DECLARATION ADOPTED AS A RESULT OF THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
Armenpress
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: A declaration was adopted to sum
up the work of the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference that was wrapped
up in Yerevan on September 20. Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press
service told Armenpress that the declaration particularly refers
to the readiness and determination of the Diaspora to support the
resolution of problems faced up by Armenia.
The declaration, particularly, approves the program on reduction of
poverty in the Armenian rural areas and calls on all stakeholders
and organizations to have active participation in the implementation
of this program. “We also reconfirm our complete responsibility and
support in the regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” says
the declaration.
Besides it reconfirms determination to continue work in all countries
for international recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The conference took place on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the
Armenian Independence. President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, Karabakh
President Arkady Ghukasian, Armenian NA Speaker Tigran Torosian,
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian, Armenian Catholicos Karekin II and Cilician Catholicos Aram
I delivered speeches at the conference.
The participants also presented and discussed a program on the
elimination of poverty in the Armenian rural communities. The
program will be started in spring 2007. The conference also decided
to establish a consultation body which will ensure the continuation
of Armenia-Diaspora partnership and form the agenda.
As part of the conference forums and exhibitions were conducted.

GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION REWARDS BEST STUDENTS
Armenpress
Sept 22 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Forty-five students of Yerevan
State University with best academic achievements received today a
total of $28,000 in money rewards from the Gulbenkian Foundation.
Yerevan State University pro-rector Alexander Grigorian said it is
the second year the best academic students receive rewards of the
Foundation. He said this is very instrumental for those students who
are in paid departments to pay their tuition fees.
The students were selected by a specially set up commission based on
their achievements and social conditions.
The money was transferred in US Dollars and because of unprecedented
fall of US Dollar’s value against Armenian Dram. the reward is not
enough to pay an annual tuition fee, but the University has pledged
to pay the rest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YURI CHAYKA: DIRECTIONS FOR COOPERATION OUTLINED
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 14:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chayka, reported the RA leader’s
press office. During the meeting they discussed the reformation
process and pointed out to the necessity of development of bilateral
cooperation. Robert Kocharian remarked that the successful experience
of collaboration between the police and special services of the two
states proves the possibility of efficient cooperation within the
Offices of Prosecutor General. For his part Yuri Chayka said that
during the visit to Armenia important agreements were achieved and
exact directions of cooperation outlined.

JOINT RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN EXERCISE TO BE HELD IN RUSSIA IN 2007
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 14:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A joint Russian-Armenian exercise will be held
in Russia in the initial half of 2007, said Major General Vladimir
Gorshukov, the head of the RF Interior Ministry’s department for
coordination of special forces’ activities. “The exercise for
coordination of joint moves and prevention of terrorist acts will
be conducted in Rostov-on-Don with the participation of the special
forces of the Russian Ministry of Interior and Armenian Police by
initiative of the joint board,” he said.
Vladimir Gorshukov also informed that Armenian military will take
part in the special forces’ exercise in Novosibirsk in October 2006
as observers.
Besides, they will participate in the round table discussions upon
completion of the exercise, reported newsarmenia.ru.

KARABAKH’S LIBERATION GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMENIAN PEOPLE IN RA MODERN HISTORY
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 15:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Third All-Armenian Armenia-Diaspora Forum
that was held on the days when the republic was celebrating the
15th anniversary of independence adopted the resulting declaration,
which says, “We confirm our will and determination to assist in
strengthening of Armenia’s statehood as a condition for resolving
the existing problems and progress of Armenianhood. The forum proved
that the relations between Armenia and Diaspora developed in the
atmosphere of mutual trust and respect and laid a firm basis for
further efficient evolution. We have common history, goals and problems
concerning the whole Armenian nation and only with uniting human and
material resources we can resolve the problems we face. The Republic of
Armenia, as a state, should take every opportunity to secure conditions
essential for each Armenian to participate in the development and
strengthening of the state. The identity of the Armenian nation is
immediately bound with the Christianity and attaches an important
role to the Armenian Church, whose mission is to support the spiritual
life of the people and deepen relations between Armenia and Diaspora.”
The conference participants also approved the rural areas development
program as a key instrument for poverty reduction and called upon the
all the structures and organizations to take part in the realization
of the project.
“The liberation of Karabakh is the greatest achievement of the Armenian
people in the modern history. We confirm our responsibility and all
possible support to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic for their right
to live freely. After the proclamation of Armenia’s independence the
Diasporan Armenians faced a new reality and challenges that befell the
young state. The Armenians of Diaspora rendered and keep on rendering
assistance to the republic while Armenia helps Diaspora to maintain
the Armenian traditions, culture and identity,” the declaration says.
The forum participants affirmed readiness for pressing for the Armenian
Genocide international recognition.
“We are convinced that democratic principles, human rights and
freedom are a priority for the state and community structures. We
highlight peace, friendship between people and mutually beneficial
cooperation, the right of nations to free life and development, freedom
of speech and conscience. In the 21st century we are responsible
for protection of national rights and interests, strengthening of
cooperation, realization of our hopes and aspirations in the name
of secure development and welfare of our people and Homeland,” the
statement says.

ERDOGAN WELCOMES SHAFAK’S ACQUITTAL
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 15:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
welcomed the acquittal of renowned Turkish novelist Elif Shafak in the
case for which she was accused of insulting Turkishness. PM Erdogan
told reporters on Thursday that he was happy that Shafak was acquitted
in the controversial case. Recalling that he phoned Shafak yesterday to
congratulate her on the birth of her baby daughter, Erdogan stated that
he exchanged his views with her on the case. Erdogan also signaled an
amendment on the much debated Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code,
under which many well-known Turkish writers and authors had been
tried or sued. In response to a question on whether the government
thought of an amendment on the controversial article, Erdogan pointed
out that it would be possible provided that the ruling and opposition
parties reach an agreement, reported Zaman.

“OWNERS OF HISTORY”
A1+
[04:47 pm] 22 September, 2006
First RA Prime Minister Vazgen Manoukyan informed in “Mirror” club
today that he did not participate in the demonstration of the 15th
anniversary of Independence as he was not invited. First RA President
Levon Ter-Petrosyan and first RA Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian
were not invited either.
“They feel like they are the owners of history”, Vazgen Manoukyan said.
Let us remind you that former Minister of Defense Vagharshak
Haroutyunyan and former Foreign Ministers Vahram Papazyan and Alexander
Arzoumanyan had not received invitations either. As for medals and
awards many people got in connection with the 15th anniversary of
independence, Vazgen Manoukyan said that although the process of
award-giving itself is a positive phenomenon, “for today’s authorities
the medals are a way of forming their team and not the reflection of
objective reality”.

RF PROSECUTOR ACCEPTED THE “NATIONAL” CAUSE OF CRIMES
A1+
[03:35 pm] 22 September, 2006
For the last 12 months five criminal cases have been initiated in
the RF Prosecutor’s Office for crimes committed because of national
discrimination. All the five of them were against Armenians. RF Public
Prosecutor Yuri Chayka who was in Yerevan on a two-day official visit
confirmed the fact.
“Unfortunately there are really suchlike crimes. All of them are
halted; moreover, I have created a department in the Prosecutor’s
Office which must realize control in order to preserve federal security
and national relations”, Mr. Chayka mentioned.
The delegation with Mr. Chayka at the head arrived in Armenia on
September 21 in order to “refresh” the cooperation between the RA
and RF Prosecutors. Up to now the prosecutors cooperated according to
an agreement signed in 1993. Today the RA and RF Public Prosecutors
held a joint session and then signed an agreement about cooperation
of the Prosecutor’s Offices of both countries.
The agreement mentions the main directions of cooperation of the
Prosecutors, regulates the forms of cooperation, clears out the forms
and orders of rejections, etc.

ANDRE’S CHIEF SPONSOR IS GOD HIMSELF
A1+
[03:54 pm] 22 September, 2006
Singer Andre who represented Armenia in “Eurovision 2006” announces
that he does not belong to any religious sect. He told a press
conference today that although he was born in an atheist family,
he considers God his chief sponsor.
“During the Karabakh war when I was 8 I sang my first song called
“Prayer” with Christ’s picture in my hands. I sang and prayed God to
protect my father who fought in war and to give us victory”, Andre
said. He mentioned that he does not avoid saying that he believes
in God, but that doesn’t mean that he belongs to a sect. “Everyone
believes in some thing. Some believe in the coffee cup, others in
stars. I believe in God”.
By the way, Andre was surprised to find out that his September
26concert in Vazgen Sargsyan stadium has a number of sponsors –
major and famous firms. According to him, no one has ever sponsored
his concerts.
The majority of the tickets of the concert has already been sold
(11 thousand from 14). Andre promised the football fans that the
stadium will not be spoilt.
There will also be guests in the concert: singer Varvara from Russia,
Elena Lisnetski who represented Macedonia in “Eurovision 2006” and
others. During the concert Andre will represent his new CD which is
called “A Thousand Times”. After the Yerevan concert Andre will leave
for the United States and a number of European countries in order to
give concerts. He will return to Yerevan on December 12.
He also mentioned that the video of his song “Without you love” is
still broadcast by a number of European TC Channels. Besides, he was
invited to the celebration of the Independence Day of Ukraine as an
honored guest.
Let us add that on September 2 in connection with the 15th anniversary
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic the National Assembly of NKR awarded
Andre a medal as a singer devoted to his homeland. Andre who is from
Artsakh by birth accepted the medal proudly.

INVESTIGATION OF ARMENIAN JET CRASH GOING ON
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 13:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The investigation of the Armenian A-320 jet crash
has not been completed yet, Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chayka
told reporter in Yerevan today. “The investigation is not over yet
and a number of examinations are being carried out.
Presently an aerotechnical forensic examination is being conducted to
reveal possible faults of the aircraft, violations of rules by the
crew and flying control officers. Now we are awaiting the results
and then decide on those guilty,” he said.
For his part, Armenian Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan emphasized
that the case serves as example of close cooperation between the
prosecution offices of the two states. “After the criminal case was
initiated our investigators departed for the crash site and held
a number of examinations jointly with the Russian team,” he said,
reported newsarmenia.ru