ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FMS MEETING IN PARIS
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2006 17:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recurrent round of talks between Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian and Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov started
in Paris June 13, Azeri Deputy FM, President’s Special Representative
for the Nagorno Karabakh settlement Araz Azimov said. The meeting
started with business lunch. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs are also
taking part in the talks. Azimov said it’s premature to make any
comments on the ongoing negotiations, reported Trend news agency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL GROUP FOR SEARCH OF MISSING ARRIVING IN NKR
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2006 18:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ June 18-20, 2006 the International Working Group for
Search of Missing, Captives and Release of POWs is expected to arrive
in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict region. The purpose of the visit is
to activate the search of the missing and burial places. The group
will also work at the inquiries by the NKR, Armenian and Azerbaijan
state committees, reported Novosti-Armenia.

GEORGIA RANKS FIRST IN ARMAMENT RACE
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2006 17:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgia is the world leader in military expenditures,
says the annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute (SPRI) engaged in the investigation of the armament
market. Tbilisi’s expenditures for armament increased 2.5 times during
a year and made $146 million.
Compared with the United States, China, Russia, European states and
Near East the amount is not much but Georgia left behind its neighbors
– Azerbaijan (with 51% growth) and Armenia (23% growth). The SPRI
specialists condition the sharp growth of expenditures with Georgia’s
wish to join the NATO. However they also mention Georgia’s aspiration
to re-subordinate Abkhazia and South Ossetia, reported the BBC News.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN INTELLIGENTSIA ADDRESSED PUTIN OVER KILLINGS OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.06.2006 18:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The Armenian Foreign Ministry should expressed
concern over the killings of Armenians in Russia and urge an official
explanation from the Russian Ambassador to Armenia,” says the statement
adopted in Yerevan by the representatives of creative unions and
intelligentsia of Armenia.
The creative intelligentsia also urges the RA MFA to call
the Armenian Ambassador to Russia to Yerevan for conduction
of essential consultations. “He should be reminded that the
diplomatic representatives are called to provide security for their
citizens… The Armenian intelligentsia is concerned over the increase
of assaults and murders of ethnic Armenians,” the statement says.
“It’s characteristic that such incidents take place during the
year of Armenia of Russia, which actually is the year of “hunting”
of Armenians. The Russian law enforcers should find out whether
these crimes are a part of deliberate campaign that aims to stir up
hatred between the peoples and states,” the document says, reported
Novosti-Armenia.
It should be also noted that RA President’s Advisor Seyran Avagyan
will convey the statement by the Armenian intelligentsia to Russian
President Vladimir Putin.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SWITZERLAND CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN GRAVEYARD IN NAKHIJEVAN
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2006
Armenia occupies a key area in the South Caucasus from the viewpoint
of Switzerland’s interests, Micheline Calmy-Ray, foreign minister of
Switzerland, said at the press conference in Yerevan. She added that
Switzerland is going to make the visa regime with Armenia easier.
As for the Armenian-Turkish relations, Mrs. Calmy-Ray stated that
Switzerland, having recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide, is
ready to contribute to the improvement of relations between Armenia and
Turkey. At the same time, she added that “at present, unfortunately,
all efforts are doomed to failure.” Mrs. Calmy-Ray stated that her
country heavily condemns the destruction of Armenian graveyard in
Nakhijevan carried out by the Azeri authorities. In this connection,
Switzerland applied to UNESCO with a complaint. Mrs. Calmy-Ray also
reminded that the PACE Commission for Preservation of Cultural Heritage
will visit south Caucasus in September.

DISINFORMATION: HOUSES OF AZERBAIJANI TURKS BEING DESTROYED IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2006
On June 11, the website of Turkish Public TV posted this information
that was followed by the broadcast of Turkish radio stations in the
morning of June 12.
According to Turkish TV, Armenia has begun demonstrating a new
pattern of barbaric actions in occupied Nagorno Karabakh belonging
to Azerbaijan.
The source reports that villages of Aghdam region bordering
Azerbaijan are being destroyed and being replaced by Armenian
settlements. Allegedly during the last 10 days villages of Yusufjanli,
Novruzli, Baghbanli, Sayibali and Sarijali completely destroyed.
Local media raised alarm that destruction of Shighbabali, Marzili,
Khendili and Goytepe villages is under way; eyewitnesses say that in
the places of Azeri villages Armenian settlements are springing up.
Yet, the Turkish TV does not name the local media.
Meanwhile the Turkish Public TV continually airs about growing tension
in EU-Turkey relations. As the EU demands that Turkey improves
relations with Armenia, this kind of disinformation on Armenian
barbarism can well be considered a unique response to this tension.

NAME OF NEW U.S. CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MG TO BE KNOWN IN 2-3 WEEKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 15:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Steven Mann will proceed with the activities of the
Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement, PR-officer of the U.S. embassy in Azerbaijan Jonathan
Henick stated. According to him, Steven Mann will be appointed to a
new post within two or three weeks and only then leave the post of
the OSCE MG Co-chair. The name of the new U.S. Co-Chair of OSCE MG
will be announced by that time, reported APA news agency. To note,
Steven Mann will assume the post of Assistant to Undersecretary of
State for South and Middle Asia.

‘LIKE OUR MOUNTAINS’ – BEST HISTORIC BOOK IN CANADA
By Hakob Tsuliakian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2006
A press release from Ottawa informs that Isabel Kaprielian-Churchill’s
“Like Our Mountains: History of Armenians of Canada” book was awarded
Clio Prize of the Canadian Historic Association as the best historic
book. The Prize was handed to Mrs.
Kaprielian-Churchill during a gala ceremony in Toronto on May 30.
“Dr. Kaprielian-Churchill’s book is a sweeping and complete research
that takes a serious look at the challenges facing a certain ethnic
group in a new world. As a member of that ethnic group the author
manages to successfully maintain scientific impartiality,” the
CHA said.
Congratulating the author, Aris Papikian, head Armenian National
Committee of Canada, said: “We are proud of Dr. Kaprielian-Churchill
and of her unique study of history of Canadian-Armenians. We are
happy that the book that was the result of our cooperation attracted
Canadian historians’ attention.”
Published on the many of Heritage Canada, the book deals with the
history of the Armenian community of Canada from 19th century to 1980s.

A HANDFUL OF SUN FOR ARMENIAN CHILDREN OF TBILISI
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2006
“The years that followed the 1990 were very difficult for the Armenians
of Tbilisi, and as teachers we were concerned with our children’s
future. We were particularly concerned that our children do not speak
Armenian, and wanted to familiarize them with our history, culture
and religion,” Inga Akhekian, teacher from Georgia, tells at the Azg
Daily publishing house.
Together with her colleagues, Emma Akhtian and Aida Barseghian, she
founded “Arevik” charity foundation in Tbilisi in 2002. Headquartered
in the house of Prof.
Emma Akhtian, the foundation helps the Armenian children. Staring
from 2003, the foundation publishes “Arevik” newspaper that is made
from the articles written by children from Javakhk, Ajaria and the
Armenian Diaspora. The paper has a circulation of 2000 and most copies
are being distributed free of charge.
In Inga Akhekian’s words, the funds of the organization are spent to
take care of the young Armenians of Tbilisi. Mrs. Akhekian says they
organize different arrangements such as essay contests, meetings with
Armenian painters of Georgia, namely Gayane Khachatrian, Meruzhan
Shahumian, Alik Barseghian, Alik Utmazian, Zuleyka, daughter of
Bazhbeuk Melikov, miniaturist Meruzhan Abovian and others. Thanks
to Henrik Bakhchian, head of the Museum of Literature and Art, the
foundation’s library constantly enriches with new books. Manuk Adamian,
grandchildren of Siamanto’s sister, also helped the children of the
foundation from Paris.
Mrs. Akhekian says that Arevik has representatives in Javakhk, Tsalka
and Armenia. The founders intend to bring a group of Tbilisi Armenians
to Armenia to acquaint them with the Armenian art and history for
closer ties with their fatherland.

IRANIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE NUCLEAR STAND-OFF MUST BE SOLVED PEACEFULLY
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: An Iranian diplomat told today in
Yerevan that the controversy over Iran’s nuclear energy program must
be solved only peacefully and through negotiations. Ali Akbar Jokar,
deputy ambassador of Iran in Armenia, said to a round table discussion
on the nuclear weapons that any attempt to resolve the stand-off by
military force would have dramatic repercussions for the entire world.
“Iran is situated in a geopolitical region that makes a key part
of the world security. Iran’s security is of global importance,”
he said. Ali Akbar Jokar said even a slightest negative development
around Iran would result in the collapse of the world economy, while
military actions or strained relations would affect all parties. The
diplomat expressed hope that the nuclear program controversy would
be resolved peacefully.
“There are no grounds that would justify military actions against
Iran,” he said pointing out the visible change in the tone of US
administration when it speaks about Iran. He said Iran has always
cooperated with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its
nuclear facilities have always been accessible to IAEA experts.
“The European Union has offered a package of incentives concerning
Iran’s nuclear program and USA agreed to conduct talks for resolution
of the controversy,” he said, adding that whatever the incentives they
have to respect Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. In
response to a question whether the Iraq scenario could be applied in
Iran he said Iraq was a different case. “Iraq was ruled by a despotic
leader who had no links with the people, while authorities in Iran
enjoy the population’s full support,” he said.