Author: Chakrian Hovsep

LATVIAN PRESIDENT VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA VISITS ARMENIA

ITAR-TASS, Russia
TASS
Oct 6 2005

YEREVAN, October 6 (Itar-Tass) – Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
will discuss the prospects of further developing economic cooperation
between the two countries during her official visit to Armenia,
which begins on Thursday.

Itar-Tass was told at the Presidential Press Service here that the
visit was chiefly intended to give fresh impetus to the development
of inter-state relationships, to promote cooperation and to determine
the priorities of economic interaction. The presidents of the two
countries will discuss also problems of EU-Armenia cooperation and
of regional integration.

They are planning to sign a joint declaration and some
intergovernmental agreements on the stimulation and mutual protection
of investments, on cooperation in the customs sphere, and also
in culture.

“Armenia highly appreciates the present level of its relations
with Latvia and is determined to make its bilateral relations with
that country even stronger than now, to promote cooperation in the
economic domain,” officials of the Armenian President’s Office noted
on Thursday. “Active cooperation with Latvia is very desirable for
Armenia, for using Riga’s experience in the effort to effectively
surmount the difficulties of the transition period,” officials of
the Presidential Office stated.

Military cooperation between Armenia and Latvia is also developing
quite effectively, an official of the presidential administration
noted. Armenia is planning to completely reorganise its armed forces
and, therefore, it is important to analyse the Latvian experience
in the reform of the armed forces, as well as in peacekeeping and in
civil defence.

It is believed in Yerevan that in spite of the existing positive
tendencies, economic cooperation between Armenia and Latvia is still
unsatisfactory. For instance, trade turnover between the two countries
added up to slightly more than two million U.S. dollars last year and
to 1.5 millions in the first six months of the current year. Armenian
exports are expected to grow notably this year.

The sides will also touch on the possibility of their cooperation
both within the European structures and in other international
organisations, officials of the Armenian presidential administration
pointed out.

GENOCIDE ARMENIEN: AXA VA PAYER
par Jean-Luc Barberi

L’Expansion
1 octobre 2005

Ils etaient armeniens, vivaient dans l’Empire ottoman et avaient
souscrit une assurance-vie auprès de L’Union-Vie, compagnie francaise
integree depuis au Groupe Axa. Nombre d’entre eux sont morts lors du
genocide des Armeniens organise par les autorites turques (1 million
et demi de victimes de 1915 a 1923).

Quatre-vingt-dix ans plus tard, Vartkes Yeghiayan, un avocat
californien d’origine armenienne, finalise un accord avec le groupe
francais d’assurances qui prevoit le versement de 17 millions de
dollars au titre de l’indemnisation de ses anciens clients et de
leurs ayants droit.

Dès 1922, le directeur de L’Union-Vie avait informe le gouvernement
francais que la compagnie detenait un portefeuille de 10 899 contrats
d’assurance-vie souscrits principalement par la population d’origine
armenienne. Mais l’affaire etait peu a peu tombee dans l’oubli.

Depuis 1945, la compagnie francaise arguait de la prescription de
trente ans pour degager sa responsabilite. Vartkes Yeghiayan a donc
assigne Axa auprès d’un tribunal de Los Angeles en s’appuyant sur la
legislation californienne, qui reporte a 2010 la prescription pour
les crimes commis lors du genocide.

Grâce a des recherches dans toute l’Europe, Yeghiayan a retrouve une
trentaine de souscripteurs, pour qui il a deja obtenu, en janvier 2004,
20 millions de dollars auprès de New York Life, compagnie americaine
detentrice de 2 000 contrats armeniens. Prochain assureur rappele a
ses obligations: l’allemand Victoria.

–Boundary_(ID_/wQFBpWgWcLGXm3H8Ppaag)–

OFFICIAL REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN STARTED

Armenpress
Oct 05, 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The official campaign for
constitutional referendum started on October 4 after President
Robert Kocharian signed an order setting November 27 as the date for
constitutional referendum. Under the law on referendum the deadline is
November 26. The law also envisages release of budget funds for the
campaign and holding of the referendum to be handled by the Central
Election Commission (CEC).

