4TH ALL-ARMENIAN YOUTH CONGRESS OPENS IN ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 24, 2006
YEREVAN, July 24. /ARKA/. The 4th all-Armenian youth congress was
opened in Yerevan on July 23. The press service of the “Pan-Armenian
International Youth Center” Fund reports that representatives of
youth organizations from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and
Armenian Diaspora were invited to the congress. The goal of the
congress is contributing to the consolidation of ties between Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabakh and the Diaspora, as well as to youth organizations’
activities and implementation of all-Armenian youth projects.
The congress agenda includes meetings, discussions with statesmen,
political and public figures, as well as formation of task groups and
organization of plenary sessions. The congress has been organized
by the “Pan-Armenian International Youth Center” Fund in association
with the RA Ministry of Education and Science. P.T. -0–

DEFENSE MINISTER’S JOINING RPA NOT AGAINST LAW, ARMENIAN PM STATES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 24, 2006
YEREVAN, July 24. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
does not think that RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan’s admission
to the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) contradicts the Law “On
parties”. “The post of Minister of Defense is a civil, not a military,
post, and, according to the Constitution, the Government is formed
of representatives of political parties,” Margaryan told reporters.
Therefore, it is quite natural that Ministers sympathize with certain
parties or be included in party tickets, and seek government posts.
As to whether Serge Sargsyan’s appointment as Chairman of the
RPA Council will reduce Margaryan’s powers as RPA Chairman, the RA
Premier said that the functions of the persons holding the two posts
are clearly separated. “Council Chairman coordinates the Council’s
work as Vice-Chairman of the party,” Margaryan said.
Margaryan does not think that after filling the post of RPA Council
Chairman Minister Sargsyan will become actual leader of the party.
The RPA has regulations and traditions, and an individual is unable
to dictate his will to several thousand members of the party, most of
them with a wide party experience, Margaryan said. The RPA Chairman
added that Serge Sargsyan’s relations with his and with the party give
no occasion for suppositions of this kind. According to Margaryan,
the RPA has long been cooperating with Serge Sargsyan, who, although
not an RPA member, ranked 2nd in the ticket in the 2003 parliamentary
elections. According to him, this cooperation is supposed to reach
the point of logical decision. “Serge Sargsyan succeeded in clearly
forming its relations with the RPA and was to fill a post adequate
to his potential,” Margaryan said. P.T.

ARMENIA TO SEE BEST ELECTIONS IN 2007
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 24, 2006
YEREVAN, July 24. /ARKA/. Armenia will see the best elections ever
held in 2007, Armenian Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan told
reporters. “I, as Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Council
of the Republican Party of Armenia, will be seeking this,” he said.
He stressed that all the elections held in Armenia until now have been
“good” and met the international standards. “International observers
have always observed that the next elections have been better that
the previous elections,” Sargsyan said. The parliamentary and
presidential elections are to be held in Armenia in 2007 and 2008
respectively. P.T.

ARMENTEL’S SHARES TO BELONG TO RUSSIAN HOLDING SYSTEMA AND
ARMENIAN-INDIAN CONSORTIUM
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 24, 2006
YEREVAN, July 24. /ARKA/. ArmenTel’s shares are to belong to Russian
holding Systema and international consortium established by VTEL
Holdings and Knightsbridge Associates. ComNews reports referring to a
source close to negotiation and tendering processes said the Russian
company would take cable telephone system over while Indian-Armenian
consortium will set control over mobile communication system.
The Russian company Director on Public Relations Irina Potekhina
neither confirmed nor denied the information. She said the tender
results would be announced in the beginning of August. Systema Company
started negotiating on ArmenTel purchase yet in early 2006, before
tender was announced. “Already having arrangement with Greeks, Systema
lobbied its interests at the highest level, in Armenian government,
and secure the same backing in Moscow”, ComNews reports referring to
the source.
