SOONER OR LATER, TURKEY WILL HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Armenpress
Apr 24 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS: Deputy parliament chairman Tigran
Torosian told today journalists that the recognition of the Armenian
genocide by Turkey was not Armenia’s problem but Turkey’s. He said
Turkey’s recognition of the genocide was a question of dignity for
that country and its people.
“Turkey may never acknowledge its guilt and it will change nothing in
the world. What is important is that all nations on our globe know
that it was the first genocide in the last century, organized and
perpetrated by the government and honoring its victims is honoring
not only Armenians but the whole humanity,” Torosian said. Torosian
said the recognition of the Armenian genocide by about 20 nations,
many international organizations and the European Union was a clear
sign of progress in these efforts. He said year after year more and
more nations come to understand that the massacres of Armenians in
Turkey was a crime against humanity and by acknowledging it they
express their condemnation of such crimes and express also their
solidarity with Armenians.
Torosian said Armenia has always been looking for what can help it
normalize relations with Turkey by saying it is ready to establish
diplomatic relations with Ankara without preconditions, an offer
rejected by Turkey. Deputy defense minister Arthur Aghabekian said
Armenia’s boosted diplomacy has awaken nations that were indifferent
towards the fate of Armenians in the beginning of the 20-th century. He
said o sooner or later Turkey will have to acknowledge this crime as
‘no nation can reject its past.’ Genocide commemorating events are
being held today in all countries which have Armenian communities.
Armenians in the Russian capital city Moscow paid homage to Genocide
victims by laying wreaths to a cross-stone near the Armenian Church of
Resurrection and a liturgy was served in the church. In the afternoon
Armenians protested outside the Turkish embassy in Moscow demanding
that it recognizes this crime.
Ukrainian ambassador to Armenia, Alexander Bozhko, said the humanity
must learn a lesson from the history, saying the Armenian genocide
was followed by the Holocaust and death camps across Europe, the
Stalin regime that killed millions of people in GULAG.
French ambassador to Armenia, Henry Cuny said France has said it word
by officially recognizing the Armenian genocide. He said now it is
important to remember those tragic events every year and push other
nations to acknowledge the Armenian genocide.
Armenian parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian was to open a memorial
to the Genocide victims in the French Marseille today. Another monument
honoring the victims of the 1915 genocide was also to open in another
French city of Lyon. The Armenian Genocide was so far officially
acknowledged by 18 nations, various international organizations and
also by 38 states of the USA.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR LAID WREATH TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS MONUMENT
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 00:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Russian Ambassador to Armenia Nikolay Pavlov
and the Embassy members laid wreaths to the memorial to the Armenian
Genocide victims, reported the RF Embassy in Yerevan.
The Ambassador said various events will be held in Russian towns
on April 24. “Conferences, round-table discussions dedicated
to the Armenian Genocide will be held in Moscow and Saint
Petersburg. Amb. Pavlov reminded that the Russian State Duma recognized
the Armenian Genocide in 1995.

