CHURCHES REBUILT IN TAVUSH

NOYEMBERIAN, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Opening of the Surb Sargis church of
Noyemberian which is being restored at present by resources of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, by resources of a benefactor, will
take place in autumn.
Restoration works are being implemented in the Amenaprkich church of
Ijevan as well, by resources of another sponsor from Sarigyugh in
origin, living now in Russia. Restoration works were implemented by
sponsors’ resources in the Surb Sargis church of the village of Tovuz
and in the church of the village of Koti as well.

INDIAN STUDENT STABBED IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Early in the morning of June 9, citizen
of India, 3rd-year student of Yerevan State Medical University after
Mkhitar Heratsi Rakesh Muma applied to Yerevan hospital N 1 for
getting medical service for his wounds inflicted at his hip.
As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed from hospital N 1, the
reception employees immediately informed the Kentron Police about the
incident.
Later the Indian student said in his talk to the investigator that an
unknown person stabbed him at his hip at about 22:20, June 8.
For the present, we have not managed to get any information about the
Indian student’s state either from the University management or from
the hospital employees.

AGAINST OLIGARCHIZATION OF ECONOMY

Lragir.am
09 June 06

Recently a number of owners of kiosks and small businesses have turned
to the Orinats Yerkir Party, asking to help to defend their
rights. Thereupon the Political Council of the Orinats Yerkir Party is
deeply concerned about mass dismantling of kiosks in different
communities of the capital, on highways and undergrounds (namely
Barekamutiun and Sasuntsi Davit underground stations, underground
passages of Abovyan and Koryun Streets). The relevant agencies have
initiated a real massacre of small businesses, referring to
architectural reasons. Not allowing owners to improve the appearance
of their kiosks themselves, they, in fact, aim to deprive thousands of
people of the only means of earning their living.
Considering the high rate of unemployment in the country, we think it
is unacceptable to close down jobs artificially.
The aim is clear: to consolidate and center kiosk trade in the hands
of a group of people. Condemning every effort of oligarchizing the
economy, the Orinats Yerkir Party calls the relevant agencies to stop
activities, damaging the interests of people, under the guise of
different decisions, and to allow small businesses to continue trade
in kiosks.
As usual the Orinats Yerkir Party is determined to back protection of
interests of small businesses, who can apply to the Orinats Yerkir
faction of the National Assembly.

HRANT KHACHATRYAN NAMES HIMSELF
Lragir.am
09 June 06
Hrant Khachatryan, the leader of the Constitutional Right Union, is
trying to define the structural problems of the current situation, and
those which are aggravating the political crisis. These reflections
led him to an idea, which he announced May 9 at the National Press
Club. The leader of the CRUsaid that since the state system is not
based on the political system, it is necessary that the political
forces, which recognize the imperfection of this fact, direct their
efforts at the Central Election Committee.
`It is not enough to say that we are preparing to hold a fair
election, we want to combat electoral fraud, any degree of it is bad.
We have to make efforts today,’ says Hrant Khachatryan. He emphasizes
the continuousness of these steps and announces about the step he has
thought of.
`I am ready to reject my mandate if all the political parties agree
that I become chair of the Central Election Committee. For me it would
mean giving up my position. Everybody thinks this is another hopeless
step but I think all the political forces will accept my proposal, my
initiative, my concession, and I think it is possible that the
political system, independent of its present quality will have a
common interest, a common hope that the next election will be
controlled by the political parties rather than the clannish system,’
says the leader of the CRU Hrant Khachatryan. He urges the Republican
Party and Dashnaktsutiun to accept his proposal. Hrant Khachatryan
thinks it is in their interests too, for the Republican Party, for
instance, is facing divide to become parliamentary majority again.

Future cooperation with Montenegro, participation of women in elections,
Venice Commission meets in plenary
Strasbourg, 09.06.2006 – Future cooperation with Montenegro, restitution
of property to the victims of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, and the
participation of women in elections are on the agenda of the Council of
Europe Venice Commission’s 67th plenary session (9-10 June, Scuola
Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, Venice).
The Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament Ranko Krivokapich will attend
the plenary and will inform the Commission on possible future
cooperation on the new Constitution for Montenegro following the
referendum on independence.
The Commission will hold an exchange of views with the Georgian
authorities on the draft law on compensation and restitution of property
of victims of the conflict in the former autonomous region of South
Ossetia. It is due to adopt an opinion on the latest version of the
draft law.
The draft legislation on churches and religious communities in Serbia
will also be discussed during the session.
Following the November 2005 revision of the Armenian Constitution,
introducing individual complaints with the constitutional court, the
Commission is due to adopt an opinion on the amendments to the law on
the Constitutional Court. The Commission will also discuss and adopt an
opinion on possible constitutional and legislative improvements to
ensure uninterrupted functioning of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.
The lack of nominations produced an incomplete composition of this
Court, preventing it from sitting.
A study on remedies for excessive length of proceedings before national
courts is also on the agenda. The study is part of discussions on
principles of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and
takes into account relevant work by the Council of Europe’s European
Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).
The Commission will also adopt:
– Guidelines on referenda, defining European standard on the matter;
– A declaration on women’s participation in elections, stressing on the
equality principle;
– A report on electoral law and administration in Europe, aiming at
identifying weaknesses and new challenges;
– joint Venice Commission-OSCE/ODHIR opinions on the electoral
legislation of Armenia and Georgia.
***
The Venice Commission is the Council of Europe’s independent advisory
body on the constitutional issues. All adopted opinions of the
Commission become public after the session and will available on the
website of the Commission: .
Contact : Tatyana Mychelova, External Relations Officer
Tel. +33 3 88 41 38 68 ; E-mail : [email protected]
Press Release
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 337a06
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
June 08, 2006
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
Tel. (613) 235-2622
ANCC Participates in Genocide Gathering
Meeting Pledges “Never Again”
Ottawa – the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) participated
in a historic meeting, on June 6, to work for the eradication of
genocides through education. The meeting was held in the west block of
the Parliament building in Ottawa.
The meeting, organized by Ze’ev Kalin–founder of Genocide Education
Never Again (GENA), was attended by survivors and representatives from
various genocide-victim communities (Armenians, Cambodians, Jews,
Rwandans, Sudanese, Ukrainians). Members of parliament, diplomatic
representatives, human rights organizations and scholars also took part
in the meeting.
Yvonne Bedrossian was the sole Canadian-Armenian survivor of the 1915
Armenian Genocide who could attend the meeting. In addition to Aris
Babikian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC), other attendees included Armand Hagopian, charge d’
affaires and Michael Vartanyan, first consul of the Armenian Embassy;
Vahe Balabanian (CAN); Victoria Cop, the president of the Armenian
Students Association of Ottawa; and other Armenian community leaders.
Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian sent letter of support and
solidarity.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring genocide survivors and their
descendents together to pledge to work to eradicate genocide, and raise
awareness about various genocides and explore options to prevent it.
Keynote speaker Dr. Gerry Caplan delivered an inspiring and
compassionate speech, urging the Canadian Government and the
international community to be more resolute in their efforts to put an
end to the scourge of genocide. He emphasized that politicians should be
consistent in their dealing with such heinous crimes as genocides. “They
should not be selective in condemning and trying to prevent genocidal
acts,” said Caplan. He also commended the Harper Government for its
recent recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
In his ” Solidarity of Sorrow” speech, Dr. Caplan urged the various
victims of genocide to stand by each other, recognize each others
suffering, and work together to prevent other races from going through
what they have experienced. He reiterated that there is no hierarchy
among genocide victims.
