AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383,x109
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
AGBU INTERNS TAKE A GAMBLE ON THE BIG APPLE
With overwhelming curiosity and, in some cases, incertitude about
what awaited them in the Big Apple, this year’s 35 interns have taken
New York by storm embarking on a professional, cultural and personal
journey with AGBU’s New York Summer Intern Program (NYSIP).
Established in 1987 and co-chaired by Vartkess and Rita Balian, NYSIP
() is still currently under their supervision in
its 19th season. Sponsored by the AGBU President’s Club, the program
places young Armenians in eight-week internships for prestigious,
world-class organizations, while providing a well-rounded program of
Armenian cultural, educational and community service activities.
Placed in internships that will guide them towards a successful future,
the interns have temporarily settled in New York from seven different
countries in the hopes of fulfilling their professional dreams and
sharing a memorable summer with their global peers.
Taking away unforgettable experiences, memories and lessons, two
young aspiring students, Greg Guroian from Stamford, Connecticut
and Kara Boodakian from Boston, Massachusetts, share their mixed
emotions of excitement and apprehension as they discover that even
in one of the largest cities in the world, you are never too far from
your Armenian roots.
For more information on NYSIP, please email [email protected]. For
more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
GREGORY GUROIAN, AGBU INTERN FOR AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS (ASME)
New York — what a place to be! Having grown up in Stamford,
Connecticut, New York City is not new to me. I have visited the famous
city on many occasions…have seen numerous Broadway shows, climbed
the Statue of Liberty, visited the top of the Empire State Building,
and skated at Rockefeller Center, just to name a few of the exciting
attractions I have explored. Because of my familiarity, never in my
wildest dreams would I have expected to live in New York for a summer.
I have always been more of a suburbs type of guy, and was not
accustomed to the fast pace of city life. Would I survive the everyday
hubbub of the city that never sleeps? Or would I get trampled along
the way? If there was one thing that kept me at ease, it was that I
knew Armenians are very personable people.
This was the primary focus of my concerns before I arrived in New York
to participate in AGBU’s Intern Program. Sure…I would be meeting
thirty-four new Armenians from all over the world but I have already
experienced that at St. Nersess for the last ten years. However,
this program was unique.
Adjusting to New York life was difficult at first. I was hurled into
an unfamiliar dorm, with little or no idea of what I was supposed to
be doing, or where I was supposed to be going. My initial uncertainty
quickly faded, however, as I met the other interns.
I realized, once again, that no matter what part of the world we
are from, our Armenian culture unites us, gifting us with an instant
bond of friendship that many other people do not have the luxury of
knowing. Quickly, I made new friends and together, we explored the
hidden utopias of the city; the ones that only locals come to know
and enjoy. These new friendships have become the vehicle through
which I was able to adjust to my life in New York.
Five weeks later, I think it is safe to say, that I am well on my way,
if not fully acclimated to New York. The friendships that I have made
during this program continue to grow and prosper; they are nurtured
by community service activities like Children’s Day at South Street
Seaport and the Scavenger Hunt. Through activities like these, as
well as quality time in and out of the dorms, I feel that I have
developed relationships that will last for years to come.
So far, the AGBU Summer Intern Program has surpassed my expectations;
I look forward to another phenomenal month with these wonderful people.
Gregory Guroian is entering his senior year at the University of
Connecticut majoring in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing.
KARA BOODAKIAN, AGBU INTERN FOR THEATRE ROW
I have never attended, or even heard of AGBU Camp Nubar… could not
speak a word of Armenian…have never been to Armenia…and did not
know many Armenians outside of family.
It is for these reasons that I was very apprehensive about even
submitting an application to the AGBU New York Summer Intern
Program. However, I knew it would be a shame to pass up this rare
opportunity to learn about my ancestry and heritage from both peers
and adults of varying backgrounds. This was my chance to strengthen
my Armenian knowledge and to connect with my roots.
Naturally, upon entering the program, I assumed other interns would
be a bit more knowledgeable about Armenians and our culture, but
I was shocked by the extent to which many of them spoke Armenian
fluently, had traveled to Armenia, and were very involved in the
community. Likewise, many of the other interns were surprised to meet
peers, such as myself, who knew so little about our Armenian culture
and heritage.