The also provides for establishment of campaign funds by individuals
The amendments are intended to impose a more strict separation of
powers between the judicial, executive and legislative branches. The
proposed changes also include removal of a clause outlawing dual
citizenship for members of Armenia’s large foreign Diaspora.

Lawmakers passed the amendments on Sep. 28 by a 89-0 vote, with one
abstention. The vote was boycotted by the opposition which called
on Armenians to reject the amendments. The package of amendments
is deemed passed if supported by 780,000 votes, one third of 2,339,
704 eligible voters.

MAMMADYAROV: AGREEMENT ON MINE CLEARING REACHED AT TALKS

Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 14:18

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An agreement on mine clearing was reached at
the talks over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stated
Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov. In his words, “mine clearing is a very
important process that will be a priority when Armenia liberates the
occupied territories.” He did not rule out for the recurrent meeting
with Vartan Oskanian to be held in Ljubljana within the framework of
the annual meeting of the OSCE Ministers November 3-4. Answering a
question on the opportunity to start work over a peaceful settlement,
E. Mammadyarov said, “We have to come to agreement over conceptual
matters yet,” reported Mediamax.

AHMED NECET SEZER: TURKEY READY TO ASSIST KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Pan Armenian
03.10.2005 13:51

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The Nagorno Karabakh and Abkhazian conflicts impede
the establishment of peace and stability in the South Caucasus”,
Turkish President Ahmed Necet Sezer. In his words, the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will bring political
stability to the South Caucasian region and Turkey exerts every effort
to assist the process.

According to Sezer, the Karabakh issue emerged after the “occupation
of the Azeri territories by Armenia.” Turkey is ready to support a
variant admissible for both parties to the conflict”, the Turkish
President stated.

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10/03/2005
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1) EU, Turkey Clinch Deal to Launch Entry Talks
2) Mountainous Karabagh Independence Marked on Capitol Hill
3) Deputy NA Speaker Hovhannisian Says Europe Must be Tough with Turkey
4) Young ARF members rally against Turkey’s EU bid

1) EU, Turkey Clinch Deal to Launch Entry Talks

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters)–Turkey and the European Union (EU) clinched a historic
deal to launch membership talks on Monday, despite deep public skepticism over
whether the wealthy Western bloc will ever be able to absorb the Muslim
nation.

The opening ceremony was delayed until close to midnight by nearly two
days of
fierce wrangling over Austrian and Turkish objections to the EU’s proposed
negotiating mandate, reflecting profound distrust on both sides.
`We reached agreement, I am going to Luxembourg,’ Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul told reporters as he left the headquarters of his ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara to fly to meet the 25 EU foreign
ministers.
Austria eventually accepted that the shared goal of the negotiations would be
accession, not the lesser `privileged partnership’ which many conservatives
and
Christian Democrats across Western Europe had sought.
In return, the EU made clear that its capacity to embrace the vast, poor
NATO ally strategically located on the borders of Europe and the Middle East
would be a key factor in the pace of Turkey’s integration, as well as Ankara’s
progress in meeting strict criteria.
Negotiations are expected to last at least a decade and at least two EU
members, France and Austria, have promised their voters a final say on Turkish
accession in referendums.
Turkey now faces a marathon effort to transform its political, economic and
social system and implement 80,000 pages of EU law.
Turkey had held up a deal for hours in a final wrangle over Cyprus after
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had overcome Austrian demands to offer
Ankara a status short of membership.
Gul’s plane waited on the tarmac at Ankara airport and frustrated EU foreign
ministers cooled their heels, most of them in the dark on the details of
Straw’s negotiations.
The United States lent a hand to try to rescue the stalled talks after Turkey
objected to a clause which hardliners in Ankara said could affect its ability
to keep Cyprus out of NATO.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan to assure him that the proposed EU negotiating framework would
not impinge on NATO.
`We are basically saying: cut whatever deal you can get at the EU and don’t
worry that somehow it ties your hands at NATO–because we don’t think it
does,’
a State Department official said.
Failure to start the talks would have dealt a blow to political reform and
foreign investment in Turkey and would also have deepened a sense of crisis in
Europe, after defeats for the draft EU constitution in France and the
Netherlands, and the failure in June to agree on a long-term budget for the
bloc.
But the tortuous nature of the final deal could leave a bitter taste on both
sides, foreshadowing years of touch negotiations to come in an atmosphere of
mutual disenchantment.