OTE Greek Company announced the international tender already knowing
the buyer, ComNews says. More than ten companies, including German
Deutsche Telekom, Norwegian Telenor, Swedish TeliaSonera and Tele2as
well as Russian CBOSS took part in the contest. Vimpelcom, a merger
comprising two companies Emirates Telecommunications Corporation
and Istithmar (one of Russian Synterra co-owner) – took a lead over
its rivals. All the mentioned companies were included in shortlist.
ArmenTel, Armenia Telephone Company, enjoins is the sole Internet
service provider. The company has enjoyed the monopolist right since
1998. The term of enjoying this right expires in 2013. The company
belongs to Greek OTE, who acquired 90% of ArmenTel’s shares in 1997
for $142.47 million. The remaining 10% belong to Armenian government.
ArmenTel served over 328.6 thousand mobile communication subscribers
by late March 2006. The same number of subscribers was served
by K Telecom, the second mobile communication provider. ArmenTel
also provide cable phone services to 600 thousand subscribers. The
company’s earning for 2005 totaled $145.3 million and net profit
$55.9 million. M.V.

California Courier Online, July 27, 2006
1 – Commentary
Israel Asks U.S. Jews to Lobby
For Azerbaijan, Against Armenia
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – San Diego’s St. John
Armenian Church Hosts
Grape Blessing Picnic
3 – Valley PBS-TV Channel 18 Will Air
Chookasian Armenian Concert, Aug. 6
4 – USC Institute of Armenian Studies Appoints
Vatche Mankerian as Program Manager
5 – Publisher Announces New Travel Guide for Armenia
6 – ARS of Western
USA Elects New
Executive Members
****************************************** ********************************
1 – Commentary
Israel Asks U.S. Jews to Lobby
For Azerbaijan, Against Armenia
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
It is common knowledge that Azerbaijan, following Turkey’s footsteps, tries
to use the political clout of Israel and American-Jewish organizations in
Washington, D.C. to counter Armenian interests. Israel obliges the Azeri demands
out of an interest in importing oil and gas from Azerbaijan and exporting
various products, possibly including weapons. Israel also needs access to
Azerbaijan in order to collect intelligence on neighboring Iran.
The details of this close cooperation, more aptly described as “mutual
exploitation,” are not usually made public. The July 10, 2006 issue of The
Jerusalem Report, however, published a 13-page article by Netty C. Gross disclosing
some of the ties between Azerbaijan, Israel and American Jewish organizations.
The Report covered the visit to Baku of “a delegation of Israeli dignitaries
and Russian Jewish functionaries” in mid-May. The article titled, “The Azeri
Triangle,” started with a straightforward statement: “Israel and Diaspora Jewry
are deepening their own links with oil-rich Muslim Azerbaijan and helping the
Azeri regime win friends in Washington.”
Describing “a strong Azerbaijani-American-Israel-Jewish connection=80¦[that]
benefits everyone,” Gross wrote that Israel “is deeply interested in
consolidating its relations” with Azerbaijan. “Israel has seen it in its interest to
encourage U.S. Jews to take up the Azeri cause in the Washington corridors of
power, at the same time reinforcing the notion held by many Azeris and others in
the Third World that the way to Washington leads through Jerusalem.” It is
noteworthy that Gross implicated “U.S. Jews” in carrying out the instructions of
Israel — a foreign power — in the United States to serve the interests of
Azerbaijan.
In addition to its connections in Washington, Gross reported that Israel is
using the services of “rich and influential Russian Jewish businessmen, some
of whom have powerful contacts from the old Soviet days — and who proudly
point out to me that [Pres.] Ilham [Aliyev]’s son-in-law has a Jewish mother and a
Muslim father.”
Gross provided the list of visits made to Azerbaijan earlier this year by
various Jewish individuals and groups: “In recent months, a parade of several
high-level Israeli and Jewish delegations, who have been mobilized to help
Azerbaijani interests in the U.S., passed through Baku=80¦. In early February, a
50-strong delegation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American
Organizations was received by Aliyev. In April, the Azeri president welcomed Israeli
tycoon Lev Leviev=80¦. And in early June, Israeli National Infrastructures Minister
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer arrived in Baku, to explore the idea of purchasing Azeri
oil or gas at some time in the future.=80¦ Underscoring the close tiesbetween the
Russian Jewish machers and the locals, EAJC [Euro-Asian Jewish Congress]
operatives move about Baku’s corridors of power like kings, freely initiating
press conferences and government meetings=80¦.”
