Author: Kamalian Hagop

ARMENIAN LEADER ACCUSES OPPOSITION OF “TREACHERY” AS HE LEAVES FOR FRANCE

Interfax news agency
25 Apr 04

YEREVAN

Before leaving for Paris on Sunday (25 April), Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan accused the opposition, which intends to hold a mass
rally in Yerevan on 27 April demanding that the government be
replaced, of “treachery”.

Kocharyan said he intends to meet his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham
Aliyev in Warsaw on 27 April to discuss a settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict.

“At the second stage of such negotiations, the organization of such
events in the country by the opposition is treachery, to put it
mildly,” Kocharyan said. If the opposition does not come to reason, it
could be called “a political crime”, he said.

ARMENIAN OFFICIAL REJECTS COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S RALLY LAW REMARKS AS
“UNACCEPTABLE”

Arminfo
22 Apr 04

YEREVAN

The draft law “On conducting gatherings, rallies, marches and
demonstrations” is a far cry from European standards and does not
conform to Point 2 of Article 11 of the European Convention on Human
Rights, Natalya Vutova, special representative of the PACE
(Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) secretary-general,
said presenting the opinion of experts of the Venice Commission during
the discussion of the draft law today.

The Venice Commission’s final assessment will be ready by the end of
June, she said. The experts of the commission studied the draft law
both before some changes were made to it and after.

For now, it can be said that the amendments are structural in nature
and by and large of no major impact. The draft law provides too much
detail as to how rallies and demonstrations should be organized thus
making the organizers dependent on bureaucracy, Vutova said. The
experts reckon that the restrictions should be brought to a
minimum. Moreover, the draft law practically bans “spontaneous
gatherings” which must not be the case in a democratic society, Vutova
said.

Vukova’s remarks angered the deputy speaker of parliament (and deputy
chairman of the Republican Party), Tigran Torosyan, who attended the
meeting. “We have always respected the views and work of the Venice
Commission, and I regard such harsh wording as strange, to say the
least,” he said. “In addition, proposals are being made at working
meetings and a completely different stance is being taken at public
meetings. This is also very strange and attests to political subtext,”
Torosyan said.

If there are any reservations about some sections of the draft law,
they must be discussed, he said. However, the statement that the draft
does not conform to Article 11 of the European convention is, Torosyan
said, ” unacceptable, at least”.

(Passage omitted: more than 100 amendments were taken into account and
minor details of the bill)

ArmenPress
April 23 2004

GEORGIAN POLICE PULL OUT STONE CROSS IN COMMEMORATION OF GENOCIDE
VICTIMS

AKHALKALAKI, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS : Georgian police officers have
pulled out a stone cross erected on a hill on the outskirts of
Akhaltsikha down in western Georgia in commemoration of the Armenian
genocide that was to be opened officially on April 24.
A local A-Info news agency reported that police officers detained
Ludwig Petrosian, who was steering the work, who was released after
spending 4 hours in custody. Petrosian later said that the cross
stone was pulled out at the order of local governor Nikoloz
Nikolozishvili ( a former ambassador to Armenia) on grounds that the
erection was not sanctioned by local authorities, however, Petrosian
said the permission was given by Akhaltsikha municipality.
Local Armenians were expected to organize a protest rally today
morning.

Tehran Times, Iran
April 24 2004

Armenia Veteran Protests British Refusal to Recognize ‘Genocide’

YEREVAN (AFP) — An Armenian veteran of World War II decided to
return the medals he earned as a British pilot after Britain’s
ambassador denied that “genocide” was committed when the Ottoman
Empire killed up to 1.5 million Armenians, according to Armenia’s
count, at the end of World War I.

“I was deeply insulted by the British ambassador qualifying these
events as an atrocity, not genocide. I decided to return the medals I
received from Britain’s government, in protest,” Harutun Shiklanian
told reporters Friday.

Shiklanian’s parents fled their homeland after the massacre, which
had killed his grandparents, he said.

Shiklanian, who served as a pilot and photographer in the British air
force during the World War II, was awarded Britain’s Defense Medal
and War Medal last year.

“During the war I fought for human rights, but now I am disappointed.
I know you were not voicing your own opinion, but that of the British
government, and I feel it necessary to return my medals,” the
81-year-old veteran said in a letter to Ambassador Thorda
Abbott-Watt.

The issue of whether various nations recognize the “genocide” is one
of the most sensitive in Armenia.

The episode also remains one of the most controversial in Turkish
history. Turkey recognizes that 300,000 Armenians had died along with
a large number of Turks at the end of the war.

Abbott-Watt recently told the ***California Courier***, an
English-language weekly run by the Armenian diaspora in the United
States, that “the British government had condemned the massacre as an
(atrocity) at the time.

Radio Canada
22 Avril 2004

Les Communes reconnaissent le génocide arménien

La Chambre des communes a adopté, mercredi, un texte reconnaissant
que la Turquie avait commis un génocide contre les Arméniens en 1915,
et elle a condamné cet acte comme étant un crime contre l’humanité.

Une vaste majorité de députés de la Chambre (153 contre 68), dont de
nombreux libéraux, ont voté en faveur de cette motion, déposée par
une députée bloquiste, malgré l’avis défavorable du ministre des
Affaires étrangères, Bill Graham.

M. Graham souhaitait éviter de froisser le gouvernement turc, qui n’a
jamais admis son rôle dans le massacre de 1,5 million d’Arméniens.

La Turquie a déjà fait savoir avant le vote aux Communes que
l’adoption de la motion pourrait avoir des répercussions sur les
relations économiques entre les deux pays.

.
Bill Graham
.
Pour sa part, le ministre Graham a déclaré que le Canada voulait
maintenir les meilleures relations possibles avec Ankara.

Il a souligné que la Turquie était un partenaire important au sein de
l’OTAN et que la politique étrangere du Canada encourage actuellement
le rapprochement entre l’Arménie et la Turquie.

Il a dit espérer que la Turquie comprendrait que ce sont les députés
qui s’expriment inidividuellement sur une question de conscience.

Parmi les députés libéraux qui ont voté en faveur de la motion, on
note plusieurs anciens ministres, dont Martin Cauchon, Stéphane Dion,
Lyle Vanclief, Lawrence MacAulay et Herb Dhaliwal.

Plus d’une vingtaine de pays ainsi que les Nations unies ont reconnu
jusqu’ici le génocide arménien.

En 1996, la Chambre des communes a reconnu la tragédie qui a frappé
les Arméniens à la chute de l’Empire ottoman. Elle a cependant refusé
d’évoquer un génocide.

[Congressional Record: April 20, 2004 (Extensions)]
[Page E548]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr20ap04-32]

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 89TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

______

HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

of new york

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I join today with many of my colleagues in
remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide. April 24th will be
the 89th anniversary of this human tragedy.
From 1915 to 1923, the world witnessed the first genocide of the 20th
century. This was clearly one of the world’s greatest tragedies–the
deliberate and systematic Ottoman annihilation of 1.5 million Armenian
men, women, and children. Furthermore, another 500,000 refugees fled
and escaped to various points around the world–effectively eliminating
the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire.
From these ashes arose hope and promise in 1991–and I was blessed to
see it. I was one of the four international observers from the United
States Congress to monitor Armenia’s independence referendum. I went to
the communities in the northern part of Armenia, and I watched in awe
as 95 percent of the people over the age of 18 went out and voted.
The Armenian people had been denied freedom for so many years and,
clearly, they were very excited about this new opportunity. Almost no
one stayed home. They were all out in the streets going to the polling
places. I watched in amazement as people stood in line for hours to get
into these small polling places and vote.
Then, after they voted, the other interesting thing was that they did
not go home. They had brought covered dishes with them, and all of
these polling places had little banquets afterward to celebrate what
had just happened.
What a great thrill it was to join them the next day in the streets
of Yerevan when they were celebrating their great victory. Ninety-eight
percent of the people who voted cast their ballots in favor of
independence. It was a wonderful experience to be there with them when
they danced and sang and shouted, “Ketse azat ankakh Hayastan”–long
live free and independent Armenia! That should be the cry of freedom-
loving people everywhere.

____________________

San Francisco Chronicle, CA
April 18 2004

Our Editors Recommend

[parts omitted]

The Daydreaming Boy by Micheline Aharonian Marcom (Riverhead; 224
pages; $23.95): Micheline Aharonian Marcom’s second novel focuses on
the aftermath of the Armenian genocide and revolves around the
experiences of one man: Vahé Tcheubjian, a middle-class Armenian
businessman in 1960s Beirut. Tcheubjian and his wife appear to have
an idyllic life, soaking up the sophisticated culture that marked the
pre-civil war city as the “Paris of the Middle East.” But inside,
Tcheubjian is an emotional train wreck, racked by memories of escape
from the genocide that killed his family and years endured in a
brutal Armenian orphanage. Marcom’s seamless, ethereal prose is
suffused with raw emotion; there is heartbreak on every page, but
also hope.

