Author: Kharatian Ani

DEVELOPMENT OF TURKEY-EU RELATIONS WILL AFFECT YEREVAN-ANKARA RELATIONS

Pan Armenian News
05.05.2005 09:40

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The arrangement of the relations between Turkey
and the EU will affect the Ankara-Yerevan relations, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie stated at a
joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
today. “However, Armenia should not sit on its hands, but it should
act. Armenia should not wait until Turkey suggests proper formulas
to solve the problem before the Turkey-EU relations are continued,”
he stated. When commenting on the correspondence between the Armenian
President and the Turkish Premier, Talvitie noted that just now the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue has begun. However, he simultaneously noted
that the EU does not have an official stand regarding the proposal
of Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan over forming a joint
historical commission to study the events of 1915. In his words, if the
parties reach a consensus, the EU will not object to their decision. He
also noted that the opening of the Armenian border by Turkey would
have been an important move, however time is necessary to that end.

Armenian deserters claim ethnic discrimination at Georgian military unit

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
4 May 05

[Presenter] The servicemen who have deserted from the 31st battalion
in Akhaltsikhe are refusing to return to their unit. The local
authorities today held talks with the servicemen and their parents.
The 14 servicemen are not going to change their decision.

Their main allegation is that they suffered ethnic discrimination.
However, other ethnic Armenians are continuing to serve at the
Akhaltsikhe battalion.

Nino Japiashvili reports from Akhalkalaki [mainly Armenian populated
town in southern Georgia].

[Correspondent] [Passage omitted] The 14 servicemen have until the
end of the day today to return to the unit. Otherwise, the Military
Prosecutor’s Office will declare them military deserters. Although
they are all well aware of this, none of them is going to change his
decision. [Passage omitted]

[(?Ruben Abjayan), captioned as head of Akhalkalaki District
administration military department, interviewed in Russian] I do
not know if they have opened a case or not, but when I talked to the
commander this morning, he gave me a watertight assurance that they
would not institute proceedings and there would be no disciplinary
action taken against the soldiers who went absent without leave. They
would just be talked to by the general inspectorate and that is it.

[Correspondent] Ruben Abjayan has been negotiating with the soldiers
and their parents for two days but has failed to persuade them to
change their minds. The parents speak of two reasons why the servicemen
deserted from the unit.

They say that the servicemen, who joined the unit of their own free
will two months ago, suffered ethnic discrimination there and also
that they were deceived.

[(?Ardavast Marukyan), captioned as parent, interviewed in Russian]
Only Armenians would be woken up at one o’clock at night. I am not
saying that they were not well fed and clothed. But they are adults
and have to decide for themselves. Why is it that, despite being
promised that they would serve in Akhalkalaki, they were instead sent
to Akhaltsikhe? Why don’t they form a border unit, so that they can
serve here?

[Correspondent] Despite this mutiny, other ethnic Armenian soldiers
remain at the 31st brigade [referred to earlier as 31st battalion
by the presenter]. Everyone who left the unit are from Akhalkalaki
District. Today there is quiet talk in town that the servicemen have
been used by various political forces, which are pursuing their own
goals. However, at this stage it is hard to say if the soldiers are
merely victims of this provocation or its instigators.

The Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS (FJC), Russia
April 3 2005

In Yerevan, Jews Honor Victims of Armenian Genocide
Tuesday, May 3 2005

YEREVAN, Armenia – The Jewish community of Armenia visited the
memorial built in honor of the millions of victims who perished in
the Genocide against the Armenian people, a brutal crime committed
under the Ottoman Empire just 90 year ago. This great tragedy was
responsible for the death of at least 1.5 million Armenians at that
time, a figure which is often estimated to be even larger.

Every year on this day, millions of people come out to public
commemorations in order to pay tribute to these innocent victims and
to lay flowers on the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial.

Among those attending this year’s event were a sizeable group of
Jews, representing the Jewish community of Armenia. While visiting
the memorial, Chief Rabbi of Armenia Gersh-Meir Burshtein led the
delegation in laying a wreath featuring a yellow Magen David, to
express their solidarity with the Armenian people on this tragic
anniversary.

AZERI PRESIDENT CONFUSED DATES

Pan Armenian News
03.05.2005 04:22

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azeri President Ilham Aliyev will not take part in
the summit of CIS leaders in Moscow May 8. According to a statement
of the Azeri President’s Press service, just that day was «the day
of Armenian occupation forces seizing the genuinely Azeri land –
the city of Shushi.» Thereupon, the Press Service of the Armenian
President reminds that Shushi was liberated from Azeri occupation May
9 and that day is marked as the liberation day of Shushi in Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh.

–Boundary_(ID_q3HdFqL3kLkm5SSVR+vhrA)–

AZG Armenian Daily #079, 03/05/2005

Neighbors

‘WE NEED PRACTICAL STEPS TO CEMENT ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN FRIENDSHIP’

Artur Baghdasarian States

Two-day official visit of Artur Baghdasarian, chairman of RA National
Assembly, to neighboring Georgia ended on Saturday. Much is expected
from Baghdasarian’s meetings with Georgia’s political and religious
elite.

President Mikheil Saakashvili’s welcoming speech preceded his
assurances to improve the socio-economic situation of Javakhk’s
population, to repair the road network of the region.

Nino Burjanadze, speaker of the Georgian parliament, emphasized
the need to deepen friendly relations but running ahead,
answered a question about official Yerevan’s stance on Javakhk’s
self-determination directed, in essence, to Artur Baghdasarian.

Georgian Patriarch, Ilya II, stressed the need to forge relations
based on friendship and reminded that our ancestors were in brotherly
relations. But with his offer to study historical roots of Armenian
churches in Georgian territory he, in fact, cast doubt on their
belonging to the Armenians. It must be noted also that the Pantheon
to great Armenians in the area of Khojivank was repaired 2 years
ago on subsidies from the Armenian Embassy to Tbilisi and the local
Armenian community.

The chairman of Armenian National Assembly reminded that he will
visit Georgia next year too and that will be a good chance to see if
the promises of the Georgian side are fulfilled. “We need practical
steps to cement Armenian-Georgian friendship”, Baghdasarian said.

Georgian speaker Nino Burjanadze will pay a return visit to Armenia
in September. In May, Saakashvili assured, Charles Aznavour will
perform in Javakhk. Either the Armenian community or the Armenian
Embassy and Artur Baghdasarian believe that Georgian authorities’
promises and programs will come to life.

By Nana Petrosian

Der Spiegel
2. Mai 2005

Langzeitfolgen für die Täter

Nr. 16/2005, Völkermord: Geleugnete Geschichte – Die Türkei und die
Massaker an den Armeniern

Erschreckend ist, wie die Weltgemeinschaft von diesem Völkermord, der
unter ihren Augen passierte, nichts wissen wollte. Der deutsche
Dichter Armin T. Wegner erlebte den Völkermord an den Armeniern als
Sanitäter in eigener Anschauung. Entsetzt stellte er fest, dass
niemand, auch in Deutschland nicht, davon etwas wissen wollte. Seine
Erfahrungen schrieb er nieder in dem Buch “Der Knabe Hüssein”; Wegner
wurde nicht gehört. Ein jeder Völkermord, gleich ob an Tutsi, Juden
oder Armeniern, ist eine Schande für die Menschheit. Schlimm ist es,
wenn einer wie der Dichter Wegner es sieht, “Feuer” ruft und die
Feuerwehr nicht kommt: Es brennt ja nicht das eigene Haus. Wegners
Zivilcourage war ohne Erfolg. Die Nazis steckten ihn 1933 bis 1934
ins KZ.

MÜNCHEN GABRIELE SCHÖTTLER

Vielen Dank für Ihren ausführlichen Artikel über den Völkermord an
den armenischen Christen 1915, der die Mitschuld des Deutschen
Reiches nicht verschweigt. Trotzdem war jedoch die Türkei der
Haupttäter, und solange sie die historische Verantwortung für diesen
Genozid leugnet, gehört sie nicht in die Europäische Union.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN HORST SCHOLZ

Die Wortwahl der deutschen Medien, einschließlich Ihres Magazins, ist
merkwürdig, wenn sie über den angeblichen Völkermord an Armeniern
berichten: Sie heben den Ausdruck “der erste Völkermord des 20.
Jahrhunderts” hervor und behaupten sogar, er sei “womöglich das
Schlüsselereignis” des 20. Jahrhunderts, denn die Zeitgenossen hätten
genau registriert, dass die Verbrechen an den Armeniern nicht
geahndet wurden. Sogar Hitler, der Führer des deutschen Volkes, soll
davon beeinflusst worden sein. Durch einseitige Berichterstattung zum
Thema “Armenier” ist man offenbar um Selbsttäuschung bemüht. Dabei
bleibt die Frage jedoch offen, ob die Deutschen eigentlich solch ein
“Armenier-Beispiel” brauchten, da sie ja diese Erfahrung mit den
Herrero schon am Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts gemacht hatten, was man
heute lieber zu verdrängen versucht.

BERLIN DENIZ GÜLEN

Auch der Türkei unter dem “Reformer” Erdogan wird es nicht erspart
bleiben, von ihrer Vergangenheit eingeholt zu werden. So wie es den
Japanern aktuell in Asien und dem Post-Adenauer-Deutschland bis heute
ergeht, hat ein Genozid beziehungsweise brutaler Angriffskrieg auch
für die Täter Langzeitfolgen. Welche, das kann Erdogan gern in Berlin
und Tokio anfragen.

DETMOLD GÜNTER WÖMPENER

GRAFIK: S. 10; Armenische Flüchtlingskinder (um 1918): Eine Schande;
INFORMATIONS- UND DOKUMENTATIONSZENTRUM ARMENIEN,; BERLIN

–Boundary_(ID_tIxHuFPpvetY4+kZgQmquQ)–

ANSA English Media Service
April 29, 2005

MIDEAST: PUTIN MAKES EMOTIONAL VISIT TO JERUSALEM

By Alessandro Logroscino

MOSCOW

(ANSA) – MOSCOW, April 29 – Long minutes of solitary
meditation in the Holy Sepulchre basilica, deep emotion at the
Yad Vashem Museum, these are moments of President Vladimir
Putin’s visit to Jerusalem on the eve of the Orthodox Easter
which this year is on May 1.

Putin first met the director of the Yad Vashem Museum,
Shevach Weiss, who accompanied him in the halls of the museum
dedicated to the Holocaust.

“Nobody has ever been as emotional as Putin,” Weiss said.

The people who accompanied the Russian President during is
visit tothe Holy Land seemed just as touched.

The trip has many surprising aspects, according to what
Andrei Kolesnikov, the most famous journalist following the
President’s visit, wrote on the pages of opposition newspaper
Kommersant.

Putin decided to make his visit as soon as he arrived from
Cairo despite the fact that it was already dark.

The Holy Sepulchre basilica had already been closed when
Putin arrived and was opened especially for him. Putin
immediately stood in front of the plate on which Jesus’ body had
been laid down and prayed for ten minutes, much longer than
expected.

An Armenian priest led him to the hole worshipped as the one
where Christ’s cross had been fixed. Here the President again
wanted to remain alone and knelt down.

A priest approached him some time later to tell him that it
was probably time to go.

Putin followed the priest but then told him to wait, went
back and knelt down again, loosened his tie and put a small
crucifix, a gift from his mother which he has been wearing for
years, in the hole.

It took longer before Putin left the basilica, which keeps
precious gifts from Russian tsar Alexander III, and headed for
the residence of the Orthodox archimandrite who represents the
Moscow Patriarchate in the Holy Land.

This short stop preceded Putin’s last visit during his stay
in Jerusalem, a pilgrimage to the Western Wall. (ANSA).

Armenian speaker, Georgian leadership discuss economic, social issues

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 05

[Presenter] The speaker of the Armenian parliament, Artur Bagdasaryan,
is holding negotiations with the Georgian leadership today.

[Correspondent Tatevik Nalbandyan reports from Tbilisi by telephone]
Artur Bagdasaryan’s first meeting in Tbilisi was held with the
leadership of the Georgian parliament. At the beginning of the
meeting, [Georgian President] Mr Mikheil Saakashvili said that he was
going to Ninotsminda the next day to launch the construction of a new
big Armenian school. Saakashvili said that all the roads in
Akhalkalaki [Armenian-populated town in Georgia’s Javakheti District]
are being resurfaced in order to put the city’s transport network in
order.

The reconstruction of the road to the Turkish border will start in
autumn. The Georgian president also assured them that they are
starting to implement large social rehabilitation programmes for
people working in Russian military bases. We are not going to open new
military bases there, but we suggest that volunteers serve in the
Georgian armed forces for higher salaries. Other programmes on
business and other spheres will be offered to those who do not agree,
Saakashvili said.

The Armenian and Georgian parliament speakers discussed prospects for
parliamentary and regional cooperation.

Asked during a news conference after the meeting with Georgian Speaker
Nino Burjanadze how many jobs have been created in Georgia in the last
five years, Mrs Burjanadze said that there was nothing to be proud of
in this issue. She said that economic problems existing not only in
Javakhk are an objective image of Georgia. But now we have a chance to
improve the situation. As an example, we have road construction
programmes, we shall start soon the weather permitting.

The Armenian and Georgian speakers also discussed the resumption of
the Abkhaz rail service. Saakashvili said that Georgia is ready to
discuss this issue and support its solution.

Mikheil Saakashvili thanked Armenia for solving energy problems in the
region and Tbilisi. Thanks to Armenian power supplies, the energy
problems have been resolved in Tbilisi, Saakashvili said.

We had very good discussions on painful issues with [Armenian
President] Robert Kocharyan recently, Mikheil Saakashvili said. Our
talks were very useful for all of us, the Georgian president said.

Investment Opportunities in Armenia

BISNIS Armenia Update
27 April 2005

Contents:
1. Now on the BISNIS web site
2. SFP and T&T leads from Armenia
3. Press Release: U.S. Export-Import Bank

*******************************************
New Reports on the BISNIS web site

Updated List of U.S. Companies in Armenia

Country Commercial Guide for Armenia, 2005
tm

Armenia: Brief Overview of Tourism Infrastructure
/0504infraam.htm

Armenia: Commercial News Update for April 2005

***** **************************************
BISNIS Search for Partner lead

BISNIS Search For Partners leads identify proposals by NIS companies for
long-term business cooperation in the Newly Independent States.

Industry: Construction Materials (drywall)

Company: Shen Concern

Country: Armenia

Shen Concern seeks a U.S. partner to establish a production facility for
dry wall. It will contribute its all existing production facilities,
well-established distribution channels, as well as financial investment
of USD 300,000. For this project, it seeks an American partner who would
provide equipment for the production of dry wall as well as financial
investment of approximately $200,000.

The company has already successfully utilized BISNIS Search For Partner
Program and secured a partnership with a U.S. company for a separate
project. In late 2004, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) aquired 28 percent of Shen Concern for an investment
of 850,000 Euros. This is the first time that EBRD has invested in a
private construction enterprise in Armenia. Shen Concern will use funds
to begin production of concrete products and other construction
materials. By April 2005, the EBRD plans to increase its share of Shen
concern to 36 percent.

Shen Concern was established in 1970 as a state-owned enterprise. It was
privatized and converted into a joint stock company in 1995. The company
specializes in the production, importation, and distribution of building
materials. The company owns large building material production and
storage facilities equipped with modern machinery and tools. Shen also
has a large distribution network of building materials located in
Yerevan and other major cities. The company’s production and sales
volume in 2004 reached $2 million.

The company has a business plan in English. Shen Concern can conduct
business in English.

Source: BISNIS Representative in Armenia

For more information, see

****************************************************
BISNIS Trades & Tender Leads

1.) Company: AAFPC JV LLC, Yerevan

Detailed Description: Long-cut pasta production line (Flour feeding
device, automatic extruder, spreading machine, pre-dryer, dryer,
semi-automatic cutting machine, semi-automatic packing equipment)

For more information, visit

*****
2.) Company: Gabmas LLC, Yerevan

Detailed Description: Natural gas-cylinders for passenger automobiles,
capacity 40 l to 85 l

For more information, visit

*****
3.) Company: Telman Nersisyan, Yerevan

Detailed Description: used equipment for winery, including grape
processing line, aging tanks, and filling and bottling line

For more information, visit

Note: These opportunities are provided solely as an informational
service and do not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of
Commerce. Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

****************************************************
U.S. Export-Import Bank press release

MARCH 24, 2005
Contact: Marianna Ohe (202) 565-3206

EX-IM BANK ANNOUNCES PROGRAM CHANGES IN ARMENIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im
Bank) has adopted changes to its cover policy in Armenia, effective
March 24, 2005, based on risk rating changes made by the U.S.
Interagency Country Risk Assessment System (ICRAS).

The cover policy adjustments are:

Armenia: Ex-Im Bank has opened for short- and medium-term programs in
the public sector.

For further information on Ex-Im Bank programs in these and other
countries, visit Ex-Im Bank’s web site at and click on
“Country Limitation Schedule” on the home page under Ex-Im Bank’s Markets .

Ex-Im Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States, is
in its 71st year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily
to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees,
export credit insurance and direct loans. In fiscal year 2004, Ex-Im
Bank authorized financing to support $17.8 billion of U.S. exports
worldwide. For more information, visit

********** Forwarded by: ***************************
Ellen S. House, BISNIS Trade Specialist for Armenia
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-2284, Fax: 202/482-2293

NEED FINANCING FOR A PROPOSED SALE TO EURASIA?
BISNIS FinanceLink helps U.S. companies find financing for export
transactions where a Eurasian buyer has already been identified. For
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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of Toronto
45 Hallcrown Place
North York Ontario
Contact: Vahan Ajamian
Tel: 416.491.2900
Fax: 416.491.2211
E-mail: [email protected]

TORONTO, ON ? Approximately 500 people attended the commemoration of the
ninetieth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide which took place at the
Armenian Community Centre on Sunday, April 17, 2005. Also participating in
the commemoration were political dignitaries and community leaders
including:

Jack Layton ? Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada & MP,
Toronto-Danforth
The Hon. Jim Karygiannis ? MP, Scarborough-Agincourt
Yasmin Ratansi ? MP, Don Valley East
Derek Lee ? MP, Scarborough-Rouge River
Susan Kadis ? MP, Thornhill
The Hon. Gerry Phillips ? MPP, Scarborough-Agincourt
The Hon. David Caplan ? MPP, Don Valley East
The Hon. Tony Wong ? MPP, Markham
Brad Duguid ? MPP, Scarborough Centre
Mario Racco ? MPP, Thornhill
Frank Klees ? MPP, Oak Ridges
Michael Prue ? MPP, Beaches-East York
Shelley Carol ? Toronto City Councillor, Ward 33 – Don Valley East
Mike Del Grande ? Toronto City Councillor, Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt
Adam Giambrone ? Toronto City Councillor, Ward 18 – Davenport

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Gerald Caplan, an author of
several articles and public policy studies, including the 300-page report
?Rwanda: The Preventable Genocide?. Dr. Caplan discussed his experience in
covering the Rwandan Genocide and how it motivated him to continue covering
critical issues in Africa today ? such as the state of Africa?s children
and the AIDS epidemic.

Regarding the Armenian Genocide, Dr. Caplan said he felt outraged that ?the
central message of this anniversary remains the relentless effort to
persuade our own government in Ottawa, the government of the United States
and? the government of Israel to perform a simple act of justice.? He
explained that ?we must continue to insist that they officially recognize
that in 1915 a classic genocide, totally consistent with the definition set
down 35 years later in the United Nations Convention For The Punishment And
Prevention For The Crime of Genocide, was deliberately inflicted upon the
Armenian people living in Turkey by the Turkish government, its army and
its proxies.? Given their similar experiences with genocide, Dr. Caplan
stressed the need for the Armenian, Jewish and Rwandan communities to
create stronger ties and work together in what he termed ?the solidarity of
sorrow and the solidarity of victims.?

In his remarks to the crowd Jack Layton, Leader of the federal NDP,
discussed the work performed by the NDP in securing the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. ?I?m proud that our party was able to support the
motion (M-380) that came before the House last year? We wanted that motion
to pass the House of Commons, and that motion has passed the House of
Commons. And it?s because of the hard work of each and every one of you
here who worked so hard to achieve that very positive result.?

The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament for
Scarborough-Agincourt deeply touched the crowd when he spoke of how
genocide by the Ottoman Empire had affected him personally and his
experience being born in a refugee camp. ?We talk on a daily basis of what
happened to us. History, ladies and gentlemen, can not be changed. Those
people that want to change it, those people that deny it, they?re stealing
from us? our history? our identity? and our future.? He later stressed his
commitment to continue to support the Armenian cause.

Messages for the events received from politicians who could not be present
were read by representatives from the Armenian National Committee of
Toronto. Messages were received from: His Excellency Ara Babian, Armenia’s
Ambassador to Canada; Stockwell Day, Official Opposition Foreign Affairs
Critic; Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario & David Miller – Mayor of
Toronto. But the largest applause came during the reading of the message
from Stephen Harper, Leader of Her Majesty?s Official Opposition & Leader
of the Conservative Party of Canada, when he declared ?On April 24th, we
honour the one and a half million victims of the Armenian Genocide whose
lives were taken from 1915 to 1922.? When it was announced that the Prime
Minister, The Right Honourable Paul Martin, had failed to provide a message
to the community on this occasion, the crowd responded with boos and cries
of ?Shame!?

A further surprise announcement during the commemoration came from Mr.
Frank Klees, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oak Ridges. ?I will, this
week, ask for unanimous consent in the provincial legislature that as a
provincial legislature we pass a resolution calling on the federal
government not only to allow a vote on this, but to ensure that the federal
government take action and recognize the genocide in the way that it is
appropriate to do.? Mr. Klees received a standing ovation from the crowd
for his pledge ? which he followed up the subsequent day at Queen?s Park.

The message from the ARF Youth Organization of Canada?s Toronto ?Simon
Zavarian? chapter was given by executive member Hovig Saraphanian. Mr.
Saraphanian explained that the youth of today, having grown up with
Canadian values of tolerance and compassion, demanded justice for the crime
of the Armenian Genocide. He concluded his speech with the words, ?As
Canadian-Armenians our demands are simple: Justice, recognition and
restitution for the one and a half million martyrs who perished during
World War I and the systematic massacres beforehand all undertaken by the
Ottoman Turks. We reaffirm our pledge that we will not rest until their
memory is rightly honoured by all.?

The Republic of Armenia as well as Armenian communities around the globe
are holding various events marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. The official commemoration on April 17, 2005, was only one of
several Toronto events planned for April 2005. For a schedule of other
events contact the Armenian National Committee of Toronto at
[email protected]

-30-