My roommate, Tanya, and I could not be a better example of Armenians
with different experiences. While I am starting from square one,
Tanya mixes Armenian and English words as though they are all one
language, and is a patient teacher, passionate about preserving and
promoting Armenian culture. And I am ready and willing to learn.
Upon discovering my very limited knowledge but desire to learn,
I became Tanya’s personal project. One night when I returned to our
room, I entered to find post-its on the furniture and walls labeled
“parts,” “badouhan” and “hakusd,” which I have come to learn as pillow,
window and clothes.
While I may be still working on the basics, each day Tanya and many
other interns contribute to my learning experience both directly
and indirectly. Reflecting on the past month, I have 34 new friends,
have found two distant cousins, can speak and recognize about 25 words
and phrases in Armenian and know that this is only the beginning of
a summer of adventure and learning.
Kara Boodakian is entering her senior year at Lafayette College
majoring in Anthropology and Sociology and minoring in Music.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/11/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic 2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan 3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process 4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border 1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic YEREVAN (Yerkir)The political affairs director of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau Giro Manoyan said Tuesday that recently announced intentions by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to resolve the Karabakh conflict in 2006 were very optimistic but unrealistic due to the Azeri president's uncooperative position. "This optimism was based on the sole fact that there will be no elections in Armenia or Azerbaijan in 2006," Manoyan said. Hovhannisian added that Azerbaijan continued to pursue an aggressive policy and was not ready for any concession. Manoyan also mentioned that to say the process was "deadlocked" would not be the proper characterization since, from the onset, Azerbaijan had no intention of resolving the conflict based on the principle of mutual compromise. He also added that the only positive provision in the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs was the inclusion of a provision that gives the people of Karabakh the right to self-determination. Hovhannisian noted that the Karabakh negotiations have been favorable for Armenia after 1998, because the issue and discussion of a self-determination referendum did not occur before 1998. Manoyan explained that Stepanakert had never formulated a proper position toward the liberated territories. "The ARF position is that since Nagorno Karabakh is working on a constitution it should declare its dominance on those territories," Manoyan said. "However, both Yerevan and Stepanakert view those territories as part of a compromise," said Manoyan adding that the ARF did not agree with that approach. Manoyan added that Karabakh's agreement to hold a referendum was a compromise in and of itself since a referendum was held years ago to declare independence from Azerbaijan. Manoyan deemed inappropriate the tactic used by the US co-chairman Matthew Bryza to publicize the principles of the peace plan in bits and pieces, saying the entire proposal was made public in its entirety a week later. At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) summer session, the Armenian delegation succeeded to ensure the support of other countries in turning down proposals put forward by the Azeri and Turkish delegations, Vahan Hovhannesian, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE and National Assembly vice speaker, told a news conference Monday. Meanwhile, Hovhannesian said, resolutions favorable for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have been passed. "This time our cooperation with leading nations was successful, I mean, the US, Canada, France and Russia," Hovhannesian said. "Most importantly, we succeeded in including a provision regarding the right to self-determination within PACE resolutions based on the results of the Montenegro referendum." 2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan YEREVAN (Azg Daily)The Golden Apricot 3rd International Film Festival launched in Yerevan July 10 at the Yerevan Moskva Cinema. The festival's theme is "Crossroads of Cultures And Civilizations." Chairman of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, Canadian film director Atom Egoyan, in his opening remarks, said an Armenian film festival in Paris "one the most important events of my cultural formation, and convinced me that I had to connect with Armenia in a more direct way." "Although I had seen Paradjanov's work in Toronto, this was my first opportunity to see the full spectrum of production. It was also a chance to meet such legends as Henrik Malian, Albert Megerdichian and Tigran Mansourian. I first visited the country in 1991, coming back the next year to shoot Calendar with my wife, Arsinee Khanjian, and Ashot Adamian. Since that time, we have made regular trips back to Armenia, and it has become an essential part of our lives. Festivals are an amazing opportunity for filmmakers to share their stories with an audience and with each other." The festival was launched with the retrospective showing of "Namous", an Armenian film by Hamo Beknazarian, who founded Armenian Cinematography in 1925. An estimated 100 films by directors from 58 countries will be shown at the festival. The competition category of the festival includes films by Perdo Almodovar, Krzsystof Zanussi, Aleksander German Junior, and Rakhshan Bani- Etemada. The documentary film category includes films by Mickael Glavoger, Gunar Bergdal, Sergey Loznica, and Victor Kosakovskiy. 3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process BAKU (Armenpress)The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group made a surprising revelation Tuesday, saying that there was no framework agreement, which reportedly was developed by the Minsk group cochairmen as it related to the terms of the proposed peace process principles. During an interview with the Azeri Trend news agency, the Russian co-chairman Yury Merzlyakov said the peace-brokers form the group suggested that the parties to the conflict must first coordinate the basic principles for the resolution of the conflict and develop the agreement on their basis. He then said the co-chairmen do not use such terms as "stage-by-stage," "package" or "universal" conflict resolution options. These terms have been used throughout the 14-year OSCE conflict resolution process. In the most recent peace efforts, Azerbaijan has suggested a "step-by-step" approach, with Armenia and the Minsk Group co-chairs not commenting on the matter. The Russian diplomat hinted that elements of the peace process would be further clarified following the first visit by the US Minsk Group co-chairman Matthew Bryza to the region. "At the moment, I am just not ready to assess the situation. It will become clearer when he goes there and listens to the parties' opinions," he added. Merzlyakov added that Bryza's visit to the region had been originally scheduled for late July or early September. In Armenia, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian announced at a press conference Tuesday that a possibility for rapprochement between Yerevan and Baku over the Karabakh conflict resolution process did not exist. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Sallukh, Oskanian said Bryza's scheduled visit to the region may stimulate establishing contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza, in an interview Friday with the Azeri Service of BBC, said that the Minsk Group's statement, which says "there is nothing more to be achieved for determination of the peaceful principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," does not mean that the talks have reached a deadlock. Bryza commented that the statement means creative capabilities of the mediators have been exhausted and there is a need for new initiatives. "This is not a deadlock. This is a moment when co-chairs say 'now the leaders should make a decision on what they want,'" he said. In his opinion, both leaders have the political will and wish cooperation, "but do not know whether they are ready to conclude the basic principles of the framework agreement." 4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border YEREVAN (RFE/RL)Official Yerevan is making "active efforts" to get Russia to reopen its main border crossing point with Georgia which serves as one of Armenia's few external trade routes, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on Tuesday. "We are working with the Russian side and hope that solutions will be found," Oskanian said without elaborating. Moscow closed the Upper Lars post on Thursday ostensibly to carry out repairs at the customs and border guard facilities on the Russian side of the rugged frontier. The move, which followed a controversial Russian ban on imports of Georgian wine and mineral water, was denounced as politically motivated by the authorities in Tbilisi. Armenian officials have also expressed concern, with Prime Minister Andranik Markarian saying that the Russians should have at least informed the Georgian and Armenian authorities of their actions beforehand. Speaking during a weekend visit to the Georgian Black Sea region of Ajaria, Markarian said the closure of Upper Lars has created a "very difficult" situation for Armenian companies exporting goods to Russia and other former Soviet republics. Scores of Armenian trucks were reportedly left stranded at the border crossing. Oskanian thanked the Georgian government for allowing some of them proceed to Russia via South Ossetia. But he said this "exception" was not a solution to the problem which threatens to hit particularly hard Armenian exporters of perishable agricultural products. Russia is their main market and they are now scrambling to re-route their shipments through the Georgian Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi. The Upper Lars checkpoint had already been closed for nearly two months in the autumn of 2004 as part of "anti-terrorist" measures taken by Moscow following the deadly seizure of a school in Beslan, North Ossetia by radical Chechen militants. The transport embargo was widely criticized in Armenia. 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.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS
ON AMB. EVANS FIRING
“I remain concerned that the conditions under which his
nomination is taking place – the firing of the previous U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia for apparently speaking honestly about
the Armenian genocide — represents a larger Administrative
effort to silence U.S. officials who acknowledge that acts of
genocide were committed against the Armenians.”
– Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)
WASHINGTON, DC – Concerns continued to grow this week regarding the
circumstances surrounding the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) becomes the
ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee
to call for clarification of the State Department policy on the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA.)
In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia
Richard Hoagland, Sen. Feingold noted that, “I want to express my
deep concern about the Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge
the acts of genocide that were committed against the Armenians
almost a century ago. The Administration’s continued failure to
recognize these tragic events is troubling to me and to those who
share my belief that we should speak honestly about, and insist on
accountability for, past crimes against humanity and genocide.”
Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen.
Feingold asked:
Why was Ambassador Evans removed as Ambassador to Armenia?
What is the Administration’s policy towards acknowledging
the Armenian genocide and what boundaries have been set for
your position as Ambassador to address or speak about the
Armenian genocide?
Do you anticipate that the departure of your predecessor,
Mr. Evans, will harm U.S.-Armenian relations? How do you
plan to respond to those in the Armenian community who are
upset about his departure?
Sen. Feingold’s concerns are shared by half of the influential
Senate Foreign Relations Committee members – including Senators
George Allen (R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN),
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
– who must first approve Amb. Evans’ replacement prior to a full
Senate confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
delayed action on Ambassador Designate Hoagland, while quickly
voting for the incoming Ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland, who
were before the Committee the same day as Ambassador Designate
Hoagland.
During the June 28th nomination hearing, Sen. George Allen (R-VA),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pressed the
nominee for an explanation of the State Department’s guidance
regarding the use of the word “genocide” to properly characterize
this crime against humanity. Senators Allen and Coleman peppered
the nominee with numerous questions and expressed frustration as
the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of
the questions, resorting to the use of euphemisms.
In addition, Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have
urged Secretary Rice to reconsider the decision to recall Amb.
Evans. Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House
Members have directed questions to State Department officials,
calling for answers surrounding the controversial firing of Amb.
Evans, including 60 Representatives who joined Rep. Edward Markey
(D-MA) in a letter to Secretary Rice, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
who submitted questions to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried,
and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who submitted questions to Secretary
Rice. Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry also asked
Secretary Rice for clarification on Amb. Evans’ dismissal. The
Administration has either failed to provide responses or provided
responses, which have been largely perfunctory, citing that
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no
clear insight into the State Department’s decision to dismiss the
career diplomat after 35 years of distinguished service.
The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements before
American audiences in the United States, during which he properly
characterized the Armenian Genocide as “genocide.” Following his
statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying
that his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal
views and did not represent a change in U.S. 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 decided to honor Amb. 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 in
the days leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.
#####
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Artur hit KRA man, inquiry told
Story by LUCAS BARASA and MUGUMO MUNENE
Publication Date: 7/12/2006
The Nation, Kenya
July 11 2006
One of the Artur brothers punched a bewildered Customs official
and drew two guns to scare a surging crowd at the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport.
They vowed not to pay duty on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras
their associates had imported, insulted Customs officials and members
of the public and then forced their way out of the airport.
Once on the road, they put on the sirens on their vehicles to clear
other motorists off the way.
The details of the stand-off with the Customs official, which minutes
later degenerated into gun drama reeled off at the inquiry yesterday,
as officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority took to the witness
stand to tell their recollection of the fateful June 8 evening.
Assisting counsel Dorcus Oduor confers with lawyer Philip Murgor
after the Kiruki commission of inquiry adjourned its sitting at the
KICC in Nairobi yesterday. Photo/Fredrick Omond
It is that drama that culminated in the deportation of the Artur
brothers, and ultimately led to the inquiry.
Grab a badge
A Customs department’s revenue officer, Mr Nelson Ochieng’, told the
commissioners that Mr Artur Margaryan attempted to grab a badge from
a senior officer only named Mr Nambale, touching off the commotion.
At one point, Mr Margaryan threatened to shoot Mr Nambale and destroy
everything in his office if the goods were not released and the guests
left to go, the commission investigating the Armenians’ activities
was told.
The stand-off started when Customs officers asked Mr Margaryan to pay
duty on cameras, whose value they gave as $550 (about Sh40,700). But
they refused.
As Mr Nambale, assisted by Mr Ochieng’ wrestled back the badge from
Mr Margaryan, the Armenian delivered a punch before letting go of the
badge and taking off from the baggage hall exit towards the parking
lot. According to the witness, Mr Margaryan whipped out the two
pistols about two steps away from the baggage hall exit. The brothers,
Mr Ochieng’ added, did not pay duty for the CCTV and other equipment
tabled as evidence before the Commission following a disagreement
with Customs officials.
And a public relations officer working with the Airport Taxi Operators
Association, Ms Teresa Wangui Ndegwa, and whose work station is within
the baggage hall, told the commission that Mr Margaryan had prior to
the commotion made frantic calls on his cell phone.
