Author: Tadevosian Garnik

CONFERENCE ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS OPENS TODAY AT ISTANBUL U.

Hurriyet, Turkey
March 15 2006

A conference on Armenians which has been in the works for a year
is opening today at Istanbul University. The “New Approaches to
Turkish-Armenian Relations” conference will include 70 academics from
Turkey and abroad, and is expected to witness sharp clashes between
people of varying viewpoints.

The opening of the conference will be marked by a 45 minute concert
given by the Kadikoy Surp Takavor Armenian Church Choir. Speaking about
the aim of the conference, Istanbul University Professor Safak Ural,
who also helped organize the conference, said “If we can’t explain
the problem in Turkish-Armenian relations to our own people, then we
won’t be able to explain it to anyone. And in order to explain it,
we have to discuss every angle of the matter. This is possible only
by gathering differing viewpoints on one platform, and approaching
the discussion within the framework of certian objective criteria.”

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    
March 15, 2006  
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

MAJOR ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN ASSEMBLY’S WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

Washington, DC – In less than two weeks, the Armenian Assembly will
host a major pan-Armenian conference in the nation’s capital to
convey to Washington decision makers that non-partisan leaders and
organizations in our community are united in purpose and priority.

The Assembly’s National Conference and Banquet, March 26-28, will be
co-hosted with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the
Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church and in partnership
with leading Armenian-American organizations. They include:

* Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics
* Armenia 2020
* Armenia Tree Project
* Armenian American Chamber of Commerce
* Armenian American Cultural Association, Inc.
* Armenian Church Youth Organization – Eastern Diocese
* Armenian Church Youth Organization – Western Diocese
* Armenian High Tech Council of America (Armentech)
* Armenian International Policy Research Group
* Armenian International Women’s Association
* Armenian Missionary Association of America, Inc.
* Armenian Network of America, Inc.
* Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc.
* Birthright Armenia
* Knights of Vartan

“The Armenian community’s leading advocates will be in full force at
this Conference, thanks in part to the active participation of these
grassroots organizations,” said Assembly Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian. “It is critical that we present our common voice
to those in the executive and legislative branches that make the
policy decisions that directly impact Armenia and Karabakh.”

The National Conference and Banquet will open on March 26 with a
welcoming reception at the U.S. Botanic Garden featuring special
guest, NKR Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian. Assembly leaders
will convene earlier that day for their annual Trustees Meeting.
The following day, participants will take part in a day-long series
of briefings and training culminating with the National Banquet that
evening at the Mayflower Hotel.

The National Conference will feature Armenia’s Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia,
Ambassador Daniel Fried and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD),
as well as a panel with the American Red Cross, the Peace Corps and
Habitat for Humanity. The Banquet that evening will feature a special
tribute to Armenian-American veterans and will include remarks by
Senator George Allen (R-VA) and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans.

The Assembly will also be awarding Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) for
his outstanding public service and his commitment and dedication to
Armenian issues.

This unique event will also include special reunion events for
Armenia Mission participants and Assembly Intern Alumni on March 26
and 27 respectively.

In an effort to encourage Armenian youth to attend the Conference,
the Assembly is offering a special student package which includes
registration, two nights’ hotel accommodations and admission to the
Banquet for only $100. For more information on the Conference, or to
register, please contact Assembly Development Deputy Director Rita
Mullane at (202) 393-3434 ext. 234 or [email protected].

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. The Armenian General Benevolent Union is the world’s largest
philanthropic organization devoted to education, cultural and
humanitarian efforts. Both are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organizations.

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is the
spiritual and administrative head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
the Eastern United States. The Eastern Diocese and its counterpart,
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, exist under
the authority of the ancient Mother See of the Armenian Church in
Holy Etchmiadzin.

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NR#2006-023

–Boundary_(I D_oTFPSdhJKO1uJJssoqSMVg)–

“HERITAGE” PARTY AFFIRMS THAT AUTHORITIES UNDERTAKE ACTIONS FOR PARALYSING ITS ACTIVITY

Noyan Tapan
Mar 09 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. An incident connected with unknown
people’s entering the office of the “Heritage” party, and then with
changing the locks on the party doors is a regular link in the chain of
encroachments, recently implemented by the rulling circles againts the
“Heritage” party and its leader Raffi Hovhannisian. This is said in
the press-release of the “Heritage” party spread on March 9. According
to the press-release, “in response to Raffi Hovhannisian’s active
political and civil position, the reaction against organizations
headed by Raffi and Armenuhi Hovhannisians of mass media under control
and marionettes in the type of an extensive black PR followed, and
now actions have already been undertaken for paralyzing the party’s
activity.”

“Cases fabricated by the acting authorities against the “Heritage”
party and its members as well as their persecution may follow then,”
is mentioned in the press-release. To recap, three unknown people broke
the door of the “Heritage” party office on March 4 and changed the
locks. The party representatives can’t enter their office up to now.

HOLIDAYS IN PLACES THAT DON’T EXIST
By Michael Idato

Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
March 9 2006

Examines in detail a collection of small countries which are not
officially recognised.

TypeDocumentaryChannelSBSDateFriday March 10Time7:30 PM An illuminating
series that examines in detail a collection of small countries which
are not officially recognised, leaving them in a cloud of uncertainty
when it comes to international relations, foreign trade and financial
aid.

Some are well known, such as Taiwan, but others sound like works of
fiction – Transdniestria, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
all in eastern Europe.

Tonight, presenter Simon Reeve (a British journalist, not the
Australian one) visits the Republic of Somaliland on the Horn of
Africa, which declared its independence from Somalia in 2001. Its
struggle for that independence is a compelling story – its people
now grapple with a terrible drought and their precarious place in
international politics leaves them with few options in terms of
foreign aid.

What makes the story of Somaliland so interesting is that as country
and culture it presents itself as fully formed. It has a stable,
functioning government – something many recognised nations cannot
boast – as well as its own economy and currency, national flag and
national anthem. In a world where international borders too often
seem remade by force and the spread of democracy is often escorted
by tanks and soldiers, there is a powerful lesson to be learned here.

DANCING GROUP OF INTEGRATION OF YOUNG PERSONS WITH LIMITED ABILITIES
TO BE FORMED IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On the initiative of the British
Council’s Office in Armenia, the dancing-masters of the British modern
dancing group “Canduco” on March 6-10 hold dancing lessons of
integration of young persons with limited abilities at the Yerevan
State Institute of Theater and Cinema. As Lusine Ghulian, Director of
the culture programs of the Armenian office of the council, informed
at the March 9 press conference, the beneficiaries of the “Kamk and
Korov” and “Huysi Kamurj” NGOs engaged in the problems of disabled
people, as well as the students of the institute take part in the
lessons. He mentioned that the aim of the lesson is to create a new
dancing group in Armenia where the disabled people will perform with
the professional dancers. The group “Canduco” was founded in 1991 the
goal of which was to create such a professional surroundings, where
the disabled and non-disabled dancers will have a possibility of
working jointly. According to Stina Nilsen, dancing-master of the
group, today “Canduco” is considered as a leading modern dancing-group
speading integrated dancing education. It was also mentioned that
within the framework of the “Hayfest” international festival, the
“Canduco” dancing group will perform in Yerevan in October.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 10 2006

RA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE NOT TO TAKE SPECIAL MEASURES IN CONNECTION
WITH AGGRAVATION OF SITUATION ALONG CONTACT LINE

`RA Armed Forces are ready to suppress any encroachment of the
enemy’, RA Deputy Defense Minister Lt. General Arthur Aghabekyan told
journalists.
In his words, one should not speak about a war’s threat. `However,
any serviceman is aware of the fact that he must be ready to resist
incidents, both local and full-scale’, A. Aghabekyan said.
Deputy Minister also refuted the rumors about special measures the
Ministry of Defense is taking in connection with the activation along
the Armenian-Azeri contact line. `Moreover, even trainings with
involvement of persons liable to military service of the first
category reserve has not been planned for the coming months’, he stressed.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Oskanian: Armenia Already Made Its Part of Compromises
in Karabakh Issue

11.03.2006 21:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nagorno Karabakh people’s right to
self-determination is the key issue in the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement and it is irreversible, Armenian
FM Vartan Oskanian stated in an interview with
Armenian Shant TV Company. In his words, Baku will
touch upon the issue willy-nilly, `as it is a matter
on the agenda and Azerbaijan is under much pressure
regarding that question.’ At that Vartan Oskanian
added that the link between the right to
self-determination and the moment of final solution of
all aspects of the conflict should be outlined today.
`If we formulate that link in a correct manner and
come to a compromise solution, the process can be
moved. Otherwise, it will mean, that Azerbaijan
remains on maximalist positions and no progress will
be made in the NK settlement,’ the Armenian FM said.
Armenia has made its part of concessions and it was
not easy, he emphasized. `I do not know how our people
will take it,’ Oskanian remarked.

EU CONSIDERS BUILDING KARS-AKHALKALAKI RAILWAY INEFFICIENT

Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 19:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The EU does not support the project of building
Kars-Akhalkalaki railway, considering it inefficient,” stated a
representative of the European Commission Directorate General for
Transport and Energy. The EU considers Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway,
which makes part of the TRACECA project, to be a more efficient one,
he said. “Azerbaijan and Turkey are participants of the TRACECA and
we have informed these countries on our stand,” the EC representative
stated. He also reported that the EC has received an official letter
from Armenia, displaying Armenian party’s readiness to let transit
cargo pass via Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway through its territory. “This
proposal of the Armenian party gives hope,” the EC representative
stated, reported Mediamax.

REPORT OF ICG ENVISAGES POSSIBILITY OF GIVING NK OPPORTUNITY TO SEPARATE FROM AZERBAIJAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 11 2005

BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Crisis Group
published its second report on October 11. The report contains an
opinion that Nagorno Karabakh should be given an opportunity to choose
its status by a referendum, including both unification with Azerbaijan
and separation from it.

According to the proposals presented in the report, the final
status of Nagorno Karabakh should be decided at the referendum on
self-determination to be held after the return of displaced Azeris to
those parts of Nagorno Karabakh where they previously constituted the
majority and after an international conference establishes that Nagorno
Karabakh meets the international criteria for acquiring statehood,
including the proper protection of the rights of minorities.

Such an assessment will be made for the first time 5 years after the
signing of the peace agreement. The referendum will be held with
the participation of only Karabakh Armenians and Azeris and under
terms determined during negotiations chaired by OSCE and based on the
principle that the referendum results will be recognized by all sides.

CHAIR OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS CALLED ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

Pan Armenian
10.10.2005 17:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Portugal and Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee
of Ministers, made the following statement: “After several months of
intense debate, Armenia’s National Assembly has just adopted a number
of constitutional amendments, in line with the country’s commitment
undertaken when joining the Council of Europe. The referendum to be
held on 27 November on this reform will be vital for Armenia. By
turning out to vote during the referendum, the people of Armenia
will indeed be deciding on changes of fundamental importance for
their future. The expertise of the constitutional amendments by the
Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has shown that the reform will
allow the alignment of the Constitution with European standards by
enhancing the independence of the judiciary, providing a more balanced
distribution of power between the executive and the legislative
branches, as well as promoting local democracy and freedom of the
media. I appeal to the sense of responsibility and concern for the
common good of Armenia’s political parties, beyond their differences,
in order to support this reform, which is essential to the country’s
future as a democracy. By participating in the referendum and showing
their attachment to the values of freedom and democracy, the people
of Armenia will show their desire to see Armenia fully assume its
part in the European construction.”