Author: Toneyan Mark

Syrian Arab News Agency
May 9 2004

Abu Mousa Meeting with Kohar Mirakian

Damascus, May 9 (SANA)-

Chairman of Al-Baath Vanguards Organization Dr. Ahmad Abu Mousa on
Sunday met Mrs. Kouhar Mirakian, Head of the Armenian delegation of
children who participate in the activities of the Regional Vanguards
Festival .

Dr. Abu Mousa expressed pleasure over participation of Armenian
children with their Syrian counterparts in the Festival. He pointed
out to the patronage given by President Bashar al-Assad to the
Children, particularly his Excellency’s keen on enhancing children’
spirit of renovation and innovation.

For its part, Mrs. Mirakian highly praised the Syrian experience in
field of Youth education, expressing pleasure over several
distinguish activities in Syria regarding the educational and
technical establishments, particularly in qualifying teachers to
enable them to perform their moral and educational duties in
discovering and developing children creativity.

Nawal/ Zahra.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
May 7 2004

Armenia’s Returning Occupied Districts To Be Debated In Strasbourg
Meeting

Yerevan’s releasing seven occupied Azerbaijani districts in return
for the latter’s opening communication links to Armenia will be
discussed during the foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan
Oskanian’s upcoming meeting.
The meeting planned to be held in Strasbourg on May 12, the 525th
newspaper reported on Friday, citing Mammadyarov.
Mammadyarov said that the peace nogotiations would not be continued
unless they yield tangible results.

`We should not hold meetings just for the sake of meetings,’
Mammadyarov said, adding that the sides would define directions for
future negotiations in Strasbourg.

The Azeri foreign minister said the Strasbourg meeting would be
attended also by the OSCE Minsk group’s co-chairs, and special
representatives of the both conflicting countries.

President Ilham Aliyev also stated on Wednesday that his government
hopes for finding a peaceful solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The president said if there were no hope, he wouldn’t keep supporting
the talks.

Armenia occupied Azerbaijan’s former autonomous region of
Nagorno-Karabakh and also seven districts surrounding it in 1991-94
war. Despite a shaky seace-fire signed between the two countries on
12 May 1994, the peace talks mediated by OSCE’s Minsk group have
failed to find a settlement to the conflict.

ARKA News Agency
May 6 2004

Parliament factions of Armenia agreed on continuation of political
consultations

Real estate market and availability of hypothec workshop to promote
introduction of more efficient mechanisms in Armenia

The second annual competition for journalists working in
Nagono-Karabakh Republic held in NKR

OSCE to conduct its regular monitoring on Armenian and Azerbaijani
armies contact line

High school of judges to be established in Armenia

RA State Register Agency to switch to on-line registration of legal
entities

*********************************************************************

PARLIAMENT FACTIONS OF ARMENIA AGREED ON CONTINUATION OF POLITICAL
CONSULTATIONS

YEREVAN, May, 6. /ARKA/. Parliament factions of Armenia agreed on
continuation of political consultations and developed the agenda of
discussed issues, says the statement of parliament factions and
deputy group People’s Deputy made today after 5-hour consultations
initiated by the Speaker of the Parliament. The participants of the
consultations noted the necessity of creation of new political
situation in the country, taking the statements of coalition members
and joint statement or opposition as of May 4 as the base. The
statement is signed by all Parliament factions and deputy group
People’s Deputy. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

REAL ESTATE MARKET AND AVAILABILITY OF HYPOTHEC WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE
INTRODUCTION OF MORE EFFICIENT MECHANISMS IN ARMENIA

YEEVAN, May 6. /ARKA/. Armenia’s experience in the cadastre system as
well as in hypothec will promote not only introducing of more
efficient mechanisms for the development of the property circulation,
but also to further strengthening of formed partnership in favor of
interests of the country’s sustainable development, as it is
mentioned in the welcome statement by Manuk Vardanyan, Head of the RA
State Cadastre Committee to the participants of Real Estate Market
and Availability of Hypothec workshop held by UN European Economic
Commission on land administration. In his message Manuk Vardanyan
wished an efficient meeting and business cooperation to the
participants of the workshop.
On 6-7 May `Real Estate Market and Availability of Hypothec’ workshop
organized by UN European Economic Commission on land administration
will be held in Armenia. During the workshop the participants will
discuss Armenia’s experience in reforming the cadastre system as well
as the issues on hypothec crediting necessary for the development of
the real estate market. The workshop will be attended by the
representative of eth state structures, commercial banks, private
companies, Secretariat of UN European Economic Commission as well as
other international organizations. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

THE SECOND ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR JOURNALISTS WORKING IN
NAGONO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC HELD IN NKR

STEPANAKERT, May 6. /ARKA/. The second annual competition for
journalists working in Nagono-Karabakh Republic( NKR) was held in
NKR. According to the ARKA’s reporter in Stepanakert, one more
nomination called The Best Publication on Military added this year to
the previous three ones: `Golden Feather, the Beast Journalist
Investigation and the Best Political Analysis. A journalist with best
professional skills and the best materials published to be awarded
Golden Feather, a special diploma and a prize at AMD 50 thsd. the
winners in other nominations to be awarded diplomas and monetary
rewards at AMD 25 thsd. ($1 ÑØÀ = AMD 548.81). A.H. –0–

*********************************************************************

OSCE TO CONDUCT ITS REGULAR MONITORING ON ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI
ARMIES CONTACT LINE

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. OSCE plans to conduct its regular monitoring
on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armies on 6 May.
As Trend agency reports with reference to Azerbaijan Defense
Ministry, the monitoring is planned on the area of village of Kapanly
of Terter region. From Armenian line the monitoring will be conducted
by OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative Andrzej
Kasprzik, its field assistants Yu. Schmidt, M. Vymetal and
Representatives of High Planning Groups. From Azerbaijani line, the
monitoring will be attended by field assistants of OSCE
Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative I. Palatinus, K. Pikles,
representatives of High Planning Group. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

