EU slams Turkey in draft progress report
Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:48 AM BST
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The EU criticises the Turkish military’s role
in politics, a lack of reform and minority rights and relations
with Cyprus in the draft of a progress report due later this year,
a newspaper reported on Sunday.
The European Union is due to publish a progress report on Ankara’s
entry bid in October or November, a year on from the start of
negotiations, which on Friday turned frosty as Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan said he would sooner see talks suspended than make concessions
over new member Cyprus.
Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper cited European Union sources on Sunday
as saying the first draft criticised Turkey’s refusal to open its
ports to Cyprus, as the EU demands, before the bloc lifts trade
restrictions on Turkish Cypriots
in breakaway Northern Cyprus.
The paper said the draft also notes a slowdown in political reform,
the military’s ongoing influence over political institutions and
calls for more work for judicial independence and rights for women
and minorities.
It also says conditions in the poor mainly Kurdish southeast, where
security forces are fighting separatist guerrillas, have deteriorated
and criticises relations with traditional enemies and neighbours
Greece and Armenia.
The paper said the draft would be amended but the sources did not
expect many changes to the essence of it.
EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Friday shot back at Erdogan’s
comments about Cyprus, with calls for Turkey to allow in traffic from
the tiny Mediterranean island by the end of the year.
Last week Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker was quoted
as saying membership talks should be frozen if Turkey does not open
its ports this year.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has said Turkey, which is not
expected to join the wealthy bloc until 2015 at the earliest, could
be heading for a “train crash” in its accession process and has urged
Ankara to step up reforms.

Airport gun scandal hits Kenyan President
By Steve Bloomfield in Nairobi
Sunday Independent/UK
18 June 2006
An armed standoff at Kenya’s main airport has not only caused airlines
to consider whether it is safe to fly to Nairobi, but has led President
Mwai Kibaki to go on television to explain who is and who is not a
member of his family.
Artur Sargasyan and Artur Margaryan – flamboyant, gold-chain-wearing
Armenian businessmen known in Kenya as the Artur brothers – allegedly
brandished guns at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta airport when their guests
were asked to open their luggage by customs officials. But instead
of being arrested, the pair were quietly deported to Dubai.
A subsequent raid at their Nairobi home reportedly uncovered a cache
of weapons, body armour and balaclavas, as well as government-issue
number plates, fake passports and access-all-areas passes for all
Kenya’s airports. Opposition politicians have alleged that the men
enjoyed state protection, and there are claims that President Kibaki
and his family are linked to the Armenians.
Only the security concerns prevent the affair resembling an
over-the-top daytime soap opera. The Armenian “brothers” are not
related, and may actually be Russian. One claims to be in love with
Winnie Wangui, the daughter of a woman who President Kibaki has
repeatedly been forced to deny is his second wife.
The controversial Armenians first came to prominence in Kenya in March
after an armed raid on the East African Standard newspaper, which
had been critical of the government. The Internal Security Minister,
John Michuki, made no attempt to deny the government was behind the
attack, saying: “If you rattle a snake, you must be prepared to be
bitten by it.”
But it later emerged that Kenya’s most senior police officer had not
been informed about the operation, and the weapons, balaclavas and
body armour found at the Artur brothers’ Nairobi home are similar to
those used in the raid.
President Kibaki, meanwhile, has come under fire for failing to
discuss the airport security breach or allegations from opposition
politicians that the men had enjoyed state protection.
A commission of inquiry has been set up, and the head of Kenya’s
CID, along with the airport security chief, has been suspended. But
opposition politicians have called for Mr Michuki to be sacked,
and parliament has promised to set up its own inquiry.

