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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

ARAMAC STATE CHAIR PAMELA BARSAM BROWN WORKS WITH COLORADO PBS
AFFILLIATE TO BROADCAST GENOCIDE AWARENESS PANEL

Washington DC — The Armenian Assembly of America today commended
the leadership of Assembly activist Pamela Barsam Brown for taking
the initiative and working with Colorado PBS station KBDI, which
broadcast a genocide awareness panel following the debut of Andrew
Goldberg’s documentary, “The Armenian Genocide” on April 26.

The panel, which featured genocide scholar and Assembly Member
Dr. Dennis Papazian, examined issues surrounding past and present
genocides including the Holocaust, Armenian Genocide and the recent
situation in Darfur.

“Weappreciate thework of Peter Boylesand KBDIfor helping raise
awareness of these crimes against humanity,” said Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. “We also applaud our State Chair, Pamela Barsam Brown,
forrallying community support andfor spearheading this initiative
in Colorado.”

“Dr. Papazian’sinsightful and historically revealing comments,
asguest panelist,providedColoradoan’s with animportant and timely
opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide,” said Barsam Brown,
Colorado State Chair for ARAMAC.

“I am particularly proud that my local PBS affiliate chose to create
a unique and positive post-program format. OurPBS audience was
well-served by a robust discussion which touched upona wide range of
past and presentGenocide topics,” Barsam Brown continued.

Dr. Papazian served as the Armenian Assembly’s first Executive Director
as well as Co-Chair of the Assembly’s Board of Directors. Currently,
he is the Director of the Armenian Research Center at the University
of Michigan, Dearborn.

Other panelists included Ved Nanda, Director of the International
Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver, United Nations
Association of Colorado President Dr. Tim Kubik, and Ahmed Adam Ali
Mohammed, the Secretary General of Darfur Association in the U.S.

The program also promoted a local Conference entitled “Genocide and
Crimes Against Humanity: Challenges and Actions” that will be held
on May 8 under the sponsorship of the Colorado Coalition for Genocide
Awareness and Action of which the Armenian Assembly is a part of.

For more information about the Conference or the Coalition,
contact Roz Duman, Project Director at (303) 320-6565 or email
[email protected].

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Zaruhi Tonapetyan
Resource Development Manager for
Habitat for Humanity Armenia
+ (374-10) 556-1146
[email protected]

On May 3, 2006, in the context of “Catholicos Karekin II Work
Project: An Armenian Building on Faith” project in the Gegharkunik
region Gavar city took place the opening ceremony of building.

” The partnership with HFH Armenia and also being the first to
implement such a great project is much responsible for us, – said
Gurgen Martirosyan, the mayor of Gavar city,- We will do our best in
the mission of eliminating poverty housing in our community”.

The construction of this building was stopped in 1993 because of the
huge grade the country was exposed. Now the city administration gave
the building to the families selected by HFH Armenia to be homeowner.
Twenty four families in housing need in Gavar came together to build
their house, the house of unity, the house symbolizing the great
kindness of human being.

The beginning of building in Gavar city opened with blessing of Very
Rev. father Markos Hovhannesyan Vicar of the Gegharkunik dioceses.
“Let your hearts be filled with love to energize you during the whole
building process, and let this love pass to every generations, that
will live in this building”- said Very Rev. Father during the
blessing.

The first construction works of “Catholicos Karekin II Work Project:
An Armenian Building on Faith Project” were launched.

The annual home-building event will take place in Sept. 5-9, 2006.
Thirty-seven homes will be built with families in need – symbolizing
36 worldwide Dioceses, plus the Holy See, representing the Catholicos
of all Armenians – near the Armenian capital city, Yerevan. Armenian
churches are encouraged to galvanize teams to fundraise and to join
the build.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an
ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people
dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976,
Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries,
providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one
million people. For more information, visit

For more information about the “Catholicos Karekin II Work Project”,
visit:

Or write:
[email protected]

PRO-ARMENIAN CIRCLES UP TO NEGATIVE ARTICLES ABOUT AZERBAIJAN IN FOREIGN PRESS – MP MUBARIZ GURBANLI
Author: J. Shakhverdiyev

TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Pro-Armenian circles are up to negative articles about Azerbaijan in
foreign press, reportedly said MP Mubariz Gurbanli, deputy executive
secretary, New Azerbaijan Party.

