COMUNISTS OF VANADZOR CONVENE NO PRESS CONFERENCE FOR ONE YEAR, BUT THEY DON’T THINK THEY ARE PASSIVE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 14 2006
VANADZOR, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Vanadzor City
Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia convened a press-conference
on March 14, after a year of silence. City Committee First Secretary
Andranik Ghukasian criticized the rise of the gas price accusing in
this issue not Russia but “Hayrusgasard” which, according to him,
pursues a superprofit. On the occasion of the regular rise of the
food prices, Ghukasian made such a statement: “Does fish also come
from Russia: it costs 600 drams in the market.”
Responding the Noyan Tapan correspondent’s question by what the
one-year passivity of the Vanadzor communist party was provided,
the City Committee First Secretary mentioned that it’s right,
they haven’t convened press-conferences for a year, but have had
correspondence relating to the social-economic problems of the marz
with the Governor of the marz of Lori. Responding the next question,
that the Governor of Lori mentioned in the TV interview that no
party presented proposals relating to the conception concerning the
prospects of social-economic development of the marz worked out
by the regional administration, one of the communist gave a cue:
“The Governor tells a lie.” On that occasion A.Ghukasian presented
to media a document consisting of 5 points addressed to the Governor.
Among the other proposals, decrease of the electricity price during
the winter months was also proposed in it. The communists of Vanadzor
also criticized the fact of regular creation of new parties. The City
Committee First Secretary proposed that parties unite according to
the ideology, and repeating the idea of Ruben Tovmasian, the First
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia,
stated, that the only political party in Armenia is the commmunist
party.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GRANT COMPETITION FOR NGOS PROMOTING ACTIVITY IN YOUTH SPHERE ANNOUNCED
Noyan Tapan
Mar 14 2006
VANADZOR, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Lori regional library’s
reading-room receives more than 2 dozens of republican, Moscow and
Vanadzor newspapers and magazines. Thanks to this the attendance of
readers to the reading-room doesn’t decrease even in winter months
when the library heating is bad. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was
informed by the library press service, sometimes the newspapers
subscription is organized with the efforts of the local authorities
though the library is within the jurisdiction of RA Ministry of
Culture and Youth Affairs. At the same time, it was mentioned that
the library book fund is seldom replenished with new books, at best
foreign literature is received within the framework of the grant
program. The library doesn’t receive the books of Armenian prosaists
published in recent years: sometimes only Vanadzor prosaists donate
several samples of their books to the library.

U.S. VIEWS ON AZERI-ARMENIAN DISPUTE
United Press International
March 15 2006
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15 (UPI) — The U.S. co-chair of the mediating
OSCE Minsk Group, Steven Mann visited the Azeri capital Baku Tuesday.
Ambassador Mann, the State Department’s senior advisor for Eurasia,
and State Department Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian
Affairs Daniel Fried met Azerbaijani officials to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the AssA-Irada news agency said.
AssA-Irada said that during a press conference Mann urged both nations
to seek a negotiated settlement despite the lack of concrete results
of during February talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders in
Rambouillet, France.
Following the collapse of those discussions, a number of Azerbaijani
politicians threatened to use the country’s surging oil revenues
to acquire more military hardware and re-launch a war to resolve
the dispute.
Mann told journalists “There are issues of concern for both parties
that are reflected in their positions. But the resumption of
hostilities would be a tragedy for both countries. No war will lead
to a solution either now or in 20 years.
“At the same time, in considering the military option, Azerbaijan
should take into account other factors, such as the importance of
energy projects that will bring profits to the country. America is
cooperating with Azerbaijan and Armenia and deems both as friendly
nations,” he said.
In one of its first foreign policy initiatives after coming to power
five years ago, the Bush administration attempted in April 2001 to
mediate a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The two
countries fought a three-year war over Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended
with a 1994 cease-fire, leaving Armenia occupying the traditionally
Armenian enclave.

