RUSSIAN “FIRST CHANNEL” CALLED ARMENIA’S PUBLIC TV COMPANY “H1” ONE OF
BEST PARTNERS IN CIS COUNTRIES
Moscow, May 29. ArmInfo. The Public TV Company “H1” is one of the best
partners of the Russian “First Channel” in CIS countries, the PR
Director of the “First Channel” OJSC Igor Burenkov told ArmInfo.
According to him, when the “First Channel” announced about the
intention to code the Channel programs broadcasting and to transfer to
a licensed broadcasting in the countries of South Caucasus and Middle
Asia, the partners from Armenia were first to respond. Burenkov noted
that unlike the Armenian “H1”, there problems arouse with
rebroadcasting of the Football World Championship in other CIS
countries. “Our Armenian partners acquired the rights for football
rebroadcasting beforehand”, Burenkov said. According to him, the main
purpose of transfer to a licensed broadcasting of the “First Channel”
programs is to increase the rating and not to loose the
Russian-speaking audience in CIS countries. The “First Channel” has
the highest rating in Armenia. Burenkov added that the “First Channel”
continues to supply its TV audience with objective information about
the internal political and foreign political processes in CIS
countries.
To be reminded, rebroadcasting of the Public Russian TV in Armenia was
replaced from May 25 by broadcasting of a special channel “First
Channel. CIS”. This is already the third specialized international
version of the Russian “First Channel”.

Azerbaijan ‘vandalised’ sacred Armenian sites

The Independent – United Kingdom; May 30, 2006
Stephen Castle in Brussels
Fears that Azerbaijan has systematically destroyed hundreds of
500-year-old Christian artefacts have exploded into a diplomatic row,
after Euro MPs were barred from inspecting an ancient Armenian burial
site.
The predominantly Muslim country’s government has been accused of
“flagrant vandalism” similar to the Taliban’s demolition of the
Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan.
The claims centre on the fate of rare khachkars, stone crosses carved
with intricate floral designs, at the burial ground of Djulfa in the
Nakhichevan region of Azerbaijan, an enclave separated from the rest
of the country by Armenia.
The works – some of the most important examples of Armenian heritage –
are said to have been smashed with sledgehammers last December as the
site was concreted over.
The Azerbaijan government, which denies the claims, is now at the
centre of a row with MEPs, some of whom it accused of a “biased and
hysterical approach”. Its ambassador to the EU also says the European
Parliament has ignored damage to Muslim sites in Armenia. Azerbaijan
refused to allow a delegation of Euro MPs permission to visit the
1,500-year-old Djulfa cemetery during their trip to the region last
month.
Most of the original 10,000 khachkars, most of which date from the
15th and 16th centuries, were destroyed by the early 20th century,
leaving probably fewer than 3,000 by the late 1970s. According to the
International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos), the Azerbaijan
government removed 800 khachkars in 1998. Though the destruction was
halted following protests from Unesco, it resumed four years later. By
January 2003 “the 1,500-year-old cemetery had completely been
flattened,” Icomos says.
Witnesses, quoted in the Armenian press, say the final round of
vandalism was unleashed in December last year by Azerbaijani soldiers
wielding sledgehammers.
The president of Icomos, Michael Petzet, said: “Now that all traces of
this highly important historic site seem to have been extinguished all
we can do is mourn the loss and protest against this totally senseless
destruction.” Some MEPs believe that, boosted by its oil revenues,
Azerbaijan is adopting an increasingly assertive stance in the region.
Charles Tannock, Conservative foreign affairs
spokesman in the European parliament, said: “This is very similar to
the Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban. They have concreted the
area over and turned it into a military camp. If they have nothing to
hide then we should be allowed to inspect the terrain. It was a major
cultural and heritage site which was revered by the Armenian Christian
community.”
When MEPs passed a critical resolution in February, Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammad-yarov, made a formal protest. Then,
when the parliament’s delegation for relations with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia asked to combine a mission to Armenia with a
visit to the Djulfa archaeological site, their request was refused.
The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly hopes to visit the site
and its secretary general has offered to set up an expert group to
examine cultural sites in Azerbaijan and Armenia. MEPs insist that the
authorities in Azerbaijan should open their doors if they have nothing
to hide.
Hannes Swoboda, an Austrian socialist MEP and member of the committee
barred from examining the site, said he hoped a visit could be
arranged in the autumn. He added: “If they do not allow us to go, we
have a clear hint that some- thing bad has happened. If something is
hidden we want to ask why. It can only be because some of the
allegations are true.”
And he warned: “One of the major elements of any country that wants to
come close to Europe is that the cultural heritage of neighbours is
respected.”

The Burns Supper and the British Embassy help mothers and children in
Gegharkunik and Lori marz

ArmRadio.am
30.05.2006 14:03
On Wednesday 31 May, at 11:30 the British Embassy in Armenia will hold
a press conference to mark the handover of charity funds raised at the
2006 Burns Supper to the beneficiary.
This year the 8th annual Burns Supper raised AMD 9 Million ($20,000),
for the purchase of much needed medical equipment for the Martuni
Maternity Hospital in Gegharkunik Marz. The purchase of the equipment
will be arranged by USAID-funded Project NOVA, which will receive the
money on behalf of the beneficiary on the day of press conference.
The 2006 Burns Supper raised funds through the sale of the tickets and
through an auction on the night

Ethnic Armenian Arthur Sardaryan killed in Moscow

ArmRadio.am
30.05.2006 14:41
Ethnic Armenian Arthur Sardaryan, 19, was killed in an electric train
near Klyazma station. On this occasion a criminal case has been
launched according to Article 105 of RF Criminal Code `Crime on the
ground of national hatred.’
The murder was carried out on May 25. Attorney Simon Tsaturyan informs
that on this day Arthur Sardaryan was returning from Pushkino to
Moscow where he lived with his family.

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:
The General Secretary of the Academy of France
Carrer d’Encausse visits His Holiness Aram I
His Holiness Aram I received Carrer D’encausse, the General Secretary of the
Academy of France, member of the European Parliament, advisor to the French
president and author of many books on May 26. A delegation from Lebanon
accompanied D’encausse.
The Catholicos discussed mainly cultural and religious issues with his
guest. He gave detailed explanations about the Armenian Church.
After the meeting, the guests toured the “Cilicia” museum of the
Catholicosate and other departments. They also visited the martyrs’ chapel.
##
View photo here: tm#2
*****
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.

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:
THE president of the Court of cassation
of Lebanon VISITS ANTELIAS
The president of the Court of Cassation of Lebanon, Dr. Antoine Mikhayel
visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on May 26. Dr. Mikhayel is also a
member of the Lebanese Supreme Court.
The pontiff and Dr. Mikhayel discussed issues related to the situation in
Lebanon and the role of the Armenian community in the country.
##
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.

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:
THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I met with the Norwegian minister of culture, Trond Giske,
in his office in Antelias on May 25.
The Pontiff and the minister discussed issues related to the Middle East,
the Christian-Muslim dialogue and ecumenical affairs. His Holiness also
spoke about the friendly relations between the Norwegian and Armenian
peoples and in this context referred to Fridtjof Nansen as a great friend of
the Armenian nation.
The minister and His Holiness continued their discussions over lunch.
The Catholicos also gave an interview to two important Norwegian newspapers
which had delegated their journalists with the minister.
##
View photo here: tm
*****
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian officers not to attend CIS meeting in Azerbaijan
Mediamax news agency
30 May 06

Yerevan, 30 May: Armenia will not take part in the forthcoming session
of the Council of CIS Defence Ministers to be held in Baku on 31
May. The Azerbaijani authorities have not produced security guarantees
to the Armenian delegation members, Mediamax has quoted the Armenian
Defence Ministry as saying. “As the secretariat of the Council of CIS
Defence Ministers failed to get security guarantees from the
Azerbaijani authorities for the Armenian Defence Ministry delegation,
they decided not to take part in the Baku session. This has been
reported to the secretariat of the Council of CIS Defence Ministers.
“This is another evidence of the fact that Azerbaijan is not able to
fulfil its commitments and ensure security of participants in the
international event being held on its territory. For its part, the
secretariat of the Council of CIS Defence Ministers, must ensure that
equal conditions are created for the participants from all CIS member
countries at the session. We are waiting for the secretariat’s
official reaction,” the Armenian Defence Ministry said in its
statement.
[ANS radio, Baku, in Azeri, 0500 gmt 30 May 06, reported that Armenia
had not even been invited because Azerbaijan notified the Council of
CIS Defence Ministers that an Armenian delegation was unwelcome in
Baku]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

President Aliyev says Armenia-Azerbaijan gap “growing”
Azartac news agency, Baku
30 May 06
President Ilham Aliyev has said that Armenia will not be able to compete
with his country because the gap between Armenia and Azerbaijan is growing.
In a state-of-the-nation speech on Independence Day on 28 May, Aliyev said:
“Armenia will not be able to compete with Azerbaijan in the future.”
“They should think thoroughly, look a bit further ahead and see that the gap
between Azerbaijan and Armenia is growing in all spheres. Our budget has
reached 4.5bn dollars this year and will increase even more next year,” the
state-owned Azartac news agency quoted Aliyev as saying.

Armenian defense officials refuse to attend meeting in Azerbaijan, fearing
safety
AP Worldstream; May 30, 2006
Armenian defense officials refused to attend a meeting of military
chiefs from ex-Soviet republics in neighboring Azerbaijan, saying
officials there could not guarantee their safety, an Armenian official
said Tuesday.
Azerbaijani officials could not assure organizers of the Commonwealth
of Independent States defense ministers’ meeting in Baku, which begins
Wednesday, that the Armenians would be adequately protected, Defense
Ministry spokesman Col. Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said.
Azerbaijani officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Tensions between the two ex-Soviet republics remain high over
Nagorno-Karabakh _ an enclave within Azerbaijan that has been
controlled by ethnic Armenians since a war in the early 1990s that
killed 30,000 people and drove about 1 million people from their
homes. Sporadic border clashes regularly break out and a lack of
resolution has hampered development throughout the strategic Caucasus
region.
Two years ago, during a NATO seminar in Hungary, an Azerbaijani
military officer hacked an Armenian classmate to death with an axe.