Pamuk in the vanguard
By Jonathan Heawood
The Observer
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Don’t bother asking for it in bookshops – the hottest book in Turkey
probably doesn’t even exist. The so-called ‘Red Constitution’ is
so secret that it is said only the Prime Minister and members of
the National Security Council have access to it. Its very existence
is probably a myth, but this kind of conspiracy theory is a natural
product of the culture of censorship and paranoia that swirls around
Istanbul’s intelligentsia, some of whom spend more time defending
themselves in court than sitting behind their desks. There is really
no need to imagine a censorious secret constitution – the real one
causes enough problems.
Reformed in 2005 to bring Turkey into line with European standards
of human rights, the new penal code may be an improvement on its
predecessor, yet as one prominent Istanbul lawyer put it to me: ‘For
every step forwards in Turkey, there are two steps back.’ This new
code is riddled with what he calls ‘black holes’, offences designed
to catch anyone who mentions one of the many unmentionable issues in
Turkey’s recent past.
Any literary conversation in Istanbul is peppered with references to
a lottery of laws – the unlucky numbers include articles 216, 288
and 301 – under which writers, publishers, journalists and editors
are regularly and wearyingly taken to court. It sometimes looks as
if there are only two kinds of writers in Turkey: those who have been
to prison for their work and those who haven’t.
When Orhan Pamuk was charged last year over remarks he made about the
numbers of Kurds and Armenians killed in Turkey in the last century,
he said that at least he could now hold his head up among his more
inflammatory colleagues.
Having decided early on to concentrate on writing rather than go
looking for trouble, Pamuk was a stranger to the legal system and his
trial last December for ‘denigrating the Turkish state’ caught the
attention of the world’s media. This attention, and the support of
free-speech advocates, may have helped Pamuk get off, but it played
into the hands of ultra-nationalists who claim that liberal writers
are in the pay of outside forces.
The tall, bespectacled Pamuk has a donnish, distracted air. When I
track him down to the kind of literary cafe that British writers can
only dream of – hidden up three, tall flights of stairs in a seedy
apartment block behind a locked door; walls of caricatures wreathed
in the smoke of a thousand Turkish cigarettes – he is genial, but
unwilling to talk of his recent experiences. Pamuk has told friends
that he is caught between two poles. On the one hand, it his duty to
write. On the other, he believes that authors must engage with the
society around them.
Most Turkish writers wrestle with this contradiction. They are
caught, like Turkey, between powerful opposing forces. At Istanbul,
where Europe gazes anxiously across the Bosporus at Asia, Turkish
nationalists, Europhile modernisers and Islamists fight proxy battles
through the writings of those who dare to question the status quo.
The ecrivain engage, last seen in Western Europe in 1968, is a
flesh-and-blood reality here. When brilliant young novelist Elif
Safak, who has Turkish roots but now lives in Arizona, first wrote
in English, there was outrage back home. Worst was the fact that
she began spelling her name phonetically, ‘Shafak’, for Americans,
and omitting an accent. ‘You lost the dot!’ screamed her detractors
in Istanbul. Safak is also at the forefront of Turkey’s gender war.
When her latest book, Baba the Bastard, came out this month, some
bookshops refused to stock it, not only because of the word ‘bastard’,
but also because the pomegranate on the cover resembles a vagina. ‘It
is always difficult to overcome the sexual taboos in this society
and that is a subtle silencing mechanism for writers,’ she says.
Safak sees this level of political engagement as both the blessing
and the curse of Istanbul’s intelligentsia. She has noticed that her
interviews in the United States tend to revolve around her style and
influences, while here they’re more likely to take in the war in Iraq,
oil prices and fundamentalism. She finds this frustrating, telling me
over dinner in a restaurant high above the Galata Bridge that while
writers have a key role to play in exploring Turkish identities, they
must not become politicians: ‘The literary person needs to belong to
no community at all – you need to live within your novel.’
But in today’s Istanbul, this may not be an option. When even such
unworldly figures as Pamuk are dragged into the courts, there is
little hope of genuinely free discourse. As Turkey struggles towards
EU membership, something has to give, and many writers I spoke to
believed things would get easier.
For now, though, writers are on the front line between competing
orthodoxies. We may never read the really exciting Turkish novels of
2006, because they may never get written.
Jonathan Heawood is director of English PEN.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
7 Vazgen Sargsian Street
Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 58.08.77, 52.22.38
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.38.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
March 27, 2006
IN DEFENSE OF HERITAGE
Since March 4, 2006, Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian of the Heritage
Party and the staff of its central office have been forcibly denied
the right of entry into their own place of work, which under the
existing contract is theirs until June of this year.