FARHAT, TJEKNAVORIAN TO RECORD ANOTHER SYMPHONY IN ARMENIA
Mehr News Agency, Iran
March 15 2006
TEHRAN, Mar. 15 (MNA) — Once again, Iranian musicians Shahin Farhat
and Loris Tjeknavorian will travel to Yerevan in May to record a new
symphony with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.
The symphony, which was composed by Farhat, is entitled “Martyrs”.
Farhat’s “Iranian Lady Symphony”, “Damavand Symphony”, and “Persian
Gulf Symphony” were also recorded in Armenia.
“Martyrs” has been composed in four movements. The first movement has
an epic theme, and the second movement is dominated by calm melodies
borrowed from the folk music of central and southern Iran.
The third movement shifts to the stirring rhythm of war, and the
fourth inspires one with the joy of triumph.
Iran’s Sorush Institute is to release the Persian Gulf Symphony during
the Noruz (Iranian New Year) holidays, which begin on March 21. Last
month, Farhat said that if Sorush continued delaying the release of the
symphony, he would release it without lyrics through another company.
A strong sense of patriotism permeates all of Farhat’s works.

PACE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NAGORNO GARABAGH MIGHT CHANGE ITS STATUS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 15 2006
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Bureau today discussed
the report submitted by chairman of PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno
Garabagh Lord Russell-Johnston (APA).
The head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov said the
report was approved and submitted to the sitting of the Subcommittee to
be held in Strasbourg on April 13-14. According to Mr.Seyidov, though
the Council of Europe does not play a decisive role in settlement of
the Nagorno Garabagh conflict, it has an impulsive force regarding
this issue.
“Therefore, the Azerbaijani side takes serious the activity of the
Subcommittee. The documents adopted by the subcommittee can be a
basis for resolutions in favour of Azerbaijan,” Seyidov said.
Armenian sources reported today that, the future status of the
subcommittee was discussed at the sitting. According to the head of
the Armenian delegation to PACE Tigran Torosian, the Subcommittee
will continue its activities under the aegis of the Bureau.
Concluding his speech Lord Russell-Johnston spoke for the preservation
of the status by the Committee.
Mr. Russell-Johnston stressed that the Subcommittee’s main goal
will be the preparation of the two peoples for the settlement of the
conflict.

SEYIDOV: “PACE BUREAU WILL TAKE CONTROL OVER THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON NK”
Today, Azerbaijan
March 15 2006
MP holds a press conference.
“Ad-hoc committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) on Nagorno Karabakh will now continue its work under
the direct control of organization’s Bureau, the head of Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation to PACE,” said Samed Seyidov at the press
conference on the results of his visit to PACE committee in Paris.
Commenting on the speech of the committee head, Lord Russell-Johnston,
Seyidov underlined that the content of this speech was known
beforehand, as it was included in the Council of Europe’s agenda
during the January session of the committee.
“We hold similar evaluation. Following the resolution adopted at the
Council of Europe’s conference, Lord Johnston continues to reflect on
the realities of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict and the interests
of Azerbaijan,” Seyidov said. “The date of a meeting of the Ad Hoc
Committee will be defined at a meeting of PACE in April.”
Seyidov stated that together with PACE Azerbaijan will have to appoint
a representative of the mission to participate in talks. “But our
delegation has not been completely formed, we are waiting for the
results of the re-run parliamentary elections in May,” Seyidov
emphasized.
He also said that another meeting of the CE representatives will take
place on March 16 in Istanbul, though no issue on Azerbaijan was not
included in the agenda.
URL:

