Author: Toganian Liana

New EU document to call on Turkey to ‘normalise’ relations with Cyprus
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels

Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
June 28 2005

ANKARA is being called upon to “normalise” its relations with all EU
member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, in the framework
of negotiations’ with Turkey to be discussed by the Commissioners
tomorrow.

Sources believe this reference is of particular importance to
Nicosia, as it could use it in future discussions within the Council.
For example, Nicosia can refuse to open the transport chapter during
the negotiations with Ankara, scheduled to start on October 3, unless
Turkey opens its ports and airports to Cypriot interests.

The framework also calls on Turkey to support the continued efforts
for a settlement in Cyprus and to make further steps in creating a
favourable climate.

At the same time, it asks Turkey to fulfil its obligations regarding
the Association Council (customs union) and in particular to extend
the additional protocol to all member states.

The protocol has been approved by the EU and but it still remains to
be signed by the Turkish government.

However, sources told the Mail they did not believe Ankara would sign
the protocol till mid or end of September, just before negotiations
begin, as it is viewed as de facto recognition of Cyprus and therefore
a very contentious issue in Turkey.

The negotiations framework also calls upon Turkey to respect human
rights as well as relevant European case law. The latter is considered
important to Cyprus because of decisions such as the Titina Loizidou
case by the European Court of Human Rights.

Some parties in Brussels view these references as a change from the
position held towards Cyprus by the previous enlargement Commissioner
Gunter Verheugen. His successor Olli Rehn appears to be more open
to discussion and less inclined towards a blame game, while at the
same time maintaining a good relationship with Cypriot Commissioner
Markos Kyprianou.

The document will be sent to the Council for approval, and therefore
nobody knows its final references.

The government is expected to try adding more elements, like the need
for the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers or an end to the
illegal construction in the north, but this is difficult to achieve
in such a brief document. It may feel it has more chance to have them
included in the ‘revised accession partnership’ to be finalised after
the start of talks. The framework of the negotiations with Turkey also
refers to the need for good neighbourly relations, which is of interest
to Greece, Armenia and the Kurds. Reflecting the discussion going
on within the EU over the past weeks, there is a clear reference to
the fact that the negotiations are “open ended” the Mail has learned.

California Courier Online, June 30, 2005

1 – Commentary
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
Armenians Should Teach
Time Magazine a Lesson
2 – Limited Edition DVD of ‘I Hate Dogs’
And ‘Back to Ararat’ Films Released
3- AUA Graduate Selected
As 2005 Yale World Fellow
4 – Retired State Department Officer Protests
Withdrawal of AFSA Award to Amb. Evans
5 – Koomruian Education Fund Announces
10 Scholarships Award for 2005-2006
6 – ARS-WR Executives Tour
ARS Schools in Karabagh
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1 – Commentary
Armenians Should Teach
Time Magazine a Lesson

