ASBAREZ Online [07-09-2004]

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07/09/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Demonstration Planned Against Turkish Prime Minister in Paris 2. Youth Priority in ARF CC and Archbishop Mardirossian Meeting 3. South Ossetia Releases Georgian Peacekeepers 4. OSCE Accused of Meddling in Armenia's Affairs 5. 'Armenians for Kerry' House Parties Across The Nation 6. A Year in The Life of Rose Alex Pilibos School 7. Glendale ANC, Community Leaders Welcome New GUSD Superintendent Escalante 8. Art Exhibit A LIGHT WITHIN 9. Five Armenian Chess-Players Rank Among FIDE's Top 100 List 1. Demonstration Planned Against Turkish Prime Minister in Paris Organized By ARF And ADL of France, with Support of French-Armenian Coordinating Council PARIS (Gamkonline)--In view of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to France, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Armenian Democratic League (Ramgavar party) have called on French Armenians to participate in a mass demonstration against Turkeys' genocidal and denialist policies, on Tuesday, July 20, at Place du Trocadero (Human Rights Square) in Paris. In their announcement of the demonstration, the organized stated that the undertaking has the support of the Paris and Rhône-Alpes French-Armenian Coordinating Council as well as the Representative Council of Marseilles Armenian Associations. Prime Minister Erdogan will be in Paris July 19-20, after visiting Germany and Holland, in an attempt to secure France's support in December 2004 for beginning talks regarding Turkey's accession to the European Union. "At a time when French public opinion is negatively disposed toward Turkey's accession the Union, particularly because of Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide, we cannot accept the French people might be confronted by a decision that is unacceptable to them," the organizers stated in their announcement. "We cannot accept that genocidal and denialist Turkey might join a Europe of memory and human rights. We cannot accept that a Turkish Premier will wage, right before our eyes, a campaign of disinformation, to which acquiescent media outlets will give wide coverage." French President Jacques Chirac will cast a decisive vote on behalf of France in December regarding Turkey's accession. In the meantime, Turkey has undertaken a massive public relations campaign in an attempt to show that it meets the European Council's Copenhagen Criteria for accessionwithout, however, meeting the conditions set forth by the 18 June 1987 decision of the European Parliament, which recognized the Armenian Genocide and called on Turkey to do the same. 2. Youth Priority in ARF CC and Archbishop Mardirossian Meeting A delegation representing the ARF Central Committee of the Western US paid an official visit to the Armenian Prelacy on Wednesday, July 7, to congratulate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian on his recent re-election as Prelate, for a third term, by the National Representative Assembly. The ARF delegation was headed by CC Representative Hovig Saliba. Also present at the meeting were members of the Prelacy Executive Council, whom the ARF reps congratulated on their election as well, wishing them continued success. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on issues of concern to both the Church and community organizations. Discussions centered on bringing Armenian-American youth closer to the Church and other national institutions, and in doing so to collaborate and coordinate efforts, particularly in light of their shared goal of preserving Armenian identity and enlisting the potential of the youth in the service of the Armenian people. The Prelate and Executive Council members welcomed this initiative. The delegation, in turn, reaffirmed both its deep confidence in the Prelate and Council and its willingness to continue the mutual cooperation and coordinated work in order to ensure the success of the Prelacy's undertakings. 3. South Ossetia Releases Georgian Peacekeepers Prague (RFE-RL)--Separatist forces in South Ossetia on Friday freed dozens of Georgian peacekeepers, a day after detaining and disarming them. Irina Gagloeva, a spokeswoman for the South Ossetian government, said 35 of the 38 peacekeepers were turned over to Georgian officials at a checkpoint in a village just south of the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, at midday. Gagloeva said three peacekeepers remain in custody, accused of unspecified "grave crimes." But Mikheil Kebadze, the commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in South Ossetia stated that 36 peacekeepers were captured initially and that all have been released: "The first group of 32 were handed over to us, while four soldiers still remained hostage," Kebadze said. "But five minutes later, they gave us those four, as well. So, all 36 of the detained soldiers were released. [Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli] Okruashvili was waiting for them. They were put into buses and driven away. To where, I don't know. The soldiers were released without any conditions, as had been agreed." The Interior Ministry troops were seized when armed men entered the South Ossetian village of Vanati--east of Tskhinvali and populated by ethnic Georgians--and disarmed members of a peacekeeping force stationed there. The capture of the troops and videotape of them--shown on Russian television--kneeling in front of South Ossetian soldiers have further raised tensions in the region. Since his election in January, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has secured the removal of the leader of another fractious region, Ajaria, and has now set his sights on restoring central rule in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a breakaway region on the Black Sea. South Ossetia declared independence from Tbilisi after it fought a short civil war with Russian support in the early 1990s. Tensions had already been high since Georgia sent troops to protect antismuggling checkpoints in South Ossetia last month. The atmosphere worsened on Wednesday when Georgian troops seized a convoy they said was carrying rocket launchers intended for separatists. Russia said the weapons were meant for its peacekeeping troops. Saakashvili today cut short a state visit to Iran and returned to Tbilisi, where he headed into a meeting with his security ministers. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania had earlier described the raid on Vanati as an "insolent provocation implemented personally by Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoity." Kokoity's chief of staff, Eduard Kotayev, said on Thursday that those captured were not members of the peacekeeping force and that they had been captured in a zone manned by Russian peacekeepers. But the secretary of Georgia's National Security Council, Gela Bezhuashvili, said the capture of the Georgian peacekeepers was meant to preserve Kokoity's authority. "Kokoity's illegal government is losing support among its own people because [Kokoity] is acting against his own people," Bezhuashvili said. "He is making his own people hostage of his actions and in that way seeks to preserve his own authority." Aleksandr Yakovenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on 8 July urged both sides to show maximum restraint. In Washington on Thursday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called for the soldiers' immediate release and said the United States condemned the incident. "We are encouraging all sides to work towards the immediate release of the hostages and to take steps to reduce tensions," Boucher said. "We think that intensified dialogue is the best way to a peaceful solution that ensures Georgia's territorial integrity and avoids further violence." Moscow aligns itself with the international view that both South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgian territory. But it has often backed the two provinces in disputes with Tbilisi and has granted many of their people Russian citizenship. 4. OSCE Accused of Meddling in Armenia's Affairs VIENNA (RFE-RL)--Armenia has joined Russia and seven other ex-Soviet states in accusing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of unjustly meddling in their internal affairs. In a joint statement circulated at the OSCE's governing Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, they complained that the 55-nation security organization, of which they are all members, spends too much time monitoring elections and human rights in the Commonwealth of Independent States. "In part (the OSCE) does not respect such fundamental principles...as non-interference in internal affairs and respect of national sovereignty," said the statement signed by Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. "It is of concern that OSCE field missions focus not on their mandated role to help the authorities of the receiving state..., but exclusively on monitoring human rights and democratic institutions," it added. "The document did not come out of thin air," the spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Hamlet Gasparian, said on Friday. "There has long been concern about the OSCE and a need for reform inside the OSCE." Gasparian claimed that the OSCE "sometimes" acts beyond the framework of its responsibilities in the former Soviet Union. "Whenever a certain organization oversteps that boundary that is considered an interference in internal affairs," he said. The criticism was apparently initiated by the biggest and most influential CIS country, Russia. It has long accused the OSCE of applying double standards to its member. Moscow is in particular unhappy with OSCE observers' criticism of President Vladimir Putin's landslide reelection last March. Other signatories of the statement, notably Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have long been ruled by autocratic leaders who are regularly denounced as gross human rights offenders by international non-governmental watchdogs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The OSCE has monitored the presidential and parliamentary elections held in Armenia since independence and did not judge any of them to be democratic. Its observers reported numerous instances of serious fraud such as ballot stuffing and miscounting during last year's Armenian presidential vote. Also, the OSCE's permanent office in Armenia has repeatedly criticized the Armenian authorities' human rights record. It described as politically motivated the arrests of several prominent opposition figures during the recent campaign of anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan and helped to secure their release. "We are not saying that human rights are not important," Gasparian said. "We are talking about unbalanced approaches during electoral processes. There is a misbalance of importance attached by the OSCE to various spheres and there is inequality in its assessment of countries." The Russian head of the OSCE office, Vladimir Pryakhin, declined on Friday to comment on the CIS criticism of his organization. Reacting to the statement, the European Union and the United States missions to OSCE argued that human rights and rule-of-law issues can not be considered internal affairs, the Associated Press reported. In a statement issued by the Netherlands, which holds the rotating EU presidency, the union said it will reflect on the issues raised by Russia and the others but added that it has "serious concern about certain elements of the declaration." Armenia committed itself to even stricter standards of democracy and human rights when it joined the Council of Europe in 2001. In addition, Armenian leaders announced last March that they are ready to assume additional obligations on political reform in order to forge closer ties with the EU. 5. 