US TO URGE PEACE ON GARABAGH DURING ALIYEV’S TALKS – CRISIS GROUP REP
ASSA-IRADA, Azerbaijan
April 27 2006
Baku, April 26, AssA-Irada
Energy and security issues will be in focus at the upcoming meeting
of President Ilham Aliyev visiting the United States with his
counterpart George Bush, says the project director on South Caucasus
of the International Crisis Group, an organization working to prevent
conflicts worldwide.
“This will be Aliyev’s first visit to the US and it is beyond a doubt
that one of the reasons he had been invited to the White House is
related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” Sabine Frasier said.
She said that if the United States aspires to safeguard its
security and energy interests, it will focus on the unresolved
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
“USA should be interested in the conflict resolution, as the territory
hosting the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil export pipeline, as well as the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline considered an important element of
Western energy security, is 30 miles away from the conflict zone.”
The ICG representative said that during the talks, US officials will
openly say to President Aliyev that a military option to solve the
Garabagh problem is unacceptable.
“Moreover, the US should urge Azerbaijan to sign a broad and
comprehensive peace accord. As the first step toward this, President
Aliyev should create conditions for relations between the Azerbaijani
and Armenian people.”
Frasier said that if the US is trying to achieve long-term Azeri
support in its policy on Iran and the entire region, the best
alternative would be for Washington to ensure a peaceful settlement
of the Garabagh dispute.
“So long as the conflict remains unresolved, Azerbaijan will not be
interested in spoiling its developing relations with Iran. And the
other way round, if Azerbaijan decides to use military action in
Upper Garabagh, located near Iran’s border in the north, this could
compromise US energy and security interests and lead to a suspension
of foreign investment in the Azerbaijani economy.”
Commenting on the ICG official’s statement, the Azeri Foreign
Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizada said America’s interests indeed
cover ensuring security and stability in the region.
“However, peaceful settlement of the Garabagh conflict is not related
to the BTC pipeline,” he said.

CE OFFICIAL SAYS GARABAGH ACCORD ‘NEEDED FOR ENTIRE WORLD’
ASSA-IRADA, Azerbaijan
April 27 2006
Baku, April 26, AssA-Irada
The settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict would serve the interests of the entire world, Armenian
Mediamax news agency quoted the Council of Europe Secretary General
Terry Davis as saying.
Davis said he is closely following the ongoing peace talks and voiced
disappointment over the protracted conflict.
“It has been unfortunately impossible to settle it for a long time.
However, its settlement would benefit both Azerbaijan and Armenia,
and Upper Garabagh in particular,” he said.
Asked whether the CE plans to step up its role in the conflict
resolution, Davis said the international community had vested this
task in the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) brokering the peace process. “The
MG is currently working to achieve a solution. I wish success in this
respect to the Russian, French and American co-chairs.”
Touching upon cooperation in the South Caucasus, Davis said this
is always necessary, but conflicts flaring in the region are posing
obstacles for such interaction.

BAGHDASSARYAN AND LELLOUCHE DISCUSSED ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND NATO PA COOPERATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2006 01:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 25 Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Artur
Baghdassaryan, being in France on a visit, met with Pierre Lellouche,
President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, reports the Press Service
of the Armenian NA. During the meeting the interlocutors discussed
matters of the Armenian NA and the NATO PA within legislative reform,
exchange of experience and retraining personnel. Today A. Baghdassaryan
met with French Senate President Christian Poncelet. The parties
discussed prospects of strengthening inter-parliamentary relations
between Armenia and France, matters referring to the bill about denial
of the Armenian Genocide fact.
Baghdassaryan thanked for hosting thousands of Armenian children
within Armenia’s Year in France, as well as invited Christian Poncelet
to Armenia.

