EVENTS DEDICATED TO 91st ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HELD IN
ROMANIA
BUCHAREST, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Various events to
commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide are being
held in Romania. The presentation of the book “History of a Geocide
Passed by in Long Silence” of Romanian Armenian author Sergio Selian
(the book was published in Romanian by the Ararat publishing house of
the Armenian Union of Romania) took place in the Union of Writers of
Romania on April 19. Varizhan Oskanian, member of the Romanian Senate,
Chairman of the Standing Financial and Bedgetary Commission, Eghishe
Sargsian, the Armenian Ambassador to Romania, and Mikael Gazazian,
editor of the newspaper “Ararat” of the Armenian Union of Romania,
made speeches on the Armenian Genocide at the event. According to the
RA MFA Press and Information Department, Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat”
was demonstrated in Bucharest and Constantsa, as well as a photo
exhibition dedicated to the Armenian Genocide was organized, during
which speeches were delivered by a number of high-ranking Romanian
officials, particularly by Danut Kuletu, Governor of Constantsa, as
well as by the Armenian Ambassador Eghishe Sargsian, Head of the
Romanian Armenian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop
Tirayr Martikian and others.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BOSTON NEWSPAPERS WRITE ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
BOSTON, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. According to the
paper “Boston Glob”, US politicians and orgnizations representing
various communities are joining American Armenians in their struggle
for the history of the Armenian Genocide to be taught at general
education schools of the US. The Boston court is examining a case
brought by a Massachusetts school teacher and pupil, and by a Turkish
organization that demand that the Turkish point of view on the
Armenian Genocide be also included in history books. According to the
paper, the Armenian organizations of the state of Massachusetts are
going to stage a protest outside the Boston court on April 21 with
participation of representatives of the local Jewish and Dutch
communities, Massachusetts prosecutor general and deputy governor,
both of them running for the post of governor. Radio Liberty reported
that the “Boston Herald” also recently addressed the issue of the
Armenian Genocide by citing an opinion expressed by Helen Fain, an
expert of Harvard Insitute for Genocide Studies. According to her, it
was a genocide by all criteria, and it is even offensive and funny to
argue with its deniers.

SAAKASHVILI PAYS SHORT-TERM VISIT TO JAVAKHK
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. President of
Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili with his wife Sandra Rulofs paid a short
visit to Javakhk on April 19. According to the “A-Info” agency,
immediatly after arriving in Akhalkalak from Tbilisi by the
helicopter, the President was first of all present at the solemn
ceremony of starting the construction of the Aspindza-Akhalkalak road,
within the framework of the “Millennium Challenge” program. The
President also arrived in the village of Gandza, the region of
Ninotsminda. He presented here gifts to children of the secondary
school after Vahan Terian, restored on his own initiative. After
staying in Gandza for a very short time, the President’s helicopter
left for Ajaria.

From: [email protected]
Subject: Lyon Monument to The Genocide Restored and Under Strict Control
LYON MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS BROUGHT TO FORMER
APPEARANCE AND TAKEN UNDER STRICT CONTROL
LYON, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Turkish and French
notes left by unknown evil-doers on the monument to the Armenian
Genocide victims erected in the French city of Lyon have already been
cleaned, and the monument was brought to its former appearance. The
Istanbul “Marmara” daily informs about this, quoting the information
of the Turkish “Huriet” newspaper. Distortion of the monument caused
indignation not only within the Armenian but the French official
cirles as well, and the authorities decided to take the monument under
control. Armenians of Lyon formed groups for guarding the monument and
will keep the monument under 24-hours control. Besides, the Lyon Mayor
Office instructed four policemen two of who must guard the inner
parts, other two must guard the outer parts of the monument. The city
authorities also placed video cameras owing to which the territory
will always be under control. Nicolas Sarkozy, the Minister of
Interior of France, condemned the attack towards the Armenian monument
and said that similar assaults are inadmissible. He emphasized that
the criminals must probably be found out and punished. Such attacks
means usage of the policy of hatred and refusal, Sarkozy
said. Respoding the question relating to the resolution on the
Armenian Genocide, the Minister stated that France supports
Armenians. To recap, the monument to the Armenian Genocide victims
will officially open on April 24.

“THERE IS NO EXAMPLE OF GENOCIDE IN OUR HISTORY WHAT I’M PROUD OF,”
PERSIAN DEPUTY EMPHASIZES AT EVENT DEDICATED TO 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
TEHRAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. An event dedicated to
the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place on April 18
in Tehran, on the initiative of the Armenian Issues’ Research Center
(AIRC, Hay Dat Committee of Tehran). Archbishop Sepuh Sargsian, the
primate of the Armenian diocese of Tehran, two dozens of deputies of
the Islamic Parliament and representatives of deputies’ offices,
officials of the ministries of interior, education and bringing up,
Islamic culture and leadership, representatives of the Deputies’
Assembly of the Armenian diocese of Tehran, of the Diocesan Council
and Armenian cultural unions of Tehran, Persian intellectuals,
journalists and inspectors of Armenians schools participated in the
event. According to the “Alik” daily of Tehran, Gevik Mkrtchian, the
AIRC Chairman emphasized that many international circles and even Turk
intellectuals recognized the Genocide, but the Government of Turkey
has not refused yet its betrayal policy, and followers of the people
implementing the Genocide, started cultural massacre today. Then
Robert Beglarian, the Deputy of the South Iranian Armenians of the
Islamic Parliament invited the speaker of the day, Doctor Emad Afrugh,
the Chairman of the Cultural Committee of the Islamic Parliament,
Deputy from Tehran, to make a speech. The Persian Deputy emphasized
that though some historians do not call those crimes a genocide and
consider it to have been a compulsory migration, but the fact remains
a fact that such a case had taken place, it is a reality but not an
illusion. Doctor Afrugh added that though some of the people having
implemented the crime were once punished, but they did not get a
worthy punishment, until Armenians themselves subjected them to death
in different places. Doctor Afrugh called on the present authorities
of Turkey: “Let them make researches, let scientific researchers be
given necessary documents and be as brave as to congess that you had
made a mistakve and to correct the past if any deliberate crime has
been implemented.” He also attached importance to the dialogue of
religions and civilizations and emphasized: “We have no difficulties
with Christians: there is no example of genocides in our history what
I’m proud of.” Archbishop Sepuh Sargsian, the primate of the Armenian
Diocese of Tehran also sent his commandment during the event. He
particularly, said: “The human history showed that one may not falsify
or renounce the truth. Today, in the light century, nobody may build
the history on a falsification. The Armenian Genocide is a historical
reality, reality affirmed by representatives of the modern Turkish
authorities themselves and by political, church and intellectual
representatives of the western world. So, our expectation from today’s
Turkey is to have courage to recognize that crime of its fathers.”
Robert Beglarian touched upon in his speech a number of circumstances:
first, that the Armenian Genocide was not implemented only in 1915,
but has started since 1896, second, it’s a genocide as it has been
implemented towards a people in its own historic country, and Turkey
does not recognize it as legal responsibility will aslo arise of that
recognition. He cited from the “Iran, Ayatollah Khpmeyn’s Epoch” book
written by Nikolay Hovhannissian and published in Armenia: “Late Imam
attached importance to the role and place occupied by the Armenians of
Iran in different spheres and emphasized that “we are perfectly aware
of the Armenian Genocide, condemn it, and neither Iran is a similar
country not Iranians are a similar people for such a case happens in
Iran.” At the end of the event Deputy Emad Afrugh was presented a
souvenir, then a reception took place during which the Persian deputy
mentioned that it will become a start for his future researches.
During the event documentary video films about the Armenian Genocide
and presenting the Azerbaijani vandalism against the Armenian
monuments in Old Jugha were shown, and the “Zvartnots” choir had a
performance during the artistic part of the event.

AKHALKALAK MAYOR PROHIBITS SPREADING OF BOOKLETS WITH FALSE
INFORMATION CONCERNING CITY
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By financing of
the UN Development Program and the Urban Institute, within the
framework of the “Society’s Participation in Local Self-Government”
program, a booklet is translated in the Georgian, English and Russian
languages about the city of Akhalkalak, what caused indignation of the
main inhabitation of Akhalkalak, Armenians. According to the “A-Info”
agency, the plan of the city of Akhalkalak and information about
Akhalkalak are published in the booklet. The main reason for
displeasure is wrong information concerning history of the city.
Akhalkalak Mayor Nairi Iritsian expressed displeasure to the people
implementing the program also for not publishing Armenian copies of
the booklet. Iritsian warned that booklets will not be given to people
in Akhalkalak as they have no connection with the society’s
participation in the local self-government because of their being not
in the Armenian language and involving false facts.