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund, Toronto
5005 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 208,
Toronto, Ontario, M1V 5K1, Canada
Contact : Migirdic Migirdicyan
Tel: (416) 332 0787
Fax: (416) 332 0736
e-mail : [email protected]
Toronto, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund banquet with Baroness Cox a huge
success.
$300,000 raised to build yet another school in Karabagh.
June 13, 2006 Toronto, ON – On Sunday, June 11, Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund had its annual banquet at the AGBU Manookian Hall, at a capacity
audience. This year’s Guest of Honour was Baroness Caroline Cox, the
Deputy Speaker of the British House of Lords and a great humanitarian,
who is a true friend of Karabagh and its people. The Master of
Ceremonies of the evening was Vahan Kololian, who ran the proceedings
in an impeccable manner. The program started with the national
anthems of Canada, UK, Armenia and Karabagh interpreted by baritone
Garo Nishanian and accomplished pianist Raffi Bedrosyan. The first key
item of the evening was the Letter of Greetings from the Prime Minister
of Canada, Right Honourable Stephen Harper. The letter was presented
and read by Hon. Jason Kenney, the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Prime Minister. After that Ara Boyajian, the treasurer of the Fund’s
Toronto Chapter, gave a detailed presentation of all the projects of
the Fund since its inception. Then, a congratulatory letter from the
NKR Washington, DC, office representative Vardan Parseghian was read.
The highpoint of the evening had arrived. Migirdic Migirdicyan,
the local chairman of the Fund, introduced the key-note speaker
Baroness Caroline Cox who gave a superb presentation, accompanied by
slides, of her experiences in Karabagh during and after its struggle
of independence. The speech was interrupted by several standing
ovations. Inspired by the Baroness’ presentation several patrons
increased their pledges. Thereby, as soon as the construction of the
school in Madaghis finishes, a new school will be built for another
village with the same architectural plan. This school will be named
after Baroness Cox. A total of $300,000 was raised.
At the end of this intellectually and emotionally charged evening, in
appreciation of all of her tireless work for the people of Karabagh,
the Toronto Chapter of the Fund presented Baroness Cox with a life-size
portrait of herself, painted by internationally acclaimed painter
Robert Amirault.
The evening ended with the prayers and the closing remarks of Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, the Primate of the Canadian Diocese.
For additional information or a sample copy, please contact:
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund, Toronto
5005 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 208,
Toronto, Ontario, M1V 5K1, Canada
Contact : Migirdic Migirdicyan
Tel: (416) 332 0787
Fax: (416) 332 0736
e-mail : [email protected]
Hayastan Foundation Canada Inc. – “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund is a
charitable organization, realizing humanitarian projects in Armenia
and Artsakh. During the last thirteen years, it has undertaken and
successfully completed numerous winter heating, water distribution,
gasification and school construction projects.

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
For immediate release
Dalarik Children Full of Expectations for New High School
COAF Awards Contract for the Renovation of the School in Dalarik
Yerevan, Armenia, June 16, 2006 ¾ Following town hall meetings with the
community and continuous discussions with the Coordinating Committee
elected by the Dalarik community, COAF signed a bi-lateral agreement
with the local Municipality delineating the cooperative arrangements
for the reconstruction of the Dalarik School.
Subsequently, through a transparent and competitive procurement
process, COAF awarded the reconstruction contract to Epal LLC,
a construction company based in Hrazdan.
In the words of Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF Founder and Chairman, “the
stakes are higher than ever before. Without our immediate intervention,
this generation of young Armenians may forever lose the opportunity
to pursue the best in themselves.” Ensuring a better quality of life
continues to be at the heart of all activities pursued by COAF as
part of its integrated rural development program.
Pargev Saghatelyan, the Mayor of Dalarik, emphasized the importance of
providing the children of Dalarik a better environment with improved
sanitation and education.
This reconstruction project takes into account the additional needs
that arise from the 12-grade system approved by the Ministry of
Education for implementation in the next school year. The renovated
school will accommodate 630 children in an improved environment,
access to indoor lavatories with running water and central heating
system. This COAF initiative also includes complete refurnishing and
site development. The project is fully funded by COAF and is planned
for completion by the New Year.
Pro curement of the building design and reconstruction of other school
and kindergarten projects within the COAF Model Cluster is in progress
and will include public structures in Argina, Lernagog, Myasnikyan,
and Shenik. Complementing reconstruction projects, COAF is realizing
other infrastructure and economic development projects, together with
health care, social and educational development activities that aim
at building the capacity of rural communities for sustained growth
and economic vitality.
—————————
Epal LLC, founded in 2003, is presently managed by Eduard Hovsepyan.
Among its recent achievements in the field of infrastructure
development are a series of renovations of high schools in various
regions of Armenia, construction of heating systems, and design
and construction of private homes. The company has a skillful and
experienced staff and is equipped with necessary machinery and
equipment to carry out its work effectively.
–Boundary_(ID_1JF7NVk6qjQI4uRe65F09 A)–

Presidents Putin and Aliev discuss the Karabakh issue
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 15:02
In the framework of the consultation summit on means of cooperation
and trust in Asia held in Almati, Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan
Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliev discussed issues related to economy
and the situation in Eurasia. The Presidents showed full mutual
comprehension of the processes in the post-Soviet field, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the journalists. They appreciated
the rapid pace of rise of turnover of goods. The Presidents discussed
also the schedule of the future meetings and issues related to the
Karabakh conflict settlement.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NORAVANK MONASTERY TO BE INCLUDED IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST IN 2007
Yerevan, June 16. ArmInfo. International experts are developing a
plan of management of Noravank monasterial complex in the territory
of Armenia, which will allow to include this monument in the UNESCO
World Heritage List, says ICOMOS expert David Michelmore.
He says that the monastery may get into the list in 2007. The Armenian
authorities have already applied for the inclusion but there are
still some problems with management, tourist routes and agricultural
activities in nearby villages. In order to resolve these problems
almost 10,000 h around the monastery and 5 nearby villages will be
declared as a specially protected area.
Noravank is one of the best known monuments of medieval Armenia. It
is 122 km away from Yerevan. It was built in XII-XIV and was the see
of Sunik bishops. The most ancient part of the complex St. Karapet
was built in IX-X.
To remind, already on UNESCO list are Hakhpat monastery (II-IV),
Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches, ruins of Zvartnots (II-III),
Gegard monastery.

63rd Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to be held in
Sochi
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:15
The 63rd Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will
be held in Sochi, Russia June 22-24. The participants will exchange
views on the following topics: “Security issues in the South Caucasus,”
“Frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus: the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”
and others.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

What attracts the tourists to Artsakh are its people
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:31
“What attracts the tourists to Artsakh are its people with a unique
psychology and hospitality coming from the bottom of the heart,” said
Director of the NKR Tourism Development Agency Sergey Shahverdyan in
his talk with “Radiolur” correspondent.
Statistics shows that the number of tourists visiting Artsakh increases
with 40 percent annually. The tourists are interested not only in
this region rich in historical monuments, but also the mentality,
traditions of the people living here.
Artsakh has always been considered a country possessing a rich
historical heritage. Twenty years age 1 700 historical monuments
were counted here. Now the number is four times as much, since new
Armenian monuments were found on liberated territories.
In Sergey Shahverdyan’s words, ethnic tourism has also been developing
in Artsakh during the recent years. Karabakh hosts tourists from Italy,
France, Japan, Israel and other countries.

Vardan Oskanyan: Unity with the Diaspora is our power
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:46
“Dual citizenship is among the most essential issues that not only
Armenia faces, but also Armenians all over the world,” declared
RA Foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan during the “Dual citizenship:
alternative solutions, economic and social consequences.”
“I am too liberal on this issue, since I think that we should provide
dual citizenship to all those wishing to acquire Armenian citizenship
in the most simple way. I understand all nuances and complications of
the issue, which we must address. However, when taking decision, our
“starting point” should be the “broad comprehension of the issue,”
the Foreign Minister noted, adding that his position is asoociated
not with his origin and fact that he had to refuse from citizenship
of another country to acquire Armenian citizenship, but with the fact
that he believes in the potential of the Armenian people, the future
of Armenia. He understands the situation very well and considers the
question proceeding from the interests of the Armenian people.
According to the Minister, when judge about the question it is
necessary to consider several factors: the current separateness of
the Armenian people, the newly formed notion of the nation-state,
as well as the fact that Armenia has passed a long path of providing
rights to Diaspora Armenians.
The Foreign Minister noted also that it is not compulsory for those
having dual citizenship to reside in Armenia.
“I think that out unity with the Diaspora is our power as well. Our
task is to have thesde people return to the feelings and belongingness.

