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05/30/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Armenia Celebrates Independence Day 2) Azerbaijan Blocks Armenian Participation in CIS Defense Meeting 3) Representative Pallone Condemns Firing of Ambassador Evans 4) Genocide Denial Bill to Be Introduced in Dutch Parliament 5) 21 New Members Join The Ranks of The ARF 1) Armenia Celebrates Independence Day YEREVAN (Yerkir/Armenpress)--Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Catholicos Karekin II, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian, and other officials and diplomats visited the Sardarabad memorial on May 28 to pay tribute to the soldiers who were killed during the famous battle for independence. The event also marked the 88th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Republic. Kocharian took the opportunity to congratulate the Armenian people in a letter, saying that May 28 marks a milestone in Armenia's nation-building, freedom, and democracy. "Independence was a centuries-old goal for the Armenian people, which came true because of the national liberation struggle and especially because of the heroic battles in May 1918," said the letter. "The First Republic of Armenia inspired the people with strength. It was the basis, on which Soviet Armenia and the current state were founded." Independence Day celebrations continued all day in Yerevan and ended with a concert and salute in Victory Park. 2) Azerbaijan Blocks Armenian Participation in CIS Defense Meeting YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Yerkir)--Armenia said on Tuesday that Azerbaijan has prevented it from participating in this week's meeting in Baku of high-ranking defense officials from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The one-day session of the CIS Council of Defense Ministers is scheduled to open in the Azeri capital on Wednesday. Yerevan said last week that Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian will not attend it, because Azeri authorities failed to guarantee the security of the Armenian delegation. In a statement, the ministry said it has been informed by the Moscow-based Secretariat of the CIS structure that the Azeri authorities have refused to guarantee the security of the Armenian participants. It condemned the move, accusing Azerbaijan of failing to honor its international obligations. "This fact again confirms that Azerbaijan is not able to meet its commitments to secure participants of international meetings in its territory," said the statement. "The Council Secretariat has to create equal conditions for all participant states of the meeting." "We expect an official response from the CIS Council of Defense Ministers to the incident," added the statement. A spokesman for the Azeri Defense Ministry confirmed that Baku is against Armenian participation in the meeting. Previously, the Azeri Government also refused to allow a group of Armenian army officers to take part in a NATO-led military exercise that had been due to take place in Azerbaijan in September 2004. NATO officials responded by canceling the multinational drills. 3) Representative Pallone Condemns Firing of Ambassador Evans WASHINGTON, DC--The controversy surrounded the firing of US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans continued to grow this week with a powerful statement by the Co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus, calls for Congressional hearings, and a series of as yet unanswered inquiries from the national media during the State Department's daily press briefing, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a May 25 statement on the House floor, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) forcefully condemned the Administration for forcing Ambassador Evans to vacate his post for publicly affirming the Armenian genocide. He voiced his "fear that the Government of Turkey may have played a role in this unfortunate event. I strongly believe they have expressed concern to the White House over Evans' remarks last year. In fact, immediately following his remarks, Evan issued a "correction," all too seemingly at the behest of the Administration. We must not allow a third party to interfere in US diplomacy and refrain from declaring the truth in order to promote relations with Turkey." Congressman Pallone noted that he has yet to receive an explanation from the State Department, despite having written a letter to the Secretary more than two months ago requesting a thorough description of the reasons behind the Ambassador's recall. Commenting on similar unanswered letters and questions posed during Congressional hearings regarding this controversy, he noted that, "now, the White House has made an 'official' announcement but still has not given an explanation." He closed by expressing his "hope that the newly-appointed US Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, will not play the word games of the White House, and comply with Turkey's campaign of genocidal denial." The White House made the recall of Ambassador Evans official this week with the public announcement of his replacement, Richard Hoagland. As he has repeated over the past several months, the State Department spokesperson, Sean McCormack, again avoided answering a direct question last week about the reasons for Ambassador Evans' recall. In response to persistent questioning, he limited his remarks to generically praising Ambassador Evans' service, noting his replacement, and repeating the stock-phrase that he and other senior Administration officials "serve at the pleasure of the President." The ANCA has called for Congressional hearings to investigate the firing of Ambassador Evans. Using the ANCA website, activists can send their legislators a free ANCA WebFax asking them to call for hearings of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House International Relations Committee. These letters call for a full hearing, featuring testimony from all the key figures involved in this situation, as well as a thorough examination of the role of the Turkish Government in exporting its suppression of speech to the United States. The ANCA WebFaxes state, in part, that, "Ambassador Evans is, in effect, being punished for honoring his President's pledge to properly recognize the Armenian genocide--a promise that George W. Bush made on the campaign trail in February of 2000 but abandoned once in the White House. Ambassador Evans should be praised, not dismissed, for rejecting 'gag-rules' imposed by the Turkish Government on the discussion of the Armenian genocide by America's leaders at home and diplomats abroad." The letters close by expressing outrage that the "Administration has lacked the courage to speak honestly--either to Congress or the American people--about its reasons for firing Ambassador Evans. Hopefully, these hearings will provide the transparency that we, as citizens, have the right to expect of our government." Earlier this week, sixty Members of Congress, led by Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking for clarification of the reasons behind Ambassador Evans' recall. Prior to this letter, Representative Pallone, Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) each independently called on the State Department to explain reports that Ambassador Evans was being recalled because of his speech on the Armenian genocide. They have yet to receive any response to their inquiries. Following his statements last February, Ambassador Evans was forced to issue a clarification 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 planned 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 a few days before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush. 4) Genocide Denial Bill to Be Introduced in Dutch Parliament The Christian Union party of The Netherlands will introduce a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide and other crimes against humanity to the Dutch Parliament during a press conference on Thursday, June 1. The bill specifically refers to the Armenian genocide as one of the crimes against humanity covered by the law. Christian Union parliamentarians Tineke Huizinga and Andre Rouvoet will give the press conference along with representatives from the April 24 Committee of the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands (FAON), Center for Information and Documentation of Israel (CIDI), and Dutch Anti-racism Organization (LBR). 5) 21 New Members Join The Ranks of The ARF At the official initiation ceremony Saturday, twenty-one youths joined the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) by taking an oath. The new members took their oath at the Homenetmen Ararat Center in Glendale in front of about 100 ARF members. The "Gnkahayr" of the ceremony was Professor Rubina Peroomian, who led the oath-taking ceremony and initiated the new members. In her message, she said that this year's ceremony coincides with May 28, the day on which the Armenian people established their independence in 1918. She stressed that to be an ARF member means to struggle for the rights of the Armenian people. In his closing remarks, ARF Western Region Central Committee Representative Hovig Saliba told the new members, "With your participation, our struggle will become more powerful. Within the ranks of the ARF, you will find new ideological allies, which you will never find anywhere else." He added that we should all continue the struggle until the establishment of a unified Armenia. After the ceremony, an event organized by the ARF Zavarian chapter was held for Independence Day. Karnig Sarkissian, and Harout Chekerian sang traditional and patriotic songs, as those in attendance celebrated Armenian independence. 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.

