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04/10/2006
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1) US Suggests New Proposals for Settling Karabagh Issue
2) Karabagh Asks Azerbaijan to Maintain Ceasefire
3) Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference Concludes in Antelias
4) Aznavour Hails New Paris-Yerevan Flights; Visits Monasteries in Tavush
5) Morgenthau’s Memoirs Published for First Time in Turkey
6) First Part of Russian Material to Be Withdrawn in May

1) US Suggests New Proposals for Settling Karabagh Issue

BAKU (Armenpress)–The United States has suggested new proposals to continue
the Prague process of the Karabagh conflict regulation, said Azeri Foreign
Minister, Elmar Mamedyarov.
He said that the proposals are interesting. Azeri officials will analyze the
new proposals and give their opinion when Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk group co-chairman Steven Mann visits Baku.
Mamedyarov also said that a recent decision to promote US-Azeri relations has
been made, in accordance with Azeri national interests.

2) Karabagh Asks Azerbaijan to Maintain Ceasefire

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–The Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) Foreign
Ministry expressed its concern last week over frequent ceasefire violations
along the contact line between the Armenian and Azeri armed forces. The
statement blamed the incidents on increasingly hostile statements made by top
Azeri government officials.
The statement said that the ceasefire violations have increased casualties
along the contract line, led to mutual distrust, and could possibly escalate
tensions in the Karabagh conflict zone, threatening the stability in the
entire
region.
“The Nagorno Karabagh republic confirms its adherence only to the peaceful
settlement of the conflict, as well as its readiness to implement the sides’
open-ended obligations to maintain the cease-fire, which is confirmed by the 6
February 1995 agreement signed between the defense ministers of the
Nagorno-Karabagh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. We call on the two other parties
that signed the agreement, namely Azerbaijan and Armenia, to join our
initiative.
“We hope that through joint efforts and with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairmen and other international mediators and interested sides, it
will be possible to confirm our adherence to the agreement and implement the
mechanisms it indicates in order to localize incidents on the armed forces’
contact line,” the statement said.
MKR confirmed its position that along with the strict observance of the
ceasefire, other preconditions for a peaceful solution are a peace process
that
involves all the parties to the conflict, confidence-building,
strengthening of
democracy, and respect for human rights.

3) Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference Concludes in Antelias

The Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference, which began Thursday in the
Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, concluded its sessions
Saturday. The official closing ceremony of the conference was held on Palm
Sunday, under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I, who also delivered his
Pontifical speech on this occasion.
The conference was initiated by the Writers’ Union of Armenia in cooperation
with the Assembly of Lebanese-Armenian Writers. It was held under the
patronage
of His Holiness Aram I.
More than 300 Armenian writers from Armenia, Karabagh, Lebanon, the Middle
East, Europe, Northern and Southern America, Canada and Australia gathered in
Antelias, Lebanon to participate in the conference.
Thursday’s sessions were dedicated to, “Modern Children’s Literature and
National Schools.” Eduard Milidonian from Armenia and Krikor Shahinian from
Lebanon gave two expert presentations about this topic.
The next session was dedicated to proposals about the Fourth Pan-Armenian
Writer’s Conference. Under the chairmanship of Norayr Atalian from Armenia and
Markar Sharabkhian from Canada the participant Armenian writers made various
proposals about the importance of contact between Armenian writers around the
world. The idea of establishing a website for this purpose was proposed. Other
suggestions were made on the organization of the printing press.
The ninth session was dedicated to the concerns and difficulties of Armenian
writers. Seiran Krikorian from Armenia and Jirayr Tanielian from Lebanon
chaired the session, during which various suggestions were made about
coordinating intellectual activities in Armenia and the diaspora.
The conference also included a performance of “I Veh Partsants” and “Cilicia”
by the Seminary Choir and an exhibition of books published in Armenia.

4) Aznavour Hails New Paris-Yerevan Flights; Visits Monasteries in Tavush

YEREVAN (RFE/RL/Armenpress)–Charles Aznavour, the famous French singer of
Armenian descent, was in Armenia Monday to inaugurate new regular flights
between Yerevan and Paris by Air France, one of the world’s biggest airlines.
Aznavour was among 39 French officials, business executives and other
dignitaries who arrived in the Armenian capital on Saturday on the flagship
French carrier’s first-ever flight to the South Caucasus. “I feel happy
attending any event that strengthens Armenian-French friendship,” he said
during the official presentation of the new flight service at the French
embassy in Yerevan.
The 75-year-old crooner, who has a square named after him in the city center,
took the opportunity to again emphasize his Armenian heritage. “I am 100
percent Armenian by heart, by soul and by family language,” he told reporters
in French.
On Sunday, Aznavour visited the Armenian region of Tavush, where he was
welcomed by the local governor and the head of Gugarats diocese of the Church.
Aznavour visited two medieval monasteries in the region-Goshavank and
Haghartsin, and was welcomed by local residents.
Aznavour also met with President Robert Kocharian, telling him that he has
decided to visit Armenia “at least a couple of times a year.”
“I am happy to see that life is moving forward in the country,” Kocharian’s
office quoted him as saying.
Air France will fly to Armenia three times a week in addition to two weekly
Yerevan-Paris flights that have long been carried out by the Armavia national
carrier. A senior company executive, Etienne Rachou, said the launch of the
new
flight service is part of a broader Air France strategy of boosting its
passenger traffic in Central and Eastern Europe by 10 percent. “And in this
development of Eastern Europe Armenia is naturally findings its place now,”
Rachou told a news conference.
The French ambassador in Yerevan, Henry Cuny, said the Air France flights
will
testify to the “strengthening of political relations between France and
Armenia.” “The presence of Air France underscores Armenia’s rapprochement with
Europe,” he said. “It is also an appeal addressed to new French investors.”
Air France is the fourth major Western airline to operate flights to Armenia.
The three other carriers are Austrian Airlines, British Airways and Germany’s
Lufthansa. They are believed to mainly cater for passengers traveling between
the United States and Armenia.

5) Morgenthau’s Memoirs Published for First Time in Turkey

Ragip Zarakolu, owner of Belge Publishing House, recently published Henry
Morgenthau’s memoirs of his term as US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during
the Armenian genocide. This is the first time his memoirs have been published
in Turkey.
Zarakolu is notorious in Turkey for publishing books deemed subversive by the
Turkish authorities. Because of his work, Zarakolu spent three years in prison
in the 1970’s. His wife also spent several years in prison.
Belge Publishing House has published countless books about the Armenian
genocide, including Franz Werfel’s Forty Days in Musa Dagh, Tessa Hoffman’s
Talaat Pasha Trials in Berlin, and Peter Balakian’s Black Dog of the Fate.
When Zarakolu was acquitted of charges against him for publishing a book by
Vahakn Dadrian, the possibility of more free discussion about the Armenian
genocide in Turkey increased.
Since then he has withstood a constant barrage of criminal charges, further
imprisonment, confiscation and destruction of books, the bombing of his
publishing house, and heavy government fines and taxes. His publishing house
has endured more than 40 criminal indictments.

6) First Part of Russian Material to Be Withdrawn in May

TBILISI (Prime-News/OSCE)–The first train loaded with military equipment from
Russian military bases will be removed from Georgia in mid-May.
“According to the negotiated plan, the train will be loaded with armored
vehicles of the 62nd military base of Akhalkalaki,” reported Interfax, quoting
Vladimer Quparadze, Deputy Commander of Group of Russian Forces in South
Caucasus.
According to him, Valeri Evnevich, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Russian Land
Forces has arrived in Georgia to negotiate the details of base withdrawal from
Georgia with the representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.
The bases are being dismantled under an agreement signed last week between
Russia and Georgia on the temporary functioning and withdrawal of Russian
military bases and other military facilities deployed in Georgia.
Under the agreement, Russia would complete the withdrawal of the military
base
in Akhalkalaki by 2007, and finalize the closure of the military base in
Batumi
by 2008.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has welcomed the
agreement between the two countries.
“This agreement marks significant progress in the talks between the Russian
Federation and Georgia, and is a way forward in the establishment of good
neighborly relations between the two countries,” said Minister De Gucht.
“It also contributes to enhanced confidence among the countries of the
region,” he added. “The Chairmanship remains ready to promote OSCE assistance
in support of the implementation of the agreement, should this be requested by
the Russian and Georgian Governments.”

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