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06/13/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Oskanian And Mamedyarov Discuss Contentious Issues in Karabagh Conflict Regulation 2) Iran Supports Peaceful Settlement of The Karabagh Conflict 3) Armenians Convert Savings as Dram Gains Strength 4) Armenian Parliament to Convene Hearings on Dual Citizenship 5) Events Mark 40th Day after Armenian Plane Crash 6) Iranian Diplomat Discusses Natural Gas Pipeline 1) Oskanian And Mamedyarov Discuss Contentious Issues in Karabagh Conflict Regulation YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov met Tuesday in Paris to discuss settlement of the Karabagh conflict. The negotiations were conducted with the participation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office Andzey Kasprchik. The Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reported that during negotiations, Oskanian and Mamedyarov discussed the principles and approaches over which the two countries disagree. They decided to continue negotiations. 2) Iran Supports Peaceful Settlement of The Karabagh Conflict YEREVAN (Yerkir)Iran's Deputy Ambassador to Armenia Ali Akbar Jokar said Tuesday that Iran believes that the Karabagh conflict can only be settled through negotiations. At a news conference in Yerevan, he said that Tehran repeatedly confirmed its readiness to assist in the settlement of the Karabagh conflict. "Iran enjoys good relations with all its neighbors and is interested in stability in the region," he said. 3) Armenians Convert Savings as Dram Gains Strength YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The chairman of Armenia's Central Bank, Tigran Sarkisian, said Tuesday that the renewed strengthening of Armenia's national currency, the dram, against the US dollar has led to Armenians converting their dollar savings into drams because they have finally begun to trust their currency. The dram has gained almost 9 percent in additional value against the dollar in less than a month and is now worth over 30 percent more, in dollar terms, than it was right before the start of its dramatic appreciation in late 2003. The Central Bank attributed this to a sizable increase in multimillion-dollar remittances from hundreds of thousands of Armenians working abroad. Sarkisian said a further rise in their amount this year has boosted demand in the dram and pushed up its value as a result. Last week, the Armenian Government's mid-term economic outlook said that the Government expected the economy to continue its robust growth and enable a further increase in public spending on education and social programs in the next few years. The document presented by Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Pavel Safarian forecasts that Gross Domestic Product will rise at an annual rate of at least 6 percent from 2007 through 2009. Official statistics show that the Armenian economy expanded by 12 percent in the first four months of this year, putting it on track to register a double-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year. Safarian said continued growth is expected to raise the country's GDP per capita, a key indicator of living standards, from the current $1,600 to $2,300 by 2009. Armenia's macroeconomic performance in recent years has been repeatedly praised by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Both financial institutions have endorsed the government's assertions that the growth has considerably reduced widespread poverty. The dram's strengthening, for example, has hit hard a large part of Armenia's population which is dependent on cash regularly sent by their expatriate relatives. Some analysts say it is stifling the country's modest exports. Official statistics show their total volume falling by nearly 8 percent to $253.7 million in the first four months of this year. Armenian imports, by contrast, rose by 13 percent to $584 million during the same period. However, Safarian said the anticipated economic growth will enable the Armenian Government to raise the average salary of civil servants and school teachers by 40 percent to 124,000 drams ($295) and 82,500 drams respectively in the next three years. He said the Government will also raise its tiny monthly pensions and poverty benefits by 2,000 drams each year. 4) Armenian Parliament to Convene Hearings on Dual Citizenship YEREVAN (Armenpress)The Armenian Parliament's Foreign Relations permanent commission will conduct parliamentary hearings on Dual Citizenship starting June 23, said leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Faction (ARF) Hrayr Karapetian. He noted that representatives of interested organizations, parties, political figures will be invited to participate in the discussion. 5) Events Mark 40th Day after Armenian Plane Crash YEREVAN (Yerkir/Armenpress)Relatives of those killed in the crash of an Armavia Airline arrived in Sochi, on the Black Sea Coast of Russia, Tuesday to mourn the deaths of their loved ones and attend a ceremony marking the 40th day after the tragic event. Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatian also took part in the ceremony, saying that a stone, which will become part of a planned monument to the crash victims, will be laid. Members of the Armenian Consulate and administration of the Krasnodar region also attended the events. The victims' families also attended a requiem service in the St. Gevorg Church in Tbilisi, Georgia, on their way to Sochi. In Tbilisi, they were met by the members of Georgian Parliament, Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hrach Silvanian, and representatives of the local Armenian community who expressed their condolences. Saying that Georgians grieved together with Armenians the Ambassador noted that "At this difficult moment we understand what means real friendship." An A-320 airplane belonging to Armenian company Armavia crashed into the Black Sea on May 3 killing all 113 passengers aboard. 6) Iranian Diplomat Discusses Natural Gas Pipeline YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Iran's Deputy Ambassador to Armenia, Ali Akbar Jokar discussed the natural gas pipeline running from Iran to Armenian, which is currently under-construction. Russia's state-run natural gas monopoly, Gazprom, was reported earlier this year to have secured ownership of the pipeline as part of a controversial settlement of its recent gas dispute with Yerevan. The information was initially confirmed by Gazprom, but subsequently refuted by the Russian giant and senior Armenian officials. "There are no changes yet in the project," Iran's deputy ambassador to Armenia, Ali Akbar Jokar, insisted on Tuesday. "Changes may only happen with the consent of all parties [to the project.]" Asked whether his government would object to the possible change of pipeline ownership, Jokar said, "Since there is nothing concrete, such a prediction can not be made at this point." Work on the first 40 kilometer section of the pipeline, financed by a $34 million Iranian loan, began late last year and is scheduled to be complete by next January. Armenian and Iranian officials say the construction is proceeding according to plan. The pipeline will ease Armenia's strong energy dependence on Russia, presently its sole supplier of gas. 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. 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Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA TO LEBANON VISITS ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I met with the new Ambassador of Australia to
Lebanon, Ms Lyndall Sachs, in his office in Antelias on June 13. Being
appointed recently, the Ambassador visited the Pontiff to inquire
about his views concerning the current situation in Lebanon and the
Armenian community’s role in it.
The Catholicos introduced the current circumstances of the
Armenian people, talking briefly about the situations in Armenia and
Karapagh. He focused on the Armenian communities in the Diaspora, the
national struggle of Armenians, and the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The
Pontiff then assessed the internal situation in Lebanon and the role
of the Armenian community in that context.
The meeting also presented an opportunity to talk about the problems
the current world faces and particularly conflicts related to the
ecumenical dialogue, violence and other issues. Expressing his views
on these matters, the Catholicos emphasized the importance of dialogue
in all fields in life.
The Ambassador expressed interest in the Armenian communities in the
Diaspora and particularly the Lebanese-Armenian community, at the
same time praising the values of the Armenian nation.
##
View photo here:
es85.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BUILDERS OF BAKU-GEIHAN REFUSE TO RECOVER DAMAGE TO ARMENIAN VILLAGE
Lragir.am
14 June 06
AKHALKALAKI, JUNE 13, A-INFO. SPI-Capag-Petrofac carrying out the
construction of of the section of Baku-Geihan running through Georgia
damaged the soil of the village of Ghado, Akhalkalaki using sand
necessary for the construction of the oil pipeline, and refuses to
recover the damage.
The building company says the land they used belongs to the state and
they had a special license of the Ministry of Environmental Protection
to use it.
The inhabitants of the village of Ghado say the sand used in
construction was extracted from the territory they own, and they
have a corresponding certificate on public ownership. Besides, the
inhabitants of Ghado say when the soil of the Georgian villages was
used for the same purpose, the damages were recovered at full.
Presently the inhabitants of Ghado rely on the justice of Georgian
law-enforcement agencies. Their claim was lodged with the Office of
Head Public Prosecutions of Georgia.

THE ISSUE OF STATUS OF JAVAKHK THE MOST PAINFUL TODAY
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 16:16
The newly elected President of “Javakhk” Patriotic Union Shirak
Torosyan presented in detail the problems Javakhk faces and suggested
possible ways of resolution of these. According to him, the most
painful today is, most probably, the issue of the status of Javakhk,
regarding which the opinions are diverse. The President of the Union
is confident that there is no need to undertake extreme measures. It
is solely necessary to raise the level of self-governance in Javakhk,
providing corresponding liabilities to local authorities of Javakhk,
which will make it possible to resolve a number of issues locally.
“The problem of the status of Javakhk gradually deepens, since the
decisive steps are undertaken by interested sides,” Shirak Torosyan
said.
According to him, Javakhk should become a factor normalizing
Armenian-Georgian relations, not a worsening one. Aside from the
issue of teaching Armenian in the schools of Javakhk and preservation
of historical monuments, the emphasis is put today on the social
conditions of Javakhk Armenians.
The issue of Kars-Akhalkalak railway in the framework of
Georgian-Turkish relations has found itself among the numerous problems
Javakhk faces. Shirak Torosyan said this railway can resolve a number
of social problems in Javakhk.
Nevertheless, since it directly counters Armenia’s interests, Javakhk
Armenians defend the position of Armenia in this issue.

VAROUZHAN HAKOBYAN – WINNER OF THE SAN MARINO TOURNAMENT
A1+
[12:46 pm] 14 June, 2006
Armenian Grand Master Varouzhan Hakobyan became the winner of the
chess international tournament in San Marino together with Vadim
Milov from Switzerland.
Hakobyan and Milov have 7.5 points after 9 games. 148 chess players,
including 30 Grand Masters participated in the tournament.
Varouzhan Hakobyan has been citizen of the USA for the last five
years. Together with the US team he won a bronze medal in the World
Olympiad. By the way, in 1998 in the Youth Chess Olympiad in Istanbul
Varouzhan became the champion together with the Armenian national team.

UN TO HELP AZERBAIJAN
A1+
[02:53 pm] 14 June, 2006
WFP Executive Director, James Morris, has approved a two-year operation
in Azerbaijan, which will provide 26,833 metric tons of food assistance
to 143,500 people displaced by the conflict with Armenia over the
disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Under the new operation, valued at US$15.7 million, WFP will
provide food aid to the most vulnerable of the displaced population,
particularly women and children.
“This is likely to be the last phase of WFP’s operation in
Azerbaijan. In order to ensure a smooth handover to the Government
towards the end of the project, the continued financial support from
donors is crucial,” said Amir Abdulla, WFP’s Regional Director for
the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, in an appeal to the
international donor community for continued support in this critical
period of transition.
Inadequate conditions
Since leaving Nagorno Karabakh 13 years ago, many displaced
Azerbaijanis still live in inadequate conditions and have severely
limited assets.
A WFP Food Security and Nutrition Assessment – the first of its kind
in Azerbaijan – was released last year and warned that nearly 300,000
of the one million Azerbaijanis displaced by the conflict with Armenia
would continue to rely on food aid for the foreseeable future.
Only 40 percent of the households covered by the survey have access
to agricultural land. In all instances most of the produce grown is
for family subsistence.
New operation
In designing the new operation, WFP incorporated the findings from
the survey and took into consideration the ongoing activities of
the government to assist the displaced population by reinforcing its
current assistance and benefit programmes.
The operation is aligned with the State Programme for Poverty Reduction
and Economic Development and will help Azerbaijan work towards the
Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger,
achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and
empower women.
A Food for Education component of the operation will address declining
enrolment rates of primary school children and help stabilize
attendance by providing school meals.
More employment opportunities
A Food for Work project will increase employment opportunities for
rural households, many of whom are displaced people. “Seventy percent
of WFP’s beneficiaries are women and children – they are extremely
food insecure. Any discontinuation of food assistance at this time
will seriously affect their health and nutritional well being.
To avert a disruption of what has been achieved so far with the help
of the government, funding is crucial,” said Rahman Chowdhury, WFP’s
Representative for Azerbaijan.
Over the past decade, WFP has been pivotal in alleviating the suffering
of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis displaced by the conflict
with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh that started in the early 1990s.
WFP has provided over US$100 million in food assistance to Azerbaijan
in the past twelve years to ease the hardships of the displaced
population.

THE YOUTH UNITED AGAINST THOSE WHO LEFT
A1+
[02:55 pm] 14 June, 2006
An unprecedented event took place in the new political history of
Armenia – the representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,
the Armenian Pan-National Movement and the Armenian Republican Party
united in one format and signed a document. This took place within
the framework of the youth structures of the parties.