HEATED PAN-ARMENIAN PASSIONS
Lragir.am
17 June 06
Armenians would no way succeed in implementing minor or major
pan-Armenian projects. Quality is meant because formally there are
innumerable pan-Armenian programs. In particular, a strange process
began after the telethon of Armenia Fund in the fall of 2005, namely
a series of mutual accusations between the leadership of Karabakh
and the fund.
Quite recently the prime minister of Karabakh was asked why the
reconstruction of infrastructures in the region of Martakert has not
started in 8 months after the telethon on November 25, raising about
7.5 million dollars. Anushavan Danielyan gave a marvelously simple
answer, something like “ask Armenia Fund,” and added that as far
as he knew 5 million dollars had been raised. The fund will surely
explain why Martakert has not received the first “consignment” of
millions. There is not much to explain. Either the millions were not
raised in reality, or were raised but the problem of their management
has not been solved yet, so nobody wants to start without being sure
that they will be the director of work. It should not be forgotten
that over 7 million dollars are concerned. This number will be growing
because donations for the reconstruction of Martakert will go on.
Perhaps the battle for leadership is the reason why the prime minister
of Karabakh places the responsibility on Armenia Pan-Armenian Fund,
for the NKR prime minister could have explained why the work has
not started yet. Throughout his career Anushavan Danielyan has had
to explain a lot of things, and an explanation would hardly take
him much effort. But if he had told that the money was not raised,
his words would have lost their meaning. Whereas when it is said “ask
Armenia Fund,” the question of responsibility for donations is raised.
The leadership in Karabakh is said to be interested in replacing the
executive director of Armenia Fund. It may be a little surprising,
because the executive director used to be member of the same NKR
leadership, namely minister of foreign affairs. Hence, it seems
that the executive director could not have been more “their man.”
Though, on the other hand, proxies appeared to be defiant in most
cases in history.
What could have happened? The executive director of Armenia Fund Naira
Melkumyan bought an apartment in Yerevan thanks to the government of
Karabakh, on the NKR state budget. Soon after having a budget under her
disposition Naira Melkumyan probably forgot about her former bosses.
Formally the Fund has an executive director, who is accountable to the
Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is headed by the president
of Armenia. The NKR president is a member of the Board, so are the
second and third persons of Armenia and NKR. The Board of Trustees of
Armenia Fund is perhaps the only organization where the leadership of
Armenia and NKR do not have a deciding role. The majority of members
of the board are those rich people, who guarantee fund-raising. And
if their vote were ignored, the funds would decline. Consequently,
the board is the only organization where the leaders of Armenia
cannot impose their will, or they persuade rather than impose. But if
persuading is concerned, a government post will stop being important,
because the ability to persuade is like a gift. And unlike a post,
a gift is innate.
An effort to highlight someone else’s power at the expense of one’s
own power can be considered highly gifted, considering the reality
when everyone wants to highlight their own power. And maybe this is
the reason why NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan persuaded rich people in
the United States to donate money to the Fund for the reconstruction
of Martakert. Why was he persuading if afterwards the prime minister
of Karabakh would be placing the responsibility on the fund? Why did
Ghukasyan assume the responsibility of persuading rich people them? By
the way, after the telethon Naira Melkumyan announced that unlike
the previous years less money was raised because the millionaires
had donated little. It appears that Naira Melkumyan stated indirectly
that Arkady Ghukasyan had not worked well, that is he had failed to
persuade the rich people. But who knows, maybe he had persuaded?
HAKOB BADALYAN