Gross gave the details of some of the links between the two countries as
relayed to him by Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Arthur Lenk, a native of New
Jersey: “The weekly Azerbaijani Airlines flights between Tel Aviv and Baku
are packed, and there are Jewish studies programs, with local and Israeli
students and some Israeli faculty, at Baku State University=80¦. Israeli
agro-businesses recently visited Baku for a bilateral trade forum and Israeli technology in
telecommunications and waste management is being used in Azerbaijan. (In the
past, Israelis have had financial interests in, among other things,
Azerbaijan’s second-largest cell phone firm, a hospital project and a turkey farm).”
Gross then disclosed the political connections between Azerbaijan, Israel and
American Jews regarding Armenian issues: “Israel’s main selling point with
Azerbaijan is not Israeli. Rather, it’s the American Jewish lobby, which,
encouraged by Israel, has helped Azerbaijan in Congress. The background to the story
is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict=80¦. A particularly painful sore point is
Section 907, a U.S. congressional amendment to the 1992 Soviet [sic] Freedom
Support Act, aimed at boosting economic and humanitarian aid to all of the 15
emerging former Soviet republics except Azerbaijan. Passed at the urging ofthe
Armenian-American lobby in 1993, when the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was flaring,
907 barred the U.S. from military or other cooperation with Azerbaijan=80¦.
Encouraged by Israel, influential American Jewish groups have since acted on behalf
of Baku as a bulwark against the powerful American-Armenian lobby in Congress
and have tried to get 907 repealed. Since
2002, when the U.S. needed Azeri airspace to reach Afghanistan, the U.S. has
agreed to annual presidential waivers of 907, which lift restrictions.”
Gross then specifically cited Mark Levin, the executive director of the
National Conference on Soviet Jewry, a Washington-based organization that is “a
member of the coalition of Jewish groups that have worked on behalf of
Azerbaijan’s interests on Capitol Hill.” Levin, who traveled to Baku with the
Conference of Presidents in February, told Gross that the organized Jewish community
has “worked closely with the administration to implement the presidential waiver
of 907 in 2002,” and that the coalition “continues to express support on a
regular basis for the waiver.”
Gross quoted Levin as stating that the American-Armenian lobby in Washington
“is very strong and organized, and speaks in a unified voice. On other
political issues, we have partnered with [the Armenians], but when it comesto
Azerbaijan, we are on different sides of the fence.” Levin acknowledged that, on the
whole, American Jewish policymakers feel comfortable in their strong support
of Azerbaijan on the Hill and take their cue from the U.S. and Israel.
Various Azeri officials confirm the value of the Jewish lobby in countering
Armenians: “American Jews have helped us lobby in Washington against the
Armenians and their help is very important. We are very appreciative,” Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Gross. Sheikh Alla Shukur Pasha Zade,
the Spiritual leader of Azerbaijan, is also quoted telling the gathered Jewish
delegation in Baku: “I know that Jewish groups have played a role against the
Armenian lobby in trying to find a positive alternative to the conflict. I
would like to express my gratitude to these groups for lobbying on Azerbaijan’s
behalf.”
Regrettably, Gross misleads his readers by not pointing out that not all
Jews sell out their souls to Azerbaijan or Turkey. As it has been repeatedly
documented in previous columns, many Jewish individuals and organizations in both
Israel and the United States are strong supporters of Armenian issues, despite
the pressures from the government of Israel!
