends. I became fluent in Amharic [the majority language
in Ethiopia] and loved doing everything a child would do in our
neighborhood. Ethiopia became my home country and home to almost all
Armenians who live in Ethiopia. Right after the fall of the Emperor
I left Ethiopia for Canada.

After living abroad for thirty years, I have returned to Ethiopia
as an educator. Upon my arrival I learned that the once vibrant and
prosperous Armenian community that numbered around 1,500 has dwindled
to less than one hundred. The remaining twenty families still run
the community school, a club and a church.

On April 24th, like it has been done for the last 90 years, I also
went to my church to pray for the soul of my ancestors.

It is estimated that over ten million Armenians and friends in one
hundred fifty-two countries gathered in churches, community centers,
and national assembly halls to commemorate the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.

I was one of sixty Armenians who congregated at St. George (Kevork)
Armenian Church [in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia] to pay
tribute to my ancestors who were victims of the atrocities committed
by the Turkish Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Needless to say, I could not think of being anywhere else in the
world at this particular moment than this sacred place in Addis which
is still situated in the same setting where I regularly prayed as a
child until I was 19 years of age. This was the same site, where every
year, on April 24th, a thousand or so Armenian-Ethiopians gathered
to remember their ancestors, the children, and the elderly who were
slaughtered by the Ottoman Army. In fact, what makes my conviction
so much stronger is that I am the grandchild of one of the Forty
Orphans, the “Arba Lijoch,” who survived the genocide and escaped to
Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, these forty orphans were given shelter at
the Armenian Monastery later to be adopted by Emperor Haile-Selassie.

The Emperor brought them to Ethiopia, where they made this lovely
country their home. These forty young men, who were a band had
impressed the Emperor with their musical skills. Upon their arrival
to Ethiopia, they were commissioned, under the directorship of Noubar
Nalbandian, uncle of Nerses Nalbandian, to compose the National Anthem
of Ethiopia. It remained as the anthem, “Teferi Marsh” or “Ethiopia
Hoy,” until the arrival of the Dergue [military committee formed in
1974 after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Sellasie].

Before I move to the topic of my immediate concern, I pay much
gratitude to all Ethiopians, present and past, for giving the Armenians
a home for the last 100 years.

Garbis Krajian then gives a summery of the Genocide explaining why
Turkey should recognize it.

He ends the article by borrowing Reverend Martin Luther King’s “I
have a dream” speech:

I have a dream that one day little Armenian boys and girls will be
able to join hands with little Turkish boys and girls as sisters
and brothers without having to bring up the past. I hope one day,
my daughters Sara and Ani will be able to play with the children of
my very good Turkish friend Serdar, without even going there…there
…there, to the past, a very sad past that is inevitable to surface
when an Armenian and Turk meet.

You can reach Garbis Krajian at the following e-mail.

Complete text available online.

70th anniversary of St. George (Kevork) Church in Addis Ababa.

On the 16th January 2005, the Armenian Community in Ethiopia witnessed
one of its memorable days, the celebration of the 70th anniversary
of St. George (Kevork) Armenian Apostolic Church of Addis Ababa,
the capital of Ethiopia.

The celebration was presided by Archimandrite V. Rev. Fr. Ashot
Mnatzakanyan (Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church
of Egypt and all Africa), Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian, Pastor of the
Community (and other nearby countries such as Sudan) attended the
ceremony. The celebration enjoyed the support of His Holiness Patriarch
Abouna Paulos, the Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This fact
in itself was a proof of ages old friendly relationship between the
Oriental Orthodox Churches of both countries: Armenia and Ethiopia.

Catholicos Aram I helps the Ethiopians of Lebanon build their first
church.

Antelias, Lebanon (10 February 2005)- His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia, has contributed to the church-building efforts of the
Ethiopian community of Lebanon. The community will soon construct its
first church in the Ainaar village, located in Mount Lebanon. The
land was registered as a property of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
[donated by a Lebanese Christian benefactor].

His Holiness Patriarch Abouna Paulos, the Head of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church, had visited the Catholicosate two years ago and asked
Aram I to assist the Ethiopian Community of Lebanon. Upon his request,
Catholicos Aram I closely followed the religious activities of the
community during the last two years. The Ethiopian Patriarch’s visit
has paved the way for continual cooperation between the Catholicosate
of Cilicia and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

You can reach Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian, Pastor of the Community at
the following e-mail.

;file=article&sid=187

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 1 2005

REPLACEMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITAYR BASES IN ARMENIA TO CAUSE SERIOUS
CONCREN
[June 01, 2005, 23:07:39]

On 1 June, the United States Senator Charles Hagel held a news
conference at the “Hyatt Regency-Nakhchivan” Hotel.

Noting that he is visiting the country as representative of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Hagel said he is going to
have exchange of opinions on series of questions.

He said President Ilham Aliyev had received the delegation he headed
and they had discussed a range issues related to security, geopolitical
situation, economic development, cooperation in the energy field,
as well as democratic issues. I conveyed gratitude of the American
people to the head of the Azerbaijan state for cooperation in fighting
terrorism and activity in peacemaking process in Afghanistan, Iraq
and Kosovo, he underlined.

Touching upon the opening of the Azerbaijan sector of BTC MEP, the
Senator said he has been one of the supporters of this project. BTC
is an important factor for security, stability, and development
in region. And the United States is proud for participation in the
Project.

Charles Hagel said his country supports peace way resolution to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Highly estimating the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from
Georgia, Mr. Hagel noted that replacement of a part of them in Armenia
would cause serious concern. Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are
independent states. No country should have foreign militarily bases
in its territory. This would cause threat in region, he warned.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 29, 2005, Sunday
19:56:17 Central European Time

EXTRA: Hariri’s son claims sweeping victory in Beirut

Beirut

Blaring car horns and thudding drums echoed Sunday across Beirut as
Saad Hariri, the son of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafik Harir,
claimed victory in parliamentary elections.

Cars flashing the blue flags of Saad Hariri’s organization roamed the
street of the capital with supporters honking and chanting slogans,
including “Beirut is loyal to Hariri.”

The nighttime celebrations came hours before any official results
were expected to be announced.

Dozens of Hariri followers gathered in front of his residence to
chant slogans hailing Saad Hariri, who was widely expected to win all
19 seats up for grabs in Beirut.

Fireworks covered the capital, especially near Hariri’s house. Hariri
loyalists were joined by followers of the outlawed Christian Lebanese
Forces party, who converged on the Hariri residence to call for
freedom for their commander, Samir Geagea, who has been jailed for 11
years.

“Moslems and Christians, national reconciliation”, Hariri chanted as
he addressed Geagea followers outside his home.

“Today, Beirut voted for national unity,” Hariri said.

Throughout Sunday, the capital had been ablaze with the red and white
colours worn by followers of Saad Hariri, the young heir to his
father’s mantle, cruising to victory in a city where his list has
already been given nine candidates out of 19 seats.

Wearing a casual blazer and jeans, Saad Hariri stood waving at his
followers and listening to their slogans.

Despite the festivities, the election fever had remained low across
the capital for the first phase of the four-round elections, as
turnout was at 28 per cent, according to preliminary results.

The low turnout has been explained by the fact that nine of the 19
seats have already been decided, and because popular former exiled
Christian General Michel Aoun – and the powerful Armenian party
Tashnag – called for the a of the Beirut round.

Aoun followers roamed the streets with T-shirts reading, “Do not
vote”, to distribute leaflets asking people to stay home and boycott
the elections.

The Lebanese elections are being held on four consecutive Sundays
through June 19. dpa wh ff

Turkish Press
May 29 2005

Press Review

AKSAM

GERMAN OPPOSITION LEADER PRODS TURKEY OVER CYPRUS, ARMENIA ISSUES

Germany’s main opposition leader Angela Merkel yesterday urged Turkey
to improve its relations with Armenia and clarify its official
attitude on the Cyprus issue before starting accession talks with the
European Union on Oct. 3. Although Turkey’s EU membership bid is
supported by current German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his
party, Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), however,
favors a looser “privileged partnership’ with Ankara. The CDU is the
main sponsor of a draft resolution before the German Parliament
calling on Turkey to take historical responsibility for the so-called
mass killings of Armenians during the late Ottoman era. Merkel’s
party will challenge Schroeder’s Social Democrats in early polls this
September. /Aksam/

JAPANESE BANK OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO GIVE 15.9 BLN-YEN LOAN
TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 26 meeting, the RA National
Assembly ratified the contract between the Armenian and Japanese
governments on the Japanese loan for the purpose of increasing the
efforts aimed at the RA economic stabilization and development, and
the loan agreement for the project of the Yerevan Power-Generating
Unit with a Combined Steam and Gas Cycle. Based on this, the Japanese
bank will give the Armenian government a 15.9 bln-yen loan at a 0.75%
annual interest rate with the maturity of 40 years and a 10-year grace
period. The loan is provided for the construction of a steam and gas
power unit at the Yerevan Thermanl Power Station to produce electricity.
This, in particular, will allow to supply consumers with relatively
cheap electricity and maintain competition on the domestic market.

SIX ORGANIZATIONS IN BELGIUM CALL ON SENATE TO ADOPT DRAFT LAW
SANCTIONING DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

BRUSSELS, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Association of Armenian Democrats
in Belgium (A.A.D.B.), the Kurdish Institute of Brussels, the European
Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (E.A.F.J.D.), the
Info-Turk Foundation, the International Federation for Human Rights
(FIDH), the LDH Human Rights Organisation (LDH – Belgium), the
Movement against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia (MRAX) sent a
common appeal to the Belgian Senate to vote upon the draft law to be
examined and voted in a few days, which would expand the offence of
genocide denial. The above-mentioned six organizations remind that the
draft law, approved earlier by the House of Representatives, is based
upon a judicial definition of the crime of genocide, which would not
specifically sanction the denial of the Armenian Genocide. The House
version was enacted prior to the establishment of the relevant
international jurisdiction. The issue has come to prominence recently
due to the numerous instances of Armenian Genocide denials taking
place in Belgium. Therefore, as it is mentioned in the draft, nearly
half of the members of the Senate are seeking to consider this law and
examine amendments aimed at extending penalties to the denial of
genocides recognized by the Belgian federal legislative bodies and by
the European legislative institutions. However, the Senate is
subjected to strong pressures from denialist lobbyists asking for the
rejection of those amendments. That is why the organizations call upon
the Senators to show firmness and discernment by adopting an
unambiguous wording that clearly criminalizes the denial of the
Armenian Genocide. They underline that genocide denial is not the
expression of an opinion but the continuation of the crime of
genocide. The authors of the document also consider that the crime of
the Armenian Genocide denial does not aim any definite group of the
population on ethnic or religious criteria, and not particularly the
population of Turkish origin, but all persons who would become guilty
of the offence of genocide denial. “We consider that civil peace and
reconciliation can only be based on justice, one of the vocations of
which is to tell the truth. This is why it is urgent to recognize the
Armenian Genocide, as it is now also urgent to criminalize its
denial”, runs in the common appeal of the organizations.