Massis Weekly Online

VOLUME 27, NO. 9 (1309)
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2007

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– OSCE Kicks Off Armenian Vote Monitoring Vartan Oskanian: ?We Need
Fair Elections Like Bread and Water?
– Armenian Genocide Resolution Introduced in the US Senate
– Bush Presses Congress To Block Armenian Genocide Bill
– Glendale City Council Candidate Chahe Keuroghelian Primary Goal Is
To Create A Positive Environment For The City?s Youth
– ?Arshile Gorky’s Van? A Lecture in Honor of Anne Eskijian

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– OSCE Kicks Off Armenian Vote Monitoring Vartan Oskanian: ?We Need
Fair Elections Like Bread and Water?

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe announced
Wednesday the start of its observation mission for the May 12
parliamentary elections in Armenia which it hopes will be more
democratic than the ones held until now.
As always, the crucial mission will be organized and led by the OSCE?s
election-monitoring body, the Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (ODIHR). It has already deployed 13 election experts for
that purpose. They will be joined by 29 long-term observers from
various OSCE member states later this week.
The Warsaw-based body also plans to dispatch some 300 short-term
European and American observers to polling stations across Armenia on
voting day. This is slightly more than the number of OSCE/ODIHR
observers who monitored the previous Armenian parliamentary elections
of May 2003. In addition, small groups of monitors are due to be
deployed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Europe,
and possibly the European Parliament.
Ambassador Boris Frlec, a Slovenian diplomat who will head the
OSCE/ODIHR mission, expressed hope that the elections will mark
significant improvement over the previous Armenian polls that were
marred by serious fraud reported by OSCE observers. ?Regrettably,
Armenia?s elections have so far fallen short of OSCE commitments for
democratic elections,? he told reporters in Yerevan. ?The upcoming
elections is a chance to turn this negative trend around.?
According to Frlec, it is the ?political will? of the Armenian
government that will matter the most. ?I believe that the recently
amended election code of Armenia provides a sound framework for
democratic elections,? he said. ?But the real challenge for the
authorities is the implementation, in good faith, of the election code
so that this and future elections will be held in accordance with
[Armenia?s] OSCE commitments. It is all about political will.?

– Oskanian Issues Election Warning

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian reiterated on Wednesday his warnings
that Armenia will face ?very bad consequences? in the international
arena if it fails to ensure that its approaching parliamentary
elections are democratic. ?We need fair elections like bread and water
to be able to correctly and legally manage our next decade,? he said.
Oskanian warned throughout last year that fresh vote rigging would
cause the country ?not only moral but also material damage.? It was an
apparent reference to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional
aid promised to Yerevan by the United States and the European Union in
return for a clean ballot.
Oskanian went further on Wednesday, warning of possible ramifications
for Armenia?s international standing and its ability to secure a
pro-Armenian solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. ?If we fail to
hold normal elections, there may be cases where we will be stung in
such a way that we won?t be able to offset the damage,? he told a new
conference.
The U.S. State Department?s recent reference to Karabakh as an
Armenian-occupied territory was a clear indication of such danger, he
said. ?Armenia continues to occupy the Azerbaijani territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories,? the
State Department said in its latest human rights report.

– Armenian Genocide Resolution Introduced in the US Senate

The Armenian Council of America welcomed the introduction of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.106) in the U.S. Senate by
Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator John Ensign
(R-NV). The resolution is parallel to the Armenian Genocide resolution
(H.Res.106), introduced within the House of Representatives by
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (RMI).
Both legislations call upon the President to ensure that the foreign
policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and
sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic
cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record
relating to the Armenian Genocide.
In a letter of gratitude sent to the co-sponsors of the Armenian
Genocide resolution, the Armenian Council of America stated the
importance of reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide as an imperative
step in ending the cycle of genocide, and combating those who wish to
distort historical truth.
The Turkish government along with the United States State Department
and the current administration has multiplied its efforts to deny the
Armenian Genocide declared Peter Darakjian Director of the Armenian
Council of America.
?These resolutions are vital steps in the pro-active measure that the
Armenian American community has to have the United States reaffirm the
Armenian Genocide,? said Darakjian. ?We commend the strong leadership
of Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator John Ensign (R-NV) as well
as all the legislators who combat the current administration?s web of
lies.?
Joining Senators Durbin and Ensign as original cosponsors of the
Armenian Genocide resolution are Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO), Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Norm Coleman (R MN), Susan Collins
(R-ME), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Russell
Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John
Kerry (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Joseph
Lieberman (I-CT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
Jack Reed (D-RI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie
Stabenow (D-MI), John Sununu (R-NH), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

