Armenian public organizations denounce Russia’s skinhead killings
Arminfo
7 Jun 06
Yerevan, 7 June: The cases of violence on the grounds of racial and
ethnic hatred have recently become more frequent in Russia.
Along with this, attempts by the Russian law-enforcement agencies and
justice authorities to veil racial crimes or even to justify
criminals, and thereby to encourage a recurrence of aggressive
xenophobia and extremism, are also in evidence, several Armenian
public organizations said in a statement forwarded to Arminfo news
agency.
Today more than half of the world’s neo-Nazi organizations have been
registered in Russia, the authors of the statement said. Moreover,
the issue is not about separate marginal groups but about a mass
phenomenon
[Passage omitted: reiterates the point]
In connection with the above the Armenian public organizations
consider it their duty to resolutely denounce any manifestation of
ethnic and racial hatred and express their deep concern about the
spread of xenophobia, racism and neo-nazism in Russia. The Russian
authorities and society are directly responsible for the deterioration
of the situation.
“If you talk about racism with regard to Armenians, one should also
mention the political dimension of the issue. The official statements
made by both sides about “centuries-old friendship and brotherhood”
sound false against the background of such events. The Armenians do
not intend to remain silent while our compatriots are being killed in
Russia,” the statement said.
“The political leadership and the elite of Russia are causing a rift
between the two nations by their inertia regarding this issue. We are
aware of the low level of legal and civil culture in Russia, when both
the constitution and laws of the country are being violated. However,
the current situation is not only about the violation of Russian
legislation, but rather about the gross breach of international norms
and obligations Russia has signed up to,” the statement said.
[Passage omitted: Armenia to appeal to international bodies]

THE SINCERITY OF THE OLIGARCH
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot.am
09 June 06
There is a Russian proverb; what the sober man thinks, the drunkard
reveals. Changing a little that proverb we can say; we can judge
about the RF authority real policy and initiations not from the
semi-official news of `H1′ but from so called close sites the news of
which are only open for its abonents who haven’t sworn not to give
those news to anyone. `Eurasia time’ VIP summary is one of such sites,
which printed in May an interview with the biggest oligarch, the
representative of Putin’s closest circle Oleg Deripaska.

Confessions of the real authority of Russia /Deripaska doesn’t hide
that Putin includes in with his big businessmen/ are interesting for
us that Kocharian ‘s policy is the direct demonstration of the RF
carried out policy. For example, Putin closed the NTV, Kocharian
closed `A1+’, Putin destroyed the parliament as an institution, which
has its influence on the state, our president did the same, Putin
restored the Soviet Union hymn, Kocharian wants the same etc.

In that case three main ideas can be emphasized from Deripaska’s
interview;

All official talks about democratic, speech freedom, fair elections
are tales, nobody solves any problem in the ballot boxes because
`they’ /Putin+oligarchs/ can’t allow `accidental persons» to
rule the country.
Conversations against corruption also have propagandizing meaning, big
business must «pay salary» to the state officials making
the latters be adequate and predictable.
Russia, using economic levers, wants to bring to power its proteges in
the whole CIC territory, who will serve for its aims, which according
to Deripaska has been successfully done in Armenia.
I wouldn’t say that Deripaska’s ideas were so monstrous. Simply they
should be discussed in open and sincere way. Or simply to say to the
peoples of Russia what the ruling clans do and will do. Though those
peoples’ live isn’t improved from such a policy. The life of oligarchs
is improved instead.

