YEREVAN COGNAC DISTILLERY SUSPENDS COGNAC EXPORTS TO RUSSIA

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
March 27, 2006 Monday 5:29 PM MSK

The Yerevan Cognac Distillery (EKZ), Armenia’s largest exporter of
alcohol products, has temporarily suspended shipments of cognac to
Russia, the EKZ press service told Interfax.

The suspension is due to the introduction of new excise stamps in
Russia starting April 1, an EKZ representative said. The press service
said this is only a temporary technical problem and EKZ will resume
cognac exports to Russia as soon as the company receives new stamps.

Armenian Wine-Makers Union chairman Avag Arutyunian told Interfax
that, of the 31 producers of alcohol products in Armenia, 26 of them
handle exports, which are mainly comprised of cognac and are primarily
shipped to Russia.

Armenian alcohol exporters have not been exporting products to Russia
for two weeks and have not been taking new orders since they have
been unable to attain the new stamps, he said. Russia has informed
Armenian exporters that the stamps will not be ready for at least a
month, he said.

Exports of Armenian cognac increased 250% to 9.078 million liters in
2005 from 2.591 million liters in 2004. The Yerevan Cognac Distillery
accounts for almost half of cognac output in the country.

France’s Pernod Ricard acquired the Yerevan Cognac Distillery for $30
million in May 1999. Its trademarks are registered in 48 countries
and its products are sold in 25 countries.

DENIZ BAYKAL: TURKISH RULING PARTY ALIKE MASONIC LODGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The ruling party of Turkey is like Masonic lodge,
secretary general of the Republican People’s Party, parliament member
Deniz Baykal stated at a briefing. “The Justice and Development party
resembles Masonic lodge. Party fellows settle their relations line
Masons, they show an original manner of solidarity, and the party
regulations base on specific inter-party laws. The party members
divided the Turkish laws in two parts – for themselves and for the
others. Such policy will inevitably have serious consequences,”
Baykal noted, reported Turkish media.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONDEMNATION OF DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN KHACHKARS ECHOES FROM RUSSIA
By Ruzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily
28/03/2006

On March 17-19, within the framework of the Days of Armenian Culture
in Russia the Armenian embassy to Moscow organized discussions on the
history and culture of Nakhijevan as well as on ways of condemnation
of the destruction of Armenian khachkars.

On March 17, “Nakhijevan – Witnesses of Culture and History” photo
exhibition of eminent armenlogist and specialist in the history of
Nakhijevan, Argam Ayvazian, opened. The film “The Stolen Melody:
Jugha” of the author’s “Destroyed Armenia” film series was shown
at the cultural center of the Union of Armenians of Russia. A
round table with the participation of Armenian organizations,
Russian intelligentsia, scientists and mass media representatives
was staged on March 19. After the discussions an application was
composed for the Russian president, government, State Duma, Russian
Church and political and non-governmental organizations. “We condemn
the destruction of Armenian historic-cultural monuments of Old Jugha
by Azeri authorities in 1998-2006. Today, when the Armenian and Azeri
sides are seeking for a regulation to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
official Baku shamelessly has completed the last stage of vandalism
in Nakhijevan by destructing more than 27.000 Armenian monuments.”

“We inform with resentment that Azerbaijan continues its policy
of distortion of historic facts of Russia, Armenia and the whole
Caucasian region disclosing the truth from its own people and the
world community. All these contradict to the UN Declaration of 1948
on cultural and historic heritage. We call for state and non-profit
organizations of Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church, mass media to
condemn the aforesaid acts of vandalism as well as to demand the Azeri
authorities follow undertaken obligations and international regulations
for protecting other nations’ historic and cultural heritage.”

ANCA SHARPLY CRITICIZED TURKEY’S LOBBYIST

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s top Washington, DC lobbyist, former
Louisiana Congressman Bob Livingston, in perhaps his most strident
attack to date, has accused Armenian Americans of seeking to impose a
“tyranny of the minority” by urging the Congress to adopt human rights
legislation concerning the Armenian Genocide, according to documents
obtained this week by the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).”It’s truly the height of hypocrisy for a paid foreign agent
for Turkey – a government that violates the rights of its citizens
on a wholesale basis – to try to diminish the role that American
citizens play in the formulation of our nation’s foreign policy,”
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

In letters sent to Congressional offices last September, prior
to the House International Relations Committee’s consideration of
Armenian Genocide legislation, Livingston, escalated his rhetoric to
unprecedented levels, arguing, in his capacity as a paid agent of a
foreign government, that he believed the measure “cater[s] to a small
minority of citizens promoting the narrow goals of the minority at
the expense of America’s broader interest.” He went on, in an example
of overstatement rare even by Washington, DC standards, to contend
that Armenian Genocide legislation “is the truest expression of the
tyranny of the minority.” The panel rejected Livingston’s attack,
voting 40 to 7 to approve the legislation.

CSTO GOING TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
is going to expand its activities, head of the information department
Alexander Bazavlyuk informed. In his words, the CSTO is planning
to engage in combating drug traffic, illegal migration, illegal
circulation of finances. The organization also plans to deal with
emergency situations and carries out corresponding exercise.

“Presently the issue is discussed on a normative level. Anyway we will
address it at the nearest session to be held in Minsk this June,”
he noted. When touching upon the number of member states Bazavlyuk
noted that not only the CIS member states but also foreign states
show interest in the CSTO.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS OF U.S. PROTEST AGAINST TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) led a
demonstration of over 2,000 Armenian Americans today outside the
Beverly Hills Hotel during a speech given by Turkish Defense Minister
Vecdi Gonul, a key figure in the Turkish state’s campaign to deny the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
– Western Region (ANCA-WR). Among the thousands of participants in
today’s protest were Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-27) and Burbank Board
of Education President Paul Krekorian. Before inviting Congressman
Sherman to speak, ANCA-WR Board of Directors member Raffi Hamparian
underscored the failure of the US State Department to live up to
American values. “At the same time that the US government is condemning
Belarus for suppressing freedom of expression, the US State Department
is preparing to fire our Ambassador to Armenia for simply telling the
truth about the Armenian Genocide,” said Hamparian. “Congressman Brad
Sherman is not only a friend of the Armenian American community,
he is an ally and a champion of justice and human rights,” said
Hamparian in welcoming Congressman Sherman.

“It is not only those with Armenian heritage who demand that the truth
be recognized. Friends of Turkey should demonstrate that Turkey accept
the Armenian Genocide,” said Congressman Sherman in his remarks to the
crowd. “Where will Turkey be among the family of nations if it does
not recognize the truth? I will work in Congress every day until the
historical truth of the Armenian Genocide is recognized,” he concluded.

Congressman Sherman also commented on Turkey’s failure to provide
access to US military bases in Turkey and necessary passage over its
land and air space during the invasion of Iraq three years ago. “The
casualties stemming from today’s conflict in Iraq are, to some extent,
a direct result of Turkey’s refusal to allow the US-led coalition to
open a northern front,” said Congressman Sherman. In his remarks at
the luncheon, the Defense Minister addressed the issue of Turkey’s
actions during the run-up to the Iraq War. He directly contradicted
the position of his American counterpart, Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld, who has repeatedly said on national television
that Turkey’s refusal to allow US-led coalition forces to open a
northern front has significantly contributed to the strength of the
Iraqi insurgency. “Turkey has supported the US led war on Iraq from
the beginning,” said the Defense Minister. He added that “Turkey
promotes good neighborly relations.” This assertion also stands in
sharp contrast to the actions of the Turkish government, which, on
one hand, blockades and seeks to isolate Armenia, and on the other,
denies the Armenian Genocide and continues to harvest the economic,
demographic, and geopolitical fruits of the genocidal crime it
committed against the Armenian nation nine decades ago.

“Defense Minister Gonul’s remarks are consistent with his government’s
campaign to portray a rosy image of itself – despite the facts on
the ground.

Increasingly, however, the American public is seeing through these
transparent efforts, and looking instead to Turkey’s actual conduct –
such as its blockade of Armenia, abysmal human rights record, attempts
to revise history, and, more broadly, its increasingly antagonistic
relationship with the United States,” said Hamparian after listening
to the Defense Minister’s speech.

Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul’s visit to Southern California, home
to the largest Armenian population in the US, came exactly one month
prior to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24th.

California, which is one of 38 states to have recognized the Armenian
Genocide, last year adopted legislation permanently designating the
week of April 24 as California’s week of remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide. The effort to enact legislation on the Armenian Genocide
was led by state legislators such as Senators Chuck Poochigian
(R-Fresno) and Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco), and signed into law
by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2005. California has also adopted an
education curriculum that includes teaching of the history of the
Armenian Genocide, and the Los Angeles Unified School District is
among many public school systems in the state that continue to train
its teachers on implementing a curriculum that teaches about this
crime against humanity.

PACE RAPPORTEURS TO VISIT ARMENIA IN AUGUST

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ PACE rapporteurs on Armenia Georges Colombier and
Mikko Elo are expected to visit Armenia in August, RA NA Vice-speaker,
head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Tigran Torosian stated at
a news conference today. In his words, the report prepared by the
parliamentarians will be submitted to the PACE Fall Session. The
Vice-speaker noted that Armenia has honored almost all the commitments
to the Council of Europe. Now changes should be introduced into 60
laws according to the reviewed Constitution.

Tigran Torosyan noted that the government has already started the
work. The first draft amendments will be submitted to the RA parliament
at the end of the spring session. The matter specifically concerns
the legislation of the juridical system, relations between the state
and the Armenian Apostolic Church and the local self-government.

HAROUTIUN KHACHATRIAN’S FILM “POET’S RETURN” TO BE SHOWN AT WASHINGTON NATIONAL GALLERY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Film director
Haroutiun Khachatrian’s film “Poet’s Return” will be shown at the
National Gallery of Washington on April 30, within the framework
of the program of Washington “DC Filmfest” international film
festival. Margaret Parsons, Head of the Films Department of the
National Gallery of Washington, first saw the film during the showing
organized at the Rotterdam international film festival, after which
she sent an invitation of showing the film to the film director. As
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed from the Press Service of the
“Golden Apricot” (“Voske Tsiran”) international film festival, every
year the National Gallery of Washington selects works more interesting
in the respect of art for showing.

Numerous noteworthy and modern films have been shown at the “DC
Fimlfest” festival having a history of 17 years. Besides the special
prize of the spectator, this year the festival has also instituted
a new prize, “Capital Focus”.

In 2003, the prizes of the spectator were given to world-famous Chinese
film director Chen Kay Ge, veteran of French film making Costa Gavras,
famous Italian film maker and actor Jacques Perin.

WORLD BANK GRANTS ALLOCATED TO 7 ARMENIAN NGOs

Noyan Tapan
Mar 27 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. 7 Armenian public organizations were
recognized winners on March 24 in the competition of allocating
grants given for implementation of programs directed to civil
participation. As the Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by the
World Bank’s Yerevan Office, the competition is organized jointly
with the World Bank and the Open Society Institute Assistance Fund,
within the framework of the “Armenia Small Grants” program.

Community Financiers Union of Armenia (CFU) allocated a grant for
increasing the level of democracy in a number of communities of the
marzes of Aragatsotn, Ararat. Shirak, Tavush and Syunik by developing
abilities of public participation, “Kamk ev Korov” (will and might)
NGO gave a grant for raising the level of public awarness and
self-organization among those having ear disorders.

“Sisyan Zargatsman Kentron” (Development Center of Sisyan) will show
assistance by a grant to socially needy families and those being
under women’s tutorship of the town of Sisyan, Syunik marz, and
“Krtutian Asparez” (Field of Education) will care needs connected
with social rehabilitation of teachers of more than 500 secondary
schools lost their work in the result of optimalization of schools
in Gyumri. “Hetaqnnogh lragroghneri ynkeraktsutiun” (Association
of Researching Journalist) will secure transparency of the local
authorities’ activity in a number of communities of the marzes of
Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and the sub-region of Goris, and
the “Hraparak” (Square) Social Dialogue, Social Assistance organization
will work out the strategy of overcoming poverty in the community of
Kanaker-Zeytun, Yerevan. “Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor Office”
will use the allocated grant for stimulating the dialogue among
the local authorities and inhabitation of the cottage settlement of
the city of Vanadzor. It was mentioned that the World Bank has been
implemented the program of small grants in Armenia already for eight
years. 41 local NGOs got grant of in total 238 thousand U.S. dollars
during this period of time.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
March 27, 2006

His Holiness Karekin II Defrocks Rev. Fr. Karekin Haroutiunian

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, has issued a Pontifical Order whereby Rev. Fr. Karekin
Haroutiunian has been defrocked for uncanonical actions by violating
his oath of obedience.

As of January 31, 2006, the defrocked clergyman is a member of
the laity and shall be known by his baptismal name of Haroutiun
Haroutiunian.

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