Agence France Presse
April 5, 2004 Monday

More than 3,000 anti-government protesters rally in Armenia

YEREVAN

More than 3,000 Armenians took to the streets of Yerevan Monday to
protest against President Robert Kocharian and demand a referendum on
his contested rule in the impoverished, landlocked Caucasus nation.

The demonstrators brandished portraits of Artaches Guegamian, leader
of the opposition National Unity party, and posters calling on
Kocharian to step down. He was re-elected in March 2003 in a poll the
opposition says was rigged.

“We will wage a protest movement to remove this illegal government,”
Guegamian told the crowd, calling for a referendum on April 16 and
vowing fresh rallies later this week.

During his speech before the protestors in the centre of the Armenian
capital, eggs and stones were thrown from nearby balconies but the
rally continued.

Meanwhile, unknown people grabbed two television cameras and two
cameras from journalists covering the demonstration, smashing them to
pieces in front of police, who did not intervene.

On Friday, Armenian journalists held a rally to protest against the
threat to freedom of expression in this former Soviet republic, which
has been criticized by the Council of Europe for cracking down on
independent media.

Los Angeles Times
April 5, 2004 Monday
Home Edition

DANCE REVIEW;
8 Troupes celebrate agility and passion

by Victoria Looseleaf, Special to The Times

If dancers are the new athletes, there was much to laud in the
strongly performed “Celebration of Dance” on Saturday night at the
Alex Theatre in Glendale. The second annual offering, produced by
Ballet of the Foothills’ Jill Sanzo, showcased eight companies in a
diverse program of mostly new — and engaging — works.

Females dominated, with Djanbazian Dance Company premiering its
powerful “Can Shadows Dance?” Choreographed by Anna Djanbazian, the
opus paid homage to Armenian women brutalized in 1915.

Set to a haunting score by Komitas, seven women in bleach-colored
caftans created tableaux in which chest-pounding angst gave way to
astonishing backbends, and ferocious leapers morphed into crumbled
heaps on the floor. The work ended in silence, a specter of death.

On a different note: Denise Leitner’s new “Pathways #10,” performed
by her company, a Dancer’s Voice, blended quicksilver jazz gyrations,
threaded with high kicks and feral energy, as the female quintet
bobbed to the Creatures’ propulsive score.

Four plucky Bela Fleck arrangements (including some full-tilt Bach)
made the perfect sonic accompaniment to Backhausdance’s latest,
“Sitting on January.” Choreographed by Jennifer Backhaus McIvor, the
work featured six women and a lone male (William Lu), gamboling with
chairs. All sweetness and charm, there was a Paul Taylor feel to the
work, with technical finesse equal to the spirited footwork.

Nuevo flamenco reared its passionate head in Deborah Greenfield’s
new, “Juego Flamenco,” dramatically danced by the choreographer’s
company, Rosa Negra Flamenco. Split kicks, unexpected partnering and
saucy shoulder dips rocked, although Greenfield’s costuming —
unfortunate leggings and tunics for the gals, bland pants and white
shirts over muscle tees for the guys — screamed for help. Even
worse, Greenfield’s solo was overpowered by an onstage pair of
amplified musicians.

Completing the program: the previously reviewed “Light,”
choreographed by San Pedro City Ballet’s Patrick David Bradley; and
Jazz Antiqua Dance and Music Ensemble’s deft performance of Pat
Taylor’s take on excerpts from John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency
April 5 2004

Armenian opposition fights for constitutional regime, not for
ministerial portfolios

Political powers of Armenia must go for mutual compromises

Armenian revolutionary Federation Dashnaktutyun calls opposition to
political consent

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

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION FIGHTS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REGIME, NOT FOR
MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. Armenian opposition fights for
constitutional regime, not for ministerial portfolios, the Leader of
Justice Bloc Stepan Demirchian stated today at the press conference.
`We understand concern of Dashnaktsutyun party, indeed situation in
the country is tense, but our goals are long-term’, he said. He added
that opposition has political will for conduction of free and fair
elections. L.D. –0 –

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

POLITICAL POWERS OF ARMENIA MUST GO FOR MUTUAL COMPROMISES

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. Political powers of Armenia must go for
mutual compromises, representative of Supreme Body of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun Party Armen Rustamian stated today. `It is necessary
to use given situation effectively. Otherwise all responsibility for
collision will lay on those who lost given opportunity’, he said.
Rustamian expressed confidence that situation that will be created in
the future will force political powers to go for compromises. L.D.
–0–

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

ARMENIAN REVOLUTIONARY FEDERATION DASHNAKTUTYUN CALLS OPPOSITION TO
POLITICAL CONSENT

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. Armenian revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktutyun made a political statement today. As said by Armen
Rustamyan, Chairman of the supreme body of the party, the political
tension in Armenia is approaching a dangerous verge of clear
collision. The further worsening of the situation may lead to
destabilization of the country, shake reputation and image of the
country, as well as suspend the normal course of development’. He
also mentioned that the public discontent stipulated by social and
economic difficulties are exploited politically, being targeted at
political crisis and rapid power change. `The strategy of causing
political upheavals, formation of intolerance atmosphere bears
unallowable political relations inside the country’, said the
official. In hi swords, the current political tension is caused by
extremely intolerable stance of the opposition leading to political
disobedience thru negation of legitimacy of the current authorities
on one hand and the circumstance that the opposition is not
guaranteed full participation of solution of the most important
problems of the country, on the other hand. `Today we demand
prevention of the possible collision, the best way for which is
achieving a political consent thru constructive dialogue based on the
Constitution and the functioning laws’, Rustamyan stated. T.M. -0–

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

April 5, 2004

EASTER MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN: WITNESS TO RESURRECTION

This Jesus God raised up, and of that
we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32)

The miraculous resurrection of Jesus transformed the disciples weakness and
uncertainty into strength and absolute confidence. Christ’s unprecedented
resurrection, unexplainable to the human mind, is comprehended only through
faith. The resurrection became a supernatural and miraculous power for the
modest fishermen, and gave the fearful disciples unshakeable confidence
which led them to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection and apostleship,
gave them the strength to withstand innumerable and unbearable tortures, and
to ignore death in the face of death, just like their teacher.

“We all are witnesses.”

WITNESS TO NEW LIFE: Not a second life, but a new life. A new life that is
felt in a believer’s soul, and who, renewed with Christ, becomes a new
person. “You have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on
the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its
creator.” (Col. 3:9-10). The days of the old life remain the same as the sum
of days, but they become new in content and purpose. In the end, in lieu of
the destruction of death, we gain resurrected everlasting life. Exactly
because of this, the Apostle Paul has said: “For me living is Christ, and
dying is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). The giver of new life is Christ. New
life is possible through Him and with Him.

WITNESS TO TRUTH: We know very well that there is one absolute truth in
everything. Circumstantial correctness is born from cohesive events and does
not last. We confess to that supreme truth and bear witness to it, to that
faith that Christ gave us by becoming the Son of Man, by His Incarnation,
and by His redemptive mission. Christ’s preaching and message were not
ethereal mind games, but real security and truth, which were tested on the
touch-stone by His resurrection. It was the resurrection that prodded His
disciples to bear testimony to His word and life, and His truth.

WITNESS TO THE HAPPINESS OF RESURRECTION: As creatures of the earth, our
desire is to fill our days with happiness. In our relationships with people
at home or work, or during our restful periods, it is our wish that the
entire time passes joyfully bringing us happiness. But, that blissful state
remains a dream because in family relationships-between husband and wife,
parent and child, sister and brother-there are misunderstandings and
dissensions, temptations and transgressions that bring about quarrels
resulting in uneasy and intolerable situations. In a word, the dissipation
of happiness. In the factory or the office there are many different
circumstances that create unease-competition, jealousy, and greed. We lose
our patience, become anxious as we see the distancing of happiness in our
hearts. Our own rest is disturbed because of our or a friend’s illness,
accident, or sudden and untimely death. All of this saddens us. In our
hopelessness we think that all is ended. But when our days on earth are
blessed with Christian faith and hope, and our life’s journey is towards
Christ and not the world and worldliness, then and only then can we struggle
against sorrow and pain and accept unfading happiness that the resurrection
of Christ gave us. The joy of the resurrection joins us to Christ, and no
external factor can obscure that happiness. It is true that it is very
difficult to attain that happiness. Think of the apostles and the saints,
the martyrs and the witnesses, who did not want to give up their eternal
happiness for worldly and fleeting happiness. They were spiritually
strengthened. They withstood physically and inherited the life that they
received by their witness to their faith. In place of the honor given by hum
ans, they accepted the crown of glory given by Christ.

During this season of Christ’s resurrection, as faithful believers, we view
the apostles, who became witnesses to His resurrection, with special
awareness. With the resurrection they accepted and lived a new life. They
were witnesses to that new life, accepted and preached the truth and served
as witnesses to the truth. And in spite of suffering and death, they turned
witnesses to the happiness that is promised to all faithful Christians.

As children of the Armenian Church and nation, we saw through experience
that our nation’s strength and survival is our faith. The model lives of
Christ and His apostles became an example for our centuries of struggle,
which by irrefutable truth and moral principles became the anchor and
fortress of our everlasting life. From sorrow to happiness. From death to
resurrection.

Christ is risen. Blessed is the resurrection of Christ.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
Prelate
Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Eastern United States of America

April, 2004

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 5, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY: STATE DEPARTMENT EXISTING POLICY ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Washington, DC — The U.S. State Department, responding to objections raised
by the Armenian Assembly this week, said language used in references to the
Armenian Genocide in its most recent human rights report on Turkey did not
mark a change in long-standing U.S. government policy.

The clarification came days after Assembly Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian wrote to Secretary of State Colin Powell calling for an
urgent re-examination of the incorrect references and requesting that the
U.S. distance itself from the Turkish policy of denial.

Barsamian said the Assembly was “greatly troubled” by the use of the words
“alleged” and “allegation” in contexts which seemed to be “unequivocally
influenced by Turkish assuage clouding State Department reporting.”

The Department’s response was issued by Armenia Desk Officer Eugenia
Sidereas to the Armenian Assembly Monday.

“Language used in the Department’s (Turkey) country report for human rights
practices referring to the events of 1915 is in no way intended to mark a
change in longstanding existing U.S. Government policy. The report referred
solely to the phrasing used to describe these events by the Turkish
government and individuals. We regret any misunderstanding. President Bush’s
statement on Armenian Remembrance Day articulate U.S. views regarding the
decimation of the Armenian community in Ottoman Turkey and underscore our
hope that Armenia and Turkey will come to a common understanding and
reconciliation,” she told the Assembly.

Under Section 2(a) and again under Section 5 of the Department’s report
entitled “Turkey: Country reports on Human Rights Practices for the Year
2003,” the authors of the report spoke of “the alleged genocide of Armenians
under the Ottoman Empire” and “allegations that the Ottomans committed
genocide against Armenians.”

Both sections cited gross violations of human rights in Turkey, including a
demand by the Turkish Ministry of Education that fifth and seventh-grade
students, including Armenians, prepare a one-page essay – in the words of
the State Department report – “arguing that allegations that the Ottomans
committed genocide against the Armenians are ‘baseless.’ ”

The report was released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
and submitted by the Department to Congress by the department of State on
February 25, 2004.

Barsamian said while as far back as 1982 the State Department had clarified
similar language by adding a footnote to explain that it was “not intended
as statements of policy of the United States … Nor did they represent any
change in U.S. policy,” similar errors appeared in the Department’s most
recent human rights report on Turkey.

“In fact,” Barsamian said in his letter to Powell, “prior to 1982, the
Department of State squarely acknowledged the Armenian Genocide and
recommended that Turkey acknowledge the crimes against humanity.”

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2004-035

Minister’s Son Arrested in Armenia for Shootout That Injured Five

Russia, Saint-Petersburg
Date: 2004.04.05 18:28

YEREVAN, April 5. The son of the Armenian construction minister, Ara
Aramian, was arrested Monday in connection with a criminal ‘settling of
scores.’ As reported to a Rosbalt correspondent by the press office of the
Armenian Procurator’s Office, Aik Aramian was arrested for his role in a
March 12 shootout which left five people hospitalized with gunshot wounds. A
criminal investigation established that the minister’s son had been the
shooter.

The gunfight took place less than 50 meters from the jazz cafe Aragast,
where a meeting between Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Armenian
President Robert Kacharian was going on at the time.

————————————————————————
©2001-2002 Rosbalt News Agency

Police Block Entry into Armenian Capital

Russia, Saint-Petersburg
Date: 2004.04.05 16:46

YEREVAN, April 5. All main roads leading into Yerevan were blocked off
Monday by police, according to a high-ranking law enforcement official who
wished to remain anonymous. As reported by a Rosbalt correspondent, the
official maintained that roads leading into the city were cordoned off to
prevent people from attending a meeting of the opposition party National
Unity.

In addition to roads, railway lines were also blocked. The reports have been
confirmed by the television station A1+. The opposition had earlier named
April 9 as the start of a campaign to remove the incumbent government.

————————————————————————
©2001-2002 Rosbalt News Agency

California Courier Online, April 8, 2004

1 – Commentary
No Meetings with Turkish Diplomats
In April or Any Other Month

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – Mashdots College Hosts
Exhibit of Paintings
3 – Apo Torosyan’s Documentary
To be Shown on Horizon TV
4 – Canadian Publisher Releases Two
New Books From Prof. Shirinian
5 – AEF Accepting Applications
For Tufenkian Scholarships
6 – Major Aram Sarafian Will
Speak at April 16 Meeting
************************************************************************
1 – Commentary

No Meetings with Turkish Diplomats
In April or Any Other Month

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

The Turkish Vice Consul in Los Angeles asked me if I would be interested in
meeting this week with a visiting high-ranking diplomat, Amb. Ecvet Tezcan,
who is the Director of the Dept. of Intelligence and Research at the
Foreign Ministry of Turkey.
I turned down the invitation just as I had done last June when I was first
asked to meet with this same diplomat. In my opinion, the Turkish
government’s real intent is not dialogue, but creating a false impression
with European and American officials that Turkey is trying to resolve its
differences with Armenians. The Turks hope this deceptive effort would help
remove one of the many obstacles on their path to joining the European
Union.
Last year, when several major Armenian-American organizations met with Amb.
Tezcan in New York and Los Angeles, I expressed a similar concern. As
expected, that fake experiment in dialogue ended in failure. Just one month
after meeting with Amb. Tezcan, the Armenian Assembly of America sent him a
terse letter complaining that recent statements made and actions taken by
the government of Turkey “stand in sharp contradiction to the tone and
substance of our earlier meeting. They raise serious doubts about the goals
of your country’s policies. We would therefore welcome the Turkish Foreign
Ministry’s clarification on these apparently conflicting attitudes in order
to justify future exchanges on the issues that divide us.”
Last week, Amb. Tezcan flew to the United States hoping to meet again with
various Armenian organizations in New York and Los Angeles. This time,
though, the Armenian Assembly refused to meet with him, indicating that it
would be inappropriate to hold such a meeting during the month of April,
when Armenians are commemorating the Genocide. The Armenian Assembly
proposed to meet with him after April, but only after the two sides
“critically assess what has transpired” since their meeting last year.
“Dialogue without results is not in anyone’s interest… we need to lay out
our objectives prior to meeting,” the Assembly told Amb. Tezcan.
In order not to appear divided on this most significant issue, I hope that
other Armenian organizations, particularly those that met with Amb. Tezcan
last year, turn down the invitation this time around, refusing to meet with
him not just in April, but during all the other months of the year, until
the Turkish government decides to carry out an honest dialogue with
Armenians!

