EU envoy meets president of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR], in
Armenia
Mediamax news agency
8 Apr 06
Yerevan, 8 April: The EU envoy for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby,
met the president of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR], Arkadiy
Gukasyan, in Yerevan today.
“During the meeting the sides expressed their approaches to the recent
developments in the Karabakh settlement process and the possible
intensification of the European Union’s role,” the press service of
the permanent representation of the NKR in Armenia told Mediamax.
Gukasyan noted the importance of maintaining and strengthening the
cease-fire regime and confirmed the need for the Karabakh authorities’
direct involvement in the negotiating process.

Nagornyy Karabakh Republic urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to maintain
cease-fire
Arminfo, Yerevan
8 Apr 06

Stepanakert, 8 April: Cease-fire violations have lately become more
frequent on the contract line between the armed forces of the Nagornyy
Karabakh and Azerbaijan. This results from the lack of a proper
evaluation of bellicose statements made in Azerbaijan at the top
level, the foreign ministry of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR]
said in a statement on 8 April.
The incidents, which have increased casualties on the contract line,
are deepening mutual distrust and can seriously escalate tensions in
the Karabakh conflict zone, which threatens stability in the entire
region, the statement said.
“In this connection, the Nagornyy Karabakh republic confirms its
adherence only to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, as well as
its readiness to implement the sides’ open-ended obligations to
maintain the cease-fire, which is confirmed by the 6 February 1995
agreement signed between the defence ministers of the NKR, Armenia and
Azerbaijan. We call on the two other parties that signed the
agreement, namely Azerbaijan and Armenia, to joint our initiative. We
hope that through joint efforts and with the mediation of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen and other international mediators and
interested sides, it will be possible to confirm our adherence to the
agreement and implement the mechanisms it indicates in order to
localize incidents on the armed forces’ contact line,” the statement
said.
The NKR confirms its position that along with the strict observance of
the cease-fire, other preconditions for a peaceful solution are a
peace process that involves all the parties to the conflict,
confidence-building, the strengthening of democracy and respect for
human rights, the statement said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Armenian Reporter
April 8, 2006
Editorial
A Genocide Documentary That Will Resonate
A few years ago, when “Images of the Armenian Spirit” aired on PBS,
its producer, Andrew Goldberg, made public his intention of making a
documentary specifically devoted to the Armenian Genocide and launched
a campaign to raise the necessary funds to bring that project to
fruition. At the time, members of the American-Armenian community
questioned the desirability, even the necessity of such a documentary,
given the existence of several devoted to said topic. Some even
doubted Goldberg’s qualifications and/or motives, despite his having
already produced two credible documentaries on the Armenians — the
aforementioned one, and its predecessor, “The Armenians: A Story of
Survival.”
A week or so from now, people in practically all parts of the United
States will be able to judge the merits of “The Armenian Genocide” for
themselves. If the reaction of some hundred persons who previewed the
film this Monday evening at the Tribeca Film Center in New York City
is at all indicative, viewers on the night of April 17 will consider
the end product well worth the time, effort and money spent.
“The Armenian Genocide” is a welcome, innovative contribution to the
genre of Armenian Genocide films. Faced with the daunting task of
compressing a topic of epic dimension into the time frame of just one
hour, Goldberg has managed to create as comprehensive and balanced a
story as possible. He has quite seamlessly pieced together
photographs, film footage, interviews, and commentary, which
complement each other to make the parts into a forceful whole.
What makes “The Armenian Genocide” stand out, in particular, is its
inclusion of remarks from Turks — genocide experts living not only in
the West but also in Turkey, who acknowledge the Genocide as
historical fact; ordinary Turkish citizens, who relate what they
remember from their parents and grandparents, as well as “scholars”
and others who continue to refute the Genocide. It would be an
understatement to say that the latter are much less convincing than
the former.
By watching “The Armenian Genocide,” viewers who were previously
unfamiliar with the topic will learn what happened to the Armenian
people in 1915-1923 and why. They will also learn why the denial of
genocide by subsequent Turkish governments down to the present has
prevented the matter from being relegated to the dustbin of history
and, on the contrary, kept it on the front burner.
Two Cats Productions and Andrew Goldberg, in particular, as well as
Oregon Public Broadcasting, deserve our deep thanks and appreciation
for this noteworthy achievement. So do the individuals whose
contributions made it possible. We are buoyed by the realization that
over 90% of America will have access to “The Armenian Genocide” in the
coming days. However, in order for the Armenian Genocide to become
common knowledge among the vast masses of the population of this
country, “The Armenian Genocide” must be given wider exposure, ideally
by being shown and discussed on the major networks, such as ABC, CBS
and NBC.
Making such exposure a reality should be a cause taken up by our
national organizations. In the meantime, we strongly recommend that
all American Armenians watch “The Armenian Genocide” (even those who
think they know the Genocide story will learn something new). Equally,
and perhaps more importantly, they should likewise inform
non-Armenians in their business, professional and personal circles of
this unique opportunity to learn about this 20th-century catastrophe,
the effects of which are still lingering in the 21st.

