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08/06/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANCA Asks White House, Congress to Protest Azeri Talk of Armenia's End 2) Representative Susan Davis Joins Caucus on Armenian Issues 3) Georgia, Russia Tiff over Abkhazia 4) Armenia Lashes out at Azeri Criticism of Karabagh 5) Khachadourians Grant One Million to KZV Armenian School 6) THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN REVIEW: Flip-Flop-Apalooza! 1) ANCA Asks White House, Congress to Protest Azeri Talk of Armenia's End WASHINGTON, DCIn letters sent to the White House and all Member of Congress on Thursday, the Armenian National Committee Of America (ANCA) called for a forceful, public protest of open threats by a senior Azerbaijani military official against the continued existence of the Republic of Armenia. On August 5, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that the chief spokesman for Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, Colonel Ramiz Melikov, publicly stated that "within the next 25-years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus." He added: "Modern Armenia is built on historical Azerbaijani lands...I think that in 25-30 years' times its territory will again come under Azerbaijan's jurisdiction." According to FRE/RL, Melikov made these remarks to the Baku-based daily newspaper "Zerkalo." In its letters to members of Congress, the ANCA underlined the fact that "these threats were not made by a professor, a columnist, or a private Azerbaijani citizen. They were madeon the record in a major publicationby the chief spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense." Within the letter to the White House, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian noted that it would be a "grave error for our government to dismiss these remarks as rhetoric, or to address them solely through diplomatic channels. Rather, we expect our government to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these patently hateful and destabilizing threats. Failure to do so would send extremely dangerous signals to Baku." For the full text of the RFE/RL report, visit: <;http: // 2) Representative Susan Davis Joins Caucus on Armenian Issues SAN DIEGO--On August 5, Representative Susan Davis (D-CA 53rd) became the newest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues reported the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR). Representative Davis's entrance into the Caucus boosts its membership to 132. ANC San Diego Chapter chairperson Garo Artinian, and board member Robert Deranian, along with ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian, had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Davis's Senior Community Relations Representative, Caridad Sanchez, on July 23, in order to discuss issues impacting the Armenian-American community. After the ANC delegation briefed Sanchez about the organization's local initiatives, Kassakhian presented a letter formally inviting Rep. Davis to join the 34 other members of Congress from California who are members of the Caucus. "We welcome Representative Davis's decision to join the Armenian Issues Caucus and look forward to working closely with her on a number of issues of special concern to her Armenian-American constituents," stated Artinian. "I look forward to working with the Armenian American community here in San Diego, the Armenian National Committee, my colleagues on the Armenian Issues Caucus, and others to help bring attention to the Armenian Genocide," stated Rep. Davis. "By working together, as one voice, we will help bring attention to such crimes against humanity and stop the cycle of Genocide in our time," the Congresswomen added. Earlier this year, Rep. Davis joined 169 members of Congress in co-signing a letter to President George W. Bush, urging him to honor his 2000 campaign pledge of properly acknowledging the systematic deportations and massacres of the Armenian people by Ottoman Turkey as "genocide." Founded in 1995, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues is a bipartisan forum for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds between the American and Armenian peoples. It was founded by Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and John Porter (R-IL) in 1995. Rep. Davis was elected to the House of Representatives in November of 2000 and has since served two terms. In Congress, Rep. Davis in a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Education and the Workforce Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. She focuses on issues of defense, education, environment, health care, and veterans affairs. Prior to her election to Congress, Rep. Davis served on the San Diego City School Board and in the California State Assembly. 3) Georgia, Russia Tiff over Abkhazia TBILISI/WASHINGTON (AP-Civil Georgia)--Georgian officials ordered customs and immigration authorities on Friday to begin screening all ships arriving in the separatist Black Sea region of Abkhazia, a move likely to strain relations with the country's giant neighbor, Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry reacted angrily, accusing Georgia of trying to damage the Abkhazian economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism. These are the peak summer months for travel. The ministry also moved to reassure Russian tourists, saying they "can feel relaxed and confident.'' "Russia will ensure their security,'' the ministry said in a statement posted on its official Web site. The order is just the latest effort by Georgia to assert control over its breakaway regions. Abkhazia has been de-facto independent since splitting off in a war in the early 1990s, and has close ties with Moscow. The region's lush Black Sea coast is a popular destination for Russian tourists, who commonly arrive by boat. Meeting with US officials in Washington, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili warned Russians against traveling to Abkhazia. "Abkhazia is no place for vacationing. It is a war zone from which 300,000 Georgians have been expelled. Tourists have nothing to do there,'' Saakashvili was quoted as saying by the ITAR-Tass news agency Thursday. Earlier in the week, Saakashvili ordered patrols to open fire on boats violating Georgia's waters. Last weekend, a Georgian patrol boat fired at a civilian vessel off Abkhazia after the boat failed to obey orders to stop for a check. Abkhazian authorities have warned in return that they could fire on Georgian ships. In Washington, Saakashvili accused Moscow of trying to provoke a confrontation after the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma, passed a resolution criticizing Georgian policies as "shortsighted and futile.'' SOUTH OSSETIA WITH POWELL "Our policy is clear. We want to demilitarize. We want to democratize the whole region and keep dialogue going, including dialogue with the Russians. Some very crazy and outrageous things were said by some of the Russian politicians, like the fact that Georgia is infringing on their sovereignty," President Saakashvili said after the talks with the US Secretary of State Colin Powell on August 5 He reiterated that the last thing Georgia wants is some kind of confrontation. "Certainly we're going to overcome that kind of thing and I think the help of the US Administration has been very helpful". US Secretary of State Colin Powell also mentioned the readiness of the United States to help reduce the tensions. "I think we know how to deal with it diplomatically," he said. "What we're anxious to do is calm this situation down, remove tensions and the propensity for provocation and get back to dialogue," the US Secretary of State added. 4) Armenia Lashes out at Azeri Criticism of Karabagh YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--A fresh war of words between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued on Friday, with Armenia angrily rebuffing Azeri condemnations of the ongoing military exercise and the upcoming local elections in Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR). The Armenian Foreign Ministry said that Azerbaijan is using the two events to "divert attention from its unwillingness to negotiate a lasting peace." "Whether complaining about Karabagh's peaceful, legal, democratic elections, or whether making disparaging remarks about the people of Mountainous Karabagh and their continued readiness to defend themselves, their families and their property...these statements simply result in a continuation of the atmosphere of distrust and cynicism," the ministry spokesman Hamlet Gasparian, said in a statement. The Azeri Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" over the ten-day exercises that MKR's forces began on Tuesday, saying they would hamper preparations for the next meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The latest bitter exchange between the conflicting parties was triggered by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev's fresh threat to restore Azerbaijan's territorial integrity by force if the peace process remains deadlocked. The Armenian government reacted angrily, warning Baku of "disastrous consequences" of renewed fighting and questioning its commitment to peace. But Armenian officials have not commented on the even more bellicose statement by the chief spokesman for Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry. The official, Colonel Ramiz Melikov, was quoted by a leading Azerbaijani daily on Wednesday as saying that Armenia will cease to exist as an independent state and its territory will become part of Azerbaijan "in the next 25-30 years." Melikov's reported prediction has alarmed a leading Armenian-American advocacy group. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) sent on Thursday letters to the White House and the members of the US Congress urging Washington to denounce the threat. "We expect our government to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these patently hateful and destabilizing threats," the ANCA executive director, Aram Hamparian, said in a statement. "Failure to do so would send extremely dangerous signals to Baku." 5) Khachadourians Grant One Million to KZV Armenian School LA CRESCENTA--Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian announced this week that Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Rita Khachadourian have donated one million dollars to San Francisco's Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan (KZV) Armenian School. The grant was announced during a reception at the couple's home on July 17, during which Archbishop Mardirossian had arrived in San Francisco to honor Henry Khachadourian with the order of the Cilician Knight, bestowed by Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, for Khachadourian's consistent dedication to the Armenian Church and KZV Armenian School. It was, therefore, with great joy that those present discovered that the couple had, yet again, pledged their support, and in great proportions. The Prelacy Religious and Executive councils, along with the pastor and board of trustees of San Francisco's St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, and the finance committee and principal of KZV Armenian School, joined Prelate Mardirossian in extending their heartfelt appreciation to the couple for their generosity and kindness. The Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan (KZV) Armenian School is one of several academic institutions under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. 6) THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN REVIEW: Flip-Flop-Apalooza! BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN The dust has settled and the waters appear calm again, but Democrats have yet to feel the bump in the polls that everyone predicted from their Democratic Convention last month in Boston. Pundits predicted that the Kerry-Edwards ticket would make a ten point gain in the polls after the scripted and rehearsed display of political clout that is the Democratic National Convention--but alas, they're still waiting for a boost in numbers that will not come. Don't wait too long boys, the election's just around the corner (less than three months to be exact). Here's why I don't think there was any major gain in the polls after the Convention and you're welcome to add your own two cents. First of all, the Democrats have no message. They can't make up their minds. They're more confused than a dyslexic contestant in a scrabble tournament. The second reason is that this election is one where most people have already picked which side they support and are sticking to their choice. Here's a sample of the schizophrenia that has taken over the Democrats. One day, they claim to be against the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home, the next day they're talking about a stronger military, intelligence, and "finishing the job right!" One day they're criticizing the Bush administration for handouts and tax-breaks for corporations and large businesses, the next day, they're handing out farm subsidies to farmers and agriculture business and paying farmers to burn and destroy their crops. The contradictions in what they say and do are so great that it's no wonder that Senator Kerry has been labeled a flip-flopper. Much like the Republican Party, Democrats realize they have a base of support they need to count on to do the party's dirty work--make calls, talk to voters, donate money. But they realize elections are won by winning over the center or the "undecideds" as they are called in campaign-speak. That explains why the real extreme Democrats like Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, Ted Kennedy, and Dennis Kucinich weren't allowed to speak during prime-time television. Unless you're addicted to CSPAN or you're a feminist member of Greenpeace who owns a new-age music store in Santa Cruz and listens to National Public Radio all day, you wouldn't have even known these guys were at the convention. Instead, those of us who were unfortunate enough to catch the ridiculous spectacle on TV endured hours and hours of dull, uninspiring speeches which focused more on John Kerry's four months on a swift boat in Vietnam than on how he plans on improving the nation's economy. In fact, if it wasn't for commentators telling me I was watching the Democratic Convention, I wouldn't have even known there was a difference in between Republicans or Democrats. Sure, the speakers mentioned one or two sentences here and there about real issues, but it was usually followed by a comment like "And if you don't believe me, just ask the guys that served with him in Vietnam!" What guys? We're supposed to take advice from a bunch of folks that hung out with Kerry for four months? FOUR MONTHS!?? I've had relationships that lasted longer than that where I still knew NOTHING about the person after it was over. But the Democrats have to play the Vietnam card because they finally have a candidate who served in the war instead of dodging the draft or smoking doobies in a commune outside of Berkeley. Hindsight is 20/20 and when we look back on this convention next year, we'll be able to see exactly where the shortcomings of it were. But for now, my advice, if any, to the Democrats is "Pick a message and stick with it!" And "Anyone But Bush" is not a good enough message. Say what you will about the Republicans, they have a goal, albeit ridiculous, to end terrorism. I think it's a ridiculous goal only because I've grown up watching another Republican war on an imagined and invisible enemy fail miserably--the war on drugs. You can't declare war on just anything. Democrats are no better. They've declared war on racism and on poverty in the past but their declarations have been symbolic. My point is that even though some of you may dislike the Republican leaders or their agenda, at least respect that they have one. And if you're a Democrat supporting Kerry, pray that he comes up with a clear message soon. "Hope is on the way" is not an exciting chant or rallying call in this nation's time of need. This is what John Edwards told people to say when faced with tough times--"Hope is on the way." Just what Americans want in time of great need--someone who tells them to yell for "Help." Speaking of help, I'll need all the help I can get just to stay awake through the Republican Convention in New York later this month. Especially when Dubya takes the podium. On second thought, sleep isn't such a bad idea. Someone wake me up November 3rd , the day after the elections when the circus has decided to pack up it's tent and leave town. Skeptik Sinikian lives and works in Glendale. His hobbies include watching CSPAN and giving his unsolicited opinions to innocent by-standers. He can be reached for comment at SkeptikSinikian@aol.com. 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.