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11/22/2004
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1) Unprecedented Conference of ARF, Affiliated Organizations Ends in Beirut
2) Armenian, Azeri FMs Meet in Berlin
3) Armenian Question at Heart of EU Debates on Turkey
4) PACE Committee Spells Out Steps to Peaceful Settlement of Mountainous
Karabagh Conflict

1) Unprecedented Conference of ARF, Affiliated Organizations Ends in Beirut

ANTELIAS (Combined Sources)–Delegates from five continents congregated in
Antelias, Lebanon on November 18 to participate in a three-day conference of
Armenian Revolutionary Federation-affiliated organizations. Organized by the
ARF Bureau, the conference featured representatives of the Hamazkayin cultural
organization, Homenetmen athletic and scouting organization, and the Armenian
Relief Society.
Hagop Der Khatchadourian of the ARF Bureau, Maro Minassian of the ARS Central
Executive, Karnig Megerdichian of the Homenetmen Central Executive, and
Megerdich Megerdichian of the Hamazkayin Central Executive opened the session
with individual remarks, which were followed by a speech delivered by ARF
Bureau representative Hrant Markarian, who stated, “to tap into our country’s
full potential, we must work as a united entity.”

Working Sessions

The unprecedented conference officially opened on November 19 at the
Homenetmen Aghpalian complex in Antelias. The first session, chaired by ARF
Bureau member Hagop Der Khatchadourian, introduced the mission of the ARS,
Hamazkayin, and Homenetmen, and their activities in various regions.

ARS

ARS Central Executive chair Maro Minassian presented the noble history of the
organization, established in 1910 to assist the Armenian people. She gave a
snapshot of activities, revealing the profile of its members, which range from
the age of 18 to the 90. She detailed ARS’s activities that include assistance
to educational establishments, active social service centers, a kindergarten
program in Mountainous Karabagh, as well as its activities within the UN. She
underlined the necessity of successful implementation of programs, and the
need
to provide social services to Armenians of Javakhk.
Minassian revealed that current priorities include assistance to Armenians in
Iraq, a publication detailing the history of the ARS as it approached its
100th
anniversary, and cultivating government-level ties in countries where it
operates.

Homenetmen

On behalf of its Central Executive, Karnig Megerdichian detailed Homenetmen’s
mission and scope of activities, stressing the importance to establish
chapters
where there the need exists–specifically in Artsakh and Javakhk. Present
difficulties, revealed Megerdichian, include a lack in funding, uniformity of
athletic activities, and the youth’s participation in decision making bodies.

Hamazkayin

Central Executive member Keghani Etyemezian, spoke of Hamazkayin’s efforts to
rework its mission and the organization’s new approach to operating by its
already reformed by laws.
She outlined the three-year activity of the past executive, detailing the
progress of its printing and publishing houses, literary periodical Pakine,
schools and centers of learning, and the organization’s dynamic Summer Forum
that began in 1995, and has since provided an exciting environment for young
students to learn a great deal about Armenian culture and heritage.

The second session convened with chairman Haroutioun Kurkjian, introducing
lecturer Levon Mkrtchian, ARF faction leader in Armenia’s National Assembly
and
ARF Armenia Supreme Body member. Speaking of more effective Armenia-diaspora
relations, Mkrtchian stressed that efforts must be organized for more valuable
and productive results. This, he said, requires appreciation for input both
from Armenia and the diaspora. He explained that not only must the general
Armenia-diaspora relationship be strengthened, but that specific communities
must also establish vital links with Armenia and its government.
Chaired by Megerdich Megerdichian, the second and final session on Saturday
included Khatchig Der Ghougassian, who addressed the general and theoretical
concept of “nation,” and asked, “how is it possible to be Armenian in an
international setting?”
Focusing on the re-establishment of the concept of “diaspora,” Der
Ghougassian
explained that redefining the diaspora of the global 21st century, requires a
mission from the past, along with a generation whose existence born outside of
Armenia, grasps the concept of pan humanitarianism; this understanding
therefore not only helps to preserve, but also develop our existence and
individuality.
Other sessions included Seta Khedeshian speaking about utilization of modern
means to revamp organizational structure and to face current challenges. She
specifically stressed the need to develop relations with international, as
well
as non-government organizations.
The topic of assistance programs to Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk was
presented by Pakrad Sarkisian.
Albert Ajemian spoke about youth centers in Armenia, and the urgency for the
ARF to create the ideal means to attract and guide youth–not only as a means
to gain manpower–but more importantly, to become the ideological and
political
force of the future.
Noura Navoyan described the history and present situation of Armenian
communities in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
She spoke of population, schools, churches, and quality of Armenian life,
revealing that in the CIS countries alone, there are as many as 2.8 million
Armenians.
Dikran Jinbashian spoke of the birth of ARF, and the three
organizations–ARS,
Hamazkayin, and Homenetmen–that eventually became a part of each community to
assist generations of Armenians in shaping their identities and national
belonging.
The last and final topic presented by Hagop Havatian, addressed public
relations and the accountability of organizations.
At the conclusion of the conference, participants passed a declaration
presented by the resolutions committee.
ARF Bureau representative Markarian closed the conference saying that it
served to conduct a general review and clarification of issues, and can be
considered the cornerstone to tackling issues.

2) Armenian, Azeri FMs Meet in Berlin

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–On Friday, November 19, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and his counterpart, Azerbaijan’s Elmar Mamedyarov, met in the German capital
city of Berlin to continue talks initiated at a meeting in Prague several
months ago. Also present at the meeting were the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.
According to media reports, the meeting between the two ministers lasted
fifteen minutes. Although no details about the meeting’s results were
released,
a press release issued by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry stated that “the sides
exchanged views on the issues that topped the agenda of the Prague talks.”
Following the talks, Mamedyarov left Berlin for New York to attend a
November
23 UN session titled “On the Situation on Azerbaijan’s Occupied Territories.”
Oskanian, who joined President Kocharian in Berlin, told the Berlin press
that
the two sides made “a number of successful and objective decisions” to
continue
the dialogue “based on existing realities.” “Specific issues were spoken about
and discussed during the talks,” Oskanian noted. “We decided that we can
continue the Prague process again,” he added.
The Friday meeting was initially scheduled for October 25, but was postponed
after the Armenian side requested more time to analyze the results of the four
previous meetings, all of which were held in Prague.

3) Armenian Question at Heart of EU Debates on Turkey

Second 2004 European Parliament report on Turkey evokes discussion on Armenian
issues; Socialist Party position misrepresented by several party members

STRASBOURG–On November 15, the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the
European Parliament examined the second 2004 parliamentarian report on
Turkey´s
progress towards accession presented by the young Dutch representative Camiel
Eurlings.
Before commencing debate, parliamentarians had a chance to review the 483
amendments listed on the brief seven-page report, which notes that Turkey’s
accession remains a sensitive issue. The report was criticized by some for its
failure to express a clear position on the possibility of starting accession
talks with Turkey.
Regarding Armenian issues, the draft of the report states that the Turkish
authorities “have missed an opportunity to promote good neighborly relations
with Armenia” as a result of their refusal to open the Armenian-Turkish
border,
and moves on to note that the European Parliament “calls on the Governments of
Turkey and Armenia to start a process of reconciliation in order to overcome
the tragic experience of the past and requests that the Turkish government
reopen its borders with Armenia as soon as possible.”
The amendments to the report as well as the debates focused largely on
Armenian issues, including recognition of the Armenian genocide, the blockade
of Armenia, as well as article 305 of the Turkish Penal Code that penalizes
the
affirmation of the genocide or dissident opinions on the Cyprus issue.
Amendments explicitly dealing with genocide recognition and the border issue
were submitted by parliamentarians representing the Communist, Socialist,
Christian-Democrat (EPP), Liberal and Sovereignist groupsisolating the Greens
of Europe as the only major group that unconditionally supports Turkey’s EU
bid.
Going against official party positions, several parliamentarians offered
amendments that favor Turkey’s position on a variety of Armenian issues.
French
Socialist MP Michel Rocard led the charge with an amendment that praised “the
remarkable work carried out by Turkish historians on the genocide.”
“In talks with Mr. Rocard and his associates, we have pointed out that in
addition to being blatant lies, their affirmations actively invite the denial
of acts of genocide in Europe,” declared Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the
European Armenian Federation.
A vote on the Eurlings report will be held in the Foreign Affairs
Committee on
November 22, 2005.

4) PACE Committee Spells Out Steps to Peaceful Settlement of Mountainous
Karabagh Conflict

STRASBOURG–A Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) report made
public on Monday spells out a series of steps Armenia and Azerbaijan could
take
to fulfill their commitment to peacefully settle the Mountainous Karabagh
conflict.
In a draft resolution adopted at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday, PACE’s
Political Affairs Committee expressed concern at the creation of “mono-ethnic
areas which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic cleansing,” and reaffirmed
the right of displaced persons from the area of conflict to return to their
homes safely and in a dignified manner.
The committee called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to submit constructive
proposals for the peaceful settlement of the conflict via the OSCE Minsk
Group,
which should conduct speedy negotiations. If these fail, the parties should
consider using the UN’s International Court of Justice, the parliamentarians
said.
Meanwhile, the Council of Europe should offer the conflicting states experts
to help determine Mountainous Karabagh’s political status. Both countries
pledged to use only peaceful means to settle the conflict when they joined the
organization in January 2001.
The committee also condemned the expression of hatred propagated through
media, and called for a Council of Europe action plan for mutual
reconciliation
involving the media, schools, and universities, as well as contacts between
locally elected representatives.
It is proposed that the report be debated by the Assembly at its next plenary
session in Strasbourg to be held on January 24-28, 2005.

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