– Bush Presses Congress To Block Armenian Genocide Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — A senior U.S. State Department official issued a
forceful appeal last Thursday for Congress to reject a proposed
resolution defining as genocide the mass killings of Armenians in the
closing days of the Ottoman Empire.
Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said Turkish officials have
informed the United States that approval of the resolution could lead
to shutdown of the U.S. base at Incirlik or a restriction on U.S. over
flight rights granted by Turkey.
Fried said the United States also has been informed that the Turkish
Parliament would respond with ?extreme emotion? if the Armenian
resolution were approved. He added that such a step would undercut
voices in Turkey calling for a ?truthful exploration of these events
in pursuit of Turkey?s reconciliation with its own past and with
Armenia.?
Fried testified before a hearing of a House Foreign Affairs
subcommittee on Europe. He highlighted what he said were growing calls
in Turkey for changes to Article 301 of the Turkish Constitution,
which criminalizes ?insulting Turkishness.?
The resolution, Fried said, runs counter to the views of the 60,000-
70,000 Turkish-Armenian community which, he added, has been warning
that the measure would ?raise popular emotions so dramatically as to
threaten their personal security.? He also said the U.S. fear is that
?passage of any such resolution would close minds and harden hearts.?
In joint identical letters to the speaker of the House of
Representatives and two other senior members, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the
resolution also could inflict significant damage on U.S. efforts to
reconcile the long-standing dispute between the West Asian neighbors.
The appeals went to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Rep. John
Boehner, leader of the House?s Republican minority; and Rep. Tom
Lantos, the Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of one of the letters Wednesday.
It was dated March 7, two days after Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian was in Washington to visit Rice and said afterward that
?Turkish lobbying at a government level? threatened to scuttle the
resolution.
A Democratic aide said Pelosi, who controls the House agenda, has no
plan to bring the proposal before the House soon. The aide spoke
anonymously because final plans have not been approved.
A congressional staff aide, also speaking without attribution, said it
is understood that Lantos, whose committee would deal with the
resolution, was awaiting word from Pelosi. Both the speaker and Lantos
have been supporters of the legislation. The bipartisan resolution was
introduced on January 30.
Passage of the resolution would harm ?U.S. efforts to promote
reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and to advance recognition
by Turkey of the tragic events that occurred to ethnic Armenians under
the Ottoman Empire,? the letters said. They said the United States is
encouraging ?our friends in Turkey to re-examine their past with
honesty and to reconcile with Armenia, as well as security and
stability in the broader Middle East and Europe.?
Rice and Gates reminded the lawmakersof repercussions from a vote in
the French National Assembly last October to criminalize denial of
Armenian genocide. ?The Turkish military cut all contacts with the
French military and terminated defense contracts under negotiation,?
the letters said.
Similar reaction against passage of the House resolution ?could harm
American troops in the field, constrain our ability to supply our
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and significantly damage our efforts to
promote reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey at a key turning
point in their relations.? Turkey has NATO?s second-largest army. The
U.S. Air Force has a major base in southern Turkey near Iraq, which it
has used for operations in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Between the
Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq war, warplanes from Incirlik Air
Base enforced a flight ban in Northern Iraq against the Iraqi air force.

– Rice Dodges Questions On Armenian Genocide

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that the United
States should not be involved in a dispute between Turkey and Armenia
over whether the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians almost a
century ago constituted genocide.
Under intense questioning from Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the
sponsor of a resolution that would declare that Turkey?s Ottoman
predecessor state committed genocide, Rice repeatedly avoided
answering whether she believed there was any basis for historical
debate on the matter.
?What we?ve encouraged the Turks and the Armenians to do is to have
joint historical commissions that can look at this, to have efforts to
examine their past, and in examining their past to get over it,? she
said. ?I don?t think it helps that process of reconciliation for the
United States to enter this debate at that level.?

