Georgian governor dismisses ethnic Armenian rioters as “common criminals”
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
12 Mar 06

[Presenter] In Akhalkalaki [town in southern Georgia populated mainly
by ethnic Armenians], where the Russian military base is still
stationed, a court and university building have been ransacked. The
alleged pretext was the killing of an Armenian youth in Tsalka
[another town in southern Georgia with a large ethnic Armenian
population]. However, new demands were heard in Akhalkalaki, from
where our correspondent reports.
[Correspondent] Members of the Armenian public council staged a rally
in the centre of Akhalkalaki at about noon [on 11 March]. The
organizers cited a murder in Tsalka several days earlier as the
reason. Akhalkalaki’s Armenian population is convinced that their
kinsman in Tsalka was killed precisely because he was Armenian.
[Azat Mipaktsyan, captioned as chairman of the Javakheti
intelligentsia organization, in Russian] Gevork Gevorkyan was killed
in Tsalka in what we are told was a common street fight. The people
rose in order to prevent such incidents in future.
[Correspondent] Members of the Armenian public organization say that
the resettlement of people from other parts of Georgia is behind the
frequent conflicts in Tsalka. They want the authorities to ensure the
safety of ethnic Armenian residents.
[Vardan Akopyan, captioned as chairman of Akhalkalaki youth
organization, in Russian] People are outraged by the fact that the
Georgians studying there [at the university in Akhalkalaki] are not
local.
[Correspondent to Akopyan] Where are they from?
[Akopyan] For example, from Kutaisi or Zugdidi. They have been
provided with accommodation. We have a very hard climate here, but all
the necessary conditions are being created for them and they are also
being paid scholarships.
There are already hundreds of such people here.
[Correspondent] After the rally, people broke into the Akhalkalaki
District court in protest at the dismissal of ethnic Armenian
judges. The next object of public anger was the Akhalkalaki branch of
the [Tbilisi] state university.
Protesters broke down the main door and ransacked the building. They
said that Armenians, unlike Georgians, could not study there because
tuition was in Georgian.
[Akopyan] The Armenian language should be declared a state language in
places where Armenians live in compact communities. There are a total
of almost 200,000 ethnic Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti [province
which includes Akhalkalaki] and in the 13 Armenian villages in Tsalka
District. We see this as our right, especially as the right of the
local people, people who were born here. This would lift most of the
tension.
[Correspondent] According eyewitnesses, angry people also broke into
the local office of the [Georgian] Orthodox Church. Nuns say that they
were looking for arms. [Passage omitted]
The governor [of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Giorgi Khachidze] has arrived in
Akhalkalaki to look into the situation.
[Khachidze] These are common criminals. Criminals have no nationality.
Some little men organized this. They brought uneducated children here
who committed these acts of vandalism. These are common criminals who
are no better than those who killed an ethnic Armenian youth in Tsalka
several days ago.
[Correspondent] Criminal proceedings have been launched in connection
with these incidents [riots], but Samtskhe-Javakheti police have not
yet arrested anyone.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 12 2006
Lord Russell-Johnston to give a talk on Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
PACE Political Committee tomorrow
[ 12 Mar. 2006 14:35 ]
A regular meeting of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be held tomorrow.
Information of the lord Russell-Johnston on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict was also included in the agenda of the PACE Political
Committee.
As APA was told by the press-service of Milli Majlis, the chair of
the standing committee for international and interparliamentary
affairs of Milli Majlis, head of the Azerbaijani delegation in PACE
Samad Seidov will also attend the meeting of the Political Committee.
In parallel with the information of lord Russell-Johnston, members of
the PACE Political Committee will also discuss situation in Middle
East, Kazakhstan and Belarus, issues on European Muslim communities’
facing cases of extremism, and hold an exchange of views on future
activity of the Committee. /APA/

Levon Aronyan ` winner of the Linares Super Chess Tournament

Armradio
12.03.2006 15:09
Levon Aronyan won the Super Chess Tournament, featuring eight leading
Grand Masters of the world held in the Spanish city of Linares. In the
last round Levon Aronyan defeated Peter Leko of Hungary, who was
leading during the whole course of the tornament. Thus, gaining 8.5
points, Levon Aronyan headed the list of the Super Tournament. As it
is known, up until the last round four chess players were applying for
victory. However, in the last round all of the four players played a
draw. In the result, our compatriot, 23 year-old Levon Aronyan
achieved his second greatest victory.
To remind, earlier Levon Aronyan had become FIDE World Cup holder in
Khanti-Mansiysk city of Russia. We congratulate Levon Aronyan and
believe that this is one of his recurrent victories, not the last one.

CHURCHES THINK ‘SMALL’ IN COOPERATION
By Brian Murphy
Lowell Sun (Massachusetts)
March 11, 2006 Saturday
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil –Charged with promoting Christian unity, the
World Council of Churches has taken its work seriously — each of its
meetings has grown bigger and more ambitious over the past six decades.
But now even some of the most ardent backers of the WCC’s mission
are wondering if smaller may be better.
During the WCC’s latest global assembly — bringing together 4,000
envoys from more than 350 churches — delegates challenged the group
to look hard at whether such parliament-style, mega-meetings are still
relevant at a time when Christianity is being rapidly reordered around
the world.
In the West, mainline Protestant churches face graying congregations
and declining influence. Some denominations, most notably Anglicans,
also are in danger in splintering over disputes on gay clergy and
same-sex blessings. Pentecostal and evangelical movements, meanwhile,
keep steamrolling through Africa, Latin America and elsewhere —
but accounted for less than 2 percent of participants at the WCC
gathering in February.
“The ecumenism of structures, the ecumenism of papers and documents and
speeches has reached its limits,” said Norberto Saracco, a Pentecostal
pastor and theologian from Argentina. “We cannot continue in this way.”
It was more than just grumbling from groups outside the World Council
of Churches, whose core membership includes mainline Protestants,
Anglicans and Orthodox churches. [The Roman Catholic Church is not
a member, but cooperates closely.]
The keynote address of the conference repeatedly raised the idea
that Christian churches need to find clearer ways to connect and
cooperate beyond simply sharing the stage at meetings and issuing
joint communiques.
Catholicos Aram I, the spiritual head of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
sounded at times like a CEO, saying the WCC must become more “efficient
and credible” and reverse an “in-house mood of restlessness,” with
the group’s income falling about 30 percent since 1999.
Aram, the moderator of the assembly, urged for more outreach to the
evangelical powerhouses and stressed that the WCC members must learn
how to engage more with youth or risk becoming spiritual dinosaurs.
“The ecumenical movement, for some, is getting old. For others,
it has already become obsolete,” he told the conference last week.
“Institutional ecumenism has been preoccupied with its own problems
and, therefore, lost touch with the issues facing the churches.”
The modern map of the Christian world has little in common with
the Euro-centric model at the WCC’s founding congress in 1948. The
Christian centers of gravity now reside in the countries where European
missionaries once brought the faith.
“Mainstream Christianity is aging and falling in number,” Aram said.
“Christianity is re-emerging with new faces and forms … that have
dramatically changed the Christian panorama.”
But it’s not clear what that means for the WCC and its tradition
of big tent meetings. The only consensus is that it cannot afford
to freeze out the Pentecostal, evangelical and related churches,
which some experts predict could account for more than a third of
the world’s 2.2 billion Christians in less than 20 years.
The handful of Pentecostal and evangelical guests at the Brazil
conference expressed a desire for closer contact with the WCC, but
gave no clues on how it could happen. There is still deep resistance
across the movements for such pan-Christian alliances.
Many pastors worry that the WCC will try to rein in their spontaneous
style of worship and their plans for expansion, which are often
bankrolled by what’s called “the Gospel of prosperity” which says
God smiles on those who help the church.
But the mainline churches seem to have little choice but to make
room. Some WCC veterans say the future could include fewer academic
speeches and large conventions. Instead, they foresee more attempts
at joint worship and social programs –especially those aimed at
young people in the West.

PRESS RELEASE
ST. SARKIS ARMENIAN CHURCH
300 Ninth St.
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Contact: Al Amato
[email protected]
Tel: 1-716-870-1682
KEGHAM DZKN. VARTABED ZAKARIAN TO BE HONORED WITH FAIRWELL BANQUET AND
FINAL BADARAK AT ST. SARKIS UPON HIS RETIREMENT AND RETURN TO THE
BROTHERHOOD OF THE ST. JAMES MONASTERY IN JERUSALEM.
St. Sarkis Church of Niagara Falls will bid farewell to the Very
Rev. Fr. Kegham Zakarian, longtime Pastor of the three Parishes of
Western New York on Friday evening, March 17, 2006 at 7:00pm with a
Banquet at the Niagara Clubin his honor. Hayr Soorp will celebrate
his last Badarak at St. Sarkis on Sunday, March 19. For over 20 years
Hayr Kegham has travelled between Syracuse, Rochester, and Niagara
Falls to keep the flame of the Armenian Church alive in these
communities. On this occasion a Choir is coming down from Toronto,
Canada as well as people from all over Western New York and Canada to
honor our beloved Vartabed. Hayr Soorp will be returning to the
Monastery of St. James in Jerusalem to live out his Priestly life in
the place he was ordained a member of the Brotherhood. He plans to
remember all his parishioners and friends at the EASTER Divine Liturgy
in Jerusalem. You may send greetings to Hayr Kegham at
[email protected].

AZG Armenian Daily #044, 13/03/2006

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian guest of
Daily Azg readers
Ahar, Canada, 2006-08-03 01:56:06
Mr. Oskanian
You were born and raised outside Armenia and I presume
you therefore know the diaspora well. In your opinion,
what should be the optimal format or mechanism of
interaction between diaspora and Armenia? should it
involve a two level interaction i.e. individuals and
political parties, or are the latter useless today.
Interaction is quite intense between both parts of our
nation, but I think everybody has the impression
(right or wrong) that more efficient structures can
still be created, that the diaspora could have a more
formal role in the democratization of Armenia, that
youth from outside need still to be implicated more
profoundly in the Armenian life of the homeland and in
state building. I don’t know how many diasporan
students study in armenian universities or if the
government encourages the venue of diasporans in its
institutions, if such programs exist on a large scale.
Perhaps the dual citizenship law is the foundation
that will facilitate this, perhaps there are other
factors that people don’t notice, or perhaps there is
nothing special to do and simply time is needed for
both groups to get to know each other, time for
diasporans to grab the concept of “republic” with all
associated responsibilities and privileges. In any
case and in the general public’s vue, diaspora-armenia
relations have not been perfected yet (although they
are regarded, by and large, to be developing
positively). What are your thoughts on this, as
foreign minister and as an armenian that knows both
segments of our nation?
OSKANIAN: As foreign minister, and as an Armenian, I
believe that all of the levels you mention are
essential for deepening Armenia Diaspora relations:
the personal interactions have to increase — that
means more tourism, more active engagement by students
and young people, and that’s why the Birthright
Armenia program is so valuable. The mindset, attitude,
assumptions, knowledge about each other will of course
have to change and become more realistic and
accepting. The institutional and legal frameworks,
too, have to be enhanced. Interaction at the level of
political parties, organizations must and has been
continuing. The legal framework still has to be
developed, now that the obstructions to dual
citizenship have been removed from the Constitution.
All are necessary, all will take time, but we’re well
on our way in all these directions.
Ara, Canada, Calgary, 2006-07-03 22:35:48
Dear Sir,
Do you think there is a better way to obtain full
support from US government for Genocide Recognition,
and, do you think this is ever possible?
OSKANIAN: US Recognition of the Genocide is a strictly
political process. Our communities there must continue
to do what they can to make the fact of the Genocide
known to more and more people, as well as officials.
It is a pity that a country like the US, a champion of
human rights, a protector of the rights of minorities
cannot find a way to do the right thing regarding
Genocide recognition. It is not political expediency
that should be the guiding principle here. Much has
changed over the recent period — major newspapers
like the NY Times call genocide by its name, films
like Andrew Goldberg’s The Armenian Genocide is being
shown throughout the country on Public Broadcasting
stations, the International Assn of Genocide Scholars
has clearly characterized the 1915 events, those
processes and efforts have to continue, and one day,
the US, too, will join other governments around the
world and call the Armenian Genocide by its name.
Mikhail Astvatsaturov, Grand Forks, ND, USA,
2006-07-03 09:56:54
Greetings,
Armenia always leads a policy of neutrality towards
the West (US, Europe etc…), the Middle East and the
East (Asiatic/Asian States etc…) because of its
geographical location. It would probably mean the end
of Republic of Armenia if it ever were to pick a
position of the west or east. Now we must remember
back during the days of Armenia Minor and how it was
crushed by invaders from the east because the west did
not want to send military reinforcements to throw back
the invading armies. Now the threat still exits but
rather than coming from the east only, Armenia is
crammed in the middle and huge amounts of pressure is
being exhibited towards the state. Now for a state to
be in such a position, it requires a large military to
support itself from outer attack. For example Turkey
to the west would be a cause for concern. If ever
Turkey ever decided to attack Armenia (their target
was Yerevan as I remember) just as it did back in the
days of Nogorno Karabakh war? What kind of defensive
capabilities does the military have, I know you
probably wouldn’t be able to answer this, but even
politically what can Armenia spur up at the last
moment, will Russia step in? Would Russia risk its own
solders to defend Armenia? Wouldn’t it be a smart idea
for Armenia to build up its military to the point of
exhausting any military possibility of attack against
Armenia (I am not talking about offence I am talking
about defensive possibilities, treaties, defense pacts
etc…)? For this to happen Armenia would have to leave
some agreements and treaties it signed when it gained
independence from USSR. Azerbaijan is not a very
capable enemy; their military is disorganized and
infective. So wouldn’t it be the right course of
action for Armenia to secure its boarders, reinforce
itself to the point that Turkey would think twice
before attacking, there is always a possibility that
Russia would give up its protection, this was the case
in history.
My second question concerns our diplomatic situation
with Georgia. I have been hearing lots of Armenians
being discriminated and Georgia is pressuring them to
change their way of life. The Georgian government is
forcing them to use Georgian as their main language,
and Armenian churches independence and right to
practice is under question. I have also heard that
these churches are losing their own property to the
Georgian Orthodoxy… Is there anything that Armenia can
do to stabilize and put pressure on Georgia to stop
this irrational, disrespectful, and childish behavior
towards Armenian Citizens of Georgia? If this does not
stop, and Georgia does not change its ways, what would
the course of action be held against Georgia if all
else fails?
Thank you Foreign Minister
Mikhail Astvatsaturov
OSKANIAN: It is not a policy of neutrality, but a
policy of complementarity that has resulted in
Armenia’s having good relations with all the important
power centers: Moscow, Brussels, Washington. We
actively work at and develop relations with them, as
well as with our northern and southern neighbors. For
the record, let me say again, we also would want to
have good neighborly relations with Turkey, but it is
Turkey which continues to refuse to establish formal
relations even as we continue to discuss the bilateral
issues about which we differ. Regarding our ability to
defend ourselves, we feel confident that in our
military capacity, even as we insist that there are no
problems which can’t be resolved through diplomatic
channels. Regarding our relations with Georgia, we
agree that this is a critical relationship, both given
our geography and our history. Georgia is our path to
Russia and to Europe. At the same time, Armenians have
been and continue to be an integral part of Georgia.
Our governments cooperate to make certain that all
problems are resolved in an equitable manner and that
the sizable Armenian minority in Georgia is able to
benefit from political and economic reforms within
Georgia.
[email protected], Dallas, Texas. USA, 2006-07-03
02:18:
I am not sure if this question will relate to Mr.
Vardan Oskanian but I will ask anyway.
Do you think Armenia is strong enough militarily to
defend it self from the naighbouring Azarbaijan.
Thanks, God bless Armenia
OSKANIAN: Armenians are confident in their military
capacity, and are not concerned about Azerbaijan’s war
rhetoric. We hope however that this capacity will not
be tested and that the conflcit will be resolved
diplomatically and peacefully.