HIGH SCHOOL OF JUDGES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Two year high school of judges will be
established in Armenia, as Davit Harutyunyan, RA Justice Minister
told at his briefing. In his words, currently the procedure of
appointment of judges cannot be considered perfect. As earlier
reported by the Minister, the School is aimed at providing a higher
level of Armenian judges. It will be possible to enter the school on
competitive base, while the candidates must already have a certain
experience of activity. The first academic year will be devoted to
theoretic knowledge and the second to practical courses. `Only the
graduates of the School will be able to work as judges in the
future’, the Minister said. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

RA STATE REGISTER AGENCY TO SWITCH TO ON-LINE REGISTRATION OF LEGAL
ENTITIES

YEREVAN, May, 5. /ARKA/. RA State Register Agency will switch to
on-line registration of legal entities, RA Minister of Justice David
Harutyunian stated today at the briefing. According to him, with this
goal 10 regional divisions of the Agency were equipped with the
computers connected to Internet and another 8 divisions will be
connected by the end of the year. L.D. –0–

OSCE not to force Azeri authorities to fulfil commitments, British MP says

Turan news agency, Baku
27 Apr 04

The Council of Europe and the OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil
its commitments to the organizations, President of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly Bruce George has told the Azerbaijani news
agency Turan. Decisions on democracy must be made by the Azerbaijani
people and the traditions of Western democracies may appear alien to
the South Caucasus countries, George said. He added that the
counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan played a decisive role in
its relations with the USA and the UK but should not overshadow
development of the rule of law. The following is the text of report by
Azerbaijani news agency Turan; subheadings inserted editorially:

Baku, 27 April: The president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and
head of the British-Azerbaijani parliamentary group, Bruce George, has
answered some questions concerning bilateral relations and commented
on domestic political developments in Azerbaijan in the course of his
conversation with the head of the Vatan society, Murad Hasanli.

The OSCE’s view on 2003 presidential election

Asked about the OSCE’s assessment of the 2003 presidential election in
Azerbaijan, George said that the reports of the short-term and
long-term missions point to the presence of several “areas” which must
be “strongly” criticized. They were followed by an OSCE BDIHR [Bureau
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights] mission which had
numerous meetings with the leadership of Azerbaijan. During the
meetings the delegation expressed their concern about “weakness” of
the laws during the election and about the way the election was
conducted. The people of Azerbaijan have to decide themselves how to
conduct the next election and one can only hope that they will conform
to international standards.

Does the international community recognize the incumbent government of
Azerbaijan in the light of the opposition’s statements about the
government being illegitimate because of falsifications?

George replied that the election did have some “deficiencies”, but it
is up to the Azerbaijani political system to decide whether it wants
democratic elections. As for the BDIHR, OSCE, Council of Europe,
individual governments and organizations, they “may only play their
role in carrying out some changes. However, demands of those changes
have to come from within Azerbaijan,” he said. The West cannot
“impose” its standards on others and each country has to make its own
choice.

Considerable differences between Azerbaijan and Georgia

Some observers reckon that the West displayed double standards when
assessing the elections in Azerbaijan and Georgia. What can be said in
this regard?

There is a considerable difference between Georgia and Azerbaijan,
George said. Although there were irregularities in each of the two
countries, the parliamentary election in Georgia was more “deficient”
than the presidential election in Azerbaijan. There was an appropriate
response from the population. Moreover, many international
organizations and NGOs had worked well in Georgia in order to form the
basis of the civil society.

Describing his view of the present political situation in Azerbaijan
in the light of repression against the opposition and stifling the
independent mass media, and speaking of possible ways of involvement
of the international community, George said that he would not
intervene in the domestic affairs of Azerbaijan at this juncture. As a
president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, “my role is very limited
and I do not want to be viewed as an instrument of this or that
group”, he said.

OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil commitments

Asked whether the OSCE will “force” Azerbaijan to fulfill its
commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE, George said that
these organizations do not practise forcing anyone. In his words, the
Council of Europe and the OSCE are more inclined to assist through
education and recommendations. It is up to the countries themselves,
as to how useful these methods will prove for them. “I do not intend
to intervene in the confrontation between the Azerbaijani authorities
and the opposition for the decision has to be taken within the
country.”

In his opinion, many standards of the European Union and NATO may seem
too harsh and yet the countries of Eastern and Central Europe have
decided to comply with them. The situation in the South Caucasus
countries is somewhat different and the traditions of Western
democracies appear alien to them. “We can assist only provided that
the country is willing to come nearer to democratic standards,” he
said.

Asked whether the election in Azerbaijan has affected the talks on the
Nagornyy-Karabakh conflict, George did not give an unambiguous
answer. He reckons that in both countries the people who can settle
the conflict must win the elections. Further, he talked about his
intention to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia. He wished that a mutually
acceptable resolution be found and that the OSCE Minsk Group become
more active.

Counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s contribution to the fight against
international terrorism, Bruce George said that this contribution has
played a decisive role in relations of Azerbaijan with the USA and the
UK. Still, this contribution should not “overshadow” development of
constitutionalism and rule of law in the South Caucasus countries.

ARMENIA THIS WEEK
Friday, April 30, 2004

U.S., ARMENIA SIGN MILITARY LOGISTICS AGREEMENT
The United States and Armenian militaries this week took another step in an
expanding partnership by signing an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing
Agreement (ACSA). Deputy Commander of the U.S. forces in Europe General
Charles Wald was in Armenia for a second visit in recent months to sign the
agreement with the Chief of Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, General
Mikael Harutiunian. ACSA will facilitate logistics and purchases between the
two militaries during joint deployments, such as the one Armenia is
currently planning in Iraq. Earlier this year, U.S. and Armenia signed a
reciprocal Article 98 agreement to prevent their troops from prosecution at
the International Criminal Court, eliminating a potential hindrance to U.S.
military assistance to Armenia.

Harutiunian said that the agreement is part of the legal framework needed
for the establishment of “allied partnership” between the two countries.
Wald said that the agreement is evidence that “we are increasing and
cementing our relationship and that Armenia is a participant of the war on
terrorism.” In his annual April 24 message released earlier this week,
President George W. Bush noted that the United States “is grateful for
Armenia’s continuing cooperation in the war on terror.” Bush also reaffirmed
U.S. commitment to assist Armenia in expanding “strategic relations” with
the West. According to a report last week, the Bush Administration is
planning to commit about $660 million in the next five years to train and
equip foreign forces to be used in peace operations around the world.

While in Armenia, Wald again denied persistent media reports that the U.S.
is planning to station forces at bases in either Armenia or Azerbaijan.
Armenia’s Ambassador Arman Kirakossian suggested last week that the U.S.
would instead focus on upgrading military installations in the region for
possible future deployments. Commenting on the Administration’s request for
higher military assistance to Azerbaijan than to Armenia, Kirakossian
stressed that the U.S. policy of parity should continue so as not to alter
the regional balance of forces.

Meanwhile, Wald noted that Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has made a
commitment to the U.S. not to hinder Armenia’s participation in the upcoming
NATO exercises in Azerbaijan. Last January, Armenian officers were not
allowed to attend a planning conference for the exercises. Azeri reaction to
the brutal murder of an Armenian officer by an Azeri serviceman at a NATO
course in February further strained bilateral tensions. This week, Azeri
officials pledged to provide security to Armenian participants. (Sources:
Arm. This Week 4-2; Mediamax 4-16; Washington Post 4-19; The White House
4-24; AP 4-26; RFE/RL Arm. Report 4-26)

COUNCIL OF EUROPE BODY URGES POLITICAL DIALOGUE, REFORM IN ARMENIA
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) this week adopted
a resolution on the political standoff in Armenia calling for dialogue
between the Armenian government and the opposition. While noting that last
year’s electoral irregularities were not substantial enough to affect the
outcome of the vote, in which President Robert Kocharian was reelected, the
PACE resolution criticized the Armenian government for its heavy-handed
response to protests by the Armenian opposition, which is calling for
Kocharian’s resignation.

PACE also refused to endorse the Armenian opposition delegates’ calls for
the so-called “referendum of confidence” in Kocharian. The resolution
further called on the Armenian government to guarantee opposition supporters
the freedom of assembly and movement, to investigate alleged violations of
human rights during recent meetings and to reform the Code of Administrative
Violations that allows it to detain opposition supporters during
unsanctioned rallies. The Armenian government is expected to issue a
preliminary report to PACE by June, and complete the necessary reforms by
September. (Source: PACE resolution 4-28)

ARMENIA POSTS FIRST QUARTER GROWTH
Armenia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.5 percent in the first
three months of 2004, compared to the first quarter of last year, the
National Statistics Agency reported this week. As anticipated earlier,
following completion of major construction projects funded by the U.S.-based
Lincy Foundation, the growth was slower than the double-digit increases
registered between 2001-2003. The industrial growth was under 3 percent, due
largely to lower output in the diamond-processing sector and stoppage of a
major aluminum plant for modernization. Previously struggling chemical and
light industry sectors reported the strongest rebounds and electricity
generation grew by 7 percent. Agricultural output grew by 6 percent.

The first quarter exports were up by 14 percent to $152 million. Major
export destinations included Belgium (19 percent of all exports), United
States (12), Russia (11), Israel (11), Germany (9), Italy (7) and
Switzerland (4). Imports were up 9.5 percent to $281 million, with Russia
(23), Belgium (11), Israel (10), the United States (8), United Arab Emirates
(6) and Iran (5) as major sources of Armenia-bound goods.

The government’s internal and custom revenue agencies reported first quarter
growth in incomes above budget targets. Customs Director Armen Avetisian
suggested that political tensions resulting from the opposition’s drive for
power have so far had no major impact on business activity in Armenia. The
agencies brought in $51 and $45 million in tax and tariff duties,
respectively, and are on track to meet the annual plan of $460 million in
state revenues. Major businesses paid more profit taxes following the
introduction of stiffer penalties for non-payment last year.

According to Tigran Jrbashian, director of the Sed Marsed consulting firm,
higher state revenues have also contributed to strengthening Armenia’s
national currency. This week, the Dram traded at under 550 to $1, its
highest exchange rate since October 2000. (Sources: Armenia This Week 2-6;
Arminfo 4-20, 21; Noyan Tapan 4-20, 21; RFE/RL Armenia Report 4-20, 28)

A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
122 C Street, N.W., Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 393-3434 FAX
(202) 638-4904
E-Mail [email protected] WEB

Daily Times
Pakistan
Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Landmark agreement on Asian Highway Network signed in Shanghai

SHANGHAI: Asian governments on Monday signed a landmark UN-brokered
agreement to complete a massive international highway network that officials
hope will rival the ancient Silk Road.

Twenty-three nations signed the agreement to set up a highway network that
will link Tokyo with Singapore, Istanbul and St Petersburg in some 140,000
kilometres of routes stretching across the Asian continent.

The agreement was signed at the ongoing meeting of the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and will go
into effect 90 days after eight countries ratify the pact.

