Mount Vernon Gazette, VA
May 26 2006
Armenian Fest Raises Relief
Charity, culture highlight 14th annual event.
By Greg Wyshynski
May 25, 2006
Where and When
The 14th annual Alexandria Armenian Festival is scheduled for June 3
from noon-6 p.m. in Market Square, 301 King Street. The rain or shine
event is free to the public, but the food and crafts on sale benefit
Armenian charities.
Ken Hill sees the annual Alexandria Armenian Festival as an
opportunity to raise awareness of another culture while raising money
for children in Armenia.
He said the festival, now in its 14th year, was formed after a major
earthquake devastated Gyumri, the Armenian sister city of Alexandria.
Hill, a member of the Alexandria-Gyumri committee, said 19,000 people
were killed, and “the city never really has recovered from it.” To
help children with special needs and the overall youth population,
the festival raises funds for small grants to organizations in Gyumri
and to the World Bank, which Hill said will match contributions
10-to-1. “Every thousand we put in, they put in 10,000,” he said.
The Armenian Festival is scheduled for June 3 from noon-6 p.m. in
Market Square (301 King Street). The rain or shine event is free to
the public, but the food and crafts on sale benefit Armenian
charities.
Food will be the primary fundraiser, according to Hill. He said the
festival partners with area Armenian churches to create dishes with a
homemade taste. “It’s authentic stuff. It’s not purchased off the
shelf,” he said.
Sam Gyulnazarian, a committee member, said labor in making the food
is donated, and some particular foods are donated as well.
The festival will feature an array of kabobs, usually around three
different kinds. There will also be stuffed grape leaves, lamejun,
humus, salads, and several desert options.
Entertainment includes traditional Armenian folk dancers,
instrumentals, soloists, and performing arts groups. There will be
displays inside of city hall on Armenian culture and on Gyumri.
For additional information, call the Alexandria events hotline at
703-883-4686 or visit

`SERGE SARGSYAN’S NOMINATION INVOLVES A NEGATIVE TENDENCY’
Lragir.am
26 May 06
Commenting on the statement made by Garnik Isagulyan, adviser to
president, that Serge Sargsyan is the best-prepared presidential
candidate, and Robert Kocharyan will not run for the third term,
Member of Parliament Vahram Baghdasaryan, People’s Deputy, said, `In
these years we saw that this candidate is really prepared and is
well-aware of both home and foreign political situation, what
generally takes place in the country; he is not a fortuitous and new
figure to be debated. He has matured to be nominated president.’ For
the third term of Robert Kacharyan, Vahram Baghdasaryan said, `I am a
man of law. As all of us know, the Constitution of Armenia does not
provide for a third term.’
Member of Parliament Hrant Khachatryan, Ardarutiun Alliance, says free
and lawful elections must be held independent from the personality and
number of candidates. `Serge Sargsyan is not someone who fostered the
solution of these problems, and the nomination of Serge Sargsyan
involves a negative tendency that the elections will be held like the
previous ones,’ says Hrant Khachatryan, and disagrees that Serge
Sargsyan is the best-prepared candidate.
For Robert Kocharyan, Hrant Khachatryan noted that `in some cases
Garnik Isagulyan makes statements as a well-aware person. Yet in other
cases he either tries to create weather or to spoil weather. I find it
difficult to tell which case this is.’

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 26 2006
To demand opening of Turkish-Armenian border not recognized by
Armenia impossible – Turkish Amb

Source: Trend
Author: R.Abdullayev

26.05.2006

Every country, every interested side should direct efforts to the
peaceable resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. It first of all concerns Armenia, as well as other
interested sides, including the European Union, Turan Moraly, the
Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told journalists in Baku.
`The opening of the Turkish-Armenian border can be considered only
after the resolution of the disputable issues, the diplomat noted.
The problem and general dynamic of development of events linked with
opening of the border is absolutely different.’
`How is it possible to demand the opening of borders which was not
recognized even by Armenia?’ the Ambassador inquired. The theme can
not be put forward either by the European Union, or another
organization. `Let Armenia first officially recognize the border with
Turkey and introduce itself as a good neighbor, then we will discuss
the issue.’ the Turkish diplomat concluded.

PROSPERITY OR UNIFICATION
Lragir.am
26 May 06
Aghasi Arshakyan, National Unity Party, thinks that new political
parties are established when the existing political parties and their
ideologies are not sufficient to improve the situation. `They are set
up to improve the situation and the founders must sooner or later
account who is to blame for the situation.’ Nevertheless, Aghasi
Arshakyan thinks that in reshaping the political sphere everyone
realizes that it will be impossible to hold new elections in an old
manner. `Therefore, new extremely powerful forces are being created.
These are artificially set on the arena. And in order to have complete
control of the entire sphere, Bargavach Hayastan Party led by a highly
respected person is set up on the one hand, and on the other hand, the
Unification for Armenia Party is established to counterbalance
Bargavach Hayastan, thinks Aghasi Arshakyan.’

IN NATIONAL UNITY THEY KNOW WHO PUSHED BUSINESSMEN TO LEAVE ORINATS YERKIR
Lragir.am
26 May 06
Unlike the fight of the National Unity and the Orinats Yerkir Party in
the National Assembly, seasoned with vulgar phrases, the debate
between Hovanes Margaryan, Orinats Yerkir, and Aghasi Arshakyan,
National Unity, on May 25was civilized. `In the framework of
politeness,’ as Aghasi Arshakyan said. No, of course, the parties were
`armed’ with facts, arguments,documents; there were accusations but
the speakers addressed each other `dear Aghasi,’ `dear Hovanes,’
`brother,’ `darling’ and with other similar phrases.
In the beginning Aghasi Arshakyan reported that what happened between
Orinats Yerkir `was artificial and directed by a third party.’ In
answer to the question of Lragir.am `why did you yield to the
provocations of the third party?
‘Aghasi Arshakyan announced that the National Unity had not been
provoked, they expressed their stance. The most important thing is,
according to Aghasi Arshakyan, to find out who benefits from this
situation. `If we get the answer to the question, everything will be
clear.’ And who benefits? Aghasi Arshakyan believes that tensions
between Orinats Yerkir and the National Unity were kindled by Hmayak
Hovanisyan. Hmayak was in the faction of the National Unity but then
he left. The National Unity is not going to assume responsibility for
`then,’ said Aghasi Arshakyan, mentioning that this atmosphere is
beneficial for the `present president and people around him.’ The
National Unity does not have anything against Orinats Yerkir. They
simply want Orinats Yerkir to answer the question `who is responsible
for this state in the country?’ and suggest that they `repent, admit
their fault, apologize.’ `An honest person need not go through
purgatory,’ Hovanes Margaryan cited Arthur Baghdasaryan.
As it could be predicted, the debating sides often repeated what the
leaders of their parties had stated during the debate one the
eve. Orinats Yerkir always called things by their names, Serge
Sargsyan does not fund the National Unity. And as usual, first there
were words of praise for their political party, then accusations
against the other followed. Hovanes Margaryan: `When the opposition
boycotted the National Assembly, as part of the coalition, we were
criticizing, doing the job of the opposition. Where were you when they
were coercing the Orinats Yerkir members of parliament who joined the
initiative of the residents of Buzand Street to lodge a complaint with
the Constitutional Court?’ Aghasi Arshakyan: `An opposition issupposed
to criticize what is bad, and the force in power should try its best
to improve the situation.’ Arthur Baghdasaryan has a high
international reputation, says Hovanes Margaryan. Yes, agrees Aghasi
Arshakyan, adding that the opposition also helped to promote his
image. The parties agreed that there had been pressure on the
businessmen-members of parliament who left Orinats Yerkir from Robert
Kocharyan administration. But if in Orinats Yerkir they do not know
where exactly the pressure came from, Aghasi Arshakyan knows,
`Armenchik Gevorgyan coerced’: either you lose your businesses or you
leave Orinats Yerkir. Hovanes Hovanisyan assures that `Orinats Yerkir
is becoming stronger. Compared with 84 members leaving the party over
the past month, 1800 became members.’ `Quantity is one thing, quality
is another,’ immediately followed Aghasi Arshakyan’s remark.
The two political spheres, the government and the opposition, belong
to people, and people know which political force should be in this or
that sphere, people should decide through their votes; the debate
between Aghasi Arshakyan and Hovanes Margaryan, which passed in the
framework of `politeness and partnership,’ ended in the logic of this
idea expressed in the beginning of the debate and handshaking.

