BRINGING THE DANGERS OF THE HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDES TO YOUTH
By Harpreet Dipak
General Romeo Dallaire
Western News, Canada
Aug. 17, 2006
Imagine being a high school teacher having to speak to your students
about the atrocities of the Holocaust, or the Armenian and Rwandan
genocides. It’s a tremendously overwhelming experience since the
magnitude of such events can’t be easy to explain.
This past week, 40 teachers from across Canada have been taking part
in the third annual General Romeo Dallaire Genocide Institute at
Western, sponsored by the Holocaust Literature Research Institute
at Western. Through forums, guest speakers and special sessions,
educators hope to gain valuable teaching techniques they can bring
to their classrooms.
For General Dallaire, the Force Commander of UN Assistance for Mission
Rwanda, the Institute carries an ambition aimed at helping teachers
apply certain methodologies and ways of teaching.
“We want to awaken students to how the international community and,
on the other side, extremism, can lead to crimes against humanity of
horrendous levels,” Dallaire explains. He portrays the institute as
an information tool that is part of a larger ideology of respect for
others and avoidance of conflict.
Recognizing the complexities of the content being brought to
students in today’s classrooms, Dallaire says for teachers, the
five-day institute offers time for discussion, questions and plenty of
reflection. Participants have an opportunity to develop their current
skills and learn new methods through classroom-based activities.
Mike Farley, a Grade 12 World Issues teacher at Western Tech in
Toronto, says this past year his students have been learning about
the atrocities of genocide.
“We looked at the genocide in Rwanda and that had a very powerful
affect on me and the students, so I thought I’d like to learn more
about genocide in general…the institute seemed like a good fit,”
says Farley.
To teach his class, he used tools from a resource kit including
an online simulation called PAX Warrior. This model recreates the
environment during the genocide and students make various decisions,
ironically, as General Dallaire. Farley also showed the Dallaire
documentary Shake Hands with the Devil to help his students understand
the scale of events.
Once the intensive one-week training is complete, the challenge will
be for the teachers to applying these new methods when they return to
their classrooms in the fall. Farley already anticipates alternative
ways he will approach his curriculum.
“When I’ve been teaching about Rwanda, I kind of went into it
completely blind. It was very interesting, but I didn’t really have
any background in studying it at all,” he says. “Here I am sitting
through this week with some of the foremost experts in genocide,
including General Dallaire.”
Although initially overwhelming, Farley has found the forums engaging
and has gained more confidence with his own knowledge and approach.
Aris Babikian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee
of Canada, has been working with the Armenian community to reach
out and sensitize the public to such tragedies. He credits the
institute with providing necessary training for high school teachers
in accomplishing this.
“If teachers are not aware about the details, about the psychological,
social, collective and individual effects of these events on humans and
society, students won’t be able to learn about this,” says Babikian. He
hopes the program will expand in the future to reach a larger number
of teachers across the country.
Dallaire is hopeful the five-day training session, which wraps up
August 18, will allow the teachers to convey his own experiences
of humanity, consequence and strength to students across Canada for
years to come.
“I think we’re breaking new ground here in providing this
capability…what we hope is to be able to move it now to the next
step, formalize our structure and make it that much more available
across the country,” he says.

WASHINGTON BACKS TURKISH TROOP PRESENCE IN LEBANON
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Aug. 17, 2006
The U.S. on Tuesday backed the possible deployment of Turkish troops
in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon but also stressed
that it’s a decision Ankara has to make based on its national interests
and own foreign policy guidelines.
In a move to encourage Turkey in this issue, U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch also expressed
Washington’s great confidence in the Turkish military, citing his
country’s experience in working with Turkey in such peacekeeping
operations.
Welch made the remarks at a press conference when asked about the
U.S.’ position on Turkey’s potential contribution to the force and
the reasons for Ankara’s cautious stance on deploying Turkish troops
in the region.
“We consider that the first most important step to be taken now for
implementation of the UN resolution is that the parties observe a
cessation of hostilities. Second, the United Nations rapidly should
form the new elements to be added to the existing UN Interim Force in
Lebanon [UNIFIL] so that those are prepared as quickly as possible
to deploy into Lebanon to help UNIFIL do its job pursuant to this
new resolution,” Welch said while listing other reasons for Turkey
to send the troops.
“The present resolution authorizes the composition of a new and
enhanced UNIFIL. A second resolution is out there as a possibility
should it be necessary to have an additional mandate for United
Nations activity. But presently there’s sufficient legal authority
under international law to do what is necessary to make the new force,”
he added.
Armenian lobby urges Bush to block Turkish troop deployment
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) yesterday urged
U.S. President George W.Bush to block Turkey deploying troops in
Lebanon in a letter sent to the president.
The letter, which is signed by the head of ANCA (an umbrella Armenian
lobby which gathers various radical Armenian groups) Ken Hachikian,
claimed that the deployment of Turkish troops in the region would be
contrary to the U.S.’ national interests and would undermine efforts
to ensure permanent peace in the region.
Reiterating the Armenian genocide claims, ANCA also claimed in its
letter that the Ottoman Empire ruled the Middle East for centuries
through violence. “Turkey’s presence in Lebanon will only make the
situation in the region worse,” the letter also asserted.
There’s a sizable Armenian minority living in Lebanon.
In related news, the Greek lobby the American Hellenic Institute
has also reportedly sent letter to the White House against a Turkish
contribution to the peacekeeping force.

