Author: Vasilian Manouk

15th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED IN GREAT BRITAIN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 08 2006

LONDON, DECEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. An event dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence took place at the House of Lords
on December 5. It was organized by the British-Armenian Parliamentary
Group with the assistance of the Armenian embassy in London. According
to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the principal speaker
was the RA Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian. Members of
the two Houses of the British parliament, officials of the Foreign
Office, heads of the London city authorities, representatives of the
country’s Armenian community, persons taking interest in Armenia,
and diplomats accredited to London attended the event. At the meeting
chaired by Baroness Caroline Cox, the Armenian Ambassador to the
UK Vahe Gabrielian, members of House of Lords Lord Averby and Lord
Shanon, member of House of Commons Pady Tipping and others made
speeches. They congratulated those present on the 15th anniversary
of Armenia’s independence, spoke about the fiendly Armenian-British
links and expressed confidence in the further development of bilateral
relations. In his speech the deputy minister A. Kirakosian touched
upon the history of the Armenian-British relations, highlighting the
pro-Armenan activities of some British political figures of the 19th
and 20th centuries.

He appreciated the support provided to Armenia by Armenian communities
since the country’s independence and their role in establishing and
developing friendly relations of the RA with various countries. At
the conclusion of the meeting, A. Kirakosian presented the libraries
of the two houses of the British parliament with books written by
him. Arman Kirakosian, who is on a working meeting to London, had a
meeting with officials of the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia Unit
of the Foreign Office on December 6, during which issues related to
bilateral relations, cooperation of the RA and the UK in international
organizations, and issues of regional importance were discussed.

PARTY HEAD ATTACKED IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

Armenpress
Dec 08 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: Harutyun Arakelian, the chairman
of the Ramkavar Azatakan (Democratic Liberal) party, was attacked
yesterday in downtown Yerevan at about 5.20 p.m., when leaving the
party office. A senior member of the party’s governing board, Karen
Kakoyan, said Arakelian was assaulted by two unidentified men who
pulled him down and began to beat and then fled the scene by a car.

Kakoyan said Arakelian has reported the attack to the police . Kakoyan
explained the attack by Arakelian’s political activity saying he had
no personal enemies.

HEAD OF PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT: "REFERENDUM" IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH PREJUDICES PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS
Author: A. Ismayilova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Dec 7 2006

The so-called "referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh scheduled for December
10, 2006 prejudices the negotiations on the peaceful resolution of
the conflict in this region, and once again proves that the position
of the Armenian party is insincere, said Novruz Mammadov, Chief
of the External Relations Department of the Azerbaijan President
Administration, Trend reports.

According to Mr. Mammadov, it is a proof of the fact that Armenians
are playing a multisided game.

"Irrespective of the games they play, they can not win and gain
dividends. Already some countries and international organizations
have expressed their opinion towards this issue. The international
community will never acknowledge this show as a serious legal act",
said Mr. Mammadov.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF BILL PROHIBITING FUNDS FOR RAIL BYPASS
OF ARMENIA

President Bush Set to Sign into Law

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today praised the House of
Representatives for the unanimous passage of a bill affirming U.S.
policy in the South Caucasus by prohibiting funding for a railroad,
sponsored by Turkey and Azerbaijan, which excludes Armenia from economic
and regional transportation corridors.

The bill will now go to President Bush for his expected signature.

Lawmakers approved S.3938, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of
2006, which included an amendment by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and
Rick Santorum (R-PA) ensuring that no Export-Import funding is used for
a rail line connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan while
circumventing Armenia. The provision was similar to an amendment
offered in the House version by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), along
with Congressmen Edward Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), which was
unanimously approved by the House Financial Services Committee in July.

"Well aware that Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to make every effort
possible to isolate Armenia from economic and regional opportunities,
passage of today’s legislation was key to the Assembly’s legislative
agenda," said Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "We thank
Senators Menendez and Santorum for their steadfast support of Armenia
and for introducing legislation (S. 2461) that would prevent U.S.
taxpayers from funding this project."

Hovnanian noted that despite congressional intent to prevent Armenia’s
isolation and an European Union declaration that it "will not finance
the Kars-Akhalkalak railway construction since the project leaves out
Armenia [which] conflicts with the European Neighborhood Policy," Turkey
and Azerbaijan plan to proceed with the project.

"As a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and
representative of a large and vibrant Armenian community of Armenians, I
want to thank my colleagues Joe Crowley and Ed Royce for their hard work
on this issue," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), ranking member of the
Joint Economic Committee, in a statement on the House floor.

"Allowing the exclusion of Armenia from important transportation routes
would stymie the emergence of this region as an important East-West
trade corridor," she continued. "It is in our economic and security
interest to ensure that we do not support the historic aggression
between Turkey and Armenia."

Following Maloney, Crowley, referring to Armenia as "a great U.S. ally,"
noted that both the Senate and House versions of the bill included
language pertaining to Armenia, which he spearheaded in the House.

"This language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus
region, help in ending long standing conflict, and save U.S. taxpayers
the responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S.
interests," said Crowley, a Member of the Armenian Caucus. "For over 10
years, Armenia has fought a blockade, imposed on them by the countries
of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These two countries continually exclude
Armenia from regional development."

Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), thanked his
colleagues for "putting a stop to [Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s] policy of
isolating Armenia. It is not good for Armenia, not good for the
Caucasus nations, and ultimately not good for the United States."

"If this policy of isolating Armenia continues it would only lead to
another war," Pallone warned, pointing out that Armenia’s dual blockades
coupled with Azerbaijan’s belligerence could lead to regional strife.
He noted that it has been U.S. policy to encourage regional integration
and that "the idea to build a railroad that would cut off Armenia, which
has been suggested by Azerbaijan and Turkey, would be contrary to the
policy [which] this Congress, under both Democratic and Republican
leadership, has had for the last 20 years."

"Let’s continue the policy of cooperation in bringing these countries
together for the common good," Pallone urged. He also added that an
existing rail line, that connects Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, could
be operational with minimal cost.

Executive Director Bryan Ardouny thanked Representatives Maloney,
Crowley and Pallone for their statements of support today and their work
to prevent attempts to isolate Armenia. He also commended Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Armenian Caucus Members Sherman
and Royce, and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Financial
Services and Senate Banking Committees for pushing the legislation
through.

The Export-Import Bank is the federal government agency that helped
finance the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to transport crude oil from the
Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2006-108

Editor’s Note: Below is the text of Congressman Joseph Crowley’s remarks
before the House of Representatives.

Congressman Crowley Statement
Export Import Bank Reauthorization
December 6, 2006

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization

This bill will strengthen the Export-Import Bank’s abilities to allow
American companies to compete in the global market as we try to increase
our exports, increase our global competitiveness and create more and
better paying jobs in the USA

This is a bill about exporting products not jobs.

Additionally, I am happy to say that both the Senate and the House
versions of this bill include language that I co-authored pertaining to
the nation of Armenia, a great U.S. ally.

My language, done with Congressmen Ed Royce and Brad Sherman, prohibits
the Export-Import Bank from funding any railway projects from
Azerbaijan, through Georgia and Turkey, which specifically bypasses
Armenia. I am very pleased that this language was included in the final
version of this legislation.

This language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus region,
help in ending long standing conflicts, and save U.S. taxpayers the
responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S. interests.

For over 10 years, Armenia has fought a blockade, imposed on them by the
countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These two countries continually
exclude Armenia from regional development.

Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters instability.

Besides possibly creating a regional crisis, this project, if funded by
the Export-Import Bank could cost taxpayers millions. I do not believe
that U.S. taxpayers should be funding a project that goes against U.S.
interests.

I am pleased this good language was added to an already good bill.

Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the Export-Import
Reauthorization.

###

HOLY SEE SAYS BUCHAREST CATHEDRAL AT RISK

Zenit News Agency, Italy
Dec 5 2006

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 4, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See wants a halt
to the construction of a skyscraper that would endanger the historic
Catholic cathedral of Bucharest.

The Vatican press office published a communique today asking the
appropriate Romanian authorities to suspend the construction.

The note states that the construction of a building — of 19 floors
above ground level and four below — at a distance of less than 10
meters from the northeast wall of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, risks
damaging the church irreparably.

"Concerns are aggravated by the precedent of the Armenian church,
which suffered grave damage for similar reasons," explains the note.

According to the Vatican, the construction of the skyscraper goes
against "the provisions of the 1993 European Union Treaty concerning
Legal Conditions and Measures for Preserving Cultural Heritage, to
which Romania adhered, and the State Commission Report for Monitoring
Building."

The Romanian Senate has already approved the report of the commission
of inquiry, which requests the immediate suspension of work.

The Holy See explained: "This should be followed by a decision on
the part of the appropriate authorities."

THOUSANDS IN GYUMRI STILL LIVE IN DOMIKS

Armenpress
Dec 05 2006

GYUMRI, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The municipality of the northwestern
town of Gyumri in Shirak province has registered over 1,000 people
eligible to a 10,000 Dram assistance of the city hall to survive
harsh winter months this region is famous for.

In the past the authorities provided these families, which still
live in so-called domiks, temporary dwellings, 18 years after the
destructive earthquake of December 7, 1988, with wood.

However, only part of such families can hope for 10,000 drams,
precisely, families with three and more children and those made up
of old-age pensioners, lonely senior citizens and disabled. The city
hall has been providing this assistance for six consecutive years.

