ELIZABETH II CONGRATULATED PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 02:57
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland Elizabeth II has sent a congratulatory message to
Armenian President Robert Kocharian on the occasion of Armenia’s
national holiday – the Independence Day, the British Embassy in
Yerevan told PanARMENIAN.Net. The message specifically notes, “I
have much pleasure in sending to Your Excellency my congratulations
on the celebration of your National Day together with my best wishes
for the prosperity and happiness of the people of Armenia.”

STRADIVARIUS VIOLIN FOR ARMENIAN VIOLINIST
A1+
| 15:59:59 | 22-09-2005 | Official |
September 24 Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan will perform with
the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia in the concert hall after
Aram Khachaturyan.
Sergey Khachatryan, the awardee and laureate of numerous contests
resides in Germany . Lately in Brussels he was awarded the first
prize of the famous Queen Elizabeth contest and received the right
to play Huggins Stradivarius violin.
Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian received the young violinist.
Wishing him every success the President wished the musician gave
concerts in his homeland once a year at least.

FOOTBALLER TO APPEAL TO COURT
A1+
| 15:22:21 | 22-09-2005 | Sports |
Former footballer of the Armenian national team Albert Sargsyan is
going to bring a suit against the Football Federation of Armenia over
the rejection to return his foreign passport.
Recently Sargsyan, who is in Russia at the moment, has received a
trauma and has to go to Europe for treatment. As reported by some
Russian media, the footballer cannot leave Russia without his passport.
The Armenian Football Federation has not reacted to the information
yet, however it promised to make a formal statement.
To remind, Albert Sargsyan refused to take part in the composition of
the national team. First the footballer had some discrepancies with
Bernard Kazoni, then he started voiced discontent with Henk Wisman.
To note, Albert Sargsyan is leading among the footballers as regards
the number of yellow and red cards received.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN CALLS ON SPEAKER HASTERT
A1+
| 13:06:07 | 22-09-2005 | Politics |
Thousands of Fans Respond to Alert on News Section of
Within hours of posting a notice last night on the System of a Down
website, thousands of fans from across the United States have sent
ANCA WebFaxes urging Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to schedule
a U.S. House vote on legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The
letters, sent through the ANCA’s free WebFax system, urge the Speaker
to honor his pledge, made in October of 2000, to hold a vote on the
Armenian Genocide Resolution. The WebFaxes stress that, “The Armenian
Genocide is a clear-cut moral issue.
Our government’s failure to stand up to Turkey’s denial is an outrage.
Today, the fate of this human rights issue rests in your hands. Do
the right thing – keep your pledge. Serve U.S. interests and American
values by allowing this legislation to reach the floor for a vote
at the earliest possible opportunity.” On September 15th, the House
International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation
properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide. During the course of a
three-hour meeting, 21members of this 50-member panel spoke in favor
of H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195, which were adopted by bipartisan
majorities of 40 to 7 and 35 to 11, respectively.
Similar legislation was adopted by the Committee in 2000, but was
withdrawn by Speaker Hastert, at the urging of President Clinton,
only moments before it was to reach the House floor for a vote. In the
aftermath of his withdrawal of the measure, Speaker Hastert pledged
to hold a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, but has, in the
five years that have followed, failed to honor this promise.
In May of this year, Mezmerize, the first half of the band’s two-part
album Mezmerize/Hypnotize, debuted as the number-one selling CD in
the United States. On April 24th of this year, System held a sold-out
“Souls 2005” benefit concert for the ANCA and other groups working
to prevent genocide and counter genocide denial. The band has sold
nearly 10 million CDs worldwide. A Google search for “System of a
Down” returns over 1.6 million hits. The ANCA, at the invitation of the
band, has worked alongside Amnesty International and Axis of Justice at
activist tables at concerts to distribute educational materials, secure
signatures on petitions, field questions, and promote discussion about
the Turkish government’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide. For
information about System of a Down, including a full listing of their
remaining tour dates, visit: The full
text of the System of a Down action alert is provided below. It can
be viewed on-line by visiting and clicking on
“NEWS.”
9.20.05 – STAND WITH SYSTEM:
U.S. RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS WITHIN REACH
Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, has it in his power to
accomplish one of System’s goals – official U.S. recognition of
Turkey’s destruction of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and
1923. On September 15th, a major Congressional committee – rejecting
attacks from Turkey and the Bush Administration – approved legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The next step is for the full House
of Representatives to take a final vote on this legislation. But
this is only possible if Hastert lets it happen. The choice is in
his hands. By allowing Congress to vote on this legislation, Hastert
can end U.S. denial of this crime and open the doors to justice – to
the restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of
genocide. By continuing to block a vote on this legislation, Hastert
effectively joins in the denial of this crime against humanity, and
the denial of justice to an entire nation. Join with System. Click
HERE to take action and send a free WebFax urging Hastert to hold a
vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

NA DEPUTY DID NOT CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY
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| 17:00:52 | 22-09-2005 | Politics |
NA deputy Hmayak Hovhanissyan did not celebrate the Independence day
yesterday. To be more precise, he refused to take part in the official
solemn banquet.
According to H. Hovhanissyan Armenia has lost independence form the
very moment it launched the constitutional reform proceeding not
from the domestic political problems but for the sake of honoring
the commitments to European forces and justifying their hopes. “It
proves that we are not independent”, he says.
During a press conference titled “Internal political issues of Armenia”
held in Pakagits club the deputy tried to explain why he speaks out
against the constitutional amendments. One of the reasons is that
the Armenian leadership does not wish to make the post of the Mayor
of Yerevan elective.
The independent deputy did not forget to touch upon the topic of
deceived depositors, which can be referred to the unfulfilled
commitments undertaken by Speaker Atrur Baghdassaryan. In
Hovhanissyan’s words, the Speaker is trying to consign to oblivion
the fact that last year Hovhanissyan has collected 66 signatures to
include the issue in the agenda, however Artur Baghdassaryan stated
of his inability to solve this issue. “It means that the President
does not want the problem to be solved”, the deputy noted.
PRICE OF DASHNAKTSUTYUN
The defeat of ARFD at the presidential election in Karabakh Hmayak
Hovhanissyan rated as “shattering”. Though the Dashnaks disliked
such assessment Hmayak Hovhanissyan keeps on commenting on ARFD’s
participation in the LGB election. In part, the deputy said, “They
garnered 67 votes in Nubarashen community. This is all they deserve.”

NATO MEDCEUR – RESCUER – 05 EXERCISE HELD IN YEREVAN
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 04:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 8-19 MEDCEUR – RESCUER – 05 exercise
of NATO states and those participating in the Partnership for Peace
Program was held in Yerevan on the basis of Military Medicine Faculty
of Yerevan State Medical University. Armenian MOD Spokesperson Seyran
Shahsuvaryan reported it. This is the first exercise of the type
in Armenia. The Academic and Field phases were held in Georgia, in
which Armenian MOD servicemen, specifically 10 officers and cadets
of the Military Medicine Faculty, who master English, took part as
well. The Response Cell computer game was held at the staff circle
in Yerevan. The work was controlled and guided by 2 US Armed Forces
officers and 2 first category specialists. A senior officer of the
Department of Emergency Situations at the Armenian Government and 2
Military Medicine Faculty officers represented Armenia. US military
specialists appreciated the work of their Armenian counterparts. They
noted Armenian specialists managed to learn cooperation principles
within a short space of time and “these exercises were excellent
practical training for our specialists.” To all appearance, the next
phase of the RESCUER -06 exercises will be held in Armenia.

GEORGIA MAY BE NATO OFFICIAL TRANSIT TERRITORY
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 06:12
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International Relations Commission of the Georgian
Parliament has discussed the draft of an agreement between Georgia and
NATO on transit of personnel and NATO forces and contribution of the
receiving country. After the debate Commission representatives said the
document is of much importance from the point of view of development
and strengthening Georgia-NATO relations. If the document is approved,
NATO member countries will be able to transport military materiel,
troops and equipment through Georgia’s territory after a preliminary
agreement. A NATO unofficial commission will visit Georgia in late
September to get acquainted with the course of implementation of the
program of cooperation between Georgia and the Alliance, reported
RFE/RL.

IMF FORECASTS 8% ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA IN 2005
Pan Armenian news
22.09.2005 05:51
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Monetary Fund yesterday made
public a report on economic growth prospects. According to it economic
growth will make 8% in Armenia this year. The IMF forecasts reduction
of the economic growth rate to 6% next year. Azerbaijan is the leader
on the indicator among the CIS states. The report notes that economic
growth has made 18.4% in Azerbaijan this year, while it will make 26.6%
next year. According to the IMF forecasts, this year economic growth
will make 7.5% in Georgia, while it will be 6% in Russia.

SOAD FANS URGE DEBATE OF GENOCIDE RESOLUTION IN US HOUSE
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 04:22
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Thousands of fans of System of a Down rock
band have sent letters to US House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL),
urging him to introduce legislation on recognition of the Armenian
Genocide before the House, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America. Letters sent to Hastert via ANCA WebFax free system urge him
to keep his promise of 2000 to submit the Armenian Genocide Resolution
for vote. “The Armenian Genocide is a purely moral issue. Today the
fate of human rights is in your hands. Make the right move, keep your
promise. Serve to US interests and values by letting the legislation
be introduced before the House as soon as possible,” the numerous
messages say.

JACK SCOTT: UTMOST ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 06:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two resolutions referring to the Armenian Genocide in
the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923 were passed in the California Congress
with much difficulty, stated California Senator Jack Scott at a news
conference in the Armenian MFA. In his words, the strong Turkish lobby
caused this. “Their representatives were trying to persuade there had
been no Genocide. They were presented some facts, but we did not hear
them,” the Senator noted adding at that, “The Armenian Genocide is a
very important issue that should be paid utmost attention.” Mr. Scott
also stated, “We will made every effort for the Armenian Genocide
Resolutions to be passed by the US Senate.” In his turn Armenian FM
Vartan Oskanian stated that the Senator “is a good friend of Armenia
and has made an important contribution to promotion of the Armenian
issue in California,” reported IA Regnum.