Regnum, Russia
April 28 2006
Azerbaijan is ready to become mediator between the US and Iran
Read it in Russian
Izvestia daily has published an article `The American Vector of the
Azeri Policy’ prepared with the help of the press service of the
Azeri President. The article is about the context and goals of the
visit of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to the US and is, in fact, the
account of Azerbaijan’s official position. The article says:
`Washington has had many chances to show its respect, to welcome in
any way the independent Azeri choice, to support the new president
Ilham Aliyev. But the visit did not take place in either 2004 or
2005. Then, the visit might, probably, seem politically and
tactically more necessary to Baku than to Washington. But now the
situation is different: we are faced with the reality of not only a
real war in nearby Iraq but also quickly growing tensions in the
Caspian region itself – over Iran. In this light, Azerbaijan is
becoming not just important for the US but even more important than
its traditional ally Turkey. The situation over Iran is really
critical for the Bush administration. And at this very moment
Washington invites the Azeri president – not just as an ally but as a
possible supporter in this complicated situation…’
Azerbaijan is Iran’s closest neighbor – the countries have
centuries-old common history and even partial ethnic relationship
(multi-million Azeri community in Iran). So, Azerbaijan is exactly
the one who can help Washington out of the present stalemate, who can
prompt how to avoid the follies it made in Iraq. And Azerbaijan risks
nothing. It has nothing to ask for from the Americans (compare the
most quickly growing CIS economy, Azerbaijan, with Georgia or,
better, with Armenia, who would never be able to make up their
budgets were it not for the American money)… It’s quite traditional
for the US diplomacy to use a reliable partner for making a secret
retreat in a stalemate situation. Just remember the legendary Henry
Kissinger. It was he who secretly prepared the historic meeting
between Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong. It was exactly since then
(since Kissinger’s secret voyages) that we have used the term
`shuttle diplomacy.’ Just like today with Iran, it was impossible
then to imagine that the enemies like the US and China might ever sit
down at the negotiating table. Why not to repeat this success in Iran
through President Aliyev? The Aliyev-Bush meeting in Washington might
be an opportunity to find such a solution.”
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is quite critical of the quality of the US’
alliance with Ukraine and Georgia: `The role of potential negotiator
between the US and Iran is sharply raising the West’s interest in
Azerbaijan. Until now the most attractive objects for the US
diplomacy have been Ukraine and Georgia, where weak presidents have
paved the way for regimes loyal to the US.’
The article gives special attention to the Karabakh problem: `Now
having on hand the Iraqi catastrophe, the growing Iranian crisis,
HAMAS in Palestine and the consequent complications in the whole
Muslim world, Washington will not only try to insure Aliyev’s
authority against any blows but will also search for news forms and
spheres of regional geo-political cooperation with Azerbaijan. Still
we can hardly expect any quick progress in the Karabakh peace
process: the Armenian lobby in America is too strong to be overcome
quickly even if the US actually wants to get closer with Azerbaijan.
But Armenia should not rejoice at this. In strategic terms, the
longer it persists in occupying other’s territories the more it will
lose. As an active partner of big world powers, Azerbaijan is in much
better position. And this position will only grow with time. In the
present-day world, the stability of a state depends not so much on
its territory as on its balanced foreign policy – when it does not
heel to any side but frees resources for internal development.
Despite losses, Azerbaijan has got much, while Armenia has failed to
capitalize on its territorial seizures.’

RA NA SPEAKER MAKES SPEECH IN SAINT PETERSBURG AT JUBILEE SITTING
DEDICATED TO 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF RF STATE DUMA

SAINT PETERSBURG, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA National
Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian who is in Saint Petersburg to
participate in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the State
Duma of the Russian Federation made a speech at the April 27 jubilee
sitting. On behalf of the National Assembly, Artur Baghdasarian
congratulated upon the 100th anniversary of the State Duma, attaching
importance to the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary cooperation. As
Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department, within
the framework of the 100th anniversary, Artur Baghdasarian met in
Saint Petersburg with OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Alcee
Hastings, discussing issues of the OSCE PA-RA NA cooperation. At the
meeting with RF State Duma Chairman Boris Grizlov, NA Speaker
congratulated him on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the
State Duma, issues relating to the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary
relations were also discussed. NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian also gave
inteview to Russian media.