'Armenians for Kerry' House Parties Across The Nation WASHINGTON, DCGrassroots "Armenians for Kerry" committees joined over 1,100 homes nationwide in organizing events for the National John Kerry House Party Day on June 26. The events constituted one of the largest coordinated grassroots fundraising efforts for a presidential candidate in American history. "Armenians for Kerry" hosted seven house parties in communities large and small across the United StatesArizona, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey. Each of the house parties was able to go onto a conference call with Kerry who described his vision for the future of America. Previously, Armenian Democrats and supporters had joined together in Arlington, Virginia for a House Party in May, bringing together activists from the Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Southern Maryland. Kerry for President Ethnic Outreach Coordinator George Kivork offered remarks at the Virginia gathering. Fundraising at these events was coordinate through the ArmeniansforKerry.com website that tracks and credits donations to the Kerry campaign from Armenian American contributors. "I was excited to see the high turnout at our House Party and am increasingly encouraged by the growing Armenian interest in the Kerry campaign by Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans," said New England "Armenians for Kerry" coordinator Sevag Arzoumanian. "When Armenian American voters take a moment to contrast the Bush Administration's terrible record with Senator Kerry's twenty-year track record of fighting for Armenian American issues, they see that their choice is clear. Armenian Americans will go to the polls in record numbers this November 2nd to help elect John Kerry as our next President." In Watertown, Massachusetts, the Greater Boston "Armenians for Kerry" committee hosted a casual yet informative event at the home of the Arzoumanian family. Sevag Arzoumanian and Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Chairman Dikran Kaligian addressed the importance of supporting Kerry's bid for the presidency, and the unprecedented opportunity his candidacy offers to advance Armenian American issues, and strengthen US-Armenia relations. Guests had the opportunity to register to vote and to sign-up as volunteers for the John Kerry campaign. They were also told of upcoming events, including plans by New England "Armenians for Kerry" committees to hold "Armenstock" an Armenian music festival at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA on August 28. Burbank Board of Education Vice President Paul Krekorian and his wife Tamar hosted the "Armenians for Kerry" House Party in Southern California. The reception featured Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who spoke ardently about Kerry's strong record on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. "Here in California and across the country, Armenian Americans are standing up proudly today in support of John Kerry," explained Krekorian. "The extraordinary outpouring of grassroots support at events like these demonstrates that Armenian Americans clearly understand what is at stake in this election. We have a historic choice this November. Senator Kerry offers an unblemished pro-Armenian record and the prospect of the most pro-Armenian administration since Woodrow Wilson. The Bush-Cheney team, on the other hand, offers only the threat of four more years of unrelenting neglect of, and outright assault on, the issues, interests, and values that are most important to our nation's citizens of Armenian heritage." Guests at the "Armenians for Kerry" House Party in Ridgewood, New discussed the impact a Kerry election would have on Armenian Americans. They reviewed Kerry's long record of support on Armenian American issues and discussed his recent statements on the Armenian Genocide and the 86th Anniversary of the founding of the First Armenian Republic. "Armenians for Kerry" chapters across the US have also been meeting with local Kerry campaign leaders and coordinating participation in the campaign's grassroots and get-out-the-vote activities. Some 20 chapters of "Armenians for Kerry" have already organized additional chapters that are in the formative stages. For more information about "Armenians for Kerry" and Senator Kerry's record on Armenian American issues, visit "Armenians for Kerry" works in partnership with the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC), a long-standing ethnic council of the Democratic National Committee's National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee. The AADLC actively fosters support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders, while promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public policy process. 