Considering this to be a flagrant infringement, on the part of the
incumbent presidency and its ruling clique, of fundamental civil
liberties and political freedoms, MP and chairman of the National
Democrats’ Alliance Arshak Sadoyan has launched an initiative
whereby he has petitioned all political parties in Armenia as well
as institutions that are interested in the establishment of democracy
in the Republic to raise their voice of protest against this blatant
lawlessless.
The authors of this initiative declare that the letter is open to all
political forces and public and private organizations which choose
to demonstrate their solidarity on this matter.
OPEN LETTER TO ARMENIA’S CITIZENS AND ALL INSTITUTIONS INTERESTED IN
ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE REPUBLIC
On March 4, 2006, a criminal break-in took place at the premises which
Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian has
been leasing for more than 12 years. Without advance notice on legal
warrant, the lock of the Heritage Party headquarters’ main outer door
was smashed and replaced with another.
As a result, the chairman of the Heritage Party and the staff of its
central office have been forcibly denied the right of entry into their
own place of work, which under the existing contract is theirs until
June of this year.
The absolute closure of access to Heritage’s official seal, documents,
computers, and means of telecommunication has brought the party’s
activities to a standstill, paralyzing the regular contact between
its headquarters and regional offices.
Raffi Hovannisian and the executive board of the Heritage Party have
issued formal and telephonic petitions to Prime Minister Andranik
Margarian, Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepian, and Police Chief Haik
Harutiunian regarding this unlawful act. No response, explanation,
or comment has been received to date from the law enforcement bodies.
In fact, the constitutional order has once again been violated in
Armenia. A leading opposition party that has stood out of late with its
civic and public initiatives has effectively and illegally been shut
down. We consider this to be a flagrant infringement, on the part of
the incumbent presidency and its ruling clique, of fundamental civil
liberties and political freedoms.
We demand that the Armenian authorities reopen the Heritage Party
headquarters immediately and implement measures guaranteeing its
normal, unfettered, and secure operations.
Forum of Intellectuals of Armenia National Democrats’ Alliance Republic
Party National Rebirth Party National Democratic Union New Times Party
Social Democrat Hnchak Party Social Democratic Party of Armenia Social
Ecological Party of Armenia Democratic Motherland Party Motherland
and Pride Union National Unity Mission Party Armenian Arian Union
Armenian Center for Cultural Assistance and Strategy “Human Rights 96”
NGO “The Officer’s Pride” NGO Anti-globalists’ Union “People are the
Country’s Owners” Union

PRESS RELEASE
~U”Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
~UGovernmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
~UContact: Anush Babayan
~UTel: 3741 52 09 40
~UFax: 3741 52 37 95
~UE-mail: [email protected]
~UWeb:
28.03.06

Young artists-candidates of the President Prize
On March 26, a concert took place at the Chamber Music Hall.
Candidates for the nomination of classical music presented their art
to the jury and audience. The new prize will be granted annually and
the first awarding ceremony will take place in 2006. 37 applications
have been submitted for the categories of Vocal art and Instrumental
performing art. From the 33 soloists and 4 instrumental performers
respectively 5 and 2 artists were selected for the final stage. They
participated in the concert. Currently, the commission is discussing
the results and very soon the names of the winners will be announced.
A few days ago, a press-conference took place at the Executive Board
office of the “Hayastan” Fund with participation of Sergey
Saradjian, head of the commission for Instrumental performing art
nomination, Barsegh Tumanian, head of the commission for the Vocal
art nomination and Albert Yavuryan, head of the commission for the
Fine arts and cinema nomination, who is at the same time
representative of the Robert Boghossian and Sons. The adviser to the
Executive Director of the “Hayastan” Fund also took part at the
press-conference.
The Fund has received 47 applications for the President Youth Prize.
43 out of them are for the nomination of Fine arts and cinema and 4
for the Literature. Only 24 applicants have passed to the second
stage. Results of the first stage for the category of Literature are
not decided yet.
The President Youth Prize amount is 2,500 USD. The Prize amount for
the Classical music is 5000 USD.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
28-03-2006
Millennium Challenge Corporation Signs Five Year, $235 Million Compact
with Armenia
In a signing ceremony at the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin
room on March 27, Chief Executive Officer of the US Millennium
Challenge Corporation, Ambassador John Danilovich and Armenia’s
Minister of Finance and Economy, Vardan Khachatryan signed a $235.65
million Compact between MCC and the Republic of Armenia. Armenia’s
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and MCC Chair, US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice spoke at the signing.
