ARMENIA HAS NOT RECOGGNIZED THE GREEK GENOCIDE
A1+
[04:16 pm] 19 May, 2006
In 1922 the Turks killed about 300 thousand Greeks but Armenia has
not yet recognized the Genocide which causes the confusion of the
Greeks living in Armenia.
The Greek Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Armenia
refused to speak about the non-recognition of Armenia of the Greek
Genocide. Ambassador Panayota Mavromikhali mentioned that the question
must be given to the Armenian Parliament. As for the Armenian Genocide,
he said, “History is a fact which cannot be erased. Genocide is a
fact and the only thing we can do is to speak about it loudly and
struggle so that it won’t be repeated again.”
Head of the Greek community in Yerevan Frontik Nikolaidi thinks that
in case of uniting the Armenians and the Greeks can be a power against
the denying policy of Turkey. “We have had the same history. Both the
nations have suffered from the blood-thirsty Turkish yataghan. So
every year on May 19 we come to Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to
the victims.”
According to Nikolaidi there are about 1800 Greeks in Yerevan,
and about four thousand in the whole republic. Many of them came to
Tsitsernakaberd today together with the staff of the Embassy.

“HAMAZKAINE” EXPLAINS
A1+
[05:20 pm] 19 May, 2006
Today we received an explaining letter from “Hamazkaine” in connection
with a Monday issue on our website. The issue read: “A1” received
a letter from the Greek information agency “Hayastan” which on
behalf of part of the Armenian community living in Greece complains
of the activity of Vahram Kazhoyan, RA Ambassador extraordinary and
plenipotentiary to Greece. According to the agency, “because of him the
Armenians in Greece live in a tense atmosphere”. The letter explains
that the reason of the tense atmosphere is that Andre who represents
Armenia in the music compeititon EUROVISION 2006 is used for agitation
for “Hamazkaine” with the support of Ambassador Kazhoyan.”
The letter reads: “The information which appeared on the A1+ Armenian
Channel website, on May 15, 2006 relative the activities of the
representative of Armenia in the music competition EUROVISION 2006,
Andre, carries great inaccuracies and wrong accusations.
Upon the acceptance of an Armenian participation to the EUROVISION
2006 contest in Athens, the Regional Commitee of Hamazkaine Cultural
Association in Greece took the initiative to contact the Armenian
Participation Commitee to offer its support and assistance for the
promotion of the Armenian singer Andre, representing Armenia. In
this respect a concert was organised in Athens on the 14th of May
2006. Andre and other performers from Armenia took part to this concert
which was organised by “Hamazkaine” under the auspices of the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia in Greece with the coordination of the
Armenian Participation Commitee.
More than 3000 spectators, mostly of Armenian descend, were present
to this event, coming from Athens and different regions, and from all
segments of the Armenian community in Greece, without any distinction.
“Hamazkaine” is a cultural association active in the Armenian diaspora
since its foundation in 1928 and has proved during its history that
it does not allow itself to limit its activities to members of one
segment, or members of one party or another. The accusation from the
so called “Hayastan” Information Agency, that Andre participates to
the events held for the members of ARF (Dashnaktsutyun) party only,
does not correspond absolutely to the truth.
The allegation that Andre is isolated from the local Armenian Community
does not correspond to the truth as well, the biggest proof being
the unprecedented Armenian participation to the concert on May 14,
which would have been impossible without the presence of Armenians
from all backgrounds, beliefs and ideological tendencies. Furthermore
and contrary to what appeared in the information, Andre visited most
of the Armenian educational institutions in Athens, among them the
“Galpaqian College” of the AGBU.
Regional Commitee of “Hamazkaine” Cultural Association”

WHY DID SERGE SARGSYAN LEAVE FOR SOCHI AFTER THE AIR CRASH
A1+
[07:11 pm] 19 May, 2006
Aram Karapetyan is almost sure that the Russian side is not responsible
for the crash of the “Armavia” plane A-320. Moreover, he tends to
think that there was a problem on board. According to him, the fact
that the plane crashed so suddenly comes to prove that there was an
explosion on board.
Aram Karapetyan noted that they have information that the plane was
not fuelled in the airport. Mr. Karapetyan mentions that no Russian
source gives information about 8 tons of fuel which is constantly
mentioned by Armenian sources.
According to him it is very strange that the Defense Minister left
for Sochi after the crash instead of the Minister of Transportation
or the Attorney General.
According to the leader of the Party “New Times” even if there was
an agreement to hide the real reasons of the accident, “it was the
agreement of two people and not that of the Russian country”. And two
days ago something happened after which the Russian sides received an
order to find the record boxes by all means. “Something happened the
day before yesterday and now the RF authorities will do everything
to find and decipher the record boxes”. As for what happened, Aram
Karapetyan promised to tell later.
He said that he will make public the documents found as a result of
their own investigation. As for now, “I can tell you that there were
no offensive expressions in the conversation with the dispatchers. It
is very bad to mix policy with aviation. The Russian side realizes
that if they do not find the record boxes the issue will be exploited
further. The boxes will make it possible to reveal the truth”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS BELIEVE IN ANDRE
A1+
[07:51 pm] 19 May, 2006
Andre who represents Armenia in the music competition “EUROVISION-2006”
was included in the top ten of singers after yesterday’s semifinals.
This was a surprise for the Europeans, but not for Armenians. Prior to
the semifinals the international bookmakers assessed the possibility
of Andre’s success with the index 1.95. In Armenia the index was
1.7. By the way, many people gambled on Andre yesterday.
Now the indexes for the winner of the competition are
established. According to the international bookmakers, of all the
24 participants Andre has the least chance of winning. His index is
45 which is quite high. In Armenia the index is 18 which is high too.
The main candidates are the representative of Greece (taking into
account the fact that she sings in her home country), Sweden and
Romania. Representative of Russia Dima Bilan is the 5th in the list
with index 9.

MINISTER OSKANIAN PARTICIPATED AT 116TH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE CE
A1+
[08:35 pm] 19 May, 2006
more images Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian is in
Strasbourg to participate in the 116th session of the Council of
Ministers of the Council of Europe.
This marks the fifth year of Armenia’s Council of Europe membership,
and the first since the passage of the Constitutional Referendum which
has made possible the signing of the 13th Protocol of the European
Convention of Human Rights on abolition of the death penalty in all
circumstances.
Minister Oskanian addressed the Council in French and spoke about
democratic processes, democratic reforms and in that context, he
raised three issues:
He said, “First, even as there is a momentum the world over toward
adopting democratic processes which assure the development of free
societies where freedom of expression is an essential component of
life, the Turkish government has become more and more aggressive in
denying the Armenian Genocide abroad and criminalizing its discussion
at home. As a result, there is a natural response to such denial in
some of our member countries, to attempt to legislate against all
denialist efforts. The irony is that the Turkish government considers
this a travesty of freedom of speech and expression while sustaining
their own right to punish their own citizens who use the term.”
The Armenian Foreign Minister also addressed issues of human rights. “I
can only wish that the ideas and ideals of Europe came automatically
with membership.
Perhaps then I would not be here today to mourn the irreversible,
irrational, intentional destruction of a medieval Armenian cemetery
on the territory of Azerbaijan. Thousands of massive, unique stone
sculptures which had survived through centuries are no longer there. A
cemetery has been wiped out and the hillside has been turned into
a shooting range. This destruction is a blatant attempt to wipe out
traces of Armenian presence on those lands.”
Finally, in addressing the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution,
the Minister said, “Upon membership, Armenia and Azerbaijan made
a commitment to see a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
There are positive elements in the negotiations process in which we
have been involved over these last several years, but that can produce
results only if the parties understand – and clearly declare – that
they don’t have a military option here. Europe offers a new context for
negotiation, regional cooperation and post-war reconciliation. This
is the Europe – the place of peace and cooperation – to which our
two countries belong.”
In the framework of the Ministerial, Minister Oskanian met with Thomas
Hammarberg, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.
On the evening preceding the Ministerial meeting, a special informal
gathering, hosted by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, featured former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, Special
Envoy of the UN SG for the Future Status Process for Kosovo.

SOCIALIST PARTY CONDEMNS STATEMENT BY FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER
Yerevan, May 19. ArmInfo. The Socialist Party of France condemns the
statement by Foreign Minister Phillippe Douste-Blazy that the adoption
of the bill providing for criminal punishment for denial of Armenian
Genocide will result in serious political consequences.
Socialist Party Press Secretary Julien Dray says probable diplomatic
difficulties or economic consequence cannot justify the refusal from
the priority of human rights principle observation.
The Socialist Party states that the Government is waging a double
game, recognizing the Armenian Genocide on the one hand and allowing
its denial on the other hand.