6. A Year in The Life of Rose Alex Pilibos School By Sanan Haroun 11th Grade The 2003-2004 academic year was a very dynamic one for Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, with students participating in all sorts of new and fun activitiesfrom the annual Science Fair to visiting Armenia, and also making major athletic achievements. Students and teachers devoted a lot of energy and long hours to make this school year a success. Let's take a quick glance at life on North Alexandria Street. STUDENT COUNCIL Every year in the month of June, students take part in an election to choose the members of next school year's Student Council. Our Student Council, composed of two delegates from each class of sixth grade and higher, as well as an elected cabinet, worked on a number of events to make the school year active, fun, and enjoyable. Throughout the year, the Council organized Friday night dances, debates on current affairs, an amusing lip-synching contest, and a special Valentine's Day gift sale. A new event this year offered the opportunity to observe May 28 Armenian Independence Day, with a celebration of Armenian culture with music, food, and even dancing. In addition to the two-on-two basketball and backgammon competitions, the Student Council even managed to bring a water dunking booth and a huge slide to the campus. SCIENCE FAIR Another outstanding event was the science department's annual Science Fair. Student projects were based on conducted experiments and the scientific method. Through experimentation, the projects sought to answer such questions as "Which household window cleaner is best?" and "Which gum flavor lasts the longest?" Just in case you are wondering, according to scientific studies done by Pilibos students, the Winter Fresh gum's flavor will last the longest. . . Students, therefore, got to learn about science-related resources outside of the classroom and in daily life. SCIENCE QUIZ BOWL In February, Pilibos students also participated in the 2004 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Science Quiz Bowl. The Quiz Bowl consisted of two sections, a question and answer contest, and a "hands-on" scientific trials competition. Among eleven thousand students from throughout the country, nine Pilibos students participated in the regional competitions. They sacrificed many lunch hours to prepare for the event; it obviously paid off. ACADEMIC PENTATHLON, DECATHLON Having general knowledge is important to everyone right? That's exactly why Pilibos gives students an option to enter the Southern California Private Schools Academic Pentathlon and Decathlon. Regardless of their GPA, students can enter the two competitions to participate in the scholastic activity. In both the Pentathlon and the Decathlon, nine students in allthree A, three B, and three C averagingtook part in learning various subjects. In the Pentathlon for middle-school students, each of the nine students was given five subjects: science, math, an essay section, literature, and a super-quiz round. For seventh graders, the super-quiz subject was African History; for eighth graders, United States History. Each of the nine High School students participating in the Decathlon had to study to prepare for ten areas: art, music, math, economics, language and literature, speech, an essay section, an interview section, science, and a super-quiz round. The super-quiz round for the High School students this year was the Journey of Louis and Clark. The journey to prepare for the challenge began in September for Pilibos students, and ran until early spring. Each and every day, and even on Saturdays, information was crammed into their heads for hours on end. Even over Christmas break, teachers and students alike left their cozy, warm homes to come to school instead to prepare for this event. The challenge proved to be rewarding. Pilibos students came out victorious, placing first place in their division and third in the overall rankings. MODEL UNITED NATIONS This year the United Nations (UN) came to Pilibos for the first time. Twenty-two Pilibos students represented the People's Republic of Korea at the Model UN which took place at the University of California, Berkeley in March. Each year approximately 200,000 high school and university students worldwide take part in a variety of Model UN programs. Throughout the weekend, students partook in a variety of issues and discussions, and had the opportunity to also represent the Palestinian Minister of Security Affairs and the International Monetary Fund Governor for the Russian Federation. They drafted resolutions and delivered a position on diplomatic actions during the model session. Pilibos earned a commendation in the United Nation Drug Control Policy Committee (UNDCP). As a diplomatic treat, after debating all day long, students toured San Francisco. THE SOCIAL ELEMENT Life at Pilibos is not just academics, however; social events allow students to hang out and kick back in a fun atmosphere. The annual Winter Formal and Prom (with a French theme this year) for instance, proved to be a blast. Students danced, ate and mingleduntil early hours of the morningall with chaperones, of course. ATHLETICS Pilibos excelled in athletics as well; the Girl's Varsity Volleyball team, Boy's and Girl's Varsity Basketball teams, and the Boy's Varsity Soccer team made the 2003-2004 regional playoffs this year. Dedication, commitment, and plenty of sweat produced great results. Though competitions were fierce, Pilibos athletes were unstoppable. Let's not forget to mention the Cheerleaders and Drill Team members who made the half-time of basketball games entertaining with their cheers, stunts and, choreographed dances. Over 30 high school girls spent most of their after-school hours in the gym perfecting their maneuvers that ended up looking great during show-time. ARMENIA In April, the 12th grade graduating class went on a remarkable and treasured journey to Hayastan and Artsakh. Throughout their life, and especially at Pilibos, the students learn about their country and ethnicity through textbooks, classes, and photographs; the trip enabled them to see and experience the homeland first hand. They met His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzeen, descended down the steps of Khor Virab Monastery, visited military bases in Artsakh, and even managed to bring home a few gifts for the school's new library. Their trip was amazing; word has it they are all planning to return to Hayastan next year. NEW LIBRARY This year one phenomenon at Pilibos was the opening of the new and high-tech library. Nowadays, students have a great environment and atmosphere in which to study, research, and even read for funwith all sorts of resources at hand. The library includes state-of-the-art electronic catalog system and a check-in/check-out system. In addition to these technologies, the Pilibos library also carries top of the line computers, allowing students to use the electronic catalog, research on the web, or use useful programs. Now, there is a quiet environment outside of the classroom walls, where students can explore the Internet for useful information, learn, and even cram for tests and exams. Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School allows students to make their academic years and learning experience fun-filled, useful, and memorable. With a lot of events going on, the students and teachers definitely need a summertime break. However, Pilibos will be back in session this September for the 2004-2005 school yearso stay tuned for more exciting and fun events. 7. Glendale ANC, Community Leaders Welcome New GUSD Superintendent Escalante GLENDALENewly selected GUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Escalante had the opportunity on June 24 to meet and get to know area Armenian civic and business leaders, during a reception held in his honor by the Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter. In addition to Glendale Councilman Rafi Manoukian, many leaders in the field of education also attended the reception, including GUSD Assistant Superintendent Alice Petrossian, GUSD Board President Greg Krikorian, and Glendale College Board of Trustees members Dr. Armine Hacopian and Ara James Najarian. It also provided Escalante his first opportunity to become acquainted with not only representatives of area Armenian organizations including the Armenian National Committee, the Armenian Relief Society, and Homenetmen, but also with Glendale City department heads and board members of Armenian descent. "I have been to many receptions over the years," said Escalante, "but I have to say that this is by far the most professional and elegant one I have ever been a part of, and I can't thank you enough for opening your doors to me the way that you have." Glendale ANC chairman Artin Manoukian welcomed Escalante to his new position, "We have a fantastic school district, and I am certain that he will maintain the district's stellar reputation. We look forward to being a resource to Dr. Escalante for issues concerning the tens of thousands of Armenian students in the district." Prior to accepting the position of Superintendent at GUSD, Escalante served as Superintendent of the Fullerton school district. Under his leadership, the Fullerton district was able to establish new technology networks for all schools, pass a $68 million general obligation bond for facilities, build new school site facilities and modernize existing buildings, formulate policy on the fair share of developers toward new facility costs, design and implement a district-wide instructional initiative to improve teacher instruction and student achievement, and reduce district overhead by $1.5 million annually in centralized services, so funding could be directed into classrooms. Escalante holds an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a MA degree in educational administration from Loyola Marymount University, and a BA degree in history and industrial arts from San Diego State University. His career in public education began in 1973 as an elementary teacher in the Hawthorne School District, where he also taught English as a second language to adult learners. 8. Art Exhibit A LIGHT WITHIN July 9 to 11, Homenetmen Glendale 'Ararat' Chapter Hall A Light Within exhibits the works of five talented Armenian women artists, each displaying a personal uniqueness with a feminine touch. The exhibit features a collection of images from multiple sources, backgrounds, and emotions, with each work telling a different story. The artwork of Adana, Alina, Lara, Armineh and Alenoush are diverse, yet connect through a strong, ambitious light which can only emerge from within. The exhibit runs Friday through Sunday, July 9 to 11 at the Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter's Baghdasarian-Shahinian Hall. For further information visit <;, or call (323) 256-2564 weekdays after 2:00 pm Exhibit address 3347 N. San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, California. 9. Five Armenian Chess-Players Rank Among FIDE's Top 100 List YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--On July 1, FIDE published its rankings of the finest chess-players of the world. Leading the list was Garri Kasparov with an individual rating of 2817. Kasparov was followed by Viswanathan Anand (India, individual rating of 2782), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, 2770), Alexander Morozevich (Russia, 2743), Peter Leco (Hungary, 2741), Michael Adams (England, 2738), Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria, 2737), Hudit Polgar (Hungary, 2728), Peter Svidler (Russia, 2727) and Alexey Shirov (Spain, 2725). Vladimir Hakobian of Armenia, with an individuals rating of 2692, ranks 17th of the list. Four others representing Armenia--Levon Aronian (32nd, 2671), Rafael Vahanian (53rd, 2642), Smbat Lputian, (60th, 2634) and Gabriel Sargsian (88th, 2617)--also made it to the top 100 list. Female Armenian chess champion, Elina Danielian, with a rating of 2430, was ranked 31st in the Women's top 100 list. Hudit Polgar of Hungary was at the top of the list with a rating of 2728. 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. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress