Yerevan is our home
Yervand Zakharian, Yerevan Mayor

Dear readers,

Between April 4 and 11, 2005, you had an opportunity to address your
questions on the Yerkir’s website to YERVAND ZAKHARIAN, Yerevan Mayor.

Below are the answers to your questions. See the full version of the
interview in Armenian.

Thank you for your active participation: Spartak Seyranian,
editor-in-chief of “Yerkir” Weekly.

Onnik Krikorian – As a British citizen now living in Yerevan and working
for Edik Baghdasarian I have been shocked by the amount of environmental
destruction unleashed on the city. Although the Mayor’s Office continues
to talk of fighting illegal construction in the capital, we all know
that it is doing nothing to combat construction when it is undertaken by
senior officials and their relatives. When will the Mayor’s Office
finally start to do its job properly in this regard. At the same time,
while the courts have recently ruled in favor of Edik Baghdasarian, when
will you finally provide Hetq Online with full details of the decisions
by your office that resulted in the desecration of the park around the
Opera? Failure to do this is just a continuation of the disregard for
the law that many accuse your office of showing. Thank you, Onnik
Krikorian, Hetq Online

Yervand Zakharian – In its time, the municipality has presented a
complete report containing the details of the bases on which these lands
were allocated. The report also mentioned that the constructions were
carried out private by companies. The Yerevan mayor has no authority to
publicize data about property of a legal person (business) without the
latter’s consent.

Let’s be frank. I would prefer to be held accountable for my period in
office. But we all are concerned about today’s situation. Many of these
structures certainly do not correspond to the environment, but I am sure
they will be removed eventually. Those structures have been built in
different times when the control and the awareness of the issue were not
as acute. Significant investments have been made in these constructions
and they have been legalized. One official cannot simply overturn this.
The legislation should be improved, let’s work here. You must have
noticed too that the state control has been strengthening; what could be
easily done before is not possible now. We are planning to find
compensation money to remove those structures, but it should be done
gradually, in the course of time as the overall economic conditions
improve.

Vatche – Mr. Zakharian, when are you going to solve all the issues
related to public transportation, making sure the routes are clearly
organized (ie not all traffic going through Mashtots and stopping
wherever they feel like it, thus causing traffic) and the buses are safe
? Also, the notorious “traffic cops” give a bad image to our city. Do we
really need these corrupt people?

Yervand Zakharian – Presently a new transportation routes network for
Yerevan aimed at reducing the traffic in the central streets and
optimization of the routes in operation is being elaborated. After the
new routes plan is approved, we are planning to carry out a program
aimed at marking the bus stops clearly and making sure that buses do not
make stops outside these bus stops. The preparatory works are already
under way. A tender for a project of designing bus stops has been
announced by the municipality, and based on its results, the we will
start to repair, construct and equip bus stops.

As for the safety concerns, I must note that according to the tender
requirements, vehicles manufactured before 1988 will no more be allowed
to take part in the tenders, and only “fresh” and technically fit
vehicles will be allowed to operate.

In regard with the traffic cops: the Yerevan municipality is engaged
only in joint control and monitoring of public transportation. Other
than that, it is the Armenian Police that is in charge of traffic cops
(state automobile inspectors).

Hasmik Ghazaryan – Yerevan is not only confined to the center right?
Then when are there going to be placed litter-bins everywhere else?

Yervand Zakharian – Bins are placed not only in the center; simply, the
situation with bins is better in the center. The Yerevan municipality
has recommended the district heads to place more bins in their
communities by April 16, 2005. Though, about 5,000 large and 3,500 small
bins have been placed in the city, this number does not meet the demand.
1,000 more bins will be placed by April 16; this is not a satisfactory
number either but would improve the sanitary situation in the capital.
Those works will be a continuous process.

Vatche – Mr. Zakharian, when I look all the beautiful Armenian
architecture-inspired buildings of Yerevan, I cannot but also see all
the “ugly” additions made to them, all the neglect, all the “ugly”
rooftops which make our beloved city look more like a “camp” than a
beautiful city. What are the plans of the municipality to bring order to
urban development and to urban revival?

Yervand Zakharian – To be really frank, we should admit that each of us
is to blame for such ugly additions. In many cases, these are results of
unjustifiable permissions; in other cases, those structures were built
without authorization and with lack of elementary care for –as you put
it — “our beloved city’s” image. Hereafter, the municipality will grant
such permissions only in well-established cases and only if such
permissions do not contradict with the overall architectural image of
the building, and provided that the building has a single project.
In general, the problem of roofs, and especially their architecture, is
among the unsolved issues.

;id=27

CAMPUS LIFE: Drumming up support, awareness for Darfur
By Jocelyn Hanamirian, Princetonian Staff Writer

The Daily Princetonian
Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Students heading to late meal walked to a different beat last night,
as a circle of students jammed on African drums on the south lawn of
Frist Campus Center. Led by New Jersey-based artist Dorothy Sikora,
about 20 students made the campus resound with the first sounds of
Embracing Darfur, a week of events organized by the Princeton Darfur
Action Committee (PDAC).

The week was scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the Rwandan
genocide, which began April 7, 1994. In November, PDAC organized
An Evening for Darfur, a night of dance and vocal performances that
raised more than $5,000 for Oxfam.

“This time around it’s really more focused on raising attention and
awareness and getting people to focus on the issues,” said Katrina
Rogachevsky ’07, co-director of PDAC. “We feel that attention on this
has flagged, but the problem has not gone away.”

On Sunday, there was a screening of “Stopping a Genocide,” a
documentary on Darfur, followed by a talk by the film’s director,
Cornell University professor John Weiss.

Monday began the weeklong sale of green elastic Darfur wristbands
bearing the slogan “Not on My Watch. Save Darfur.” The profits from
the sale of the bands, each costing $3, will benfit the International
Rescue Committee.

On Thursday night at the Street, the wristbands will function as
passes for all eating clubs except Cottage and Ivy.

With the drum band, the committee hoped to attract passersby to pick
up a flyer, get involved and “get ethnically close to Africa,” said
Katherine Ensler ’08, a member of the committee.

“Often in attempts to raise awareness of humanitarian issues,
people lose sight of the amazing culture that is behind it all,”
Rogachevsky said.

“There’s always a picture of Africa that is out there. But I think
it is nice for people to learn that there is all this war, but that
there were people living normal lives before the war,” said Kithinii
Muriira, a freshman from Kenya.

Activity on Frist’s south lawn continued after the drum circle with a
rally led by speakers Ali Ali Dinar, grandson of the last Sultan of
Darfur and a professor at Penn, and Brian Steidle, an African Union
observer in Darfur.

African hip hop artists Balozi Dola and Chosan entertained students
after the speeches, Dola rapping mostly in his native Swahili.

“Stop the genocide. Stop the massacre. Stand up for Darfur,” Chosan
chanted to applause.

Embracing Darfur continues tonight with a screening tonight of “The
Killing Fields,” a film about Pol Pot’s “Bloody Zero” campaign in
Cambodia. On Thursday there will be a lecture by Brian Sims of the
State Department at 4:30 p.m. in Robertson Bowl 16. Friday is the
final day of events, with a screening of “Ararat,” a film about the
Armenian Genocide, at 8 p.m. in McCosh 50, and artists Dola Belozi
and Chosan will perform at 10 p.m. at Campus Club.

“We’re talking about genocide on a larger level. We’re really talking
about the current place where [genocide] is going on in the world,
but we’re also talking about genocide in general and the roots of
that,” Rogachevsky said.

With the diverse selection of speakers and films, PDAC co-director
Amity Weiss ’07 sees the week as “opening more of a dialogue and being
interested in genocide as an issue that America has an obligation to
deal with.”

Students were visibly moved by both of Monday’s speakers.

“In the newspapers they don’t emphasize as much that the government
is responsible,” Kamilla Hassen ’08 said in response to Dinar’s words.

Steidle spent six months on one of several AU teams dedicated to
monitoring the ceasefire that was announced in Darfur on April 8 of
last year. As the U.S. representative on his team, Brian witnessed
countless acts of brutality during his time in Sudan, often agonizing
over the fact that his position prevented him from intervening.

“We wrote our reports, we took our pictures and we went home,” Steidle
told the crowd. Steidle closed his speech to the visibly moved crowd
by urging, “Tell your professors, tell the lawmakers that this is
important to you and that this needs to stop.”

Wake Forest University News Service, NC
April 18 2005

WFU announces 2005-2006 Secrest Artists Series
By Pam Barrett
336.758.5237
April 18, 2005

Rick Benjamin’s new version of Scott Joplin’s folk opera
“Treemonisha” will highlight the Wake Forest University’s Secrest
Artists Series 2005-2006 season.

“Treemonisha,” one of five concerts in the series, will be performed
Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Wait Chapel. The opera is about an
African-American community’s emergence from slavery. It follows the
story of a young woman named Treemonisha who leads her townspeople to
reject the local conjurers’ superstitions in favor of hard work and
learning.

Unlike earlier versions of the opera that used a large orchestra,
Benjamin’s reconstruction features the 12-piece Paragon Ragtime
Orchestra, which is more characteristic of that era, and a costumed
cast of 40. The performance includes a range of songs from arias to
rousing ragtime choruses. Benjamin calls it an “amalgamation of the
well-established American traditions of vaudeville, tab-show,
melodrama and minstrelsy, all held together by Joplin’s marvelous
music.”

The cello-piano duo David Finckel and Wu Han will open the Secrest
season with a concert on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Brendle Recital
Hall. Ranked among the most esteemed and influential classical
musicians in the world today, the duo has been described by the
Washington Post as having “spontaneity, vigor and seamless melody.”

Finckel and Han’s duo performances have taken them to some of the
most prestigious venues and concert series across the United States,
including San Francisco Performances, Stanford Lively Arts, New
York’s 92nd Street Y and Washington’s Kennedy Center.
Internationally, they have performed to unanimous acclaim in Mexico,
Canada, the Far East, Scandinavia and continental Europe. They were
recently named artistic directors of chamber music at Lincoln Center.
In addition, they have launched Music@Menlo, a chamber music festival
in Silicon Valley and started a classical recording label, ArtistLed.

On Nov. 15, the award-winning Ensemble Kaboul will perform a concert
of traditional music from Afghanistan at 7:30 p.m. in Brendle Recital
Hall. The renowned Afghan singer Hossein Arman started Ensemble
Kaboul to maintain the richness of his native land’s culture after
being forced into exile by the country’s political situation. Today,
he and his ensemble are joined by Ustad Farida Mahwash, who is called
the “master” female singer of Afghanistan music. They will perform a
multi-ethnic concert featuring music from Indian, Persian and Arabic
traditions.

In celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday, the Mozarteum Orchestra of
Salzburg will perform Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Wait Chapel. The group
was founded as the “Cathedral Music Association and Mozarteum” in
1841 by prominent Salzburg musicians and Mozart’s widow. Today, they
are known as the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg and regaled as the
pre-eminent keeper of the flame of Mozart’s legacy. The concert will
feature Chief Conductor Ivor Bolton and piano soloist Stephen Hough.

Armenian-Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, one of opera’s rising
stars, will conclude the Secrest Artists Series season with a concert
on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall. Bayrakdarian is
known for her “sparkling” on-stage presence and her “bell-like”
coloratura technique, which includes fast singing, high singing,
trills and embellishments. During the 2003-2004 season, she gained
critical acclaim for her roles as Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro”
with the Chicago Lyric and Los Angeles Operas; Teresa in “Benvenuto
Cellini” with the Metropolitan Opera; and Leila in “Les Pecheurs de
Perles” with the San Diego Opera. Her voice is also featured on the
Grammy Award-winning soundtrack of the film “Lord of the Rings: The
Two Towers.”

Season tickets for the Secrest Artists Series are $100 and are
available through the Theatre Box Office in Scales Fine Arts Center
beginning in August 15. Tickets to individual performances range in
price from $18 to $25 general admission and $13 to $18 for senior
citizens and non-Wake Forest students. Tickets are $5 for children
under 12. Group discounts are available. Pre-concert lectures are
usually scheduled in conjunction with each event and begin 45 minutes
before each concert.

THE HOLIDAY OF POLICEMEN CELEBRATED IN NAGORNO KARABAKH

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
April 18 2005

On April 16, the professional holiday of policemen was celebrated on
the official level in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

A delegation from Armenia headed by Deputy Chief of the RA Police,
General-Major Grigor Grigorian, arrived in Nagorno Karabakh for the
participation in the events.

The festive events began with the solemn formation of the policemen
in front of the NKR Police building. Then wreaths were laid to the
khachkar to the memory of 42 policemen perished during the Karabakh
war. A group of young policemen solemnly swore an oath.

A solemn sitting headed by Police Chief, General-Lieutenant Armen
Isagulov took place in the NKR Police session hall. The congratulatory
message of RA Police Chief Haik Haroutyunian to his Karabakh colleagues
was read at the sitting. Similar message on the behalf of the NKR
Police Chief was sent to the policemen of the RA Police. A number of
the republic~Rs policemen were granted special ranks.

Then, in the Central Revival Square, NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
handed the NKR Police leadership the military flag for selfless
activity of the system members both in war and peace.

In its turn, the NKR police delegation took part in similar events
in Yerevan.

Die Welt, Deutschland
19 April 2005

At the Armenian Cemetery

Auf dem armenischen Friedhof

Kolumne
von Hannes Stein

Am kommenden Sonntag ist der 24. April. Ich werde auf dem armenischen
Friedhof in Jerusalem stehen, umringt von Leuten, die an den
Völkermord denken, der vor genau 90 Jahren begann. Eineinhalb
Millionen Armenier ließ die Regierung des Osmanischen Reiches 1915
ff. “ins Nichts deportieren”. Die Todesarten waren vielfältig:
verdurstet, erschlagen, ertrunken, erfindungsreich gefoltert. Ja,
auch Frauen, auch Kinder.

Der armenische Patriarch wird den Weihrauchkübel schwenken, seine
Mönche werden Gebete in einer Sprache sprechen, die ich nicht
verstehe. Vielleicht werden sie singen. Wenn die Armenier Choräle
singen, fliegt einem glatt die Seele weg. Mein Freund George, dessen
Vater den Genozid überstand – Gott weiß, wie und warum -, wird ein
bißchen verlegen lächelnd daneben stehen. Ich hoffe, daß ein Mitglied
der israelischen Regierung seinen Weg auf den armenischen Friedhof
finden wird: auch wenn der erste Tag des Passahfestes ist, auch wenn
Israel mit der Türkei (die das Verbrechen bis heute beharrlich
leugnet) Waffenbrüderschaft geschlossen hat.

Heiß wird es sein auf diesem christlichen Friedhof in Jerusalem. Und
mir werden ein paar von den Juden einfallen, die in den Armeniern
schon früh ihre niedergemetzelten Brüder und Schwestern erkannt
haben. An erster Stelle Raphael Lemkin, der vergessene Vater der
Anti-Genozid-Konvention der UNO: Als junger Rechtsanwalt beim
polnischen Sejm hörte er von dem damals noch präzedenzlosen Massaker
und forderte in Madrid vor dem Völkerbund ein Gesetz gegen solche
Menschheitsverbrechen. Und natürlich Franz Werfel, dessen Roman “Die
vierzig Tage des Musa Dagh” 1933 gerade rechtzeitig herauskam, um
unter dem Gejohle deutscher Studenten verbrannt zu werden. In diesem
Buch zeichnet zum ersten Mal ein Schriftsteller das “arktische
Gesicht” des 20. Jahrhunderts nach.

Auch an den beklemmend-großartigen Bericht des Henry Morgenthau sen.
werde ich mich erinnern, der als Botschafter Amerikas zum Zeugen des
Verbrechens wurde. Glauben Sie bitte den Goebbelsschen Lügen über
seinen Sohn nicht, der F.D. Roosevelt als Finanzminister diente: Es
war keineswegs “alttestamentarische Härte”, die ihn in den vierziger
Jahren eine strenge Bestrafung der Nazis fordern ließ. Nein, es war
der Umstand, daß er in einem Haus aufwuchs, in dem über das Schicksal
der Armenier gesprochen wurde. Im Geist werde ich mich vor Edgar
Hilsenrath verneigen, dessen “Märchen vom letzten Gedanken” jetzt
endlich vom Dittrich-Verlag neu gedruckt wurde. “Es war einmal ein
letzter Gedanke”, heißt es in diesem wunderbaren Roman. “Der saß in
einem Angstschrei und hatte sich dort versteckt.”

Menachem Begin mit der Hornbrille und dem schmalen Mund wird in
meinem Kopf auftauchen. Derselbe, der als Ministerpräsident den
israelischen Einmarsch in den Libanon befahl. Nebbich. Als junger
Mann saß Begin im Gulag, seine halbe Familie verlor er an die Nazis,
und einmal sagte er: “Wenn ich einem Armenier in die Augen schaue,
sehe ich einen Juden.” Noch mehr aber wird mich ein Satz von Israel
Zangwill beschäftigen, dem Autor des kleinen, feinen Schelmenromans
“Der König der Schnorrer”. Israel Zangwill schrieb anno 1915: “Heute
hat Gott den Juden die Dornenkrone abgenommen und sie dem armenischen
Volk aufgesetzt.” Wie hätte er auch ahnen sollen, daß Hitler und
seine willigen Helfer in ganz Europa sie schon bald wieder den Juden
aufs Haupt drücken würden?

An all diese Menschen werde ich auf dem Armenierfriedhof in Jerusalem
denken. Und an all die Toten. Und an die Geschlachteten in der
sudanesischen Provinz Darfur, für die sich schon wieder kein Schwein
interessiert. Und still sein.

Artikel erschienen am Di, 19. April 2005

–Boundary_(ID_rzAPd9uYqrGQZsy/ZgpNdA)–

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

FORTY-FIVE U.S. REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR
PRO-ARMENIAN PROVISIONS IN FOREIGN AID BILL

— Reps. Pallone and Radanovich Lead Bipartisan Effort

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) were joined today by forty-three of their U.S.
House colleagues in formally calling on the leadership of the House
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian provisions
in the fiscal year 2006 foreign aid bill, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel’s
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY),
strengthens the hand of pro-Armenian members of the Subcommittee,
most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, Steve
Rothman (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney (R-NY). Rep.
Sweeney, who is a new addition to the panel this year, is one of
only two Members of Congress of Armenian heritage.

The letter specifically calls for setting an earmark of at least
$75 million for Armenia; maintaining the President’s request for
equal levels of Foreign Military Financing for Armenia and
Azerbaijan at $5 million each; an additional $5 million in direct
aid to Nagorno Karabagh for fiscal year 2006, and; keeping in place
the Section 907 restriction on aid to Azerbaijan. The full text of
the letter is provided below.

“We very much appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Radanovich
and Pallone in urging the Foreign Operations Subcommittee to
support provisions in the foreign aid bill of special importance to
Armenian Americans,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“We also value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within
this panel by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the
leadership of Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey,
and the support of Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse
Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other
friends.”

The names of the forty-five signatories are as follows: Gary L.
Ackerman (D-NY), Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ),
Xavier Beccerra (D-CA), Howard L. Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis
(R-FL), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Michael E. Capuano (D-CA), Dennis A.
Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry F.
Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), David Dreier (R-CA), Anna
G. Eshoo (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Eleanor
Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rush D. Holt (D-NJ), Michael M. Honda (D-CA),
Steve Israel (D-NY), Darrell E. Issa (R-CA), James R. Langevin (D-
RI), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Carolyn
McCarthy (D-NY), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael R. McNulty (D-
NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Grace F.
Napolitano (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff
(D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), Clay E. Shaw, Jr. (R-FL), John Shimkus
(R-IL), Mark E. Souder (R-IN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Stephanie
Tubbs Jones (D-OH), Diane E. Watson (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA),
and Jerry Weller (R-IL).

