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06/01/2005
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1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence
2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000
3) Armenia Savors Famous First
4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial

1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence

LOS ANGELES–Last Sunday, the Southern California Armenian community
celebrated
the May 28, 1918 independence of Armenia, at a gathering organized by the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Region.
Joining the public to honor the unbending spirit of Armenians which led to
that independence, were Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Haroutioun
Kojoian of
the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, Bishop Dajad Yardemian representing
Prelate Hovnan Derderian, representatives of the ARF Central Committee, and
affiliate organizations.
Held at Ferrahian School~Rs Avedissian Hall, the event opened with a video
presentation on events leading to and after Armenia~Rs first independence.
After delivering opening remarks, Myrna Douzjian of the La Crescenta
~SZartonk~T
AYF chapter invited Haroutioun Kojoian to convey Consul General Gagik
Kirakossian~Rs message. In his message, the Consul General wrote: ~SFor
Armenians, the Republic~Rs holiday is especially significant and precious
because it embodies hundreds of years of struggle, and ultimate victory. The
last century has taught us that in order to have an independent Republic, [a
people] must not only carry out a struggle that is political in nature, but
also economic and cultural.~T
Kojoian added that our national struggle remains a free, independent, and
united Armenia. ~SMay 28 is the exemplary model of national unity… some
criticize the ARF for that short-lived independence; they forget, however,
that
these were historically very difficult times–and that first independence
brought with it a flag, laws, as well as a coat of arms.~T
Conveying the Armenian Youth Federation~Rs message, Shant Baboujian assured
that the youth organization would preserve the Armenian language and culture.
~SI congratulate [our people] and guarantee that our future will be bright.~T
Delivering his remarks in English, Keynote speaker Aram Hamparian, the
executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, spoke about
the one unchanging fact in Armenia~Rs history. ~SEach generation has had to
sacrifice to survive,~T he said. Recalling milestone battles of the
past–including the Battle of Avarayr in 451, the war in Karabagh fifteen
years
ago, and the battle at Sardarabad 87 years ago–Hamparian affirmed, ~SWe all
look back with pride~Emore importantly, we look back with the awareness that
their struggle, their sacrifice was the difference between our survival and
our
destruction.~T
Quoting the great American writer William Faulkner, who once wrote, ~SThe past
is not dead, it~Rs not even in the past,~T Hamparian said, ~SHe may have well
been
Armenian, because his words speak to the heart of our struggle.~T Pointing to
the critical transition on the Genocide question, he articulated the necessity
for careful and clear thinking on the issue.
Hamparian also noted the importance of continuous effort–from Armenian
worldwide–to break the back of Turkey~Rs campaign of denial. ~SWe do not
seek an
apology, although we are owed one. We do not seek recognition, we already know
our history. We seek justice, not simply for the sake of justice. But justice
for the protection of Armenia and the survival of the Armenian nation,~T he
stressed. ~SArmenia cannot be safe bordered by Turkey, an unrepentant
perpetrator of genocide.~T
~SWe will do what we must to maintain Armenia~Rs viability,~T expressed
Hamparian. ~SOver the short-term by supporting the strengthening of Armenia and
Karabagh~Eand over the long-term by restoring to Armenia what is rightfully
ours.~T
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, principal of Rose and Alex
Pilibos Armenian School, speaking in Armenian, noted two approaches to
celebrating May 28 independence.
~SThe first is the traditional, which highlights the victories of the people
and heroic chapters in history. The second is a critical examination that
assumes the transfer of the spirit of May 28 to generations so as to
persevere.~T
Pointing to the unacceptable conviction of some who believe that the Genocide
was somehow brought about due to the disobedience of the Armenian people, Dr.
Yacoubian described this as giving birth to a ghetto mentality. He instead
characterized the 1918 independence as a ~Srejection of enslavement.~T ~SIt was
also the rejection, once and for all, of the orders of the slayer, of a
submissive march toward death~Rs clutches,~T Yacoubian said, stressing that 1918
independence liberated the free will of the Armenian people. ~SWe were
liberated
for a few short years from the ghettos; for a few years, we rejected
succumbing
to conditions void of all norms for self-respect… Yes, for a few years, it
was the spirit of the Armenian people that was liberated.~T
Explaining the significance of May 28, Yacoubian said, ~SThe message of that
independence resounds today, whether in Yerevan, Mountainous Karabagh, or
elsewhere. Only those who refuse to hand their fate to others–even to God~Rs
will–are worthy of liberation.~T
Liberation, he explained, comes from struggle for greater justice and from
rejection of a mentality that assumes the struggles of the small and the weak
are in vain in the face of greater forces. ~SPerhaps we are small, even
surrounded by great enemies. We, however, are neither powerless nor incapable
of defiance.~T
Several musicians joined in the celebrations, including Rouben Hakhverdian,
singers Alexander and Arax Garabedian, and Hovig Krikorian accompanied by
Mourad Jambazian. The Hamazkayin Valley chapter~Rs ~SNayiri~T dance group,
directed by Katherine Hairabedian, also performed.

2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000

LOS ANGELES–The Armenian community of Southern California concluded its
Armenian Independence Day celebrations with a picnic-festival held at Glendale
High School on May 30. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, the event
celebrated the significance of Armenia’s victories in establishing an
independent Armenia on May 28, 1918.
Featuring well-known singers and performers including Nersik Ispirian, Joseph
Krikorian, Paul Baghdadlian, Armenchik, Ara Shahbazian, Ararat, Vatche
Hagopian, Sako, and Antoine Bezjian–all accompanied by the Knar Band–the
mixed crowd of over 3,000 enjoyed cultural and patriotic songs.
“We are honored to provide our community a vibrant venue through which they
can celebrate our first independence,” said Garo Kiledjian, director of the
organizing committee. “While celebrating the victories of 1918, we must always
continue our work to overcome the many challenges our nation faces today,” he
said.
Community organizations including the Armenian Relief Society, Shant Student
Association, Homenetmen, and the ANCA, were on hand to distribute
organizational information to the crowd. The picnic concluded at 6pm with
“Aryunod Trosh,” performed by Nersig Ispirian.

3) Armenia Savors Famous First

(UEFA)–Armenia reached the finals of an international tournament for the
first
time in devastating fashion as four goals from Edgar Manucharyan earned a 5-1
success against Elite round Group 4 hosts and a place in the UEFA European
Under-19 Championship final round in Northern Ireland.
Coach Samvel Petrosyan’s side went into the final round of matches level with
Italy on four points and needing to better the Italians’ result on Tuesday,
May
31, to progress to this summer’s tournament in Northern Ireland. In the event,
Belgium’s 2-0 victory against the Italians gave Armenia the chance to
progress,
and they duly seized the opportunity at the ZTE stadium in Zalaegerszeg,
Hungary.
AFC Ajax striker Manucharyan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and
doubled his side’s lead with a second goal midway through the first half.
Although Péter Nemeth halved the deficit in the 29th minute, Manucharyan
restored Armenia’s two-goal advantage two minutes later, completing his
hat-trick in the process.
Despite the advantage, Armenian nerves were not truly settled until 19
minutes
from time, when Manucharyan scored his and Armenia’s fourth, and Artak
Oseyan’s
fifth six minutes from time added gloss to an already memorable day for his
country.

4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Though Armenia has not confirmed reports that Russia has
begun relocating equipment from one of its two military bases in Georgia to
Armenia, Russian news agencies reported that a trainload of Russian military
hardware and equipment left the Georgian city of Batumi late on Tuesday and
was
due to arrive in Armenia the next morning. The bases are scheduled to close
within the next four years.
“The train was composed of 15 carriages and platforms carrying ammunition and
vehicles,” Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander of Russian troops in
the South Caucasus, was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.
Armenian officials refused to comment on the information. Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian told Reuters news agency on May 25, that there has been no
discussion on the issue. “At this moment there is no such decision. At this
moment nothing is moving from Georgia to Armenia.”
“But if such a decision is taken, it will be a prerogative of Russia and
Armenia,” he added.
The reported relocation began the day after the announcement of a
Russian-Georgian agreement on a timetable for the closure of the Russian bases
stationed in Batumi and the Armenian-populated town of Akhalkalak in southern
Georgia. Under that agreement, the Russians will start withdrawing from them
next year and complete the process in the course of 2008.
Russia’s armed forces chief of staff General Yuri Baluyevsky said earlier
that
Moscow might have to move some of their armor to its military base in
Armenia.
Baluyevsky’s statement drew strong protests from Azerbaijan, which claims
that
the military hardware will end up in the hands of the Armenian military and
disrupt the balance of forces in the Karabagh conflict. The Azeri Foreign
Ministry sent a protest note to Moscow late last month. “We are awaiting a
response,” the Baku daily “Zerkalo” quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
as saying on Wednesday.

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