Gross balanced the effusive pro-Azeri comments in his article by including
statements that accuse Azerbaijan’s leaders of “corruption and political
repression.” He referred to critics who said that the cozy relationship between
Israel and Azerbaijan “will unravel just as Israel’s romance with Iran did.” He
quoted Dr. Asim Mollazade, the chairman of an Azeri opposition party, as saying
that the United States, Israel and Jewish Americans would someday be “deeply
disappointed” for supporting the undemocratic and corrupt regime in Azerbaijan.
Gross also pointed out the double standards practiced by Azeri leaders who
present themselves to Jews as being pro-Israeli while distancing themselvesfrom
Israel in front of the Muslim world. He mentioned, for example, the fact that
Israel opened its Embassy in Baku in 1993, and yet Azerbaijan has not opened
its Embassy in Israel in order to appease fellow Muslims. Last month,
Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Countries which
held its annual conference in Baku.
Furthermore, Gross reported that the Jewish community in Azerbaijan has
dwindled from 80,000 to around 10,000 during the past decade. He also pointed out
another telltale sign of potential trouble in “paradise” when he revealed that
“all the Jewish institutions in Baku appear to be protected by armed guards.”
Obviously, Israel is free to establish economic and political ties with any
country, including Turkey and Azerbaijan. American Jewish organizations are
likewise free to send delegations to various countries. But when they agreeto
place their considerable political clout at the services of Azerbaijan or Turkey
against Armenia’s interests, Armenians worldwide then have the perfect right
to expose their sinister arrangements and counter their every move.
******************************************** ******************************
2 – San Diego’s St. John
Armenian Church Hosts
Grape Blessing Picnic
SAN DIEGO – On Sunday, August 20, St. John Garabed Armenian Church of San
Diego will host its Annual Grape Blessing Picnic. Parish Priest Reverend Father
Datev Avak Kahana Tatoulian and the Parish Council invite the public to join
the picnic in the cool atmosphere of Mission Bay.
Enjoy a day of fun and fellowship with delicious Armenian food, music, tavloo
tournament, and games for the children. The picnic will begin at 10 am, the
Blessing of Grapes Service at 11:30 am, and lunch to follow. Lunch Includes:
Lamb Shish Kebab or Chicken Kebab, Pilaf, Salad, Grilled Vegetables, Soft
Drinks, Paklava and Watermelon, all for $15. Kids meal for $5. For more information
call St. John Garabed Armenian Church at (619) 284-7179.
Directions from San Diego: take I-5 North, exit and go left on Sea World
Drive, right on Ingraham, left on Vacation Road… Look for Armenian Church
Picnic Signs!
Directions from Los Angeles and North San Diego County to the picnic grounds
at Vacation Village in East Mission Bay: take I-5 South, exit and go right on
Sea World Drive, right on Ingraham, left on Vacation Road…Look for Armenian
Church Picnic Signs.
************************************************** ***********************
3 – Valley PBS-TV Channel 18 Will Air
Chookasian Armenian Concert, Aug. 6
FRESNO – For the first time, Valley PBS-TV, Channel 18 will broadcast a
two-hour special program on Armenian music, folk dancing, and culture featuring the
“Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble” and the “Zvartnots Armenian Folk Dance
Ensemble from Los Angeles, on Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. The concert was filmed Feb.
24 at California State University, Fresno.
This artistic cultural film will be added to the Fresno PBS film library. A
future project is to have this unique Armenian music and dance film distributed
to all of the major PBS station across California and eventually, the USA.
The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, multiple award winners including
the prestigious “National Gold Medal Award” of Armenia, was featured in a unique
concert on the Satellite Union Stage of C.S.U.F., where the master musicians
performed traditional songs and dances of Armenia. The Chookasian Concert
provided ensemble and solo performances on traditional Armenian folk instruments
used for many centuries.
Composed of the finest conservatory graduate musicians from Armenia and the
United States, the Ensemble is known for their stunning showcase performances
encompassing the full spectrum of Armenian classical and troubadour folk song &
folk dance music. Both the Eastern and Western Armenian musical traditions
are featured in the Ensemble’s authoritative performances of songs dating from
the 16th to the 20th centuries, and Armenian folk dance tunes from as far back
as two millennia.
