ASBAREZ Online [07-22-2004]

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07/22/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Local ANC Chapters Praise Congressman Schiff for Genocide Amendment 2. Ambassador Ordway Addresses Armenia's Press Before Departure 3. Georgian Foreign Minister Ends Visits, Meets 4. Eduard Oganessian Dies 5. ARF Bureau Extends Condolences 6. Hai Katch Do Students Garner Awards 7. NEWS BRIEFS 1. Local ANC Chapters Praise Congressman Schiff for Genocide Amendment Armenian-Americans Activists Criticize Congressional Leaders for Capitulating to a Foreign Government Los AngelesA powerful coalition of Armenian Americans expressed their strong support over the weekend for Congressman Adam Schiff who authored an Armenian Genocide Amendment that was passed by the US House of Representatives last week, announced the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR). The amendment prevents Turkey from spending US foreign aid dollars against legislation pending in Congress that recognizes the Armenian Genocide. "Our ANC chapters stand united with Congressman Schiff in his effort to ensure that US taxpayer dollars are not used by Turkey to deny the Armenian Genocide," commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. "Our local ANC chapters stand ready to fight the stated intention of the Republican Leadership in Congress and the White House to strike the Schiff Amendment language when the foreign aid bill goes to conference," he added. Kassakhian referred to the joint statement by House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO). The Republican Leadership released a statement that read: "We are strongly opposed to the Schiff Amendment... we will insist that conferees drop that provision in conference. We have contacted the Bush Administration, and they have indicated their strong opposition... Turkey has been a reliable ally of the United States for decades... our mutual economic and security relationship rests should not be disrupted by this amendment. Our relationship with Turkey is too important to us to allow it to be in any way damaged by a poorly crafted and ultimately meaningless amendment. Furthermore, we have no intention of scheduling H. Res. 193... during the remainder of this Congress." "Ronald Reagan was the last President to properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide," explained Burbank ANC Chair Peter Musurlian. "The late Presidenta hero to many Armenian American Republicanswould be ashamed at what is taking place on Capitol Hill, with the House leadership's refusal to allow a vote on moral clarity." Glendale ANC Chair Pierre Charaghchian added, "The opposition to the Schiff Amendment by Republican leaders in Congress is sad. Sad because it shows how much influence the Republic of Turkey, a foreign government, has over some Members of Congress." The leaders of the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and La Crescenta Armenian National Committee chapters praised Schiff for successfully securing passage of his amendment. The Schiff Amendment was adopted by voice vote during consideration of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2005 on Thursday, July 15, 2004. The foreign aid bill was later passed by a vote of 365 to 41. "Armenian Americans in Pasadena are proud to have Congressman Schiff spearhead the effort to properly recognize the first Genocide of the 20th Century," stressed Pasadena ANC Chair Shahan Stepanian. "We are ready to mobilize the community and ensure that the Amendment passes through the joint House-Senate Conference Committee." "It is unfortunate that our Congressional leaders fail to demonstrate moral clarity on the issue of genocide recognition and prevention. Eventually, public policy will catch up to the truth and we will not let a few select politicians change America's proud response to the Armenian Genocide," stated La Crescenta ANC Chair Sarkis Tchakian. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns and interests of the Armenian American community. For the latest news and action alerts log onto <; 2. Ambassador Ordway Addresses Armenia's Press Before Departure YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--John M. Ordway who has served as the US Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia since November 2001, held his last press briefing in Armenia on July 22, before finishing his diplomatic mission there. Speaking of Armenia-US relations in the past years, he noted shortcomings, but said that on the whole, relations have been positive, and that further improvement of relations would depend on developments in Armenia and the region. "I am sure that the interests shared by the governments and peoples of the two countries won't change. We share the loyalty of the Armenian people to democratic values and formation of a civil society." He said that the US, working with the government of the Republic of Armenia, has tried to develop the economy, establish supremacy of law, and form a civil society, but stressed the importance of implementing additional social and political reforms, and strengthening the economy so as to improve Armenia's investment environment. Asked about human rights and freedom of speech in Armenia, Ordway said that taking into account Armenia's resources, the US would have expected more progress than registered, but that the presence of an active media, along with steps already taken toward forming a civil society are, nevertheless, inspiring. "I think that there is a hope in this sphere and we have great expectations. We will do our best to advance progress." Talking about the peace and security of the South Caucuses, he said the US would continue working with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in seeking a "fair and mutually admissible solution," to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Praising the current levels of military cooperation between the two countries, Ordway said that bilateral military relations are not limited to assistance. "I hope that Armenian forces will participate in the peacekeeping mission in Iraq soon," he indicated. He praised the country's developing relation with NATO and pledged US backing to further advance the cooperation. Summing up his experience in Armenia, Ordway affirmed his faith in the Armenian people's "great potential for building of a free, independent, economically developed and prospering country." 3. Georgian Foreign Minister Ends Visits, Meets YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili completed her first official visit to Armenia on July 22, after meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian, Prime Minister Andranik Markarian and her Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian. During the meeting with Zourabichvili, President Kocharian expressed satisfaction with the "high level of inter-state relations with Georgia, which are based on mutual trust and cooperation." Kocharian noted that Georgia is going through a rather hard time, but remained positive saying, "Georgian authorities will soon overcome these difficulties." "We are highly interested in stability in Georgia," Kocharian said. "The visit of the head of the Foreign Ministry of Georgia and meetings at a high level will give a new context to issues on the Armenian-Georgian agenda," Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian said on 21 July during his meeting with his Georgian counterpart. The parties discussed mutual advantages of their evolving relationships with the EU and NATO, as well in developing transportation corridors, namely the North-South and East-West highways, and in reopening rail service linking Russia and Armenia, via Georgia. "There are never concrete results from one visit, but it is a process that we are starting. We are determined to increase our economic relations," Zourabichvili told journalists before boarding the airplane for Tbilisi in Zvartnots airport. "Political relations are very good, but we have to deepen them, and have to appear before Europeans as one region, speaking as much as possible with one voice," she said. 4. Eduard Oganessian Dies Eduard Oganessian, the executive director of the Hai Tahd office in Armenia and the director of the Munich Institute for Armenian Research (Institut fur Armenische Fragen), died on Thursday at the age of 72. Born in Yerevan, Oganessian eventually left for Moscow, then Leningrad, where he earned his PhD in 1964. He served as the director of Radio Liberty's Armenian division from 1984 to 1993. He had great input in the production of the three volume The Armenian Genocide: Documentation, published by the Munich Institute for Armenian Research, and was overseeing preparation on the fourth, at the time of his death. He published many works on the Armenian Genocide and the Armenian Case. His latest book "Issues Surrounding the Armenian Case, and Possible Solutions," was published in 2003. 5. ARF Bureau Extends Condolences The Bureau of the Armenian Revolution Federation conveys with deep sorrow the death of dedicated ARF member and intellectual Eduard Oganessian, who passed away on Thursday, July 22 in Yerevan. ARF Bureau Yerevan July 22, 2002 6. Hai Katch Do Students Garner Awards Students of the Hai Katch Do Martial Arts Academy clenched several awards at the World Championships in martial arts, held at the Riviera Hotel Casino in Las Vegas June 25-27. Led by Renshi Mihran Aghvinian, students Tania Asayi, Viken Chookhadarian, Hovig Chrchian, Taline Eskidjian, Jennie Settler, Bedros Tertsagian, Vivian Varbedian, Hovig Zeitlian, took awards in the A, B and C class competitions. 7. NEWS BRIEFS Congressional Committee Chairman to Visit Karabagh YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Chairman of the United States Congressional Committee on NATO and chairman of the Transitional Democracy think-tank, Bruce Jackson, will visit Mountainous Karabagh in the near future. Jackson announced his plans earlier this week during his visit to the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. Azerbaijan Not to Make Territorial Compromises, Aliyev Says BAKU (ARMENPRESS)"The Karabagh conflict remains Azerbaijan's most painful problem. For many years Azerbaijan has been trying to resolve this issue peacefully. But regrettably, the talks have yielded no results," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on July 21 while addressing the personnel of a military unit of the Xudat border detachment on the Azerbaijani-Russian border. According to him, the activities of the mediators have yielded no results either. "As for various calls and proposals, they do not reflect the reality," Aliyev added. "Azerbaijan's cause is fair. Our lands are under occupation. International legal norms, justice, economic opportunities and potential are on our side," he said. Aliyev spoke about the country's major efforts in building its military. According to him, sufficient funds have been spent and will be spent in this area in the future. In several years, Azerbaijan will turn into an economically powerful state and its military "superiority" will intensify even further. "Under these conditions, we cannot have a positive attitude to some calls, particularly, with regard to compromises," Aliyev said. "Compromises are impossible on the issue of territorial integrity. I have repeatedly said that we will not compromise on the issue of territorial integrity. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity will be restored. The possibilities of achieving this peacefully have not been exhausted yet. However, we have to be ready to liberate our lands militarily at any moment. We have everything for this: the unity of the Azerbaijani people, the people's complete readiness for action, a strong army and the will of the Azerbaijani leadership and people," he added. Azeri Army Set to Buy Weapons from Pakistan, Russia BAKU (ARMENPRESS) Azerbaijan and Pakistan may reach agreements, concerning the purchase of weapons and the training of army officers, during the upcoming visit of a top Pakistani general to Azerbaijan, Azeri newspaper Ayna reported. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Muhammad Aziz Khan, is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan in about two weeks, the report said. "Pakistan may offer its close ally, Azerbaijan, military hardware and weapons at discounted prices. This is crucial for the Azerbaijani government because Armenia, which has occupied our territories, buys weapons and military hardware from Russia at reduced prices in accordance with the regulations of the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the report stated. In turn, the Azeri daily, Ekho, reported that Azerbaijan seeks to purchase 120 mm Nona-K towed cannons from Russia. Rumors about the deal emerged after Major-General Vahid Aliyev, the Azeri president's military aide, visited the Russian Expo Arms that was held between July 6-10. Armenian Children Film Wins Best Prize at Athens Festival YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)The collaborative work of two Armenian boys aged 12, was awarded the best film prize at the Kids for Kids Film Festival in Athens, Greece. The film, titled "Sniper," competed in the category of films made by 6-12 year olds. The festival was organized by the Association of European Children Film and the International Center for Children Films. FC Pyunik to Play Against Shakhter Of Ukraine YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Yerevan's FC Pyunik will move on to play against FC Shakhter Donetsk of Ukraine, after registering a 4-2 victory over FK Pobeda F.Y.R Macedonia. The Armenian team, which now has a 3-1 record in the first leg, came back from a 2-0 Macedonia lead to take the game. NATO Technical Center Opens in Yerevan YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)NATO will be able to provide free satellite and Internet connections to a number of scientific and educational centers in Armenia, thanks to its new technical center that opened in Yerevan on Wednesday. The center was built as part of NATO's Virtual Silk Road program, which seeks to equip science-education institutions in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with connections as well. Executive director of the Arena Company, which is serving as NATO's partner in Armenia, Grigor Babayan, said the program will run for the next three years and cost $2.5 million. Armenia's share in the project runs at around $500,000. Babayan said that his company ewill be able to provide Internet connections to the Yerevan State University and the Yerevan Physics Institute. He added that 33 more institutions will be connected during the coming year. FIDE Grants Titles to Three Armenian Chess Players YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On July 20, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) granted Armenian chess player Tigran Petrosian the rank of Grand Master. Two other Armenian chess playersArman Pashikian and Davit Petrosianwere given the title of international rank sport masters. French Coach May Train Armenian National Soccer Team YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Two French national have arrived in Yerevan to try out for the vacant post of head coach of the Armenian National Team. The men are currently in negotiations with the Armenian Futbol Federation. According to news sources, the mother of one of the candidates is Armenian. 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. 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