2) Mountainous Karabagh Independence Marked on Capitol Hill

Baroness Caroline Cox, Members of Congress, Armenian-American Community Mark
Fourteen Years of Freedom, Democracy and Economic Development

WASHINGTON, DC–Members of Congress and leading human rights activist, British
House of Lords Vice-Speaker Baroness Caroline Cox, joined together on Capitol
Hill September 28 to mark the 14th anniversary of the Mountainous Karabagh
Republic’s (MKR/Artsakh) independence. Over 100 Armenian-Americans,
Congressional staff members and human rights advocates attended this
unprecedented event, hosted by the Office of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic
in the USA, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in
cooperation with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
During the two-hour event titled `14 years of Mountainous Karabagh’s
Independence: Progress Toward Freedom, Democracy and Economic Development,’
participants highlighted the great strides the Mountainous Karabagh Republic
has made since shaking off foreign oppression.
`Fourteen years have passed since the day when the people of Karabagh said a
firm NO to continued foreign oppression,’ said MKR Representative to the
United
States Vardan Barseghian in his opening remarks.
`Fourteen years of ongoing struggle to survive and prosper against
overwhelming odds. Fourteen years of serious achievements. Fourteen years of
success. Many formally recognized countries would wish to be able to say this
about their recent history, but only a few can.’
Making the case for international recognition of MKR independence, Barseghian
stressed that the Mountainous Karabagh Republic now meets all of the
traditional, internationally acceptable requirements for statehood, such as
control over a defined territory, a permanent population, democratically
elected government, capable armed forces, and the capacity to conduct
international relations, including participation in peace negotiations and
functioning representative offices in Moscow, Paris, Washington, DC and
elsewhere.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
stressed
the progress Mountainous Karabagh has made since declaring its independence in
1991, and the pivotal role of US humanitarian assistance in the region.
`Progress is the key word here,’ stated Rep. Knollenberg. `The people of
Karabagh continue to make progress despite the challenges they face. I
think in
the future they will continue to make progress with the support of the US
Congress and from the United States.’ He emphasized that in Karabagh `the
economy is working, the democracy is functioning and they continue to have
successful elections, which are more open and free than [those in] some
countries in the region.’ Knollenberg also commended the Office of the
Mountainous Karabagh Republic in the USA and its staff for keeping Members of
Congress abreast of ongoing developments in NKR.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
reminded
participants that `often times when Karabagh is mentioned in the media, they
forget to mention that it became independent legally under international law
and under Soviet law… We need to keep stressing that this truly is a democracy
that has an elected president and does so in a very transparent way.’ Rep.
Pallone also pledged continued Armenian Caucus support for Mountainous
Karabagh’s democratic aspirations. `We will continue to urge the Bush
Administration, or any other administration, and State Department that they
need to be more supportive to Karabagh,’ he said.
Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) stressed the important role the
Armenian-American community plays in educating Congressional leaders about the
vital concerns in Mountainous Karabagh. `Your presence here [on the Hill]
helps
us to better the relationship between [our] two countries,’ explained Rep.
Radanovich, as he congratulated Mountainous Karabagh’s 14 years of
independence.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) concurred, stating `I want to express my admiration
for the Armenian-American community, which has been a wonderful example to the
other Americans about how you take democracy seriously . . . and how you do it
for the moral principle. Thank you for insisting we take this principle of
self-determination, that we so fiercely defend in America, and apply it
elsewhere.’ Rep. Frank went on to remark about Azerbaijan’s continued attempts
to deny Mountainous Karabagh freedom. `I don’t understand… and this is
directed
to the government of Azerbaijan: Governing when people are willing to be
[governed] can be difficult; I can’t imagine why anyone would want to go
through the aggravation of governing people against their will. It really just
is a dumb thing to do. . . I do not understand why any government anywhere
would want to hold people against their will.’
California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff noted that he supports `independence for
MKR because it is both consistent with American values and because it makes
practical political sense.’ He praised the growing democracy in the region,
stating that `even though they have been politically and militarily challenged
by Azerbaijan and its powerful ally Turkey, the people of Karabagh have
continued to build all the requisites of statehood.’
The final Congressional speaker of the evening, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
summed up the sentiments of previous speakers, stating `the people of
Mountainous Karabagh have the right to assert their independence and freedom;
they have that right and they should be provided the opportunity to do so…
I am
very proud to be with you to assert my unity with you and your enterprise.’
Armenian Ambassador to the US Dr. Tatoul Markarian noted, `self-determination
for Mountainous Karabagh is the key to achieving real freedom and to bringing
long-term peace and prosperity in the region. Karabagh’s conflict’s
distinction
from other conflicts in Eurasia is acknowledged by the international
community.
We understand that settlement of the conflict requires serious compromise from
all parties. Meanwhile, I am convinced, and it is widely shared, that any
solution to the conflict will be based on the fact and the right to
self-determination of the people of Mountainous Karabagh, which the core and
the final settlement must take into account.’
World-renowned human rights activist and an outspoken champion of Karabagh’s
right to self-determination, Baroness Caroline Cox gave the keynote address.
Baroness Cox, who recently returned from her 60th trip to the region, provided
an eye-witness account of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing campaign, pogroms and
outright war against the people of Mountainous Karabagh and spoke passionately
about the incredible progress–both democratic and economic–Karabagh has made
since the 1994 cease-fire accord. Through a powerful slide presentation, the
Baroness gave Members of Congress, staffers and attendees a first-hand view of
reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts throughout the country.
Lady Cox concluded her remarks by urging the international community to
respect the rights to freedom, justice, and democracy of the people of
Mountainous Karabagh.
`It is high time for the international community to address the challenges
raised by the conflict of the principles of self-determination and territorial
integrity. Surely, there must be some recognition of the rights of a
vulnerable
minority, threatened by a repressive state with attempted ethnic cleansing or
genocide, to have the right to claim their independence in order to survive…
The time for recognition of the rights of the people of Karabagh for
self-determination is NOW for the sake of justice, peace and, in due course,
the economic prosperity and stability for all who live in the region.’
`If any people in the world today deserve the right to self-determination and
the recognition of independence, it is the people of Mountainous Karabagh,’
said Baroness Cox.
Among speakers at the program were ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and
AAA Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Hamparian stressed the significance of
NKR achievements and thanked Members of Congress for their ongoing support of
Artsakh’s freedom, democracy and economic development.
`Today, as Armenians, we thank the US Congress for years of moral, financial,
and political support for Mountainous Karabagh,’ said Hamparian. `In turn, as
Americans, we thank the people of Mountainous Karabagh, first, for their
courage and leadership in sparking the democracy movement that spread to other
republics and eventually helped to end the Soviet threat to the free world,
and, second, for today being on the front lines in the advance of freedom
worldwide–an enduring goal of the American people.’
Ardouny concurred by saying: `We have heard this evening about the importance
of freedom, liberty and democracy fundamental principles that guide us today
just as they did over 200 years ago during the founding of the US
Constitution.’
`Mountainous Karabagh is a geographical fact. It is a political and moral
fact
[Karabaghtsis] are the first people of the former Soviet Union to launch a
freedom movement and set out in principle to institutionalize freedom,
responsible government, and human equality as is evidenced today,’ said
Ardouny, drawing a parallel with what American statesman Adlai Stevenson once
said about the US.
Providing first-hand knowledge of the most recent election held in
Mountainous
Karabagh was Dr. Aleyda Kasten, who traveled to NKR last June as one of six
members of the American Independent Monitoring Delegation. Dr. Kasten, who
also
observed presidential elections in the United States and last year’s
presidential election in the Ukraine, testified that over 75% of eligible
citizens of Karabagh turned out to elect the Republic’s Fourth Parliament
since
independence. `This was a tightly contested ballot that left no single
party in
majority control of the legislature. We, as a group, did not observe
irregularities during voting or vote count. We were struck by the people’s
determination to democratically decide their future. We can honestly say that
from our observations the elections were carried out freely and
transparently,’
said Kasten.
MKR Representative Barseghian closed the event by saying that `during its 14
years of independence NKR has shown demonstrable progress toward freedom,
democracy and economic development values championed by the United States and
shared by the people of Karabagh. As the United States supports and promotes
freedom and democracy for all peoples around the globe, we call on the US to
also continue to support the aspirations of the Karabagh people to live in
freedom, security and prosperity.’
On behalf of the people of Artsakh, Barseghian thanked the Government of the
United States and the American people for their ongoing aid to rehabilitate
Mountainous Karabagh’s war-torn economy and the shattered lives of its
citizens
and called on the US to play a greater role in its conflict mediation efforts
by encouraging the government of Azerbaijan to negotiate directly with the
leaders of Mountainous Karabagh and to respect the will of the people of
Karabagh to live in freedom.
`This event would not have been possible without the strong support of the
two
Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, Representatives Pallone and Knollenberg,
Ambassador Markarian, the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian National
Committee,’ said Barseghian. He also thanked Tim Delmonico from Rep. Pallone’s
office and Craig Albright, legislative director for Rep. Knollenberg, for
their
invaluable input.
`The Mountainous Karabagh Republic is strong and successful because it has
committed friends like you,’ concluded Barseghian.
The Office of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic in the United States is based
in Washington, DC and works with the US government, academia and the public
representing the official policies and interests of the Mountainous Karabagh
Republic.

3) Deputy NA Speaker Hovhannisian Says Europe Must be Tough with Turkey

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The deputy speaker of Armenia’s parliament Vahan
Hovhannissian told a press conference on Monday that if Europe seeks stability
and peace in the South Caucasus, it must be tough with Turkey, and request
implementation of certain criteria before granting it full membership to the
European Union (EU). These would include a resolution of the Cyprus and
Kurdish
issues, as well as recognition of the Armenian genocide, he stressed.
What is most incredulous, Hovhannisian said, is Turkey’s occupation of an EU
member country, which it refuses to recognize.
Hovhannisian pointed to Turkey’s non-compliance on a myriad of issues and its
tough stance with Europe, saying that this sets a `dangerous example for
Azerbaijan,’ which is also showing signs of refusing to cooperate, this time
with the OSCE and Armenia.
He said that though European political forces understand Turkey’s refusal to
recognize the Armenian genocide is dangerous, he explained that Armenia must
nevertheless aggressively advance the issue. `We must share our position with
the Europeans; we cannot rely on Euro officials.’

4) Young ARF members rally against Turkey’s EU bid

YEREVAN (YERKIR)–Armenian youth rallied in Yerevan on Monday, calling on the
European Union to cancel EU accession talks with Turkey.
Over 250 members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Youth
Organization rallied outside the British embassy in Yerevan, and then marched
to EU offices. The talks were scheduled to begin later in the day.
The demanded that talks with Turkey be postponed until the country accepts
its
role in the Armenian genocide, ensures basic rights of its citizens, and stops
oppressing its ethnic minorities.
In their letters to EU member-states and the UK Embassy in Armenia, they
called for negotiations with Turkey to be postponed, `in the name of democracy
and human rights… as long it as it [Turkey] refuses to acknowledge the
Armenian
genocide and continues using violence against its minorities.’ The UK
presently
holds the EU presidency.
Zinavor Meghrian, a member of the ARF youth that the Republican Party of
Armenia voiced its support for the protest and that 5,000 people are expected
to stage a similar protest in Europe, organized by the Armenian European
Federation.

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CALL TO URGE TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE CONVEYED TO EU URUGUAYAN OFFICE

Pan Armenian News
03.10.2005 04:32

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Thousands of signatures will be presented to the
Uruguayan EU Office in Montevideo today. The signatories call upon the
European Union to urge Turkey to acknowledge Armenian Genocide. The
action was initiated by Uruguayan MP of Armenian origin Lilian
Keshishian and various Armenian organizations. Vice President of
Uruguay, Ministers and MPs are among those to have signed the appeal,
RFE/RL reported.

We need Turkey

A shared future is the way forward

Leader
Sunday October 2, 2005
The Observer

Tomorrow, as long as European Foreign Ministers can agree a common
negotiating position at an emergency meeting today, the EU will start talks
about admitting Turkey to the inner sanctum. Yet although every EU member
state bar Austria, whose objections prompted today’s meeting, officially
endorses Turkey’s candidature, no single country can muster a majority for
entry in opinion polls. The Continent’s electorates, including our own,
don’t regard Turkey as European.

