Armenia commemorates Genocide victims

ArmenPress
April 24 2004

ARMENIA COMMEMORATES GENOCIDE VICTIMS

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert
Kocharian, members of the Armenian government, representatives of
political parties, diplomatic corps and top clerics from the Armenian
Apostolic Church laid wreathes today at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial
in the capital Yerevan to commemorate 1.5 million victims of the 1915
genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.
Hundreds of thousands of Armenians from all parts of the world
walked today up the Tsitsernakaberd hill in Yerevan to the 1915
Genocide Memorial on the annual day of remembrance for Armenians
massacred in the Ottoman Empire. Ceremonies are also held in Armenian
communities throughout the world.
The Armenian genocide was officially recognized by parliaments of
several countries, the last being Canada, the European Parliament,
tens of US States and many international organizations.
An American journalists Jonathan Alper, who came to pay tribute to
the memory of innocent victims, told Armenpress that 33 US states
have officially recognized the Armenian genocide, while president
George Bush avoids to use the word” genocide” in his April 24 address
to American Armenians. “A presidential hopeful John Kerry has
promised to recognize the Armenian genocide if elected, but he will
forget about it as soon as elected, like all previous presidents,” he
said.
Speaking to reporters after laying a wreath to Genocide Memorial
president Kocharian said: ”
You can see that our government is very active in pressing for
international recognition of the genocide. Each year is marked with a
significant progress. We shall be as persistent as now and we have
big resources to reach our goal. I believe that after all we shall
succeed in it.”

Appeal by Primates of Armenian Church Dioceses in Armenia

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 23, 2004

Appeal by Primates of Armenian Church Dioceses in Armenia

On April 20, a meeting of the Primates of all Armenian Church Dioceses
within Armenia was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians. The meeting’s agenda included the discussion of issues
related to Christian education and organization of diocesan and parish life.
The bishops also discussed the internal political situation in Armenia and
issued the following appeal addressed to all of the people:

“We, the Primates of the Dioceses of Armenia, express our concern regarding
the continuation of the internal political tension in Armenia. Given the
present day situation of critical developments in our region, we consider as
unacceptable those paths that lead to political agitations, and which lead
to confrontations, deepen the spirit of intolerance and division among our
people, and jeopardize the stability of the Homeland and the security of our
statehood.

“Before the sacredness of April 24, we appeal to all of our people, to the
state authorities, the political parties and the non-governmental
organizations, asking them to remain faithful to the luminous memory of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915; through whom live the wholeness of
independent statehood of our nation and the centuries-old desire of our
people for a free and secure life, and through which our spirit of national
unity has always been strengthened.

“The interest of the Homeland and the people is one and the same.
Therefore, let us listen to one another in the spirit of reconciliation, so
that we may find the necessary paths of building our homeland. We must
search for solutions to all of our issues and problems with a protectiveness
of preserving the rule of law, mutual respect, compromise, and reciprocal
understanding, while pursuing the greatest aim of maintaining the internal
peace and stability of our homeland and the unanimity of our people.

“We believe that in the this soul-renewing Easter season, when the
Resurrected Savior spreads His peace and love over us all, that we will be
able to overcome this anxious internal political situation, for the benefit
and joy of us all – our faithful Nation in Armenia and dispersed throughout
the world.”

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BAKU: Hungary attaches great importance to relations with Azerbaijan

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
April 23 2004

HUNGARY ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH
AZERBAIJAN
[April 23, 2004, 12:48:01]

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, on April 22, Minister for
Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has met the assistant to the state
secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Hungary Iene Boros.

At the meeting, minister Elmar Mammadyarov, having emphasized
importance of expansion of legal ground between the two countries,
has noted that mutual visits stimulate development of bilateral
relations.

The visitor from Hungary, having noted that his country attaches
great importance to expansion of relations with Azerbaijan, has
emphasized importance of the further development of links between our
states in economic, power, non-oil, agrarian and other sectors.

Further the head of the foreign policy department of our country
Elmar Mammadyarov has in detail informed the visitor on the reforms
conducted in the Republic after gaining state independence, on
integration of Azerbaijan into the European institutions, about the
obligations taken by our country before the international
organizations, and their successful performance. Having stopped on
prospects of development of mutual relations, the Minister has noted,
that the question of expansion of economic relations has great value
for Azerbaijan.

Then, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has highlighted the visitor on
conditions of the refugees and IDPs ousted from the native lands as a
result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, about
the work done for settlement of the conflict. Having taken an
interest in the course of the investigation connected to the officer
of Azerbaijan army Ramil Safarov, arrested person as a suspected in
murder of the Armenian officer, the Minister has expressed confidence
that the process would pass impartially.