RIA Novosti, Russia
April 28 2006
Two police officers killed in Moscow shooting
11:24 | 28/ 04/ 2006

(Rewrites with investigation details)
MOSCOW, April 28 (RIA Novosti) – Two police officers shot dead early
Friday were killed by members of a Moscow-based organized crime group
set up by ethnic Georgians, a source close to the investigation said.
The officers came under fire from an automatic weapon as they entered
an apartment in the south of the Russian capital, following a
telephone call reporting an ongoing burglary.
“The attackers are members of a Moscow-based organized crime group of
ethnic Georgians,” the source said, adding that the gang had been
raiding the apartment, owned by ethnic Armenians, as part of a war
between crime groups feuding over economic interests.
He said the killers left the apartment through a window, and that no
casualties among members of the Armenian family that owned the
apartment have been reported.
Police said earlier Friday that one police officer was killed at the
scene, and the other was wounded and died while being taken to the
hospital. The second officer said before he died that there had been
six attackers in the apartment.
Prosecutors said they had opened a criminal case into the incident,
and police have launched a search for the killers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. ADMINISTRATION STRIVES FOR AZERBAIJAN’S SUPPORT IN IRANIAN ISSUE,
RUSSIAN ANALYST CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. “The goal of the today’s meeting in
Washington between the Presidents of the U.S. and Azerbaijan is that
the U.S. administration influences on Azerbajian in the issue of
Iran, thus, the U.S. strives for having practical support of
Azerbaijan in this issue.” Alexander Krilov, a leading research
officer of the World Economy and International Relations Institute of
the Russian Academy of Sciences stated about this at the April 28
“Caucasus” international conference, organized by the Caucasus Media
Institute. Besides, according to him, Baku, in the respond of striving
of the U.S. to use it as a bridgehead on Caspia against Iran, does
not want to help Americans in this issue not to make relations with
neighbors more difficult.
A.Krilov also attached importance to the succesfully developing
many-sides Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation and pointed out Russia’s
interest in development of “South-North” porjects where Azerbaijan is
destined an important role. At the same time, he assured that the
Kremlin which strives for keeping its presence in Azerbaijan, does not
do it to the detriment of relations with its strategic partner –
Armenia. As for the martial calls made from Baku for settling the
Karabakh conflict in the way of war, the Russian analyst mentioned
that the authorities of Azerbaijan uses the myth about the military
superiority upon Armenia for strengthening its won power.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN HAS MEETINGS WITH SERGEI MIRONOV, RENE VAN DER
LINDEN AND BORIS GRYZLOV IN SAINT PETERSBURG

SAINT PETERSBURG, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On April
28, RA National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian met with Chairman
of Council of Federation of RF Federal Assembly Sergei Mironov in
Saint Petersburg. During the meeting they reached agreement about
holding days of RA NA at RF Federal Assembly in autumn, as well as
about holding a conference on issues of interregional cooperation of
the two countries in one of the Russian regions populated with
Armenians. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA NA Press Service,
issues regarding fulfilment of Armenia’s commitments towards PACE, the
Electoral Code were discussed at A.Baghdasarian’s meeting with PACE
Chairman Rene van der Linden. The sides mentioned the importance of
the political consent around the Electoral Code and holding the coming
elections in correspondence with the democratic standards. PACE
Chairman on behalf of PA expressed readiness to provide
assistance. Artur Baghdasarian as the Chairman of BSEC and RF State
Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov signed an agreement on cooperation between
the Parliamentary Assembly of BSEC and Interparliamentary Assembly of
the Eurasian Economic Cooperation, according to which it is envisaged
to contribute to cooperation between the two structures and to
establishment of a dialogue between the two countries and peoples.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF BUENOS AIRES STATE ADOPTS LAW ON DEFINING
APRIL 24 DAY OF GENOCIDE MEMORY

BUENOS AIRES, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The House of
Representatives of the state of Buenos Aires, Argentina, adopted on
April 26 by an unenimous votion (92 votes) the draft law by which
April 24 of every year is defined in the state as “the Memory Day of
the first Genocide of the 21st century the victim of which the Armenia
people became.” Serjio Nahapetian, a deputy of the House of
Representatives of the state presented the draft. Speakers of all the
7 parties represented in the Parliament supported the draft with
separate speeches. The draft was adopted with stand applause. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, the law will come into force after being affirmed by the
Senate of the state and the Governor.

EVENTS DEDICATED TO 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HELD IN
BERLIN AND OTHER GERMAN CITIES

BERLIN, ARIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Events dedicated to
the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place in a number
of cities of Germany on April 23 and 24. The liturgy dedicated to the
memory of the martyrs was celebrated in one of churches of Berlin on
April 23. Ambassador of Armenia to Germany Karine Ghazinian and
representatives of the Armenian communities were present at the
liturgy. A scientifici-cultural event was held in Berlin on April 24
which was organized by the German Armenian Central Council and the
Embassy of Armenia. About 1200 people were present at the event, among
them deputies of the FRG Bundestag as well as parliaments of states,
German prominent historians, cultural figures, representatives of
churches, the Armenian community, embassies accredited in Germany. The
head of the Armenian community of Berlin and the Ambassador of Armenia
made opening speeches at the evening. Doctor Christoph Bergner, a
Bundestag deputy, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, State Secretary
made a speech. He stated the principles involved in the resolution
adopted by the Bundestag in June, 2005, then also mentioned that the
authorities of Germany must be successive in the affair of developing
points mentioned in that resolution and bringing it to a logical
end. Jena University Professor, prominent historian Doctor Norbert
Frei introduced those gathered with the historic facts of the
Genocide, presenting some parallels between the Holocaust and the
Armenian Genocide. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign
Ministry’s Press and Information Department, Armenian young musicians
performed during the cultural part of the evening.

