Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622

April 25, 2006
Contact Aris Babikian
(613) 235-2622

Ottawa – Dr. Vagharch Ehramdjian, Chairman of the Armenian National
Committee of Canada, sent a thank you letter to the Prime Minster of Canada,
the Right Honourble Stephen Harper expressing the gratitude and appreciation
of the Canadian-Armenian Community for Canadian Government’s and the Prime
Minister’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Attached you will find the full text of the letter:

April 25, 2006

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, MP
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Langevin Block
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Canadian-Armenian community, I would like to take the
opportunity to thank you for your moral fortitude in recognizing the
Armenian Genocide. Your April 21st statement on the eve of the 91st
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and Hon. Peter McKay’s response,
during Question Period, is an honourable and courageous policy shift. The
statements brought the policy of our executive branch of government on the
Armenian Genocide in line with the House of Commons and the Senate of
Canada’s resolutions. Your historic statement will finally conciliate the
Canadian-Armenian community and start the healing process.

This is the first time that the head of the Federal Government in Canada has
issued such a policy statement on the Armenian Genocide. Through your
statements you steadfastly upheld your party’s and your own position during
the House of Commons debate and vote on Motion M-380 in 2004.

Furthermore, the Government’s Genocide recognition honoured not only the
memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide but also the wishes of the
overwhelming majority of Canadians. In addition to the Canadian Senate and
the House of Commons, the three largest provinces (Ontario, Quebec, and
British Columbia) have also recognized the Armenian Genocide.

Your statement and your government’s observance of a minute of silence in
memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide demonstrates, once again,
that truth and justice will prevail over short-term economic gains or
political expediency. Your government’s policy will send a clear message to
authoritarian and undemocratic leaders, that Canada and the free world will
always stand up for human rights and will not tolerate neither ethnic
cleansing nor genocide wherever they may occur.

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless efforts
and pivotal contribution your party members – Hon. Jason Kenney and Gary
Goodyear – made to inform their colleagues about the historical facts of the
Armenian Genocide.

We are very pleased to see our close co-operation, since 2004, culminating
in such a momentous outcome. We are confident that our future co-operation
will continue to contribute to the advancement and betterment of not only
our community and your Government but also to that of all Canadians.

The Canadian-Armenian community is proud of its government. Once again, on
behalf of our community and the Armenian National Committee of Canada, its
chapters and the thousands of supporters all over our country, we would like
to thank you and commend you for your courageous leadership and your
integrity.

Respectfully,

Dr. Vagharch Ehrmadjian
Chairman

-30-

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters
Montréal- Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St. Catharines –
Windsor- Vancouver

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Concordia University
Sociology-Anthropology Department
Canadian Anthropology Society

Conference on Human Nature/Human Identities
Hall building
1455 de Maisoneuve W.
Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1M8
May 9-14, 2006
sca2006/EN/program.htm
note: sessions are open to the community
the published abstracts/ programme is only
available to conference registered participants

Friday May 12, 2006
afternoon.-
90) Symposium Session 1 of 2: The political nature of identity – La nature
politique de l’identite

Organizer/Organisation: Dr. Sima Aprahamian (Concordia University)

Symposium Abstract: The proposed session brings together papers that
examine the political nature of identity as linked to religion, gender,
class, and race. It starts with an examination of the current Genome
Project and its implications for minorities, and then examines historical
cases across cultures through time and space. The papers attempt to
address the issues raised by the conference sub-theme on the political
nature of identity whereby positioning in and by social discourses
determine the conditions of being.

Chair/ Karin Doerr (Concordia University)

a) Michiko Aramaki (Independent Researcher): SCIENCE, POLITICS, AND
IDENTITY: THE HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH AND RACIALIZED GENES – SCIENCE,
POLITIQUE ET IDENTIT: LA RECHERCHE SUR LE GNOME HUMAIN ET LES GNES
RACIALISS

b) Anna Rosmus (Independent Researcher): TURNING THE MASSES INTO ETHNIC
WARRIORS – TRANSFORMER LES MASSES EN GUERRIERS ETHNIQUES

c) Arlene Voski Avakian (University of Massachusetts): SHISH KEBAB
ARMENIANS? FOOD AND THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ETHNIC AND GENDER
IDENTITIES AMONG ARMENIAN AMERICAN FEMINISTS – DES SHISH KEBABS ARMNIENS?
LA NOURRITURE ET LA CONSTRUCTION ET MAINTENANCE DES IDENTITS ETHNIQUES ET
SEXUELLES CHEZ DES FMINISTES ARMNIENNES AMRICAINES

d) Sima Aprahamian (Concordia University): POLITICS OF IDENTITY IN THE
OTTOMAN EMPIRE – LES POLITIQUES DE L’IDENTIT DANS L’EMPIRE OTTOMAN

e) Karin Doerr (Independent Researcher): A POLITICIZED IDENTITY: MEANING
AND MEMORY OF JUDE (JEW) – UNE IDENTIT POLITISE: SIGNIFICATION ET SOUVENIR
DE `JUDE’ (JUIF)

100) Symposium Session 2 of 2: The political nature of identity – La
nature politique de l’identit

Organizer/Organisation:Dr.Sima Aprahamian (Concordia University)

a) Lynn Kutch (Lehigh University): POLITICS OF IDENTITY: LANGUAGE AND
NATIONALISM IN GERMANY POLITIQUE DE L’IDENTIT: LANGUE ET NATIONALISME EN
ALLEMAGNE

b) John A. Harries (University of Edinburgh): FRAGILE SUBSTANCE: BEOTHUK
BLOOD AND POSTCOLONIAL IDENTITIES IN NEWFOUNDLAND – FRAGILE SUBSTANCE:
SANG BOTHUK ET IDENTITS POST-COLONIALES TERRE-NEUVE

c) Aditya Kumar Dewan (Concordia University and Dawson College): THE
SELF-IMAGE AND IDENTITY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE CHITTAGONG – L’IMAGE
DE SOI ET L’IDENTIT DES POPULATIONS INDIGNES DU CHITTAGONG

d) Dena Khamesh (Independent Researcher): MEDIA REPRESENTATION AND
IDENTITY POLITICS: CANADIAN NEWS COVERAGE OF MIDDLE EASTERN ISSUES AND ITS
IMPACT ON TORONTO’S COMMUNITIES

e) Arun Chaudhuri (York University): Bollywood vs. the Cowboy: identity
politics duel at high noon – Bollywood contre le Cowboy: duel de
politiques d’identit sous le soleil de midi

f) Suncem Kocer (Indiana University): Politics of Kurdish Identity during
the Era of Turkey’s European Union Accession – Politiques d’identit kurde
l’re de l’accession de la Turquie l’Union Europenne

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CONTINUES SUPPORT OF MLI’S LANDMINE CLEARANCE EFFORTS

Attends Annual Benefit Gala in Washington

Washington, DC – In support of the Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI)
ongoing mission to save the lives of people in landmine-contaminated
countries such as Armenia, the Assembly on May 3 attended the
organization’s annual “Clearing the Path Gala” in Washington, DC.

Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah and
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny attended the fourth annual
awards and benefit gala, which honored individuals who have worked to
rid the world of these hidden explosives. For the third consecutive
year, former presidential advisor and ABC News anchor George
Stephanopoulos served as master of ceremonies.

The Assembly was a full partner of the MLI event, having led an effort
to raise $100,000 to procure six mine detection dogs for use in a
State Department-sponsored demining project in Armenia.

“The Assembly is honored to play a leadership role in such a worthy
cause,” said Totah, an MLI Board of Directors Member and benefactor.
“We must do all that we can to help rid Armenia of these hidden
explosives that kill and maim countless people and livestock each
year.”

Awards were presented by Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) and his wife
Diana Enzi, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and his wife Marcelle Leahy,
MLI Board of Directors Chairman, the Honorable Anthony Lake, MLI Board
of Directors President Perry F. Baltimore, III and MLI Chairman
Emeritus General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan.

MLI, a Washington-based non-profit organization, provides mine
detection dogs, management training and mine awareness education to
reduce suffering and restore hope to people, especially children, in
war-torn countries. The group’s two major programs are the Children
Against Mines Program (CHAMPS) and the K9 Demining Corps Campaign
(K9DC).

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2006-046

Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

/2006-046-1.JPG

CAPTION: L to R: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the MLI’s fourth annual “Clearing the Path Gala” in Washington.

06-046/2006-046-2.JPG

CAPTION: Standing, L to R: Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy, Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Vardan Barseghian, Counselor Arman Israelian of the Armenian Embassy, MLI Chairman Emeritus General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan, Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor George Kocharian of the Armenian Embassy, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Seated, L to R: Maria Yeganian, Lianna Lazarian and Anna Kocharian.

6-046/2006-046-3.JPG

CAPTION: Standing, L to R: Counselor George Kocharian of the Armenian Embassy, Anna Kocharian, ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Vardan Barseghian, Lianna Lazarian, and Counselor Arman Israelian of the Armenian Embassy. Seated, L to R: ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason Capizzi, Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy and Maria Yeganian.

-30-

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/08/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

1) Victory Day Marked on Anniversary of Shushi’s Liberation
2) Reed Amendment Reaffirms Parity in Defense Department Assistance to Armenia
And Azerbaijan
3) ARS Celebrates Armenian Culture at 5th Annual Festival
4) Turkey Recalls Envoys in France, Canada
5) Organizations Visit Armenian Consulate to Offer Condolences
6) Armenian Weightlifter Wins Gold Medal at European Championship

1) Victory Day Marked on Anniversary of Shushi’s Liberation

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)Tuesday, May 9, marks the 14th anniversary of the
liberation of Karabagh’s second largest city, Shushi. To mark this day,
members
of the Yerkrapah Union of Karabagh War Veterans will commemorate the soldiers
who gave their lives to the Karabagh war.
Flowers and wreaths will be placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the
Yeraplur cemetery where many of the fallen soldiers were placed to rest.
A military parade will then take place in Yerevan’s Republic Square and in
the
evening a holiday concert and fireworks will be held in Victory Park.
The Yerkrapah Union began marking this day after Armenian troops liberated
Shushi in 1992.

2) Reed Amendment Reaffirms Parity in Defense Department Assistance to Armenia
And Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON, DC–In a legislative reaffirmation of the 2001 agreement between
Congress and the White House to maintain military aid parity to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) secured this week the adoption of an
amendment adding Armenia to the list of nations receiving Department of
Defense
counter-drug assistance, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
Commenting to the ANCA following the adoption of his amendment, Senator Reed
said, “I am pleased that the Senate Armed Services Committee recognized the
importance of providing military aid to Armenia for training and equipment in
light of its decision to provide funding to Azerbaijan. It is essential that
we maintain parity between the two nations, and I am happy that my amendment
was accepted.”
The amendment was offered by the Senator, a senior members of the Armed
Services Committee, to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2007 (S.2507). The measure added Armenia to the list of eligible nations
for a
Defense Department counter-drug assistance program. Azerbaijan was among the
nations listed in the original version of the Authorization bill authored by
Committee Chairman John Warner (R-VA).
The Armed Services Committee report advises the Defense Department that the
panel “expects that the authority granted in this section will be administered
in the spirit of maintaining current military parity between Azerbaijan and
Armenia.” The Committee report language refers to the agreement between
Congress and the White House in 2001 to maintain military aid parity between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 2001, Congress granted the President limited
waiver
authority over Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts US
assistance to Azerbaijan as long as it continues to blockade Armenia and
Karabagh, with the understanding that the Administration will not provide more
military assistance to Azerbaijan than to Armenia.
“We join with the Armenian American community of Rhode Island in thanking
Senator Reed for helping to ensure parity in the provision of US defense
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. “We will, in the coming weeks, continue to share with legislators
in both houses of Congress the negative implications for peace and regional
stability of the Administration’s ill-advised proposal to break the military
aid parity agreement that has been in force for the past five years.”
The House Armed Services Committee has also finalized its version of the
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007 (HR 5122), which does
include Azerbaijan, but not Armenia as an eligible country. The two versions
of the bill will eventually be reconciled after passage in both chambers. The
ANCA will urge the conference committee to accede to the amended Senate
version
of this provision, and, more broadly, to work toward overall military aid
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

3) ARS Celebrates Armenian Culture at 5th Annual Festival

The fifth annual Armenian Relief Society – Western Region (ARS-WR) Armenian
Cultural and Food Festival was held Saturday and Sunday at the Glendale Civic
Auditorium. ARS Regional Executive chairman Angela Savoian made the opening
statements and officially kicked off the event Saturday afternoon.
The Festival ended Sunday evening, with several thousand community members in
attendance. The festival featured traditional Armenian dancing, music, art,
and
other cultural activities.

4) Turkey Recalls Envoys in France, Canada

ANKARA (AFP/AP)–Turkey has temporarily recalled its ambassadors to France and
Canada for consultations, the Foreign Ministry announced Monday, to protest
moves in both countries that recognize the Armenian genocide.
“Our ambassador in Paris, Osman Koruturk, and our ambassador in Ottawa,
Aydemir Erman, have been recalled to Ankara for a short time for consultations
on the latest developments,” the foreign ministry said in a brief statement.
“We foresee that our ambassadors will return to their duties after the
consultations,” it said.
The diplomatic move was Turkey’s latest outburst against increasing
international pressure on Turkey to recognize the genocide of Armenians during
World War I.
Last week, Turkey warned France that bilateral ties would suffer “irreparable
damage” if the French Parliament passes a bill making it a punishable offense
to “deny the existence of the 1915 Armenian genocide.”
If approved, the bill would provide for one year in prison and a 45,000 Euro
(57,000 dollar) fine for any person who denies that the 1915-1917 massacres of
Armenians were genocide.
The bill, which follows a 2001 French law officially recognizing the
Genocide,
was proposed by members of the opposition Socialist Party (PS) and will have
its first reading before Parliament on May 18.
Turkey was also angered when Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
reaffirmed
the Armenian genocide in a statement praising commemorations of the 91st
anniversary of the Genocide on April 24.
The Turkish foreign ministry said at the time that Harper’s words were
“appalling” and would “negatively affect” bilateral ties.
In 2002, the Canadian Senate recognized the Armenian genocide as the first
genocide of the 20th century and the House of Commons followed suit two years
later.

5) Organizations Visit Armenian Consulate to Offer Condolences

Representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), Hamazkayin,
and
Homenetmen visited Friday the Armenian Consulate of Los Angeles to personally
offer their condolences to Armenian Consul General Gagik Giragossian for last
week’s tragic crash of the Armavia Airline.
The delegation included ARF Central Committee members Hovig Saliba, Avedik
Izmirlian, Arto Keuleyan, and Dikran Sassounian, Hamazkayin representative
Hrair Sherikian, and Homenetmen representative Sako Garabedian.

6) Armenian Weightlifter Wins Gold Medal at European Championship

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Gevorg Davtian, a weightlifter from Gyumri, Armenia, won
the gold medal at the European championship in Vladislavovo, Poland. His
combined result was 360 kg.
The 77 kg Davtian became the third Armenian athlete to win the gold at a
European championship this year. Armenian athletes also won 4 silver and 2
bronze medals this year in shooting, weightlifting, and Greco-Roman wrestling.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

California Courier Online, May 11, 2006

1 – Commentary

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Armenian Summer
Games to Start
June 23 in Fresno
3 – UC Berkeley Gala Raises Endowment
For Armenian Studies to $700,000
4 – Armenians of Colorado Busy
With Legislative Agenda
5 – Catholicos Karekin II Visits Special-
Care Orphanage in Nor Kharberd
6 – Armenian Plane Crash Kills 113
7 – Armenian Consul to Japan Diana Apcar
Remembered Through Book at Prelacy
8 – Mehrabian Named
Recipient of College
Honorary Doctorate
9- Chamlian School Wins 7th Annual
Armenian Timeline Quiz Bowl
********************************************* ****************************
1 -Commentary
Pres. Kocharian Says Today’s Turkey
Is Responsible for the Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

In the vain hope of splitting the Diaspora from Armenia, Turkish officials
have been making self-delusional statements. They have repeatedly claimed
that Diaspora Armenians are the ones pushing for demands from Turkey, while
the people of Armenia supposedly just want to live in peace with their
Turkish neighbors.
On April 24 of this year, high-ranking Armenian officials went out of their
way to expose these Turkish distortions by taking a very tough stand
vis-à-vis Turkey. In an official statement issued on the occasion of the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Pres. Kocharian went far beyond
anything he had said before on Turkish responsibility for the Armenian
Genocide. For the first time, he blamed not only the Ottoman Empire for the
Genocide, but also today’s Turkish Republic.
Pres. Kocharian stated: “Today we commemorate the memory of the victims of
the Armenian Genocide. Ottoman Turkey and its legal successor bear full
responsibility for this crime. In the years succeeding the Armenian
Genocide, the survivors have borne the grave consequences of the committed
crime. The pain is all the more intense, as we are forced to struggle for
recognition as well as condemnation of that black page of history. The
Republic of Armenia, as the articulator of the national interests of
Armenians living in the homeland as well as those scattered throughout the
world, will continue that struggle. We are grateful to all the countries,
organizations and individuals who are supporting us.”
The Prime Minister of Armenia, Antranik Margarian, in his April 24
statement, found it salutary that “the number of countries recognizing and
condemning the Armenian Genocide is increasing with each passing year…. The
efforts of today’s Turkey aiming to deny the Genocide, distort the
evidence, cover up the facts, and silence the handful of Turkish
intellectuals who are exposing and condemning the shameful pages of its
history, are not only unhelpful in promoting a stable peace and good
neighborly relations in the region, but in an atmosphere of impunity, make
the perpetration of new crimes possible.”
The Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Tigran Torosian, said:
“Recognition of the Genocide will dignify Turkey and the Turkish people.
They can also not recognize it, but that won’t change anything in the
world.”
The Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia, Artur Aghabekian, stated:
“Turkey must understand that sooner or later the whole world, each and
every state, will recognize the Armenian Genocide…. Turkey will have to
recognize the Genocide. If it won’t do it today, it will do it tomorrow.
How could it evade historical justice?”
In an interview conducted by Paul Chaderjian and aired on April 24 on
Armenia TV, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said: “Today, the children of
the survivors and the Government of Armenia, both, have been transformed
from victims to activists working with the international community to right
a historical wrong, to acknowledge a crime against humanity and to advocate
prevention of such crimes in the future…. Today, in its search for European
Union membership, Turkey is having to deal with history and memory and
identity. And of course, the existence of an Armenian state means that we
can raise these issues at an official government level.”
When asked if it would not be wiser to let the Diaspora pursue the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Foreign Minister emphatically
responded: “The Genocide affected every single Armenian. The responsibility
to right the memory of that wrong rests with all of us. The Armenian
Government has the moral responsibility to speak about the Genocide of the
Armenians, and to call for Genocide recognition. This responsibility is one
we fully acknowledge. In fact, the active involvement of the Armenian
Government and its representatives has also played a role in the progress
of the recognition process. The podiums and forums that are available to
the representatives of a state are many and we use them to make our case to
the international community. At the same time, as a responsible member of
that community, we know that we cannot make Genocide recognition a
pre-condition to our relationship with the Republic of Turkey. The irony is
that we, the survivors and victims of Genocide, don’t make normal relations
conditional on its recognition, yet the Turkish side often suggests that
Armenia should put Genocide recognition aside if it wants normal relations
with Turkey. Clearly, we cannot.”
Foreign Minister Oskanian then provided the possible reasons for Turkey’s
refusal to face the Genocide issue: “There is perhaps a fear that entering
this realm, embarking on a relationship with Armenians will place them in a
morally uncomfortable and undesirable situation, and that they will be held
responsible for those events. I cannot repeat this often enough: Armenians
are able to distinguish between the perpetrators and today’s Turkey. But
Turks themselves must be willing to do what is morally right and reject and
denounce the crimes of the Ottoman Empire. Otherwise, today’s denial means
implicit endorsement or acceptance of those past crimes.”
Continuing to express his serious concerns over the denial of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey, Minister Oskanian said: “Justifying, even revering the
genocidal state policy of one regime has become the state policy of another
regime. Denial is state policy, just as genocide is state policy. It is
today’s Turkish State that is wasting money and credibility on denying,
distorting, dismissing serious crimes against humanity committed during the
Ottoman years. Not only are they denying history, they are also legislating
denial by making it difficult, if not impossible, to actually dig into this
painful issue and come face to face with difficult historic and political
realities. It is safe to say that Turkish society — writers, historians,
journalists — are in fact seeking and trying to reach their own
conclusions about what really happened. It is the state that insists on
rejecting those questions even. The people of Turkey are searching for
answers. The memoir of US Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, the British Blue
Book, the works of Vahakn Dadrian and Peter Balakian can be found in
Turkish, in Turkey. We welcome this, because before there can be dialogue
with Armenians, there must be internal questioning and dialogue in Turkey.”

The Armenian Foreign Minister concluded with an ominous warning: “The
longer it takes for Turks to repudiate those acts, the more today’s Turks
and yesterday’s Ottomans will become synonymous in people’s minds.”
After such strong statements by the President, Prime Minister, Deputy
Parliament Speaker, Foreign Minister, and Deputy Defense Minister of
Armenia, it would be preposterous for any Turkish official to claim that
the Armenian state has no interest in pursuing the Genocide issue. All
Armenians, be they in Armenia or the Diaspora, are united in their resolve
to demand that the Turkish Republic acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and
make appropriate amends.
****************************************** ********************************

2 – Armenian Summer
Games to Start
June 23 in Fresno
FRESNO – Plans for the 36th Annual Armenian Summer Games are moving ahead
at a rapid pace. They will be held June 23-25 at the Buchanan High School
complex in Clovis, Calif.
This year, women’s basketball has been added to the existing sports of
men’s basketball, tennis, and track and field. Entries are coming in from
all over California for this unique event, organizers said.
Since its debut in 1969, the Armenian Summer Games provides a unique venue
for Armenian athletes of all ages. The only requirement for participation
is that at least one parent is of Armenian descent, or if the applicant is
the spouse of someone of Armenian descent.
Basketball will open on Friday evening, June 23 and continue throughout the
weekend. The track and field competition will take place on Saturday, with
tennis also starting that same morning. Both of these sports will be
contested in age groupings. All participants will receive a souvenir
T-shirt and a complimentary ticket to the traditional post meet picnic.
First, second and third place winners will receive Armenian Summer Games
medallions.
For applications for all the sports, as well as photos and results from the
last two Summer Games, visit the website at
For additional information, call Van at (559) 298-2372 or Marty at (559)
278-7887.
************************************************** ************************
3 – UC Berkeley Gala Raises Endowment
For Armenian Studies to $700,000
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco community “dressed to the nines” to show
their spirit and support for the UC Berkeley Armenian Studies Program at a
Benefit Gala held March 25 at The Olympic Club. With an attendance of over
250 people, the evening raised $250,000, bringing the total raised for the
William Saroyan Endowment since the beginning of the $2 Million Campaign to
$700,000.
“The excitement from this event shows just how committed this community is
to keeping Armenian Studies thriving at Berkeley” states Rachel Nadjarian,
Co-Chair of the Gala. “The Bay Area demonstrated its support by celebrating
what Dr. Astourian has accomplished by establishing such a fine program.”
Dr. Stephan Astourian is Executive Director of the Armenian Studies Program
at UC Berkeley and Adjunct Professor in History. Since the Program’s
inception, many courses have been added and the depth and breadth of the
coursework, particularly in the Armenian language, has expanded. A year and
a half ago, a fundraising committee was established to support a $2M
Campaign for the William Saroyan Endowment that funds the ASP in order to
help continue the expansion of the Program and sustain its future.
“This is an incredibly viable Program and its continuance and expansion is
critical for the next generation of Armenians,” says Adam Kablanian,
Chairman of the Endowment Fundraising Committee. “The success of the Gala
has helped us make a huge leap in the Campaign and garner further support
from our community. We look forward to seeing this continue.”
The Benefit Gala was an evening filled with entertainment. TV producer
Andrew Goldberg addressed the audience as guest speaker and presented two
video clips from his upcoming film The Armenian Genocide which aired on PBS
throughout the nation. Goldberg touched upon the ironies of Turkish
genocide denial and showed footage of Raphael Lemkin – the inventor of the
word “genocide” and its legal definition – in a 1949 interview on CBS in
which he refers to the Armenian massacres as rationale for such a concept.
Following Goldberg’s presentation, guests were treated to a very
entertaining Live Auction with long-time Bay area resident Ed Vasgerdsian
as auctioneer. Vasgerdsian kept bidding at a fast pace as he fancied people
with such gifts as two weeks in a 3,500 square foot apartment in Yerevan, a
week at a ski lodge in Meribel, France, and an original painting of the
Armenian alphabet by Zarmine Aghazarian of the East Bay. Guests continued
to exude their energy and excitement for the remainder of the evening while
dancing to the music of Arthur Apkarian and Armenian band from Montreal.
No less exciting than the live auction and dancing was the Silent Auction
and Diamond Champagne Raffle that occurred during the cocktail hour.
Outstanding gifts had been donated from the community, including a yellow
diamond ring, a framed print of one of Sumbat Der Kiureghian’s paintings,
and a 49ers hat signed by quarterback Steve Young.
************************************************* **************************

4 – Armenians of Colorado Busy
With Legislative Agenda
BOULDER, CO – The Armenians of Colorado, Inc., announced the passage of the
5th annual Colorado Armenian Genocide Commemorative Resolution last week.
The resolution passed in both chambers unanimously and the roll calls were
added as co-sponsors.
State Senator Lois Tochtrop, co-sponsor of all five resolutions, was very
pleased with the outcome and said, “I hope that the actions at the state
level will encourage or even push the legislators at the Federal level to
finally pass the Congressional resolution.”
Armenians of Colorado held its annual Commemorative ceremony at the
Armenian Genocide Memorial plaque at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver.
Co-sponsors Senator Tochtrop and Representative Michael Garcia addressed
the crowd as did representatives from Senator Allard and Congressmen
Udall’s offices.
Armenians of Colorado also announced a new partnership with the Colorado
Coalition for Genocide Awareness & Action.
The organization will hold its first conference on May 8,at the Adams Mark
Hotel in Denver, Colorado.
The conference will consist of renowned genocide scholars and speakers
with the focus of organizing efforts leading to the cessation and
prevention of genocide. The day will culminate with an “awareness” walk
from the hotel to the Colorado State Capitol where a rally and press
conference will take place. Many of the partners of the coalition are
organizations that Armenians of Colorado Inc has collaborated with in the
past to bring events of genocide awareness.
“This event will take the level of awareness out of the college setting and
bring it to the general public”, says Kim Christianian, Chairperson of the
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee for Armenians of Colorado.
Christianian, who has written Colorado’s resolutions and proclamations for
the last five years hopes that through this alliance, the Armenian Genocide
curriculum can be introduced into the Social Studies curriculum at the
middle and high school level.
The Colorado Armenian community, through its coordinated efforts with the
Armenian Assembly, ANCA, and Armenians of Colorado Inc., has made great
progress in gaining support for Armenian issues at the federal level.
Colorado Congressmen Udall and Beauprez have joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues as well as signed the House Letter to President
Bush and co-sponsored H. Res. 316. Congresswomen Musgrave and Degette have
also co-sponsored H. Res. 316. Congressman Salazar has signed the letter
to President Bush. Senators Allard and Salazar have both signed the letter
and co-sponsored S. Res. 320.
********’**************************************** *************************
5 – Catholicos Karekin II Visits Special-
Care Orphanage in Nor Kharberd
ETCHMIADZIN – On the afternoon of April 9, Catholicos Karekin II visited
the special-care orphanage in the city of Nor Kharberd, in Armenia. The
religious leader brought his Pontifical blessings and fatherly love to the
240 mentally and physically handicapped children residing in the orphanage
who do not have the opportunity to attend church services on a regular
basis.
Upon his arrival in Nor Kharberd, the Pontiff was greeted by Minister of
Labor and Social Services Aghvan Vartanian; the Dean of the orphanage,
Haroutiun Balasanian; and the center’s staff of the center. The entourage
accompanied Karekin II as he first visited the bedrooms of those children
who could not be moved due to medical reasons. The Catholicos offered a
prayer and gave his blessing to all of the children as he presented each
one with a small cross.
A special program had been prepared by the children of the Armenian Church
Youth Center of Nor Nork, operating under the auspices of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU. The orphanage dean welcomed the Catholicos
and his accompanying clergymen, stating that their visit and blessings
would help the children withstand their physical ailments and emotional
pain with greater courage.
“We wanted to visit the Nor Kharberd Orphanage because we know that our
dear children living here do not have the opportunity to come and visit our
churches and participate in our services,” the Catholicos said. “We came to
bring with us our love for you and our blessings from Holy Etchmiadzin and
to tell you, our boys and girls, that we love you, we are grateful and
proud of you.”
The Catholicos also gave a message of appreciation to the dean and the
staff of the center, noting, “We all know that the message of Christ is the
message of love. Love conquers all,” the Pontiff said, asking for God to
strengthen the staff and volunteers of the orphanage, granting them
unending love and patience, so that they may transmit the warmth of their
spirits to the children and lighten the burdens placed upon these innocent
souls.
At the conclusion of the visit, Catholicos Karekin II offered a service for
blessing children prepared especially for this day. Prior to his
departure, the children of the Nor Nork Youth Center distributed presents
to the children of the Nor Kharberd Orphanage.
*************************************** ****************************
6 – Armenian Plane Crash Kills 113
ADLER, Russia – An Armenian passenger plane crashed in stormy weather May 3
off Russia’s Black Sea coast as it was heading for a landing, killing all
113 people on board, most of them Armenians.
The Airbus A-320, which belonged to the Armenian airline Armavia,
disappeared from radar screens about four miles from shore and crashed
after making a turn toward the Adler airport near the southern Russian city
of Sochi, emergency official Viktor Beltsov said.
Officials said all 113 people aboard the plane, including six children,
were killed.
Armenian airline officials said they believed the crash was due to the
weather. Investigators did not believe terrorism was a factor.
The crash occurred early Wednesday during a flight from the Armenian
capital of Yerevan to Sochi, a resort city on the Black Sea about 350 miles
away.
The victims’ relatives gathered later Wednesday at the Yerevan airport for
a charter flight to Sochi after the crash. Gurgen Seroboyan, whose
23-year-old fiancee Lucenie Gevorkian was a flight attendant on the plane,
wept as he waited.
“We were planning to get married and then this tragedy happened,” he said,
choking up.
Samvel Oganesian said his 23-year-old son Vram and his friend Hamlet
Abgarian had been heading to Sochi for vacation. “Why did he go?” Oganesian
asked repeatedly in anguish.
In Sochi’s airport, about 100 tearful relatives – nearly all Armenians –
kept up an anguished vigil in a waiting hall. One man became hysterical and
had to be taken away by ambulance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Robert Kocharian
declared Friday a day of mourning in both countries, the Kremlin said.
Meanwhile, divers searched storm-churned waters for the victimss remains.
Search and rescue teams had pulled 33 bodies from the water by midmorning,
Kubinov said. None were wearing life jackets, indicating they did not have
sufficient warning to prepare for an emergency landing.
Armavia said 26 Russians, one Ukrainian and one Georgian were among the
passengers. The rest were Armenian citizens.
The plane with 105 passengers and eight crew members disappeared from radar
at about 2:15 a.m. local time, Beltsov said. He said the plane went down
while trying to make a repeat attempt at an emergency landing, but the
Interfax news agency quoted the Russian air control agency as saying that
the plane’s crew had not declared any emergency.
Andrei Agadzhanov, Armavia’s deputy commercial director, said the crew had
communicated with Sochi ground controllers while the plane was flying over
the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The ground controllers reported stormy
weather but told the crew the plane could still land, he said.
Just before the landing, however, the ground controllers told the plane’s
pilots to circle again before approaching the airport. Then the plane
crashed.
Beltsov said the clouds were as low as 330 feet above the ground at the
time of the crash.
The plane broke up on impact with the water, and wreckage was scattered
over a wide area, Kubinov said. Salvage workers said the fuselage was
recovered at a depth of more than 1,300 feet.
Rough seas, driving rain and low visibility were hampering the search,
Russian news agencies reported. A deep-sea robot was to be used to try to
recover the plane’s black box, though Rudolf Teymurazov of the
Intergovernmental Aviation Committee expressed doubt it could be found
since some parts of the plane could be deep underwater.
Agadzhanov said that the airline’s deputy general director, Vyacheslav
Yaralov, had been aboard. He said the crew was experienced and that the bad
weather was “certainly” the cause.
The Airbus A-320 was manufactured in 1995 and had been acquired on leasing
by the airline. The aircraft underwent full-scale servicing a year ago.
Two Sochi-bound Russian planes crashed in August 2004, one near the central
city of Tula and the other in the Rostov region, when alleged Chechen
terrorists detonated bombs on board. Ninety people were killed.
****************************************** *********************************
7 – Armenian Consul to Japan Diana Apcar
Remembered Through Book at Prelacy
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles area residents were educated and enlightened
about the power and strength of Armenians all over the world on April 30
through a book found in Japan.
The main attraction of the event was the book, From the Book of One
Thousand Tales: Stories of Armenia and Her People 1892-1922, a collection
of 16 short stories, written by Diana Apcar, Armenia’s Honorary Consul
General to Japan during the first Armenian Republic.
Granddaughter Lucille Apcar contacted Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian to
introduce her grandmother’s book after she discovered the original
manuscripts in the rubble of her parents’ home in Yokohama.
The program went beyond introducing the author and the book to Western
Prelacy friends and supporters. It went beyond commemorating the Armenian
Genocide victims and martyrs. The program distinguished itself from other
events due to its unique content and messages delivered by Raffi Hamparian,
Lucille Apcar and Archbishop Mardirossian.
amparian reminded attendees about the importance of collaboration,
participation and support. He continued by emphasizing the value of time
as he requested individuals to remember Genocide survivors who did not
abandon their culture or heritage after witnessing the burning of churches,
inhumanities to man, and the continuance of struggle to merely survive.
The program included a brief biography of Diana Apcar presented by MC
George Bedigian, comments by Armenian Consul Gagik Giragossian, Dr.
Masahiro Kohara, Acting Consul General of Japan.
The program also included the reading of excerpts from the book, including
“The Sultan’s Cat,” a short story with a stunning metaphor equating the
well-mannered feline pet with an obsequious Turkish Sultan seeking the
acceptance and respect of his surrounding countries, including the Armenian
Patriarch.
Entertainment that evening included musical interludes by Nanor
Jamakordzian, Violin and Hermine Amirian, Vocal, accompanied by Garineh Der
Kevorkian on the piano.
Archbishop Mardirossian closed the program with words of praise, gratitude
and prayer. His remarks celebrated the life of Diana Apcar and the many
lost lives of the Armenian Genocide. He acknowledged the grand efforts of
men and women around the world and their dedication to their faith and the
Armenian nation-women like Apcar, whose knowledge and grasp of Armenia’s
history is incredible when one learns that she was born in Burma, lived in
Japan for 43 years and never set foot in any of the countless Armenian
cities and towns of which she wrote about. Thus, this can only attest to a
voracious reading of Armenian history and love of her ethnic heritage.
For a copy of the book, call the Western Prelacy at 818-248-7737
************************************* *************************************
8 – Mehrabian Named
Recipient of College
Honorary Doctorate
GLENDALE – Glendale businessman Onnik Mhrabian was named the 2006 recipient
of Mashdots College’s ‘Honorary Doctor of Huma
n Letters” degree, announced College President Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan
last week.
As the President and CEO of the KIA Glendale dealership in Glendale,
Mehrabian is also a generous supporter of numerous civic, educational,
religious and cultural organizations in Los Angeles, Glendale, USC
Institute of Armenian Studies, Mashdots College and the Armenian American
Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Mehrabian is also the godfather and benefactor of Glendale’s St. Peter
Armenian Apostolic Church and Youth Center. He was recognized by Catholicos
Karekin II of Etchmiadzin, with the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal of
Honor.
He has also established a children’s center, adjacent to the church, the
Taline Mahrabian Christian Pre-School.
He is married to Armenouhi, and they have two children, Peter and Taline.
“He is an inspiring man of all seasons,” Dr. Der Yeghiayan said.
******************************************** *******************************
*
9 – Chamlian School Wins 7th Annual
Armenian Timeline Quiz Bowl
LOS ANGELES – Thirty-five eight-grade students representing nine major
Armenian day schools in the greater Los Angeles area participated in the
Seventh Annual Armenian History Timeline Quiz Bowl at the Ararat Home of
Los Angeles on April 2.
In a competition lasting over two hours, the students answered a series of
questions on Armenian history and culture. They demonstrated familiarity
with material spanning three millennia and ranging over topics as varied as
history, geography, literature, science, the arts, and religion. The
competition was so spirited and the student preparation was thorough that
the winning team amassed a total of 98 points out of a possible 100, with
the second place team not far behind.
Chamlian School, with students Taniel Akay, Talar Alexanian, Sophia
Keshishian, and Talar Kossakian finished in first place, winning a check
for $1,000 for the school. Second place and a check for $700 went to the
Ferrahian School, represented by Maral Agvinian, Roupen Geudekian, Haig
Karapetian, and Kyle Khandikian. The Sahag-Mesrob School, with Karoline
Davidian, Talar Kakilian, Aren Markarian, and Tanya Moukhtarian, took the
third place award of $500.
The six other participating schools each received a check for $200. They
included the Manoogian-Demirdjian School, with Janet Parseghian, Elda
Boulgorjian, Serli Palatoglu, and Viola Sulahian; the Merdinian School,
with Nerses Aposhian, Movses Avedikian, Thalia Bajakian, and Dikran
Nalbandian; the Mesrobian School, with Mark Aloyan, Nicole Arvanitipoulos,
Maria Bagdasarian, and Liana Kabayan; the Pilibos School with Biayna
Ayvazian, Diana Boyrazian, Satinee Ghulizian, and Silva Serobyan; the
Sisters’ Acacemy with Khachik Aladzhyan, Hooree Amerkhanian, Talar
Malakian, and Lauren Tomassian; and the St. Gregory School, with Hagop
Kalaidjian, Tanya Mikaelian, and Sylvia Tomboulian.
All participating students received throphies, certificates, and a gift
from Robert Shamlian, prepared by the volunteers from the Ararat Home Gift
Shop. The cash awards, donated by a number of persons, most of whom
requested to remain anonymous, were designated for the schools’ scholarship
fund.
The Quiz Bowl was organized and assisted by: Hagop Arshagouni, MC, Marilyn
Arshagouni, Quizmaster, Tamar Boyadjian Avedissian and Arpy Chorbajian,
Judges; Margaret Abrahamian, Sue Abrahamian, Armen Avedissian, Agnes
Boghosian, Lucy Hovsepian, Beatrice Malkasian, Harold Mgrublian, Robert
Tuncer, and John Yaldezian, Proctors; Michael Arshagouni and Ned Rodriguez,
Scorekeepers; Maggie Goschin and Alice Mgrublian, Question Controllers, and
Camelia Boyajian, Timekeeper. Over 250 spectators followed the proceedings
and cheered on the participants.
The competition, organized and conducted by Hagop and Marilyn Arshagouni,
consisted of questions taken from their book “Armenian History Timeline,”
which includes graphics by the late Herach Hovsepian. The Timeline itself,
the only one of its kind in the world, is located on the grounds of the
Ararat Home in Mission Hills.
******************************************* ********************************
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ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 4 2006

RA NA Deputy: Mass media to contribute to high-legitimacy of RA
authorities

3rd stage of negotiations over establishment of Armenia-EU activity’s
plan held in Yerevan

`Grief journal’ to be opened in RA Foreign Ministry and RA diplomatic
missions abroad in connection with Armenian plane crash near Sochi

President of Abkhazia sends condolence telegram to RA President
Robert Kocharyan

Air crash of Armenian airbus common tragedy of Armenian and Russian
peoples

Putin asks RF Attorney-General to do their best to find out reasons
of A-320 plane crash

Search-and-rescue operations of Armenian plane crash conducted on
high professional level

Armavia’s director general presents his condolences to all those who
were affected by crash of Armenian airbus

Bodies of air crash victims of Armenian A-320 to be delivered to
Yerevan at 22:00

Ambassador: Armenian President to travel to Ukraine in 2006 fall for
official visit

French Co-Chair of OSCE MG, Armenian President to discuss
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement

Igor Levitin: no presumed causes of Armenian aircraft crash under
consideration before black box cockpit tape recorder listening

*************************************** ******************************

RA NA DEPUTY: MASS MEDIA TO CONTRIBUTE TO HIGH-LEGITIMACY OF RA
AUTHORITIES

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. Mass Media will contribute to high-legitimacy
of Armenian authorities, as the Chairman of the RA NA Standing
Committee on Science, Culture, Youth and Education Hranush Hakobyan
told journalists.
`Taking into consideration coming parliamentary and presidential
elections in Armenia in 2007 and 2008, this question is timely as
never before’, Hakobyan noted in her speech during an event dedicated
to World Press Freedom Day, which was held in the UNO Yerevan office.
In her words, press creates image of political parties, politicians
and authorities, and popularity of this or that political power
depends on objectivity of Mass Media.
`I am sure that during coming elections Armenian Mass media will show
high-objectivity’, Hakobyan summarized. S.P. –0–

************************************************ *********************

3RD STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS OVER ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMENIA-EU ACTIVITY’S
PLAN HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. 3rd stage of negotiations over establishment
of Armenia-EU activity’s plan in the framework of European
neighborhood policy was held in Yerevan. According to the Press and
Information Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during
negotiations sides discussed problems, which had remained unsolved by
the end of previous stage of program discussion. Results of
discussions were estimated by the participants as positive. During
negotiations the head of the Armenian delegation was the RA Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Armen Bayburdyan and head of the EU
delegation was EU Commission Director for Eastern Europe, South
Caucasus and Central Asia Hugo Mingarlly.
The European side expressed its sincere condolences regarding tragedy
of the Armenian air liner before the beginning of negotiations. S.P.
–0–