Gurbanli said some circles outside the country, promoted by Armenian
lobby, disseminate contrary-to-fact information on Azerbaijan. “I do
not suggest such articles may change public opinion on Azerbaijan in
the world especially since we observe many positive articles about
our country as well”, – he said.

ARMENIA GOVT TO ISSUE FUNERAL AID TO FAMILIES OF AIR CRASH VICTIMS

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 4 2006

YEREVAN, May 4 (Itar-Tass) – The Armenian government will pay 3,300
dollars for the funeral of each victim of the air crash that claimed
113 lives.

Cabinet minister Onik Abraamyan said at a government meeting that
families of the dead could collect this money at social welfare
offices on Friday.

Considering that the Russian government made the decision to pay
compensation to families of Russian citizens who died in the crash,
Armenia will help only to its nationals, Abraamyan said.

“If Russians of Armenian nationality have the wish to bury their
relatives in Armenia, we are ready to give both financial and material
help,” he said.

He said that Armenian businessmen had come up with an initiative to
open special bank accounts.

A shareholder of the air company Armavia, to which the plane was
registered, Mikhail Bagdasarov, said on Public Television that
20,000-dollar compensation would be paid to each bereaved family.

The company spends several million dollars in insurance payments
every year, the businessman said.

The A-320 passenger plane that was en route from Yerevan to Russia’s
sea resort of Sochi crashed into the Black Sea in the night to
Wednesday when it was in a landing approach to the Adler airport.

Passengers included 26 Russia’s citizens.

Of 113 passengers of the plane that plunged to a 600-metre depth,
bodies of 53 have been recovered. Identities of 20 have been
established, an emergency staff member told Itar-Tass.

First bodies will be transported to Armenia by air on Thursday evening.

Abraamyan said that Russian authorities would continue search
operations in the crash area until bodies of all victims were found.

NEXT TRIAL ON CLAIM RAISED BY JAILERS AGAINST RAMIL SAFAROV SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 1 AND 5

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Yesterday trial on the claim raised by jailers against Azerbaijani
Army Officer Ramil Safarov accused of murder of Armenian officer
Gurgen Margaryan will took place in Pesht Court, Hungary.

Azerbaijani embassy in Hungary told APA that two jailer witnesses
gave testimony on in the trial presided by Judge Tot Dyendver and
the next trial was scheduled for September 1 and 5. the trial was
attended by Azerbaijani embassy representatives and students.

Hungarian lawyer Klara Fiser defended rights of Safarov.

Jailers demanded Ramil Safarov to give the phone card on June 19,
2004. Safarov don’t know Hungarian language and he therefore didn’t
understand the jailers and this misunderstanding caused incident
among them. 8 police tied Safarov’s arms and exercised force.

Safarov’s lawyers appealed to the court but the court didn’t meet the
appeal through lack of evidences. Then the jailers raised counterclaim
against Safarov that he put up resistance to jailers.

KOREA BACKS PEACEABLE RESOLUTION OF NK IN LINE WITH INT’L LAW
Author: S.Agayeva

TREND INFO, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Korea supports the peaceable settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict within framework of international principles,Trend reports
citing Charge d’affairs of Korea in Azerbaijan, Lew Kwang Chul.

The Korean government attentively observes over the peaceable
resolution of the conflict under the OSCE Minsk Group and hopes in
the mediators’ successful activities.

However, the diplomat noted that Korea has not its official position
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Korea supports the resolution of the conflict within the framework
of the international norm and principle, he noted.

ARMENIAN AIRLINE EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO BEREAVED AFTER CRASH

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 4 2006

YEREVAN, May 4 (RIA Novosti) – The head of the Armenian airline whose
plane crashed into the Black Sea Wednesday killing all passengers
and crew issued a statement Thursday expressing his condolences for
the bereaved families.

Armavia Airlines Director General Norayr Belluyan said, “This terrible
day will never be forgotten. On behalf of the airline, I convey [my]
condolences to all those affected by the tragedy. We grieve with you.”

Investigators are searching for the black boxes of the A-320 Airbus
that plunged into the sea six kilometers form the coast, killing all
the 113 people onboard, including six children.

The head of the airline said, “There are no words to express all
the pain and suffering of thousands of people who have received
dreadful news.”

Belluyan said the airline had received “messages of condolence and
support from companies, organizations, and airlines, from hundreds
and hundreds of people.”

