Author: Kanayan Tamar

KARABAKH IS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 June 05

Nvard Ohanjanian: “Mr. Avanessov, you must have visited different
polling stations in Karabakh, observed the polls. How did the polls
pass from the logistical aspect?” Avanessov: “The polls
passed on a due level. Especially I was impressed by the work going
on at the press centre of the Central Election Committee. Free of
charge telephones were available there to communicate objective
information on the course and results of the election to different
countries of the world. Telephone communication with Yerevan was
available too. Of course, it would be good if the polling stations
were equipped with air conditioning, especially in summer weather. I
must say that I have also visited the polling stations of Stepanakert
and saw the degree of activity of the voters. This is surprising and
commendable.” N.O.: “What would you say about the political
significance of this event?” A.A.: “I think elections in
Karabakh must be organized better than in the US or any other
civilized country. In his interview NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan
Danielian said it is not the results of the election that matter but
the reputation of the state. Karabakh must prove to the world that it
is a democratic country. If you do not believe, come and see
yourselves.” N.O.: “In your opinion, will the interest of the
world in Karabakh, which has not been recognized by the international
community yet, grow?” A.A.: “I believe that the parliamentary
election will greatly promote the international recognition of
Karabakh. In the press conference Constantine Zatulin stated that he
had officially requested the government of the Russian Federation to
provide sums from the State Budget 2006 funds for fostering democracy
outside of Russian Federation. And this is normal because similar
measures are taken in any developed country. That is to say, if the
USA takes such measures in reference to Nagorno Karabakh, officially
or non-officially, why cannot the Russian Federation do the same? The
fact that a large delegation arrived from the USA the majority of the
members of which are former officers of the US State Department means
something.” A.A.: “What is your opinion about the failure of
the Alliance ARF-Movement 88 in the election? What will the new
parliament be like? Will it have an opposition in the course of
time?” A.A.: “Yes, I am aware of the defeat of the
oppositionist party, the alliance but I do not know the reasons. In
fact, the picture is the following. There are 33 seats in the
parliament and only three have been taken by the opposition. I cannot
predict what position the representatives of the Azat Hayrenik Party
will take, whether they will adhere to the oppositions or not. The
same can be said about the candidates elected under the majority
system.” N.O.: “Let us pass to another topic. Mr. Avanessov,
what is your opinion about the protracted talks for the Karabakh
issue? Do you think the key to its resolution will ever be
found?” A.A.: “The delay is favourable for the Armenians.
Eleven years have passed since the ceasefire. And today I come to
understand the position of the Republic of Armenia on this subject,
which is to delay the time; another ten years and the issue will stop
existing. Whatever Azerbaijan does will befall the next generation. I
want to emphasize another fact as well. The soldiers of the Defence
Army are conscious of why they defend the borders of their
motherland. They have families, children in the rear. Yet the
soldiers of the Azerbaijani army, in case war is resumed, do not know
what they are going to fight for. This is the difference. This is one
thing. On the other hand, the propaganda machine of Azerbaijan
carries out tremendous work to slander the Armenian side. What we
need is that our diplomacy starts working more intensively in this
direction and conveys the truth to people.” N.O.: “Mr.
Avanessov, if the talks come to a deadlock in a certain stage, do you
think one of the parties, particularly the Armenian party will be
pressed to accept an unacceptable solution?” A.A.: “The
threat of compelling has persisted and will persist. There will,
probably, be proposals, but the Armenian side must realize whether
these are acceptable or not. Besides, no trade on the status of
Nagorno Karabakh is acceptable, which is the pivotal principle. Of
course, deadlock in the talks is not excluded. It may occur in 10 or
15 years. Generally, it is difficult to predict but Azerbaijan may
start military actions in this period. Most probably, there will be
no war in the near future, as long as the oil factor, the factor of
the oil pipeline Baku – Geyhan exists.” N.O.: “What about
the statements on returning territories, manipulated by
Azerbaijan?” A.A.: “I consider the issue of returning
territories to be an unserious topic, unserious talk, and it goes
without saying that the winner side cannot take such a step and will
never do.”

