ORGANIZATION WORKS OF THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA FORUM DISCUSSED AT MEETING HELD BY RA KOCHARIAN
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues concerning
organization works of the third Armenia-Diaspora Forum were discussed
at the September 28 working meeting held by RA President Robert
Kocharian, in which the Prime Minister of the republic, NA Deputy
Chairman Vahan Hovhannisian, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Culture and Youth Issues, the Chairman of the State Committee on
Physical Education and Sport, other officials participated.
President Robert Kocharian emphasized that holding of the 2006
Armenia-Disapora Forum will coincide with the 15th anniversary
of the independence of Armenia, and this will be a good occasion
for discussing the passed way and further activities with all the
Armenians.
Two months ago the head of the country instructed the Foreign Minister
to start preliminary discussions with Diasporan organizations. Robert
Kocharian said that there are already positive responses what is a
good stimulus for starting the organization works of the forum more
practically and quickly.
The President mentioned that, first, it’s necessary to fix what
was discussed at the previous forum, what was implemented and
what wasn’t. “Rather great work has been done and now practical
negotiations should be started with all organizations of Diaspora to
justify terms and regulations of the forum, and also the main slogan
should be thought about,” Robert Kocharian said.
The President mentioned that active negotiations with parties and
organizations should be started in Armenia as well for providing a
possibly wide involvement of the forum.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian attached importance to necessity of envisaging some money
from the year state budget for holding the forum at a high level.
Vartan Oskanian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented briefly
results of preliminary discussions. It was proposed to make the idea
of a practical national program of development of rural communities of
Armenia till 2010 a theme of discussian at the Armenia-Diaspora Forum,
among programs already in the process. According to the President
of the republic, the implementation of such a program will support
strengthening of rural settlements, allow to reduce to minimum
dissociation among the city of Yerevan and rural settlements.
Such a program coincides completely with the strategic program of
overcoming poverty.
The republic President instructed to start preparation works of
the third Armenia-Diaspora Forum with all its strength, to form the
working program within one-week term mentioning strictly terms of
implementation and those responsible. The President will periodically
hold discussions concerning the process of works.

ARMENIAN FOLK TRIO TO PERFORM
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Sept 29 2005
The concert of the Zulal Armenian Folk Trio, originally scheduled for
early September at Longy School of Music, 27 Garden St. in Cambridge,
has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. at Longy.
Tickets are $20 ($15 for students) and all proceeds will be allocated
to the Hovanness Badalian Music Fund established in memory of the
late Armenian folk singer.
For more information and to purchase concert tickets visit
or call 617-733-7162

TURKEY WON’T SAY GENOCIDE, BUT U DOCUMENTARY DOES
By Don M. Burrows
Minnesota Daily, MN
Sept 29 2005
University film covers controversial Armenian genocide and garners
Emmy nomination
Armenian Genocide: 90 Years Later,” takes on one of the biggest
geopolitical controversies of the 20th century, even in its title:
Was the massacre of Armenians in 1915 an act of genocide?
The Republic of Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire
that carried out the killings, denies it was genocide, and has even
banned discussion in that vein.
The documentary, co-produced by the University’s Center for Holocaust
and Genocide Studies, uses interviews with historians and family
members of survivors to continue the discussion many avoid.
PHOTO COURTESY TESSA SAVVIDIS HOFMANN AND THE CENTRE FOR INF The
photograph “Deportation from Harput,” was used in the film “Armenian
Genocide: 90 Years Later.”
What is known is this: As many as 1.5 million Armenians were killed
from 1915 to 1917 in an apparent depopulation strategy by the Young
Turk government. Much like Jews were singled out in Nazi Germany,
Armenians – an ethnic and religious minority of artisans and skilled
laborers in Turkish society – were removed from their homes and
killed. The Turkish government, however, claims the killings were
part of ethnic clashes and denies that so many were slain.
The most compelling part of the film is the testimony of those whose
families survived the killings. Many remember their parents telling of
the horrors of leaving their homes and hiding from Turkish officials,
and recount how a remembrance of the events of 1915 is now embedded
in Armenian identity.
The documentary features two University history professors, Eric
Weitz and Taner Akcam. Akcam is a Turkish historian who was jailed
in the 1970s for broaching human rights. It first aired in April and
has since been nominated for an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy award in
the News Special category.
The timing couldn’t be better.
Just last weekend, a Turkish court canceled the academic conference
that was to occur at Bogazici University regarding this topic. The
action sparked a wave of protest from European leaders and Turkish
officials wary of bad press amid their bid for entrance into the
European Union. A previous conference was likewise banned in May
amid comments from the Turkish minister of justice, who called it
treasonous.
Stephen Feinstein, director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies, said more than 200 copies of the film have been distributed
to organizations and schools since its airing.
Feinstein said that although the current Turkish government is
different than the one that committed the slayings in 1915, it has
been defiant in recognizing it as genocide. This is despite a consensus
among genocide scholars and similar recognitions by state governments
worldwide, including the state of Minnesota. He attributes this to
fears of demanded reparations and damage to the Turkish Republic’s
grand narrative and national pride.
His main concern, and that of scholars worldwide, is that Turkey,
a supposedly free democracy, is suppressing academic discussion.
“In a democracy, you should be free to talk about the past,”
Feinstein said.
Weitz agreed, and said that while there are many Turks who accept
that genocide occurred, there are also those ideologues who fit their
denial of the genocide into their concurrent distaste for Turkey’s
entrance into the EU.
“When they challenge the ability of scholars to discuss these issues,
they are provoking the EU deliberately,” he said.
Feinstein said many documents from Turkey’s own archives prove
that a systematic killing took place, but are written in the Arabic
script that
was replaced by the Latin alphabet after World War I. Consequently,
many Turkish government officials can’t even read them.
As stated in the documentary, German records are perhaps the best
source of information on the massacres, given Germany’s alliance with
Turkey during World War I.
It was the Nazis’ knowledge of the Armenians that contributed in part
to their own policy of extermination, scholars argue.
And those involved in the now Emmy-nominated film hope it will educate
the public so as to contradict Hitler’s famous quote in defense of
his genocidal plans: “Who remembers the Armenians?”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HENRY CUNY: “ARMENIAN-FRENCH CULTURAL TIES COME FROM ANCIENT DAYS”
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Within the
framework of French Cultural Days in Armenia, an exhibition “Collection
of French Literature” opened on September 28, at the National Library
of Armenia. More than three hundreds of units of literature in French
kept at the library archives are displayed in separate expositions.
Rafik Ghazarian, the Deputy Director of the National Library of Armenia
mentioned that the library is provided with French literature every
year. 2400 units of incunabular books of the 16-18th centuries are
kept only in the library department of incunabular, rare and archive
literature. The most ancient book is “Heavenly, Erthly, Infernal”
published in France in 1580. There is a book with Jean Jacques
Rousseau’s signature and one book with signature of the Prince of
Monaco at the library.
“The National Library of Armenia has always been famous for its
rich collection but it was a surprise for me as well to see so many
valuable and incunabular books here. This exhibition proves that
the Armenian-French cultural ties come from ancient days, continue
today as well and are aimed to develop,” Henry Cuny, the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia mentioned.
On the same day, an exhibition of French stamps, books and documents
dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte opened at the Armenian Association
of Cultural Ties and Cooperation with Foreign Countries.

KOCHARIAN AND EU REPRESENTATIVE TO S. CAUCASUS DISCUSS SETTLEMENT PROCESS OF NK CONFLICT
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues concerning
practical cooperation program envisaged within the framework of the
New Neighborhood policy of the European Union were discussed at the
September 29 meeting of RA President Robert Kocharian with Ambassador
Heiki Talvitie, the Special Representative of the European Union to
South Caucasus.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, the
sides discussed the settlement process of the Karabakh conflict as
well, touched upon regional problems and development programs.
The process of the Constitutional reforms was also spoken about.
Robert Kocharian and Heiki Talvitie attached importance to the
constitutional reforms estimating those as a new opportunity of
development and strengthening democracy in Armenia.

NEGOTIATIONS AMONG S. CAUCASUS AND EU POSTPONED FOR PROBLEMS OF AZERBAIJAN WITH ONE OF EU COUNTRIES
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “Today it’s a
very important moment in relations among the European Union and the
South Caucasian countries: a new instrument of cooperation is created
within the framework of the “New Neighborhood” policy,” Ambassador
Heiki Talvitie, the Special Representative of the European Union to the
South Caucasus stated at the September 29 press-conference in Yerevan.
According to him, Armenia fixed a progress in the issue of preparation
of the action program, and the EU considers that the RA is able to
prepare a good program within the framework of the “New Neighborhood”
policy.
At the same time, Ambassador Talvitie stated that negotiations among
the South Caucasian countries and the EU on action programs scheduled
for early September are postponed for problems Azerbaijan has with
one of the EU countries but the diplomat didn’t specifies with which
exactly. He expressed a hope that during a month this issue will be
regulated and all South Caucasusian countries will start negotiations
with the EU. And if they aren’t the EU will undertake a differentiated
approach towards South Caucasian countries.
Heiki Talvitie specially emphasized that the EU is for a balanced
approach towards all countries included in the “New Neighbors”
program. “We attempt to keep a balance in relations of the South
Caucasian countries as an existance of balance is a good guarantee
for development of relations with the EU and regional cooperation
for what the EU states unequivocally.”
As for conflicts in the region which are obstacle on the way of
regional cooperation, H.Talvitie expressed a hope that dynamics fixed
the negotiation process on peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict
will create good conditions for regional cooperation.
“The priority given to the South Caucasian countries in international
policy is very beneficial for those countries,” the Special
Representative of the European Union stated.
He appreciated the Armenian authorities’ efforts on reformation
of the acting Constitution. “The European society has attempted to
assure Armenia in necessity of reformation of Armenia by now. The
amendments go on in the right direction, and we support them,” Heiki
Talvitie stated.

