PanARMENIAN.Net
EU Commissioner to Arrive in Ankara to “Encourage
Turkish Officials for Progress”
29.09.2006 18:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli
Rehn will arrive in Ankara on Oct. 2 to encourage Turkish officials to
make more progress on the implementation of reforms before the
European Commission’s annual progress report due on Nov. 8. Rehn’s
impressions from the visit, on which he is to monitor progress in
implementing reforms by meeting representatives of non-governmental
organizations, will play a significant role in the final touches to
the report.
He will also take part in a meeting on “The European Social Model and
Syndicated Rights in the EU Negotiation Process” on Oct. 3. Rehn will
also meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and other Turkish
officials. He told the Strasbourg assembly late Tuesday that Turkey
has to make more progress in implementing reforms. He noted that
controversial Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) will most
likely affect the upcoming progress report on Turkey in a negative
light and urged the Turkish government to abolish or amend the
article.
“Despite the acquittal of novelist Elif Safak, freedom of expression
remains under threat in Turkey,” Rehn said Tuesday, arguing that the
mere existence of such judicial proceedings had “a chilling effect” on
journalists, writers and activists, reports ABHaber.

AZG Armenian Daily #186, 30/09/2006

Armenia-Georgia
REVAZ GACHECHILADZE: ONE SHOULD NOT GO TO SUKHUMI OR TSKHINVALI IF ONE
DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES
Revaz Gachechiladze, Georgian ambassador to Armenia, gave his comments
on daily Azg’s publications about arrests of Armenian citizens who had
visited Abkhazia or South Ossetia. Georgian law enforcers report that
starting from June 1 to September 25, 76 foreigners and 67 Georgian
citizens were arrested on charge of illegal crossing of Georgian state
border.
48 of the foreigners were citizens of Russian, 6 of Turkey, 4 of
Azerbaijan, 2 of Iran and Uzbekistan, one of India, Pakistan and
Algeria, 11 of Armenia. 4 Armenians drivers who legally crossed the
so-called South Ossetian border were soon released and their fines
were returned. 7 more Armenians are still in jail. “I want to point
out that not only Armenian citizens were arrested. This procedure
simply became glowing as the Upper Lars control point was blocked
impacting more Armenia than Georgia,” said Georgian ambassador.
Yet, Mr. Gachechiladze voiced concern over the situation of the
Armenian citizens. The ambassador even turned to consulate department
asking for a third group disabled detainee to be released. But this
was an exception. Mr. Gachechiladze told daily Azg a few days ago that
the Georgian authorities made another exception by allowing to
transport the special equipment for Charles Aznavour’s concert via
Roki illegal control point.
Georgian ambassador is sure that the Armenian Foreign Ministry
objectively assesses the situation and acts adequately.
To Azg’s remark that Georgian authorities fail to secure awareness
among people, Mr. Gachechiladze once again warned that entry to
Georgia is possible only through legal control points: Upper Lars,
which is currently closed, airports of Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi and
harbors of Batumi and Poti. In regards to Abkhazia, the ambassador
said: “Abkhazia purposefully stamps visitors’ passports, and that is
illegal as that is considered an illegal border crossing. One should
not go to Sukhumi or Tskhinvali if one does not want to have problems
with Georgian authorities.” Incidentally, such approach to Abkhazian
and South Ossetian border crossing was adopted at the CIS Summit in
1996.
Asked what should the Armenian citizens who had recently been in
Sukhumi or Tskhinvali do, the ambassador reminded that after the crash
of Armenian A320 plane in Sochi some Armenian citizens were allowed to
pass to Abkhazia via Georgian border. Georgian Penal Code does not
apply to those citizens. As to those who visited Sukhumi and
Tskhinvali in recent years, they should simply not enter Georgia.
Most of the arrested Russian citizens may well be Armenians, as very
few Russians would cross Abkhazian-Georgian border after a visit to
Sukhumi or Tskhinvali.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #186, 30/09/2006

Armenian Genocide
DRAFT LAW CONCERNING `DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’ FRENCH SENATE
AGENDA
The draft Law that envisages punishment “for denial of the Armenian
genocide” will be discussed in France, the Turkish Public TV and
“Zaman” newspaper report. In particular, the draft law will be
discussed within the October 12 agenda of the French Senate. The
voting for the draft law will be held on the same day.
According to “Zaman,” the draft law is most likely to be adopted. It’s
worth mentioning that the draft law envisages 5 years of imprisonment
and EUR 450 thousand of penalty for those who denied the Armenian
genocide. The draft law was discussed at the French Senate in May,
this year, on the last minute it was excluded from the voting.
By the way, “Zaman” also dwells on the current visit of French
president Jacques Chirac to Armenia, when stating about the
abovementioned draft law. The newspaper emphasized French President
will lay a wreath on the memorial of the victims of the Armenian
Genocide in Tsitsernakaberd.
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily #186, 30/09/2006
World
DAY OF GERMANY’S UNIFICATION TO BE HELD
“Unification, Right, Freedom.” This is the main ideology that the
German people follow since 19th century, even after the World War II,
when the country was split in two parts. Only in the October of 1990,
the German issue was finally settled, the Western and the Eastern
Germanies united. For already 16 years, the Federal Republic of
Germany celebrates the Day of Germany’s Unification on October
2-3. This year the center of the festive celebration will be Kill. In
this connection, Angela Merkel, chancellor of FRG, stated that she is
happy that the festive celebration on the unification day will be held
in Kill for the first time. The representative of Germany’s 16 states,
many political figures and foreign guests will participate in the
celebration arrangements.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #186, 30/09/2006

Home
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO SHAPE OPPOSITION UNION
According to the statement adopted by 15 opposition parties, the
Armenian people face the danger of losing its state, as all the
spheres are becoming criminal in Armenia and Ra citizens are not
protected in their own country. “Innocent people become victims of
frequent cases. This criminal actions are obviously allowed by Robert
Kocharian and Serge Sargsian couple,” the opposition figures came to
such a conclusion at yesterday’s meeting. Aram Karapetian, leader of
“New Times” party, told the journalists that they will take drastic
measures, including public hearings, round tables, to fight the
criminal existing in the republic. He added that the representatives
of the abovementioned parties’ youth branches will also initiate such
meetings. They will gather on October 5 to define their further
actions.
By Tamar Minasian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #186, 30/09/2006
IT
ENGLISH-ARMENIAN INTERNET DICTIONARY WINS IN EL-LANGUAGE NOMINATION
For three years in a row, a pan-Armenian contest with 8 nominations in
electronic technologies is being held in Armenia. The contest of this
year that was included in the list of a month of IT events took place
yesterday at “Moscow” cinema.
“Spyur” business directory was the winner in el-business nomination,
the website of the Council of Support to IT Development won in
el-management nomination, the website of “Golden Apricot” 2d Film
Festival won in el-culture nomination, English-Armenian internet
dictionary (Prof. Eduard Manukian) won in el-language nomination, the
website of the National Fund for Science won in el-science, the
website of IP Planet Color won in el-education nomination and the CD
of Grigor Narekatsi’s “Book of Mournful Songs” was the winner in
el-armenology nomination.
A special prize was given to the website of Ararat Diocese. The
winners in first 8 nomination received 500.000 drams and the other
eight nominees received 250.000 drams.
To remind, last year’s contest on el-content was dedicated to 1600th
anniversary of Armenian alphabet. Winners of that contest gained the
right to take part in IT summit in Tunisia. “Aram Khachaturian. Life
and Works” and “Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” CDs won international
prizes in Tunisia.
By Ruzan Poghosian

PanARMENIAN.Net
Robert Kocharian and Jacques Chirac Opened France
Square in Center of Yerevan
30.09.2006 13:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian and French
President Jacques Chirac took part in the solemn opening ceremony of
the Square of France. In his speech the Armenian President said in
part, `This is a remarkable day for us: the Square of France opened in
the heart of Yerevan. Thousand of years have passed since French monks
stepped on the Cilician land where they were received as kin, where
they worked and fought together with the Armenians. The friendship of
our peoples originates from those times and became stronger with years
acquiring a new sense. The ideas of the French enlighteners had a
great impact on the development of the Armenian thought. The
renaissance of the Armenian culture in the 19th century reflects the
influence of the French culture. Many of the Armenian public,
political and cultural figures received education in France. Upon
return they spread the new flows of culture, the ideas of freedom and
humanism throughout Armenia and the whole region. Our friendship
became stronger in the times of ordeals. Having condemned the crime
committed against Armenians the outstanding representatives of the
French society rendered humanitarian assistance to those who survived
the Genocide. The French ships reached the coasts of Cilician Armenia
and rescued thousands of Armenians who escaped the carnage. The
migrants found shelter and human warmth in France.
These Armenians strained every effort to inculcate devotion to France
in their children. We are proud that during the World War II Armenians
took part in the French Resistance and the liberation of France. Some
of them glorified their names symbolizing the fraternity of our
peoples. Dear Mr President, you have many times spoken of the
contribution the Armenians of France made in the French economy,
education, culture and sports. Being French citizens, the children of
the migrants remain true to the Armenian consciousness. The name of
Charles Aznavour is a bright proof of this dual affiliation. The fate
of Charles Aznavour, the son of those who survived the Genocide, is
the answer of the Armenian people to genocides. We attach great
importance to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France. This
is a big contribution to the just cause of protection of the oppressed
rights of the Armenian people and prevention of such threat to the
whole humanity.’

PanARMENIAN.Net
France’s Support to Development of RA Cooperation with
European Structures Deserves Highest Evaluation
30.09.2006 13:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `After the proclamation of Armenia’s independence
France was one of those countries which first came to support our
young state and still keeps on rendering assistance in the state
building, economy development, culture and education,’ Armenian
President Robert Kocharian said inaugurating the Square of France in
the heart of Yerevan. In his words, France is Armenia’s reliable ally
on the European and international arena. `Our states hold a useful
dialogue in various directions. France’s support to the strengthening
of cooperation between Armenia and the European structures deserves
the highest evaluation. I would like to specifically note France’s
constructive role in the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement. During the recent years our economic ties have fixed
considerable progress. Major French companies make investments in
various sectors of our economy. I would like to welcome the leaders of
several companies, who are present at this ceremony today. I would
also like to point out to the ties between dozens of our regions and
twin cities. We attach great attention and encourage the cooperation
in scientific, cultural and educational fields. In this view the
French University in Yerevan is one of the achievements. The
University not only prepares skilled specialists but also coordinates
Francophonie in Armenia. The Year of Armenia in France is the latest
proof of the excellent relations between our two states. This is a
golden opportunity to familiarize France and the whole world with our
culture, economy, past and present.
There are Armenian monuments, squares and streets with Armenian names,
Armenian houses and institutions in France. Over a hundred of
monuments dedicated to Armenians and the Armenian Genocide victims
have been inaugurated in various regions of France being the evidence
of sympathy and respect towards the Armenian people. We are deeply
grateful to the French people for this.
Mr President, I am glad that your visit to Armenia offered us the
opportunity to give due to France naming this beautiful square the
Square of France. This square is surrounded by theaters, musical
institutions and museums. As a matter of fact this is one of the most
favorite spots in our city, the knot binding various districts of
Yerevan. This is the heart of Yerevan and the name of France is
engraved on it. Let this name be eternal like our friendship. Long
live France! Long live Armenia! Long live Armenian-French friendship.’

PanARMENIAN.Net
`Remember’. Jacques Chirac Wrote in Armenian Genocide Commemoration Book
30.09.2006 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French President Jacques Chirac, who is on a state
visit in Armenia, attended Tsitsernakaberd to lay a wreath to the
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims. The President was
accompanied by his wife Bernadette Chirac, Foreign Minister Philippe
Douste-Blazy, Presidents of the French Senate and National Assembly,
members of the governmental delegation and Ambassadors of the two
states Edvard Nalbandian and Henry Cuny.
President Chirac made a note in the Armenian Genocide Commemoration
Book. He wrote, `Remember. President of France Jacques Chirac.’ The
French leader also planted a fir-tree on the alley leading to the
Memorial.
The French delegation visited the Armenian Genocide Museum. Museum
Director Lavrenty Barseghian gifted books dedicated to the Genocide to
the French President. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Mayor
of Yerevan Yervand Zakharian and other officials also took part in the
ceremony.

PanARMENIAN.Net
France: Armenian Genocide Recognition is Law Obligatory for Everyone
30.09.2006 15:26 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I would like to remind that France recognized the
Armenian Genocide on the state level. This is our law and it’s
obligatory for everyone,’ French President Jacques Chirac said at a
press conference in Yerevan when commenting to a Le Figaro reporter on
the Socialist Party’s initiative to adopt a law criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide denial. The French leader underscored that France is
a legal state and any demonstration of racism and xenophobia is
punished in compliance with the Penal Code. `The rest, in my opinion,
is politics having nothing in common with the legal side of the
issue,’ he said.