Sitting of the South Caucasian Parliamentary Assembly to be held in London
ArmRadio.am
21.07.2006 11:56
Sitting of the South Caucasian Parliamentary Assembly will be held in
London today. The presidency over the Assembly will be transferred
from Georgia to Armenia. Yesterday the Armenian delegation headed
by member of the Republican faction Ararat Malkhasyan left for the
capital of the United Kingdom.
American co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group to visit Armenia
Source: Trend
19.07.2006
Author: A.Mammadov
On July 29, American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Mathew Bryza
will pay a visit to Armenia, Trend reports quoting ARKA.
Within the visit, it is expected to hold meetings with Armenian
president Robert Kocharyan and Armenian foreign minister Vardan
Oskanyan.
Mathew Bryza was appointed the co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group from the
USA on June 15. M.Bryza substituted the previous American co-chair
in OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann who was appointed c-chair on April
16, 2004.
Job-seeking Indians facing problems in Cyprus
Monday July 17 2006 13:10 IST
Newindpress (subscription), India
July 17 2006
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A number of Indians, who have gone hunting for
jobs in Cyprus are feared to have encountered legal problems there
after their employers reportedly breached the terms of contract.
Help for the beleaguered Indians could be slow in coming, as the
incidents are believed to have occurred in the Turkish-occupied area
of the politically-split island where the official Cyprus government
has little say.
The Armenian Research and Ethnographic Centre in Nicosia, which claims
to be an ethnic and civil rights NGO offering help and assistance to
Indian nationals, alerted this website’s newspaper, through a letter,
on the problems being faced by the Indian nationals.
According to the centre, many Indians have "encountered problems and
disputes with their employers," some within weeks and others within
months of their arrival on the island in search of employment.
"In spite of the intervention of the Local Ministry of Labour
and Social Insurance, these people end up, if they were to fail
(to get help) through our office, at the law office of a local
advocate/barrister where they have to pay exorbitant fee, which they
cannot afford," says the letter written by V H Malian, who is the
founder-director of the Armenian Research and Ethnographic Centre.
Malian says that his office has limits in intervening in such cases.
But he has a list of names of the Indians who are facing problems. So
does the Indian High Commissioner to Cyprus. The families of the
Indians also know about their plight, he writes.
Unfortunately, the Indian High Commission in Cyprus is yet to act
and his agency has failed to elicit any response from the recruiting
agencies of the Indians, he said.
When contacted, Andreas G Skarparis, the High Commissioner of the
Republic of Cyprus to India, said he was not aware of the problem,
but feared that the incidents could have taken place in the northern
areas of Cyprus which had been under Turkish occupation since 1974.
The claim of a Turkish Republic of Cyprus has not been accepted by
the UN.
PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief’s Fellowship Alumni Association
29 Rubinyants Street,
Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Bella Grigoryan
FARFAa_Salzburg Medical Program Coordinator
Tel: (37410) 249677, 541128
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
OMI/FARFAA VIDEOCONFERENCE
European School of Urology
Weill Cornell Master Class in Urology
Yerevan, July 17th, 2006
Salzburg Medical Seminars Program, the Open Medical Institute (OMI)
program of the American Austrian Foundation, together with FARFAA
(Armenia) and with the technical support of the <<Arabkir >> Medical
Center organized a videoconference on "Urology".
All the equipment and technical support in Armenia was provided by
the <<Arabkir>> Medical Center with the kind support of its chief
Prof. Ara Babloyan.
The videoconference took place on July 17th. 16 doctors from different
Yerevan hospitals have participated.
Dr.Hendrick van Poppel, ESU and Dr. E.D.Vaughan, Well-Cornell , USA
led the seminar. The lectures covered: Bladder cancer, diagnosis
of and new testing methods ( Dr. Michele Donat); Bladder cancer,
management of superficial bladder cancer (Dr. Harry Herr)
The goal of the videoconference was to present the latest information,
experience and knowledge of the international faculty members to
English speaking Armenian doctors.
This was our second videoconference experience with the Salzburg
Medical Seminars Program, (OMI). We hope that this activity will be
continued in the future and more and more Armenian specialists will
be involved in the Salzburg Medical Seminars Program to enhance their
professional level through theoretical knowledge and discussions.
We wish to acknowledge and to express our deep appreciation to
Katharine Aulitzky , Dr. Michele Donat, Dr. Harry Herr, Prof. Ara
Babloyan, John A. Riehl, Dr Gevorg Yaghjyan, Arman Babloyan and
Andreas Thauerer for their assistance and support.
