Author: Zakarian Garnik

JONATHAN HENICK: WE ARE TRYING TO GATHER INFORMATION ON US COMPANY THAT WORKS OUT SHUSHA’S GENERAL PLAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 10 2007

"The United States has not changed its position on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. We support Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and as the
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, we continue to make efforts for
a peaceful settlement of the conflict," US Embassy public affairs
officer Jonathan Henick told the APA.

Commenting on the involvement of US Sutter Emergency Medical Associates
(SEMA) with the designing of a general plan of Azerbaijani region of
Shusha occupied by Armenian forces, Mr. Henick said the US embassy
is gathering information on this company now.

NATIONALISTIC FERVOR HIJACKS GOVERNMENT
By Lale Sariibrahimoglu

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 10 2007

Increased nationalistic fervor in Turkey, which sometimes takes the
form of violence as witnessed in the slaying of Armenian Turkish
journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul in January this year, has been
hijacking the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
government, too.

Some scholars, for example, link the AK Party government’s decreased
appetite for furthering democratic oversight of the Turkish security
sector in the past two years — primarily the Turkish Armed Forces
(TSK) — to the increased nationalistic tendency of the government
that has surfaced with the national elections due in a few months,
hot on the heels of the controversial presidential elections in May.

"The government and the TSK share the same threat perception which
consists of two legs; one is the PKK and its activities and the second
is the establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq.

Despite the rhetoric that Turkey has come to terms with the existence
of a Kurdish entity in Iraq, I still think that this is not something
easy for both the government and the TSK to accept. If the government
and the TSK did not share the same threat perception on northern
Iraq, the ruling party could have taken more steps for the democratic
oversight of the TSK," Professor Umit Cizre from Ankara-based Bilkent
University argues.

Ironically, both the PKK and the Kurdish state issues are perhaps the
only two areas that bring the AK Party and the TSK closer while both
depart significantly on all internal and external policy issues,
seriously affecting the normalization of the country. It is then
not surprising, however unfortunate, that almost two years ago
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan stepped back from his attempts
to address the Kurdish problem in the country’s southeast through
democratic reforms that would have discouraged the taking up of arms
to solve this chronic problem.

As the US war in Iraq to topple deposed and executed Iraqi President
Saddam Hussein entered its fourth year yesterday, it is hard to say
that Ankara has learned its lessons from self-inflicted mistakes
such as, for example, neglecting the socio-economic problems of its
own Kurds while underestimating the growing power of the neighboring
Kurds of Iraq. We all know that Iraqi Kurds have already been enjoying
a de facto Kurdish state as the late former Turkish Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit had said on several occasions. With the US invasion of
Iraq supported by Britain in March 2003, Kurds have also officially
inaugurated their autonomous Kurdish region’s Parliament as envisaged
in the new Iraqi Constitution.

Jalal Talabani, leader of one of the two main Kurdish groups, became
Iraqi president while Hoshyar Zebari, an Iraqi Kurd has been serving as
the foreign minister of Iraq. Iraqi Kurds play a significant role as a
power broker in Iraq where the rest of the population consists of Sunni
and Shiite Muslims as well as some minority groups such as Turkomans.

Again Iraqi Kurds are the closest allies of the US in Iraq, and are
apparently convinced that the US administration will not allow any
Turkish cross-border operation, even in cooperation with US forces.

Iraqi Kurds have become more vocal than ever in their warning signals
sent to neighboring countries, mainly Turkey.

A recent statement made by a senior Iraqi Kurdish leader warning
Ankara over meddling in its affairs proves once again the ongoing
Iraqi Kurdish anger with Turkey which has until recently been bullying
the Kurds.

Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
and the head of the Iraqi autonomous Kurdish region, said during a
weekend TV broadcast that Turkey must not interfere in Iraqi Kurdish
attempts to attach the oil-rich city of Kirkuk to the Kurdish region.

He went to say if they were deterred by Turkey, Iraq’s Kurds would
retaliate by intervening in Turkey’s Kurdish dominated southeast.

Barzani also set a deadline of 10 to 15 years for the establishment
of a Kurdish state while saying that Turkey’s problem was not the
PKK but the existence of the Kurds.

I do not know how long this war of words will last between Turkey
and the Iraqi Kurds but one thing for sure is that Ankara should
behave like a big state and first solve its own internal problems
before looking for scapegoats for its self-inflicted mistakes. We
also have to bear in mind that acting on nationalistic sentiments
inflicts serious damage on the country in the long term.

–Boundary_(ID_0/1IbgR4Zgx+dFi8UsI8YQ)–

PRESS RELEASE

Duane Bates Dominique Schärer Gohar Palyan
HFHI in the United States HFHI in Europe/Central Asia HFH Armenia =09
1-229-924-6935, ext. 3079 +361-411-2170 +374 10 55 6114
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
=09

Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Catholicos Karekin II Work Project’ begins

Volunteers to help eradicate poverty housing in Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia (April 10, 2007) – Paint brushes, trowels and hammers
will swing into action this week, as Habitat for Humanity begins to lift
37 families from poverty housing in Armenia.

The second annual Habitat for Humanity "Catholicos Karekin II Work
Project" kicks off in Armenia today. Volunteers from around the globe
will descend upon Armenia to build homes side by side with homeowner
families, local sponsors, volunteers, dignitaries and monks from the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

"The Armenian Apostolic Church is delighted to launch this event once
again with Habitat for Humanity. It’s not only a celebration of people
coming together to help families in need, but it’s also an important
step toward removing the blight of poverty housing in Armenia," says
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

During building events around the country from April through October, 37
homes built in partnership with families in need will be completed in
Armenia, symbolizing 36 worldwide dioceses, plus the Holy See. His
Holiness, Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, is expected to bless
the event’s official opening at the Etchmiadzin Gevorgyan seminary on
April 10.

Churches and individuals are challenged to fully sponsor or to
contribute to a home. The Catholicos Project Family Sponsorship Cost
(FSC) for 2007 will be $7,360, which is an average for the cost of
renovations, half-build homes and new construction.

The first building event kicks off with a volunteer team coming from the
United States. The Habitat volunteers will be completing homes that
were abandoned and left unfinished after the economic collapse in the
early 1990s in Armenia where nearly half of the country still lives in
poverty conditions.

The Haroyan family of the Khor Virap village is the first selected among
the 37 families. Sahak, 43, and his wife Piruza, 36, are vegetable
farmers currently residing in a neighbor’s basement with their three
children, ages 18, 16 and 14. Economic strife forced the family to live
in the basement for seven years, as they have been unable to raise
enough funds to complete their own home. Piruza suffers rheumatism in
her legs due to the humidity. "If you help us, we will finish and move
to our new house by the next winter," Piruza said to a visiting Habitat
team.

The Armenian Church signed a historic partnership with Habitat for
Humanity in April 2006, aimed to combat poverty housing in Armenia and
worldwide. The first "Catholicos Karekin II Work Project" was held in
Gavar, Armenia, where a building was renovated in partnership with 24
families, with an additional 13 homes built around the country.

In Michigan in 2005, the Catholicos participated in Habitat’s annual
home blitz build, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, where he met with
President Carter. Following that, the Catholicos gave his blessing for
a home-building event to be created and held in Armenia.

Armenia is a country of 3 million nestled in the southern Caucasus.
Over the past decade, a devastating earthquake, conflict, the Soviet
Union’s collapse and a newfound independence have led to economic
crisis. Thousands still live in metal "domiks," iron containers used
for temporary earthquake relief, which act like refrigerators in the
winter and boilers in the summer. Habitat for Humanity Armenia has been
working with families in need since 2000 and provided homes in
partnership with more than 1,000 people.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity in Armenia, visit:

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry
that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of
eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in
1976, Habitat has built more than 225,000 houses in nearly 100
countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than
1 million people. For more information, visit
<; .

–30–

EVENTS DEDICATED TO 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHOUSHI LIBERATION TO TAKE PLACE IN ARMENIA AND KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.04.2007 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the end of April and beginning of May a number
of events will be held in Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Shoushi liberation. On May 7 the
premiere of director Arman Manaryan’s animated cartoon film "Sasountsi
David" will be held in Shoushi movie theatre. The cartoon is shot
based on the well-known Armenian epos. The same day Shoushi will
host "Golden Apricot" international film festival. Another premiere
awaits pupils of Armenia and Artsakh: Armenian Public Television will
broadcast film "Our Shoushi".

In the evening of May 8 video projection and presentation of the new
general layout of the town will be showed on the walls of Shoushi
fortress. The plan has been worked out by SEMA Associates (U.S.A.).

Also other videos will be projected on the walls of the fortress,
and the new anthem of the town will be performed live. A 15- salvo
firework will conclude the evening.

The Center of Cultures, Crafts and Tourism will be opened on May
9, where a photo exhibition titled "Shoushi with children’s eyes"
will be held during days of festival, as well as Nagorno Karabakh’s
Informational Center for Tourism will work in Shoushi, IA Regnum
reports.

Armenia and Karabakh mark May 9 not only as the Victory Day in the
World War II, but also as the Shoushi Liberation Day, as well as the
establishment day of NKR Defense Army (since 1992). Armenian volunteer
detachments and Nagorno Karabakh Defense army liberated Shoushi May
9, 1992.

U.S. WAR COLLEGE IS CONCERNED WITH NUMEROUS ISSUES

A1+
[06:37 pm] 09 April, 2007

April 9 – Vartan Oskanian received the delegation of the U.S. war
college at the head of Tamara Fitzgerald.

On Ms. Fitzgerald’s request, Mr. Oskanian dwelt on the peculiarities
and recent developments of the Karabakh conflict.

Further on, the sides focused on the RA external policy, the opening
of the Armenian-Turkish frontier, the recognition process of the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenia-Diaspora relations, the energy sphere,
the demographic issues, the anti-corruption methods, the obstacles
hindering regional collaboration, etc.

First Deputy Premier of Russia to arrive in Yerevan tomorrow

ArmRadio.am
09.04.2007 13:55

On April 10 First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Sergey Ivanov will
arrive in Armenia on a working visit.

Mediamax was told at the Russian Embassy in Armenia that `during the
visit Sergey Ivanov is scheduled to meet with RA President Robert
Kocharyan, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan and will visit school #21 of
the Russian Ministry of Defense in Kanaker. Other arrangements are
also envisaged.’

STEPAN GRIGORYAN: ARMENIA MUST TRY TO INFLUENCE US POSITION
Marlena Hovsepyan

"Radiolur"
06.04.2007 16:40

"The release of British sailors will weaken the US-Iran tension and
will reduce the possibility of military actions," political scientist
Stepan Grigoryan considers. According to him, Ahmadinejad’s step will
be positively taken by the European countries. The United States will
not launch military actions without Russia and Europe.

"In my opinion the threat of military actions always exists, but
today it’s not that big. It is hard to ignore the opinion of a number
of countries on the issue, particularly the stances of US Security
Council member states, primarily Russia and China," he said. Despite
the harsh resolutions adopted, the UN s inclined to solving conflicts
within the framework of diplomatic relations.

"Sine the issue refers to our immediate neighbor and touches our
interests, it is important that Armenia clarifies its position,"
says Stepan Grigoryan.

He is confident that we need to activate our diplomacy: even if
local military actions are launched, it will be a blow to Armenia’s
security system.

We are implementing large-scale economic programs especially in
the energy sphere, and the possible war will jeopardize our energy
security: "If among other countries Armenia expresses the opinion that
the launch of military actions is not wanted, it will be taken into
consideration by both the United States and the European Union. Every
country should try to resolve the issue in a peaceful way."

The UС forgives Armenia what it would not forgive any other
country. "It is connected with the fact that according to the
decision of the US Congress, Armenia is a country in blockade and
that is why the US allows us implement energy projects with Iran,"
says the political scientist.

A year ago Georgia uselessly tried to do the same during the tension
of Russian-Georgian relations: the US did not allow our neighbor
develop relations with Iran.

Taking into consideration the positive attitude of the United States
towards our country, Armenia can try to have certain influence on
the decisions of the superpower on some issues. "We should not use
our lobbyist opportunities in the US only for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. Today we must use these opportunities to prevent
military actions in Iran," Stepan Grigoryan says.

According to him, our interests on the Iran issue overlap with those
of Russia, since this superpower does no want reinforcement of the
positions of the West in our region.

–Boundary_(ID_lsi/T+/mBI3VabyMZyvang)–

CHINA TO SHOW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RA FOREIGN MINISTRY

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The ceremong of signing the documents
on giving technical assistance to the RA Foreign Ministry by the
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the RA took place at
the RA Foreign Ministry on April 4. RA Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Armen Bayburdian and Ambassador of the PRC to the RA Tso
Syuelian were present at the ceremony.

The event was dedicated to the 15th jubilee of establishment of
diplomatic relations between Armenia and China which is marked
this year.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, the technical assistance involves computer
equipment as well.

MAP ON A TURKISH CD DEPICTS NAKHIJEVAN AS PART OF ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
05.04.2007 16:00

A music CD containing national anthems of Turkic Republics, which
was released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, caused a
controversy. The map placed on the CD depicts Azerbaijani territories
Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Lachin and
Kelbecer as belonging to Armenia, Turkish daily Milliyet reported.

The music album with the national anthems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was sent to Turkish Embassies
in the Turkic Republics to be distributed to the public and presented
to the diplomats of the mentioned countries in Ankara.

Cultural Advisor of the Turkish Embassy to Baku Fethi Gedikli noticed
that the map covering the CDs included false information, showing
Azerbaijani land as part of Armenia and warned the Embassy not to
distribute the CDs, fearing that it might lead to diplomatic tensions
between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Informing the Ministry of Culture on February 21 of the incident, the
Turkish Embassy to Baku requested the elimination of the mistake. The
Ministry replied that the map designer was an employee known for his
"patriotic feelings," adding that it was not possible to place all
the geographical details on such a small map.

ARMENIA MUST NOT OBSERVE TURKEY’S RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS SUPREMACY OF FOREIGN POLICY, RA FORMER PRIME MINISTER SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 04 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. If Russia needs that country will
demand from Armenia to "lower" the demands towards Turkey in the issue
of the Armenian Genocide recognition. Responding the Noyan Tapan
correspondent’s question, former RA Prime Minister Hrant Bagratian
expressed this opinion at the April 3 discussion held in the "Hayeli"
club. Arsen Ghazarian, the Chairman of the Union of Industrialists and
Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia also participated in the discussion
relating to regional problems.

In H. Bagratian’s words, the official viewpoints of Moscow which is the
strategic partner of Armenian were expressed particularly by RF Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to it, unlike the U.S. Department
of State, official Moscow did not form a clear opinion concerning the
Armenian-Turkish relations. According to H. Bagratian’s estimation,
the Armenian Genocide committed by Ottaman Turkey was recognized by
the RF State Duma within the humanitarian context in 1995 as an event
but not as "a political line." In his words, Armenia must not observe
Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a supremacy of the
foreign policy.

A. Ghazarian agreed with the former RA Prime Minister’s opinion that
as the relations with Turkey and conflicts existing in the region
have not been settled Armenia was not able to become a participant
of any oil, gas or transport project. The speakers were of the same
opinion also in the issue that in the case of promoting military
actions by the U. S. against Iran, Armenia will lose the possibility
of communicating with the world through the territory of Iran, and
will be able to do it only through the territory of Georgia.

Besides, great inflow of Iranian Armenians towards Armenia will start.

In H. Bagratian’s words, the Armenian side must either make
compromises or settle territories neighboring to Karabakh for
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. At the same time, it must state
at the international level that "we need territory for living." In
the former Prime Minister’s words, Armenia must not observe Turkey
as an enemy country and must use all possitbilities of starting a
dialogue with that country.

A. Ghazarian, being a supporter of establishing relations with Turkey,
considered possible implementation of a new genocide of Armenians in
Turkey. He reached this opinion, observing developments taking place
in Turkey during the last four years.