Author: Zargarian Hambik

Glendale News Press, CA

Council aims to nix tensions

Members are set to explore the possibility of a permanent human relations unit.

By Jason Wells
Published: Last Updated Friday, July 4, 2008 11:22 PM PDT

GLENDALE – Racial tensions that have played out in various forms
throughout the city over the past year have renewed calls for a
permanent human relations commission to address the public rifts and
facilitate greater cultural understanding.

Mayor John Drayman on Tuesday called for a report on how to go about
forming the commission following a string of incidents in the past
year that have belied racial tensions throughout Glendale, from high
school campuses to City Hall.

`I don’t want to wait until we have another incident or issue,’
Drayman said.

At the political level, the tension has manifested itself multiple
times during the election campaign, the fight over federal block grant
funding and a ban on outdoor grilling.

It was perhaps strongest early this year as the City Council moved
forward with, and eventually approved, a change to the absentee ballot
application process to disallow third parties from handling completed
applications.

The city’s large Armenian community framed the change as an attack on
the voting rights of recent immigrants, calling proponents of the
proposal `hateful malcontents’ who were perpetuating discrimination
and bigotry.

The ongoing battle between neighborhood activists and Armenian
restaurant and banquet hall operators has also been a constant strain
on cultural relations with some restaurateurs and their attorneys
claiming the protest is over racial bias, not the environmental impact
of their businesses.

For some city officials, the signs of community discontent among
neighbors are too many to ignore.

Graffiti was discovered at St. Peter Armenian Church in February and
deemed by church and police officials to be `hateful;’ a large-scale
fight broke out at Glendale High School in May 2007 between mostly
Armenian and Latino students; and spray-painted swastikas were found
Montrose.

`The indications are all around us,’ Drayman said.

Glendale has had mixed results with establishing a community-based,
member-driven human relations commission. The last time the city had
such an actively involved body was in the years immediately proceeding
the 2000 stabbing death of 17-year-old Raul Aguirre outside Herbert
Hoover High School.

Two Armenian teens were ultimately convicted on attempted murder and
voluntary manslaughter charges in the death, which spawned ongoing and
sometimes violent scuffles between Armenian and Latino youths and
gangs.

But as the memory of the incident faded, so too did interest in the
Glendale Human Relations Commission, and it eventually became defunct
little more than a decade after its creation in the mid-1990s.

With tensions apparently steaming in a large city that has strong
Armenian, Latin and Asian immigrant communities, the council appears
ready to form a more permanent, city-sponsored human relations
commission that would be proactive heading off future
misunderstandings through public education and more active
communication.

`I think it’s a good idea,’ Councilman Frank Quintero said. `Any urban
city in American needs to work to bring different groups together.’

Congressional representatives and Los Angeles County officials have
offered to assist Glendale in its quest to determine how the
commission should operate and under what guidelines.

A report on those options will come back to the council later this
year for further direction and public input.

MARMARIK RESERVOIR RESTORATION LEFT INCOMPLETE DUE TO DOLLAR DEPRECIATION

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ly 4

On July 2, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian visited Marmarik reservoir
in the RA Kotayk region, which has not been used from the moment of
its construction, after 1974, as its stronghold slided down a few days
before filling the water into the reservoir. The stronghold top that
had 350 meters length slided down to 13.5 meters. And approximately
500 thousand cubic meters earth mass moved. Stronghold repairs started
from 2006.

Andranik Andreasian, the Chairman of the Water Economy State Committee
of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, told the Prime
Miniser that at present Marmarik reservoir poses certain danger
for people living below it. According to A. Andreasian, it was one
of the main reasons, the reservoir restoration was involved in the
World Bank (WB) Stronghold Security Program, within the framework
of which reservoir’s stronghold was to be restored. The projecting
finished in 2005. The construction contract was signed on August 31,
2006 and according to the program, the construction is envisaged to
be finished within 24 months, in 2008, but it has been left incomplete
due to the lack of funds as a result of dollar depreciation.

According to Andreasian, at that time the construction contract cost
was 4bn 568m 779 thousand drams, that is, 11.521.609 dollars. The
allocated funds have been spent, but a new calculation is needed to
finish the rest work.

LIE TOLD 100 TIMES EQUALS THE TRUTH

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 03, 2008
Armenia

According to Professor BABKEN HAROUTYUNYAN, "Nobody has forced us into
the propaganda war; neither have we joined it on our own. The situation
with our propaganda is terrible. Every 5 days, Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliev announces that "the present-day Armenian territory is
historically the Western part of Azerbaijan." I don’t remember any
official response made in this connection.

That’s to say, we have a task to act properly in the propaganda war,
protecting our interests. For the international community, which is
unaware of many things, any lie told 100 times is equal to the truth."

REPRESENTATIVE OF LEVON TER-PETROSSYAN’S MOVEMENT APPROVES OF THE POSITION AND ACTIONS OF LEADER OF HERITAGE PARTY AT PACE SUMMER SESSION

ArmInfo
2008-07-02 16:04:00

I approved of the step undertaken by the leader of Heritage party
Raffi Hovannisian during the PACE summer session, the representative
of Levon Ter-Petrossyan’s movement David Shahnazaryan said during a
press-conference today.

To remind, Hovannisian walked out of the session hall in protest of
the decision passed by PACE.

It was the only possible response to PACE’s policy on Armenia. "What
else could he do when so many European officials were just dreaming
of being deceived and were deceived in the end? And even though the
Armenian authorities sometimes manage to come to terms with some
European officials, this regime has and will have nothing to do with
the European values," Shahnazaryan said.

PACE REPORT SLAMS RUSSIA FOR LACK OF DEMOCRACY

Interfax News Agency
June 26, 2008
Russia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has
named Russia among other European countries with weak democratic
institutions.

The resolution, made at the PACE’s June session on Wednesday following
the debates on the state of democracy in Europe, suggests that Russia,
along with several other European nations, including Armenia, Georgia,
Ukraine and Moldova, conduct an electoral reform.

PACE believes that Russia has so far failed to create equal conditions
for election candidates, including equal and unbiased coverage of
election campaigns. Russia’s failure to meet this requirement led
to the PACE observers qualifying the December 2007 parliamentary
elections as free, but unfair.

The report also criticized Russia’s 7% parliamentary election threshold
and suggested that it be decreased.

Moreover, Russia, as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, failed
to eradicate the practice of oppression and intimidation against
opposition candidates and their supporters, the report said.

Russia and Montenegro were criticized for the lack of proper separation
between the state and political parties and candidates.

Russia, Serbia and Ukraine were blamed for having the imperative
mandate in their national laws.

The Assembly reaffirms that the recall of people’s representatives
by the political parties ("imperative mandate") is unacceptable
and inconsistent with the rule of law and the separation of
powers. Russia’s rules of political parties’ registration and its ban
on formation of electoral blocs coupled with the 7% election threshold
create a situation, which makes it very difficult for new and small
political parties to compete efficiently, the resolution said.

Russia, as well as other former Soviet republics, have yet to do a
great deal to increase the parliamentary control over the executive
power branch and to improve the system of checks and balances,
and to strengthen the judiciary’s independence from other branches,
the Assembly said.

Censorship, persecutions, and imprisonment, intimidation of journalists
or even physical threats continue to occur in Azerbaijan and Russia,
it also said.

Russia is also among the countries, which still lack media pluralism
and have yet to create a genuinely public broadcasting service.

Meanwhile, head of the Russian delegation to PACE and Duma foreign
affairs committee chairman Konstantin Kosachyov told Interfax earlier:
There are no trouble-free countries in the Council of Europe, and in
some respects Russia looks much better than its partners.

MOSCOW. June 26 (Interfax) – Head of the Russian delegation to PACE
and Duma foreign affairs committee chairman Konstantin Kosachyov has
refuted allegations that the European Community put Russia on its
blacklists over its violations of the democratic standards.

Commenting on the report on the state of democracy in eleven countries,
including Russia, which was discussed at a PACE session on Wednesday
evening, Kosachyov said: Neither the report, nor the subsequent
discussion put Russia on any list whatsoever, given that the PACE
has no white or grey or black lists of countries.

Despite containing a lot of criticism, the report offered nothing
new apart from what was said earlier in respect of Russia, Ukraine,
Turkey, Serbia – all the eleven Council of Europe member states which
continue to be monitored, he said.

The report summarizes all the criticisms that were earlier voiced
against these countries, including Russia. Many of them are debatable
and many have to be accepted. But in my view, Russia does not look
too extreme compared to the other ten countries, Kosachyov said.

ALIYEV AGAIN SAYS "WAR IS NOT OVER"

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.06.2008 14:52 GMT+04:00

After the USSR decline, Azerbaijan spared no effort to form an
efficient army. Today, the Azeri army is the strongest in the region,
according to the Azerbaijani President.

"During a meeting with our soldiers I noticed ardent patriotism,"
Ilham Aliyev said at a parade dedicated to 90th anniversary of the
Azeri army formation.

Azerbaijan is building a military-industrial complex. Most of armament
and defense technologies we buy from foreign states but we want to
produce ammunition ourselves. Azerbaijan’s defense budget increased 10
times during the past 5 years. Talks on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
are continuing but the issue is not settled yet. War is not over. It’s
only the first stage of war that’s finished. We are ready to liberate
our lands at any moment," Aliyev said.