AKHALKALAK BRANCH OF TBILISI STATE UNIVERSITY TO PASS PROCESS OF
ACCREDITATION
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Akhalkalak
branch of the Tbilisi State University will pass a process of
accreditation soon. According to Roin Ghavrelishvili, the Director of
the branch, the branch is not able today to satisfy claims laid by the
state. But he hopes that as to a newly founded institution of higher
education, the branch will not be laid claims, and it will continue to
function. The “A-Info” agency reminds that the Akhalkalak branch of
the Tbilisi State University has been founded in 2002 and has about
450 students today. In spite of the statement made by the Government
at the moment of founding, that mainly or exclusively young people
from Javakhk will study here, today the most part of students of the
university are Georgian young people who have come from different
regions of Georgia. It is enough to mention that only 4 young people
from Javakhk entered the university in 2005, two of who are Armenians,
two are Georgians.

16 CASINOS AND 48 PRIZE GAMES OPERATE IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. By the end of the first quarter of
2006, licences of 16 casinos and 48 prize games were valid in
Armenia. NT was informed at the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy
that in early 2006, licences of 18 casinos and 51 prize games were
valid in the country. According to the same source, licences of one
casino and two prize games were granted in March, while licences of
two casinos and three prize games were recognized invalid. It was
noted that three licences for lottery running are valid in Armenia.

From: [email protected]
Subject: Tagizade: RA FM Statement Constructive, Evidence of Adherence to…
TAIR TAGIZADE: STATEMENT OF RA FOREIGN MINISTRY’S HEAD IS CONSTRUCTIVE
AND IS EVIDENCE OF ADHERENCE TO PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS
BAKU, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The last statements of Armenian Foreign
Minister V.Oskanian are constructive and demonstrate adherence to the
process of peaceful negotiations. Tair Tagizade, Head of the
Information and Press Department of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry,
reported this to Trend. He meant V.Oskanian’s April 20 statement,
according to which “if Azerbaijan recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh
people’s right to determine its future status on its own, Armenia is
ready to seriously discuss issues connected with liquidation of the
consequences of the war”. “This statement is evidence of the fact that
the Armenian party intends to take an active part in the process of
peaceful negotiations on settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, T.Tagizade said. – De facto this statement
is the confirmation of the Armenian party’s adherence to the
“stage-by-stage” settlement. As it is known, according to the
“stage-by-stage” variant, at the first stage the issue of withdrawal
of the Armenian armed forces from the regions surrounding Nagorno
Karabakh is to be solved. There are also a lot of attendant elements
here, including mine-clearing, restoration of communications, return
of displaced people, provision of their security. And the second stage
is the determination of the Nagorno Karabakh status”. As for the
self-determination, according to T.Tagizade, it is quite possible
inside a state, too. “This is the very status of the highest autonomy
we are speaking about. Thus, this can be estimated as the Armenian
party’s confirmation of its adherence to the process of peaceful
negotiations and realization of the essence of the national interests
of Armenia,” he summed up. T.Tagizade also expressed an opinion in
connection with V.Oskanian’s statement that Armenia set itself a task
to join the Transcaspian gas pipeline and has already started serious
negotiations about this with U.S. “Armenia cannot carry on any
negotiations with U.S. for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is
that no regional projects are possible without Azerbaijan’s
participation, either as a starting-point as an exporter or as a
transit state. We will consider cooperation with Armenia possible only
after the settlement of the conflict and liquidation of its
consequences,” the representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
emphasized.

1.3 THOUSAND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE GOT JOB IN ARMENIA STARTING EARLY THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The average number of economically
active inhabitation of Armenia made 1163.1 thousand people in
January-February, 92.4% or 1074.3 thousand of who were engaged in
economy. 88.8 thousand people having no job have been registered in
the “RA Employment Service” of the RA Ministry of Labour and Social
Issues and got status of unemployed people. According to data of the
RA National Statistical Service, as of late February, 92.5% or 107
thousand of the 115.7 thousand people searching a job registered in
the agency were unemployed people 83.6% or 89.4 thousand people of who
got status of unemployed people. Women made 70.8% of the registered
unemployed people. This index increased by 0.5% compared with the same
period of time of the last year. 1.3 thousand people got job starting
from early this year. Women make 59.2% of them.