Author: Jilavian Emma

GIBRAHAYER

[email protected]

SIPAN ENSEMBLE IMPRESS CAPACITY AUDIENCE IN A SENSATIONAL EVENING OF
ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL DANCES

Gibrahayer – Nicosia, 29 March, 2004 – In an evening that had it all,
grace, colour and magic, the Hamazkayin Sipan dance ensemble impressed
a capacity audience in the Strovolos Municipal auditorium in an
unforgettable evening of traditional Armenian dances.

The five years of hard work of Director/Choreographer Janna Tahmizian
in transforming this “peasant army” to a “fighting machine” coupled
with the hard work of successive committees who worked like bees,
blossomed in a spring night in a scent and expression, almost unknown
to us all.

The dancers of Sipan are the pride and jewel of our community. In
faultless, light moves they depicted everything beautiful, sacred and
brave that our people stand for. Moving in uniform formations, the
dancers of Sipan can indeed seek to be compared to any dance group in
Armenian reality and they will no doubt, pass their test in flying
colours.

Sensational! This has to be the word to describe the overall
performance of Saturday night.

“One dance after another, they are all spinning in my head,” said an
overwhelmed mother whose daughter danced with the Ensemble for the
first time. “This is the best performance Cyprus has ever seen” said
another.

What began as a one-off performance five years ago has – through years
of sacrifice – been transformed to an academy of performing arts,
where boys and girls of all ages in our community learn our culture
and music, through funand discipline.

During these crucial times, when there is an attempt to erode
important pillars of culture and education in our community, the Sipan
boys and girlsof Hamazkayin are a loud statement, that we can be
certain that irrespective of recent deplorable acts of regression, our
community is here to stay, not only as a passive physical being but as
a vibrant cell in our society, continuing the multidimensional
presence of Armenians in Cyprus.

NO TO THE CLOSURE OF THE MELKONIAN People of all ages demonstrate
their opposition

Simerini daily – Thursday, March 25, 2004 – By Stella Mourettou
NICOSIA – Graduates, parents and students of the school yesterday
demonstrated their opposition to the decision by the management
committee of the Armenian General Benevolent Organisation (AGBU) to
terminate the operation of the “Melkonian Institute”.

One of the most touching moments was when the whole of the Armenian
community sang, in front of the monument of the Melkonian brothers,
the school’s anthem and laid a carnation. Characteristic was the
presence of 75 years old Marie Somakian, who studies at the
“Melkonian” in 1946. “The school is very important to us, because itis
the only with a boarding house in the whole of the diaspora and we
must maintain it, for our culture and our children,” she said, adding
that her whole family studied there – her son, both her daughters, her
sister and her son-in-law. Student Hovik Demirdjian said that they
will all fight to the end. “Today is only the beginning,” he said and
added: “We aim to do much more, while we send letters daily to these
Americans. As they claim, they will place us in other schools,
however, how can we trust those who have clipped our wings?” Sixteen
years old student Elizabeth Torossian said that this is her second
home. “When it closes, where shall we go? I’m in the fifth
grade. Which school will accept a student for only one year,” she
asked. Present at the protest was the chairman of the House Education
Committee Prodromos Prodromou, who said: “This is no time to close
schools, but to open them, especially today when we talk about
multicultural education.” He repeated that the Committee asked the
Ministry of Interior to speed up the ratification of the declaration
of the school as national heritage buildings and the whole school
grounds into one of historical and cultural importance. He also
emphasized that “if the Foundation terminates the operation of the
school or in any other way changes the inheritance of the Melkonian
brothers, then we consider this not only as a hostile act, but also
contrary to what was reassured to us in the House. We consider the
idea to compensate the students and send them to other private schools
as unacceptable.” Also present at the protest were the representative
of the Armenian religious group, Bedros Kalaydjian, the press
spokesman of DYSI “Democratic Rally” Tasos Mitsopoulos, the press
spokesman of “left wing” AKEL Andros Kyprianou, the representative of
the United Democrats Michalis Papapetrou and the Mayor of Aglandjia
Andreas Petrou.

ARMENIAN AND AZERI JOURNALISTS VISIT CYPRUS Azat Artsakh – Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh – March 24, 2004 On March 7-14 the group of 19
Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists visited Cyprus. The visit was
organized by the press clubs of Yerevan and Baku within the framework
of the program `The possibilities of settlement of the Karabakh
conflict: evaluations of experts and coverage in the mass media’.

