KARABAKH CONFLICT: RESOURCES OF TALKS NOT EXHAUSTED YET
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.05.2006 17:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Talks over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict with active mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group continue,
Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan stated in an online interview with
the Azg newspaper. In his words, bilateral meetings of Presidents and
FMs of Armenia and Azerbaijan. “The solution of the Karabakh issue –
is a hard and intense process and we should understand that any point
of the talks directly concerns our people, Armenia and NKR security,”
he remarked, adding resources of talks are not exhausted yet and one
should not be disappointed or draw any conclusions, if the positions
of one of the parties or the other becomes firmer. “Of course, when
there is no peace, and the cease-fire is not peace, the time is
against us and against Azerbaijan.
Apparently, establishment of peace and stability in the region is in
the interests of all the parties,” Margaryan remarked.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

1915 TURKISH GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS FILM SUBMITTED TO 2006 BOSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.05.2006 18:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Genocide Archive Project, Inc. submitted its DVD,
1915 Turkish Genocide of the Armenians, to the 2006 Boston Jewish Film
Festival (). Executive Producer David Davidian of the
Genocide Archive Project and Film Director Franchot Lubin of Lubin
Productions, compiled this 32 minute enhancement of an earlier DVD
created from Boston’s 90th Genocide commemoration.
As the Genocide Archive Project informed PanARMENIAN.Net, the 1915
Turkish Genocide of the Armenians DVD consists of a new, powerful
mini-documentary and three survivor accounts spanning the breadth of
Asia Minor: Armineh Dedekian from Bandirma (across the Sea of Marmara
from Istanbul), Peter Bilezekian from Marash, and John Kasparian
from Van. These three survivors were subsequently interviewed by the
Boston Globe in April 2005. The creators of this documentary have an
accomplished record in pursuit of Genocide recognition and film making.
The film is specifically aimed to educate students, teachers, and
lawmakers. Hundreds of these DVD were hand-delivered to members of
the U.S. Congress during March and April of this year by the two major
Armenian advocacy groups based in Washington, D.C. The DVD 1915 Turkish
Genocide of the Armenians consists of a powerful documentary and
survivor accounts, detailing cause, implementation, German complicity,
and aftermath of this World War I genocide. World indifference towards
this progenitor of modern state-sponsored genocide led directly to
its repetition by Nazi Germany against European Jews and other groups.

KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE IN BUCHAREST JUNE 4-6
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
“We have been discussing the Nagorno Karabakh conflict for many times
in the course of Romania’s chairmanship in the Ministerial Cabinet
of the Council of Europe and the steps taken by the governments of
Azerbaijan and Armenia in that direction,” Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu,
foreign minister of Romania, told the European Bureau of APA.
He said that at present, it became more possible that some
positive results will be achieved that will satisfy both sides in
conflict. Mr. Ungureanu added that there is a good opportunity for
organizing the meeting of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. “The
meeting may take place within the framework of the summit that
will be held on June 4-6 in Bucharest on the topic “The Black Sea
for Partnership and Dialogue.” I hope that all conditions will be
created in the summit for holding the meeting of the leaders of both
countries. This is very important from the viewpoint of organizing
the political dialogue in the current stage. This meeting may play a
big part in averting the tension and will prove that another political
dialogue may be held,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ELECTIONS IN CYPRUS
By George Der Parthogh
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
AKEL and Democratic Party Lead
NICOSIA, MONDAY – Nicosia businessman Vartkes Mahdessian is the new
Armenian Representative in the Cyprus Parliament for the next four
years. Mahdessian, 55, clinched 52.6 percent of the votes while his
opponent Dr Vahakn N. Atamyan secured 47.395 percent of the votes
cast by the 3,000 strong Armenian community of Cyprus.
Under the terms of the constitution of the Cyprus Republic, the
Armenians, Maronites and Latins, officially termed as religious
groupings, elect their own representatives who deal with only
educational and religious matters, but are usually members of
parliamentary sub-committees. They have no vote on other matters
in parliament.
The Cypriot Armenian community has three elementary schools – in
Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol, which come under an overall committee
appointed by the elected representative. These schools are entirely
financed by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and children
of Cypriot Armenians attend free of charge.
Non-Cypriot Armenians pay a small annual fee.
Mahdessian was the candidate of the Dashnak party while Atamyan was
supported by the Ramgavars, Hentchaks, the AGBU clubs and the small
Shahumian grouping attached to the Cyprus communist party.
When former representative Bedros Kalaydjian died in September last
year, Dr Atamyan won interim elections against another local Dashnak
leader Dr. Antranig Ashdjian.
Then, just as in the present case, one of the main topics during the
electioneering campaign was the unilateral decision of the AGBU Board
to close down the Melkonian Educational Institute, which created a
serious breach in the non-dashnak camp.
Meanwhile, in the Cypriot parliamentary elections, which were also
held on Sunday, Marios Karoyian (Armenian From his father’s side and
Greek from his mother’s) became the first Armenian to become a full
member of the House of Representatives (parlia^_ment).
In a brief statement during celebrations at Mahdessian’s election
he said: “Now we will have two Armenian voices in the Cypriot
legislative”. Ha was elected on the ticket of “Dimocratiko Komma”
(Democratic Party) founded by former Cypriot President, the late Spyros
Kyprianou and currently led by President Tassos Papadopoulos. For the
past three years, Karoyian was the Director of President Papadopoulos’
Political Office and often acted as government spokesman.
In the parliamentary elections, the Cyprus Communist Party AKEL
secured 31.13 percent of the cast votes, very closely followed by
the Democratic Rally (right wing) with 30.34 percent, while President
Papadapoulos’ Democratic Party could only muster 17.91 of the votes,
and the local socialist party EDEK clinched 8.92 percent. Ecologists
and Environmentalists collected 1.95 percent.
Highlights of Mahdessian’s manifesto include improvement of the
living conditions and problems of compatriots from Armenia and other
countries, get more Armenians to serve on government boards, secure
additional funds from European Union programs for the needs of the
community. He also promises to be “the impartial representa^_tive of
all members of our community, because we can only achieve our goals
through cooperation.”
Mahdessian pledged full support to the Armenian Patriarch of
Constantinople in the fight against the closure of the Melkonian,
as well as the Melkonian Alumni Association’s efforts to find a
solution to the problem of the Melkonian, the only Armenian boarding
high school in the Diaspora.

BELGRADE CONSIDERS THIS STEP ACT OF TREASON
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
Montenegro Declares Independence
In the course of the May 21 independence referendum, the citizens
of Montenegro voted for separation from Serbia, securing 55,4 %
of votes. According to the country’s prime minister, the number of
liberal citizens who voted for the separation surpassed that of those
who were more conservative by 45 thousand.
It’s worth mentioning that the country’s population is 650 thousand.
In particular, mainly the West supports the idea of Montenegro’s
independence. The Western forces try to weaken Serbia, one of the
former Yugoslav republics.
Serbia’s access to the Adriatic Sea was secured through Montenegro. The
latter has its own government, the tax system and uses Euro as a
national currency.
When NATO began bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, the leader of Montenegro
Jokanovic stated that his republic didn’t participate in the events
in Kosovo and stopped any relations with Serbia.
Montenegro has already been an independent state in the end of the
World War I but later the Socialist Serbia became the most trustworthy
ally for this country. Today, Jukanovic keeps stating that the
independence will have positive impact on Montenegro’s economy and
will contribute to its membership to EU.
According to BBC, 86% of Montenegro’s citizens who had the right to
vote participated in the referendum.
Meanwhile, the France-Presse draws the attention to the fact that the
peoples of Serbia and Montenegro both speak Serbian. Moreover they
have common historical, cultural and religious roots. The disputes
around the independence issue of the country have divided the people
of Montenegro in two parties. The experts state that that will be hard
to reconcile these parties. While in Belgrade they consider Podgorica
‘s strive for independence as an act of treason.
Javier Solana, EU Coordinator for Foreign Policy, stated that “EU will
take into account the results of Montenegro’s independence referendum.”

EDITORS IN AZERBAIJAN BEATEN OR CONVICTED
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
On May 18, 5 unknown people beat Bahadin Ghaziev, editor-in-chief
of Bizim Yol newspaper. On his way home late at night, Ghaziev was
attacked by unknown people who took him to Masazir settlement and beat
him there. As a result, Ghaziev received several serious traumas. The
beaten editor was found in the morning and taken to the hospital.
In general, taking into account the position of his newspaper, the
crime was characterized as violence against free journalists. While,
at present, Ghaziev has already managed to state that notwithstanding
his traumas he didn’t lose consciousness and remembers quite well
that the attackers called someone on their mobile phone and told that
they had carried out the order. This testimony proves that the case
was a political order. According to some of the political figures
of Azerbaijan, this case of violence against Ghaziev aimed to exert
pressure on the independent press of the country.
Perhaps, the same evaluation can be given to the case that
happened with Fail Balabeyli, editor-in-chief of Yeni Kheber
newspaper. According to the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan,
Balabeyli was arrested when taking bribe from the chief physician
of Bailovo hospital. Yeni Khaber became popular after publication of
caricatures of Jesus Christ and Holy Mary.
Besides, when the law enforcement bodies were arresting Balabeyli,
the Azeri court was judging Elshad Mehteev, editor-in-chief of New
Press newspaper on charge of corruption.

‘WE GREAT CULTURAL POTENTIAL’
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
Azerbaijanis Upset by the Elder Brother
Armenia’s debut at the Eurovision song contest is still being lively
discussed by young people and musicians. It also turned into a target
of interesting comments on the part of Turkish and Azerbaijani media.
“The 10 points that Turkey gave to Armenian singer threw me into
a fit of laughter. The presenters who were distinctively favoring
Turkey were at a loss when our ‘brothers’, as they are called in
masses, gave Armenians 10 points. Turks merely confused us by this
decision especially in the view of recent opposition to ‘genocide’
allegations. The presenters did not even try to find a justification
for ‘our elder brother’s’ deed. They sadly kept silent,” this was the
“hopeless” conclusion of a day.az correspondent on May 22. “We were
silently listening to our tunes in Andre’s song, to the music of
our tar.” In another publication Azerbaijanis try to be more frank:
“The Armenians again presented themselves as a nation with high
culture. Many TV viewers in our country hoped deep in their hearts
that Armenia’s representative Andre will give a bad performance but
he performed greatly taking a very high place for a debutant and
leaving behind Turkey, France, the Great Britain and other states.”
The Armenian delegation returned to Yerevan in the morning of May
22 and was warmly welcomed at the airport. Contrary to his first
performance at the semi-final, Andre performed brilliantly in the
final.
“He was first to perform at the semi-final and was not accustomed
to the atmosphere. But his second performance was great,” TV viewer
Anahit Kamalian told daily Azg. “We were at a cafe watching the live
contest on the screen. You should only see how every customer cheered
when Andre was receiving the points.”
Singer Shushan Petrosian is glad and proud of Andre’s victory. “Andre’s
song was among the best in this mess of horrible music tastes. I had
never watched the Eurovision but this time there was Andre. It was a
heavy responsibility for Andre but he reached the goal with honor,”
she said. Mrs. Petrosian thinks that the Eurovision has to do not
with the culture but with the politics, and to prove the contrary
the organizers chose a relatively neutral country as winner.
For bard Vahan Artsruni also the Eurovision is a low-rated
contest as the performance is judged not by a jury but by the
spectators. Secondly, this was pop music contest where “the highest
standard is not the music but interesting presentation of a song. From
this angle, Andre’s performance was not much different from the
rest.” Artsruni is sure that participation in contests is the only
way to present your music to the world, “but there are more serious
contests and victories in classical music that are not covered as
the Eurovision.”
When months ago the song was introduced to the Armenian public opinions
ranged from super positive response to dissatisfaction with Turkish
tunes. In his assessment of Andre’s performance composer Vladilen
Balian notes that we have great musical potential “but the doors seem
to be slow to open to us.” Singer Ofelia Hambardzumian, on her part,
said the song was rather difficult to perform but Andre did very well.

ANDRANIK KHECHUMIAN HOLDER OF MEDAL OF IRAN’S PLAYWRIGHTS’ UNION
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006
Director and translator Andranik Khechumian was recently awarded a
medal of Playwrights’ Union of Iran for his services as translator and
for fostering cultural ties between the two friendly nations. For his
commitment to the theatre Khechumian was awarded “Artavazd” prize of
Theatre Workers’ Union of Armenia in 2004.
Theatrical organizations of Iran celebrate the Theatre Day each April
during which they pay tribute to theatre workers who have contributed
to the sphere.
This time four theatre workers were honored: our compatriot,
famous theatre critics Hushang Hesami, Kholamhosein Saedi and
Nosrat Navedi. At the ceremony of presentation renowned Iranian
stage director and actor Behzad Farahani stated: “Alongside his
considerable contribution in other spheres, Andranik Khechumian has
translated numerous plays from Persian into Armenian and vice versa
thus familiarizing art critics and the publics on both sides with
each other’s theatres.”

LACK OF FUEL MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF A-320 COLLAPSE
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.05.2006 18:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The most probable cause of collapse of A-320
airplane of Armavia Armenian company near Sochi is lack of fuel,
reports a source, close to the commission for investigation of the
crash. Owing to extreme lack of fuel and the plane flying under a big
angle of attack before landing, there could be formed an air-lock,
which prevented fuel access to engines.
“According to preliminary data, A-320 had the last phase of the flight
with minimal fuel aboard. The fuel level dropped further when coming
in land,” a specialist said. In his words, this could have caused
surge of both engines, Interfax reports.
On the night of May 3 a Yerevan-Sochi flight of Armavia airlines
crashed in the Black Sea 6 km away from Adler airport killing all of
113 passengers, including 6 children and 8 members of the crew. Among
them were 26 Russian citizens, one Ukrainian and one Georgian citizen,
while the rest were Armenian citizens.

NATO INTENDS TO COOPERATE WITH ARMENIA FOR LONG TERM
PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.05.2006 19:18 GMT+04:00
The NATO intends to cooperate with Armenia for a long term, Special
Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the South Caucasus
Robert Simmons stated at a news conference in Yerevan. In his words, at
present results of the initial 6 months of working out the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between the NATO and Armenia are summed
up. “We are content with the outcomes of our work, steps and phases
of further elaboration of the Plan are outlined.
Relations with Armenia are very important to the Alliance,” Simmons
remarked. He reaffirmed NATO desire to open an information center
in Yerevan. “However, we need to have the consent of the Armenian
Government on providing a location for the mission,” Simmons said.