Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

POUDADE: TURKISH-FRENCH POLITICAL RELATIONS ARE DUSTY

Turkish Press
May 15 2006

ISTANBUL – “Turkish-French political relations are dusty. Does not
this happen in best families as well?” said French Ambassador in
Ankara Paul Poudade on Thursday.

Poudade was the guest speaker at a meeting, organized by Okan
University and Dunya newspaper, and titled “Great Projects Country
France”.

Poudade remarked that both Turkey and France are loyal to their
history, politics and republic.

“Turkish people know France very well. However, French people do not
know Turkey well. I was able to see Turkey better after I arrived in
this country,” stated Poudade.

Ambassador Poudade indicated that there is immense energy and dynamism
all across Turkey. “French companies have many successful investments
in Turkey,” noted Poudade.

According to Poudade, France does everything to support Turkey`s
bid to join the European Union. “Some French demands may make Turkey
uneasy. This is a situation that must be accepted in the EU process,”
expressed Poudade.

Poudade stressed that the EU will be strengthened with Turkey`s
membership. “There could be frictions in the EU process. There could
be differences of opinion. In the end, both sides will reach a point
of brightness and understanding,” commented Poudade.

Asked about punishment of individuals who reject the so-called Armenian
genocide, Poudade responded that this issue is a historical one which
should not be left to politicians.

In response to a question if French people love Armenians, Poudade
indicated that in some French cities there are large groups of
Armenians. “The current situation in France is due to political
reasons. The status quo is due to the upcoming elections,” said
Poudade.

“The Armenian resolution will be voted in the French parliament
and later at the Senate if it gets accepted in the parliament. This
process could be a long one. If the resolution gets accepted, this
would mean a ban on all discussions rejecting the Armenian genocide.

It would be unacceptable,” expressed Poudade.

Ambassador Poudade underlined that everything must be discussed
in democracies.

AZERBAIJAN HAS GOT THE RIGHT TO ASSESS DEMOCRACY IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.05.2006 GMT+04:00

International remedial organizations suppose that the membership
of Azerbaijan in the UN Human Rights Council is discrediting for
that organ.

The UN Human Rights Council consisting of 47 states was formed by the
results of three-round elections held in New York. As it is known,
Armenia was among those 18 states, which did not collect enough
scores, whereas Azerbaijan was elected, though with difficulty. This
means that from now on Baku leaders will have the right to evaluate
democracy level in countries where things with human rights are much
better than in Azerbaijan itself.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan did not pass in the first round. In
the second round 103 states out of 198 voted for that country. Thus,
Azerbaijan received three votes more than the required minimum. Armenia
lacked just a few votes. According to the ballot, held after the
end of elections, Azerbaijan will be present in the Council for 3
years whereas other countries, like Poland or the Check Republic –
for only a year. Did Armenia lose much failing in the elections
and not getting in the Human Rights Council? It is worth mentioning
that the UN Council for Human Rights has inherited almost all of the
authority, which the Geneva Commission for Human Rights had before
being liquidated on June 16, 2005 at the insistence of the United
States and other Western countries. The main complaint against the
Commission consisted in the fact that its member countries where
far away from democracy. The “cosmetic” reform, which simply changed
the name of the organ, did not however solve the main problem. And
now, countries that have a very vague idea about human rights, will
watch for the protection of human rights in the whole world. The
newly created council will regularly analyze human rights reports in
certain countries and present its summary to the UN Security Council.

Armenia has twice been elected to the Human Rights Commission. It is
noteworthy that membership in the commission allowed to use certain
diplomatic mechanisms which sometimes were very useful. Countries
against which the world community has claims concerning human rights
protection, had to show special attention to Armenia in order to win
our support. Very often that support turned to be useful to such great
powers as China and Russia. Yerevan in its turn enjoyed Moscow’s and
Beijing’s favors. In this sense membership in the commission was really
very important. However the fact that this time Armenia was not elected
to the reformed UN organ is not a tragedy at all. Moreover, Yerevan was
actually ready for possible undesirable results. Finally, it would be
really unfair if Armenia was included in the organ three times in a row
especially because from now on elections are held by the principle of
regional representation. In the Western European region there are many
countries, which have never been in the Commission. Everything would
be normal if not the news about Azerbaijan’s election to the Council…

The membership of Azerbaijan in the Human Rights Council is of course
undesirable for Armenia. Though decisions of that organ are not
obligatory, the very fact that Azerbaijan will be assessing state of
affairs in Armenia is annoying. It is quite clear that Azerbaijan will
not be objective. But in this case more important is the question –
do Baku leaders have the moral right to evaluate democracy in other
countries when in Azerbaijan the situation with human rights is just
deplorable? International remedial organizations give an unambiguously
negative answer.

Yet before voting the respectable international “Human Rights Watch”
organization published the list of countries whose membership in the
Council was fully inadmissible. In that list Azerbaijan was the first
not only because of the alphabetic order. Azerbaijan is followed by
China, Cuba, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Armenia is of
course not included in the list. Thought the leaders of “Human Rights
Watch” do not think that in our country things with democracy are
ideal, they saw Armenia as a member state of the Human Rights Council.

Displeasure with election results has been expressed also
by another influential remedial organization, called “Amnesty
International”. Leaders of this organization underlined that among
member states of the Council there are those where the situation of
human rights is simply catastrophic. Leaders of Moscow Helsinki group
announced that in the current composition the Council loses its sense
since it is initially discredited by the membership of Russia, China,
Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The United States are also indignant at the
election results and have even refused to support the Council since the
mechanism of its formation has allowed involvement of such countries
like Azerbaijan. At the same time, the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan Elmira
Suleymanova dares to say that election of Azerbaijan to the Council
is the appreciation of high level of democracy in Azerbaijan by the
UN. Can we call this anything else but complete nonsense?

“PanARMENIAN.Net” analytical department

NEW PARTS OF CRASH AIRBUS A320 FOUND

Yerevan, May 13. ArmInfo. Deep-water apparatus “Kalmar” has recorded
the probable parts of the crashed Airbus A320, RIA Novosti reports.

A rescuer of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry says the parts
were revealed in the same area wherefrom the call signs of “black
boxes” were received. On May 11, one of the heads of search operations
reported that the location of A320 airborne recorders in the Black Sea
bottom were determined to 5 meters due to “Kalmar” and French
direction finding system.

Armenian airline Airbus A320 crashed in the Black Sea on May 3 night
killing all on board.

LA TURQUIE PRESSE LES ENTREPRENEURS FRANCAIS DE S’OPPOSER A UNE PROPOSITION DE LOI SUR LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

Le Monde, France
11 mai 2006

Les representants de 22 entreprises francaises operant en Turquie ont
ete recus, mardi 9 mai, par le premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, qui les a encourages a exprimer leur opposition a l’adoption
d’une proposition de loi du PS sur la question du genocide d’Armeniens
– elle sera soumise aux deputes francais le 18 mai.

La Turquie avait averti la France, la semaine dernière, que les
relations bilaterales pourraient souffrir de ” dommages incalculables
” si le Parlement francais votait cette proposition de loi.

La chambre de commerce francaise en Turquie a adresse, lundi 8 mai,
une lettre a Jacques Chirac lui enjoignant d’intervenir pour eviter
cette adoption.

–Boundary_(ID_B+Gok9SbhYwZCDh1q2LXMQ)- –

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 11, 2006
___________________

WORK OF ASSEMBLY INCLUDES EXPLORATION OF DIOCESAN PROGRAMS, EFFORTS

By Jake Goshert

The 140 delegates at the 2006 Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the St. Leon
Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, tackled a number of business items during the
three-day gathering, which ran from May 4 to 6. The business of the
Assembly included reports from the Diocesan Council and various affiliated
organizations.