OSCE Office in Yerevan co-organizes international workshop on education
reform in Armenia

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2006 14:05
An international workshop aiming to help further reform in Armenia’s
education system has attracted more than 80 officials and
international experts from Norway, Serbia, Latvia and Georgia.
Participants in the three-day workshop, organized jointly by the OSCE
Office in Yerevan, the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation,
the British Council and UNICEF, are sharing experiences and best
practices in the field of education policy and management, as well as
education fostering democratic citizenship.
“We appreciate the co-operation with international organizations as
their experience helps us reform the education system in a democratic
manner, which is a strategic goal for the Republic of Armenia” said
Education and Science Minister Sergo Eritsyan.
Jeannette Kloetzer, OSCE Economic and Environmental Officer in
Yerevan, said the OSCE considers environmental education, particularly
of children and youth, crucial.
`Environmental issues should be an integral part of education for
democratic citizenship as fully informed and empowered citizens
benefit democracy, stability and security,’ she said.
She urged participants in the workshop, which ends today, to take
advantage of the National Environmental Information Centres (Aarhus
Centres) established in Yerevan and the Armenian provinces of Syunik,
Tavush and Lori. The centres give the public access to environmental
information.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia recognises the Armenian
Genocide

ArmRadio.am
06.04.2006 12:48
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia unanimously adopted a
Private Member’s Motion 59, recognising the Armenian Genocide and to
designate April 24th of every year as a remembrance day for the 1.5
million Armenians who fell victim to the first genocide of the 20th
Century.
The debate on the Motion, which was sponsored by Member of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA) Adrian Dix (Vancouver-Kingsway), commenced
at 11:00 p.m. and was voted upon at the end of the allotted one hour
according to Private Member’s Motion rules.
MLAs Adrian Dix (Vancouver-Kingsway), Rob Fleming (Victoria-Hillside),
Randy Hawes (Maple Ridge-Mission), Dave S. Hayer (Surrey-Tynehead),
John Horgan (Malahat-Juan De Fuca), Murine Karagianis
(Esquimalt-Metchosin), Leonared Krog (Naniamo), Kevin Krueger
(Kamloops-North Thompson), John Nuraney (Burnaby-Wellingdon), Micheal
Sather (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows), and John Yap
(Richmond-Stevenston) spoke in support of the Motion.
Since last August The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC),
The Armenian National Committee of Canada – West (ANCCW), and The
Armenian National Committee of Vancouver (ANCV), have worked closely
with the MLAs Dix, Hawes, Sather, and Hayer to build non-partisan
support for Motion 59. The ANCC, ANCCW and ANCV delegates had numerous
meetings with various MLAs to brief them on the Motion’s importance as
a universal human rights issue. In addition, the delegates presented
historical overview of the Genocide and supporting documents.
The executive director of The Armenian National Committee of Canada
Aris Babikian, on behalf of the Canadian-Armenian community, thanked
MLAs Adrian Dix and Randy Hawes for their leadership role in the
successful adoption of the Motion. Furthermore, Mr. Babikian thanked
members who spoke in favour of the Motion and the members who voted to
adopt it.
Mr. Babikian said: “This is a historic day for our community in Canada
and in British Columbia. The steadfast support and the unanimous vote
of the MLAs demonstrates once again that the Turkish Government’s
denial policy and rewriting of history will not succeed.