The Club of Young Politicians displayed initiative condemning
the phenomena which are already becoming normal in the political
field. “We, young politicians, regardless of our political views
and approaches, condemn such vicious principles as non-fidelity
to principle, treachery, and immoral careerism. We call on all
the political powers in the RA, public figures and journalists to
boycott the immoral activity of the above mentioned ‘politicians'”,
the joint message of the young politicians says. It was signed by
the representatives of nine political powers.
As for the reason of the initiative, the last straw was the incident
with the “Heritage” party when the members of the party learned that
their young colleague Edgar Hakobyan engages in espionage. After
being dismissed from the party Hakobyan convened a news conference
and started to slander the party the member of which he used to be.
By the way, this was the last case of the kind. Before that there
were suchlike cases in the Republican Party, in the Party “New Times”
and the OYP. The young politicians gathered to condiment not the
individuals who left their parties, but the phenomenon in general.
“If the political system is not well realized, this does not mean
that they can wander from this party to that and see where they can
have more profit,” said Arman Vardanyan, the president of the Club
of Young Politicians.
According to Narek Malyan, the head of the youth wing of the Party
“New Times”, a politician must have fidelity to principle as it is
also good for the journalists who try to find out the principles of
this or that politician in their interview. And if he does not have
principles, that what is he working for?
On the whole the young politicians were concerned by the fact that
this phenomenon is gradually becoming usual in Armenia. They claimed
that the society must understand the danger that comes from those
people and condemn them. They offered to make a list of “outcasts”
– a so-called “black list” which will include the names of the
politicians they must beware.
And today besides signing the statement the young politicians announced
that they will boycott those who have betrayed their parties; they
will not have debates with them and will not unite with them in one
format. They also advised all the political powers not to cooperate
with those who have left their parties as he who has betrayed once
will do it a second time.

MOURNING EVENTS DEDICATED TO A-320 CRASH HELD IN SOCHI
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 15:36 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 180 people arrived in Sochi from Armenia to
commemorate the victims of the A-320 crash.
Deputy head of the Sochi branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia
Hrach Makeyan said some 300 people including the relatives from
Armenia, Sochi and the Krasnodar region take part in the events dated
to 40 days that have passed since the tragedy.
He informed that presently the mourning procession is aboard of a
launch that is sailing to the crash site.
“They will lower wreaths to the water. Then a mourning liturgy will
be chanted in the Armenian Church in Adler,” he said adding that the
40th day of the tragedy coincided with the Day of Russia celebrated on
June 12 and the mourning events were postponed to June 14, reported
Interfax.
To remind, on May 3 night Airbus-320 owned by Armavia national carrier
crashed in the Black Sea 6 km away from Adler airport killing all of
113 people aboard, including 6 children and 8 crewmembers. Among them
were 26 Russian citizens, one Ukrainian and one Georgian citizen,
while the rest were Armenian citizens.

HRANT DINK TO VISIT KRASNODAR REGION
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 15:03 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In September 2006 Hrant Dink, the editor-in-chief of
Akos Turkey-based Armenian newspaper will visit the Krasnodar region
of Russia.
As reported by the Yerkramas, the newspaper of Armenians of Russia,
Dink’s visit is private, however he is expected to hold meetings with
the representatives of the local Armenian Diaspora.
As it was reported earlier, the Turkish court of first instance
sentenced the editor-in-chief to 6 months of imprisonment for
“outrage of Turkish national dignity” in February 2006, since in one
of his articles he wrote that “Turks’ hostility poisons the blood of
Armenians.” At that time the judges decreed that the journalist called
Turkish blood poisonous. However the Court of Cassations concluded
that the accusation against Dink was brought through misunderstanding.
Recently the Turkish Office of Prosecutor General fully acquitted
Hrant Dink.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SALEH RECEIVES CONGRATULATION FROM HIS ARMENIAN COUNTERPART
Yemen News Agency
June 12, 2006 Monday 12:08 AM EST
President Ali Abdullah Saleh received a congratulation cable from
his Armenian Counterpart Robert Kocharian on the occasion of the
Unification Day.
Saleh wished all the best to the Armenian leadership and people.