Caucaz.com, Georgia
March 11 2006
Georgia: What happened in Tsalka (Kvemo Kartli)?
Tbilisi, 11 March 2006 (sources: Ombudsman Press Office, Civil
Georgia) – On March 10 representative of the Ombudsman of Georgia
will visit Tsalka and meet Tsalka Gamgebeli (Head of Local
Administration), Chief of the local Police and local population.
Yesterday, on March 9, a clash which resulted into death of one and
injury of at least one local resident in multiethnic town of Tsalka
in Kvemo Kartli region, triggered protest of local ethnic Armenians.
Police said that five suspects have already been arrested. But
protesters in Tsalka demanded lynching of suspects on March 10.
`The Interior Ministry will never allow actions of this kind,’ the
Georgian Interior Ministry stated on March 10.
The Interior Ministry said that only one local was injured, but
according to the ethnic minority advocacy group Multinational Georgia
four ethnic Armenians were wounded as a result of an attack.
According to this non-governmental organization about 500 residents
of Tsalka were demanding at the rally outside the local police
station on March 10 an immediate investigation and prosecution of
those who are guilty of this crime. The protest rally was `brutally
dispersed’ by the police, according to the Multinational Georgia.
Clashes between the locals erupt sporadically in recent years in
Tsalka district with population of 20 000. Ethnic Armenians comprise
57% of population, according to the Georgian department of
statistics. 4,500 ethnic Greeks, 2,500 ethnic Georgians and up to
2,000 Azerbaijanis also live there.
Representative of the Ombudsman of Georgia will study the details of
the case on-site and find out, whether the clash happened on the
ground of ethnic discrimination.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
March 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. PALLONE AND RADANOVICH RALLY COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT
OF PRO-ARMENIAN PROVISIONS IN FOREIGN AID BILL
— Call for Maintaining Military Aid Parity to Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Reversing the Administration’s Proposed
Cuts to Armenia, and Continuing Aid to Nagorno Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) called on their U.S. House colleagues today to
join them in cosigning a letter calling on the leadership of the
House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian
provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel’s
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY),
strengthens the hand of pro-Armenian members of the Subcommittee,
most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, Steve
Rothman (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney (R-NY). Rep.
Sweeney, who joined the panel last year, is one of only two Members
of Congress of Armenian heritage.
The letter notes that members of Congress are “deeply troubled”
that the Administration’s request for military aid for Azerbaijan
is considerably higher then the request for Armenia. By signing
the letter, legislators will add their voice to the effort to
ensure that the agreement struck in 2001 between the White House
and Congress to keep aid levels to these two countries equal is
fully respected. In addition, the letter calls for a hard earmark
of at least $75 million for Armenia, a one-year $5 million
allocation for Nagorno Karabagh, and the preservation of Section
907 of the Freedom Support Act.
“We want to thank Congressmen Radanovich and Pallone in urging the
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support provisions in the fiscal
year 2007 foreign aid bill of special importance to Armenian
Americans,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We also
value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within this panel
by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the leadership of
Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey, and the support
of Representatives Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse
Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other
friends.”
The text of the Congressional letter is provided below.
#####
March 17, 2006
The Honorable Jim Kolbe
Chairman
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
H-150, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
1016 Longworth
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:
Thank you for your leadership on the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Foreign Operations. As you prepare the FY2007 Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill, we write in support of Armenia and US-Armenia
relations and we respectfully request that you consider the items
described below in your bill.
Maintain Military Parity
We are deeply troubled that the Administration’s request for
Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism,
De-mining and Related Assistance (NADR), and International Military
Education and Training (IMET) funding for Azerbaijan is
considerably higher then the request for Armenia. We believe that
this imbalance simply cannot be allowed to occur.
Congress must ensure that Armenia’s level of FMF assistance is
raised to $4.5 million, NADR assistance is raised to $4.8 million,
and IMET assistance is raised to $855,000. U.S. policy toward the
south Caucasus has been to maintain parity between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. This policy was reached in agreement in Congress and
was maintained by President Bush in last year’s budget proposal. A
lack of military parity would undo this policy and weaken ongoing
peace negotiations regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, we
believe that any imbalance will contribute to further instability
in the region if Congress does not ensure military parity.
Therefore, we strongly urge you to include $4.5 million in FMF,
$4.8 million in NADR, and $885,000 in IMET funding for Armenia in
the FY2007 bill, equal to Azerbaijan.
Economic Assistance to Armenia
The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to
impede Armenia’s economic well-being. Despite these blockades,
Armenia continues to successfully implement economic and democratic
reforms. As long as Armenia suffers from blockades on its east and
west borders, continued and robust U.S. assistance to Armenia will
be needed to help minimize their impact. Our assistance has
provided an important positive effect and will continue to do so
when provided at appropriate levels. For fiscal year 2006, $75
million was provided for Armenia. Maintaining this level of
support is critical. Therefore, we request you include language
ensuring that not less than $75 million in Economic Support Funds
is appropriated for Armenia in Fiscal Year 2007.
Assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh
We thank you for your continued support for assistance to Nagorno-
Karabakh. This support is in our country’s interests and helps
alleviate the conditions of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. It is
important for Congress to maintain a strong position on this
funding to ensure that these programs continue. Therefore, we
request you include language directing USAID to spend $5 million in
Fiscal Year 2007 for programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Section 907
We request that you join us in opposing any changes to Section 907
in the fiscal year 2007 bill. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support
Act remains a fundamental element of U.S. policy toward the south
Caucasus. Because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia,
Section 907 is necessary. As you know, the FY2002 Foreign
Operations Appropriations Act provided a limited and conditional
waiver to Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in order for the
U.S. to effectively combat terrorism. Specifically, at the time,
former Secretary of State Colin Powell asked for flexibility to
counter terrorist elements and organizations operating within
Azerbaijan. We strongly support Section 907 and request that you
not make any further changes to this law.
We appreciate your consideration of these requests.
Sincerely,

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
March 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REP. PALLONE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED
OVER REPORTS OF AMB. EVANS’ WITHDRAWAL
— Co-Chairman of Congressional Armenian Caucus
Demands Explanation from the Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chairman of
the Armenian Issues Caucus, today expressed his extreme
disappointment to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over reports
that the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, is being
forced from office based upon truthful and forthright statements
last year about the Armenian Genocide.
In a March 10th letter, Rep. Pallone shared with the Secretary that
he is “outraged that the State Department is recalling Ambassador
Evans as retaliation for statements he made in recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.” He added that, “it is simply wrong for the
State Department to punish Ambassador Evans for statements he made
that are factually correct. Accordingly, I am asking you for an
explanation as to why Ambassador Evans was removed from his post. .
. This is the wrong message to send to the world. I look forward
to a timely response from your office.”
Speaking last year to an Armenian American gathering at the
University of California at Berkeley, Amb. Evans said, “I will
today call it the Armenian Genocide… I informed myself in depth
about it. I think we, the U.S. government, owe you, our fellow
citizens, a more frank and honest way of discussing this problem.
Today, as someone who has studied it… there’s no doubt in my mind
[as to] what happened . . . I think it is unbecoming of us, as
Americans, to play word games here. I believe in calling things by
their name.” Referring to the Armenian Genocide as “the first
genocide of the 20th century,” he said: “I pledge to you, we are
going to do a better job at addressing this issue.” Amb. Evans also
disclosed that he had consulted with a legal advisor at the State
Department who had confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide
by definition.”
Within days after his remarks and the conclusion of a speaking tour
of Armenian American communities, Ambassador Evans was apparently
forced to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the
Armenian Genocide were his personal views and did not represent a
change in U.S. policy. He subsequently issued a correction to this
statement, replacing a reference to the Genocide with the word
“tragedy.”
Later last year, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA),
in recognition of his honesty and commitment to principle, decided
to honor Ambassador Evans with the “Christian A. Herter Award,”
recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within the
Foreign Service. Sadly, as Washington Post staff writer Glenn
Kessler revealed on June 9th, AFSA withdrew its award following
pressure from “very serious people from the State Department.”
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, in a letter sent to Secretary Rice
earlier this week, wrote that, “the prospect that a U.S. envoy’s
posting – and possibly his career – has been cut short due to his
honest and accurate description of a genocide is profoundly
offensive to American values and U.S. standing abroad –
particularly in light of President Bush’s call for moral clarity in
the conduct of our international affairs.”
The ANCA letter also urged Secretary Rice to respond in a timely
manner to the series of written questions on this matter submitted
on February 16th by Congressman Adam Schiff during her testimony
before the House International Relations Committee. Among these
questions was a specific request that the Secretary assure the
Committee that the Department of State has not taken – and will not
take – any punitive action against Ambassador Evans for speaking
out about the Armenian Genocide.
The full text of Rep. Pallone’s letter is provided below.
#####
March 10, 2006
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rice:
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with the reports
of the State Department’s decision to withdraw Ambassador John
Evans from Armenia. Based on news reports, I am outraged that the
State Department is recalling Ambassador Evans as retaliation for
statements he made in recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
I am sure you are aware of courageous public statements Ambassador
Evans made last year in response to a question about the tragic
events that began in 1915, “I will today call it the Armenian
Genocide.”
Ambassador Evans is an expert on the subject. He has studied the
history of Armenia, and based on his substantial studies of the
issue, he was willing to go on the record and define the systematic
extermination of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children as
genocide.
To this day, the Republic of Turkey refuses to acknowledge the fact
that this massive crime against humanity took place on soil under
its control, and in the name of Turkish nationalism.
Unfortunately, some 90 years later, the U.S. State Department
continues to support Turkey’s denials despite all evidence to the
contrary.
It is simply unacceptable for this administration to continue to
penalize the ambassador for his comments. Ambassador Evans did a
courageous thing; his statements did not contradict U.S. policy,
but rather articulated the same message that this Administration
has sent to the public. The only difference in this case is that
Ambassador Evans assigned a word to define the actions taken
against the Armenians.
This was a refreshing break from a pattern on the part of the State
Department of using evasive and euphemistic terminology to obscure
the full reality of the Armenian Genocide. Ambassador Evans
pointed out that, “No American official has ever denied it,” and
went on to say that, “I think we, the U.S. government, owe you, our
fellow citizens a more frank and honest way of discussing this
problem.”
Ambassador Evans was merely recounting the historical record, which
has been attested to by over 120 Holocaust and genocide scholars
from around the world.
I do not believe it is possible for any Ambassador to Armenia to
function with any credibility if he does not recognize the
genocide. Any representative of the United of States on the ground
in Armenia is faced with countless occasions where the genocide is
discussed or commemorated.
It is simply wrong for the State Department to punish Ambassador
Evans for statements he made that are factually correct.
Accordingly, I am asking you for an explanation as to why
Ambassador Evans was removed from his post.
I am outraged that the U.S. State Department is now penalizing
ambassadors for telling the truth. This is the wrong message to
send to the world. I look forward to a timely response from your
office.
Sincerely,
[signed]
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress

ARMENIA HAS ALREADY MADE ITS PART OF COMPROMISE. NOW IT’S AZERBAIJAN’S TURN:
ARMENIAN FM
YEREVAN, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. Armenia has already made its part of
compromise and now it’s Azerbaijan’s turn, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan says n an interview to Shant TV channel.
He says that the Rambouillet meeting has not changed the Karabakh
peace process “for either better or worse.” The only problem with
Rambouillet was that it was given special attention. Earlier such
meetings were held within international events and with all their
achievements and set backs were not given so much attention.
This attention was logical as 2005 saw definite progress. The sides
agreed on most of the key principles leaving 1-2 principles for the
presidents. The co-chairs thought that the process was moving in the
right direction and expected the presidents to readily resolve the
remaining problems – which unfortunately did not happen. But Oskanyan
does not think that the process has failed. Simply the problems were
very hard.
It would be wrong to put aside what has already been achieved – for
there will hardly be a similar chance in the coming years. Somewhere
at heart Azerbaijan too knows this. And it has now to decide if it
will further stick to its maximalist position or will try to make a
compromise. If it chooses the former the problem will not be resolved.

AZERI LEADERS WILL NOT RISK TO START WAR AGAINST ARMENIA: ARMENIAN FM
YEREVAN, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. The Azeri leaders will not risk to start
war against Armenia, Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan says in an interview
to Shant TV channel.
We rule out the possibility of war. They cannot scare us by war or to
change our position. Azerbaijan is not ready for war.
If today Azerbaijan is not ready for or cannot run the risk to solve
the problem by compromise, it will never risk to solve it by war.
Azerbaijan can get much through talks by giving something they know
they have already lost. They have tried war twice, the third time will
be the last. War will take much from Azerbaijan and at heart the Azeri
authorities know that war will be hard for them. Today the Azeri
leaders are not ready for risk. Billions have been invested in that
country and now it cannot risk them. Nobody will allow Azerbaijan to
easily start war against Armenia.