Sam, USA, Aliso Viejo, 2006-07-03 01:10:08
There is only one city where people desire to live;
Yerevan (‘Erevan) for the whole period of Armenia’s
existence as an independent state (after USSR
collapse). This is because Armenia’s entire economy is
concentrated in this 1.5 mln population city. Is there
any public information available for EVERYONE to see
all governmental/private economic development plans
throughout Armenia? Don’t you see this as a threat to
Armenia’s survival as a state? Imagine that if ‘Erevan
will fail in some very bad circumstances (lezus
papandzvi) Armenia will become a history forever.
OSKANIAN: Armenia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,
developed in cooperation with the major international
organizations, does indeed focus on the rural areas.
In addition, new proposals are being developed and
will soon be made public that will focus on this very
crucial need — to improve living standards outside
Yerevan.
Emil Karapetyan, USA, Los Angeles, 2006-08-03 04:18:43
(Feel free to translate into Russian)
Mr. Vardan Oskanyan,
To my greatest sympathy and respect to you as a
greatest politician Of Republic of our County
(Armenia) allow me to address you the question that
perhaps most Armenians wonϢt grant me the credit
but still I would like to get an answer directly from
you.
Mr. Oskanyan, why now days Armenian governmentϢs
official orientation is fully dedicated to Russian
military support, alongside with difficulties that two
counties have in various financial issues such as Gas
fees, factories owned by Russian companies on the
territory of Armenia, dramatic increase of nationalism
in Russia against Armenians (not specifying the
comments of Luzhkov, who said that their biggest
problem are Armenians, Georgians, and Azeris). I can
bring more facts to your attention where Russians are
not really buying the fact that we are their strategic
partner in the region but as a Foreign Minister
IϢm sure you are aware of these problems.
So are we really afraid of Turkey to compromise the
negotiations in many important issues with Russia?
Thanks in advance
Emil Karapetyan
[email protected]
OSKANIAN: Our relationship with Russia is a
relationship between two sovereign states. We do
continue to have security concerns in this region and
Russia is a strategic partner. At the same time, our
economic and social relations have historically been
positive, and for the most part, continue to be good.
Our interdependencies are also somewhat the result of
decades of integration in the same systems. That is
changing to a situation among equals. Still, there are
problems and we do try to resolve them bilaterally.
Albert messerkhanian, Montreal, 2006-09-03 08:24:37
Dear Mr. Oskanian,
I am deeply convinced that our villages which are
located on our borders are the most vunerable areas
and a special attention should be paid, is there any
particular planning for that?
OSKANIAN: Our border villages, as most of our rural
communities, are indeed living in difficult economic
and social conditions. There is a plan being developed
now, as part of the next Armenia Diaspora conference,
which will attempt to address this crucial need
through the combined efforts of Armenia and Diaspora.

NO REASON TO PANIC
Editorial
Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006
The opinions and interpretations on the Karabagh settlement expressed
by the Armenian leadership and especially in president Robert
Kocharian’s last TV interview raised a wide range of responses both
inside and outside of Armenia.
The reaction of the Azeri leadership and media was no news since
it was in line with the anti-Armenian hysteria prevailing in this
country. Meanwhile, the reactions of some of our politicians and
observers seem to acquire some new coloring.
You get an impression that the Azeri hysteria has mutated and
influenced some of our politicians giving them another opportunity
to express their anti-government sentiments.
This is the only explanation to this situation when people who never
responded to any anti-Armenian statements made by Azerbaijan and
its calls to settle the conflict through another war have suddenly
started panicking because the Armenian president has answered: we
are not scared of a war, we don’t want a war but we can counter the
enemy both on the diplomatic and on the military fronts.
Eight years ago an attempt was made to confuse our society telling it
that the ‘party of war’ had come to power in Armenia. Then an attempt
was made to convince the society that the same ‘party of war’ was
‘selling’ Karabagh.
Now they are yelling that there is going to be another war.
These people cannot and do not want to understand that by not being
scared of militaristic statements we can prevent the war easier. They
fail to understand that the other side will be having problems with
its war propaganda when it sees that it cannot scare us, that we are
ready to remind them about the events of the recent past.
These people seem to not understand that by such panic they become
a tool in the information war against their own nation. At times of
eminent threats people tend to go to extremes: some start panicking,
others act as ‘blind patriots’. Things happen.
But the strangest thing is to see that some people try to be more
Catholic than the Pope, more democratic than Soros, more dashnak
than the ARF, and more Karabaghian than Robert Kocharian, they want
to look more constructive than anyone else. As a result, they reveal
their true face which in this case is that of a panic-monger.

IT’S NECESSARY TO CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF WOMEN’S ROLE
Interview conducted by Naira Poghossian
Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006
A conference titled “The Role of Women in the Process of Creation
of Civil Society” will be held in Yerevan this week. The conference
is organized by ARF’ s Committee of Armenian Women. Marlene Haas
representing the Socialist International will also attend the
conference. We asked representative of the Committee of Armenian
Women Maria Titizian to comment on the issues to be discussed at the
conference and the role of women in Armenia.
Q: What is the purpose of the conference?
A: The conference will deal with the role and activities of women. We
view women’s participation in the process of creation of civil
society from three perspectives: women in public administration,
women in party politics and women in NGOs. Representatives of these
three sectors will present their reports at the conference. We are
sure our discussions will lead to efficient cooperation.
Q: Representative of Socialist International Marlene Haas will attend
the conference. How is ARF collaborating with this organization?
A: Marlene Haas will speak about the cooperation of political parties
and NGOs in the framework of protection of women’s rights. ARF has
been a full member of Socialist International since 1907. However,
the membership was suspended in 1950’s since this organization’s
requirement is that the member parties should be operating in the
country of their origin which was not the case with ARF. In 2003
ARF rejoined the Socialist International, before that it had an
observer’s status. As a member of the women’s organization of the
Socialist International I have participated in all meetings since
2002. In this period close cooperation has been established with the
women representatives of political parties in European countries. Such
cooperation is an excellent opportunity for exchange of experience. We
hope we will be able to invite several representatives of the Socialist
International to participate in a similar conference in Armenia next
year since such dialogue is very important in terms of finding new
ways of empowerment of women.
Q: Why do you think women play an important role in politics?
A: Experience shows that welfare oriented reforms prevail in countries
where women participate in public administration, decision making and
legislative processes. Moreover, in such countries political tensions
are mitigated easier. The laws in Armenia don’t discriminate against
women in any way. At the same time women don’t participate in high
level decision making in our country, there are no women ministers
and not very many women are in the parliament.
Women are more involved in mid-level decision making. And it’s not
only the men’s negative attitude towards women in politics that
shapes this situation: women themselves do not trust other women –
you can see this during parliamentary elections.
Q: How do you think political parties are handling this issue?
A: Of course the 25% quota for the number of women candidates is
ensured in party lists. But the problem is that women are usually
listed in the middle or the end of the lists while it is practically
impossible to get so many votes in the elections. You can see the same
situation within the political parties. I think it’s time to change
this approach, and change it not by words but by specific actions to
prove the important role women can play in politics.
Q: What can you say about public perception of women’s role?
A: Women have always played an important role in the history of
Armenia.
Women were worshiped as mothers, were respected and loved; they
always had a high social status. The situation changed several times
when Armenia lost its independent statehood and then went to another
extreme in the Soviet period when even illiterate women could become
deputies. Unfortunately, our society fails to accept the fact that
even if women get involved in politics they still can be caring mothers
and wives. Political posts do not diminish your womanhood. Believe me,
combining this two is much more pleasant. Meanwhile, in our society a
woman is perceived either as a mother or as some other creature. This
is a very wrong perception that should be eliminated. In our context
I think the obligatory quotas for parliamentary elections are very
important to ensure that men do not form the absolute majority in the
parliament and in the government. This will be part of our activities.
Q: What is the role of the media in empowering women?
A: Empowering women in the process of creation of civil society is
directly linked with the media. I am sure that if women’s issues are
adequately covered in the media the public perception will change
because empowerment of women does not depend on a country’s being
poor or rich, progressive or underdeveloped.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP: WHO DO WE HELP BY THAT?
By Karine Mangassarian
Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006
If you follow the statements made by some Armenian politicians after
President Kocharian expressed his recent position on the issue of
Nagorno Karabagh you might get an impression that they have never
heard the position expressed by the Azeri leadership in the media.
Meanwhile, the Azeri side usually refers to the military settlement of
the conflict and increasing funding allocated to the army by millions
of dollars.
We are sure that this approach also underlies Azerbaijan’s position in
the negotiation process. Meanwhile, when negotiations do not yield any
results some politicians in Armenia start claiming that our country
again lost in the negotiations.
We are sure that such statements made by the former leadership of the
country or by the present opposition forces derive not from their
concern about the settlement of the Karabagh conflict but by their
desire to take every opportunity to criticize the government and the
president at the same time warning the population that another was
is possible.
Why didn’t they ever respond to Azerbaijan’s similar statements
in the past? Why is this sudden activation today? What is this –
a tactical move to help the other side? Don’t they understand that
such statements reach the Azeri side as well and give them another
playing card to use in the negotiation process?
An ‘excellent’ example of such a statement was the opinion expressed
yesterday by the leader of the Armenian Democratic Party Aram Sargsian
saying that the Armenian president lost at a certain stage of the
negotiation process and this is why he is making such militaristic
statements. A question arises – what is then the logic underlying
the militaristic statements Azerbaijan has been making for a long
time? If the Azeri side is losing in the negotiation process who is
then in a more favorable position?
Why are some political forces in Armenia criticizing the Armenian
president’ s response to Azerbaijan’s militaristic statements saying
that the president has chosen the wrong strategy? Answering this
question leader of National Revival Party Albert Bazeyan said,
“I think we should not make any statements about withdrawing from
the negotiation process. Let Azerbaijan do this.”
Bazeyan says Azerbaijan does not accept any compromises and the state
which declares its decision to withdraw from the negotiation process
first will have to deal with the pressure from the international
community. “Meanwhile, Armenia has to exert diplomatic flexibility
and resume the talks,” Bazeyan noted.
Head of ARF’s parliamentary faction Levon Mkrtchian recently expressed
an opinion that the opposition forces in Karabagh, especially in
the Karabagh parliament, have adopted a more balanced approach on
this issue.
The joint statement adopted by all forces included in the Karabagh
parliament is a proof of this point. However, the same cannot be said
about the opposition forces outside the parliament – their approach
is very different.
As to the statement made by the president, Mkrtchian believes it was a
commensurate response to Azerbaijan’s militaristic stance. We should
not forget that Armenia never resorted to such measures during the
negotiation process and this was a goodwill act aimed at ensuring
the continuation of talks.
“No one can scare us with perspectives of war because we have defended
our homeland. The side that starts a war now will be trying to conquer
the territory of another nation,” Mkrtchian said.
Head of Orinats Yerkir Party’s parliamentary faction Mher Shahgeldian
also believes the president’s response followed the recent statements
made by Azerbaijan. As vice speaker of the National Assembly Vahan
Hovhannissian stated in the press, we should by no means neglect the
statements made by the Azeri side.
Hovhannissian believes these statements show that Baku is not even
thinking about any concessions and it is important to counter
Azerbaijan’s political propaganda with a commensurate political
response while at the same time continuing to strengthen our army.

LET’S GIVE NOT ONLY FLOWERS AND PERFUME
Yerkir/arm
March 10, 2006
The National Library has launched a new initiative of restoring the
old tradition of giving books as presents.
“No one is against men giving flowers or expensive gifts to women,”
says Davit Sargsian, the director of the library. “But giving books
is also a good tradition. Before, we would buy books and give them
as gifts to our friends.”
He made this remark during a news conference at the National
Library. Two books were presented, both dedicated to mothers. The
first one was Levon Lachikian’s “Ode to Mothers,” which contains
poetry and stories dedicated to mothers.
The other one was “ABC of Mother Tongue” published under sponsorship
of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Eastern US Diocese.