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04/25/2006
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1) President Bush Again Fails to Honor Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide
2) California Armenians Commemorate Genocide at Montebello Monument
3) Kocharian Blames Turkey as Armenians Mark Genocide Anniversary
4) System Of A Down Rally Urges Turkey to End Armenian Genocide Denial
5) KOCE-TV to Air “The Armenian Genocide”
6) AYF-Western Region Holds Protest at Turkish Consulate
7) Kocharian Thanks Lithuania for Genocide Recognition
8) Turkey Should Recognize Genocide before Joining EU
9) Canada’s Armenian Genocide Comment Angers Turkey
1) President Bush Again Fails to Honor Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC–Despite the call for moral clarity from over two hundred US
legislators, President Bush failed, once again, to honor his pledge to
properly
characterize the Armenian genocide as a “genocide” in his annual April 24
remarks, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a statement issued April 24, the annual day of remembrance for the
Armenian
genocide, the President again resorted to the use of evasive and euphemistic
terminology to obscure the full moral, historical, and contemporary legal
implications of Turkey’s genocide against the Armenian people between 1915 and
1923. In retreating from his promise, the President ignored the counsel of
the
one hundred and seventy-eight Representatives and thirty Senators who had
written letters urging him to properly characterize the Armenian genocide.
“Armenian Americans appreciate President Bush’s willingness to join with
Armenians around the world by speaking out on this solemn occasion, but sadly,
remain deeply troubled by his failure to honor his campaign pledge–and his
own
promise of moral clarity–by properly recognizing the Armenian genocide, ”
said
Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “It is truly a sad day
when it
is left to a lone diplomat, our Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, to honor
the
forsaken pledge of his President–to speak as the moral conscience of our
nation in the face of official White House complicity in the denial of this
crime against all humanity.”
As in the past, 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.
The text of the President’s remarks is provided below:
Presidential Message
April 24, 2006
Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th centurythe mass
killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million Armenians in the final
days
of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy for all humanity and one
that we and the world must never forget.
We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it remains a
source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom,
tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human life. It is a credit to
the
human spirit and generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and
around the globe that they have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved
their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion.
We praise the individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to examine
the
historical events of this time with honesty and sensitivity. The analysis by
the International Center for Transitional Justice, while not the final word,
has made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of
these
events. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions, that
strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia and
Turkey towards normalized relations.
Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia’s Millennium
Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the importance we place in
Armenia making progress on democratic reform and advancement of free markets.
We seek to help Armenia bolster its security and deepen its inclusion in the
Euro-Atlantic family. We remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia
and
Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal.
On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest
condolences
to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together, determined to create a
future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for the citizens of our countries and
the world.
–GEORGE W. BUSH
2) California Armenians Commemorate Genocide at Montebello Monument
“We need to use every ounce of pride we have in our ancestry, we need to
recall
the events of the Armenian genocide by saying, as one community, as one city,
as one nation, and one human race, that we expect those who deny the Genocide
to account for what happened to the Armenians,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa Sunday to the crowd gathered at the Armenian Genocide Monument in
Montebello’s Bicknell Park to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
genocide.
The event was organized by the Armenian Genocide 91st Anniversary
Commemorative Committee of California.
Elected officials joined Armenian religious leaders and representatives of
various political organizations to honor the victims of the Genocide and
demand
proper recognition of the events. They included, among others: Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Jackie Speier, Congressmember
Loretta
Sanchez (D-CA), Assemblymember Carol Liu, Member of the Board of Equalization
Jack Chiang, Ambassador Gagik Giragossian, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Professor Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of
Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Turkish Publisher Ragip Zarakolu.
Mayor Villaraigosa went on to say, “We not only need to remember on this day,
but we need to commit ourselves, everyone here, elected officials, religious
leaders with us today, men and women, the grandparents, survivors, their
children, Armenians and non Armenians alike, together. We need to harness the
energy we have here, and use this energy to move this movement ahead and to
ensure that our government does not allow this new injustice to occur.”