L.A. Weekly Publishes Second Apology

After a meeting with several representatives of Armenian organizations and
receiving e-mails from scores of readers complaining that the first apology
they had published was not satisfactory, the L.A. Weekly printed this week
a letter from a reader as well as a second apology.
In its February 20-26 issue, the Associate Calendar Editor of the Weekly
had inserted the words “No Armenians allowed” in the announcement for a
multi-ethnic, inter-faith concert in Los Angeles. The first apology,
published in the Feb. 27-March 4 issue, had stated that “the brief
commentary was intended solely as a joke, we recognize it may have offended
some readers. For that, we are truly sorry.”
In its April 2-8 issue, the Weekly published a letter from Dr. Arbi Ohanian
of Los Angeles who qualified the Associate Calendar Editor’s remarks as
“racist” and demanded her dismissal. He also asked for the publication of a
“thorough and appropriate apology to the Armenian community.”
After this letter, in a second apology, the publishers stated that the
employee in question, “who had a long history of good service at the paper,
did not set out to offend Armenians or any other group of people. She is
horrified that anyone would take the phrase ‘No Armenians allowed’
seriously.” “But,” the apology went on to say, “given the still-fresh
memories of the Armenian Genocide and acts of discrimination, we understand
the pain our words have caused and would like to apologize again to all who
were hurt by what was written. We recognize the importance of the
culturally vibrant and successful Armenian community, and look forward to
more positive relations in the future.”
It is now up to the vast army of Armenian-American lawyers and judges, and
more particularly, the Armenian Bar Association, to pronounce a
professional judgment as to whether this second apology is sufficient to
end this controversy or would they recommend legal action against the L.A.
Weekly due to the possible violation of the civil rights of the Armenian
community?

Protests Against British Ambassador Continue

Last week, Armenian individuals and organizations from around the world
continued sending protest letters to the British Ambassador in Armenia,
Thorda Abbott-Watt, and to the British government for refusing to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute sent a
joint letter to Amb. Abbott-Watt, strongly castigating her and the British
government.
In the first such protest of its kind, more than 200 Armenians gathered in
front of the British Consulate in Paris on April 3rd, demonstrating against
the British Ambassador’s and her government’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide. Armenian communities in various countries should consider holding
similar protests on April 24 in front of their local British Embassy or
Consulate.
In the meantime, please continue sending your e-mails to the British
Ambassador in Armenia: [email protected]; to Michael Jay, the
Under-Secretary and Head of the UK Diplomatic Service:
[email protected]; and to Prime Minister Tony Blair through the
following web site: (click
on select a subject, select “international affairs,” and then click on the
“go” button), asking the British government to withdraw its Ambassador as
she can no longer effectively carry out her diplomatic duties in Armenia.
Please send copies of your e-mails and any responses to the Armenian
Foreign Ministry ([email protected]) and to
[email protected].
To review articles and statements on this issue, please check the following
new web site:
**************************************************************************
2 – Mashdots College Hosts
Exhibit of Paintings

GLENDALE – The Mashdots College is sponsoring an exhibition of paintings
by renowned Diaspora artists, Simon Shahrigian, and Yervant Demirdjian,
April 16-18, at the Glendale Public Library.
Also on exhibit will be a collection of historical Armenian embroidery from
Van, Vasbouragan, Aintab, Kharpert, Ourfa, Dikranagerd, Joulfa, Yerevan, as
well as costumes, silverware, needle lace, crochet works and accessories
from the collection of Berg and Shake Hovaghimian.
The exhibit will also contain tri-dimensional and unique Armenian art works
by artist Hasmig Kldjian.
The opening reception will be held April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Exhibit hours are Friday and Saturday, 12 noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, from
1 to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
For more information, call the College at (818) 548-9345.
**************************************************************************
3 – Apo Torosyan’s Documentary
To be Shown on Horizon TV
LOS ANGELES – Massachusetts artist Apo Torosyan’s memorable video,
“Discovering my Father’s Village” in Turkey, will be shown on Horizon
Television this month. Air time information can be obtained by calling
Asbarez, (818) 500-0609.
A second-generation genocide survivor, Torosyan is nationally known for his
“Bread Series” works of art which have been exhibited throughout the United
States and abroad.
The 30-minute video was filmed on a recent trip to Turkey in September
2003. Apo interviewed villagers and the last survivor in his family of the
genocide, and combined this footage with historic background, music and
scenes of abandoned Armenian homes to create a “poetic documentary.”
In the film, three witnesses, directly or indirectly talk about the
Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 and discrimination against Armenians in
Turkey.
One character in the movie is the artist’s 90-year-old aunt, Nazik. She
recalls the bloody events in which her relatives and other youngsters
around age 18 were killed by the government-organized bandits. In another
segment of the interview, she talks about the fact that gold and jewelry
the victims hid in their homes when they were forced to flee. The gold and
jewelry were found by the Turkish villagers when they moved into the
deserted homes.
The second witness is an elderly villager named Hamza. He talks about
recent economic hard times in the village. He speaks with gratitude of how
his parents and grandparents cashed in the gold and jewelry they found to
survive over the past 20-30 years.
The third character in the film is a local historian. At one point, he
talks about the bandits that existed in the area. At another point, he
shows today’s Turkish prejudgment and perspective about the history of
Armenians. He discusses history with no basis in fact, but with organized
misinformation.
“Discovering My Father’s Village” and “The Bread Series” on VHS and DVD
formats will be on sale at the “Sardarabad Bookstore in Glendale, (818)
500-0790.
**************************************************************************
4 – Canadian Publisher Releases Two
New Books From Prof. Shirinian
KINGSTON, Ont. Canada – Blue Heron Press announced last week the
publication of two books by Canadian Armenian writer Lorne Shirinian. The
first is an exciting new collection of plays, “This Dark Thing: Two One-Act
Plays,” and the second is “The Landscape of Memory: Perspectives on the
Armenian Diaspora.”
The two plays, This Dark Thing and Red Threads on White Cloth are an
exploration of the explosive forces that can lead to genocide and the need
for survivors to tell of their experience.
“I wanted to universalize the experience of the Armenian Genocide,”
Shirinian said about the first book. “I did this by placing the action of
the first play in a contemporary setting with non-Armenian characters. The
second play takes its thematic reference from Ovid’s Metamorphosis, in
which an attempt to silence a victim ultimately fails.”
The second play, Red Threads on White Cloth, is preceded by an introduction
by the author, who explains the thematic and symbolic antecedents of his
play. In the play, survivors of the Armenian Genocide talk about their
fate, their survival and their unsuccessful attempt to have their voices
and stories listened to and understood. The play dramatically highlights
the necessity to listen to the voices of victims of crimes against
humanity.
Shirinian is Professor and Head of the Department of English at the Royal
Military College of Canada.
Addressing the second book, “The Landscape of Memory: Perspective on the
Armenian Diaspora,” Shirinian notes, “We are at a turning point in the
Armenian diaspora in North America. Identity, community and belonging are
all problematized and will continue to be. Furthermore, the traditional
elements of identity such as language, religion and our relationship to the
Genocide are already waning. In this collection of essays, I wanted to
explore these issues and what is at stake if the Armenian diaspora is to
have a future.”
In a wide-ranging series of insightful essays, Lorne Shirinian analyzes
various aspects of the Armenian diaspora as the titles indicate: The
Resettlement of Refugees after the Armenian Genocide with Special Reference
to Canada, Memory, Narrative, and the Construction of Identity in the
Armenian Diaspora, The Landscape of Memory, Armenian Orphan Survivors: The
Georgetown Boys, The Armenian Genocide and the Issue of Forgiveness, Being
a Writer in the Armenian Diaspora.
For more information about the books, contact Blue Heron Press, 160
Greenlees Drive, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 6P4; Tel: (613) 549-4334;
Fax: (613) 549-5318; Email: [email protected] or visit the website:

**************************************************************************
5 – AEF Accepting Applications
For Tufenkian Scholarships
GLENDALE – The Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) is accepting
applications for Richard R. Tufenkian Scholarship for the 2004-2005
academic year.
The Richard R. Tufenkian Scholarship was established by Ralph and Savey
Tufenkian in memory of their son. Five $2,000 scholarships will be awarded
to Armenian undergraduate students at an accredited United States
colleges/universities. To qualify for this scholarship, students must be an
Armenian descent and have a minimum 3.0 GPA, show financial need, and be
actively involved in the Armenian community.
Students who meet the above criteria are invited to submit written requests
for applications to the AEF Scholarship Committee, 600 West Broadway, Suite
130, Glendale, CA 91204. Written requests for applications can also be
made by FAX (818) 242-4913 or E-Mail [email protected]. All completed
scholarship application packages must be postmarked no later than July 30,
2004. Applications are also available on
AEF was established in 1950 to achieve the following objectives: To render
financial assistance to Armenian educational institutions, irrespective of
their religious affiliation or denomination; To assist Armenian students in
acquiring higher education: To establish and to aid in the establishment of
Armenian educational institutions and cultural centers; To establish and to
aid in the establishment of Armenian courses of study and research
programs.
**************************************************************************
6 – Major Aram Sarafian Will
Speak at April 16 Meeting
LOS ANGELES – US Army Major Aram Sarafian will be one of the featured
speaker at an April 16 public meeting, at 7:30 p.m., at the Garabedian Hall
in Hollywood, jointly organized by the ARF Karekin Nejdeh and Papken Suni
gomidehs.
Sarafian, of Falls Church, Virginia, serves as a Military Intelligence
Officer in the US Army reserves, with past service in Bosnia, Afghanistan
and Iraq. He is a longtime active member and supporter of Hai Tad, with
political activities which include interactions with congressmen and
senators. A graduate of the Duke University School of Law, he currently a
practicing attorney with the New York law firm, Kenyon & Kenyon. In
addition to a Masters in Economics from Duke University’s Graduate School,
he also holds a Master of Sciences in Computer Information Systems from
Boston University’s Brussels International Campus, in Belgium He is also
one of the founders of the Armenian National Committee of North Carolina,
and has served as its past chairman. He has also served on the board of
Directors of the Armenian National Committee, Eastern US Region.
In his message, Sarafian will explain what role young Armenian Americans
can play in serving this country and also be faithful in their obligations
to help Armenia and Armenians in general. As a third generation Armenian
born in America, Sarafian is a true role model who shows the depth of his
convictions to uphold the laws and requirements of this country and his
love and commitment to his Motherland.
**************************************************************************
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through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
[email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
********************************************************

Paul Krekorian
Member of the Burbank Board of Education
1900 West Olive Avenue
Burbank CA 91505
818-848-7750 office tel
818-848-7749 office fax
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
April 5, 2004

PAUL KREKORIAN ENSURES INCLUSION OF COMMEMORATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
IN COUNTY SCHOOLS CALENDAR

At the request of Burbank Board of Education Member Paul Krekorian,
the April 24 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide will be added to
the annual calendar of important educational events published by the
Los Angeles County Office of Education. In response to Krekorian’s
request, the County Office agreed that the commemoration of the
Genocide is a `significant educational event.’ Expressing regret that
it had previously been excluded, the County Office gave written
assurance to Krekorian that the commemoration of the Genocide will be
included in all future editions of the educational events calendar.

The calendar is distributed to educators throughout Los Angeles
County. It is an important tool for teachers and administrators
because it identifies important religious holidays and cultural
commemorations that occur during the school year. When Krekorian
learned that the calendar currently omits the April 24 remembrance of
the Armenian Genocide, he immediately contacted the County
Superintendent, Dr. Darline Robles, to remedy the omission.

In his letter to Robles on February 17, Krekorian wrote:

`April 24 of each year is the annual worldwide commemoration of
thebeginning of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. As you may know,
approximately one and a half million Armenians were killed at the
hands of the Ottoman Turks in Anatolia between 1915 and 1923, in the
first genocide of the 20th Century. In fact, it was the mass
killings, `ethnic cleansing’ and attempted extermination of the
Armenians that caused Polish jurist Rafael Lempkin to coin the very
word `genocide.”

`In the Burbank Unified School District and many other parts of the
County, notably including the Los Angeles, Glendale and Montebello
unified school districts, a significant number of Armenian-American
students recognize April 24 as a day of mourning and attend church
services, community gatherings and other commemorative events on that
day. Further, instruction about the Armenian Genocide is now mandated
in high school world history classes, and April 24 provides an
opportunity for teachers to address important issues involving bigotry
and intolerance as well as the historical facts of the Genocide. I
believe it is imperative that all teachers in the County be informed
about the tragic significance of this date to Armenians and to the
world.’

Paul Krekorian, a lawyer, was elected to the Burbank Board of
Education in April of 2003. He is believed to be the first
Armenian-American ever elected to any public office in the city of
Burbank.

This is a media release from the office of Paul Krekorian, a member of
the Burbank Board of Education. It does not necessarily reflect the
policies or opinions of the Burbank Unified School District or of its
Board of Education as a whole.

The Georgian Messenger
5 April 2004

By M. Alkhazashvili

ON April 1, Armenia’s Security Council Secretary and Defense Minister
Serzh Sarkisian paid a visit to Georgia and held negotiations with
local high-ranking officials regarding the restoration of the
Transcaucasian Railway which goes from Russia to Armenia via Georgia
and separatist-controlled Abkhazia. Other issues of their meeting
included the reduction of tariffs on cargo transported through
Georgian highways.

The issue of restoring the Abkhazia stretch of the railway first came
up one year ago at a summit held in Sochi between Russian President
Vladimir Putin and then Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze. At
that time, the two leaders agreed that this project was to be
conducted in parallel with the “safe and dignified” return of Georgian
refugees to the Gali region of Abkhazia.

Efforts to return displaced persons to the area have not met with
success, and on Friday the Secretary of the Georgian Security Council
Vano Merabishvili asked Armenia to use its leverage to facilitate this
return. “Armenia should use its special relationship with Russia and
play a more active and positive role in resolving the problem,” he
told reporters after the meeting. As land-locked Armenia has so much
to gain from the opening of the railway, Georgian officials suggested
to Sarkisian that his country use its influence on its strategic ally,
Russia, in order to accelerate the process of resolving the conflict.

At the same time when Sarkisian was in Tbilisi demanding the opening
of the railway, the Armenian activist groups in Abkhazia Krunk and
Mashtots, presented a list of demands to the Abkhaz separatist
government. They reminded the leaders that local Armenians played a
key role in “liberating Abkhazia from the Georgians.” This was despite
the fact that during the Abkhaz war of 1993, local Armenians fought on
both sides of the conflict. The growth in the Armenian population of
Abkhazia has caused the concern of separatist leaders and the fact
that resettled Armenians are occupying homes belonging to Georgians
forced out of the region could cause serious problems if and when the
Georgian refugees return to the region.

Georgian officials promised the Armenian guest that tariffs on
auto-transit cargo would be reduced and in addition, Merabishvili
apologized to Sarkisian for the inconveniences experienced by his
country when goods bound for Armenia were held up due to the recent
events in Adjara. As the crisis is not yet fully over, Merabishvili
advised Sarkisian to seek alternative routes for goods normally
transported via the Batumi Port and Sarpi Customs Check-point.