“My lords, I heard Mr Margaryan speak into his cell phone and say:
‘I’m not going to pay anything. As the commotion ensued, I left my
desk and exited the baggage hall through the staff gate towards the
parking lot. At the parking lot, one of the Artur brothers drew a gun
at the crowd and said: ‘Stupid Africans! The one who wants to fight
can step forward,'” Ms Ndegwa testified.
Mr Ochieng’, the commission’s 20th witness, told of how Mr Margaryan
abused customs officials calling them “Monkeys!” and “You Africans!”
as the rumpus unfolded.
Mr Ochieng’ who has worked at JKIA for 15 years said he reported to
work at 6.30pm on June 8, when Foreign Affairs protocol officer Paul
Latoya accompanied by two duty free supervisors presented a piece of
luggage for clearance.
However, Mr Ochieng’ insisted on seeing the owners of the black
suitcase and two brown bags and demanded that they produce their
passports.
“They were trying to clear the goods without the owners, but I refused
because I wanted to verify if the owner of the luggage was the owner
of the passport as required,” Mr Ochieng’ said.
Mr Latoya, the witness said, went and brought one of the Artur brothers
and two others, including a lady, but they declined to have their
luggage opened and said they were “investors of big things and these
are small things.”
When the luggage was later opened, it was found to contain seven CCTV
cameras, receivers and cables the passengers said were worth a total
of US$550 (about Sh40,700).
And when asked to produce invoices for the goods, the passengers,
Mr Ochieng’ said, became unruly and “used nasty words”.
Mr Ochieng’ said he consulted his boss, a Mr Nambale, who ordered
that the goods be detained until payment of duty, which stood at
about Sh23,000.
Mr Margaryan and his bodyguard, the Commission heard, joined them
as they were discussing payment of duty and asked: “Are you the chap
calling us?”
He then instructed his bodyguard to load the goods onto a trolley,
which was pushed outside the baggage with Mr Nambale and other customs
official in hot pursuit.
A policeman in civilian and Mr Ochieng’, however, came to Mr Nambale’s
rescue and managed to repossess the pass.
Mr Ochieng’ said a huge crowd, which was waiting for passengers,
started shouting as Mr Margaryan left, before he drew two guns from
his pocket “and people got scared.”
Mr Ochieng’ said Mr Nambale informed KRA assistant commissioner, Ms
Florence Otori, of the incident who later held a meeting with Trade
and Industry minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi at the airport.
Chairman Shedrach Kiruki said it was the first time the inquiry had
received evidence that Mr Margaryan whipped out two guns on that
fateful evening.
Lawyer Gibson Kamau Kuria appearing for Ms Winnie Wangui made spirited
attempts in cross-examination to show that the Artur brothers only
acted the way they did in self-defence from a hostile crowd.
The witness denied Dr Kuria’s assertion that he bragged “kumuonyesha
(to teach a lesson)” Mr Margaryan because he (Mr Ochieng’) was a Luo.
He performed his duties as required by KRA and not “as a Luo… or
any other tribe,” he said.
Mr Ochieng’, who looked exhausted, could not properly pin-point Mr
Margaryan and Mr Sargsyan in copies of their photographs and airport
passes tabled before the commission.
“I can’t remember because (photographs) in the airport passes look
different,” Mr Ochieng’ said in response to a question by the assisting
counsel Dorcas Oduor.

OP’s Sh29bn vote under threat over Armenians
Story by NATION Team | Parliament
Publication Date: 7/12/2006
The Nation, Kenya
July 11 2006
Opposition MPs threatened to shoot down a Sh29 billion vote for the
Office of the President, accusing it of inefficiency and corruption.
They demanded the resignation of minister John Michuki, saying he
had embarrassed the Government over the raid on the Standard Group
and the Armenians’ saga.
Several Kanu and Liberal Democratic Party MPs veered from debate
to demand that the minister quit for allegedly defending the two
foreigners and for admitting government involvement in the March raid
by masked gunmen.
But MPs on the Government side came to Mr Michuki’s defence, and
asked those opposed to him to confine their debate to the vote on
the ministry and not his personal conduct.
Temporary deputy Speaker Samuel Pogishio (Kacheliba, Kanu) had a hard
time trying to control debate.
He told MPs that the issue at hand had nothing to do with the minister
as a person but the money voted for his ministry.
Mr Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem, Narc) rose on a point of order when Mr
Michuki stood up to move the motion on the vote soon after the end
of question time.
He said MPs would be demanding for Mr Michuki’s resignation since
had failed to run his ministry well by allowing Armenian foreigners
to treat the country with contempt.
Mr Joseph Nkaiserry (Kajiado Central, Kanu) said it would be bad for
Parliament to debate and pass a budget for a ministry that had been
voted the most corrupt in an opinion poll.
Mr Raila Odinga (Langata, Narc) described Mr Michuki as a political
liability who had failed President Kibaki and the Government.
He said the minister should be ashamed of asking for Sh29 billion,
adding: “Kenyans woke up one morning to the shocking raid on the
Standard Group, only for this minister to say two days later that the
government had ordered the raid. Are we being ruled by a government
of human beings or snakes?”
The former Roads minister accused the Government of harassing Narok
North MP William Ntimama for defending the rights of the Maasai.
Mr Odinga said if there was anybody who should be charged, it was Mr
Michuki. “Infact, Mr Michuki’s ministry should be renamed the ministry
of Internal Insecurity.”

A mixture up in Arturs probe
By Graham Kirwa ( Wednesday, July 12, 2006)
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya
July 11 2006
The joint parliamentary Committee probing the Armenian brothers had
a false start Tuesday when they opened the wrong container thought
to belong to the deported Arturs.
The team led by Kabete legislator Paul Muite and his Changamwe
counterpart Ramadhan Kajembe had opened a container belonging to a
Mandera businessman before the mix-up was sorted out.
The containers had wrongly been labeled by the port police as belonging
to the deported Armenians brothers.
The owners of the container however showed up and protested saying the
consignment was his. The container contained an assortment of clothes.
The committee later released the containers and asked the owners to
sort it out with the port officials.
Meanwhile two others containers believed to belonging to the Arturs
were opened and found to contain electronics.

Kenya: Armenians? It’s Only a Movie
The East African (Nairobi)
July 11, 2006
Posted to the web July 11, 2006
L. Muthoni Wanyeki
Nairobi
The cartoonist Gado got it right. His daily offering in last Friday’s
Daily Nation depicted the Kenyatta International Conference Centre as
a movie theatre showing the saga of The Artur Brothers. A poster to
one side advertised the movie, showing them together with two African
women – one old and one young. No prizes for guessing whom they were
meant to represent – the repudiated daughter of the repudiated second
wife now euphemistically referred to as a ‘NARC activist.’ Meanwhile,
a woman excitedly described the contents of the movie to her male
companion, “It has everything: intrigue, conflict, romance, betrayal,
comedy and tragedy.”
The reference was to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry now
sitting on the matter, its proceedings open to the public. The
sub-text was the turning of serious national proceedings into
circuses where our outrage is silenced. Just as we did with the
Goldenberg inquiry, we will troop to this inquiry’s sittings in large
numbers. We will exclaim and wring our hands, beside ourselves at the
juicy revelations.
The proceedings will dominate media coverage for the duration. We
will feel we participated. That we have learnt just how security is
assured at our international airport. That we have sufficiently
chastised and embarrassed the senior airports officials involved in
enabling the breach of that security. Simply by being there. Or
hearing about it. And discussing it, endlessly, tediously, with our
families and friends.
For Kenyans, it is apparently now enough to know. But only after
having resisted knowledge in the first place. Let us not pretend,
after all, that we had not been forewarned about the presence of the
so-called Armenian brothers in our country.
AND WE LET THE STORY DIE DOWN, while allowing the jurisdiction of our
Police Commissioner to be trampled upon unceremoniously. Until the
goings-on at our international airport when, finally (so the story
goes), one brave minister apparently stepped up to the plate to
enable the Police Commissioner to do his job.
But, even then, we resisted the logical progression from partial
knowledge to full knowledge to decisive action. We decided that it
was enough to know only as much of the story as is allowed to come
through by inflexible and strict adherence to basic principles of
law. Meaning that no inferences are to be drawn based on broader
understandings of accountability. At all.
Thus the Judicial Inquiry into Goldenberg can be closed with
absolutely no mention of our former president’s good name. Even
though he clearly had, if not legal accountability, then political
accountability for everything that transpired under his watch.
Similarly, the only result of the release of John Githongo’s dossier
on Anglo-Leasing has been the resignation of erstwhile ministers,
only for them to be resurrected unchallenged in various House
committees – including those (gasp!) dealing with financial matters.
The events at our international airport, together with the
discoveries made in the home of the “Armenian brothers” should have
resulted in the prompt (and I do mean prompt!) sacking (not
“resignations”) of our Ministers for Internal Security and
Immigration – just for a start. Because they are so clearly
politically accountable.
Instead, what do we see going on before our very eyes? A movie.
We know what happened. The direct line of accountability that can be
legally established and substantiated never tells the whole story.
Political accountability demands more.
L. Muthoni Wanyeki is the Executive Director of the African Women’s
Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)

Banks.am Internet Project Presented in Yerevan
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.07.2006 13:13 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mediamax news agency presented its new internet
project in Yerevan – the financial portal Banks.am (Financial
Armenia). The member of the Board of the Central Bank of Armenia,
Vartan Movsisyan, representatives of commercial banks of the republic
and journalists attended the presentation.
Banks.am is the first and only Armenian web portal providing
full information about the whole spectrum of banking services. The
information is free and available for all visitors who are interested
in financial services. Banks.am is a convenient tool for the
specialists working in the banking sector and all people interested
in the developments on the financial market. The portal contains all
latest news related to the banking sphere of Armenia and the region,
newspaper publications and interviews, stock reports, etc.
The project aims to create an interactive space for providing
comprehensive information about the rapidly developing financial
market of Armenia.
As the member of CB Board Vartan Movsisyan said at the presentation
of the site today, “the Central Bank of Armenia welcomes Mediamax’s
initiative for creating the site This is the first
portal in Armenia providing available and full information about the
banking sector of the republic.”
According to him, “Mediamax’s initiative meets the conception of the
Central Bank aimed at the development of the financial market and the
banking sector in particular.” Vartan Movsisyan expressed the hope that
Mediamax will cover not only the banking sector but will also worthily
represent the Armenia’s insurance and exchange markets on the web.

Torosyan: Meetings of Armenian and Azeri Leaders Will Result in Nothing at This Stage
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.07.2006 14:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Speaker Tigran Torosyan yesterday met
with head of OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin,
reports the Press Service of NA of Armenia. When commenting on
Azeri parties speculations, which began a month ago, Torosyan said
Azerbaijan spreads disinformation on fires in NK security zone in all
directions, including international structures. Vladimir Pryakhin
promised to convey T. Torosyan ‘s approaches on fires in Karabakh
to OSCE leaders. Within that context the interlocutors discussed
the statement and expectations of the OSCE MG in settlement of the
NK conflict. It was noted that when there is a goal to solve the
conflict quickly, it is necessary to clearly assess the conduct of
the parties, specifically militant statements and hatred propaganda
of Azerbaijan. It is clear that the co-chairs should be reserved and
careful to promote rapprochement of the parties, however when they
do not express any attitude to negative impact on the society, it
stimulates formal approach to conflict settlement. At the instance of
Vladimir PryakhinTorosyan touched upon the opportunity for the Armenian
and Azeri Presidents to meet within G8 summit in St. Petersburg. He
noted that the meetings will result in nothing new, as mechanisms,
which would allow to determine who is refusing from previous
agreements, are not worked out.
From: Baghdasarian

Shamil Basayev Annihilated in Special Operation in Ingushetia
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.07.2006 14:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Shamil Basayev is annihilated in Ingushetia,
along with several bandits, who were arranging acts of terrorism,
Russian Federal Security Service Director Nikolay Patrushev reported
to Russian President Putin. The Russian leader called annihilation
of Basayev “a condign punishment” for acts of terrorism in Beslan and
Budennovsk and ordered to award participants of the special operation.
To finally affirm the fact of annihilation of Basayev a genetic
expertise will be held, though the special services are a hundred
percent sure in his death.
In 1993 Shamil Basayev along with a detachment of Chechen Vakhabbits
took part in the war against NKR on Azerbaijan’s side. Azerbaijan
does not pay money to Basayev’s detachment, but provides arms and
ammunition for fighting against Russian authorities.