MANN OPTIMISTIC OVER KARABAKH ISSUE
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2006 19:26 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regards the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict as his country’s major problem. He made
a statement while addressing to the Foreign Relations Council,
which commenced his first official visit to the United States. The
President voiced his hope that the current talks on Nagorno Karabakh
“will create necessary conditions for just and durable peace, based
on the principles of the international law.” “We hope that the
United States as a superpower and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
states will contribute to the resolution of the conflict,” Aliyev
underscored. Baku is sure that the settlement can be peaceable and
“only the international rule of law can be a base for talks,” he
emphasized. “The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized
by UN and all world countries, except Armenia,” he stated.
US Ambassador Steven Mann, an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, who was
present at the meeting, stated he was gong to visit Moscow next week
for next round of consultations which his colleagues. He is optimistic
and he believes “an efficient base for compromise is discovered.” The
US Ambassador particularly considered important the principle of
refusal from attempts of complete resolution of the exiting problems
available once and for all. He explained that the current approach
was just the opposite: movement forward step by step and leaving some
difficult issues for future, Itar-Tass reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH MFA DISAGREES WITH SOME OF BUSH STATEMENTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2006 19:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “It is not possible for Turkey to share some
expressions of US President George W. Bush in his statement released
on 24 April. On the other hand, the reference to creation of joint
commissions is positive,” said Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik
Tan. “History can only be written and assessed on the basis of official
documents. The archives are a source,” he noted. The disputed part of
Turkish-Armenian common history can only be researched on scientific
aspect, and the assessments can be made under the results of these
studies, he added. “Thus, Turkey’s proposal to Armenia to investigate
incidents before and after 1915 by a joint historical commission and
to inform the populations on the results shed light on this period
of history and normalize the relations between the two countries,”
Tan said, the Yerkir newspaper reports.
To remind, during his annual speech on April 24 George W. Bush
specifically said, “Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of
the 20th century – the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5
million Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This
was a tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must
never forget. We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize
that it remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all
those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of
every human life. It is a credit to the human spirit and generations of
Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and around the globe that they
have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old
culture, traditions, and religion. We praise the individuals in Armenia
and Turkey who have sought to examine the historical events of this
time with honesty and sensitivity. The analysis by the International
Center for Transitional Justice, while not the final word, has made a
significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of these
events. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions,
that strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and
move Armenia and Turkey towards normalized relations.
Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia’s
Millennium Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the
importance we place in Armenia making progress on democratic reform
and advancement of free markets. We seek to help Armenia bolster its
security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We
remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and
Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal.
On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest
condolences to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together,
determined to create a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for
the citizens of our countries and the world.” We also note that in
spite of the urge of US Congressmen, Bush again avoided the phrase
Armenian Genocide to properly acknowledge the mass destruction of
the Armenian population in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.

VENUE OF FOOTBALL MATCHES OF ARMENIAN AND AZERI TEAMS TO BE DECIDED MAY 12
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2006 20:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The venue of holding the matches between the
national teams of Azerbajian and Armenai within the qualifieds of
Euro-2008 will be known after the meeting of representatiaves of the
federations of the two countries, planned in Swiss Nyon city May 12,
UEFA Executive Committee Member Mathieu Sprengers reported. In his
words, three representatives of each federation will take part in
the talks. Three UEFA officials – Sprengers, Per Ravn Omdal and Mark
Schtruder – are also expected to participate in the negotiations. The
UEFA officials will have to take the final decision on the venue of
holding the matches, reports Day.az.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
April 28, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Receives the President of the Republic of Lithuania
On April 26, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received His Excellency Valdas Adamkus, President of the
Republic of Lithuania.  President Adamkus was accompanied by his wife, Mrs.
Alma Adamkiene and Mr. Davit Harutyunian, Minister of Justice of the
Republic of Armenia.
His Holiness welcomed the visit of the Lithuanian president to the
headquarters of the Armenian Church and introduced the history and mission
of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the lives of the Armenian people.
`We offer praise and thanks to God, that the years of oppressive Soviet rule
were not able to destroy the spiritual life of our nation, nor their spirit
and love of Christ.  With their Christian faith, the sons and daughters of
our nation reinforced their convictions of liberty and independence, and
fifteen years ago, created our new, free and sovereign republic.’ – stated
His Holiness.
