PROTEST ACTIONS IN ISTANBUL DID NOT DARKEN GAREGIN II VISIT
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2006 16:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 39 churches, 17 Armenian schools function in
Istanbul, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II stated upon completion
of his patriarchal visit to Istanbul. “We were glad to see our
compatriots in Istanbul. The 600-year-long history of Constantinople
Patriarchy is preserved,” Garegin II said. He emphasized he does
not think statements on the Armenian Genocide can change Turkish
authorities attitude towards the Armenian community of Istanbul.
“We did not express hatred or hostility in our words, we just stated
the truth,” the Catholicos said. He said that protest actions in
Istanbul, that the authorities characterized as actions of extremist
groupings, did not darken his visit, reports the Press Service of
Holy Echmiadzin.

US SENATE HEARS CANDIDACY FOR US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2006 17:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ While Members of Congress and the Armenian community
demand a full explanation for the premature replacement of Ambassador
to Armenia John M.
Evans, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the
Administration’s nominee, Richard E. Hoagland, reports the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA). Senator George Allen (R-VA), who chaired
the proceedings, noted that there have been serious concerns that Evans
was forced to prematurely end his service as a result of those public
declarations. “I don’t know this to be true,” Allen said, referring
to the circumstances surrounding Evans’ departure. “[I] will say that
many of my colleagues and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as
genocide and have strongly encouraged the President to do so as well.”
Allen asked Hoagland a series of questions on the issue of the
Armenian Genocide beginning with the Administration’s policy towards
referring to the events of 1915. Hoagland responded that no one in
the Administration has ever denied the tragic events that befell
the Armenians. He said his visit to the Genocide Museum and Memorial
in Yerevan was a very sobering and disturbing experience, but added
that the Administration’s position is clear and that, if confirmed, he
would uphold U.S. policy. Allen next asked him if he received specific
instructions on how to address the Armenian Genocide. Hoagland answered
that he hadn’t, reiterating that “whatever we say must be consistent
with the Administration and its policy.”
Following Allen, Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) began his line of
questioning. The Senator said he understood the nominee was in
a difficult position, recognizing that Hoagland “can’t utter the
word genocide.” He expressed hope that the U.S. would reaffirm the
genocide, saying that “you can’t look to the future if you deny
the past.” Switching topics, Coleman questioned Hoagland over the
Turkish blockade against Armenia, asking him how he plans to address
this issue. Hoagland responded that he would support talks between
the countries, noting that a peaceful resolution to the NK conflict
was paramount.
In his statement, Hoagland stressed the importance of strengthening
U.S.-Armenia ties and said that if confirmed, he would work to advance
democratic and social reforms.

NO TERM GENOCIDE IN ISLAM, ERDOGAN SAYS
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2006 17:49 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The matter of respect of religious confession and
freedom of expression was discussed at the PACE summer session on
June 28. According to the report of PACE Committee on Education,
Science and Culture, Finnish MP Snikki Hurskae’s report was heard.
Following him Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about religious
record, tolerance and freedom of expression in Turkey. Then he
answered questions of the MPs. Danish MP Rune Lund accused Turkey
in committing the Armenian Genocide, occupying Cyprus and violating
rights of Kurds. In response the Turkish PM called him “helpless man,
who cannot speak basing himself on historical facts.”
Erdogan noted that he supports research of the Genocide by historians
and underscored Armenian historians are invited to take part. When
asked by a deputy, “why Allah admitted commitment of the genocide,
Erdogan noted there is no concept of genocide in Islam and added
Allah likes all people created like he does himself.”

YEREVAN TO HOST DAYS OF LEBANESE LITERATURE
Armenpress
Jun 29 2006
YEREVAN JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenia will hold Days of Lebanese
Literature. Levon Ananian, the president of the Union of Armenian
Writers, said they were negotiating with Lebanese culture ministry
the details of the event, which will be held most likely in autumn.
Ananian said before the start of the event in Armenia a monument to
prominent Armenian poet, Avetik Isahakian, will be erected in Lebanese
capital city Beirut.
He said the return event- Days of Armenian Literature in Lebanon-
will be held next year.

USA COMPANIES PRESENT NEW POWER GENERATING TECHNOLOGY
Armenpress
Jun 29 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: US-based STC Engineering LLC from
New Mexico and ISI Integrated Solutions, Inc. from Phoenix, Arizona
presented today in Yerevan the most advanced technology for production
of renewable power.
Jirayr Shamirian, the president of the American Gold Pair Inc. told a
seminar here that was convened specially to present this technology
that it is based on the widely applied use of solar energy. But he
said the combined technology allows also to generate power from biogas
received from waste recycling and wind.
He said the issue of combined power production is in the focus of
Armenian president’s attention. He added there are plans to build
in Armenia a workshop for manufacturing of appropriate equipment and
praised Armenian researches saying they can elaborate the technology
further as there are all conditions here for development of combined
power production.
Shamirian said this would also create new jobs and settle the power
problem faced by residents of frontier regions. He said Armenia could
then export the technology and equipment.

AGRICULTURE MINISTER VISITS ARAGATSOTN PROVINCE
Armenpress
Jun 29 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenian agricultural minister David
Lokian traveled the other day through the province of Aragatsotn
parts of which were hit heavily a few days before by a strong hail.
The minister first visited several villages in Aparan and Aragats
regions of the province and spoke to farmers to learn their problems
and then headed for Tsakhkahovit which sustained the heaviest losses
and where the hail is believed to destroy around 60 percent of
wheat crops.
Farmers complained about poor supply of irrigation and drinking water,
roads with potholes, inaccessibility of natural gas. The minister
said he would give instructions to examine the raised problems and
offer proposals how to eliminate them.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE NKR ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A GROUND FOR HAJIEVA
Karine Asatryan
A1+
[05:42 pm] 29 June, 2006
Azerbaijan expresses its readiness to provide the Armenian residents
of the NKR adjacent territories with conditions corresponding
international norms on condition that these lands are returned to
them. Today the Azeri delegation rendered a press release in the PACE
which was presided over by 5 Azeri delegates and not by Samed Seidov
as it was anticipated beforehand.
The most active was Gyultekin Hajieva, the Azeri Parliament deputy
who presented the deputies (who were mainly Azeris) how the Armenians
occupied the 20% of the Azeri lands, how they set the forests adjacent
to the NKR on fire. In answer to the remark of “A1+” that the OSCE
monitoring has not revealed any evidence of burning Hajieva announced
that the monitoring was held only in one territory and it was aimed
at revealing cease-fire violations. When we showed her the territory
where monitoring was held on the map distributed by her Hajieva
announced that she doesn’t want to comment on an announcement put into
circulation by “unknown and not existing NKR authorities.” Naturally
she doesn’t agree with the fact that the monitoring was held by the
suggestion of the NKR in order to check the fact of burning. When
asked why Azerbaijan didn’t apply to the OSCE with the same request
she answered that they have applied both to the OSCE and to the UNO.
The Azeri deputies announced that prior to coming to the PACE summer
summit they had gone to the borderline and seen the burning areas
with their own eyes and were surprised that nobody made an attempt to
extinguish the fire. “The territories are under Armenia’s control and
the fire must be put out be it caused deliberately or by aridity,”
said Deputy Sabir Hajiev after the press release. “Republic of
Nagorno-Karabakh,” we tried to find out whether it existed, “That
territory is not Nagorno-Karabakh, it is Aghdam,” interrupted Gyultekin
Hajieva and entered the PACE hall.
By the way, Gyultekin Hajieva announced during the press release that
the Azeri society treats the conflict settlement procedure within
the scope of the Minsk group rather rhetorically; “There has been
no positive achievement within the recent 10 years. The Co-Chairs
wish the matter to be solved in 2006 but the time showed that their
optimistic announcements are groundless.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IF YOU WANT TO LIVE YOU MUST KEEP SILENT
A1+
[04:20 pm] 29 June, 2006
“Why were you late for three minutes? Don’t you know that we miss
you? We put off our affairs to meet you,” the watchmen guarding
the entrance of the RA Prosecuracy welcomed the staff members of
“Zhamanak Yerevan” newspaper with these words.
It is already 4 days the staff members gather opposite the Prosecuracy
at 2:00 p.m. demanding to release Arman Babajanyan, editor-in-chief
of the newspaper.
Regardless of the Prosecuracy’s accusation against Arman Babajanyan
Liza Tsagharyan representative of the newspaper staff is convinced that
“It was clear from the very first day that Babajanyan’s arrest was
determined by the fact that we initiated the publication of a rather
oppositional newspaper.” Liza Tsagharyan didn’t speak of Babajanyan’s
private life in contrast to the Prosecuracy. “I am convinced that
Arman Babajanyan is not dangerous for the society. If he committed
any crime let them reveal it and bring an action against him without
keeping him in custody.
Even in case Arman announces that he is guilty I am sure that his
arrest is connected with the newspaper activity. Do they have a
right to put a person into prison for document forgery if they don’t
administer justice properly? Criminal authorities don’t have the right
to sentence anyone.” Liza Tsagharyan finds that the Babajanyan’s
examination without an advocate and the rumors about Babajanyan’s
self-confess were deliberate.
At present the staff members of “Zhamanak Yervan” newspaper cannot say
anything definitely about the case until Robert Gevorgyan, the advocate
chosen by them meets Arman Babajanyan. The staff members will likely
render a press release tomorrow to make the details public. Asked the
question how she would comment on the passive participation of other
mass media during today’s rally of complaint Liza Tsagharyan answered,
“I am sorry for them. One day they may counter such problem too. We
are moral people and we shall support them by all means.” By the way,
Avetik Ishkhanyan, head of the Armenian Helsinki Committee is going
to meet Arman Babajanyan. Avetik Ishkhanyan also thinks that Arman
Babajanyan was arrested for his journalistic activity. “If he didn’t
engage in journalism the corresponding bodies wouldn’t bring an action
against him regardless of the fact whether he forged his documents
or not. All these actions are against speech freedom.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WILL THE MISNK GROUP CONTINUE WORKING INTENSIVELY?
A1+
[04:36 pm] 29 June, 2006
“The international organisations don’t have a magic stick in connection
with the Karabakh conflict settlement and it is senseless to expect
any changes from the CoE in this phase,” announced Alexander Grusko,
RF Deputy Foreign Minister from the PACE tribune underlining the vital
role of the OSCE Minsk group in the conflict settlement procedure.
According to the Deputy Minister great efforts have been exerted
recently to come to an agreement and three rather complicated matters
have remained unsolved so far. “The responsibility of the conflict
settlement is put on the shoulders of the two countries under
question,” said Alexander Grusko. The latter didn’t refer to the
Co-Chairs’ recent announcement in which they found the continuation
of the intensified mediation mission senseless, mainly the initiation
of additional meetings between the two Presidents. According to Grusko
the Minsk group continues to work intensively.

THE NKR DELEGATION IS RECEIVED IN THE USA CONGRESS
A1+
[05:04 pm] 29 June, 2006
Yesterday Ashot Ghoulyan, the NKR NA Speaker and Georgi Petrosyan,
the NKR Foreign Minister delivered speeches on the theme “the Karabakh
conflict; Peace conditions” in the US Institute of Peace.
Many diplomats, heads of military centers and organizations and
the representatives of the Armenian community participated in the
discussion. The Karabakh officials presented the NKR position on the
Karabakh conflict settlement, referred to the historical background
of the conflict and to the current phase of peaceful settlement. The
NKR NA Speaker presented the legal and historic bases of the NKR
proclamation and establishment underlying their compliance with
international norms and experience. While speaking of the regional
developments he noted that NKR realizes the interests of the USA
and other countries in South Caucasus, and at the same time Karabakh
expects them to realize its own interests.
The NKR Foreign Minister focused on the current format of the
negotiations which doesn’t reflect the real picture of the conflict
as the Azeri side refuses to negotiate with the NKR. In the same way,
Azerbaijan distorted the possibility of the conflict legal settlement
in 1988 by converting it into ethno-political conflict. At the end
of their speech the NKR representatives answered the participants’
questions.
Further on the Karabakh delegation met with Congressman Nita
Low member of Subcommittee on Foreign Operations of the House of
Representatives. The delegates presented him the social-economic
situation in the NKR, the democratic achievements of the country and
the latest developments of the Karabakh conflict settlement.