Author: Khoyetsian Rose

INEFFICIENT FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING WILL WORSEN US-ARMENIA RELATIONS

Pan Armenian News
18.06.2005 02:54

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US State Department 5th Annual Report on fighting
trafficking included Armenia in the second group of states in a special
list of control of struggle against trafficking, as the country did
not manage to provide enough proof of efficiency of fight against human
trafficking. It was stated by Ambassador John Miller, the Director of
the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in
Persons in the course of an interactive press conference organized at
the US Embassy in Yerevan. In his words, Armenia adopted a national
program of actions for fighting trafficking, however there is no
sufficient proof that the program is being implemented. Specifically,
there is no evidence that the law on trafficking was applied to those
guilty. Moreover, all sanctions were either conditional or much
milder than those provided for the crime. As noted by the report,
only 1 out of the 16 accused was sentenced in compliance with the
article 132 (anti-trafficking), the remaining 15 were indicted for
pimping, which provides for milder punishment. Mr. Miller said there
are reports that representatives of the Office of Public Prosecutor
of Armenia and frontier guards are involved in human trafficking. “We
hope the Government of Armenia will make every effort to prove the
contrary,” he said. As noted by Jennifer Strong Tamli, the person
responsible for the report on Armenia, there is no concrete evidence
that representatives of law-enforcement bodies are also involved. In
his turn J. Miller said, “I would be surprised if any of the persons
present here had not known about it.” In his words, another report (a
current one) will be published in 2006. However, he hoped that when
the final report is ready next June Armenia will move from the special
control list to the second group that includes countries with progress
in combating human trafficking. “Otherwise, the consequences will tell
on the US-Armenia relations,” Miller said. “The US is ready to work
with Armenia, where a serious problem of trafficking is available,
as it is a source country,” he said. In Miller’s words, the UAE and
Turkey are the basic destination countries of Armenian women and
children. “The phenomenon is present in any country irrespective
of the degree of development, however the US pays much attention
to trafficking, as slavery has left its trace in the US history,”
Miller emphasized.

S. SARGSYAN LEAVING FOR MOSCOW

Pan Armenian News
17.06.2005 04:15

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Co-Chairs of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental
Economic Commission, Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan and
Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin will meet in Moscow,
reported Armenian MOD Press Secretary colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan. In
the course of the meeting June 21 the parties will discuss matters of
securing the operation of Armenian enterprises, conveyed to Russia,
as well as other questions of bilateral interest. June 22 the Armenian
delegation will participate in the meeting of CSTO Defense Ministers
and the Committee of Security Council Secretaries. June 23 the Armenian
delegation headed by President Robert Kocharian is scheduled to take
part in the session of the Collective Security Council, after which
Serge Sargsyan will take part in the session of the CIS Council of
Defense Ministers in Dushanbe.

ARMENIAN PM MET WITH MOSCOW VICE-MAYOR

Pan Armenian News
16.06.2005 08:53

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met
with Moscow Vice-Mayor Vladimir Resin, reported the Press Service of
the Armenian Government. In the course of the meeting A. Margaryan
congratulated Mr. Resin on becoming Yerevan Honorary Citizen and
thanked for the active participation in development of mutually
favorable cooperation between Yerevan and Moscow. A. Margaryan
underscored that the efficient interaction of the Russian and
Armenian Governments, as well as Moscow and Yerevan Administrations
has a positive impact on the Armenian-Russian relations. As noted
by V. Resin, visiting Armenia 17 years after the great disastrous
earthquake in 1988 he is impressed with the changes in the country,
specifically in the disaster zone. As a professional constructor he
appreciated the might and the quality of construction works launched
in Armenia. He noted the importance of the project of building of the
House of Moscow in Yerevan and House of Yerevan in Moscow. The parties
said they were satisfied with mutual visits of senior delegations of
Moscow and Yerevan. The agreement on cooperation of the executive
of both capitals in 2005-2007 signed resulting from these meeting
will allow enhancing the Moscow-Yerevan cooperation. As noted by the
interlocutors, the holding of the Year of Russia in Armenia and the
Year of Armenia scheduled in Russia in 2006 promote Armenian-Russian
relations. The parties mentioned using the potential of the Armenian
community of Russia for further strengthening the Russian-Armenian
relations. The interlocutors discussed matters of attraction of
investments of Moscow business circles to the Armenian economy and
other questions.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

June 16, 2005

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN HEADS FOR LEBANON
Archbishop Oshagan is en route to Lebanon where he will meet with His
Holiness Aram I at the Catholicate in Antelias. One of the topics of
discussion will be the upcoming visit of the Catholicos to the Eastern
Prelacy in October. His Holiness has already visited several dioceses within
the Cilician See and is planning to visit all of the dioceses before the end
of the year in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Seminary in
Antelias. This year is also the tenth anniversary of the election and
consecration of Aram I.
The Prelate will return to New York next week.

