Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

RA AMBASSADOR TO U.S. MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN
ORGANIZATIONS ACTING IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, MAY 29, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Tatul Margarian,
the Ambassador of Armenia to the United States, on May 16, received the
delegation of leadership of the Ramkavar-Azatakan Party of Armenia in
the office of the RA Consulate General in Los Angeles. Ara Aharonian,
Gevorg Grigorian, and Hakob Nazarian were members of the delegation.

During the three-day visit, the Ambassador had meetings with
representatives of different structures acting in the Armenian colony
of Los Angeles.

According to the American office of the Ramkavar-Azatakan Party of
Armenia, during the meeting lasting nearly an hour, the most important
issues American Armenians are concerned with were touched upon. Armen
Liloyan, the Consul General of Los Angeles, was also present at the
meeting. The situation formed in Armenia after the presidential
elections was also spoken about.

It was instructed within the framework of all Armenian programs of
different American Armenian colonies with active and practical steps to
continue activities of Armenian request for the sake of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.

Hürriyet, Turkey
May 29 2008

Slovak FM backs Turkey over genocide bill

Slovakia’s foreign minister said Wednesday he would lobby the
government over a proposed law making denial of any genocide an
imprisonable offence, after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart.

Jan Kubis said the Slovakian parliament’s decision in 2004 does not
represent the line of the government. Speaking at a joint news
conference in the Slovak capital with his counterpart, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan, Kubis said he would take up the matter with
Justice Minister Stefan Harabin, adding history should be treated by
historians, not politicians.

"I will discuss this matter with the Slovakian justice minister and
members of the government. I believe history must be left to
historians. We know the sensitivity of the Turkish public opinion on
this matter and will not permit this topic to place a shadow on good
relations between Turkey and Slovakia," he was quoted as saying by
news agencies.

Some 300,000 Armenians and at least an equal number of Turks were
killed in civil strife when Armenians, backed by Russia, rose up
against the Ottomans in 1915. However Armenians claim in a systematic
campaign of defamation some 1.5 million of their kinsmen died in
orchestrated killings during the 1915 incidents.

Babacan reiterated Turkey had proposed to Armenia the establishment a
joint historical committee to study the incidents of 1915 and open all
archives; however, Yerevan has yet to give a positive response to the
offer.

"Without any evidence, Turkey cannot accept any allegations," he
added.

GEVORG HARUTYUNYANHE MAIN MOTIVATION IS THE PROVISION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 28, 2008
Armenia

Interview with the Head of RPA Parliamentary Faction Karen Karapetyan.

"Mr. Karapetyan during the extraordinary session of the parliament
amendments were made in "NA Regulations" law according to which
the number of the standing committees is increased by three: of
agricultural, environmental, social issues, territorial governance
and local self governmental issues. Was there any need to do so or
you took this step to meet the demands of the coalition partners,
like for example the MPs belonging to "Heritage" party interpret."

"Coalition took this decision based on the indispensability which was
conditioned by certain factors. Firstly we all speak about raising the
effectiveness of the Parliament’s activity. Taking into account the
fact that the standing committees shoulder the entire responsibility
of the laws, in my view their activity must become more flexible
and productive. There are committees, which are really overloaded,
that is why it was very important to maintain proportionality.

The next reason derives from the policy adopted by RPA, which is –
to ensure an atmosphere of complete cooperation and tolerance. If you
remember after the Parliamentary elections of 1999 the representatives
of opposition were also included in the administration of the National
Assembly. This fact contributes to the establishment of the atmosphere
of tolerance and dialogue. That is why at present we are guided by
the same logic."

"From your words can we assume that members of "Heritage" party will
be included in the committees?"

"We are based on the reality created after the parliamentary elections.

Each political power participated in the parliamentary elections with
their own program and they have attained certain amount of votes. So
at the moment those enjoying respect among the society are represented
in the Parliament.

The political majority possesses the levers to implement its own
program.

What the political minority has is their words, which they actively
use.

But, what we propose is, not to be satisfied with words only, but
instead to be involved in the parliamentary administrative activity,
thus ensuring opportunities to influence political decision and
political processes.

That is why we propose "Orinats Yerkir" party to head two of the newly
set up three committees, because this party has got more mandates,
and "Heritage" party to head the other committee.