At the meeting, also were focused a number of other issues
representing mutual interest.

Canada set to recognize Armenian genocide

Canada set to recognize Armenian genocide
By David Ljunggren

21 Apr 2004 19:17:29 GMT

OTTAWA, April 21 (Reuters) – The Canadian Parliament looked set on
Wednesday to overthrow long-standing government policy, and anger
Turkey, by passing a resolution saying Ottoman Turks committed
genocide against Armenians in 1915.

Government sources said the motion was likely to be approved, making
Canada’s legislature one of the few in the world to describe what
happened 90 years ago as genocide.

Armenians say some 1.5 million of their people were deliberately
slaughtered by Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923. Turkey denies the
charges of genocide, saying the Armenians were among the many victims
of a partisan war raging during World War One as the Ottoman Empire
collapsed.

Ottawa’s official position is that what happened was a tragedy but not
a genocide.

“It looks as though the government will lose. The Turks are not going
to be happy about this,” one senior government source told
Reuters. The motion says Parliament should “acknowledge the Armenian
genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a crime against humanity”.

Ankara has fought hard to block attempts to press for international
recognition of the events as a genocide. The Turkish embassy in Ottawa
warned of negative consequences if the resolution was approved.

“Certainly, relations with Canada will suffer as the result of
adopting such a motion,” embassy counselor Fazli Corman told Reuters,
citing the example of Canadian firms seeking to sign contracts in
Turkey.

Canadian legislators have regularly defeated similar resolutions over
the last decade, in part because the governing Liberal party insisted
its members vote no.

But sources said Prime Minister Paul Martin, who took over last
December promising more freedom for legislators, had decided not to
issue voting instructions. Parliament is due to vote at about 7:30
p.m. (2330 GMT).

Liberal Member of Parliament Sarkis Assadourian, one of the backers of
the resolution, predicted victory and dismissed what he said were
warnings from the foreign ministry about the possible negative impact.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. How long do people have to wait
for the injustices of the past to be redressed?” said Assadourian, who
says his parents survived the events of 1915.

“Why do we have to be selective in our memories? If you’re going to do
it for one (genocide), why not do it for the others? Who is to say
Armenian blood is less valuable than some other blood?” he told
Reuters.

France’s parliament backed the Armenian case in 2001, prompting Turkey
to freeze official visits to France and temporarily block French
companies from entering lucrative defense contracts.

The U.S. Congress dropped a similar resolution in 2000 after the White
House warned it would harm U.S. security interests in the Middle East.

(Additional reporting by Randall Palmer in Ottawa)

Iran, Armenia ratify gas pipeline construction project

Iran, Armenia ratify gas pipeline construction project

ITAR-TASS
April 19, 2004

YEREVAN, April 19 — Iran and Armenia have ratified a gas pipeline
construction project worth 5 billion U.S. dollars, the Prime-Tass
economic news agency reports.

The pipeline will carry gas from Iran to Armenia via Georgian
territory.

The two parties plan to sign the final agreement during a visit of
Iranian Oil and Gas Minister Bezhan Zagane to Armenia.

Under this project, Iran intends to pump natural gas not only to
Armenia but also to the European market, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia
Parhad Collain said.

The pipeline will run to the Black Sea, Ukraine and farther to
Europe. In addition, Armenia will be able to get energy supplies
from alternative sources.

Armenian Opposition Declared Holding Recurrent Rally

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION DECLARED HOLDING RECURRENT RALLY

14.04.2004 18:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recurrent rally of the united Armenian opposition will
take place on April 16 at 6 p.m. local time, deputies representing
opposition Justice bloc in the Armenian National Assembly Shavarsh Kocharian
and Albert Bazeian told journalists today. In their words, the decision was
taken at today’s sitting of the political council of the bloc.

Antelias: Thousands of Armenians celebrate the Easter in Antelias

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Thousands of Armenians celebrate the Easter in Antelias

It was a special day in Antelias at the headquarters of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia on the Easter Sunday 11 April 2004. Thousands of
people attended the Eucharistic celebration at the cathedral in Antelias.
The Eucharist was celebrated by His Holiness Aram I.

In his sermon, His Holiness described the Easter as the celebration of life.
“Through His Cross Jesus conquered the death and gave us abundant life. The
God given life in Christ is a quality of life that generates service,
humility and commitment. Therefore, we must perceive and practice our life
in a way that makes the Gospel massage a living reality in our lives”.

