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01/24/2005
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1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide
2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus
3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement
4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia
1) ARF Celebrates over a Century of Service to Armenians Worldwide
GLENDALE–The Southern California Armenian community, along with the faithful
from as far away as Fresno, gathered in Glendale, California on January 22 to
celebrate the anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF),
founded in 1890.
Glendale High School’s auditorium was packed with about 2,000 supporters who
came to mark the venerable organization’s unwavering commitment and dedication
to the Armenian people for more than a hundred years, through thick and thin.
The Homenetmen regional band, along with the scouts of its Ararat chapter,
opened the program with the flag ceremony, followed by the performances of the
American national anthem by Nanor Hindoyan, and the Armenian and ARF
anthems by
Nersik Ispiryan.
Honored guests included Western Region Prelate Archbishop Mousegh
Mardirossian
and Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and former Primate Vatche Hovsepian,
representatives of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical churches, Armenia’s
Consul General in the US Gagik Kirakossian, ARF Bureau representative Hrant
Margarian, Bureau member Dr. Vicken Hovsepian, as well as representatives of
the ADL (Ramgavar party), AGBU, ARS, Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, and other
representatives of various organizations and the media.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Vasken Madenlian conveyed
welcoming remarks and served as the evening’s emcee.
Subsequent speakers included Melanie Vartabedian of the Armenian Youth
Federation, Anahit Stepanian of the ARF Central Committee, as well as keynote
speaker ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian.
Margarian began, noting that for decades on, when commemorating the
anniversary of the ARF, these events serve as an opportunity to be accountable
to the public.
Addressing current fundamental changes and unfolding of strategic situations
throughout the world, Margarian stressed that numerous important political and
international advancements were registered during the past year.
“In the case of Armenia, these advancements have come in the social,
domestic-political, economic sectors, and in foreign policy; there has also
been progress in Armenia-diaspora relations, in the advancement of the
Armenian
case, pan-Armenian, as well in the development of pan-diasporan community
relations.”
As far as ARF’s role and activity in carrying out vital social and economic
reforms in Armenia, Margarian noted that the ARF’s role as a government
coalition partner is not a self-serving one, and stressed that its
participation does not imply that the Tashnagtsutiun is fully content with the
government’s activities. “Rather, as a coalition partner, the Tashnagtsutiun
strives to guarantee that the government works toward maintaining and
continuing reform programs. It serves to ensure that the government’s fight
against corruption and bribery are more forceful, and that it more effectively
pursues the shaping of civil and public sectors, the implementation of
democratic ideals, and preservation of national harmony.”
In order to effectively tackle the country’s widespread corruption, the ARF,
revealed Margarian, urged the Armenian government to join Council of Europe’s
Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). As a result, Armenia became the
37th member, agreeing to adopt a strategic plan of action to stamp out
corruption, and indicating its clear-cut political will to integrate European
standards into society. Armenia’s membership, he stressed, also presumes
legislative commitments, and a multidisciplinary approach to fighting
corruption that includes cross-border cooperation between states and
international institutions.
In summary, Margarian stated that for the ARF, priority lies in pursuit of
issues tied to Armenia’s security. “The ARF cannot win when the people of
Armenia and our nation are under threat. During these times, the ARF, when
considering its political goals, simply cannot assume the role of a
spectator.”
He said that the ARF will continue to fight–at all cost and available means,
to establish democracy in Armenia and in eliminating poverty and corruption.
Margarian also spoke of recent upheavals in the South Caucuses, as well as
the
effects of foreign intervention and policy on the region, specifically
Armenia.
He said that the opposition in Armenia, inspired by developments in Georgia,
attempted to seize power, creating instability, and threatening not only the
situation in Mountainous Karabagh Republic, but also developments and
advancements in Armenia.
Margarian stressed that the ARF immediately called for negotiations between
the government and the opposition to maintain internal stability. Although the
opposition rejected all offers, the efforts and propositions of the ARF
nevertheless helped in quelling internal crisis. And as a result of that
policy, the party today enjoys a certain political authority, leverage, and
respect by the authorities, opposition organizations, political forces, as
well
as international and diplomatic representatives operating in Armenia, he said.
On Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), Margarian emphasized that the
commitment of the diaspora to the issue, and the involvement of all Armenians
are guarantees that our victories there will be preserved and strengthened.
He affirmed ARF’s commitment to its fundamental views in establishing a
resolution to the conflict–according to which, and also legally–MKR must
be a
part of the Republic of Armenia.
On the issue of Javakhk, a majority Armenian populated region of Georgia,
Margarian said that Georgia is obliged to practically display its
commitment to
lifting not only its biased policy in the region, but one that has neglected
the economic and basic social needs of the population.
Margarian noted the importance of commemorating the 90th anniversary of the
genocide of Armenians by Turkey, saying, “Armenians must once again convey
their condemnation of that act against humanity–stressing to the world that
there will never be forgiveness without repentance and just compensation. Only
then can there be normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, and only then
can progress be registered.”
2) Rep. Linda Sanchez Latest Addition to Congressional Armenian Caucus
–Two term Congresswoman has been active on Genocide Recognition and
US-Armenia
Economic Relations Issues
GLENDALE–Southern California Democrat Linda Sanchez (39th Dist.) is the most
recent in a line of Representatives who have become members of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus. She joins Representatives Ben Chandler (R-KY),
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Joe Schwarz (R-MI), all of whom
have added their names to the Caucus over the past three weeks.
Since her election to Congress in 2002, Rep. Sanchez has consistently been
active on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. In the 108th
Congress, she was a cosponsor of a measure, which granted permanent normal
trade relations status (PNTR) to Armenia. She has also been vocal in urging
President Bush to properly commemorate the Armenian genocide, joining over 160
of her colleagues in cosigning letters to the President regarding the topic in
April 2003 and 2004.
`We appreciate Rep. Linda Sanchez’s leadership and advocacy on issues of
concern to her Armenian American constituency,’ commented ANCA Western Region
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. `It is through exemplary leadership
like hers that we will see the membership of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian issues continue to grow.’
An attorney by profession prior to her election to office, Rep. Sanchez
currently serves on the House Government Reforms, Small Business and Judiciary
Committees. She convincingly defeated Republican Tim Escobar in the 2004
Congressional elections, garnering 61% of the vote.
Established in 1995 and co-chaired by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Congressional Armenian Caucus is a bipartisan
forum
for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the
United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds
between the American and Armenian peoples.
3) US Ambassador Evans Comments on Jones’s Statement
YEREVAN (Arminfo)–In an interview broadcast by TV Company Armenia, US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated, `I know what criminal elements US
Assistant Secretary of the State Elizabeth Jones was referring to and do not
think the matter concerned Nagorno-Karabakh.’
According to the ambassador, the US’s position on Karabagh, which calls for a
peaceful settlement to the conflict, remains unchanged. `I have known her for
almost 30 years as a professional diplomat and when I first read about her
statement, I thought immediately: something is wrong here,’ commented Evans.
Jones’s intent, according to Evans, is to create closer cooperation between
the US and Russia in resolving the conflicts in Abkhazia, Transdnesitria, and
Mountainous Karabagh. `I know the geography [of the region] and I don’t think
that the matter concerned Nagorno Karabakhwe know what districts and elements
she meant,’ the American diplomat said.
Evans also added that the US has for several years now allocated support to
Mountainous Karabagh, and those who misinterpret Jones’s statement are
attempting to damage US-Armenia relations.
4) Council of Europe Defames Armenia
STRASBOURG–The European Armenian Federation announced over the weekend that
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is on the verge of
adopting two resolutions, one questioning the independent status of the
Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), and the other excluding the Armenian
genocide day of remembrance from the European calendar. PACE members will
determine the fate of both resolutions on Tuesday.
Prepared by David Atkinson (Democrat) from the United Kingdom, the resolution
dealing with MKR notes that `considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan
are still occupied by Armenian forces’ and that `separatist forces are
still in
control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.’ Full of incendiary language, the
resolution also describes MKR as a mono-ethnic area `which [evokes] the
terrible concept of ethnic cleansing.’
`The Atkinson report is the report of Azerbaijan. This country believes that
shifting the institutional framework will turn its crimes into virtues.
Attempts of ethnic cleansing actually occurred but, contrary to Mr. Atkinson
insinuations, it was the policy led by Baku,’ declared Laurent Leylekian,
executive director of the European Armenian Federation.
`Without the fight for self-determination led by the people of Karabagh,
theses historically Armenian territories would no longer house Armenians,
as is
the case today in the region of Nakhitchevan or throughout the areas of
Eastern
Turkey,’ Leylekian added.
On Tuesday, parliamentarians will also vote on a resolution drafted by
Sweden’s Mats Einarsson (United Left), which calls for the `establishment of a
European remembrance center for victims of forced population movements and
ethnic cleansing.’ In its current form, the resolution cites several examples
of genocides perpetrated during the twentieth century, including the Holocaust
organized by the Nazis, the forced migrations directed by Stalin, and the
genocide of the Ukrainians. It, however, deliberately omits mention of the
Armenian genocide.
`How can we grant credibility to an institution which supports such a biased
lecture of history?’ questioned Leylekian. `By taking cues from Turkey, the
Council of Europe is making itself party to a second symbolic murder of the
Armenians of Anatolia and Western Armenia. Such a move, taken by an
institution
which claims to serve as the guardian of human rights in Europe, is simply
pathetic.’
The European Armenian Federation has called upon European citizens and
organizations to intervene in the matter, by urging their PACE representatives
to vote against the two resolutions. A complete list of PACE parliamentarians
is available online at
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