NVARD OHANJANIAN.
26-06-2005

Pan Armenian News

CRIMEA PARLIAMENT NOT GOING TO REVOKE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

24.06.2005 04:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The adoption of the resolution recognizing the Armenian
Genocide aroused indignation not only in Azerbaijan and Turkey but in
Ukraine as well, APA Azeri news agency reported. Yesterday’s sitting of the
Crimean Supreme Rada was rich will calls to revoke the Armenian Genocide
resolution. Parliament Speaker Boris Deich mentioned of expediency of
revocation, however the deputies rejected the proposal. Deputy Vladimir
Kazanin said the demand on revocation of the Armenian Genocide resolution
was caused by pressure exerted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In his
words the Azeri leader, who arrived in Kiev to participate in Mini Davos
Forum on June 17-19, during the meeting with Supreme Rada Chairman Vladimir
Litvin that adoption of such a resolution in inadmissible. The deputy also
informed that Ilham Aliyev urged V. Litvin to exert pressure on the
parliament to revoke the resolution. He also added that the Crimean
parliament did not define the event of 1915 as `genocide’ and the delicacy
manifested by Kiev at present is groundless. V. Kazanin stated that
Armenians have lived in Crimea for over 1500 years and play an important
role in its history. Leader of the Crimean branch of the Republican party of
Ukraine Alexander Gress stated of impossibility of revoking the resolution.
`In the course 90 years no parliament in the world has ever cancelled any
decision referring to the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide victims.
So why should we do it?’ he said. To note, only 13 deputies voted in favor
of including the issue of revocation the resolution in the agenda.

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TOP STORIES
06/23/2005
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1) ARF Artsakh Demands Investigation into Manukian Beating Incident
2) New Jersey Recognizes Armenian Genocide
3) Homenetmen Establishes New Chapter in Hungary
4) ARF Youth Delegates Discuss Genocide at IUSY Conference in Turkey

1) ARF Artsakh Demands Investigation into Manukian Beating Incident

STEPANAKERT–The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) Artsakh released additional details about the beating of Pavel Manukian
by Mountainous Karabagh Republic authorities, and demanded that those
guilty of
the crime be punished according to the law.
“Pavel Manukian, a candidate running for MKR National Assembly, remains in
stable condition, after being beaten on June 21 in MKR’s Defense Ministry
offices.” The ARF press release states that Manukian has been transferred from
the critical care unit to the regular section of the hospital, though he
suffers severe headaches.
Manukian’s wife has asked that he be transferred to a hospital in Yerevan,
but
the request has been denied by a military judge, who cited the unstable
condition of the patient.
Mrs. Manukian on Wednesday filed a plea in MKR Superior Court, for a criminal
investigation into the beating incident, directly implicating MKR Defense
Minister Seyran Ohanian and his deputy Samuel Garabedian in the beating. She
also named generals A. Haroutunian, V. Balayan, and M. Hagopian as
participants.
Manukian’s fiery speeches during election campaigning evidently prompted the
beating. Manukian, a prominent participant of the war with Azerbaijan, bashed
the meddling of the commanders of MKR’s army in the electoral process,
accusing
them of voter intimidation and coercion.
In a declaration to various political parties in Karabagh, the ARF and
Movement 88 parties stated on Wednesday, “We view the severe beating of the
candidate for National Assembly in the offices of the Defense Ministry, as a
grave crime–one that landed him in the military hospital with life
threatening
injuries. The fact that this act–organized by the country’s military
sector–has been overlooked by the legal entities, and that no criminal
investigation has been launched, allows us to question the authority of the
country’s legal sector, as well as the public’s faith in it.
`We view the freedom of expression as one of the most valuable of democratic
principles. Political forces reject coercion, as well as the insolent
trampling
of the human honor and dignity, acts which can lead to civil unrest, and
ultimately cause instability in the country.
`We find that the only correct direction for the president of our country to
take, is to strive to implement all means to maintain lawfulness, in order to
ensure internal accord, to have a handle political `excesses,’ and to not
compromise our unrecognized country’s international standing.”
With plans to release their own statement, the Artsakh Democratic Party and
Free Homeland party refused to sign the declaration.

2) New Jersey Recognizes Armenian Genocide

Commission on Holocaust Education Approves Armenian Genocide Curriculum

TRENTON–New Jersey’s General Assembly voted 79 to 0 on June 22 approving of a
joint resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide,
while the state-appointed Commission on Holocaust Education announced a
comprehensive curriculum on the Armenian genocide.
The resolution, which was sponsored by State Assembly members Joan Voss
(D-38)
and Robert Gordon (D-38), honors the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who
were killed by the Ottoman Turks. “This joint resolution recognizes the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal
mistreatment
of the Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of
international and historic significance,” it says, in part.
“Man’s inhumanity to man knows no bounds,” said Voss, whose comments were
echoed by Gordon, and Assemblymen William Payne (D-29), Bill Baroni (R-14),
and
former Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian.
New Jersey officials have played a strong role in spearheading human rights
education since 1982, which has led to the inclusion of Armenian genocide
studies as part of the statewide curriculum. The action, announced by the New
Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education (NJCHE), marks the first time that a
stand-alone curriculum on the Armenian genocide will be incorporated in US
public and private schools.
The new curriculum consists of the resource book on the Armenian genocide
developed by the Facing History and Ourselves Foundation (FHAO) titled “Crimes
Against Humanity and Civilization: the Genocide of the Armenians,” which will
be distributed to middle and high schools throughout New Jersey, along with a
guide to teachers prepared by the NJCHE.

3) Homenetmen Establishes New Chapter in Hungary

BUDAPEST–As the Armenian community of Budapest was celebrating the 87th
anniversary of Armenia’s First Independence Day on May 28, they had cause for
another momentous celebration as a new chapter was added to the Homenetmen
family.
More than 120 youth, alongside 32 members from Homenetmen Vienna chapter,
assembled in Budapest’s City Hall to mark the occasion while Adam Sarksian
emceed and Homenetmen Vienna chapter’s Chairperson Rima Paroyan gave the
keynote address.
Homenetmen Western Region Central Committee member Manuel Marselian was
present to convey the organization’s message. Speaking about the importance of
passing on Homenetmen’s legacy to the youth of tomorrow, Marselian said,
“Though it might be easy to create a new chapter, the real challenge comes
when
the youth work together, through self-sacrifice, to strengthen and preserve
our
Armenian identity.”
Praising the determination of the Hungary chapter, Marselian then introduced
the chapter’s first elected executive, presenting them with the organization’s
by-laws and constitution, as well as the Homenetmen flag. The 2005 executive
members are Nigoghos Hagopian, Hayastan Aghegian, Gagik Jotian, Adam Sarksian,
Haroutioun Papzapanian, Ermani Mardaian, and Lilit Outamian.
The chapter will begin its activities by developing the athletics division,
while a scouting division will be formed in the future.

4) ARF Youth Delegates Discuss Genocide at IUSY Conference in Turkey

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Armenian youth who recently attended a youth conference in
Turkey, told a news conference in Yerevan on Thursday that they spoke openly
about the Armenian genocide and even distributed booklets to participants.
The two Armenian Youth Federation of Armenia participants, Zinavor Meghrian
and Karen Mnatsakanian, along with AYF delegates Talline Tachdjian (France),
and Khatchik Mouradian (Lebanon) attended the International Union of Socialist
Youth (IUSY) meeting June 16-19, and were interviewed by the Turkish
newspaper,
Milliyet. “We discussed the Armenian genocide from different angles during the
interview,” Meghrian told the news conference. “We also spoke of the closed
borders and formation of a group of [Turkish] historians, to review Genocide
“allegations;” we told the paper we reject this idea, since we have no doubt
about facts concerning the Genocide.”
Mnatsakanian revealed that Turkish youth wrongly assumed that the Armenian
government is not concerned about the Genocide issue, but that only diaspora
Armenians pursue it. “It is because some young Armenian politicians make such
statements,” he said. Asked to name those politicians, Mnatsakanian said he
was
referring to Sargis Asatrian, the chairman of the Armenian Youth Party.
Participants of the IUSY conference, “We all are Minorities,” included
delegations from Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bulgaria,
Moldova, Serbia, Sweden, and other countries.

