Panorama.am

17:53 24/03/06

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DONATES PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES EQUIPMENT TO
ARMENIAN POLICE

On March 24, 2006 the United States Department of State donated
approximately $40,000 of physical techniques equipment to the Police
of the Republic of Armenia for the training of Armenian Police
officers at the Police Academy and Police Training Center. The Deputy
Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy Anthony Godfrey opened the
donation ceremony, which took place at the Police Academy.

The physical techniques equipment, which was funded by the Department
of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs (INL), includes gym mats, Redman instructor suits, body
opponent bags, rubber training knives, guns, handcuffs, and boxing
bags. The First Deputy Head of Police accepted the equipment for the
Government of Armenia and presented Ambassador Evans with a
Certification of Gratitude from the Police Academy of the Republic of
Armenia.

During the event, Charge d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey stated, ‘The
police force is the one democratic institution with which the
population has the most contact. That is why it is most important for
the police to change how it is perceived by the population. A fit,
well-trained, professional force gives the people of Armenia — and
visitors — the impression that Armenia is a country which cares about
citizens’ rights and about citizens’ safety.’

Panorama.am

17:45 24/03/06

CB PRESIDENT UNAWARE OF THE MATTER?

`I think the President of the Central Bank is far from the reality and
never visits any shop and is unaware of prices,’ announced `Justice’
grouping secretary Victor Dallakyan at the parliamentary news briefing
today touching upon Togran Sargsyan’s announcement made yesterday.

Victor Dallakyan mentioned that 73% of the population receives 2100
kilocalories of food. `If the prices of goods rise together with gas
tariff, can you imagine how hard the social situation will be in our
country,` Dallakyan concluded. As he said the situation may worsen in
concern with the fact that the Government has no programs of social
assistance to certain circles of the society.

The head of Armenian Republican party grouping Galoust Sahakyan also
realizes that the gas price rise will have negative results for the
economy. `It is well known that rise in gas price is not a good thing
to happen. We must do our best not to damage the energy security in
our country,’ the head of Parliamentary majority noticed without
commenting on the announcement of CB President. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am

15:09 24/03/06

GIVE US OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT CIVILIZATION

`The representatives of Armenian intelligentsia have no opportunity to
discuss questions of civilization and culture at forums as such
occasions are not held in the country,’ announced art critic Hrach
Bayadyan during the discussion with philosopher Ashot Voskanyan
today. As he said, today the questions of civilization and culture are
discussed mainly on the level of Mass Media. In his turn A. Voskanyan
noticed that while discussing the above mentioned questions one must
firstly pay attention to social-economic problems of the
population. As A. Voskanyan thinks these two aspects are inseparable
and interdependent.

Talking about the clash of the Eastern and the Western civilizations
in Armenia H. Bayadyan mentioned that today these processes are
characteristic of any European country and one shouldn’t take them
dramatically. Moreover, as the art critic said the global processes
taking place in the country today are not being treated by the
Armenian population adequately as `Armenia is not a multiethnic
country.’ Nevertheless, it should be noted that the opinions of the
participants of the discussion coincided concerning the most
preferable social model for Armenia. Both give preference to the
European model. /Panorama.am/

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, March 24, 2006

Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

THOUSANDS PROTEST AGAINST TURKEY’S DEFENSE MINISTER VECDI GÖNÜL

— Armenian Youth Federation Rallies Community Against Genocide Denial

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) led a
demonstration of over 2,000 Armenian Americans today outside the
Beverly Hills Hotel during a speech given by Turkish Defense Minister
Vecdi Gönül, a key figure in the Turkish state’s campaign to
deny the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

The crowd of protesters marched peacefully and chanted in front of the
Beverly Hills Hotel, where the Defense Minister spoke at a luncheon
hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council about `The Evolving
Security Environment and Turkey’s Strategic Role in Eurasia.’ Among
the thousands of participants in today’s protest were Congressman Brad
Sherman (CA-27) and Burbank Board of Education President Paul
Krekorian.

Before inviting Congressman Sherman to speak, ANCA-WR Board of
Directors member Raffi Hamparian underscored the failure of the US
State Department to live up to American values. `At the same time that
the US government is condemning Belarus for suppressing freedom of
expression, the US State Department is preparing to fire our
Ambassador to Armenia for simply telling the truth about the Armenian
Genocide,’ said Hamparian. `Congressman Brad Sherman is not only a
friend of the Armenian American community, he is an ally and a
champion of justice and human rights,’ said Hamparian in welcoming
Congressman Sherman.

`It is not only those with Armenian heritage who demand that the truth
be recognized. Friends of Turkey should demonstrate that Turkey accept
the Armenian Genocide,’ said Congressman Sherman in his remarks to the
crowd. `Where will Turkey be among the family of nations if it does
not recognize the truth? I will work in Congress every day until the
historical truth of the Armenian Genocide is recognized,’ he
concluded.

Congressman Sherman also commented on Turkey’s failure to provide
access to US military bases in Turkey and necessary passage over its
land and air space during the invasion of Iraq three years ago. `The
casualties stemming from today’s conflict in Iraq are, to some extent,
a direct result of Turkey’s refusal to allow the US-led coalition to
open a northern front,’ said Congressman Sherman.

In his remarks at the luncheon, the Defense Minister addressed the
issue of Turkey’s actions during the run-up to the Iraq War. He
directly contradicted the position of his American counterpart,
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who has repeatedly said on
national television that Turkey’s refusal to allow US-led coalition
forces to open a northern front has significantly contributed to the
strength of the Iraqi insurgency. `Turkey has supported the US led war
on Iraq from the beginning,’ said the Defense Minister. He added that
`Turkey promotes good neighborly relations.’ This assertion also
stands in sharp contrast to the actions of the Turkish government,
which, on one hand, blockades and seeks to isolate Armenia, and on the
other, denies the Armenian Genocide and continues to harvest the
economic, demographic, and geopolitical fruits of the genocidal crime
it committed against the Armenian nation nine decades ago.

`Defense Minister Gönül’s remarks are consistent with his
government’s campaign to portray a rosy image of itself – despite the
facts on the ground. Increasingly, however, the American public is
seeing through these transparent efforts, and looking instead to
Turkey’s actual conduct – such as its blockade of Armenia, abysmal
human rights record, attempts to revise history, and, more broadly,
its increasingly antagonistic relationship with the United States,’
said Hamparian after listening to the Defense Minister’s speech.

Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül’s visit to Southern California,
home to the largest Armenian population in the US, came exactly one
month prior to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April
24th. California, which is one of 38 states to have recognized the
Armenian Genocide, last year adopted legislation permanently
designating the week of April 24 as California’s week of remembrance
of the Armenian Genocide. The effort to enact legislation on the
Armenian Genocide was led by state legislators such as Senators Chuck
Poochigian (R-Fresno) and Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco), and signed
into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2005. California has also
adopted an education curriculum that includes teaching of the history
of the Armenian Genocide, and the Los Angeles Unified School District
is among many public school systems in the state that continue to
train its teachers on implementing a curriculum that teaches about
this crime against humanity.

The Defense Minister’s visit also came at an especially sensitive time
in US-Turkey relations. In recent weeks, `Valley of the Wolves,’ the
most expensive film ever made in Turkey, prompted the US military to
issue warnings to our troops stationed in Turkey due to the film’s
severely anti-American and anti-Semitic nature. The film continues to
remain a box office hit in theatres across Turkey and has been
publicly praised by many Turkish leaders, including Prime Minster
Erdogan. The popularity of `Valley of the Wolves’ is not the only
recent demonstration of anti-Semitic and anti-American sentiment in
Turkey. Last year, Adolf Hilter’s `Mein Kampf’ was a best-seller in
the country.

The Defense Minister’s speech was repeatedly interrupted by chants
coming from protesters demonstrating along Sunset Boulevard. Armenian
Americans attending the luncheon, including Glendale Unified School
District Board Member Greg Krikorian, called on the Defense Minister
to acknowledge Turkey’s past.

However, Defense Minister Gönül said that `these are Armenian
claims, and there is nothing to acknowledge.’ AYF Chairman Tro
Tchekidjian stated at the conclusion of the protest that `We will
never forget what happened in 1915, and we will persist in calling for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide until Turkey comes to terms with
its past.’

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

Glendale News Press, CA
March 24 2006

Krekorian moves ahead in funding

Burbank School Board President Paul Krekorian announced his campaign
for California State Assembly has successfully raised $408,900.

The number puts Krekorian ahead of his challenger, Glendale City
Council Member Frank Quintero, in fundraising for the 43rd Assembly
District race, which includes Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood and
Los Feliz. The seat will be left open after Assemblyman Dario Frommer
terms out of the position.

Krekorian has $321,631 available from the Committee to Elect Paul
Krekorian, and an additional $82,500 from the group Education Leaders
Support Burbank School Board President Paul Krekorian, which is
sponsored by EdVoice Inc., a nonprofit group that advocates for
public education in the California Legislature.

Quintero, who on Saturday was endorsed by Frommer, has reported a
total of $321,982 on hand.

Krekorian claims to have received donations from 676 contributors, at
an average donation of $456.

Krekorian also received the endorsement of the Burbank Police
Officer’s Assn. last week. The endorsement was made in light of
Krekorian’s dedication to public safety and understanding of the
challenges police officers face, explained Mike Parrinello, president
of the association.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaillian is Back on American Gangster

Variety
March 24, 2006

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have rehired Steve
Zaillian, this time to rewrite American Gangster.

The studio has also committed to a late July start date for the film to
be directed by Ridley Scott and star Denzel Washington and Russell
Crowe. Brian Grazer is producing.

Zaillian had written the original script about a Harlem drug kingpin
(Washington) who smuggled heroin in the body bags of U.S. soldiers slain
in Vietnam.

After the film halted last year, Universal conscripted Terry George to
write a downsized version of the story, but Grazer and Imagine exec Jim
Whitaker couldn’t let go of Zaillian’s vision of the crime story.

The film will shoot mostly in New York, with a brief stopover in Thailand.

hp?id=13777

A1+

WILL USA RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE OF NKR?

04:44 pm 24 March, 2006

`There are three sides which affect the regulation of the Karabakh
conflict – USA, Russia and EU. The quick settlement of ethnic
conflicts in Southern Caucasus is not very profitable for USA as
because of them USA remains in the region, and thus Washington reaches
its different aims’, politician Igor Mouradyan said during the
conference `Models of Stability of Black Sea – Caucasian Region’ in
Sochi.

According to him, USA has adopted a policy of recognizing the
independence of NKR. Contrary to that, EU is against the creation of
new Republics in Southern Caucasus, and Russia `has no other option as
to protect the European point of view’.

According to Regnum, Azeri delegates were also invited to Sochi but on
learning that representatives of NKR will participate in the
conference, they refused to come.

CHAIRMAN OF UNION OF PAINTERS RULES OUT CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER
BUILDING ON UNION EXHIBITION HALLS

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The two large exhibition halls of the
Union of Painters will be reconstructed by a new design, and no
building will be constructed on these halls, since it may endanger the
existence of this cultural center in the future. Chairman of the union
Karen Aghamian stated this at the March 23 press conference. In his
words, the studies on the building’s condition have revealed that it
is not seismic resistant, so construction of a multistoried building
on it is ruled out. Moreover, it is dangerous to use the first floor
of the exhibition in its current condition – the main pillars contain
no concrete, and only the reinforcement remains. K. Aghamian
underlined that the union’s building, which was constructed in the
1940s and has not been repaired since that time, is need of major
repairs. “Of course, it would be more logical if this work would be
done by the Lincy Foundation, but repairs of the city street curbs was
considered more important,” the union chairman noted. In such
conditions the union had to find a sponsor to assist with repairs of
the exhibition halls. Last year the Rengema construction organization
assumed the implementation of this work on mutually beneficial
terms. K. Aghamian noted that after repairs the Union of Painters
will have an area of 1,000 square meters instead of the two exhibition
halls covering an area of 720 square meters. The first exhibition hall
4.80 meters high will have all the necessary lighting and technical
facilities in line with international standards, while the second hall
3,60 meters high is envisaged for graphic works. According to him,
the construction organization will be given the 3 floors being
constructed above the exhibition halls to use this area as
offices. The height of these three floors and two halls will not
exceed the former height of the building: by the new design, the
foundation was dug several meters deeper, so the former height of the
exhibition halls was reduced – to make them more comfortable. Karen
Aghamian assured that all contracts have been signed with the Rengema
construction organization, with the Union of Painters being considered
the building’s owner. According to him, neither he nor the union
board members would agree to other versions of the building’s repairs,
if they had even slightest doubts.

A1+

THE REPORT DOES NOT REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

07:25 pm 24 March, 2006

`The report of the international crisis group which was made public on
March20 of the current year is a serious analytical work and contains
credentials to the CE to be actively involved in the procedures in
Southern Caucasus’, the head of the political administration of the
Foreign Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Irina Beglaryan
announced commenting on the report of the International Crisis Group
titled `Settlement of Conflicts in Southern Caucasus: The Role of the
EU’.

`We agree with the international community not to allow wars in the
European neighborhood. In this context we greet any consistent steps
which will be directed towards the establishment of peace and
stability in Southern Caucasus, and in particular the peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict which aroused as a result of the
armed aggression of the Republic of Azerbaijan against the Republic of
Karabakh.

Nevertheless, we think that the mechanisms of reaching the aims
represented in the report of the ICG are not realistic as they do not
reflect the real essence of the Karabakh conflict and is based on
substitution of key concepts. Enhancing of democracy and respect of
human rights are the preconditions for the peaceful settlement of the
conflict, and we hope that in the policy adopted in Southern Caucasus
EU will be guided by the principles universal for Europe.

The positive side of the report is that the necessity of involving the
non-recognized countries of Southern Caucasus into the process of
integration into the EU is mentioned. The document also offers to make
the EU special envoy to Southern Caucasus participant of the
negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minks group.

And still, we express our bewilderment at the attempts of the authors
of the report of accusation of the privatization of the Minsk group
peaceful procedure. The activity of the Minsk group is not the whim
of separate diplomats and countries: it is work under the OSCE
mandate.

During 14 years the Minsk group has managed to process experience of
peace-keeping activity. And I would like to underline that neither the
present format nor the possible participation of the European
mediators can compensate the absence of the immediate participant of
the conflict – Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiations’, the announcement
says.

Panorama.am

17:53 24/03/06

NOT THE RESULT BUT THE CONTENT IS IMPORTANT

On the basis of the application of Human Rights’ Defender the lawsuit
in the Constitutional Court gave place to different comments and talks
which have found their place in the press. In concern with this the
head of `Iravunk ev miabanutyun’ (Law and Unity) Parouyr Hayrikyan
gave his comments to Panorama.am correspondent today: `I am not in the
habit of seeking for intrigues.

Those intrigues are temporary and have ulterior motives. Usually they
pass very soon. I know that due to Constitutional referendum we have
an Institution of Human Rights’ Defender as well an additional
opportunity to involve the Constitutional Court in a case by means of
the Defender. This fact gladdens me and I’m not interested in anything
else. `And what outcome will the lawsuit in the Constitutional Court
have P. Hayrikyan had difficulty to say: `I cannot make any
predictions but the trial itself is already a great achievement and
progress in our life.’/Panorama.am/