ORDINATIONS IN ANTELIAS
Twenty seminary students were ordained as clerics and deacons at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, Lebanon. Rev. Fr. Tatoul
Anoushian, a member of the brotherhood of the Constantinople Patriarchate
conducted the holy mass. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Kegham
Khatcherian, primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, who spoke about the traits
of people who dedicate themselves to serve the church. “Every one of you was
granted the right of service to the church on a certain level. Each right
assumes an obligation. That obligation being your dedicated service to the
holy church of God. Today you climb the first stairs of this service, so you
can reach higher levels in the future,” he said.
Following the liturgy, the newly ordained servants of the church
proceeded to the Veharan (Catholicosal residence and administration center),
where they received the blessings of His Holiness Aram I. The Catholicos
advised them to prepare themselves for higher service. “Your study years at
the seminary open up our church’s and nation’s treasury. You will have to
gain so much from these years, so you can enrich our people in the near
future on both ecclesiastical and national levels through the riches you
acquired,” he said.

SIAMANTO ACADEMY STUDENTS PERFORM
Following five weeks of rehearsals, Siamanto Academy students
participated in the annual concert presented by the New York Hamazkayin
Chorus dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The
concert took place at the Flushing Town Hall in New York under the
directorship of Vagharshak Ohanian, with David Allahverdian on the piano,
and Isabella Alexandrovski on the kanon. Also featured on the program were
recitations by Lucine Djirdjirian and Dr. Herand Markarian. The Siamanto
students sang songs dedicated to Yerevan including, Karoun Yerevan,
Yerevanian Kisherner, Im Yerevan, Jan Yerevan, Yerevan-Erebouni, and
Hayasdan.
The Siamanto Academy is sponsored by the Armenian National Education
Committee.

ARMENIAN CHURCH REMEMBERS KING TIRIDAT, QUEEN ASHKHEN
AND KHOSROVITOUKHT
This Saturday, June 18, the Armenian Church commemorates the lives of
three saints important to the establishment of Christianity in Armenia, King
Tiridate, Queen Ashkhen, and Khosrovitoukht.
King Tiridate was a persecutor of early Christians, having imprisoned
Gregory the Illuminator in a deep pit, and ordering the murder of the nuns
Hripsime and Gayane and their companions. He became a convert when afflicted
with mysterious ailments and demons, he was cured by St. Gregory following
the king’s sister, Khosrovitoukht’s, vision that only Gregory could save her
brother.
Queen Ashkhen, wife of Tiridate, helped the king’s sister in Gregory’s
release. After the Christian conversion of the king, she and the king were
baptized in the Euphrates river by Gregory. She subsequently helped Gregory
establish church communities.

BEAST ON THE MOON EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 5
It’s official. The Beast on the Moon, the popular Off-Broadway play
about two genocide survivors, has been extended to September 5th, according
to David Grillo, the producer of the show.
The nationally syndicated columnist, Liz Smith, has described Beast as
“the hit new Off-Broadway play,” and has told her many readers, “Don’t miss
it!”
For information go to:

LADIES GUILD OF STS. VARTANANTZ WILL CELEBRATE
50TH ANNIVERSARY ON JULY 23
The Ladies’Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
will celebrate the Guild’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 23, at the
Pawtucket Country Club in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with a gala dinner dance.
For information contact the church office, 401-831-6399.

JEWISH REPORT ON GENOCIDE
The May-June issue of “Special Interest Report” published by The
American Council for Judaism, has an article entitled, “American Jewish
Groups’ Role in Downplaying Turkey’s Mass Murder of Armenians is
Highlighted.” The article describes the Armenian genocide and the campaign
for international recognition and how Turkey has enlisted the aid of Jewish
groups to “prevent Congress from adopting the term ‘genocide’ regarding the
slaughter of Armenians.” The article rightly points out that, “the implicit
support of U.S. Jewish organizations and the tacit support of Israel give
moral cover to any American administration that stops legislation
recognizing the Armenian genocide.”
Yair Auron, a professor at Israel’s Open University and author of The
Banality of Denial: Israel and the Armenian Genocide, is quoted: “To my
sorrow, Israel has become Turkey’s principal partner in helping it deny the
Armenian claims.” Auron says that Israel should have explained to Turkey
from the start that “the Armenian genocide could not be negotiated as part
of their relations.” As custodian of the memory and lessons of the
Holocaust, Israel is obliged to change course on the issue, Auron says. “You
have to take a position; and the historic moral position is one that accepts
the genocide.”

SUNDAY IS FATHERS DAY
This Sunday, June 19, is Fathers Day. The United States is one of the
few countries in the world that has an official “fathers day.” Although
there are different stories of who and where the first fathers’ day was
celebrated, there is agreement that the most ardent promoter of the holiday
was Mrs. Bruce John Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who wanted to honor her
father who raised six children after the untimely death of his wife. It is
believed that the first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in
Spokane. States began lobbying Congress to declare an annual Father’s Day.
President Woodrow Wilson approved the idea in 1916 as did President Calvin
Coolidge who in 1924 suggested that it be a national event to “establish
more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress
upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” The celebration of
Father’s Day grew in popularity; however, it was not until 1966 that
President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation officially declaring the
third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
This Tuesday, June 21, is the summer solstice, the longest day of the
year, and the first day of summer (at least here in the northern
hemisphere).

OUR GARDEN NOW AND THEN
We first mentioned our garden last year as a whim, never contemplating
that our garden would take on a life and personality of its own with our
readers. We had no intention of making it a regular commentary, but you-dear
readers-keep asking about the status of our garden when several weeks go by
without a report. Your reaction was totally unanticipated, but most welcome!
When last we spoke of our garden we lamented the cold weather. What
followed could very well be classified in the category of “be careful what
you ask for.” A few days later the east coast was gripped in an
unprecedented June heat wave with temperatures well into the 90s that
continued for almost ten days. Our poor seedling plants, that in May
withstood two nights of frost and survived, were now limp under the hot sun.
Thankfully we only lost a few cucumber plants, but everything else seems to
have survived.
Being a gardener provides one with great respect for nature and
admiration for farmers whose fate depends so heavily on the elements. We
feel closer to God in our garden than anywhere. How can you not believe in
the higher power of God when a small seed breaks the mighty ground, sprouts
and in 60 to 70 days begins to produce vine-ripened, pesticide free,
delicious fruit!
Everything we know about gardening we learned from our father, Krikor,
and our mother-in-law, Hripsime. Both were consummate gardeners, who could
grow anything in defiance of rules and regulations. Being survivors of the
Genocide and of the Great Depression of the 1930s, both of them had little
use for flowers (not edible!).
We are nowhere near their category as gardeners, and never will be. But
our garden is a reminder of them, their lives and the legacy they left us.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from
the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17

Visit our website at

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

U.S. ASSOCIATION WITHDRAWS AWARD TO AMB. EVANS FOLLOWING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMENTS
Pallone Expresses Disappointment to Congress

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today commended Congressman
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for expressing disappointment over the
American Foreign Service Association’s (AFSA) unprecedented withdrawal
of its Herter Award for “constructive dissent” from U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia John Evans for his proper characterization of the Armenian
Genocide.

Evans, during his public exchanges with Armenian-American communities
throughout the United States in March, declared that “the Armenian
Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth century.” Members
of the House and Senate, as well as the Assembly, publicly supported
Evans’ declarations and called on President George W. Bush to also
accurately label this crime against humanity.

In a speech before the House of Representatives Monday, Pallone said in
part: “It is simply unacceptable for this Administration to continue
to penalize the ambassador for his comments. Ambassador Evans did
a courageous thing. His statements did not contradict U.S. policy,
but rather articulated the same message that this Administration
has sent to the public. The only difference in this case is that
Ambassador Evans assigned a word to define the actions taken against
the Armenians.”

For example, in 1981, Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation
that said in part: “like the genocide of the Armenians before it,
and the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it – and like too
many other persecutions of too many other people – the lessons of the
Holocaust must never be forgotten…” President Bush himself has also
carefully set forth the textbook definition of the crime of genocide
as it applies to Armenians in his successive April 24th statements
of remembrance.

AFSA President John W. Limbert last week told the Washington Post
that no one at the organization can remember an award being withdrawn
after it had been announced.

Pallone also noted that the AFSA rescinded the award days before
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Washington
for a meeting with President Bush.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2005-065

Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of Congressman Pallone’s
comments as delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives
on June 13, 2005.

AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION AWARD WITHDRAWN – (House of
Representatives – June 13, 2005)

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express my
disappointment with the American Foreign Service Association, and
its decision to withdraw awarding a “Constructive Dissent” award to
U.S. Armenian Ambassador John Evans.

Ambassador Evans was due to receive the Christian A. Heter Award for
intellectual courage, initiative, and integrity later this week. The
award was as a result of courageous statements he made regarding the
recognition of the Armenian genocide.

In a series of public statements, Ambassador Evans, who has studied
Russian history at Yale and Columbia and Ottoman history at the Kennan
Institute stated, “I will today call it the Armenian genocide.”

Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Evans has studied history of Armenia , and
based on his substantial studies of the issue, he is willing to go on
the record and define the actions taken Armenians as genocide. The
Armenian genocide was the systematic extermination, the murder,
of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children. To this day, the
Republic of Turkey refuses to acknowledge the fact that this massive
crime against humanity took place on soil under its control, and in
the name of Turkish nationalism.

Unfortunately, some 90 years later, the U.S. State Department continues
to support Turkey’s demands and denials despite all evidence to the
contrary. It is not likely that the State Department was happy that
their Ambassador to Armenia acknowledged the Armenian genocide. And,
therefore, Ambassador Evans retracted his remarks after receiving
substantial pressure from the State Department.

Well, now the selection committee at the American Foreign Service
Association has decided to withdraw the award with no reason for
its actions. I find the timing of the decision peculiar. The sharp
turnaround came right before Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan arrived in
Washington for a meeting with President Bush. Based on past history,
it is clear that the State Department, the Bush administration, and the
pro-Turkish lobby pressured AFSA to withdraw Ambassador Evans’ award.

It is simply unacceptable for this administration to continue to
penalize the ambassador for his comments. Ambassador Evans did a
courageous thing. His statements did not contradict U.S. policy,
but rather articulated the same message that this administration
has sent to the public. The only difference in this case is that
Ambassador Evans assigned a word to define the actions taken against
the Armenians.

This was a refreshing break, I must add, from a pattern on the part of
the State Department of using evasive and euphemistic terminology to
obscure the full reality of the Armenian genocide. Ambassador Evans
pointed out, and I quote, that no American official has ever denied
it, and went on to say, and I quote, I think we, the U.S. Government,
owe you, our fellow citizens, a more frank and honest way of discussing
this problem.

Ambassador Evans was merely recounting the historical record, which
has been attested to by over 120 Holocaust and genocide scholars from
around the world. By doing this, he earned a prestigious award that
was taken from him because of politics and denial.

Mr. Speaker, I want to add my voice to all those who, in Ambassador
Evans’ own words, and again I am quoting, think it is unbecoming of
us as Americans to play word games here. I believe in calling things
by their name. Evans was right, and the American Foreign Service
Association was correct in awarding him the Christian A. Herter
Award. We should encourage our Ambassadors to speak the truth, and,
more broadly, end, once and for all, our complicity in Turkey’s
campaign of genocide denial.

Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Evans has been penalized for simply telling the
truth. The American Foreign Service Association has set a terrible
example by retracting Ambassador Evans’ award. I guess, even in
America, the Turkish Government is able to stifle debate.

####

–Boundary_(ID_f73z6u2O6dm1/Tt5bNaSqQ)–

Berliner Zeitung
14. Juni 2005

“Schnapp dir deine Fahne und mach mit” Türkische Organisationen
protestieren gegen Bundestag

von Marlies Emmerich

Die Hürriyet ist unter den rund 200 000 türkischen Berlinern die wohl
meistgelesene Zeitung. Unter dem Motto “Schnapp dir deine Fahne und
mach mit” wird dort aufgerufen, am nächsten Sonnabend ab 12 Uhr auf
dem Kurfürstendamm “nur mit türkischen Fahnen” zu protestieren. Es
geht wieder einmal um den Armenienkonflikt zwischen 1915 und 1918.
Celal Altun, Geschäftsführer der Türkischen Gemeinde, erwartet,
dass am Wochenende bis zu 50 000 Demonstranten aus ganz Deutschland,
“gegen einseitige Propaganda und historische Ungerechtigkeit” auf
die Straße ziehen werden.

Anlass für den neuen Unmut einer von der Gemeinde angeführten
“Initiative türkischer Organisationen” ist, dass alle Parteien des
Bundestages noch im Juni gemeinsam den Völkermord an den Armeniern
zwischen 1915 und 1918 verurteilen wollen. “Wir werden uns den
machtpolitischen Interessen von heute nicht beugen”, heißt es dazu
im Aufruf. Aber auch Berlins Migrationsbeauftragter Günter Piening
steht unter Beschuss. Die Broschüre “Armenier in Berlin” (siehe Foto),
die den Völkermord eindeutig thematisiert, war auf der Titelseite der
Hürriyet” großflächig “als die große Schande von Berlin” bezeichnet
worden. Umgehend soll sich die türkische Botschaft ein Exemplar
des am Montag veröffentlichten Heftes bestellt haben. Die Türkische
Gemeinde hatte – nur vor der türkischen Presse – Piening vorgeworfen,
in der Publikation “die Stimme der armenischen Diaspora” wiederzugeben.

“Die Auseinandersetzung mit der geschichtlichen Wahrheit ist nie
eine Schande, sondern gereicht allen Beteiligten zur Ehre”, sagte
Piening der Berliner Zeitung. Es könne sich niemand leisten, eine
Grauzone der Geschichte zu behalten. Die ausgesprochen scharfen Töne
zum Protestaufzug hielt Piening nicht für die Mehrheitsmeinung der
in Berlin lebenden Türken. Im Frühherbst will Piening im Rahmen von
Projekttagen an Schulen Diskussionen über den Armenienkonflikt
anbieten. Der Migrationsbeauftragte begrüßte, dass das Land
Brandenburg bereits als erstes Bundesland ähnliche Wege gegangen sei.
Geplant seien nach dem Sommer außerdem deutsch-türkisch-armenische
Dialogveranstaltungen. Der Vorstand des liberalen Türkischen Bundes
kündigte an, sich am Mittwoch mit den wieder entflammten Debatten
auseinander zu setzen.

–Boundary_(ID_+8M2cT90mTKj8iovLgl01Q)–

BORDYUJA IN THE DEFENSE MINISTRY

A1plus

| 15:07:16 | 15-06-2005 | Official |

Defense Minister, Secretary of the National Security Council attached
to the RA President Serge Sargsyan received Nikolay Bordyuja, Secretary
General of the Joint Security Agreement Organization.

During the meeting the sides discussed the issues included in the
agenda of the Joint Security Council session to take part in Moscow
on June 22-23, the problems faced by the Organization, the ways of
their solution and the further activity of the organization.

Visiting Armenian, Chinese foreign ministers discuss ties

Mediamax news agency
13 Jun 05

Yerevan, 13 June: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan met
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
in Beijing today.

The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with a growth in trade
between Armenia and China by 73 per cent during the first quarter of
this year, the Foreign Ministry’s press office told Mediamax today. The
sides stressed the importance of cooperation in the spheres of science,
technology and education.

Oskanyan and Zhaoxing discussed cooperation in international
organizations, particularly in the UN. They also exchanged ideas on
the problems of Nagornyy Karabakh and Taiwan.

Al-Jazeera, Qatar
June 12 2005

Vote under way in key Lebanon areas

Sunday 12 June 2005, 15:05 Makka Time, 12:05 GMT

Sixty-three parliamentary seats are up for grabs in Sunday’s vote

Voters are heading into polling stations in central and eastern
Lebanon to decide nearly half the legislative seats, in the third
stage of staggered parliamentary elections.

A total of 1.25 million people are eligible to vote in the Mount
Lebanon and eastern Bekaa Valley regions on Sunday in the penultimate
stage of Lebanon’s first national election without the presence of
Syrian troops for three decades.

The most heated contests involve Christian leader Michel Aoun and his
allies against a coalition, led by Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, in
the central Baabda-Aley constituency and against a Christian alliance
in the Byblos-Kesrwan district.

Aljazeera’s correspondent in Lebanon, Ghassan bin Jiddo, reported
that tensions in some districts had proven too much for some voters.

Fighting broke out in Bekaa, and some people have been injured.

Mutual accusations among participants have also emerged in the
al-Matn area. Supporters of the Free National Trend alleged that some
alliances have distributed money to voters in public – an accusation
denied by all opposition parties.

About 100 candidates are competing in Mount Lebanon, with seats
allocated to different sects according to Lebanon’s power-sharing
political system.

Thirty-five seats are up for grabs in Mount Lebanon and 28 in the
Bekaa.

Two seats have been won uncontested in Mount Lebanon – Jumblatt and
ally Marwan Hamadeh, both lawmakers in the outgoing parliament.

Seats in the first two rounds of voting, in Beirut and the south, for
the most part were split almost evenly between opponents of Syria and
supporters of the Islamist Hizb Allah resistance organisation.

Unexpected alliances

Anti-Syrian forces need a strong showing in Sunday’s vote in the
central and eastern regions – at least 45 seats for a majority – to
win a firm grasp on the 128-member parliament.

But the campaign has led to some surprising alliances and left some
races too close to call.

The vote in central Mount Lebanon, the nation’s most populous region,
has been billed as the “mother of all battles” as it pits Jumblatt’s
allies against Aoun’s.

Aoun, who fought and lost a war against Syria in 1989 before going
into a 14-year exile, was one of Syria’s main Lebanese foes, but
recently broke with other opponents of Damascus and forged alliances
with pro-Syrian politicians.

Former exiled Christian General
Michel Aoun is hoping for victory

The anti-Syrian opposition also teamed up with Hizb Allah and the
pro-Syrian Shia Amal in some districts.

Aoun says his feud with Syria is over, now that Damascus has
withdrawn from Lebanon. He is campaigning on a promise to fight the
corruption he blames on Lebanon’s economic ills, including a national
debt of more than $30 billion.

In Metn, the former general has forged an alliance with pro-Syrian
politician Michel Murr and Armenian political party Tashnag, against
an anti-Syrian ticket, headed by legislator Nassib Lahoud and Pierre
Gemayel, son of former President Amin Gemayel.

And in Bekaa, a list backed by Saad al-Din al-Hariri, son of
assassinated former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, is facing off
against pro-Syrian politicians.

Others in the anti-Syrian camp hope the elections, which end on 19
June with voting in the north, will finally end Damascus’s control of
the legislature.

Political tensions have spilled over into violence, and the
government has sent army and police reinforcements to Mount Lebanon,
the historic heart of the country.

ARA ABRAHAMYAN PROMISES TO SOLVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF
EQUATORIAL GUINEA IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASE OF ARMENIAN PILOTS

YEREVAN, JUNE 11. ARMINFO. Head of the World Armenian Congress (WAC)
Ara Abrahamyan has undertaken definite commitments to the Government
of Equatorial Guinea i.e. to solve socio-economic problems of that
country, in exchange for release of six Armenian pilots sentenced to
long-years of imprisonment charged for an attempt of a state coup. WAC
Representative, specialist in political science Andranik Mihranyan
said at a press conferences in Yerevan. Mihranyan arrived in Malabo to
accompany the Armenia pilots to the Motherland on the instruction of
A.Abrahamyan.

In his turn, A.Abrahamyan confirmed this statement promising to
fulfill all the commitments to the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. He
said release of Armenian pilots was a victory of the Armenian
people. Abrahamyan informed those present that he was asked by the
Armenian Foreign Ministry to interfere into the process. He pointed
out that no matter whose efforts were a success, the most important
was that Armenia’s international image was not damaged. He said he had
applied to Russian Foreign Minister, to UNESCO and even the Roman Pope
John Paul II for mediation for amnesty of Armenian pilots. WAC Head
emphasized the great contribution of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to
the release of the pilots. Thus, he stated that Representative of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry seven times visited Malabo and negotiated
with the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. If even one link fell from
this chain of persons and structures, this case would not be a
success, he said. Abrahamyan also pointed out the importance of
Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Russia stated at a press conference
in Moscow that Armenian pilot might not be guilty, they might be used.

In his turn, Mihranyan told the details of his trip to that
country. He told that arriving in Malabo, he met with Security
Minister of that country who stated that Ara Abrahamyan did not
fulfill part of his promises so the pilot could not be
released. Mihranyan told he was scared of being imprisoned together
with the pilots. Fortunately, the following day, the minister told
that Ara Abrahamyan fulfilled his commitments and the pilots were
released. Mihranyan admits that few people believed in the success of
this case as citizens of Russia, Bulgaria and other states are
currently in prisons in African states and being humiliated. He said
that Armenian pilots behaved very good and did not give in morally.

In their turn, the Armenia pilots reiterated that they were not guilty
in the crime. They told they had been kept in cells for 457 days put
into irons, however those in prison were to some extent afraid of them
and they were respected. “IF any devices were out of order in prison,
we were often asked for help. After Ara Abrahamyan sent money and
brandy for us through the brother-in- law of the President of
Equatorial Guinea, the attitude of the prison guards sharply changed,
they used to leave the door of the cells open. While, the head of the
prison used to bring us beer from the shop. Of course, we paid him,”
joked the Armenian pilots. They said in prison they undergo medical
treatment and lived exclusively on the funds transferred by Ara
Abrahanyan, though only 205 of these funds were given to them.