Dr. Caplan deplored the Turkish Government’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide and the Israeli Government’s refusal to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. He also talked about the Rwandan Genocide and the horrific
situation in Darfur, and the “cynical political games some super and
regional powers play to determine how, when, where and why to interfere
to stop genocide acts form taking place.”
Dr. Caplan commended Babikian of ANCC for his commitment and efforts to
reach out and work with all victims of genocides regardless of their
colour, religion or race.
The keynote speaker said he is hoping the pledge by the various victims
of genocide to work together would put moral pressure on the Canadian
Government to act more decisively.
“We as a victim nations of genocide, should form common front to fight
racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and hatred. It is our duty and
obligation to humanity to prevent future genocides from happening. We
also should stand in solidarity against denial. Because the last act of
any genocide is the denial aspect. As we have seen no one is immune
from denial and revictimizing the survivors and their descendents,” said
Aris Babikian, the executive director of ANCC.
-30-
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of
issues.
Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317 w.armeniafundusa.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Nagorno-Karabakh’s Nor-Getashen Village
~A successful example of Armenia Fund USA’s mission ~
NEW YORK, New York – From its beginning, Armenia Fund USA (the Fund)
embraced within its mission the goal to go “beyond bricks and mortar”. An
example of that is the continuing community development of the village of
Nor-Getashen since Armenia Fund USA’s donor Mr. Norman Miller, 92, of
Pennsylvania brought clean drinking water (2005) to a tiny, war-ravaged
community of Nagorno-Karabakh. Accompanied by his son, Mr. Miller traveled
to Nor-Getashen to personally see the changes made through the water
project. He was touched to meet the families of Nor-Getashen who now had
clean running water in their homes. Moved by the impact clean drinking water
had made on the daily lives of the people of Nor-Getashen, Mr. Miller
pledged to support the expansion of the project to include two other
communities of the village.
More than this, living through his visit to Nor-Getashen, Mr. Miller decided
to share the spirit of Christmas (2005) with them by sending gifts to the
village’s school children. A TV and a DVD player were delivered to
Nor-Getashen school. Also, “Superbook” DVDs and toys were kindly donated by
Christian Broadcasting Network, a Virginia based non-profit organization and
one of the largest television ministries in the world. The tapes, which have
been widely televised on Armenian TV, and are quite popular among children,
have now been made available in this tiny remote village in mountainous
Karabakh.
In May 2006, while completing their visit to Hayastan Himnadram’s affiliates
meeting in Yerevan, Kevork Toroyan, Chairman, and Irina Lazarian, Executive
Director, also traveled to Nor-Getashen to review the progress of the water
project that is due to be completed by the end of June, 2006. They were able
to see the overall economic impact that small changes and improvements had
on families’ lives. What impressed them most, however, was the
well-maintained, clean and neat classrooms of the village’s only school
which has no more than 72 school children. In this small village that has
suffered greatly from the 1991 war between disputing countries Armenia and
Azerbaijan, representatives of Armenia Fund USA could see hopeful faces that
are now filled with optimism for the future. “We saw lively faces of
children, energy, willingness and vigor of villagers to tackle daily
problems, and most importantly, how a small socio-economic improvement in
this tiny community can be an incentive to move forward.” says Ms. Lazarian,
Executive Director of the Fund. Nor-Getashen families once again thanked the
Fund for giving them “the confidence and feeling” that they are not alone in
their social struggle to make life better in Nagorno-Karabakh. The project
in Nor-Getashen shows how small scale development projects can successfully
mobilize communities.
Apart from undertaking large-scale development projects defined in its
mission, the Fund has also helped facilitate smaller much-needed projects
that some of its donors have envisioned. In their continuing commitment to
effect social change, several have, over years, adopted specific projects
building on the continuity and sustainability desired by the Fund in every
step of the way. Armenia Fund USA’s restoration of the heating system in
Nork through the generosity of Mr. Agop Giritliyan (2005) and the
water-project of Mr. Vasken Kassabian (2004) are examples of such
initiatives.
Armenia Fund USA works closely with like minded organizations to deliver the
necessary technical intervention to Armenia and Karabakh. Through the
generous support of its donors, it continues touching lives of thousands of
people giving them hope that change and improvement can, in fact, reach
them. The emphasis on the maintenance of projects the Fund sponsors, the
multifaceted support to ensure the long-term sustainability of initiatives,
as well as thorough follow-up on the work completed, clearly confirm Armenia
Fund USA’s pledge to go ‘beyond bricks and mortar”.

Armenia Tree Project
57/5 Arshakunyats Street
Yerevan, Armenia 0026
Tel: (37410) 44-74-01
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Press Release
June 8, 2006
Armenia Joins International Community in Commemorating United Nations World
Environment Day, with a Focus on Illegal Logging and Desertification
YEREVAN–The United Nations Development Programme and a wide range of
partners in Armenia jointly marked World Environment Day (WED) on June 5. A
number of environmental NGOs and individuals attended the WED celebrations,
where a new film on illegal logging titled `From Need to Greed’ was
premiered.
The documentary was funded by Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Forests
NGO, and the World Wildlife Fund Caucasus Office, and produced by Vem Media
Arts. Another event was hosted by American University of Armenia (AUA) later
that evening, where the film was followed by presentations from two leading
forestry experts in Armenia.
The WED theme for 2006 was Deserts and Desertification, and the slogan
`Don’t Desert Drylands’ emphasized the importance of protecting
drylands–arid and semi-arid regions that are home to more than two billion
of the world’s most vulnerable people. World Environment Day is one of the
principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of
the environment and enhances political attention and action.
During a conference at the UN with Simon Papyan, Deputy Minister of Nature
Protection, and Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Vidal provided
background on Armenia’s historical forest cover. `According to historical
data, forests covered 20 percent of Armenia at the turn of the 20th century,
but by the early 1990s this area was reduced to 11.2 percent and is now
below 10 percent,’ stated the UN official.
`We would like today to call upon the government, civil society, media
representatives, and general public to combine their efforts towards
preventing desertification. Applying sustainable agriculture practices,
measures to prevent landslides, forests’ rehabilitation, appropriate waste
disposal practices, and increasing awareness of threats posed by
desertification and its causes already would make a big difference,’ noted
Ms. Vidal.
Mr. Papyan outlined the efforts of the Ministry of Nature Protection in
beginning to address environmental problems including the adoption of a
draft law on Environmental Impact Assessments. He called for closer
collaboration between NGOs and the government in addressing environmental
issues. `We are capable of making brilliant decisions when we work
together,’ stated Mr. Papyan.
Karine Danielyan, head of the Association For Sustainable Human Development,
presented her observations regarding desertification and deforestation. `A
recent public opinion poll indicated that from a total of 500 people, none
found the condition of the environment in Yerevan to be `good’ or `normal,’
while 32.3 percent are convinced it is `extremely endangered,” said Ms.
Danielyan. `We are turning Yerevan to a desertified city with concrete and
stone constructions instead of greenery.’
Premiere of `From Need to Greed’ Documentary
The event continued with the screening of the new film `From Need to Greed,’
for the audience of nearly 100 people, which documents deforestation and
illegal logging in Armenia. Vache Kirakosyan, Director of Operations for
ATP, cited the need for broader public education on environmental issues as
the reason ATP joined with other NGOs to support the creation of this and 10
other films about Armenia’s environment.
`The situation is different than it was in the early 1990s with the energy
crisis,’ noted Armenian Forests NGO President Jeffrey Tufenkian in the film.
`There is still need-based cutting for people who can’t afford fuel other
than wood, but it has moved from need to greed. The greed of a few who are
taking truckloads of wood out of the forest and keeping local villagers from
entering the forest.’
AUA Environment Conservation and Research Center Screening
Another event correlated with WED was hosted by AUA later that evening. The
AUA Environment Conservation and Research Center (ECRC) organized the second
public preview of `From Need to Greed,’ hosted by ECRC head Dr. Renee
Richer. After the film, two leading forestry experts in Armenia discussed
their latest research.
Dr. Hovik Sayadyan, head of the Forestry Department of the Armenian
Agricultural Academy, presented his recently published research on `Forest
Policies, Management and Conservation in Soviet and Post-Soviet Armenia’ and
`Evolution of the Forest Cover in Armenia.’ The material shows how
dramatically the extent and condition of Armenia’s forest ecosystems have
decreased since independence in 1991. This decline is not only a consequence
of the recent history of the area, but also the result of improper forest
policies, management, and forest-use practices.
Armen Asryan from Agricultural Academy Forestry Department and ECRC then
presented his research study on `Mapping Armenian Deforestation,’ which uses
remote sensing technologies. The results of his research will be used to
assist public agencies, NGOs, and international organizations document the
problem and formulate appropriate policies and programs.
PHOTO CAPTION: (L to R) Karine Danielyan, head of the Association For
Sustainable Human Development, Consuelo Vidal, United Nations Resident
Coordinator, and Simon Papyan, Deputy Minister of Nature Protection, at the
program hosted by the UN in Armenia for World Environment Day

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/08/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Senators Kerry And Kennedy Demand Answers about Evans Firing 2) Self-Determination Remains Priority in Karabagh Peace Talks 3) Armenia-Diaspora Forum to Be Held in Yerevan in September 1) Senators Kerry And Kennedy Demand Answers about Evans Firing WASHINGTON, DC--Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), this week, joined the growing list of legislators demanding answers from the Administration regarding the recall of US Ambassador to Armenian John Evans over his honest and accurate public statements about the Armenian genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a June 5 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two Massachusetts Senators conveyed their concerns regarding reports that the Ambassador was dismissed "due to the use of the word 'genocide' when describing the atrocities that were committed against the Armenian people in 1915." They added that, "Reports from diplomats at the time make clear that genocide accurately described these events. Henry Morgenthau, then our Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, described these actions as a campaign of racial extermination." They closed their letter by noting that, "Allegedly the Government of Turkey was dismayed by Ambassador Evans' remarks and expressed this to the US Government. We would like clarification as soon as possible about Ambassador Evans' premature dismissal after 35 years of exemplary service to the United States Government." The letter was sent in the wake of the May 23 White House announcement nominating Richard Hoagland to serve as the new Ambassador to Armenia. Ambassador Evans will be replaced in Yerevan after Ambassador Hoagland's Senate confirmation process is completed. The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired Ambassador Evans in response to his February 2005 statements at Armenian American community functions, during which he properly characterized the Armenian genocide as "genocide." Following his statements, Ambassador 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 US 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 Ambassador 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. "We join with Armenians throughout Massachusetts and around the nation in thanking Senators Kennedy and Kerry for demanding an explanation of the circumstances of Ambassador Evans' firing--particularly as they relate to the role of the Turkish Government," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Despite repeated Congressional inquiries dating back more than three months, the Administration has yet to respond to a single question, to provide any meaningful explanation of its actions, or to release even one of the diplomatic cables from the Turkish Government on this matter." After sending the letter, Senator Kennedy noted, "What happened in Armenia was genocide. No one should lose their job for stating the plain truth." Senator Kerry elaborated, stating: "If history has taught us anything, it's that when we see it we must call genocide by its name. There is no doubt about the genocide of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children, and the United States Government should be straight about this piece of world history. It's an outrage that a respected lifelong diplomat would be fired simply for speaking the truth. In 1990 I fought alongside Senator Dole to designate April 24 as a national day of remembrance so we could learn from this dark period and honor the memories of those Armenians who suffered." Senator Kerry continued, noting that, "The Ambassador and his career should not be made a scapegoat for this administration's refusal to face the facts and strengthen the ties between our countries." As early as March 8, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian expressed grave disappointment over reports that Ambassador Evans would be penalized for speaking the truth about the Armenian genocide. In a letter to Secretary Rice, Hachikian wrote that, "the prospect that a US envoy's posting--and possibly his career--has been cut short due to his honest and accurate description of a genocide is profoundly offensive to American values and US standing abroad--particularly in light of President Bush's call for moral clarity in the conduct of our international affairs." On May 23, sixty US House members cosigned a letter to Secretary Rice, spearheaded by Representative Markey, calling for an explanation of the Ambassador's recall. Earlier, Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA) submitted questions at House International Relations Committee hearings with Secretary Rice. On May 25, Representative Pallone condemned Ambassador Evans' firing, expressing concerns about Turkish Government intervention in the decision. 2) Self-Determination Remains Priority in Karabagh Peace Talks YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Armenpress)--Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said Thursday that he and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov will likely meet this month to discuss the Karabagh peace process after the latest Armenian-Azeri summit failed to produce any results. "If I said that it could happen tomorrow I wouldn't be exaggerating," he said, referring to the meeting. "It could happen very soon, it could happen at the end of this month. Everything depends on the co-chairs [of the OSCE Minsk Group]." Mamedyarov likewise said earlier this week that he is "awaiting news from the co-chairs." The American, French, and Russian mediators have yet to announce their next steps. The failure by Presidents Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to reach any agreements during talks in Bucharest on Sunday and Monday dealt a serious blow to their efforts to settle the Karabagh conflict this year. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Minsk Group insisted that "2006 remains the favorable window" to achieve peace in Karabagh. "That window is still open," agreed Oskanian. "One should not rule out any development." According to Oskanian, the Bucharest talks collapsed over the same stumbling block that precluded a breakthrough in the previous Armenian-Azeri summit held at the Rambouillet castle near Paris on February 10-11. "The issue which the presidents discussed and tried to solve is very complicated indeed," he told a news conference. "This was the same issue which was put before the presidents at Rambouillet. It wasn't solved then and it wasn't solved now either." Oskanian said only that the mediators came up with unspecified "new approaches" to the Karabagh dispute at Bucharest. He said a one-page document on the basic principles of the framework agreement for resolution of the Karabagh conflict that had been put before the Presidents when they met in February in Rambouillet had grown to become a 2.5 page document in Bucharest, "but unfortunately the Presidents' meeting did not mark a breakthrough." He also said Azerbaijan's recognition of the Karabagh Armenians' right to self-determination is a key condition for a peaceful settlement. Aliyev maintains, however, that he will never agree to Karabagh's secession from Azerbaijan. Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian indicated on Wednesday he believes this was the main reason for the Bucharest fiasco. He warned that Baku is "losing its chance to resolve the Karabagh conflict by peaceful means." A senior aide to Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian said that he is not surprised with the outcome of the Bucharest talks. "The parties' positions on the issue are still very different," Arman Melikian said. "Azerbaijan must recognize the Nagorno Karabagh Republic. But it shows no signs of taking positive steps in that direction," he said. Oskanian, meanwhile, confirmed that his talks with Mamedyarov should clarify whether it would make sense for Aliyev and Kocharian to meet again later this year. "I really don't know [if the two presidents will meet in 2006]," he said. "We left Bucharest without agreeing on when the next meeting will take place. The only agreement was that if the co-chairs feel the need for a meeting of the Foreign Ministers, the President will have no problem with that." 3) Armenia-Diaspora Forum to Be Held in Yerevan in September YEREVAN (Yerkir/Armenpress)The Third Armenia-Diaspora Forum will be held September 18-20 in Yerevan, said Armenian Foreign Minster Vartan Oskanian at a news conference in Yerevan. Oskanian said Thursday that the event will coincide with the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence. The conference will examine, analyze, assess Armenia's past and current geo-political realities, said the minister. The Foreign Minister also said that challenges created and problems solved in the past 15 years will be discussed. "We have other opportunities now, more potential. Armenia is much stronger now and is able to solve challenges the people and the country face," he emphasized. Oskanian said that the forum will also host a variety of cultural events. "Cultural events will be held within the forum framework. 'One Nation, One Culture' festival and Golden Apricot Third Cinema Festival will be held before the forum," Vartan Oskanian remarked. The forum will open September 18. Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Arkday Ghoukassian, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I of the See of Cilicia will address the forum. Relations between Armenia and the diaspora and prospects for cooperation will be discussed at the session. The second day will focus on exclusively agriculture. The aim of this conference is to rally the resources of the Armenian Government, Armenia's business community, the diaspora, and international organizations to renovate rural infrastructure, facilitate economic development, and create the necessary contemporary conditions rural communities to prosper. A conference titled "New Solutions to Old Problems for a New Nation-State in the 21st Century" will be held on the third final day of the forum. This conference will discuss Armenian identity in the context of globalizationpreservation of language and culture, education, dual citizenship, and repatriation. Oskanian said that by organizing the Armenia-Diaspora Forum, the Armenian Government hopes to utilize the potential of all Armenians to "jointly solve all national problems and create secure conditions for the development and prosperity of the country." The conference is open to all who wish to attend. 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.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 58.08.77, 52.22.38
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.38.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
June 9, 2006
Heritage Case Delayed for Three Days
Yerevan–The hearing of Heritage Party Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian’s case
against defendants Paronian Theater and the government’s Department on State
Property Management (DSPM) reconvened today at the Court of First Instance
of Yerevan’s Central and Nork-Marash communities, Judge Edward Avetisian
presiding. The previous hearing, held on June 1, was postponed a second time
for one week because Aram Ghlechian, the legal representative of defendant
DSPM, had requested a continuance in order to study further the details of
the claims made by Hovannisian.
Opening today’s hearing of the case, Judge Avetisian again presented the
causes of action of the lawsuit, citing that it includes the plaintiff’s
claims against both defendants to remove the unlawful encroachment upon the
right of access, control, and usage of his property, as well as those which
derive under the law by consequence of defendants’ nullification of
contracts. Thereupon, following a brief recess, the judge urged the parties
to settle the matter out of court and so ordered a three-day continuance for
that purpose.
In compliance with the Court’s April 14 injunction against the defendant
theater’s restriction of access to Hovannisian’s premises and property,
bailiffs from the Service for Mandatory Execution of Judicial Acts (SMEJA)
of the Ministry of Justice had reopened the Heritage Party headquarters on
May 29. During the inspection of the latter it became clear that on March 8,
exactly four days after the main office was put under lock and further
access to it was blocked, someone had gained entry to the main computer
where all information regarding the party, its membership and activities is
maintained. With a call for an official investigation sent to the chief of
police and attorney general regarding this second break-in at his
headquarters, Hovannisian demanded that this incident be investigated
thoroughly and its architects be brought to justice.
This, however, did not complete the saga. The SMEJA officials returned to
Heritage’s office the same day, on May 29, commanding that the staff vacate
the premises in order that the outside door, which had been unlocked by the
very same officials just six hours before and in compliance with the ruling
of the Court, be resealed. And this unlawful demand became a reality the
next day, on May 30, when SMEJA bailiffs forcibly vacated the premises,
evicting Hovannisian and his staff from the headquarters. All office doors,
external and internal, were then sealed.
Hovannisian then filed a new suit against the SMEJA bailiffs and their
supervisors “of all kinds,” demanding the immediate removal of their seals
from his office doors and urging their criminal prosecution by the attorney
general. The Heritage Party chairman also sent a letter to Armenia’s
ombudsman, asking for the latter’s assistance in the restoration of his
violated civil rights.
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central headquarters are located at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street, Yerevan 0010,
Armenia, with telephone contact at (374-10) 580.877, fax at (374-10)
543.897, and email at [email protected]