Author: Vasilian Manouk

Ïðàî ûáîðà, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
April 14 2006

“Echo”: Armenian Lobbyists Change Position
14.04.2006

James Kolbe thanked Azerbaijan for partnership in anti terror
coalition

“Let me express gratitude of American nation to Azerbaijan nation for
partnership in anti terror coalition”. James Kolbe, US Congressman
from Arizona State, Chairman of Sub-Committee for External Affairs of
the House of Representatives of US Congress stated at the
press-conference. He underlined that Azerbaijan sent its peace-makers
to Afghanistan and Iraq, and also gave the right of flight all along
its air space and landing in its territory.
Talking of the settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict, James Kolbe
reminded that the United States are one of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group, and urged for signing long-term just peace that could
set up conditions for development and prosperity of the region. He
also expressed a confidence that Azerbaijan President’s visit to
Azerbaijan will demonstrate development of US-Azerbaijan
relationship.
But journalists were interested with another: reportedly
well-informed sources, in due time James Kolbe was one of the
co-authors of the 907 Amendment “tied hands” of the Washington to
develop bilateral relations with Azerbaijan that called by Kolbe
himself as strategic ally of the US. At the instance of “Echo”
commenting this point James Kolbe hastened to assure that his role in
adoption of 907 Amendment “had been exaggerated a little” and
underlined that for the last five years he always voted for support
of the US Administration’s proposal concerning to suspend 907
Amendment. Demonstration of “change of positions” of the most
Armenian lobbyists in US Congress turned out more impressive.
James Kolbe did not exclude that the issue relating elimination of
907 Amendment will be discussed pending Azerbaijan President’s visit
to US, but underlined that last word is behind the US Congress. At
the same time, he said that one of the ways for elimination of 907
Amendment should be the conflict settlement.
James Kolbe also commented the fact that differing from Armenia and
Georgia Azerbaijan was not included to the Millennium Challenge
Programme. James Kolbe emphasized that no projects being implemented
within the framework of Millennium Challenge Programme concern
Nagorno-Garabagh. According to him, he took an active part in project
development that should give a new direction to US financial aid
abroad. According to him, annually, 6-7 new countries are included to
the Programme, and the main criterion of choice is efficiency of
national power branches. The corruption level determined by the
Congress on the basis of estimation of independent experts plays a
leading role.
At the instance of journalists James Kolbe commented the fact that US
Congress is not concern with reinforcement of neo-authoritarian
tendencies in Russian policy towards newly-established States. As
stated James Kolbe, the United States are, mostly, concerned with
political and economic aspect of this point rather military, and
assured of that Washington is ready to support political and economic
independence of the newly-established countries in the region,
including Azerbaijan.

New Anatolian, Turkey
April 14 2006

Meller: Turkey’s membership will bring positive added value to EU
The New Anatolian / Ankara

After pledging to further develop and strengthen bilateral ties with
Turkey, visiting Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller yesterday
said, “Turkey’s membership will bring a positive, added value to the
European Union.”

Meller made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul following a meeting in Ankara where
they

Expressing his country’s support for the EU enlargement process,
Meller said, “The members of the bloc expect new political and
cultural values from possible future members.” In accordance with
this goal, besides Turkey’s contributions to the EU, the members
expect Turkish membership will bring with it a positive, added value
since the country has an important position in the region.

“I believe that the criteria applied to Turkey should be the same as
the EU criteria applied to other candidate states,” said the Polish
foreign minister while at the same time underlining the importance of
a complete fulfillment of obligations for Turkey to become a member
of the bloc.

‘Polish stance on Armenia shouldn’t affect relations with Turkey’

Meller stated that Poland’s positive stance towards the Armenians
shouldn’t negatively affect relations with Turkey, referring to the
Polish Parliament’s decision taken in favor of the Armenians over the
controversial “genocide” claims.

The visiting foreign minister denied the recognition of Armenian
genocide claims by the Polish Parliament, saying, “The Parliament
only expressed its view which reflected the atmosphere of that era.”

Meller also stated that Poland used to be composed of different
nations up until the end of 18th century, adding that many
Armenian-origin bureaucrats, soldiers and artists still live in
Poland.

Gul praises strengthening of ties between Turkey-Poland

Foreign Minister Gul, for his part, praised the development and
deepening of bilateral relations especially in the areas of trade,
economy, the defense industry and culture, citing 600 years of ties
between Turkey and Poland.

“The countries are together under NATO’s umbrella and I believe that
Polish support for Turkey’s EU membership will continue,” Gul said.

Meller said that Turkey and Poland are friends and allies in NATO,
adding that his country will never forget Turkey’s support during
Poland’s NATO membership process.