`This 140,000-kilometre highway will contribute tremendously to regional
economic integration,’ ESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su told reporters.
`All 32 countries have agreed in principle to sign but it will depend on
passing this agreement internally through each country, so not everyone
(was) ready to sign.’

The agreement is necessary partly to determine the details of the network,
from their precise routes to ensuring that each one of the 55 approved
routes meet standards and that road signs are regularized.

ESCAP said it anticipated that Asian landlocked countries, including Bhutan,
Laos, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal and Uzbekistan, would benefit
most from the new roads by gaining better access to ports.

`For landlocked countries, the highway portends a revival of the
cross-continent access that the legendary Silk Route provided in the early
part of the first millennium,’ it said in a press release.

The agreement in Shanghai will outline roads to be built and upgraded and
establish minimum standards for the highway routes, while an overall budget
and time-frame for completion are expected to be announced in 2006.

The main route Asian Highway 1 is expected to start in Tokyo and terminate
in Istanbul, passing though North and South Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Armenia along the
way. A trunk route will extend through St Petersburg to Russia’s border with
Finland. – AFP

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION RALLY IN CAPITAL ENDS – WEB SITE

A1+ web site
27 Apr 04

Despite the fact that law-enforcement agencies were again seriously
prepared for today’s opposition rally and lined up a reinforced police
squad along Bagramyan Avenue, the opposition limited itself to a
rally.

The rally on Freedom Square all in all continued three hours. During
this time, the rally organizers, political figures and representatives
of the intelligentsia informed people of the latest developments
regarding the situation in Armenia, including the outcome of
opposition-authorities talks.

It was noted that no agreement had been achieved in the negotiations
and that the opposition demands remained unchanged. Taking the
opportunity, a member of the Justice bloc and leader of the Democratic
Party of Armenia, Aram Gasparovich Sarkisyan, commented publicly on
(Armenian President) Robert Kocharyan’s statement that the
opposition’s actions “reek of treachery” because while he was going to
meet the Azerbaijani president, the Armenian opposition was calling
for the change of the authorities.

“First, the meeting with the Azerbaijani president is simply a regular
meeting, which is of no particular significance. The Karabakh issue
will be resolved only when people begin to trust their president,”
Sarkisyan said.

The leader of the Justice bloc, Stepan Demirchyan, told the
demonstrators that the authorities had breached one of the opposition
conditions. The opposition demanded that the discussion of the draft
law “On the conduct of rallies, protest actions and marches” be
postponed for a while so that the opposition had an opportunity to
submit its proposals. As is known, the authorities did not meet the
opposition halfway and the draft law was put to vote in the National
Assembly and approved in its first reading.

(Passage omitted: minor details)

As for the opposition’s next steps, the authorities have to fulfil its
demands by 4 May. In the course of the rally, scheduled to start at
1800 (1100 gmt), the opposition will take a decision on their future
actions.

Opposition leaders are also planning to take an active part in
festivities on the occasion of 1 May.

California Courier Online, April 29, 2004

1 – Commentary
Kerry Says Genocide; Bush Doesn’t;
A Clear Choice for Armenians

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – Haigazian Women’s Auxiliary to Host
May 20 Luncheon with Diva Baraydarian
3 – Glendale High School Armenian Clubs
Raise $10,000 for Ghapan Students
4 – Chamlian School Students Register
Success at L.A. County Science Fair
5 – Colorado Armenians Wrap Up
Armenian Ski Weekend in Vail
6 – Karen Kondazian’s Performances
Extend ‘Callas’ Play thru July 25
7 – Babaian’s ‘After Freedom’
Opens in Theaters, May 14
************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
Kerry Says Genocide; Bush Doesn’t;
A Clear Choice for Armenians

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

For the fourth year in a row, Pres. Bush has broken his promise to the
Armenian American community. Last Saturday, he issued yet another annual
April 24 statement that does not refer to the Armenian Genocide as
“genocide.”
During the 2000 presidential campaign, then candidate George Bush, in a
written statement, referred to the “genocidal campaign” perpetrated against
the Armenians and pledged to properly characterize it when elected
President.
Since the election, however, Pres. Bush’s handlers have not permitted him
to say “Armenian Genocide” in his annual April 24 statements. Instead, he
has used every other conceivable word in the English language except
genocide to describe what happened to the Armenians from 1915 to 1923.
Sadly, this charade keeps going on, year after year. Here is this year’s
selection of Pres. Bush’s evasive and euphemistic words: “One of the most
horrible tragedies of the 20th century… the annihilation of as many as 1.5
million Armenians through forced exile and murder at the end of the Ottoman
Empire…this terrible event remains a source of pain for people in Armenia
and Turkey,” and finally, “this loss of life.”
To add insult to injury, Pres. Bush’s April 24 statement, most
inappropriately, includes praise for the discredited Turkish Armenian
Reconciliation Commission (TARC). The President’s “wise” advisers,
incredibly, may not have heard that TARC officially, and mercifully,
terminated its existence two weeks ago. This is the second year in a row
that Pres. Bush has plugged TARC. By doing so, he has left no doubt in
anyone’s mind that this is an American-funded and supported initiative.
Nothing is more damning for TARC than the fact that the Bush Administration
is its mastermind.
By not saying genocide, Pres. Bush also ignored the letters signed by 169
bi-partisan members of the House of Representatives and 22 U.S. Senators
(including Sen. John Kerry) urging him to use the term “Armenian Genocide”
in his annual commemorative statement.
To make matters worse, the Bush Administration continues to oppose a
pending congressional resolution that marks the 15th anniversary of the
U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention, for the simple reason that
it includes a passing reference to the Armenian Genocide, along with the
Holocaust as well as the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides. Senate Resolution
164 currently has 38 Senators as cosponsors. A counterpart measure in the
House (Resolution 193) was unanimously adopted by the Judiciary Committee
last May and currently has 110 cosponsors. However, the Speaker of the
House, Dennis Hastert, at the instruction of Pres. Bush’s handlers, has
refused to allow a vote on this resolution by the full House. Speaker
Hastert has also broken the promise he made in 2000 to reschedule a vote on
the Armenian Genocide resolution that he pulled out of the House floor at
Pres. Clinton’s request moments before its assured passage. I hope the
voters would not ignore Speaker Hastert’s antagonistic stance on this issue
when he asks for their support in this year’s elections.
One may wonder why the President of the United States insists on issuing
these flawed April 24 statements year after year, thereby antagonizing the
Armenian-American community. Pres. Bush’s shrewd handlers probably hope
that by issuing these sugarcoated statements, they would be able to fool a
few politically unsophisticated Armenians and gain their support.
The Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry, on the other hand, had no
problem using the term “Armenian Genocide” in his April 24 statement. He
described the Genocide as “a systematic policy of ethnic extermination” by
the Ottoman Empire that “killed or deported over 1.5 million Armenian men,
women and children.”
In his statement, Sen. Kerry thanked “Armenian Americans for their
persistence in the struggle to gain international recognition of this
atrocity. By keeping the memory of this tragedy alive, Armenian Americans
remind us all of our collective responsibility to insure that such horrors
are not repeated. I am proud of my work with the Armenian American
community to gain broader recognition of the Armenian Genocide, including
fighting alongside Senator Robert Dole in 1990 for designation of April 24
as a national day of remembrance for this tragedy…. I join Armenian
Americans and Armenians worldwide in mourning the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and I call on governments and people everywhere to formally
recognize this tragedy. Only by learning from this dark period of history
and working to prevent future genocides can we truly honor the memories of
those Armenians who suffered so unjustly.”
Most Armenians are naturally skeptical about such campaign statements given
the fact that they have been misled before by Pres. Bush (senior), Pres.
Clinton, and the current President Bush. As candidates, they all promised
to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and after the election, they did the
exact opposite by actively lobbing against its recognition!
What makes Sen. Kerry hopefully different from these three presidents is
that before becoming a presidential candidate, he had an extensive track
record of supporting the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
cosponsoring resolutions in the Senate on this subject. His 20-year long
history of supporting various Armenian causes gives us the confidence that
once elected, he will continue being supportive. Of course, it is up to the
Armenian American community to cultivate the necessary contacts within Sen.
Kerry’s inner circle in order to be able to counter all those who try to
undermine his favorable position on this issue.
The choice is therefore clear between Bush and Kerry. Those who want four
more years of broken promises on the Armenian Genocide can keep on backing
Pres. Bush. However, those who want the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide should support the candidacy of John Kerry.
A final word to those Turks who are ghoulishly rejoicing that once again
Pres. Bush has refrained from using the term “Armenian Genocide.” Only a
totally shameless people would jump for joy when the President of the
United States is accusing their nation of committing “the most horrible
tragedies of the 20th century, the annihilation of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians through forced exile and murder….” If the President of the United
States had accused my ancestors of such dastardly crimes, I would have been
in no mood to celebrate. Instead, I would have been terribly embarrassed
and ashamed!
British Envoy Lays a Wreath at Genocide Monument

Last week, we reported in this column the announcement of the British
Ambassador to Armenia, Thorda Abbott-Watt, that she would be absent from
Yerevan on April 24, while Armenians are commemorating the 89th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. She said in an e-mail that she would return to
Armenia on April 26. We attributed her absence to her possible intent to
avoid joining the diplomatic corps in Armenia on April 24 in laying a
wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Genocide
Memorial Monument in Yerevan.
At the last minute, however, Amb. Abbott-Watt changed her plans. She
returned to Yerevan earlier than scheduled and managed to place a wreath at
the Armenian Genocide Monument on April 24.
Regardless of what prompted her to return to Armenia earlier than planned,
we are pleased that she had an opportunity to place a wreath at the
Genocide Monument with the following inscription: “We Will Remember Them –
British Embassy.” In an e-mail she sent on April 26, she explained her
actions as follows: “Successive British Ambassadors have accepted the
Armenian Government’s annual invitation to lay a wreath at the memorial in
Yerevan on 24 April. Whatever our differences on terminology, we have all
felt a deep sympathy with the Armenian people on this sad day, and chosen
to be there in person if we are in the country.” Even though she still
refers to the Genocide Monument as just “the memorial,” we view her
presence there on April 24 as an implied acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide.
We also noted among others the presence of U.S. Ambassador John Ordway at
the Genocide Monument in Yerevan. He kindly paid his respects on April 24
to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, even though his
government, just like Britain’s, refuses to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide!
The kind gestures of these two Ambassadors re-confirm our initial position
that our quarrel is not with these diplomats who are doing their job to the
best of their abilities. Their presence at the Genocide Monument reflects
their personal sympathy for the plight of the Armenians despite the
denialist positions of their own governments.

