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.

COURT OF APPEAL INAUGURATES RENOVATED COURT ROOM, LIBRARY AND CONFERENCE HALL
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Court of Appeals has
inaugurated today a renovated court room, a library and a conference
hall. The renovation was started one year ago and was funded by
government funds and a World Bank credit for reformation of the
justice system.
The library has 6,000 books in four languages.
Justice minister David Harutunian said the fact that the bulk of thee
books are in English will force judges to improve their knowledge
of English.

PRESIDENT AND ECOLOGY MINISTER DISCUSS LAKE SEVAN AND OTHER ISSUES
Armenpress
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian and nature
protection minister Vartan Ayvazian discussed today a set of issues
regarding the growing level of Lake Sevan, effective use of mineral
resources and management of state-run reserves.
Kocharian’s press office said the minister said the level of the lake
has risen 2.8 meters flooding many areas which he said are being now
cleaned. The president ordered to regulate the procedure of setting
fees for use of natural resources and apply more efforts to detect
shadow businesses in this sector and ensure transparency in holding
tenders for use of mineral resources.
The two men also spoke about development of ecological tourism,
restoration of forests and air pollution.

EDUCATIONAL SPHERE MUSTN’T MINGLE WITH THE POLITICAL ONE
A1+
[05:36 pm] 13 June, 2006
Item Change In Educational System
Levon Lazarian, Minister of Education and Science doesn’t like the
expression “educational reforms.”
In his first press release he called on people present to use the
variant “Let’s confront the existing educational system to the
European standards.”
He avoided to give any comments on the activity of ex minister
Sergo Eritsyan but judging from the contents of the press release
lasting an hour and a half it was evident that he was displeased with
Eritsyan’s work.
Let us illustrate his words in this connection, “I have got the
impression that they took 10-year education and converted it into
12-year one.” In Lazarian’s words the educational projects of 12-year
education are not distinct yet. “I think that a child mustn’t learn
more than his age permits. In case of 12-year education the years of
higher education must be curtailed,” claims Lazarian.
He also praised the ex minister, “According to other criteria he
implemented his work properly,” noted Levon Lazarian.
New Minister and new principles
Before taking up the new office Levon Lazarian presented his demands
to the people who proposed his candidacy. He mainly demanded that
certain problems, methods and principles offered by him during his
office be finally solved.
Lazarian also referred to the shortcomings of the system and spoke
of a few questions of principle.
His first principle is that people shouldn’t deem the ministry as
the system of holding exams. He thinks that people are right while
criticizing the changes.
“If the question cannot be settled today we must frankly say that the
solution will be given in 5 years. If the salary of a teacher is low
we must say that it will be raised later,” explains the minister.
Lazarian attaches great importance to the transparency of the
system. “Each official must be transparent.” Another vital principle
for the minister is that the system mustn’t mingle with politics. “If
we take this for granted and as a principle it will greatly contribute
to the system,” he says.
The end of cooperative institutes is near.
Levon Lazarian doesn’t understand the procedure of accrediting and
licensing educational establishments.
“We shall need many years to recover the faults,” urges the minister
and adds, “The current situation must be changed and the rules of
the game are to be altered.”
As for the quality of education the minister compared it with the
level of the Medieval Asia and Turkey.
According to him the collapse of the higher education is apparent. He
maintains that we must make use of credit resources and initiate the
investment of the credit system.

IS IT THE TURN OF DEMOCRACY?
A1+
[06:25 pm] 13 June, 2006
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan received the permanent representative
of the Currency International Fund to Armenia James Macque.
The two sides referred to the cooperation of the RA parliament and
CIF. Mr. Macque congratulated NA President on his new office and noted
that CIF-Parliament cooperation will henceforth enter a new stage. He
underlined the importance of the NA control function in all phases
of the Poverty combat military program as well as in all projects
implemented by joint efforts of CIF administration and Central Bank.
RA NA President Tigran Torosyan noted that the post Soviet
transformation is divided into two phases; the first phase focused on
economic issues whereas the second one – on democratic and political
issues.
Economic development has been more obvious in Armenia within the
recent 5 years than democratic processes; the establishment of
the civil society, the combat against corruption, polarization of
income. But only in case these two factors are combined full success
will be registered which will give Armenia an opportunity to have
its decent place in the international community. They also referred
to the rate of USD and other issues.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress