FESTIVAL IN SUPPORT OF OPENING TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER TO BE HELD IN KARS
Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 22, 2006
The representatives of the South Caucasus states organize a traditional
festival in Kars, Turkey on September 13-15.
Hasan Zeynalov, Azerbaijan consul-general in Kars said to the APA the
festival is organized by pan-Armenian forces in Turkey, and serves
to open the border between Turkey and Armenia.
“This festival is supported by Kars local authorities, Norwegian
Embassy in Turkey and Armenia-Turkey Cooperation Organization.
Representatives from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey
are invited to this event named as festival. They declare as if
representatives of all these countries want Turkey-Armenia border to
be opened. Then they appeal to definite bodies for opening the border,”
the consul-general said.
Mr.Zeynalov also said mainly Armenian flag waves in this event.
Though Azerbaijani representatives took part in the festival two years
ago, after realizing the real essence of festival, they refused to
join it.
Ganja Mayor Eldar Azimov was also invited to the festival as Kars
and Ganja are fraternal cities. The Mayor’s Office told the APA it is
not known whether or nor Eldar Azizov will take part in the festival.
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CMD HEAD IS READY TO ANNOUNCE JIHAD FOR RELEASING AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 23, 2006
“I am ready to announce jihad for the release of Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories,” the chairman of the Caucasian Moslem Department (CMD)
Sheykhiruslam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade told on August 23 at the
pres-conference in Baku, Trend reports.
“I think that the time will show it, but the potential of peaceful
talks haven’t used fully used yet,” Sheykhiruslam told. According to
him, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict takes a key place during his meetings
with high-ranked officials of many countries. Most of them fully
support our position and express their readiness to assist Azerbaijan
in settling Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sheykhiruslam underlined.

US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA JOHN EVANS TO COMPLETE HIS MISSION IN SEPTEMBER 2006
Regnum, Russia
Aug. 22, 2006
US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans will finish his mission in
September of the current year, a REGNUM correspondent informs.
Responding to question of journalists, how he evaluates US Congress’
activity, which recalled him ahead of scheduler, as well as new
ambassador Richard Hoagland, John Evans said: “I do not have any
evaluation of US Congress activity; I will finish my mission in the
first part of September.”
It is worth stressing, most likely, recall of US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans was caused by his statement on the Armenian Genocide in
1915 in Ottoman Turkey. On February 19, 2006, John Evans said about
“importance of Armenian Genocide’s recognition” during his meeting
with representatives of San Francisco Armenian community. “I will
call it Armenian Genocide today,” Mr. Evans stated.
Representatives of US administration and officials avoided to use
‘genocide’ word concerning events, which took place early in last
century in Turkey, preferring to use various euphemisms. “No US
official has ever denied the fact. Things should be called by their
names,” he stressed. “The Armenian Genocide was the first one of 20th
century,” Mr. Evans said, stressing, at that, that world was not being
prepared for appropriate reaction at that time. He assured that he
was going to work on the problem strongly.