The Pontiff of All Armenians offered a prayer to the Lord to preserve and
protect the Armenian and Lithuanian peoples; strengthen their brotherhood
and solidarity; and increase the cooperation and collaboration between the
two states.  His Holiness further expressed the gratitude of the Armenian
people for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the
Lithuanian government, as well as the careful attention of the Lithuanian
authorities toward the Armenians living in their land.
President Adamkus thanked His Holiness for the warm reception and expressed
his deep respect and esteem for the Armenian Church and her leader.  The
president spoke of the significant role the Church has in society,
specifically in establishing and encouraging the proper development of
morals and ethics in the younger generation.  `Through your history, one
sees how much Christianity gave to Armenia through your Church.  Your
culture, language, literature and art accompanied the Christian faith and
teachings as inseparable parts of the Armenian identity.’ – stated the
Lithuanian president.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the current state of worldwide
ecumenical relations, within both inter-church and inter-faith dimensions. 
Present for the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirosian,
Primate of the Diocese Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh); His Grace Bishop Paren
Avedikian, Director of Administrative Matters for the Mother See; and His
Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See
At the conclusion of the cordial meeting, President and Mrs. Adamkus visited
the museum of the Pontifical Residence and the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
ANTE LIAS ARCHIVES UNDERGOES COMPLETE REORGANIZATION
The Archives department of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is
currently undergoing complete reorganization under the supervision of
Catholicos Aram I.
Within the Catholicosate’s general restoration works a special place was
dedicated for the storage of archives. With the kind support of its
director, Dr. Zaven Yegavian, the Department of Armenian Affairs of the
Gulbenkian Foundation has accepted to meet the costs of the establishment of
the Archives department.
The new department is located on the right hand of the Catholicosate’s main
entrance and occupies a large area. It is supplied with special cabinet
archives imported from Italy. Before the establishment of the Archives
department, Mr. Krikor Shahinian worked on the reorganization of the
Catholicosate’s archives. The department’s general director now is V. Rev.
Fr. Yeghishe Mandjigian with Rev. Fr. Movses Boyadjian as his assistant.
The general director of the official Archives department of the Republic of
Armenia, Amadouni Virabian, had visited the Catholicosate of Cilicia about
five months ago and made a thorough examination of the Archives department
in Antelias. He then presented his written proposals for the department’s
reorganization to the Pontiff.
Virabian has now returned to Antelias with a team of seven professionals to
work on the reorganization process which will conclude at the end of May.
The Catholicosate of Cilicia has rich archives related to the Armenian
Genocide, the status of Armenians in the post-Genocide era, the
Catholicosate’s efforts in the field of the Armenian Cause, writings by
Catholicoi, research and writings by Armenian national leaders and
intellectuals and the role of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the Diaspora
in general. The department also has a rich collection of photographs and
films.
The Archives department is already open to the public. Intellectuals and
researchers from Armenia and foreign countries come to conduct researches in
the Catholicosate’s Archives department.
##
View photos here:
es60.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 21-27, 2006
HIGHLIGHTS:
YPC GENERAL MEETING HELD
“PRESS-CLUB+”: “REPUBLIC” DISCUSSING NEW PARTIES AND RELATIONS BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND IRAN
FIRST RA OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED HER REPORT
PPA DEMANDS A REFUTATION
TWO ISSUES OF “PAKAGITS” DID NOT REACH THE READER
YPC GENERAL MEETING HELD
On April 21 the General Meeting of Yerevan Press Club was held. At the
Meeting the reports of the YPC Board (presented by YPC President Boris
Navasardian) and Auditing Commission (presented by the Chairman of the
Commission Mher Davoyan) were heard. The President, Vice-President, members
of the Board, Council, Auditing Commission and Commission on Professional
Ethics were elected; the Executive Director and the Editor of YPC Weekly
Newsletter were approved. The renewed composition of these structures can be
seen at YPC web-site in “Structure” section.
