ARKA News Agency
April 25 2005
US President fails to honor his pledge
Armenian Ambassador to Bulgaria presents his credentials to Bulgarian
President
RA Minister of Culture receives famous Spanish writer Gonzalo Guarcha
EBRD’S annual meeting to be held in Belgrade on May 22-23
Issues of expanding Armenian-Canadian relations discussed by RA
President and representatives of House of Commons of the Canadian
Parliament
A number of Turkish organizations of Europe express their support to
Armenian people in relation to Armenian Genocide recognition
Dozens of thousands of Armenians march along Teheran’s central
streets on Armenian Genocide day
Mass held in St. Nazareth Armenian church in Kalkutta to commemorate
victims of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman empire
Denial of the fact of the Genocide of Armenians by Turkey is a
challenge to all legal and moral norms
A photo exhibition on the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
held in Stepanakert
A wedding fair to be held in Armenia on May 7-8
George w. Bush: the U.S. seeks a deeper partnership with Armenia that
includes security cooperation
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US PRESIDENT FAILS TO HONOR HIS PLEDGE
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA-YERKIR/. Ignoring calls from a record two
hundred and ten U.S. legislators, President Bush failed, once again,
to honor his pledge to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as
a “genocide” in his annual April 24th remarks, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA). In a statement issued today, on
April 24th, the annual day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide,
the President again resorted to the use of evasive and euphemistic
terminology to obscure the reality of Turkey’s genocide against the
Armenian people between 1915-1923. In retreating from his promise,
the President ignored the counsel of the one hundred and
seventy-eight Representatives and thirty-two Senators who had written
letters urging him to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide.
“While we appreciate the President’s willingness to join with
Armenians around the world by issuing a statement on this occasion,
we remain deeply troubled by his continued use of evasive and
euphemistic terminology to obscure the moral, historical, and legal
meaning of Turkey’s genocide against the Armenian people,” said Aram
Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “This statement, sadly,
once again, represents a form of complicity in the Turkish
government’s shameful campaign to deny a crime against humanity.”
The ANCA has also expressed concern that the Administration’s refusal
to recognize the Armenian Genocide reflects a broader unwillingness
to confront genocide – as evidenced by the White House’s failure to
take decisive steps to bring an end to the genocide in the Darfur
region of Sudan. The ANCA is working with a broad coalition of
organizations to pressure the Administration to respond in a timely
and meaningful way to the worsening crisis in Darfur. “If we are to
end the cycle of genocide, we must, as a nation, generate the resolve
to forcefully intervene to stop genocide when it takes place, to
unequivocally reject its denial, to hold the guilty accountable, and
to secure for the victims the justice they deserve,” added Hamparian.
In February of 2000, then presidential candidate George W. Bush,
campaigning for votes among Armenian voters in the Michigan
Republican primary, pledged to properly characterize the genocidal
campaign against the Armenian people. In his statements as President,
he has consistently avoided any clear reference to the Armenian
Genocide, and his Administration has consistently opposed legislation
marking this crime against humanity.P.T.–0–
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ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO BULGARIA PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS TO BULGARIAN
PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. The RA Ambassador to Bulgaria presented
his credentials to Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov. The press
service of the RA Foreign Office reports that during their meetings
the sides discussed issues of mutual interest, as well as Armenia’s
European integration. The Armenian Ambassador expressed his readiness
to contribute to the development of bilateral relations and
cooperation. P.T. -0–
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RA MINISTER OF CULTURE RECEIVES FAMOUS SPANISH WRITER GONZALO GUARCHA
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. The RA Minister of Culture and Youth
affairs Hovik Hoveyan received today the famous Spanish writer
Gonzalo Guarcha and Martin Moller Marques, deputy of the Spanish
Senate. As the Press Service of the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth
Affairs told ARKA News Agency, Hoveyan called Guarcha’s `Armenian
Family Tree’ a peculiar mirror, in which everyone can see a period of
our past, cut branches of our families’ history. According to the
Minister, the work of the Spanish writer is thrice valuable, as it
denounces the genocide, as a crime against not only Armenians, but
against the whole humankind.
In his turn, the senator Martin Moller Marques noted that he was
shocked by the crime against the Armenians in the beginning of the XX
century and is deeply impressed by the great will of the Armenians to
live and create. `Getting acquainted with the art and culture of the
Armenian nation, we will try to render any possible assistance and
become the translators of your line and your culture’, said the
Spanish Senator. L.V. – 0–
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EBRD’S ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN BELGRADE ON MAY 22-23
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. The European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) is to hold a 2005 annual meeting in Belgrade, on
May 22-23. The EBRD London-based press service reports that prime
ministers from southeastern Europe, finance ministers and
international business leaders, heads of international institutes and
government and nongovernmental organizations are to attend the
meeting themed Building Bridges, Promoting Prosperity. Giuliano
Amato, former Prime Minister of Italy, and Chairman of the
International Commission on the Balkans ()
is to deliver a speech at the meeting. `The event is an opportunity
for debate and discussion about the investment climate of the Bank’s
region,’ says the EBRD’s press release. The EBRD Business Forum,
which runs in parallel with the annual gathering of the EBRD’s
governors, will begin with a discussion of south-east Europe and how
these countries can be seen as one economic space with more of the
unified physical, legislative and political infrastructure that
investors are seeking.
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ISSUES OF EXPANDING ARMENIAN-CANADIAN RELATIONS DISCUSSED BY RA
PRESIDENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HOUSE OF COMMONS OF THE CANADIAN
PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian received
today the representatives of the House of Commons and Armenian
Diaspora of Canada. As the Press Service of RA President, the
participants of the meeting discussed issues of expanding
Armenian-Canadian relations. The sides mentioned that the opening of
the diplomatic representation of Canada in Armenia will allow
considerably intensifying economic cooperation between the two
countries. The participants also discussed issues of international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In this connection, the sides
noted the fact of adopting the resolution denouncing the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Empire by the Canadian Parliament in 2002 and
efforts of the Armenian lobbyists to impart legal force to the
resolution. L.V.–0
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A NUMBER OF TURKISH ORGANIZATIONS OF EUROPE EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT TO
ARMENIAN PEOPLE IN RELATION TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. A number of Turkish organizations of
Europe expressed their support to Armenian people in relation to
recognition of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. As Ozgur Jan, the
representative of Turkish Labor Confederation of Europe during the
conference in Yerevan, the deportation, followed by annihilation of
Armenians were carried out by the heads of `Union and Progress’ party
of Young Turks to achieve the final solution of Armenian cause.
According to him, Young Turks took advantage of freedom of action,
emerged as a result of WWI. According to him, the genocide became the
result of the policy, carried out by the Turkish power. At that, the
policy of violence still goes on in Turkey even today. In particular,
according to Ozgur Jan, 28 revolutionaries were killed in Turkish
jails in 2000, thousands of representatives of Armenian, Kurdish and
Turkish intellectuals had been missing during 1993-96, women’s
demonstration was broken up on March 8, 2005. In this connection, the
recognition of the fact of genocide on behalf of this kind of country
cannot be of vital importance. `Today’s Turkey may recognize the
Armenian Genocide under the pressure from the outside, however it
won’t cover its chauvinistic and fascist essence by doing that’, he
said and added that Turkey is not ready to join the EU so far. He
also said that Turkey is to recognize the fact of the Armenian
Genocide, because a country which does not accept its historical
realities cannot build the future. The representative of Turkish
Labor Confederation of Europe announced that their organization
intends to continue democratic fight against antidemocratic
manifestations in Turkey.
In his turn, the representative of International Cultural Exchange
Federation Yashar Arif said that they realize that not only the power
of Ottoman Empire should be blamed for Armenian Genocide, but also
the Turkish and Kurdish laborers. He apologized on behalf of common
Turks and Kurds for not having prevented this crime. According to
him, their organization demand not only recognition and denunciation
of the Armenian Genocide, but also issue of compensations and giving
the Armenian Diaspora the right to return back to their historical
homeland. L.V. – 0–
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DOZENS OF THOUSANDS OF ARMENIANS MARCH ALONG TEHERAN’S CENTRAL
STREETS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DAY
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Dozens of thousands of Armenians marched
along Iranian capital’s central streets this Sunday to commemorate
Armenian Genocide victims. According to Press Center of the State
Commission on organization of events dedicated to 90th anniversary of
Armenian Genocide, the march followed the liturgy held by the head of
Armenian Diocese in Teheran Archbishop Sepuh Sargsyan in Surv Sargis,
an Armenian church. The march’s participants expressed gratitude to
those countries having admitted the fact of the Genocide. On the same
day, other events dedicated to memory of Armenian Genocide were held
in Ararat concert-sport complex. Armenian Ambassador to Iran Karen
Nazaryan took part in the events. M.V. -0–
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MASS HELD IN ST. NAZARETH ARMENIAN CHURCH IN KALKUTTA TO COMMEMORATE
VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN EMPIRE
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Mass was held Sunday in St. Nazareth
Armenian church in Kalkutta, India, to commemorate victims of
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. According to Press Center of the
State Commission on organization of events dedicated to 90th
anniversary of Armenian Genocide, Armenian gymnasium students, the
church council members and guests come from New Deli took part in the
liturgy. Armenian Ambassador to India Ashot Kocharyan spoke upon the
liturgy completion. In his words, the international community’s
approach toward this complicated issue has become more serious. The
Ambassador also presented information about details of Ultimate
Crime, Ultimate Challenge international conference held Apr 20, 21 in
Yerevan.
Ashot Kocharyan met with the gymnasium students and answered their
questions. M.V. -0–
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DENIAL OF THE FACT OF THE GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS BY TURKEY IS A
CHALLENGE TO ALL LEGAL AND MORAL NORMS
STEPANAKERT, April 25. /ARKA/. In connection with the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, the Union of
Journalists of NKR applied to international journalists’
organizations. According to the appeal, NKR Journalists’ Union
condemns the genocide as ultimate crime against humanity and notes
that denial of the fact of genocide of Armenians by Turkey is a
challenge to all legal and moral norms. `No juridical and political
evaluation of the tragic events by the international community that
took place in Turkey in 1915-1923, became a precedent for pursuing a
step-wise policy of ethnic cleanings by the Azerbaijani authorities
that resulted eventually in massacre and deportation of Armenians
populated in that country at the end of the last century’, according
to the appeal.
The Union of Journalists of NKR appealed to all journalists’
organizations of the world for contributing to the international
recognition of the crimes committed in Turkey and Azerbaijan as facts
of genocide êàê ôàêòî ãåíîöèäà, considering it a pledge for not
repeating ethnic cleanings in the world, establishment of tolerant
relations between states and peoples. A.H. -0 –
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A PHOTO EXHIBITION ON THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
HELD IN STEPANAKERT
STEPANAKERT, April 25. /ARKA/. A demonstration hall devoted to the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey was
opened in the historic museum of regional studies of NKR capital,
Stepanakert. According to the ARKA’s reporter in Stepanakert, the
photos exhibited tell about crimes committed against Armenians in
Western Armenia in 1915, about the tragedy, bitter fates of people,
who survived the massacre by miracle. For the first time photos of
representatives of Armenian intellectuals, who became the victims of
the genocide, were exhibited in the museum. Also, a scientific
sitting was organized in the museum. The participants of the sitting
condemned the ultimate crime against Armenians at the beginning of
the last century in Ottoman Turkey.
NKR Vice-Prime Minister Ararat Danielyan and NKR Minister of
Education, Culture and Sport Ashot Gulyan were present at the
sitting. A.H. -0–
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A WEDDING FAIR TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA ON MAY 7-8
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. A wedding fair will be held in Armenia on
May 7-8. According to the information center of the hotel `Marriott
Armenia’, the exhibition will allow all those becoming engaged to
receive information about the organization of weddings, purchase of
necessary accessories.
The organizers of the fair is `Marriott Armenia’.
The first wedding fair was held in October 2004 in Armenia. The best
couple got a prize from the hotel: to spend a vacation in one of 2700
hotels of `Marriott’ hotel network in any place of the world. A.H.
–0–
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GEORGE W. BUSH: THE U.S. SEEKS A DEEPER PARTNERSHIP WITH ARMENIA THAT
INCLUDES SECURITY COOPERATION
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA-RIA Novosti/. George W. Bush called on the
Government of Armenia to advance democratic freedoms and said the
U.S. `seeks a deeper partnership with Armenia that includes security
cooperation and is rooted in the shared values of democratic and
market economic freedoms’ in his statement issued Sunday in
connection with 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide committed by
Ottoman Turks.
`I join my fellow Americans and Armenian people around the world in
expressing my deepest condolences for this horrible loss of life’,
the U.S. President said calling the genocide `loss of life’. `We also
look toward a promising future for an independent Armenian state’,
the President said in his statement.
Bush also expressed gratitude `for Armenia’s contributions to the war
on terror and to efforts to build a democratic and peaceful Iraq’.
`We remain committed to supporting the historic reforms Armenia has
pursued for over a decade. We remain committed to a lasting and
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’, he said. M.V.
-0–