Russian skinhead sentenced to six years in prison for hate crime
ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 7 2006
07.07.2006, 03.04
NIZHNI NOVGOROD, July 7 (Itar-Tass) — A Russian skinhead was sentenced
to six years in prison for stabbing to death an Armenian ethnic in
2005 in Nizhni Novgorod.
The Interior department for the Volga federal district told Tass on
Thursday investigators had established that Roman Lavrentyev and his
accomplice with a group of other young men were heavily drunk and
shouted out calls against non-Slav nationalities. They approached
two Armenian young men and asked for a cigarette. Scared Armenians
fled and one of them fell. Lavrentyev stabbed him 19 times.
The accomplice was sentenced to a fine of 45,000 rubles (1700 US
dollars).

Armenian memorial on Greenway gets go-ahead
By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff | July 7, 2006
Boston Globe, MA
July 7 2006
Despite opposition from Mayor Thomas M. Menino and community leaders,
the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is paving the way for an Armenian
genocide memorial park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
At its meeting late last week, the Turnpike board authorized chairman
Matthew J. Amorello to negotiate with a nonprofit group from the
Massachusetts Armenian community to place its proposed park, sculpture,
fountain, and inscriptions on land near Christopher Columbus Park.
But the 4-0 vote came only after one member of the board insisted the
motion be amended to require that any agreement come back before the
board again later.
A fifth board member, Thomas Trimarco, recently appointed by Governor
Mitt Romney, abstained.
Most proponents for Greenway locations — like a YMCA facility in the
North End or a history museum nearby — went through months or years
of public review and comment, but the Armenian park hasn’t undergone
the same process.
Boston Memorials
A look at other notable memorials in and around the Hub.
The Turnpike Authority has promoted the $4 million project at the
request of the Legislature, but even the Mayor’s Central Artery
Completion Task Force — an advisory group that has guided design of
the Greenway — has yet to be briefed on the proposal.
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, a private nonprofit
group set up to fund and oversee the Greenway, has supported a
moratorium of at least five years on proposals for memorials on the
corridor of parks that is being created atop the old Central Artery.
“We don’t have any memorials or monuments or statues in the North End
or Chinatown,” said Nancy Caruso, a North End activist and member of
the mayor’s task force who opposes locating the Armenian memorial on
the Greenway.
Although the Armenian park has been praised for its innovative design,
Menino and others have worried that the Greenway could become a magnet
for ethnic-related memorials. He said he would work with the group
to find another location.
Meanwhile, a legislative proposal that died in committee last week
would have considerably increased the voice that the conservancy’s
10-member board has over changes and additions to the Greenway once
it is finished.
The proposal, in an amendment to the budget submitted by Senator
Dianne Wilkerson, a Boston Democrat, was vigorously opposed by
community activists and neighbors of the Greenway.
“We felt that it was not appropriate to give a private nonprofit
organization a veto of future uses along the Greenway,” said Rob
Tuchmann, a lawyer at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP and
cochairman of the mayor’s task force . “We were very concerned the
public would have the opportunity to review and consider any changes.”
The Turnpike Authority, as manager of the Big Dig, now effectively has
control over what goes where on the Greenway. The authority is supposed
to make decisions in collaboration with community groups and the city.
Conservancy board chairman Peter Meade said this week that the
legislation was not intended to give the conservancy veto power over
what is put on the Greenway.
“I didn’t think it was a lot of power,” he said. “The intent was to
give us a seat at the table along with many other people.”
Several objections have been raised concerning the way the conservancy
operates as it begins to exercise control over public space on the
Greenway — including disclosure of the conservancy’s sources of
money .
“I believe you are a government agency, bound by open-meeting and
public-records laws,” Shirley Kressel, a community activist, told
conservancy officials at a recent Task Force meeting.
Nancy Brennan, executive director of the conservancy, said the board
is trying to be “as transparent as possible,” but, “It’s an unfortunate
consequence of fund-raising that donors want their privacy.”
The issue of public accountability has also come up repeatedly.
“It’s a secret society,” said Chris Fincham, a resident of Harbor
Towers. “I’ve always worried about how it was set up.”
Said Meade: “People worry about others’ using the conservancy for
their own ends, and that’s a healthy fear. We’ll figure all that out.”

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Nazim Ibrahimov: “Nobody Can Impede Us For the Work with Diaspora”
07.07.2006
“If Armenians are against our activity, i.e. that they are seriously
concerned with our work”
“Currently Azerbaijan Diaspora’s activity is in the foreground. Today
we can say with confidence that Armenian lobby is seriously concerned
with our work,” recently informed Chairman of the State Committee for
the Work with Azerbaijanis living abroad, Nazim Ibrahimov. He
recalled that the State Committee was established by the decree of
the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev 4 years ago, on June
5 2002, after which Diaspora’s activity began carrying out at state
level. Then Diaspora’s activity was under control and trusteeship of
the President H. Aliyev. According to N. Ibrahimov, Armenians living
in different countries worldwide call Armenian Diaspora to be more
active, as otherwise Azerbaijani Diaspora can come Armenians’
100-years activity to nothing: “I consider that if Armenians react to
our activity in so way, it means that they are seriously concerned
with our work. We realize the strategic important activities for
consolidation of Azerbaijan-Turkish Diaspora. Then Armenians will get
one more reason for concern. But we have such a power that nobody can
impede us.”
N. Ibrahimov stated that to date the Diaspora’s activity focuses on
the interests of the President and Azerbaijan people. Reportedly the
Committee Chairman, the Government does not make unreasonable demands
to Diaspora: “Our Diaspora is required a close unity for the sake of
interests of Azerbaijani people, making joint endeavors for solution
of problems of our State and bringing to awareness of the whole
world. As state structure, we render all assistance to Azerbaijani
Diaspora. If need be, we appoint the personnel and allot money for
them. The President accentuates the activity of the State Committee.
In turn, such attention calls us to be more responsible.”
Committee Chairman informed that the Diaspora’s activity would reach
higher level if its Members could attract intelligentsia, state
figures and powerful circles to this work: “Then the necessity of
regulation of Diaspora’s activity by Azerbaijan will fall away, as
Diaspora Members themselves will know well about political and
economic processes progressing in our country. Then we’ll transfer to
other form of its coordination.”
Furthermore, reportedly N. Ibrahimov, to date the preparing for I
World Forum of Azerbaijan’s Scholars is on progress. In connection
with that a list of Azerbaijani scholars living in various countries
worldwide is at complete. As N. Ibrahimov stated, preparing
activities for the mentioned arrangement is done together with
Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Moreover, Committee Chairman
informed that our compatriots working in mass media of other
countries are expected to attend the arrangement. According to N.
Ibrahimov, such arrangements aim at increasing of the activity level
of Azerbaijani Diaspora.
–Boundary_(ID_jqKw68t9ERTQU1HbUqndCw)- –

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
European Public Prosecutors’ Conference
07.07.2006
July 5 7th Conference of Public Prosecutors of the European countries
was held in Moscow. The public prosecutors from 44 European countries
and members of international organizations attended the conference.
The Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Zakir Garalov
attended the conference. The President of Russian Federation,
Vladimir Putin attended the conference presided by the Public
Prosecutor of Russia Yuriy Chaika.
Two-day conference focuses on the coordination of European countries’
efforts in combating the transnational crime in the field of
protection of human rights, and also roles of the offices of Public
Prosecutor in protection of personality that is the main direction of
their activities in all European countries.
The Consultative Board of the European Public Prosecutors, urged to
reinforce the collaboration between the Offices of Public Prosecutors
of the European countries set up within the conference.
Reportedly the Public Prosecutor of Azerbaijan, Zakir Garalov this
conference is very important arrangement for all countries, as agenda
has global issues. According to him, the main purpose of the forum is
to ensure close cooperation between the Offices of Public Prosecutor
of CE Member States and to activate the roles of newly-established
Consultative Board. Z. Garalov informed that at moment Azerbaijani
legislation completely meets the standards of the Council of Europe
that grants the broad opportunities for cooperation with European
countries, and also allow close integrating into European structures.
Azerbaijan’s Public Prosecutor also noted that within the framework
of the conference bilateral consulting with Russian Public
Prosecutor, Y. Chaika, and also prosecutors of Hungary, Austria, etc,
would be held. Talking of Azerbaijan-Russian bilateral relations, Z.
Garalov stressed that the relations are developing efficiently and
successfully with Russia as well as with other European countries.
“The Offices of Public Prosecutor of Azerbaijan and Russia has no
problems and we constantly assist each other for disclosure of crimes
and extradition of offenders,” he emphasized.
Z. Garalov stated that Azerbaijan’s delegation prepared detailed
information about reforms being progressed in our country and
presented to conferees. H also added that it involved the information
of Azerbaijan-Armenian Nagorno-Garabagh conflict and its
consequences. “The work for bringing to awareness of European
colleagues and international community the information of this
conflict will continue further at all levels,” concluded Z. Garalov.
It is appropriate mention that the conference is held on the
threshold of the G8 Summit to be held on July 15 in St. Petersburg.
>>From May to June 2006 the Russian Federation was in the chair of the
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
–Boundary_(ID_PijXMkhLrzPEYicdoHV2+A)–

Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America in National Assembly
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
July 7 2006
On July 6 the RA NA President received Bryan Ardouny, Executive
Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). Arpi Vartanian,
the AAA Regional Director participated in the meeting.
Mr. Ardouny informed the NA President about the AAA undertaken steps,
the aim of which is to deepen Armenian-American relationships.
He highlighted the holding of 2007 Parliamentary elections by
democratic standards, which is highly expected not only by the AAA
but also by the U.S. Government, European Union. On his request the NA
President referred to the preparation of national elections, mentioning
that the conformity to democracy standards, first of all, is necessary
for Armenia and Armenian society, because it will predetermine the
future and the development of the country. Besides, the availability
of election legislation, to-be-adopted in October and reformed by
international standards, Mr. Torosyan highlighted the consolidation
and creation of understanding atmosphere of political forces (power
and opposition), which is a difficult task, and is connected with the
changing of public consciousness. The NA President also highlighted
the assistance of the AAA by specific programs in formation of civil
society and development of political science in Armenia, positively
evaluating activity of the AAA, which is undertaking steps toward
development of Armenia within the framework of their opportunities.
During the meeting issues of mutual relations between Armenia and
its neighbors, issues of solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem were
also debated.
Referring to the interview of Matthew Bryza, OCSE Minsk Group
Co-Chair, where the regulation of the Armenian-Turkish relations
is stipulated by the solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem, the NA
President noted that the approach of this type raises surprise, since
the opportunity to solve problems is stipulated by the availability of
good relations. With the same logic, the fact that there is propaganda
of war and hatred towards Armenians in Azerbaijan should not be
omitted from the attention of co-chairs, calling for the peaceful
conflict resolution. It is evident that people are not getting ready
for a solution in places where the hatred is deepened.
Other issues were also discussed during the meeting.
From: Baghdasarian

Condoleezza Rice: Taking the Southern Cypriots into EU was wrong
Hurriyet, Turkey
July 7 2006
With Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul having met this week in Washington,
DC with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as well as President
George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, observers
in Ankara agree that the US has struck a more favorable stance on
two matters in particular sensitive to Turkey:
Cyprus and Kirkuk. In the case of Northern Cyprus, for which the
US administration has pledged to help lift isolationary economic
measures currently in place, US Secretary of State Rice said during
Gul’s visit to the US capital, “Accepting Southern Cyprus into the
EU was not right. Had the Greek Cypriots not entered the EU, solving
this problem would be easier.”
Gul: Cyprus matter requires patience, persistance, and the correct
approach
Gul, during a press conference in the US capital, confirmed US support
for Turkey on the question of Northern Cyprus, saying “Turkey’s stance
on this matter was understood very well by Rice, and looking at the
“Strategic Vision Document” this can be seen very clearly. We are
insistent and correct in our Cyprus views. The important thing is
to be able to explain our side of this case to the international
community. It is not enough to announce that we are right, and then
to just speak to eachother in Turkey. This matter requires patience,
persistance, and the right approach. We will continue this stance
without giving up any concessions.”
On the subject of the Northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, which lies close
to Turkey’s southern borders, Rice told Gul that the US had warned
Kurdish groups in the region, and that if necessary, the United
Nations could be involved in delivering these warnings.
One more subject that was raised during talks between Gul and Rice was
that of the so-called Armenian genocide, a matter which has been at
the forefront of recent international movement. Gul thanked Rice for
preventing Armenian lobbies from being able to pass legal decisions
against Turkey in the US Congress, and noted “For such a law to pass
through Congress would hurt US-Turkish relations.”

Armenian Intellectuals will take Part in 8th Championship in Intellectual Games in Georgia
The Messenger, Georgia
July 7 2006
Seven Armenian teams will participate in the 8th South Caucasian
Championship in Intellectual Games that will be held in Georgia
on July 7-9, Karen Kocharian, chairman of the Armenian Association
‘What? Where? How?’ stated to Novosti Armenia news agency.
Kocharian said that the participating teams occupied the first seven
places in the [Armenian] Republican Championship in Intellectual
Games, and include the current champions of the South Caucasus –
the team of the Republican Party of Armenia.
“Armenian teams are tuned for victory. We are going to maintain the
title of champion”, he stressed.
Kocharian noted that Armenian teams would compete with each other at
the forthcoming championship. Among the other competitors, he pointed
to Tanakhard – the Azeri team from Baku.
Over 30 teams from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, as well as from
Tskhinvali and Sokhumi will take part in the championship.
Alexei Paevski from Moscow will lead and judge the games. (Black
Sea Press)

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Azeri FM still in Germany
Source: Trend
Author: S.Agayeva
07.07.2006
The official visit of Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov to
Germany is on. Head of press and information policy with Foreign
Ministry Tahir Tagizadeh told Trendon the second day of the visit
Mamedyarov took part in the meeting arranged by Marshall Fund.
At the meeting were also taking part representatives of Germany
government, NGOs, research institutes, as well as ambassadors of
foreign countries, mass media representatives and so. Speaking at the
meeting, Azeri minister provided detail on the current economical
and political development of Azerbaijan, implemented economic
projects, including oil and gas pipelines Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan,
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, planned railroad Baku-Tbilisi-Ahalkalaki-Kars,
the country’s integration with Euro-Atlantic space and its
participation in the EU and so.
The most of his speech Azeri diplomat devoted to Azerbaijan’s most
complicated problem – peaceful settlement of Azeri-Armenian conflict.
Stating the tragic consequence of Armenian aggression, minister said
the conflict prevents ensuring peace and security in the region. He
also said Armenians adhere to illegal settling and ethnic cleansing
policy on Azerbaijan’s occupied grounds, Azerbaijan’s culture
and historical monuments in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh are
demolished and set on fire.
On the same day, Mamedyarov met with members of German-Caucasian
friendship group with Bundestag of Germany. The group chairman Stefan
Reichel informed the minister of enlarging the group, estimating this
as an increase of interest in Azerbaijan. In turn, Azeri Minister
stated his satisfaction with dynamic development of mutual relations
between Germany and Azerbaijan, underlined the necessity in further
collaboration.
Within the visit, Minister attended the new building of Azeri Embassy
to Germany. The same day, at the invitation of Prime Minister of
Baden-Wurttemberg Federal Land Mamedyarov visited the reception at
the Land’s representation in Berlin.
The Azeri Foreign Minister’s visit to Germany is going on.

Armenian Prime Minister To Pay Working Visit To Adjara
Daily Georgian Times, Georgia
July 7 2006
Andranik Marganian, Prime Minister of Armenia will pay a three-day
working visit to Batumi.
The Armenian Prime Minister will arrive in the Autonomous Republic
of Adjara on Friday, say the Armenian news agencies.
According to them, Andranik Margarian is to take part in the fifth
session of the Georgian-Armenian Inter Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation.
Within the frameworks of his visit Andranik Margarian will meet his
Georgian counterpart Zurab Noghaideli. The meeting will be dedicated to
priorities in economic and humanitarian cooperation and urgent issues
with that regard, as well as elaboration of a better legislative base.
Andranik Margarian is accompanied by the delegation, which includes
Vardan Khachatryan, Finance and Economic Minister, Gegam Garibjanian,
Deputy Foreign Minister, Armen Avetissia, Head of the Customs
Department of the Armenian government, Areg Galstian, Deputy Energy
Minister, Stepan Marganian, Advisor of Prime Minister, Ararat Khramian,
Executive Director of JS Armenian Railways and other officials.
The Armenian MPs and businessmen are also paying visit to Batumi.
The visit by the Armenian delegation lasts through July 10th.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Creative opportunities of mediators exhausted, leaders of confect
countries should take initiatives – U.S. Amb at OSCE MG
Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov
07.07.2006
The statements by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in a meeting of the
OSCE permanent committee, who stated that they ‘can’t do anything more
in the definition of peaceable principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict’ do not mean a deadlock, U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair told Azerbaijani Service of BBC.
The statement means the creative opportunities of mediators have
exhausted and therefore, there is necessity for initiatives in decision
making by leaders of the confect countries. “It is not a deadlock. It
is the moment in the negotiation process when the co-chairs say the
leaders can take a resolution that they want,” Bryza underscored.
Both leaders possess political will, wish cooperation, but we still
do not know whether they are ready to take final and difficult steps
to summarize the major principles of frame agreement, he said. “Now
it is high time when the leaders should explain their nations the
benefit of the peace plan, show the way for progress with the help
of compromises. This is the way of diplomacy,” the mediator emphasized.
Bryza underlined that thee are fair and encouraging principles.
“These are the best of all proposals put so far. I’d say that we are
too far to peace as never. But I can’t guarantee that the Presidents
using their sovereign rights will accept these proposals or inject
changes, which would satisfy both sides,” he stressed.
According to the co-chair, the statement by the United States on
support to territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and a principle on
self-determination do not contradict each other. “If you pay attention
to the statements by the co-chairs, they refer to both principles. The
most important is to find the contacts between these principles at
the table of talks.