GYUMRI TECHNOPARK TO SPECIALIZE IN MACHINE BUILDING AND INSTRUMENTATION
Noyan Tapan
Apr 26 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The technopark to be created at
Analitsark Plant under the RA government’s decision of March 2006
will mainly specialize in instrumentation and machine building. NT
correspondent was informed about it from Ashot Khandanian, Head of
the Science, Technologies and Innovation Policy Department of the
RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. According to him,
the localization of small enterprises engaged in production and
scientific developments in the area of the technopark is important
in terms of job creation. It was noted that Analitsark has operating
machine-tools and some areas suitable for localization of small
enterprises. He noted that it is possible that starting 2007,
financial resources will be allocated by the state program on
innovation activity assistance for the purpose of creating some
infrastructures at the Gyumri technopark. Such annual programs are
envisaged by the draft law on state assistance of innovation activity,
which will be adopted by the RA National Assembly during the next
four-day session. Besides, the state is likely to provide additional
funds for the technopark’s development from the financial resources
to be used for small and medium business assistance. Some of these
resources have already been allocated to the operating technopark
“Andron” in Yerevan. A. Khandanian said that the New Investments
organization, which was founded by the RA Ministry of Trade and
Economic Development with the aim of assisting the process of
relaunching the enterprises currently standing idle, will promote
the technopark’s development. He expressed confidence that as soon
as the state starts the work on creation of the Gyumri technopark,
the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Armenia Office
and other donor organizations will offer their assistance.

CURRENT SITTINGS OF RA-NKR PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN STEPANAKERT
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
April 26-27 current joint sittings of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic (NKR) and RA Parliamentary Cooperation Commission will
be held in Stepanakert. According to the information DE FACTO
Information-Analytics Agency got at the NKR National Assembly’s Press
Service, RA delegation is headed by the Parliament vice Speaker, RA –
NKR Cooperation Commission Chair Tigran Torosyan.
The issues referring to raising efficiency of the Parliamentary
activity from the viewpoint of improving the permanent commissions’
structures are to be considered. The sittings’ participants will
review the present stage of the Karabakh problem’s discussions at
the European structures and interparliamentary relations and in
this connection – possible incentive of the Nagorno Karabakh – RA
parliamentary cooperation.
The issues of cooperation of both Republics’ Parliaments within the
frames of the process of elaboration of the NKR Constitution will be
discussed as well.

PREMIER URGES SYRIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT PALESTINIANS
SANA news agency website
26 Apr 06
Damascus, 26 April: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Itri called on
Wednesday [26 April] the Syrian citizens to effectively take part at
the campaign to boost the Palestinian people scheduled to be launched
next Sunday all over the country.
Heading the weekly meeting of the cabinet, Al-Itri said, “we call to
the wide-scaled and effective participation in the campaign activities
to achieve its goals and ends. This is to underline Syria’s commitment
to her national and pan-Arab stances and to embody her sons’ stances
as well as their standing by their Palestinian brethrens in facing up
[to] difficulties, pressures and challenges they are exposed to at
this time”.
On the outcome of the recent visit made to Tunisia to attend the
Syrian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee meetings, Al-Itri emphasized
the need to follow up mechanism of activating the signed agreements
and memos by specified ministries.
The cabinet approved a law to avert double taxation between Syria
and Armenia as it approved another law to finance boosting the State
Planning Commission by the Islamic Bank for Development.

WITHOUT SAYING ‘GENOCIDE’, BUSH ADVISES COOP.
By Cihan News Agency, Washington
Zaman, Turkey
April 26 2006
Once again US President George W. Bush did not use the word “genocide”
in his message about the of events 1915 on the 91st anniversary of
the so-called Armenian genocide.
In his written statement from the White House, Bush asserted that
around 1, 5 million Armenians were exiled by force, resulting in the
killing of many during the last years of the Ottoman Empire, adding
that “It was a tragedy and should always be remembered.”
“We praise those in Turkey and Armenia who examine the historical
happenings of that time with honesty and sensitivity. We urge all
types of dialogue, including forming joint committees that strive
for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia
and Turkey towards normalized relations,” said Bush.
While Armenian Americans held a demonstration in front of the Turkish
Embassy in Washington D.C., Turks and Azerbaijanis staged a counter
demonstration in return.

HORRIFYING PHOTOS IN MOSCOW
By Ruben Hayrapetian in Moscow
AZG Armenian Daily
27/04/2006
Armenian and Russian intellectuals and renowned clergymen were
present at the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition at Halabian Hall
of the Ararat Park Hyatt hotel in Moscow dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide. The presentation of “Four Years Under the Crescent”, book by
Venezuelan writer Rafael de Nogales Mendes, also took place that very
day. The eyewitness of the Genocide tells about this great tragedy
with compassion.
His Holiness Ezras Nersisian, head of the Armenian diocese of New
Nakhijevan and Russia, made an impressive opening speech. After a
historic survey into Turkey’s past, he said that Turkey’s denial of
the Genocide demands great efforts from us to make the world aware. And
the exhibition is one of such steps.
“I am not Armenia, I have no Armenian blood,” Italian historian
Giovanni Guaitai said in excellent Russian, “but I try to be impartial
while examining the events of 1915. The idea that the Genocide is
an Armenian-Turkish issue is intolerable. No. It is an issue of the
civilized mankind.” He said he is currently working on a new book –
memories of an Arabian official who, being a Moslem, managed to remain
impartial to the extent of questioning Islamic morality. The opinions
of foreigners are more powerful, the Italian historian underscored.
Historian and political scientist Natalia Norochinskaya, chairman
of Foreign Relations Committee at the State Duma, made a pithy and
impressive speech.
Firstly she noted that she was brought up in a spirit of love to
the Armenian nation (her father was a historian and was in friendly
relations with many of his Armenian colleagues). Secondly, she used
the Armenian genocide to portrait the present-day Christian-Moslem
confrontation in Russia, which is not in favor of the former. While
talking with deputies of the European parliament or “liberal”
Western thinkers in general, one faces stiffened ideas and way of
thinking: they do not know history and do not want to know and tend
to fragmentize it. As a result we have injustice towards Christian
Serbs and establishment of another Moslem state in troubled Balkans.
Norochinskaya thinks that the West, taking advantage of Russia’s
weakness, implements the disastrous policy for the Christian world in
the South Caucasus. Thus, the lesson of the Armenian Genocide should
awaken the Western thought.

1,000 JOIN SYSTEM OF A DOWN IN RALLY
The Gauntlet, CA
April 26 2006
Armenian Americans from across the United States joined today with
System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan at a Washington,
DC “Rally for Justice,” urging the Turkish Government to end its
worldwide campaign of Armenian Genocide denial.
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington
(ANC-GW) and the Armenian Youth Federation Washington Chapter,
the protest attracted over 1,000 activists to the Turkish Embassy,
as Armenians worldwide marked the 91st anniversary of this crime
against humanity. Among the participants was DC United star player
Alecko Eskandarian, who was MLS Cup Champion and MVP in 2004.
Tankian and Dolmayan are in Washington, DC as part of a three-day
advocacy tour in support of Congressional recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Following participation in the rally on Monday, the band
members will be meeting with Members of Congress and the media urging
passage of legislation in the Senate and House that would recognize
the Armenian Genocide. On Tuesday evening, Tankian and Dolmayan
will host a screening of excerpts of “Screamers,” a powerful film by
Carla Garapedian about System of a Down’s international anti-genocide
advocacy efforts.
On Wednesday evening, they will be honored for their vocal pursuit
of justice for the Armenian Genocide at the annual Armenian Genocide
observance on Capitol Hill.
The inter-generational “Rally for Justice” brought together young
and old in their call for the Turkish Government to end its campaign
of Genocide denial. Activists were met by a smaller group of Turkish
and Azerbaijani counter-protesters, who were apparently organized by
the Turkish Embassy staff and its paid lobbyists.
Following the demonstration, attendees walked to the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia for a short service and wreath-laying ceremony.
Members of local Armenian organizations placed wreaths and flowers
in front of the Khatchkar (stone cross).
The ceremony was led by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and featured
remarks by Nagorno Karabagh representative Vardan Barseghyan, and
the participation of the Washington Homenetmen Armenian Scouting troop.

WEEK OF ADULT EDUCATION TO START IN ARMENIA TOMORROW
Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. A Week of Adult Education is to start in
Armenia tomorrow, LOGOS EXPO CENTER told ARKA. The 7th specialized
exhibition “Education and Career EXPO 2006” is to be opened on April
27 as part of the Week.
At a festival, which is to be organized during the Week,
educational institutions will present their methods of training
various specializations. Workshops “Armenia in the Bologne process”,
“Labor Code”, “Physical and psychological state of women over 40”
are expected to be held as well.
The goal of the Week is providing the information on the range of
modern education, real demand for specialists on the labor market,
facilitation of the formation of practical relations between higher
schools and enterprises and job-seekers and employers. The Week will
last until May 2, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LITHUANIA TO DEVELOP COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA, LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT STATES
Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006
YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. Lithuania intends to develop cooperation
with Armenia, Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus stated at a news
conference held jointly with RA President Robert Kocharyan.
“Our countries have many talented people who can contribute to the
development of our relations. But the lack of information on each
other is a shortcoming in our relations,” Adamkus said.
According to him, the exchange of information, talented students
and bilateral meetings will contribute to the development of
Armenian-Lithuanian relations.
“This is good diplomacy for the development of our relations,”
Adamkus said.
The Lithuanian President has arrived for a two-day visit to
Armenia today. The goal of the visit is strengthening the interstate
relations, determination of the major tasks and directions of economic
cooperation, encouragement of scientific, educational and cultural
relations.

ARMENIA: “PARTICIPATING IS THE FIRST STEP”
ScubaWeb, Italy
April 26 2006
This is the first participation in the French Olympique Week for
Armenia. The youngest “ISAF” nation, Armenia was affiliated in 1995.
In Hyères 3 boats are representing this new independent country
(independence in 1991): two Lasers and a 470 Men helmed by Michel
Zakarian, Olympic Sailing Team Manager and technical director. French
from Armenian origins, Zakarian is sailing since 1974. Since 1999 he
has set his goal on developing sailing in Armenia. “The affiliation
at ISAF was a first step. The Armenian President gave 2000 sq m of
land on the shore of Lake Cevan to build the Sailing centre. We have
2 main objectives, developing a sailing team who can represent Armenia
at International competitions and also to develop sailing as a sport in
Armenia. There are only 3 main Olympic sports: Wrestling, Weightlifting
and Boxing. Lots of work needs to be done and can not be achieved
without international help. We need to find a partner to build our
centre, find second hand equipment…There is still a lot to achieve
but for us the important step is to be there and to participate.”
–Boundary_(ID_NOW78GPLX2VKj4VSIehh Hg)–

US AND AZERI PRESIDENTS TO SPEAK OF NK PROBLEM AND IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM – NOVRUZ MAMEDOV, PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
Author: R. Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 26 2006
The main themes of meetings between the Presidents of Azerbaijan
and the USA will be Nagorno-Karabakh problem and Iranian nuclear
program, Trend reports with reference to the interview Novruz Mamedov,
head of foreign relations with President’s Administration, gave to
Turkish Zaman.
“In the course of the meeting the sides will speak on four main
themes: bilateral relations, power engineering, regional security and
international terrorism. However, the top issues of the day will be
Armenian-Azeri conflict and Iranian nuclear program”, – Mamedov said.
Mamedov said official Baku is suggesting the nuclear matter relieve
within UN and IAEA. “Azerbaijan has problems enough in the region to
interrupt Iran’s internal affairs”, – Azeri official said, adding
official Baku is always speaking in support of peaceful resolution
of Iran conflict.
Alongside, he said despite Azerbaijan’s policy of mutual respect and
good-neighbor relations, Iran is adhering to pro-Armenian positions
in some respect
Mamedov also opined on Washington’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh
problem. “The US usually react immediately to problems in other
countries. We would love such sensitivity to take place in respect
of Azerbaijan”, – he stated.