Among other issues, the Statutes of the YPC Annual Award was presented at
the Meeting. The Statutes had been approved by the YPC Board on April 4,
2006 (see “Award” section at ).
“PRESS-CLUB+”: “REPUBLIC” DISCUSSING NEW PARTIES AND RELATIONS BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND IRAN
On April 25 the seventh sixth talk show of “Press Club+” series went on the
evening air of “Yerkir-Media” TV company.
The invitees of the program host, the Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily Aram
Abrahamian were the leaders of “Republic” party as guests and NGO
representatives as experts. The TV discussion focused on formation of new
parties, their role in the Armenian political system; relations of Armenia
with Iran and other countries, the regimes of which are opposed by the West.
It is expected that at 21.00 next Tuesday (May 2) the third “Press Club”
show will be aired, where representatives of media and journalistic
associations of Armenia will present their opinions on the coverage of the
issues of the day.
FIRST RA OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED HER REPORT
On April 26 at “Yerevan” Hotel the first Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Larisa Alaverdian presented her annual report on the activities of the
Ombudsman and the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in
2005 to public. According to the amendments to the RA Constitution, adopted
at the referendum of November 27, 2005, the term of service of the first
Human Rights Defender ended on January 5, 2006. The activities of the
Ombudsman’s Office were stopped until the election of the new Defender by
the Parliament. Nevertheless, Larisa Alaverdian addressed the National
Assembly with request to present her report for 2005 at the spring session.
The report was included into the session agenda, but Larisa Alaverdian was
only given an opportunity to speak during the debate. The report itself was
read out to the deputies on April 13 by the newly elected Ombudsman Armen
Harutiunian. At the presentation of April 26 Larisa Alaverdian noted that
she would like to make a personal account to the public for her activities
as the Ombudsman, which is the reason for the event.
One of the sections of the report of the first RA Human Rights Defender
dealt with the freedom of expression and information. It listed the laws and
provisions, regulating the media system of the country. Generally, in the
opinion of the first Ombudsman, “if the existing laws are strictly followed,
the obstacles to the freedom of information can be overcome”. The report
lists specific cases of obstructing access to information, restrictions on
the free expression, violence against journalists and media in 2005. It is
emphasized, that the constitutional reform did not take into account most of
the proposals by journalistic associations and the Human Rights Defender. As
a result, the amended Constitution refers to only one body, regulating the
broadcasting sphere (instead of two); its mission, status and function are
not duly specified. Among other legislative shortcomings the report also
mentions the RA Law “On Fight against Terrorism” that “endangers the rights
of journalists, accessibility and dissemination of information on
terrorism”.
“While the number of violations of journalists’ rights, attacks on media
representatives in 2005 reduced, in the opinion of independent experts,
Armenia displays a trend towards deterioration in terms of freedom of
expression and access to information. This is witnessed by the assessments
of domestic and international journalistic associations”, the report of the
first RA Ombudsman notes. The results of the TV channel monitorings, made by
NGOs, show that “the broadcast sphere of Armenia is excessively influenced
and controlled by oligarchic groups, closely related to power structures”,
resulting “in the dependence of TV companies on the authorities and
penetration of censorship into Armenian TV air”. “Public Television of
Armenia does not comply with its direct function – to reflect the interests
of the public at large, provide impartial information to the population –
and is influenced by the higher authorities and related oligarchic groups”,
Larisa Alaverdian believes. As an objective parameter, proving the
dependence of the TV channels, the first RA Human Rights Defender refers to
the findings of media monitorings on constitutional referendum coverage,
made by NGOs, including Yerevan Press Club.
In the opinion of Larisa Alaverdian, the freedom of expression situation in
broadcast media (less so in print media) remains vulnerable. The main
reasons for that include the economic dependence of the media and the
mechanism for the formation of regulatory bodies – the Council of Public TV
and Radio Company, and the National Commission on Television and Radio. The
constitutional reform had much room for the improvement of the NCTR
formation procedures; however, the amendments adopted give little chance to
hope that the broadcast licensing process will become more objective and
professional, the section on freedom of expression and information of the
report of RA Human Rights Defender concludes.