**************************************************************************
2 – Haigazian Women’s Auxiliary to Host
May 20 Luncheon with Diva Baraydarian
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles opera lovers are excited about the May and June
performances of lyric soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian at the Dorothy Chandler
Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The Haigazian University Women’s Auxiliary will give fans an opportunity to
meet the diva close up at their May 20 luncheon at the Pasadena estate of
Dr. and Mrs. John Kassabian.
Four years ago, a young 26-year-old Bayrakdarian won first place in Placido
Domingo’s Operalia 2000 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, taking home $50,000 in the
world opera competition. She has held crowds spellbound ever since. In
addition to her onstage performances, she can be heard on the original
motion picture soundtrack of “Ararat” and the original soundtrack of “The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”
Bayrakdarian will appear in Los Angeles as Susanna in a production of
Mozar’s “Le Nozze de Figaro.” Four prime Founders Circle tickets to a
Bayrakdarian performance in Los Angeles will be raffled at the luncheon.
For additional information, contact Thelma Kevorkian, (323) 663-1951, or
Hilda Murachanian, (626) 510-9111.
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3 – Glendale High School Armenian Clubs
Raise $10,000 for Ghapan Students
GLENDALE – The Armenian Clubs from Glendale Unified School District High
Schools, under the guidance of Greg Krikorian, Vice President of the
Glendale Board of Education, raised over $10,000 to benefit schools in
Ghapan, Armenia on March 12.
“Hye Hopes: One Child at a Time” was an evening of song, dance and culture,
but most importantly, an opportunity for Armenian students in Glendale to
help fellow Armenian students living in Armenia. With over 1000 in
attendance, organizers were overwhelmed with the support from the schools,
families of the students and the community in general.
“We were shocked at the turn-out from every facet of the community,”
Krikorian said. “An effort like this, not only binds our community
together, but greatly benefits the children and schools of Ghapan.”
“A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting Ghapan, Armenia along with
a delegation from the City of Glendale. That’s where I had the opportunity
to visit the schools of Ghapan and see first hand the need for us to reach
out and help. Since Glendale is the Sister City to Ghapan, it was natural
for us to help.”
“Glendale students came up with theme of ‘Hye Hopes’ and for us to generate
over $10,000 for the schools of Ghapan is a home run for the students,”
Krikorian added.
The Ghapan/Glendale Sister City Committee participated in the program with
a message from Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, followed by a special message
from the students given by Lara Talvardian, CVHS Armenian Club President.
The evening also boasted 14 guest teachers from Armenia, visiting through
Junior Achievement of Armenia, including History teacher Gayane Alaverdyan,
of Ghapan.
Joseph Krikorian & his band entertained the audience, while the Zvartnotz
Dance group performed two breath-taking routines featuring one of its
members, Linet Amirkhanyan, President of Hoover High’s Armenian Club. The
evening closed with DJ Alfred Mazarian along with other special guests.
“We worked very hard to get the word out to our fellow students and
families. To see my classmates dancing and supporting this worthwhile event
was gratifying to me” said Narbeh Sahaghian, President of Glendale High
School’s Armenian Club.
“This was a great opportunity for us to help the children, teachers and
schools of Ghapan, who really need our help!” stated Gagik Galfayan,
President of Clark Magnet High School.
“We wanted to help the children of Ghapan while working side by side with
the students of our own high schools and students from Glendale Community
College. It was a step in the right direction for our youth,” stated
Argishd Parseklian, GCC ASA member.
**************************************************************************
4 – Chamlian School Students Register
Success at L.A. County Science Fair
GLENDALE – Several students from Chamlian Armenian School walked away with
First, Second, and Third place prizes at the Los Angeles County Science
Fair, April 15.
Vahakn Papazian,. Talar Alexanian, Arman Hamamah, and Sako Bornazian were
awarded First place in Behavioral/Social Sciences, Chemistry, Microbiology,
and Environmental Management respectively.
Garen Gevorkian and Armen Perian received Second prizes in Earth/Space
Science and Biochemistry. Finally, Ari Injeyan was awarded the third place
in Engineering Research.
Alida Atinial, Pateel Krikorian, and Armen Artinian received Honorable
Mentions.
Special Project Awards were given to Sako Bornazian (Office of Naval
Research), Garen Gevorkian (Society of Petroleum Engineers), and Arman
Hamamah (Swift Instruments, Inc.) for their projects.
“This is truly amazing,” said Principal Vazken Madenlian.
“We are extremely proud of our students. We are positive that our students
will continue doing well in May when they represent the School’s colors in
the State Science Fair,” said Science Chairperson Lida Gevorkian.
**************************************************************************
5 – Colorado Armenians Wrap Up
Armenian Ski Weekend in Vail
DENVER, CO – The SunSki 2004 Armenian Ski Weekend wrapped up the season
with its 2nd annual ski event held on March 24-28. Over 100 participants
from around the U.S. and Canada gathered in Vail, Colorado, rated #1 ski
resort in the country by the Ski Magazine. The participants stayed at the
newly renovated Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa.
The SunSki committee, led by Alex Khadiwala, coordinated a weekend
beginning with a Meet & Greet party at Bogarts, one of Vail’s hot spot
bistro clubs. On Thursday evening, SunSki held a private dance party with
Philadelphia D.J. Jake Terkanian at the Marriott Hotel. Friday night
included another memorable party at Vail’s premiere club Sanctuary,
complete with a SunSki VIP room where participants could escape the dance
floor for conversation and drinks. On Saturday night SunSki hosted the
Barahantes with a Middle Eastern gourmet meal and music by D.J. Jake. The
weekend ended with an elaborate breakfast buffet on Sunday, and lots of
long “Armenian Goodbyes”.
In between, the participants enjoyed world class skiing with a variety of
conditions.
“Spring skiing in a fleece or a t-shirt is a great way to go”, says Jamie
Markarian of New York. The group enjoyed a number of impromptu Après ski
parties hosted by Denver’s own Dr. Garo Chalian. The daily excursions of
snowmobiling and tubing were also a big hit
“Vail has it all! The skiing at Vail can’t be beat”, says Lori Akian of
California, “I look forward to what SunSki 2005 has prepared for the next
year!”
For more information visit
**************************************************************************
6 – Karen Kondazian’s Performances
Extend ‘Callas’ Play thru July 25
WEST LOS ANGELES – The Fountain Theatre’s critically acclaimed production
of Terrence McNally’s Master Class, which opened in Nov. 2003, and recently
concluded a thrice extended, five-month engagement, re-opens at the Odyssey
Theatre, West Los Angeles on April 30, at 8 p.m. (through July 25).
Starring Karen Kondazian as legendary opera star, Maria Callas, the play is
directed by Simon Levy.
Kondazian is considered the foremost interpreter of Tennessee Williams
leading ladies in Los Angeles theatre. William himself pronounced her
portrayal of Serafina in The Rose Tattoo as “staggeringly beautiful” and
for that performance she won the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award. Other
awards include the Back Stage West Garland award, Ovation Award nomination,
and the L.A. Weekly award. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio,
Kondazian has studied with Lee Strasberg and Jose Quintero, and has
authored a book titled The Actor’s Encyclopedia of Casting Directors.
The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday
at 2 p.m. For reservations call 323-663-1525.
**************************************************************************
7 – Babaian’s ‘After Freedom’
Opens in Theaters May 14
LOS ANGELES – The film “After Freedom” by Armenian-American filmmaker Vahe
Babaian will open in theaters on May 14. The film, which has been well
received by film critics, will open at the Glendale Cinemas in Glendale,
and at the Laemmle’s Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
La times critic Kevin Thomas stated that the films is “…a taut,
well-wrought drama…engrossing…” Filmmaker Atom Egoyan said the film is
“…sensitive and always entertaining…”
“After Freedom” was an official selection at the Avignon Film Festival,
Winner of Audience Award at the Method Fest Film Festival, and a
Participant at the Montreal World Film Festival.
**************************************************************************
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**************************************************************************

