A CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH IS NEEDED
By Karine Mangassarian
Yerkir.am
May 12, 2006
What role can the political and societal attitudes of conflicting
parties have in the Karabagh settlement process? A roundtable
discussion was organized by Social Communication NGO and the Armenian
Association for Conflict and Peace Research on May 11 to discuss
this question.
Representative of ARF’s Supreme Body, head of the standing
parliamentary committee on external relations Armen Rustamian and
chairman of AACPR Khachik Galstian participated in the roundtable.
Rustamian started his presentation by referring to the meeting of the
Armenian and Azeri presidents in Rambouyet since this meeting generated
discussions that the negotiation process had entered a deadlock.
“Rambouollet was an important point and we have to assess it
objectively to understand where the negotiation process has reached
in the recent years and what the tendencies of today are. Many people
think that Rambouollet was a deadlock. I don’t think so. If we take
such an approach this would mean that we have had many deadlocks,”
Rustamian said noting that the logic of the negotiation process
occasionally implies such outcomes.
Rustamian believes the negotiation process should be assessed from
two perspectives. First, from the perspective of the degree of
constructivity and second from the perspective of efficiency of the
negotiations. There is a lot to do in terms of ensuring a constructive
approach and the international organizations accept this fact. They
believe that no projects implemented in the region can be efficient
unless the conflicts are resolved.
What should be done to make the positions of the conflicting parties
more constructive? “In the case of Karabagh settlement it becomes
increasingly evident that the settlement process cannot be constructive
if the settlement does not reflect the nature of the conflict. In
other words, this is an ethno-political conflict and there can be no
settlement unless its root causes are eliminated.
If the causes are not settled the conflict itself cannot be settled. I
think the international community gradually understands this,”
Rustamian stated noting that it is impossible to arrive at a final
settlement of a conflict if only the consequences of the conflict are
addressed without dealing with its causes. Otherwise, peace cannot
last long.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is trying to propose step-by-step settlement
considering today’s peace as a great concession to the Armenian
side. “Peace is necessary for everyone. It cannot be in the interests
of just one party. If the other side insists that peace is a concession
and the other party should make concessions in return, this is wrong.
The negotiation process cannot be constructive if the parties do not
understand the necessity for peace,” Rustamian noted. He believes
it is wrong to address all conflicts with one and the same formula
since even the three conflicts in our region are different in terms
of their political, historical and legal aspects.
Azerbaijan is not willing to accept this fact and insists on settlement
of the conflict based on its territorial integrity. “We are ready
to respect Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity but Karabagh has never
been a part of independent Azerbaijan”, Rustamian stated.
Azerbaijan rejects any cooperation while Armenia, according to
Rustamian, considers that a platform of common interests should
be created to mitigate the parties’ mutual distrust towards each
other. Otherwise, no one can guarantee that even if an agreement is
reached it will not be breached on the very next day.
Commenting on the efficiency of the negotiation process,
Rustamian noted that the Karabagh conflict is unique in that
one of the conflicting parties, Karabagh, is not involved in the
negotiations. “What we have today is not negotiations but simply
consultations.
This process should eventually contribute to negotiations whereby
the three parties will sit around the negotiation table and agree on
a final document,” Rustamian noted adding that Armenia should not be
blamed for getting involved in the conflict since if Armenia had not
involved in it another genocide would have been committed in Karabagh.
Khachik Galstian talked about the role of people’s diplomacy in
conflict settlement, in other words, the role of the public sector. He
believes that even though on the level of political relations
militaristic statements are voiced especially by Azerbaijan, people’s
diplomacy should aim at the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
“People will have the final say in any solution of Nagorno Karabagh
conflict, ” Galstian stated noting that on this level we can witness
double standards of ethics whereby a murderer is announced the man
of the year in Azerbaijan and a murderer in Armenia.
Is the government undertaking any measures to organize interaction
between the parties at this level? According to Rustamian, the Armenian
side has always proposed to Azerbaijan to establish such relations.
However, if any Azeri political figure attempts to do something in
this direction he will not be able to return to Azerbaijan because
they think that engaging in such a dialog means treason of their
country. Galstian believes such relations should be established on
the level of intercultural communication.
Azerbaijan is not ready for this either.
What expectations can we have from the two presidents’ next
meeting? Can we expect it to be more constructive? Rustamian is not
very optimistic about this since today the principle approaches of
the two parties are very different.
Even if a document is drafted it cannot be considered final and
will only be a document stating the principles on which the parties
agree. Meanwhile, the answers to the important and subtle issues
related to the conflict can only be reached through serious work of
experts and political scientists.

ARS AWARDED THE BEST STUDENTS
By Lilit Galstian
Yerkir.am
May 12, 2006
Ninety best students received awards in the framework of the
Armenian Relief Society’s annual Best Student program. This
program was initiated in 1993 and aims at encouraging students from
socially vulnerable families studying as tuition-paying students
at universities.
ARS’s Central Board provides six thousand dollars annually to award
100 dollar prizes to 60 students every year. However, as a rule,
the number of students receiving awards increases due to funding
provided by ARS’s regional organizations. This year ARS’s office in
Greece provided additional funding for the program.
The award ceremony was held on May 10. Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau member and Deputy Speaker of the National
Assembly Vahan Hovhannissian, member of ARF’s Supreme Board of Armenia
and head of the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Science and
Education Hrach Tadevossian, member of ARS ‘s Central Board Karine
Hovhannissian and other guests attended the ceremony.
“ARS is an organization registered as a charity organization under
the UNO.
The culture of charity is not adequately developed in Armenia.
What we usually see as charity – for instance a businessman renovating
the roof of a school, or repairing the roads in a village – this is
not charity in the classical meaning of the word. This is done to
gain political profit during elections. Meanwhile, ARS, and a couple
of other organizations, do charity proper, in the classical meaning
of the word. This is not the only program our organization implements.
Not many people know about ARS’s orphan-care program. ARS has been
paying 120 dollars to 7000 children who lost their parents during the
war for the past 13 years. This is much more than our government can
do,” Vahan Hovhannissian stated.
Hovhannissian stressed the importance of the Best Student Program
since it fosters the education level of the young generation. “The
money the students receive does not cover all of their needs. However,
this is an encouragement.
Tomorrow, many of them will become leaders of the country. We have
to motivate them to understand that fair competition should prevail
in education,” Hovhannissian said.
Over 200 students from public and private universities of Armenia
apply to participate in the program. Even though applications from
private universities are also considered public universities have a
priority. Students in their second year and higher can participate
in the competition.
“We think that the tuition fees at public universities are higher this
is why we are trying to help the students at public universities. Of
course there are some exceptions because we really have many good
students,” Karine Hovhannissian said.
ARS is implementing a similar program in Artsakh. This year the
program will be launched in Javakhq. Several students from Javakhq have
received awards every year in the framework of the program implemented
in Armenia. This year it was decided that 5 out of 60 awards will
be allocated for students from Javakhq studying in Armenia. Separate
awards are envisaged for students from Artsakh.

FRENCH DEPUTY SAYS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND HOLOCAUST ESSENCE
Yerkir.am
May 12, 2006
In an interview with the Turkish daily Sabah, Didie Migo, a Solicits
member of the French National Assembly and sponsor of a bill penalizing
the denial of the Armenian Genocide, said he continues to support
the bill.
“I have no intention to teaching lessons of ethics to the Turks,”
Migo was quoted as saying. “But I don’t share the opinion of the
French deputies who oppose the bill.”
As reported by the Noyan Tapan, Migo said the bill is the continuation
of the 2001 French law recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
He also said historians will still be free to make their assessments
and that the French courts should be trusted in evaluating the
difference between denial and assessments.
Comparing the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide, the French lawmaker
said: “For us there is no difference because there is no difference
between the Jewish Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide, both were the
same in essence, and it is incomprehensible why Turkey continues to
deny the fact of the Genocide.
This is an indisputable fact. It is, indeed, hard for a nation to
admit that their grandfathers committed unjust acts in the past.”

HEARINGS ON THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ETHNIC CLEANSING HELD IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH
ArmRadio.am
15.05.2006 16:48
Speaker of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan declared today that
in April-June 1991 the authorities of Soviet Azerbaijan organized and
carried out ” a cruel policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh
and adjacent territories” on the state level.”
Ashot Ghulyan said this speaking at the parliamentary hearings on
“Oghak operation: The violations of Soviet Azerbaijan and Soviet Union
authorities against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and
adjacent territories.”
Ashot Ghulyan noted that the accomplishment of these programs stalled
the nationwide struggle of the Karabakh people, which ended in the
establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
“Only establishment of statehood could resist this policy, which
resulted in the establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in
1992,” the NA Speaker noted.
Head of the NKR Parliament spoke for the unification of the efforts
of state structures to collect facts of anti-Armenian policy of
Azerbaijan. He informed that an ad hoc committee will be set to
investigate the violations against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by
authorities of Soviet and independent Azerbaijan.
Participants of the hearings characterized the “Oghak” operation as a
” terrorist act by Azerbaijan.” It was noted during the hearings that
the Azeri authorities did not only refuse to take responsibility for
these actions, but also continue to speak on the language of terrorism
with Nagorno-Karabakh, threatening to resolve the Karabakh conflict
via force.
During the “Ohak” operation 6030 people from 24 villages were
forcefully displaced.

RUSSIA HOPES UNDERSEA DEVICE CAN LIFT RECORDERS FROM PLANE THAT CRASHED IN BLACK SEA
AP Worldstream
May 14, 2006
Russian authorities plan to use a robotic device to try to recover
the flight data recorders from an Armenian passenger jet that crashed
in the Black Sea earlier this month, killing all 113 people on board,
the ITAR-Tass news agency reported Sunday.
The device, which includes a video monitor and a hydraulic apparatus
that will be used to try to lift the recorders from a depth of nearly
500 meters (1,640 feet), was being loaded onto a ship in the port of
Novorossiisk, ITAR-Tass said.
It cited the head of the state commission investigating the May 3
crash, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, as saying an operation to
recover the “black boxes” would begin Tuesday.
Authorities hope the recorders will help them pinpoint the cause of
the crash. The Armavia Airbus A-320 plunged into the sea in heavy
rain and poor visibility as it approached the airport in Adler,
near the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
The PT-1000 device has been used by geologists to lift natural objects
weighing up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds) from the sea floor, the report
said. It has not been used to lift man-made objects.

PRESS RELEASE
The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA)
56B, MIRZA GHALIB ST. KOLKATA (Calcutta), India
E-mail: [email protected]
Manager: Father Oshagan Gulgulian
11th May 2006
See photo of the students and the Armenian press release at:
Id=734ahh67
For the first time since their enrollment three years ago in the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA), a group of Iranian Armenian
students (24 in number) headed home to spend summer vacations with parents,
relatives and friends in Iran.
The students were accompanied in their journey back with Ararad Yeghigian
and ex-student of the Academy and the current representative in Iran, who
arrived earlier to Kolkata specifically for this purpose. During his visit
to the Academy Yeghigian had meetings with the administration of the school
and examined closely the living conditions of the students. He was briefed
on their future educational prospects. Following his tour Yeghigian pointed
out that, although the Academy is facing different sorts of challenges, but
recent developments have clearly shown that the situation is changing
positively toward a brighter future.
The manager of the Academy Father Oshagan Gulgulian blessed the students
prior their departure and wished they will be able to return back, after
staying some time near their beloved ones, with more energy and freshness,
in order to go ahead with their studies, under the ceiling of this 185 years
old historical educational institute.

ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
65 Main St., #3A
Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Barbara J. Merguerian
[email protected]
617-92 6-0171
Women’s Leadership in Business and Government Will Be Discussed at AIWA’s
Annual Meeting on May 20
BOSTON, MASS. – The public is invited to join in a discussion about
women’s leadership in business and government at the 15th Annual
Meeting of the Armenian International Women’s Association on Saturday,
May 20, at the Winchester Country Club in Winchester, Mass.
Armenian women are vastly under-represented in political and
economic leadership positions, but the reasons for this situation and
possible solutions are subjects of debate.
The standard explanation is that Armenia remains a
conservative and male-dominated society where women are largely
confined to minor positions outside the home.
But at a recent workshop Yerevan, one female politician
argued that the women themselves are to blame for their extremely weak
presence in the executive and legislative branches of government,
because they are more reluctant than men to vote women into office.
The situation is not much improved in societies considered
more advanced. If there are only six women in the Armenian parliament,
or 5% of the total, the figures are only slightly higher in the United
States, where women make up only 14% of the membership in the Senate
and 13% in the House of Representatives.
Several women will join in a panel discussion exploring
`Paths to Leadership: Armenian Women in Business and Government.’
These will include Hranush Hakobyan, Deputy in the Parliament of the
Republic of Armenia and president of Aiwa/Armenia, Rachel Kaprielian,
a Watertown Representative inthe Massachusetts Legislature, Nancy
Kolligian, Chairman of Distributor Corporation of New England, and
Sharyn S. Boornazian, Leslie University Certification Officer and
Armenia liaison for AIWA’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Program in
Armenia.
Among those present for the meeting will be actress and author
Nora Armani, who has appeared extensively on stage and screen
worldwide andis currently writing about Soviet Armenian Cinema
(1965-75) as a PhD candidateat the London School of Economics, from
which she also holds a Masters Degree in Sociology.
The event will begin with registration and coffee at 10 a.m. and
the annual Business Meeting at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Luncheon
and Program at 12 noon
AIWA President Suzanne E. Moranian will preside over the business
meeting, and former president and one of the founders, Barbara
Merguerian, will moderate the panel discussion.
Among the topics included on the meeting agenda are the future
plans of AIWA’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) in Armenia, the
organization of the next international conference, AIWA’s
publications, scholarship program, Women’s Archives, and other
projects designed to increase the visibility of Armenian women and to
promote their equal role in the community.
Established in 1991 `to unite Armenian women worldwide and to
address the critical issues facing them everywhere,’ AIWA and its
programs are open to all who share its goals.

