FESTIVAL OF BRITISH FILMS TO BE HELD ALSO IN GYUMRI FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 10, the 5th
Festival of British Films will start at the “Nairi” cinema with the
display of the film “Calendar Girls” by the British Director Nigel
Cole. As Nigel Townson, Director of the British Council in Armenia,
informed at the March 7 press conference, the Festival of British films
in Yerevan held for the fifth time was appreciated by the Armenian
film-goers, by which the organizing of the same festival in Gyumri
for the first time this year on March 17-19 is conditioned.

According to Nigel Townson, though he has come to Armenia recently,
he noticed that Armenians are lovers of best films and attend
cinema. “That fact became more obvious in the days of the festival
of European films held in Armenia recently. The cinema halls were
over-crowded, and there were always people gathered in front of the
ticket-offices,” Director of the British Council mentioned.

According to the tradition of the previous years, this time also
films which won prizes and took part in competition programs of the
festivals are brought to Armenia. According to Nigel Townson, in the
issue of selection of films they gave priority to the quality of the
films, and not to their being British or non-British.

Nigel Townson also mentioned that he has just come to Armenia and
is not so much acquainted with the Armenian cinema though he saw a
number of Armenian films in England last year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ACCORDING TO CALIFORNIA COURIER, STATE DEPARTMENT FINALIZES DECISION TO RECALL US AMBASSAFOR TO ARMENIA JOHN EVANS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

GLENDALE, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The US Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans will be
recalled in the coming months and replaced by Richard E. Hoagland,
the current US Ambassador to Tajiskistan. According to the weekly
“The California Courier”, the US State Deparment recently finalized
its decision about recall of John Evans.

According to reliable Armenian governmental sources, Amb. Evans
informed high-ranking Armenian officilas last week about his
departure in the coming months, pending the Senate approval of his
likely successor.

Knowledgeable US sources in Washington confirmed to Harut Sassounian,
Publisher of “The California Courier” that Amb. Evans was recalled
for publicly aknowledging the Armenian Genocide.

Neither the ambassador not the State Department made any public
comments regarding these developments.

Last year, during a public gathering at the University of California
at Berkeley, Amb. Evans courageously said: “I will today call it the
Armenian G enocide… I informed myself in depth about it. I think
we, the US government, owe you, our fellow citizens, a more frank
and honest way of discussing this problem. Today, as someone who has
studied it … there’s no doubt in my mind [as to] what happened… I
think it is unbecoming of us, as Americans, to play word games here. I
believe in calling things by their name.” Referring to the Armenian
Genocide as “the first genocide of the 20th century,” he said: “I
pledge to you, we are going to do a better job at addressing this
issue.” Amb.

Evans also disclosed that he had consulted with a legal advisor at
the State Department who had confirmed that the events of 1915 were
“genocide by definition.”

Within days of making these statements, Amb. Evans issued “a
clarification” in which he said that “misunderstandings” might have
arisen as a result of his earlier comments. He said that he had used
the term “genocide” in his “personal capacity.”

Several months later the American Foreign Service Association took
the very unusual step of rescinding a “Constructive Dissent” award
that it had decided to grant Amb. Evans during a special ceremony
that was to be held at the State Department on June 17, 2005.

“The California Courier” reminded that during a hearing before the
House International Relations Committee last month, Cong. Adam Schiff
(Democrat of California) asked US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
several pointed questions regarding Amb. Evans. Cong. Schiff asked that
Secretary Rice explain in writing if the State Dept. played any role
in the reversal of the decision to grant Amb. Evans the “dissent”
award. Cong. Schiff also asked the Secretary State to assure the
House Committee that the Department of State has not taken, and will
not take, any punitive actions against Amb. Evans for speaking out
about the Armenian Genocide. Secretary Rice has not yet responded to
these questions.

It is noteworthy that the former US ambassadors to Armenia officiated
for three years each, while Joh Evans has not yet completed the second
year of his 3-year term of office.

ARMENIA JOINS EUROCONTROL ON MARCH 1

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia became the 36th member state
of Eurocontrol on March 1. NT was informed about it from the RA MFA
Press and Information Department.

Becoming a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) in 1922, Armenia joined the International Civil Aviation
Union. Armenia was the first one of the former Soviet republics to
join the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in 1996. Since
that time, Armenia has received ECAC technical assistance.

Armenia has developed jointly with Eurocontrol a program on
modernization of its air traffic management services. Armenian experts
have been sent to the Eurocontrol Office for this purpose.

According to Eurocontrol’s Director General Victor Aguago, Armenia’s
joining the Eurocontrol is one of the most welcome developments which
is fully in line with the programs aimed at developing the European
Air Management System.

He attached importance to this step in terms of creation of new
airways in the region in European and Far East destinations.

Eurocontrol is a European organization on air traffic safety, whose
main purpose is to develop the European Air Traffic Management System
under current conditions of air traffic growth.

RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HIGHLY APPRAISES CONSTANT ASSISTANCE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TOADY. On March 7, a
thorough discussion over the dynamically developing and saturated
Armenian-American agenda, as well as a number of international and
regional issues, was held at the meeting of Matthew Bryza, USA Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,
and Vartan Oskanian, RA Minister of the Foreign Affairs.

The Minister highly appraised the constant support of the American
Government to Armenia in the direction of the democracy, protection of
human rights and economic reforms. In that sense some details connected
with the decision of the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation to
give a big grant to Armenia were discussed.

Then the sides touched upon the energy issues of the territory within
the framework of correlation of energy possibilities with the other
countries of the region and of diversification of the energy sphere
of Armenia.

The Minister in short also presented some priority directions of the
foreign policy of Armenia, stressing out the process of implementing
of the Individual Partnership Actions Plan within the framwork of
Armenia-NATO cooperation, as well as the negotiations being held with
EU within the framwork of the New Neighborhood policy, the second
stage of which successfuly ended on March 6.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Press and Information Department
of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the end of the meeting the
sides discussed issues over the regional cooperation, as well as the
situation formed after the last stage of the negotiations round the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

TWO FOLD INCREASE IN GAS PRICE TO MAKE CEMENT EXPORT FROM ARMENIA IMPOSSIBLE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. In case of a twofold increase in the
gas price, the cement production cost will increase by 15% in Armenia,
which will make it impossible to export this building material from
the country – under conditions of a high transportation cost. Artur
Ashughian, Head of the Nature Use and Mining Industry Department of
the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, stated this at
the March 7 press conference.

According to him, in case of the current gas price of 54 USD for 1,000,
gas accounts for 30-42% of the cost of cement produced in Armenia,
but it will account for 52-60% as a result of the gas price increase
to 110 USD.

Naira Martirosian, Director General of Mika Cement company, stated
previously that the company operated with a 5% profitability in
late 2005.

STAFF OF FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM OF ARMENIA LEAVING FOR GERMANY STILL NOT DEFINED

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 21, the national team of
Armenia will held an unofficial match with the German youth national
team at the city of Ahlen, Germany. Henk Vismann, the Chief Trainer
of the national team of Armenia is going to invite Gevorg Kasparov,
Armando Hambardzumian, Edgar Gasparian, Sargis Hovsepian, Alexander
Tadevosian, Robert Arzumanian, Aghvan Lazarian, Valeri Alexandrian,
Artash Baghdasarian, Hamlet Mkhitarian, Romik Khachatrian, Armen
Tigranian, Levon Pachajian, Artur Voskanian, Samvel Melkonian, Romeo
Jenebian, Hovhannes Grigorian, Suren Sargsian, Arman Karamian, Aram
Hakobian, Edgar Manucharian, Davit Grigorian and Tigran Gharabakhtsian
into team.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Press Secretariate of the Football
Federation of Armenia, the technical administration of the national
teams of the Football Federation of Armenia applied to the clubs of
the mentioned football players. Taking into account that the 21th of
March is not a day for unofficial match, and the national championships
start in a number of countries, it is possible, that some football
players will not be able to take part in the meeting. The final staff
of the team leaving for Germany will be defined later.

MATTHEW BRYZA: US WILL STIVE TO DEVELOP DEMOCRACY NOT ONLY FROM UP TO DOWN BUT ALSO FROM DOWN TO UP

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The purpose
of my visit to Armenia is to do everything possible for further
strengthening of the Armenian-US relations,” Matthew Bryza, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,
stated at a press conference in Yerevan on March 7.

In particular, according to him, the US attached special importance to
the Armenian-US bilateral relations in the field of democracy and the
issue of power-bearing substances diversification in Armenia. M. Bryza
noted that diversification is important not only with respect to
the issue of gas import – great attention should also be paid to the
development of hydropower energy, geothermal energy, as well as the
construction of nuclear power plants of new generation.

Regarding the current level of democracy in Armenia, M. Bryza noted
that he would not like to attach any label to Armenia, particularly,
to say what kind of country Armenia is today, – Armenia is in the
process of democratization.

We believe that it will proceed successfully, otherwise Armenia would
not have been included in the Millennium Challenges Program, he said.

He also underlined that the development of the democratization process
requires the political will of the country’s authorities and the
constructive position of its political parties. He said that in the
coming months, the US will try to use all available resources in order
to develop democracy not only from up to down but also from down to up.

RAMIL SAFAROV TO MAKE STATEMENT AT COURT

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The special sitting
of the trial of Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov being accused of
Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian’s murder will take place in Budapest
on March 7.

On the previous day Safarov’s attorney Adil Islamov stated that
he met with the defendant who has seriously prepared for today’s
sitting. According to the defence advocate’s evidence, Safarov’s
main goal is to explain the world what instigated him to kill
Gurgen Margarian with an axe. Ismaylov also mentioned that he has
no information about results of Safarov’s regular judicial-medical
examination.

Before that Safarov and the team defending him has chosen the strategy
of proving the defendant’s irresponsibility. Nazeli Vardanian, the
attorney defending interests of Gurgen Margarian’s legal successor
said to Radio Liberty: “If they decided to inform all the society
why Safarov conducted that crime and give new reasonings, this may
become something new.”

“After the anti-Armenian statements made during the preliminary
investigation, Safarov read during the first court sitting the speech
prepared by the attorneys in which he expressed sorrow for what he
had done. During all the five sittings taken place after that Safarov
said no word, even in prejudice of him, refused to answer questions. If
now he decided to say anything it would be interesting to listen to,”
the attorney mentioned.

The first two examinations made concerning Safarov’s mental state gave
reasons for dissenting opinions as for the first time the Hungarian
psychologists decided that the Azeri soldier killed with an axe the
Armenian officer of 26 years old during the English Language courses
organized by the NATO in Budapest in 2004 was liable, and for the
second time they decided that Safarov wasn’t able to control his
actions completely, thus, he’s limited liable. The third expert’s main
activity and conclusions rose serious doubts in his being just what
made to state that conclusion invalid and appoint a new examination.

“The court refered this issue objectively, gave a correct
estimation to the last two experts’ conclusions and appointed a
new examination. Besides, on December 15 the Prosecutor presented
intercession for two witnesses not having been examined at the court
were invited,” Nazeli Vardanian finished.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JOHN EVANS: I DON’T KNOW WHEN I WILL LEAVE ARMENIA, I HAVE NOT SUBMITTED ANY DOCUMENT REGARDING THIS ISSUE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. I do not agree that
the Rambouillet meeting failed, the Karabakh settlement process
stopped or reached a deadlock, and the Minsk Group did not come
up to expectations. The sides came close to reaching an agreement,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Matthew Bryza said at the March 7 press conference. According to him,
the issues, on which the sides failed to come to an agreement, need
to be settled. He disagreed that his visit intentionally coincided
with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen’s meeting in Washington –
his meeting was planned much earlier.

As for the rumors about the recall of the US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans, the US diplomat noted that Ambasador Evans serves the
US President. He is a fantastically good ambassador, while the US
President deals with personnel issues, so it is for him to speak about
personnel issues, he said. In the opinion of M. Bryza, Ambassador
Evans succeeded in forming a good expert team in Armenia.

In response to the same question, Amb. Evans underlined that he serves
the US President, and no one can be an eternal ambassador. He said
that he does not know when he will leave Armenia and that he has not
submitted any document regarding that issue. I will not give up my
work until my plane takes off from Armenia, he stated.

COURT RECOGNIZES RAMIL SAFAROV AS SANE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 07 2006

BUDAPEST, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Azerbaijani officer
Ramil Safarov, who is charged with murder of Armenian officer Gurgen
Margarian, was recogniized as sane at the regular court sitting in
Budapest, Radio Liberty reported.

Lawyer Nazeli Vardanian who defends the interests of the Margarian
family told during an interview to Radio Liberty that after hearing
the testimonies of two Hungarian witnesses and the conclusion of
the fourth expert, the court dismissed all the petitions of Safarov’s
defence to call new witnesses to court, and based on the first expert’s
conclusion about Safarov’s being sane at the moment of committing the
crime, court decided that there is enough information for the final
conclusion of the prosecution and defence sides.

The prosecution and defence speeches, as well as the final word of
the accused will be heard at the next sitting to be held on April 4.

The court ruling will be made public on April 13.

According to Nazeli Vardanian, since no changes were made in charges
brought against the accused during the trial, in accordance with the
Criminal Code of Hungary and based on the charges, Ramil Safarov may
be sentenced to 8-15 years’ or life imprisonment.