GAGIK KOSTANDYAN GOES BROKE FOR ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN’S SAKE
Lragir.am
26 May 06
The leader of the National Unity stated May 24 that his assistant
Gagik Kostandyan had supplied goods to the Ministry of Defense of
Armenia and suffered losses, and only for the sake of his
employees. On May 25 Aghasi Arshakyan, National Unity, gave some more
information. It turns out that Gagik Kostandyan’ s kind wish did not
come true, and after this order, which inflicted losses on his
company, Gagik Kostandyan closed down the factory and `sentpeople
home.’
Generally, Aghasi Arshakyan thinks that in Armenia `they do not allow
people to get promoted just in return for nothing, they should know
what is going to be next on a `boo’ or stamping of feet. If they fail
the order, on the next day a huge army from the customs and tax
agencies, the Office of Public Prosecutor, the Sixth Department of the
Police will devour them, tear to pieces, and grind them down. Keeping
this in their minds, people came and said, Arthur, they won’t let us
breathe, what can we do? We don’t want to lose our rocks. It was a
mistake to join Orinats Yerkir. Now let us quit.’
Aghasi Arshakyan says what happened to the businessmen who left
Orinats Yerkir threatens his fellow Gagik Kostandyan. `A worse future
awaits him because in the late 80s, in the early 90s Gagik Kostandyan
possessed much more than these people have.’ Simply Gagik Kostandyan’s
political status led to a considerable decrease in his property. To
show this decrease, Aghasi Arshakyan first raised his hand above his
head, then lowered it 3-4 cm below the table. Gagik Kostandyan used
to work in the Police. In answer to the question of Lragir.am where he
got the money to set up a business, Aghasi Arshakyan said, ` Ask
him. I am not an accountant and I do not ask personal questions to my
colleagues. You could also ask Serge Sargsyan where he got so much
money.’

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES

Lragir.am
26 May 06
Yerevan, May 25, 2006
We, the representatives at the Deputy Minister level of the Russian
Federation, the Unites States, and France, together with the Co-Chairs
and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, have
come together in this joint diplomatic mission because of the need to
promote a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
because now is the time for the sides to reach agreement on the basic
principles of a settlement.
We were received by President Kocharian and met earlier with Foreign
Minister Oskanian. As we did yesterday in Baku, we discussed important
aspects of a future settlement. We have worked to create the
conditions for a meeting of the two presidents in the near future. We
have stressed the belief of our nations and, more widely, of the
international community that the conflict can be resolved in no other
way than a peaceful one. Both countries should, moreover, prepare
their publics for peace and not for war.
Our discussions, both today in Yerevan and yesterday in Baku, were
constructive. We met yesterday with President Aliyev and Foreign
Minister Mammedyarov.
Tomorrow we will return to our capitals to brief our leaders. The
Co-Chairs will, as well, brief the OSCE and the international
community.
A joint mission such as this one is a special event. It must be taken
as a sign of the seriousness with which we approach the issue and, in
particular, a belief that we are at the point where a mutually
beneficial agreement is a achievable. What happens now will be up to
Armenia and Azerbaijan. We leave with hopes and expectations of
progress. We are pleased to be in Yerevan and wish to express our
gratitude to President Kocharian and the people of Armenia for
receiving us.