"The international law, economic possibilities and military industry
are our advantages. Today, the Azeri army is the strongest in the
region," he resumed, Day.az reports.

PENNINGTON: THERE IS WILLINGNESS AMONG MANY PEOPLE IN TURKEY TO TALK MORE HONESTLY ABOUT THE PAST

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.06.2008 14:59 GMT+04:00

Reconciliation is an extremely important issue in my view for both
Turkey and Armenia for the future of both countries and for the
stability in the region, according to Mr Joseph Pennington, the
U.S. Charge d’Affairs in Armenia.

"I’ve worked now for many years of my career in both of those
places and so I have a real personal interest in this issue. And we,
you know the United States for a long time has supported increased
cultural, social ties, the ties we call people-to-people contacts
between Turks and Armenians," Mr. Pennington said in an interview
with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"And just as an example, tomorrow night I am going to open a
performance at Komitas Hall of the Bosporus Quartet of Istanbul. The
Komitas Quartet performed in Istanbul last week. And it is one
example. There are many projects like that that we support and
will continue to support. We think that those kinds of contacts –
conferences, exchanges, academic debates and so on, they help to
break down barriers and ultimately help to push the political process
forward. And we also continue to work at the levels of governments
to try to encourage the two sides to take steps to overcome their
differences. And we certainly hope that in the not-too-distant future
there will be some progress at that level as well," he said.

Asked to comment how Turks treat Armenians and what’s their attitude
toward the 1915 events, Mr. Pennington said, "I first worked in
Turkey from 1995-1998, so back 10-13 years ago, and I can say that
the difference between those years and now in terms of this debate
is very clear. I think there is a much greater willingness among
many people in Turkey to talk more honestly about the past and look
at those events more openly. And if you look in the Turkish media,
you see a quite lively debate about Armenia and about Turkey and
Armenia. And it’s part of an overall opening in Turkey in terms
of activating civil society and democratization. Of course, there
are also problems, and we saw the convictions under article 301 in
Turkey for a number of years and certainly there are still people
who don’t want to have this discussion and people who tragically
were willing to resort to violence against Hrant Dink when he spoke
about it. But I can tell you that I met with Hrant in the last week
that I worked in Turkey back in 2006 and Hrant’s approach was that
the most important thing that we – all of us – Armenians, Turks and
international community…Hrant was convinced that by improving that
relationship, that would encourage a greater and more honest look at
the past. And so that’s the direction that we try to work in."

A PERSON MISAPPROPRIATED A LARGE PART OF PROPERTIES OF ARMENIAN-CAPTURED MAN’S RELATIVES ARRESTED

Azeri Press Agency
June 24 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. As a result of operational measures taken by the Ministry
of National Security, resident of Baku City Mursalova Meykhanim
Baba, 48, who was swindling misusing the confidence of separate
citizens and wanted on Article 178 (swindle) of the Criminal Code of
Azerbaijan Republic in 2007 for avoiding the criminal responsibility,
was detained.

Public relations center of the Ministry of National Security told
APA, Mursalova was wanted by the Nasimi District Police Office. She
was acquainted with the resident of Sabirabad region Huseyn Huseynov
and knew that his brother Zaur Huseynov was missing in the battles
for the liberation of Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan in
1994 and intended to take advantage from it. Mursalova introduced
herself as Mehriban Mehdizadeh and insinuated herself into Huseynov’s
confidence and promised him to get information about his brother’s
place. Mursalova was acquainted with the parents and other brother of
the missing person. She told them that Zaur Huseynov is in captivity
in Armenia and deceived his relatives and misappropriated a large
part of their properties from June 2007 until May 2008, as if for
his releasing. A criminal case was launched on Article 178.3.2 of
the Criminal Code and investigative measures are going on.

The Ministry of National Security warned the citizens whose relatives
were captured, taken hostages and missing as a result of Armenian
aggression against our country, to appeal the State Commission’s
working group or International Committee of Red Cross for clarifying
of fates of their relatives and avoiding of such cases. Generally
the citizens suffered from such criminal cases are requested to
call 405-99-99.

WIMBLEDON: DANCEVIC SHOCKS NALBANDIAN

National Post
June 23 2008
Canada

Every once in a while, Frank Dancevic shows why he is Canada’s best
tennis player, and one of its few tennis hopes. On Monday, he did it
again, shocking seventh-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina in the
first round at Wimbledon, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

It was Nalbandian who defeated Dancevic in the second round at
Wimbledon last year in four sets. The Argentine has struggled at
Grand Slams recently, losing in the second round at the French Open
this season and in the third at the Australian Open. He was ranked
third in the world early in 2006 before injuries slowed him, but was
still seventh in the world coming into Wimbledon. He made the final
of the tournament in 2002.

Dancevic, 23, rose as high as No. 65 last year after winning his
first ATP tournament in Indianapolis last summer, then advancing
to the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal before falling
in three sets to world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Before those two weeks,
he had never won back-to-back ATP matches. Coming into Wimbledon this
year, Dancevic was ranked 95th.

But now he will play a 25-year-old American named Bobby Reynolds,
born in Cape Cod, who is ranked 102nd in the world. Dancevic, the
floppy-haired kid from Niagara Falls, On., has never reached the
third round of a major. Well if he’s going to do it, now’s the time.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 23, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St, Floor 12, New York, NY, 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918

ANCA LEO SARKISIAN INTERNS TAKE WASHINGTON, DC BY STORM
–Eastern Region activists Nieri Avanessian and Zori Eurdekian reflect
on their experiences

Washington, DC- After last week’s excitement of House and Senate
hearings, Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region
(ANCA-ER) Leo Sarkisian Interns, Nieri Avanessian and Zori Eurdekian,
reflect on their new experiences and first week in Washington, DC.

"We are excited, confident, and honored that Nieri and Zori will
experience working to help advance the Armenian cause by interning for
the ANCA this summer. Both activists exhibit strong skills in the
political arena and have shown vast commitment to their Armenian
heritage," commented ANCA ER Executive Director Karine Birazian.

Nieri Avanessian is a Michigan native who completed her freshman year
at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor as an English & political
science major. Active in various organizations including the
University of Michigan Armenian Students Cultural Association, the
Armenian Youth Federation, the Hamazkayin Dance Ensemble, and the
University of Michigan Arts Chorale, Avanessian has already shown
strong leadership roles and efforts to help advance the Armenian cause
while interning with the ANCA.

After being accepted to the internship, Avanessian stated: "I applied
to this internship program to gain a more intimate knowledge of the
American government and the way that lobbying groups affect it. I
really hope to make a big difference in the Armenian cause and I think
that by working in Washington, D.C. with the ANCA, I can accomplish
that." Following her first week, in her weekly journal, she
reflected, "Being involved in Hai Tahd is great no matter where you
are, but when you’re in Washington, DC, in the thick of it all, it is
just that much more personal and close to your heart."

Along with helping with day-to-day office activities, Avanessian will
be researching U.S. aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and the
Millennium Challenge Account. Having an opportunity to already hear
from Ara Hovsepyan the CEO of the Millennium Challenge
Account-Armenia, Avanessian is enthusiastic about working on this
project.

Zori Eurdekian, born and raised in New York, is currently a junior at
Babson College. Heavily involved with school campus affairs,
including the Babson Campus Activities Board, the Babson Armenian
Student Association, and the Babson Admissions Assistant Program,
Eurdekian is a team player, even sacrificing attending the House
Hearing on the Caucasus this past Wednesday to assist at the ANCA
office.

In his personal statement in applying for the internship program,
Eurdekian stated, "As Armenian Americans, we should be proactive by
working within the American political system. I am hoping the ANCA
summer internship program will help give me the tools and the
knowledge to work within the system and introduce me to the ways of
how policies are shaped and influenced. I am also hoping to meet
other American Armenians from different regions of the country to
establish a network of lifelong friends with common goals and
ambitions."

Reflecting on week one of the Leo Sarkisian Internship, Eurdekian
commented, "After a successful, informative, and enjoyable first week,
I am more enabled and capable of carrying out the mission of the ANCA.
I look forward to working with all the interns, ANCA staff, and all
the Capitol Hill staff in the upcoming weeks."

Eurdekian will be working with the ANCA staff in helping to send out
and collect ANCA 2008 Questionnaires for the upcoming House and Senate
races.

Last year’s Eastern Region interns, Nyree Naljian and Alidz Oshagan,
have been called upon by ANCA ER Executive Director Karine Birazian to
become active and help guide Avanessian and Eurdekian through their
own experiences from interning with the ANCA in 2007. Both graduates
of the LSI Program will offer guidance and help to all the LSI
participants.

Now in its 24th year, the ANCA LSI Program provides student leaders
and activists an opportunity to participate in an intensive 8-week
program designed to give them the tools necessary to effectively
advance issues of concern to the Armenian American community on the
federal, state, and local level. The LSI Program is a competitive and
prestigious internship program, and is widely considered to be the
best program of its kind for Armenian American college students.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

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Photo Caption #1: ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Nieri Avanessian
Photo Caption #2: ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Zori Eurdekian