OPPOSITIONAL POLITICIAN: “ORINATS YERKIR” PARTY WAS USUAL PR-PROJECT AND ITS AUTHORS TRY TO CLOSE IT AFTER ITS ELIMINATION
Yerevan, May 19. ArmInfo. The “Orinats Yerkir” party was a usual
PR-Project and after its authors try to close it after its elimination,
the “New Times” party leader Aram Karapetyan said during today’s
press-conference in the National press- club. According to him,
a part of “OY”, especially, businessmen-deputies, were expressly
involved in the party to assure its entry into the Parliament. Now
the same part swiftly leaves it. A part of politicians, which
tried to deal with politics, remains in the “OY”, but it will
remain without money, therefore, “it will hang in the air between
power and opposition”. Karapetyan is sure the “OY” leader Arthur
Baghdasaryan fully owes the Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan
his chair, that’s why I doubt whether any actions of Baghdasaryan,
including his applications about transfer to opposition, are not
agreed with the President’s administration. “A force majeur, being
formed with the coalition split, is advantageous to the authorities,
since it is possible to dissolve the Parliament, if desired and thus,
to win time in the Karabakh conflict settlement. R. Kocharyan and his
administration understand it perfectly and use this possibility”, A.
Karapetyan said.

“SHEN-CONCERN” CJSC INTENDS TO ATTRACT CREDIT FROM EUROBANK TO SUM OF $5-6 MLN
Yerevan, May 19. ArmInfo. The “Shen-Concern” CJSC intends to attract
credit from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
to the sum of $5-6 mln to build a plant in Armenia for plasterboard
production, the Concern’s President Samvel Beglaryan told ArmInfo.
According to him, plasterboard is not produced in Armenia at present
and is imported mainly from Iran and partially from Russia. According
to Beglaryan’s assessments, Armenia imports about 1-1,5 mln sq.m
of plasterboard per year to the sum of $5 mln. To organize this
production, “Shen” intends to start development of a plaster deposit
in Armenia. As to Beglaryan’s estimations, the Eurobank’s credit
means will be enough to operate the quarry and to build a plant. This
project will be probably considered at the Eurobank’s general meeting
of shareholders to be held in London June 20-26, 2006. Then the
project will be discussed at the regular annual meeting of the “Shen”
shareholders in Yerevan on July 9. According to the President of
“Shen”, the year 2005 was successful for the Company in the whole,
as compared to the previous year. Thus, according to preliminary
estimations, the volumes of sales increased by 20-25% or by $300-400
thsd. as compared to 2004.
To be noted, the “Shen-Concern” CJSC was created in 1995. Thirty-six
percents of the Concerns’ shares belong to the EBRD, the rest part –
to the Armenia’s residents. The Concern owns a network of firm shops,
where 114 employees are engaged.

ARMENIAN-BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION FOUND FIRST IN ARMENIA MESOLITE MONUMENT, SITE OF NEANDERTHALS
Yerevan, May 19. ArmInfo. A group of Armenian and British
archaeologists will start diggings of Neanderthals’ site in the
karst caves of Ijevan mountain ridge, on the left bank of Agstev
river in 2006.
The group manager Boris Gasparyan told ArmInfo that the finding is
the first mesolite monument for the whole Armenia. The so-called cave
“Ovk-1” and the rocky shed “Ovk-3” were chosen for diggings. During the
last year’s reconnaissance investigations of caves, the archaeological
expedition found sites of Neanderthals there. “We’ve opened several
cultural layers during diggings and only after the seven layer’s
removal, we succeed to find a must layer, rich by bone remains and
magnificent stone tools of Neanderthals”, Gasparyan said.
Four archaeological layers were fixed there in the punched
reconnaissance hole. As Gasparyan noted, the last layer with the
mesolite-typical microlite tools from obsidian is the most important.
According to the preliminary conclusions of archaeologists, the Ijevan
hollow and the Agstev river canyon were settled in the must epoch
at the least (200,000-40,000 years ago). The scientists will start
the main diggings on June 10. The archaeologists do not consider it
appropriate yet to call the concrete age of findings, as the monument
materials have to pass complex radiocarbon analyses.

GROUP OF ARMENIAN AND FRENCH ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND FIRST EVER OPEN SETTLEMENT OF PRIMEVAL MAN
Yerevan, May 19. ArmInfo. For the first time in Armenia a group
of Armenian and French archaeologists has found a open Stone Age
settlement in the territory of the National Park of Dilijan, Tavush
region.
The head of the group Boris Gasparyan says that the find is a planned
and organized proto-settlement near the village of Kalavan on the
right bank of the river Barepat. Last year archaeologists found in
Kalavan early Bronze age graves with remarkable ceramic and metal
articles. Deeper exploration revealed stone constructions, obsidian
and flint quarries, primitive weapons, bones of animals with spearheads
inside. Experts say that this may be not just one site but a settlement
consisting of several Stone Age camps.
The most remarkable finds are weapons of jasper, flint and obsidian
– mostly spearheads, cutters and scrapers. Experts infer that the
Kalavan settlers were hunters. They probably hunted goats and rams and
processed their bones and skins. The radiocarbon and geo-morphological
tests will show how primeval people lived there.