Salt Lake Tribune, UT
April 25 2004

Manookian’s kinder, gentler Requiem

Composer Jeff Manookian rehearses with soloists Julie Wright-Costa,
left, and Aubrey Adams McMillan. (Paul Fraughton/The Salt Lake
Tribune)

By Catherine Reese Newton
The Salt Lake Tribune

No fire and brimstone for Jeff Manookian, thanks. His new
Requiem, which the Oratorio Society of Utah will premiere tonight as
part of the Madeleine Festival, focuses on a compassionate God and
the promise of resurrection.
“In going through the [Requiem] literature, I was taken aback by
all the references to hellfire and brimstone and God as this awful,
vengeful creature,” Manookian said. So rather than write a thundering
composition in the tradition of Verdi or Berlioz, he set only the
more peaceful and joyous movements of the traditional Mass for the
dead.
The gentler approach puts the Salt Lake composer in good company,
said tonight’s soprano soloist, Julie Wright-Costa. Faure, Durufle
and Brahms also eschewed the darker movements. “The Brahms has a
message specifically for the living,” Wright-Costa said. Likewise,
“[Manookian] wanted a more compassionate and benevolent spirit — a
loving image of Christ and God, rather than wrath, rage and
judgment,” she said.
Manookian considered setting poetry of Walt Whitman rather than
the traditional liturgical text, but decided “if I kept strictly to
the Latin, the focus would be on the music,” he said. “I didn’t want
the audience to be tethered to the text.”
The movements he used are “Requiem Aeternum (eternal rest),” for
choir, soprano and alto; “Offertorium,” a soprano solo; “Tuba Mirum
(the trumpet shall sound),” for choir alone; “Pie Jesu (blessed
Jesus),” duet for soprano and alto; “Te Deum (we praise thee),” choir
alone; “Lux Aeternum (eternal light),” alto solo; and “In Paradisum
(in paradise),” choir and soloists.
The symmetrical structure “just happened,” Manookian said, adding
his music tends to write itself: “When I have to force something,
that’s when I rip it up, until it flows naturally.” He wrote the
Requiem in 44 days. “I was living like Howard Hughes, going for days
on end in my bathrobe and letting my beard grow,” he said. “The piece
came very fast; it surprised even me. — It’s amazing what you can do
on a deadline.”

Manookian’s last venture with the Oratorio Society was in 2000
with “Symphony of Tears,” commemorating the Armenian genocide of
1915.
“This one is more upbeat,” said Oratorio Society president
Richard Grossen, who sings tenor in the chorus and also performed in
“Symphony of Tears.” The earlier work “had to grow on you more.”
Manookian agreed that the Requiem is more readily accessible, the
aural equivalent of “sinking into the most comfortable, warm
bathtub.” He added that he intended the Requiem, unlike the more
programmatic “Symphony of Tears,” to be “generic in the best sense —
[so] every person can identify with it on his or her own terms. It’s
a much more universal piece.” The music is in a “blatantly
post-Romantic style.”
Manookian said he wrote the Requiem “during the period of a broken
heart, a down period in my life. — It represents the end or death of
a major section of my life.”
Also on the program are Manookian’s 1991 composition “Endless Are
the Clouds” and the 2002 work “Khachkar” for alto flute, harp and
strings. Manookian explained that “Khachkar” is Armenian for
“Christ’s cross.” The 10-minute piece, based on two Armenian folk
songs, is “an orchestral prayer, an invocation to the Requiem.”

Manookian at the Madeleine

* The Oratorio Society of Utah, with the Intermountain Chamber
Orchestra, flutist Laurel Ann Maurer, soprano Julie Wright-Costa and
alto Aubrey Adams McMillan, will perform the Requiem and other works
of Jeff Manookian tonight at 8 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331
E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. The composer will conduct.