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Armenians in the United States and Europe should launch a coordinated
campaign to ensure that Time magazine would never again allow itself to be
used as a tool for the dissemination of Turkish lies on the Armenian
Genocide.
The Ankara Chamber of Commerce had paid around $1 million to place four
full-page ads and a DVD in the June 6 issue of the European edition of Time
magazine which has a circulation of around 500,000 copies.
The ad pages contain pictures of Greek and Armenian historical sites in
Turkey. The DVD insert, which comes in a blank white wrapper and does not
carry the mandatory “advertising supplement” disclosure, contains a couple
of short ads on tourism and a 70-minute segment that includes dozens of
distortions and vicious lies about the Armenian Genocide.
It is very obvious that the real intent of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce,
and most probably that of the Turkish government hiding behind it, was not
so much to promote tourism in Turkey, but to denigrate the Armenian
Genocide.
This DVD, more aptly called a piece of hate mail, starts with the following
pompous declaration: “The most comprehensive documentary serial ever made
on the Armenian Question in the history of [the] Turkish Republic.”
An indication of the extent that the Turks have gone to distort the facts
of the Armenian Genocide is that they have prepared this DVD in seven
languages: English, French, Turkish, German, Spanish, Arabic and Russian.
The Turks claim to have conducted research in the archives of 11 countries,
including Armenia. It is noteworthy that while the Turkish Prime Minister
keeps repeatedly saying that Armenia must open its archives, Turkish
filmmakers are inadvertently proving him wrong by stating that they have
access to the Armenian archives!
There are so many lies in this DVD that one does not know where to start.
One would need to write an entire book to expose all of the distortions in
this 70-minute DVD.
The DVD accuses Armenians of committing genocide against the Turks;
collaborating with the Nazis; and distorting documents, while the
filmmakers themselves blatantly distort just about every fact. The DVD
blames the Kurds for the Armenian killings, while claiming that Armenians
were not killed. It misidentifies not only historical sites, but also
well-known places, such as calling the Glendale City College, “University
of Glendale,” and the Turkish Embassy in Paris, “the Turkish Consulate.” It
calls Amb. Henry Morgenthau’s documented reports on the Armenian Genocide,
“hearsay.” It cunningly describes as a “published letter” the paid ad
against the Armenian Genocide by some U.S. “scholars” who had received
grants from the Institute of Turkish Studies which was funded by the
Turkish government. It falsifies the
interview of Kemal Ataturk published in the August 1, 1926 issue of the Los
Angeles Examiner in which he admits that the Young Turks massacred millions
of Christians in the Ottoman Empire. It identifies Albert Amateau, a Jew,
as an Armenian who allegedly denies the Armenian Genocide. It wrongly
identifies an unknown interviewee as Prof. Radick Martirosyan, the Rector
of the Yerevan State University. It distorts the words of French
parliamentarian Francois Rochebloine who said after viewing the DVD: “My
words in there are taken out of context. I did not recognize myself in the
way I was presented.” It will not be surprising if the other interviews in
the DVD are also distorted.
Adding insult to injury, the narrator claims that Armenian “women and
children were to be carried by carriages” during the deportations. It
shamelessly states that “food was distributed, shelter was provided and
field hospitals which were established by the [Ottoman] soldiers served on
the way. Measures were taken for security. The Ottoman state was allocating
allowances for those moving despite the dire financial situation of the
state. The state orders were that those who were subject to the relocation
law would be provided with housing immediately at their destinations. In
addition, if necessary, those people would also be provided with food from
the ration of the Ottoman soldiers at war, they would be served hot meals
and meat.”
It is appalling that Time magazine would accept such a pack of lies as paid
advertising and then have the gall to say that it is not responsible for
its content. We are not talking here about depriving the Turks of their
right to express their opinion. Rather, we are dealing with a clear case of
false advertising, hate mail (a hate crime), and fraud (representing
outright lies as facts).
Time’s executives either knowingly accepted this fraudulent DVD and turned
a blind eye to its contents for the sake of pocketing the $1 million ad
revenue or they were negligent in verifying its contents. In either case
they have an obligation to set the record straight and make amends. They
should either do this voluntarily or would be compelled to do so by a court
of law.
The Armenian community should ask Time magazine to:
1) Publish an apology for disseminating this fraudulent DVD;
2) Issue a formal memo to all its divisions around the world not to
accept this DVD as an insert (the Ankara Chamber of Commerce has announced
its intention to place the same DVD in Time’s Asian and Pacific editions);
3) Issue a written warning to all its advertising executives not to
accept any more ads from Turkish entities that deny the Armenian Genocide
(just as they would not run an ad that denies the Jewish Holocaust and
glorifies Hitler; the New York Times recently rejected an ad from Turkish
organizations denying the Armenian Genocide);
4) Destroy the extra 116,000 copies of this DVD that are still in
Time’s possession;
5) Agree to insert and disseminate free of charge a DVD prepared by a
reputable research institute on the Armenian Genocide;
6) Donate the payment it received from the Turkish Chamber of Commerce
for this ad to an Armenian charity.
Should Time reject the above demands, Armenians should then:
1) Cancel their subscriptions and ads; and urge their friends and
business colleagues to do likewise;
2) File lawsuits in several European countries (France, Switzerland,
Belgium, Holland and Germany) where genocide denial or making statements of
racial hatred is against the law;
3) Issue a public appeal for funds to pay for the legal costs of these
lawsuits.
The most important issue is that Armenians should not remain silent in the
face of such an offensive ad. If they ignore it, they would then be
encouraging the Turks to place similar offensive ads not only in other
editions of Time, but also in magazines around the world. It is somewhat
fortunate that the Turks chose to run this ad in the European edition of
Time. Since several European countries have laws banning such hate mail, it
makes it easy for Armenians to take legal action. Armenians should take
advantage of this unique opportunity and make an example of Time magazine!

**************************************************************************
2 – Limited Edition DVD of ‘I Hate Dogs’
And ‘Back to Ararat’ Films Released
HOLLYWOOD – Markopolofilms and HB PeÅ Holmquist Films last week announced
the release of the special commemorative DVD featuring two critically
acclaimed, award-winning documentaries – I Hate Dogs-The Last Survivor
(2005) and Back to Ararat (1988).
“I Hate Dogs” is the new documentary short by Swedish producers PeÅ
Holmquist and Suzanne Khardalian. The film explores Garbis’, an energetic
99-year-old survivor, memories of the death march that he and his family
were forced to take in 1915 by the Ottoman Turks. Garbis examines the
effects of genocide and talks about the life he has built in France. “For
anyone having the slightest difficulty in understanding what genocide means
to the individual, this film is an absolute must,” said Kulturnytt.
“Back to Ararat” is an award-winning (Best Film, 1988 Sweden), documentary
produced and directed by Holmquist, Khardalian, Göran Gunner and Göran
Gurén. “It’s difficult to watch it without a sense of outrage,” said the
Los Angeles Times.
The first feature length documentary about the first genocide of the 20th
century, Back to Ararat examines several Armenian communities around the
world and features the struggles and challenges that the Diaspora faces in
dealing with issues of genocide. Viewed international by thousands, Back to
Ararat is considered to be one of the most comprehensive documentaries on
the Armenian Genocide.
“PeÅ and Suzanne are amazing visual storytellers who had the courage to go
where very few had dared at the time. These films bring genocide
consciousness to the big screen,” added Raffy Ardhaldjian, one of the few
surviving Armenians portrayed in Back to Ararat. Featuring bonus interviews
with filmmakers, the I Hate Dogs/Back to Ararat DVD sells US$20. The DVD is
available at most Armenian-American bookstores and will soon be featured
for purchase online at
To purchase the DVD or for more information on US sales, call 818.291.6490.
For more information on arranging private screenings of the film, call
Eliza Karagezian at 818.291.6490. For more information on the films and
filmmakers visit
The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt
US organization encouraging the welfare and development of Armenian women
and children through innovative cultural, educational, health and social
programs.
*****************************************************************
3 – AUA Graduate Selected
As 2005 Yale World Fellow
YEREVAN -Yale University President Richard Levin announced that Lusine
Abovyan, a graduate of the American University of Armenia’s Law Department
and currently an adjunct member of its law faculty, was selected from among
hundreds of qualified candidates to become one of 18 Yale World Fellows in
2005.
Yale World Fellows are selected from outside the US at an early mid-career
point, and come from a range of fields and disciplines, including
government, business, media, non-governmental organizations, the military,
religion and the arts.
Abovyan is a lawyer and journalist, and currently serves as a
constitutional law specialist for the Armenia Legislative Strengthening
Program, an organization charged with reforming the Armenian constitution.
She earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from AUA in 1999 and she has been an
adjunct member of the AUA law faculty since 2001, where she teaches Media
Law and Intellectual Property Law.
Matthew Karanian, the Associate Dean of the University’s law school, said
that Abovyan is a “shining star for Armenia, for AUA, and for the law
program,” where she studied and now teaches. “We’re proud of her
accomplishment, and are pleased to know that someone who we have long
recognized as a leader in legal scholarship is now also being recognized by
Yale.”
Abovyan received her first degree in 1995 from Progress University of
Economy and Law in Gyumri, Armenia. She has also earned an LLM from Tulane
University in New
Orleans, LA, as a recipient of the Edmund Muskie/Freedom Support Act
Graduate Fellowship CEP SCOUT Fellow. Abovyan is a member of International
Media Lawyers Association, AUA Alumni Association, and American Graduates
Association.
**************************************************************
4 – Retired State Department Officer Protests
Withdrawal of AFSA Award to Amb. Evans
WASHINGTON, DC – A member of the American Foreign Service Association
(AFSA) wrote to the organization in protest of the withdrawal of the AFSA
Constructive Dissent award to Ambassador John Evans for the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks.
In a letter cc’ed to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Jeannette John, a
Foreign Service Officer, now retired from duties at the US Department of
State’s USAID, expressed her “shock and utter dismay” at the withdrawal of
the award to the US envoy.
The retired FSO noted that her mother, Angele Magarian was 16 years old
when she was exiled with her mother and his sisters from Bandirma in
Western Turkey.
“My grandmother was born in 1869 and was a well educated woman,” John
wrote. “Her daughter, my dear mother could never talk about the Genocide.
When asked, tears would run down her face and she would turn her back on
me. I asked my grandmother about the Genocide and she told me about the
sheer horror of the Genocide. She said that they put mud on their faces so
as not to appear attractive, and they wore old clothes so they would not be
stripped of them. Many little children were raped and dismembered and wild
dogs often ate their remains. Those who could not walk anymore in the
burning desert sun suffered similar fates. They ended up in a mud hut in
Arshrafieh, a Druze village, two hours walk to Damascus. They were in
Arshrafieh for two years and two years in Damascus.
“From 1981 through 1983, I was assigned to Damascus as an Foreign Service
Officer, John wrote. “My mother, who had left Syria when she was 19 years
old, returned when she was 82 years old. I took her to Arshrafieh, the
Druze village, where she was treated with great respect and the elders
sympathized with her for what the Armenians had gone through during the
Genocide. Please do not tell me the Genocide did not happen. It did!
History has shown this. Both former President Reagan and current Governor
Schwarzenegger have publicly acknowledged the Genocide along with many
other countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Council
of European Parliamentary Assembly, France, Greece, Italy, Sweden,
Switzerland, Vatican City and more. I am urging you to reinstate the AFSA
Constructive Dissent award to U.S. Ambassador John Evans. I am the child
and grandchild of survivors!
” I am reminded of a quote from Adolf Hitler; ‘Our strength lies in our
intensive attack and our barbarity….after all, who today remembers the
genocide of the Armenians.’
“We must never forget the Genocide,” John observed. “I implore you to take
quick and decisive action not for just the Armenian people, but for all who
love freedom.”
**************************************************************************
5 – Koomruian Education Fund Announces
10 Scholarships Award for 2005-2006
LOS ANGELES – The Selection Committee of the Peter and Alice Koomruian
Armenian Education Fund announced the award of scholarships in the amount
of $1,500 each to 10 students for the academic year 2005-2006.
The recipients are: Amber Alice Benlian, Ilona Valeryevna Grigorian,
Natalie Shake Manachian, Tigran Martirosyan, Sheyda Melkonian, Rose
Ohanesian, Aram Levon Shemassian, and Shant Paul Stepanian.
Applications for the 2006-2006 academic year may be obtained from the
Koomruian Armenian Education Fund, c/o 15915 Ventura Blvd., Penthouse 1,
