ASBAREZ ONLINE [05-14-2004]

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05/14/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Putin, Kocharian Discuss Economic Ties 2) Some 1,000 Georgians Eager to Move to Tsalka 3) Pennsylvania House Passes Armenian Genocide Resolution 4) Ferrahian Celebrates 40th Anniversary 1) Putin, Kocharian Discuss Economic Ties (AP/Itar-Tass)--Boosting trade between the two former Soviet republics topped the agenda at Friday's meeting between Armenian President Robert Kocharian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Putin noted that trade has increased 34 percent in recent years. "This is a record indicator that we are moving in the right direction." Kocharian recalled last year's major agreement that gave Russia financial control over Armenia's sole nuclear power plant, in exchange for the cancellation of $40 million dollar debts to Russian nuclear fuel suppliers. The start of true economic cooperation came with that "major equity-for-debt agreement," Kocharian said. "I would like to say with utmost confidence that we started and are moving together on all issues." The meeting took place on the second day of Kocharian's working visit to Moscow that included meetings with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and the chief executive of the Gazprom natural gas giant, Aleksei Miller. Kocharian welcomed the increased bilateral commercial ties of recent years, saying, "Until recently, we only talked about military cooperation while mentioning that economic interaction is lagging. Now I can state with full confidence that we began to move in all directions at a very even pace; it serves as a very serious impetus to effective cooperation and diversification." 2) Some 1,000 Georgians Eager to Move to Tsalka TBILISI (Armenpress/Civil.GE)--The Georgian ministry of refugees and resettlement reported that approximately 1000 applications have been submitted by Georgian families wishing to relocate to Georgia's Tsalka district. 150-strong unit of Interior Troops were dispatched to the southern multi-ethnic district of Tsalka on May 11, following clashes between local ethnic Armenians and Georgians on May 9. Several people were reportedly injured. Ethnic Armenians comprise 57% of population of Tsalka district in the Kvemo Kartli region, which has a population of around 20,000, according to the Georgian department of statistics; 4,500 ethnic Greeks, 2,500 ethnic Georgians, and up to 2,000 Azeris live in the Tsalka district. Local officials had described the clashes between ethnic Georgians and Armenians sporadic "communal violence," which has flared-up in the past several years. 3) Pennsylvania House Passes Armenian Genocide Resolution PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL COMMEMORATES FIRST GENOCIDE OF 20TH CENTURY HARRISBURG (ANC-PA)--The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution designating April 24, 2004 "Pennsylvania's Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." Representative Daylin Leach (D) and 56 co-sponsors introduced Pennsylvania House Resolution No. 593 (HR593). "The Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania thanks Rep. Leach for his leadership in introducing this resolution. We also commend the House of Representatives for their unwavering commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to honor the memories of the victims whose descendants are citizens of the Commonwealth," said ANC Pennsylvania co-chairman Dr. Ara Chalian. "The ANC of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General Assembly have an enduring relationship that spans nearly twenty years. We look forward to continue working closely with Rep. Leach and others who take an active role in supporting the issues of the Armenian American community." The resolution identifies the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrators of a genocide that claimed the lives of one and a half million Armenian men, women, and children from 1915 to 1923. It also acknowledges that modern Turkey continues to deny and distort the facts of the Armenian Genocide. Through this resolution, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirms its commitment to condemn atrocities, such as the Armenian Genocide, and to prevent similar crimes against humanity from occurring again. This is the second consecutive year that the first-term legislator has introduced an Armenian Genocide resolution. Rep. Leach, whose wife is of Armenian descent, represents a district which includes a large Armenian American constituency, two Armenian churches, and the Armenian Sisters Academy. "It is important that we never forget the atrocities visited upon the Armenian People in the last century," stated Rep. Leach. "It is only by remembering the past that we can recognize the gathering warning signs of new oppression. As long as I am in the legislature, I can assure you that no one will forget the struggle of the Armenian People," concluded Rep. Leach. In addition to the Pennsylvania House Resolution, the Pittsburgh City Council passed a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 "A Day of Remembrance" for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The City Proclamation was introduced and spearheaded by Councilman Douglas Shields, and was co-sponsored by Council President Gene Ricciardi and Council members Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, and Sala Udin. "On behalf of the Pittsburgh area Armenian-American community, I would like to thank Councilman Doug Shields and the City Council for observing the Armenian Genocide," stated ANC activist Rostom Sarkissian, who resides in Pittsburgh. "This proclamation and others like it not only honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but they also send a strong message to the Turkish government that continued denial of this Genocide can no longer be a state-sponsored policy. Time has come for Turkey to join the international community in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide for what it wasgenocide," concluded Sarkissian. The ANC-PA urges all Pennsylvania Armenians to contact their State Representative to thank them for passing HR593 and the Pittsburgh City Council for their "A Day of Remembrance" Proclamation. 4) Ferrahian Celebrates 40th Anniversary ENCINO-- Over 700 people--alumni, past and present students, parents, and faculty and staff--gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Armenian School in the United States--Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary and Ferrahian High School. The May 2 event served to honor faculty members and teachers who have dedicated over 15 years to the school for their exceptional contributions. Former students praised the school not only for the level of education it provides, but also for preserving and passing on Armenian language, history, and culture to successive generations. The school's founder Gabriel Injejikian delivered a heartfelt address, praising the school's achievements and encouraging a continued path toward similar success. 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