– Glendale City Council Candidate Chahe Keuroghelian Primary Goal Is
To Create A Positive Environment For The City?s Youth

Chahe Keuroghelian has been a viable voice in the Glendale community
for many years and now has his mind set on Glendale?s future as a
Councilman. One of Chahe Keuroghelian?s primary goals is to create a
positive environment for the city?s youth. ?Investing in our youth is
the key to keeping our city on top,? he said. ?This is the most
pressing issue I see facing the city and we need to establish
innovative solutions today.?
In his efforts to unite and assist the city?s youth, Keuroghelian said
he was able to create a youth center that ran for several years during
the early 1990s. ?We need a youth center to help teenagers in schools
and young people in need of finding the right path,? he said, aiming
to pursue the idea again if elected to council.
As a small business owner Keuroghelian has worked in Glendale since
1988 and been a resident since 1999. Keuroghelian spent 13 years
working for the Glendale Police Department as an Intercultural
Relations Officer. Keuroghelian involved himself in several community
service activities throughout the years, such as the Glendale Human
Relations Coalition and the Glendale Chapter of the American Red
Cross, among many others. As Public Information Officer for the
Glendale Police he worked closely with various neighborhoods and City
Departments, with an emphasis on neighborhood safety and security.
Keuroghelian believes, if elected to the Council, his experiences
would be beneficial in his goals toward increasing sensitivity and
cultural awareness within the Police Department and city employees.
Creating a positive environment where citizens feel they are part of
city?s decision-making process is another goal on his agenda. ?I want
every single individual who lives or works in Glendale to feel he or
she is an important part of this city and is looked at by government
as part of the decision making process,? the council candidate said.
?This is achieved by improving the quality of life for all our
residents while encouraging more public participation and open
dialogue in policy-making decisions.?
Keuroghelian stated that if elected to the Council, he will devote his
tenure to developing downtown Glendale with steadfast support to small
businesses, establishing and maintaining teamwork, civility, honesty,
and transparency in all council business, allocating necessary funds
for senior programs, encouraging constructive City Council/School
Board cooperation and promoting law enforcement with active community
involvement.

– ?Arshile Gorky’s Van? A Lecture in Honor of Anne Eskijian

?The most rewarding aspect of my work has been helping Armenian-
Americans to learn more about the homeland of their ancestors.?
– Robert Hewsen, Historian and Historical Geographer

The illustrated lecture in English of ?Arshile Gorky?s Van? will take
place at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM) on Saturday, March 24, 2007,
at 4pm. The lecture by historian and historical geographer Robert
Hewsen will be held in honor of Anne Eskijian. As co-founder of the
museum, Mrs. Eskijian has been an inspiring source of wisdom and
encouragement. A reception will follow the program.
Having visited Van, Mr. Hewsen will discuss the impact of growing up
in Korkom village on Arshile Gorky. As a demonstration of the
?richness and unexpectedness of human life,? Mr. Hewsen will focus on
the milieu that produced Gorky by considering ?what he grew up with,
what he did with his life, and what he ended with in America.?
Mr. Hewsen is a specialist in medieval and early modern Armenian
history with emphasis on the historical geography of Armenia and
Caucasia, on the Armenian nobiliary class, and on the region of
Nagorno Karabagh. He has published specifically in the area of
Armenian history, with emphasis on the historical geography of Armenia
and the Caucasus. His publication A Historical Atlas of Armenia
(sponsored by the Fesjian Publications Committee of the Armenian
Center of Columbia University and published by The University of
Chicago Press, 2001) was well-received by the community. Currently, he
has two books in progress, including The Meliks of Eastern Armenia and
The Conversion of Armenia to Christianity.
Dr. Hewsen received his Ph.D. in Russian history with a minor in
Byzantine history from Georgetown University. His doctoral
dissertation The Geography of Ananias of Shirak: Translation and
Commentary was written under the direction of the renowned scholar of
Caucasian history, the late Professor Cyril Toumanoff. He has taught
at Rowan University (New Jersey) as Professor of Russian and Byzantine
History (1967-1999), and was also the Henry S. Khazandian Kazan
Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at California State University,
Fresno (Fall of 2001).
The Ararat-Eskijian Museum was founded in 1993 by Armenian Genocide
survivor, philanthropist, and art collector, Mr. Luther Eskijian, to
preserve Armenian history and heritage for future generations. It is
located on the grounds of the Ararat Home of Los Angeles at 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA 91345.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress