Author: Nalchajian Markos

RESIDENTS RALLY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DARFUR
By Mary Anne Ross
Correspondent

Old Bridge Suburban, NJ
September 14, 2006

Three moms start N.J. chapter of Committee on Conscience

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Members of the Degutz family, including (from
left) Rachel, 8, mom Audrey, dad Allen, and Danielle, 10, joined the
candlelight vigil "Shine a Light for Darfur" last Thursday night at
the East Brunswick municipal complex.

EAST BRUNSWICK – Genocide and ethnic cleansing may be terms that most
Americans associate with events of long, long ago.

Perhaps it’s easy not to notice when they occur in a remote,
little-known country on the other side of the world. But three East
Brunswick residents have taken notice, and they are working hard to
make sure other people will too.

Leslie Klein, Stephanie Stern and Debbie Schlossberg are all busy,
working moms brought together by their concern for the people of
Darfur, a section of the Sudan that has been the scene of a violent
civil war.

The woman support the Save Darfur Coalition, an alliance of more than
170 faith-based, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. According
to the coalition, the Sudanese government has targeted three tribal
groups for ethnic cleansing, and this has resulted in at least 400,000
people being killed and more than 2 million innocent civilians being
displaced.

Klein, Stern and Schlossberg decided the best way to highlight
the plight of the people of Darfur was to start a chapter of the
Committee on Conscience here in New Jersey. Their organization is part
of the larger United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Committee
on Conscience, whose goal is to halt acts of genocide and crimes
against humanity.

The group’s first public event was a candlelight vigil held outside
the East Brunswick municipal complex last Thursday night. The ceremony
included the recitation of a United Nations prayer, readings of poetry
and a message from an Armenian anti-genocide group.

Schlossberg was happy with the turnout.

"There were students from the high school and a real mix of people
from the community," she said. "Our goal was to raise awareness of
the situation in Darfur and I think we did that."

More events are planned. On Oct. 16, Mayor William Neary is expected
to sign and read a proclamation on the issue during a Township
Council meeting.

"We are hoping people from the community will attend to show support,"
Klein said.

This Sunday, they will participate in the "New York City Save Darfur
Now: Voices to Stop Genocide Rally."

The rally, which is part of a global event, will be held from 2 to
5 p.m. in the East Meadow of Central Park.

"We want to put pressure on the U.N. to put a peace-keeping force in
the area to prevent further acts of genocide," Schlossberg said. "We
also want President Bush to assign a special envoy to the area.

That position has been vacant since the last envoy left, and there
are still funds available for the spot."

Schlossberg, who works full time and has two children, Yoav, 20,
and Noa, 16, has been actively involved in activities to help stop
the genocide in Darfur through local synagogues for the past few
years. Last year, she coordinated the area Freedom Walk, an event
designed to highlight the genocide. She decided to help start the
Committee on Conscience to spread the word outside of the local
temples.

"I wanted to reach out to the broader community," she said.

Klein had never been involved in any kind of activism prior to
co-founding the chapter of the Committee on Conscience. She works full
time as an engineer and has two sons, David and Robert Kolchmeyer,
ages 14 and 11, respectively.

"I started reading about what was happening in the papers and there
was just something about innocent people being slaughtered with no
place to hide. I felt I needed to do something," she said.

Klein pointed out that the Committee on Conscience is not just focused
on Darfur.

"We want to deal with the things that can lead to genocide before
it happens," she said. Klein has been researching material that
can be used in schools to teach students of all ages about genocide
and racism.

She also said the group will be networking with religious organizations
and community groups, such as Stop Hatred and Amnesty International.

Stern is a psychiatrist with three boys – Jacob, 4, David, 8, and
Jonah, 10. She became involved through her synagogue, and last year
housed a former Sudanese slave who participated in the Freedom Walk
and also gave a talk at her temple.

"People are not uncaring; they are just busy," Stern said. "We want
to be a conduit for information."

She also feels it’s important to be a role model for her children.

"You can’t teach this by talking. You have to be a model," she said.

Local residents attending the upcoming rally in New York City should be
able to connect with members of the N.J. Committee on Conscience. Klein
said the group will have a person with a banner at the entrance to
the rally who can direct people to their location in the park.

For more information about the rally and other upcoming
events, visit the N.J. Committee on Conscience Web site at

The Save Darfur Coalition can be found at

ISLAM WORLD OUGHT TO UNITE ALL EFFORTS IN FIGHTING WITH TERROR – AZERI PRESIDENT
Author: S.Aliyev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated to the 5th conference of
the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Tourism Ministers that
opened in Baku on 11 September that some forces want to relate Islam
with terror. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. We want to
live in peace and we will achieve it, Trend reports.

"Today it is the 11th of September. 5 years ago the world saw a
horrible terror attack, which killed a number of innocent people. The
Islamic world condemned the fact. We ought to unite al efforts for
struggle with terror. The terror should not be prevented by oneself,"
the Azerbaijani President stressed.

The head of state put a special accent on the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict Nagorno-Karabakh, which he regarded as the most painful
problem in the region.

"Unfortunately, it has not been resolved yet. 20% of the Azerbaijani
territory is under occupation, whereas as a result of ethnic cleansing
by Armenia over 1 million Azerbaijanis have become refugees and
internally displaced people. It is a great humanitarian catastrophe,"
Aliyev stressed.

Mr Aliyev underlined that despite the resolutions adopted by the
international organizations in this respect, it still remains
unsettled. Moreover, Azerbaijan suffered from the Armenian terror
attacks which resulted in death of numerous people.

AZERBAIJAN MUST INCREASE MILITARY EXPENSES UNTIL RESTORATION OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTY SAYS

Baku, September 11. ArmInfo-TURAN. The European Union’s (EU) concern
about the increase of Azerbaijan’s military expenses is ungrounded,
said Adil Aliyev, a member of the Milli Mejlis’ commission for defense
and security questions.

Instead of demanding that Azerbaijan cut military expenses, the EU
should demand that Armenia liberate Azerbaijan’s occupied territories,
A. Aliyev said. Azerbaijan will increase military expenses to
strengthen the army, until the restoration of its territorial
integrity. None of the international organization can stop Azerbaijan
from doing this, the deputy said.

A.Aliyev called on UN representatives not to apply double standards,
but to speak about Armenians occupation policy in the region.

During the "Caspian perspectives" conference in Slovenia, the
EU commissar for foreign relations and new neighborhood Benita
Ferrero-Valdner criticized Azerbaijan and Georgia for increasing
military expenses.

OSCE MISSION REGISTERED NO TRUCE VIOLATIONS

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 12 2006

According to an earlier agreement with NKR authorities, one of these
days the OSCE Mission carried out planned monitoring at the contact
line of the Armed Forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan near
Seysulan region in Martakert region.

NKR MFA Press Service informs that from the positions of the NKR
Defense Army the monitoring was carried out by Coordinator of the
OSCE Office, Lieutenant Colonel Imre Palatinus (Hungary) and Field
Assistant of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Irzhi Aberle (Czech Republic). The monitoring was held according
to the preset schedule, no breaches of the cease-fire regime were
registered. For the recurrent time the Azerbaijani side did not lead
the OSCE Mission to its front positions. From the Karabakh side the
monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives of NKR Foreign
and Defense Ministries.

AEPLAC AND THE UNION OF BANKS TO PRESENT THE "SECURITIZATION OF ASSETS IN EUROPE" VOLUME

ArmRadio.am
11.09.2006 12:42

On 12 September AEPLAC and the Union of Banks of Armenia will present
the seventh volume in the "European Integration Library Series" –
"Securitization of assets in Europe."

This book is the first report in Armenia that is reflecting this
topic, and this report is produced in cooperation with the Union of
Banks of Armenia.

It is composed of two major parts, and aims to present the process of
creation and development of securitization markets in Europe. This book
provides a rather detailed analysis of the practices of establishment
and development of securitization process in Europe, its impact on
promoting economic growth, as well as on legal regulations governing
the securitization process.

The event will host members of the Government, MPs, representatives
of the diplomatic missions, international organizations, businesses,
education and science, and the civil society.

Speakers to the event will be Mr. Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of
Central Bank of Armenia, Mr. Vardan Khachatryan, Minister of Finance
and Economy of Armenia, Mr. Karen Chshmarityan, Minister of Trade and
Economic Development of Armenia, Mr. Stepan Gishyan, Chairman of Union
of Banks of Armenia, Mr. Kenneth Munther, AEPLAC European Director.

YOUNG MEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHT FOR FREE EDUCATION

Panorama.am
17:40 08/09/06

Dozens of young people gathered today at the building of the ministry
of education demanding their right for free education. Young men, who
had served in the Armenian army, were accepted to higher educational
establishment with a privilege of free educational as ex-soldiers of
the country. After studying for one year, they were told that they
have to pay tuition fee like other students. The universities said they
may be exempt from paying the tuition only if they excel in studies.

"I was accepted in the paid system in 2003 but I did not continue
the education thinking that I may be entitled for free education
after serving in the army," Vahe Asryan says. Vahe did not know that
he may be shifted to the paid system based on his grades after two
semesters. He learned about it only September 1.

Two hundred other similar young men were disappointed in their
aspiration to receive diplomas in different specializations. They have
applied to different state officials but were mostly refused. Many
students say if they have been warned in advance, they would not
apply for higher education. "We could go to universities on paid
system even without serving in the army," they say.

Groups of young men managed to meet Levon Lazarian, minister of
education, who advised to apply in writing and promised to raise the
issue at the government. /Panorama.am/

UN to assess fires’ environmental impact on occupied Azeri lands

ANS TV, Baku
8 Sep 06

[Presenter] The UN General Assembly is concerned about the fires
started in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. This has been
reflected at a resolution adopted by the assembly.

[Correspondent over video of the UN building] The UN General Assembly
in New York has adopted a resolution on the fires started in occupied
Azerbaijani territories. The press secretary of the Azerbaijani
permanent representative office in the UN, Surxay Sukurov:

[Sukurov, speaking by phone] The UN General Assembly has expressed
its considerable concern about the fires in occupied Azerbaijani
territories and urged the immediate launch of an environmental
operation there. The UN General Assembly has adopted this important
decision and underlined the participation of the sides in the
operation.

[Correspondent] The General Assembly believes it was extremely
important to conduct such an operation in order to build confidence
between the sides. Another important aspect is that the OSCE and the
appropriate UN bodies will jointly perform a special mission.

[Sukurov] Experts from the appropriate UN body entitled "the UN
environmental programme" and the OSCE will jointly fulfil a special
mission to study the situation. Another important aspect is that the
UN notes [in the resolution] that international bodies should help
Azerbaijan put out, prevent fires, study the short-term and long-term
negative impacts and restore the lands.

[Correspondent] Azerbaijan thinks that it is very important that
the UN has taken such a decision. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov:

[Mammadyarov, speaking to journalists] The OSCE chairman is organizing
a mission. This issue was discussed in Brussels yesterday [7 September]
and the discussions will continue. We will send the mission to
the fire zone to assess the situation. Along with international
experts, Azerbaijani and Armenians experts will join the mission
as well. Representatives of the UN environmental programme, OSCE
representatives and probably representatives of the [OSCE Minsk Group]
co-chairs will join it. Once the mission has assessed the situation
to see what needs to be done and which measures should be taken,
everything is noted in this resolution [as heard]. An environmental
operation should be carried out. That is the issue of rehabilitation,
erosion, etc.

[Correspondent] Mammadyarov said that as soon as the resolution
is adopted the environmental operation will be carried out on the
occupied territories which have been set alight.

Ulviyya Ismayilova, ANS.

JOURNEY FOR HUMANITY WALKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GENOCIDE
By Connie Jo Discoe

AINA, CA
Assyrian International News Agency
Sept 6 2006

One step after the other … one day and 30 miles at a time, six young
people are making their way across America, celebrating their freedom
to do so and, at the same time, remembering and honoring those who
have lost their freedoms, and their lives.

The mission of the walkers’ organization, "Journey for Humanity,"
is to raise awareness of genocide — the deliberate and systematic
annihilation of a racial, political or cultural group — the genocides
of the past and those occurring even now.

"Genocide — crimes against humanity — is going on today, as we talk
and as we walk," said Vahe Abovian.

Vahe joins Hasmig Tatiossian, Edward Majian, Sarkis Nazaryan, Albrik
Zohrabyan and Levon Sayadyan in a 3,300-mile trek across America —
from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. — to tell people about the
vitally important issue of genocide. "It keeps happening," said Hosmig
Tatiossian, "because we don’t learn from it."

Journey for Humanity recognizes seven occurrences of genocide in
recent history:

1915-1923, "The Armenian Genocide," by the Ottoman Turkish Government,
during which more than one-half of the Armenian population (about
1.5 million) people was killed. Approximately 750,000 Assyrians and
about one million Greeks also lost their lives.

1933-1945, "The Holocaust" by Nazi Germany, in which two out of three
Jews living in Europe were killed by 1945. Also targeted and killed
were Soviet prisoners of war, Gypsies, homosexuals, the physically
handicapped and mentally disabled.

1975-1979, "The Cambodian Genocide," in which the Pol Pot Regime tried
to "purify" Cambodia of western culture, city life and religion, and
more than 25 percent of the country’s population died of starvation,
overwork and execution. All those considered to be part of the "old
society" — intellectuals, former government officials and Buddhist
monks — were murdered.

1992-1995, "The Bosnian Genocide" by Bosnian Serbs, during which more
than 200,000 Bosnian Muslims were systematically murdered, men and
boys were deported to concentration camps and civilians were gunned
down by snipers in the city of Sarajevo.

1994, "The Rwanda Genocide," during which Hutu militia, armed
with machetes, started a campaign of murder of the ethnic Tutsi
population. One-tenth of the country’s population — an estimated
800,000 people — was murdered during the campaign of terror.

2003-today, "The Darfur Genocide" by the Sudanese government
and a militia group known as "Janjaweed." Since February 2003,
government-sponsored militias have conducted a calculated campaign
of slaughter, rape, starvation and displacement against the African
population of Darfur. It is estimated that 400,000 people have died
due to violence, starvation and disease, that more than 2.5 million
have been displaced and about 200,000 have fled the border to Chad.

The Journey for Humanity cross-country trek hopes to make people
aware of such crimes against mankind, but also of the denial of
genocide. Edward said, "The Armenian genocide is being denied, even
91 years later."

Although many countries around the world have declared the mass
murders, rapes, torture and mutilations in Armenia genocide, the
current Turkish government denies that a genocide occurred.

The United States and President George W. Bush have declared the
situation in Darfur as "genocide."

Vahe said that too many people feel that, "the crimes are too far from
us. It doesn’t affect us. But as human beings, everyone is either a
victim or a survivor of crimes against humanity."

He continued, "We have to realize as we enjoy our homes and our
families, that people are being killed."

Hosmig said that complacency and not standing up against genocide
allows it to continue to happen.

What can someone half-a-world away from genocide do about it? It’s the
people’s responsibility, Hosmig said, to elect only public officials
who stand up against genocide, and support legislation that recognizes
the atrocities of genocide, such as:

H.Con.Res. 19 in 2005, which called for the United States to observe
the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz (January, 2005)
and honor all victims of the Holocaust. It also called for teachers
to educate students about Auschwitz and stress the importance of the
collective responsibility of humanity to ensure that what happened
at Nazi death camps is never allowed to happen again.

H.Con.Res. 146 in 2005, which honors the victims of the Cambodian
genocide and welcomes the establishment of an international criminal
tribunal to bring its perpetrators to justice.

H.Con.Res. 195 in 2005, which commemorates the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and calls for the government of the Republic of Turkey to
acknowledge the culpability of its predecessor state, the Ottoman
Empire, for the genocide.

House Resolution 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of
2006, in which Congress calls events unfolding in Darfur genocidal
and recognizes the need for U.S. and international involvement in
Darfur. In April, 2006, the resolution was received in the Senate
and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Edward said that he and his fellow walkers have received a variety of
responses to their project. "Lots are appalled, and want to learn how
to help," he said. "Some are indifferent. But part of indifference
is just not knowing, and that is what our project is about."

A media kit provided by the walkers quotes Martin Luther King Jr.,
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever
affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

The walkers’ support bus is emblazoned with the quote by British
statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke: "All that is needed for evil
to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

"Genocide is an important issue," Ed said. "It deserves more
attention."

Donate time or money to the cause, Hosmig said. Help fund-raise. Send
web faxes available on the Journey for Humanity Web site:
journeyforhumanity.com

"Do the most simple thing," she said. "Tell some one."

"Journey for Humanity" walkers and organizers believe: "Only when
people acknowledge the genocides of the past and really acknowledge
and understand what genocide looks like, is there a possibility of
stopping the current genocides and preventing the next ones."

ARMENIAN FAMOUS BOXER KAMO SAROYAN PASSES AWAY

Noyan Tapan
Sept 06 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian famous boxer, USSR multiple
champion and prize winner, sports master of international class Kamo
Saroyan passed away on September 4, at the age of 61, after a long
serious disease. He performed at the heavyweight weight category. The
farewell ceremony takes place at 12:00-14:00, September 6, in the
"Dinamo" gym of Yerevan.

OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL WON’T LEAVE THEM ALONE

Lragir.am
06 Sept 06

Real struggle has set out inside the government of Armenia for the
Office of the Attorney General. The flagman of the struggle is the
Republican Party the leadership of which is trying to attract the
Attorney General into their camp. We have learned that the recent
statement of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun in the press fits into the
framework of this struggle. The ARF Dashnaktsutyun announced that
they are not related to this statement released in the name of the
political party. We have learned that the statement came from the
Republican sets likely to exercise pressure on the Attorney General.

The Republican Party avoids acting in its own name to force the
Attorney General to seek his only protection with the Republican
Party. And this intention of the Republican Party is determined by
the fact that the organization led by Aghvan Hovsepyan possesses a
considerable amount of files which may have a considerable role in
the internal political struggle.