CHOICE OF PARTICIPANTS OF DISCUSSION OF PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY
USAID IN REGION OF AKHALTSKHA HELD BY DISCRIMINATIVE PRINCIPLES

AKHALKALAK, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) envisages to implement
within the framework of the “Society’s Participation in Local
Self-Government” a program of 50 thousand U.S. dollars grants. Three
social programs will be implemented in the cities of Akhaltskha, Vale
and in a village. But, according to the “A-Info” agency, choice of
participants of the draft discussion taken place on April 26-27 was
held by discriminative principles. Particularly, representatives of
all the 5 Armenian rural councils, who represent 15 villages, were not
invited, when all the Georgian rural councils were represented. Two
Armenian representatives of public organizations were invited, and the
number of Georgians was more. The Armenian participants of the
discussion expressed their dissatisfaction on that occasion.

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
April 28 2006
Armenian language may be taught better
BY ALEX DOBUZINSKIS, Staff Writer

An Assembly bill that would improve Armenian language instruction in
public schools has passed its first test by winning committee
approval.
Assemblyman Dario Frommer, D-Glendale, introduced the bill earlier
this year to create a credentialing program for Armenian-language
instruction, putting it on par with Spanish, French and other
languages taught in schools.
The bill passed the Assembly education committee Wednesday. It now
goes to the appropriations committee.
“I think we’re recognizing that this is a large and vibrant community
and it has a lot of different needs,” Frommer said Thursday.
California has about 500,000 Armenian-Americans. Some are recent
immigrants and some have been here for years.
“We’re recognizing this community has different facets and we’re
trying to respond to that, and I think this is one way we can do it,”
Frommer said.
The Glendale Unified School District offers Armenian courses at its
three main high schools. The teachers are of Armenian descent and are
credentialed in a program for bilingual and cross-cultural
instruction.
But Armenian skills are just part of the testing process for that
program, unlike what is expected of teachers in, for example,
Spanish, French or Vietnamese.
Other San Fernando Valley schools also offer Armenian.
“We think it’s great. The more languages we can offer the better,”
said Greg Franklin, assistant superintendent at GUSD. “So Armenian
just serves one more set of kids who have a specific interest in that
language.”
GUSD has 3,904 English-language learners who speak primarily
Armenian, making up about half of its total English-learner
population.

ARAM I: “OUR MARTYRS REMIND US THAT WE MUST DEMAND ACCOUNT FROM
GENOCIDE TURKEY CONDUCTED”

ANTELIAS, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. At the first
monument in the world dedicated to the memory of the April martyrs and
placed in the Mayravank of Antelias, on April 24, hundreds of
Armenians again promised to remain demanders of alive will of our
martyrs,” is said in the message submitted to Noyan Tapan by the Press
Services of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. After the
Surb Liturgy celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Antelias, the
solemn procession headed by Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia went to the martyrs’ church grave where the divine ceremony
took place. Bishop Gegham Khacherian, the primate of the Lebanese
Armenians, who celebrated the liturgy, read the Bible. Then under the
rain, His Holiness Aram I addressed to hundreds of present Armenians:
“Today is the day of martyrs, the day of national demand and account,
I characterize April 24 on the calendar of our people in this way. We
gather with the sole of account and demands.
Demandfulness means account. Today our martyrs demand account of us.”
“Our martyrs remind us that we must demand account of genocide Turkey
that conducted in 1915 the Genocide planned by the state towards our
people. If genocide Turkey continues to deny the Genocide committed by
its fathers, there are facts, closed in shelves of itself, the one
conducted the Genocide, which prove that crime committed against the
mankind. We ask: where is the justice? Where is the respect of the
human rights? Where is revealing of the truth?” the Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia stated. We must must continue our struggle of
our demandfulness, reporting to our martyrs and demanding account of
the genocide. April 24 is not a day on our calendar: everyday is April
24 for an Armenian considering himself an Armenian and living like an
Armenian. Today we start our oath from Armenia to Antelias, gathered
round ashes of our martyrs.
We re-start our oath in every corner of the world to step the way of
our martyrs, remaining faithful to their will. This way that will take
us towards the justice as this is the way leading towards the truth,”
Aram I Patriarch said. After his speech His Holiness laid a wreath to
the monument, then thousand of those present went by a procession
towards Burj Hamud’s sports ground to participate in the national
ceremony.