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03/10/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) US Addresses Turkish Worries about Iraq Constitution 2) Chamlian School's Banquet a Night of Success and Hope 3) Kocharian Comes Face-to-face with University Students 4) US Ambassador Meets With ARF Representatives 5) Police Identify Armenian Cemetery Vandals 1) US Addresses Turkish Worries about Iraq Constitution ANKARA (AFP)--A senior US envoy will meet with Turkish officials to discuss Ankara's concerns over the new interim constitution of Iraq, reported Turkish and US sources. Ronald Newmann, a member of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, was asked by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to go to Ankara after Turkey publicly criticized the interim constitution, signed in Baghdad on Monday, a Turkish diplomat told AFP. Turkey has warned that it would pave the way for more instability in the neighboring country. "The interim law does not satisfy us; it increases our concerns," said Turkish government spokesman, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. Turkey has repeatedly warned against moves in postwar Iraq that could help the Iraqi Kurds enhance self-rule in the north of the country. Under the interim constitution, Iraqi Kurdistan will retain federal status and the rest of Iraq will be given the right to begin forming states. Turkey fears that increased political influence of Iraqi Kurds could set an example for their restive cousins in southeast Turkey where a bloody Kurdish rebellion has only recently been quelled. 2) Chamlian School's Banquet a Night of Success and Hope GLENDALE--Over 500 parents, alumni, teachers, and friends of Chamlian Armenian School gathered on February 28, at the Homenetmen Ararat Chapter center to fundraise for the school, and mark its many accomplishments. Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, and Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero were among the guests of honor. Emcees Nova Hindoyan and Aida Yeghiazarian, kicked off the night with a silent auction that raised over $8,000. In his remarks, Archbiship Mardirossian urged the audience to "complete the cafeteria project and move on to bigger projects such as establishing a high school." The climax of the evening came, however, as Chamlian principal Vazken Madenlian announced that a special committee dedicated to the Chamlian High School project has been formed, and that $250,000 has already been collected towards the goal. Guest welcomed the joyous news, and enthusiastically donated $106,000 for the renovation of the school cafeteria. Guests danced and celebrated to the music of popular singer Ashod and his band. "This was a great evening," one guest said, "not only did we have a lot of fun, but it was for a great cause." 3) Kocharian Comes Face-to-face with University Students YEREVAN (RFE/RL, Yerkir)--University students from throughout Armenia gathered at Yerevan State University on Wednesday to meet President Robert Kocharian, and pose questions on issues of concern. Asked about the process of settling the Karabagh conflict, Kocharian said during his term in office, Armenia has accepted several proposals put forth by mediators, while Azerbaijan has rejected them. "I have dedicated 15 years of my life to the Karabagh issue, and I will pursue it all the way through," Kocharian said. Referring to Azerbaijan's unapologetic and even defensive position on the murder of an Armenian officer by an Azeri counterpart, the president said it reinforces the fact that Armenophobia has reached its peak in that country. "We are, once again, convinced that Karabagh cannot--under any condition--be a part of Azerbaijan." Asked about opposition claims that Armenia remains gripped by a political crisis, Kocharian explained that in 2003, Armenia registered record economic growth, accompanied by improving public services. He cited a 13.9 increase in GDP, which was the highest in the Commonwealth of Independent States. "To describe as crisis the situation in a country where economic growth has reached 13.9 percent and where all the indicators testify to quite interesting developments, is at least, tantamount to not understanding what a crisis means." It was the Armenian leader's first visit to the country's largest university since last month's student protests against a controversial government bill on military service. The bill, which would have allowed the military to draft graduate and doctoral students, was eventually withdrawn from parliament. Kocharian acknowledged that the proposed legislation should have undergone a detailed public debate before being submitted to the National Assembly, and revealed his support for compulsory military service for all young men, including his two sons. 4) US Ambassador Meets With ARF Representatives YEREVAN (Yerkir)--US Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway met with representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation at the ARF Simon Vratsian center on Wednesday, in an effort to understand the party's position on national and regional issues, and engage in a two-way exchange. ARF Armenia Supreme Body representative Armen Rustamian, ARF Bureau member and National Assembly vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian, and ARF faction leader in the National Assembly Levon Mkrtchian, met with Ordway, where political and regional developments in Armenia, as well as the National Assembly and the opposition dominated discussions. The ambassador remarked that the meeting was fruitful in understanding the party's stance on these issues. Ambassador Ordway frequently meets with the ARF and other political parties to better grasp the positions of political forces, and to also present the US position on democracy, the market economy, as well as regional security. 5) Police Identify Armenian Cemetery Vandals KRASNODAR (Armenpress)--Local police have identified the group of youth who desecrated Armenian gravestones at the Krasnodar Slavonic cemetery on March 2, reported Yerkramas, a weekly paper published by the Armenian community of the southern Russian province. The culprits are eight youth between the ages of 13 and 16. Police said their parents will have to pay for restoring the damaged tombs. A similar act of vandalism in 2002 sparked strong condemnation by the Armenian government and leading politicians concerned with the escalating ethnic tensions in the southern Russia. In April 2002, approximately 50 youths ravaged gravestones and monuments at the Armenian cemetery in Krasnodar. Though the local police at the time announced the arrest of three Russian youngsters between the ages of 14 and 17 on suspicion of involvement, all managed to avoid punishment. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.