The implementation of the project was assisted by the network program
of the mass media of the Open Society Institute. The organization of
the visit was favoured by the office of press and information of the
Ministry of Home Affairs of Cyprus, the press service of the embassy
of the Republic of Cyprus in Russia, the chairman of the union of
journalists of Cyprus Andreas Kannauros, the press and information
service of the government of North Cyprus. The aim ofthe visit of the
representatives of the mass media of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorni
Karabakh was to observe the problem of Cyprus from inside and also an
attempt to compare with the actualities of our region.

According to the editor of the `Weekly Bulletin’ of the Yerevan Press
Club Elina Poghosbekian, `The changing atmosphere of both the north
and the south of Cyprus inspire optimism. It is more difficult to
foresee whether we the Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists who
appeared on the hospitable island of Aphrodite will be able `to learn
to walk again’. Thus, it is too early to draw parallels with the South
Caucasian actualities.

AZERBAIJAN CANCELS CRUCIAL TALKS ON KARABAGH

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev has
canceled his upcoming crucial meeting with his Armenian
counterpart. Armenia had hoped the talks would serve to establish
whether the Mountainous Karabagh conflict could be resolved in the
foreseeable future. The decision was announced late Wednesday amid
renewed Azeri criticism of the American, French, and Russian
mediators. President Ilham Aliyev again accused the three co-chairs of
the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe of doing little to achieve a peaceful settlement of the
dispute. He also warned ally Turkey against reopening its border with
Armenia. Guliyev said that he will not travel to the Czech capital
Prague to meet with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian because the
agenda of the talks scheduled for Monday has not been specified.
There was no immediate reaction from the Minsk Group. Russia’stop
Karabagh negotiator Yuri Merzlyakov, was quoted as only telling an
Azeri television channel that the talks initiated by the mediators
will not take place because “one of the parties” decided so. The Czech
Foreign Ministry confirmed the information on Thursday. The Foreign
Ministry in Yerevan declined a comment, though Hamlet Gasparian, told
RFE/RL that the ministry has received no written notification from the
mediators. Oskanian said last week that the Prague meeting should
clarifywhether Baku is ready to revive Karabagh agreements reached by
the Armenian and Azeri presidents in Paris and in Key West three years
ago. He added that Aliyev would have to negotiate only with Karabagh
Armenians if he finally backpedals from those agreements. Aliyev,
however, reiterated Baku’s vehement denial of any peace deals cut by
his late father and predecessor Heydar at the Paris and Key West
talks. “There was and there is no agreement,” he told journalists in
Baku. “This is just another lie circulated by the Armenian side.”
Aliyev went on to attack the Minsk Group, which he said has done
“nothing positive” since being set up in 1992. “When we are told that
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia should reach and agreement
themselves and the co-chairs will support whatever they decide, that
is not mediation,” he said. Azeri leaders have repeatedly complained
that peace proposals put forward by the mediators in recent years
would not return Karabagh to Azerirule. Aliyev declared recently that
his oil-rich nation is not in a hurry to agree to a compromise deal
because he believes it is the Armenians who suffer more from the
unresolved conflict.

CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA TO ORGANISE A PAN-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE ON
ARMENIAN EDUCATION IN ANTELIAS ANTELIAS, LEBANON – With the initiative
of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia a major conference will take
place on Armenian education from 5-7 August 2004 in Antelias,
Lebanon. The conference will deal with a number of issuesand
challenges, pertaining to Armenian education in the Diaspora. The
main subject of discussion will be the Armenian School and the way the
Armenian education is organized and provided in the daily
schools. This will include textbooks, Armenian courses, the
curriculum, the status of teacher, pedagogical methodologies,
extra-curriculum activities, etc. The conference will also attempt to
look at the Armenian formation in a broader context by dealing with
the ways the new generation is formed through the church, the family,
clubs, organizations, etc. What does it mean to be Armenian in a
Diaspora situation? What kind of Armenian should we form to confront
the new challenges, risks and hopes of new times, and how such an
Armenian must be prepared? These and related questions will be
seriously addressed by the conference which will bring together about
70 selected and experienced educators and intellectuals from different
parts of the Armenian Diaspora. His Holiness Aram I will address the
conference and will personally attend all its sessions. The Armenian
Department of the Gulbenkian Foundation willtake part in this
conference and contribute financially. The minister of Education of
Armenia will also address the conference and a delegation from Armenia
will be invited to attend the conference.

UNITED COMMUNIST PARTY OF ARMENIA CALLS OTHER COMMUNISTS FOR
COOPERATION YEREVAN, March 25 (Noyan Tapan). Yuri Manoukian was
elected the first Secretary of the Central Committee of the United
Communist Party of Armeniaduring the first congress of the party,
which was held on March 25. These are the first elections of the
party’s leadership,which testify that the party is established. The
Congress was a closed one and 230 delegates took part in its work. 77
members were included in the structure of the Central Committee. 17
members are in the structure of the Bureau of the Central Committee of
the United Communist Party of Armenia. A press conference was held on
the same day andthe leadership of the party read the statement of the
party directed to the people and other political organizations.