UNION OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA FOUNDS STRUCTURE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Union of
Armenians in Russia intends to found in Armenia a universal structure
responsible for implementation of its program in the spheres of
business, culture, science, etc. At the September 28 press-conference
within the framework of Days of World Armenian Congress (WAC) and Union
of Armenians in Russia (UAR) in Armenia and Artsakh, Ara Abrahamian,
the President of the two organizations stated about this.
He mentioned that he was going to discuss this issue at the September
29 meeting with RA President Robert Kocharian.
According to Ara Abrahamian, though a number of programs has beem
implemented, the UAR has no concrete mechanism of cooperation with
Armenia till now, and in the case of existance of such a structure
the cooperation would be more effective.
Ara Abrahamian pointed out the active assistance of the UAR to Armenia
in the sphere of education: the UAR gifts a thousand of computers
to schools of Armenia every year, repairing works are also held
at schools.
During the five years of its existance, the UAR didn’t out the
Armenian science and culture of its attention. According to Ara
Abrahamian, the organization headed by him allocates few hundreds
of thousand dollars for needs of the RA National Academy of Science
every year. Among the UAR business programs in Armenia, the President
of the organization specially pointed out 50 mln dollars construction
works being implemented on the North avenue.
As for the issue if the UAR new structure will occupy itself with
political activity in Armenia Ara Abrahamian stated: “And without
us there are a lot of people here busy in politics. Besides, we
are citizens of Russia and have no right of being busy in policy
in Armenia.” He proved the information that the UAR supported the
Armenian Liberal Democratic Party during 2003 parliamentary elections:
“We supported the ALDP, we’ll support political forces of Armenia
during the 2007 elections as well, but we’ll do it with not violating
Armenian legislations.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GHUKASIAN WELCOMES INITIATIVE OF ARMENIAN TRADE CHAMBER OF SYDNEY TO ESTABLISH PRACTICAL RELATIONS WITH NKR
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues of
widening relations with the Armenian community of Australia and making
community representatives participants of processes of improvement
and development of NKR were discussed during the September 28 meeting
headed by NKR President Arkadi Ghukasian.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NKR President’s acting Press
Secretary, Varuzhan Iskandarian, the NKR Permanent Representative
to Australia, Hakob Abulakian, an Australian Armenian businessman,
Mihran Abulakian, a businessman and the Deputy Chairman of the Armenian
Trade Chamber of Sydney, Australia, participated in the meeting.
President Arkadi Ghukasian welcame the initiative of the Sydney
Armenian Trade Chamber to establish practical relations with the
NKR and expressed a hope that the initiative will support economic
development of the republic.
Among other issues, participants of the meeting touched upon Australian
Armenian businessmen’s programs to make great investments in the
sphere of NKR mountain industry. On behalf of the NKR authorities,
Arkadi Ghukasian expressed readiness to show necessary assistance
for their implementation.

OSKANIAN APPRECIATES EP’S DECISION ON CALLING ON TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “We appreciate
the decision of the European Parliament, it’s quite a natural one:
if Turkey wants to become a member of the European Union it should be
like other EU countries that’s to accept and watch its past openly,”
Vartan Oskanian, the RA Foreign Minister stated at the September 29
press-conference commenting upon the September 28 resolution of the
European Parliament.
To recap, in the process of the enlarged session, the European
Parliament postponed studying of the issue on starting negotiations
on Turkey’s membership to the EU, instead of this, adopting a
resolution on calling on Ankara to recognize the Armenian Genocide
in Ottaman Turkey. The given proposeal was supported by the majority
of parliamentaries.

RA FM AND EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSS CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On September 29,
Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, EU Special Representative to the South
Caucasus, was received by RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
and Information Department, the discussion mainly proceeded by 4
directions: EU-Armenia relations, Nagorno Karabakh settlement process,
Armenia-Turkey relations and constitutional reforms.
Touching upon working out of Armenian Action Plan within the
framework of the European Neighborhood policy, the sides confirmed
their readiness to take steps in this direction. In particular, it was
mentioned that within the framework of the program EU’s disagreements
with Azerbaijan mustn’t be an obstacle for Armenia’s progress.
V.Oskanian and H.Talvitie exchanged thoughts about the current state
and prospects of Nagorno Karabakh settlement.
Then RA Foreign Minister and EU Special Representative touched upon
the current state and prospects of Armenian-Turkish relations at the
bilateral level, as well as in the light of Turkey’s membership to EU.
The interlocutors attached importance to the constitutional amendments
in Armenia estimating them as a good opportunity for development of
democracy in Armenia.