LEGATE COMMITTEE

Michael Haratunian, a member of the Legate Committee, told the delegates
that it was important to note that Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate, was
elected president-elect of the National Council of Churches (NCC). He was
recently elected to the executive committee of the World Council of
Churches.

“To show the breadth and depth of the activities,” he outlined the
activities of the Legate’s Office this year, which included a high profile
Episcopalian trip to Armenia with the Presiding Bishop, activities with
Habitat for Humanity, and efforts to build a larger ecumenical organization
in the United States, “Christian Churches Together.”

Bishop Aykazian welcomed leaders from Habitat for Humanity, including Dr.
Rev. Ken Bensen, president of Habitat for Humanity in Michigan. Bishop
Aykzaian and Rev. Bensen recently returned from Armenia where they met with
the Catholicos to discuss the new His Holiness Karekin II Work Project,
which will be an annual drive to build homes in Armenia for needy families.
The first one will be this fall.

So far Habitat has helped build homes for 1,000 Armenians. The Habitat
representatives told the Delegates that 500,000 people could use better
housing.

“He sees the opportunity to help the people in Armenia who have been living
in these trailer trucks,” Rev. Bensen said of the Catholicos. “We have come
here today to ask for your help, this is going to be an annual event.”

He told delegates that if they cannot make it to Armenia to work on a
construction project, they should try to raise the $7,000 it costs to build
a house in Armenia. “You can make a difference for a family’s entire
lifetime if your churches can put up $7,000,” he said. He also encouraged
the delegates to go to Armenia and work on a build.

ARARAT CENTER

In the report of the Ararat Center, the Diocesan-owned conference center
facility in upstate New York State, leadership stressed the on-going success
of the facility.

Karnig Durgarian, treasurer of the Ararat Center board, spoke about the
revenues and income of the Center. In 2005, the Center saw income grow to
$167,000. Losses have also dropped off drastically, with the Ararat Center
projected to basically break even in 2006.

In the spring of 2007 the Ararat Center plans to begin construction of a
pavilion to greatly expand its usability. The board also praised the recent
donation of $30,000 from the Guleserian family’s Sheraton Commander Hotel in
Cambridge, MA.

“These rooms are really very, very nice. They’re Sheraton level and it
gives us a much wider opportunity to use these facilities for different
folks,” Durgarian said.

Board members highlighted the fact that each building on the property is
named not after donors, but after regions in historic Armenia. The names
were done geographically, overlaying a map of historic Armenia with the
aerial view of the center.

“We have set in motion a plan that incorporates elements of Armenia in every
corner,” said Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian, a board member, noting that when the
Primate blessed the grounds he used soil from Armenia.

The Ararat Center will also host a Father and Son retreat in June, details
are available at

FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF

Following the Ararat Center, delegates heard a report from the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated international aid
organization. Since it was created 17 years ago, FAR has managed $265
million in humanitarian assistance and helped millions of people through 221
programs.

The programs operated by FAR have covered a wide area of need, from
agricultural programs to career developing, supporting children at-risk and
seniors.

“We will always continue to provide assistance to those who need it in
Armenia. But what if we can start to think about creating programs that
transcend what we are doing now, programs where we think about life stage
continuity, where we build relationships with families from neonatal
programs until they become seniors,” said FAR’s Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian.

“Our programs have to teach the people of Armenia how to fish,” he added,
using the saying that if you give a man a fish he eats for a day but if you
teach him to fish he will eat for a lifetime. To achieve this goal, FAR has
developed a formula to prioritize programs to achieve meaningful,
coordinated benefits.

FAR is funded through loyal, committed individual donors throughout the U.S.
and the Armenian Diaspora. It has also earned grants from the U.S.
government to implement major infrastructural projects in Armenia and
Karabagh. FAR uses almost 90% of its income for programs, rather than
administrative fees, a high percentage in the world of non-profit
organizations.

Delegates were then introduced to some of the beneficiaries of donor
support, the faces of ordinary citizens in Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk
whose lives have improved through FAR’s programs. Details of those programs
can be found at

ARMENIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND

Another report presented to delegates on Thursday came from the Armenian
Church Endowment Fund (ACEF). Individuals and parishes can put money into
ACEF, which is then invested with the help of professional advisors, to
benefit any non-profit organization affiliated with the church. Each year,
ACEF distributes funds from the income earned by the investments to the
beneficiaries, allowing organizations to receive a steady annual income.

ACEF recently became a separately incorporated entity.

“The function of ACEF is that of a money manager, that is here to invest
money the Diocese, individual parishes, and donors have invested through
it,” said ACEF Chairman Mark Gabrellian. “The role of an endowment is to
help provide long-term financial health for the beneficiaries of the funds
we are managing.”

Endowments can be designated to specific organizations, and also to specific
activities, such as choir training or renovations. ACEF maintains a diverse
portfolio in order to survive the ups and downs of the market. Because of
its size (more than 1,000 funds with a value of $75 million) and
professional advisors, ACEF is also able to get access to money managers and
investments that are closed to individual parish investments or others.

“For donors the interesting aspect of an endowment is they have the ability
to create a fund that will last in perpetuity and to designate a specific
purpose for which the income from that fund can be used,” Gabrellian added,
speaking of the importance of parishes tying the raising of ACEF endowment
funds into their stewardship drives.

Each year beneficiaries receive 4.5% of realized gains, over a trailing
12-quarter period. ACEF is hoping to grow investments to allow distribution
in lean years, grow distributions when returns allow, and grow the
endowments to keep up with inflation. This year ACEF will distribute $3.25
million to its beneficiaries.

“We have provided a steady, predicable, stream of income you can count on,”
said ACEF Treasurer Greg Zorthian said. “ACEF presents a real opportunity if
you’re looking to get more professional management of your funds and it
provides an opportunity to relieve yourself of a headache if you’re doing
that type of things yourself.”

ST. NERSESS SEMINARY

Delegates also heard from Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess
Seminary, which this year has its largest freshman class: six new students.
There are now 11 seminarians, eight full-time. In two weeks, one seminarian
will graduate, and another is scheduled to graduate in December.

“Most of them are the direct fruit of St. Nersess Summer Conferences. Our
youth programs are now achieving their most important purpose, leading young
Armenian Americans to a sense of belonging through the doors of the Armenian
Church,” he said.

Answering calls for increased accessibility of the St. Nersess programs, Fr.
Findikyan said the Seminary is exploring the possibility of setting up
distance learning programs to deliver its educational programs into the
entire Diocese.

To improve the education of the seminarians, Fr. Findikyan said there will
soon be an effort to provide increased education of inter-personal skills
along with theological studies.

“To train our students to be good pastors, we need to hone what might be
called pastoral arts,” he said, noting interpersonal communications and
counseling as well as preaching as such skills.

After discussing the seminary’s youth programs, youth director Fr. Stepanos
Doudoukjian said even with all the programs offered by St. Nersess, it was
the parishioners who build future clergy.

“We are all responsible for the cultivation of clergy and other leaders in
our church. Never underestimate the power you possess for helping us
recruit the future clergy of our Diocese,” he said.

Planned expansion of St. Nersess was delayed this year by excessive costs
and stringent zoning requirements. A committee formed by the board studied
the situation and decided relocation of the seminary was the only solution.

“The board of St. Nersess is well aware of the seriousness of the proposal
being made, and due diligence will be made as we move forward,” said board
member Dr. Raffy Hovanessian.

“We are in the midst of a critical review of every aspect of the seminary’s
actions and our goal is to decide what we need St. Nersess to become and to
spell out the actions we need to make to achieve that goal,” Fr. Findikyan
added.

DIOCESAN COUNCIL REPORT

Delegates also heard reports from the Diocesan Council and staff in a
presentation headed by Oscar Tatosian, vice chairman of the Council. The
presentations focused on the successes of the past year, as well as a look
at future plans.

“We’re looking to a trend toward an integrated, whole-parish approach to
Christian education,” said Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian
education for the Diocese. “We also want to have a hands-on, one-by-one
focus on improving our schools, with a focus on our mission parishes.”

“As far as our web-based programs, we’re working on a modular web-based
approach to language and culture appreciation,” said Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian studies. “We are rethinking
our teaching approach so it is more student-centered, and we’d like to teach
the foundational basics to equip our students without compromising the
integrity of the language.”

“We need to show our students that we are there, or we will lose them or not
reach them when they go to college,” said Jason Demerjian, the Diocese’s
college ministry facilitator. “For me, it is a time where I’m going to move
on and continue with my long-time goal to prepare for priesthood and will
soon be transitioning out of my work with college ministry, but it will
continue strong.”

After starting in her position last year, Jennifer Morris, coordinator of
youth outreach, asked parishes to help her by providing contact information
for youth workers and youth themselves.

“This continues to be an area I request your support in, so we can continue
to reach out to our ACYOA Jrs.,” she said, detailing the monthly HYE-mail
e-newsletter for young Armenians. She also urged the delegates to promote
the Diocesan summer camps to their young parishioners. “The ACYOA and summer
camp programs continue to be the main vehicle in which the Diocese reaches
out to our youth with ministry, by creating and implementing Christ-centered
programming.”

“I am working very hard with the Central Council of the Choir Association.
We have two big programs that are a good investment in our future,” said
Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music ministry at the Diocese. “The first
is our junior choirs, working to have them in every parish. The second is
the junior choir leadership program. The choir’s average age is up, and we
need young people. Today, with these programs, 500 young people can sing
the badarak.”

He added that young singers were to perform at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday
at the host parish of St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ.

“We must bring our support of mission parishes to the next level. Not only
providing clergymen, but building leaders for all aspect of parish life,”
said Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, director of the mission parish program, as he
spoke about efforts to conduct a survey of mission parishes and to create an
action plan to strengthen them. “I am happy to inform you that only
recently two of our parishes – St. Sahag of St. Paul, MN, and St. Sarkis in
Charlotte, NC – became full parishes and their delegates are sitting here at
their first Assembly. And St. Garabed in Baton Rouge, LA, will be
consecrated this month by the Primate.”

“We would encourage you to donate any books or periodicals you have
concerning Armenia,” said Aram Arkun, coordinator of the Zohrab Information
Center. “It’s a great responsibility you have as leaders of the Armenian
Church. And part of that responsibility is preserving and promoting our
heritage, and we at the Zohrab Center are ready to work with you.”

ACYOA CENTRAL COUNCIL

Under a series of photos of young Armenians, ACYOA Central Council Chair
Maria Derderian spoke in Armenian, then English, about the importance of a
strong ACYOA. She noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of ACYOA.

“Rather than speak about our accomplishments, I’d like to talk to you about
what ACYOA needs,” she said, noting the strong commitment to ACYOA from the
Primate and Diocesan Council. “The ACYOA is at an important crossroads we
are doing well on so many levels, but an important part of the puzzle is
missing. We must now focus on the parish level. The Central Council has
tried to ensure every parish has the tools needed to have active ACYOA
groups. Yet somehow we have not been able to make the ACYOA part of the
life of every parish.”

“The matter at hand is not one of general assembly delegates or ACYOA
budget, for those are by-products of the ACYOA and the Armenian Church as a
whole. The ACYOA needs your witness. It needs you to share you feeling of
God’s love to those in your life. It is God’s will for us to be active
members in the body of Christ, we must do everything in our power to allow
that will to be done,” she added, acknowledging that it is a difficult task
for some.

“But it is a simple task, and it is what we need. The parishes with active
ACYOA groups are not a result of funding, but are a result of personal
relationships. Show your youth you need them right now, because they are as
essential to the life of the church today as they ever will be. Our youth
need Christ, and our youth need you to show them who Christ is.”

She asked delegates to make a list of young people in their parishes, to
provide updated contact information for the ACYOA mailing list, and to
nominate someone for one of the ACYOA leadership awards. She also encouraged
the delegates to attend the ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend to
provide examples of successful Christian Armenians.

“We must own our faith and teach it to our youth so they can own it
themselves. People take care of what they own,” she added. “This must be
happening daily, from each one of us, between all of our faithful in our
churches. This is the only way to make a lasting impact.”

WOMEN’S GUILD CENTRAL COUNCIL

Through the Saintly Women’s Day celebration, the Women’s Guild Central
Council provided $10,000 to the Diocese to buy vestments for clergy, said
WGCC Chairman Lucy Murad, who also spoke about the guild’s School Bag
program and its Children of Armenian Sponsorship Program, which provides
financial assistance to children in Armenia.

“Being a member of the guild means being a part of a group of women that
have a shared interest and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ,” she said.
“All the projects sponsored by the WGCC were developed with a passionate
open heart.”

AACCA CENTRAL COUNCIL

Arpie Kouzouian, chairman of the choir association, spoke about the several
recent accomplishments of the AACCA, such as the junior choir badarak book
and its junior choir leadership development program, which trains future
choir directors.

“If our worship services are to continue in the manner we’re accustomed to,
such training is necessary,” she said of the two-year-old program, before
introducing a video detailing the program and its students. “They have made
a decision to serve the Armenian Church by using their talents to strengthen
worship in the Armenian Church.”

“If you share in our mission and believe in the value of our mission, I
encourage you to support our efforts this year,” she said, detailing the
upcoming trip of the young musicians to Armenia this summer.

SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY

At the request of last year’s Assembly, the Diocese began a sociological
study of Armenians in the eastern United States. The Diocesan Council hired
sociologist Dr. Sara Terian to conduct the study, and she spoke to the
delegates about the initial findings of her qualitative study.

She focused her qualitative study on three general research questions: What
do people think about the church? Is there a disconnect between what people
expect and the church provides? And what could the church do to appeal to
more Armenians?

Delegates asked many questions in an extensive dialogue with Dr. Terian.
The final report will be drafted by September. Regional focus groups will
then be held to study the results. The final report with additional notes
will be turned into concrete implementation recommendations by February
2007.

BUDGET APPROVAL

During the Assembly, Delegates approved a 2007 Diocesan budget. In looking
at the proposed 2007 budget, Diocesan Council Treasurer James Kalustian
discussed the proposed rapid growth.

“It is an investment budget,” Kalustian said. “We would like to move the
Diocese to be investing even more in the future of our children.”

The Council’s budget for 2007 would see five new programs and ministries
positions based in each of the five regions of the Diocese, to work directly
with parishes on ministry efforts and youth outreach.

The budget also includes the creation of a three-person development office.
One staffer would be devoted to annual giving through the Archbishop’s
Annual Appeal, one to major donors, and a third person to planned giving and
endowments, which would be underwritten by support from the Armenian Church
Endowment Fund (ACEF).

“We feel we can generate substantial growth in the Archbishop’s Annual
Appeal and bring in major gifts from our major donors,” Kalustian said. “We
could continue with small incremental growth. But, if we really want to
drive the growth in investment in our youth programs, we need to take the
next step.”

Further details of the Diocesan Assembly sessions can be found on the
Diocese’s web-log:

— 5/11/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, talks with Rev.
Ken Bensen, president of Habitat for Humanity-Michigan, during the 2006
Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church of
Southfield, MI, speaks to the delegates of the 104th Diocesan Assembly at
the Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Hilton.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Sara Terian speaks about the sociological survey
commissioned by the Diocese. Behind her are the chair and vice chair of the
Assembly, Dr. Garo Garibian, right, and Michael Yapchaian.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dn. Nubar Kasaryan, from the St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, NJ, reads a portion of a worship service during the Diocesan Assembly,
May 4 through 6, 2006.

TURKISH DELEGATION LEAVES FOR FRANCE TO BLOCK ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE BILL

Milliyet website, Istanbul
10 May 06

A Turkish parliamentary delegation has left for Paris nine days before
France passes a bill calling for the penalization of anyone who says
“an act of genocide did not take place against the Armenians in the
past”. The delegation is composed of AKP [Justice and Development
Party] members Mehmet Dulger, head of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly Foreign Relations Committee, and Musa Sivacioglu and CHP
[Republican People’s Party] members Onur Oymen and Gulsun Bilgehan
Toker. It will explain the harm the bill might cause in France’s
relations with Turkey if it is passed.

ARINC: TURKEY WILL NEVER RECOGNIZE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BECAUSE SUCH A THING HAS NOT HAPPENED IN OUR HISTORY

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 10 2006

STOCKHOLM – “Turkey will never recognize so-called Armenian genocide
because such a thing has not happened in our history,” Turkish
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday.

Arinc, who is currently paying a state visit to Sweden, responded to
questions of Swedish MPs at the parliament.

Upon a question about so-called Armenian genocide, Arinc said, “this
issue has been discussed for a long time. It is a fact that tragic
events happened during the World War I. However, there is not any
court verdict that Turks committed genocide against Armenians. Also
Turks, Arabs and Kurds died during the World War I. Therefore, it is
a serious mistake to say that only Armenians were subject to genocide.”

“Armenians had always lived freely during the Ottoman Empire era.

Last year, we proposed Armenia to set a joint independent commission
of historians to research the issue. However, Armenia turned down
Turkey’s proposal. On the other hand, Turkey’s archives are kept open
for researchers,” he stressed.

When asked whether Turkish people were ready for EU membership,
Arinc said, “Turkish people have always wanted to become a member
of the EU. Although Turkey has fulfilled the necessary criteria,
the EU asked Turkey to fulfill additional criteria. We do not want
any privileges, the EU should not discriminate Turkey. Turkish people
regret such humiliation and discrimination.”

“The EU is a 40-year process for Turkey. Our relations with the EU
are based on international agreements and mutual interests,” he said.

Replying to another question, Arinc said, “Turkey is a secular and
democratic state. Our citizens worship freely.”

ARMENIA FAMILIES RECIEVE CALVES TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Reuters, UK
May 10 2006

A poor family with children receives their calf for breeding as part
of a five year cow breeding project in Lori ADP aimed at helping them
build sustainable livestock in the future.

World Vision MEERO, Twenty-five vulnerable
Armenian families received a calf last month, as part of a five
year cow breeding project in Lori ADP aimed at helping them build
sustainable livestock in the future.

Fifty per cent of the population in Lori lives below the poverty line,
since the fall of the Soviet Union.

In the framework of this project the Lejan Farmers’ Association
received 15 cows from World Vision with the condition of returning 25
calves per annum for redistribution, as well as providing 600 litres
of milk per annum to the local school.

‘We are trying to provide poor families with a source of stable income
and an opportunity to become self-sustainable,’ says Lori ADP Officer
in Charge Marat Manukyan.

“We lost the only breadwinner of our family when my son died in
Kharabakh war. Your projects bring us hope for life. Just see if I do
not make your gifts flourish into a consistent small farm!’ says Robert
Hunanyan, 60, who lives with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren
aged seven and nine.

The cow breeding project, as well as the rabbit breeding project
which started earlier in 2005, have already helped more than 500 poor
families. The expectation is that approximately 1,000 families will
benefit from these two projects. Local schools and kindergartens will
also receive rabbits to start small farming and create additional
funds.

‘If not World Vision assistance, we would literally starve. I have
previously received two rabbits, and now this wonderful calf. God
bless you!’ said Ashik Matevosyan, 65, who years ago sold all his
property in town to cover debts of his son’s failed business, and
moved to village to maintain a minimal existence.