************************************************ *********************

`GRIEF JOURNAL’ TO BE OPENED IN RA FOREIGN MINISTRY AND RA DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS ABROAD IN CONNECTION WITH ARMENIAN PLANE CRASH NEAR SOCHI

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. `Grief Journal’ will be opened in the RA
Foreign Ministry and RA diplomatic missions abroad in connection with
Armenian plane crash near Sochi. According to the Press and
Information Department of the RA Foreign Ministry, representatives of
accredited embassies in Armenia will be able to write down
condolences in this journal on May 5 and 6 from 12 till 15.00
o’clock,
A period of mourning was declared in Armenia on May 5 and 6 in
connection with crash of the Armenian airplane as well as in Russia.
Airplane of `Armavia’ Air Company flying from Yerevan to Sochi
crashed above Black Sea near Sochi on Wednesday night. According to
preliminary data all passengers and the crew of the plane were
killed. S.P.-0–

************************************************ *********************

PRESIDENT OF ABKHAZIA SENDS CONDOLENCE TELEGRAM TO RA PRESIDENT
ROBERT KOCHARYAN

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. President of Abkhazian Republic Sergey
Bagapsh sent a condolence telegram to the RA President Robert
Kocharyan in connection with tragic death of passengers and crew of
the A-320 Armenian air plane, RIA-Novosti reports. `On behalf of
people of the Abkhazian Republic and on my own behalf I express
sincere condolences the Armenian nation in connection with tragic
death of passengers and crew on board the Armenian plane A-320
belonging to `Armavia’ company. Sorrowful news about the air crash
entailing many human victims brought grief into hearts of Abkhazian
people. Big Armenian Diaspora lives in our republic, secular
friendship connects our nation with it. That is why sorrow of
irreplaceable loss becomes stronger’, telegram notes. Bagapsh
expressed sympathy to families and relatives of tragically perished
people. S.P.–0 –

************************************************ *********************

AIR CRASH OF ARMENIAN AIRBUS COMMON TRAGEDY OF ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN
PEOPLES

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. The air crash of the Armenian airbus A-320
near Sochi is a common tragedy of the Russian and Armenian peoples.
The press service of the Kremlin reports that Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated this
during their telephone conversation.
Putin also presented his condolences to Kocharian concerning this air
crash. Putin told Kocharian about the search and rescue operation
implemented by Russians in the air crash area and further actions
that are being planned.
In his turn, Kocharian expressed gratitude to the Russian President
for the telephone call and detailed information.
The Presidents presented deep and sincere condolences to relatives
and close people of the air crash victims
The A-320 airbus of the Armenian `Armavia’ air company crashed over
Black Sea near Sochi at night on Wednesday. All the people on board
were killed: 113 people, 77 of them were Armenian citizens. May 5 and
6 are announced mourning days in Armenia and May 5 was announced the
mourning day in Russia. R.O. –0–

************************************************ *********************

PUTIN ASKS RF ATTORNEY-GENERAL TO DO THEIR BEST TO FIND OUT REASONS
OF A-320 PLANE CRASH

YEREVAN, May 3. /ARKA-RIA Novosti/. Vladimir Putin asked the RF
Attorney-General Vladimir Ustin to do their best to find out reasons
of the A-320 plane crash.
`I hope that in short time, despite difficulties connected with
finding flight recorders, which I hope anyway will be found,
investigation will make clear the real cause of the catastrophe’,
Putin, RF President stated during his meeting with Ustin on Thursday,
RIA-Novosti reports. .
Plane crashed at Wednesday night, 113 people died. S.P. –0–

************************************************ *********************

PUTIN ASKS RF ATTORNEY-GENERAL TO DO THEIR BEST TO FIND OUT REASONS
OF A-320 PLANE CRASH

YEREVAN, May 3. /ARKA-RIA Novosti/. Vladimir Putin asked the RF
Attorney-General Vladimir Ustin to do their best to find out reasons
of the A-320 plane crash.
`I hope that in short time, despite difficulties connected with
finding flight recorders, which I hope anyway will be found,
investigation will make clear the real cause of the catastrophe’,
Putin, RF President stated during his meeting with Ustin on Thursday,
RIA-Novosti reports. .
Plane crashed at Wednesday night, 113 people died. S.P. –0–

************************************************ *********************

ARMAVIA’S DIRECTOR GENERAL PRESENTS HIS CONDOLENCES TO ALL THOSE WHO
WERE AFFECTED BY CRASH OF ARMENIAN AIRBUS

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. Director General of `Armavia’ air company
Norair Belluyan presented his deep condolences to all those people
who have been affected by the crash of the Armenian airbus at night
on 3 May near Sochi.
`We grieve together with you and our grief is comfortless. There are
no words to express the whole pain of the sufferings of thousands of
people who received such a terrible news,’ Belluyan’s address says.
He pointed out that in spite of all the modern technological progress
and activities aimed at providing security of flights, we could not
overcome the raging element, and this terrible day will never be
forgotten.
Belluyan assured that over the time passed from the moment of the
tragedy, Armavia’s team works on decreasing the heaviest consequences
of the tragedy 24 hours per day. `Thousands of people from many
countries assist us with it. We receive addresses with words of grief
and support from enterprises, organizations, air companies, hundreds
and hundreds of people,’ Belluyan said.
At night on 3 May a shocking tragedy occurred over the waters of
Black Sea – the airbus A-320 of `Armavia’ air company crashed while
landing at the airport of the city of Adler under heavy weather
conditions. As a result, 113 people were killed, 6 among them were
children. R.O. –0–

************************************************ *********************

BODIES OF AIR CRASH VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN A-320 TO BE DELIVERED TO
YEREVAN AT 22:00

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA – `Novosty Armenia’/. Bodies of the air crash
victims of the Armenian A-320 airbus will be delivered to Yerevan at
approximately 22:00, RA Minister of territorial administration Hovik
Abrahamyan reported during a briefing at the government who leads the
intergovernmental commission for delivery of the victim’s bodies and
organization of funerals.
According to him, about 20 or 30 identified bodies will be delivered
to Armenia.
He said that 47 bodies have currently been take out and 20 of them
were identified.
`Today will visit `Zvartnots’ airport and discuss all organizational
issues with its administration: how will the bodies be delivered and
where their relatives will take them,’ he said.
The A-320 airbus of the Armenian `Armavia’ air company crashed over
Black Sea near Sochi at night on Wednesday. All the people on board
were killed: 113 people, 77 of them were Armenian citizens. R.O.
–0–

************************************************ *********************

AMBASSADOR: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO UKRAINE IN 2006 FALL FOR
OFFICIAL VISIT

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is to
travel to Ukraine in 2006 fall for official visit, Ukrainian
Ambassador to Armenia Alexander Bozhko said Thursday in Yerevan.
Bozhko also said Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan is
expected to visit Ukraine in June, before Kocharyan, to lay proper
groundwork for talks between the two countries”, Bozhko said.
In his words, a wide range of relations between the countries,
including ties in economy and defence areas, are expected to be
discussed during the presidential visit. M.V. -0—

************************************************ *********************

FRENCH CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MG, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS
NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. The French Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group
Bernard Fassier and RA President Robert Kocharyan are to discuss
issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement in Yerevan. The press
service of the French Embassy in Armenia reports that Fassier has
arrived in Yerevan. He is only to hold a meeting with the RA
President. Immediately after the meeting, he is to leave Yerevan for
Baku.
The decision of Bernard Fassier’s visit was made as a result of
Moscow consultations between the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs with the
participation of Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrej Kasprzic. P.T. -0-

************************************************ *********************

IGOR LEVITIN: NO PRESUMED CAUSES OF ARMENIAN AIRCRAFT CRASH UNDER
CONSIDERATION BEFORE BLACK BOX COCKPIT TAPE RECORDER LISTENING

YEREVAN, May 4. /ARKA/. No presumed causes of Armenian aircraft crash
are being considered before black box cockpit tape recorder
listening, Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said.
“We don’t consider any version so far until decoding black boxes and
giving evidence about what actually happened”, Levitin said.
In his words, the area of water where the accident happened is under
interior and emergency ministries’ control.
Armavia Armenian Air Company’s jet plunged into Black Sea near
Russian resort of Sochi Tuesday night. All 113 aboard the craft were
killed in the crash. M.V. -0—

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 5 2006

RIA Novosti managers express condolences to Armenian President

British FM expresses condolences to Armenian FM

May 5-6 declared days of mourning in NKR

Armenian Ombudsman expresses his condolences to relatives of air
crash victims

French Premier expresses condolences to Armenia

Special accounts for support of families of air crash victims opened
in 3 Armenian banks

Special account is opened in Armenian finance ministry’s treasury
unit to raise money for families of armenian aircraft crash victims

Ukraine interested in construction of Iran-Armenia gas main

Russian Side must decipher blackboxes of crashed Armenian plane

Hayastan All Armenian fund lavishes $25 thousand to families of
Armenian airbus A320 crash

Armenian Government allocates amd 2 million to culture ministry for
organizing competition for national anthem music and text

Iranian President expresses deep condolences on occasion of air crash
of Armenian airbus killing all passengers and crew

Armenian Assembly of Armenia extenbds condolences to relatives of air
crash victims

ARKA News Agency releases regular issue of bulletin `Credit
institutions of Armenia’ for 1st quarter of 2006

French Foreign Minister sends condolences to Armenia on Armenian
plane crash in Black Sea

Armenian Ramkavar-Azatakan party mourns for 113 people killed in
Armenian aircraft crash

Tajikistani President expresses condolences to families of Armenian
plane crash near Sochi

Levitin can’t say yet what are chances of raising “flight recorder”
of crashed A-320

Monument in memory of A-320 air crash victims built in Sochi

******************************************* **************************

RIA NOVOSTI MANAGERS EXPRESS CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. The managers of the Russian RIA Novosti News
Agency have expressed their condolences to RA President Robert
Kocharyan on the crash of the Armenian airplane.
`Accept our sincere condolences on the death of people as a result of
the crash of the A-320 plane. We share the grief and express our
compassion and support to the entire Armenian people,’ says a message
addressed by Acting Director General of RIA Novosti Sergey
Vykhokhulev. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

BRITISH FM EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIAN FM

Yerevan, May 6. /ARKA/. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw expressed
his condolences to his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan on the
crash of the Armenian airplane.
On behalf of the British Government and people, he expressed his
condolences, sharing the grief with the victims’ families. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

MAY 5-6 DECLARED DAYS OF MOURNING IN NKR

STEPANAKERT, May 6. /ARKA/. May 5-6, 2006, have been declared days of
mourning in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in connection with
the crash of the Armenian airplane.
The NKR state flag is lowered to half-mast on all the official
buildings during days of mourning. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES TO RELATIVES OF AIR
CRASH VICTIMS

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutunyan expressed
his condolences to relatives of the air crash victims from the
Armenian airbus A-320 near the Russian city of Sochi.
The A-320 airbus of the Armenian `Armavia’ Air Company making a
flight Yerevan-Sochi crashed over Black Sea nearing `Adler’
international airport. 113 people on board were killed. R.O. —

********************************************** ***********************

FRENCH PREMIER EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIA

Yerevan, May 6. /ARKA/. French Premier Dominik De Vilpen has
expressed his condolences to RA Premier Andranik Margaryan on the
crash of the Armenian airplane.
`With profound excitement did I know about the tragedy with the A-320
plane, which claimed over 100 lives, mostly of Armenian citizens,’
the French Premier’s message says. P.T. –0–

************************************************ *********************

SPECIAL ACCOUNT IS OPENED IN ARMENIAN FINANCE MINISTRY’S TREASURY
UNIT TO RAISE MONEY FOR FAMILIES OF ARMENIAN AIRCRAFT CRASH VICTIMS

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. A special account is opened in Armenian
Finance and Economy Ministry’s Treasury Unit to raise money for
families of Armenian aircraft crash victims.
Governmental press service told ARKA News Agency that all those
wanting to participate in this campaign can transfer money to account
¹900013017026.
A320, Armenian Armavia Air Company’s jet, crashed into the Black Sea
Tuesday night. All 113 on board were killed in the crash. 77 of them
were Armenian citizens. M.V. -0—

************************************************ *********************

SPECIAL ACCOUNTS FOR SUPPORT OF FAMILIES OF AIR CRASH VICTIMS OPENED
IN 3 ARMENIAN BANKS

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Special accounts in AMD, RUR, USD and EUR for
support of the families of the air crash victims were opened in three
Armenian banks.
Transfers in RUR can be made to the Armsavingsbank’s account – 160 48
200 54 53; at Armeconombank – to the USD account – 16 300 81 23 743,
and to EUR – 16 300 81 23 750. The following account also was opened
at the Armenian Inecobank – 20 500 22 17 060 1003
Prior to transferring money to the special accounts, persons wishing
to support should contact the bank and receive necessary details (by
fax or email).
The Treasury of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy also opened
the special account – ¹900013017026.
The airbus A-320 of `Armavia’ Air Company crashed over Black Sea near
the city of Sochi at night at Wednesday night. R.O. –0–

************************************************ *********************

UKRAINE INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS MAIN

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Ukraine is interested in the construction of
the Iran-Armenia gas main, Ukrainian Ambassador to Armenia Alexander
Bozhko told reporters.
`At present, any country of the world, including Ukraine, is
interested in alternative sources of energy,’ Bozhko said.
According to him, Ukraine is carrying out measures, including
negotiations with Iran, aimed at the construction of a gas main in
Ukraine.
`However, the construction of the pipeline requires huge investments,
and some kind of `dependence’ of the project on large European
investors and banks is obvious at this point,’ Bozhko said.
The construction of the Iran-Armenia gas main is estimated at
$120mln. The construction is expected to be completed in 2007. P.T.
-0–

************************************************ *********************

RUSSIAN SIDE MUST DECIPHER BLACKBOXES OF CRASHED ARMENIAN PLANE

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. The Russian side must decipher the blackboxes
of the crashed Armenian airplane if they are found, Press Secretary
of the RA Chief Department of Civil Aviation Gayane Davtyan told
ARKA.
`The investigator-side is supposed to decipher the blackboxes,’ she
said.
`The Russian side has initiated criminal proceeding and is conducting
investigation,’ Davtyan said. According to her, the Armenia side can
only take part in this process. She added that the blackboxes have
not yet been found. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

HAYASTAN ALL ARMENIAN FUND LAVISHES $25 THOUSAND TO FAMILIES OF
ARMENIAN AIRBUS A320 CRASH

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Hayastan All Armenian Fund decided Friday to
give $25 thousand to families of Armenian Airbus A320 crash victims.
The Fund’s press service told ARKA News Agency that the mentioned
amount is an initial sum to be given to the victims’ families and
that the Fund intends to continue assisting the families.
The Fund was established in 1992. 220km of roads, 130 km of water
channels, 36 schools, 3 electric power substations, 210 apartment
blocks and 14 medical centers have been constructed since then. M.V.
-0—

************************************************ *********************

IRANIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES DEEP CONDOLENCES ON OCCASION OF AIR CRASH
OF ARMENIAN AIRBUS KILLING ALL PASSENGERS AND CREW
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad
expressed deep condolences to Armenia on the occasion of the air
crash of the Armenian airbus near the Russian seaside resort Sochi
killing all the passengers and the crew.
According to a report of Presidential Office Media Department, the
president in his message to President Robert Kocharian asked for
God’s mercy and blessing for victims and patience for the bereaved
families. Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel and Foreign Ministry
spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi expressed his condolences to the Armenian
Government.
According to reports, an Armenian Airbus A-320 carrying 113
passengers and crew crashed in the Black Sea near the south Russian
seaside resort of Sochi in heavy rain on Wednesday killing all on
board. R.O. -0–

************************************************ *********************

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES AMD 2 MILLION TO CULTURE MINISTRY FOR
ORGANIZING COMPETITION FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM MUSIC AND TEXT

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Armenian Government has allocated AMD 2
million to Culture Ministry for organizing competition for national
anthem music and text and for paying prices to the competition
winners – AMD 700 thousand to text author and the same amount to
music author, governmental press service said Thursday.
Armenian Prime Minister has decided set up for dealing with this
matter.
Present anthem Our Motherland was approved on July 1, 1991. The
author of poems is Armenian democrat poet Mikael Nalbandyan
(1829-1866). ($1 – AMD 445.61). M.V. –0–

************************************************ *********************

ARKA NEWS AGENCY RELEASES REGULAR ISSUE OF BULLETIN `CREDIT
INSTITUTIONS OF ARMENIA’ FOR 1ST QUARTER OF 2006

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. The `ARKA’ News Agency has released a regular
issue of the financial-economic bulletin `Credit Institutions of
Armenia’ for the 1st quarter of 2006. This quarterly product contains
the financial reforms of credit institutions officially published in
the press.
The bulletin contains about 20 pages of tables and consists of 12
parts.
1. General characteristics of credit institutions. 2. Assets. 3.
Liabilities. 4. Capital 5. Profit/Losses. 6. Information of flow of
funds. 7. Normative indicators of credit institutions’ activities. 8.
Capitalization indices. 9. Profitability indices. 10. Summarized
indices of credit institutions’ activities (summary). 11. Summarized
indices of credit institutions’ efficiency. 12. Main services of
credit institutions.
The information contained in the bulletin presents a general picture
of the Armenian credit institutions’ financial situation and allows a
comparative analysis of their activities to be made. The product also
contains technical and methodological commentary on the tables.
The ARKA Ness Agency has been publishing the quarterly bulletin `Main
indicators of banks of Armenia’ since 1999. Since March 2005, ARKA
has been publishing the quarterly bulletin `Credit institutions of
Armenia’. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA EXTENBDS CONDOLENCES TO RELATIVES OF AIR
CRASH VICTIMS

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. On behalf of the leaders, members and staff
members of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), Chairman of the
AAA Board of Trustees Hrair Hovhannesyan extended condolences to the
relatives and friends of the victims of the crash of the Armenian
airplane.
The tragedy is a great loss for the Armenian people. `We remember you
and grieving with you, says the AAA’s message. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

ARMENIAN RAMKAVAR-AZATAKAN PARTY MOURNS FOR 113 PEOPLE KILLED IN
ARMENIAN AIRCRAFT CRASH

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Armenian Ramkavar-Azatakan party mourns for
113 people killed in Armenian aircraft crash.
The party feels deep regret and sympathy with the victims of the
crash and expresses condolences to their families, Armenian people,
President Kocharyan, Armenian Apostolic Church leader Catholicos
Garegin II.
`We wish the victims’ relatives courage and patience’, the message
says.
A320, a jet owned by Armavia Armenian Air Company, fell en rout from
Yerevan to Russian resort of Sochi and plunged into the Black Sea
early on Wednesday as it tried to land at an airport near Sochi. All
113 aboard the jet – 105 passengers and 8 crew members – are dead.
M.V. -0—-

************************************************ *********************

FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER SENDS CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIA ON ARMENIAN
PLANE CRASH IN BLACK SEA

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy
sent condolences to Armenia on Armenian plane crash in Black Sea.
He expressed sympathy with families and relatives of those killed in
the crash.
A320, jet owned by Armavia Armenian Air Company, with 113 on board
plunged into the Black Sea Tuesday night near Russian resort of
Sochi. None of passengers and crew survived. M.V.-0–

************************************************ *********************

LEVITIN CAN’T SAY YET WHAT ARE CHANCES OF RAISING “FLIGHT RECORDER”
OF CRASHED A-320

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin can’t
say yet to estimate chances of raising flight recorders of À-320
plane crashed above Black Sea.
“I am not ready yet to say… As far as examples of lifting of crafts
from such depth… Yesterday we inquired for all air crashes above
seas all over the world during recent 10 years. There is no
experience of lifting crafts from such depth. There are devices,
which may lift from about 1000 m depth, but as for crafts, there is
no such thing”, Levitin stated, while answering to questions of
journalists.
According to preliminary data, parts of À-320 are at a depth of 680
meters, RIA-Novosti reports. S.P. -0–

************************************************ *********************

TAJIKISTANI PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF ARMENIAN
PLANE CRASH NEAR SOCHI

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmonov has
expressed condolences to families of Armenian plane crash near Sochi,
Tajik presidential press service told RIA Novosti Thursday morning.
In his message sent to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Rahmonov
said that Tajikistan is deeply saddened by this tragic loss.
A320, a jet owned by Armavia Armenian Air Company, fell en rout from
Yerevan to Russian resort of Sochi and plunged into the Black Sea
early on Wednesday as it tried to land at an airport near Sochi. All
113 aboard the jet – 105 passengers and 8 crew members – are dead.
M.V. -0—-

************************************************ *********************

MONUMENT IN MEMORY OF A-320 AIR CRASH VICTIMS BUILT IN SOCHI

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. A monument in the memory of the A-320 air
crash victims will be build in Sochi, Russian Minister of Transport
Igor Levitin told reporters.
“The decision to erect the monument here, in Sochi, was made by
request the victims’ families,” he said.
“The Mayor of Sochi promises to choose a place in the shortest
possible time. The proposal was supported by the governor of
Krasnodar region,” Levitin reported.
According to him, “this will be the place that can always be attended
by the victims’ relatives and friends”.
113 people were killed in the air crash of A-320 airbus of the
Armenian “Armavia” air company at night on Wednesday. Friday was
declared the day of mourning in Russian and Armenia. The mourning
will last during two days in Armenia – 5 and 6 May. R.O. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 6 2006

Weather 100 percent one of causes of Armenian plane’s crash

Flight recorders of Armenian airbus can be extracted from water today

Air crash creates atmosphere of general will: Kocharian

*************************************** ******************************

WEATHER 100 PERCENT ONE OF CAUSES OF ARMENIAN PLAN’S CRASH

Yerevan, May 6. /ARKA/. The weather is 100 percent one of the causes
of the crash of the Armenian plane, the ex-chief of the RA Chief
Aviation Department, Chairman of the National Association of Aviation
Dmitry Adabashyan told reporters.
The bad weather in the tragic night certainly plays its role in all
the possible versions of the crash, he said.
According to him, the Sochi airport, particularly the land services,
are not well fit for serving planes in bad weather, which played its
role in the crash. P.T. -0–

************************************************ *********************

FLIGHT RECORDERS OF ARMENIAN AIRBUS CAN BE EXTRACTED FROM WATER TODAY

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Flight recorders of the Armenian airbus can
be extracted from the water today, ex-Chairman of the Armenian State
Administration of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the National
association of aviation, honored aviator of the USSR, Dmitry
Adbashyan told reporters.
`We know about the location of the flight recorders, and their
extraction is just a matter of technique,’ he said.
According to Adabashyan, many organizations, first of all, the
manufacturer of the airbus, French company `Airbus’ are interested in
the extraction of the flight recorders as soon as possible, because
it is interested in collecting evidences that the reason of the air
crash was not a technical malfunction.
Adabashyan ruled out a possibility of damage of the flight recorders
in the water. `They are made of a very solid resistant material and
capable of preserving its parameters up to 1100 degrees centigrade
above zero,’ the expert said.
According to him, flight recorders preserve energy and emit signals
during one month underwater.
The flight recorders from the Armenian airbus are currently located
on the bed of Black Sea at a depth of 680 meters. R.O. –0–

************************************************ *********************

AIR CRASH CREATES ATMOSPHERE OF GENERAL WILL: KOCHARIAN

YEREVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Air crash of the Armenian airbus created an
atmosphere of general will, Armenian President Robert Kocharian
stated during his meeting with a delegation of Ramkavar-Azatakan
party (Liberal-Democratic Party).
`In the small Armenia, where everyone are related to each other, this
tragedy created the atmosphere of general will,’ he said.
In his turn, Leader of the RAP Mike Kharapian expressed condolences
of circles of the Armenian Diaspora to the Armenian President on the
occasion of the air crash.
He pointed out that the Diaspora equally grieves with the homeland
over the great loss.
Members of the delegation and Kocharian also discussed possibilities
of a more purposeful application of the RAP potentials in
all-Armenian initiatives, and issues, connected with the forum
Armenia-Diaspora, which is to be held in Yerevan in September 2006.
R.O. –0–
From: Baghdasarian

North Korea sends condolence message to Armenian president over plane crash

KCNA, Pyongyang
8 May 06

Pyongyang, 8 May: Kim Yong nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK
[Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] Supreme People’s Assembly,
sent a message of sympathy to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on 4
May as regards casualties caused by the crash of an Yerevan-Sochi
airliner of the Armenian Airline.
Expressing deep sympathy with the president and, through him, with the
bereaved families, the message hoped that the president and government
of Armenia would heal the aftermath as early as possible.

North Korea sends sympathy message to Russian president over plane crash

KCNA, Pyongyang
8 May 06

Pyongyang, 8 May: Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK
[Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] Supreme People’s Assembly, on
4 May sent a message of sympathy to Russian President V.V. Putin as
regards the human losses caused by the crash of an Yerevan-Sochi
airbus of the Armenian Airline.
In the message he evinced deep sympathy with the Russian president
and, through him, with the bereaved families and expressed the belief
that the Russian leadership would heal the aftermath at an early date.