DIPLOMATS OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIRING STATES DISCUSS NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT WITH ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2006
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fasier
(France), Steven Mann (US), as wells as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Grigori Karasin, Political Affairs Director of French FM Stanislas
de Laboulaye and US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried met
with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today (APA).
The discussions focused on the settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh
conflict.
The diplomats also discussed the settlement of the conflict with
Armenian President Robert Kocharian. They are expected to make a join
statement in the evening.

RA FM AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OF CANADA DISCUS ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES OF “ARMENIA-DIASPORA” FORUM
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 25 2006
YEREVAN, May 25. /ARKA/. The RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan
Oskanian and representatives of Armenian communities of Ottawa and
Toronto (Canada) discussed organizational issues of Armenia-Diaspora”
forum, which is going to be held in Armenia on September 18-20.
According to the Press and Information Department of the RA Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, their meeting took place in the framework of
Oskanian’s visit to Canada on May 22.
According to the press-release, Oskanian and representatives of
Armenian communities of Canada also discussed program on development
of rural communities of Armenia, particularly issues of implementation
of long-term program on development of agricultural infrastructure.
Oskanian pointed out important strategic role of this program.
During the meeting sides also discussed issues of development and
deepening relations between Armenia and Diaspora.
Representatives of Armenian communities of Canada highly estimated
efforts of the RA Government directed toward development of its
economy and expressed willingness to take part in implementation of
the agricultural development program.
During short working visit to Canada Oskanian also made a speech in
the RA Embassy in Ottawa and answered to questions of representatives
of Armenian communities in Canada.

“ENTREPRENEUR” NEW DEPUTY GROUP FORMED IN RA PARLIAMENT
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 25 2006
YEREVAN, May 25. /ARKA – Novosti-Armenia/. Today “Entrepreneur” new
deputy group, which consists of 10 former members of “Orinats Yerkir”
faction, has been formed in the RA National Assembly (NA).
During May 25 session of the parliament the RA NA Vice-Speaker Tigran
Torosyan read the corresponding statement signed by 10 members of
the group.
“Having concept about development of our country and for more
active and organized participation in political life of our country,
development of free relations and strengthening of democratic values
and for more effective use of our abilities we create “Entrepreneur”
deputy group, the statement says.
The document was signed by Grigor Margaryan (head of “Entrepreneur”
group), Mekhak Mkhitaryan (Secretary), Sayat Zakharyan, Eduard
Gabrielyan, Samvel Shakhgeldyan, Arshak Mkhitaryan, Alexander
Petrosyan, Tigran Yeganyan, Arkady Hambartsumyan and Artak Sargsyan.
>From beginning of May 20 members of “Orinats Yerkir” faction quitted
because of contradictions with leaders of the party. 10 of them became
members of a newly-formed “Entrepreneur” deputy group.
On May 11, the council of “Orinats Yerkir” party decided to leave the
ruling coalition of Armenia explaining this step by disagreements over
issues of internal and foreign policies and deepening of democracy.
On May 22, the leader of the party Arthur Baghdasaryan made an official
statement about his resignation from the post of the RA NA Speaker.
“Orinats Yerkir” party was part of the ruling coalition of Armenia
together with Republican Party of Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun ARF
since May 2003.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRADKOV: FAMILIES OF RUSSIANS KILLED IN A-320 AIR CRASH TO GET FINANCIAL AID
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 25 2006
MOSCOW, May 25 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov
decreed to pay the one-time financial aid to the families of Russian
citizens killed in the crash of an Armenian airplane A-320 near
Sochi. They will get 100,000 roubles for each air crash victim, the
Russian governmental press service said. The prime minister ordered
to assign the necessary sum from the governmental reserve fund in 2006.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Transport
Ministry should submit in the Finance Ministry the lists of the
families of the Russians killed in the crash of the airplane A-320.
The Krasnodar territorial administration is instructed to pay the
one-time material aid.
The airplane A-320 crashed near Sochi on May 3, 2006.

AZERI FM INVITED TO CUBA
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND, Azerbaijan
May 25 2006
Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov received an official invitation
from his Cuban mate Felipe Perez Roje on May 25. Foreign Ministry
officials told Trend that the invitation was handed by Eumelio
Cabalero, deputy Foreign minister of Cuba.
Cuba wants to develop cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of
trade, energy and health, Cuban diplomat said at the meeting. Cuba,
he said also, fully supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
calls Armenia to commit to UN resolutions approved for the settlement
of Azeri-Armenian conflict.
In turn, Elmar Mamedyarov stated Azerbaijan’s interest in close
cooperation with all countries of the world, including Cuba.
At the meeting, a memorandum on mutual cooperation of the countries
was signed.

KOCHARYAN STARTED TO MEET DELEGATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONCILIATORS IN YEREVAN
Author: A.Mammadov
TREND, Azerbaijan
May 25 2006
The Armenian president Robert Kocharyan started to meet with the
delegation of the international conciliators which includes Russian
deputy foreign minister Grigori Karasin, the USA state secretary
assistant Daniel Freed, advisor of French Foreign Ministry Pyer Morel
and co-chairs of the OFCE Minsk Group.
According to information of Mediamaks agency, the conciliators are
expected to make a statement at 18:00 with local time.

CRASHED ARMENIAN PLANE’S BLACK BOXES TO BE CHECKED IN PARIS
RIA Novosti, Russia
May 25 2006
YEREVAN, May 25 (RIA Novosti) – The flight recorders from an Armenian
Airbus that crashed into the Black Sea May 3 will be sent to Paris
for checking before being decoded in Moscow, an official said Thursday.
Gayane Davtyan, of the Armenian civil aviation authority’s press
service, said speculation that the flight recorders were too severely
damaged to be decoded was premature.
“The black boxes from the A-320 airliner will be decoded in Moscow.
However, they will first be sent to Paris, where Armenian, Russian,
and French experts will work to ascertain their technical condition.
The black boxes will then be opened, and the chips will be taken from
them and delivered to Moscow for decoding,” she said.
The recovery operation at the scene of the tragedy was officially
declared over on Wednesday.
Tatiana Anodina, head of the Interstate Aviation Committee, said
experts may face problems deciphering data from the wreck’s cockpit
flight recorder, because of damage to the recording medium.
The airliner, operated by Armenia’s Armavia, crashed while flying
from the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in stormy weather 6 kilometers
(3.7 miles) from Russia’s Adler airport, which services the popular
resort of Sochi. All 113 people on board died.

MEETING AT THE NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, EDUCATION, CULTURE AND YOUTH AFFAIRS
National Assembly, Rep. of Armenia
May 25 2006
On May 24 Hranush Hakobyan, Chairwoman of the NA Standing Committee
on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Affairs met with Dominique
Souchet, President of Sport Union of Vandea, France and Francois Bon,
Vice-President of the Committee on Culture, Economy and Tourism.
It was mentioned that the purpose of the mission is to discuss events
program within the framework of the Armenian year in Vandea, France.
Possibilities of cooperation between two countries in the sphere of
economy, tourism were specified. Mr. Dominique Souchet informed that
for the first time Armenian art pieces will be exhibited in Vandea, and
the purpose of the regional union is to carry the art to rural areas.
According to Hranush Hakobyan, there are many common interests of
cooperation in the spheres of culture, education and science. Mrs.
Hakobyan highlighted the export of agricultural goods to France,
the continuity of cultural programs. Greeting the existence of sister
cities it was mentioned that there are still things to be done in the
sphere of culture and economy. It was mentioned that several Armenian
teachers had trainings in France last year, and students will go to
France to study this year. While talking about legislation, Mrs.
Hakobyan noted that the French experience has been studied and used
for many times. Referring to new European Union programme, Mrs.
Hakobyan noted that the Armenian development programs are oriented
towards Europe. Mrs. Hakobyan highly evaluated the French political
attitude towards Armenian Genocide issue. The French guests highlighted
implementing reforms in the country and inquired about some provisions
of Constitution.
Other issues of mutual interests were also discussed during the
meeting.

VIDEO CAPTURES MEMORIES OF WWII
By Melody Hanatani/ Staff Writer
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 25 2006
Markar Markarian was only a teenager when he was sitting in a cargo
plane hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean, under attack from
the Japanese.
The incident occurred in the midst of World War II and Markarian,
an 18-year-old from South Boston, was serving in the 25th Ordinance
Company, traveling around the Pacific repairing artillery weapons
for the United States military.
The day when the Japanese shot at his plane was the most action he
saw during his three years in service.
“I didn’t know if I was going to get home,” said Markarian, now an
82-year-old Belmont resident.
Markarian’s story will be told along with nine other local
Armenian-American veterans in a documentary titled “Our Boys: Armenian
World War II Veterans.”
The documentary was co-produced by Lexington residents Tom Spera and
Roger Hagopian, whose fathers served in the war.
The film will premiere this evening at the Armenian Library and Museum
of America in Watertown.
According to Hagopian, Spera wanted to find a way to honor veterans
after the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Spera approached
Hagopian, a filmmaker, and the two spent the past year interviewing
veterans about the war, and interviewing women about their experiences
on the home front.
Hagopian grew up hearing stories about World War II from his father
and the many other veterans who were around him. The 10 interviewees
in the documentary either attend the Armenian Memorial Church in
Watertown or the First Armenian Church in Belmont.
They range in age from 70 to 95.
“I felt most comfortable going to them because I already had a prior
relationship with them,” Hagopian said last week. “A lot of these
guys grew up together in Watertown.”
All the veterans are children of parents who survived the Armenian
genocide. Almost half of the veterans in the documentary had lost a
parent by the time World War II began, Hagopian said.
Some soldiers revealed stories they had kept secret for more than
60 years. Hagopian said these include secrets they kept from their
own family.
“They are humble guys who didn’t ask to be interviewed but they
cooperated enthusiastically,” he said.
One veteran lost his brother in the war. He has spent the past 60
years trying to make some sense of the death.
“His brother died so he could live, that’s the way he felt,”
Hagopian said.
Veterans’ wives and relatives recall life on the home front and their
roles in comforting soldiers.
“They were young kids,” Hagopian said of the veterans. “They were 17
and 18 years old, and they responded to a national crisis and they
were patriotic, they were heroic and they were humble … and some
of them made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Markarian’s division was sent to fix weapons in areas that had already
been cleared off from battle.
He remembers staying on an island off the Philippines and seeing the
Japanese soldiers come down the mountains with no clothes or guns. He
said the Japanese would occasionally steal their food.
There were periods of weeks and months when Markarian and his fellow
comrades would be bored from lack of work.
He recalls one four-month workless period when he created a ping-pong
table out of gun crates.
Markarian was in the Philippines when his division was told that
troops were en route to Japan to drop the atomic bomb.
It was good news for some soldiers who had been there for 18 months
and had no idea when they would be able to return home.
“There were six of us who went in as replacements and [the other
soldiers] said, ‘You are going to die here, we have been here 18
months and there is no sign of us going out,'” Markarian said.
Markarian was discharged in 1946, about half a year after the war
ended.
He slowly made his way back to Massachusetts, first stopping in
Seattle where he contacted his parents at 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
He then went to Fort Devens and eventually made his way to North
Station in Boston where he took the train to Broadway Station and
took a cab home.
Markarian moved to Belmont around 1953, after he married. He and his
wife raised two daughters who later married two brothers.
He has attended the Memorial Day Parade in Belmont almost every year
since he moved to town. Watching the annual parade always gives him
the same feeling.
“I feel tingling in my body when the flag goes by,” he said. “I’m
still very proud.”
“Our Boys: Armenian World War II Veterans” will be shown at 7:30
p.m. tonight at the Armenian Library and Museum of America, located
at 65 Main St. in Watertown Square. Admission is free (donations
appreciated). The filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions
and discuss the making of the video, which runs for approximately 55
minutes. A reception with refreshments will follow.

GHOUKASYAN: REFERENDUM IN CHERNOGORIA PRECEDENT FOR NK
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 25 2006
“Nagorno Karabakh has all grounds for expecting the international
recognition of its independence”, Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
President Arkady Ghoukasyan told journalists in Moscow on Thursday,
RIA Novosti reports.
“The latest referendum in Chernogoria is a very important precedent.
In case the international community is ready to recognize Chernogoria
and Kosovo independence, then I think it will be very difficult
for them to explain, why they do not recognize Nagorno Karabakh”,
Ghoukasyan stated during a break in the Third Congress of the Armenians
of Russia.
According to the NKR President, Nagorno Karabakh has got more grounds
for expecting recognition of its independence, including geographic
and legal ones. If we recall that the Nagorno Karabakh people have
survived in the war imposed by Azerbaijan and are constructing their
statehood at present, I consider we have all grounds for expecting
the international recognition of independence. I do not see any
alternative to that, NKR is independent, and it will remain such
irrespective of Azerbaijan’s desire”, Arkady Ghoukasyan highlighted.
Nagorno Karabakh President voiced confidence that “the international
community will recognize Karabakh sooner or later”. “The sooner it
(the international community) does it, the more chances for peace
will be sustained in the region”, concluded the head of the Republic.