AZERBAIJAN TO ATTRACT OVER $1B. TO ROAD BUILDING IN 2006-2008
Author: S. Aliyev
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
A presentation of projects being implemented, and projects to be
implemented in the sector of road building was hold at the Ministry of
Transport of Azerbaijan Republic today.Javid Gurbanov, the Head of the
Department of Road Building of Yolnagliyyatservis of the Ministry of
Transport of Azerbaijan Republic told that at present there are about
30,000 km of highways in Azerbaijan. 17,326 km out of the 18,799 km
highways of common use belong to the Ministry of Transportation,
2,661 km of highways are under of the Armenian occupation on the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, 1,473 km belong to the State Company
of Nakhavtoyol, and the other highways belong to municipalities,
different transportation managements, and enterprises, Trend reports.
J. Gurbanov also pointed out that at present the indicator of
development of roads in the country is on the lower level. Today
works aimed at changing of this indicator are carried out.
1st category roads (dual-dual highways) make up just 1 per cent
(175 km) out of the total volume of roads of common use in the country.
“About $5 b. are needed for the reconstruction of roads of the
country”, pointed out the Head of the Department.
According to the Department, since 1998 till August 2006 $78,04 m
have been spent on the road building of the country as credits of
different international financial institutions. $20,2 m were spent in
2005.$16,93 m had been spend over the seven months of this year. The
share of Azerbaijan in the total volume of means being spent on
the road building since 1998 till August 2006 makes $12,63 m. This
indicator in 2005 was $2,12 m. Over the seven month of this year the
share of Azerbaijan in the road building makes up $3,14 m.
According to forecast in 2006-2008 $1 b. are expected to be invested
as credits to the road building in the country (124,7 m in 2006,
$399,3 in 2007, and $545,4 m in 2008). The share of Azerbaijan in
the road building projects is expected at the volume of $238,887 m.
($20,247 m in 2006, $95,21 m in 2007, and $123,43 in 2008).

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: ARMENIAN-COMMITTED ARSONS MAY CAUSE ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IF NOT PREVENTED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
“If the arsons committed by Armenians in the occupied Azerbaijani
lands are not prevented, they will cause an ecological disaster.
Azerbaijan has made concrete offers to Armenian to prevent the fires,”
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists,
APA reports.
The Minister said yesterday he received Andrzei Kaspiysk, personal
representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office regarding this matter.
“Mr.Kasprzyk is in Yerevan now to negotiate with Armenia to prevent
the fires. He will also convey our offers to official Yerevan. We’ll
discuss his impressions after that,” Mr.Mammadyarov said.
He noted that if the offer is accepted, actiosn will be taken in the
affected areas with participation of international organizations,
“I do not know in which form the actions will be taken. But I must
say all the relevant bodies will be involved in it.”
Stating that Armenia is responsible for all the developments in
the occupied Azerbaijani lands, Mammadyarov said the issue of
responsibility is mentioned in international conventions.
The Minister also informed about the Foreign Ministry Diplomatic
Academy’s action priorities.
“Initial measures will be implemented soon for the Diplomatic Academy
to function. The Academy will give master’s degree and doctor’s degree
for the time being,” he said.