TO LEAVE AS A REFORMER
Margaret Yesayan
Aravot.am
09 June 06
According to Mr. Dallakian Robert Kocharian has that opportunity.
The NA deputy Victor Dallakian thinks that vulgar and narrow-minded
relations exist instead of political one in the ruling coalition in
coalition; `If political rules acted in Armenia and not vulgar rules
then it would be recorded after OEP leaving the coalition that the
coalition didn’t exist any more that the Government didn’t have
political majority in the National Assembly instead it had button
majority. It isn’t understandable whose project nowadays authority
realizes. In my deep assurance there were two solutions from the
current situation. The solution number one, the government had to be
dismissed, a new coalition agreement should be signed and the new
government should be signed after it which would represent its
projects and the NA political majority would adopt it and only in
that case it will be possible to speak that the government has a
qualitative majority’.
But the solutions aren’t limited. According to our interlocutor, there
is the second solution in case of which the National Assembly had to
be liquidated holding special elections. We noticed that all these
are already a passed stage, because nothing happened. So at what a
conclusion should we arrive? Dallakian’s conclusions are the
following; `The analyze ofparliamentary elections of three republics
of Armenia shows that there is a great deficiency of holding free and
fair elections, that is, deficiency of parliamentarism. The executive
authority has formed the National Assembly since 1995 as a rule and
it is a political nonsense and is dangerous for the
country. Factually executive authority controls legislative one while
it should be the opposite’. In Victor Dallakian’s opinion `market,
trade relations’ have been formed today.
According to Victor Dallakian all these analyzes makes us conclude
that the current president can find himself in a profitable situation;
`Kocharian has that opportunity, especially the interest of the
outside world towards the parliamentary elections in 2007 has been
increased and they even understandin abroad that the wined powers in
parliamentary elections will be dominant during the presidential
elections in 2008. Now will be the opposite, parliamentary elections
will precede the presidential elections and each power will aspire to
get serious seats especially for achieving is goals in connection with
2008. That means mutual control will be great and in this case
Kocharian has an opportunity to be the guarantor for elections and
leave as the reformer. But it’s another problem whether he will use
that opportunity’. To our question why should Robert Kocharian behave
himself in that way when it is obvious today that new-formed parties
are formed by Kocharian’s approval? Victor Dallakian explained in this
way; `If it was profitable for Robert Kocharian to rig the results of
parliamentary elections in 2003 it can’t be profitable for him in 2006
as he can’t be nominated for the third time and in that case if he
becomes the guarantor of holding free and fair elections and powers
accepted and elected by people come to power his made mistakes can be
soothed and he will adopted as a political figure who has performed a
great mission. Anyway those powers, which will come to power in 2007,
must take into consideration Robert Kocharian till 2008. I think he
has an opportunity to use that chance and I, as a politician, consider
important to use that chance’.
Margaret Yesayan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
June 9, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CALLS ON SENATORS TO DEMAND
FULL EXPLANATION OF EVANS FIRING
“The U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience,
approve the nomination of a new ambassador to
Armenia until the circumstances of the current
envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully,
officially and openly explained to Congress and
the American people.
— ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian letter to U.S. Senators
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today urged U.S. Senators to demand a full and open explanation of
the highly controversial firing of the current U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, John Evans, before the Senate moves to confirm a new envoy
to Yerevan.
In June 9th letters, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian encouraged
Senators to vigorously investigate the reasons behind the
Administration’s decision to recall the Ambassador more than a year
prior to the end of his normal term of office.
The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Fresno Bee have
reported that the State Department’s actions against Ambassador
Evans were due to his comments, made during February, 2005 speeches
to Armenian American audiences, accurately and openly describing
the Armenian Genocide as a clear instance of genocide. Despite
more than 60 Members of Congress having called for an official
explanation of the Administration’s policies and actions on this
matter, over the past four months the White House and State
Department have yet to offer any meaningful explanation about the
dismissal of this highly-regarded, 35-year veteran of the Foreign
Service.
Hachikian stressed, in his letters, that, “The U.S. Senate cannot,
in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new ambassador to
Armenia until the circumstances of the current envoy’s highly
controversial firing are fully, officially, and openly explained to