PPA DEMANDS A REFUTATION
On April 26 at the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash
communities of Yerevan hearing on the suit of Progressive Party of Armenia
versus “Pakagits” daily started. The plaintiff demands refutation of
information, published by “Pakagits” that damages the honor and reputation
of the party and its leaders, as well as a public apology.
The reason for the suit were three pieces of “Pakagits” of March 7, 8 and
11, 2006, in which the Progressive Party of Armenia (PPA) and its leader
Tigran Urikhanian were criticized and the financial capacities of the party
were questioned. The suit application informs that PPA had addressed the
editorial staff of “Pakagits” in writing, demanding to refute the
discrediting information, however, the daily refused to do so in the
subsequent article.
On April 25 the newspaper stated to the court that the suit lists “Pakagits”
daily as a respondent, while it is not a legal person. In this regard on the
session of April 26 the plaintiff filed a motion to replace the wrong party
and involve the daily founder “Agap-Hrat” LLC as the respondent. The motion
was secured.
The next session is to be held May 18.
TWO ISSUES OF “PAKAGITS” DID NOT REACH THE READER
On April 21 “Pakagits” daily reported that its two previous issues did not
reach the readers. As the newspaper writes, on April 19 the editorial office
started receiving phone calls that the “Haymamul” newspaper stalls did not
have the fresh “Pakagits” issue. It turned out later than the print run was
bought out from the stalls. The reason, in the opinion of “Pakagits”, was
the article published in the issue, “Andranik Maragarian’s Corruption
Risks”. The piece was dealing with the business, allegedly owned by the RA
Prime Minister and his family, and was accompanied by photographs.
“Pakagits” believes that the action of print run purchase was implemented by
people, close to the government and the Prime Minister. As YPC was told by
the Chief Editor of “Pakagits” Agapi Haykazuni, this very article was
repeatedly printed in the next newspaper issue, of April 20. However, the
print run “was stolen by unknown individuals from the editorial car”,
delivering the issues to the disseminating agencies. According to the Chief
Editor, this happened when the driver came into the editorial office to
leave 50 copies of the issue there.
The article above appeared again in “Pakagits” issue of April 21.
The news of “Pakagits” print run disappearance was published by “Azg” daily
on April 21. The next day, April 22, “Azg” published the response of the
Department of Information and Public Relations of the RA Prime Minister,
titled “Much Ado About Nothing”. The response of the Department noted in
particular that over the past few months “Pakagits” published a series of
articles about the Prime Minister “of humiliating and personally insulting
quality”, and this is why these stories “were never significant enough to
receive the attention” of the head of the government. In the opinion of the
Department, the loss of the print run is organized by “Pakagits” itself and
is “nothing but a trick to raise the interest to the newspaper at least a
little”. “Until this newspaper ensures due journalistic professionalism, it
will be neglected: no response will follow to any article about the Prime
Minister”, the response of the Department of Information and Public
Relations of the RA Prime Minister said.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

From: Fr Ktrij Devejian
Subject: HH Karekin II Presides During April 24 Commemoration in Armenia
PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
April 27, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Presides During April 24 Commemoration in Armenia
On the morning of April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the National Memorial to the Armenian
Genocide, located on Tsitsernakaberd Hill in Yerevan.  His Holiness was
accompanied by high-ranking members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
After the laying of floral wreaths before the eternal flame of the monument,
His Holiness presided during a solemn Requiem Service offered in memory of
the 1.5 million innocent victims of the first genocide of the 20th century.
Present for the service were President of the Republic of Armenia Robert
Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, President of the
Constitutional Court Gagik Haroutiunian, Government Ministers and Members of
the National Assembly (Parliament).
Although a steady rain was falling throughout the day and well into the
evening, hundreds of thousands of people visited the Armenian Genocide
Memorial to bring their noble participation to the 91st commemoration of the
events of 1915.