EU PROBABLE TO ADJOURN ADOPTION OF ACTION PLAN WITH S CAUCASUS COUNTRIES
Author: À.Mammadov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 16 2006
The European Union might adjourn the adoption of the Action Program
with South Caucasus countries, Benita Ferrero-Valdner, the EU commissar
on foreign policy stated in Brussels.
The development of a new stage of talks with Armenian, Azerbaijan
and Georgia is not rules out, Radio Liberty reports. “One more stage
of talks is expected. The talks will be held as soon as we witness
these countries’ readiness for it. I hope we will reach agreement,”
Valdner stressed, according to Prime News agency.
–Boundary_(ID_xknYa/eNyJ/I1SRC/Xd69g)–

ADMINISTRATION OF AKHALKALAK REGION EXPECTS THAT AFTER RUSSIAN TROOPS’ REMOVAL, JAVAKHK SOLDIERS NOT TO LOSE FLATS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 15 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Artur Yeremian,
the head of the Akhalkalak region has a hope that after Russian troops’
removal, dwelling houses of No62 Russian Military Base will be included
in the dwelling fund balance of the Mayor’s Office of the city of
Akhalkalak. According to the “A-Info” agency, the majority of flats of
the military base’s dwelling houses belongs to soldiers of Javakhk. The
region heads expect that after the troops’ leaving, when the military
base will be given to the Defence Ministry of Georgia, inhabitation of
Javakhk will not lose its flats. The regional administration started
to form the list of inhabitation of Javakhk living in the military
base for on the occasion of the above-mentioned, it addresses to the
central authorities of Georgia with a corresponding request.

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN NOMINEE AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 15 2006
WASHINGTON, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. During her Senate
confirmation hearing on May 12, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee
Anne Derse reiterated U.S. policy for a peaceful, mutually acceptable
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that “a return
to violence would be a tragedy.” According to the Armenian Assembly
of America, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), a senior member of the
Foreign Relations Committee, submitted a series of questions for
the record, including the government of Azerbaijan’s continuing war
rhetoric and other bellicose actions taken against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. Specifically, the Senator inquired about the impact of such
acts on the Karabakh peace process, and what steps will be taken to
end Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Armenia. Further, he addressed
Azerbaijan’s attempts to isolate Armenia via a proposed railway
that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, but not traverse
Armenia. The Senator also raised questions regarding the decision
of the Administration to provide asymmetrical military assistance
to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as on Azerbaijan’s human rights
record. “The Assembly commends Senator Sarbanes for his outstanding
leadership on these issues of great significance,” said Assembly Board
of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah. Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) asked Derse
about the status of the Karabakh issue and her general assessment
of democracy in the Azerbaijan. Lugar added that Azerbaijan will not
reach its full potential if the rule of law is not improved.
Derse responded that if confirmed, she will work toward expanding
and strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan security cooperation and help
promote democracy and governance. She said a peaceful settlement to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is critical to achieving this goal
and expressed hope that President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will work together on this
issue. She further stated that as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, the
U.S. will also urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain engaged in the
process and demonstrate political courage. Derse also expressed
her commitment to work with both countries towards a peaceful
resolution. “We appreciate Ambassador-designate Derse’s intentions to
promote democracy in Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” said Totah. “But the Nagorno Karabakh
problem calls for the full commitment of the United States to require
Azerbaijan to end its threats of renewed warfare and to defend the
right of the population of Nagorno Karabakh to determine its political
future through a democratic government of their free choice. Regional
security, economic prosperity, and peace will be possible only if
these principles are followed.”
On the issue of good governance, Derse stressed the importance of a
genuine effort by Azerbaijan to respect human rights in order to pursue
democratic reform and ensure long-term political stability. Derse most
recently served as Director for Bio Defense Policy at the Homeland
Security Council at the White House. Prior to this, she served as
Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Embassy
in Baghdad, Iraq. Earlier in her career, she served as Minister
Counselor for Economic Affairs at the United States Mission to the
European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

TAVUSH REGIONAL GOVERNOR’S ASSISTANT INVENTS NEW MARTIAL ART
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
GYUMRI, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Tavush Regional Governor’s Assistant, poet
Lyubik Chibukhchian published a 150-pages book about a new martial art
invented by him. According to the author, this was published under
the patronage of Ijevan Mayor Varuzhan Nersisian. Means of the new
martial art called “Chibu” by the initial letters of the author’s
surname are pictured in the book.
According to L.Chibukhchian, 3 people, he, his sister’s and brother’s
sons, know that new martial art at present. To recap, Lyubik published
earlier a poem entitled “Vladimir of Vladimirs” about President of
Russia Vladimir Putin.

VIOLATIONS REVEALED IN 165 OUT OF 217 TRADE AND SERVICE ENTITIES IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. From February 1 to May 13, checkings
were carried out by Yerevan Mayor’s Office, prefectures and city
department of Police in 217 trade and service entities of Yerevan. As
Deputy Yerevan Mayor Arman Sahakian informed at the May 15 press
conference, different kinds of violations were revealed in 165 of
trade and service entities, on the basis of which protocols were
made up and 4 mln 501 thousand drams (about 10 thousand USD) was
collected. According to A.Sahakian, program of modernization of trade
boths and pavilions will be also organized by the Mayor’s Office and
prefectures in 2006-2008. According to A.Sahakian, a number of studies
were conducted for the purpose of regulating trade in underground
passages and observing the sanitary norms, on the basis of which
repairs of underground passages will be carried out.

THREE MATERNITY HOSPITALS OF ARMENIA SATIATED WITH NEWEST EQUIPMENT BY GRANT ALLOCATED BY JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. By the means of the 1 mln 700
thousand dollars grant allocated by the Japanese Government, the
RA Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, Hrazdan and
Gavar maternity hospitals were satiated with newest equipment. As
Razmik Abrahamian, the Director of the center mentioned at the May
12 event taken place in Yerevan, equiment was bought and placed
by Japanese. According to him, the newest equipment will give
possibility to study baby’s development, to implement all necessary
interferences which will assist reduction of infant mortality and
growth of birthrate. R.Abrahamian mentioned that one of the equipment
even gives possibility to diagnose children with a defect or deviation
of development during the inter-uterine life.
Shuichi Tokuda, the Advisor of the Japanese Embassy to the RA mentioned
that besides the technical assistance to maternity hospitals, they
will organize re-training courses as well for Armenian specialists.

THIRD NAVIGATION OF “CILICIA” TO START ON MAY 28
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Cilicia” vessel landed at present
at the Portsmouth port of London will start its third, four-months
navigation on May 28. As Karen Danielian, a member of the vessel
crew informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, the “Cilicia” vessel
built by analogy with merchant ships of the 13th century will sail
towards Scandinavian countries, then through the Baltic Sea to Saint
Petersburg. According to him, the “Cilicia” vessel will continue the
navigation along Russian channels, Volga river, the Sea of Azof and
will enter the Black Sea. Then the vessel will be moved to the Sevan
Lake and turned into a museum. K.Danielian mentioned that members
of the vessel crew will leave for London on May 14 to prepare for
the last stage of the navigation. To recap, “Cilicia” sailed along
Black, Marmora, Aegean, Cretan, Ionian and Adriatic seas in 2004,
went into the Atlantic Ocean in 2005, then sailing round Portugal,
Spain and other European countries, reached London.

U.S. PEACE CORPS FUNCTIONS IN ARMENIA FOR 13 YEARS
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The 45 anniversary of creation of the
U.S. Peace Corps is marked this year. The Corps has implemented
its activity during the recent 13 years in Armenia as well. On
this occasion, the U.S. Embassy organized on May 12 a visit to the
marzes of Gavar and Tavush where journalists were given possibility
to get acquainted with works of the Peace Corps at place. 25 years
old Kim Spigelmire has voluntary worked at secontary school No7 of
the city of Sevan already for 2 years. Within the framework of the
health care education program of the community, he, jointly with his
Armenian partner nurse Knkush Grigorian organizes courses addressed
against AIDS, introduces methods of prevention of diseases to
Armenian children, tells about consequences of smoking and using
alcohol. With the volunteer’s participation, a linguistic study
for teaching English was created in school. 24-years old Tony Kim
implements his voluntary activity in Dilijan, at the “Dilijan”
children’s anti-tubelcular health resort. As his Armenian partner,
Director of the health resort Yevgenia Hovhannisian mentioned, Kim
is engaged in entertaining children, holding computer and sports
courses with. Due to the volunteer’s efforts, the health resort
got text-books, solved problems connected with restoration of the
gym. According to the information of the Voluntary Corps Office,
482 volunteers have served in Armenia during the recent 13 years,
and 80 volunteers work in the republic at present. The Peace Corps
implements at present in Armenia 4 main programs: English language
teaching, community and business development, community health care
education, nature protectional education.

DISMANTLE OF ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION IMPLEMENTED IN SAYAT-NOVA STREET
Noyan Tapan
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Dismantle of a self-willed construction
built by a company between Sayat-Nova building No12 and Nalbandian
building 25-A in Yerevan started on May 12. After building a cafe in
the cellar of Sayat-Nova building No12, this company widened volumes
of the construction in the direct neighborhood of the 2 buildings,
ignoring the seismic norms. According to some information, in the
cellar ground of the above-mentioned building, two businessmen from
Iran invisaged to build a factory of plastic production.
According to Yerevan Mayor’s Advisor Hrachia Muradian, the Urban
Development and Land Control Department of the Yerevan Mayor’s
Office warned the company about stopping the construction and
implementing restoration works. The builder was already incured
to, first, 200 thousand drams (about 450 dollars) administrative
penalty formerly, and for the second time, to 400 thousand drams
administrative penalty. Employees of the Yerevan community head’s
office and corresponding services of the Yerevan Mayor’s Office were
also incured administrative penalty for not preventing the illegal
construction and delaying in the issue of its liquidation. According
to H.Muradian, the company having implemented the illegal construction
will have to pay from its own financial resources for works of the
dismantle implemented by the Mayor’s Office as well as for restoration
works implemented in parallel to the dismantle. About 60 self-willed
constructions have already been destroyed during the current year in
Yerevan, within the framework of the struggle against illegal building.

GENOCIDE STATEMENT ‘FREE SPEECH’
Sunday Times, Australia
May 16 2006
A VICTORIAN MP’s parliamentary speech accusing Turkish people of
ignoring acts of genocide more than 80 years ago was a sign of free
speech at work, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said today.
Jenny Mikakos, the parliamentary secretary for justice, whose ethnic
background is Greek, has accused Turkey of ignoring the killing of
hundreds of thousands of ethnic Greeks between 1916 and 1923.
In a short speech to the Victorian upper house during the last session
of Parliament, Ms Mikakos reportedly said: “On May 19, the Pontian
community in Victoria and around the world will commemorate the 87th
anniversary of the Pontian genocide that occurred in present-day
Turkey.
“Between 1916 and 1923, over 353,000 Pontic Greeks living in Asia
Minor and in Pontus, which is near the Black Sea, died as a result of
the 20th Century’s first but less-known genocide,” Fairfax reported
her as saying.
“Over a million Pontic Greeks were forced into exile. In the preceding
years, 1.5 million Armenians and 750,000 Assyrians in various parts
of Turkey also perished.”
Two Labor MPs of Turkish descent, Adem Somyurek and John Eren,
interjected but Ms Mikakos continued speaking.
“The Turkish government must begin the reconciliation process by
acknowledging these crimes against humanity. The suffering of the
victims of the Pontian genocide cannot and will not be forgotten,”
she said.
The comments, made under a system of 90-second free statements for
MPs established by the Bracks Government, have outraged Turkish and
Jewish groups.
But Mr Bracks today said Ms Mikakos, one of two members for the safe
Jika Jika province in Melbourne’s north, was free to make the speech.
“Free speech is something that we uphold, and I understand that,
and the freedom to criticise someone who makes a statement is also
appropriate as well,” he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
“As to the interpretation of those events, that is a matter which,
really, other people can judge, but this is something she obviously
felt passionate about.
“It’s up to her. She is a member of parliament who can submit those
things to the Parliament.
“But equally, people have the right to vigorously disagree with her
point of view.”