DILIJAN RESORT TO OFFER NEW HOTELS FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS
Armenpress
May 10 2006
IJEVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS: A hotel in the Armenian resort town of
Dilijan is set to reopen later this year. Town mayor Armen Santrosian
said to Armenpress a Moscow-based businessman, a native of the town,
has invested $5 million to have it reconstructed. The hotel, he said,
has 101 rooms and will offer all modern conveniences.
The resort city of Dilijan has unspoiled forests, natural springs,
and clean air and used to attract tens of thousands of holidaymakers
from across the former Soviet Union. Located in the northern part
of Armenia it is famous for its spectacular scenery and cultural
centers. It is home to the Haghartsin Monastery, an 11th-13th century
church situated deep in the woods, about 18 km from the town and the
beautifully landscaped 12th century monastery of Goshavank. Santrosian
said some other resorts have undergone major repairs and will take
in holidaymakers this summer.
He said the Tourist Development Association of Dilijan is focusing
now on boosting what is known as eco-and-family tourism. Fifteen
families were selected in a town quarter that has preserved many of
its traditions, to host visitors. The quarter will have a parking lot,
a mini-bus to take visitors to various sites of the region and home
owners will have a special training course.
The local business promotion center will publish soon a booklet about
local resorts, climate, flora and fauna, history and culture.

FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN APPOINTED CHARGE D’AFFAIRES IN FRANCE
Armenpress
May 10 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS: A spokesman for Armenian foreign ministry,
Hamlet Gasparian, was appointed charge d’affaires in France. Gasparian
had already served in France as an aide to Armenian embassy in Paris.
He was appointed press secretary of the ministry in 2003 autumn. In
2005 he was picked up to coordinate and steer the Days of Italy in
Armenia. As charge d’affaires Gasparian is expected to help better
organize the Year of Armenia in France, a program of extensive events
set to start in autumn.
Prior to his diplomatic career Gasparian served as editor of an
Armenian daily Azg, head of Armenian National TV. Late last year he
was granted the rank of charge d’affaires and authorized minister by
president Kocharian.
Armenian foreign ministry said Vladimir Karapetian, head of press
and information division, was picked to replace Gasparian.

PROTESTS AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF THE LAW ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT FRENCH PARLIAMENT
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 10:38
Several French Historians have issued a “statement of complaint”
connected with the discussions of the Law on the Armenian Genocide
at the National Assembly of France scheduled May 18.
Turkish “Hurriet” daily informs that the authors of the statement,
Jean-Pierre Azema, Elisabeth Badinter, Marc Fero, Jacques Julliard,
Pierre Nora, Mona Ozuf, Jean-Pierre Vernand and Pierre Vidal-Nake,
complain that the Law envisages strict punishment for Armenian Genocide
deniers and violates freedom of expression in France.
“We are deeply shocked with the law. In case the law is adopted,
history teachers in French schools will be arrested,” the statement
says.

SEARCH FOR THE BLACK BOXES SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF A HURRICANE PREDICTED
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 12:42
Deepwater search for the black boxes of the crashed A-320 plane
has been suspended because of a four-grade hurricane forecasted,
representative of the Operative Staff of the Russian Ministry of
Emergency Situations told RIA Novosti.
“Currently the works of the past days are being summed up during
consultations,” the agency representative said. French specialists
arrived in Sochi with special facilities, which are being currently
installed on the “Navigator” ship.

ARMENIA NOT ELECTED INTO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 12:55
Armenia was not elected into UN Human Rights Council. MEDIAMAX Agency
informs that among the Eastern European States elecetd to the Council
were Azerbaijan (3 years), Czech Republic (1 year), Poland (1 year),
Romania (2 years), Russian Federation (3 years) and Ukraine (2 years).
Other Eastern European states competing for membership were Albania,
Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.
To remind, in 2001 and 2004 Armenia was elected member of the UN Human
Rights Commission, which wll be replaced by the newly created Council.

OSKANYAN-MAMEDYAROV MEETING EXPECTED
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 13:11
Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said that in the framework
of the events organized by the Council of Europe May 18-19 he will
meet the Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan.
Azeri media reports that Mamedyarov noted that the opportunities for
the meeting of Presidents will be discussed during the meeting.
“So far it is no known for sure whether the Presidents will meet or
not, it is still early to speak about it, but it’s not excluded,”
he said.

ARKADI GHUKASYAN: KARABAKH ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED VIA FORCE
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 13:27
“The war imposed to us proved that the Karabakh issue cannot be
resolved via force,” NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan declared yesterday
during May 9 festive events.
“We were defending our land, we won, but we cannot say that Armenian
and Azeri people are happy today. It means that the issue should be
resolved on the political level, and there is no alternative to it,”
Arkadi Ghukasyan said, adding that it is our common problem not to
allow resumption of military actions. According to NKR President,
to exclude the resumption of war, we should be always ready for it.

EUROPE DAYS TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 13:37
Traditionally Europe celebrates May 9 as the day of birth of united
and peaceful Europe. On this occasion May 11-18 events dedicated
to the Europe Day will be held in Armenia at the initiative of the
European Movement.
Head of the European Movement in Armenia Viktor Yengibaryan told
“Arminfo” that the opening of the Days of Europe in Armenia will be
held at the Museum of Folk Arts.
The event will be attended by representatives of RA Government,
National Assembly, NGOs and educational establishments. Greeting
speeches will be delivered by Head of the European Movement in Armenia
Viktor Yengibaryan and representative of the Armenian delegation to
the European Commission Georg Miller.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA WILL FOLLOW THAT THE CRIME OF NATIONALIST SKINHEADS IS DETECTED
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 14:14
Preliminary investigation of the case of murder of 17-year-old Vigen
Abrahamyan killed by skinheads near “Pushkinskaya” metro station of
Moscow continues.
Head of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan told “Radiolur”
correspondent that it is still early to say anything, there are some
dissenting facts. Particularly, the version that student of one of
the Moscow secondary schools Denis Kulagin killed the Armenian young
man for pursuing his girl-friend, does not correspond to reality.
April 22 the City Prosecutor’s Office of Moscow launched a criminal
case on the fact of murder of Muscovite Vigen Arahamyan. A committee
has been created to follow the inquiry, the Union of Armenians
of Russia has hired an attorney and will follow that the crime of
nationalist skinheads is detected.
Ara Abrahamyan does not doubt that the young man was killed not
because he was Armenian but because he had Caucasian appearance.

TURKEY RECALLS ITS AMBASSADORS TO FRANCE AND CANADA
ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 14:35
Turkish Ambassadors to France and Canada have been temporarily recalled
to Ankara to hold consultations connected with the possible adoption
of the law envisaging sanctions against Armenian Genocide deniers by
the French Parliament.
Turkish media reports that the recall of the Ambassadors is
associated with the fact that both countries have recognized the
Armenian Genocide. Press Secretary of the Turkish Parliament Namk Tan
told the journalists that the Ambassadors to France and Canada Osman
Koruturk and Aydemir Erman will return to execution of their duties
after the consultations.