#####

Text of Congressional letter on the FY06 Foreign Aid Bill:

April 8, 2005

The Honorable Jim Kolbe
Chairman
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
H-150, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
1016 Longworth
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:

Thank you for your leadership on the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Foreign Operations. As you prepare the FY2006 Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill, we write in support of Armenia and US-Armenia
relations. We request that you include the following items in the
FY2006 bill.

Economic Assistance to Armenia:

The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to
impede Armenia’s economic well-being. Despite the dual blockades
by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia continues to implement economic
and democratic reforms, which have met success. While Armenia
continues to make important reforms, as long as Armenia suffers
from blockades on its east and west borders, continued and robust
U.S. assistance to Armenia is necessary to help minimize their
impact. Our assistance has provided an important positive effect
and will continue to do so when provided at appropriate levels.
For fiscal year 2005, $75 million was provided for Armenia.
Maintaining this level of support is critical. Therefore, we
request you include language ensuring that not less than $75million
in Economic Support Funds is appropriated for Armenia in fiscal
year 2006.

Maintain Parity in Foreign Military Financing (FMF):

The President is to be commended for maintaining U.S. policy of
military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan by requesting $5
million in FMF for both countries in his FY 2006 budget request.
By allocating equal levels of military and security assistance to
both nations, the U.S. government will preserve its credibility as
an impartial and leading mediator in the continuing sensitive peace
negotiations for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Given the
ongoing Azerbaijani blockades and threats to renew military
aggression against Armenia and Karabakh, it is critically important
that the Administration continues to promote balanced short- and
long-term policies that elevate regional cooperation and reduce the
risk of conflict in the South Caucases region. Therefore, we
support the President’s symmetrical FMF request of $5 million for
Armenia and Azerbaijan, and request that you include the same
allocation in the FY 2006 bill.

Assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh:

We thank you for your continued support for assistance to Nagorno-
Karabakh. This support is in our country’s interests and helps
alleviate the conditions of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. We agree
with the USAID Administrator who has testified before Congress
about the importance of continuing the work of the agency in
Nagorno-Karabakh. It is important for Congress to maintain a
strong position on this funding to ensure that these programs
continue. Therefore, we request you include language directing
USAID to spend $5 million in fiscal year 2006 for programs in
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Section 907:

Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act remains a fundamental
element of U.S. policy toward the South Caucases. Because
Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, Section 907 is
necessary. As you know, the FY 2002 Foreign Operations
Appropriations Act provided a limited and conditional waiver to
Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in order for the U.S. to
effectively combat terrorism. Specifically, Secretary of State
Colin Powell asked for flexibility to counter terrorist elements
and organizations operating within Azerbaijan. We strongly support
Section 907 and will oppose any further changes to this law. We
request that you join us in opposing any changes to Section 907 in
the fiscal year 2006 bill.

We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

Sincerely,

20% of Turkish public ready to recognize Armenian Genocide

ARKA News Agency
April 18 2005

An exhibition of photos by Armin Vegner “Armin T. Vegner and Armenians
of Anatoly, 1915” to be opened in the building of AR MFA on April 20

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cyprus to Armenia
hands his credentials to RA President

The reason of violation of ceasefire regime along the front line
between Armenia and Azerbaijan is that Azerbaijan is sure of its
remaining unpunished

Commemorating Armenian Genocide Armenian people keeps on hoping for
voice of justice: Garegin II

Any dialogue with Turkey acceptable: Armenian Premier

RA Prime -Minister expects some positive steps in the position of
Turkey regarding Armenian Genocide issue

No changes should be expected in Turkey’s policy toward Armenian
Genocide during next few years: Lavrenty Barseghyan

