IMPROVEMENT OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 14:30
Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis declared that for
improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations it is necessary to settle
the Karabakh conflict.
“This is really an important issue. However, it takes a secondary
character and is just the edge of the problem. The central
question should be solved, and we know that it is the future of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Thus, let’s get engaged in the essence of the issue
and not rotate around it,” Terry Davis said.

VALDAS ADAMKUS CALLS ON ARMENIANS NOT TO BE SILENT ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 14:50
“Don’t keep silent about the Armenian Genocide, continue the open
dialogue, allow the world to learn more about it, and one day there
will certainly be a proper response,” Lithuanian President Valdas
Adamkus said during the meeting with faculty and students of the
Yerevan State University.
He characterized the Armenian Genocide issue as a “gentle and sensitive
one” and urged the Armenian people to do all in this direction that
it considers correct.
As for the question how Lithuania’s recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has impacted the country’s relations with Turkey, Valdas
Adamkus responded that the relations between states should develop
based on mutual respect and a friendly atmosphere. If Turkey follows
these principles, no problems will emerge.
“If Turkey wants to be a member of the European Union, it should
develop its relations with other countries, including Armenia, based
on this principle,” Valdas Adamkus said.

ABOUT 160 EVENTS ORGANIZED IN FRANCE TO COMMEMORATE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS
Yerkir
26.04.2006 12:12
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Events marking the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide began in Paris April 23. On that day a requiem mass was
served at Notre Dame de Paris.
The same evening at 6:00 p.m. part of Champs-Elysees Avenue was
partially blocked. Hundreds of French Armenians with flags and
flowers walked to the Trumphal Arch in silence. There Armenian
Ambassador to France and Jacques Chirac’s special representative,
military commandant of Elysee Palace laid a wreath to the grave of
the Unknown Soldier next to the eternal fire.
April 24 bells of some 40 Armenian churches tolled in different
French cities, marking the beginning of mourning liturgies in the
memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide. Requiem mass was held in
St. Hovhannes Armenian Cathedral. Wreaths were laid to the monument
to Komitas. Rally participants then walked to the Turkish embassy
in silence.
April 24 Armenian NA Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan and Ambassador to
France Eduard Nalbandyan participated in the ceremony of opening an
Armenian Genocide Memorial. State and political figures, thousands
of Armenians were present at the ceremony.
The same day the Armenian Ambassador and Lyon Mayor, MP Jacques Colomb
partook in the opening of an Armenian Genocide monument in the city
central square. Addressing those gathered Nalbandyan remarked some
50 Genocide monuments in France evidence not only recognition, but
also solidarity with Armenians.
April 23-24 some 160 events commemorating the victims of the Armenian
Genocide were held in 60 French towns: Grenoble, Toulon, Valence,
Montpellier, Cannes and others. The topic of the Armenian Genocide
was widely covered by French media and TV. Various French TV channels
showed films on the Armenian Genocide.
From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY DISAGREES WITH SOME OF BUSH STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN ANNIVERSARY
Anatolia news agency
25 Apr 06
Ankara, 25 April: “It is not possible for Turkey to share some
expressions of US President George Bush in his statement released
on 24 April. On the other hand, the reference to creation of joint
commissions is positive,” said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman
Namik Tan on Tuesday [25 April].
Replying a question about President Bush’s statement on so-called
Armenian genocide anniversary, Tan said: “President Bush displayed
his regular attitude of releasing a written statement on ‘Armenian
remembrance day’ on 24 April this year as well. It is not possible
for Turkey to share some assessments in the statement.”
“History can only be written and assessed on the basis of official
documents. The resource is the archives,” he noted.
“Controversial part of Turkish-Armenian joint history can only be
researched on scientific aspect, and the assessments can be made
under the results of these researches,” he added.
Tan said: “Thus, Turkey’s proposal (to Armenia) to investigate
incidents before and after 1915 by a joint history commission (and to
share results with people) can enlighten this period of history and
normalize the relations between the two countries, and this initiative
should be supported.”
US President George Bush said in his statement (released on 24 April):
“Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th century
– the mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5m Armenians
in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy
for all humanity and one that we and the world must never forget. We
mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it remains
a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe
in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human
life. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions,
that strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and
move Armenia and Turkey towards normalized relations.”

LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TSITSERNAKABERD
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 10:04
On the last day of his official visit to Armenia, Lithuanian
President Valdas Adamkus will have a meeting with the faculty and
students of Yerevan State University. He will attend Matenadaran and
Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to Genocide victims.

SITTING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMISSION OF NKR AND ARMENIA TO BE HELD IN STEPANAKERT
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 10:40
Sitting of the Parliamentary Cooperation Commission of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh will be held today in Stepanakert. It is expected
that issues related to coordination of legislative activity of the two
countries as well as development and adoption of the NKR Constitution
will be discussed.
Reference will be made to the inclusion of NKR representatives in
Armenian delegations to European structures.

TERRY DAVIS: SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT PROCEEDS FROM THE INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE WORLD
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 13:50
“I closely observe all that is happening around the Karabakh issue,”
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis told MEDIAMAX
Agency.
“It’s a pity that the settlement of this issue takes such a long
time, since its resolution proceeds from the interests of peoples of
Armenia, Azerbaijan and especially Nagorno-Karabakh,” CoE Secretary
General said.
In response to the question about more active involvement of the
Council of Europe in the settlement of the Karabakh issue, Terry
Davis said, “The leading role in this process belongs to the OSCE
Minsk Group. I sincerely wish success to Russian, American and French
Co-Chairs in the complex mission they are engaged in. The settlement
of the conflict proceeds not only from the interests of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, but also those of the whole world. However, I repeat that
the leading role belongs to the OSCE, not the Council of Europe.”

TERRY DAVIS: I SEE NO SERIOUS PROBLEM IN ARMENIA-COUNCIL OF EUROPE RELATIONS
ArmRadio.am
26.04.2006 14:10
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis declared in
his interview to MEDIAMAX Agency that he does not see any problem in
Armenia-Council of Europe relations.
“Sometimes I’m surprised with the fact that we are constantly searching
for problems. Sure, there are certain phenomena in Armenia, which
we would like to see changed. We call on Armenia to do everything
possible to “reach” the rest of Europe. From time to time we have to
tell our friends from Armenia that we still expect accomplishment of
this or that obligation. It is useful.
Therefore, I see no serious problem in Armenia-Council of Europe
relations,” Terry Davis declared.

RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF POLITICAL CHARACTER TO ARMENIA
Yerkir
26.04.2006 12:08
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey is not of historical, but political character
to Armenia, Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated at a joint
news conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Valdas Adamkus in
Yerevan. In his words, Turkey’s non-recognition of the fact creates
obstacles to normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
”For a long rime the issue was an ideological trap for political
goals.
Armenia did not have independent statehood to fight for international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Today we have a state, a strong
Diaspora,” the President said. He also emphasized Armenians should
not become hostages of the past, but should work for normal relations
in the region.
The Armenian leader also thanked the Lithuanian Parliament for
adoption of a resolution on December 15, 2005, which recognizes the
Armenian Genocide.
–Boundary_(ID_ArqMluCo1pNMAp9b8hH0PA)- –

ARMENIAN LEADER DENIES LINKS BETWEEN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT, IRAN CRISIS
Mediamax news agency
25 Apr 06
Yerevan, 25 April: “I have not noticed links between the
intensification of the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement process and the
situation surrounding Iran,” Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said
at a joint news conference with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus
in Yerevan today.
Kocharyan said that he did not “feel any additional pressure from the
USA in the settlement process”. He pointed out that the US, Russian
and French co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group “have a single position
and coordinate their work”.
Kocharyan also said that “the negotiating process at present is in
an active phase”, adding that this was not the result of pressure
exerted by the mediators.
“The mandate on the basis of which the mediators are implementing
their activity, does not imply putting pressure on the parties to
the conflict. The mediators are only facilitating the efforts of the
sides aimed at achieving a resolution,” the Armenian president said.