Author: Zargarian Hambik

UZBEKISTAN FORMALIZES RETURN TO POST-SOVIET SECURITY GROUP CSTO

RIA Novosti
11:08 | 28/ 03/ 2008

TASHKENT, March 28 (RIA Novosti) – Uzbekistan’s parliament has ratified
a document formally restoring the Central Asian state’s membership
in the post-Soviet Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Uzbekistan joined the group – designed to fight international
terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime, and provide military
assistance to member states in the event of a military threat –
in 1992, but suspended its membership in 1999 along with Georgia
and Azerbaijan.

In December 2006, President Islam Karimov moved to restore membership
in the organization, which some experts say was designed to prevent
NATO’s further eastward expansion and keep former Soviet republics
under Russia’s military protection.

Uzbekistan, once the United States’ ally in its military campaign
against the Taliban, closed a U.S. base providing support to operations
in Afghanistan over criticism of a crackdown by the Uzbek leadership
on protests in Andijan in May 2005, when rights groups claimed hundreds
of civilians were killed by government troops.

However, Karimov, who has ruled the oil and gas-rich nation since
1989, has recently moved to mend ties with the U.S. and other Western
countries by pardoning six jailed human rights activists this year
and promising to liberalize the country’s financial system.

The CSTO bloc also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia,
and Tajikistan.

CREATIVE EVENING OF ROBERT AMIRKHANIAN TO BE HELD IN TORONTO

Noyan Tapan
March 27, 2008

TORONTO, MARCH 27, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The creative evening
of prominent composer Robert Amirkhanian will take place in the
"National" auditorium of the Armenian Youth Center of Tornoto. The
participation of singer Seda Amirkarajan is envisaged at the event
to be held on March 30.

SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS STAND FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.03.2008 15:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Jewish Community Relations Council of San
Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, and Alameda Counties (JCRC)
reiterated its previous support for official recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, independent French journalist Jean Eckian told
PanARMENIAN.Net.

The organization overwhelmingly approved a policy statement reissuing
a 1989 letter to Armenian community leader Bishop Aris Shirvanian,
expressing support for the Armenian Genocide resolution pending in
the U.S. Senate at that time. Senate Joint Resolution 212 sought
to designate April 24th as a national day of remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide.

"The JCRC’s policy statement is welcome and encouraging, especially
at this time of intensified denial of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey
and the U.S. administration’s willingness to support the dangerous
policy," said Roxanne Makasdjian, Bay Area ANC Chairperson.

"The JCRC’s position reflects the broad majority of opinions we’ve
encountered by members of Jewish-American organizations, and we
hope this action will act as a moral beacon for Jewish American
organizations in Washington, DC," she concluded.

The JCRC represents more than 80 Jewish organizations across the Bay
Area of San Francisco.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

March 25, 2008

Foreign Policy Roundtable "NATO Enlargement Toward the Caucasus:
Viewpoints From Yerevan"

Yerevan–On March 27, 2008, The Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS) will convene a foreign policy roundtable
entitled "NATO Enlargement Toward the Caucasus: Viewpoints From
Yerevan."

The meeting will bring together policy specialists, public and
political figures, and media representatives.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi
K. Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors,
ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public
policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the
post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative,
strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global
environment. In 2008, the Center focuses primarily on civic education,
democratic development, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the
nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

MARCH 25 EVENT OF OPPOSITION HELD WITHOUT POLICE INTERVENTION

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Supporters of the first Armenian
president Levon Ter-Petrosian organized a next in turn event ("walk")
along North Avenue late March 25. Unlike the previous days, there
was no police "wall" in North Avenue’s section adjacent to Tumanian
Street, near Opera House. It is noteworthy that just at that time
an event in memory of the first anniversary of the death of former
prime minister Andranik Margarian was being held in A. Spendiarian
National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

By information at 7:45 p.m., police did not intervene in the event
in any way. No calls were made for the participants to break up –
as it was done on the previous days.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT MEETS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART

Agence France Presse
March 24, 2008 Monday

Armenia’s president-elect Serzh Sarkisian met Russian president-elect
Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on Monday on his first foreign trip since
his controversial election, Channel One television reported.

"The fact that you are making your first visit to Russia after your
election is a special symbol of the meaning of Russian-Armenian ties,"
Medvedev said.

Sarkisian said he hoped "traditional bilateral ties would strengthen
in the future" after Medvedev takes office in May.

The two former Soviet states maintain close military and economic
links.

Eight people died in the Armenian capital Yerevan when protests
against the alleged rigging of Sarkisian’s February 19 election
victory turned violent.

The government imposed a 20-day state of emergency after 11 days
of demonstrations.

STORM IN KARABAKH

Panorama
21:46 24/03/2008

Last Friday and Saturday serious storm in Karabakh caused damages and
problems to the country. According to some media a woman died in the
result of the strong storm.

According to the RA security service brigade the roofs of the
buildings and houses were broken and the electricity system was
damaged. According to the source there are no fatalities in the result
of the storm. The Prime Minister of the NKR Ara Harutyunyan said that
the electricity is covered at the moment.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 24, 2008
Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island
7 Armenia Street, Providence, RI 2909
Contact: Steve Elmasian
Tel: 401-573-7888

ANC-RI Chapter Hosts Flag Sponsors Event

Providence, RI- On Sunday, March 16th, the Armenian National
Committee Rhode Island (ANC of RI) Chapter held its second annual
"Flags over Rhode Island" recognition event at a packed house in
Aramian Hall following Palm Sunday services at Sts. Vartanantz
Church. The event was hosted by ANC-RI co-chairmen Stephen Elmasian
and Stephen Mesrobian, along with the help of the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) Providence "Varantian" Junior Executive.

"It is such an honor that in the State of Rhode Island the Armenian
flag flies proudly over our cities on April 24th," commented
Elmasian. "The flags symbolize our strength of survival in
remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide that took place
>From 1915-1923."

Forty-four individuals, organizations and businesses sponsored
flags that flew over 37 city and town halls and the RI State House
on April 24th last year. This marked an increase of 15 sponsors from
the previous year. The flags served as a memorial in honor of those
people selected by the sponsors.

The program will continue this year with special events scheduled
for April 23rd at 6 pm at the Cranston City Hall and April 24th at
10 am at the North Providence Town Hall.

Each flag sponsor received a 3 by 5 foot Armenian flag in a glass-
enclosed box along with a citation from the ANC noting the location
that they chose to remember a loved one.

FLAG SPONSORS

Haig & Shooshig Aghjayan; Ara, Pauline & Dalita Getzoyan
In Memory of Giragos & Margaret DerManuelian – Lincoln
American Foam Corporation
In Memory of Aram DerManouelian – Jamestown
ARS "ANI" Chapter
In Memory of Deceased Chapter Members – Providence
AYF – In Memory of John Jay Varadian – Providence
U. Levon Attarian
In Memory of Fedayee Khajag Sheetelian – Pawtucket
Mr. & Mrs. Peter "Doc" Bedrosian
In Memory of Yeghishe & Persape Bedrosian – Warwick
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Bogosian
In Memory of Mr. Zakar Bogosian – North Kingstown
U. Paula Burke, Catherine Markarian & Margaret Danielian
In Memory of Yeranoohe Haytaian – Cranston
Mary DerManouelian
In Memory of DerManouelian & Donabedian Families – Warwick
Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos – In Memory of Genocide Survivor
Aroussiag Garabedian, mother of City Council President
Aram Garabedian – Cranston
The Donoyan Grandchildren
(Natalie, Stephanie, George, Taleen, Anahid, Nerses & Arpi)
In Memory of Their Grandparents Der yev Deegeen Yerchaneeg
Bekarian, George Donoyan, Nishan Elmasian and
Sarkis "Garo" Tarpinian – Cranston
U. Steve Elmasian
In Memory of Elmasian & Kefeyan Grandparents – Providence
Attorney Christine Engustian
In Memory of Manoog & Tamar Engustian – East Providence
Council President Aram Garabedian – In Memory of the
1.5 Million Armenian Martyrs who Perished in the 1915 Genocide `
State House
Col. Jacob Hagopian
In Memory of Varvar Leylegian Hagopian – Narragansett
Paulie & Greg Haroian
In Memory of Charles "Chucky" Haroian – Providence
Stephan & Chris Kanarian
In Memory of Paul Kanarian – Smithfield
Kaprielian Family
In Loving Memory of
Vartkes & Elizabeth Dolbashian Kaprielian – Providence
Mrs. Hazel Kizirian
In Memory of Harry Kizirian – North Providence
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Leylegian
In Memory of Unger Mateos Leylegian – North Providence
Hagop & Gohar Manjelikian
In Memory of Yegia Mangelikian – Cranston
Mr. & Mrs. Everett A. Marabian, Sr.
In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Babig Marabian – Warwick
U. Steve Markarian
In Memory of Mary Markarian and Mariam Markarian – North Providence
U. Anto, U. Melkon & Ani Megerdichian
In Memory of John and Steve Varadian – Cranston
Mark Mesrobian
In Memory of Stephen & Mariam Mesrobian – Narragansett
Stephanie Mesrobian
In Memory of Mesrobian & Bedrosian Families – Central Falls
U. Steve Mesrobian
In Memory of Simon & Verkin Bedrosian – New Shoreham
Mr. & Mrs. John Mkrtschjan
In Memory of Antranig Megerdichian – Cranston
Misak Nadjarian – In Memory of Sarkis Nadjarian – Warwick
National Velour Corporation
In Memory of Aram DerManouelian – Warwick
Mark Norigian, Mariam Norigian & Roxanne Phillips
In Memory of Mal Norigian – Scituate
Rose, Betty & Bob Ouloosian
In Memory of Jay and Steve Varadian – Cranston
Ms. Julie K. Postoian
In Memory of
Fedayee Manoog & Vartanoosh Kaprielian – North Providence
Providence Homenetmen Chapter
On Behalf of Deceased Homenetmen Members – Providence
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Rafaelian
In Memory of Melkon & Mariam Rafaelian – Cranston
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Raffi Rafaelian
To All the Patriots who put the Armenian Nation Above Themselves
at the Cost of Unimaginable Sacrifices – Cranston
U. Lisa Sarkisian
In Memory of All the Deceased Members of the Khatcherian Family –
Smithfield
Simon Sarkisian
In Memory of All the Deceased Members
of the Sarkisian Family – Providence
Mr. David Surabian
In Memory of Linda Surabian Collins – Cranston
U. Sarkis Tarpinian – sponsored by Hagop Garabedian
In Memory of Unger Sarkis "Garo" Tarpinian – Woonsocket
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Topalian
In Memory of Their Grandparents
Hovnan & Akabi Mooradian, Partog & Mariam Karoghlanian,
Armen & Marie Sarafian, Krikor & Sultan Topalian
George Topalian
In Memory of Topalian, Elbegian & Karakanyan Families – Warwick
U. Sarkis Varadian
In Memory of My Three Grandmothers
Bessie Kooligian, Bayzar Varadian & Ramella Varadian – Newport

Photo Caption #1: ANC of RI Co-Chair Steve Mesrobian (R) shaking
hands with flag sponsor Mr. Paul Attarian. Also pictured left to
right, AYF Junior Executive Members Talene Taraksian, Narine
Hagopian, and Adam Aktchian

Photo Caption #2: AYF Junior Executive Member Alex Topalian giving
Mr. George Topalian ANC of RI citation for flag sponsor

Agence France Presse
March 21, 2008 Friday

Turkish party leader, journalist arrested in nationalist gang probe

ANKARA

Turkish police on Friday detained 12 people, including a politician,
a prominent journalist and an academic, in a probe into a shadowy
network of suspected ultra-nationalists, Anatolia news agency said.

Those detained included: Dogu Perincek, leader of the once-Maoist,
now nationalist Workers’ Party; Ilhan Selcuk, chief editorialist and
leading light of the strictly secular, anti-government daily
Cumhuriyet; and Kemal Alemdaroglu, a former president of Istanbul
University.

Police seized documents and software at a television station partly
owned by Perincek’s party and also searched 83-year-old Selcuk’s
home, it said.

The three men are being questioned by police and will appear in the
coming days before a public prosecutor who will decide on whether to
release or formally charge them, the report said.

Anatolia did not say why they were detained, but said the arrests are
linked to an investigation into an ultra-nationalist group known as
Ergenekon, first heard of in June with the discovery of explosives in
an Istanbul house.

Thirty-nine people — retired soldiers, journalists, lawyers and
underworld figures — were formally charged in the investigation that
ensued.

Cumhuriyet issued a statement branding Selcuk’s arrest a bid by the
government to silence Turkey’s oldest major daily and distract
attention from a pending legal bid to ban the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP).

"We will not become a pawn in the ploy to link the Ergenekon
investigation to the case to close the AKP and to intimidate and
silence Cumhuriyet," Anatolia quoted editor-in-chief Ibrahim Yildiz
as saying.

The Cumhuriyet newspaper is one of the most vocal critics of the
Islamist-rooted AKP, which secularists accuse of seeking to undermine
the separation of state and religion in Turkey.

There has so far been no official statement on the probe into
Ergenekon, conducted behind under a secrecy law that restricts media
coverage.

Turkish newspapers, citing unnamed sources, say police are
investigating whether the suspects charged so far were involved in
acts of political violence aiming to discredit the government of
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This would include the murders of ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink, the Italian Catholic priest Andrea Santoro and a senior judge
killed by a gunman who stormed into the country’s top administrative
court, they said.

Newspaper reports also claim that some of the accused planned to
assassinate 2006 Nobel literature laureat Orhan Pamuk, prominent
pro-government journalist Fehmi Koru and Kurdish politicians Leyla
Zana, Osman Baydemir and Ahmet Turk.

The media here has described the investigation as a blow against the
"deep state" — a term used here to describe members of the security
forces acting outside the law to preserve what they consider Turkey’s
best interests, often employing the services of the underworld.

All Headline News
March 22 2008

Armenian Opposition Supporters Resume Averted Protests After State of
Emergency Was Lifted

March 22, 2008 7:33 a.m. EST
Florida Padilla – AHN

Yerevan, Armenia (AHN) – Thousands of supporters of opposition
presidential candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, took to the streets on
Friday and resumed demonstrations shortly after the lifting of state
of emergency declared weeks ago.

A series of post-election protest was averted on March 1, following
the 20-day emergency announced by Armenian President Robert
Kocharian.

Protesters converged in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan and held a
peaceful vigil. They lighted candles while holding pictures of some
106 activists arrested by Armenian police during the violent
demonstration, more than three weeks ago.

BBC news said protesters were seen shouting at the riot police
stationed in Yerevan. No violence was reported in the protest.

The group belonged to the thousands of Armenian protesters who
denounced the result of the Presidential election on Feb 19, which
put into power, opposition leader Ter-Petrosyan’s rival candidate,
Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.