Author: Khondkarian Raffi

PRESS RELEASE
Department of Armenian Studies, Haigazian University
Beirut, Lebanon
Contact: Ara Sanjian
Tel: 961-1-353011
Email: [email protected]
Web:

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ARMENIAN STUDIES

invites to a lecture on

The Armenian Genocide and the Comparative Dimension of Denial
(in English)

by

Henry C. Theriault
(Worcester State College)

Friday, April 30, 2004 – 7:30 p.m.
Haigazian University Auditorium – Kantari, Beirut

N.B. Please accept this message as a personal invitation.

Henry C. Theriault has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of
Massachusetts. He serves as Assistant Professor of philosophy at
Worcester State College (Massachusetts, USA), where he also coordinates
the College’s Center for the Study of Human Rights. His research focuses
on genocide nationalism, and the philosophy of history, with particular
emphasis on issues of genocide denial. His publications include
‘Universal Social Theory and the Denial of Genocide: Norman Itzkowitz
Revisited’ in Journal of Genocide Research (June 2001) and ‘Free Speech
and Denial: The Case of the Armenian Genocide’ in Richard G. Hovannisian
(ed.), Looking Backward, Moving Forward: Confronting the Armenian
Genocide (2003). This, Henry C. Theriault’s first lecture tour in
Lebanon, was initiated by the Lebanese-Armenian Heritage Club of the
American University of Beirut.

Haigazian University is a liberal arts institution of higher learning,
established in Beirut in 1955. For more information about its activities
you are welcome to visit its web-site at <; .
For additional information on the activities of its Department of
Armenian Studies, contact Ara Sanjian at <[email protected]>

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/09/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Opposition Rally in Yerevan
2) Minister Quits After Son’s Arrest
3) Announcement
4) Congresswoman Napolitano to Speak at April 23 Genocide Vigil-Rally
5) Prelate’s Easter Message
6) Primate’s Easter Message:

1) Opposition Rally in Yerevan

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan/RFE/RL)–The April 9 rally organized by the Artarutyun
alliance and the National Unity Party, calling for Armenia’s president Robert
Kocharian to step down or a referendum on his legitimacy, began with a
one-hour
delay and ended without major incident.
Reported attendance at the rally varied, with police estimates at 6,500;
Noyan
Tapan estimated that 25,000-30,000 people were present, while Radio Liberty
put
the number at 10,000. Witnesses, meanwhile, told Asbarez that 10,000, at most,
people were present.
Rally organizers decided against marching towards Kocharian’s official
residence. Hundreds of riot police and interior troops backed by water cannons
were on standby near the street leading to the presidential palace.
While there was no visible police presence, opposition sources said at least
eight demonstrators were arrested by plainclothes police immediately after the
rally. The head of the Yerevan central Kentron district police department
Hovannes Tamamian, confirmed that “several” opposition supporters were
arrested
at Freedom Square and would be charged with administrative offenses.
Midway through the rally, almost half of the participants disbanded. More
than
a hundred people remained at the square late in the evening, singing songs and
listening to folk music.

2) Minister Quits After Son’s Arrest

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Urban Development Minister Ara Aramian stepped down on
Friday
following the arrest of his son accused of involvement in a high-profile
gunfight in a Yerevan café earlier this month.
“Given the artificial uproar [over the incident] that could damage the
reputation of the country’s leadership, my party, and me, I find it ethical to
resign,” he told RFE/RL.
Aramian denied that the decision was taken under pressure from his Orinats
Yerkir Party, which has been coping with the political fallout from the
shooting. The party’s leader, parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian, promised
to announce plans to replace him on Wednesday.
The arrest of 24-year-old Hayk Aramian was announced by prosecutors on
Monday.
He was charged with an attempted murder and illegal arms possession. Aramian
was among at least five men wounded in the apparent settling of score.
His father effectively denied the charges. “My son never carried weapons,
drank, or smoked in his life. He has always been a benchmark for his friends,”
he said.
According to media reports, relatives of other senior government officials
also took part in the gunfight, which broke out while the presidents of
Armenia
and Georgia dined at a next-door jazz club.

3) Announcement

April 24 Commemorations

We would like to inform the public that the following events have been
organized in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide:

Public Gathering at Montebello Monument
Saturday, April 25, 1 PM

Keynote speaker from Armenia, National Assembly member Levon Mkrtchian by
special invitation
Program will begin with a requiem service.
Transportation will be provided from various locations (please see ad on page
10 of Asbarez Armenian section).

Rally Against Denial
April 23 at 8 PM
Homenetmen Ararat Center
3347 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA

Demonstration at Turkish Consulate
Saturday, April 24, 4 PM
4801 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Wilshire & June), Los Angeles, CA

Let us participate in vast numbers to convey our protests effectively and
with
might.

Armenian Genocide 89th Anniversary
Commemorative Committee

4) Congresswoman Napolitano to Speak at April 23 Genocide Vigil-Rally

MONTEBELLO–Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) will be one of the
special
guest speakers at the Genocide Remembrance Vigil/Rally on the evening of April
23, announced the Armenian National Committee San Gabriel Valley spokesperson.
Napolitano, who represents the 38th District, is a strong advocate of Armenian
American issues on Capitol Hill.
Organized by the ANC, this year’s Genocide Remembrance Vigil/Rally will be
start at 8:00 p.m., on Friday, April 23, at the Armenian Martyrs Monuments in
Biknell Park, Montebello. The official program will begin at 8:30 p.m.; it
will include video presentation and speeches. Along with Congresswoman
Napolitano, guest speakers will include other local and state dignitaries. The
event will conclude with the traditional vigil and prayer.

5) Prelate’s Easter Message

Today Angels descending from heaven the give tidings of great joy to mankind:
“He who was crucified is risen and has resurrected you with Him.” Let us then
renew our lives with renewal as a new people today through the Resurrection of
Christ. (from the Patrum Chant of Easter Morning)
Being obedient to the Will of His Father, the Son of God stretched His
immaculate arms upon the Cross, thereby perfectly fulfilling His earthly
mission. He was buried in a new tomb, and then rose from the dead on the
third
day as the immortal and heavenly groom. By His death He trampled upon Death,
and He granted new life to all those who believed in Him, and who followed His
Way, His Truth, and His Life.
With the glorious Resurrection our Lord Jesus Christ completed the mission of
the revelation of God, and as the Lamb of God, He took away the sin of the
world.
Behold once again the supreme meaning of our Faith and the foundation of its
victory are celebrated with the joyous tidings of the Resurrection which fill
our hearts and enkindle our souls with new breath.
“Today Angels descending from Heaven give tidings of great joy to mankind: He
who was crucified is risen and has resurrected you with Him.”
Such encouraging words! Such a hopeful testimony! Such inspiring good
tidings!
The Apostle Paul, the famous preacher of the Resurrection, conveys to us the
great message with the same inspiration and emphasis:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where
Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
The Oil-bearing Women who discovered the empty tomb early on the first day of
the week and told the Disciples were indeed the first witnesses of the
Resurrection. They saw the risen Lord, they received His peaceful greeting,
and as He commanded them, they went out to the entire world, baptized all who
believed, preached salvation, and by giving testimony of the hope of the
Resurrection, turned the eyes and attention of the faithful to the glorious
Second Coming of the Lord.
From the earliest days following the Pentecost, the lives of our people have
been miraculously transformed through the miracle of the Resurrection because
our fathers and mothers not only understood the mystery of the Resurrection
but
in fact effected the very mystery of renewal in the life of the Armenian
nation.
Today, more than ever, the Feast of the Resurrection invites us to accept the
responsibility of renewal by abiding in the way of truth.
Dear faithful,
As children of the Armenian nation and as members of the same Church, let us
go forth in the spirit of the message of the Holy Resurrection, remembering
the
words of the Apostle Paul:
“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly
we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection: knowing this, that our
old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Romans 6:5-6)
Our Lord Jesus Christ comforted His disciples, saying:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world.” (John 16:33)
With these same words of encouragement, as children of God and children of
the
Armenian nation, let us strive to overcome our own tribulations, weaknesses,
and doubts. Let us flee from all those conditions and lifestyles which
obscure
and indeed which thwart the manifestation of the risen Lord in our life. Let
us be mindful of the message of Apostle Paul not to follow in the ways of
those
who choose not to be obedient to God, and enhanced with the spirit of the
Resurrection in our personal, family, national, and church lives, let us “Do
not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and
have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of
Him who created him” (Colossians 3:9-10).
Dear faithful,
Let us comprehend the mystery of the Resurrection according to the encyclical
of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, by which he
has declared 2004 to be the “Year of the Armenian Family.”
Let us renew and restore our family life by strengthening our Apostolic
Faith,
by rediscovering our traditions and customs, and by reconnecting the youth of
the community with our ancestral virtues.
May the presence of the resurrected Saviour within every Armenian family
bestow a new life therein and transform us into a family of Paradise so that
our attention and focus may be directed heavenward.
By the Resurrection of Christ may every Armenian family be cleansed of
transgressions, and being rejuvenated, and every Armenian family resume the
Way
to Truth and Eternal Life.
Renewed by the message of the glorious and holy Resurrection, we convey our
love and Easter Greetings and Blessings to the Reverend Clergy, the Central
Executive, the parishes and parochial institutions, educational and cultural
organizations, charitable foundations, and all of the faithful who serve and
are served within the Prelacy. We pray that our Lord who renews all may grace
us likewise, and through His Resurrection may He grant newness of life in
Armenia, in Artsakh, and throughout the Diaspora.