Encino, CA 91436 or Koomruian Armenian Education Fund, c/o Bank of America
Private Banking/2088000, 555 S. Flore St., 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA
90071. Deadline for filing the application is April 30, 2006.
Requests for applications must include a self-addressed and stamped
envelope. Applicants must be of Armenian ancestry and enrolled as full time
students at a university of college in the US. The award is based on a
student’s academic performance and financial need.
**************************************************************************
6 – ARS-WR Executives Tour
ARS Schools in Karabagh
GLENDALE – A group of Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S. (ARS-WR)
regional executives, chapter members and supporters returned to the US
after a 15- day pilgrimage to Armenia and Artsakh (Karabagh) which began on
May 24.
This was the third pilgrimage organized by the Western Region. These
individually funded trips have multiple objectives, from visiting historic
sites of Armenia to visiting projects funded by the Western Region and
individual supporters; in addition to visiting sites for future projects in
collaboration with the ARS Central Executive, the Armenia Regional
Executive and Artsakh Regional.
The group members enjoyed the ARS Armenia Regional Executive’s care and
attention from the moment that they were welcomed at the Yerevan airport.
One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the Sartarabad Monument
on May 27, which was followed by the participation of the whole group in a
“Shourch Bar” (circle dancing) around Mount Arakadz, with almost 250,000
Armenians from Armenia
& the Diaspora. This exciting dance tried to break a record.
The group proceeded to Artsakh for a four-day visit. They visited the
Kantsasar Monastery, the ARS Sosse Kindergartens and the opening of the
Home Museum of Nigol Tuman. Accompanied by Artsakh ungerouhis, the group
visited the Sosse Kindergartens that operate year round and serve 550
children. The 10 schools operate under the auspices of the ARS Central
Executive of which Ashan and Aganapert schools are sponsored by the Western
Region, in addition, the Western Region sponsors several renovation
projects at other schools. During the visits, the school children
entertained their guests with songs and recitations, while ARS-WR Regional
Chair, Angela Savoian, and Armenia Projects Coordinator, Jasik
Boniatian-Jarahian, made encouraging remarks to the staff and students.
The ARS-WR was responsible in providing two uniforms per student, and table
settings to the 10 ARS Kindergartens. The project began in September of
2004. During this trip, an additional 300 uniforms and 200 pairs of
footwear were delivered to the new students, and for the first time the
group witnessed the use of the new table settings. This project was funded
by donations of individuals and chapters from the Western Region. During
the visits to the Sosse kindergartens, ARS-WR Regional
Executive members, Alice Yeghiayan and Serpouhie Messerlian, helped to put
up the plaques for sponsorships by their respective chapters, “Mayr”
Chapter of Hollywood and “Sophia” Chapter of Fresno.
During last year’s visit to Armenia, Jasik Boniatian volunteered the
sponsorship of renovating the Dzaghgashad village
(formerly Ghshlagh) of Artsakh, including the Home Museum of Nigol Touman,
the hall, the tonir (the lavash bread bakery) and
the picnic area, in memory of her father, Souren.. The opening ceremonies
were officiated by Artsakh Prelate, Archbishop
Barkev Mardirossian on May 31, and was attended by numerous public
officials, the sponsor, the tour group, the senior graduating class of the
Ferrahian High School, and all the neighboring villagers who were invited
to attend the opening ceremonies and participate in the dinner celebration
that followed.
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Mehr News Agency, Iran
June 26 2005

World Christians to commemorate apostle at Iran’s St. Thaddeus Church

TEHRAN, June 26 (MNA) — Christians from all over the world will
gather at Iran’s Saint Thaddeus Church on July 1 for their annual
commemoration of the martyrdom anniversary of St. Thaddeus.
The St. Thaddaeus Church, also known as the Black Church (Ghara
Kelisa), is probably Iran’s most interesting and notable Christian
monument, located near the Chalderan region in Maku, West Azarbaijan.

One of the 12 disciples, St. Thaddaeus, also known as St. Jude, (not
to be confused with Judas Iscariot), was martyred while spreading the
Gospel. He is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church. As legend
has it, a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site
in 68 CE.

Nothing appears to remain of this original church, which was
extensively rebuilt in the 13th century, but some sections around the
altar may date to the 10th century. Most of the present structure
dates to the 17th century and is of carved sandstone. The oldest
sections are made of black and white stone.

The Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in 45
CE to preach the word of God. Many people were converted and numerous
secret Christian communities were established there.

Around that time, Abgar died after ruling for 38 years and the
Armenian kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned
himself in Edessa, while his nephew Sanatruk ruled in Greater
Armenia. About 66 CE, Ananun gave the order to kill St. Thaddeus in
Edessa. The king’s daughter Sandokht, who had converted to
Christianity, was martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is located near
the St. Thaddeus Church.

The church is surrounded by thick walls which form the outer ramparts
of some abandoned monastery buildings.

Only Christians will be allowed to visit the church during the
ceremony.

Pan Armenian News

SPIEGEL: TONI BLAIR – TURKEY’S LAST HOPE

24.06.2005 04:24

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is Turkey’s last hope,
Spiegel edition’s comment on Turkey’s EU membership says. After the
failure of the EU last summit in Brussels Turkey’s accession to EU
will become a new subject of discussion, Yerkir Online reported.

Dr. Vartan Gregorian discusses Haigazian University, Carnegie Projects
and Armenia – on NJ Armenian Radio

South Orange, NJ: On Monday June 20, 2005 the Armenian Radio Hour of
New Jersey had scheduled a phone-interview with Dr. Vartan Gregorian
about Haigazian University. This year marks the 50th. anniversary of
Haigazian. The interview branched into Carnegie Projects and concerns
about present-day Armenia.

Dr. Vartan Gregorian is the 12th president of Carnegie Corporation of
New York, a grant-making institution founded by Andrew Carnegie in
1911. Prior to his current position, which he assumed in June 1997,
Dr.

Gregorian served for nine years as the 16th president of Brown
University.

Haigazian University:

I am very impressed by the Haigazian College. I was a student in
Beirut, Lebanon in 1950’s . I have seen spectacular rise in prestige,
in offering of courses, in status. Also more importantly Haigazian has
been able to unitethe best qualities of Armenian with the best
international and universal values.

It is not a ghetto University, it is a Lebanese University, founded by
Armenian philanthropy. I admire its leadership, its president. What a
spectacular job they have done with Haigazian in competing with
American Universities with Lebanese Universities, with French
Universities. Haigazian has welcomed competition and excelled in many
areas. I am very proud of all the donors who have given so
generously. I am also proud of the faculty. Through
Haigazian,Armenians have contributed not to the Armenian community of
Lebanon but to Lebanon and the Middle East as well. Everybody in
Lebanon wants to preserve Haigazian not only because it is Armenian
but because it is also Lebanese. Founders of Haigazian and its board
of trustees expanded the mission of Haigazian; they universalized and
internationalized Haigazian. Today, not only Armenians have a stake in
Haigazian; all Lebanese and others have a stake in it.

Carnegie Projects:

Carnegie Corporation in New York is very active in education. We are
involved in higher education in the former Soviet Union and now
Russia. We support 12 universities. We expanded our efforts into the
Trans-Caucuses – Armenia,Azerbajian and Georgia – provided the three
of them cooperate. We are supporting 12 African universities with
other foundations. We are involved in reforming teacher education in
America. We help immigrants to adapt to America and protect immigrant
rights in this country. Trying to engage the youth of America in
politics rather only in volunteer service.

I was in Istanbul just two weeks ago with a congressional delegation
of 18 Senators and Congressman and 10 scholars and participated in a
seminar dealing with `Radical Islam’. We went to Bosnia-Herzegovina to
visit our son who is America’s liaison with the governing body of
Bosnia. He is lieutenant commander and he is working with a commission
that is trying to provide Bosnia with an integrated army.

Then, I was in Cairo -guest of Aha Khan – visiting the inaugural of
his 74-acre garden that was built on the location of the 500-year
garbage dumpof Cairo.

Tomorrow I am going to Washington. D.C. to receive the Jefferson
Award, for citizen who have contributed most to public
welfare. Governor Kean and Lee Hamilton will also be receiving the
award. In the summer we are going to Aspen Institute to discuss `The
future of Russia’ with 20 Congressman and Senators. Then I may be
going to Qatar, because I am on the Qatar Foundation Board.

Armenia:

Armenia needs jobs. Armenia needs investments. Armenia does not need
charity. We have a nation full of talent, full of educated people in
searchof opportunity. If we do not provide opportunity, the
opportunity will be provided by other nations – from Kazakhstan, to
Russia, to Australia – I do not want us to do the same mistake we did
in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, when Armenian nation build all
their strength outside the boundaries of historic Armenia. We built
our centers in Venice, in Vienna, in Moscow, in St. Petersburg, in
Rostov, in Baku, Tiflis, Marseilles, Paris you name it – Cyprus but
not historical Armenia. That would be a tragedy for us.

My other concern is to teach Diaspora Armenians and all our friends –
`If you want to help Armenia then invest in Armenia’. Andrew Carnegie
said `don’t give fish to people who are hungry, give them fishing rods
in order to make them not dependent but independent; to make them
self-reliant.

Another concern I have is that many Armenians don’t understand that
Armenia is their state. It was all right to be corrupt in the Soviet
Union when they did not believe the state belongs to them – but this
is their state. Whatever we can do to bring about transparency,
honesty and jobs – those three are important – with national
consciousness.

What also pains me is to see a 99.9% literate nation without a major
bookstore in Yerevan or other places – that could be bringing in
international books and magazines to satisfy our nations thirst.

In closing jobs, jobs, jobs ; opportunity, opportunity, opportunity;
investment, investment, investment. Those are things Armenia needs and
those are things we should focus on.

The Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey (ARHNJ) may be heard on Sundays
between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on WSOU 89.5 F.M. or via internet
_www.ArmenianRadioNJ.com_ ()

A1plus

| 21:37:05 | 22-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION 2005 |

AZERBAIJAN AS «VICTIM»

«I would not like to speak about the Euro integration of Azerbaijan and not
because I am not interested in it, but because in PACE there are more people
more competent about this matter. I want to make a speech as Azerbaijan
tries to connect all the issues to the Karabakh conflict», in answer to the
Azeri delegates Armen Roustamyan, member of the Armenian delegation made
speech.

Mr. Roustamyan mentioned that the propagandizing method of Azerbaijan is an
old one and everyone is well acquainted with it, «Azerbaijan follows the
idea that repeated many times, a lie can be admitted as truth. What does the
NKR conflict have to do with organizing fair and transparent elections and
securing the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan? What Azerbaijan is doing is
called political speculation. » Mr. Roustamyan advised the Azeri delegation
first to admit their mistakes and the reality and then to stop the illogical
policy of representing the victim as the aggressor.

Georgian president opposes direct elections for Tbilisi mayor

Georgian State Television Channel 1, Tbilisi
22 Jun 05

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has rejected opposition calls
for a directly elected mayor in the capital Tbilisi. He told a news
conference on 22 June, which was broadcast live on Georgian TV, that
he favoured a new draft law providing for the selection of the mayor
from among the councillors representing the party that wins the
largest number of seats in Tbilisi in the local elections planned for
next year.

A directly elected mayor could be a weak figure without the support of
the council, which controls finances, and could be reduced to the role
of a “political commentator”, Saakashvili said.

He suggested that no major government reshuffles were being planned in
the near future. “Institutionalization has taken place in the sense
that there are far fewer changes now. Last year was more of a time for
experimentation, which is natural because it was a new government
then,” he said.

He announced that major infrastructure improvement projects were under
way in the hitherto neglected town of Akhalkalaki near the Armenian
border, which is populated almost exclusively by ethnic Armenians and
is home to one of the two remaining Russian military bases in Georgia.

He said that attempts were being made to facilitate the integration of
ethnic minorities into Georgian society. “We are inviting 100 of our
ethnic Armenian citizens, 100 ethnic Azeris and 50 Ossetians, if it
proves possible, to do an administration course for several
months. They will then be appointed to jobs in the customs and tax
services, police and, in general, everywhere else, so that
representatives of these ethnic groups feel that this is their
country,” he said.

Speaking about the withdrawal of the Russian company EvrazHolding from
the purchase of the Chiatura manganese mine, Saakashvili said that he
could see primarily political, rather than economic, motives behind
the move. “I think that the reasons are much more complex here and
they are linked to global politics, rather than the business of a
specific firm, let’s be honest. Don’t forget which country this firm
represents,” he said.

Saakashvili suggested that the Georgian authorities have identified a
person they suspect of unsuccessfully trying to detonate a grenade in
Tbilisi’s central square on 10 May while he and US President George
Bush were addressing the crowds there. “Someone, some despicable
person – not someone, we roughly know who it was – threw a grenade but
it did not explode. Our enemies have no luck,” he said.

A fuller report on Saakashvili’s news conference will be released
later.

A1plus

| 13:37:21 | 22-06-2005 | Official |

CATHOLICOS TO MEET THE EX US PRESIDENT

The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II is still in the USA. Today he is
to meet the ex US President Jimmy Carter. Within the framework of the
program «Habitat for Humanity» they will take part in the construction of a
house.

As for previous days, His Holiness took part in church ceremonies in the
Detroit Armenian Church and met the members of the Armenian community.

UN does not recognize Karabakh polls – rep says

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
20 Jun 05

[Presenter] The United Nations Organization recognizes the Azerbaijani
authority in the territories occupied by Armenia. The UN
resident-coordinator in Azerbaijan, Marco Borsotti, has said that the
UN does not recognize the [parliamentary] elections in Nagornyy
Karabakh. He said that the UN would voice its opinion about elections
to be held there after the conflict is settled in line with
Azerbaijan’s interests.

[Correspondent] The UN does not recognize the [parliamentary]
elections in the self-styled Nagornyy Karabakh republic, the UN
resident-coordinator, Marco Borsotti, said. He also said that the UN
accepts only the Azerbaijani authority in the occupied territories.

[Borsotti, speaking to microphone in English with Azeri voice over]
The UN recognizes no other but Azerbaijani authority in Nagornyy
Karabakh as the UN backs the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We
always proceed from these principles. When the conflict is settled in
line with the interests of Azerbaijan, we will be able to say
something. However, until it happens, we will not comment on any
events staged in Nagornyy Karabakh.

[Passage omitted: the UN does not suspend humanitarian aid to Azezi
refugees]

[Video shows Karabakh, packs, presumably of humanitarian aid, being
unloaded from a lorry]

ELECTORAL CODE WILL NOT HELP

A1plus

| 10:52:08 | 18-06-2005 | Politics |

Will elections in Armenia one day rated as fair, free and
transparent? If yes, the event will be inscribed with gold letters
in the history of the third Republic of Armenia or probably included
in the Guinness Record Book. Though for civilized countries free
and fairs elections is quite a natural phenomenon. What condition is
essential to make elections in Armenia correspond to international
standards” We addressed 100 Yerevan residents with the question.

In the opinion of 30% of the respondents the good will of the
authorities is essential. 25% consider that a proper Electoral Code
should guarantee free and fair elections. Though some of them said that
in the current situation conduction of fair elections is impossible
even with the availability of good Electoral Code.

One of those surveyed offered to form separate, politically
independent groups to take control over the polling stations. 15%
think that opposition is capable to press for conduction of elections
corresponding to international standards. 8% found difficulty in
answering.