Minister Oskanian’s statement:
I am here today, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Armenia
and my colleagues here from the Armenian government, to thank President
Bush, Secretary Rice, Ambassador Danilovich, the US government and
the American people, for including the Republic of Armenia in the
Millennium Challenge Compact.
President Bush’s visionary approach to development, which complements
the invaluable assistance that has already been provided to Armenia
through USAID and other US programs, continues the best tradition of
American missionaries, from whom Armenians had benefited greatly.
The MCC is a natural extension of their practice -doing good
born of one’s own convictions, but with the intent to nourish the
recipient’s sense of self-worth and ability. In the 21st century,
when philanthropy is not about charity but about finding solutions
to deep-seated problems, we welcome the US government’s decision to
assist and support directly those countries who have determined to
rule justly, to invest in people and to promote economic freedom –
in order for their citizens to live in dignity and security.
I see here our colleagues from other recipient countries, and I am
certain that they join me in saying that with this grant, the US is
recognizing the reality and duality of our lives – persistent poverty
in the face of progress.
On the one hand, one third of Armenia’s population continues to live
in poverty, two-thirds of our rural communities are not directly
connected to a central water distribution system, and most of our
secondary and tertiary roads do not provide the necessary access.
On the other hand, Armenia has managed, against great odds, with an
unresolved conflict and with closed borders, to be ranked first in
the world in best utilization of foreign assistance, to privatize and
to legislate such that our economy is ranked among the world’s most
liberal, and to register the highest economic growth in the region,
without the benefit of extractive resources.
That is why a long consultative process concluded that for significant
poverty reduction, we would request MCC funds to be spent in two
critical areas of infrastructure. Our program has been consciously
designed to complement the work of other donors.
With this signing of the Millennium Challenge Compact, Armenia is aware
that we have the obligation to build on the confidence that has been
placed in our government and people. Just as economic development is
a facilitator of democratization, so is democracy a tool for further
and deeper economic development. We understand that the US Government
has chosen to use these funds for economic development, only when a
society and its leadership comprehend their political responsibility
to nurture and sustain democratic practices.
Armenia is among the world’s youngest democracies and our democratic
and economic reforms are irreversible. Our significant progress
notwithstanding, we recognize that much remains to be done to make
these reforms comprehensive. We know that corruption must not be
tolerated and that the law must rule, that the principles of democracy
must be transformed to traditions of democracy in our country.
Madame Secretary, the elections of 2007 and 2008 will test our
democratic practices. Our task, until then, is to partner with the US
and European governments to implement the necessary corrective steps
to improve the conditions necessary for an honest and fair expression
of people’s voices.
In this regard, we welcome the American proposals for certain
structural reforms and education and public outreach efforts. We’ve
already begun the process of verifying voter lists, we’re making
progress in reforming the electoral law with the active participation
and agreement of all political forces in parliament. As in years past,
OSCE monitors will be present and will monitor elections.
In other words, Madame Secretary, Armenia and Armenians are determined
to benefit from the intent and content of the Millennium Challenge
Compact. Because our people deserve no less.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
28-03-2006
Statement by H.E. Vartan Oskanian
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Armenia
Washington DC
Advocacy Conference
March 27, 2006
I want to thank you for the invitation to speak here today. I
especially appreciate the fact that in this hall are members and
activists from the Assembly, the Armenian Church, the AGBU, and
individuals – all of whom are here to plan together, to work together,
to register successes together.
Since independence, we have indeed registered successes together –
significant US assistance to Armenia, trade privileges, military
assistance parity, progress in genocide recognition and education
efforts, a better understanding by opinion and policy makers of
Armenia’s geographic, historic and economic limitations.
If I think back, I don’t know where Armenia would have been without the
Diaspora. The dedicated, focused efforts of the Armenian Assembly of
America have resulted in a support base that is essential for Armenia.
We know we can always depend on the real, sincere, deep commitment of
the Assembly leadership and the dedicated work of the Assembly staff.
In Yerevan, we are very aware that for you to be able to promote
Armenia, its policies, its future, Armenia must be the kind of
place that you can and want to promote. The Diaspora will promote
and support an Armenia that reflects its own best dreams, values and
ambitions. The Armenian-American Diaspora will promote and support
an Armenia that is a friend of the United States.