California State Senator Jackie Speier, explaining that we have gathered not
for apology but for justice, said “We must use our power, our passion, and our
perseverance to stop the cycle of genocide forever.” She continued to say that
we demand “justice because we know that Armenia cannot be safe as long as
Turkey remains unrepentant unapologetic perpetrator of genocide.”
Speaking about the ongoing denial of the Genocide, Loretta Sanchez said, “Our
leaders find themselves reluctant to call a thing by its true name. In the
interest of diplomacy and cooperation and partnership, language is softened.
Deeds are whitewashed, truths are forgotten, but we must not forget.”
Several of the speakers mentioned US Ambassador John Evans, who is being
recalled by the State Department for his use of the word genocide during a
speech last year.
Officials who addressed the crowd also called on President Bush to properly
characterize the first Genocide of the twentieth century in order to prevent
future genocides. Many pledged their unwavering support to Armenian Americans
in demanding the US and Turkey officially recognize the Armenian genocide.
3) Kocharian Blames Turkey as Armenians Mark Genocide Anniversary
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–President Robert Kocharian said on Monday that modern-day
Turkey is responsible for the 1915 genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
as Armenia somberly marked the 91st anniversary of the start of the Genocide.
Hundreds of thousands of people silently marched to the Dzidzernagapert, a
hilltop memorial in Yerevan, and laid flowers by its eternal flame in an
annual
remembrance of the 1.5 million victims of the first genocide of the 20th
century. Some of them carried Armenian flags and banners denouncing Turkey’s
long-standing denial of the Genocide.
The day-long procession began with a prayer service in memory of the dead
that
was led by the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin
II, in
the presence of President Robert Kocharian, members of his government, and
other senior officials.
The heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Yerevan were the next to lay
wreathes at twelve bending columns that encircle the eternal fire on
Dzidzernagapert Hill overlooking the city center. Among them was US Ambassador
to Armenia John Evans.
Armenia’s leadership reaffirmed its pledge to seek worldwide recognition of
the Genocide in collaboration with the Armenian diaspora and to continue to
raise the issue in its dealings Turkey.
“Our pain is all the more intense as we are forced to struggle for the
recognition and condemnation of that black page of our history,” Kocharian
said
in a traditional April 24 written address to the nation. “As the defender of
the interests of the Armenians living in the homeland and around the world,
the
Republic of Armenia will continue that struggle.”
Kocharian indicated that Ankara’s unrepentant stance on the issue amounts to
complicity in the genocide. “Ottoman Turkey and its legal successor bear full
responsibility for this crime,” he said.
Armenian leaders have refrained in the past from implicating the existing
Turkish state in the 1915 genocide. Kocharian’s statement was welcomed by Giro
Manoyan, spokesman for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Manoyan
said that by doing so, Kocharian held Ankara responsible for “carrying out the
final phase of the genocide.”
4) System Of A Down Rally Urges Turkey to End Armenian Genocide Denial
Washington, DC–Armenian Americans from across the United States joined System
Of A Down’s Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan Monday at a Washington, DC “Rally
for Justice,” urging the Turkish Government to end its worldwide campaign of
Armenian genocide denial.
Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington (ANC-GW)
and the Armenian Youth Federation Washington Chapter (AYF-Washington), the
protest attracted over 1,000 activists to the Turkish Embassy, as Armenians
around the world marked the 91st anniversary of this crime against humanity.
Among the participants was DC United star player Alecko Eskandarian, who was
MLS Cup Champion and MVP in 2004.
Tankian and Dolmayan are in Washington, DC as part of a three-day advocacy
tour in support of Congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide.
Following participation in the rally on Monday, the band members will be
meeting with Members of Congress and the media to urge passage of legislation
in the Senate and House that would recognize the Armenian genocide. The
measures in both houses enjoy strong bipartisan support, but are being blocked
from reaching a vote by the leadership–Speaker Hastert in the House and
Majority Leader Frist in the Senate.
On Tuesday evening, Tankian and Dolmayan will host a screening of excerpts
from “Screamers,” a powerful film by Carla Garapedian about System Of A Down’s
international anti-genocide advocacy efforts. On Wednesday evening, they will
be honored for their vocal pursuit of justice for the Armenian genocide at the
Annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill.
Having debuted two #1 Billboard albums in 2005 and having sold over 16
million
records around the world, System Of A Down has a tremendous nationwide
following and loyal fan base, who have heeded their call to action on social
justice issues, including support of legislation recognizing the Armenian
genocide. All band members lost family in the Armenian genocide committed by
Turkey and are deeply committed to ensuring proper US recognition of this
crime
against humanity. The band’s efforts have gained national press attention in
hundreds of articles appearing in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times,
Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, MTV, BBC, VH1, ABC, FOX, WB, and
Rolling Stone.
The inter-generational “Rally for Justice” brought together young and old in
their call for the Turkish Government to end its campaign of Genocide denial.
Activists were met by a smaller group of Turkish and Azeri counter-protesters,
who were apparently organized by the Turkish Embassy staff and its paid
lobbyists.
AYF-Washington chairman Serouj Aprahamian noted that Genocide recognition
efforts are ongoing. “We will continue our efforts not just on April 24th but
all year round. Through education, organization and activism we will move our
cause forward and ensure justice for Armenians and all humanity,” noted
Aprahamian.
Following the demonstration, attendees walked to the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia for a short service and wreath-laying ceremony. Members of local
Armenian organizations placed wreaths and flowers in front of the Khatchkar
(cross-stones). The ceremony was led by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and
featured remarks by Mountainous Karabagh Republic’s representative Vardan
Barseghyan, and the participation of the Washington Homenetmen Armenian
Scouting troop. The program came to a close with a brief religious service led
by Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, and Deacon
Kalaydjian from St. Mary’s Armenian Church.
5) KOCE-TV to Air “The Armenian Genocide”
KOCE-TV, the Orange County affiliate of PBS, will air Andrew Goldberg’s
critically acclaimed documentary “The Armenian Genocide,” Wednesday, April 26
at 9:00 PM. The one-hour documentary, which features extensive
never-before-seen historical footage, explores the ongoing controversy of the
Armenian genocide and explains why the Turkish government denies the events
ever took place. KOCE-TV can be viewed on channel 99 for Charter Cable
customers and channel 8 for Adelphia customers.
6) AYF-Western Region Holds Protest at Turkish Consulate
LOS ANGELES–The Armenian Youth Federation-Western Region (AYF-WR) held
Monday,
a protest at the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate in commemoration of the 1.5
million Armenians lost their lives in the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923.
10,000 protesters gathered in front of the Turkish consulate in order to
protest against the Turkish Government and its ongoing denial of the Armenian
genocide. The protesters demonstrated peacefully in front of the consulate,
demanding recognition of the Genocide, as well as reparations and restitution
that are long overdue. The protest came to an end with a few words by Tro
Tchekidjian, chairperson of the AYF-WR.
“Recognition is not enough,” said Tchekidjian. “For there to be a just
resolution, reparations and restitution are also necessary.”
The annual protest is one of many events commemorating the first genocide of
the 20th century. The protest shows the Turkish Government and the
community at
large that the Armenian people will never forget the atrocities committed in
1915. “The actions of the Turkish government are fresh in our minds until
today; we will continue the fight for justice until our goals are achieved,”
stated protest director Shogher Aslanian. “It is the responsibility of our
generation to make a difference.”
The AYF-WR has been organizing protests in front of the Turkish Consulate for
over 25 years. The organization has been successful in gathering more
community
members to the event each year. With the active participation of the youth and
community in such events, the AYF-WR is hopeful that it will be our generation
who will witness the recognition of the Armenian genocide and everything that
accompanies it.
7) Kocharian Thanks Lithuania for Genocide Recognition
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–President Robert Kocharian thanked Lithuania for its
Parliament’s recent recognition of the Armenian genocide as he received his
visiting Lithuanian counterpart, Valdas Adamkus, on Tuesday.
In a resolution overwhelmingly approved last December, the Baltic state’s
legislature, the Seimas, urged Turkey to “recognize historical facts” and
recognize the 1915 genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish
Government denounced the move.
“The issue is very important for us and it is not just historical in
nature as
today our relations with Turkey are burdened by this historical reality,”
Kocharian told reporters after talks with Adamkus. “I think that recognizing
the Genocide and coming to terms with history is extremely important for
normalizing our [Turkish-Armenian] relations.”
He said Yerevan will continue to seek worldwide recognition of the
Genocide in
collaboration with leaders of the Armenian diaspora.
Adamkus arrived in Yerevan on a official visit which focused on ways of
restoring economic ties that used to exist between the two former Soviet
republics. They announced plans to hold a Lithuanian-Armenian business
forum in
the near future.
A statement by Kocharian’s office said Armenia’s relations with the European
Union, which Lithuania joined two years ago, were also on the agenda of the
talks. Kocharian again stated that his country is interested in learning from
Lithuania’s as well as neighboring Latvia’s and Estonia’s successful
transition
to democracy and the free market.
The Lithuanian president, for his part, made a case for political and
economic
integration in the South Caucasus. “We have discussed common regional
policies,” he said. “I think it is about time our regions–the South Caucasus
and the Baltic states–joined forces to build a better future. This is what we
call a three-plus-three formula which I think will become reality after this
meeting.”
8) Turkey Should Recognize Genocide before Joining EU
YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau
representative
Hrant Markarian spoke Monday at the Armenian Genocide Memorial about the
importance of commemorating and gaining recognition of the Armenian genocide.
“For the Armenian people, April 24 is not only a day of commemoration but
also
a day of struggle since by paying homage to the memory of the innocent victims
we also express our protest to the Turkish Government,” said Markarian.
“The stronger Armenia becomes the closer we’ll get to the admission of the
Armenian genocide by Turkey.” He added that recognition, however, “is not our
only goal, we should also demand our rights.”
“Armenians’ rights to live, survive, and develop were violated by the
Genocide, and by the recognition of the Genocide, we will restore those
rights,” Markarian said.
When asked if Turkey would be accepted to the European Union without
recognition of the Genocide, Markarian answered, “If Turkey has decided to
join
the EU, it should be able to admit its guilt and thus gain the right to join
it. To be a part of Europe, Turkey should become Europeanized itself.”
9) Canada’s Armenian Genocide Comment Angers Turkey
ANKARA (AFP)–Turkey’s foreign ministry said that a reference by Canada’s
Prime
Minister Stephen Harper to the “Armenian genocide” as fact had hurt bilateral
relations between the two countries.
“We are appalled by the prime minister’s comments, which give support to
Armenia’s unfounded allegations of genocide,” the ministry said in a
statement.
The statement said Harper’s reference to the “Armenian allegations” as fact
was serious, and that his position on the issue would “negatively affect ties
between Turkey and Canada.”
The Canadian head of government had on Friday praised commemorations of the
Genocide.
He noted that the Canadian Senate had passed a resolution in 2002 recognizing
the Armenian genocide as the first genocide of the 20th century, and the House
of Commons had followed suit two years later.
“My party and I have applied those resolutions and continue to do so,” the
prime minister said in a statement.
The Turkish foreign ministry said the two resolutions had led to the
“stagnation” of bilateral relations.
The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet on Tuesday quoted a diplomat as saying the
Canadian Prime Minister’s comments had led to Canadian companies being
excluded
from a forthcoming bid to build Turkey’s first nuclear plant.
Armenians in Canada marked the 91st anniversary of the Genocide on Sunday.
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