* Admission is free.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;

MARTYRS’ PRAYER AND ECUMENICAL SERVICE IN COMMEMORATION OF VICTIMS OF
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

On Friday night, 23 April 2004, a Martyrs’ Prayer and Ecumenical
service was held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of the
Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church in the presence and with the
participation of leaders of Canadian Churches, interfaith
representatives as well as politicians at both Federal and Provincial
levels. Thousands of Montreal Armenians paid tribute to the victims of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

The procession was headed by the Primate of the Armenian community of
Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian accompanied with the Primate
and the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada His
Eminence Archbishop Andrew Hutchison. Present from the Armenian
Apostolic Church were His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian
(Primate of the Diocese of Nagorno Karabakh on a visit to Montreal),
Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian (Vicar General), Rev Father
Hayrig Hovhannisyan, Rev Father Vazgen Boyadjian and Deacon Hagop
Arslanian. From sister churches attending the services were Mgr Joseph
Khoury (Maronite Archbishop and Primate of Montreal), Fr Charbel
Ibrahim (representing Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim), Mgr Dimidar Shumov
(Bishop of the Bulgarian Church), Very Rev Fr Peter Shportun,
(Antiochian Orthodox Church), Mgr Andre Desroches (representing
Cardinal J. C Turcotte), Mr. Cedric Gordon (Moderator, Baptist
Church), Fr Berry Mac (Montreal Presbyterian Church), Father Michel
Fawaz (St Mary Orthodox Antioch), Father Kamil Ishak (Syriac Church),
Rev Fr Raphael Bishara (Coptic Church), Rev Fr Arsanios Serry (Coptic
Church), Rev Fr George Zabarian, (Vicar Armenian Catholic Church), Rev
Mher Khatchikian (Armenian Evangelical Church), Rev Fr Lucien Coutu
(Centre Emmaus), Deacon Antoine Malek, (Coptic Church). Also attending
the ecumenical services were representatives of the Montreal Muslim
community Sayyed Nabil Abbas and Haj Hassan Hamieh.

Bishop Galstanian greeted the present guests, church leaders and
ecumenical representatives as well as politicians and the faithful of
the Armenian Apostolic Church. In his opening remarks, referring to
his feelings in the Canadian Parliament on the day of voting on the
Genocide resolution, the Primate said, “The voice of justice came loud
and clear from the heavens and the earth. The voice of the blood of
our martyrs sounded from heavenly abodes. And I believed, I felt and I
saw in a tangible manner through the tearful eyes around me that the
entire martyred population in Der Zor was there, led by Jesus Christ,
in the parliament of this distant land, Canada. They were each
affirming YES with every positive vote.”

Diocesan Youth council member, Chahe Tanashian read the Message of
Commendation of His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians,
addressed to the Speaker of the House of Commons Hon. Peter
Milliken. The Armenian Pontiff said in His message, “Human suffering
can be stopped through the actions of great men and women such as you,
who help justice to prevail.”

Mr. Diran Avedian addressed the congregation on behalf of the
community organizations and commended the Canadian parliament for
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. He said, “The genocide of the
Armenian people is the only one which has not been acknowledged by the
successor of the government which perpetrated it, and by a number of
well established democracies in the world.” He concluded that Canada
stood up to her reputation of respect to human rights and social
justice, as an example to other countries.

A special ceremony including prayers and hymns of the Armenian
Apostolic Church rituals was assembled for this commemoration day. The
Men’s Choir of St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral and Ms
Ani Keropian (soloist) performed heart rendering liturgical songs
conducted by Mr. Varoujan Markarian.

The keynote speaker of the ecumenical service was the Primate and the
Metropolitan of Ecclesiastical Province of Canada His Eminence Abp
Andrew Hutchison. His Eminence lauded the Armenian Church as the most
ancient one in Christendom, and presented an overview of the
historical events of the Armenian Genocide. He then said, “It is
important to remember, because there can be no real hope without
memory; and it is clear that we have not sufficiently remembered, nor
learnt from those dreadful events, nor from the failure of the
community of nations to respond to them appropriately. There can be no
healing, reconciliation and justice for Armenians, if the genocide is
not fully acknowledged, and responsibility for it accepted. Without it
there is no basis for the rebuilding of trust and a more secure future
in the community of nations.”

Ms Aida Karibian then introduced Mr. Yvan Bordeleau, Member of the
National Assembly of Quebec. Mr. Bordeleau has been the moving force
for two decades behind the recognition and eventual legislation by the
Quebec National Assembly of the affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide. The Quebec MNA then addressed the gathering and formally
presented a copy of Law 194 to Bishop Galstanian. This law was
recently passed unanimously by the National Assembly of Quebec.

Among other politicians who addressed the gathering were Members of
Parliament Madeleine Dalfond-Guiral (who had moved the Genocide
resolution M-380 in the Canadian Parliament), Stephan Dion, Eleni
Bakopanos, Sarkis Assadourian, Gilles Duceppe and Senator Shirly
Maheu. Also present at the gathering were Quebec Minister of Justice
Michelle Courchesne, Federal MP Raymonde Folco, Quebec MNA Jaques
Dupuis and many city councilors.

Following an impressive candle light prayer in memory of the 1.5
million victims of the Armenian Genocide, participants to the
commemoration services were hosted to a reception in the Church’s
Marie Manoogian Hall, then everybody was asked to congregate around
the Genocide Memorial in Parc Marcelin Wilson, where a candle light
ceremony for the repose of the souls of the martyrs of the Genocide
was conducted and wreaths and flowers were laid by community
organizations and individuals to respect the memory of victims of
genocide. In a brief addresses, the Primate, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
thanked all those who organized the whole event, and praised the
efforts of Hasmig Belleli, Mary Deros and Jack Tchaderdjian, who
several years ago played an instrumental role as members of the
Municipal Council of Montreal in the realization of the Genocide
Memorial. Brief addresses were also delivered by MP’s Bakopanos and
Assadourian, and the closing blessing was delivered by Abp. Barkev
Mardirossian.

DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE