Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

COMMON POINT OF KOSOVO AND KARABAKH CONFLICTS – COLLAPSE OF UNIFIED STATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 15:08 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It is possible to draw parallels between conflicts,
especially those of Kosovo and Karabakh, Russian Co-Chair of
the OSCE MG for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
1992-1996, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov stated in an interview with a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, there are two polar points of
view in the politics. “The first says that here is a common concept
for settlement of all conflicts, the second – that each conflict is
unique. The truth lies in the middle, as usual. There are solutions
that can partially be used both here and there,” Vladimir Kazimirov
noted.
In the Russian diplomat’s opinion, there is a common point of Kosovo
and Karabakh conflicts, i.e. collapse of a unified state, in this case
the USSR and Yugoslavia; the desire of autonomies to live on their
own. “However, there are many different points between these conflicts,
which cannot be left out when passing any agreements,” he said.

FRANCE TO CONSIDER PENALTIES FOR DENYING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 18, 2006 Thursday 10:16 AM EST
The French parliament was Thursday set to debate a bill which would
threaten a year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros for anyone who
“denies the existence of the genocide of Armenians in 1915.”
The bill put forward by the Socialists would complement a law passed
in 2001 which recognized the Turkish actions against Armenians in
1915 as genocide.
The bill could lead to new tension in the already problematical
relationship between Turkey and France.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened France with
economic sanctions if the law is passed.
According to circles close to French President Jacques Chirac, he has
appealed to the representatives to show responsibility: “The question
of the genocide of the Armenians is a delicate question and requires
balanced consideration and a sense of responsibility.”
Most Western historians term the Armenian killings genocide and say
that between 1 million and 1.5 million Armenians were killed or died
during the massacres.

LA COMMUNAUTE ARMENIENNE DE MARSEILLE “OFFENSEE” DENONCE UNE “INJUSTICE”
Agence France Presse
18 mai 2006 jeudi
Les Armeniens de Marseille ont denonce jeudi l’enterrement de la
proposition de loi socialiste reprimant la negation du genocide
armenien comme “une injustice” mais se sont dits prets a “poursuivre
la bataille”.
“Nous nous sentons offenses et nous avons un sentiment d’injustice et
d’impuissance (…) mais nous sommes prets a poursuivre la bataille”
pour faire voter cette proposition de loi, a declare a l’AFP Maxime
Sisvalian, porte-parole du Conseil de coordination des organisations
armeniennes de France (CCAF) a Marseille.
Marseille compte la plus forte communaute armenienne de France,
avec quelque 80.000 personnes.
L’examen, jeudi, de la proposition de loi a l’Assemblee nationale qui
avait commence dans la confusion, a ete interrompu sans etre acheve et
son vote a ete reporte sine die sous les cris de colère de plusieurs
dizaines de partisans de la cause armenienne masses dans les tribunes
du public.
Le CCAF a affirme avoir tente de rencontrer le president de l’Assemblee
nationale Jean-Louis Debre, après la suspension de seance mais ce
dernier “a refuse” de les voir. Le Conseil espère que la proposition de
loi reprimant la negation du genocide sera de nouveau mise a l’ordre
du jour de la chambre. “Cela depend d’une decision de la conference
des presidents”, a precise M. Sisvalian.
De son côte, le conseiller regional PS de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Garo Hovsepian a denonce l’attitude “insultante” du president de
l’Assemblee nationale.
La proposition de loi visait a completer par un volet penal la loi du
29 janvier 2001 par laquelle la France reconnaît le genocide armenien.
Les Armeniens affirment que jusqu’a 1,5 million des leurs ont peri
dans un genocide orchestre par l’empire ottoman (1915-1917). Ankara
soutient que 300.000 Armeniens et au moins autant de Turcs ont ete
tues au cours de troubles suscites par des soulèvements d’Armeniens et
leur ralliement aux armees russes en guerre contre l’empire ottoman,
et lors des deportations qui ont suivi.
–Boundary_(ID_AxfTxO23bLUcsOBphvsDYg)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
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05/18/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Uproar in French Parliament as Armenian Genocide Vote Is Shelved 2) Senators Sarbanes And Boxer Question US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan 3) Prime Minister of Canada Congratulates ANCC for Opening of National Office 1) Uproar in French Parliament as Armenian Genocide Vote Is Shelved PARIS (AFP/ANCA)--Angry scenes broke out in the French National Assembly on Thursday after the National Assembly's President Jean-Louis Debré, under pressure from the French Government, called off a vote on a bill that would make it a punishable offense to deny the Armenian genocide. Despite the fact that it was listed as only the second item on the Parliamentary agenda, President Debré effectively blocked the bill's consideration by artificially extending the first agenda item by adding speakers, extending time limits, and other dilatory tactics. These tactics were confronted by Socialist, Communist, and Centrist groups. Shouts filled the assembly as the bill's supporters accused members of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) of stalling debate. These protests, notably that of the President of the Socialist group, Jean-Marc Ayrault, led to Debré finally consenting to examine the anti-denial measure during the remaining thirty minutes left in the session. The time allocated for the bill's discussion ran out before a vote could take place. Discussion of the text--which has sparked a diplomatic dispute between France and Turkey--will now be pushed back to October at the earliest, under the parliamentary calendar. Dozens of lawmakers angrily yelling, "Vote! Vote!" had to be evacuated from the building after the leader of the assembly declared the session closed. Earlier Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy came out openly against the bill, which follows a 2001 French law officially recognizing the Turkish massacres of Armenians at the end of World War I as genocide. "If adopted, this text would be seen as an unfriendly gesture by the great majority of the Turkish people," he told lawmakers, warning its adoption would have "serious political consequences and weaken our position not only in Turkey but across the entire region." "Turkey is a leading economic and trade partner... we cannot accept this bill," Douste-Blazy said. Almost all the other speakers argued in favor of sanctioning Armenian genocide denial. Sources within Parliament reported that a broad majority of members, including those in the conservative majority, were prepared to vote for the resolution. The bill would make punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of 45,000 Euros the crime of denying that Turkish troops committed genocide against the Armenians. The same punishment is on the statute books for people who deny that the Jewish Holocaust took place. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan--backed by Turkish business leaders and unions--appealed this month to France to block the contentious new bill, warning of the threat to bilateral relations. Ankara briefly recalled its ambassador from Paris for consultations this month, amid rising tensions over the bill. Former Socialist minister Jack Lang said it would "undermine the efforts of those in Turkey who are trying to bring Ankara to recognize its history," and warned against a trend towards "criminalizing public expression." In light of these developments, President of the European Armenian Federation Hilda Tchoboian thanked the deputies who supported passage of the bill and condemned the French Government for preventing passage of the bill. `We thank the deputies who, by their commitment to the struggle for justice and dignity, preserved the honor and prestige of France as a nation committed to these high ideals. We are however scandalized by the shameful schemes employed by the French government to hamper the free expression of members of the National Assembly on this core issue of concern to the conscience of all people,' said Tchoboian. `Both the government and the media should keep in mind the lesson of the referendum on the European Constitution--namely that in a leading democratic nation, such as France, the will of the people cannot be ignored, deterred, or obstructed by the Government. Sooner or later, the imposition of penalties for Armenian genocide denial will be adopted because, in their wisdom, the French people and their elected representatives understand that the true basis for peace and progress are justice and the dignity,' concluded Tchoboian. 2) Senators Sarbanes And Boxer Question US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan --Ambassador Designate Anne Derse pledges no US financial support for railway bypassing Armenia; defends administration call to break military aid parity WASHINGTON, DC--US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Anne Derse responded to questions by Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Wednesday, on a series of US policy concerns focusing on Azerbaijan's belligerent attitude toward Armenia and Karabagh, as well as the Administration's budget request, which would break military assistance parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Senators Sarbanes and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) had submitted the questions during the May 12 Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, led by Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN). In response to a question by Senator Sarbanes expressing concern about the Bush Administration's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request which would provide over 40% more military assistance to Azerbaijan than Armenia, Ambassador Designate Derse defended the decision, stating that `we do not believe that the slight differences in military assistance... undermine prospects for peace or send the wrong message.' Derse was echoing a similar response by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, again to a question by Senator Sarbanes at a Senate hearing in February 2006. Secretary Rice had noted that `the minor increase in FMF [Foreign Military Finance] for Azerbaijan as proposed in the President's budget request in January does not signal any change in the US position on Nagorno-Karabagh.' Senator Boxer specifically questioned Derse about the US response to the Azeri destruction of the historic Armenian cemetery of Julfa in the Azeri controlled region of Nakhichevan. Azeri soldiers decimated the cemetery, which included thousands of cross-stone carvings, known as `khatchkars,' in December 2005. The ANCA had urged US Ambassador Reno Harnish to visit the site and investigate the demolition. Senator Boxer asked if Derse would `visit the cemetery site and commit [herself] to investigating the demolition of this unique cemetery.' Derse has yet to submit a response to Senator Boxer's inquiries. `We would like to thank Senators Sarbanes and Boxer for raising key concerns about the destruction of Julfa and military parity agreement with Ambassador Designate Derse,' stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `We remain troubled by the Administration's retreat from its 2001 agreement to maintain military aid parity and are hopeful the Congressional appropriators will honor this agreement to ensure military aid balance to the region.' The House Foreign Operations Subcommittee is set to discuss the issue during their mark-up of the FY 2007 foreign aid bill scheduled for this Friday, May 19. In response to Senator Sarbanes' question on efforts toward regional economic integration in the Caucasus, Derse noted that the `opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia would contribute to the economies of both countries,' but made no reference to the 18-year Azeri blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Derse did, however, make specific mention of recent efforts to build a railway line connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, stating `because the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be beneficial to regional integration, we have no plans to support such a railway financially.' Legislation restricting US aid to the railway project due to the exclusion of Armenia has been introduced by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and has the support of Senate Deputy Majority Whip Wayne Allard (R-CO). Similar legislation in the House has been introduce by Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA) and currently has 82 cosponsors. In her response, Derse reiterated the State Department's support for `the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan' and noted, `the future status of Nagorno Karabagh is a matter of negotiations between the parties.' She stressed that both the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been forewarned that `any attempt at a military solution to the conflict would only deepen its tragic impact.' During the hearing, Chairman Lugar, who has visited the Caucasus and met with former Azeri President Heydar Aliyev, expressed concerns about democracy in Azerbaijan and transparency associated with the large influx of oil-wealth into that country. Derse responded that `promotion of democracy, freedom, and human rights is indeed a top priority in our relationship with Azerbaijan,' and went on to express a commitment to `working to promote transparent and accountable government, an independent judiciary and parliament--promotion of basic freedoms, including religious freedom and freedom of assembly.' Anne Derse is a Foreign Service Officer with more than a quarter century of experience. She most recently served as Director for Biodefense Policy at the Homeland Security Council. Her prior postings have included service as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Iraq and at the US Mission to the European Union. Derse also has held posts in the Philippines, South Korea, Belgium, and Singapore, among other locations. The complete text of Senator Sarbanes' questions and Derse's responses are provided below. Questions for the Record Submitted to Ambassador-Designate Anne Derse By Senator Paul Sarbanes Senate Foreign Relations Committee May 12, 2006 Question: What steps will you take in response to President Aliyev's increasingly belligerent rhetoric and actions, such as his threats to restart the war against Nagorno-Karabagh, his call for a return of Nagorno-Karabagh `no matter what it takes,' and his proposals for vast increases in military spending? What impact do you believe such actions will have on the prospects for a negotiated settlement in Nagorno-Karabagh? Answer: We support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and hold that the future status of Nagorno-Karabagh is a matter of negotiation between the parties. Despite promising indications at present, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have much to do to prepare their publics for the compromises any just agreement will entail. We have told the presidents of both countries that any attempt at a military solution to the conflict would only deepen its tragic impact. Although the Rambouillet meeting between the two presidents marked a temporary stall in negotiations, the process has gained momentum again with a series of individual visits by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to the region. An agreement on Nagorno-Karabagh is within the grasp of the two presidents now. We believe that 2006 is the best window of opportunity for Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian to come to a mutually agreeable solution that will provide the basis for a lasting peace between their two countries. This will require acts of political courage by each president as they prepare their respective publics for a peace settlement. We hope the presidents will seize the opportunity to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict soon so that the important work of post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization can begin. If confirmed, I plan to continue to work toward a settlement, along with my colleagues at the Department of State. Question: Despite US and international calls for regional cooperation and economic integration, Turkey and Azerbaijan continue their illegal decade-long blockade of land-locked Armenia. Azerbaijan and Turkey are now escalating this policy of isolation by planning to build a railroad line to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan, excluding Armenia. There is currently legislation pending that would prevent any US financing of the approximately $800 million venture. Do you intend to raise concerns about the railway? What steps will you take to end Azerbaijan's blockade of Armenia? Answer: The US Government strongly encourages regional integration in the Caucasus. Removing trade barriers would improve regional integration and enhance economic cooperation and development within and beyond the region. Regional integration should, of course, include all countries of the region. We have long believed that opening the border between Turkey and Armenia would contribute to the economies of both countries and to such important broader areas as energy security for Europe and Eurasia. Because the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be beneficial to regional integration, we have no plans to support such a railway financially. If confirmed, I will strongly support the Administration's efforts to pursue regional integration for all countries in the region. Question: In the aftermath of September 11th, Congress granted the President limited and conditional authority to waive Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, with the understanding that the administration would ensure military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, in this year's budget, the President requested over $1 million more in military aid for Azerbaijan than for Armenia. On what basis has the administration decided to depart from its previous commitment to provide equal amounts of military assistance for Armenia and Azerbaijan? Answer: It is US policy to ensure that our security assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan does not affect the military balance between the two states, but it is not the Administration's view that military funding levels for Armenia and Azerbaijan should be identical. As Secretary Rice said recently in testimony before the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee on Appropriations, we believe slight differences in military assistance can be tolerated between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act every year since 2002 has allowed us to provide military assistance that enhances Azerbaijan's interoperability with NATO and US forces and furthers US peacekeeping objectives, as well as assistance aimed at advancing democratic and market economic reform. Assistance to Armenia for similar purposes requires no waiver. As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, our goal is to help Armenia and Azerbaijan achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. Military assistance to both countries in light of that ongoing conflict is carefully considered and calibrated to ensure that it does not hamper ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Progress is being made in the negotiation process and we continue to view 2006 as the best window for the sides to reach an agreement. At the same time, we are strongly urging the presidents to prepare their publics for peace. We do not believe that the slight differences in military assistance in the FY 2007 budget request undermine prospects for peace or send the wrong message. Question: Do you believe that Azerbaijan deserved to be elected to the UN Human Rights Council? How did the US vote on Azerbaijan's candidacy? What steps will you take to improve respect for human rights in Azerbaijan? Answer: The vote of the United States on these issues is always confidential. We stand ready to work with all the new members of the UN Human Rights Council. We will urge Azerbaijan will use this opportunity to fulfill its commitments to make real progress on advancing democracy and improve fundamental respect for human rights both domestically and throughout the world. If confirmed, I will continue to urge the Government of Azerbaijan to fulfill its own human rights commitments, and will look for opportunities to advance this effort through diplomacy, programs, and other measures. 3) Prime Minister of Canada Congratulates ANCC for Opening of National Office OTTAWA--Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, has sent a congratulatory certificate to the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) on the occasion of the opening of its national office in Ottawa. The certificate recognizes the `profound' contributions of the Armenian community in Canada. `Your new permanent office in the nation's capital will ensure that Parliament and the Government of Canada are aware of the concerns and aspirations of Armenian-Canadians,' reads the certificate. Over 30 Members of Parliament and Senators, among them the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary Jason Kenney and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, attended ANCC's national office opening on April 25. `The Prime Minister's heartfelt sentiments and initiative are greatly appreciated by tens of thousand members and supporters of ANCC,' said Aris Babikian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada. `We are proud and honored with our association and cooperation with the Prime Minister,' he said. `It is a great pleasure to see a government and a prime minister with such compassionate and principled feelings towards Canadians and their concerns.' All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

CREATION OF NEW DEPUTY GROUP BY DEPUTIES WHO LEFT ORINATS YERKIR FACTION BECOMES QUITE POSSIBLE
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Following the Orinats Yerkir Party’s
(OYP) statement about its witdrawal from the political coalition, and
the OYP Cairman Artur Baghdasarian’s statement about his resignation
from the post of the National Assembly Speaker, unofficial negotiations
around future vacancies are underway in the parliament. Besides OYP,
the opposition factions Justice and National Unity are not taking
part in these negotiations. The negotiating sides avoid providing any
information, advising to wait until the NA Speaker officially sends in
his resignation and the process to follow. However, one can predict
even now that as a result of the recent OYP-related developments,
some rearangements are expected in the parliament. Particularly,
the creation of a new deputy group by the deputies, who have left the
Orinats Yerkir faction, becomes quite possible. According to the NA
regulations, a deputy group may be created by at least 10 deputies who
must submit to the NA Speaker a statement on creation of such a group.

ARMENIAN BROTHERS’ RENT CASE BEGINS
By Evelyn Kwamboka
Standard, Kenya
May 18 2006
The hearing of a case in which a landlord has sued the Armenian
brothers over a Sh0.8 million rent dispute opened in a Nairobi court
on Wednesday.
Mr Sammy Musyoki has moved to court seeking orders to compel Artur
Margaryan and Artur Sargasyan to pay the money for terminating their
contract. Musyoki had leased his house in Nairobi’s Runda Estate to
the brothers through their company, Brotherlink International Ltd.
Through his lawyer, Mr Richard Mutiso, Musyoki told the court that
he received a letter terminating the one-year contract on May 11,
adding that an attempt to convert a deposit paid for the house into
rent was contrary to the tenancy agreement.
“I have a reasonable apprehension that they may leave the jurisdiction
of the court and consequently render any eventual decree nugatory,”
he said.
But Justice Festus Azangalala said the court could not give exparte
orders and instead ordered that the matter be heard inter partes on
May 25.

ARMAVIA LEASES AN A-319 PLANE
ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 14:45
The collection of airplanes of Armavia Air Company was supplemented
today with an A-319 airbus, press service of the company informs.
According to the source, the A-319, manufactured in 2004, was taken
on lease in Tulus. It passed technical examination in Mexico and was
exploited for a year by an American Air Company. The plane has 134
seats, 8 of which are of business class, the rest are of economic
class. Currently the Company possesses two A-319 planes, one A-320
and two Yak-42 jets.

OPERATION OF LIFTING THE BLACK BOXES OF THE CRASHED A-320 CONTINUED THE WHOLE NIGHT
ArmRadio.am
17.05.2006 14:10
The operation of lifting the black boxes of the crashed A-320 continued
the whole night, RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin said, ITAR-TASS
informs.
According to him, on May 16 the works were temporarily suspended
because of bad weather. Therefore, a decision was taken to continue
the work at night, when the wind was milder.
The Interstate Aviation Committee clarifies that decoding and
analysis of the black boxes is an important component of an air
crash investigation, since it reveals the reasons and circumstances
of the disaster. At the same time the UN Commission investigating
the case considers that it is immoral and impermissible to make any
statements about the possible reasons of the crash before the end of
the inquiry, since it contradicts the international practice of air
crash investigations.

AMBASSADOR CHITECHIAN PRESENTS TO BELGIAN BUSINESSMEN OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN POSSIBILITIES OF PROMOTING ACTIVITY IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 16 2006
BRUSSELS, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the initiative of
the Belgium-Armenia Trade Chamber, Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium
Vigen Chitechian met with big businessmen of Belgium of the Armenian
origin. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s
Press and Information Department, the meeting, in which businessmen
representing the spheres of advertising, insurance, transport,
internet, jewelry and sweet production of Belgium participated,
had a goal to establish a direct tie among businessmen of Armenian
origin presenting different spheres of the economy as well as to
present them possibilities of promoting activity in Armenia. The
meeting participants discussed issues connected with participation
of representatives of the Belgium-Armenia Trade Chamber in the
Armenia-Diaspora third conference.

SERGE SARGSYAN’S PLANS WERE DISTORTED
Lragir.am
16 May 06
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan announced several days ago that
the home political developments in Armenia favor his plans. Using
the opportunity, the news reporter of the Lragir asked the defense
minister if the secession of Orinats Yerkir from the coalition
also favored his plans. “No,” Serge Sargsyan’s answer was brief and
unambiguous. However, the minister of defense knows what he is going;
first of all is going to “adjust” his plans. “A plan cannot be a
dogma. Any plan changes, and we will try to adjust the plan to the
Armenian reality,” said Serge Sargsyan to our news reporter.