Congress and the American people. More broadly, the Administration
needs to honestly explain its policies and actions concerning the
Armenian Genocide. This is especially true given that serious
questions remain unanswered concerning the role that a foreign
nation – the Turkish Government – played in Ambassador Evans’
firing.”
The ANCA letter closed with Hachikian urging Senators to delay the
final approval of the incoming ambassador until the Administration
clearly and openly explains its policies and actions in connection
to the firing of Ambassador Evans.
Hachikian’s letters to the 18 members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee addressed their special oversight during the
panel’s upcoming confirmation hearing for the President’s nominees
to serve as the next Ambassador to Armenia.
A copy of the ANCA letter is provided below.
#####
June 9, 2006
Senator ______
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator <>:
I am writing, on behalf of the Armenian American community, to ask
you – in an exercise of your constitutional oversight
responsibility – to demand that the Administration explain its
reasons for firing the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall
Evans.
It is our understanding, based on information from within the State
Department, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the White House, and
published reports, that Ambassador Evans is being recalled over his
February 2005 statements at Armenian American community events
characterizing the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide.
The Administration, however, despite months of Congressional
inquiries, has yet to offer any meaningful explanation of why this
highly-regarded diplomat is being dismissed nearly a year before
the end of his normal term of office.
The U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination
of a new ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the
current envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully, officially,
and openly explained to Congress and the American people. More
broadly, the Administration needs to honestly explain its policies
concerning the Armenian Genocide. This is especially true given
that serious questions remain unanswered concerning the role that
the Turkish Government played in Ambassador Evans’ firing.
I have attached two sets of suggested questions, one for the
Secretary of State and the other for the ambassador-designate
during his upcoming confirmation hearing. If, after this hearing,
these questions remain unanswered, I would respectfully suggest
that you use your prerogatives as a Senator to delay the Senate’s
confirmation until the Administration clearly explains its policies
and actions on this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, June 9, 2006
Contact: Maral Habeshian
Krekorian Wins 43rd Assembly Seat in California’s Democratic Primary
– Armenian Community Unites in Support of Candidate
GLENDALE, California–The Armenian American community united in
support of Paul Krekorian during the Democratic Primary election for
the 43rd California Assembly district on June 6 and drove the
candidate to decisively defeat Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero
sending a clear message to Sacramento.
Armenian American voters turned out in large numbers to vote for Paul
Krekorian in order to also send a message to Councilman Frank Quintero
whose campaign and advisors engaged in dirty campaign tactics during
the last week.
It is a widely believed the Quintero campaign collaborated with the
California Latino Leadership Fund in sending out mass mailers and
automated callers to non-Armenian voters labeling Krekorian and his
wife, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the
Armenian community as `terrorists’ in a desperate attempt to scare
away non-Armenian voters. The unethical and racist tactics had the
opposite of the intended effect by galvanizing both Armenian and
non-Armenian voters in support of Krekorian.
`Having Paul Krekorian representing the citizens of the 43rd district
will usher in a new era of empowerment and vision,’ said Leonard
Manoukian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee – Political
Action Committee (ANC-PAC). `As a person who has a strong connection
to all parts of the community, we believe Paul will fill a huge void
that has existed and be a driving force for building bridges and
inspiring positive changes.’
Throughout the campaign for Paul Krekorian, Armenian Americans
volunteered in record numbers, including on the day of the election
where volunteers helped get out the vote, assisted at polling stations
with translating while also monitoring and reporting problems and
irregularities that occur during every election. During the weeks
leading up to the election the local ANCs mounted an unprecedented
voter education and get-out-the-vote campaign informing large numbers
of voters of the issues at stake and getting people to vote.
`If it wasn’t clear before, we hope it is now,’ said Stepan Boyajian
from the Burbank ANC. `The Armenian American community’s voice will
be heard and we will have our rightful seat at the table.’ Local ANCs
who represent different parts of the 43rd Assembly district led
community-wide efforts in support of Krekorian that made the
difference.
`This was a historic victory for the Armenian community and all
Americans who care about justice and preserving the democratic
process. It was a victory of hope over hatred, optimism over cynicism,
common vision over ethnic division,’ said Paul Krekorian.