Azeri analyst hails appointment of new US mediator for Karabakh

Azadliq, Baku
8 Apr 04

Text of Aqil’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 8 April
headlined “The optimal choice” and headlined “Xaladdin Ibrahimli:
Steven Mann is more knowledgeable about the Caucasus”

The USA is replacing its co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Rudolf
Perina, by US Secretary of State for Caspian issues Steven
Mann. Observers point that Mann used to oversee energy-related issues
in the Caspian region. They are looking for special reasons behind
this appointment.

Political analyst Xaladdin Ibrahimli commented on those theories. He
said that first of all he took the new appointment of the US
administration as an ordinary replacement policy. However, he reckons
that giving this post to Mann is a more successful and better choice
for the USA. “Because Mann knows well the Caucasus region and the
Caspian basin, in general. He is quite knowledgeable about the
problems of this region.”

Albeit new in the job, Mann will not need too much time to study the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. “For he is acquainted with the origins of
the conflict and its further development.”

On the other hand, “this successful appointment shows that the USA
will soon invest more efforts to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict,” Ibrahimli said.

A1 Plus | 18:55:52 | 05-04-2004 | Politics |

VIOLEMCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS BECOMES DANGEROUSLY COMMONPLACE IN ARMENIA

Geghamyan-staged rally had heavy consequences for the journalists
fulfilling their professional duty today. Aravot and Haykakan Zhamanak
newspapers’ correspondents Anna Israelyanand Hayk Gevorgyan underwent
violence: they were beaten and their cameras were snatched out and
broken.

Cameras of Kentron, Hay TV and H1 TV companies were broken as well.

Among those became victims of brutality was Investigating Journalists
Association member Onik Grigoryan.

Camera was pulled out also from Shant TV company cameraman hands.

National Unity cameraman was beaten and his camera was broken.

It should be noted that legions of policemen lined the pavement from
early morning to provide security.

When our correspondent on the scene asked one of them why they let
offenders act with impunity, he answered: “Who knows who they are?”

—

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 1, 2004
___________________

Week of March 26 to April 1, 2004
* * *

HOLY WEEK BEGINS

Sunday (4/4) is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, which recalls the last
week of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. It is a time to remember His
teachings, His suffering, His death, and His resurrection. Holy Week is the
most important week of the year for the church. Christ’s Resurrection
redeemed humanity and vanquished sin and death. Learn more about Holy Week
and Easter, find activities to help educate your children, and
Armenian-language resources, on the Eastern Diocese’s website:

Come to St. Vartan Cathedral for Holy Week and Easter celebrations. For a
schedule, click here:
;selmonth=4&selyea r=
2004

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

CHARLOTTE TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD NEW CHURCH

The mission parish in Charlotte, NC, held a cornerstone blessing ceremony
last Sunday (3/28) for what will become the first Armenian Church in that
state. Construction is scheduled to be complete in early 2005. To read
more about efforts in Charlotte, click to the Eastern Diocese’s website:
;selmonth=4&selyear=
2004

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

PRIMATE TO ORDAIN DEACON IN TENAFLY

On Palm Sunday (4/4), Dr. Levon Capan will be ordained as a deacon by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, during the
Divine Liturgy at St. Thomas Church, Tenafly, NJ. A banquet will
immediately follow the service. For more on the St. Thomas Church, click to
the Eastern Diocese’s website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/29/04)
* * *

VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE WORK AT NEW CONFERENCE CENTER

This past weekend, 16 volunteers from several parishes descended on the
Diocese’s Youth and Conference Center for a weekend of cleanup and
refurbishing work. The team overseeing the new site is organizing the work
weekends to get the facility into shape for use this summer. This group of
volunteers painted the entire interior of a five-room cottage and the large
gathering room in another building. Future work dates are April 16 to 18
and May 21 to 23. If you’re interested in helping or supporting the
efforts, e-mail Karen Durgarian at [email protected]

To learn more about the new Diocesan Youth and Conference Center, take a
virtual tour of the facility, and donate to its purchase click to our
website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COORDINATOR IN HARTFORD SATURDAY

Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education for the Diocese, will
be conducting a Sunday School teacher workshop for the St. George Church of
Hartford, CT, this Saturday (4/3). Titled “Better Teaching,” the workshop
will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and explore basic elements that comprise an
interesting, well-planned, interactive, and fun religious classroom. For
more information on the session, or to schedule a workshop for your parish,
e-mail Elise at [email protected].

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

ATLANTA BUYS MORE PROPERTY FOR FUTURE CHURCH SITE

The mission parish in Atlanta, GA, this week announced it bought more
property at the site of its future church building. The new purchase
includes a building which will be temporarily used for services and
gatherings, as the parish works to build its permanent Armenian Church home.
For more on the purchase, click to the Eastern Diocese’s website:
;selmonth=4&selyear=
2004

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

TRAVEL TO ARMENIA THIS YEAR

Traveling to Armenia strengthens your faith and dedication. If you haven’t
gone yet, there are five opportunities this year:

June 12 to 26 — Young Professionals Trip / $2,250. Specifically designed
for travelers between the ages of 23 and 40, this trip offers a chance to
see the sights of Armenia and build life-long friendships with other
Armenian American professionals. Call the Fund for Armenian Relief (212)
889-5150.

June 17 to July 7 — Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia and the
Republic of Armenia / $3,450. Travel to Istanbul, historic Armenian
locations in modern day Turkey such as Musa Dagh, Cappadocia, Mt. Ararat,
and Ani. Continue to Armenia to tour important historical and cultural
sites. For more information call Armen Aroyan (626) 359-9510.

June 22 to July 15 — Armenia Service Program (ASP) / $1,980. A unique
opportunity for Armenians between the ages of 18 and 28, to help run a
summer camp in the village of Yeghegnadzor before touring throughout
Armenia. Call Nancy Basmajian (212) 686-0710.

September 18 to October 3 — Pilgrimage to Armenia / $2,350. A trip to all
the highlights of Armenia. For more information call Sidon Travel at (818)
553-0777.

To get more information on any of these travel opportunities, e-mail
[email protected].

And don’t forget — you can also help fund the trip of a young person in
your parish, who will return more eager to be involved in parish life.

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

LOOKING FOR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS

St. Vartan Camp organizers are looking for fun-loving, dedicated, and
faithful individuals who welcome the opportunity to spend the summer
mentoring young Armenian Christians, and strengthening their own faith in
the process. For the first time camp staff will receive an honorarium for
their work. Please note: St. Vartan Camp prefers staff who are available
for both Sessions A and B, but will accept staff who can only attend one
session. Session A first staff day is Saturday, June 26; staff for Session
B start Saturday, July 10.

Applications must be received by April 30, 2004. To apply or get further
information, contact Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, Diocesan coordinator of youth
outreach, by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (617) 876-2700.

APPLY FOR SUMMER CAMP TODAY, spaces are going fast. Application materials
and more information on both St. Vartan Camp and the Midwest Hye Camp, can
be found on our website:

(Source, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION ONLINE

Are you an undergraduate student looking for help paying your tuition? Do
you know of such a student? Did you know that the Diocese manages
scholarships for Armenian students? Just click here for more information
and to download an application:

The scholarships are made possible by endowments established by generous
donors. If you want to help educate the future leaders of the Armenian
Church, consider starting a scholarship endowment. Just e-mail
[email protected].

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *

DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR

Last Thursday (3/25), Ambassador Armen Martirosyan, Armenia’s representative
at the United Nations, met with representatives from the Armenian
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accredited at the United Nations.
Representing the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) was
Aram Arkun, coordinator of the Diocese’s Zohrab Information Center. The
meeting allowed the new U.N. ambassador to get acquainted with the work
carried out by these organizations, listen to their concerns, and explore
possibilities for cooperation with Armenia’s U.N. mission. The meeting also
included representatives from the Armenian Assembly of America, the World
Federation of Mental Health, the Armenian Relief Society, the Armenian
International Women’s Association, and the AGBU.

(Source: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations,
3/29/04)
* * *

SHOP ONLINE FOR EASTER

Unique Armenian-style gold crosses, Easter stories for children in Armenian,
and sacred music of the season are just some of the great Easter gifts you
can find by going to the St. Vartan Bookstore website,

Order online today for delivery by Easter. It’s safe, simple, and quick.
Just click to:

(Source: , 3/29/04)
* * *

PLAY IN QUEENS TO BENEFIT FAR

This Saturday (4/3), a production of “Servant of Two Masters,” a comedic
play in Armenian, will benefit the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the
Diocesan-affiliated international humanitarian aid organization. Ticket
proceeds will benefit the Ounjian School in Gyumri. The show will begin at 8
p.m. at the Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, NY.
Orchestra tickets are $100 and $50, which includes entry in a raffle.
Balcony admission, which does not include the raffle, is $20.

For information on this and other events throughout the Diocese, click to
our website’s calendar of events:

(Source: Fund for Armenian Relief, 3/29/04)

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