COMMISSION OF RUSSIA’S PUBLIC CHAMBER CONDEMNS VANDALISM IN NAKHIJEVAN
AZG Armenian Daily
19/05/2006
On May 17, the commission on culture and spiritual heritage of
Russia’s Public Chamber headed by Metropolit Kliment discussed the
alarming issue of annihilation of Armenian monuments in Nakhijevan,
Azerbaijan, that was raised at a recent roundtable in Moscow. Despite
UNESCO’s efforts, Azerbaijani vandals destroyed the remaining 4.000
khachkars (stone crosses) in New Jugha.
According to Yerkramas newspaper, 27.000 Armenian monuments – churches,
monasteries and chapels – dated 7-19 century were destroyed during the
years of Azerbaijani rule in Nakhijevan. The state-backed vandalism
is aimed at wiping away the Armenian trace in Nakhijevan.
The commission unanimously condemned the vandalism in New Jugha
as well as expressed willingness jointly with other commissions of
the Public Chamber to inquire after the state of foreign cultural
monuments in Azerbaijan.

COMMON POINT OF KOSOVO AND KARABAKH CONFLICTS – COLLAPSE OF UNIFIED STATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 15:08 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It is possible to draw parallels between conflicts,
especially those of Kosovo and Karabakh, Russian Co-Chair of
the OSCE MG for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
1992-1996, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov stated in an interview with a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, there are two polar points of
view in the politics. “The first says that here is a common concept
for settlement of all conflicts, the second – that each conflict is
unique. The truth lies in the middle, as usual. There are solutions
that can partially be used both here and there,” Vladimir Kazimirov
noted.
In the Russian diplomat’s opinion, there is a common point of Kosovo
and Karabakh conflicts, i.e. collapse of a unified state, in this case
the USSR and Yugoslavia; the desire of autonomies to live on their
own. “However, there are many different points between these conflicts,
which cannot be left out when passing any agreements,” he said.

FIRST MOTORCADE WITH RUSSIAN MATERIEL ARRIVED IN ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 13:42 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The first motorcade with materiel of the 62nd Russian
military base in Akhalkalaki crossed the border and arrived in Armenia,
reported Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces of the Russian
Defense Ministry, colonel Igor Konoshenkov. “This is the first out
of 13 motorcades with materiel, being withdrawn from Georgia to be
provided as additional equipment for 102nd Russian military base in
Gyumri, Aremnia. The motorcade is composed of 10 cars,” he stated. In
his words, there were no problems with advancement of the motorcade
in Batumi. “In the Georgian territory the motorcade was accompanied
with representatives of the criminal and military police of Georgia,
as well as Russian servicemen,” Konoshenkov explained. Another 11
motorcades of motor equipment and 20 echelons of heavy machinery are
to be withdrawn this year. As reported earlier, the Russian-Georgian
Agreement on the terms, order of temporary functioning and withdrawal
of Russian military bases and other military objects of the Group
of Russian Troops in Transcaucasia from Georgia was signed March 31,
2006, reports RIA Novosti.

CANADIAN PM CONGRATULATES ANCC ON OPENING OFFICE IN OTTAWA
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 16:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, has
sent a congratulatory message to the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC) on the occasion of the opening of its national office
in Ottawa. As the ANCC told PanARMENIAN.Net, the message specifically
says, “The Armenian-Canadian community has made a profound contribution
to Canada in many domains. Your new permanent office in the nation’s
capital will ensure that Parliament and the Government of Canada are
aware of the concerns and aspirations of Armenian-Canadians.” Over 30
MPs and Senators attended ANCC’s national office opening on April 25.
The Prime Minister’s heartfelt sentiments and initiative are greatly
appreciated by tens of thousand members and supporters of ANCC,
said Aris Babikian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National
Committee of Canada. “We are proud and honored with our association
and cooperation with the Prime Minister. It is a great pleasure to
see a government and a Prime Minister with such a compassionate and
principled feelings towards Canadians and their concerns.”
From: Baghdasarian

WEATHER ABRUPT WORSENING HAMPERS SEARCH FOR A-320 FLIGHT RECORDERS
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 17:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The weather worsened abruptly at the location,
where A-320 liner’s flight recorders are sought for. It rains and the
sea is heavy, reported the operative staff of technical support to the
operation. “The wind was strong at night – 20m/s. It is extremely hard
to search at the sea bottom, however attempts are made,” the source
said. According to data available, the flight recorders are at the
depth of 496 meters and the distance between them makes 5 meters.
A-320 airbus of Armavia air company (Armenia) fell in the Black Sea
on the night of May 3 when coming in the land at Sochi airport. 113
persons died. Attempts to lift the flight recorders of the crashed
airplane resumed late at night, when the wind dropped.
Navigator vessel having a deep-water device aboard remains in the
location of the search for flight recorders, reported the operative
staff of technical support to the operation, reports Itar-Tass.

KAZIMIROV: WHATEVER KOCHARIAN AND ALIYEV SIGN, THEY WILL BE ACCUSED IN BETRAYAL
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 14:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Concentration of responsibility on the matter of
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict fully lies on Presidents
and this is not correct, as the public opinion of both parties is
not ready to the signing of any agreements now, Russian Co-Chair
of the OSCE MG for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in
1992-1996, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov stated in an interview with
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
In his words, whatever the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
sign, they will be accused in betrayal. In Kazimirov’s opinion, it
is necessary to prepare the public opinion and the MPs role comes
out here. “The Bishkek agreement on cease-fire is only a political
document without any legal basis. Based on it being exactly a
political document, it turns out that Azerbaijan has recognized
Nagorno Karabakh as a party to conflict, as the protocol is also
signed by a NK representative. However, it has no legal effect, as
it is not ratified by Parliaments of the conflicting countries,”,
the Russian diplomat said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DAMAGE DEPRIVED ALMOST ENTIRE ARMENIA OF INTERNET
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 14:04 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today the principal and reserve cables, providing
Internet access to Armenia, were damaged near Charentsavan and
Ashtarak towns.
Resulting from it almost entire Armenia is deprived of Internet. As
ArmenTel company told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the damage was
caused by carelessness during construction works. Meanwhile, ArmenTel
company representatives cannot say for sure, when the Internet access
will be restored.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE CONNECTION IS RESTORED
A1+
[02:33 pm] 18 May, 2006
The quality of internet connection has worsened since the morning. It
was determined by the damage of the optical cable. The connection is
already restored.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN COE AND EU ON FMS AGENDA
Today, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006
The Committee of Foreign Ministers from the 46 member states of the
Council of Europe will hold its 116th session on Thursday 18 and
Friday 19 May in Strasbourg.
This meeting will mark the end of the current Romanian presidency,
which will be succeeded by that of the Russian Federation, AzerTAg
informs.
As is informed, the meeting of Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Minister of
Azerbaijan, with Vardan Oskanyan his Armenian counterpart in the frame
of the session is planned as well. Elmar Mammadyarov visits Strasbourg
in order to partake at 116th session of Committee of Ministers Council
of Europe on May 17. Discussions on Human Rights and Cooperation with
European Union will be the topics of the discussions.
As stated, Romania will turn over its chairmanship at Committee of
Ministers to Russia. FM of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanian of Armenia will hold next round of the negotiations on
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict in framework of ‘Prague
Process’. The new ideas submitted by the OSCE Minsk Group will be
the main objects of discussions.
URL:

LEVON MKRTCHYAN HAS RETURNED
A1+
[03:01 pm] 18 May, 2006
Today RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan introduced newly appointed
Minister of Science and Education Levon Lazarian to the personnel.
The Prime Minister underlined that they will continue to make reforms
in the sphere of science and education according to the program
introduced by the government, there won’t be abrupt changes in
political field and the specialists who were actively engaged in the
implementation of reforms and had their share in the field within the
previous years will continue their work. He noted that the dismissal of
Sergo Eritsyan from his post was determined by a number of political
factors and motives and he thanked Eritsyan for joint work. The Prime
Minister claimed that there is no need to introduce the new minister
as he is well known in the Ministry as a former minister. Everybody
is acquainted with his style of working. The minister is also aware
of the policy of the sphere and the problems it counters. There won’t
be difficulties on this score, and Levon Lazarian will continue the
work initiated by Sergo Eritsyan maintaining the principle of sequence
and will remain faithful to the spirit of reforms made earlier and
to the programs approved by the government.
Sergo Eritsyan wished success to the new minister and voiced hope
that all the reforms will be finally and logically finished during
his office.
Levon Lazarian thanked Eritsyan for his wishes and assured that they
will continue main reforms in the sphere of education and science
with the assistance of the Government and specialists of the field.