ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF KAZAKHSTAN IN ASTANA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 1 2006
ASTANA, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian is on a two-day official visit to the Republic of
Kazakhstan on June 1-2. During a meeting with the Foreign Minister
of Kazakhstan Kasimzhomart Tokayev on June 1, the sides discussed
a number of issues of bilateral and international importance. The
meeting participants stated their satisfaction at the current
level of political relations between the two countries. They
expressed mutual interest in further extension of economic
cooperation, which is promoted by activities of the Armenian-Kazakh
intergovernmental economic commission, as well as by the legal field
formed and the absence of political disagreements between Armenia
and Kazakhstan. Minister Oskanian attached importance to meetings
of Armenian and Kazakh businessmen and to cultural events in both
coutries in terms of activization of bilateral trade and economic
links and offering the two peoples an opportunity to know each other
better. The ministers pointed out the importance of mutually beneficial
cooperation within the framework of the CIS, Collective Security
Treaty Organization (CSTO) and Eurasian Economic Cooperation, as well
as various international organizations. The meeting participants
paid special attention to energy and transport problems. In this
connection Minister Tokayev presented Kazakhstan’s position on the
issue of the country’s involvement in a number of regional programs,
particularly in Caspian regional projects. Taking into account the
fact that Kazakhstan intends to hold the OSCE Chairmanship in 2009,
V. Oskanian presented to the Kazakh foreign minister the recent
developments of Karabakh conflict’s peaceful settlement. At the
conclusion of the meeting, Minister Oskanian invited his Kazakh
counterpart to pay a visit to Armenia at a time suitable for him. On
the same day, the Armenian foreign minister had a meeting with the
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and made a speech before
students of the Institute of Diplomacy. According to the RA MFA Press
and Information Department, Minister Oskanian will meet with members
of the Armenian community in Almaty on June 2, after which he will
return to Armenia.

ARMENIAN THEMES NOT COMPULSORY FOR TAKING PART IN GOLDEN APRICOT FESTIVAL’S “ARMENIAN PANORAMA” CONTEST PROGRAM
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Like the previous
years, works by Armenian film directors living in different countries
will compete in the Golden Apricot (Voske Tsiran) Yerevan Third
International Film Festival’s “Armenian Panorama” contest program. As
cinema critic Mikael Stamboltsian, Director of festival programs,
mentioned in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent, though
the compulsory condition for taking part in the program is being
Armenian, they are free in the issue of choosing themes. “In the
creative respect the subject’s being Armenian becomes senseless as
for the spectator the most important is the film’s quality and not
the director’s origin or the circumstance of his being an Armenian,”
M.Stamboltsian emphasized. The Director of festival programs did not
give any comment or estimation on the selected films. He just said
that in the creative respect the films do not essentially differ from
the works presented in the previous years: “There are succeeded and
interesting films, there is also the opposite. Everything will be
cleared up after the festival.” M.Stamboltsian said that 25 films,
from Canada, USA, France, Holland, Russia, Serbia and Armenia will
compete in the three nominations of this program. One film, “Wedding
Box,” is a joint Russian-Kyrghyzian-German-French production. Its
scenario was written by Yekaterina Trdatova from Moscow.

YOUTH UNION OF ARARAT DIOCESE TO DISCUSS STATE OF MONUMENTS IN ARMENIA AND BEYOND ITS BOUNDARIES
Noyan Tapan
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 2, the members of the Youth Union
of the Ararat Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church will discuss
the subject “State of the Armenian Historic Monuments in RA and Beyond
Its Boundaries.” As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Diocese’s Press
Service, the guests of the event will be archimandrite Hovakim Manukian
and employee of the Institute of Political Studies under RA President’s
Administration, candidate of historical sciences Hayk Demoyan.

FAMOUS SPANISH DIRECTOR PEDRO ALMODOVAR’S “RETURN” FILM INVOLVED IN COMPETITION PROGRAM OF “GOLDEN APRICOT” FESTIVAL AS WELL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 1 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. 11 full-length films
created in 2004-2006, among them films of such famous directors as
Pedro Almodovar from Spain, Hou Hsiao-Hsien from Taiwan, Robert
Gudiguian from France, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad from Iran, Krzsystof
Zanussi from Poland, Aleksei German Junior from Russia and others
are, are involved in the competition of the feature films of the
“Golden Apricot” (Voske Tsiran) Yerevan International Third Film
Festival. As Mikayel Stamboltsian, the Director of the festival
programs informed at the May 31 press conference, most part of the
chosen films already got prizes at the best festivals of the world,
including Spanish famous director Pedro Almodovar’s “Return” film
which was recently awarded at the Cannes festival two prizes: the
best director’s work and the best woman performance.
M.Stamboltsian also mentioned that Pedro Almodovar is also invited
to the festival and in most probability, will arrive in Yerevan. The
Director of the festival programs informed that the competition program
of documentary films is still being formed, as there are so many and
various presented films that the selecting commission was not able
to watch them within the fixed term.
M.Stamboltsian mentioned that the number of applications of the “Golden
Apricot” Yerevan International Film Festival has considerably added
this year what proves the festival’s getting wider recognition in the
world. Creators of 58 countries presented 280 films 92 of which were
selected for competition and extra-competition programs.

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <; ARMENIAN SUPPORTERS AND ACTIVISTS GATHER IN NEW YORK CITY TO COMMEMORATE THE 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE - Video Clips of Elected Officials' Remarks Posted at Irving, TX - On Sunday, April 23, 2006, despite the rainy weather, nearly one thousand activists gathered in New York City to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This event, which was cosponsored by ARMENPAC, the Knights of Vartan, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian General Benevolent Union, was the only pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program that received the full support of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Numerous diplomats and dignitaries attended this pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program in New York City, which included remarks from a number of prominent political, religious and community leaders. ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah received a standing ovation following her heartfelt remarks calling for stronger efforts to unify the Armenian-American community in order to accomplish what is in the best interests of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, and the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. The Executive Directors of the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America were also featured speakers during the program. Members of the United States Congress that participated in this pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program included Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), as well as Representatives Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Also featured in this program were remarks from prominent state elected officials, including New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, New Jersey Assemblywoman Joan M. Voss (D-LD 38) and New York State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. The speeches of these elected officials reflected a high level of dedication and support for the Armenian cause and the Armenian community. "The fact that so many elected officials supported and participated in this pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program outside of our nation's capitol is a testament to the growing support of the pan-Armenian-American community and its issues, as well as the clout which ARMENPAC has amassed among decision makers within and beyond the Washington, D.C. beltway," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian. Many of the speakers' presentations highlighted the current legislative initiatives pending in the United States Congress that relate to Armenia; namely the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolutions (H.Res.316 and S.Res.320) and the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act (H.R.3361 and S.2461). Especially engaging were the remarks made by New Jersey Assemblywoman Joan M. Voss (D-LD 38), who is a former history teacher that taught her students about the fact of the Armenian Genocide before it was a part of the State's curriculum. Assemblywoman Voss is a leader in the New Jersey Legislature on Armenian-related issues and has continually introduced resolutions in the State Assembly to commemorate the Genocide. It is important to note that New Jersey occupies a leading "best practices" position on Genocide education nationally, which is directly attributable to Assemblywoman Voss' efforts as Vice-Chair of the Education Committee in the New Jersey State Assembly. A number of high-level elected officials who were not able to attend this pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program, issued letters expressing their support of the event and the genocide issue, including: Senators George Allan (R-VA), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), as well as Representatives Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY), in addition to former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Proclamations in support of this pan-Armenian event and the Armenian Genocide were also issued by New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. These statements, as well as video clips of the elected officials' remarks, can be viewed on the ARMENPAC website at "The pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration program in New York City truly highlighted the impact of the Armenian Genocide, and the importance of its recognition, not only to Armenians within the Diaspora, but also to the citizens of the United States. Unfortunately, despite foreign and domestic political initiatives supporting the Armenian Genocide, United States President George W. Bush yet again failed to honor his campaign promise to appropriately recognize the Armenian Genocide in his annual remarks on April 24," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah. "With time, the Armenian cause will prevail, and the governments of the United States, as well as Turkey, will appropriately recognize the Armenian Genocide. However, until that day comes, we must continue to advocate for recognition as one pan-Armenian-American community unified in strength and purpose." ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee with a nationwide membership. ARMENPAC raises awareness of, and advocates for, policies that help create peace, security and stability in the Caucasus region. ARMENPAC provides financial support to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees and organizations that actively support issues of importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC, please call (877) 286-1046 or visit our website. ###

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]
June 1, 2006
Dedication of the National Bureau of Expertises
On June 1, 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the Government of the
Republic of Armenia will dedicate the first building of the National Bureau
of Expertises, a State Non-Commercial Organization which was renovated with
U.S. Government assistance. U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans will officially
transfer the facility to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia
Aghvan Hovsepyan.
The U.S. Government invested over $345,000 to complete renovations of the
facility through the U.S. Embassy´s International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs Office. The first phase of the renovations began in
March 2005 and was funded by the Armenian Government.
The National Bureau of Expertises is a forensic laboratory intended for the
use of all law enforcement entities of the Republic of Armenia. It operates
under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
The lab sections that will occupy the newly renovated building include
Questioned Documents, Firearms and Toolmarks, Fingerprints, Arson and
Explosives, Drug Analysis, Trace Analysis, and Toxicology Units. The U.S.
Government will provide training and equipment in all of these areas of
forensic analysis. The building is equipped with an elaborate security
system, which will ensure controlled access to the laboratories and the
security of the evidence. This laboratory will facilitate the criminal
investigative process.
A project to renovate the adjacent building for the lab is in the planning
stages. Among other units to be housed in the second building will be a DNA
Analysis Section.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
<; PRESS RELEASE 01-06-2006 Minister Oskanian Visits Kazakhstan Minister Oskanian is in the Republic of Kazakhstan on a two-day official visit. On June 1, Minister Oskanian met with Kazakhstan¹s Foreign Minister, Kasymzhomart Tokayev in Astana. During the meeting, the two discussed a number of issues of bilateral and international importance. They both expressed their satisfaction with the level of political relations between the two countries, and expressed interest in deepening economic cooperation. In this regard, the Armenian-Kazakh Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, as well as the existence of legal documentation and absence of political disagreement between the two countries contribute greatly to this cooperation, they said. For activating trade and economic relations, Minister Oskanian attached importance to organizing meetings between businessmen and hosting cultural events in Armenia and Kazakhstan. Further, the colleagues stressed the importance of mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the framework of CIS, CSTO and Eurasian economic cooperation organization, as well as international organizations. They focused especially on energy and transport issues. In this regard, Minister Tokayev presented Kazakhstan¹s position on his country¹s involvement in a number of regional programs, specifically in Caspian projects. Taking into account the fact that Kazakhstan is aspiring to take over the chairmanship of the OSCE in 2009, the Armenian Minister detailed for his counterpart the latest developments of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. Toward the end of the meeting, Minister Oskanian invited Minister Tokayev to pay an official visit to Armenia. The same day, the Armenian Minister met with Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic, and addressed students of the Diplomacy Institute. On June 2, in Almaty, the Minister will meet with representatives of the Armenian community of Kazakhstan, after which he will return to Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IS INVITED AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT
AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN USA
His Holiness is invited as a keynote speaker at a conference entitled
“Faith and Health” that will take place at the University of Notre Dame from
December 3-5 2006. It is sponsored by the departments of Psychology and
Theology of Notre Dame as well as the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The conference represents a conversation between disciplines that have
developed individual perspectives on faith and health but have only recently
begun to integrate them. Hence, the main thrust of the conference will be to
bring scholars from theology, medicine, and psychology together in a way
that will allow them to not only present information from their respective
disciplines but also to integrate that information in order to set a new
agenda for the field of faith and health.
Because of the broad base of knowledge that will be presented at the
conference, the information presented will be of value to people from a wide
variety of professions and stages in career development. Thus, undergraduate
and graduate students, scholars, health care professionals, therapists and
people serving in ministry will find the material presented relevant.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE
ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION OF RUSSIAN ARMENIANS
The Union of Armenians of Russia held its third assembly in Moscow on May
25. Union president Ara Abramian and the president of Nagorno Karabakh,
Argati Ghougassian attended the assembly.
Following the union’s invitation to the Catholicosate of Cilicia, His
Holiness Aram I appointed Bishop Khoren Doghramadjian, the Prelate of the
Prelacy of Greece to represent the Catholicosate at the assembly.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Bishop Doghramadjian visited the Armenian
Church and Prelacy of Moscow where he met with the Primate of the Diocese of
New Nakhitchevan and Russia, Bishop Yezras Nersesian. The two primates
visited the new Armenian church and education center that are still under
construction.
During the opening session of the assembly on May 25, Bishop Khoren read the
blessing letter of the Pontiff that was addressed to Abramian and the more
than 250 attendants at the conference.
The Bishop conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of the Catholicos to
President Argadi Ghougassian and a number of intellectuals who highly
commended the Pontiff’s activeness particularly in the cultural field and
his interest in intellectuals.
At the end of the conference, Abramian invited all the attendants to lunch.
Bishop Khoren once again grabbed the opportunity to convey His Holiness’
warm greetings to all. He then had an interview with Roupen Hairabedian, a
journalist from “Azg” Armenian Daily.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
7 Vazgen Sargsian Street
Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 58.08.77, 52.22.38
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.38.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
June 1, 2006
Heritage Headquarters Still Bolted: Court Case Delayed Again
Yerevan–The hearing of Heritage Party Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian’s case
against the administration of the Paronian Theater reconvened today at the
Court of First Instance of Yerevan’s Central and Nork-Marash communities. It
was again presided over by Judge Edward Avetisian. The defendant had not
appeared at, but had sent written objections to the previous hearing on May
19, in response to which Vahagn Grigorian, Raffi Hovannisian’s attorney,
moved to bring additional causes of action against the theater’s management
as well as against the Department on State Property Management (DSPM) of the
government. The Court, taking all submissions into account, had continued
the trial until June 1.
Opening today’s hearing of the case, Judge Avetisian presented the
particulars 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 defendant’s nullification of contracts.
Prior to the examination of the case, Grigorian submitted a petition
demanding that the lead defendant Paronian Theater, which was being
represented by its director Karapet Shahbazian, submit to the Court original
copies of the lease, payments made thereunder, and all other documents
pertaining to the space long rented by Raffi Hovannisian. These records are
now “locked and sealed” behind the doors and windows of the premises located
at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street.
Interrupting Grigorian’s argument in support of his motion, Aram Ghlechian,
the legal representative of defendant DSPM, requested a continuance in order
to study further the details of the claims made by Hovannisian.
The Court granted Ghlechian’s petition and ordered a one-week postponement
of the case.
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]