ARMENIAN FM REFUSES TO CONFIRM OR REFUTE REPORT OF POSSIBLE RECALL OF US
AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. Armenian FM Vardan Oskanyan refuses to
confirm or refute the report about the possible recall of US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans This is a confidential process. One
should not make a problem of it. Armenia may be asked to agree to a
new ambassador but whether and when he will be appointed will depend
on the US adminitration. Let’s wait and see, says Oskanyan.

COOPERATION WITH SOUTH CAUCASUS IS A PRIORITY OF NATO
YEREVAN, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. Cooperation with the South Caucasus region
is claimed a priority by NATO, said NATO representative Romualdas
Razuks during the “Starlink expert Roundtable and seminar”.
According to Mr. Razuks, NATO aims providing the security of the
region due to cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The
NATO programs in South Caucasus, the individual partnership program
particularly, are to satisfy the individual needs of the Southern
Caucasian states, provide assistance in integrating with Europe and
developing democratic institutions, as well as in destroying the old
Soviet weapon. NATO also takes part in settling the regional
conflicts. Mr. Razuks reminded that next year will be considered
Armenia’s achievements in the frameworks of cooperation with NATO. The
NATO official concluded that the partnership of South Caucasus states
will make all the security programs more effective.

CNN REMINDED THE WORLD ABOUT THE ANTI-ARMENIAN POLICY OF AZERBIAJAN
YEREVAN, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. Today the CNN channel reminded the world
public about the events of Sumgayit, 1988, and the ‘heroic’ deed of
Ramil Safarov, who in February 2004 assassinated with an axe sleeping
Gurgen Margarian. The topic was prepared for CNN by the ‘Armnenia’ TV
channel, which has been cooperating with CNN during the recent years.
Gagik Mkrtchian, chief executive of ‘Armenia-TV’, informed that CNN
broadcaster an episode of the last demonstration in Yerevan, as well
as shots from the mass murder of 1988 and the national liberation
movement. The CNN let the world to see barbarian destruction of
Armenian cemetery in Nakhijevan. ‘We were able to show the world the
results of anti-Armenian propaganda of Baku, its cynicism, barbarism
and national-religious intolerance,’ said Mr. Mkrtchian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN NGOs OF GEORGIA URGE GEORGIA AUTHORITIES TO PREVENT ETHNIC CONFLICT
IN TSALKA
TSALKA, MARCH 11. ARMINFO. The Multinational Georgia and New
Generation NGOs have urged the Georgia public, authorities and
President Mikheil Saakashvili to take urgent measures to solve the
problem in Tsalka in order to prevent one more ethnic conflict in
Georgia.
The NGOs urge the authorities to fairly investigate the incident in
Tsalka and to punish those guilty.
To remind, Georgian and Armenian residents of Tsalka got into fight
Mar 9. 5 young Armenians were wounded, Gevorg Gerorgyan – killed. The
attackers were Georgians from Svanetia.
Alarmed by the incident the Armenian residents of Tsalka (some 500
people) held a rally in front of the police building with demands to
punish those guilty. The police togeter with local criminals dispersed
the ralliers. Mar 10 the police blocked all the roads leading from
Armenian villages to Tsalka and are controlling all the governmental
facilities in the town.
Commenting on the incident the United Javakhq NGO says that it is a
direct result of the Georgian authorities’ policy to artificially
change the ethnic maps of its regions. The large-scale population of
the mostly Armenian regions with Georgians from Svanetia and Ajaria is
breaking the ethnic balance in the region and provokes ethnic
tensions.
The NGO urges all the Armenians of the region to be calm and
restrained and demands that the Georgian police fairly investigate the
case and punish all those guilty.

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 11 2006
Military solution of Karabakh conflict ruled out – minister
14:54 | 11/ 03/ 2006

YEREVAN, March 11 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia’s foreign minister ruled
out Saturday a military solution for the breakaway region of Nagorny
Karabakh.
“Azerbaijan must realize that the problem cannot be resolved other
than by peaceful means. The military option is ruled out.
[Azerbaijan] will not be able to intimidate the Armenian side or
force it to change its position,” Vardan Oskanyan said in an
interview with the Armenian TV company Shant.
He said Azerbaijan was not ready for war.
“If the Azerbaijani side is not ready or will not risk resolving the
problem through simple compromise, it will never risk using force,”
the minister said.
Earlier, Oskanyan reiterated Armenia’s position that Nagorny
Karabakh’s right to self-determination was crucial for a peace
settlement.
The conflict between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a
largely Armenian population, first erupted in 1988, when the region
claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.
Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and
1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in
1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.