The PBS film will feature Fresno’s John Chookasian, celebrated Ensemble
director and premier clarinetist, performing in union with musical masters:Barbara
Chookasian, principal vocalist; Vergine Alemian, ‘kanun'(72 stringed lap
harp); Hendrick “Hindo” Avoyan, ‘d’hol, (cylindrical hand drum); Vladimir
Gregorian, ‘kemenche’ (folk violin); Andranik Mouradian, accordion & keyboard; Haig
Nalbandian, ‘dumbeg’ (hour-glass shaped hand drum) & ‘deff’ (large frame drum);
Sarkis Petrossyan, ‘santur’ (126 stringed hammered-dulcimer); Surik on ‘tarr’
& ‘saz’ (lutes); Garen Sarkissian, ‘shvi’ (high-pitched flute); Albert
Vardayan, ‘duduk’ & ‘zurna’ (flutes); and Peter Dorian, guest performer on the ‘oud’
(fretless lute).
Also, the evening’s concert line-up features the award-winning, high-energy
“Zvartnots” Armenian Dance Troupe from Los Angeles, under the direction of
Vartan and Armine Aghajanyan. This spirited folk dance troupe mesmerizes audiences
with their beautiful costuming and their incomparable, high energy
performances of traditional and Armenian folk dances, and contemporary dances using
traditional Armenian dance application.
Over the years, the Ensemble has been the recipient of numerous honors, city
proclamations government proclamations and awards.
The CSUF concert program was partially funded by the Bertha and John
Garabedian Charitable Foundation, Dr. & Mrs. Varouj Altebarmakian, Kaiser Permanente
Medical Center, Educational Employees Credit Union, Bruce Barnett and many
other supportive individuals from Fresno, Los Angeles and New Mexico.
For further information, refer to Channel 18 TV (559) 266-1800, the
Chookasian Ensemble website at: <; www.chookasian. com, or call (559) 449-1777. **************************************** ********************************** 4 - USC Institute of Armenian Studies Appoints Vatche Mankerian as Program Manager LOS ANGELES - The USC Institute of Armenian Studies has appointed Vatche Mankerian as the Program Manager of the Institute. He will be in charge of operations of the Institute and will be reporting to the Director of the Institute, Professor R. Hrair Dekmejian. For the past two decades, Mankerian has actively contributed to the cultural life of Los Angeles and its Armenian community. A multifaceted and distinguished artist, pedagogue, lecturer, and author he has performed and lectured on Armenian culture and music in countries around the world. Mankerian earned his Bachelor and Master's degrees from the University of Southern California. A member of the Music Teachers' Association of California, he has been a music educator at some of the leading music schools in Southern California, including the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and Los Angeles Valley College. Mankerian has taught Armenian language, literature and culture for the past several years at various academic institutions such as Glendale Community College and AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. Most recently, he chaired the Armenian Department at Sahag-Mesrob School, and authored three volumes of textbooks titled Armenian Culture. The books are the first Armenian textbooks on the different aspects of Armenian culture, written in Armenian and published inthe United States. These textbooks have been adopted by several Armenian schools in the Los Angeles area because of their conceptual uniqueness and originalityof content. Housed in the USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies serves as a non-partisan center around which the entire Armenian community can rally, regardless of political or religious affiliation. The Institute is a resource center and repository to help preserve the Armenian heritage in America, while providing a home to approximately 1,000 Armenian-American students who attend USC each year. In addition, the Institute will host, coordinate and collaborate on a wide range of academic and professional endeavors concerning Armenia and Armenians in the fields of education, business, technology, science, medicine, history, law, politics, religion, literature, music, dance, arts, architecture, media, theater, cinema and others. Some of the goals of the Institute include establishing endowed scholarships, fellowships, research programs, publication series and lecture series. Upcoming events of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies include an Armenian-American Federal Judges' Forum, which will feature Federal Judges Dickran Tevrizian, Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, and Jacqueline Chooljian. The program is presented in cooperation with the Armenian Bar Association. The Forum will take place on August 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at USC Davidson Conference Center. For further information regarding USC Institute of Armenian Studies' events please contact by phone at 213-821-3943, or e-mail at [email protected]. ********'*************** ************************************************** 5 - Publisher Announces New Travel Guide for Armenia LOS ANGELES - The publisher of Armenia's best-selling travel guide, The Stone Garden Guide: Armenia and Karabagh, announced this week that it will release an all-new Second Edition on September 1st. The new 304-page book will contain updated and expanded information for the 2007-08 tourist seasons and will feature 27 color maps and 135 color photographs-nearly twice as many images as in the current edition. The Stone Garden Guide is the most trusted, comprehensive, and up-to-date source of travel information available for Armenia and Karabagh. The highly acclaimed current edition was Award Finalist for Best Travel Guide by the Independent Publishers Association and was the best-selling guide to Armenia for two consecutive years according to independent booksellers in the US and Armenia. Co-authors Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian have each spent more than a decade living and working in Armenia while researching and writing this and previous editions of the book. Karanian is an attorney. Kurkjian is a scientist. They are both professional photographers and writers, as well. The book is available for pre-order directly from the publisher, for $24.95 plus $4.95 shipping. Free shipping is offered on pre-orders that are postmarked before September 1. California residents please add $2.05 sales tax. Check to: Stone Garden Productions; PO Box 7758; Northridge, CA 91327. For larger orders call 1-888-266-7331. ********************************** **************************************** 6 - ARS of Western USA Elects New Executive Members GLENDALE - The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA's 86th Regional Convention took place at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier, Calif., from July 13 to 16. The Convention elected the following member for a two-year term on the Regional Executive: Sonia Peltekian, Seda Khojayan, Sona Bostanian and Nvart Mooradian. The Regional Executive members whose two-year term ended were: Angela Savoian, Rita Hintlian, Nanik Kupelian and Maral Nashalian-Arsenian. Regional Executive members who will continue to serve for another year are: Karine Barikian-Setian, Rose Altounian, Kristine Keshishian, Hourig Aintablian and Adrine Postoyan. **************************************** ********************************** The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required tover

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
24 July 2006
SAFE ARRIVAL HOME FOR SYDNEY-BASED DANCE GROUP
Sydney, Australia – The last of the 80 plus group of the Hamazkaine Sevan
Dance Group caught up in the bombings in Lebanon touched down in Sydney on
Saturday evening after a harrowing ordeal.
The 45 person dance troupe, mostly made up of teenage youth, with their
minders had been on a concert tour of Armenia, Syria and Lebanon and were
due to fly out of Beirut the same day the airport was first bombed. The
group was part of the first convoy organised by the Australian Government to
evacuate from Beirut, enduring a 17-hour road trip which saw them enter
Syria through a northern border and onto Amman, Jordan. The evacuation
operation, considered high risk, was kept secret for security reasons until
word was received that the group had arrived safely in Damascus, Syria.
Thereon in, evacuees and their loved ones back home took some comfort as the
group spent anxious but safer days in Amman awaiting a flight back to
Sydney. The group finally made its safe passage in three waves with the
first arrivals on Thursday evening.
His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand joined contingents of family,
friends and concerned community members to welcome the evacuees each day.
As they made their way into the arrivals hall of Sydney International
Airport there was much cheering and overwhelming emotions among the
commotion of ‘welcome home’ banners, balloons, well-wishers and media
frenzy.
As the members of the group arrived, reunited families gathered in the
arrival area altogether to receive the blessing of Archbishop Baliozian,
offering prayers of thanksgiving to the Almighty for guiding the children of
our community back to the safety of their loved ones and homes.
Over the past two weeks, prayer services resonated at the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Holy Resurrection, initially requesting of our Heavenly Father His
guidance in delivering our faithful safely out of the dangers of the
conflict region. On Sunday, prayers of thanksgiving were offered for His
careful delivery of the troupe to Australia as well as prayers for peace to
reign and protection of the thousands of people affected in the region.