We call upon the Turkish Government to be constructive, to come to
terms with its dark history and to acknowledge its predecessors’ guilt
and extend a hand of atonement and reconciliation to the Armenian
People.”

US Considers Use of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran
Saturday, April 8, 2006
by Agence France Presse ()
The administration of President George W. Bush is planning a massive
bombing campaign against Iran, including use of bunker-buster nuclear
bombs to destroy a key Iranian suspected nuclear weapons facility, The
New Yorker magazine has reported in its April 17 issue.
The article by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh
( 0417fa_fact) said that
Bush and others in the White House have come to view Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential Adolf Hitler.
“That’s the name they’re using,” the report quoted a former senior
intelligence official as saying.
A senior unnamed Pentagon adviser is quoted in the article as saying
that “this White House believes that the only way to solve the problem
is to change the power structure in Iran, and that means war.”
The former intelligence officials depicts planning as “enormous,”
“hectic” and “operational,” Hersh writes.
One former defense official said the military planning was premised on
a belief that “a sustained bombing campaign in Iran will humiliate the
religious leadership and lead the public to rise up and overthrow the
government,” The New Yorker pointed out.
In recent weeks, the president has quietly initiated a series of talks
on plans for Iran with a few key senators and members of the House of
Representatives, including at least one Democrat, the report said.
One of the options under consideration involves the possible use of a
bunker-buster tactical nuclear weapon, such as the B61-11, to insure
the destruction of Iran’s main centrifuge plant at Natanz, Hersh
writes.
But the former senior intelligence official said the attention given
to the nuclear option has created serious misgivings inside the
military, and some officers have talked about resigning after an
attempt to remove the nuclear option from the evolving war plans in
Iran failed, according to the report.
“There are very strong sentiments within the military against
brandishing nuclear weapons against other countries,” the magazine
quotes the Pentagon adviser as saying.
The adviser warned that bombing Iran could provoke “a chain reaction”
of attacks on American facilities and citizens throughout the world
and might also reignite Hezbollah.
“If we go, the southern half of Iraq will light up like a candle,” the
adviser is quoted as telling The New Yorker.

Iran accuses U.S. of waging a “psychological war” against it
15:46|09/ 04/ 2006
TEHERAN, April 9 (RIA Novosti) – Iran on Sunday called “a
psychological war” a report that the U.S. was preparing for possible
military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

A report by influential journalist Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker
magazine said the United States was considering using tactical nuclear
weapons to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

“This is a psychological war launched by Americans because they feel
desperate regarding Iran’s nuclear dossier,” Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

Asefi said the United States was unwilling to solve the Iran nuclear
problem peacefully and was seeking to create a crisis around this
issue.

Concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have been growing since the
Islamic Republic announced its intention to resume nuclear research in
January and the country’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
made a number of controversial remarks, including a call to wipe
Israel “off the face of the map.”

A number of countries have expressed alarm over Iran’s controversial
nuclear programs and have pushed for the UN Security Council to impose
sanctions on the country, as they suspect that Tehran is using its
civilian-energy programs to disguise military projects.

Russia has been at the forefront of efforts to solve the escalating
crisis diplomatically. Moscow has offered to enrich Iranian uranium –
a vital component in both civilian energy and military projects – in
Russia. But Tehran said in March that it would enrich a small amount
of the radioactive substance anyway, an announcement that was greeted
with widespread condemnation.

Iran says pressure will not force it to give up enrichment
14:44|09/ 04/ 2006

TEHERAN, April 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman said Sunday that threats and pressure would not force Iran
to give up its right to peaceful nuclear technologies.

“We don’t believe that threats and pressure, including using the UN
Security Council, will make Iran relinquish its legitimate rights [to
peaceful nuclear energy]. Nuclear research activities are continuing,”
Hamid Reza Asefi said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that Iran was ready
to continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
and hold negotiations with all countries to solve the Iran nuclear
issue.

Asefi made his comments as a team of experts from the international
nuclear watchdog was in Iran inspecting the country’s nuclear
facilities and IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei was expected to visit Iran
next week to discuss cooperation between Tehran and the agency.

Concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have been growing since the
Islamic Republic announced its intention to resume nuclear research in
January and the country’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
made a number of controversial remarks, including a call to wipe
Israel “off the face of the map.”

A number of countries have expressed alarm over Iran’s controversial
nuclear programs and have pushed for the UN Security Council to impose
sanctions on the country, as they suspect that Tehran is using its
civilian-energy programs to disguise military projects.

Russia has been at the forefront of efforts to solve the escalating
crisis diplomatically and as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council could veto measures against Iran. Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov has already questioned the efficacy of sanctions on a number of
occasions.

Moscow has offered to enrich Iranian uranium – a vital component in
both civilian energy and military projects – in Russia. But Tehran
said in March that it would enrich a small amount of the radioactive
substance anyway, an announcement that was greeted with widespread
condemnation.

Is Iran bluffing or not?
20:09|07/ 04/ 2006

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov) — The
world is now discussing the possible use of force by the United States
against Iran.

Many experts said Great Prophet, the latest Iranian military exercise
in the Persian Gulf, highlighted Tehran’s determination based on real
military might. Still, others say Iran was merely bluffing.

The Iranian media reported that the national Armed Forces were testing
unique up-to-date weapons and equipment in the Gulf. Notably, Iran
successfully test-fired a high-speed, maneuverable and heat-seeking
Misaq-1 surface-to-air missile (SAM), as well as a medium-range and
remote-controlled Kowsar surface-to-sea missile, which zeroes in on
its target and which can successfully cope with ECM (Electronic
Counter-Measures) systems. Iran also tested a modern flying boat that
can skim waves at up to 100 knots.

The new Fajr-3 radar-evading ballistic missile and the Hut torpedo,
the Iranian Navy’s fastest underwater weapon with a speed of 100
meters per second, were also launched.

Iran made it clear that it completely controlled the Strait of Hormuz,
through which the Middle East exports 80% of its oil. Tehran also said
it was ready for war, and that any encroachment on its interests in
the Persian Gulf would

meet with a resolute response from the water, from under the water,
from the air, from islands and the coast.

The United States and Israel, which are Tehran’s main opponents,
reacted skeptically to this show of force and said Iran was
deliberately bluffing and over-exaggerating its military potential in
the context of possible UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.

These statements seem logical because six U.S. carrier task forces are
far more powerful than the Iranian Armed Forces. Four of them are
deployed in the Persian Gulf, while two others are plying the southern
Mediterranean. Each carrier task force has 80 to 90 modern warplanes,
compared to the 360 aircraft of the Iranian Air Force. According to
experts, the technical state of 40-60% of these planes leaves much to
be desired.

The Pentagon would therefore easily establish regional air supremacy
over the Persian Gulf, just like it did in the war against Iraq. It
should not be doubted that U.S. warplanes would destroy any
potentially hostile ship in the Strait of Hormuz and deprive Tehran of
its ship-launched Fajr-3 missiles and Hut torpedoes.

Why did Iran hold these war games at a time when it apparently does
not stand a chance against the six U.S. carrier task forces, which
have better personnel and impressive combat cohesion?

Tehran does not seem to be bluffing because it has enough time to
think and to bargain with the UNSC and the United States. Moreover,
Iran could still display its determination to defend uranium
enrichment rights within its nuclear program.

Experts say the United States will not attack Iran before September,
if it sums up resolve to do so. General James L. Jones, Supreme Allied
Commander Europe, said the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) would establish complete control over Afghanistan this August,
rather than in October-November 2006. The United States will not
declare war on Iran, unless it makes sure that Afghanistan is secured.

On the other hand, Washington should not delay the Iranian operation
in the context of the congressional election this
November. Consequently, September – October seem like an optimal
deadline for attacking Iran.

Iran therefore has enough time to display its determination and to
accomplish several objectives. For instance, it could try to persuade
the international community that Washington’s efforts aiming to force
Tehran to renounce its right to uranium enrichment operations are both
dangerous and unjustified. Iran could also try to convince the UNSC
that its nuclear file should be returned to the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). And, finally, Iran, which unequivocally wants to
be a leading Mideastern power, could make Washington nervous and show
that the United States is not omnipotent. It seems that Tehran will
not give up its positions without a fight and that it will try to
force Washington to heed its interests.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tehran ‘lobbies’ for US talks
By Guy Dinmore in Washington

FT
April 7 2006 03:00
Iran has prepared a high-level delegation to hold talks with the US,
but the Bush administration, which insists negotiations be limited to
the subject of Iraq, is resisting a wide-ranging agenda, Iranian
politicians have told the Financial Times.
A senior Iranian official, Mohammad Nahavandian, has flown to
Washington to “lobby” over the issue, according to a top Iranian
adviser outside the US.
However, the Iranian mission to the United Nations said he was in
Washington on private business.
Iran’s willingness to engage the US on Iraq, regional security and its
nuclear programmes is believed to have the approval of the supreme
leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It represents the most serious attempt
by the Islamic republic to reach out to the US since the 1979 Islamic
revolution.
“There are none and none are scheduled,” Stephen Hadley, national
security adviser, was quoted by a spokesman as saying about the
prospect of talks with the Iranian delegation in Baghdad next week.
A senior Iranian adviser said the Iranian delegation was headed by Ali
Hossein-Tash, the main deputy to Ali Larijani who is secretary of the
Supreme National Security Council and the chief official dealing with
the nuclear issue.
Three other negotiators, all attached to the council, include a deputy
intelligence minister who was previously based in Baghdad, a former
Revolutionary Guards member and Kurdish expert, and a political
specialist.
Mr Nahavandian, a deputy for economic affairs to Mr Larijani, is in
Washington, several Iranian sources told the FT, revealing the rare
presence of a senior Iranian in the US capital. White House and State
Department officials denied all knowledge of his presence.
The Bush administration is resisting pressure from its European allies
to engage Iran directly over its alleged nuclear weapons programme
rather than leave negotiations to the EU3 of France, Germany and the
UK. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German foreign minister, raised this
with Mr Hadley this week, and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is
understood to have spoken about it with President George W. Bush.
Javad Zarif, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, stressed
Iran’s willingness to talk in an opinion piece published by the New
York Times yesterday. He denied US claims that Iran had a covert
nuclear weapons programme and said Iran was ready for intrusive
international inspections.
“Pressure and threats do not resolve problems. Finding solutions
requires political will and a readiness to engage in serious
negotiations. Iran is ready.
We hope the rest of the world will join us,” he said.
One US insider suggested the Bush administration might agree to
broaden the agenda after an initial meeting restricted to Iraq. The US
offer of talks about Iraq was made several months ago by Zalmay
Khalilzad, US ambassador to Baghdad.
Meanwhile, the US rhetoric is sounding progressively tougher. Nicholas
Burns, under-secretary of state, yesterday accused Iran of being
“expansionist”, “a central banker of terrorism” and directing attacks
on US citizens. Last week, the UN Security Council issued a mildly
worded presidential statement calling on Iran to resume its suspension
of fuel cycle development.
Russia blocked tougher language. John Bolton, US ambassador to the UN,
said yesterday the next step was to pass a legally binding “chapter
seven” resolution requiring Iran to suspend its nuclear programme.
Additional reporting by Negar Roshanzamir in Tehran
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress