Author: Felekian Ara

ARMENIER IN MOSKAU GETOTET

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
12. Juni 2006

M.L. MOSKAU, 11. Juni. In Moskau ist am Wochenende ein Armenier bei
einem Uberfall getotet, ein anderer schwer verletzt worden. Einer der
vermutlichen Tater, ein junger Russe, der am Samstag abend mit einer
Pistole auf die Armenier gefeuert haben soll, wurde kurze Zeit nach der
Tat festgenommen. Nach Angaben der Miliz weigerte sich der Mann, Fragen
zu beantworten. Ob die Tat rassistische Hintergrunde hatte, konnte noch
nicht geklart werden. Seit Jahren werden immer wieder fremdlandisch
aussehende Menschen in russischen Stadten Opfer von Uberfallen,
bei denen rassistische Motive aufgedeckt wurden. Ein Vertreter der
Vereinten Nationen soll nun fremdenfeindliche Ubergriffe in Rußland
untersuchen. Der Sondergesandte fur Rassismus und Fremdenfeindlichkeit,
Dudu Diene, soll deshalb in dieser Woche nach Moskau und St. Petersburg
fahren, die als Hochburgen fremdenfeindlicher Gewalt gelten, und dort
mit den Behorden sprechen.

Erst Ende Mai war ein Armenier in einem Moskauer Vorortzug von
Rechtsextremisten erstochen worden. In St. Petersburg wurde im April
ein afrikanischer Student erschossen.

–Boundary_(ID_OOpXonUknIufiAWABuN6Qg )–

ARMENIAN PM BELIEVES AZERBAIJAN LOST ITS CHANCE IN BUCHAREST

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 15 2006

After the meeting of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Bucharest a necessity appeared
to carry out new steps towards Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,
which are still being taken, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
has said talking to the press.

As a REGNUM correspondent quotes him as saying that foreign ministers
of the two countries are trying now to achieve what the presidents
failed to achieve in Bucharest. "There was a good chance of progress
in Bucharest, but the Azerbaijani party failed to snatch this
opportunity," the prime minister noted. Speaking on dismissal of the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chair from the US, as well as on soon replacement
of the US ambassador to Armenia, Andranik Margaryan noted that it
was the country’s internal affair.

ARMENIA-NATO ONE OF GUARANTEES OF ARMENIA’S SECURITY

Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 14 2006

Yerevan, June 14. /ARKA/. The Armenia-NATO cooperation is one of the
guarantees of Armenia’s security, Vice-Speaker of the RA Parliament
Vahan Hovhannisyan stated at a roundtable held in Yerevan and attended
by representatives of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Calling the Armenia-NATO cooperation efficient in the context of
recent development of parliamentary diplomacy, Hovhannisyan stressed
the importance of Armenian parliamentarians’ participation in the
work of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly includes members
of the subcommittee for future security and defense potential,
Commission for Defense and Security, and members of the subcommittee
for democratic governance, Commission for Civil Measurement, NATO
Parliamentary Assembly.

RUSSIAN MILITARY WERE GUARANTORS OF JAVAKHETI ARMENIANS’ SECURITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The withdrawal of the Russian military base from
Akhalkalaki has a psychological motive for the Armenians of the region,
Shirak Torosian, the head of “Javakhk” friendly association.

In his words, besides the loss of 4000 work places Armenians feel
unprotected. “The Russian military were the guarantors of security
and stability. The matter is who will replace them. If NATO troops
come Armenians fear it will be a Turkish contingent,” Torosian said.

When commenting on the supposed return of Turks-Meskhetians to the
region, Torosian remarked this step by the Georgian government is
targeted at infringement of the right of the local inhabitants,
both Georgians and Armenians. “Turks-Meskhetians used to live in
the villages of the Aspindz and Akhaltsikh regions. These villages
were long ago settled by Georgians and it would be inhuman to exile
them. There are large uninhabited territories in Georgia and the
repatriates should settle down there.

HOVHANNISIAN: RUSSIAN FASCIST THEMSELVES DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Yerkir.am
June 09, 2006

The recent shows of racism in Russia, and especially the attacks
by skinheads at ethnic Armenians, seem to weaken the basics of the
Armenian-Russian relations.

While it is not reflected on the level of state relations, it is having
a strong impact on the society. The brotherly country is becoming a
place where Armenians do not feel comfortable.

“The Russian society has a low self-esteem because it has lost the
cold war,” says Vahan Hovhannisian. “That’s why the neo-fascism and
crime have covered Moscow. These losses could not but impact the
Russian society, especially when the economic growth is due to oil
prices and not industrial growth.”

“Russian fascists don’t understand well what they are saying. They
speak of the cleanness of the race without even realizing Mussolini
or General Franco would have been killed immediately if they entered
the Moscow subway because they look dark-skinned.”

The National Assembly vice-speaker says the Russian government does
not work efficiently enough to tackle the issue.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA

Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

10 June 2006

PASTORAL VISIT TO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Each year the Armenian community of Auckland, New Zealand eagerly awaits the
pastoral visit of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand. It is this
special occasion that brings together the 100 or so Armenians to rekindle
fellowship and the Armenian spirit in this remote part of the world.

The Primate arrived in Auckland on Friday, 2nd June and met with community
members both young and old at a warm gathering typical of Armenian
hospitality. On Saturday, the Archbishop was accompanied to the local
cemetery by community members where he blessed graves and held a requiem
service for the souls of the dearly departed both interred in Auckland and
overseas. The same evening an official dinner was held in honour of
Archbishop Baliozian.

On Sunday, Holy Mass was celebrated by His Eminence at St Peter’s Anglican
Church in Takapuna. The sermon was devoted to the occasion of Pentecost, 50
days after the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. At
Pentecost, what seemed like tongues of fire came to rest on the faithful
congregated in the upper room. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and were
comforted. And so it was with the close-knit Armenian congregation of
Auckland this Sunday, who received spiritual comfort and nourishment by
partaking in the Divine Liturgy of their mother language and the day’s
sermon.

Following the church service, as is customary, the congregation gathered
together for supper. The Archbishop took the opportunity to speak to the
youth of which there were about 20 aged 10 to 25 years.

Throughout the course of his four days in Auckland, Archbishop Baliozian
visited the sick and elderly as well as other members of the Armenian
community. Monday evening saw the conclusion of the pastoral visit with a
farewell party before his safe passage home to Sydney early Tuesday morning.

For information on the Armenian Community of Auckland email Mr Ara
Ovanessoff Chairman of the Armenian Society of New Zealand at
[email protected] or the Diocesan Office at [email protected] .

AZG Armenian Daily #107, 10/06/2006

Event

SEISMIC ISOLATION TO BE APPLIED IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

PR Department of the American University of Armenia informs that at
the initiative of the International Association for Anti-seismic
Technologies and by the support of Elite Group CJSC, UN’s Yerevan
office and Retine Noruyt Ltd the American University of Armenia and
the Armenian Association for Aseismic Construction will hold an
international workshop “Seismic Isolation of High-Rise Buildings” on
June 15-17. It is scheduled to hold 5 scientific sessions,
international exhibitions as well as technical visits to the sites of
high-rise buildings’ construction in Yerevan.

It was professor Mikael Melkumian who came with an offer to hold a
workshop in Armenia when participating in the 9th international
conference on seismic isolation in Kobe, Japan. Armenia is the first
developing country where the seismic isolation was applied. First time
in the world the foundations and roofs of buildings seismically
isolated without evicting inhabitants. Having assessed Armenia’s work
in the sphere of seismic isolation the International Association for
Anti-seismic Technologies agreed to Melkumian’s offer.

40 scientists, engineers and planners from 9 countries (USA, Italy,
Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Russia, Romania, Slovakia and Armenia) will
take part in the Yerevan workshop.

By Ruzan Poghosian

Daily Nation , Kenya
June 9 2006

Police arrest Armenian brothers in night raid

Story by OWINO OPONDO
Publication Date: 6/9/2006

Police are holding the two Armenian brothers at the heart of
mercenary claims.

Also arrested were three people found with them at their posh Runda
estate in Nairobi during the police swoop at 1am (2200hrs GMT).

Found at the palatial home were car registration plates for
government, diplomatic and civilian vehicles. Also parked at the
residence were 15 luxury cars, some bearing GK (government)
registration.

Military uniforms, hoods, and a gun bag were also found in the house.

About 50 police officers led by Gigiri police boss Patrick Lumumba
used a truck to pull down the gate when the Armenians refused to
open.

Police then flushed out the Armenians and bundled them into a waiting
saloon car. They were driven to the Gigiri police station and later
transferred to Kileleshwa police station this morning.

The two brothers who have been described as investors by the
Government had earlier caused a scene at the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport when they refused to have their baggage
inspected by customs officers. It is still not clear where they were
arriving from.

It is understood that the two declined to have their bags inspected
by customs officers in keeping with practice.

photos of the arrests:
gcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=74819

VARDAN OSKANYAN DID NOT LISTEN TO SERGE SARGSYAN

Lragir.am
08 June 06

Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated June 8 that he had not heard
the June 7 statement of Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan. The defense
minister announced June 7 that judging by the information he has about
the meeting in Bucharest Azerbaijan is missing the opportunity of a
peace settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Vardan Oskanyan declined
to comment on Serge Sargsyan’s opinion but he, nevertheless, set
forward suggestions on what it could emanate from.

“After every round of negotiations one tends to think that another
opportunity was missed. Maybe this is what the defense minister had
meant. I have just told you that we must carry on the talks. There
is no other alternative. It is Armenia that keeps stating, asserting
that the Karabakh issue cannot be settled through a war. If it could,
it should have been settled long before,” said Vardan Oskanyan. He
announced that despite the failure of the talks in Bucharest the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will use the open “window”
in 2006 and reach an agreement on the key principles of the
resolution. However, the presidents rejected the agreement of the
mediators on this dispute, and it is interesting whether the new
meeting will not be an opportunity for a new refusal.

“I think that every party thinks that it is not acceptable for them,
but maybe it is close to its goal and can persuade the opposite
party to accept it. I think the presidents keep this in their
minds in approaching the issue and preparing to meet,” says Vardan
Oskanyan, adding that it is difficult for both parties to reach an
agreement because they have major controversies. Vardan Oskanyan did
not mention the exact time of the next meeting of the presidents,
saying that there were no arrangements in Bucharest. He mentioned
that they promised to meet as soon as there was an invitation. Hence,
everything depends on the co-chairs.

“All the problems of settlement of the issue are on the table, all the
problems. Different sides are offered different proposals; therefore,
every party stresses the issue that is favorable for it.

For us, we have asserted for several times that self-determination and
recognition of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan is primary. Then we can
discuss different consequences of the conflict,” Vardan Oskanyan once
again expressed the stance of the Armenian side on June 8. According
to him, there is no outside pressure on the process of settlement,
and there will be no pressure. Vardan Oskanyan said it is pointless to
apply the model of Dayton, adding that in Dayton the great powers had
to stop a blood-shed, whereas there is no such a problem in Karabakh.

L’OSCE CHERCHE UNE SOLUTION POUR NARGORNO-KARABAKH

Xinhua News Agency – French
6 juin 2006 mardi 12:31 AM EST

Le Ministre belge des Affaires etrangères et President en exercice de
l’Organisation pour la securite et la cooperation en Europe (OSCE),
Karel De Gucht, a eu, en marge de la Conference de la Mer Noire
a Bucarest, differents entretiens avec les parties principales du
conflit du Nagorno- Karabakh.

Selon le ministère belge des Affaires etrangères mardi, M. De
Gucht a preside dimanche dernier la reunion precedant la rencontre
bilaterale entre le President de l’Azerbaïdjan, M. Aliëv, et le
President Armenien, M. Kotsjarian, a laquelle assistaient egalement les
co-presidents du groupe de Minsk, c’est-a-dire les Ambassadeurs Jouri
Merzlyakov (Russie), Steven Mann (USA) et Bernard Fassier (France),
ainsi que l’Envoye personnel du President de l’OSCE l’Ambassadeur
Andrzej Kasprzyck.

“J’invite les parties a resoudre les points de divergence restant et a
arriver a un compromis”, a declare M. De Gucht lors de cette reunion,
indiquant que le developpement de toute la region du Sud du Caucase
ne pourrait se faire que de cette manière.

“Conclure la Paix demande du leadership et du courage, c’est ce que
la communaute internationale attend de votre part”, a dit lundi M. De
Gucht lors de la rencontre bilaterale avec chacun des deux Presidents.

“Personnellement, en tant que President de l’OSCE, je reste pret a
m’impliquer totalement dans l’accompagnement vers une issue favorable
et a aider a mobiliser la communaute internationale a soutenir un
accord de paix”, a-t-il ajoute.

“L’Armenie et l’Azerbaidjan doivent avoir conscience que la balle se
trouve dans leur camp et que l’attention de la commaute internationale
risque de diminuer si aucune perspective de solution ne se degage”,
a-t-il martele.

–Boundary_(ID_nlXRQcawmv8Enj6xSdQ3oQ)–