USA WISH QUICK RETURNING OF AZERBAIJANIS TO NATIVE LANDS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 15 2006
The United States wish quick returning of Azerbaijanis to their
native lands, stated the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried at press conference
on March 14 in Baku.
D. Fried has emphasized, that on the meetings he held in
Baku, discussed were negotiations on peace settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and also results of
the meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in February in
France. He has told: “The delegation of Azerbaijan during negotiations
very persistently and resolutely protects the national interests. At
the same time, they are ready to research of constructive ways of
the settlement’.
The Assistant Secretary of State, having informed also about the
carried out exchange of opinions concerning strategic relations of
the USA and Azerbaijan, has told: “Between the USA and the government
and people of Azerbaijan, there are strong friendly connections. We
wish to see Azerbaijan on the Euro-Atlantic space as a country living
in peace conditions, independent and economically developing. This
condition is the important stimulus for the further development of
our relations with Azerbaijan”.
Having informed that at meetings discussed were basically regional
questions, successes of Azerbaijan in power sphere, and also democratic
development in the country, the diplomat has emphasized, that the
United States support development of democracy in Azerbaijan.
Having noted, that cooperation of the USA with Azerbaijan in military
sphere and in sphere of safety constantly becomes stronger, D. Fried
has highly estimated the contribution of military cooperation to
development of relations.

ANKARA ROUTS SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FILM
By Suleyman Kurt, Ankara
Zaman Online, Turkey
March 15 2006
Ankara is annoyed over a film about so-called Armenian Genocide
allegations developed by Eurimages, an organization that promotes
common art forms and works in affiliation with the European Council.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the initiative with Italian
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s authority, and Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul said the efforts of the Turkish administration in
opposition to the film continue.
Diplomatic sources say the attempts made so far in relation to the
Italian Director’s film, “The farm of the skylarks,” have ended in
vain. The director was called to the Foreign Ministry, but he refused
to give up his ideas of support in the film. Italian Prime Minister
Berlusconi wrote a letter to the director asking him “not to present
Turks negatively.”
Minister Gul was reminded of the interpretations on the change in
the US Jewish Lobby’s positive attitudes in relation to the “Armenian
Genocide Allegations” after the HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
visit to Ankara. “They talked to us in a different way, “Gul responded,
“Ask them.”

NK CONFLICT HANGS OVER GEORGIA’S ARMENIAN-POPULATED REGIONS
By Zaal Anjaparidze
Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
March 15 2006
Tensions are running high in Tsalka and Akhalkalaki, two regions of
Georgia that are predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.
The latest problem began in Tsalka on March 9, when a trivial brawl
at a restaurant between local Armenians and Georgians resulted in the
death of Gevork Gevorkian, a 24-year-old Armenian, and injuries to
four other Armenians. However, Maria Mikoyan of the Armenian Union
in Georgia (Nor Serund) claimed that the fight began because the
Georgian young men were irritated by the Armenian music playing in
the restaurant.
Although police have arrested five Georgian suspects, about 500
Armenian protesters gathered outside the Tsalka administrative building
on March 10, calling for prosecution of the suspects. On March 11,
the upheaval spread to Akhalkalaki, a town in the predominately
Armenian populated Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia.
About 300 participants in the Akhalkalaki rally were Tsalka
Armenians. They later took their appeal to the Georgian government
and demanded that Tbilisi “stop the policy of pressure by fueling
interethnic tensions” and “stop the settlement of other nationalities
in Armenian-populated regions.” Later, the protesters voiced demands
related to the right to conduct court proceedings and government
business in the Armenian language. Specifically, they want the central
government to make the Armenian language a state language equal to
Georgian in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Reiterating the alleged
threat to the rights of Armenians in Georgia, the appeal also demanded
political autonomy for the region.
The rally soon turned violent. The protesters, mostly youth, left
the government building and raided a local court chamber, ousting
a Georgian judge. They also attacked a building on Tbilisi State
University’s Akhalkalaki campus and a local Georgian Orthodox Church.
Later on Khachatur Stepanian, a representative of the council of
Armenian civic groups in Samtskhe-Javakheti, which organized the rally,
attempted to soften the anxiety and called the incident a “provocation”
staged by “someone else.”
On March 11, leaders of the public movement Multiethnic Georgia and
the Armenian Union in Georgia complained that police had brutally
dispersed the rally in Tsalka where “ethnic confrontation is
increasingly becoming a reason behind crimes.” They said that if
tension in Tsalka and Samtskhe-Javakheti continues, then Tbilisi
would be forced to establish direct presidential rule there.
Although Georgian Public Defender Sozar Subari investigated the Tsalka
incident and ruled it to be a “communal crime,” the majority of the
Armenian communities in these regions consider the incident to be a
demonstration of ethnic hatred towards Armenians, which they believe
is the result of the Georgian government’s misguided policies towards
ethnic minorities. They further alleged that Georgian law-enforcement
agents were working in tandem with those who committed the crime.
United Javakh, a radical Armenian organization in Samtskhe-Javakheti,
issued a statement accusing Tbilisi of “discriminatory policies”
against “the Armenian population of Javakh,” the Armenian nomenclature
for the region. They described the recent dismissal of the region’s
ethnic Armenian judges for ignorance of the Georgian language
as “cynically trampling on the rights of the Armenian-populated
region.” Georgian authorities insist the judges were dismissed for
misconduct.
The United Javakh statement warned about “destructive trends in
the Georgian government’s policy” aimed at artificially creating a
“climate of ethnic intolerance” and “crushing the will of Javakh’s
Armenian population to protect its right to live in its motherland.”
Finally the statement demands that Tbilisi show “political prudence”
and put an end to the “infringement” of the Armenian community’s
rights.
The content and tone of this and previous statements by United Javakh
and other radical Armenian organizations reportedly have strong
backing from political forces in Armenia. In fact, the statements
recall the language used by the Armenian community in Karabakh in its
relations with the Azerbaijani government before war erupted. Vardan
Akopian, chair of the Javakh Youth organization, argued, “The current
situation in Javakheti is a cross between situations in Nakhichevan and
Karabakh.” Several protestors explicitly cited the Karabakh precedent.
Symptomatically, on October 8, 2005, Garnik Isagulyan, the Armenian
president’s national security advisor, bluntly warned Tbilisi to be
“extremely cautious” with regard to Samtskhe-Javakheti “because any
minor provocation can turn into a large-scale clash” (EDM, October
12, 2005). Various Armenian political parties, officials, and media
have actively discussed the problems of the Armenian community in
Samtskhe-Javakheti. Some Armenian members of the Georgian parliament
linked this activity with the approaching parliamentary elections
in Armenia.
Recently Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian released a paper
on security issues in which he expressed concern over the situation
in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The excessively critical tone of the Armenian
minister towards Tbilisi’s policy in Samtskhe-Javakheti reportedly
alarmed Georgian politicians and analysts, but they preferred to
stay tight-lipped, perhaps to avoid upsetting the already-complex
Georgian-Armenian relationship (EDM, August 3, June 7, May 24, March
23, 2005). Russia has tried to capitalize on the problem by fueling
tensions in Akhalkalaki, location of a Russian military base slated
for closure.
Although the Georgian government is continuously downplaying the
ethnic aspects of the disturbances in Armenian-populated regions,
this factor appears to lurk beneath the surface. Georgia remains
Armenia’s sole transport route to Russia and Europe due to the ongoing
blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan. Thus an unstable Samtskhe-Javakheti
would hardly be a gain for Yerevan. However, the “Karabakh syndrome”
should not be removed from the agenda.
(Resonance, March 9, 11; Akhali Taoba, Civil Georgia, Rustavi-2,
Regnum, vesti.ru, March 11; Imedi-TV, March 10, 11)

ARMENIAN HISTORIANS REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 15 2006
Today a scientific conference devoted to the Armenian Genocide started
in Istanbul. The Istanbul University initiated the conference.
According to the Turkish scientists, the conference should “throw
light on some problems referring to the Armenian issue”, Freedom
Radio Station reports. Historians from Armenia also were invited to
the conference; however, they refused to participate in the action.
“We received an invitation and turned down the proposal. The Armenian
scientists’ stand is the following: any scientific measure that casts
doubt on the fact of the Genocide is far from science, while a number
of the participants of the scientific conference at the Istanbul
University distort the historic realities”, stated Chief of Turkish
Department of the Institute of History of National Academy of Science
Ruben Safrastyan.