NATIONALIST CRIMINALS ARE NOT PUNISHED IN RUSSIA
ArmRadio.am
25.04.2006 14:00
The funeral of the Armenian Vahan Abrahamyan, 19, killed by Russian
nationalists at “Pushkinskaya” metro station in Moscow will be held
today at the Armenian Cemetery of the capital.
Not only the Armenian community mourns his death: the young man’s
photo has been placed at the metro station where he was killed. His
friends and people condemning the chauvinistic expressions in the
country lay flowers here.
Head of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan told “Radiolur”
correspondent that he is concerned with the fact that Russian
authorities do not give proper response to the increasing number of
crimes carried out on the ground of nationalism. Mr. Abrahamyan said
in his interview to “Radiolur” that he will follow that the criminal
gets a deserved punishment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PIPELINE BUILT FOR ENERGY SECURITY THREATENS OUR SECURITY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
25 April 06
All that seemed incredible now seems imminent. The Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, the section of the pipeline running across Armenia, can be
considered Russia’s. One could have even bet that it would happen,
after the defense minister had stated that interesting developments
connected with the gas pipeline would be coming up.
However, we did not manage to bet. Next, the foreign minister confirmed
not only the curiosity but also the content of these developments,
at least in part (although we are not likely to suggest that the
foreign minister aspires to be the next president of Armenia).
The foreign minister says Russian-Armenian negotiations for the money
for the pipeline are going on. Vardan Oskanyan announced that the
construction of the pipeline is not over yet to give it to Russia,
and presently the question of money for the construction is under
consideration. It is a great achievement, in fact. We would not have
given anything to Russians in return for nothing. We say if you want
the pipeline, first give money to build it. However, let us not hurry
to admire how the Armenians get the money from the Russians. First,
we should wonder where the money disappeared that Iran had given
to Armenia to build the pipeline. Iran loans the construction
of the 40-km section of the Iranian pipeline running from Meghri
to Kadjaran. Maybe the second section of the pipeline running in
Armenia, the Kadjaran-Ararat section is concerned. When still in
office, the head of the RA President Administration, the co-chair
of the Iran-Armenian Intergovernmental Commission Artashes Tumanyan
visited Iran several months ago. The Iranian mass media informed that
Iran had offered to fund the construction of the second section of
the pipeline, i.e. the Kadjaran-Ararat section. Returning to Yerevan,
Artashes Tumanyan said there was such an arrangement. He even confirmed
that the offer referred to the second section of the pipeline, running
in Armenia and not the construction of another pipeline. Everyone
knows what happened to Artashes Tumanyan later.
However, it still needs to be found out what happened to the agreement
that had been reached. Was it just a personal one? It referred to
state property, however, although there is nothing surprising when
personal arrangements are made on this property. If we want, we will
arrange with Iran, if we want with Russia. Presently it is not clear
whether Tumanyan was dismissed because of the arrangements that he
had reached. It is not essential though. The fact is that Russia is
negotiating with Armenia, and everyone knows the usual outcome of
such negotiations. Consequently, it must be known to Iran as well. It
is interesting how Iran will respond to the transfer of the pipeline
to Russians, for several months ago the foreign ministers of Armenia
and Iran announced in Yerevan that the assent of Iran and Armenia is
required for the engagement of a third country in the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline project. In other words, Armenia’s assent is not enough
to settle the problem. Does it mean that Iran approves the engagement
of Russia? The price of this approval might be transit of the Iranian
gas. It is hardly possible, however, because Europe might not approve
it. The Europeans are interested in the Iranian gas without Russia
for the simple reason that it is important as an alternative to Russia.
Iran may have changed its mind to fund the second section of the
pipeline after the Armenia had rejected the Iranian proposal regarding
the fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan. The
deposal of Artashes Tumanyan would hardly have forced Iran to give
up. However, this is also probably. After all, not only interests
determine people but also people determine interests.
Hence, the unfinished pipeline, which has been said to guarantee the
energy security of Armenia, is already starting to threaten this type
of security of our country if it is built to be given to another
country. Moreover, it is even more distressing that the Armenian
society is looking for external and not internal means of keeping the
pipeline: Iran will not agree, or America will disagree. And if they
agreed? Would everything be fine? Or maybe “extenuating circumstances”
occur, which is the only aspect of knowledge of law of our society,
that is excellently used for the past 15 years.
Instead of seeking for a punishment an excuse is sought for.

KARABAKH PROBLEM: PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT
Nvard Ohanjanyan
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
25 April 2006
On April 21 the NKR National Assembly Committee of External Relations
kicked off the parliamentary hearings on the topic “Karabakh Problem:
Prospects of Settlement.” In the debates, which took place at the
National Assembly of NKR, the parliamentary delegation of Armenia
headed by Armen Rustamian, Chair of the Committee of External
Relations, NKR members of parliament and government officials,
representatives of NGOs and political parties of NKR, experts and
guests participated. The debates were conducted by Vahram Atanessian,
Chair of the Committee of External Relations of the NKR National
Assembly. In his address Speaker Ashot Ghulian emphasized that
that the parliamentary debates show that the issue of Karabakh is a
national problem, and called the members of parliaments of NKR and
Armenia and the NKR political parties to contribute to the process
of fair settlement of the Karabakh issue. Foreign Minister of NKR
Georgy Petrossian gave an overview of the Karabakh issue. The chair
of the Committee of External Relations of the National Assembly of
Armenia Armen Rustamian emphasized two important preconditions in
shifting the tactics into diplomacy: to carry on the peace talks
with Azerbaijan on a due level, and to define the status of Nagorno
Karabakh. Next spoke Armen Sargissian, the head of the parliamentary
group ARF-Movement 88, Arthur Tovmassian, member of the Hayrenik
faction, Hrant Melkumian, leader of the NKR Communist Party, Gegham
Baghdassarian, member of the political party Movement 88. Although
the speeches were definitely different, they had several points
in common, namely the full engagement of NKR in the settlement of
Karabakh, condemnation of Azerbaijan as an aggressor and recognition
of the right for self-determination of the people of Karabakh by the
international community. The members of parliament asked questions,
then the members of the Committee of External Relations of the National
Assembly of Armenia, NKR members of parliament, representatives of
political parties and NGOs, and NKR deputy speaker Rudik Hyununts
spoke. In conclusion Vahram Atanessian, Chair of the NKR Committee
of External Relations, introduced the document that will be submitted
to the relevant international organizations.

NEWS FROM HADRUT REGION
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
25 April 2006
4 million 475 thousand drams has been allocated for the refugees
in Hadrut.
260 refugee families displaced from different regions and cities
of Azerbaijan in 1988-1992, who came to live in Hadrut, submitted
necessary papers to the social agency of the regional administration
of Hadrut. The documents were checked and submitted to the Agency for
Migration, Refugees and Re-settlement under the NKR Government. The
agency divided these families into social categories, and priority
is given to the families of killed azatamartiks, the disabled, large
families and single-parent families. 69 families have already received
the aid, which also includes travel and transportation expenses. The
head of the social service of the regional administration S. Hakobian
said the families which are not included in the special groups, will
receive the aid in the nearest future. The NKR government assists in
building houses for refugees. In 2005 houses of 10 million drams were
built for two families in Hadrut.

ARMENIANS IN ESTONIA COMMEMORATED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 03:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Patarag liturgy was offered at St. Grigor Armenian
Church in Tallinn on the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of
the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Upon its completion those
present lit candles next to a khachkar in the yard and laid flowers,
reports Tsitsernak radio program of Estonian Radio 4. In the afternoon
a concert was held in the memory of the victims of the Genocide at
Rootsi-Mikhkli church. Soloist of Estonian men’s national choir Armen
Andranikyan performed Armenian motets. Yesterday Tsitsernak Armenian
program of Estonian Radio 4 aired a broadcast on problems on the way
of recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Armenian Diaspora
worldwide, which appeared as a result of pogroms and then Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey.
Candles were lit and flowers were laid at a khachkar in Tartu Estonian
town as well.

ARMENIAN FILM DIRECTOR ATTACKED IN MOSCOW
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 04:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Another Armenian – Secretary of the Union of
Cinematographers of Armenia Mikayel Dovlatyan – is attacked in Moscow,
report participants of the Forum of National Cinematography. According
to them, Sunday in Oktyabrskaya metro pedestrian crossing a group
of unknown persons attacked Dovlatyan. He was hit on his head with
a bottle, then those attacking “fled in a cowardly manner.” The
participants of the Forum of National Cinematography addressed the
Moscow and federal authorities. “Cases similar to that, which happened
to Mikayel Dovlatyan, can have extremely destructive impact on our
humanitarian cooperation,” their statement says. “We urge leaders
of Russia and Moscow not to admit it,” the statement runs. The open
letter is signed by heads of the Confederation of the Unions of
Cinematographers, as well as heads of the Unions of Cinematographers
of Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan,
reports the Ekho Moskvy.

TRIBUTE PAID IN LONDON TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.04.2006 05:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ April 24 members of the Armenian community of the
UK laid a wreath to memorial to victims of the Armenian Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The monument is a khachkar and it is set in St.
Sargis church in London. The church was built in 30-s of the past
century by famous Armenian patron of art Galust Gyulbenkyan. 2 Armenian
churches function in London at present, another one is in Cardiff,
reports the own source of PanARMENIAN.Net.

PRESIDENT OF LITHUANIA TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA TODAY
ArmRadio.am
25.04.2006 10:27
At RA President Robert Kocharyan’s invitation, the delegation headed
by the President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus will
pay an official visit to Armenia 25-26 April.
The aim of the visit is to reinforce the interstate relations, to
determine the primary problems and directions of economic cooperation
between the two countries, as well as promote scientific-educational
and cultural ties by attaching new quality and content to the
traditional friendship of Armenian and Lithuanian peoples.
April 25 the Lithuanian President will be officially welcomed
at RA President ‘s Office, following which Robert Kocharyan and
Valdas Adamkus will hold a meeting. Thereafter the meeting of the
delegations will continue in an enlarged format. The governments of
the two countries will sign agreements on promoting investments and
mutual defense.
The Presidents of the two countries will give a joint press conference.
During the visit to Armenia the Lithuanian President will have meetings
with Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Vice-Chairman of the National
Assembly Tigran Torosyan.
Valdas Adamkus will be received also by the Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II.
At Yerevan State University the President of Lithuania will have
a meeting with the faculty and students. Valdas Adamkus will visit
Tsitsernakaberd and the Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide.
The Lithuanian delegation will visit also Matenadaran and the Museum
after Sergey Parajanov.