Declaring themselves an opposition party, the United Communist Party
of Armenia, refuses to cooperate with the current opposition.”One
shouldn’t lead the people to confrontation with the danger of
consequences that are not predictable and put the existence of the
state at stake,” Yuri Manoukian stated, naming the opposition
political figures the traitors of the nation that act for the sake of
their own interests. At the same time, the United Communist Party of
Armenia calls two other Communist parties, namely, the Communist Party
of Armenia and the Progressive Communist Party, for uniting with the
UCPA around the general idea of building Socialism. According to
Manoukian, UCPA still hopes to come to an agreement with the communist
Party of Armenia, though, he stated, that knowing his party-fellows,
he can say that their position is both indefinite and speculative.
Turning to the people, the UCPA, calls for not taking decisive
measures that can turn fatal for the country, as the hard foreign
political situation requires political stability. The UCPA demands
from the authorities to takedecisive measures for securing the safety
of the country for the sake of the very existence of the Armenian
state. Besides, the UCPA is against the power shift. Hrant Voskanian,
one of the ideologists of the party, member of the Bureau of the
Central Committee of the UCPA, agreed that the parties at power bear
the responsibility for the hard situation in the country. But,
according to him, the fate of the people and their country is not the
monopoly of only one party,but the concern of all.”The power shift is
no goal in itself and doesn’t proceed from the interests of the
people,” Voskanian said.

– A new cardiovascular surgical center was inaugurated in Yerevan with
the financial support of the Greek Onassis Foundation in the premises,
owned by Yerevan Medical University.

– Major state-owned Russian bank Vneshtorgbank (VTB) has finalized the
deal to purchase a 70% stake in Armenia’s savings bank Armsberbank,
one of the largest in the country

– Armenian Minister of Electric Energy Armen Movsiyan said that that
the Iran-Armenia pipeline, construction of which is scheduled to
finish by 2005will be prolonged through Georgian territory

– A working group on Azerbaijan has been officially registered in the
US Congress. The co-chairmen of the group are Republican Congressman
Curt Weldon from Pennsylvania and Democrat Congressman Solomon Otis
from Texas.

– On the initiative of the Chairman of Chamber of Deputies of Italian
Parliament Peir Ferdinando Casini, an Italy-Armenia friendship group
is being created in the Italian Parliament.

– The World Bank is to allocate a $52 million ten-year loan to Armenia
for education reform, Roger Robinson, the head of the Bank’s Yerevan
office, told the press on Wednesday.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 1, 2004
___________________

LAND PURCHASE IN GEORGIA GIVES COMMUNITY TEMPORARY BUILDING

The mission parish of Atlanta, GA, announced this week that it has purchased
a two-acre lot next to the property it already owned. The parish now has
four acres of land for the site of its future church building.

The plot purchased also comes with an existing 3,000 square foot house,
which will be used as a temporary community center and place of worship
until the church is constructed.

“This is a great moment in the development of the Armenian community of
Atlanta,” said Armen Karapetian, chairman of the parish council. “The dream
of having our own place was shared by many of us for a long time. Finally
it has become a reality.”

The parish has about $50,000 in work it wants to do to its new house
building before using it for services. However with community help in the
construction work, the final renovation cost could be less.

The house will become a community center for activities by the parish and
it’s chapter of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA).
Parish leaders also hope to use the building for community functions, such
as music nights or dinners.

“This building will be used for various organized activities aimed at
bringing our youth closer together and preserving our Armenian heritage,”
Karapetian said.

— 4/01/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the Armenian Church of Atlanta, GA, gather at
a house on two acres of property bought as part of the site for its future
church building.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): The land recently bought by the Armenian Church of
Atlanta, GA, includes this building, which will be used as a worship space
and community center until a permanent facility is built.

# # #

Armenian minister, US deputy state secretary discuss ties

Arminfo
26 Mar 04

YEREVAN

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan had a meeting with US Deputy
Secretary of State Richard Armitage today.

The Foreign Ministry press service has told Arminfo that during the
meeting, the sides discussed in detail the situation in the South
Caucasus, and problems and prospects for the development of the
region. They also exchanged views on the current stage of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict settlement.

Oskanyan and Armitage expressed their satisfaction with the level of
Armenian-US relations. They said that comprehensively developing
relations should also be stimulated by a political dialogue.

