Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

REP. MARKEY LEADS CONGRESSIONAL OPPOSITION TO WHITE HOUSE RECALL OF
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

WASHINGTON, MAY 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Over 60 Members of
Congress, led by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), sent a letter to Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice asking for clarification on reports of
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans’ recall over his forthright
remarks about the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America. The letter was sent on the eve of a May 23rd
White House announcement nominating Richard Hoagland to serve as the
new Ambassador to Armenia. Amb. Evans will be relieved of his duties
as soon as Hoagland’s Senate confirmation process is completed.
According to the ANCA, the Administration has recalled Amb. Evans over
his February 2005 statements at Armenian American community functions,
during which he properly characterized the Armenian Genocide as
‘genocide.’ Following his statements, Amb. Evans was apparently forced
to issue a statement clarifying that his references to the Armenian
Genocide were his personal views and did not represent a change in US
policy. He subsequently issued a correction to this statement,
replacing a reference to the genocide with the word “tragedy.” The
American Foreign Service Association, which had planned to honor
Amb. Evans with the “Christian A. Herter Award,” recognizing creative
thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service,
reportedly rescinded the award following pressure from the State
Department a few days before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.

“Ambassador Evans has been recalled for doing nothing more than
honoring the forsaken pledge of his president,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “We want to thank Congressman Markey and his
59 colleagues for calling for a clarification and rejecting the
Armenian Genocide ‘gag-rule’ imposed by the Turkish government and,
sadly, enforced by our own State Department.” “Armenian Americans
truly regret that the Administration lacks the courage to speak
honestly about its reasons for firing Ambassador Evans,” added
Hamparian.

“We call upon the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – the
Congressional panel constitutionally charged with oversight of
diplomatic appointments – to hold a hearing thoroughly examining the
reasons behind this firing, the role of the Turkish government, and
the broader implications for the future of the Foreign Service that a
senior American diplomat’s career has been ended simply for speaking
the truth.” The 60 Members of Congress expressed special concern about
the destructive precedent of recalling a U.S. diplomat for speaking
truthfully on matters of historical record. They wrote that, “we must
not allow the perception to linger that he [Amb. Evans] is being
required to vacate his position early for accurately labeling the
cataclysmic events of 1915 as genocide.” The Representatives, noting
President Ronald Reagan’s references to the Armenian Genocide,
reminded Secretary Rice that Amb. Evans “did nothing more than
succinctly repeat the conclusions enunciated by those before him.”
The Congressional signatories also expressed concern about the role of
the Government of Turkey in the impending removal of Amb. Evans from
his posting.

“Were the United States to allow the views or beliefs of a third
country to interfere with our diplomatic postings to the Republic of
Armenia,” wrote the House members, “it would establish a dangerous
precedent and be injurious to the long- standing relationship built on
trust and friendship between the two countries.” “I am seriously
concerned at the early departure of Ambassador Evans,” stated
Rep. Markey. “I hope that this sudden action by the State Department
is not related to comments made by Ambassador Evans about the Armenian
genocide. 60 members of Congress have signed on to a letter to
Secretary Rice asking questions about whether or not Ambassador Evans
was forced out of his post. I look forward to a response from the
State Department.” Several Members of Congress, including
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) have each called on
Secretary Rice for a clarification of the State Department’s position
on this issue. Members of Congress joining Rep. Markey in cosigning
the letter to Secretary Rice were: Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy
Baldwin (D-WI), Charles Bass (R-NH), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Shelley
Berkley (D-NV), Howard Berman (D-CA), Jeb Bradley (R-NH), Sherrod
Brown (D-OH), Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Emanuel
Cleaver (D-MO), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Barney Frank
(D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Charlie Gonzalez
(D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), Rush Holt
(D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Nancy Johnson (R-CT), Sue Kelly (R-NY),
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), James Langevin (D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI),
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn
Maloney (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael
McNulty (D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Candice Miller (R- MI), Grace
Napolitano (D-CA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Devin Nunes (R- CA), John
Olver (D-MA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Collin
Peterson (D-MN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Mike Rogers (R- MI), Steven
Rothman (D-NJ), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Linda Sanchez (D- CA), Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Joe Schwarz (R- MI), Mark Souder
(R-IN), Ted Strickland (D-OH), John Tierney (D- MA), Mark Udall
(D-CO), Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Visclosky (D-IN), Diane
Watson (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Anthony Weiner (D-NY).

Kocharyan – Aliev meeting will be held in Bucharest

ArmRadio.am
26.05.2006 16:33

`Early June Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan Robert Kocharyan and
Ilham Aliev are expected to meet in Bucharest,’ said President’s Press
Secretary Viktor Soghomonyan.

MEDIAMAX Agency informs that the Azeri side also confirmed the fact of
preparing the meeting of Presidnets.

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov said today that Ilham
Aliev agreed to hold the meeting in the framework of the Black Sea
Forum of dialogue and cooperation to be held June 5 in Bucharest at
the initiative of the President of Romania.

NEW PARLIAMENT GROUP “ENTREPRENEUR ” APPEARED IN ARMENIA’S PARLIAMENT

Yerevan, May 25. ArmInfo. A new Parliament group “Entrepreneur”
appeared today in the RA Parliament, vice Speaker of the RA Parliament
Tigran Torossyan stated today in the Parliament.

It is emphasized in the statement that the group intends to more
actively participate in the processes for the development of the
country, political life, development of free economy and strengthening
of democracy. The Parliament deputy Grigor Margaryan is elected the
group leader, Mekhak Mkhitaryan – a secretary. Nine parliamentarians,
who left the “Orinats Yerkir” party earlier, have signed under the
document.

BELGRADE CONSIDERS THIS STEP ACT OF TREASON

AZG Armenian Daily
24/05/2006

Montenegro Declares Independence

In the course of the May 21 independence referendum, the citizens
of Montenegro voted for separation from Serbia, securing 55,4 %
of votes. According to the country’s prime minister, the number of
liberal citizens who voted for the separation surpassed that of those
who were more conservative by 45 thousand.

It’s worth mentioning that the country’s population is 650 thousand.

In particular, mainly the West supports the idea of Montenegro’s
independence. The Western forces try to weaken Serbia, one of the
former Yugoslav republics.

Serbia’s access to the Adriatic Sea was secured through Montenegro. The
latter has its own government, the tax system and uses Euro as a
national currency.

When NATO began bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, the leader of Montenegro
Jokanovic stated that his republic didn’t participate in the events
in Kosovo and stopped any relations with Serbia.

Montenegro has already been an independent state in the end of the
World War I but later the Socialist Serbia became the most trustworthy
ally for this country. Today, Jukanovic keeps stating that the
independence will have positive impact on Montenegro’s economy and
will contribute to its membership to EU.

According to BBC, 86% of Montenegro’s citizens who had the right to
vote participated in the referendum.

Meanwhile, the France-Presse draws the attention to the fact that the
peoples of Serbia and Montenegro both speak Serbian. Moreover they
have common historical, cultural and religious roots. The disputes
around the independence issue of the country have divided the people
of Montenegro in two parties. The experts state that that will be hard
to reconcile these parties. While in Belgrade they consider Podgorica
‘s strive for independence as an act of treason.

Javier Solana, EU Coordinator for Foreign Policy, stated that “EU will
take into account the results of Montenegro’s independence referendum.”

SECOND RECORD BOX OF A-320 HAS BEEN FOUND

A1+
[12:05 pm] 24 May, 2006

Late in the evening yesterday, at about 00:45 AM the second record
box of the Armenian plane A-320 which crashed in the Black Sea on
May 3 was found from under the water. The box which recorded all the
technical data of the flight was found with the help of the underwater
cameras. It was under a half-meter layer of silt which made its
signals weak. The two boxes were 16 meters away from each other.

According to the Russian Mass Media, the deciphering of the record
boxes will reveal of the reason of the crash was the lack of fuel. RF
Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin leaves for Sochi again,
“Vesti” reports. Today it will be decided if the record boxes will
be deciphered in Russia or in France.

KOCAK SUBMITS DRAFT RESOLUTION ON GENOCIDE AGAINST ALGERIAN PEOPLE

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 22 2006

ANKARA – Mahmut Kocak, a Justice & Development Party (AKP)
parliamentarian, has presented a draft law to Turkish Parliamentary
Speaker’s Office on Thursday on genocide against Algerian people.

The draft resolution proposes that the acts carried out by French
troops in Algeria shall be accepted as “genocide” and asks that May
8th shall be declared as “commemoration day of Algerian genocide”.

The draft law also proposes that any denial of “this genocide” shall
be considered as a crime.