POLITICAL ELITE IS SHOCKED
Lragir.am
26 May 06
The statement of Garnik Isagulyan, the adviser to the President of
Armenia, that Robert Kocharyan is unlikely to run for the third term
and is reluctant to take up the post of prime minister, is apparently
the second significant event in the ruling elite of Armenia after the
resignation of Arthur Baghdasaryan.
The burning question of the day is what is going on with the
leadership of Armenia. This does not appear to be just a question
after a scrutiny of this information psychosis, following the
processes inside the authorities. Even one can see with the naked eye
that the influential figures in the leadership, the mass media that
work on them and `political scientists’ keep trumpeting one single
thing until their voice goes harsh: nothing has changed and nothing
can change in Armenia. However, since changes in the political life
of the country occur every day, it is more often confirmed that what
happened was due to the influential figures in power.
There are no more fools in Armenia. If they keep talking about the
`eternal peace,’ it means that the peace has been troubled. The rest
is simply an effort to stop the time and keep the state of things
unchanged. Since thisstate of things is related with the interests of
all citizens, it would be interesting to understand why all these
efforts resemble a psychosis and how the leadership tries to sustain
the shattered order.
In this context, one has to admit that this collapse of the Armenian
government camp would not be without a serious cause. And the main
cause is, in our opinion, the inconsistency of the political abilities
of the influential figures in power and the key members of the
government camp with the new political realities. The leadership does
not know how to behave. In fact, coercion and trade have become the
only means of holding power. The leadership has nothing to tell or
offer to the public. In other words, the present elite lacks political
tools.
On the other hand, there is another key cause: certain political
forces are beginning to use more effective political technologies. The
influence of these technologies on the political system is starting to
break the order in Armenia. In fact, one may state today that all the
links of power are shocked by the feeling that they are powerless in
this new reality. This state of shock is already apparent in public
speeches and opinions in press.
The apologetics of the existing order is amazing. Hence, its first
apologetist Hmayak Hovanisyan would not stop asserting that there is
no remedy to this order, for it is so immoral and corrupt that nothing
can change it.
Subsequently, they suggest admitting it and legalizing the existing
reality. In addition, Hmayak cannot explain why they start talking so
much about it when, according to him, nothing could trouble the
leadership.
Hence, the leadership would even agree to be called criminal and
malefactor not to let anyone think that it cannot sustain itself. In
fact, the newspapers and `political scientists’ are paid to inspire
the public (and, more importantly, the members of the camp too) that
nothing can trouble the government and there is nothing they can do
but to admit.
The effect is amazing. The panic-stricken leadership starts taking off
its mask, believing deeply in the efficacy of this technology. Many
start believing seriously that power can be held by open crimes only,
which means that serious deconstruction is coming up in Armenia. This
will produce a natural effect: the members of the government camp will
try the fruits of terror. The businessmen-members of parliament have
already experienced this. Their mandates turned from a `roof’ into a
tool of enslaving in the handsof the persons who had given out these
mandates. Then the corps of electoral fraud will come.
The last will be the law enforcement agencies, for their patience is
wearing thin.
Hence, everything is in the hands of a new political pole, which will
be ready to take up power in Armenia. The present government has run
out of resource. They are merely trying to stop the time, as
`clutchers at straws.’ Robert Kocharyan has perhaps realized this,
letting everyone know that he can seea better future for himself than
the Armenian actualities. His brothers-in-arms would not believe it,
and they even feared publishing Robert Kocharyan’s remarks performed
by Garnik Isagulyan. It means they also feel that the time of the
elite has expired in Armenia. They simply do not know what to do. The
new ones will show them what to do.
MELIK AVANYAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 26 2006
Azerbaijani President agrees to meet his Armenian counterpart in
Bucharest
[ 26 May 2006 13:07 ]
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs while on a visit to Baku proposed
organizing a meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in
Bucharest, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists.
He said that the Azerbaijani side has accepted this proposal and the
rest depends on Yerevan’s position (APA).
Commenting on the arrival of diplomats from the OSCE Minsk Group FMs
to the region together with the co-chairs, Mammadyarov appraised the
raising of the negotiating process to a high format.
`These three countries as permanent members of the UN Security
Council support peaceful solution of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict,’
the Minister said.
Mammadyarov called the talks in Baku very effective, `We expressed
our stance and the diplomats understood our position very well.’ He
noted that the discussed issues were not new proposals but new
opinions and ideas.
`These opinions were uttered in various forms, we can agree or
disagree to some of them uttered in the final variant. However, there
is a style in diplomacy-you should reach a compromise,’ Mammadyarov
said.
Commenting on the co-chairs’ calling `the parties to the conflict
should prepare their peoples to peace not to a war’, the Minister
said that official Baku also supports peace, `However, Azerbaijan’s
lands are under occupation, we have about a million of refugees and
IDPs. These lands should be liberated sooner or later.’
While commenting on proposals on holding a referendum in Nagorno
Garabagh like in Montenegro, Mammadyarov stressed that the situations
are quite different in Azerbaijan and Montenegro.
`Montenegrins and Serbians are living together there. So, our
position is that only Armenian community can hold it after Garabagh’s
status is solved. Returning of Azerbaijanis displaced from there
should be provided and they should participate in the process in
Nagorno Garabagh. The Referendum can be held in the framework of
Azerbaijan’s Constitution,’ the Minister underlined.
Mammadyarov declined to rule out that after achieving a status
Nagorno Garabagh will have a Constitution and reminded that
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has a Constitution too.
`Autonomous republics in Russia have their own Constitutions too,’
Azerbaijani Minister noted./APA/

88TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROCLAMATION OF REPUBLIC
Lragir.am
26 May 06
Two days before the 88th anniversary of proclamation of the first
Republic of Armenia the representatives of the three political forces,
which had a key role in the establishment of the three Armenian
republics, met at the Pastark Club to discuss the role of proclamation
of the first republic in the establishment of the Armenian
statehood. The `representative’ of the first republic was Kiro
Manoyan, in charge of Hay Dat and political affairs of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun), Yura Manukyan, the leader
of the United Communist Party represented Soviet Armenia, and the
third republic was represented by Hovanes Igityan., the All-Armenian
Movement. All the three said hopefully there will not be a fourth
republic, depending on political forces which come to or lose
power. The importance of May 28 is great, there was complete agreement
on this question too. The first republic teaches devotion and care for
the state, this is another common opinion.
People did everything. The political parties had certain
responsibility, this point of view was not opposed either.
According to Kiro Manoyan, the proclamation of the republic in 1918
showed that, first of all, the state and statehood are the anchor of
existence ofthe Armenian people, and second, Armenia is the home of
all Armenians. Hovanes Igityan thinks Armenia would not exist today if
it were not declared independent 88 years ago. Yura Manukyan also
stresses the proclamation of the first republic but by the way. He
mostly praises the Soviet republic, and statesthat `only socialist
reforms can upgrade the life of people, and socialism is the most
humanist way of life.’
Now about the mistakes. According to Yura Manukyan, a major mistake of
the Communists was connected with applying forms of ownership, and
there was a cruel treatment of the church. Kiro Manoyan cannot see
what his fellows could have done not to lose independence. `On those
days conditions did not allow seeing what there would be,’ says Kiro
Manoyan, adding that Dashnaktsutiun lost or yielded power for the sake
of the state, for the sake of Armenia, it prevented bloodshed.
The government of the first republic was also a coalition. Kiro
Manoyan asserts that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation formed a
coalition as asign of national unity. Hovanes Igityan, however, has a
different opinion on the coalition governments of the first and third
republics, `At that time the ARF was distributing portfolios, they
chose who to give to. Now ARF is given portfolios, others choose to
give or not.’