It should be reminded that possible new US Ambassador to Armenia
Richard Hoagland is now US Ambassador to Tajikistan. A scandal is
about to happen in Armenia because of his nomination.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/23/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. Lebanon ARF Meets with Defense Minister 2. Turkish Troop Presence in Lebanon Would Perpetuate Instability 3. Evans to Vacate Ambassadorial Post Early Next Month 4. Armenia's Population at 3,219,400 5. Azeri Foreign Minister Ready to Meet With Oskanian 6. Syria Warns Against Deployment of Troops 1. Lebanon ARF Meets with Defense Minister BEIRUT (Aztag)--A delegation representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Lebanon met Tuesday with Lebanese defense minister Elias Mur, who hosted the meeting at his residence. Hovig Mkhitarian and Hagop Pakradouni praised the defense minister and the Lebanese army for their resolute posturing during the Israeli attacks and expressed their condolences for the soldiers who were killed as a result of the war. The two sides also assessed the current security and defense issues of the country, emphasizing the important role the Army will play in protecting the borders and ensuring the national security of Lebanon. The delegation also expressed its support for the United Nations cease-fire resolution and conveyed the ARF's vehement opposition to the proposed participation of Turkey as part of the mandated peacekeeping force to be deployed in southern Lebanon. Mur told the delegation that he was very familiar with the ARF position and the concerns that the Armenian community has regarding the deployment of Turkish forces in Lebanon. He emphasized the need for popular Lebanese consent for any troop deployment in the country. 2. Turkish Troop Presence in Lebanon Would Perpetuate Instability The European-Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy welcomes the cease-fire that has put an end to the Israeli bombings of Lebanon and to the suffering of the people. The Federation also supports the International Community's current efforts aimed at the normalization of the region under the aegis of the United Nations. However, the European-Armenian Federation is gravely concerned about the possibility of Turkish troops participating in the peacekeeping force in this sensitive region. "Let's remember that Turkey is the old colonial power of the Near East with clear territorial ambitions vis-à-vis Arab countries. Turkey's record of genocide, torture and suffering is permanently inscribed in the collective memory of the Lebanese. Furthermore, Turkey's current abuse of its own ethnic minorities, including those of Arab nationality, is a well-known reality in the region," declared Hilda Tchoboian, chairwoman of the European-Armenian Federation. "The presence of Turkish troops in an international force would be a serious mistake with dire consequences for the peacekeeping operations. Turkey is not a peacemaker. Turkish forces will only aggravate the current delicate situation in South Lebanon by adding Turkey's own regional liabilities to the present complexities in Lebanon. After so much suffering, the Lebanese people deserve better,» added Hilda Tchoboian. The European-Armenian Federation also emphasizes that Turkish troops would be particularly ineffective and inappropriate due to the fundamental conflict of interest between their responsibility as credible and responsible peacekeepers and the higher national interests of Turkey anchored in the extensive requirements of its military and strategic alliance with Israel. The Federation therefore urges the International Community to make a more suitable choice for the makeup of the UN peacekeeping force. 3. Evans to Vacate Ambassadorial Post Early Next Month YEREVAN (Yerkir)--US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans told Arminfo news agency Tuesday that he will complete his tour of duty in Armenia and return to the US in early September At the same time, Evans refused to comment on the Senate's ongoing process to approve Richard Hoagland, the Administration's nominee to serve as the next ambassador to Armenia saying, "I do not comment on the activity of the Congress." The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired ambassador. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements at Armenian American community functions, during which he properly characterized the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." Following his statements, Ambassador. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal views and did not represent a change in US policy. He subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a reference to the genocide with the word "tragedy." The American Foreign Service Association, which had decided to honor Ambassador. Evans with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service, reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the State Department in the days leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed Hoagland's confirmation hearing, pending concrete answers by the candidate to questions by nine out of the 18 Senators on the committee regarding the US policy on the Armenian Genocide. 4. Armenia's Population at 3,219,400 YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--As of July 1 of this year, there were 3,219,400 people residing in Armenia up from 3,215,800 at the same time last year, announced the Armenia's Census Bureau on Wednesday. According to the report, 64.6 percent of the population is between the ages of 18-65, while 12.7 percent are above the age and 22.7 percent are under that age bracket. From January to July the population increased by 3,144 people, down 12 percent from the same time last year. There were 17,513 births and 14,369 deaths during that period. During the same period last year there were 17,447 births and 13,873 deaths. 5. Azeri Foreign Minister Ready to Meet With Oskanian BAKU (Armenpress)--Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov Wednesday expressed readiness to meet with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian within the framework of "Prague process". According to Day.az, Mamedyarov said that at present the time and place of the meeting are being discussed. "Yesterday I was talking with the French co-chair of the Minsk Group. The co-chairs have forwarded several suggestions about the place and time of the meeting. Azerbaijan has already expressed its agreement," the foreign minister said.- In Stepanakert, President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghoukassian Tuesday met with the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk who presented the results of the monitoring conducted on the same day on the Karabakh-Azeri border. Karabakh presidential press service told Armenpress that during the meeting the representative said that the monitoring was conducted according to the planned schedule and no violation of the cease fire had been registered. 