In appreciation of the Australian Government’s efforts and vigilant care of
the Armenian dance group in securing their safe passage home, the Primate
sent letters of gratitude to both the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs
Minister of Australia.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
July 24, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
STATE DEPARTMENT MISLED SENATE ON
TURKISH COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT AMB. EVANS
— Signed Statements Contradict State Department’s
Official Denial
— Justice Department Records Reveal Repeated Contacts
by Turkey’s Foreign Agent with the State Department
Concerning Remarks by the Ambassador to Armenia
WASHINGTON, DC – In yet another troubling development concerning
the controversial nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia, Department of Justice records have revealed
that the State Department has misled the U.S. Senate regarding its
communications with the Turkish government concerning the February
2005 public affirmation of the Armenian Genocide by U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia John Marshall Evans, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
In a letter, dated June 28, 2005 written on behalf of Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice to Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), the Ranking
Democrat of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the State
Department denied that the Turkish government had even approached
the Administration on this issue. However, official Foreign Agent
Registration filings by the Turkish government’s registered foreign
agent, the Livingston Group, document that, in the days following
Ambassador Evans’ February 19, 2005 remarks, one of Turkey’s agents
communicated on at least four different occasions with State
Department officials concerning the envoy’s statement and his
subsequent retraction.
“With each new revelation, we see more clearly the corrosive impact
that the Administration’s complicity in Turkey’s denial is having
on our own core values as Americans,” said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. “This latest failed attempt by the State Department to
mislead the Senate adds to the many compelling reasons to block the
confirmation of a new Ambassador to Armenia.”
Consistent with the pattern of unresponsiveness that has come to
characterize the Administration’s actions on the Hoagland
nomination, the only answer the State Department chose to provide
in response to Senator Biden’s four questions was a misleading one.
His other inquiries – including an official request for an
explanation of why Ambassador Evans was being replaced prematurely
– remain unanswered.
On June 23rd, as part of Ambassador Richard Hoagland’s confirmation
process to replace Amb. Evans in Yerevan, Senator Biden wrote a
letter asking Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a series of
questions including the following: “Has the State Department
received any communication – written, electronic, or spoken – from
the Turkish Government concerning Ambassador Evans?”
Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Jeffrey T.
Bergner responded on behalf of Secretary Rice with the following
assertion: “Please be assured that allegations that the U.S. is
removing Ambassador Evans under pressure from the Government of
Turkey are simply untrue. The Government of Turkey has not
approached the Administration on this issue, and the United States
and Turkey engaged in no diplomatic exchanges related to this
matter.”
However, Justice Department filings by the Livingston Group reveal
that a day after Amb. Evans’ statements on the Armenian Genocide
were publicized in an ANCA-San Francisco press release dated
February 24, 2005, a Turkish agent communicated with the State
Department concerning his statements. On February 28, 2005, one
business day after the agent’s first phone call, Ambassador Evans
issued his first public retraction – noting that his mention of the
Armenian Genocide was made in a private capacity. Later that same
day, the Livingston Group reported three additional calls between
one of Turkey’s agents and State Department officials including the
Deputy Chief of Mission-designate at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara to
discuss Ambassador Evans’ retraction. The very next day on March
1, 2005, Ambassador Evans issued a public correction of his
retraction – removing entirely any mention of the Armenian
Genocide.