HEYDAR ALIYEV MONUMENT TO BE SET UP IN BISHKEK

Today, Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Monument of Heydar Aliyev will be set up in Bishkek, State Committee
on Work with Azerbaijanis living abroad informs.

As APA reports, the committee associate Fuzuli Najafov, has
participated in the talks with regard to issues.

During the visit to Kyrgyzstan, Fuzuli Najafov met with Chairman of
Social Forum “Support and development of Heydar Aliyev policy”, Nusrat
Mammadov. Work on Nagorno Karabakh issue to bring to the attention
of Kyrgyzstan community, discussions on provision of Azerbaijanis
participation in social-political field of the country was discussed.

It was decided that Azerbaijani Diaspora will expand relations with
Azerbaijani government to execute these issues.

URL:

“GERMAN-FRENCH” MODEL FOR NAGORNI GARABAKH

Democratic Azerbaijan
May 4 2006

Caucasian countries have no choice but integration to regulate conflict
in the region.

France and Germany, used to be enemies, have chosen integration and
reached advanced development. Cooperation between both countries was
reached with the help of politicians, being known that first step
in this direction were taken during joint exploitation of iron mine
and coal.

Accordingly to chairman of Armenian National Bank, Tigran Sargasyan,
mentioned model should be applied in South Caucasus, especially because
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia want to be members of European Union.

Economic state of the above states will be examined, and the level
of compliance of showings with EU Maastricht Treaty will be defined.

These showings are defined by rise in prices, ratio of state debts
to national produce, long-term interest rate etc.

“If we take into account rise in prices, only Armenia meets
requirements of the Treaty. Azerbaijan and Georgia will not comply
with it long time. Azerbaijan pursues policy of price conservation
attempting to regulate their rise by administrative way what leads
to breaking up macroeconomic stability”, T. Sargasyan informed.

However, chairman of Armenian National Bank, misinterpreted facts.

One of the most significant showings necessary for being EU member
is average wage.

In Armenia it makes up 145, in Georgia – 113, and in Azerbaijan –
124 US dollars. Poverty level in Azerbaijan makes up 29%, in Armenia –
34% and in Georgia – 52%.

As for health care, in Azerbaijan 1,6 % of national produce is allotted
for this field. The same showing in Georgia is 0,5% and in Armenia
– 1,3%.

In Azerbaijan economic development rate runs up to 23,6%, in Georgia –
9,9% and in Armenia – 14%.

As for credit resources Azerbaijan enjoys better position than
Georgia and Armenia. Moreover, the worst court system is in Armenia,
and Georgia is leader of the region in the field of internet and
telecommunications.

Azerbaijan’s economic growth goes on mainly owing to production,
processing and transportation of oil. 42% of national produce came
from this field. In Georgia service and transport tariff for oil and
gas pipelines are of great importance, at the same time in Armenia
construction and agriculture serves for formation of national produce.

Azerbaijan allots 650 millions of US dollars for military needs,
that is, 4 times more then Armenia.

As for export, Azerbaijan deals with oil transportation, Georgia
exports metal, and Armenia exports agricultural products and
non-precious stones.

Taking into account all these facts, it is clear that “economic
integration” of Azerbaijan and Armenia is out of question.

If we recollect the fact that Armenia pursues policy of terrorism and
occupation, then realization “German-French model” for regulation of
Nagorni Garabakh conflict is no more but illusion.

vis.pl?s=001&p=0055&n=001474&g=

RESCUERS GET BLACK BOX SIGNALS AFTER PLANE CRASH

MosNews, Russia
May 4 2006

Airbus specialists working at the scene of the Armenian plane crash on
the Black Sea have detected a radio signal, possibly from the plane’s
black box flight recorders, a Russian emergency official told the
RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday.

The official added that the signal was very weak and they were not
sure of the exact location of the devices. Experts are using special
equipment while searching for flight data recorders from the A-320,
lying at the depth of about 500 meters (1,640 feet) below the surface
of the water, 5 km from the shore.

The plane, owned by Armenian Airlines, crashed at 02:15 local time
(22:15 GMT) as it made an attempt to land at an airport near the
Russian resort town of Sochi. Initial reports suggest bad weather
was the cause of the tragedy. Analysis of the plane’s black boxes
may give more information to allow emergency services to confirm or
disprove the theory.