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Transitions Online, Czech Republic
June 23 2005

The Revolution Business

by Emil Danielyan
23 June 2005

The United States adopts a cautious stance on Armenia’s
democratization. From EurasiaNet.

The United States has stepped up efforts to promote democratization
in former Soviet states in recent years. Accordingly, opposition
leaders in Armenia are hopeful of receiving Washington’s support for
a renewed push to force President Robert Kocharian’s administration
from power in Yerevan. But U.S. officials seem anxious to squelch
such expectations, insisting that they harbor no regime-change
ambitions for Armenia.

During a visit to Georgia in mid-May, US President George W. Bush
offered effusive praise for the Rose Revolution led by Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili. Some politicians and pundits in
neighboring Armenia interpreted Bush’s statements as a thinly veiled
call for democratically oriented regime change throughout the
Caucasus. Media outlets in Yerevan have since speculated on who might
be Washington’s preferred successor to Kocharian.

Members of the Bush administration now adamantly deny they want
political turnover in Yerevan. `We are not in the revolution
business,” a senior Bush administration official said in an
interview. The official went on to downplay Washington’s role in the
recent revolutionary trend, saying the United States was `not
responsible’ for the successful popular uprisings in Georgia,
Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan. The official noted that the United States
had maintained good relations with the toppled leaders of the three
ex-Soviet states, Georgia’s Eduard Shevardnadze, Ukraine’s Leonid
Kuchma and Kyrgyzstan’s Askar Akaev. “We didn’t do anything to
trigger those events,” he said.

The senior administration official indicated that recent statements
made by President Bush should not be interpreted as a call for street
protests, or other anti-government action that undermines stability
in the region. `The [Armenian] opposition should not launch a
dangerous revolution or seek to humiliate the [Kocharian] regime,”
the senior administration official said, adding that Washington now
favors an `evolutionary process’ of democratization.

Officials at the State Department made a similar point, saying that
the United States supports only the use of `legal means’ in any
effort to bring about political change. U.S. enthusiasm for regime
change seems to have cooled markedly since the 13 May violence in
Andijan, Uzbekistan.

Armenia’s leading opposition parties have never recognized the
legitimacy of Kocharian’s disputed re-election in 2003, and they have
maintained a boycott of the country’s parliament. Apparently
encouraged by the rhetoric of the Bush administration, opposition
leaders have sent signals that they may organize another round of
mass rallies aimed at forcing Kocharian to step down. The
opposition’s first protest effort stalled in 2004 in the face of
stiff governmental resistance.

Of late, the opposition’s rhetoric has taken on a more aggressive
tone. Embracing a pro-Western foreign policy agenda, some opposition
politicians have gone as far as to call for Armenia’s withdrawal from
the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty, and the country’s
accession to NATO. Russia and Armenia have traditionally enjoyed a
special strategic relationship.

Aram Sarkisian, the outspoken leader of Armenia’s most radical
opposition party called Hanrapetutiun (Republic), traveled to
Washington in early June for meetings with White House and State
Department officials. He said the trip reinforced his resolve to
carry out a “revolution.” Sarkisian and other top opposition leaders
feel that they can count on Washington’s support in their
revolutionary endeavors.

“That is a dangerous and false assumption,” countered a State
Department official. He and other American officials indicated that
the U.S. government does not regard regime change as a necessary
condition for Armenia’s democratization.

According to Cory Welt, a Caucasus and Central Asia analyst at the
Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, such
statements can be taken at face value. `From all indications that I
have seen, Armenia is definitely not a target [for the Bush
administration],’ he said. `They tolerate the current regime in
Yerevan.’

Kocharian’s government drew praise from two U.S. senators who visited
Yerevan recently. Senator Charles Hagel, a Nebraska Republican,
professed to be `very impressed with the democratic reforms and
economic development that have taken place in Armenia.’ Earlier,
Senator Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican, downplayed Armenia’s
troubled history of tainted elections.

Coleman’s remarks seemed at odds with the strong U.S. criticism of
the last Armenian presidential election in 2003. The State Department
said at the time that Armenian authorities `missed an important
opportunity to advance democratization.’

The apparent contradiction between Bush’s pro-democracy rhetoric and
statements by other U.S. officials makes it difficult to predict how
Washington might react if the next round of Armenian national
elections, due to occur in 2007, are plagued by irregularities. `I
don’t think the United States knows exactly what it wants right now,
and that’s part of the problem,” said Welt, the political analyst.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI
June 20 2005

Apostolic church to host Armenian Picnic Sunday

Racine – St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church will hold its annual
Armenian Picnic or “Madagh” on Sunday at Johnson Park.

St. Hagop has held its traditional picnic since 1938.

The word madagh means offering, and Armenians have designated places
of pilgrimage where they go to worship and offer a meal to the
community.

The blessing of St. Hagop’s meal will begin at 11 a.m., with
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who is prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of the Eastern United States, officiating.

>From noon to 7 p.m., the public is invited to attend the picnic
featuring marinated shish kebab and chicken, sarma (stuffed grape
leaves), penelee (cheese puffs), khurabia (butter cookies) and other
Armenian delicacies and pastries.

Live Armenian music will be provided by the Mideast Beat throughout
the afternoon, and children’s entertainment will include a magician
and face painter.

A cash raffle drawing will be held at 6 p.m.

The event is free. For more information on the picnic, contact Mary
C. Buchaklian at (262) 639-1567 or e-mail at m [email protected].

Buffalo News (New York)
June 17, 2005 Friday
FINAL EDITION

FATHER’S COMPASSION LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION

By Bedros “Pete” Odian

Role models come in many forms: sports figures, political leaders,
war heroes, policemen and firefighters, to name just a few. My
father, Paul, was not any of these. He grew up helping his family in
rural Armenia. He came to America as a young man in 1906 for a better
life, and worked in a factory in Providence, R.I., where I was born
in 1921.

Dad never attended school. He was semi-literate both in his native
tongue and in English. There was nothing sophisticated about him. He
seldom gave me instructions. Guidance and discipline were my mother’s
domain.

Our family moved in 1922 to Manhattan, where my father operated a
one-man grocery store in a working-class neighborhood. When the
Depression came along, it became necessary to extend credit to the
customers whose families he came to know intimately.

>From time to time, someone would come in and beg for money. Dad
usually refused, suspecting that the individual accumulated nickels
and dimes to purchase liquor. Prohibition was still in effect.

One day, a fellow came in and asked for money. When my father
refused, the man said he needed the money to buy something to eat.
When my father asked him if he was hungry, he replied, “Yes.”

The man was taken to the rear room of the store and seated at the
table. Dad brought in food and beverage fit for a king.

I was 10 or 12 at the time. I will always remember the kindness shown
to that unfortunate soul. As my mind goes back seven decades, I
realize that here was a lesson by example. I saw compassion.

The store was located on the West Side, 35th Street, between 9th and
10th avenues. In the late ’30s the New York & New Jersey Port
Authority began constructing the Lincoln Tunnel across the Hudson
River between New York and New Jersey. It was necessary to demolish
the tenements midway between 9th and 10th avenues from 34th Street to
42nd Street for an approach road to the tunnel.

It already was difficult to keep the store profitable. Many customers
failed to pay their bills for groceries. Indeed, my father fell
behind in his payables to his suppliers. To demolish buildings
housing the bulk of customers was the last straw. He surrendered the
store.

After a time, dad operated a small store on the East Side. He resumed
buying from an egg merchant from his days on the West Side, Max Blum.
Blum said to my father, “Paul, we have done business together for
many years. Some of the bills from the West Side were not paid. Let’s
forget about it and continue our friendly relationship. Times were
bad for everybody.” I witnessed the conversation. There is room for
heart in business.

My father retired in the 1950s because of failing health. He visited
grocer friends in various neighborhoods in Manhattan. During one
visit, one of my father’s customers from the ’20s and ’30s spotted
him. They had lost touch for 25 years.

The man told my father to stay put while he went to his home to get
something. Upon return, he handed my father $100, saying, “You
trusted me when times were bad. I lost track of you. I am happy to
satisfy my debt.”

I am reminded of Etienne de Grellet’s poem: “. . . any kindness that
I can show . . . let me do it now. . . . For I shall not pass this
way again.”

Bedros “Pete” Odian lives in Amherst

Turkey says planned elections in disputed Azeri-Armenian region illegitimate

Anatolia news agency
17 Jun 05

Ankara, 17 June: Namik Tan, spokesman of the Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, said that Turkey considered “illegitimate”
parliamentary elections planned to be held in Nagornyy Karabakh.

Replying to a question on parliamentary elections to be held in
Nagornyy Karabakh on 19 June, Tan stated, “Elections planned to be
held in Nagornyy Karabakh, which is still under Armenian occupation,
mean violation of principles of UN, OSCE (Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe) and Council of Europe, and international
law principles.”

Underlining that Nagornyy Karabakh issue was one of the main reasons
which prevented settlement of peace and stability, cooperation and
good relations between regional countries in southern Caucasus region,
Tan recalled that Turkey believed that a lasting solution should be
found to the issue through dialogue within the scope of territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and in line of international law principles.

Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a similar statement
a few days ago, condemning the parliamentary elections planned to be
held in Nagornyy Karabakh.

The statement said that elections to be held in the region under
occupation would not affect positively solution process of the
Nagornyy Karabakh issue, underlining that such initiatives did not
have a legal validity. It added that it did not comply with the
Constitution of Azerbaijan.

PRESS RELEASE

Armenian Technology Group, Inc.
1300 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 149
Fresno, CA 93710
Contact: Avo Arikian
Tel: 559-224-1000
Fax: 559-224-1002
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2005

ATG Bike-a-Thon III

Imagine biking hundreds of miles, encountering mountains, rocky
terrain, and long stretches of uninhabited land as you go. On August
20, 2005, a number of designated riders will do just that, as they
ride for Armenia during the Armenian Technology Group’s Bike-a-Thon
III. Their goal is simple: to help rebuild their ancestral homeland
into a strong, vibrant nation.

The past two Bike-a-Thons have been a very successful part of the
ongoing process to help Armenia’s rural farmers prosper. Bike-a-Thon
I helped establish a certified grape nursery in the Artsakh region;
ATG estimates that every dollar invested in the nursery increases local
income 14-fold. Fifty-three families are now employed by the nursery,
and hundreds of acres of vineyards in Karabakh are being rejuvenated
yearly with young, disease-free grapevines.

Bike-a-Thon II played a critical role in raising the funds to purchase
four milk-cooling tanks to serve as storage for rural farmers,
allowing their surplus milk to be kept fresh and to be sold to dairy
processors. The milk tanks also serve as inspection sites to ensure
that Armenia’s children are provided with fresh, wholesome milk. More
than 3,000 families in 4 villages are the target beneficiaries of
this project.

This year’s Bike-a-Thon has the specific goal of raising the funds
needed to train professional veterinarians who will work with
the Central Diagnostic Lab to a) help increase farm production and
income, and b) to ensure that the milk and dairy products are safe for
consumption. The purpose of the Lab is to ensure that Armenia’s rural
farming operations can minimize the spread of a wide range of diseases
including as tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonella, anthrax and e.coli,
which can enter the food supply and thereby affect public health. This
will also help farmers to run their operations more efficiently and
productively. “Rural economic development in Armenia is vital to the
future of the country. We sincerely appreciate those who participate
in helping us attain our mutual goal,” said ATG executive director
Varoujan Der Simonian.

Preparations are already under way for Bike-a-Thon III. Vatche
Soghomonian, who led the first two cycling events and recently
qualified for the Tour de France, will be accompanied by other bikers
eager to support Armenia. “I invite anyone who is willing to join me
in this noble cause of revitalizing our homeland”, stated Soghomonian.

Vatche and his friends will begin their ride from Yerevan, then peddle
towards Khor Virab, and then on to Noravank. They will then journey to
Yeghegnatsor and through Areni wine country, stopping to have a taste
of Armenia’s wines. The tour will continue to Sisian, and then Goris,
followed by a stop at Khapan, and onward to Meghri. The bikers will
pass through Karabakh, visiting Shushi and Stepanakert. They will visit
the ATG wine grape nursery in Khramort, funded by Diaspora Armenians,
and ride to the ancient Gantzasar monastery. The tour will then climb
from Yeghegnatsor to Marduni, and along Lake Sevan, then continuing
on to Oshakan, Sartarabad, and finally visit St. Echmiadzin before
returning to Yerevan.

The tour will also feature several Walk-a-Thons through several
villages and towns on the same path as the Bike-a-Thon, giving
participants a close connection with the local residents. Throughout
the tour, they will rely on the hospitality of the local population
to regain their strength. As in the past, their efforts are expected
to attract many supporters, from inside Armenia and out, to see them
in action. Tourists will also be able to visit the many natural and
historical wonders of the country. Media coverage of the Bike-a-Thon
will bring rural Armenia into the spotlight, showing the great beauty
and potential of the countryside.

For more information about participating in Bike-A-Thon III or to help
financially, please visit the Armenian Technology Group website at:
or call (559) 224-1000.

6 WITNESSES INTERROGATED DURING TRIAL OF SPY FOR AZERI SPECIAL SERVIcES

YEREVAN, JUNE 13. ARMINFO. 6 witnesses were interrogated during today’s
court hearing of the case of Andrey Maziev who is accused of spying
for the Azeri special serviCes.

Maziev is facing charges of high treason, terrorist act and murder
political plotting.

The court has found out that Maziev tried to establish contacts
with the president of the Ashur Assyrian youth organization of
Armenia Irina Gasparyan who has taken part in many international
events in Tbilisi and Baku and has consequently had contacts with
Azeri representatives. In the spring 2002 she went to Baku to take
part in a conference of the South Caucasian ethnic minorities. Some
Zaur Hasan and Mahmud (the latter Azeri national security agent) met
her on the Georgian-Azeri border. At first they were very aggressive
but then calmed down. The men refused to be photographed. Gasparyan
says that during her visit she as not offered to move to Azerbaijan
pointblank but some hints were made – moreover the question was not
only about her personally but about the whole Assyrian community.

The employee of Yerevan Project Petros Sogomonyan says that he has also
been a target of such offers. In 1964-1972 he worked in Nakhichevan
for Soviet-Iranian expedition and for many years had business contacts
with Azeri KGB agents. Sogomonyan says that the Azeri special services
may be interested in him as an specialist.

Witness Artur Haroutyunyan says that Maziev asked him to help him to
get a job at Drmbon mining group but his father dissuaded him from
so doing. Witness Armenak Sirakanyan (class mate of Maziev, Defence
Ministry employee) says that Maziev was a constant bother for his
friends and relatives but he never said he contacted with the Azeri
special services.

The court has also found out that the Azeri special services instructed
Maziev to join the Communist Party of Armenia which he did in Apr 2000.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 17.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 11 2005

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED OVER KARS-TBILBISI-BAKU RAILROAD
CONSTRUCTION
[June 11, 2005, 22:53:04]

AzerTAj’s Washington-based correspondent reports that visiting US
capital Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has expressed
concern over the construction of the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railroad
(Turkey-Georgia-Azerbaijan), at the briefing on June 10. He described
as unreasonable a spending millions of dollars on the new project
whereas existing railroad Kars-Gumri (Turkey-Armenia) is `rusting’.

In the States, the Armenian Minister met with State Secretary
Condoleeza Rice, US President’s National Security Advisor Stephen
Hadley and co chairs of the US Congress’ working group for Armenian
issues.

According to Mr. Oskanyan, ongoing political and economic reforms in
Armenia, ways to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey-Armenia
relations and current situation in the South Caucasus are what the
meeting were focus on. He claimed Armenia would not become one more
place of `revolution’.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Armenian Foreign
Minister said the meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart expected
on June 17 in Paris would be built on the progress reached by the
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Warsaw. He claimed the future
of the peace talks would depend on the forthcoming parliamentary
elections in Azerbaijan.

As for the moving the Russian military installations from Georgia to
Armenia, Vardan Oskanyan said, it met the interests of both sides
increasing Armenia’s security in the current situation.