ASBAREZ Online [04-02-2004]

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04/02/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Vahan Hovhannisian Says Opposition Leaves No Room for Negotiations 2) Sen. Kerry Thanks ANCA Supporters for Sponsoring Major Campaign Fundraiser 3) Bush Administration Disowns Three Year-Old Agreement to Maintain Armenia, Azerbaijan Military Aid Parity 4) New Western Prelacy Parish in Colorado and Rocky Mountains Region 5) Hariri Wraps Up Armenia Visit 6) ARF 29th World Congress: Organizational Empowerment and Reinvigoration 7) Skeptik's Great American VacationA National Lampoon 1) Vahan Hovhannisian Says Opposition Leaves No Room for Negotiations YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--National Assembly Vice-speaker and NA ARF faction member Vahan Hovhannisian, said on Thursday that the opposition is not staging a political struggle, but has simply declared war on the authorities. "When war is declared, there is an imminent threat of danger. So let those who initiated this war not be surprised to see the authorities defending themselves," Hovhannisian said in warning representatives of the opposition Justice party that they could face criminal charges if they act outside the limitations of the law. "One of the leaders of the Justice party has repeatedly spoken of law and order. Now law and order is being established." In December 1997, Hovhannisian and 29 other members of ARF, then an opposition party, got prison sentences ranging from three two seven years for "making public calls for a violent overthrow of the government." But Hovhannisian rejected comparisons, saying "Your comparison between the current and former authorities is not correct because we had been arrested for something much less serious than what is going on today." Hovhannisian said that because opposition demands are so great, they leave no room for authorities to step back and negotiate. "We consider the country's president elected; we think that he has support among people, and when the matter solely concerns his resignation, negotiations become senseless." The two opposition groups have repeatedly announced their intention to launch a campaign of joint anti-Kocharian street protests by April 13. They are expected to try to block a street in downtown Yerevan leading to the parliament building and presidential palace. The Yerevan municipality made it clear that it is unlikely to sanction the upcoming demonstrations. "The city authorities find unacceptable statements made at the [opposition] rallies," the city's mayor Yervand Zakharian, told a news conference. "If those rallies continue with such statements, the Yerevan mayor's office will not be able to sanction such demonstrations and marches." 2) Sen. Kerry Thanks ANCA Supporters for Sponsoring Major Campaign Fundraiser DISCUSSES SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN AMERICAN ISSUES WITH ANCA LEADERS LOS ANGELES--Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry thanked Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian, and other leaders and supporters of the ANCA, who participated as sponsors in a major Beverly Hills campaign fundraiser that brought an estimated $3 million dollars into the Kerry campaign. During a private reception, Hachikian spoke with the Massachusetts Senator, who noted his long-time support for Armenian American issues and his close relationship with the Massachusetts Armenian community. He recalled the 1990 bipartisan Senate battle to adopt the Armenian Genocide resolution, led by Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, noting his commitment to the passage of that and subsequent legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The 1990 bill was defeated with a filibuster by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), an outspoken advocate in the Senate of Turkish Government interests. In a September, 2003, meeting with ANCA Western Region Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian and community activist Mihran Toumajan, Sen. Kerry commented on the 1990 Genocide recognition effort, stating "I was incensed when the Turkish lobby and its allies disrupted the bill in the Senate... It is called justice, and we will get there together." Former Clinton Administration official and leading community activist Mike Mahdesian, who took part in the event, commented on the key role of Armenian Americans in the upcoming presidential race, noting the community presence and activism in key swing states around the country. "This was a great opportunity to speak to Senator Kerry and build on his strong twenty-year relationship with the Armenian American community," commented Mahdesian following the function. "Senator Kerry spoke highly of the efforts of the Armenian National Committee and looks forward to working closely with the Armenian American community on the road to victory in November." Mahdesian served for more than seven years as Deputy for the Bureau of Humanitarian Response at the State Department and US Agency for International Development. During this period, he was integrally involved in the US response to crises in Haiti, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Indonesia, and other trouble spots around the world. A leading group of Armenian American activists joined Hachikian and Mahdesian at the gala event, including ANCA Western Region Chairman Raffi Hamparian, Board Members Aida Dimejian and Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian, United Armenia Fund Executive Director Harout Sassounian, as well as several other long-time ANC supporters. The March 30 event was held at the home of noted Los Angeles businessman Ron Burkle and featured a concert by James Taylor. Among the notable Hollywood stars present at the event were Barbra Streisand, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Michael Keaton, Jason Alexander, Lucy Liu, Sharon Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Christina Applegate, Oliver Stone, Dustin Hoffman and Angelica Huston. Senator Kerry, during his long tenure in the US House and Senate, has consistently been a leading advocate of issues of concern to Armenian Americans. As a US Senator, Kerry has forcefully fought for US recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He is currently a cosponsor of the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164, and he voted, in 1990, on the Senate floor for Senator Bob Dole's (R-KS) Genocide Resolution. The Massachusetts Senator has been a vocal and effective champion of stronger US-Armenia relations and has consistently backed legislative initiative to increase aid and expand trade with Armenia. He is currently a cosponsor of legislation, S.1557, which would grant Armenia permanent normal trade relations status. Senator Kerry has spearheaded a number of initiatives to lift the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. In 1991, he was the lead sponsor of legislation, which was later enacted as Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act that restricted US aid to the government of Azerbaijan until it lifted its blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. He also worked for the adoption of the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which called for US aid to Turkey to be cut off unless Turkey lifted its blockade of Armenia. As recently as this January, Senator Kerry formally called on President Bush to press the visiting Prime Minister of Turkey to lift his nation's illegal blockade of Armenia. First elected in 1984 from Massachusetts, Sen. Kerry is currently serving a fourth term in the US Senate, where he represents one of the largest Armenian American communities. He serves on the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Subcommittee on Central Asia and South Caucasus. The ANCA recently released its Armenian American Presidential Report Card, which gave the Bush Administration generally low marks on fifteen issues of special concern to Armenian American voters. 3) Bush Administration Disowns Three Year-Old Agreement to Maintain Armenia, Azerbaijan Military Aid Parity ASSISTANT SECRETARY ELIZABETH JONES DEFENDS 4 TO 1 MILITARY AID IMBALANCE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN; CLAIMS PARITY AGREEMENT NEVER EXISTED WASHINGTON, DC--The Bush Administration, which, earlier this year proposed breaking its three-year old commitment to maintain parity in US military aid levels to Armenia and Azerbaijan, this week entirely disowned its agreement with Congress and the Armenian American community, claiming that such an arrangement has never existed, reported the Armenian National Committee Of America (ANCA). The State Department outlined its new posture in response to questions directed to Secretary of State Colin Powell by Senator George Allen (R-VA) during a March 2 hearing of the Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Allen's question read, in part: "As part of the 907 waiver, there was an agreement made between the Administration and Congress to continue ensuring military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. How does this budget request not undermine that understanding and not contradict the Administrations previously held position?" Responding for Secretary Powell, Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones wrote: "We do not have a policy that FMF funding levels for Armenia and Azerbaijan should be identical, but we are determined to ensure that our military assistance to these two countries does not alter the military balance between them. We are confident that increased FMF funding for Azerbaijan will not alter the military capability or offensive posture of Azerbaijan, nor will it perturb the military balance between it and Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." Assistant Secretary Jones' comments run contrary to the agreement to maintain equal military aid levels struck in late 2001 between the White House and Congress during negotiations over granting the President the authority to waive Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The agreement was shared with representatives of the Armenian American community during a February 21, 2002 meeting at the White House with National Security Council official Dan Fried and Presidential advisor Karl Rove. In February of this year, as part of its FY 2005 budget, the Bush Administration proposed breaking the parity agreement by sending four times more Foreign Military Financing assistance to Azerbaijan ($8 million) than to Armenia ($2 million). The President's budget also includes a proposed $62 million allocation in economic aid to Armenia, a $13 million decrease from the $75 million approved by Congress as part of the FY 2004 aid bill. "Our deep disappointment with the Administration's failure to honor its three-year old commitment to maintain military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan was compounded this week by the news that a senior State Department official is now claiming that such an agreement never existed in the first place," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "This breach of faith--this disavowal of their own agreement--undermines the confidence of Armenian Americans in the willingness of the Bush Administration to maintain a balanced policy toward Armenia and the surrounding region." In letters and briefing papers provided to Members of Congress, the ANCA has explained that breaking the parity agreement will tilt the regional military balance in favor of Azerbaijan, reward the Azerbaijani government's increasing violent calls for renewed aggression, and undermine the role of the United States as an impartial mediator of the Karabagh talks. 4) New Western Prelacy Parish in Colorado and Rocky Mountains Region Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, and Western Prelacy Religious and Executive Councils welcomed its newest parish, the Armenian Apostolic Church of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains Region. Over the past twenty-five years, Armenians in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains region have grown from only a few families into a vibrant community. From the beginning, the Prelacy has responded to the religious needs of all the Armenian faithful in the area by organizing church services and regularly sending clergy to offer the sacraments and spiritual comfort. The community recently recognized the need to establish a formal parish structure, with the hopes of building a new church in the foreseeable future. A formal request was presented to the Prelacy at the beginning of 2004. The community convened its first membership meeting on March 7. Present at this historic meeting were Reverend Father Vazken Atmajian from Saint Mary's Armenian Church, Glendale, who officially represented Prelate Mardirossian, and Avo Donoyan, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy. Leo Donian was elected as the first delegate to the Representatives Assembly which convened in May 2004. The following parishioners were elected as new Board of Trustees members: Leo Donian, Kalousd Christianian, Kevo Hedeshian, Armen Khadiwala, Misak Nabighian, David Tutunjian, and Vahe Berejiklian. His Eminence appointed Dr. George A. Leylegian, Archdeacon at Saint Gregory Church of San Francisco, as the chaplain of the new parish. 5) Hariri Wraps Up Armenia Visit Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and Armenian President Kocharian met on Friday seeking to boost the modest commercial exchange between the two countries. They also discussed the Middle East and South Caucasus. Hariri and Armenian counterpart Andranik Markarian reviewed the possibility of setting-up an intergovernmental commission on bilateral economic cooperation, with Markarian calling for increased bilateral trade and "mutual investments." He said Armenia has a lot to learn from the Middle Eastern nation's burgeoning tourism and banking industries. Accompanied by cabinet ministers and four ethnic Armenian members of the Lebanese parliament, Hariri visited Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and placed a wreath at the Dzidzernagapert memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. 6) ARF 29th World Congress: Organizational Empowerment And Reinvigoration BY SETO BOYADJIAN, ESQ. Securing organizational prowess is a fundamental preposition in resolutions adopted by the ARF 29th World Congress. Hence, the next quadrennial will constitute a period of organizational renewal and reinvigoration, as well as organizational empowerment and rejuvenation. This objective is premised on two propositions. The first, organizational renewal and reinvigoration (see Asbarez, Saturday, March 26, 2004), mainly involves the internal structure of the party. The second, organizational empowerment and rejuvenation, takes into account the extra-organizational environment. While the first proposition deals with the potential of ARF's membership, the second targets the potential of the Armenian people. It is of course difficult to make clear distinctions and precise divisions of labor between the two, because both propositions have one specific goalARF's organizational prowess. Thus, in view of their functions, the two propositions not only complement each other, but also overlap. The World Congress resolutions about organizational empowerment and rejuvenation focus mainly on the outside, extra-organizational environmentARF sympathizers and the Armenian people in general. In this respect, the resolutions chart three basic tasks: - To broaden the base of ARF sympathizers, - To recruit the able manpower outside the ARF organization; and, - To recruit the young elements of the society. The first two of these tasks will proceed in the following three directions: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ARF UNDERTAKINGS The Armenian woman cannot be apart from ARF activities. With her abilities, skills, and commitment, the participation and assistance of the Armenian woman will make a difference and enhance overall ARF programs. Therefore, the party shall increase the importance and prominence of women, by advancing them in public life, and emphasizing her proactive presence within the organization. This assertion is not new to the ARF. From the very first day of ARF's founding, the Armenian woman has been an active participant in the organization's revolutionary, political, and propaganda activities. After the 1920's, Diaspora conditions and restrictions of communist rule in the homeland, unfortunately, curtailed her full participation. However, present day imperatives require that Armenian women assert themselves in public service and assume public mission. THE ROLE OF THE INTELLECTUALS IN PARTY ACTIVITIES There are many factors that prevent intellectuals from participating in ARF's daily organizational activities. The active participation of qualified intellectuals in national and organization works of the ARF is, nevertheless, vital. Of course, the eradication of those negative factors is the best guarantee for their return. To this end, ARF executive bodies and ranks must display more understanding and receptive behavior toward our intellectuals. And because the ARF, in pursuit of its objectives, requires innovative programs, experts, unique methods, and intelligence, proper implementation, the intellectual becomes the key in fulfilling these needs. RECRUITMENT OF WORKING AND PRODUCING CLASS INTO THE ARF STRUCTURES The focal point of ARF's national and social creed has been the working and producing segments of Armenian society. Moreover, these segments have been one of the pillars of ARF's popular base. Along with the pursuit of national interests, the ARF also fights for the betterment of the socio-economic conditions of the Armenian people. Thus these segments are the initial beneficiaries of that fight. Without their active presence and participation, ARF's work for national and social objectives would be incomplete. Hence, not only should these segments of Armenian society receive those benefits, but they should also join ARF structures and actively engage in overall ARF activities. RECRUITMENT OF THE YOUNG GENERATION This task is intended to fulfill the requirement of organizational rejuvenation. Naturally, this requirement cannot be self-serving. Its achievement is a necessary imperative for the expansion and modernization of ARF's action plan in the political arena and other areas. Therefore, the age factor alone is not the necessary component here. Rejuvenation primarily relates to the state of mind, style of work, and modern ways and means imposed by the demands of the 21st Century. The nature and extent of ARF work must undergo changes that correspond to the developing conditions taking place both within and outside the party organization. To keep pace with current times and conditions, the party must develop a corresponding state of mind, adopt a corresponding work style, and appropriate corresponding ways and means. Thus, in view of modern times and conditions, the ARF 29th World Congress affirms that these new demands and changes "make organizational rejuvenation a strategic priority." As for targeted organizational rejuvenation, it can take shape and form only by a cognizant, specialized, and committed young generation. The enhancement of organizational strength has always been a built-in mechanism within ARF's structure. That's why the foregoing tasks and direction for the achievement of organizational empowerment and rejuvenation are not novel approaches for the ARF. In its first official declaration the ARF Manifesto, published in 1890, the party underscored the importance and necessity of the alliance of the Armenian women, intellectuals, workingmen, and the young generation. Present conditions of the homeland and the Diaspora make the creation of that alliance as compelling and necessary as ever. Yet, that alliance cannot come about with the formulation of wishes and opinions into resolutions. The World Congress has taken the necessary initial step in the right direction by adopting the pertinent resolutions. It is now up to ARF executive bodies and ranks to take serious steps to implement those resolutions as instructed. 7) Skeptik's Great American VacationA National Lampoon BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN I'm not a fan of Gore Vidal. Come to think of it, I'm not a fan of anyone named Gore, except for that Armenian singer Gor Mkhitarian. And the only Vidal I like was a Sassountsi as far as I'm concerned. But the other day as I watched footage of the President and Senator Kerry raising money at different events, I remembered a quote from Gore Vidal. He said "The more money an American accumulates, the less interesting he becomes." I'm going to paraphrase that and then copyright it and say "The more money is raised in a campaign, the less interesting it becomes." Looking at the figures of how much Kerry and Bush have raised, I yelped like Howard Dean at a campaign rally. Putting aside the ridiculous statistic that Bush has out raised Kerry 3 to 1, their combined campaign war chests exceed the combined gross domestic product of the world's six poorest nations. Bush has amassed a 158.8 million dollars and Kerry has collected 41.4 million dollars. (It's important to note however that all of the Democratic candidates collectively have raised 201.8 million dollars.) All of this information is available online at Here's the real kicker though. What bugs me the most about the gargantuan amount of money raised so far is that it really hasn't elevated the level of debate in the campaigns, nor has it prompted the press to focus on the real issues. Now maybe that will change after the Democratic and Republican conventions, but I have a feeling that we'll still be forced to watch inane late night news magazine specials on what a loving caring mother Laura Bush is, and a very special special on how Kerry met Theresa Heinz. Meanwhile gas prices continue to rise, the environment is being raped, American troops still have no exit plan, we've run up the worst deficit in decades, jobs are being lost at home, Armenia's foreign aid is cut every year Bush is in office, Azerbaijan is arming itself thanks to my tax dollars, and the reaffirmation of the Genocide by the US is not even an afterthought in the President's mind. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. And instead of focusing on real issues, we have to watch Bush and Kerry thump their chests to see who's the bigger war hero. One guy has a legitimate record of service in an amoral war while the other is attacking countries with the ferocity of a child with Attention Deficit Disorder. You know what issue I would like to have discussed? (Aside from aid to Armenia, Artsakh's independence, the Armenian Genocide and sanctions against Turkey and Azerbaijan). Vacations! I want serious debate between the candidates and in the media about policies regarding vacations, and I'll tell you why. As I felt burned out from work this week, I watched as my neighbor's kids ride around the block on their bikes and I remembered how great it was to be a kid. The best part about being a kid was going on vacationstaking weeks off from school in the Spring, and Winter, and having the entire Summer off. Is there anything better than that? Well, it's been so long, I wouldn't know. But if I wanted to know, I should ask Senator Kerry and President Bush. Kerry isn't even President yet and he's snowboarding in Idahocutting powder like George W. Bush in college. Wait, that was a totally different kind of powder. My bad. I read an interesting statistic that I wanted to share with the rest of you. In August of 2003, the Washington Post reported that President Bush has spent all or part of a total 166 days during his tenure as President, at his ranch in Crawford, Texas or en route to the ranch. Combine this time with the time that he spent at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, and at various Bush family estates, and he has taken 250 days off as of August 2003. That's 27% of his presidency spent on vacation. By the way, most people I know have to work at least one year at any job before they quality for one week (7 days) vacation. ONE WEEK! In Europe, everyone from the guy flipping hamburgers to the assistant to the CEO of corporations, gets at least three to four weeks off paid vacation. Even the workaholic Germans take month long vacations. So if we're working so hard, how come the Euro keeps kicking our ass? I'm not an economist and I'm sure someone could give me a very detailed and dull answer. At the end of it, I still wouldn't have a month paid vacation. Can you imagine how relaxed we would be as a nation if everyone received a month of paid vacation? Its too late for me, I'm old. But to all of you out there raising children today, I want to give you some advice. Raise them to run for President. They'll be millionaires and have months upon months of vacation time. Just make sure that when they do become rich and decide to run this country (hopefully, not into the ground), that they will still be interesting. --------- SKEPTIK SINIKIAN hasn't been on vacation since the first Bush administration. He hopes one day to save up enough vacation days to visit exotic places like North Hollywood or Toluca Lake. Until then, he and his fellow tax payers will continue to pay for the President Bush's and Senator Kerry's vacations. Skeptik can be reached at [email protected]. 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.