“HAMAZKAINE” EXPLAINS

A1+
[05:20 pm] 19 May, 2006

Today we received an explaining letter from “Hamazkaine” in connection
with a Monday issue on our website. The issue read: “A1” received
a letter from the Greek information agency “Hayastan” which on
behalf of part of the Armenian community living in Greece complains
of the activity of Vahram Kazhoyan, RA Ambassador extraordinary and
plenipotentiary to Greece. According to the agency, “because of him the
Armenians in Greece live in a tense atmosphere”. The letter explains
that the reason of the tense atmosphere is that Andre who represents
Armenia in the music compeititon EUROVISION 2006 is used for agitation
for “Hamazkaine” with the support of Ambassador Kazhoyan.”

The letter reads: “The information which appeared on the A1+ Armenian
Channel website, on May 15, 2006 relative the activities of the
representative of Armenia in the music competition EUROVISION 2006,
Andre, carries great inaccuracies and wrong accusations.

Upon the acceptance of an Armenian participation to the EUROVISION
2006 contest in Athens, the Regional Commitee of Hamazkaine Cultural
Association in Greece took the initiative to contact the Armenian
Participation Commitee to offer its support and assistance for the
promotion of the Armenian singer Andre, representing Armenia. In
this respect a concert was organised in Athens on the 14th of May
2006. Andre and other performers from Armenia took part to this concert
which was organised by “Hamazkaine” under the auspices of the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia in Greece with the coordination of the
Armenian Participation Commitee.

More than 3000 spectators, mostly of Armenian descend, were present
to this event, coming from Athens and different regions, and from all
segments of the Armenian community in Greece, without any distinction.

“Hamazkaine” is a cultural association active in the Armenian diaspora
since its foundation in 1928 and has proved during its history that
it does not allow itself to limit its activities to members of one
segment, or members of one party or another. The accusation from the
so called “Hayastan” Information Agency, that Andre participates to
the events held for the members of ARF (Dashnaktsutyun) party only,
does not correspond absolutely to the truth.

The allegation that Andre is isolated from the local Armenian Community
does not correspond to the truth as well, the biggest proof being
the unprecedented Armenian participation to the concert on May 14,
which would have been impossible without the presence of Armenians
from all backgrounds, beliefs and ideological tendencies. Furthermore
and contrary to what appeared in the information, Andre visited most
of the Armenian educational institutions in Athens, among them the
“Galpaqian College” of the AGBU.

Regional Commitee of “Hamazkaine” Cultural Association”