Iran Mania, Iran
May 14 2006
Iran can connect Armenia to world: Official
Sunday, May 14, 2006 – ©2005 IranMania.com

LONDON, May 14 (IranMania) – Head of Armenia’s Chamber of Commerce
Martin Sarkisian said that only Iran can act as a highway to connect
Armenia to the world, said IRNA.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the first specialized
exhibition on the products of his country in the provincial capital
of Sari, he said that since the independence of Armenia Iran has been
his country’s major partner in all modern economic fields over the
past decade.
He referred to the great attraction of the exhibition on potentials
of Mazandaran province in Armenia to businessmen and said that it
paved the way for inking several cooperation agreements between the
two sides.
“Armenia’s first exhibition in Sari aims to introduce the province to
Armenian producers. As a first experience, we hope that the event
will help strengthen bilateral relations,” he added.
The Armenian official said that his country and Mazandaran province
mostly cooperate in scientific, medical and agricultural fields as
well as rendering various services.
For his part, Deputy Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries
and Mines, Alaeddin Mir-Mohammad Sadeqi, referred to 30 chambers at
the provincial capitals across the country and said, “Even in some
provincial cities chambers of commerce have been established, which
can prepare the ground for cooperation with other countries.”
He added that continued communication between the two sides will be
in the interest of both Iran and and Armenia.

Zaman, Turkey
May 14 2006
Compelling Statements from Erdogan
By Ekrem Dumanli, Bali, Indonesia
Published:
zaman.com
Journalists had the opportunity to hear significant remarks from
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on domestic and
international issues during his visit to Indonesia.
Erdogan traveled to Indonesia to attend a gathering of D-8 countries
after his visit to Austria, where a meeting of officials from the
European Union and Latin American countries was held.
On the flight from Austria to Indonesia, journalists heard Erdogan
speak on a wide range of topics – from the Middle East to the upcoming
presidential elections in Turkey, from the tension between the
governments of Turkey and France over the so-called Armenian
genocide, to his recent football performance.
Erdogan is making plans for a surprise visit to the United States; he
believes that as Turkey is Co-President of the Greater Middle-East
and Northern Africa Projects, it has an immense responsibility and
the Turkish government should do its utmost.
`The tension in the region is set to mount due to Iran’s nuclear
activities. I do not expect to see a war; however, there is bound to
be a heavy price for us to pay. I have plans to take a trip to the
United States as soon as I return to my country.’
Erdogan pressed for the need to recognize Iran’s right to have
nuclear power, provided that Iran’s nuclear involvement be open to
international inspection.
The Tehran administration does not object to an examination of its
nuclear activities, said Erdogan, and stressed the need not to be
over-judgmental, since it is not the change of regime in Iran that
deserves focus.
The recent growing trend of reactionary news in Turkey is bound to
the approaching presidential elections, said Erdogan.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he will ask
the United States for an appointment to discuss the Iran, Iraq, and
Palestine issues after returning to Turkey from Indonesia.
`As co-chairman of the Greater Middle East and Northern Africa
Projects, Turkey is under a huge responsibility,’ Erdogan said,
tension has escalated in the region due to Iran’s nuclear activities.
`I predict hot developments in the region. In such a case, Turkey
will suffer greatly. I am thinking of visiting the US as soon as I
return to Turkey, and I will ask for an appointment. On May 25 and
26, I will meet the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which is
important for the United Nations Security Council. We should discuss
the Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Palestine issues.’
Erdogan stressed that the Iranian issue can be resolved
diplomatically and said Iran has the right to enjoy nuclear power;
however, its activities should be open to international inspections.
`The issue should not be quickly and harshly resolved. A regime
change in Iran should not be discussed. There are problems with
transparency, however, Iran is not against International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections and the international community
should be informed about that.’
Erdogan said he did not approve of the international community
halting the transfer of financial aid to Palestine after HAMAS
(Islamic Resistance Movement) won the elections and discussed the
issue with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
`Palestine is like an open prison,’ Erdogan said, adding, `When Rice
came to Turkey I asked her about the decision to stop humanitarian
and financial aid to Palestine and said, `It is not appropriate.’
Rice said `the US is still sending humanitarian aid’ and I told her
that `Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas does not confirm this.’ We
are discussing humanitarian aid including food, oil, and sugar with
Turkey’s Special Coordinator to Palestine Vehbi Dincerler. I spoke to
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He also shares our feelings.’
Algeria bill implications
Erdogan noted France’s bill to criminalize denial of the so-called
Armenian genocide is related to its domestic political issues.
Emphasizing that French President Jacques Chirac also voiced his
discomfort over the bill during their conversation in Vienna, Erdogan
said: `Chirac wants that the bill be decided by the lower wing and
should not be carried to parliament. He said the agenda of the French
Parliament was already too busy.’
Erdogan said he met with representatives of French companies
operating in Turkey and added that they are also uncomfortable with
the current situation.
Erdogan said that a country that has considerable investments in
Turkey will of course be negatively affected with this kind of a
situation.
Replying to a question on whether Turkey could take a similar
decision about the genocide in Algeria in response to France’s move,
Erdogan said, they have not made any moves towards such a decision
yet and added: `Our patience continues up to a certain point. We want
to reach an agreement and we will continue to act with patience, but
I don’t know what will happen if this process in France continues. We
are not in the position of hostility; however, we can apply our own
sanctions.’
Negotiations can start next month
Prime Minister Erdogan also touched upon Turkey’s relations with the
European Union (EU) during our conversation and said that half the
screening process was complete.
Erdogan said the negotiations, which will be conducted as two
chapters, will start before Austria’s term presidency ends in June.
Erdogan said the process continues and that they do not need to visit
all EU member countries as they did prior to the December 17 process,
and added: `We already meet with the leaders during the summits and
have had the opportunity to impart our position. Even if we do not
have a place in the family portrait, we are invited to participate as
a gesture.’
Erdogan emphasized the government evaluates the developments over the
EU in all meetings it conducts and added that some important steps
will be taken next year in order to strengthen ties with the EU.
AKP ready for contributions to CTA, not for its withdrawal
`We are ready to work with anybody prepared to contribute to the
Counter-terrorism Act (CTA). The lawyers or others should come and
share their concerns about the CTA with us; however, no one should
expect us to completely withdraw the CTA. About twenty NGO’s came to
us with their concerns about the CTA. I told them `Let’s make this
law as a nation not just as the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
Government.’ The security forces expect legal support from us for
their struggle against terrorism. The CTA was already prepared
consulting all organs of the state. The Turkish Armed Forces is one
of them and the Presidency is another.’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 14 2006
Azeri MP slams French parliament `genocide’ decision
AssA-Irada 14/05/2006 01:44
An Azeri parliament member has aired discontent over the law the
French parliament is planning to enforce that allows prosecuting
persons denying the so-called Armenian genocide.
Raising the issue at a session of the Milli Majlis (parliament) on
Friday, the Great Establishment Party chairman, MP Fazil
Gazanfaroghlu suggested that Azerbaijan reject this country’s
co-chairmanship in the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) mediating settlement to
the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
The MP said the stance of all the three countries co-chairing the MG
(Russia, France and the United States) on the Garabagh problem is
against Azerbaijan. `We should therefore ensure that another, more
neutral country, replaces France,’ he said.
Gazanfaroghlu said Azerbaijan should stand by Turkey on the issue.
`The claims being laid out against Turkey directly refer to
Azerbaijan. If we do not take this seriously, the French Senate may
also pass a decision in the near future criminalizing the recognition
of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh as Azeri territory,’ the MP said.
Gazanfaroghlu suggested that the legislative body set up a taskforce
that would further prepare an appeal to world parliamentarians. `It
should say that the French parliament’s decision was fully prompted
by their harboring Armenians and animosity toward Turks.’