Panorama.am
03:02 28/05/06

OPERA HOUSE IN THE SHADOW OF NORTHERN AVENUE
One of the first government decisions on Northern Avenue said that the
buildings must not be higher that the Opera House. However, two newly
opened buildings of the Northern Avenue are higher than the Opera
building. What changed during that time? `The architecture and city
building have creative elements and, naturally, some things changed in
the initial design,’ Samvel Danielyan, Yerevan Chief Architect
says. In his words, the authors’ group established in 2001 has come to
this conclusion.
450-meter long avenue will be only for passers-by and they can enjoy
the pleasant energy coming from the colorful buildings, former
architect Narek Sargsyan said. Today, instead of that energy, the sun
radiates in the glasses of the windows.
The underground part of the front section of the Northern Avenue may
host up to 1000 cars. S. Danielyan assured that there will be no shops
in the part assigned for car park./Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Moscow Times, Russia
May 30 2006
Armenian Soldier Killed
YEREVAN, Armenia — An Armenian soldier was killed by gunfire from
Azeri military forces along the two countries’ northern border, an
Armenian defense official said Monday.
The 21-year-old soldier was shot Saturday evening near the town of
Noyemberyan, about 190 kilometers northeast of the Armenian capital,
Yerevan, and died en route to the hospital, said a Defense Ministry
spokesman, Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan.
Azeri military officials could not be reached for comment.

UNPO, Netherlands
May 30 2006
Circassia: Minority Asserts its Identity
Long considered Turkey’s most integrated and harmonious ethnic
minority, the Circassians have recently started claiming more
community rights including own language schools and want the
international community to pressure Russia into recognising what they
say was a “genocide” carried out by Czarist troops in the mid 1860s.
The move coincides with the start of Turkey’s membership talks with
the European Union which has enshrined minority rights in many of its
policies.
According to estimates, some 120,000 Circassians live in Jordan,
45,000 in Syria, and 4,000 in Israel, but the bulk of the diaspora –
3.5 million – live in Turkey. This figure is four times more than the
population living in the Circassians’ traditional homeland in the
North Caucasus, a mountaneous region north of Georgia and Azerbaijan
consisting of several semi-autonomous republics in the Russian
Federation.
Circassians, who are mostly Sunni Muslim, annually commemorate May 21
in rememberance of the mass deportation of their compatriots
beginning on that day in 1864 following the end of the
Russian-Circassian War.
The war ended with the fall of Circassia and was followed by the
forced removal of between 1.2 and 1.5 million Circassians from their
lands. Up to 500,000 died of hunger and illness during the forced
exodus, a deathtoll that Circassian activists say formed part of a
genocidal plan by the Czarist troops to obliterate their nation.
“May 21” commemoration activities have steadily increased in recent
years in different parts of Turkey. The main event this year was an
international conference held in Istanbul last week and attended by
Circassian and Russian intellectuals to discuss the mass
deportations. Titled the International Caucasus Conference, the
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Foundation. Another major
event was a meeting in Kefken a town on the Black Sea coas where the
first Circassians, landed in Turkey after being deported. That
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Federation representing 51
Circassian associations
The recent upsurge in Circassian activism have led some observers to
associate it with attempts by Kurds in Turkey to assert their
autonomy and by Armenian lobbying the international community to
force Turkey to acknowledge as “genocide” the mass deaths of
Armenians during Ottoman rule between 1915-20.
“Circassians have begun realising their identity and painful history
in recent years. There were no such events five years ago,” says
Mehdi Nuzhet Cetinbas, honorary president of the Caucasus Foundation,
in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).
“We are discussing some possible initiatives on the recognition of
the Circassian ‘genocide’ by parliaments around the world. The
Turkish parliament hesitates recognising the Circassian genocide
because of Western pressure on [Ankara to] recognise the Armenian
‘genocide’.
“When the Duma (the lower house of Russia’s parliament) accepted a
proposal about Armenians last year, some Turkish deputies [by way of
retort] suggested recognising the Circassian genocide in return last
year, but it was impossible because of Turkey’s warm economic
relations with Russia,” Cetinbas told AKI.
Last year the Circassian Congress, a nongovernmental organisation
based in Maikop, capital of Adygea Republic (a north Caucasus
traditional home of Circassians), applied to the Duma and the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to
recognise the Circassian genocide. The Russian parliament has to date
given no response so far.
Fehim Tastekin, the founder editor of the Agency Caucasus, a news
agency based in Russia’s Caucasus region, says that Moscow is
increasing the pressure on Circassian’s living in ethnic group’s
traditional regions.
“Russia has recently abolished local constitutions in Circassian
regions such as Adygea, Karachay-Cherkes and Kabardino-Balkaria.
According to new Russia legislation, if Circassians returning home
apply for citizenship, they will only be able to have Russian
citizenship and not Circassian. They will need to speak Russian and
show they have lived in Russian territory for at least five years.
“Also Circassian regions are losing their autonomy rights. Now they
can’t choose their president directly. The Kremlin appoints local
leaders in accordance with the new law,” Tastekin told AKI.
Asked whether Circassians living abroad are seeking land compensation
from Russia, Cetinbas replied: “For now this is not on our agenda. We
know Russia will not help on this point and international communities
will not give their support. But if parliaments recognise that the
genocide took place, this will mark a start that will allow us to
talk about more tangible means of compensation.”
“The Circassian diaspora wants to return home. The young generations
do not speak our language. To change this it is crucial that the
Turkish government supports the opening of Circassian language
schools. It is not enough to give permission for private language
courses to be held. We want positive discrimination because
Circassians see Turkey like their own homeland, and are co-founders
of the modern republic,” Cetinbas said.
While current diplomatic barriers continue to frustate Circassian
attempts for international recognition, Cetinbas remains confident
that circumstances will change in the future. “I hope all nations
will know about the Circassian’s tragedy,” he said.
;par =4578