Chairmen of Armenian and Perm CCIS sign cooperation agreement

*********************************************************************
20% OF TURKISH PUBLIC READY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. A fifth of Turkish public is ready to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, Head of the Armenian Sociological
Society Gevorg Poghosyan stated at a conference “Great Genocide.
Reality and Condemnation”, presenting the results of an interview
which was conducted in Armenia and in Turkey in 2001-2004, and involved
1,200 respondents from 34 Turkish cities, and 1,000 respondents from
21 Armenian cities. The respondents were offered three questions:
knowledge of each other, relations and possibilities of further
development. According to Poghosyan, more advanced sections of
Turkey’s population are psychologically ready to recognize the Armenian
Genocide and will not be surprised if the country’s Government adopts
such a resolution. “Moreover, our contacts with Turks showed that a
considerable number of journalists and writers, who are well aware of
this historical fact and of the fact that sooner or later the Turkish
Government will have to admit the Genocide, lay emphasis on Armenians’
further steps in this matter,” Poghosyan said. He added that they are
in more fear of the Armenian diaspora’s hard line. Poghosyan himself
expressed surprise that Turks made the interview results public on
their TV channels. “It testifies to the fact that the authorities
started discussing this problem with their own people. It is a new
step in Turkey, as for 90 years the Genocide has been passed over in
silence,” he said. Poghosyan added that Armenians are much better
informed of Turkey and the Turks than the Turks of Armenia. He pointed
out that 23 Turkish respondents mixed Armenians with Jews. According
to the interview results, Turks’ attitude to Armenians is better that
Armenians’ attitude to Turks. Poghosyan thinks that the admission
of the Armenian Genocide is an matter of future for Turkey, as it is
directly connected with the country’s admission to the EU. “They will
try to throw this burden sooner or later,” he said. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOS BY ARMIN VEGNER “ARMIN T. VEGNER AND ARMENIANS
OF ANATOLY, 1915” TO BE OPENED IN THE BUILDING OF AR MFA ON APRIL 20

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. An exhibition of photos by German writer
and humanist Armin Vegner “Armin T. Vegner and Armenians of Anatoly,
1915” will be opened in the building of AR MFA on April 20. According
to the State Commission on organization of arrangements devoted
to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, 64 photos are
exhibited. The photos are taken by a simple photo camera and express
episodes displaying the horror of the genocide – deportation, hunger,
death and will to revival. The photos allow imagining Armin Vegner,
a man and fighter for justice. Armin Vegner during the first world war
was in German sanitary corps and became the witness of the massacre of
Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. Not obeying the instructions not to give
publicity the seen, Vegner collected various kind of information,
statements, notes, letters and photos about Armenian genocide. He
managed with difficulty to keep and send to Germany and the USA part
of photos telling about the horrors of the massacre. In 1915 he was
arrested and sent to Germany. Since 1919 Vegner had had lectures in
German cities telling about the sorrows of Armenians driven by force
to Arabian desert. The same year he sent to the US President Woodrow
Wilson a letter with the appeal to punish the guilty in the Armenian
genocide. The ashes of Vegner was taken to Yerevan and placed in the
memorial wall of the Complex to the victims of the Genocide. Mickele
Vegner, the son of A. Vegner will participate in the exhibition.
A.H.-0–

*********************************************************************

THE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF CYPRUS TO ARMENIA
HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. The Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Cyprus to Armenia Leonidas Pantelides handed his
credentials to RA President Robert Kocharyan. According to the RA
President’s Press Service, issues of broadening cooperation between the
states were discussed by the sides. Pantelides noted that strengthening
cooperation in the framework of international organizations may ply
important role in enlargement of bilateral communication. In his
turn Kocharyan attached much importance to the necessity to review
of the bilateral relations. He added that it was necessary to use
the new opportunities for strengthening the relations. A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

THE REASON OF VIOLATION OF CEASEFIRE REGIME ALONG THE FRONT LINE
BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IS THAT AZERBAIJAN IS SURE OF ITS
REMAINING UNPUNISHED

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. The reason of violation of ceasefire regime
along the front line between Armenia and Azerbaijan is that Azerbaijan
is sure of its remaining unpunished, as stated AR MFA Press Secretary
Hamlet Gasparyan commenting the recent statements by the OSCE Minsk
Group, according to RA MFA Press Secretary. According to Gasparyan,
it’s obvious that ther statements of the OSCE MG Co-Chairs refer
to Azerbaijani side, since exactly Azerbaijan “rattle the sabre”
and makes bellicose appeals. “Everybody knows who encroaches, and
everybody understands that Azerbaijanians openly violate armistice”,
he said. He also stated that nevertheless nobody says publicly who
is the initiator. “As a result, the Azerbaijanians again and again
infringe armistice”, he concluded. To remind, on April 15, 2005 the
Minks Group co-Chairs made a statement in which they expressed their
concern about the growing tension between Armenian and Azerbaijan, as
well as about public statements by Azerbaijan about the possibility
of resuming war. The co-Chairs found it appropriate to recall that
“such violations are causing needless loss of life and jeopardizing
the cease-fire”. the Co-Chairs strongly urge the sides to reinforce
the cease-fire on the line of contact and refrain from any public
statements that could lead to escalation of the conflict. A.H.–0–

*********************************************************************

COMMEMORATING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ARMENIAN PEOPLE KEEPS ON HOPING FOR
VOICE OF JUSTICE: GAREGIN II

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. Marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian people keep on hoping for
the voice of justice, says a message addressed to the conference “Great
Genocide. Reality and Condemnation” by Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II. According to him, during the Genocide “we experienced the
most horrible things that a people may experience.” However, during
those evil days, trusting in God, the Armenian people succeeded in
restoring its national independence, and “the hearths of Armenians
scattered about the world started smoking again.” “Thank God, times
have changed, and many countries and international organizations are
recognizing and condemning the Genocide now,” says the message. The
international community recognizes and condemns the Genocide being sure
that a deserved appraisal of the heinous crime committed 90 years ago
will be of high importance for the humanity’s moving toward peaceful
co-existence and partnership. According to Garegin II, the Armenian
Genocide not only resulted in human victims and destruction of cultural
values, but also was a violation of human and divine laws. In this
context, Garegin II stressed that the triumph of the new century way
of thinking must be in the rejection of permissiveness, which will
put an end to violence, cruelty and humiliation in human life, and
strengthen humanitarian values. “We are praying to the heaven, asking
God for peace and good in the entire world and His blessing of all our
efforts for the triumph of our just cause,” says the message.P.T. -0–
*********************************************************************

ANY DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY ACCEPTABLE: ARMENIAN PREMIER

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. Any dialogue with Turkey aimed to specify
both countries’ positions is acceptable, RA Premier Andranik Margaryan
told reporters. According to him, a dialogue at any level may be
useful for the formation of an atmosphere of confidence and for
settling the problem at the diplomatic level. Margaryan is against the
formation of a commission of scholars only to confirm the fact of the
Armenian Genocide. “I do not see the task of confirming the fact of the
Genocide. Numerous people residing in Armenia experienced Genocide and
know about it not just from books,” Margaryan said. He pointed out that
a talk of confirming the fact of the Armenian Genocide with Turkish
scholars is unacceptable for him. “It is only the establishment of
diplomatic relations that can be spoken of. Numerous agreements of
1918-1920 exist, and we must decide which of them are acceptable for
us, and which are not. It means establishing relations between the
two states, not between the Turkish and Armenian peoples, in a new
situation,” he said. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

RA PRIME -MINISTER EXPECTS SOME POSITIVE STEPS IN THE POSITION OF
TURKEY REGARDING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. RA Prime -Minister Andranik Margaryan
expects some positive steps in the position of Turkey regarding
Armenian Genocide issue. According to him, positive changes will
happen in the position of Turkey considering public opinion abroad,
in particular, among countries-members of EU, and the discussion
of its membership in EU planned to take place in autumn 2005. “It’s
obvious that there is some progress, but how serious it will be and
whether we will see the results of it this year or within the next
years is difficult to say”, he said. Margaryan noted that “everything
should be imagined in process, and not to expect momentary solution
of the problem”. “If our generation achieves that Turkey establishes
diplomatic relations with Armenia, then the borders would open,
economic relations would be established and atmosphere for the
development of further issues would form. This would be both progress
and victory”, he said. A.H. -0–

*********************************************************************

NO CHANGES SHOULD BE EXPECTED IN TURKEY’S POLICY TOWARD ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE DURING NEXT FEW YEARS: LAVRENTY BARSEGHYAN

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. No changes should be expected in Turkey’s
policy toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide during next
few years, Director of the Museum of the Armenian Genocide, Professor
Lavrenty Barseghyan told reporters. According to him, Turkey has been
following this hard line for several years.”When the matter concerns
the adoption to the European Union, they follow a different line,
but when they are faced with the admission of the Armenian Genocide,
they assume a harder stand,” Barseghyan said. He pointed out that in
the context of arrangements on the occasion of the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide Turkey has launched a harder policy. “I am
sure that no progress in Turkey’s admission of the Armenian Genocide
should be expected in the near future,” Barseghyan said. He added that
the Turkish authorities will hardly have enough courage to admit the
Armenian Genocide, as Germany did it in the case of Jews. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

CHAIRMEN OF ARMENIAN AND PERM CCIs SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

YEREVAN, April 18. /ARKA/. The Chairmen of the Chambers of Commerce
and Industry of Armenia and of the Perm region, Russia, signed a
cooperation agreement in Yerevan today. Following the signing ceremony,
Acting Governor of the perm region Oleg Chirkunov stated that the visit
of the Russian delegation, which includes businessmen of Perm, will
give an impetus to the development of trade between Armenia and one
of the largest Russian regions. “The agreement will enable Russian and
Armenian business to speak one language,” Chirkunov said. He added that
cultural ties between Armenia and Perm should be developed as well.
During his visit, Chirkunio held meetings with RA President Robert
Kocharyan, Premier Andranik Margaryan, Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II, Governor of the Gegharkunik region Stepan Barseghyan. The
delegation is also scheduled to visit the Armenian State University
of Architecture, as well as the brandy and wine factory. P.T. -0–

*********************************************************************

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005

EUROPEAN UNION WILL INCREASE EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO
KARABAKH CONFLICT
[April 18, 2005, 22:49:19]

On April 18, has taken place the sixth session of the European
Union-Parliament of Azerbaijan Cooperation Committee.

Opening the session, the co-chairman of Committee, chairman of
standing committee of Milli Majlis on human rights Sirus Tebrizli has
told that from the point of view of development of links between
Azerbaijan and the European Union and integration of the country into
Europe and other similar actions are of great importance. Development
of democracy in Azerbaijan, protection of the rights and freedom of
the person, successful results of carried out reforms raise hopes
that the country in the future will become a member of the European
Union.

Speaking at the action, co-chairman Anna Maria Ishler Biguin first of
all on behalf of delegation has expressed gratitude for the
hospitality rendered to them, the organization of session. She
informed, that in this session take part also the deputies from the
Poland, Slovenia and Estonia just admitted in the Council of Europe.
In spite of the fact that intolerable, heaviest vital conditions of
refugees and IDPs have made on them heavy impression during their
brief visit to the regions of Azerbaijan, economic development
observable in the country and transparency give reason to be
optimistic. The European visitors even wish, that businessmen of
their countries, tourists came to Azerbaijan. The democratic
development observable after last session in Baku, strengthening of
democratic institutes, restoration of human rights, carrying out of
free elections give the basis to have high opinion about Azerbaijan.
And all this facilitates admission of Azerbaijan in the near future
in members of the European Union. However, alongside with it,
carrying out of some reforms is again necessary. At this session, we
shall have exchange of views on execution of obligations taken by
Azerbaijan before the Council of Europe and OSCE and about other
questions; we shall give recommendations with the purpose of
rendering assistance in solution of existing problems. On the basis
of impressions, we shall prepare the report for three basic
structures of the European Commission. We shall try that the
investment in Azerbaijan, and also the recommendations to help the
Minsk Group in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in settlement of which we are much interested. The European
Union is interested in quick peace settlement of this problem. It is
necessary to restore territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, refugees
and IDPs return to their native lands. We should try also that
cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan and Armenia
continued. The European Union has special representative on the
Southern Caucasus, and now we try to open our extraordinary embassies
in three countries of region.

In the meeting, discussed were questions of realized reforms,
accomplishments achieved in the country, urgent questions to be
resolved, and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the
European Union.

Ambassador of Greta Britain in Baku Lawrence Bristown spoke on behalf
of Luxembourg that now presides at the European Union. He, in
particular, highly appraised the partnership agreements between
Azerbaijan and the European Union. The diplomat expressed hope that
the EU Council Ministers at the 25 April session would adopt certain
decisions on economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

In the discussions, also were focused ways out of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, preparation for the coming parliament elections in
Azerbaijan and other questions.

The meeting will be continued on 19 April.

***

The same day, delegation of the European Union met with the refugees
and IDPs in Barda region of the Republic.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005

FOREIGN MINISTRY OF AZERBAIJAN HOLDS BRIEFING
[April 18, 2005, 23:15:14]

A briefing dedicated to the regular meeting of the foreign ministers
of Azerbaijan and Armenia on 15 April in London in the frame of Prague
process on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, was held in the Foreign Ministry of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Collaborator of the Ministry and participant at the London meeting,
Mr. Huseyn Huseynov updated on results of the meeting in the frame
of Prague process.

As is stated, discussed were the same questions that the Ministers
focused in the previous meeting in the frame of Prague process.

EETimes
April 18 2005

Startup proposes statistical yield modeling

Richard Goering
EE Times
(04/18/2005 12:17 PM EDT)

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Startup Ponte Solutions Inc. this week is
announcing its mission to bring statistical yield modeling into the
IC design flow. The company aims to solve one of the most vexing
problems design for manufacturablity (DFM) – getting accurate foundry
information into designer’s hands.

If foundries go along, Ponte’s encrypted models could end the reliance
on long lists of design rules and provide a much more accurate way of
calibrating designs for acceptable yields, according to Alex Alexanian,
president and CEO. Alexanian was formerly founder and CEO of SRAM
startup Mosaic Systems.

“Today the EDA world interfaces with the fab with design rules,”
Alexanian said. “We believe that’s going to change because of high
pain.” A 90 nm design rule deck might be over 1,000 pages, he noted,
including conflicting information.

Ponte Solutions is backed by $10 million in private investment
and venture capital, and employs 60, including 49 R&D engineers in
Alexanian’s native Armenia. The company promises a “platform” for
statistical yield modeling, a high-capacity data model, and yield
analysis tools, all to be released later in 2005.

Alexanian left Mosaic to start a company then called E-Z-CAD in
2001, starting with 27 people from Mosaic’s R&D center in Armenia.
Alexanian later succeeded in raising private funds, as well as funding
from Telos Venture Partners, U.S. Venture Partners, and Incubic.

He also built a team including two former directors of engineering from
Monterey Design Systems – Ara Markosian, CTO, and Sedrak Sargisian,
vice president of engineering. Arklin Kee, vice president of business
development, was a co-founder of Cadence. Nitin Deo, senior vice
president of marketing, recently left Magma Design Automation to
join Ponte.

Ponte is developing a “platform” for statistical yield modeling
that claims much better calibration with actual fab processes. It’s
based on a proprietary data model that Alexanian says can do “smart
processing on billions of polygons, hierarchical or flat, in hours
for large chips.”

Models will be encrypted, so that tools can use the information
but people outside the foundry can’t see it. Ponte expects that its
statistical yield information will be integrated into IC design tools.

Ponte’s Markosian explains how statistical yield modeling works in
an EEdesign exclusive feature.