In our view our partners from "Heritage" party will accept our
proposal as a step towards cooperation and dialogue. Our country
and the people will only benefit from such atmosphere, because thus
we will mitigate the tension and make the activity of the National
Assembly more productive, as well as to find the best ways to overcome
the challenges faced by the country, through dialogue."

IN RUSSIAN DECLAMATION ARMENIA IS CALLED STRATEGIC ALLY BUT AZERBAIJAN – STRATEGIC PARTNER, RUSSIAN POLITICAL EXPERT THINKS

arminfo
2008-05-23 15:42:00

ArmInfo. In Russian declamation Armenia is called strategic ally but
Azerbaijan – strategic partner, Russian political expert, head of the
department of inter-ethnic relations of Russian Political and Military
Analysis Institute Sergey Markedonov told ArmInfo correspondent.

The expert said. He also added that Russia and Azerbaijan have
the connecting problems, such as: the Dagestan border, the Caspian
problem. ‘In general Russia is striving to apply the differentiated
policy towards Armenia and Azerbaijan, though naturally Yerevan and
Baku watch each other fervently regarding Moscow’, – he said.

PRIME MINISTER ORDERS CREATION OF FOUR NEW COMMITTEES

ARMENPRESS
May 22, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS: Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian ordered
to establish 4 ministerial committees- on financial-economic, social,
regional development and ecology, and state and legal issues.

Prime minister told at the government session today that all issues
which are to be discussed at government sessions will have to initially
go through these committees. These committees must plan their meetings
every Friday. They will have to consider also conceptual issues.

"Only by collective thinking we shall be able to work as a common
team," Tigran Sarkisian stressed. In his words, the efficiency
of the government’s performance is contingent on the pace of the
ongoing reforms.

The prime minister noted that a technical assistance was received from
Great Britain for improvement of Armenia’s administration system. He
said based on it a comprehensive program was developed to improve
the administration system.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

ACUSA LECTURE ON "THE ARMENIAN CULTURE IN THE 5TH CENTURY AND THE ARMENIAN
IDENTITY"

The Armenian Church University Students’ Association (ACUSA) organized a
lecture on the "Armenian culture in the 5th century and the Armenian
Identity" in its Antelias headquarters on May 17.

During her opening remarks, ACUSA Central Committee member Gacia
Kouyoumdjian presented the speaker of the event, well known intellectual and
pedagogue Krikor Shahinian. During his talk, Shahinian first presented
historical developments in the fourth and fifth centuries, stressing that
the adoption of Christianity as an official religion in Armenia aimed at
emphasizing the uniqueness of the Armenian nation.

The speaker then talked in detail about the political situation created in
Armenia after its division in 387 between the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid
Persia. Against this background, Shahinian delved into the 5th century,
talking in particular about the creation of the Armenian Alphabet, which
came to further strengthen Armenian national identity, he said.

Shahinian added that the struggle for the preservation of that identity
continues today. At the end of the lecture, a discussion was held on issues
related to Armenian identity.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Youth
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

LAW ON YEREVAN TO BE PRESENTED TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN AUTUMN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The government will submit an amended
and ready for second reading bill on Yerevan to the National Assembly
at its autumn session, the RA minister of territorial administration
Armen Gevorgain stated in the parliament on May 21.

According to him, the government discussed the bill in detail with CE
experts who recently came to Yerevan. The experts proposed increasing
own authorities of Yerevan as an independent territorial entity. With
the aim of solving this problem, the government proposes that some part
of delegated authorities should be considered as own authorities. With
respect to Yerevan, it is proposed to transfer the fulfilment of state
functions (which is considered as competence of marzpets (regional
governors) in marzes) to state bodies located in Yerevan: ministries,
committees, etc.

The minister did not tell the date of elections of Yerevan mayor,
saying that it depends on the process of adopting the above mentioned
law. In his words, the local government bodies of Yerevan continue
functioning normally, the recent 4 community elections were properly
held, and elections in another 6-7 communities of Yerevan will be
held in the autumn.

ARFD 30th GENERAL MEETING OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The official opening of the ARFD 30th
general meeting took place on May 21 in the RA government sitting
hall. Nearly 100 deputies from 30 countries, as well as representatives
of government and parties making a coalition took part in the general
meeting.

The RA President’s greeting speech was read during the meeting,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, Chairman of Bargavach Hayastan Party
Gagik Tsarukian, RPA Vice-Chairman Galust Sahakian, Chairwoman of
NA Orinats Yerkir faction Heghine Bisharian spoke. Hrant Margarian,
a representative of the ARFD Bureau, made a greeting speech at the
meeting. After the end of the official part the ARFD 30th general
meeting will continue its proceedings in Tsakhkadzor, behind closed
doors.

The general meeting is the chief meeting of Dashnaktsutiun, which is
held once every four years. As Armen Rustamian, a representative of
the ARFD Supreme Body, said, after Armenia’s independence the ARFD 28th
(in 2000) and 29th (in 2004) general meetings have been convened in the
country. The ARFD 25th general meeting that opened in 1992 in Yerevan
was hampered by the authorities and compulsorily continued in France.

ARF DASHNAKTSUTIUN CYPRUS GOMIDEH ANNOUNCES MAY 28 GRAND FIESTA

Gibrahayer
May 19, 2008

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF SINGER KARNIG SARKISSIAN & SAHAG SAHAGIAN &
ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VAHAN HOVHANESSIAN

Gibrahayer 19 May – Nicosia – The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Gomideh
has announced a May 28 Grand Fiesta on the occasion of the rebirth
of the Armenian nation by marking the 90th anniversary of Armenian
independence with the participation of Armenian presidential candidate
Vahan Hovhannessian and singers Karnig Sarkissian and his band as
well as Sahag Sahagian (composer of Kedashen).

The celebrations will begin at PASYDY on Sunday 8 June at 6:30pm and
will continue with a Banquet at The Holiday Inn at 8:30 pm with the
participation of the popular singers from Armenia.

The raffle of The Armenian National Committee of Cyprus – giving out
three major prizes will take place during the Banquet.

The two events on the same day, are being organised by the ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Gomideh and sister organisations AYMA/HMEM,
Hamazkayin "Oshagan" Cyprus Chapter and The Armenian Relief Society
(HOM) "Sosse" Cyprus Chapter.

TUSIAD PROMOTING INITIATIVE ON CREATING A PLATFORM
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
20/05/2008

Genocide

Aiming at Investigation of "The Events Concerning the Armenian Citizens
of the Ottoman Empire in the period of World War 1"

TUSAID, the Union of Turkish Entrepreneurs and Manufacturers (Turk
Sanayicileri ve Ýþadamlarý Deneði), has started a campaign against
the international recognition of the Armemian Genocide.

The organization has made arrangement with American lawyer David
Saltzman to prepare a report on H. Resolution 106.

Saltzman’s report, entitled "H. RES. 106: Legal and Factual
Deficiencies", was published on May 16, during the "The Foundations of
the Turkish-American Relationships in the 21st Century" conference,
held in Washington. On May 17, according to "Zaman", TUSIAD spread
a message giving some details on Saltzman’s report.

The message says that the preface for Saltzman’s report was written
by the TUSIAD executive staff and that the organization is preparing
to create a platform for investigating "The Events Concerning the
Armenian Citizens of the Ottoman Empire in the period of World War
1". TUSIAD stresses that the controversies about those events and
their extremely politicized discussions negatively affect Turkey’s
relations with its allies and rouse anti-Turkish attitudes in Europe.

The preface of the report says that the public opinion on those
events is formed with a one-sided point of view. "Due to partial
appraisal of the facts, due to neglecting the counter-arguments and
the historical platform of those events, the present approaches are
enduring," it is said.

The body text of the report says that it has been never legally
approved that there are reasons to qualify the events of 1915 as
Genocide. It says that the materials on Armenians’ deportation, on the
violence occurred during the deportation, on Armenians’ rebellions and
on other factors of reduction of Armenian population in Turkey are open
public research. TUSIAD assures that impartial and open investigation
of those issues is threatened by exceedingly politicized attitudes
and that in such conditions determination of the historical truth
and normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations are impossible.

–Boundary_(ID_HZlS55baKwPnNbp1jE9Gyg )–