AZERBAIJAN RETURNED THREE ARMENIAN CAPTIVES
Author: E.Javadova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
On August 17, three Armenian captives kept in Azerbaijan were returned
to Armenia, Trend has been told in the State Committee on Captives
and Missing People of Azerbaijani National Security Ministry.
Kept within July 2006, three Armenians – Galumyan Martun Kolyalevich,
Karapetyan Goren Victorovich and Aleksanyan Roman Arkadevich –
were transferred to Armenian side on the border territory between
Balajafarli village of Gazakh district of Azerbaijan and Ijevan
district of Armenia.
The process was realized the State Committee on Captives and Missing
People and the Defense Ministry through the mediation of International
Red Crescent Organization.

AZERBAIJAN’S POSITION IN CE REMAINS FIRM – AZERI REP AT CE
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
Trend ‘s exclusive interview with Azerbaijani representative at the
Council of Europe, Agshin Mehdiyev
Question: How do you estimate the current level of relationships
between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe? What is the country’s
position at the CE?
Answer: The relationships between the Azerbaijani government and the
CE Committee of Ministers are on progress. Periodically there evolve
questions, but are solved smoothly.
As to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),
here it is dealt with episodes, when any reporter, a group of MPs,
voices his dissatisfaction with definite events. For instance,
the well-known co-rapporteurs Andreas Gross and Andreas Herkel hold
tendentious position in respect to Azerbaijan. For instance, they
provoked the issue on consideration of the mandate of Azerbaijani
delegation at the PACE. However, the Assembly did not support them.
Together with the parliamentary delegation we try to resist such
attempts and thus far we have succeeded.
Question: How could you explain the tendentious position by some
individuals and groups?
Answer: Firstly, we should not forget that the attitude towards
Azerbaijan is not unilateral. We have too many friends, but also
too many enemies. Azerbaijan is a country with rich history and
natural resources. It should be not ignored that this is the Muslim
country and it is not accepted unilaterally at the Christian European
circles. Perhaps, the Armenian lobby is permanently and purposefully
working against Azerbaijan.
Question: How do you estimate the influence of the Armenian lobby on
the Council of Europe at present?
Answer: It is not so weak. They [Armenians] are frank provocateurs.
We have started the propaganda activities only 10-20 years ago,
whilst for many years Armenians have been conducting anti-Turk,
anti-Azerbaijani, anti-Muslim propaganda, introducing themselves
as miserable.
Nevertheless, Azerbaijan’s influence is also rising. In the pretext
of our successes, developing with the other countries, including the
European and Christian world, the Armenian lobby will exist no longer.
Question: Could we expect any ‘surprise’ from Armenia in the autumn
session of the PACE?
Answer: I don’t think so. To my mind there will be no issue linked
with Azerbaijan.
Question: Does the Azerbaijan delegation plan to raise an issue on
fire in the Armenian-occupied territory of Azerbaijan?
Answer: Certainly, Azerbaijani delegate can put forward this issue
in one of the meetings of the committee and demand for appointment
of a rapporteur. It is possible in this order.
Question: Could the CE send its experts to the territory following
a report by an international organization, the OCSE?
Answer: That is a right question: This is a serious problem,
because there is a particular coordination among the international
organizations. One can frequently observe the cases when their
positions contradict each other.
However, the CE is a serious and independent organization and it holds
a very principle standpoint on some issues, and that distinguishes it
from others. Now we have to hold a position based on arguments and
facts. Sometimes, the questions are put forward, while no concrete
arguments are presented for this respect.
Question: Do the CE representatives plan to pay visit to Azerbaijan
in the nearest future?
Answer: A new PACE rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Tony Lloyd, plans to
visit Azerbaijan this autumn. No visit is on schedule prior to the
session. A mission of the CE Congress of Local Authorities will visit
Azerbaijan after the session and municipal elections so as to carry
out monitoring of pre-election situation in Azerbaijan. Terry Davis,
the General Secretary of the PACE, is expected to Azerbaijan. It is
necessary to work over it.
Question: Does the CE plans to carry out monitoring at the municipal
elections?
Answer: There were sounded ideas that the Congress of Regional and
Local Authorities was probable to dispatch its observers.
Question: When does the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh
plan to meet and what issues will be on agenda?
Answer: No concrete date is named for the time being. Perhaps, prior
or after the autumn session. I think sooner or later the agenda of
the Committee of Ministers will include an issue on concrete results
of Paris process, state of negotiations and the necessity for the
issue is evolving.
Question: What will be Azerbaijan’s benefits?
Answer: Those who are currently involved in the conflict resolution,
I mean the OSCE Minsk Group and others, will feel that there are
people who take interests in their work. I’d avoid from using acute
phrases. The CE will prove its estimation. Especially, it is dealt
with the organization that unites 46 European countries.
Of course, I can’t say that the CE has always protected Azerbaijan’s
interests. However, there are some positive milestones, although I
still consider it insufficient. In this case they defend justice.
They should preserve their image as a supporter of justice.
Question: Could it affect the OSCE Minsk Group’s activities?
Answer: We have always considered as many international organizations
are involved in the process as better. But we have never said that
these organizations should replace the OSCE Minsk Group. And there
is no issue on replacement in the OSCE Minsk Group on agenda.

AZERI PRESIDENT RECEIVED DELEGATION LED BY U.N. HIGHER COMMISSIONER ON REFUGEES
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
On August 17, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the
delegation headed by U.N. Higher Commissioner on Refugees Antonio
Guterres,Trend has been told by the press-service the President’s
Office.
During the meeting, Aliyev noted that the occupation of Azerbaijani
lands by Armenians, in result of which more than one million people
have become refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), is the
key problem for Azerbaijan. He pointed out that Azerbaijan carries
out necessary measures to improve the living conditions for refugees
and IDPs, and in the near future, all tent camps will be liquidated.
Aliyev voiced his confidence that this visit will give further
opportunities to expand the relations between Azerbaijan and U.N.
Higher Commissariat.
Antonio Guterres satisfactorily remembered the meeting with national
leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the summit of OSCE held in
Lissabon. The guest notified that a decision was made last year on
the issue that U.N. Higher Commissariat on Refugees will pay further
attention to resolve the problems of refugees and IDPs. According to
him, from this point of view, the visit to Azerbaijan assumes a great
importance. He highly assessed the efforts of Azerbaijan government
to upgrade the living standards of refugees and IDPs, and expressed
his hope that the relations between Azerbaijan and U.N. will develop
in the future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONFORMATION OF AZERBAIJAN’S ROADS TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS REQUIRES $5 BN AND 15 YEARS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
Azerbaijan is behind Armenia of the length of primary roads,
Transportation Ministry Traffic Service Department chief Javid Gurbanov
told a media briefing, APA reports.
Of 18 799-km-long roads, 1% are primary roads, 5% is secondary roads,
29% are third-category and 55% are four-category roads.
“Conformation of Azerbaijan’s roads to international standards requires
at least $5 bn and 15 years”.
Totally, the automobile roads of Azerbaijan is some 30 000 km in
length of which 18 799 km are priority roads.

TURKISH FM: OUR POSITION ON OPENING BORDERS WITH ARMENIA REMAINS UNCHANGED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
“Turkey’s position regarding opening its borders with Armenia remains
unchanged,” Turkish Foreign Ministry press secretary, ambassador
Namig Tan told APA’s Turkey bureau.
As concerns Kars local authorities head Naif Alibayoglu’s statement
on importance of opening Turkey-Armenia borders, Mr.Tan said Turkey
is a democratic state, everyone can express his own views openly.
“However, this issue concerns the government rather than the local
authorities head. There is no changes in the position of the Turkish
government with regard to opening the borders and we are not going
to do that,” the press secretary said.

UN HIGH COMMISSIONER MET CHAIRMAN OF STATE COMMITTEE ON AFFAIRS WITH REFUGEES AND IDPS
Author: S. Ilhamgizi
TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006
On August 17 UN High Commissioner on Affairs with refugees and IDPs
Antonio Guteres and the delegation headed by Director of the European
Office of UN High Commissariat Pirkko Kourulayne met Chairman of the
State Committee on Affairs with Refugees and IDPs, Vice-Premier Ali
Hassanov, the State Committee told Trend today.
Issues concerning refugees and IDPs, their helath condition, and
their way of life were discussed during the meeting. Ali Hassanov
brought to the guests` notice that the situation with Azerbaijanis
who had to leave their lands as a result of the Armenian occupation
is very hard. He also pointed out that the Azerbaijan Government does
all possible to improve their living standards.
In his turn A. Guterres pointed out that he satisfied with the
attention and care the Government of Azerbaijan renders to refugees
and IDPs. He also pointed out that UN High Commissariat on Affairs
with Refugees and IDPs Worldwide as far as possible does its best to
help Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs.
UN representatives also met the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister and other
officials of the country.