In addition to the Justice Department filings, several Turkish
press accounts reported that officials of the Government of Turkey
communicated their concerns to the State Department regarding
statements made by Ambassador Evans:
1) Turkish Press
On March 3, 2005, Turkish Press reported that, “Turkey’s Ambassador
in Washington Faruk Logoglu reacted to this. Ambassador Logoglu
reminded his interlocutors in the State Department that the United
States did not recognize ‘Armenian genocide’ noting the expression
in Evans’ apology was unacceptable. Justifying Turkey’s warning,
US State Department made Evans to issue a ‘correction’ for the
apology.” (“Evans Had to Correct His Statement Again After Using
‘Genocide’ in His Apology,” Turkish Press, March 3, 2005)
2) Anadolu News Agency
On March 4, 2005, the Anadolu News Agency reported that, “The
Turkish ambassador to Washington Faruk Logoglu reacted to this
message and the Washington administration approved Turkey’s demand
and made Evans correct the message of apology. Logoglu reminded the
US State Department that the US does not recognize the Armenian
genocide, but the term was used in the message of apology of the US
Yerevan Ambassador. Logoglu noted that a term that is not accepted
by USA could not be used in a statement of policy.” (“Double
Genocide Correction from US Yerevan Ambassador,” Anadolu News
Agency, March 04, 2005)
3) Turkish Daily News
On May 27, 2006, Turkish Daily News reported that, “‘After his
remarks last year that caused reaction at the State Department and
by Turkey, Evans was given a second chance, but he continued to
deviate from the official U.S. policy, working almost as a part of
Armenian groups that have a specific agenda,’ one U.S. analyst
familiar with the matter said on Thursday. ‘As a result he was
recalled.'” (“US Envoy Fired Over ‘Genocide’ Claims,” Turkish Daily
News, May 27, 2006)
The ANCA has circulated relevant sections of the Justice Department
FARA filings to Congressional offices.

KLO protests against conduct of forum in Khankandi
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 24, 2006
Armenia is going to stage ‘Forum of Armenian Youth’ in the occupied
Khankandi city of Azerbaijan on 26 July, the Karabakh Liberation
Organization (KLO) told Trend.
KLO spread statement on next unconstructive step by Armenians. “It
is nothing else than a show for propaganda of the regime of Armenian
separatists. Armenian for the next
time demonstrated the disrespect towards the international law,
resolutions and decision taken by influential international
organizations. We warn the governments of countries which offer
facilities for citizens of Armenian origin to the event that their
position justifies the occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenians
and demonstrates disrespect towards sovereign rights and territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan,” the protest letter underlines.
They also note that the Azerbaijani authorities should take decisive
measures to prevent the Armenians’ insidious plans. The international
organizations ought to offer facilities for conduct of such measures
in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territory. KLO also states it
will include in the agenda a question on cessation of activities of
embassies of countries, which were represented in the event organized
by Armenians in Khankandi.

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 DIOCESES OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA SUPPORT LEBANON
In light of the war situation in Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I issued a
pontifical circular to all the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
asking them to support Lebanon through the Lebanese embassies in their
respective countries and the local leaders of Lebanese Christian and Muslim
communities.
All the dioceses expressed support for Lebanon, calling for an immediate and
full ceasefire and participating in the humanitarian aid efforts through the
Lebanese embassies in their countries, where special committees have been
formed for the provision of medicine, food, clothes and other essential
material to Lebanon.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the 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.

Armenia-made metallic things are on sale in Ganja
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 24, 2006
Individuals buy metallic things made in Armenia during the USSR period.
APA bureau reports that door-to-door traders offer AZN 40 for
nickel-plated legs of beds made in Armenia 30-40 years ago. The
collected bed legs are sold to a certain enterprise in Baku. The
enterprise melts the legs and uses the precious metals in plating
various products. Despite the sudden out of the blue offer, the
population is careful to sell the bed legs. They think that the
nickel-plated bed legs may contain precious metals such as palatine,
gold and silver. A metallic things collector who wanted to be
anonymous told APA that the traders want to cheat the people by
offering AZN 40 for the legs.
“It is not the real cost of the metallic things. It is not true that
the traders sell the collected bed legs to a certain enterprise in
Baku, they melt the things in a local meting shop and separate the
platinum”. Price of metals has fallen in Ganja lately. Copper per
kilo is AZN 2.2, aluminum per kilo is AZN 1.2, yellow metal per kilo
is AZN 1.2, and iron per kilo is 60 kopecks. A metal collector shop
told APA that the price fell as the people don’t sell the metals and
wait to sell when the price is high. /APA/