REFERENDUM ON KARABAKH TO PREVENT SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICT – FM
Sevidzh Abdullayeva and Viktor Shulman

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
December 2, 2006 Saturday 02:36 PM EST

A constitutional referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh will prevent the
settlement of the conflict in the whole region, the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

"An illegal referendum and its results will not have any legal
effect. Any document of Nagorno-Karabakh’s self-determination may be
realised through a legal, democratic and peaceful process with the
equal participation of Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the
region," the statement says.

Azerbaijan does not recognise such acts, which "fully run counter
the efforts aimed at ensuring a lasting peace and stability in the
region," the document stresses.

IN POLITICS ONE SHOULD SPEAK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES RATHER THAN INEVITABLE SITUATIONS

Yerevan, November 30. ArmInfo. In the politics one should speak about
at least two alternatives rater than inevitable situation, says
the president of the Association of Political Experts of Armenia,
MP Hmayak Hovhannissyan while commenting to ArmInfo on the article
by Rezonansi (Georgia) reporting him as saying that Armenia will
inevitably secede from the Collective Security Treaty Organization
and join NATO if the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad is built.

In fact he spoke about two scenarios: the second and no less possible
alternative is that the Armenian authorities will stop restraining
the Armenian national movement in Javakheti which may lead to a
situation similar to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. If the Armenian
authorities stop pacifying the leader of the United Javakhq movement
Vahagn Chakhalyan, this scenario is quite possible. In such a case,
the geo-strategical region of Javakheti, with the Kars-Akhalkalaki
railroad and the Javakheti section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, will be go under control of Armenian nationalists.

There is also third alternative: even if Armenia begins drifting from
CSTO to NATO, it may simply fail to keep the situation in Javakheti
under control.

SHOT FIRED FROM AZERBAIJAN’S SIDE DURING MONITORING OF NKR AND AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES CONTACT-LINE

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On December 4, the OSCE mission
conducted a plan monitoring in the eastern part of NKR Martakert
region’s Seysulan populated area at the NKR and Azerbaijani armed
forces contact-line. From positions of NKR defence army the monitoring
was conducted by Field Assistants of Personal Representative of
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Peter Key (Great Britain), Miroslav Vimetal
(Czech Republic) and Zhaslan Nurtazan (Kazakhstan).

According to the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from NKR Foreign
Ministry’s Information-Analytical Department, the monitoring passed
according to the schedule.

However, like at the previous monitorings, the Azerbaijani side
did not lead the OSCE observers to its advanced positions. Besides,
some minutes before the monitoring’s end the monitoring participants
registered one shot fired from the right wing of Azerbaijani armed
forces positions. There are no victims.

On Karabakh’s part the monitoring mission was accompanied by
representatives of NKR Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry.

Armenia Solidarity
(an independent organisation,formerly known as Wales-Armenia Solidarity)
c/o the Temple of Peace
Cardiff
Tel: 07876561398
[email protected]

Two new Armenian motions in the UK parliament

Two new Armenian related motions have been tabled at the House of
Commons,in the UK parliament, London in response to a request.by
Armenia Solidarity.
They are on the Turkish blockade of Armenia (EDM number 344) and on the
Genocide, EDM number 357 (titled Armenia)
. By now, taken together, 120 of the present MPs have signed one or
more of the past EDMs recognising the Armenian Genocide..
All Welsh and Scotish Nationalists have signed previously(Plaid
Cymru and SNP parties), as well as approximately one third of Liberal
Democrat and Labour MPs. An Armenia Solidarity spokesman said that they
were confident of increasing the numbers of signatories substantially
this year.It is hoped UK Armenians will contact their MPs asking them to
sign, and also make contact with us.
Armenia Solidarity is also lobbying ministers. A representative
presented a book of evidence on the genocide titled "Remember" by John
Torosyan, last week to the Uk Foreign Secretary, Mrs Margaret Beckett.
She promised to study it carefully.

The wording of the motions are as follows

————————————————- ———————–

Nia Griffith(MP for Llanelli, Wales): Blockade of Armenia EDM
number: 344
That this House recognises the incompatibility of Turkey’s ongoing thi
rteen-year blockade of Armenia with the declared UK, NATO, and EU policy
objectives of regional security and prosperity; is appalled by the fact
that Turkey is the only Council of Europe country to engage in a
blockade against a fellow member-state; notes that the blockade has
already had a considerable negative impact on Armenian, Turkish and
regional development and continues to undermine efforts at international
development in the region; further notes that Armenia is in favour of
establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey; and urges the Turkish
Government to lift its blockade and work towards the establishment of
diplomatic relations without any preconditions inconsistent with
international law or the EU accession criteria.

————————————— ———————————

Spink, Bob : (MP for Castle Point, Essex) Recognition of theArmenian
Genocide EDM number : 357

That this House believes that the killing of over a million Armenians in
1915 was an act of genocide; calls upon the UK Government to recognise
it as such;and believes that it would be in Turkey’s long-term
interests to do the same.