DEMAGOGIC PROPOSALS OF DIALOGUE UNCOVER DIPLOMATIC WEAKNESS OF TURKEY, HEAD OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SLOVAKIA EMPHASIZES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
June 05 2006
BRATISLAVA, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Starting dialogue
on historic fact, Turkey has only one goal – to create an illiusion,
to prove to Europe that it’s a completely ready country for membership
to the European Union and finds a free, openly speaking and civilized
way even in the Armenian Genocide issue to prove its “truth.” Ashot
Grigorian, the Chairman of the Europe Armenian Organizations’
Representation, the head of the Armenian community of Slovakia stated
about it, giving explanations to a number of representatives of
mass media of Slovakia on the issue of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide on the way of Turkey’s membership to the EU. “Thus, first
of all, the fact of a dialogue, if it takes place, is already very
benefitial for Turkey.
It’s natural that it’s needless and harmful for Armenia,” he
explained. “A country that has blocked for dozens of years documents
of the Armenian Genocide in its archives and today states that it
is ready to open its archives in front of specialists, does anybody
doubt that all the documents containing proves will have been cleaned
from those archives? Even more, how one believe a country which puts on
trial its scientists in the case of expressing any true idea concerning
the Armenian Genocide and even adopted a criminal law relating to the
issue,” Grigorian mentioned. It, according to him, is such a laughable
fact that after it, demagogic proposals of a dialogue uncover today’s
diplomatic weakness of Turkey. According to the Chairman of the Europe
Armenian Organizations’ Presentation, Turkey’s worthy panishment for
that demagogy will be to take the second step as well by countries
adopted resolutions on the Armenian Genocide, thus, to make resolutions
adopted by parliaments like a law, in the case of what refusal of the
Armenian Genocide will become criminally punishable. He finds that
European Armenian communities must settle down that affair just now,
in works with parliaments of their countries.

WORLD BANK ALLOCATES 6.25 MLN DOLLARS FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS PROJECT IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
June 05 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The World Bank (WB) will provide
a credit of 6.25 mln USD for the Avian Influenza Preparedness
Project in Armenia. The WB Board of Directors made a decision on this
recently. The WB Yerevan Office Director Roger Robinson said during a
press conefernce on June 5 that the project will also be supported by
a $803,900 co-financing Policy and Human Resource Developemnt (PHRD)
Grant from the Japanese Government. According to R. Robinson, the
project will help the Armenian government to minimize the threat of
an avian influenza pandemic in Armenia, as well as to be prepared
for emergencies as a result of avian influenza and other infectious
diseases among humans. Under the project, three laboratories will
be fitted with equipment. In the human health sector, the project
will reduce the impact of a pandemic influenza through year-round
surveillance, effective and accurate methods of diagnosis, social
distance interventions and strengthened medical services. Under this
project, no vaccine is envisaged for birds. R.Robinson noted that
in case of a pandemic, small and medium poultry farms with up to
200 birds will receive a compensation in the amount of 75% of loss
incurred. Prior to it, these farms have to pay some symbolic sum to
the Foundation of Compensation. Large poultry farms are not elegible
for compensation under the project. It was noted that a project of
almost the same cost is also being implemented in Georgia, and one
of the projects under implementation in Azerbaijan will also serve
this purpose.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RECTOR OF STATE ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA IS PROFESSOR OF SAME UNIVERSITY, NA DEPUTY VOSTANIK MARUKHIAN
Noyan Tapan
June 05 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Professor of the State Engineering
University of Armenia, NA Deputy Vostanik Marukhian was elected the
Rector of the institution of higher education with 29 “for” and 1
“against” votes at the June 2 sitting of the Management Council of
the State Engineering University of Armenia. Vostanik Marukhian
had no rivals for the Rector’s post. Yuri Sargsian, the Former
Rector of the same institution of higher education, who resigned
that post two months ago, will stay at the University, continuing
his professor-lecturer’s and scientific work. Vostanik Marukhian
sees nothing strange in his being the only candidate proposed for
the Rector’s post, though he would like to have rivals. “Maybe, the
circumstance of being the only candidate is provided by the fact that
even those people who may pretend for that post, see in me the person
who has experience and merit of 34 years in government and education
works of the institution of higher education,” the newly elected Rector
emphasized. We must also mention that a change was recently made
in the staff of the University Council: particularly, former Rector
of the University Yuri Sargsian was involved in the Council instead
of Artashes Tumanian, the former head of the RA President’s staff,
and former RA Minister of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsian was
changed by newly appointed Minister Levon Mkrtchian. Sergo Yeritsian
remained in the Council staff as the Government’s representative.

CHESS PIECE
Times, UK
June 5 2006
British grandmaster i.s.o. anger management
The king is dead. Thus, roughly translated, the original Persian for
“checkmate”. But the male pretenders to the world chess throne at
a recently concluded chess Olympiad in Turin were very much alive –
as players, to be sure, but more particularly as men.
It was as if they sought to prove to themselves and to an
insufficiently interested world outside the tournament that
grandmasters are more than furnace-like intellects encased in
low-emission personalities. Some have fire in their bellies, too.
No one accuses Levon Aronian, the Armenian world No 3, of any active
role in this, but it seems to have been he who attracted the attention
of the beautiful Australian chess starlet Arianne Caoili at a party
thrown by the Bermudan delegation the night before the second rest
day of the Olympiad.
Like a knight wrong-footed by a queen’s gambit, Danny Gormally, a
Brit often seen in baseball caps, mustered what force he could and
counter-attacked. His own favourite openings are the Sicilian and the
Nimzo Indian. This time he chose the clenched fist. Aronian wasn’t
hurt, but his dance with Caoili was cut shorter than Fischer v Panno
in Majorca in 1970. Armenia’s outrage simmers on.
It is not clear if Gormally normally would be reprimanded formally;
it is clear that his team was already struggling before its grumpiest
member succumbed to the distractions of the dancefloor. British Chess
Magazine bemoans an “end-of-Empire” feeling about the English game,
and little wonder. We won our last match for nineteenth place –
against the now defunct Serbia and Montenegro.

BLACK SEA STATES AGREE ON TIES
>From correspondents in Bucharest
Sunday Times.au, Australia
Advertiser Adelaide, Australia
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia
Courier Mail, Australia
The Australian, Australia
June 6 2006
LEADERS of states around the Black Sea committed today to work
together on regional problems such as organised crime, security,
energy supplies and economic development.
The nine states also called on the European Union to get more involved
in the region, where many countries are struggling to forge closer
ties with the West as they move away from Russia’s orbit.
“The Black Sea region now has a chance to become an attractive
partner for the main centres of economic power if it is capable
of transforming itself from a source of problems into a source of
solutions for Europe,” Romanian president Traian Basescu told the
leaders’ summit in Bucharest.
But they made little progress in outlining an end to several
territorial disputes which stem from the messy dissolution of the
Soviet Union and cloud the prospects for stability in the region,
also known to be a major illegal trafficking area.
“We announce the launch of the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and
Partnership, a process that will serve as a regional platform … to
define a common vision of democratic and sustainable development,”
the countries said in a declaration, which was not signed by Russia.
“The forum will provide a framework for generating new ideas …
encouraging regional cooperation in crisis management,” said the
nine states including EU candidates Romania and Bulgaria, as well as
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine.
The EU, which is looking for alternative routes for energy supplies
throughout Asia, welcomed the agreement, urging regional leaders to
take action on organised crime and territorial conflicts.
“Our aim is to see a stable, democratic region here … to help
fight human trafficking, (the) transit of drugs, to prevent weapon
smuggling,” said Peter Semneby, EU special representative for Caucasus
and central Asia.
But the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, locked in a dispute
over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, appeared to be no closer to
resolving the conflict.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan
but under the de facto control of ethnic Armenian separatists and
has been a scene of conflict in which about 35,000 people were killed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BLACK SEA FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND PARTNERSHIP STARTS IN BUCHAREST
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 6 2006
The Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership initiated by Romania
commenced June 5 at the Romanian Parliament in Bucharest. The forum
was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Opening the forum Foreign Minister of Romania Mihai Razvan Ungureanu
reported on the agenda.
Then, the forum participants got involved in discussions dealing with
“The Black Sea Region in the European and global context”. Most
of speakers highlighted the need to settle existing conflicts in
the former Soviet Republics as they are seen as impediment for
the regional development and globalizing world. At the same time,
forum participants stressed the importance for the Black Sea region
countries to combine their efforts in order to expand economic,
political, cultural cooperation.
After the break, the forum continued its work with participation
of the Heads of Azerbaijan, Romania, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and
Armenia as well as representatives of Turkey, Bulgaria and over 10
other countries.
Speaking at the meeting focused on “The Black Sea Forum: new ideas,
new commitments, new instruments”, President of Romania Traian Basescu
welcomed the participants and guests and said that this forum is very
useful in terms of drawing world community’s attention to the Black
Sea region. He said the forum offers a platform for open dialogue in
order to promote regional cooperation, solidarity, transparency and
democracy. The forum aims to contribute to the peace and stability
in the Black Sea region. To this end, six heads of states as well
as senior officials of the European Union, Council of Europe, NATO
and other international organizations and representatives of over
10 countries were invited to this event. Over 400 non-governmental
organizations show great interest in the event and over 350 local
and foreign media outlets cover the forum’s activities.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech during
the forum. The Head of State touched upon Azerbaijan’s economic
development, involvement in international projects and the work that
has been done towards integration into the European structures.
President said that implementation of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum oil and gas pipeline projects is of great
importance for the world, in particular, European and Black Sea
region countries and found a need to create regional transport
infrastructure. Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict President Ilham Aliyev once again revealed Azerbaijan’s
fair stance on this matter and said that 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territories are occupied by Armenia and over a million Azerbaijanis
became refugees and IDPs as a result of the policy of ethnic
cleansing. According to the President, this problem should be settled
in line with international legal standards.
President of Azerbaijan stressed the importance of the forum, saying
that discussion were very fruitful at the event. Then, he expressed
his gratitude to the organizers of the event.
The forum was also addressed by Presidents of Armenia, Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine as well as Ivailo Kalfin, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Besir Atalay, Minister of
State, Turkey and other top officials. The speakers highly assessed the
forum and highlighted the need to find a solution to some important
issues.
In conclusion, a joint declaration for the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue
and Partnership was adopted.

ARMENIANS PROTEST ETHIC KILLINGS IN MOSCOW
Pravda, Russia
June 5 2006
Protesters gather outside the Russian Embassy in Yerevan on
Monday, protesting against attacks on ethnic Armenians in Russia by
skinheads.The demonstration came just 10 days after a group of apparent
skinheads stabbed a teenager on a train outside of Moscow the sixth
such fatal attack on ethnic Armenians in or around Moscow this year.
Avetik Ishkhanian, head of the Helsinki Committee of Yerevan, said
protesters were calling on government authorities to condemn the
Moscow attacks.
Russia has seen a marked rise in xenophobia and hate crimes in recent
years, with a series of attacks on dark-skinned migrants, foreigners
and Jews. Rights groups say authorities do little or nothing to combat
the crimes, reports the AP.

6 PRESS AND FREEDOM CASES THIS WEEK
Erol ONDEROGLU
BÝA, Turkey
June 5 2006
Istanbul courts to be busy this week with journalists, jurist and
publisher on trial. Journalist Magden to appear at court on June 7,
columnist Belge, reporter Saymaz, Selek and jurist Kaplan on June 8
and Peri Publishing House owner Onal on June 9.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Istanbul courts will be busy this week hearing six
cases against journalists, a jurist, sociologist and publisher in
a judicial marathon that will once again put press freedoms and the
freedom of expression in Turkey under the spotlight.
Journalist Perihan Magden is to appear at court on June 7 while cases
against columnist Murat Belge , reporter Ismail Saymaz and sociologist
Pinar Selek will be heard on June 8.
Jurist Hasip Kaplan, who was on trial last week, will stand before
the court once again on June 8 while Peri Publishing House owner
Ahmet Onal also tried last week will be at court again on June 9.
The Initiative Against Thought Crimes has described the cases as “an
ongoing festival” and issued an appeal for as many people to attend
the hearings as possible.
Magden’s case on June 7
On trial for her article “Conscientious Objection Is A Human Right”
that appeared in the “Yeni Aktuel” magazine, the case against
journalist Perihan Magden will continue at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal
Court of First Instance at 10:30 on June 7, Wednesday.
Magden is charged under article 118 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)
for “discouraging the people from military service”.
Belge to appear at court
A day after the Magden case is heard, “Radikal” newspaper writer
Prof. Dr. Murat Belge will appear at court charged under article 288
of the TCK for his article titled “A Court Verdict”.
Belge is accused of attempting to “influence justice” by criticising
an administrative court decision that postponed a controversial
conference in Istanbul related to Ottoman Armenians.
Belge will appear before the Istanbul Bagcýlar 2nd Criminal Court of
First Instance on June 8, Thursday at 10:30.
Selek held responsible for explosion
The same day Belge stands before judges, Pinar Selek who is known
for her researches into children outcast from society and the Kurdish
problem, will face charges holding her responsible for a bomb explosion
at Istanbul’s historic Spice Market.
Selek will appear before the 12th High Criminal Court at the Besiktas
Justice Hall at 14:00 on June 8, Thursday, where she is charged
under article 125 of the TCK and faces life time imprisonment if
found guilty.
Kaplan on trial for TV remarks
Again on June 8, the Beyogu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance will
hear the case against jurist Hasip Kaplan who is on trial for remarks
he made on private Flash TV’s “Alternatif” program.
Charged under TCK article 216, Kaplan is accused of “inciting hatred
and enmity” with his remarks and his hearing is listed to start
at 10:00.
Saymaz faces “influencing justice” case
Another case that will be heard on June 8 is that against “Radikal”
newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz in relation to his news report titled
“Torture allegation involving 11 year old child”.
Saymaz, similar to Belge, is charged with influencing justice. The
former chairman of the Contemporary Journalists Association (CGD)
Istanbul Branch is listed to appear before the judge at 10:35, at
the Bagcilar 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
No end to cases against publisher Onal
Peri Publishing House owner Ahmet Onal who was sentenced on May 31
in relation to another book is to be tried on June 9 at the Fatih
2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of insulting modern
Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk by publishing the book “Being
an Alawite in Dersim”.
The book, authored by Munzur Cem and Huseyin Baysulun, is only one
of 27 charges levelled against the publisher up till now.
The Turkish language CETELE web site gives updated information on
all freedom of expression and opinion cases that have been opened in
Turkey.
–Boundary_(ID_dmcgpKE3zedW+tvftdzxoA) —

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN LEADERS MEET
United Press International
June 5 2006
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Romania to discuss
their dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh but details were not available.
The meeting between Armenia’s Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijan’s Ilham
Aliyev was their second since their last one in February near Paris.
Speaking to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, Steven Mann, the
U.S. co-chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe’s Minsk Group, said the two leaders met Sunday for 2 1/2 hours.
There was a good atmosphere in the talks and again, a good atmosphere
and a detailed discussion,” he told the radio network.
The Minsk Group, led by the United States, Russia, and France, has
been negotiating the conflict since 1992.
The enclave has remained a dispute since the predominantly Armenian
Nagorno-Karabakh seceded from Azerbaijan in 1988. That set off a
six-year war before a truce was called. Officially, the countries
are still at war.

FRIED: “AS US REPRESENTATIVE, I WISH AZERBAIJAN CAN RESTORE AS MORE LANDS AS POSSIBLE SOON”
Today, Azerbaijan
June 5 2006
“The Nagorno Karabakh conflict can and should be solved. Reaching
peace agreement is the only way to settle the conflict.
“We have introduced to both presidents our opinions how to improve
the peace process,” said US Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried.
He said reaching an agreement on the solution of the conflict depends
on Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, APA reports.
“The co-chairs offered a number of ideas to solve the conflict. We
have offered these ideas to the leaders as a neutral side, without
defending interests of any of them. However, as US representative,
I wish that Azerbaijan can restore as more of its lands as possible
and refugees come back to their native lands soon. Both parties to
the conflict have certain interests. There are different options
of solution, we offered the optimal one. Everything depends on the
Presidents now. I believe both Presidents are quite serious persons.
They are analyzing the ideas we offered. We do not mean to exert
pressure on them, as a friend, we intend to help both parties,”
Mr.Fried said.
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