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 30, 2006
___________________
GRADUATION PROGRAM SET FOR JUNE 10
For the past six years they have focused on learning the Armenian language,
faith, culture, and traditions through the Khrimian Lyceum, the Eastern
Diocese’s educational program for local Armenian School graduates. On June
10, six Khrimian students will graduate, with five more marking the
completion of the first half of the six-year program.
Students in the program meet monthly for regular classes and guest lectures
from experts in a variety of fields. Along with the program held at the
Diocesan Center in New York, a Khrimian Lyceum was also recently started in
the Boston area.
WRAPPING UP A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
The last few sessions of the New York area Khrimian Lyceum have been filled
with special speakers. Parents and other guests were invited to join the
young scholars for a symposium on April 8, 2006.
“We wanted to give students a deeper understanding of the different
disciplines of our culture,” said Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of
Armenian studies for the Diocese. “Plus, we wanted to expose them to
contemporary events and thinking, to see a little of the possible future for
our people.”
Using a slide show of his work, Harry Koundakjian, a photographer and
coordinator of the Middle East archives for the Associated Press, spoke
about the disasters, wars, and landmark events — including the inclusion of
the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations — that he has covered in his
career. He was followed by freelance reporter Florence Avakian, who used
her life story to encourage the students to follow their dreams in choosing
a career path.
Armenian architectural expert Kevork Khrimian spoke about the cultural and
historic aspects that shaped Armenian architecture, particularly its great
churches. Actress and playwright Nora Armani spoke about the Armenian
stage, particularly the two key centers of Armenian theater in the 19th
century: Tbilisi, Georgia, and Istanbul.
THOUGHTS FROM AN ALUMNA
During their May class, before taking their final exams, the Khrimian Lyceum
students heard from a successful alumna, Ani Nalbandian, who spoke about her
self-published book “Polis: A Way of Life.”
She spoke about how the lessons she learned at the Khrimian Lyceum helped
strengthen her identity.
GRADUATION
Six students will graduate this year during a ceremony at New York City’s
St. Vartan Cathedral at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 10. Five others will go
through the azkatroshn ceremony marking the completion of half the program.
During that ceremony, each student will be joined by sponsors who pledge to
support them in their education.
For more information on next year’s program and how to register your
children, contact Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian by e-mailing
[email protected] or calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 48.
— 5/30/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Photo-journalist Harry Koundakjian presents a photo of
the rising of the Republic of Armenia’s flag at the United Nations to
students at the Khrimian Lyceum symposium at the Eastern Diocesan Center on
April 8, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Journalist Florence Avakian with the young students at
the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Kevork Khrimian speaks about Armenian architecture
during the Khrimian Lyceum symposium on April 8, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Students in the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum program listen
to Nora Armani speak about Armenian theatrical traditions.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Khrimian Lyceum graduate Ani Nalbandian speaks about the
power of young people during the last day of class for the 2005/2006 school
year.

Outlook , India
May 29 2006
Indian men, women suffer defeat
>From Our Chess Correspondent Turin (Italy), May 29 (PTI) Indian men
suffered their second defeat in the Chess Olympiad going down to
defending champion Ukraine in the seventh round while their women
counterparts were outdone by United States in quick time here.
After Viswanathan Anand drew with former World championship
challenger Vassily Ivanchuk on the top board, Grandmaster Krishnan
Sasikiran also signed peace pact besides GM Sandipan Chanda.
But a shocking loss on the third board by former world junior
champion P Harikrishna cost dearly to the Indians as they lost by a
narrow 1.5-2.5 margin in the end.
Overnight sole leader Armenia had it easy with a 3-1 victory over
giant killer Netherlands with a 3-1 margin in this round, the Russian
men were sitting pretty with a 3-0 score and one game in hand against
Belarus.
The Indian women had a bad day for the first time in the women’s
Olympiad, being played simultaneously, as they were thrashed by the
US by a huge 0.5-2.5 margin.
The loss for the Indian eves – worried by health problem of Koneru
Humpy — was really shocking as they had been doing quite well so far
in the event. Humpy was rested for the first time in the Olympiad
while Swati Ghate and Mary Ann Gomes also cited health problems.

uefa.com, Switzerland
May 29 2006
MIKA add to cup collection
Monday, 29 May 2006
FC MIKA have won the first Armenian Super Cup in their history after
beating league champions FC Pyunik 3-2 at the Republican stadium in
Yerevan.
Decisive contribution
Armen Shahgeldyan, who scored the only goal in MIKA’s Armenian Cup
final win against Pyunik, opened the scoring for MIKA after 17
minutes and then set up his side’s second six minutes later,
providing the pass for Vardan Hovhannisyan to drive the ball into the
net from 18 metres.
Third time lucky
Agvan Lazarian pulled a goal back for Pyunik before Shahgeldyan won
and converted a penalty in the second half to put the game out of
Pyunik’s reach. Levon Pachadzhan scored again for Pyunik but they
could not complete a comeback leaving MIKA to celebrate their first
Super Cup win in three attempts.
Photo:
ope/news/Kind=2/newsId=425638.html

PanARMENIAN.Net
Explosion Hit Airbus Plant in France

29.05.2006 15:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An explosion hit an Airbus factory in southern
France on Monday, injuring at least five people, emergency officials
said. The reason for the blast was unclear. Two people suffered
serious injuries, according to the regional fire and rescue
department. Rescue teams surrounded the aircraft plant, in the city of
Toulouse in the French Pyrenees.
According to preliminary data, the explosion happened in a building
containing a hydraulic press, what caused the building to
collapse. The cause of the blast, which occurred at 7:45 a.m. (0545
GMT), was not immediately clear, said Associated Press.
Toulouse is home to Airbus Industry, one of the world’s two largest
manufacturers of commercial airliners.
To remind, on the night of May 3 Airbus-320 belonging to 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.

Yemen Times, Yemen
May 29 2006
Mocha…Yemeni coffee

Mozi Bayer Los Angeles, USA [email protected]

Most of the Americans know very little about Yemen but most of them
knows the word: Mocha, very well. Americans love to drink coffee. In
recent years Starbucks Coffee shops were open in all over the United
States. They became so popular that they even established branches in
European countries and even in Middle East. Most of the Americans
stop in one of the coffee shops on the way to work and they sip their
coffee while they drive.
When you are in Starbucks Coffee Shop, you will see lots of varieties
of coffees. Coffee from Brazil, from Colombia and Mocha Coffee. In
fact the Mocha coffee is one of the most popular ones.
The Americans who drink Mocha coffee don’t know that the name comes
from Yemen. Al Mucha, the historical port city of Yemen had given its
name to this popular coffee. When Yemen was ruled by Turks, coffee
was brought to Ottoman Empire from the port of Al Mucha. Turks
invented a cooking style of coffee and for many centuries it is known
as Turkish Coffee. Armenians and Greeks cook coffee exactly at the
same way, but for nationalistic purposes, they call the coffee;
Armenian Coffee, or Greek Coffee.
These days in my home country, Turkey, tea is drank much more than
the Turkish Coffee. First of all coffee is imported from South
America and it is much more expensive than tea which is grown in
Turkey. Secondly most of the young people finds coffee very strong
and they prefer the soothing taste of brewed tea. It is great to
drink a cup of tea flavored with a slice of lemon either in a cold
winter day, or in a hot summer night. Nevertheless Turkish coffee is
drank in some occasions, such as in engagement and wedding
ceremonies. The young people who prefer to drink coffee use the
instant coffee instead of traditional Turkish Coffee. Nescafe is the
most popular instant coffee brand and even when the people uses other
brands, they still call instant coffee as Nescafe!
Mocha gives its name not only to coffee, but also to coffee flavored
ice cream and chocolates.
I regret that Yemen today is producing much less coffee than a
century ago. I heard that Qat plants is replacing the coffee ones. I
hope the Yemeni farmers will show more interest to their legendary
coffee and they will give more chance to coffee lovers in the world
to taste their Mocha coffee.
;p= letters&a=1

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 29 2006
Armenia, Azerbaijan report fatalities in disputed border clash
13:37 | 29/ 05/ 2006

YEREVAN/BAKU, May 29 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia and Azerbaijan both
claimed fatalities after a shootout between soldiers in the region of
Nagorny-Karabakh, and accused each other of breaching a ceasefire
agreement Monday.
“An Armenian military serviceman was killed as a result of a shot
from the Azerbaijani side at Armenian positions in the Noyemberyansky
region at around 8.30 p.m. [Moscow time, 4.30 p.m. GMT] May 27,”
defense ministry spokesman Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said.
But an Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman denied the claim, and
said an Azerbaijani soldier was killed.
“An Azerbaijani soldier was killed as a result of shelling by
Armenian units stationed on mount Lele-Ilahi in Azerbaijan’s Fizuli
region,” Ilgar Verdiev said.
The conflict between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a
largely Armenian population, first erupted in 1988, when the region
claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.
Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and
1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in
1994, leaving Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.