`I am grateful by the outpouring of support from my fellow Armenian
Americans and non-Armenians alike. The overall community of the 43rd
district came together to reject the politics of hate and division
instead favoring respect, understanding and unity, that should be an
inspiration for everyone.’

Unofficial results show Krekorian with 56.6% of the votes to
Quintero’s 43.4%, with 100 percent of precincts reporting; these
figures do not yet include provisional and absentee ballots which are
still being counted. While the 43rd California Assembly seat has
historically been a democratic seat, Krekorian, as the democratic
candidate will face Republican candidate Michael Agbaba in November’s
general election.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN VILLAGE OPERATION (AVO) AND MDF-KAMURJ IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIASPORA DONATION MICRO FINANCED 25 FARMERS IN LORI REGION
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
Armenia Village Operation (AVO) is a non-governmental organization,
founded by Hilda Grigorian, a Diaspora residence of Glendale,
California. AVO’s mission is to contribute to the livelihood of civil
society in the most vulnerable areas in Armenia, the overall vision
is to put an end to extreme poverty in Armenia.
Ever since it’s establishment, AVO in partnership with UNDP and
other private donors has successfully completed numerous community
development projects in rural areas of Armenia. AVO has recently
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Eurasia Foundation to
implement youth and women development projects in the country.
Microfinance Development Fund Kamurj (MDF-Kamurj) is a mature and
internationally well recognized Armenian microfinance organization
(), founded by Save the Children and CRS and financed
by a number of international donors. The organization has been in micro
finance industry since 2000, currently is serving 9,300 economically
active vulnerable families in urban and rural Armenia with over 3.8
million Dollars of microfinance loans outstanding.
A coalition was established between AVO, MDF-Kamurj and an Armenian
Diaspora, Mr. Johnny Sahagian, to implement a microfinance project
in the Gargar village of Lori Region. With generous contribution of Mr.
Sahagian, disbursement of micro loans was made to 25 farmers to
purchase seed, farming materials and tools to expand their farming
operation and generate income and employment in Gargar village.
Mr. Johnny Sahagian is a business entrepreneur with an ambition
to contribute funds to this particular village where his great
grandparents were born and raised. Mr. Sahagian traveled to Armenia
and expressed his deep concern of the poor condition of the villages,
his son Khoren spent months in Armenia working on humanitarian
projects. Mr. Sahagian said “it’s important for our community to
understand the importance of employment and income generation in the
rural areas, to contribute to community development of our villages
and avoid high migration, let’s teach people how to fish so they can
feed themselves for life”.
For more information about Armenia Village Operation, please visit
Pic 1. Hilda Grigorian, MDF Kamurj staff and Gargar Community Leaders.
Pic 2. MDF Kamurj staff disbursing funds to community.

“THE CONTENT WAS TOO VULNERABLE”
A1+
[03:59 pm] 09 June, 2006
NA deputy Hrant Khachatryan, the head of the Constitutional Right
Union, is ready to give up his mandate if he is elected President
of the Central Electoral Committee. Mr. Khachatryan considers the
reduction of his authorities a concession but thinks that he will be
able to control the next elections.
The parliamentary and extraparliamentary powers discussed in the
National Press Club the inner political situation in the country. The
main topic of conversation was the resignation of the OYP from the
coalition. The OYP was invited to the discussions too but none of
its representatives had come to the Club.
“As a form the coalition was welcomed, but its content was
too vulnerable”, says Khosrov Haroutyunyan, the head of the
Christian-Democratic Union. According to him, the political unrest
in the country is accounted for by the fact that “the concept of the
National Assembly is not well comprehended by the society” and for
the people the standard of living is connected with the President:
“Good President – good life, bad President – bad life”. “The next
elections can be crucial”, says Khosrov Haroutyunyan predicting that
no party will take up the responsibility of governing the country
alone as no party has enough specialists for that purpose.
“The businessmen joined the OYP because Serge Sargsyan told them to do
so, and left the party for the same reason”, said Grigor Haroutyunyan,
secretary of the People’s Party, indignant at the fact that Serge
Sargsyan interferes with the affairs of other parties.
Grigor Haroutyunyan is especially angry with the people who blame
the opposition for anything, for example the high level of corruption.
Shavarsh Kocharyan was the most optimistic of all.
Despite the falsified constitutional reforms, he voiced hope that
the power which will win the parliamentary elections of 2007 will
be more influential. According to his colleagues, Shavarsh Kocharyan
has a European outlook on the situation inside the country.

WE SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN’S JUST ASPIRATION TO LIBERATE ITS TERRITORY – OIC SEC-GEN
Author: R.Agayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
“We support Azerbaijan in its fair aspiration to liberate its
lands which are under [Armenian] occupation,” Ekmaleddin Ihsanoglu,
the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Organization
(OIC), as stating to a news conference in Moscow on 7 June in reply
to question to Trend special correspondent.
“We support any peace talks between the sides. We support Azerbaijan
and call on Armenia to cooperation in international arena with all
who endeavor to the resolution of the conflict, no matter whether
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, European Union, UN and
other international organizations,” he underlined.
Besides, Ihsanoglu spoke about the chairmanship of Azerbaijan at OIC.
“As to role of Azerbaijan as a chairing country, that it will take
at the next summit of the OIC in Baku at the level of the Foreign
Ministers, we are glad to see Azerbaijan in this position. I expect the
Baku meeting to yield positive results. It will come as the first of
OIC held in the former Soviet country CIS, where the communist regime
reigned. It leads to two major conclusion that Islam is striving
to refusal from extremist manifestations and on the other hand all
Muslim countries will feel that none of them is forgotten and lost. I
think all allies worldwide support this position, which have gained
independence recently and joined the OIC. No matter where they meetings
are held the conclusion will mirror that Islam is keen on moderation,
calmness and peaceable co-existence with all religions,” he said.
Touching upon the disorders staged by Azerbaijanis in Iran, the OIC
Secretary General noted that he did not have relevant information.
“However, I should say that in respect to these issues we came out from
the aspect of respect to the territorial integrity of the country,
urge all countries to respect the human rights and achieve peaceable
solution to all similar problems.”
Ihsanoglu also informed about the results of talks with Russian
present Vladimir Putin on the situation with Russian diplomats in
Iraq. The meeting also focused on the Palestinian issues.
In his turn Aslambek Aslakhanov, the adviser to the Russian
President, stated that soon there will be set up the construction of
shopping-hotel center business center in the Center of Moscow, which
will serve as a representation of the OIC member-countries. An area
with the square of 5h has been selected in this respect and accorded
with the Moscow’s Mayoral Office.

COMMUNITY BUDGETS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITH UNDP SUPPORT
ArmRadio.am
08.06.2006 15:22
Today, five cost-sharing agreements were signed with five
municipalities and Memorandum of Understanding with the US Agency for
International Development (USAID) for projects in the scope of UNDP
Armenia Performance Budgeting project. In addition, United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) presented the Performance Budgeting
Manual.
The ceremony, held in UN House in Yerevan, was attended by
municipality teams, experts of the project, USAID representatives,
as well as representatives of the US Treasury Department, Armenia
Social Investment Fund, Government and the media. Ms. Consuelo Vidal,
UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative made a welcoming
speech.
Since its inception in 2005, the Performance Budgeting Project
has generated much interest among local self-governance bodies
in Armenia. The goals of the project are to support further
decentralization in Armenia, strengthen the capacities of local
self-governance bodies, and facilitate accountable and measurable
public expenditure management. It assists in the implementation of
performance budgeting during community planning, monitoring, and
evaluation processes ensuring citizens’ participation in the whole
process. This is new to not only Armenia, but also to the region.
The “Performance Budgeting in Local Government” training manual also
presented today is a product of a comprehensive and in-depth work
in the framework of the Performance Budgeting initiative supported
by UNDP. The manual presents experiences gained during training
courses, advisory meetings, and joint seminars and actual budgeting
processes conducted in the five pilot towns of Armenia (Ijevan, Masis,
Abovyan, Vedi and Dilijan). It provides a detailed description of local
performance budgeting principles, framework, budgeting process phases,
and budget planning, execution, and oversight. It is designed to become
a step-by-step guide for other communities in Armenia and abroad.

CHAIRMAN CAUCASUS FOUR PLAN ANOTHER MEETING
Prime News Agency, Georgia
June 8 2006
Tbilisi. June 08 (Prime-News) – Nino Burdjanadze, Chairwoman of the
Parliament of Georgia and Sergey Mironov, her Russian counterpart
agreed to initiate another meeting of the chairpersons of the
Caucasus Four.
During the Wednesday telephone conversation Sergey Mironov told Nino
Burdjanadze that meeting of the chairpersons of Georgia, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Russia has not been held for one and a half year for
objective reasons, Prime-News was told by representatives of the
Parliament of Georgia.
Nino Burdjanadze added that Georgia and Russia have a good chance to
start resolution of accumulated problems.
Sergey Mironov also welcomed the initiation by Mikheil Saakashvili,
President of Georgia on start of negotiations with Russia.