This does not make it right to block Turkey’s application. As Lord Patten, a
former EU commissioner, warned yesterday, such xenophobia reveals a failure
of leadership which can only seriously damage the West’s relations with
Islam. There is a strong case for entry which governments must now start
making. Europe needs Turkey as a custodian of prosperity and democracy and
an exemplar and anchor for all the countries that surround it; it needs
Turkish labour and the Turkish guarantee of oil and gas from central Asia.
Above all, it needs to send a positive message to the 12 million or so
Muslims who already live within Europe.

During the past decade, Turkey has moved heaven and earth to meet the EU
accession criterions and now presents itself as a democratic state and
market economy governed under the rule of law. True, there remains a culture
war in Turkey between those who incline to secularism and those who incline
to fundamentalism. True, too, that one of Turkey’s leading novelists, Orhan
Pamuk, awaits trial in December for raising the subject of the murder of
Armenians during the First World War. Human-rights abuses are routinely
reported and free discussion remains precarious. Such issues should be on
the table for debate on Monday. But the way forward, for Turkey and Europe,
is to maintain the ambition of a shared future.

,6903,1583000,00.html

Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN-LATVIAN BUSINESS FORUM TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN OCTOBER 7

30.09.2005 05:41

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Latvian Minister of Economy Krisjanis Karins and a
delegation of Latvian entrepreneurs engaged in IT, building, woodworking
industry, telecommunications, education, etc. will accompany President of
Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga during his regional visit to the South Caucasus.
A number of events targeted at expanding cooperation and creation of new
business contacts will be held Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku. Thus, October 3-4
a Latvia-Azerbaijan business forum organized by the Latvian Agency for
Investment and Development will take place in Baku. The Latvian and
Azerbaijani Presidents are expected to address the conference. Similar
business forum will be held October 5 in Georgia with the participation of
President Saakashvili. The Latvian-Armenian conference with the
participation of RA President Robert Kocharian is scheduled for October 7,
IA Regnum reported.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

MEDIA ADVISORY
September 30, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SYSTEM OF A DOWN RALLY ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION

— Multi-Platinum Band Calls for Vote
on Armenian Genocide Resolution

— New York Times, BBC, and MTV Join Local ABC, FOX, and WB
stations and Area Newspapers in Covering Event outside the
Batavia, Illinois Office of Speaker Dennis Hastert

WASHINGTON, DC – The pro-Armenian Genocide Resolution rally this
week by System of a Down outside the Batavia, Illinois office of
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) received extensive media
coverage – both internationally and within the Speaker’s local
suburban Chicago media market, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

The September 27th event was organized by the multi-platinum band
System of a Down, along with the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), Axis of Justice, and the Armenian Youth Federation.
Over two hundred fans, including a large number of Armenian
Americans from Chicago, attended the rally to urge the Speaker to
schedule a vote on legislation pending before Congress that would
recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the rally, the band delivered
a letter asking the Speaker to allow the legislation to move
forward. (see below)

Speaker Hastert pledged to allow the full House to vote on Armenian
Genocide legislation in August of 2000, but retreated from this
promise in October of that year, citing pressure from the White
House. On September 15th of this year, the House International
Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing
the Armenian Genocide.

The highlights of the media coverage included:

* Over 560,000 households in the Chicago area watched video from
the rally via ABC channel 7 News (Nielsen Audience: 310,980), WGN-
WB (Nielsen Audience: 231,385), and WFLD-FOX (Nielsen Audience:
22,726).

* The New York Times covered the rally, as did three area
newspapers read by Speaker Hastert’s constituents: The Beacon News,
The Daily Herald, and The Kane County Chronicle.

* News of the rally was broadcast on radio internationally via The
World (BBC) and locally by Chicago Public Radio.

* The rally received excellent coverage in the entertainment media
via stories on the websites of MTV (two stories), VH1, Rolling
Stone, and a range of other media outlets.

Links:

* New York Times (September 26, 2005 – Arts Section)

* ABC channel 7 news
l&id=3483619
WLS-ABC CHICAGO, IL
SEP 27 2005 5:00PM CT Nielsen Audience: 310,980
ABC 7 News at 5

* WGN-WB CHICAGO, IL
SEP 27 2005 9:00PM CT Nielsen Audience: 231,385
News at Nine

* WFLD-FOX CHICAGO, IL
SEP 28 2005 5:00AM CT Nielsen Audience: 22,726
Fox News at 5AM

* MTV.com: (Pre-Rally coverage)

* MTV.com: (Post-Rally coverage)
/09282005/system_of_a_down.jhtml

* VHI
28/system_of_a_down.jhtml

* TheWorld.org — (a radio program in done in co-production with
the BBC)

* Rolling Stone:
/7670574/bobice?pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=sing le1

* The Beacon News
/top/batchAU28_HASTERT_S1.htm

* The Daily Herald
ry.asp?id=98941

* Kane County Chronicle:
local/330582937821598.php

* PR Newswire
.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-26-2005/00041 31979&EDATE
* Los Angeles Daily News

* Blabbermouth.com:
uth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=4210 1

* Yahoo News
l

In the two weeks since that vote, thousands of System fans have
sent free ANCA WebFaxes urging Speaker Hastert to hold a vote on
the Armenian Genocide Resolution:

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==============================================================September 27, 2005

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Hastert,

I am writing to personally ask you to do the right thing by
scheduling a free and fair vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution
this year – the 90th anniversary of this crime against humanity.

In making this request, I want you to know the special and profound
meaning that this issue holds for me. My grandfather, Stepan
Haytayan, is a 97 year-old survivor of the genocide. He’s my only
link to this past. I promised him that I would try to reach you
and explain how important American recognition is to the surviving
children of the first genocide of the 20th century. Historical
truths should never be denied in a democracy – especially one with
such a proud heritage of freedom.

My band, System Of A Down, has held three benefit shows called
“Souls” to raise awareness and much needed funds for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We have been encouraged, in
your own home state, by Governor Rod Blagojevich’s recent signature
on a law requiring that the Genocide be taught in the state’s
public schools. To date, thirty-eight U.S. states have officially
recognized the Armenian Genocide, as have Canada, Germany, France,
Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Greece, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland
– as well as the Council of Europe, European Parliament, and the
Vatican. The International Association of Genocide Scholars
unanimously affirmed at their most recent meeting, in June of this
year, that the Armenian Genocide is recognized by “the overwhelming
opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent
scholars, who have no affiliations with governments, and whose work
spans many countries and nationalities and the course of decades.”

Along with hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans and
countless concerned human rights supporters across the United
States, I was encouraged by the House International Relations
Committee’s vote, less than two weeks ago, to overwhelmingly
approve legislation properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide. I
am sure that you would agree that the strong Committee-level
support for this legislation reflects the powerful bipartisan
consensus in the U.S. House of Representatives for decisive action
to properly recognize the first genocide of the 20th Century.

All that you need to do to move this legislation to a vote is to
remain consistent with your own record. As you recall, in 1994 you
spoke on the floor of the U.S. House about the need for Armenian
Genocide remembrance. In 1996 you voted for the Radanovich
Amendment to cut aid to Turkey until it ended its genocide denials.
Most recently, in 2000, you pledged – as Speaker – to bring
Armenian Genocide legislation to a vote of the full U.S. House.
Following your withdrawal of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in
October of 2000, you stressed – in an official statement – your
personal support for this legislation, your belief that the
Resolution enjoyed the support of a bi-partisan Congressional
majority, and your pledge to bring this legislation back to the
House floor.

The time has come – after five years – to honor this promise and to
act in a manner that we all know to be fully consistent with our
values and long-term interests as a nation. Today, the decision
rests in your hands: to schedule a vote, or to effectively defeat
this legislation by refusing to allow the 435 members of the U.S.
House to cast their ballots on this human rights issue.

I am quite aware of the pressures placed upon you by the
Administration, the military-industrial complex, and the special
interest groups that warn about the consequences of angering
Turkey, a NATO ally, over their denial of the Armenian Genocide.
These “friends” of Turkey are wrong; the truth is that, by acting
as apologists for Turkey, they are actually holding back Turkey’s
progress.

By allowing this vote, and allowing the will of Congress to be
freely expressed, you will be doing the right thing morally and, at
the same time, encouraging Turkey to deal honestly with its past
and more openly with its future.

Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.

Sincerely,

[signed]
Serj Tankian