ASBAREZ Online [03-16-2004]

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/16/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) House Members Urge Speaker Hastert to Schedule Vote on Genocide Resolution 2) ARF Armenia Condemns British Ambassador's Ignorant Remarks 3) Kocharian Congratulates Putin, Talks about Region 4) "No War, No Peace" Mood Settles over Renegade Georgian Region of Ajaria 5) Melkonian Educational Institute to Close in June 2005 1) House Members Urge Speaker Hastert to Schedule Vote on Genocide Resolution --REP. RADANOVICH LEADS EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF H.RES.193 WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--A bi-partisan group of over 60 House Members called on Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) last Friday, to bring the Genocide Resolution--H.Res.193--for a full floor vote. "As we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs of a possible new genocide emerging around the world--as a government and a people--we must make sure that we apply the lessons of past genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity," stresses the letter initiated by Rep. Radanovich (R-CA). The Genocide resolution was introduced in the House last April by Representatives Radanovich, Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). It was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee in May, and has 111 cosponsors. Its companion legislation in the Senate, S.Res.164, was introduced last June by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and currently has 37 cosponsors. The resolution, in an effort to stop future atrocities, cites the importance of remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian, and Rwandan genocides. Support for the measure has been widespread, with a diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human rights organizations calling for its passage, including American Values, National Organization of Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of La Raza. Joining Rep. Radanovich in cosigning the letter to Speaker Hastert were Representatives: Tom Allen (D-ME), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Dingell (D-MI), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Green (R-WI), Jim Greenwood (R-PA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Jerry Kleczka (D-WI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), James Langevin (D-RI), Jim Leach (R-IA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Marty Meehan (D-MA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), John Sweeney (R-NY), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). The full text of the letter follows. Text to Speaker Dennis Hastert Dear Speaker Hastert: We are writing to share with you our strong support for bringing H. Res. 193 to the House floor for a vote as soon as possible. This measure, as you know, commemorates the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention and reinforces our nation's dedication to this landmark human rights treaty. Approved in the shadow of the Holocaust, the Convention stands today as the international community's best hope for the realization of the noble aim of eradicating forever the crime of genocide. The House Judiciary Committee, recognizing the importance of this effort, adopted H. Res. 193 without opposition on May 21st. One hundred and ten Representatives have cosponsored this measure, including both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. As we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs of a possible new genocide emerging around the world, as a government and a people, we must make sure that we apply the lessons of past genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity. Sadly, even as we confront new genocides, we still have among us those who, against all facts and morality, deny the Holocaust or seek to rewrite the history of the past atrocities. These hateful deniers dishonor the dead and threaten the living. They make the world a more dangerous place by emboldening future potential perpetrators of genocide to believe that their crimes can be committed with impunity. Adolf Hitler confirmed this with his chilling remark to his military staff prior to launching the Holocaust, "who, after all remembers the annihilation of the Armenians." Clearly, the struggle against genocide is not over. The pressing need to remain ever vigilant was underscored recently by Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize winning author of " A Problem from Hell: American in the Age of Genocide." Commenting on similar legislation in the 107th Congress, she noted that, "For too long American leaders and citizens have reflexively uttered the phrase 'never again' without taking concrete steps to give the slogan meaning. This legislation marks the beginning of a twenty-first century campaign to get the U.S. government to commit itself politically and operationally to prevent future genocide." Recalling your support for H.Res. 596 in the 106th Congress and knowing of your principled advocacy for human rights around the world, we ask that you please move quickly to schedule a vote on H.Res. 193. Thank you for your consideration of our request. 2) ARF Armenia Condemns British Ambassador's Ignorant Remarks YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Speaking at the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) NA faction leader Levon Mkrtchian condemned British Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt's statements on the Armenian Genocide. "A foreign ambassador is obliged to honor the principles and the history of the people of the country to which they are assigned. . . We have to question the effectiveness of the ambassador's future activity in Armenia," said Mkrtchian, and asked: "Is the ambassador aware of her country's policies in the Middle East in the period between 1880's and 1918? If so, what could prompt her to make such statements?" He suggested that if the ambassador is ignorant of the policy, she should begin to review British diplomatic literature on the issue that sharply differs from her view. Abbott-Watt was quoted by Armenian media as saying that "I do not think that recognizing the events [1915 mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire] as genocide would be much of use." In later comments, she had said that the evidence "was not sufficiently unequivocal that what took place could be categorized as genocide under the 1948 United Nations Convention on genocide." "We are going to pose these questions to Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well, and ask that the issue at hand--the ambassador's announcement--as well as her behavior be addressed with great seriousness," said the ARF leader. 3) Kocharian Congratulates Putin, Talks about Region YEREVAN (Armenpress)--President Robert Kocharian congratulated the re-elected president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation today, where both leaders also discussed issues concerning Armenian-Russian cooperation, as well as the situation in the South Caucasus region. 4) "No War, No Peace" Mood Settles over Renegade Georgian Region of Ajaria BATUMI (Eurasianet.org)--A mood of "no war, no peace" spread over the renegade Georgian region of Ajaria on Tuesday, amid calls by the international community for restraint. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili appeared in no mood for mediation, as he accused Ajaria of engaging in "banditry" and "treachery." In Batumi, despite the imposition of an economic blockade, Ajarian leaders are remaining steadfast in their refusal to submit to Tbilisi's authority. Since Ajarian police prevented Saakashvili from entering the region on March 14, both sides have mobilized for a fight, while probing for an opening to negotiate. Many observers believe that a prospect for compromise, if one exists at all, is very small. Both Saakashvili and Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze have shown no willingness to be the first to make concessions. Saakashvili remains insistent that Tbilisi's authority take precedence over Ajaria's, especially in the area of customs and tax revenue collection. Abashidze, meanwhile, rejects any move that could reduce his control over the regional apparatus. Saakashvili has explicitly stated that he will not negotiate with Abashidze, casting the Tbilisi-Batumi dispute as a make-or-break moment for his administration's credibility. He insists that Georgia's sovereignty depends on Tbilisi's ability to assert its authority over all regions of the country. "Either we now stand firm, all together, and once and for all eradicate banditry, feudalism, and treachery in Georgia ... or we will no longer exist as a state," Saakashvili said. Abashidze claims that Saakashvili's aggressive stance is pushing the Ajarian leadership down a secessionist path. Unless Tbilisi moderates its position on revenue collection, Abashidze hinted that Ajaria, like Georgia's other autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, would seek to make a formal break with the central government. "We have already brought Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the stage of separatism; we have forced them to leave Georgia," Abashidze was quoted as saying by the Russian RIA news agency. "Ajaria should not be treated this way." Georgian officials have stressed that they have no intention of resorting to arms to compel Batumi's recognition of Tbilisi's authority. However, Ajarian leaders suggested the possibility of a clash remained high. "We have sufficient strength to meet force with force," said Jemal Gogitidze, an Ajarian security official told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency. Georgian leaders are presently striving to tighten an economic blockade they imposed on Ajaria on Monday. Georgian warships reportedly prevented at least 10 vessels from entering Batumi harbor. In addition, Turkey appears to be honoring a Georgian government request to close its border crossing into Ajaria. According to accounts from Tbilisi, the early effectiveness of the blockade has unsettled Abashidze. They point to reports that the Ajarian leader has placed several calls to Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania over the past 24 hours to bitterly complain about the closure of the Batumi port. The dangerous escalation in tension has already prompted several mediation attempts. In a telephone conversation, US Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Saakashvili "not to allow this situation ... to escalate," a State Department spokesman said on Monday. Powell also contacted Russian officials, seeking assurances that Russian troops based in Batumi would not become involved in the dispute. In addition, US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles met with Georgian leaders to promote a negotiated settlement. Solomon Passy, the Bulgarian foreign minister who currently serves as the chairman-in-office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, held telephone talks with Abashidze, calling on the Ajarian leader to help preserve the "peace, stability, and territorial integrity of Georgia." Also on Monday, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov arrived in Ajaria to act as a go-between for Ajarian and Georgian officials. Georgian officials view such initiatives with suspicion, given that the sympathies of Russian leaders lie with Abashidze. Luzhkov told the Moscow daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta that he embarked on his mission to Ajaria out of a desire to express solidarity with Abashidze. "We consider ourselves brothers and, at a time like this, one wants to stay close," Luzhkov said. The Moscow mayor added that the source of existing tension "does not come from Ajaria--it comes from Tbilisi." The newspaper report indicated Luzhkov didn't coordinate his mission to Batumi with the Russian Foreign Ministry. In Moscow, Russian politicians have been quick to criticize Saakashvili for the Georgian government's "unpredictable policy." The deputy chairman of the Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, suggested that Saakashvili's unsuccessful attempt to enter Ajaria on Monday may have been an act designed to provoke a confrontation, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. Kosachev also suggested that much of the goodwill built during Saakashvili's early February visit to Moscow had dissipated amid the Ajaria tension. Observers in Tbilisi believe the pressure will build on Saakashvili in the coming days to take action to break the existing stalemate. Georgia's parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 28. If the status quo remains in place on election day, most experts say Ajaria will not participate, therefore discrediting the results. A faulty election would be a political disaster for Saakashvili's administration, perhaps permanently hampering its ability to promote reforms. The March 28 elections are also exerting influence over Abashidze's decisions, analysts believe. Elections in Ajaria are routinely rigged in favor of Abashidze and his political allies, observers explain. Saakashvili's stated desire for a free and fair vote is seen as a threat to Abashidze's stranglehold over Ajaria's political system. Thus, many believe Abashidze is anxious to find an excuse to cancel the vote in the region. Kote Kemularia, Georgia's ambassador to Russia, said Abashidze's aim is "to wreck the parliamentary elections in Georgia" and so "obstruct the establishment of democracy in the country," Itar-Tass reported. While Saakashvili undoubtedly feels a need to act, his options may be limited. Political analysts in Tbilisi say that the Georgian military has the capability to subdue Ajarian defense units, but only in the event that Russian forces in Ajaria remain neutral. Russian military commanders have said that the Batumi garrison will under no circumstances intervene in the Ajarian dispute. At the same time, Russian politicians have stated that Moscow cannot be a bystander. Some Georgian political analysts believe that if Saakashvili attempts military action, Russian troops stationed in Batumi would come to the aid of Abashidze. Moscow has a geopolitical interest in promoting tension, even conflict, some Tbilisi experts maintain. Saakashvili has repeatedly stressed a desire to steer Georgia out of Russia's sphere of influence and into the Western camp. A conflict in Ajaria would offer Moscow an opportunity to again insert itself into Georgian domestic affairs, and thus bring a halt to Georgia's drift towards the West. 5) Melkonian Educational Institute to Close in June 2005 NICOSIA--The Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) announced that The Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) will close in 2005. The statement (full text below) reads that, "after extensive deliberations and thorough assessment, the Central Board has resolved unanimously to discontinue MEI [operations] in June 2005. This decision is based largely on the Board's conclusion that MEI no longer meets the challenges of its mission in the present context of the Armenian world." The 'Gibrahayer' website reported that the situation at Melkonian on Tuesday morning was very sad. Staff members were shocked and devastated by the decision, while students tearfully staged a demonstration under the eyes of the local TV channels and press. The following is the complete text of the Board's unanimous decision: (AGBU Website)--In the spirit of the discussion and analyses at the AGBU General Assembly meeting in October, 2002, and consistent with the on-going assessment of our educational institutions and activities worldwide, the Central Board has carefully evaluated AGBU programs in respect to their past achievements, current challenges, and future prospects. The Board has done so in furtherance of the goals of the organization and its founding fathers. The Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI), as a significant and historical institution within AGBU, has been a concern of the Central Board over many years. After extensive deliberations and thorough assessment, the Central Board has resolved unanimously to discontinue MEI in June 2005. This decision is based largely on the Board's conclusion that MEI no longer meets the challenges of its mission in the present context of the Armenian world. The Board fully recognizes and honors the continued legacy of the visionary Melkonian Brothers and is determined to perpetuate their memory through new educational programs to be implemented within and outside Cyprus, in line with the spirit of their donation to AGBU. Throughout its century-long history, AGBU has survived and thrived primarily because it has recognized and addressed the needs of the Armenian people, taking bold and forward-looking initiatives in challenging times as necessary. The statement is signed by AGBU Central Board members. 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.