And we are. Despite the huge geographic distance between Yerevan
and Washington, we are partners in the war on terror, in supporting
the non-proliferation of weapons, in searching for global peace thru
regional security, in supporting the rule of law, as well as democratic
and economic freedoms.
Not only are we ideological partners, but we share the values that
have made America. We want those values to be not just aspirations
for the citizens of Armenia but solid realities, to be comfortably
taken for granted.
The US is the country that makes it possible for individuals to
reinvent themselves – to relocate, to take on new careers, to pursue
new challenges and new directions.
Armenians have been a people who have reinvented themselves throughout
the centuries on every continent. The challenge in this century is:
for the first time in history, will we be able to reinvent ourselves
on our own land?
Do we want to become a country where every man and woman assumes
they have a right to speak their mind, to cast their vote, to affect
change? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where we can take the impartiality
of judges, the decency of policemen and the ethics of teachers for
granted? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where you pay taxes to the system
rather than fees to the official? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where the difference in rich and poor
is only a matter of time and not a matter of destiny? Of course we do.
Do we want to become a country where each person believes that he or
she can individually reinvent themselves? Of course we do.
That is the Armenia we want. That is the Armenia you want.
How do we get there? You are blissfully unaware of the difficulties
and travails of the process of becoming a democracy because Americans
live in the only country to have been born democratic. America was
built from the ground up, democratic institutions were defined and
created as you went along. As such, you have the good fortune to be
able to take this system for granted.
The entire process of nation-building has been different for us,
since we had to undo an existing system and build a new one. That is
why we have welcomed the various US programs which have supported our
institutional, democratic and economic reforms. We also appreciate that
in anticipation of the elections of 2007 and 2008, the US has proposed
additional, targeted assistance so we can hold normal elections and
rise to the next level of democratic development.
But democracy is more than elections. Democratic institutions and
processes are not just ends. They are also means to creating the
necessary political and economic environment which lead to distributed
growth and dignified development. The cruelties inherent in the process
of massive economic readjustment which we have been making have led
to a sense of powerlessness on the part of ordinary citizens. So,
democracy is a tool for development, just as economic development is
a facilitator of democratization.
This afternoon, I will be attending the signing of a
visionary instrument that drives both economic development and
democratization. The Millennium Challenge Compact is intended to
bolster development in countries where the society and leadership
comprehend their political responsibility to nurture and sustain
democratic practices. This is the single largest government investment
in Armenia’s economy. It consists of $235 million over 5 years.
Before I tell you what we’re going to do with the money, let me tell
you why we were fortunate enough to receive this grant.
The US government chose Armenia as one of the potential recipients
because Armenia is needy. That’s no secret. But there are lots of
needy countries in the world. Why Armenia? Because the US government
determined to contribute to the budgets of those countries that are
themselves attempting to grow in the right direction – to govern
justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in people.
Armenia is. And being made eligible for the MCC is evidence of
this. Simply put, Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is
there plenty about our society that needs to be put right, but because
we are on a path that is right. This farsighted program provides a
generous push in the direction that we have chosen for ourselves.
I said to Ambassador Danilovich when the decision was made, and I say
this to you now, Armenia has the honor and the obligation to build
on the confidence that has been placed in our government and our
people. And so, even as we spend these funds to turn mud into asphalt
and to give farmers the irrigation water that is their lifeblood,
we will work to make sure that good governance and the principles of
an open and fair society take root in our homeland.
In the 21st century, philanthropy is more than charity. It is
about finding lasting solutions to deep-seated social and economic
problems. That is what the MCC intends to do. And so I am going to
use this opportunity to say to the Diaspora loudly and clearly that
that is what the Diaspora should do as well.
Before I ask you to do more, and I’m going to do just that, let
me thank you for all that you have done. The Armenia – Diaspora
collaboration has been invaluable in this decade and a half of
upheaval, confusion and learning. The value of the Diaspora is in
its ingenuity, non-conformity, its belief in a dream, its access to
networks, its ability to be international and national all at the
same time, and its tremendous resources.
I am now going to ask you to partner with Armenia – even more deeply
and broadly and seriously than you have already done -in addressing
Armenia’s domestic and international challenges.
Look, most of you have been to Armenia. It is clear that not all
Armenians have been able to share in the double digit growth of which
we are justifiably proud. As soon as one leaves Yerevan, the statistics
become reality: One out of every two Armenians still lives in poverty,
mostly in Armenia’s rural areas. Half of those living in poverty,
live on less than one dollar a day. Yet, these rural men and women
represent a critical portion of Armenia’s economy.
If we want to ensure that these rural communities are not destined
to remain stagnant, permanent pockets of poverty, that Armenians are
not born into a cycle of poverty, then we cannot allow development to
simply take its course. Even at this current fast pace, it will take
decades before we reach the average European level of prosperity. We
must take practical steps to intervene, to take a short-cut towards
an improved quality of life for our rural citizens.
This is the first time that I am announcing from a podium that at the
next Armenia Diaspora Conference, we will be launching a Rural Poverty
Eradication program – a kind of Diaspora Marshall Plan for Armenia.
The Millennium Challenge Account has indeed taken on the renovation
or construction of two of the most expensive infrastructure sectors –
roads and irrigation canals.
Imagine that a village will, in a few years, have irrigation water
and roads.
But imagine that there will be no drinking water, no health care,
no school, no gas or electricity in that village.
Imagine children growing up in a 21st century rural community without
access to telephone, television or internet.
Now imagine what we could do together if the Armenian government,
Armenia’s business community, international organizations, and you,
the Armenian Diaspora came together to leverage the MCC contributions
and to build on the MCC momentum. Imagine a country where development
is comprehensive, even, fair and just.
Imagine an Armenia whose borders are secure because its border
communities are stable, where cross-border interaction is possible,
where out-migration is minimal. Imagine a day in the village filled
with pride and satisfaction, rather than tears and frustration.
As investments and growth spread through Yerevan, this program will
coordinate information about the many wonderful, generous programs
that are already being implemented in rural Armenia by Armenian
and international organizations and individuals. This program will
work to remove the real and artificial obstacles to productivity,
and will help identify access to markets and finance to make the
village economically sustainable.
If you are wondering whether those with personal interests will allow
this kind of access and transparency, join me in challenging those
who obstruct. Rally the forces of the diaspora and the international
community and see if we can’t replace obstacle with opportunity.
Through this program, we will approach every individual, organization,
parish, family and business in the Diaspora and will solicit your
participation. Your time, your money, your expertise, your contacts
– they are all needed so that the infrastructure is rebuilt and a
village is reinvented. This program will strive to bring a new look,
a new ethic, new hope to each rural community in Armenia, starting
with the border villages first.
In plain language, by eradicating poverty you will be eradicating
hopelessness. You will bring prospect and possibility to
the most vulnerable in our society. Hope, faith and confidence
transform economically empowered citizens into politically empowered
citizens. And it is they who will be the best defenders of their votes,
their voices and their rights in meetings, elections and throughout
the governing process.
These are the major domestic challenges that Armenia faces
today. But our foreign policy challenges are no less difficult and
complicated. Fundamental among them are relations with our neighbors,
transportation, energy diversification and conflict resolution.
Our agenda with the US today is very broad and diversified. We have
transcended from being a one issue country and our relations today
are built on mutual respect and interest. Armenia needs America. And
America needs Armenia as a reliable partner in the region.
This year we’ll be celebrating the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. 15 years of independence,15 years of statehood, 15 years
that Armenians around the world have had an Armenia that is theirs,
to which they belong, that they represent.
No longer are we just Armenian-Americans, but now, we are, whether we
want it or not, whether we feel it or not, perceived as being piece
of that country, that place. Our identity has changed.
The Diaspora exists, it will continue to exist, and you will need
Armenia, not to substitute but to complement what you have.
The Republic of Armenia exists, it is independent, and it is ours. It
still needs its Diaspora, more than ever. We must cooperate, not
compete, in order to turn the Armenia of our dreams into the Armenia
of our future.

REGULAR SITTING OF ARMENIAN-GREEK INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 28-30
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A regular session of
the Armenian-Greek intergovernmental commission will be held in Yerevan
on March 28-30. The Greek delegation headed by Evripidis Stilianidis,
the Commission’s Co-Chairman, Deputy Foreign Minister, will arrive
in Armenia in order to participate in the sitting. According to the
RA MFA Press and Information Department, during the visit to Armenia,
Evripidis Stilianidis will meet with the RA President Robert Kocharian,
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Karen Chshmaritian, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,
will visit the memorial complex of the Armenian Genocide, as well as
will have meetings with representatives of the Greek community and
the staff of Yerevan school No 132. The opening of the 4th sitting
of the Armenian-Greek interstate commission is scheduled for March
29. Evripidis Stilianidis will meet with RA Deputy Foreign Minister
Arman Kirakosian on the same day, while the signing of the 4th
sitting’s protocol will take place in the evening.

ARAM KARAPETIAN: ATTEMPTS OF CURRENT ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO USE INTERVIEW OF SIRADEGHIAN FOR THEIR OWN GOALS ROUSES SARCASM OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
YEREVAN, MARCH 27. ARMINFO. The attempts of the current Armenian
authorities to use the interview of Vano Siradeghian to “Haykakan
Zhamanak” newspaper for their own goals roused sarcasm of the
international community. Aram Karapetian, leader of “New Times” party,
expressed this opinion.
He said that the authorities try to frighten that the there is no
alternative to them, but for Levon Ter-Petrosian, former RA President.
At the same time, he added that he expected much more from the
interview of Siradeghian, who is announced wanted by the international
police. “But if I were RA President, I would certainly instruct
the officials of the national safety department to inquire from the
journalists where they found Siradeghian,” he stated.

YEREVAN BRANDY COMPANY SUSPENDS BRANDY SUPPLY TO RUSSIA
YEREVAN, MARCH 27. ARMINFO. The largest exporter of strong drinks in
Armenia, Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC), has suspended the supply of
brandy to Russia, YBC press-service told ARMINFO, Monday.
The source reports that the suspension is connected with introduction
of new excise marks in Russia starting from April 1 2006. After
purchasing new excise marks, YBC will resume the brandy supply. It
is just a temporary technical problem, the press-service reports.
In his turn, Chairman of the Union of Winemaker-Armenians Avag
Haroutunyan told ARMINFO that 26 of 31 producers of alcohol drinks in
Armenia export their production, preferentially brandy and to Russia.
He said the Armenian strong drink exporters have not supplied their
production to Russia for already two weeks. Moreover, they do not
register new orders as they cannot acquire new excise marks. The
Russian party informs that the new excises marks will be published
not earlier than in a month period, which will have a negative impact
on Armenian exporters, Haroutunyan believes.
It’s noteworthy that in 2005 9.078.4 thousand liters of brandy were
exported >From Armenia, which was 3.5 times more than in 2004 (2.591
thousand liters). Over the half of the export was the production
of YBC.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AND OSCE MINSK GROUP U.S. COCHAIRMAN TO MEET IN WASHINGTON
YEREVAN, MARCH 27. ARMINFO. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
and U.S. Co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group for Karabakh conflict Steven
Mann are to meet in Washington, Monday, on March 27.
The further settlement of Karabakh conflict is supposed to be the
major topic of the meeting.
As it was reported earlier, Vardan Oskanyan’s press conference is
planned for March 28 at the National Press Club in Washington.
Earlier, today, Foreign Minister Oskanyan is to speak at a forum
organized by combined efforts of the Armenian Assembly of America,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. The minister will meet with the Armenian
community of America. On March 29, Vardan Oskanyan will leave for
New York. On March 30, the minister will meet with UNDP Coordinator
Kemal Dervish, General Assembly Chairman Jan Eliasson. On March 31,
the minister is expected to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
The same day, Minister Oskanyan will speak on the topic “Building of
a State in the Caucasus” at Columbia University.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE A SERIOUS BLOW TO TURKISH-U.S. RELATIONS
YEREVAN, MARCH 27. ARMINFO. Acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide
in the United States will be a serious blow to Turkish-U.S. relations,
retired Ambassador Gunduz Aktan affirmed on Friday, Turkish press
reports.
G. Aktan, currently in the United States to give a series of conference
pertaining to Armenian genocide, took the floor at a meeting organized
by the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA).
If U.S. Congress acknowledges the Armenian genocide and if U.S.
President George Bush uses the word `genocide` (in his speeches)
this will definitely have a political impact on our relations. This
will constitute a serious threat to the bilateral relations, Aktan
indicated.
` Recalling that he was one of the members of the Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation Committee, Aktan said it was impossible to convince
the Armenians that a genocide hadn`t been committed.
Comparing the Armenian genocide and Holocaust from some specific points
of views, Aktan said, “Jews were killed because they were Jews. Nobody
in Turkey was against Armenians. Jews did not collaborate with the
enemy and/or reclaim territory from Germany.”
Meanwhile retired Ambassador Omer Lutem indicated that convincing
particularly the Armenian Diaspora seemed impossible, stating that
the idea of genocide claim was deepened during the term in office of
Armenian President Robert Kocarian.