Beneficiaries are required to keep the livestock for at least three
years, so that they serve long-term situation improvement rather
than immediate food needs. While giving priority to poor families
with children, consideration is also given to factors like experience
with animal breeding and availability of barns and fodder, to ensure
compliance with the requirement.

Fostering consistent and sustainable livelihoods is the ultimate
goal of the Lori ADP established in October 2004 with funding from
World Vision UK. Along with its income generation projects, it
implements a number of health care projects and GIK distributions,
and regularly provides training sessions for different community
members and groups on such topics as needs prioritisation, proposal
writing, tax regulations and other relevant topics. The Lori ADP
encourages development of proposals for community-driven projects,
the most successful of which often receive support from World Vision.

ARMENIA NOT ELECTED INTO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

ArmRadio.am
10.05.2006 12:55

Armenia was not elected into UN Human Rights Council. MEDIAMAX Agency
informs that among the Eastern European States elecetd to the Council
were Azerbaijan (3 years), Czech Republic (1 year), Poland (1 year),
Romania (2 years), Russian Federation (3 years) and Ukraine (2 years).

Other Eastern European states competing for membership were Albania,
Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.

To remind, in 2001 and 2004 Armenia was elected member of the UN Human
Rights Commission, which wll be replaced by the newly created Council.

MANVEL GRIGORIAN: ERKRAPAH THAT SAID ITS DECISIVE WORD IN ARTSAKH
FREEDOM WAR HAS THINGS TO DO TODAY

YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting to mark Erkrapah’s Day took
place at the Sport and Concert Complex after Karen Demirchian on May
8. According to Chairman of the Erkrapah Volunteers Union (EVU), RA
Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Manvel Grigorian, the
Erkrapah that said its decisive word for Homeland’s defence during the
Artsakh war and later served as a basis for the creation of an
efficent army, today has things to do not only in case of a possible
war but also for peaceful construction and economic development. In
his words, it is also for the EVU to solve all problems facing the
country, all unresolved issues. He noted that the people today living
in Artsakh built houses and give birth to children, and it is not easy
for them to hear the press information about return of territories.

“We have no land to give, and if we say it, we must be prepared for
anything, we must stand side by side and will not allow those living
in the border areas to feel lonely,” Manvel Grigorian noted. He
appealed to the erkrapahs to be unified in order to bring the Karabakh
problem solution to a close: “The Armenian nation cannot be divided
into several parts: if we do not have a country and state, any
elections are just out of the question.” Sparapet Vazgen Sargsian’s
brother, Chairman of the Hanrapetutyun (Republic) Party Aram Sargsian
noted in his speech that Erkrapah is the most powerful body in
Armenia. In his words, it is the Erkrapah that is the master of this
country today, as it proved able to protect not only the country but
also the nation’s dignity. And many of them, including Sparapet, laid
down their lives. “Those who sacrifice their freedom for a temporary
stability, in the end have neither freedom nor stability,” Aram
Sargsian said quoting Benjamin Franklin. Leader of the National
Assembly ARF faction Levon Mkrtchian said that irrespective of their
political and ideological convictions, today’s fidayis united and
became the masters of Homeland. “It was Vazgen Sargsian’s pen that
created the word “Erkrapah” (Country Keeper), because we all are
keeping our country,” he underlined. Levon Mkrtchian said that members
of the ARF were in the erkrapah voluntary detachments from the very
first. “We should continue our struggle, and our power is in our
unity,” he stated. According to the speaker, this unity should not be
formal, and the Armenians should unite around several major
issues. “The national goals should be those main guidelines, by which
we should live and create in this difficult region,” he said. The
Armenian Prime Minister and the Defence Ministers of the RA and the
NKR sent their congratulatory messages on the occasion of Erkrapah’s
Day. State awards of the RA and the NKR, the RA Defence Ministry EVU
orders and medals were conferred on a number of erkrapahs. Many
received military awards posthumously. Prosaist Hrant Matevosian was
posthumously awarded a EVU “Sparapet Vazgen Sargsian” order.