Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Armenian President not to attend CIS summit

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 21, 2006

[ 21 Jul. 2006 16:25 ]

The heads of states from the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) are arriving at the Russian capital of Moscow to attend the
CIS informal summit tomorrow (APA).

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin invited the CIS heads of state to
discuss the ongoing processes in the world as well as issues regarding
improvement of the CIS. The heads of states will also follow the
horse races for Russian President’s award, which are held in Moscow
for three years.

The summit’s agenda is free, no documents are expected to be
adopted. President Putin will also introduce his counterparts the
results of the G8 summit held in St Petersburg from July 15 to 17.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today has left for Moscow to attend
the summit. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili will not participate
in the summit, said Georgi Arveladze, head of President’s Office. The
reason for the postponing was not made public. But it is believed
Saakashvili refused the visit as he won’t be able to meet with his
Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Georgian and Russian Presidents
were expected to meet in private to discuss Georgian parliament’s
recent decision on withdrawal of the Russian peacekeepers from the
conflict zones in Georgia.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian will not attend the
CIS summit either. The reason for that was shown his health
problems. Turkmenistan’s president Saparmurad Niyazov was announced
previously that he will not attend the summit.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko will not participate in the
summit due to the political situation in his country. His press
secretary Irina Gerashenko told journalists that Yushchenko has written
to the host of the summit Vladimir Putin about that. The Ukrainian
President also wrote in the letter that Ukraine sees Russia as a key
strategic partner. He also asked President Putin to specify the date
of his visit to Ukraine./APA/

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1. Lebanese Consulate in LA Calls for Community Assistance
2. Bryza Will Visit Karabakh During Tour
3. CIS Summit Begins Today
4. Turkish Lawyer Puts Patriotism Before Free Speech, EU

1. Lebanese Consulate in LA Calls for Community Assistance

LOS ANGELES–The Lebanese Consul General in Los Angeles Charbel Wehbe
issued an
appeal to all Los Angeles residents of Lebanese descent to assist the
government as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.
The announcement addresses the damages caused by the nine-day old attack on
the country, which has been categorized as a "disaster zone" by the Lebanese
Prime Minister.
The announcement asks the public to donate money, food, clothing and
medicine,
as well as safety and other equipment.
The Consulate appeal urges the community to donate powdered milk, canned
goods, baby food, diapers, rice, sugar, blankets, generators and other goods.
For financial donations, the consulate asks that the contributions be made to
the following address:

US dollars
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Bic Code FRNYUS33 Routing Number: 021084694
Favor: Banque du Liban Account number 02 700 362123

Lebanese lira
Banque du Liban Account number 02 700 362123

The Consular announcement urges the community to immediately heed this urgent
call and through contributions ensure that the people of Lebanon receive the
basic needs during this crisis.
In a related matter, Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian spoke
with Consul General Wehbe Tuesday, expressing his sympathy and that of the
entire Armenian community for the casualties the country has suffered, wishing
for unity and solidarity to prevail in Lebanon and among the Lebanese people.
The Consul General spoke of the situation in Lebanon, and on behalf of the
government requested that the Armenian community offer any humanitarian
assistance within their means to the civilian victims. The Consulate is
planning to designate a special committee to coordinate the humanitarian
efforts.
On Sunday July 23, a special prayer will be said in all Prelacy churches for
the lives lost in the fighting. The Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church urges all community members to attend and pray for the peace.
In Lebanon, efforts of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central
Committee
of Lebanon to assist with displaced and affected Lebanese continued in
Armenian-populated neighborhoods, as institutions and organizations have all
put forth their resources to aid the victims of the attacks.
An ARF delegation, accompanied by parliament member Hagop Pakradouni
Wednesday
visited refugee centers in Bourdj Hammoud to gain first-hand knowledge of the
situation.
Pakradouni praised the resilience of the people of southern Lebanon and
pledged the Armenian community’s continued efforts to provide necessary relief
and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the attacks.

2. Bryza Will Visit Karabakh During Tour

YEREVAN (Lrakir)–The US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza,
who
is scheduled to visit Armenia on July 29, will also go to Stepanakert, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic press service announced Thursday.
The press service reported that Bryza will meet with Karabakh President
Arkady
Ghoukassian.
Bryza’s visit to Stepanakert marks a turning point in the OSCE Minsk Group
peace process, since during past several years, visiting co-chairmen have
side-stepped visiting Karabakh.
"One should not place big hopes OSCE Minsk Group’s US Co-chair Matthew
Bryza’s visit to the region," Russia’s charge d’affaires in Azerbaijan Peter
Burdikin said.
He said Bryza’s visit to the region may be useful only from the standpoint of
assessing the situation by the new appointee.
"It would not be unlikely that a new meeting between the Armenian and Azeri
foreign ministers be organized upon completion of the visit," he said.

3. CIS Summit Begins Today

YEREVAN (Yerkir)A two-day summit of CIS leaders was scheduled to convene in
Moscow Friday.
The agenda of the summit includes two principal issues–the assessment of
global developments and the CIS reformation.
"Being the CIS chairman the Russian President invited his counterparts to
arrive in Moscow for an informal summit without a precisely outlined agenda
and
discuss the ways of CIS reformation," said assistant to the Russian leader
Sergey Prikhodko.
Presidents of Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
and Kyrgyzstan are expected to attend the summit.
Armenia’s presidential spokesman Viktor Soghmonyan told reporters Thursday
that a meeting between presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev of
Azerbaijan was not scheduled during the CIS summit.

4. Turkish Lawyer Puts Patriotism Before Free Speech, EU

ISTANBUL (Reuters)–A lawyer instrumental in trials of writers who challenge
Turkey’s limits on freedom of speech vowed on Wednesday to advance a
nationalist campaign which has put Ankara at odds with the European Union.
Bitter EU critic Kemal Kerincsiz has come to prominence this year through his
involvement in bringing charges against internationally renowned novelist
Orhan
Pamuk and other writers for comments on the Armenian issue and insulting
"Turkishness". The EU, which Turkey wants to join, is pushing Ankara to
improve
freedom of expression as a condition for membership, but nationalist lawyers
and the judiciary are undermining the drive. This week he filed a complaint to
prosecutors about comments made by Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink,
prompting a fresh probe of the writer just a week after a previous
conviction.
"You cannot view what writers like Hrant Dink and Orhan Pamuk have said as
freedom of expression. They are provoking the situation under the Armenian
Diaspora’s influence," Kerincsiz told Reuters in his office in an Istanbul
apartment block. "We will not allow insults and abuse of Turkishness in the
name of freedom of expression. We will continue to defend Turkishness and the
rights of Turks from Central Asia to Western Thrace (in eastern Greece)," he
said.
Kerincsiz heads the Grand Lawyers’ Association which claims 800 members in
Istanbul and devotes itself to nationalist causes. As he spoke, his colleagues
prepared placards for a pro-Turkish Cypriot demonstration they were staging in
Istanbul. The latest target of his campaign was an interview which Dink
gave to
Reuters on July 14 in which he said Armenians suffered genocide at the
hands of
Ottoman forces during World War One.
"Dink has sealed his own fate with this comment. He has convicted himself. It
is now impossible from him to escape his suspended sentence and a new
conviction," said Kerincsiz.
The European Parliament has called on Turkey to recognize the Armenian
massacres as a genocide before it joins the bloc.
The High Court of Appeals last week confirmed a six-month suspended jail
sentence for Dink under a controversial article of Turkey’s penal code which
outlaws insults to "Turkishness". The EU has urged Turkey to scrap Article
301,
which carries a jail sentence of up to three years, arguing it restricts
freedom of expression. The government says the revised penal code, introduced
last year, needs more time to be tested.
"Nobody will have the strength to abolish 301, neither the political
powers or
the European Union," Kerincsiz. "If you get rid of it your are recognizing the
Armenian genocide allegations."
Cases against Pamuk and four columnists collapsed on a legal technicality,
but
only after drawing a sharp rebuke from the EU, which Turkey aims to join, and
from human rights groups. Ankara began EU membership talks last October but is
not expected to join the wealthy bloc for many years. Kerincsiz wants
Turkey to
halt those talks immediately, annul its customs union with the bloc and review
its NATO and US relations.
"The European Union means slavery and a prisoner’s chains for Turkey," he
said.

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Varuzhan Sukiasyan appointed chief trainer of "Ararat" football club

ArmRadio.am
19.07.2006 14:46

Varuzhan Sukiasyan has been appointed chief trainer of "Ararat," one
of the leading football clubs of Armenia. Before Varuzhan Sukiasyan
trained the national football team of Armenia, as well as a number
of other clubs.

Democratic Armenia Union: US policy in Armenia has failed

Regnum, Russia
July 17 2006

The Democratic Armenia Union has initiated signatures collecting to
support the decision to recall US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans.
On behalf of the union on July 17 Chair of the National Press Club
Narine Lazarian talked to the press. She read out the statement and
informed that over 100 signatures haâ been collected and several
political parties joined the statement. As a REGNUM correspondent
reports, it is still unknown, which parties signed the document.

The statement says that drastic Armenia’s withdrawal from democratic
processes, decline of Armenia’s authority at international agencies,
deepening and encouraging of vicious deeds in the party sphere,
decline of freedom of speech, full control over electronic mass
media and censorship taking root, increase of corruption etc. have
become the basis for "a cynical falsification of outcomes of the
referendum on amending the Armenian constitution in November 2005,
which, in turn, brought about desperation in the country fixing a
social and political crisis." The Democratic Armenia Union announces
that all that has shown failure of the US policy to spread democracy
and establish freedom values in Armenia. At the same time, the union
puts responsibility for the failure upon US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans, US embassy and institutions that were designed to develop
democracy in the country on the account of US taxpayers.

"We, Armenian citizens, being concerned and interested in establishing
democracy, law obedient state and civil society in Armenia, call upon
the US Senate to speed up the process of replacing the ambassador,"
the statement runs. Besides, the union calls upon the Armenian
lobby to secure that a new US ambassador is devoted to democracy,
values of freedom in the name of strengthening Armenia and improving
Armenian-US relations.

The statement, according to Narine Lazarian, will be sent to the US
Senate and Armenian organizations.

It is worth mentioning, in March 2006 the issue was posed of
recalling US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans before hid term was
over. However, at present time the process has been suspended for an
unknown period. Richard Hoagland, who is now head of the US diplomatic
mission in Tajikistan, is a possible candidature to the post. It should
be noted, the reason for recalling the US Ambassador John Evans was,
most probably, his statement concerning the Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Empire in 1915. At a meeting with members of the Armenian
community in San Francisco on February 19, 2006, John Evans stressed
"necessity of recognizing the Armenian Genocide." "I will today call it
the Armenian Genocide," Evans said. Members of the US administration
and officials refrain from using the word "genocide" concerning the
events that happened in Turkey in the beginning of the last century
and preferred to use various descriptive phrases and attributes. "No
US official have ever denied this fact. Things should be called by
their proper names," he noted.

"The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide in the 20th century,"
Evans is quoted as saying noting that the world was not ready for a
proper reaction then. "I pledge to you, we are going to do a better
job at addressing this issue," Evans reportedly said then.

–Boundary_(ID_UxEWD7xpa8xRKBxhUdVp7g)–

US State Department Denies Turkey Linked to Recall of Evans

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.07.2006 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US State Department denies that Turkey
communicated with them in any fashion regarding US Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Executive Director Aram Hamparian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. This
denial is simply not credible given Turkey’s past conduct, Hamparian
said.

It should be reminded that during a meeting with San Francisco Armenian
community February 19, 2005 J.

Evans said, "recognition of the Armenian Genocide is important." "Today
I will call it Armenian Genocide," Evans stated. US Administration
and officials are used to avoiding the term "genocide". "No US
official ever denied this fact – I believe playing with words in
this case would not suit Americans," Evans said. "I believe things
should be called their proper names, however US official policy has
not changed yet, as ties with Turkey are available within the NATO,
especially in the military field." "The Armenian Genocide was the
first genocide in the 20th century. I assure you that we are going
to work well over this problem," John Evans added.

Later on, when delivering a speech at the US Embassy in Armenia
February 28, 2005, John Evans wished to clarify his statement,
made February 19, reports IA Regnum. "I want to explain the US
policy. The definitions on the tragedy of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey and future status of Nagorno Karabakh that I assumed during an
unofficial meeting with the US Armenian community can give cause for
misunderstanding." "In spite I noted that the US policy towards the
Armenian tragedy did not change, I used the word "genocide", which
reflected my personal point of view – that of John Evans and not a
politician. However, it was inappropriate," the Ambassador stated.

RESULTS OF YEREVAN GOLDEN APRICOT-2006 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SUMMED UP

YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Yerevan Voske
Tsiran-2006 ("Golden Apricot-2006") International Film Festival ended
on July 15. The festival was launched on July 10.

In the nomination of the "Best fiction film" film director from Taiwan
Hsiao Hsien Hou received the main prize, The Golden Apircot award
for his film "Three times" (Taiwan-France). In the same nomination
Spanish film director Isaki Lacuesta "Legend of time", and French film
director Rober Gedikian "Trip to Armenia" shared the second prize,
The Silver Apricot.

In the nomination "The best documentary film," Austrian film director
Michael Glawogger received the Golden Apricot main award for his film
"Workingman’s Death." In the same nomination Brazilian and Swedish film
directors Marcos Prado and Gunnar Bergdahl were given special awards
correspondingly for their films "Estamira" and "Lyudmila and Anatoli".

In the nomination "The best Armenian film" of the Festival’s
"Armenian Panorama" competition program the main award was given to
director Hrant Hakobian from Armenia, for his film "The Dwellers of
the Forgotten Islands." Vardan Hakobian and Maria Sahakian residing
in Russia received special diplomas for their "My name is happines"
and "Lighthouse" films, respectively.

Hasmik Poghosian, RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs handed
world-famous film director Artavazd Peleshian the certificate of the
award of the RA People’s Artist given according to the decree of RA
President Robert Kocharian.

AZG Armenian Daily #132, 15/07/2006

Judicial Reforms

DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN SUGGESTS NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO CURRENT
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF ARMENIA

RA Justice Minister David Haroutiunian suggested to make a number of
amendments in the current Administrative Code of Armenia. He informed
the journalists about this today, when representing the initiative to
make amendments to RA Administrative Code. He said that the suggested
amendments are conditioned by the life and the court practice. He meant
the unfair court verdicts that were taken because of the drawbacks
in the laws.

In particular, he stated that according to the current law, the
parents should bear responsibility for the damage made by a child
under 14, if it isn’t proved that the damage was made because of the
parents. The minister suggests to exclude this part, i.e. the parents
should always be responsible for the actions of children under 14. The
same thing concerns the educational or other institutions in which
charge the children are of. In the given case that institution is
as responsible, as the parents are. The next amendment concerns the
owner of an object in case of making a harm. The minister brought
the example when an upper neighbor pours you with water. "According
to the current legislation, the responsibility should bear the one
who makes the damage, i.e. the water. We suggest to make the owner
of the property bear responsibility," he said. Besides, the owner
of the animal that bit someone should also bear responsibility for,
notwithstanding whether the animal escaped, was lost or is in the
charge of another man. The minister also touched upon the so-called
sources of special danger that include the transport, the electricity
lines, etc. In this case, the owners should bear responsibility,
if it isn’t proved that the damage was made because of the suffered
side. The owners also should make compensations, if it is proved that
the sources went out of control without the awareness of the owner,
for example, the sources were stolen. In these cases, the owner is
responsible, if the owner didn’t take relevant measures to return his
property. At the same time, if the object is given to another person
on legal grounds, the owner is still responsible. For example, if you
trusted your car to someone who ran over a passer-by, the owner of
the car is responsible for the incident. The minister also touched
upon the amendments in the Criminal Code.

By Ara Martirosian

DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN HAS NOT YET DECIDED WITH WHAT POLITICAL FORCE TO
PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. "When the ways proposed by different
political forces, i.e. the practical steps how to achieve results
become clear, only then I can express my opinion," RA Justice
Minister David Haroutiunian declared in response to NT correspondent’s
question, with what political forces he is going to participate in
the forthcoming parliamentary elections. He thinks "this will take
place when the preelection struggle flares up, probably, in late 2006
or in early 2007."

The Minister emphasized that at the moment the political forces have
only outlined their goals, which are very good, but the concrete
practical and priority ways have not been presented yet.

According to D.Haroutiunian, discussions on joining different
political parties were held over the past 8 years, but after his
statement about his intention to be engaged in active politics he
has not yet received any proposal.

The Minister did not exclude that his decision not to take part in
the 2008 presidential elections can change emphasizing that everything
will depend on the situation.

MIKA TO RECEIVE STRONG COMPETITOR ON JULY 13

YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 13, Ashtarak "Mika" will receive
Swiss "Young Boys" in the first game of the UEFA Cup Tournament’s
firts tour at the Republican stadium of Yerevan.

On the same day, "Banants" will compete with the Tbilisi "Ameri"
within the framework of the UEFA Cup Tournament.

SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS ON AMB. EVANS FIRING

WASHINGTON, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Concerns continued
to grow this week regarding the circumstances surrounding the firing
of U.S.

Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold
(D-WI) becomes the ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign
Relations Committee to call for clarification of the State Department
policy on the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland, Sen.

Feingold noted that, "I want to express my deep concern about the
Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge the acts of genocide
that were committed against the Armenians almost a century ago. The
Administration’s continued failure to recognize these tragic events
is troubling to me and to those who share my belief that we should
speak honestly about, and insist on accountability for, past crimes
against humanity and genocide."

Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen. Feingold
asked:

Why was Ambassador Evans removed as Ambassador to Armenia?

What is the Administration’s policy towards acknowledging the Armenian
genocide and what boundaries have been set for your position as
Ambassador to address or speak about the Armenian genocide?

Do you anticipate that the departure of your predecessor, Mr. Evans,
will harm U.S.-Armenian relations? How do you plan to respond to
those in the Armenian community who are upset about his departure?

Sen. Feingold’s concerns are shared by half of the influential Senate
Foreign Relations Committee members – including Senators George Allen
(R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara Boxer (D-CA),
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT),
John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) – who must first approve
Amb. Evans’ replacement prior to a full Senate confirmation. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed action on Ambassador
Designate Hoagland, while quickly voting for the incoming Ambassadors
to Switzerland and Ireland, who were before the Committee the same
day as Ambassador Designate Hoagland.

During the June 28th nomination hearing, Sen. George Allen (R-VA),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pressed
the nominee for an explanation of the State Department’s guidance
regarding the use of the word "genocide" to properly characterize
this crime against humanity. Senators Allen and Coleman peppered
the nominee with numerous questions and expressed frustration as
the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of the
questions, resorting to the use of euphemisms.

In addition, Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have urged
Secretary Rice to reconsider the decision to recall Amb. Evans. Over
the past several months, scores of Senate and House Members have
directed questions to State Department officials, calling for answers
surrounding the controversial firing of Amb.

Evans, including 60 Representatives who joined Rep. Edward Markey
(D-MA) in a letter to Secretary Rice, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
who submitted questions to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried,
and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who submitted questions to Secretary
Rice. Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry also asked
Secretary Rice for clarification on Amb. Evans’ dismissal. The
Administration has either failed to provide responses or provided
responses, which have been largely perfunctory, citing that Ambassadors
serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no clear insight
into the State Department’s decision to dismiss the career diplomat
after 35 years of distinguished service.

The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements before
American audiences in the United States, during which he properly
characterized the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." Following his
statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying that
his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal views and
did not represent a change in U.S. policy. He subsequently issued a
correction to this statement, replacing a reference to the genocide
with the word "tragedy." The American Foreign Service Association,
which had decided to honor Amb. Evans with the "Christian A. Herter
Award," recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within
the Foreign Service, reportedly rescinded the award following pressure
from the State Department in the days leading up to Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC to meet with
President Bush.