6. Syria Warns Against Deployment of Troops BEIRUT (AP)--Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday the situation in Lebanon was "explosive" while Syria's president says the deployment of international troops along the Syria-Lebanon border would be a "hostile" act. The escalating rhetoric came as the 10-day cease-fire was shaken by the deaths of three Lebanese soldiers killed defusing a missile and an Israeli killed by a land mine in south Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora urged the US to help end Israel's sea and air blockade, saying his country was making "every effort" to secure its borders. "Time is working against those who would like to see this resolution applied," Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said after talks her French counterpart, Phillipe Douste-Blazy. "We are now in the most sensitive and explosive position." "We therefore need extremely quick action from the international community," she said. Syrian President Bashar Assad was quoted as saying he would consider such a deployment along the Lebanon-Syria border a "hostile" move toward his country. "First, this means creating a hostile condition between Syria and Lebanon," Assad told Dubai Television, according to excerpts released by the TV station ahead of the broadcast. "Second, it is a hostile move toward Syria and naturally it will create problems." Assad did not elaborate on that point in the excerpts. But Finland's foreign minister, after meeting with his Syrian counterpart, said Damascus threatened to close the frontier with Lebanon if UN peacekeepers were deployed there. "They will close their borders for all traffic in case UN troops will be deployed along the Lebanon-Syria border," Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem in Helsinki. Finland holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. "This closing of the border would certainly have negative consequences for the people living in the region," Tuomioja told reporters after his meeting with Moallem. An Aug. 11 UN resolution outlined a cease-fire agreement that called for a 15,000-member force of international peacekeepers and another 15,000 Lebanese army troops to deploy to southern Lebanon, as Israeli troops withdraw. But efforts to raise the force were moving slowly with the European Union nations expected to lead it reluctant to commit troops without safeguards to ensure they do not get sucked into the conflict. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel would not lift its air and sea blockade until international peacekeepers were deployed at the Beirut international airport and along the Lebanese border with Syria. Hezbollah's vast arsenal of rockets and other weapons is believed to originate in Iran and reach the guerrillas across the Syrian border. "The United States can support us in putting real pressure on Israel to lift the siege," the Western-backed Saniora said Wednesday. His government has called the blockade a violation of the UN-brokered cease-fire, and has asked the international community to intervene. Olmert's tough stance on the blockade appeared to be an attempt to pressure the international community to speed the dispatch of a vanguard of the 15,000-strong force of international peacekeepers called for by the cease-fire agreement. Sporadic violence has marked the UN-brokered cease-fire that took hold Aug. 14 and ended 34 days of ferocious fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. But the truce has held thus far. The cease-fire was tested Wednesday when the Israeli army fired artillery into a disputed border region in response to what it said was an attack from inside Lebanon. Lebanese security and military officials said there had been no fire by either Hezbollah or the Lebanese army in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk with reporters. Israel claimed there was a three-hour exchange of fire in the disputed Israeli-occupied Chebaa Farms area, where the borders of Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet. Lebanese security officials said Israeli military fired artillery into the village of Chebaa, which is controlled by Lebanon. The officials said the artillery fire landed near Lebanese army positions but no one was hurt. Lebanese troops entered the village of Chebaa last week for the first time in four decades as part of an eventual deployment of 15,000 troops in southern Lebanon under the cease-fire deal. Lebanon has demanded that Israel hand over maps of the mine emplacements in the region. Hezbollah guerrillas also have laid mines in the south before and during the recent fighting to stop the Israeli army's ground push. Three Lebanese soldiers were killed Wednesday near the village of Tibnine while they dismantled an unexploded missile in southern Lebanon, Lebanese security officials said. Earlier in the day, an Israeli soldier was killed and three others were wounded by a land mine Israel planted in southern Lebanon, Israeli officials said. The soldier was the second casualty since the truce. The Israeli military said it could not confirm the incident. Hundreds of Israeli troops have remained on the positions in southern Lebanon they occupied during the war as they wait for a UN peacekeeping force to move in and guarantee a buffer zone between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. Diplomats said EU talks in Belgium on Wednesday were unlikely to produce a breakthrough, though there were expectations that nations may come forward with at least tentative offers of more troops ahead of a meeting scheduled Friday with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Saniora also said Wednesday his government would accept a $230 million aid package offered by President Bush, despite widespread criticism in Lebanon of US support for Israel. 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. --Boundary_(ID_85LbUOsMzJhh2Hf0Pu/YcQ)--

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANC of West San Fernando Valley Leads Meeting with Congressman Sherman
– Congressman expresses commitment to be at the forefront of Armenian
American issues
SHERMAN OAKS, CA – The Armenian National Committee of the West San
Fernando Valley met with U.S. Representative Brad Sherman (D-Sherman
Oaks) in his district office last week to discuss issues of concern
to the local Armenian American community. The delegation was led by
the West San Fernando Valley Chairman, Ara Papazian who was joined
by Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR)
Board Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, ANCA-WR Community Relations
Director Haig Hovsepian, and ANCA-WR Intern Allen Yekikan.
