TURKEY HAVING NON-CONSTRUCTIVE POSITION IN ISSUE OF NKR INDEPENDENCE RECOGNIZES INDEPENDENCE OF MONTENEGRO
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
ANKARA, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey has recognized the Republic of
Montenegro separated from Serbia through a referendum. According to the
Chihan Turkish news agency, Foreign Minister of Montenegro Vlahovich
applied to his Turkish colleague Abdullah Gul for the latter to assist
the international recognition of his state. Gul responded positively
and instructed to undertake all necessary measures for establishing
diplomatic relations with Montenegro.
It is interesting that the Turkish press considers the independence
of Montenegro a good precedent for recognition of the independence of
the self-proclaimed republic of North Cyprus but says nothing about
the fact of Nagorno Karabakh’s becoming independent of Azerbaijan
through a referendum 15 years ago.

MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS OPENED IN FRENCH CITY OF TOULON
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
PARIS, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ambassador of Armenia
to France Edvard Nalbandian and Toulon Mayor, Senator, former Minister
Hubert Falco opened solemny in the Toulon central park on June 9 the
tufa-built khachkar (cross stone)-monument dedicated to memory of the
1915 Armenian Genocide victims erecting of which the Armenian community
of Toulon assisted. Prefects, deputies, mayors, local self-government
bodies and heads of the French Armenian organizations, hundreds of
representatives of the Armenian community were present at the ceremony.
The French Naval Orchestra performed at the ceremony of opening the
khachkar hymns of Armenia and France, the two countries’ flags were
bent, numerous wreaths were laid to the monument.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, in his speech Ambassador E.Nalbandian mentioned
that khachkars-monuments dedicated to memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims were opened in different cities of France during the recent
years. These khachkars-monuments express the whole French people’s
unreserved condemnation of the Genocide and solidarity with the
Armenian people in a notable and obvious way.
“Within the framework of the Year of Armenia in France, about 40 oldest
khachkars created by Armenian masters will be exhibited in Louvre,
at the exhibition entitled Armenia Sacra, as the brightest display
of the Armenian people’s culture,” E.Nalbandian said.
During the visit paid to Toulon, Ambassador E.Nalbandian discussed
with Hubert Falco preparatory process of events envisaged in Toulon
within the framework of the Year of Armenia to France.

MEETING DEDICATED TO PREPARATORY WORKS OF ARMENIA-DIASPORA THIRD CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE IN FRANCE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A meeting with the
French Armenian Organizations’ Coordinating Commitee took place at the
RA Embassy’s invitation in France on June 10. All French Armenian main
structures are in the staff of the committee. The meeting was dedicated
to preparatory works of the Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference.
RA Ambassador to France Edvard Nalbandian presented issues on agenda
to be discussed at the conference, especially drawing attention to
one of main themes of the conference, to program of development of
rural communities of Armenia, also touched upon the forum entitled
“New Solutions for Old Problems for Nation-State of XXI Century.”
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, opinions were exchanged at the meeting on
securing proper participation of the French Armenian community in the
conference and on issues of involving French experts in the program
of development of rural communities.
Issues relating to formation of the French Armenian delegation at the
conference, preparing reports and proposals on themes on the agenda
were discussed.
At the Ambassador’s request, the French Armenian Organizations’
Coordinating Committee undertook organization issues connected
with participation of the Armenian community of France in the
Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference and committed itself to prepare
for the conference in the best way.

GATHERING-EVENING OF FRENCH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TAKES PLACE IN MARSEILLES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
MARSEILLES, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A gathering-evening
of the Armenian community of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure, France, took
place in Marseilles on June 8. It was initiated by Regional Council
Chairman Michel Vauzelle, and its’ guest of honour was Ambassador of
Armenia in Paris Edvard Nalbandian. About 300 representatives of the
Armenian community organizations of the region were present at the
evening. The region Chairman and the Armenian Ambassador made opening
speeches, heads of Armenian organizations made speeches as well.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, in his speech Ambassador Nalbandian touched
upon preparatory works connected with the year of Armenia in France,
mentioning that it is envisaged to hold more than 300 events in about
50 cities of France from September 2006 to the next September. The
events will take place in the most authoritative halls and institutions
of France.
The Ambassador also attached importance to decentralized cooperation,
as an important component of the Armenian-French traditional friendship
relations, and emphasized that within the framework of the year of
Armenia in France, a conference dedicated to the Armenian-French
decentralized cooperation was organized in Paris on October 17, 2006,
under the patronage of the National Assembly and Senate heads, in
which delegations from sister-cities and regions, the two countries’
parliamentary friendship groups will participate.
Prospects of cooperation established between the region of
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure and the marz of Lori in the spheres of
agriculture, health care, education and culture were discussed.
Those making speeches touched upon the law adopted by France
concerning recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its possible
addition by the principle condemning its refusal. It was stated that
necessity of condemning refusal by force of law arises just for the
reason that Turkey continues to lead refusing policy at the state
level and successively to refuse reality of the Armenian Genocide,
giving reason for its new displays and outbursts.
Issues connected with a visit to be paid to Armenia by
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure Regional Council Chairman Michel
Vauzelle in the first half of this year were also discussed. A large
representative delegation, Mayors, Deputies, representatives of local
authorities and public organizations as well as a group of businessmen
will accompany M.Vauzelle during the visit.
Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur is considered one of important regions of
France which involves six departments and has an influential role in
political and economic life of whole France.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEPUTY AMBASSADOR OF IRAN ALI AKBAR JOKAR: US POSITION REGARDING IRAN HAS CHANGED
ArmRadio.am
13.06.2006 18:01
Speaking about the latest events in Iran, Deputy Ambassador of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Akbar Jokar expressed the opinion that the
concerns of the international community are in most part connected with
lack of information. In his words, it is easy to work with Armenian
media, the information in many countries, however, diverges from
reality, and the comments are very often very subjective. According
to the Deputy Ambassador, this is connected mostly with Western
propaganda. He assured that all this becomes apparent for those who
visit Iran.
“There is always concern to resolve the nuclear issue positively. We
try to find new ideas through dialogue,” the Deputy Ambassador noted.
The Deputy Ambassador ruled out any real threat of war. Iran is an
important security guarantee in the world. There is no factor that
would justify the war against Iran. According to the speaker, this
is the reason why US has started speaking in a different way with
Iran. The first reason is the unity pf the people. The second was
the opinion of the international community, which made the US change
its opinion.

RA DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SITTING OF THE NORTH-ATLANTIC COUNCIL
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 10:14
RA Ministerrs of Defense and Foreign Affairs Serge Sargsyan and Vardamn
oskanyan will participate today in the sitting of the North-Atlantic
Council. The process of accomplishment of Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Actions Plan will be duscussed.

COMMEMORATION EVENT IN THE BLACK SEA
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 10:44
Commemoration event to mark 40 days after the death of 113 passengers
on board of the A-320 jet that crashed May 3 in the Black Sea,
a funeral service will be delivered in the Armenian Church of Adler.
Yesterday relatives of the victims arrived to the site of the disaster.
Service dedicated to 40 days of death of the A-320 crash victims was
served at St. Gevorg Church of Tbilisi.

VISIT OF THE JOINT DELEGATION OF NATO SUBCOMMITTEES TO ARMENIA COMING TO AN END
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 10:56
The visit of the joint delegation of the Future Security and Defense
Capabilities Subcommittee of the Defense and Security Committee of
NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly and the Subcommittee on Democratic
Governance of the Committee on Civil Dimension of Security to Armenia
is coming to an end.
On the last day of the visit the delegates of the North-Atlantic
Alliance will discuss the reforms of the defense sector, issues
related to regional conflicts and European integration.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MET IN PARIS
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 11:09
According to the agreement reached after May 5th meeting of Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Bucharest, the Foreign Ministers of the
two countries Vardan Oskanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov met yesterday
in Paris.
The talks were attended by the Russian and French Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov and Bernard fassier, as well as
the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej
Kasprzyk.
The principles and approaches of the conflict resolution were discussed
during the meeting.
The parties agreed to continue the talks to bring the positions closer.

NA RATIFIES AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND THE WORLD BANK
ArmRadio.am
14.06.2006 13:48
RA National Assembly ratified the agreement between Armenia and
the World Bank on providing loans for renewable energy development
in Armenia.
Deputy Minister of Energy Areg Galstyan informed the MPs that the
agreement was signed on April 7, 2006.
The agreement envisages provision of US$5 million loan to Armenia,
which will be spent on renewable energy development. With the same
objective the World Bank will provide a US$3 million grant with 40
years maturity and a 0.25 interest rate.