To recap, Armitage arrived in Yerevan from Kiev today and will leave
for Baku on the same day.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/26/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Armenia’s Ruling Coalition Issues Statement
2) US Looks to `Reinvigorate’ Ties with Armenia
3) ANCA and Supporters to Sponsor Major Kerry Campaign Event
4) ARF Dro Gomideh Raises $50,000 for Mesrobian School
5) AYF Members Participate in Annual Educational Seminar
6) April 24 Announcement

1) Armenia’s Ruling Coalition Issues Statement

Parliament faction leaders of the three political parties comprising Armenia’s
coalition government released a joint statement on Friday that was
presented to
parliament by Levon Mkrtchian (ARF), Galust Sahakian (Republican), and Samvel
Balasanian (Orinats Yerkir).

The following is the full text of that statement:

Exploiting the unresolved socioeconomic problems of the population,
statements
and calls are currently being made to provoke popular unrest and change of
power.
The political coalition has never claimed that the Republic is void of
problems, including social ones. The issue has become more and more visible
during coalition representative visits to regions of the country. Moreover,
the
awareness of collective responsibility and the will to resolve these issues
are
the basis for the coalition’s existence.
Thus, the political coalition, formed as a result of parliamentary election,
declares:
The coalition, having ardently analyzed the situation in the period following
the parliamentary election, has adopted a comprehensive approach to finding
fundamental solutions to existing problems and ensuring a development program
for the country;
Realistic programs have been created to ensure the country’s stability;
The coalition is determined and consistent in solving the problems facing the
country, and 2004 will be a decisive year for delivering on pre-election
promises;
The government is formed by means of elections, not during the period between
elections. Any attempt to draw the country into fresh electoral processes
could
imperil the security of our state which is faced with numerous challenges;
The political forces of the coalition are united and resolute in achieving
the
goals of our Memorandum–to improve the social conditions of the people,
overcome poverty, and fight corruption.
The coalition is confident that fulfillment of its programs will introduce
visible benefits to each citizen;
The coalition declares that attempts to violate the country’s constitutional
law and order must be prevented with a resolute and adequate reaction from
competent bodies.

2) US Looks to `Reinvigorate’ Ties with Armenia

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said the
United
States is satisfied with its existing cooperation with Armenia and would like
to expand it, as he paid a brief visit to Yerevan on Friday.
Armitage, the most high-ranking US official to visit the country in more than
four years, also reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for the reopening of
the Turkish-Armenian border and ruled out stronger US pressure on Armenia and
Azerbaijan to resolve the Karabagh conflict.
`I came today at the request of President Bush because we’ve been spending a
lot of time on Afghanistan and on Iraq, and we haven’t had the same amount of
involvement in the Caucasus,’ he told RFE/RL. `Armenia is a very important
country to us and we wanted to reinvigorate our relationship.’
Armitage, who arrived in Armenia from Ukraine and proceeded to Azerbaijan
later on Wednesday, said the purpose of the trip is to have `normal political
consultations on regional, global, and bilateral issues.’ `I didn’t come
with a
specific message,’ he said after a meeting with Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian that preceded his talks with President Robert Kocharian.
`We have a very high degree of cooperation with Armenia. I would even note
that Armenia is making some people available from the military to be involved
in Iraq in convoying and what not. I think that speaks very well of the
nation.’
The comments were reciprocated by Kocharian, who was quoted as telling the US
official that he supports `the expansion of bilateral cooperation.’ `President
Kocharian expressed his satisfaction with the current level of
Armenian-American relations,’ reported his press office.
As the number two man at the US State Department, Armitage is the first
senior
member of the Bush administration to visit Armenia. `I am delighted with the
time I have had with the foreign minister and the president,’ Armitage told a
concluding news conference.
The Karabagh conflict was a major theme of the talks. But no details were
divulged to the media, with Armitage vaguely noting that `there is a
possibility eventually of a resolution.’ He made it clear that the
responsibility is on the conflicting parties to find a mutually acceptable
peace formula and nothing will be imposed on them “top down from the
outside.’
Armitage also disagreed with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s claim that a
Karabagh settlement will become impossible if Turkey lifts its economic
blockade imposed on Armenia in 1993 out of solidarity with Azerbaijan. `It
seems to me that the opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey would
benefit the peoples of both sides rather dramatically and relatively quickly,’
he said. `We have had those discussions with our friends in Turkey.’
The US has long been unsuccessfully pressing Turkey to reopen the border for
commerce and traffic. The current government in Ankara signaled last year its
readiness to do that before a Karabagh settlement but has not yet taken any
steps in that direction. According to Armitage, the Turks have since been
distracted by other, more pressing national security issues.
He said: `I think to be fair, our Turkish friends have had their hands full
recently with concerns about northern Iraq and the ongoing Cyprus talks. I
hope
that as those concerns are ameliorated there will be a return of their
attention to reopening of some border.’
In a related development, the Armenian side renewed calls for the US to
maintain parity in its modest military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Bush administration’s proposed budget for the fiscal year 2005 would
allocate $8 million in military funding to Baku, four times more than to
Yerevan.
The proposal has provoked angry protests from the Armenian-American lobbying
groups and pro-Armenian members of the US Congress. The Armenian government
has
endorsed their argument that the aid disparity could undermine the balance of
forces in the conflict zone.
But Armitage insisted that it is justified because Azerbaijan, unlike
Armenia,
has already sent combat troops to Iraq and Afghanistan and has been refueling
on its territory US military aircraft bound for Iraq. `It was also noted by
the
Armenian side that our overall levels of assistance to Armenia are much
greater
than to Azerbaijan,’ he said, but added that `he temporary disparity is based
on the need to relieve some of the burden on Azerbaijan.’

3) ANCA and Supporters to Sponsor Major Kerry Campaign Event

LOS ANGELES–National, regional, and local leaders and supporters of the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) are sponsoring a major
fundraiser
in Beverly Hills for Democratic presidential candidate Senator John Kerry of
Massachusetts.
The event will be held on March 30, at the home of noted Los Angeles
businessman Ron Burkle, and will feature a concert by James Taylor, and
remarks
by former Secretary of State William Christopher. ANCA supporters are among
the
leading contributors of the event, expected to raise over half a million
dollars for the Kerry campaign.
`We have been encouraged by the enthusiastic outpouring of support for the
Senator and the growing interest in his campaign from all segments of the
Armenian American community,’ said ANCA-Western Region Chairman Raffi
Hamparian. `We have, for more than two decades, known of Senator Kerry’s
principled leadership on issues of concern to our community, and look forward
to doing all we can to share his excellent record with Armenian American
voters
in the weeks and months before the November 2 election.’
During his long tenure in the US House and Senate, Senator Kerry has
consistently been a leading advocate of issues of concern to Armenian
Americans. As a US Senator, Kerry has forcefully fought for US recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, and is currently a cosponsor of the Genocide
Resolution,
S.Res.164. In 1990, Senator Kerry voted on the Senate floor for Senator Bob
Dole’s (R-KS) Genocide Resolution.
Meeting with ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian and ANC activist
Mihran Toumajan last September, the Senator acknowledged the support of many
Armenian Americans during his political career. Specifically referencing the
Armenian Genocide, the Senator spoke of the Genocide Resolution, and promised
continued advocacy. “It is called justice, and we will get there together,”
pledged Senator Kerry. “I was incensed when the Turkish lobby and its allies
disrupted the bill in the Senate before,” Kerry added, referring to the 1990
vote on Sen. Dole’s Genocide Resolution.
The Massachusetts Senator has been a vocal and effective champion of stronger
US-Armenia relations and has consistently backed legislative initiative to
increase aid and expand trade with Armenia. He is currently a cosponsor of
legislation, S.1557, which would grant Armenia permanent normal trade
relations
status.
Senator Kerry has spearheaded a number of initiatives to lift the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades. In 1991, he was the lead sponsor of a piece of
legislation, that was later enacted as Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act,
restricting US aid to the government of Azerbaijan until its blockades of
Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh are lifted. He also worked for the
adoption of
the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which called for US aid to Turkey to be cut
off unless Turkey lifted its blockade of Armenia. As recently as this January,
Senator Kerry formally called on President Bush to press the visiting Prime
Minister of Turkey to lift his nation’s illegal blockade of Armenia.
First elected in 1984 from Massachusetts, Sen. Kerry is currently serving a
fourth term in the US Senate, where he represents one of the largest Armenian
American communities. He serves on the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee
on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations,
and the Subcommittee on Central Asia and South Caucasus.
For two differing perspectives on the Bush Administration’s record on
Armenian
American issues, visit:

Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council

National Organization of Republican Armenians

4) ARF Dro Gomideh Raises $50,000 for Mesrobian School

MONTEBELLO–For the second year in a row, a dinner dance organized at the
Montebello Armenian Center by the ARF San Gabriel “Dro” Gomideh raised a
resounding $50,000 for the Mesrobian Armenian School of Pico Rivera.
Nearly 400 guests were on hand on March 6, in support of the educational
institution and local Gomideh.
The highlight of the evening featured a tribute to long-time educator and one
of the charter instructors at Mesrobian School Roubina Pakradouni, who retired
last year after 50 years of devoted and caring service to Armenian education.
With distinction, she taught Armenian elementary students for 12 years in
Lebanon, then 38 more years at Mesrobian School.
Pakradouni spoke briefly and emotionally, thanking the Gomideh for the honor,
as well as members of her family for their support, former teachers and, in
particular, her 94-year-old mother, Manoushak Nakashian Pakradouni, who was
present to witness the honor.
Dro Gomideh Chariman Sarkis Sassounian reiterated the Gomideh’s commitment to
the Mesrobian School in a spirit embodying Armenian education, civic
dedication, and the pursuit of Armenian national aspirations.
Guests gave selflessly to $42,000, that included a generous contribution of
$12,500 by the Nourian family. To round out the number and match last year’s
amount, the Dro Gomideh added $8,000, to take to total to $50,000.

5) AYF Members Participate in Annual Educational Seminar

Over 100 AYF members from eight chapters gathered at AYF Camp Big Pines March
19-21 for the Annual AYF Educational Seminar.
The weekend featured lectures and discussions on developments within the ARF
at the 29th World Congress, activism in the American political system, and
ideological undertakings.
Innovative methods in presenting educational topics, combined with a
patriotic
and social atmosphere, provided the opportunity for members to learn about
political activism and the ARF.
The education program included a mock presidential election conducted by
chairman of the ANCA-WR Raffi Hamparian, and a discussion on the ARF’s 29th
World Congress presented by ARF Western Region CC Chairman Hovig Saliba.

6) April 24 Announcement

With the participation of Southern California Armenian organizations, a
committee to mark the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide has been
formed, and announces that a public gathering will be held at the Montebello
Armenian Genocide Monument on Saturday, April 24, 1-3 PM.

A unique program featuring, among others, state and federal political figures
has been prepared.

Additional details will soon be provided to the press.

Armenian Genocide 89th Anniversary
Commemorative Committee

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A1 Plus | 15:27:52 | 26-03-2004 | Politics |

RULING COALITION TO ISSUE STATEMENT

Ruling coalition parties intend to come up with a joint statement after
their today’s caucus on growing political tension in Armenia.

Only two day ago the coalition members met with Robert Kocharyan. The idea
of the statement was believed given by the republic president.

—

Pacquiao, foe trade barbs

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mar 26, 2004

THERE was no shortage of verbal tussles yesterday when Filipino
champion Manny Pacquiao and WBA-IBF featherweight titlist Juan Manuel
Marquez met for the first time during a press conference launching
their 12-round showdown on May 8 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in
Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao, dapper in a sky-blue polo and sporting an expensive
wristwatch, was accompanied by promoter Murad Muhammad and trainer
Freddie Roach during the press presentation held at the Westin
Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

Marquez showed up in a dark suit accompanied by his promoter Bob Arum
of Top Rank and trainer Nacho Beristain.

Marquez, as quoted by Fightnews, opened fire by declaring: “There will
be fire in the ring on May 8th. It took a lot for me to become a World
Champion and only in death will I relinquish my belts! Manny is a
great fighter, but I am fighting not only for myself but my wife, my
children, my parents and all of my country!”

When it was his turn, Pacquiao said: “Marquez is a great fighter and I
respect him as the champ, but I am a champ too! This is a big
important fight and I have to win if I want to fight Erik Morales on
July 31st.”

Visibly irked by Pacquiao’s subtle disregard of his abilities, Marquez
retorted: “What’s he thinking…that I’m going to roll over? Pacquiao
just gave me all the motivation I need. Wait until you see me in
training camp.”

After the presscon, Pacquiao immediately buckled down to work at the
Wild Card Gym by hitting the mitts for a good eight rounds and doing
other exercises.

Pacquiao is slated to start his rigid sparring sessions soon against
Mexican Israel Vazquez, Armenian superbantamweight Karen Harutyunyan,
Irish featherweight sensation Bernard Dunne and two other Mexican
fighters who will be brought in to simulate Marquez’s fighting
style. Salven L. Lagumbay, Contributor

European Armenian Federation
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :

PRESS RELEASE
March 19th, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27

OOSTLANDER REPORT REAFFIRMS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTIONS ON THE GENOCIDE
ISSUE

The report:
– references the resolution of 18 June 1987
– calls on Turkey to reopen the borders with Armenia

Brussels, Belgium – The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (AFET) adopted on March
17th, 2004, the report `on Turkey’s progress towards accession,’ written by
Dutch Christian Democrat Representative, Mr. Arie Oostlander (PPE), by a
vote of 39 for, 2 against and 7 abstentions.

This vote came after 199 amendments to the report had been proposed and
considered by members and political parties.

During the Committee meeting the day before, Mr. Oostlander has presented 21
compromise amendments to the report, of which two amendments directly
concerned Armenia and the Armenian Genocide.

The adopted report `requests Turkey to reopen the borders with Armenia and
to promote good neighbourly relations with Armenia, to work together to
promote equitable solutions to the regional conflicts and not to take any
action that would stand in the way of a historic reconciliation.’

In another compromise amendment adopted by the Committee, the report wishes
for `the establishment of a dialogue between Turkish and Armenian academics,
social and non-governmental organisations in order to overcome the tragic
experiences of the past as has been expressed in its earlier resolutions (of
18 June 1987, 15 November 2000, 28 February 2002 and 26 February 2004)’.

`We hail the European Parliament’s affirmation of previous resolutions on
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,’ declared Hilda Tchoboian,
Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation. `After many years of
intense perseverance, we have succeeded in resurfacing the resolution of
1987 and having it reaffirmed in several European Parliament reports.’

The Federation reminds that in his initial text, Mr. Oostlander had
deliberately evaded the genocide issue, citing as a pretext in its
explanatory statement, the Turkish sensitivities regarding this issue.

`Though a reasonable dialogue between peoples is always desirable, Mr.
Oostlander’s report fails to recognize that Turkey is still today far from
demonstrating the slightest serious intention to conduct dialogue with
Armenia and Armenians. Consequently, it is not possible to camouflage the
crime suffered by the Armenian people with well-meaning wishes,’ stated
Tchoboian.

Arie Oostlander’s report will be submitted to European Parliament vote
during its plenary session in the coming weeks.

#####

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
15-03-2004

G. KASPAROV: GLAD THAT TOURNAMENT IS HELD IN STEPANAKERT

On March 9 the international chess tournament devoted to the 75th
anniversary of the 9th champion of the world Tigran Petrossian
started in Stepanakert. Ten grand masters of chess, 3 international
masters, honourable guests from more than ten countries take part in
the tournament, among them the ex-champion of the world Boris
Spassky, grand masters Yevgeny Sveshnikov, Vladimir Hakobian and
Smbat Lpoutian, and others. The Azerbaijani authorities indeed made
much noise about the “organization of an international tournament by
FIDE in Khankendi, the center of Nagorni Karabakh considered an
Azerbaijani territory.” They were especially disappointed with the
greeting of the chairman of FIDE to the participants of the
tournament. And it is not a surprise that the mass media of our
neighbour country on these days is busy with another campaign against
“arrogant Armenians”, the NKR authorities. They, in particular,
“revealed” the observations of the former world champion of chess
Garry Kasparov he made in his interview to the Russian TV channel
NTV. The reason may be the memories connected with the world-famous
chess player born in Baku or simply the feeling of hate and jealousy…
Who knows? But in his speech Kasparov did not mention them at all,
and especially did not hurt the dignity of the Azerbaijanis. In this
case what is the meaning of getting angry and making a racket before
the world. In his greeting Kasparov simply mentioned, “I am glad that
the international tournament in the memory of T. Petrossian is held
in Stepanakert, which, in my opinion, is a manifestation of good will
on the part of FIDE. Life in Nagorni Karabakh is normalizing. The
wounds caused by the war are healing. People are busy with creative
peaceful work. And it is extremely important that together with
maintaining the defence of the country the authorities pay special
attention to the problems of development of culture and sport.
Presentations are organized in Stepanakert – Nagorni Karabakh
officially steps on the international arena. And I am glad that
especially Stepanakert was chosen for holding the international
tournament. I congratulate heartily all the participants of the
tournament, as well as the organizers who managed to overcome the
complex and gave way to Karabakh to the international arena.” In his
speech the chairman of FIDE Ilyumzhinov also emphasized the
importance of the tournament. He approved of the fact of holding the
international tournament devoted to the 75th anniversary of the world
champion Tigran Petrossian in Stepanakert and assured that the
tournament will favour the development of traditions of the Armenian
school of chess. Expressing his concern referring the attempts at
hindering the arrival of the foreign chess-players to Nagorni
Karabakh, obstructing the tournament, NKR prime minister Anoushavan
Danielian emphasized the inadmissibility of politicizing such spheres
as sport, humanitarian problems. He described the efforts of Baku as
an encroachment on the people of NKR. “The fact that the ambitions of
the Azerbaijani authorities are devoid of basis is proved by holding
the tournament which took place despite everything,” mentioned A.
Danielian, “sport has always been regarded as the ambassador of
peace. Therefore, the interests of our nations demand that battles
should take place on the chessboard and not in battlefields…” “It’s a
pity that Azerbaijan is discontent with organizing the tournament in
Stepanakert,” mentioned the organizer of the tournament, director of
the Armenian academy of chess, Smbat Lpoutian, “every similar
tournament is a significant event for the world of chess, especially
when it is held in the memory of a person such as Tigran Petrossian.
All the chess-players taking part in the tournament received the
invitation with love. I am sure that Stepanakert will become a
traditional town of international meetings and will be recognized in
the world as a chess town.” The chess commentators of the TV channel
NTV Sergey and Marina Makarevich also expressed their ideas
concerning the tournament held in the capital of NKR. Comparing the
recently held tournament in Linares with Stepanakert Sergey did not
hide his surprise concerning the fact that Nagorni Karabakh, having
just overcome the war, could organize a sport event on such a high
level. “Being so small, Stepanakert, in fact, has become a chess town
and is in the center of attention of the world chess-players today,”
he said. And his wife Marina, who covered the tournament of Linares,
added, “The sport and creative morale of the tournament in
Stepanakert is so high that I seemed to be in Linares. I admired the
new juvenile chess school of Stepanakert which, indeed, will have a
great future. I became convinced there that the young men love chess
more than in any other country. And the important thing is that they
do not play badly.”

DAVIT MIKAELIAN

ArmenPress
March 17 2004

ARMENIAN FM CALLS FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF KARABAGH’S RIGHT TO
SELF-DETERMINATION

GENEVA, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS: Addressing the 60-th session of the
UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on March 16, Armenian foreign
affairs minister Vartan Oskanian described the brutal murder of an
Armenian officer in Budapest by an Azeri classmate as “an example of
ethnic enmity.”
Armenian foreign affairs ministry said that the minister
reiterated Armenia’s commitment to respect of human rights and
briefed the session on what has been achieved in Armenia to this end
in the last ten years, singling out, particularly, the abolition of
death penalty, appointment of the first ever ombudsman and
legislative reforms.
Oskanian explained that the existing discontents in the region are
the direct outcome of abuse of human rights and called on the
international community to acknowledge the right of Nagorno Karabagh
population to self-determination.
During a one-day visit to Geneva Oskanian met with Irish foreign
minister Bryan Kowen to discuss the Wider Europe project. He also had
meetings with his Swiss, Estonian and Luxembourg counterparts and
visited also the deputy UN Secretary General, the chief director of
the UN Geneva office Sergey Orjonikidze.

ArmenPress
March 17 2004

MARGARIAN MEETS OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian met today with the visiting chairman-in-office of the OSCE,
Bulgarian foreign minister Solomon Passy, who has arrived in Armenia
after visiting neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan. The goal of the
visit is to get first-hand information about South Caucasian problems
and the latest developments concerning regulation of the region’s
conflicts.
The prime minister expressed hope that the visit will have a
positive impact on the resolution of the conflicts promoting
establishment pf peace and stability and reiterated that Armenia’s
foreign policy is aimed at closer integration with Europe, recalling
that Armenia joined OSCE in 1992. Relations between Armenia and OSCE,
according to Margarian are important first of all with regard to
efforts aimed to help the conflicting sides resolve their dispute
over Nagorno Karabagh.
He underlined that Armenia stands for continuation of the
disrupted negotiations process finding that jointly implemented
projects, not only together with Azerbaijan, but also with Turkey,
without preconditions would significantly raise chances for a
peaceful solution through building confidence measures. “The sooner
our problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey are resolved the better for
all sides, as we are neighbors and are doomed to live side by side,”
he said, but added that Turkey is not prepared now to accept this
‘clear realities,” and therefore Armenia is against Turkey taking up
in 2007 the chairmanship over the OSCE. “Our position in this regard
may change only after Turkey establishes full diplomatic relations
with Armenia and opens its borders,” he said.
Margarian also said that Armenia was disappointed with the OSCE
chairman-in-office’s failure to condemn the brutal murder of an
Armenian officer in Budapest by an Azeri classmate. According to
Margarian, such a step would have been appropriate having in mind the
demeanor of Azeri authorities seeking to justify the crime.
The prime minister also praised the OSCE Yerevan office for its
productive cooperation with Armenian authorities, singling out its
assistance in helping draft a series of legislations.
Solomon Passy in turn said his conclusion was that a dialogue,
joint discussions are the best way for resolving all exiting
problems. He also welcomed Armenia’s position to start cooperation
with its neighbors without preconditions pledging also his support.
Later in the day Solomon Passy was received by foreign minister
Vartan Oskanian.