Open Medical Institute (OMI) is a program of the American Austrian
Foundation (AAF) whose main goal is to educate physicians and
health care providers from countries in transition and foster their
professional growth ()
FAR FAA is a non-for-profit organization of medical professionals,
aimed at improving the health care system of the community and
advancing medical sciences in Armenia.
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
HOUSE MEMBERS DISTURBED BY STATE DEPARTMENT NON-RESPONSE
TO CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY ON AMB. EVANS’ FIRING
"The Bush Administration has once again failed to answer the
question of whether or not the early departure of U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans is related to comments he
made about the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, the Bush
Administration continues to duck when given the opportunity to
properly recognize the Armenian Genocide."
— Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA)
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have
expressed disappointment at the Administration’s repeated failure
to provide a clear and straightforward explanation for the dismissal
of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, even as the State
Department issued yet another letter sidestepping the issue, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In their response to the May 22nd letter spearheaded by Rep. Edward
Markey (D-MA) and cosigned by 60 House members, Assistant Secretary
for Legislative Affairs Jeffrey Bergner failed, once again, to address
reports that Amb. Evans’ was being recalled for his statements on
the Armenian Genocide. The letter began with the well-worn refrain
that "All Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President and as
advocates of the President’s policies." He went on to argue that,
"allegations that the U.S. is removing Ambassador Evans under pressure
from the Government of Turkey are simply untrue," despite the fact
that numerous Turkish press accounts in March of 2005 reported that
then Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Faruk Logoglu did indeed protest
Amb. Evans’ remarks to State Department officials.
The State Department’s letter, sent to House Members on July 11th,
went on to state that "The United States has never denied the tragic
events of 1915. . . . We believe this tragedy is of such enormous human
significance that its characterization should be determined through
heartfelt dialogue, not through diplomatic or political proclamations."
Several House Members immediately reacted to the response, expressing
concern that the State Department has, yet again, avoided providing
a clear reasoning for the Amb. Evans firing.
"The Bush Administration has once again failed to answer the
question of whether or not the early departure of U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans is related to comments he made about the Armenian
Genocide. Moreover, the Bush Administration continues to duck when
given the opportunity to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide,"
explained Rep. Markey. "The time has long since passed for President
Bush to follow through on his campaign promises and properly recognize
the Armenian Genocide. Only after President Bush accurately refers to
the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide can we finally
tear down the last walls of denial."
Similarly, Congressional Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor
George Radanovich (R-CA), lamented that "This response was,
unfortunately, what we have come to expect from the Administration
and those before it – respectfully acknowledging the mass killing of
1.5 million Armenians, but refusing to properly call it genocide. It
is simply incomprehensible to me how anyone can recognize the tragic
events of 1915, then turn around and implicitly deny that genocide
occurred by refusing to call it such for political reasons. I just
don’t understand that."
Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) wrote a letter back objecting to the State
Department’s response and calling the President’s actions on Armenian
Genocide recognition "woefully inadequate." Rep. Levin stated, "I did
have a strong negative reaction to your comments about 1915. I urge the
President to do more than ‘call on all concerned parties to engage in
thoughtful introspection’ which is woefully inadequate in the face of
the Administration’s repeated failure to call a genocide a genocide."
Again responding to the State Departments July 11th letter, Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-CA) noted that, "The State Department’s non- response on
the issue of Ambassador Evan’s departure confirms what we all know —
the Ambassador was pushed out the door for telling the truth about
the Armenian Genocide. This marks a sad day for the State Department
when it compounds an unwillingness to acknowledge one of the great
crimes in human history and more, disciplines those who do."
Rep. Schiff also commented on the State Department’s lack of response
to a series of questions submitted during a House International
Relations Committee hearing with Secretary Rice in February 16,
2006. "Secretary of State Rice’s failure to adequately respond to
questions I posed to her on this issue at a hearing months ago, is
a further indication of the Department’s illicit motive for Evan’s
hasty removal."
Similarly, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) noted that "The belated
response from the State Department regarding our inquiry into the
removal of Ambassador Evans is yet another statement without a real
explanation. Reports suggest that Evans is being unjustly penalized for
speaking the truth. It is unacceptable for the Bush administration to
punish Evans for his comments. What he did was courageous and should
be viewed as such."
In their letter to the State Department, Rep. Markey and fellow
Congressional cosigners expressed special concern about the destructive
precedent of recalling a U.S. diplomat for speaking truthfully on
matters of historical record. They wrote that, "we must not allow the
perception to linger that he [Amb. Evans] is being required to vacate
his position early for accurately labeling the cataclysmic events
of 1915 as genocide." The Representatives, noting President Ronald
Reagan’s references to the Armenian Genocide, reminded Secretary
Rice that Amb. Evans "did nothing more than succinctly repeat the
conclusions enunciated by those before him."
The Congressional signatories also expressed concern about the role of
the Government of Turkey in the impending removal of Amb. Evans from
his posting. "Were the United States to allow the views or beliefs
of a third country to interfere with our diplomatic postings to the
Republic of Armenia," wrote the House members, "it would establish a
dangerous precedent and be injurious to the long- standing relationship
built on trust and friendship between the two countries."
#####
COOPERATION BETWEEN RA AND NKR URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS TO DEEPEN
STEPANAKERT, JULY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 13, NKR President Arkady
Ghukasian received the delegation of RA Urban Development Ministry
led by Minister Aram Haroutiunian that was in NKR on a cognitive visit.
Prospects of extending cooperation in the sphere of capital
construction between the respective departments of the two republics
were touched upon during the conversation. A.Ghukasian mentioned
issues of importing modern construction technologies and training
skilled specialists as the most important direction of cooperation.
European Commission welcomes opening of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
ArmRadio.am
14.07.2006 16:02
The European Commission welcomes opening of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline.
"Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will improve the security in regard
to the supply of oil and diversification of its ways, which is one
of our political objectives," European Commissioner on Energy Andres
Pibalgsi said in as statement disseminated in Brussels. Yesterday he
participated in the official opening ceremony of the pipeline.
It is expected that by 2008 the volume of oil transported through
BTC will reach 1 million barrels or 50 million tones annually.
No Agreement on Purchase of Iran-Armenia Gas Pipeline by Russia Yet
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.07.2006 16:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is no agreement on the purchase of a sector
of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline by Russia yet, Co-chair of the
Armenian-Russian intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation
Serge Sargsyan stated at today’s press conference. In his words,
there is no agreement of the kind, since there is no pipe. "I will
request the Armenian Energy Minister ArmRosgazprom Director General to
furnish the essential information on the issue," Serge Sargsyan said.
To remind, earlier deputy chair of Gazprom management committee
said that Gazprom is going to purchase the abuilding Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline. In his words, the intention is conditioned by the
instability of the situation and transit of Russian gas via Georgia.
SHOP OWNERS GO FOR RIOT TO SECURE THEIR PLACE OF WORK
Panorama.am
16:42 12/07/06
All shops were closed today at Barekamutiun subway. The shop owners
went out for riot to secure their place of work. The community head
of Arabkir has set the deadline of July 20 to evacuate the place for
capital reconstruction purposes.
Hovhannes SHAHINYAN, Arabkir community head told Panorama.am that
the site will be under construction for 3-4 months. After that, the
traders may come back, he said. The community head admits that it is
a big blow to their family budgets but promises better place of work
in 3-4 months. The subway will be modernized with the infrastructure
to comply with the standards of fire and rescue services, as well as
epidemiology hygiene inspection norms.
According to community sources, community budget has AMD 1,5 mln in
income from the subway shops. About 80 economic entities trade in
the mentioned site. The capital reconstruction of the subway will
cost $300-400 thousand, the community says./Panorama.am/
World Armenian youths to gather in occupied Azeri land
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted July 10 2006
Baku, July 7, AssA-Irada — A meeting of world Armenian youth will
be held in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from July 26 to
August 1.
The gathering will be organized within the framework of the 2nd
Pan-Armenian "one nation – one culture" festival to be also held
across Armenian cities and in the Javakhetia region of Georgia densely
populated by Armenians, a source from Azerbaijan’s Irali (Forward)
National Youth Movement said.
About 2,000 representatives from Armenia, Russia, Italy, USA, Austria,
Australia, Turkey, England, France, Iran and Syria are expected
to attend the event to be sponsored by Armenian President Robert
Kocharian, the same source said.
The Irali Movement, in its appeal to the embassies of foreign
countries, regarded the planned visit by the mentioned countries’
citizens to Garabagh to join the festival as disrespect to Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity.
The youth organization also intends to inform the Georgian embassy
in Baku about the planned festival.
"We will enumerate the areas to host the event so that the word
‘occupied’ is not used for the Javakhetia region in the future,"
it said in a statement.*