Christ is risen from the dead!
Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!

Prayerfully yours,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States

6) Primate’s Easter Message:

“To me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21)

Inspired and enriched by the mystery of the Holy Resurrection of Christ the
words of St. Paul are as powerful as a prayer. The same words not only come as
powerful prayer echoing in our hearts, but as a way of life, because we
realize
the truth that “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant
offering
and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:2)
The mystery of the Holy Resurrection of Christ becomes the essence of our
spiritual life only when the old person in us is reborn and we fearlessly
inaugurate the new man, ” to put away your former way of life, your old self,
corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your
minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the
likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-25)
The entire spiritual journey of Lent leas us to the glorious mystery of the
Resurrection of Christ, which ushered in for mankind a new life and the
Christian believer discovered within himself the divine power that enables one
to constantly renew his life to the extent that he feels in his soul the
miracle of the new life.
Dear faithful, with a joyous heart we send you our Easter Message and call
upon all of you to rededicate you lives to Christ, to enter the depths of the
mystery of the Holy Resurrection through the most noble life of prayer, and to
discover in your souls the divine grace which makes it possible for us to
renew
our God-given lives. Undoubtedly each one of us needs the power of
regeneration. Life may often be influenced by the manifold temptations of the
world, but when a life is established on the cornerstone of the life-giving
Resurrection of Christ it can repel the perils that it encounters every day.
The glorious Resurrection of Christ opens before us the dawn of a new life.
The Giver of life opens before us a new way in Christ, the Son of God, so that
through the sacrifice of His life becomes the spiritual light of a new life
for
the entire human race.
Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ! The
foundation of our Christian faith is the Holy Resurrection of Christ. Without
the Resurrection of Christ Christianity would become for us a set of moral
principles for life and a guiding doctrine. But Christianity is life itself,
the source of salvation, because it is anchored in the personal sacrifice of
Christ. Christianity is the movement from the mind to the heart that is dawned
first in our own thoughts and then becomes the moving energy of our entire
being. It is not possible to explain in words alone our faith in the Holy
Resurrection. The Resurrection of Christ is ever spreading force that is
kneaded in our essence and separates us from the foreign thoughts that have no
root in God. In the words of St. Nerses the Graceful we subject our souls
entirely to God and we take refuge in His power. “To you I surrender my soul.
You provide and satisfy the needs of my soul and body.”
Dear faithful, the resurrection of Christ casts the roots of new life also in
our Holy Church when we awaken in us the vision of a new Church, a revitalized
Church. The Armenian Apostolic Church has reached such a critical moment when
the mission of our Holy Church must echo the new circumstances of life. And to
revitalize the Church means to lead the very same Church to a spiritual
rebirth
in the mystery of the Resurrection. To revitalize does not mean to reject the
traditions that have reached us through the centuries, but to connect the
people to those traditions, and to reunite as one reality the Church and the
people who are drawing apart from one another. For when the Church does not
reflect our life today she remains merely a concept, a lifeless doctrine. We
are living in times when Christianity remains disconnected to man, when one
turns to other sources to satisfy one’s spiritual thirst, sources that provide
only temporary satisfaction to one’s spiritual needs. Today this is the
reality
in Armenia and in the Diaspora. The reality is no different for the
faithful of
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. In order to
satisfy their spiritual thirst children of our Church leave the Mother Church
and lead their lives on the paths of uncertainty. The situation dictates that
we stay in our home and rejuvenate, renew and enrich the traditions of the
Armenian Church that have reached us through the centuries. The Church is
not a
reality detached from us, and it is necessary to make the active life the very
aim and purpose of the Church through visible actions. Anything else would
suggest weakness, which we reject.
The glorious Holy Resurrection of Christ today is an invitation to all the
children of the Armenian Apostolic Church without exception to return home.
The
mystery of the glorious Resurrection of Christ becomes real when through Holy
Etchmiadzin a new unity is established in our community, a unity whose
strength
will enable us to see more brightly the eternal truths.
Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ!

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
Easter 2004

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THE BLOWHARDS OF BRUSSELS

NYPost

April 10, 2004 — Belgium, which apparently has decided that it was
meant to be the world’s moral compass, has pronounced a new judgment:
The worst genocide in recorded history, declare the Belgians, is
America’s treatment of its indigenous people. American Indians, that
is.

But please don’t take this as a criticism of the United States, they
add.

A display at the nation’s Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Brussels
– meant to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan horrors –
contains a panel listing the tragic history of genocide.

The Nazi Holocaust is there.

So are the killing fields of Cambodia and the massacre of Armenians
during World War I.

But worst of them all, says the official display, came in North
America at the hands of European settlers and immigrants.

And not just in the past, either – according to the display, said
genocide began in 1492 with the arrival of Christopher Columbus and
“continues to this day.”

The Belgian defense ministry defended the display, claiming it was
based on the work of “noted scholars.”

But it’s a curiously selective listing.

For one thing, there’s no mention of the millions of Russians who died
under Josef Stalin’s murderous rule. Nothing about the gulags or the
forced starvation of Ukrainians.

And, wouldn’t you know, there’s not a word in the display about the
reign of terror perpetrated in the Congo for decades by its onetime
occupying power – a place called Belgium.

Of course, the notion that genocide is being waged now on this
continent is taken seriously only by Ramsey Clark and his ilk – and in
faculty lounges from Cambridge, Mass., to Berkeley, Calif.

Equally ludicrous – and increasingly treated as fact in those same
spots – is the notion that Columbus, and the many Europeans who
followed him to the New World, were genocidal maniacs who decimated
the native population.

Of course, had Europeans somehow never managed to discover the
Americas, those same gentle indigenous folk would likely have come
under the control of empires like the Aztecs and the Incas – societies
in which ritual torture, enslavement of women and infant sacrifice
were central.

In today’s politically correct world, though, any society – no matter
how cruel – is considered preferable to a capitalist democracy.

Rather than lecture the rest of the world on moral niceties, the
Belgians should stick to a topic they truly understand.

Like waffles.

ZAMAN Online
04.08.2004 Thursday

French Left Seeks Armenian Condition

The French Socialist Party favors Turkey’s membership in the European
Union (EU) in general, but suggested on Wednesday that Turkey should
solve the Armenian issue in order to persuade the French public.

Socialist Party Foreign Affairs Secretary-General, Pierre Moscovici,
spoke about Turkey in a Paris meeting where he said that their Turkish
policy has not changed and that they want negotiations to start if
Turkey fulfills the Copenhagen criteria. However Moscovici, underlining
that the French public should be persuaded, defined three main problems
facing Turkey: securing secularism, the army’s role in politics and the
so-called Armenian genocide issue.

The French politician said that they are entertaining an idea by Turkish
Ambassador to Paris, Uluc Ozulker, to establish an independent
investigation committee into the Armenian genocide allegations.

A.A.’s false report creates a stir

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister, Michel Barnier, said that there is
no change in France’s policy on Turkey’s E.U. membership and said they
will wait for the European Council’s decision. Barnier, answering
questions at the parliament, said that the doors were opened to Turkey
in 1963 but said Turkey has not yet fulfilled all the requirements. The
French Minister’s words were misunderstood by Anadolu News Agency
(A.A.), and falsely reported to be, “we will refuse Turkey’s
membership,” causing quite a stir that reached many web site headlines.

04.08.2004
A. Ihsan Aydin
Paris

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/05/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) ARF Body Calls for Dialogue, Outlines Proposal to Defuse Crisis
2) Opposition Rejects ARF Call for Negotiations, Seeks Regime Change

1) ARF Body Calls for Dialogue, Outlines Proposal to Defuse Crisis

YEREVAN (YERKIR)As political tension sharply escalated in Yerevan between the
government and the opposition, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Supreme
Body of Armenia issued a statement during a news conference on Monday.

The following is the full text of that ARF statement.

The internal political tension in the Republic is approaching the brink of
outright confrontation. Further escalation may result in destabilizing the
country, undermining the authority and credibility of the state, and impeding
the normal process of the country’s development. Public resentment stemming
from socioeconomic problems is being politically exploited with the aim of
bringing about a political crisis to attain a swift change of power.

The tactic of creating political instability and an environment of
intolerance
leads to unacceptable internal political relations.

At the core of the current political tension lies, on the one hand, the
opposition’s intolerance and extremism and its modus operandi of rejecting the
legitimacy of the authorities, which leads to political disobedienceand, on
the
other hand, the [authorities’] failure to secure the full participation of the
opposition in resolving the issues that are critical to the development of the
country.

The real reasons for the current discontent are the persistent, grim social
conditions and the low level of efficiency in resolving those critical issues.
The ARF fully recognizes and acknowledges the extent of its share of
responsibility in this matter.

Today we confront the imperative of preventing that potential confrontation,
and the best means of doing so is to reach a political agreement. An
awareness
of the need to jointly tackle the critical issues vital to the welfare of the
people, and a willingness to do so, must form the basis of that agreement. The
possibility of reaching that agreement can be ensured only if there is the
willingness to reach a commonality of goals, guarantee the resolution of
critical issues and obtain the opposition’s active participation in those
efforts, and to meet each other halfway.

Taking into account the complexity of internal political relations and the
degree of mutual exclusion among the various positions, we propose a possible
mechanism for reaching an agreement.

It is necessary to initiate dialogue regarding the prospect of reaching an
agreement, but each side must refrain from issuing demands that are a priori
inadmissible and unacceptable to the other side. It is necessary to abstain
from dividing society into allies and enemies, and to avoid taking actions
that
risk bringing about clashes.

Dialogue in accordance with the following principles might be productive:
Armenia’s Constitution and laws should form the legal basis of the dialogue;
the actions of the sides should fall strictly within the limits of the law and
constitutional order.

In this process, both sides should moderate their views.

The dialogue must not bring about winners and losers: either we shall all
win,
ensuring the rapid and stable development of the country, or we shall all
lose,
reaping the devastating consequences of confrontation and civil conflict.

The objective of ensuring real and guaranteed reforms in the life of the
country and its people might form the substance of the agreement, which would
include the following priority issues:

The formation of an electoral system that entirely meets international
standards

Constitutional reforms that strengthen democratic mechanisms

A comprehensive fight against corruption, the shadow economy, and the system
of clans

Ensuring the proper level of opposition involvement is an important guarantee
of the agreement’s effectual implementation. That may mean including the
opposition in the Security Council and the fight against corruption,
delineating possibilities of adopting the constitutional and electoral reforms
through consensus, and resorting to various other options and solutions,
depending on the extent of the agreement.

Efficient use of the present moment is necessary for achieving voluntary
mutual concessions. Otherwise, full responsibility for any clashes that occur
will fall squarely on the shoulders of those who allowed to slip away an
opportune occasion for reaching agreement. Subsequent developments will, in
any
event, compel the political forces to make involuntary concessions, with all
their attendant consequences.

The political coalition should be the guarantor of, and responsible for, the
establishment of dialogue and agreement.

The ARF resolutely rejects any action that might thrust the country into
unpredictable external or internal consequences, thus condemning the people to
an uncertain future; it steadfastly stands for the upholding of the legal and
constitutional order; and it is prepared to back all constructive initiatives
aimed at achieving guaranteed political reforms and civil accord.

2) Opposition Rejects ARF Call for Negotiations, Seeks Regime Change

YEREVAN (Armenpress/RFE/RL)Armenia’s two main opposition groups announced
Monday that their long-anticipated joint campaign to topple President Robert
Kocharian will get underway this Friday.
The leader of the Artarutyun (Justice) bloc Stepan Demirchian, and the leader
of the National Unity Party Artashes Geghamian, together vowed to join forces
and “restore constitutional order in Armenia.” They issued a declaration
urging
opposition supporters to take to the streets of Yerevan, calling for the
removal of President Kocharian.
Both Demirchian and Geghamian told reporters on Monday that starting April 9
they will launch “mass protest actions,” to ensure the “departure of the
illegitimate regime,” and rejected a call on Monday by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation to engage in dialogue to diffuse the tension.
Demirchian said that a referendum of confidence in President Kocharian is the
only pre-condition for engaging in dialogue.
The two leaders refused to disclose details of the planned protests, saying
that they want to keep the authorities guessing about their tactics. It thus
remained unclear whether Friday’s rally will be an ordinary one or will
continue “day and night” as was promised by some Artarutyun leaders. Nor is it
known how the opposition will respond if the authorities block the city’s main
square and the street leading to Kocharian’s official residence.
The Office of Prosecutor-General confirmed on Monday reports that Suren
Sureniants of the Hanrabedutyun party, a leading Artarutyun force, was
detained
the previous night in connection with an official criminal investigation into
the ongoing opposition rallies held across the country. Officials there said
that no charges have been brought against him yet.
Demirchian claimed that not only had Sureniants been arrested, but also the
head of the opposition Nor Jhamanak party Aram Karapetyan, who a few hours
later, said that he, in fact, had not been apprehended, but that a cousin
and a
leader of his party Samvel Khatchatrian had.
The prosecutors claim that the opposition protests, launched by Artarutyun
and
the National Unity Party in February, are accompanied by calls for a “violent
overthrow” of the ruling regime and offensive language directed at senior
government officials.

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and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
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mass media outlets.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
April 5 2004

Tearing down Lebanese stereotypes of the ‘Armenian ghetto’

Special to The Daily Star
By Houry Mayissian

The discussion revolved around elections in Lebanon. Although the
title of the course was “International Communication,” our professor
never stuck by the book, always trying to stir up discussions on a
broad range of issues relevant to the course. I don’t exactly
remember what point he was trying to make, but he certainly made a
point for me. Turning to one of the students he asked: “Who doesn’t
have the right to vote in Lebanon?” The student looked confused for a
second and then, not so sure of herself, “Armenians?” she said. The
answer the professor was looking for was of course “citizens under
21.”

At first I thought her answer was just funny; insulting to a certain
extent, but also funny, because the young lady was a university
student and particularly a journalism student. Then, it struck me. Is
it possible that we’ve been citizens of this country for almost a
century now and yet people know so little about us?

Well, it seems that it is possible. The Lebanese not only know so
little about their fellow Armenian citizens living here, but also the
things they know are solely based on stereotypes. Two main
stereotypes particularly revolve around the Armenians living in
Lebanon: Armenians don’t know how to speak Arabic and the Armenians
live in a ghetto in Bourj Hammoud.

These are the two lenses through which the Armenians are most often
viewed. They are often blamed for living too close with each other,
holding each other too tight. They are even made fun of, supposedly,
because they don’t know how to speak Arabic well or have a funny
accent. While I do acknowledge that there are some elements of truth
in these images, it must be said that they are overly exaggerated and
often insulting.

It is true that most elderly Armenians don’t know Arabic well.

It would be much wiser, however, to try to understand the reason
behind it, rather than use it as a means to mock Armenians. Most of
these Armenians constitute the first generation born after the
survivors of the Armenian genocide of 1915 hit the region. Most of
these survivors were orphans when they got here; poor, with no money,
clothes, home or family. Gradually, they started building – building
houses, schools, churches, cultural organizations, gathering places,
sports’ groups, and newspapers: In other words, building a home. The
Armenian community came to be settled mostly in two major areas,
Bourj Hammoud and Anjar, which are to this day mostly inhabited by
Armenians. In these two areas the Armenians established tightly held
communities, in which the coming generation grew up surrounded by
everything that is Armenian. The kids went to Armenian schools, the
youth gathered in clubs, the neighbor was an Armenian family, the
shopkeeper was Armenian.

Taking into consideration the Armenian genocide, the loss of family,
friends and home which had a psychological

impact on these survivors, it wouldn’t be surprising that they held
so tightly to each other, helped each other out and stood by each
other. Their fear of a foreign land, foreign people and foreign
language made them stick to each other and to the community. They
seldom went outside of its borders. Perhaps, they didn’t even need
to.

This is the reason behind the elder Armenians not knowing Arabic
well. This is how the tightness of the Armenian community should be
interpreted instead of being classified as a ghetto.

The younger Armenian generations are past the problem of not knowing
Arabic well. Despite that, the stereotype, sadly, still prevails.
Even as a university student, I’ve had people asking me if I can read
or write Arabic!

Perhaps the media in Lebanon are to a certain degree responsible for
this image, or to be more accurate, responsible for not changing this
image. I remember that a few years ago a certain TV station had a
special talk show on the occasion of the Armenian genocide. The
featured guests were from the Armenian community. The show started
with a discussion about the historical causes of the Armenian
genocide, and its impact. Later, however, the host somehow segued
into asking questions about the “Armenian ghetto.” About why
Armenians allegedly preferred to shop from Armenians and a couple of
other outrageous questions. I, as an Armenian, was deeply offended to
hear a program supposedly dedicated to the Armenian genocide and
meant to be a gesture of compassion or support towards the Armenian
citizens of Lebanon, which was turned into an interrogation about the
so-called ghetto. It was not only rude, but also insulting.

I believe that as long serving and faithful citizens of this country
we deserve more respectful treatment from our fellow citizens.

Houry Mayissian is a journalism student at the Lebanese American
University

;article_ID=1601&categ_id=14

Armenian prosecutor opens criminal case against opposition

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
31 Mar 04

[Presenter] The Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office has issued an
official report saying that from February 2004 activists of the
Justice bloc and their supporters have been organizing illegal rallies
and meetings in various regions of the republic and communities of the
capital, where the representatives of the authorities have been
insulted and calls have been made to throw out the state’s leadership
by force and change the constitutional system.

Such calls were voiced during rallies in the Shengavit, Nor-Nork,
Avan, Achapnyak and Davidashen communities in Yerevan and in the
regions of Nor Achin, Egvard, Nor Gekhi, Garni, Abovyan, Razdan,
Azatavan, Verin Artashat, Aygezard and Alaverdi. The rally in the town
of Gyumri was accompanied by outrage and disorder, violence against
citizens who did not share their views and disobedience to the
employees of the law-enforcement bodies, who were also injured.

The Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office initiated a criminal case on
30 March 2004 under Article 318 of the Armenian Criminal Code,
publicly insulting an official, and Article 301, public calls to
change the authorities and constitutional system by force. The
investigation department of the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office’s
is carrying out the investigation.

Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
March 30, 2004

SCHOOLS IN MARTAKERT RESTORED

During the war of Artsakh, in Martakert which became the target of
enemy bombs the school buildings were also damaged greatly. As a
result of the temporary retreat of the Defence Army some of the school
buildings were either ruined or turned into barracks. After the
liberation of Martakert and signing of the cease-fire serious and
consistent efforts were required to restore the damaged and ruined
schools. In this reference in 1994-1995 the operation of the schools
number 1 and 2 needing capital reconstruction and furniture was a
heroic step. And despite the great number of problems the both schools
in the academic year 1994-1995 opened their doors for the pupils. The
school number 1 of the regional center of Martakert bearing the name
of azatamartik Vladimir Balayan on September 1, 1994 could admit 300
pupils; before the war 1600 pupils attended this school and 160
teachers worked there. According to Lydia Petrossian, the director of
the school since 1994, repair works of the school started in 2000. In
about 2 years the French charity “Mission Childhood” repaired the
building of the school. In September of 1994 the number of the pupils
was 204; at the end of the year the number of pupils increased to
300. As a result of move of the families of military officers and
outflow of the population in 1994-2004 the number of the pupils
dropped from 420 to 378. Today 47 teachers work in this school. The
school has 2 male teachers, there is need for more men
teachers. Before the war the school had a Russian department. Since
1995 the Russian department has had 7 classes, and in the academic
year 2003-2004 it will give its last graduates. The school N1 of the
regional center is sponsored by Armenian benefactor, the chairman of
the Toronto body of the All-Armenian Foundation “Hayastan” Mkrtich
Mkrtichian. He provided 6 computers to the school and promised to
furnish the computer study room. According to the director of the
school, one of the primary problems of the school is the Internet
connection. “As a personal donation M. Mkrtichian provided a car to
the school, and I am sure in case of applying to him with any urgent
problem we will not be refused help,” mentioned L. Petrossian,
emphasizing that the teachers of the school are interested in solving
the numerous problems of the school, be it problems with the socially
insecure pupils or organizational matters. The school regularly holds
cultural and sport events. In February of this year the school
celebrated the anniversary of azatamartik Vladimir Balayan. Here at
school there is a museum devoted to the memory of the azatamartiks
killed during the war in Artsakh. The school has a gallery, where
recently the pupils of the school have exhibited their works; part of
these works were bought by foreign benefactors. Lydia Petrossian said
this year 28 pupils of Martakert, of them sixteen from this school,
took part in the republic competitions in school subjects and achieved
considerable success. The school number 2 after Vardan Minassian in
the regional center Martakert, according to director Rafael
Petrossian, has 190 pupils and 20 teachers. The school was repaired by
the international organization “Catholic Aid Service”. Due to several
French charities computer study rooms were opened here with 8
computers. And the All-Armenian Foundation “Hayastan” provided the
school with furniture. According to Rafael Petrossian, on December 3
he met with the NKR minister of education, culture and sport Armen
Sarghissian and discussed the question of providing the school with
Internet. “I know that the government has an agreement with “Karabakh
Telecom” to provide the schools of the republic with free Internet
connection. We applied to the minister and he promised to help,
however, the solution of the problem is postponed for unknown
reasons,” mentioned the minister. Among the unsolved problems are
those of opening specialized laboratories and providing them with
necessary equipment (the school N1 has the same problem). The school
lacks teachers of English, singing and music. The only teacher of
English works in the other school too, and work overloading, according
to the director, may negatively affect the quality of her
work. According to Rafael Petrossian, the anticipations from the
reforms in the system of education are not many, whereas new and fresh
way of thinking lacks. According to him, retraining of teachers,
which was one of the best traditions of the Soviet years, is of urgent
need today. Nevertheless, despite many problems yet unsolved, the
school does not deviate from its mission. The teachers and pupils
organize different cultural and sport events, the pupils take part in
different competitions in school subjects. In other words, the school
lives with a lively routine.

NVARD OHANJANIAN

Interfax
March 29 2004

Comsup to invest $3.5 mln in Armenian mining outfit

Moscow. (Interfax) – The U.S. company Comsup Commodities will in the
first year of its privatization be investing $3.5 million in Agarak
GOK (mining and benefication combine), Armenian Trade and Economic
Development Minister Karen Chshmarityan announced at a Friday press
conference in Yervan.
The GOK privatization agreement should be signed soon.

Chshmarityan noted that the investment will go to addressing pressing
problems at the combine. In the year following the moment of
privatization, the U.S. company should be providing the Armenian
government with an investment program for the enterprise’s
development.

Comsup Commodities is obligated to keep the enterprise’s jobs intact
and pay back wages. It had offered $500,000 for the GOK.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 26, 2004 Friday

Armenian president satisfied by level of relations with US

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

President Robert Kocharian, of Armenia, has said he is satisfied by
the level of Armenian-U.S. relations. He was speaking on Friday as he
received U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

Kocharian and Armitage noted the importance of wider bilateral
cooperation, the presidential press-service has told Tass.

Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and the visiting U.S.
diplomat were unanimous that all-round development of bilateral
contacts was called to bring about a deeper political dialogue.

Speaking at a news conference following the meeting with the Armenian
president Armitage said that in his opinion the opening of Armenia’s
border with Turkey would greatly benefit both countries. He discussed
this possibility with Turkish diplomats earlier.

Turkey, he said, is currently focused on North Iraq and negotiations
over Cyprus, but the issue of opening the border with Armenia will be
certainly brought up again later.

Armitage said the Armenian foreign minister pointed out that the
amount of U.S. military assistance to Baku differed from that
extended to Yerevan. In reply he recalled that Azerbaijani military
were involved in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Besides,
Azerbaijan fueled U.S. military planes flying to Iraq. This is a
heavy burden on Azerbaijan and our assistance is called to compensate
the country’s efforts, Armitage said.