The meeting attendees expressed appreciation for the Congressman
Sherman’s record of support for Armenian American issues. Various
topics were discussed including Armenian Genocide legislation,
the controversial nomination of Richard Hoagland as the next
U.S. ambassador to Armenia, and congressional efforts to support
regional cooperation and integration in the Southern Caucasus Region.
Mrs. Zerounian-Khanzadian, a constituent of Rep. Sherman, explained
that the Armenian American community is extremely disturbed over
Richard Hoagland’s evasive and outright genocide denial leading
up to, during, and following his hearing in the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. Rep. Sherman expressed his concern and agreed
to write a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, opposing
Richard Hoagland’s confirmation as the next Ambassador to Armenia.
The Congressman noted that “Ambassador Evans was a great ambassador
who should not have been recalled.”
Papazian, a constituent of the Congressman, thanked him for his
continued support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution as well as
his co-authorship of the Crowley Amendment, an amendment to the
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006. The Crowley Amendment,
authored by New York Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and
co-authored by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Rep. Brad Sherman,
prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing any assistance “to
develop or promote any rail connections or railway-related connections
that traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars,
Turkey, and that specifically exclude cities in Armenia.” The bill
to which it was amended was approved by the House of Representatives
in July and will go to the Senate for consideration. Rep. Sherman
expressed his commitment to the amendment and promised to work closely
with his collegues in the Senate to make certain the amended bill does
not get altered or excluded from the fi! nal draft of the legislation.
Mrs. Zerounian-Khanzadian invited Representative Sherman to both the
ANCA-WR Annual Banquet in November and the ANCA Leadership Conference
in Washington D.C. scheduled for September 14-17th. The Congressman
expressed his gratitude for the invitations and promised to attend,
even offering to lead a workshop during the conference.
Congressman Brad Sherman represents California’s 27th district,
home to a large Armenian American community. Since being elected
to Congress in 1997, Representative Sherman has worked to continue
building U.S. relations with Armenia, co-sponsored previous Armenian
Genocide recognition legislation, including the resolutions introduced
in the 109th Congress. He is also an original co-sponsor of the South
Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, H.R. 3361 as well as
the End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act, H.R.3103.
The 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.
Editor’s Note: Photo attached: (left to right) ANCA-WR Intern Allen
Yekikan, ANCA-WR Board member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Congressman
Brad Sherman, ANC West SF Valley Chairman Ara Papazian, and ANCA-WR
Staff Haig Hovsepian.
###

ALLIANCE OF NATIONAL DEMOCRATS DEVELOPS PROGRAM FOR CONDUCTING FREE, FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
ARMENPRESS
Aug 23 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: The Alliance of National Democrats
has developed a program for conduction of fair, free parliamentary
elections. The leader of the Alliance Arshak Sadoyan told today at a
press conference that the program has already been presented to the
international organizations, particularly to UN, OSCE as well as to
the U.S. ambassador.
According to Sadoyan, for getting material assistance from the
international organizations it is necessary to involve wide public
circles during the implementation of the program. With this aim,
he said, a meeting will be conducted until September 10 with the
representatives of social, political, international organizations
during which they will present suggestions and discuss them.
Sadoyan said on the basis of the finally approved version a
responsible organizational body will be elected which will assume the
responsibility of the implementation of the program. Sadoyan said
that approximately 2.5 million USD will be necessary for carrying
out the program.
“The U.S. State Department promised to provide 6.5 million USD for
conducting fair elections, and for implementation of our program only
2.5 million USD is necessary,” said the leader of the alliance.

PACE RAPPORTEUR ON MISSED PEOPLE TO VISIT NAGORNO KARABAKH
ARMENPRESS
Aug 23 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: The PACE rapporteur on prisoners and
missed people Leo Platvoet is planning to visit the South Caucasus
in September.
“I visited the region in June. I was in Baku, Yerevan and Tbilisi
where I met with the authorities, officials and relatives of the
missed people. In September I am going to visit Abkhazia and Nagorno
Karabakh,” Trend news agency quoted the rapporteur as saying.
Leo Platvoet also informed that the report on the prisoners and missed
people in the South Caucasus will be ready in the beginning of the
next year.

SADOYAN ASPIRES FOR US ASSISTANCE IN ELECTION CONTROL
Panorama.am
14:49 23/08/06
Arshak Sadoyan, leader of National Democratic Alliance (NDA), thinks
that the authorities are going to fake the parliamentary elections
once again. Sadoyan is very concerned since he believes that in case
Armenia does not take the path of democracy, world powers will oust
the country from the important processes, which has been already done
on the regional level. “Recent announcements have made it clear that
there will be no forgiveness this time,” Sadoyan said.
Connecting hopes with $6.5 mln grant promised by the Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice, Sadoyan has developed a complex program to
control elections. He even says that his plans may be implemented
on $2.5 mln only. The rough budget of the project runs as follows:
electronic control equipment – $ 200,000 -250,000, training of
personnel (20,000-25,000 trainees) – $500,000-600,000, free radio and
TV air and an independent newspaper – $ 700,000, advocacy -$700,000.
Sadoyan says several donors have approved the program, among them
U.S. Ambassador John Evans, OSCE, U.N., USAID. Sadoyan says they are
going to complain to the international community and leading media
outlets if the program is turned down.
Sadoyan already claims that the opposition representatives are not
included in the election committees whereas community heads take
schools and kindergarten principles to trainings on their personal
cars resulting in 100% pro-authority committees.

TURKS SWEEP AWAY ARMENIAN TRACES UNDER THE EXCUSE OF RENOVATION
Panorama.am
15:39 23/08/06
Turkish government plans a big event on the occasion of the renovation
of an Armenian church on Akhtamar Island. It is expected that even
Prime Minister Erdogan will be present at the ceremony.
Samvel Karapetyan, head of an office dealing with the Armenian
architectural monuments, shared his impressions on the Armenian
monuments in Turkey after his recent visit to Western Armenia. In
his words, Turks use the Armenian monuments as military bases.
Under such conditions, it is amazing that Turkey celebrates the
renovation of an Armenian monument with great celebrities. Karapetyan
connects that with Turkish aspirations to be part of Europe.
Karapetyan cast doubts that a cross will be raised on the top of
the church. Even if Turks decide to raise the cross, they will do
so to convince Europe that they are progressive, he said. Karapetyan
doubts that the architectural shape of the church will be preserved. ”
Turks massacred Armenians until 1918 and after that sweep away their
traces. How is that possible that they preserve an Armenian church?”
Karapetyan indicated.

HALACOGLU: WE WANT ARMENIAN ARCHIVES IN BOSTON TO BE OPENED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 23, 2006
“All the archives in Turkey are opened. However, no scientist from
Armenia or Armenian Diaspora has come to learn these archives so far,”
Professor Yusuf Halacoglu, head of Turkish Historical Society told
APA’s Turkey bureau.
The professor reminded Turkish Prime Minister Rajab Tayyip Erdogan’s
appeal to Armenian head of state for opening all archives to jointly
investigate the “genocide” claims noting that Armenians and their
supporters should find the answer of this question together with
Turkish historians if they are self-confident.
“When the government head offers this it means Turkey will do all
its duties,” Halacoglu said.
The professor said they want Dashnak (Armenian party) archives
in Boston to be opened stressing they are ready to conduct joint
researches with world scientists.
Turkish Historical Society head also said the 11th History Congress
will be held in Ankara on 11-16 September, which will bring together
310 representatives from 44 countries. Prime Minister Erdogan will
make an opening speech. Several Turkish scientists are expected to
be awarded medal for contributions to Turkish history.