Speaking about the Armenian Church and communities, His Holiness emphasized
the crucial importance of collaboration: “One-sided approaches will always
create internal tensions in our communities. Bias attitude will create more
and more problems. What we need is sincere and comprehensive collaboration
engaging all our organizations and active forces. We must also continue
supporting Armenia, our homeland. Nowadays, Armenia is facing tremendous
problems. It is my prayer and firm expectation that opposition and
government initiate a process of dialogue reaching a mutually acceptable
consensus. This is the only way to take the country out of the prevailing
stagnation and uncertainty” concluded His Holiness.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

http://www.cathcil.org/
http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Pictures24.htm#bm
http://www.cathcil.org/

Authorities to prevent “political extremism”, says Kocharian

Authorities to prevent “political extremism”, says Armenian president

Mediamax news agency
13 Apr 04

YEREVAN

Ashot Kocharyan, the spokesman for the Armenian president, today
presented the president’s position on recent events in the country.

This is the full text of the statement submitted to Mediamax news
agency by the Armenian president’s spokesman:

“In recent days the behaviour of the aggressive political minority, in
particular, the calls for a change of authorities and violence,
unsanctioned rallies and marches, has acquired the form of political
extremism. This is especially dangerous for a country, which is
devoted to democratic values and is carrying out radical economic
reforms, as it endangers its stability and the prestige it has gained.

“In the prevailing situation the law-enforcement agencies were obliged
to ensure public order within the framework of the law. The police
intervened when the normal work of the National Assembly and Armenian
president had been disrupted by the opposition’s actions, which in
this way also endangered the country’s constitutional structure. The
protesters did not obey the legal demands of the police and
demonstrated disobedience.

“All state structures are acting within their constitutional
authorities, fulfilling the obligations imposed on them to ensure the
normal life of the country and people.

“The authorities will use all legal means to prevent new displays of
political extremism.”

Kresty Inmates Receive Easter Eggs, Loaves

Kresty Inmates Receive Easter Eggs, Loaves

By Irina Titova
STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, April 13, 2004 SPTimes

More than 4,000 inmates of Kresty, one of the St. Petersburg’s oldest
and most notorious prisons, received painted Easter eggs and loaves of
Orthodox Easter bread, or kulich, on Sunday.

“The chance to attend an Easter service here, in Kresty, gives great
relief to my soul,” said Alexander, 20, one of about 70 Kresty inmates
allowed to attend the holiday service in the prison’s Alexander Nevsky
Church.

Millions of Orthodox believers celebrated Easter on Sunday. Although
the church uses the Julian calendar which usually means religious
festivals are celebrated at a different time to those in the West,
this year the western and Orthodox Easter coincided.

Thousands across Russia went to midnight masses, painted eggs, and
bought or baked themselves kuliches, made from sweet dough with
raisins.

During the last decade religion, which underwent a revival after the
end of the Soviet Union, has come to prisons. Many of their churches
have reopened and new churches have been built in some.

“I know it’s hard for you to be here,” said Father Alexander, who led
the service at Kresty. “But on this holy day of Easter you should
repent and think of how to improve yourselves and lead a good life.”

The other prisoners, who for security had to stay in their cells,
looked out from their tiny cell windows as Father Alexander passed
along the long corridors performing the traditional Orthodox Easter
procession of the cross, and giving them blessed eggs and bread.

“Christ has risen!” the priest said. “Truly, he has risen!” prisoners
responded, in accordance with Easter customs.

About 4,700 painted eggs and 1,075 kuliches were donated to the prison
by the city’s Armenian community, which traditionally helps the
prison.

Father Alexander said that for many of the prisoners an opportunity to
attend an Easter service or just to receive blessed Easter food, was a
real joy.

“It shows them that they are not outcasts and not damned,” he
said. “It’s very important for them to realize that someone cares
about them.”

Yury, an inmate, said he had almost never been to church before he was
jailed, but had since come to regularly attend services in Kresty.

Kresty prisoners are able to attend weekly services in groups limited
to no more than 20 people because of security fears.

Since the number of believers is much greater than those that can be
accommodated inside the prison church, prisoners have to wait their
turn, sometimes for several weeks, said Alexei Gerasimov, a senior
Kresty officer

Father Alexander said the work of a priest in prisons is rather hard.

“It is hard morally because in prisons a priest deals with spiritually
broken people, who are often depressed or skeptical about many things
and don’t want or can’t repent,” he said.

However, he chose the posting himself after once trying to serve in a
women’s prison, and then feeling immense sympathy for inmates, he
said.

Working in Kresty for the last five years he had seen many examples
how the church can help prisoners to improve their lives, he added.

“They get out of their depression, quit smoking, cursing and plans for
revenge.” he said. “And after their release they resume normal lives,
get happily married and have children.”

Kresty, located in the center of St. Petersburg beside the Neva river
was built in 1893 as a prison for solitary confinement. For a long
time it was the biggest prison of its kind in Europe.

Its name means crosses and refers to its design in which two large
buildings are built in the form of a cross.

For many years, Kresty was a symbol of political repression. Prominent
historical figures, including Leon Trotsky and Anna Akhmatova’s son
Lev Gumilyov, were among its inmates.

Today Kresty serves mostly as a detention center where prisoners await
trial, often for years. Built to hold about 1,500 people, Kresty holds
at least four times as many inmates.

History’s Lesson: The Defenseless Are in Peril

ChronWatch.com
April 08, 2004

History’s Lesson: The Defenseless Are in Peril

Posted by Dennis Campbell

It has been 10 years since bloodthirsty Hutus in Rwanda
massacred nearly one million rival Tutsis. Of course, someone might
say, that was in Africa, renowned for its savagery, and could never
happen in America.

And perhaps he would be right. We enjoy the many freedoms and
rights and privileges that come with our tradition of Western
civilization. Yes, that culture, propagated by those Dead White
Males so despised by the inhabitants of the political left, that is
routinely disparaged by the bozos, buffoons and bullies
indoctrinating your kids whose college tuition is draining your bank
account.

The proclivity of humans toward slaughtering those who are
different – culturally, religiously, politically – is historically
well-documented.

In December 1937, invading Japanese soldiers began the
infamous Rape of Nanking, China, that ended with the death of more
than 350,000 Chinese.

On November 9, 1938, Nazi Brownshirts in Adolf Hitler’s
Germany began a two-day rampage called Kristallnacht, or Night of
Broken Glass, during which scores of German Jews were murdered, a
thousand synagogues burned and tens of thousands Jews arrested and
sent to concentration camps.

In 1915, Turkish Muslims (adherents to the ”religion of
peace”) butchered between one million and two million Armenians.

More recently, hundreds of thousands of civilians in Bosnia
and Croatia were killed in that region’s notorious ”ethnic
cleansing.”

This could go on ad infinitum, and the question arises, ”What
is the point?”

The point is this: The unfortunates cataloged above had no
means of self-defense. In short, they had no guns.

Where I live, in the Southwestern portion of America, when a
bad guy comes to take my home, kill me and my family and commit
atrocities against us, he is likely to be dissuaded when confronted
by the barrel of my 12-gauge shotgun.

But after Adolf Hitler disarmed Germans, how were they able to
defend themselves? When unarmed Tutsis were attacked by Hutus, how
were they to defend themselves? When helpless Chinese citizens were
set upon by Japanese soldiers, how were they to defend themselves?

With this in mind, any American with the brains God gave a
fruit fly should fight hammer and tong against the efforts by the
left to disarm the populace.

We should fight against registering guns, because registered
guns become confiscated guns.

We should fight against limits on magazine capacity, just as
the Bedouin fights against the camel’s nose under the tent.

This is a war, one that must be waged unrelentingly and with
discernment.

The left will couch its rhetoric in emotion and
misrepresentation.

We will be told that thousands of children die every year
because of guns – a lie and a bizarre manipulation of data that
classifies a 24-year-old South Central Los Angeles gang member as a
child.

We will be told that the higher the incidence of gun
ownership, the higher the incidence of crime – a lie that has been
refuted by myriad studies definitively proving that high gun
ownership means lower crime rates.

At the same time, we will be denied vital information by a
leftist news media that uses its power to control the dissemination
of information to influence an issue where it stands clearly in the
wrong.

We will not be told that when guns were confiscated in England
and Australia, violent crime increased dramatically.

We will not be told of the thousands of incidents in which a
gun was used by a law-abiding citizen to thwart a crime.

We will not be told that our Founders, who wrote the Second
Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing our right to bear arms,
were solidly in favor of private gun ownership.

Why this relentless effort to disarm America? It has nothing
to do with the safety of our children or the fight against crime. It
has everything to do with a political philosophy that, contrary to
the principles undergirding the founding of America, believes in less
freedom for you and me, not more, and desires a citizenry that can be
controlled and manipulated.

It is a philosophy that has overtaken a party that calls
itself ”Democratic,” but is not, a party that is a twisted
distortion of what it once was, unrecognizable to Democrats of a
half-century ago.

The man who threatens me and the man who would disarm me have
the same goal in mind: A desire to deprive me of life, liberty and
property.

We should fear both, but there is a common-sense way to
approach each of them: Shoot the former, and vote against the latter.

For freedom’s sake.

Dennis Campbell is a freelance writer and former newspaper reporter
and editor. He resides in New Mexico and receives e-mail at:
[email protected].