The draft law describes the inhumane acts which France did in several
Algerian cities on May 8th, 1945 as “genocide”.

The draft resolution asks for punishment of individuals who reject
“genocide” in Algeria, with imprisonment terms and fine.

Kocak told a news conference that reciprocity principle was valid
in international relations, stating that the draft resolution was
prepared to “retaliate” French proposal.

He said Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika also had a request
in this direction.

Last week, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) parliamentarian Ibrahim Ozdogan
prepared a draft law envisaging 3 years of imprisonment for individuals
who make claims of Armenian genocide.

The draft requests imprisonment terms up to three years for individuals
who allege (through article, picture, or cartoon) that Turks committed
genocide against Armenians.

French parliament ended Thursday’s session on a draft law which
proposes “any denial of Armenian genocide to be considered a crime”
without bringing it to voting.

French parliament sources said that a possible voting on the draft
law would not be held until new legislation term began in October.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey Speaking of Freedom of Speech without Recognizing Genocide
Ironic

20.05.2006 14:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian addressed the Strasbourg
session of the CE Committee of Ministers May 19. Touching upon the
outcomes of the fifth year of Armenia’s Council of Europe membership,
Oskanian noted the advancement of reforms aimed at boosting democracy
in the country. He especially underscored the repeal of death penalty
and adoption of amendments to the Constitution in compliance with
European standards.

Minister Oskanian addressed the Council in French and spoke about
democratic processes, democratic reforms and in that context, he
raised three issues: Armenian Genocide, destruction of an Armenian
cemetery in Nakhichevan and the Karabakh issue.

“First, even as there is a momentum over the world toward adopting
democratic processes which assure the development of free societies
where freedom of expression is an essential component of life, the
Turkish government has become more and more aggressive in denying the
Armenian Genocide abroad and criminalizing its discussion at home,’
Oskanian said. `As a result, there is a natural response to such
denial in some of our member countries, to attempt to legislate
against all denialist efforts. The irony is that the Turkish
government considers this a travesty of freedom of speech and
expression, without recognizing the Genocide. At the same time they
sustain their own right to punish their own citizens, who use the
term,” the Minister emphasized, reports the Armenian MFA Press
Service.

Azad Hye
Abu Dhabi, Embassy of Armenia, 18 May 2006

Your Excellency, Could you please give us an idea about the progress of
diplomatic ties between the Republic of Armenia and the United Arab
Emirates?

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the UAE were established in 1998.
Two years later Armenia opened an Embassy in Abu Dhabi. I came here first in
April 2000. The official opening of the Embassy was on 23rd September 2000,
with the presence of the Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, members of the
diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE, senior members of the UAE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a considerable number of Armenians.

The opening of the Embassy was a significant event. Armenians from UAE,
Qatar and Kuwait have come to witness it. There was great enthusiasm in the
air.

Six years have passed since then. We can say that the initial two years were
the foundation years, the formation of the legal framework for our
activities. Generally speaking the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) are very important to us, not only for economic reasons but also due
to the geopolitical proximity. Oman was the first country with whom we
established diplomatic ties in 1992, followed by Kuwait in 1994 and the rest
of the countries followed few years later (except Saudi Arabia).

There is intensive cooperation between Armenia and the UAE within the
international organizations such as the United Nations. In economic and
commercial terms, the solid legislative base has been formed between the two
countries, favoring more economic exchange in the future. Until 2002, the
size of the exchanged goods between the two countries was not very high, but
today it has reached the level of 100 million dollars. Compared to other
counties this is not a huge sum, but having in mind our situation the figure
is encouraging.

We have a feeling that the cultural ties are even more developed between the
two sides.

In the cultural domain we had many achievements. We organized cultural days
in two separate occasions. We signed cultural agreement with Sharjah, the
cultural capital of the UAE. In September 2005 we hosted for the first time
the Sharjah Cultural Days in Armenia, an event that will be remembered for
long, as the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi himself attended
some of the activities. These were magical days in Yerevan and several other
locations outside the capital.

Did the visit of the Ruler of Sharjah to Armenia result in any specific
agreements, besides the moral value of a visit paid by the first high
ranking Gulf personality to Armenia?

In fact it was a very successful visit. During Sheikh Sultan’s visit
educational and scientific agreements were signed between UAE and Armenian
Universities and scientific centers (including the Armenian National Academy
of Sciences and the Public University of Yerevan). Immediately after the
departure of the Sheikh his educational consultant returned to Armenia to
finalize the agreements.

We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to this great humanist
Sheikh Sultan who is really a noble Muslim. His plan to renovate historical
monastery of Haghardzin is a great expression of the historical ties between
the Arabs and the Armenians. This 10-11 centuries monastery would be
renovated with the whole surrounding infrastructure. It is a great project.
Already the project has been agreed upon and is officially ratified. Some
technical issues are remaining before the eventual start up. In fact it is a
series of projects, not a mere architectural renovation. There are plans
related to the development of the transportation routs, sewage systems,
residing locations of the monks, etc. This will bring a lot of change to the
whole area of Dilijan.

During the visit of President Kocharian to Abu Dhabi (2002), an initial
understanding was reached regarding a long term loan to be provided by the
Abu Dhabi Development Fund. I will not elaborate on this issue, but would
only say that it is being followed up by the concerned authorities.

Summarizing the status of our relations, I would like to say that UAE and
Armenia enjoy excellent relations. Since 2002 the relations have reached to
the level of exchanging Ambassadors. UAE has appointed also its
(non-resident) Ambassador to Armenia, based in Iran.

Our relations cover all domains. Generally speaking I am satisfied with what
have been done, but I would like to see further development. The Embassy has
developed multi-profile activity. Most GCC countries have their own envoys
appointed to Armenia. Kuwait also has designated a non-resident Ambassador
who happens to be in Armenia these days and would be presenting his
credentials to the officials in Yerevan.

The Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) Arthur Baghdassarian
visited Kuwait and Bahrain in 2005 and signed agreements with the
parliaments of those countries. In March 2006 a cultural event was organized
for the first time in Kuwait directly by our Embassy. Armenian painters
participated and the local press wrote extensively about it.

What about the relations with the other GCC countries?

The excellent relations with the UAE are affecting positively on the other
GCC counties. The only country we have problems with is Saudi Arabia. I
would like to mention here with regret that there are no diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia. We believe that the problem
behind this is political and related to the issue of Nagorno Karabagh. We
hope to solve this political problem, especially that our overall policy
clearly shows that we do not have any sort of disputes with the Arab World.

We know that there have been some excellent articles about Armenia in the
local press. Could you inform us about the media contacts?

There has been also some publications, including 5 books that I personally
wrote about Armenia (culture, history, politics, etc) during my tenure. I
noticed that there was big information gap and tried to prepare some handy
publications on Armenian life for general and specific reference. My aim was
to introduce Armenia to the public. All books were in Arabic language. The
Embassy has also arranged to send journalist to Armenia. They have returned
back and published their impressions in the local press. We have done all
what we could to represent our country in the most proper way. Armenia has a
long history but still it is considered as a newcomer on the world political
stage.

What about the relations with the Armenians living in the Gulf countries?

The relations with the Armenian community in the UAE (and the other Gulf
communities) were excellent from the first moment. The opening of the
Embassy was a great change in the community life. The Armenians of the
Diaspora found themselves in front of a live presence of the motherland
Armenia. This really created a kind of enthusiasm in all sectors. I would
like to thank the community for being united in supporting us.

I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the spiritual leaders of the
community and the members of the Diocesan Council. The decision of the later
during a meeting in Kuwait in 2000 to support the opening of the Embassy had
really encouraged us to go ahead with the plan.

I would like to especially thank the Chairman of the Embassy Caretaking
Committee Varujan Narguizian (Chairman of Bank of Sharjah), who was very
active supporter of the Embassy. Through his help and the commitment of the
other members we achieved our goals. The overall outcome was a very great
impetus for the diplomatic progress of Armenia in the region. We have
cooperated also with the Prelacy and the Diocesan and National Bodies. I
would like to express my thanks to all who played a role in this.

Back in 2000 the construction of an Embassy building was almost like a
dream, but it seems that soon it will be a reality.

Yes. During the visit of President Kocharian to the UAE (2002) and as a
result of the meeting with the then President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan, Armenia was granted a piece of land in the diplomatic quarter (some
7.000 square meters). Based on reciprocity Armenia also gave similar piece
of land to the future building of the UAE Embassy in Yerevan.

The Embassy Caretaking Committee worked diligently for 3 years (2000-2003).
Now time has come to form a new body which will support the construction of
the Embassy’s two buildings (administrative and residential premises). This
`Construction Committee’ is already headed by Varujan Narguizian. He and his
colleagues are working hard to ensure the smooth construction of the Embassy
buildings. Just few days ago we signed an agreement with a construction
company. In few days we will get the construction licence. In 15 months the
Embassy building will be ready to accept visitors. In August 2007 (or
maximum in September) we will have our own Embassy building. It is expected
that President Kocharian will pay a second visit to the UAE at the end of
next year and will officially inaugurate the Embassy.

Finally, Your Excellency, we would like to know more about your future plans
and career prospects.

I have finalized my mission in this country and I depart tomorrow with great
satisfaction. I have achieved warm contacts on all levels. I have devoted
myself to this cause. From the first moment I had great desire to fulfill
the mission of building a new Embassy. This is the gift that I can give to
our newly independent state.

I will work in the Ministry for a while. During the course of time it will
be clear where I would be heading for the next mission. As an orientalist
and expert in the Arab world, my diplomatic activity can best realize in the
Arab World.

I would like to thank the people and the leadership of the UAE headed by the
President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I have good feelings towards
this country and its people. They supported me from the first moment.

My warmest feelings also to the Armenian community. I would like to thank
Azad-Hye for the cooperation during all these years. You have personally
arranged my first official contacts in this country from the modest room in
the Park Hotel on Khalifa Street, where I used to stay in the first few
months of my mission in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Photo by Azad-Hye: Ambassador Arshak Poladian in Abu Dhabi Embassy office.
 
Ambassador Arshak Poladian took the Armavia plane from Dubai to Yerevan in
the early hours of 20th May 2006.

New Ambassador Vahagn Melikian has been earlier this month. He is expected
to report duty soon.

=621aja41

AZERBAIJANI GOVERNMENT TO FIGHT ILLEGAL FOREIGN BROADCASTS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

The illegal interference of foreign television and radio channels,
in particular, those of Armenia and Iran, to the air broadcasts in
Azerbaijan will be prevented soon.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies has placed
an order with the Information Technologies Institute to develop a
system at fighting illegal broadcasts, Minister Ali Abbasov told
journalists Wednesday.

The new system being prepared jointly with the Ministry experts will
allow to fully solve the problem, he said.

“We will put the new system into operation soon, which will make it
possible to oversee broadcasts in any given district,” Abbasov said.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

Oriental Orthodox Sunday School Bible Competition

You are all champions of faith, for you have

chosen the path of Christ

Declared the Prelate

On the morning of Saturday, May 13, a Bible competition took place
between Sunday School students of Oriental Orthodox Churches under the
direction of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at the `Armenak
Der Bedrossian’ Hall of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The event, which was
organized by the directors of the Sunday Schools, was held under the
auspices of the H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, H.E. Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate, H.G. Bishop Serapion, Prelate of the Coptic
Orthodox Church, and H.E. Archbishop Mor Eugene Kaplan, Prelate of the
Syriac Orthodox Church.
The competition encompassed the first ten chapters of the Gospel
of Matthew. Participating were 11 to 15 year old Sunday School students.
Prior to the competition, the students, led by the Prelates and
accompanied by their directors, gathered inside St. Mary’s Church where each
Church sang hymns and read prayers in its respective language. On behalf of
the organizing committee Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, co-director of the
Prelacy Christian Education Department, delivered encouraging remarks to the
students.
At the start of the competition the students split into groups,
with each group being comprised of students from the various churches.
During the competition the preparedness of the students on the subject
matter and their eagerness to win first place was apparent.
Following the competition the host Prelate Archbishop Mardirossian
welcomed the Prelates and clergy members and commended the organizing
committee and all the directors and staff of the Sunday Schools. Turning to
the students he said, `You all are champions of faith, for you have chosen
the path of Christ. Your participation today is evidence of that faith.
You are like the man who built his house on a rock and not on sand. That
solid rock is Christ. Stand firm on that rock.’
Later on the Prelate presented mementos to the guest Prelates,
followed by greetings and blessings by the Prelates of the sister churches.
At the end of the event, medals were given to all participants and
trophies to the winners. There were also t-shirts handed out to all
participants with the logos of the churches.
Following the closing prayer and `Bahbanich’ a group picture was
taken in front of the church, after which the students enjoyed lunch. At
3:00 p.m. the students and directors departed with joy and triumph in their
hearts.