The polish foreign minister also praised the high level of investment
from Turkish businessmen in his country and called on Turkey to
cooperate in joint investment projects in third countries.

Gul: No Turkish mediation in Iranian nuke standoff right now

Asked whether a Turkish official will be asked to be responsible for
bringing Iranian and Western officials towards a diplomatic solution
to Tehran’s nuclear activities, Gul stated that such a role isn’t on
Ankara’s agenda.

Gul also called on all concerned states to contribute to efforts to
finding a diplomatic solution to the issue and to work towards easing
the standoff.

PACE ADOPTS A RESOLUTION ON REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS

ArmRadio.am
14.04.2006 11:16

Yesterday the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe discussed
the report on “Refugees and displaced persons in Armenia, Georgia and
Azerbaijan” and adopted a resolution. Head of the Armenian delegation
to PACE Tigran Torosyan said that the resolution correctly pictures
the current situation.

The report does not indicate the number of the refugees and displaced
persons. However, the report has a memorandum of the reporter, which
includes interesting figures taken from the report of the UN Supreme
Commissioner on Issues of Refugees.

“It is mentioned, for instance, that the number of refugees
in Azerbaijan is a little more than 83 thousand. At the end of
2004 there were only 8 606 refugees and 500 displaced persons
in Azerbaijan. However, these numbers make it apparent that the
Azerbaijanis’ reports on having 1 million refugees are an absolute
lie,” Head of the Armenian delegation underlined.

PASHAYEVA: “INITIATIVE OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS ON PUTTING FORWARD SPEAKER ON BEHALF OF EUROPEAN DEMOCRATS GROUP TO PACE HAS BEEN PREVENTED”

Today, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

The attempt made by the Head of Armenian delegation in PACE Tigran
Torosyan to put forward member of Russian parliament Vera Oskina to
speak on behalf of the European Democrats Group during the discussion
on the draft of Boris Chilevich’s report entitled “Refugees and Forced
Migrants in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia”, has been prevented,
said Ganira Pashayeva, member of parliamentary delegation to PACE.

“Speeches of representatives of four fractions within PACE are
very important and influence the direct result of discussions”,
Ms Pashayeva said, adding that by the decision group members’ made
April 12 in Strasburg British parliamentary member Robert Walter will
be speaking on this issue.

Ms Pashayeva said Azerbaijani representatives have protested Mr.
Torosyan’s initiative, demanding the representative of “more neutral
state” speak on behalf of European democrats.

“Mr.Walter is famous for his unbiased position on South Caucasus”,
Ms. Pashayeva said.

We have to note that Mr Chilevich’s report is the last on the agenda
of the final day (April 13) of spring session of PACE in Strasburg,
Trend reports.

URL:

OUR NAME ON THE ENGLISH STAGE

A1+
[06:26 pm] 12 April, 2006

On April 7 in London during the official ceremony of the BBC world
award “Armenian Navy Band” of Arto Tunchboyajyan was recognized as the
most popular performer in the World Music tendencies as a result of the
voting throughout the world. 20 thousand people had voted for the Band.

The award was given to the head of the Band who is a percussionist,
composer and singer. “This victory is not only ours; it belongs to
the whole Armenian nation. We want to thank all those who have been
with us for all those eight years,” the manager of the Band John
Grigoryan said during the press conference in Yerevan.

At present Arto Tunchboyajyan is in New York. He will arrive in Armenia
after April 20. The members of the Band mentioned that on June 4 and
5 they will have concert in Italy. In October they with play in France.

Tunchboyajyan has been making records with Bob Berg, Bill Evans,
Simon Nabatov, “Oregon”, “System of a Down”, and other famous jazz
and rock performers.

By the way, after April 20 an avant-garde folk festival will take
place in which famous foreign musicians will participate.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

Watch the recorded video of the message of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia here:

TH E THIRD PAN-ARMENIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE CONCLUDES
ITS SESSIONS IN ANTELIAS

Inaugurated in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia for
the first time on April 6, the Third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference
concluded its sessions on April 8. The official closing ceremony of the
conference will be held on the evening of Palm Sunday on April 9 under the
patronage of His Holiness Aram I, who will also deliver his Pontifical
speech on this occasion.

The April 6 sessions were dedicated to a single theme entitled “Modern
children’s literature and national schools”. Two expert presentations were
delivered on this topic by Eduard Milidonian from Armenia and Krikor
Shahinian from Lebanon consecutively.

Poet and lecturer Eduard Milidonian spoke about modern children’s literature
and textbooks in Armenia. He pointed out that the textbooks include the
works of contemporary writers, expressing concern about the presence of low
quality poetry in them. He proposed including writers in the preparation of
textbooks and talked about the importance of government support for the
publication of the works of contemporary children’s writers.

Krikor Shahinian spoke about the children’s books published in the Diaspora
both by individual efforts of by various publishing houses. He talked about
the advantages and disadvantages of each type of venture and mentioned the
electronic versions of such books, the Eastern to Western Armenian
transformations and special adaptations in language as new aspects of
children’s literature in the Diaspora.

Talking about future perspectives, Shahinian proposed setting up literary
groups in the densely Armenian-populated centers of the Diaspora and
organizing periodical meetings during which the members of the groups would
acquaint themselves with the international masterpieces of children’s
literature, read them and examine their own works. He also proposed
establishing a scholarship for children’s writers with good knowledge of the
Armenian language and artistic talent.

Arevshad Avakian (Armenia) and Torkom Postadjian (the United States) chaired
the sessions during which discussions and viewpoints were exchanged.

The next session was dedicated to proposals about the Fourth Pan-Armenian
Writer’s Conference. Under the chairmanship of Norayr Atalian from Armenia
and Markar Sharabkhian from Canada the participant Armenian writers made
various proposals the focus of which was the importance of contact between
Armenian writers around the globe. The idea of establishing a website for
this purpose was proposed. Other suggestions were made on the organization
of the printing press.

The ninth session was dedicated to the concerns and difficulties of Armenian
writers. Seiran Krikorian from Armenia and Jirayr Tanielian from Lebanon
chaired the session during which various suggestions were made particularly
for coordinating the intellectual activities in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The official press release of the conference was read during the last
session which was chaired by Henrig Pakhchinian from Armenia and Hagop
Balian from France.

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View photo here:
es38.htm#2

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

INSTITUTE FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES LAUNCHES WEBSITE

Yerkir.am
April 07, 2006

The Institute for Armenian Studies, established in 1977 in Munich,
Germany, has launched its website –

The institute advocates Armenian studies, including the Genocide issue,
the protection of the rights of Armenians in Turkey, as well as social,
educational, cultural and religious issues of Diaspora Armenians.

Doctor Eduard Hovhannisian played a great role in the establishing
of the Institute for Armenian Issues.

>>From the first day of the foundation and until his death in 2004,
Hovhannissian was the director of the Institute. To honor the great
work he has done, the Institute was named after Hovhannisian after
his death.

PanARMENIAN.Net

US Presents New Proposals on Continuing Prague Process
on Karabakh

08.04.2006 20:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The US has presented new proposals
on continuing the Prague Process on settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov
stated when commenting talks with US Administration
officials in Washington. In his words, `the proposals
are interesting.’ Official Baku will analyze these and
will present its attitude during the visit of OSCE
Minsk Group American Ambassador Steven Mann’s regional
visit scheduled on April 18, reports Trend.

A.BAGHDASARIAN: BAGRAT YESAYAN DOES NOT SPEAK WITH FACTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. “Bagrat Yesayan does not speak with
facts. There are no issues on the RA agenda which were not discussed
for a long time, at least for the simple reason that our agenda is not
too full,” RA National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian said to
journalists on April 6, qualifying RA President’s Advisor B.Yesayan’s
statement concerning the anti-corruption struggle made on the same day
as one not corresponding to reality. At the break of the “Role of RA
NA – Civil Society in Anti-Corruption Struggle” international
conference organized at the Parliament, the RA President’s Advisor
said to journalists that “at last in the last year of its activity,
the NA undertakes one of those most important principles.” “I’m sure
that this statement won’t stay only as words, and we shall not be eye
witnesses of a state, when the most important anti-corruption drafts
remained at the NA for few months, if not for few years,” he
said. B.Yesayan also mentioned that he means, particularly, the drafts
on natural person’s property and income declaring and on
operative-investigation activity as well as the legislative
initiatives on amendments and additions to the Electoral Code aimed to
reducing the list of people with personal immunity.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 7 2006

US stepped up Garabagh settlement efforts, Azeri official says

Baku, April 6, AssA-Irada
The United States has stepped up its efforts to achieve settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict after the
latest high-level meeting between the two countries’ leaders, Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said.
The parties failed to agree upon the issues of principle during the
negotiations held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in
Rambouillet, France in February, which was followed by mutual
threats.
`The visit by US co-chair of the [mediating] Minsk Group Steven Mann
to Baku after the Rambouillet round of talks and my discussions with
him in Washington show this,’ Azimov told a news conference Thursday.

He said Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov who is currently in
Washington will hold discussions with Steven Mann and US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice on the issue. `The appropriate steps continue
to be taken although no progress could be expected.’
The diplomat underscored that French co-chair Bernard Fassier will
visit the region next week to discuss further steps in the
negotiations.
Azimov added that Azerbaijan’s firm position on the Garabagh conflict
remains unchanged.*