FORMER PILOTS DEMAND PAYMENT OF THEIR TEN MONTHS WELFARE BENEFITS
YEREVAN, August 23 (Noyan Tapan). On August 23, about 20 former pilots
gathered in front of the RA government building demanding that they be
paid their welfare benefits, which are ten months overdue. According
to the agreement signed in 1997 with the Head Department of Civil
Aviation, the pilots who are discharged in accordance with their own
application, were fixed lifelong monthly benefits in drams equivalent
to $25-105. However, since October 2002, 169 pilots have been deprived
of these benefits, about which the Head Department of Civil Aviation
made the decision in July 2003. The pilots applied with the claim to
restore their welfare benefits to the court of the first instance of
Yerevan’s Malatsia and Sebastia Communities that met their demands
only partly by making a decision that the Head Department of Civil
Aviation should pay welfare benefits for only ten months (October 2002
– July 2003).

ARMENIAN CHURCH IN ISRAEL JOIN ACTION OF SUPPORT OF PALESTINIAN
PRISONERS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO. Armenian church joined the main churches
in Israel released a statement Sunday strongly backing the hunger
strike of the Palestinian security prisoners.
The Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee – representing the heads of the
local Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran, Armenian, Anglican, and
Catholic churches – declared that Palestinian prisoners are protesting
“the inhuman treatment they are receiving in their prisons.” The
statement added that “the human dignity of the political prisoners
must be recognized and respected.”

NEXT PANARMENIAN FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN 2006: PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO. A ceremonial closing of the First
Pan-Armenian Festival of Culture “One nation, one culture” was held at
the center of Yerevan yesterday. The festival was held in Armenia and
in Nagorny Karabakh on August 14-23.
In Abovyan street, fairs were held, where craftsmen from all Armenian
regions displayed articles of their art. Dancing and singing groups
gave performances in Charles Aznavour square. The most entertaining
event was a gala concert in Republic Square, which ended in
fireworks. Welcoming the participants, RA President Robert Kocharian
pointed out that the festival will become a tradition. The next
Pan-Armenian festival is to be held in 2006.
Over 2,000 people from Austria, France, Great Britain, USA, Syria,
Lebanon, Russia and other countries took part in the
Festival. Concerts were given by the winners of the Sayat-Nova contest
for vocalists and of the “Pomegranate seed” theatrical festival for
children and youth. The festival, which was initiated by the
Armenia-Diaspora forum, was held under RA President Robert Kocharian
patronage. The RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs and the
“Alfael” producing center carried out preparatory work. According to
official data, Armenian businessmen allocated about 100mln. AMD for
the organization of the festival. However, one of the members of the
organizing committee, Levon Abramyan, pointed out that 10 times as
much was actually spent.
Each guest will take along pleasant impressions, diplomas and
souvenirs. The images of the symbol of the festival, Nare and Narek, a
boy and a girl in national costumes of the colors of Armenia’s
national flag, (authored by the well-known cartoon-producer Robert
Sahakyants) were in the greatest demand during the festival.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 9:22 AM Eastern Time
Russian-Armenian joint military group begins exercises
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The joint group of the Russian and Armenian Armed Forces began
exercises at the Marshal Bagramyan Training Center in Armavir, West
Armenia, on Tuesday. The joint group was formed within the framework
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Motorized infantry units, aviation and artillery will train
cooperation in a defensive operation. A reinforced motorized infantry
unit of Russia and servicemen of the Russian 102nd base in Armenia
are taking part in the drill.
“The exercises are another step towards strengthening
Russian-Armenian military cooperation,” drill commander, Armenian
Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mikhail Grigoryan said.
The exercises will start as a command-and-staff drill and end with
shooting on August 27.
The Russian 102nd base and border guards of the Russian Federal
Security Service are important components of Armenia’s security. The
5,000-strong 102nd base was opened in Armenia in line with interstate
agreements. It is subordinated to the Russian Group in Transcaucasia
of the North Caucasian Military District. The base has a MiG-29 squad
and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 8:28 AM Eastern Time
Putin, Levitin discuss development of transport in South Russia
By Mikhail Petrov
SOCHI
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Transport Minister Igor Levitin
discussed Tuesday the development of transport infrastructure in
southern Russia.
Levitin noted that one the main tasks of the ministry is to harmonise
motor, railway, sea and air transport to reduce expenses in passenger
and cargo traffic.
“Southern Russia accounts for about 30 percent of the volume of
traffic,” Levitin emphasised. Meanwhile, “the transport network is
developed irregularly, he said, noting that it is possible to get to
some cities only with changes. “Our main task is to unify transport
so that people could get to southern Russia from any part of the
country,” the minister emphasised.
Speaking on highways, Levitin stressed that their network is quite
developed, but is not always safe for passenger traffic, as roads are
going in the highlands. “We reconsidered the transport concept in
order to retarget funds and provide for safe travelling of people,”
he said, adding that the ministry is planning to implement plans for
the construction of tunnels quicker.
Among tasks of the ministry and development of seaports “we want to
restore sea shipments, particularly between Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia
and Russia as there is a need but no possibilities for this,” Levitin
pointed out.
The minister also informed the president that he would make a trip in
the Krasnodar territory with governor Alexander Tkachev on Wednesday
in order to inspect all facilities.

Associated Press Worldstream
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 8:07 AM Eastern Time
Russia planning to initiate OSCE reform
by STEVE GUTTERMAN; Associated Press Writer
MOSCOW
Russia wants reforms in a top European security and democracy
organization and will discuss the initiative with the leaders of
France and Germany when they visit President Vladimir Putin next
week, reports said Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia wants changes that would
make the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe “truly
effective” and responsive to “the interests of all its participants,”
Russian news agencies reported.
Lavrov told Putin that the issue of OSCE reform would be on the
agenda of his Aug. 30-31 summit with French President Jacques Chirac
and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the Russian Black Sea
resort city of Sochi, Interfax reported.
Lavrov said France and Germany expressed the willingness to discuss
the issue after Russia and eight other former Soviet republics
sharply criticized the Vienna-based organization last month.
In what they called an “unprecedented collective demarche” in early
July, Russia and the other countries accused the OSCE of double
standards, saying it unfairly criticizes governments in some
countries.
The declaration, read by Russia’s delegation, said that the 55-nation
group spends too much money on field missions to promote human rights
and democratic institutions in certain countries, while overlooking
others.
The OSCE was part of observing missions that said Russia’s
parliamentary elections last December and the presidential campaign
that led to Putin’s March re-election fell short of democratic
standards.
The OSCE’s watchdog functions in Belarus have been limited after a
confrontation with the authoritarian leadership there, and Russia has
criticized OSCE representatives in the breakaway Georgian region of
South Ossetia.
The July statement was issued by Russia, Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
At the time, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the OSCE
focused its field missions in those countries and the Balkans and
accused it of ignoring the rights of minorities in Latvia and Estonia
– Baltic states that have significant ethnic Russian populations and
strained ties with Russia.
In a statement issued in July by the Netherlands, which holds the
rotating EU presidency, the union said it would reflect on the issues
raised by Russia and the other countries but had “serious concern
about certain elements of the declaration.”

Associated Press Worldstream
August 24, 2004 Tuesday 6:03 AM Eastern Time
Olympic wrestling results
ATHENS, Greece
Results Tuesday from the Olympic wrestling competition:
Men
———
55Kg
———
Group A
Istvan Majoros, Hungary, def. Masatoshi Toyota, Japan, 5-3.
Group B
Lazaro Rivas Scull, Cuba, def. Samir Benchenaf, Algeria, 11-0,
Greater Superiority.
Group C
Irakli Chochua, Georgia, def. Ercan Yildiz, Turkey, 4-1.
Group D
Dennis Hall, United States, def. Petr Svehla, Czech Republic, 3-2.
Group E
Im Dae-won, South Korea, def. Nurbakyt Tengizbayev, Kazakhstan, 4-4.
Group F
Gueidar Mamedaliev, Russia, def. Mukesh Khatri, India, 3-0.
——–
66Kg
——–
Group A
Vaghinak Galustyan, Armenia, def. Maxim Semenov, Russia, 2-2.
Group B
Nikolay Gergov, Bulgaria, def. Levente Furedy, Hungary, 3-2.
Group C
Farid Mansurov, Azerbaijan, def. Juan Luis Maren Delis, Cuba, 3-0.
Group D
Parviz Zeidvand, Iran, def. Kanatbek Begaliev, Kyrgyzstan, 5-0.
Group E
Armen Vardanyan, Ukraine, def. Luis Fernando Izquierdo Martinez,
Colombia, 13-0, Greater Superiority.
Seref Eroglu, Turkey, def. Manuchar Kvirkelia, Georgia, 11-1, Greater
Superiority.
Group F
Mkkhitar Manukyan, Kazakhstan, def. Jannis Zamanduridis, Germany,
3-2.
Konstantinos Arkoudeas, Greece, def. Oscar Wood, United States, 9-3.
——–
84Kg
——–
Group A
Viachaslau Makaranka, Belarus, def. Levon Geghamyan, Armenia, 3-0.
Levon Geghamyan, Armenia, def. Andrea Minguzzi, Italy, 10-0, Greater
Superiority.
Group B
Mohamed Mohamed, Egypt, def. Mukhran Vakhtangadze, Georgia, 3-0.
Mohamed Mohamed, Egypt, def. Brad Vering, United States, 4-0.
Group C
Dimitrios Avramis, Greece, def. Fritz Aanes, Norway, 5-1.
Dimitrios Avramis, Greece, def. Behrouz Jamshidi, Iran, 3-1.
Group D
Gotsha Tsitsiashvily, Israel, def. Melonin Noumonvi, France, 3-1.
Alexei Michine, Russia, def. Gotsha Tsitsiashvily, Israel, 3-0.
Group E
Hamza Yerlikaya, Turkey, def. Oleksandr Daragan, Ukraine, 4-1.
Vladislav Metodiev, Bulgaria, def. Tarvi Thomberg, Estonia, 3-0.
Oleksandr Daragan, Ukraine, def. Tarvi Thomberg, Estonia, 5-0.
Hamza Yerlikaya, Turkey, def. Vladislav Metodiev, Bulgaria, Forfeit
Injury.
Group F
Attila Batky, Slovakia, def. Janarbek Kenjeev, Kyrgyzstan, 3-1.
Ara Abrahamian, Sweden, def. Shingo Matsumoto, Japan, 5-0.
Ara Abrahamian, Sweden, def. Attila Batky, Slovakia, 4-0.
——–
120Kg
——–
Group A
Yannick Szczepaniak, France, def. Haykaz Galstyan, Armenia, 3-1.
Group B
Mihaly Deak, Hungary, def. Juha Ahokas, Finland, 3-0.
Sajad Barzi, Iran, def. Mihaly Deak, Hungary, 3-1.
Group C
Khasan Baroev, Russia, def. David Vala, Czech Republic, 5-0.
David Vala, Czech Republic, def. Andrei Chekhauskoi, Belarus, 3-0.
Group D
Mijail Lopez Nunez, Cuba, def. Yuriy Yevseychyk, Israel, 5-0.
Yekta Yilmaz Gul, Turkey, def. Yuriy Yevseychyk, Israel, 3-0.
Group E
Georgiy Tsurtsumia, Kazakhstan, def. Xenofon Koutsioumpas, Greece,
2-2.
Eddy Bengtsson, Sweden, def. Mirian Giorgadze, Georgia, 3-0.
Xenofon Koutsioumpas, Greece, def. Eddy Bengtsson, Sweden, 5-0.
Mirian Giorgadze, Georgia, def. Georgiy Tsurtsumia, Kazakhstan, 2-2.
Group F
Rulon Gardner, United States, def. Mindaugas Mizgaitis, Lithuania,
3-0.
Serguey Moreyko, Bulgaria, def. Marek Mikulski, Poland, 3-0.
Mirian Giorgadze, Georgia, def. Georgiy Tsurtsumia, Kazakhstan, 2-2.
Rulon Gardner, United States, def. Serguey Moreyko, Bulgaria, 1-1.

ARKA News Agency
Aug 23 2004
The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin the Second goes to Kharkov
RA Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margaryan congratulates
citizens of Armenia on the 14th anniversary of the adoption of the
Declaration on Independence
Edward Aghabekyan is elected to be the new Mayor of Stepanakert
Newly appointed US Ambassador to Armenia presented his credentials to
Armenian Foreign Minister
Armenian President leaves for Athens
*********************************************************************
THE CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS GAREGIN THE SECOND GOES TO KHARKOV
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
the Second went to Kharkov. Accordidng to the Press-Chancellery of
the Mother See of St. Etchmiadzin, tomorrow Garegin the Second will
consecrate the Church of Surb Harutyun (Saint Resurrection). The
consecration of the Armenian Church is in the agenda of the festive
on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the foundation of
Kharkov. According to the press release, in the train Garegin the
Second will be accompanied by the Head of the chancellery of the
Mother See St. Etchmiadzin, archbishop Nerses Pozapalyan and the
wand-bearer and celibate priest Tiran Petrosyan.
The construction of Surb Harutyun first Armenian Church in the East
Ukraine began on July 1, 2000. In future it’s planned that Sunday
School and other constructions will be built adgunct to the Church
and serve to the organization of moral and cultural life of the
Armenian community. A.H. – 0 –
*********************************************************************
RA PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA ANDRANIK MARGARYAN CONGRATULATES
CITIZENS OF ARMENIA ON THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE
DECLARATION ON INDEPENDENCE
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. RA Prime -Minister of Armenia Andranik
Margaryan congratulated citizens of the country on the 14th
anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on Independence.
According to RA Government’s Press Service and Public Relations
Department, the message states that by the Declaration on
Independence adopted the same day 14 years ago by the Supreme Council
of the Armenian SSR the Armenian nation confirmed its will and
determination to restore the independent statehood and to lead free
and worthy life. According to Margaryan, on August 23, 1990 the
process of the formation of an independent state based on the
national goals and fundamental principles stipulated in the
Declaration and giving the opportunities for the integration into a
civilized world, formation of equal relations with all peoples and
countries, development of democracy, cicil society and sovereign,
legal, and social state by maintaining loyalty to human values began.
`For the last years, notwithstanding all difficulties, our nation
remained loyal to the principles stipulated in the Declaration,
forming and year by year improving and strengthening the fundament of
our statehood’, as stated in the message. According to Margaryan, the
approval of the freedom-loving spirit of the Armenian nation became
the liberating war in Artsakh. He added that it’s the time to
preserve and develop the achievements of the national goals. `We have
the historic opportunity to transit to our descendants free,
independent and powerful Armenia, which is the only and most safe
pledge of fulfilling the expectations of all Armenians’, as
emphasized in the message. A.H. – 0 –
*********************************************************************
EDWARD AGHABEKYAN IS ELECTED TO BE THE NEW MAYOR OF STEPANAKERT
STEPANAKERT, August 23. /ARKA/. According to preliminary data, the
new Mayor of Stepanakert is elected to be the NKR NA Chairman of
Standing Committee on Social Affairs, the Leader of Political
Organization `Movement-88′ Edward Aghabekyan. According to NKR
Central Elective Committee, referring to preliminary data, Aghabekyan
received 55,3 % of votes. His rival, the ex Vice- Mayor of
Stepanakert Pavel Najarian received 38,8% of votes. As NKR Central
Elective Committee informed, as compared to the first tour, the
activity of capital electors increased by 10% and made almost 51%.
A.H.-0–
*********************************************************************
NEWLY APPOINTED US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA PRESENTED HIS CREDENTIALS TO
ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. Newly appointed US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans presented the copies of his credentials to the Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. As Armenian Foreign Ministry
Information and Press Department told ARKA, during the conversation,
Oskanian expressed confidence that the newly appointed US Ambassador
to move further the established relations between the US and Armenia
that are important both for Armenia as well as the whole region. In
his turn, John Evans assured the Armenian Minister that the US will
promote regional stability and security, economic prosperity and
strengthening the democracy in Armenia.
As it is mentioned in the press-release, during the meeting the
parties exchanged their views around the current process of the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian-Turkish
relations as well as a number of international issues. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR ATHENS
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. The Armenian President Robert Kocharian
left today for Athens. As the Armenian President Press Service told
ARKA, Kocharian to visit the follow the performance of the Armenian
sportsmen on the 28th Olympic Games in Athens. T.M. -0–

ARKA News Agency
Aug 24 2004
Pan-Armenian cultural festival to be held once in two years
Exhibition of exclusive works of modern Armenian applied arts `Silk
Road’ to be held in Yerevan on Sept 10
ARMENIA EXPO international exhibition Forum to be held in Yerevan on
Sept 10-13
*********************************************************************
PAN-ARMENIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ONCE IN TWO YEARS
YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. The Pan-Armenian cultural festival to be
held once in two years, as Lilit Asatryan, Deputy Armenian Minister
of Culture and Youth Affairs told today on pres-conference related to
completion of `One Nation, One Culture’ festival. She mentioned that
the intention of the organizers is uniting the representatives of the
Diaspora and Armenia was successful and henceforth the festival will
turn to a traditional event. `Succession of the national values and
transfer of knowledge from the old to the new generation is important
in preserving the cultural traditions’, she remarked.
Tamara Poghosyan, the Executive Director of the festival added that
it allowed uniting not only the representatives of the Diaspora and
Armenia, but people inside the country. In her words, tradition of
holding such an event is very important as forming of pan-national
tradition, preservation of ties with the Motherland, restoration of
relevant attitude to the culture is the priority of the cultural
policy. She mentioned that around AMD 110 mln was collected for
holding of the festival. But, as she explained the expenses were much
bigger due to numerous sponsors – Atenk, Ashtarak-Kat, Grand Holding,
Multi Group, MIKA Armenia, Flash, Hovhnainan International, Zangezur
Copper Molybdenum Combine, ACP, Bank Anelik, Inecobank, Chamber of
Commerce. Also, around 100 people, most of which were students
rendered volunteering services in holding of festival.
`One Nation, One Culture’ festival was held on Aug 15-23. More than
1500 Armenian artists from 22 countries participated in the festival.
T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
EXHIBITION OF EXCLUSIVE WORKS OF MODERN ARMENIAN APPLIED ARTS `SILK
ROAD’ TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON SEPT 10
YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. Exhibition of exclusive works of modern
Armenian applied arts `Silk Road’ to be held in Yerevan on Sept 10,
as Terjian Hotel, host of the exhibition, told ARKA that the event
will exhibit Nune Aghbalyan’s, Lecturer of Yerevan State Institute of
Fine Arts and Gevorg Shadoyan, Designer’s exclusive works.
For the first time in Armenia there will be held an exhibition of the
most modern costumes collection with Armenian ornaments and paintings
on silk ties, brooches, scarves and other accessories.
Representatives of the Armenian Government, embassies, international
and local organizations, as well as mass media are invited to attend
the exhibition. The entrance to the exhibition is free. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
ARMENIA EXPO INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION FORUM TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON
SEPT 10-13
YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. The 4th universal international
trade-industrial exhibition Forum ARMENIA EXPO 2004 to be held in
Yerevan on Sept 10-13. As LOGOS EXPO Centrå told ARKA, `Industrial
Armenia’, `Build Expo’, `Trans Expo’, `Comp Expo’, `Polygraph,
Publishing, Advertising’, `Food and Drinks’ exhibitions to be held in
the frames of the Forum. Also Business Days of the USA, China and
Russia to be held on Sept 11-13. As it is mentioned in the press
release, the exhibition Forum covering an area of 1000 sq. m. to be
participated by 170 companies from Armenia, Russia, Ukraine,
Byelorussia, Iran, Syria, Germany, Italy, USA. China, Lithuania,
Georgia, Hungary, Japan and Czech Republic. The Forum is organized by
LOGOS EXPO Centre as well as the Armenian Foreign, Trade and Economic
Development Ministries as well as the Union of Manufacturers and
Entrepreneurs of Armenia and Armenian Development Agency. T.M. -0–

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
August 24, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN AMERICANS DELIVER UNITED
MESSAGE TO U.S. HOUSE LEADERSHIP
— Grassroots Organizations Protest Congressional
Opposition to Genocide Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – More than a dozen national grassroots Armenian
American organizations came together this week to communicate the
“extraordinary disappointment” of the Armenian American community
over the Congressional leadership’s opposition to legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee Of America (ANCA).
“We have seen, in recent weeks, a tremendous groundswell of
opposition from across the Armenian American community to the
Congressional leadership’s attack on the Schiff Amendment, and
their stubborn refusal – despite the strong, bipartisan support
enjoyed by the Genocide Resolution – to schedule a vote on this
human rights initiative,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
The letter, written on behalf of the collective leadership of the
Armenian American community to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert,
gives voice to the community’s unequivocal opposition to the House
leadership’s efforts to reverse the Schiff Amendment to the fiscal
year 2005 Foreign Operations bill, H.R.4818, and expresses the
community’s “great dismay with your public statement against
holding a vote on the Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193.”
The letter comes in the wake of the adoption by the U.S. House,
last month, of the Schiff Amendment, which seeks to block the use
by Turkey of U.S. foreign aid to lobby against the Genocide
Resolution. It was adopted by voice vote, without any opposition,
on July 15th. Within hours of its passage, the Schiff Amendment
came under intense attack by the Congressional leadership, with the
Speaker of the House and his top deputies issuing a statement –
posted prominently on the first page of the Speaker of the House’s
website – that they would use their influence to block its adoption
as part of the final foreign aid bill.
The organizations that signed the community-wide letter were the
ANCA, the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern and
Western U.S., the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church –
Eastern and Western U.S., the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, and the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics, as
well as the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Democratic
Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, United Armenian Fund, Armenian Relief
Society, Armenian Bar Association, National Organization of
Republican Armenians, Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen –
Armenian General Athletic Union, and Hamazkayn Armenian Cultural
and Educational Association.
The signatories to the letter stressed that the Schiff Amendment,
which was adopted by the U.S. House on July 15th, “simply
underscores the importance of protecting American people from
having their tax dollars used by the government of Turkey for a
purpose they find patently offensive – the denial of the Armenian
Genocide.” They also noted that the adoption of the Amendment
“reflected the breadth of the bipartisan opposition to Turkey’s
shameful campaign against H.Res.193, and, just as importantly,
demonstrated the clear and overwhelming support of a majority of
Members enjoyed by the underlying legislation.”
The Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193, was introduced last year by
Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg
and Frank Pallone. It has been cosponsored by 110 U.S.
Representatives and was approved, without opposition, in May of
last year, by the Judiciary Committee. This genocide-prevention
measure is supported by a diverse coalition of over one hundred
religious, civic, ethnic and human rights organizations, including
American Values, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, NAACP, Sons of Italy,
and the National Council of La Raza.
The full text of the Armenian American community letter to the
Speaker of the House is provided below.
#####
Text of Community Letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert
Dear Speaker Hastert:
We are writing, as the collective leadership of the Armenian
American community, to voice our extraordinary disappointment with
your opposition to the Schiff Amendment to the fiscal year 2005
Foreign Operations bill, H.R.4818, and to express our great dismay
with your public statement against holding a vote on the Genocide
Resolution, H.Res.193.
The Schiff Amendment simply underscores the importance of
protecting American people from having their tax dollars used by
the government of Turkey for a purpose they find patently offensive
– the denial of the Armenian Genocide. The adoption of this
measure on July 15th by the full U.S. House of Representatives
reflected the breadth of the bipartisan opposition to Turkey’s
shameful campaign against H.Res.193, and, just as importantly,
demonstrated the clear and overwhelming support of a majority of
Members enjoyed by the underlying legislation.
As you know, H.Res.193, which was introduced by Congressmen George
Radanovich and Adam Schiff, and Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone, has been
cosponsored by 110 of your colleagues and was approved, without
opposition, in May of last year, by the Judiciary Committee. This
genocide-prevention measure is supported by a diverse coalition of
over one hundred religious, civic, ethnic and human rights
organizations, including American Values, Union of Orthodox Rabbis,
NAACP, Sons of Italy, and the National Council of La Raza.
We respectfully call upon you to reconsider your opposition to the
Schiff Amendment and to immediately schedule a vote of the full
U.S. House of Representatives on the Genocide Resolution,
H.Res.193. We make this request on several levels. First is that
the adoption of such a resolution represents a moral imperative
that we, as Americans, must take to defend human rights and protect
human lives against the crime of genocide. Secondly, we should not
allow a foreign nation, particularly one that so brazenly flaunts
basic American values and which blocked the U.S.-led coalition from
opening a northern front in the Iraq War, to impose its dictates on
the U.S. Congress. Thirdly, the clear majority of Members who
support this resolution should not be denied the opportunity to
take part in an up-or-down vote on this human rights measure.
Finally, by bringing this measure to the floor, you would be
honoring your public pledge to our community on this subject made
in October of 2000.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. We would be
pleased to meet with you personally to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,