ARCHBISHOP MESROP MUTAFIAN: “I DO NOT SHARE THE SAME OPINION, BUT THE CATHOLICOS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT APPROACHES OF DIASPORA”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
ISTANBUL, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian Patriarch
of Constantinople Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian stated that his opinion
concerning the Armenian Genocide differs from one of Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians.
According to the Istanbul “Marmara” daily, Turk newspapers widely
touched upon the statement of His Holiness that the Armenian
Genocide is not a discussable and disputable issue, is a truth,
and Turkey must accept that truth. The “Hurriyet” daily informed
that when journalists asked the Constantinople Armenian Patriarch
what he thinks of the statement of the Catholicos of All Armenians,
Mesrop Patriarch answered:
“The Turk-Armenian relations did not involve only the years of
1890-1923.
The statement of His Holiness was expected for us. A correspondent
of the “Shoghakat” TV company arrived from Armenia was also present
at the Catholicos’ press-conference. So, all Diasporan Armenians were
watching that press-conference, so the Catholicos spoke, taking into
acount approaches of Diaspora. I have said earlier as well. It will be
good that the issue of 1915 is discussed by politicians, diplomates,
historians and sociologists, it will help that the sides understand
approaches of the opposite side.”
Informing the news, “Hurriyet” promised to also publish Sefa Kaplan’s
voluminous interview with the Armenian Patriarch.

SENATE PANEL PRESSES PROPOSED U.S. ENVOY FOR CLEAR EXPLANATION OF U.S POLICY ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
WASHINGTON, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. U.S. Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members George Allen (R-VA) and Norm Coleman (R-MN)
bombarded U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland with
questions about official U.S. complicity in Turkey’s campaign of
Genocide denial, questioning him, during his confirmation hearing,
regarding his ability to effectively represent the United States in
Armenia without properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In the days leading up to June 28 hearing, the Committee’s Ranking
Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-DE), in a strongly worded letter, demanded
that the Secretary of State answers questions concerning the recall
of the current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, before he could
support the confirmation of his replacement.
At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), joined with Senators
Coleman and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration’s refusal
to speak truthfully on the Armenian Genocide. Senator Boxer, who
was unable to attend the hearing, submitted written questions to
Amb. Hoagland.
The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to clarify
the State Department’s policy on the Armenian Genocide.
In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation
hearing, made specific reference to the Bush Administration’s decision
to recall U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans for referring
to the deportation and death of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as a
clear instance of “genocide.”
“Some have expressed concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved
of his duties as a result of references to the Armenian Genocide,”
stated Sen. Allen.
“I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my colleagues
and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and have strongly
encouraged the President to do so as well. I hope that in the future
the Administration will recognize this terrible event for what it
was – genocide.”
The Virginia Senator – and potential 2008 Presidential candidate –
then went on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he
has received about discussing the Armenian Genocide, as well as
the instructions he intends to issue to his Embassy staff on this
matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated that, “the President has
said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that the world must
never forget.” He went on to note that he had not received “any kind
of written instruction about this. I simply studied the policy, I
studied the background papers on the policy, I know the policy and
my responsibility is to support the president.”
Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing
that, as a Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus,
he has visited the memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and
would do so again, should he be confirmed. He added, however, that
he was against “getting stuck in the past” and wanted to focus on
“living in the future.”
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, “you can’t look to
the future if you deny your past.” Sen. Coleman was relentless but
respectful in his questioning, stating that, “the State Department has
put you in a difficult position. It is almost absurd for you to sit
here and you can’t utter the word ‘genocide.’ The President’s statement
that he utters every year is a description of genocide. One of the
things I was proud about the State Department is when we talk about
the Genocide in Sudan – it’s genocide what’s happening in Darfur.”
Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George Bush
that, “Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies
comprehension,” asking Amb. Hoagland, “do you agree or disagree
with that statement.” Amb. Hoagland avoided directly answering the
question, noting instead: “I fully agree that events occurred in 1915
and following were of historic proportion.
As I said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard
from Senator Sarbanes earlier on – ‘hundreds of valleys devastated,’
‘no family untouched’. It was historic, it was a tragedy.”
When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department
barred the use of the term “Armenian Genocide,” Amb. Hoagland dodged
the question, stating: “I am very much encouraged by the fact that
there are senior officials in Yerevan and Ankara and elsewhere
who do like to bring closure to that period of history. They are
looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of commissions –
the truth and reconciliation commission concept is being explored
in quiet conversations. If we could I would very much like to meet
with senior officials in Ankara and Baku because I think that could
be helpful – it would help me understand better how to play a role
of reconciliatory and a peacemaking role.”
In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian Genocide
lacks credibility. He noted that, “I am of the Jewish faith. I cannot
imagine an Ambassador to Israel being effective without talking about
the Holocaust. I am not sure how we can continue to have Ambassadors
to Armenia who can be effective, unless they give recognition to
the Genocide.”
Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed “regret that we
were called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career
Ambassador prior to the completion of a three year tour of duty. We
would not be in this situation, if the Administration would simply
acknowledge a plain historical truth that 91 years ago, the world
witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st century – the Armenian
Genocide.” Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the U.S. Foreign
service officers who witnessed the Armenian Genocide in 1915, and
whose observations remain a permanent part of the U.S. archives.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the
hearing, submitted remarks and detailed written questions to
Amb. Hoagland. Noting Amb. Evans’ statement in February 2005, properly
characterizing the Armenian Genocide as “genocide,” Sen. Boxer stated,
“I agree with Ambassador Evans’ statement. Not only should we not play
word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we should also not
play political games with issues of genocide.” The Senator went on
to express concern “that the controversy surrounding Ambassador Evans
will needlessly harm U.S.-Armenian relations. I understand that there
are protests in front of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan today over the
recall of Ambassador of Evans. How would you respond to this concern?”
Sen. Boxer’s reference was to a candle-light vigil held today in
Yerevan by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate
confirmation hearing, as part of the “Yellow Ribbon Campaign”
protesting the firing the Amb. Evans.
On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity
with the U.S. Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in
honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of
Armenia and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb. Hoagland
was adamant about the Administration’s decision not to fund any
project that would hinder regional integration and cooperation. When
asked about efforts to maintain military aid parity to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit to equal allocations
of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen reminded the nominee
that the Senate plays a central role in ensuring military aid parity
and that he would continue to work hard to ensure the aid balance
is maintained.
In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate
Hoagland “to be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to Armenians,
recognizing their heritage, their history, their sensitivities.”
“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and Sarbanes
in pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the U.S. policy on
the Armenian Genocide – and commend Senator Biden for his principled
demand that the Senate receive clear answers on this issue from
the State Department before moving ahead with the nomination of a
new envoy to Yerevan,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “We were
deeply disappointed that, in response to these legitimate inquiries,
Ambassador-designate Hoagland – apparently at the direction of
his superiors in the State Department – limited his responses to a
series of unresponsive evasions and euphemisms intended to obscure –
not explain – the U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide.”
“We have said from the start – and believe even more firmly today –
that the U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination
of a new ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current
envoy’s controversial firing – including a thorough description of
the U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide – are fully, officially and
openly explained to Congress and the American people,” said Hachikian.

ERDOGAN ADDRESSES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THOUGHT
Turkish Press
June 29 2006
Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
on freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs yesterday,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the recent cartoon
crisis, saying that insulting a religion shouldn’t be considered
freedom of expression. “Criticism and insult are different from
each other,” said Erdogan. Stressing that it should be seriously
considered whether freedom of expression was being abused as freedom
to insult, Erdogan stated that freedom of expression and thought
were indispensable factors of common values. “Our system of values
shapes our identity,” he said. “Islamophobia should be considered
a crime against humanity.” He stressed that the main problem was a
dangerous polarization in the international community on the basis of
cultural and religious values. “Democracy is a regime of compromise
and patience as well as freedom,” said Erdogan. Touching on the
so-called Armenian genocide, Erdogan said that Ankara had proposed
that historians should research the issue. Speaking afterwards,
Erdogan said that the government wouldn’t take any more steps on
Cyprus for its European Union membership. “We’ve taken 11 steps,
and we won’t take any more until those who need to take steps do so,”
added the premier.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NA SPEAKER PRESENTS COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL PROCESS OF MAKING LEGISLATION CORRESPONDING TO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
STRASBOURG, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. After the
referendum on the constitutional reforms in Armenia, amendments
to more than 60 laws must be made to make them corresponding, and
amendments have already been made to 10 laws. Tigran Torosian, the RA
National Assembly Speaker, the head of the Armenian delegation to the
PACE stated about it at the meeting with Council of Europe Secretary
General Terry Davis which took place on June 28 in Strasbourg, within
the framework of the PACE summer session. The NA Speaker mentioned
that active works must be done in summer to accept the Electoral Code
in autumn. Torosian attached importance to formation of an atmosphere
of solidarity of political forces at the Parliament and out of the
Parliament to hold 2007 parliamentary elections in correspondence to
all democratic standards.
Terry Davis congratulated Tigran Torosian on the occasion of being
elected on the National Assembly Speaker’s post and attached importance
to meaning of work of the Parliament during coming one year from the
viewpoint of democratic developments in Armenia and particularly,
of 2007 parliamentary elections.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department,
the issue of the aggressive policy of the Azerbaijani delegation
to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was also
discussed at the meeting. Head of the Armenian delegation Tigran
Torosian attached importance to Strasbourg sessions for joint
discussions relating to member countries as well as ones on general
issues, whereas, members of the Azerbaijani delegation use the PACE
tribune to spread aspersions and falsifications, to present invented
accusations to Armenia. Particularly, during discussing all issues
this time, Azerbaijani deputies arise the issue of setting on fire
green territories of Nagorno Karabakh and neighboring regions. Tigran
Torosian presented the reality, emphasizing that till the NKR
authorities addressed to the Office of the Assistant’s Representative
of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to hold a corresponding observation,
to estimate the situation and to disprove false accusations,
Azeris present a political show in Strasbourg. It already becomes
impossible in such a situation to keep members of the Armenian
delegation from making responding speeches. Considering spreading
of aspersions and false accusations incoherent to the CE principles,
the NA Speaker proposed to undertake steps to correct that unhealthy
situation. Terry Davis agreed that it is realy a serious issue,
and promised to take steps.
An interview published in the Armenian press was also touched upon. The
interview with the CE Secretary General was held by a correspondent
of the “Yerkir Media” TV company. Terry Davis explained that the
journalist incites him to make condemning statements, particularly
concerning Turkey’s economic blockade towards Armenia, he has no
necessary data to do it. He also asked to give him the text of the
interview.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VISIT OF CE SUB-COMMITTEE ON KARABAKH TO REGION TO TAKE PLACE IN LATE OCTOBER
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 28 2006
STRASBOURG, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The terms of visit
to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh of the ad hoc committee on
the issue of application of resolution N 1416 on Nagorno Karabakh
settlement within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group were discussed at
the June 28 meeting of RA NA Speaker, head of the Armenian delegation
in PACE Tigran Torosian, head of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE
Samad Seidov and reporter of CE Sub-committee on Nagorno Karabakh
issue Russel Jonston in Strasbourg.
PACE Bureau approved the committee’s new structure proposed by Tigran
Torosian in spring and now it consists of heads of Armenian and
Azerbaijani delegations, one opposition MP from each delegation,
reporters of the Monitoring Committee on the two countries,
Sub-committee Chairman Lord Russel Jonston, author of the regional
report on missing people Leo Platvoet. Taking into consideration
the fact that a sitting of PACE Monitoring Committee will be held
in Yerevan in the second decade of October and a sitting of the
Committee on Political Issues in the second decade of November
in Baku, a preliminary agreement was reached about organizing the
Sub-committee’s visit during the last week of October.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA NA Public Relations Department,
the Sub-committee’s visit will have a cognitive character and the
meetings in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan will serve for
this purpose.
Sub-committee Chairman Russel Jonston proposed discussing the
idea of holding a joint seminar with participation of parliament
representatives during the visit.

PACE REPORTER ON ISSUES OF MISSING PEOPLE IN ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA TO VISIT NKR AS WELL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
STRASBOURG, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The meeting of RA
NA Speaker, head of the Armenian delegation in PACE Tigran Torosian
and PACE Reporter on Issues of Missing People in Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia Leo Platvoet was held on June 28 in Strasbourg. The results
of Platvoet’s recent visit to the region were discussed at the meeting.
Tigran Torosian expressed satisfaction that Leo Platvoet agreed to
meet with the head of the NKR Committee and one of the NGOs engaged
in issues of missing people during the visit and remained loyal to
the approach of not politicizing the issue of missing people during
the regional visit. He expressed readiness to assist all the efforts
of the report aimed at the solution of this important, humane issue.
In connection with Tigran Torosian’s proposal made in Yerevan about
visiting NKR Leo Platvoet said that in his opinion, it will be useful
to visit Nagorno Karabakh and Abkhazia and he decided to present
his report on the visit during the sitting of the PACE Committee on
Refugees, Migration and Demography, proposing that the Committee give
consent to the idea of visiting Nagorno Karabakh and Abkhazia. As
Noyan Tapan was informed from RA NA Public Relations Department,
this proposal was adopted at the Committee sitting later.
Leo Platvoet proposed giving the lists of missing Armenians so that
an attempt can be made to organize searches in Azerbaijan to find
those who are maybe still alive. Platvoet was proposed creating a
working group with participation of all sides, under the aegis of
the Red Cross, for the purpose of assisting the searches of missing
people. The proposal was accepted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEGHAMIAN DRAWS PACE ATTENTION TO MANIFESTATIONS OF HOOLIGANISM DURING VISIT OF CATHOLICOS TO TURKEY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
STRASBOURG, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Artashes Geghamian,
member of PACE Armenian delegation, Head of the National Unity party
and NA faction of the same name, spoke at the discussion of the
issue “Freedom of Speech and Respect of Belief” at the PACE summer
session. He touched upon the Armenian Genocide, the blockade of Armenia
by Turkey, limitations introduced to Armenian school curriculums
in Turkey and the mainfestations of hooliganism during the visit of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to Turkey considering all this
unacceptable for a country striving for becoming a EU member.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public Relations Department,
Hermine Naghdalian (RPA), member of the Armenian delegation, spoke at
the discussion of the issue of illegal migrants and human rights. She
mentioned that often migrants and displaced persons find themselves in
a vulnerable position and need especially protection of human rights,
including civil and political, social and economic rights, at the
same time presented the great difference in policies implemented in
Armenia and Azerbaijan towards refugees.

VARTAN OSKANIAN MEETS WITH NINO BURJANADZE AND MAKES SPEECH AT FOUNDATION FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006
TBILISI, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian paying a two-day official visit to Georgia met with
Nino Burjanadze, the head of the Georgian Parliament on June 28.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, the sides discussed a wide circle of
issues concerning the Armenian-Georgian relations. Touching upon
particularly the Armenian and Georgian parliamentarians’ cooperation,
the interlocuters considered important coordination and comparison
of their positions at international organizations.
Issues of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and employment of Georgian
Armenians were also touched upon.
Then Vartan Oskanian made a speech at the Georgian Foundation for
Strategic and International Researches (GFSIS). The Minister spoke
about the regional developments and political priorities of the
foreign policy of Armenia.

DISCORD AT G8 DIPLOMATS’ MEETING
By Nabi Abdullaev
Staff Writer
The Moscow Times, Russia
June 30 2006
For diplomats accustomed to papering over differences, the G8’s foreign
ministers sounded rather undiplomatic at the news conference following
their meeting Thursday.
Minutes before Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters the
meeting had avoided internal politics, U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said the Kremlin’s handling of the media and private
groups had, in fact, been discussed.
It was, perhaps, a prelude to the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, where
U.S. President George W. Bush and other Western leaders may — or
may not — rebuke Russia for abandoning democracy.
Major outstanding questions are when and where that conversation will
come up, and how Westerners, particularly Bush, will balance their
criticism with cajoling Russia into supporting UN sanctions against
Iran and other issues.
Rice said the meeting had included talk about “transition” problems,
such as the Russian state’s attempt to sideline independent news
organizations and strict regulation of nongovernmental organizations.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier backed up Rice. Both
Steinmeier and Rice promised that their governments would be raising
similar concerns in the near future, possibly referring to the
upcoming summit.
Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay added that participants had
“an honest discussion” about Belarus, Moldova and Georgia.
Western leaders have sought to isolate authoritarian Belarussian
President Alexander Lukashenko, whose main beneficiary remains Russia.
And they have had concerns about separatist movements in the breakaway
regions of Transdnestr in Moldova and Abkhazia and South Ossetia
in Georgia.
MacKay, with other Western diplomats, sought to downplay tensions
that might have surfaced during the meeting, saying the discussion
of Russia’s internal politics “was not a provocation.”
Also on Thursday’s agenda was violence in the Palestinian territories
and Iran’s uranium-enrichment program.
The foreign ministers called on Israel and the Palestinians to
do everything possible to bring “calm” to the region. The current
flare-up was ignited by the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by a
Palestinian extremist group tied to the Hamas-controlled government.
(See story, page 9.)
“We called on the countries to create conditions for providing security
and returning to the negotiation process on the basis of the road map,”
Lavrov said, referring to the peace process.
Lavrov added that the foreign ministers were united in demanding the
soldier’s release.
Iran, meanwhile, remains a multifaceted problem.
Western leaders have said Iran wants a nuclear arsenal, an aim they
say is unacceptable and must be stopped via the United Nations.
Russia and China oppose sanctions.
European leaders recently made Tehran a deal: In exchange for stopping
uranium enrichment, Iran would receive economic aid and nonmilitary
nuclear reactors.
Iran, which has voiced tentative interest in the proposal, has yet
to give a clear reply.
After Thursday’s meeting, the foreign ministers issued a joint
statement. “We are disappointed by the absence of an official Iranian
response to this positive proposal,” the statement said. “We expect
to hear a clear and substantive Iranian response to these proposals”
at the July 5 meeting between the European Union’s foreign minister
and Iran’s nuclear negotiator.
The G8 countries also called on North Korea, which is thought to
have developed some nuclear arms, to return to disarmament talks with
Russia, the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.
And they sounded unanimous support for tracking down and bringing
to justice those who kidnapped and murdered four Russian diplomats
earlier this month in Iraq.
Rice also noted that Western diplomats had questioned Russia’s
reliability as an energy supplier and its use of its vast energy
reserves as a foreign policy tool.
Those concerns stem from Russia’s move in January to turn off gas
supplies to Ukraine after the two countries failed to hammer out an
agreement on gas prices.
Ukrainian leaders have suggested the spat stemmed from Russia’s
ongoing anger with Ukraine’s pro-Western government, which came to
power in the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Lavrov said he fully agreed with Rice that the oil and gas sector
should adhere to market-based rules. But he added that not only
reliable suppliers but also reliable customers were needed.
“We want to be confident that our reputation for being a reliable
energy supplier that has never breached its obligations for a single
cubic gram is appreciated,” Lavrov said.
Other issues that came up at the meeting included the dormant conflict
in Nagorno-Karabakh, Afghanistan and the need for better relations
between Serbia and Kosovo.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS IN ESTONIA
Baltic News Service
June 29, 2006 Thursday 3:07 PM EET
Tallinn
Armenian Ambassador Ashot Galoyan today presented his letters of
credence to Estonian President Arnold Ruutel.
Ruutel noted in the meeting that Estonia and Armenia are bound by
continuous cultural ties which have a long history, the president’s
office reports. Estonia thinks highly of Armenia’s efforts to integrate
into Europe and is ready to share its relevant experience with the
Caucasian country, the president said.
Ruutel also said Estonia appreciates the active South Caucasian policy
of the European Union which provides a more concrete framework for
the neighborhood policy and boosts economic development in that region
as a whole.
According to the president, Estonia is eager to intensify bilateral
economic ties which are rather modest at present.
In Galoyan’s words, Armenia sees itself as part of Europe. “I am
certain that Estonia is a strong partner of ours in this,” he said.
The ambassador said he aims to raise Armenian-Estonian relations to
a new plane and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
“Armenia is optimistic about the prospects of the future relationship
of our two countries and the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions,”
he said.
The ambassador resides in the Polish capital Warsaw.