ASBAREZ Online [02-11-2005]

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02/11/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANC Reception for SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin 2) Proposed Constitutional Reforms Lift Article Prohibiting Dual Citizenship 3) Parliament Speaker Thanks Debre for Genocide Remarks 4) Photographer Ara Oshagan to Discuss Projects on Radio Show 5) City Clerk Campaign for Ardy Kassakhian Officially Kicks Off 6) ANCA-WR Board Discusses Plans with Majority Leader Frommer 7) West San Fernando Valley ANC Meets with LAUSD Board Member 8) Are They That Clueless? 1) ANC Reception for SF Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and Executive Director Aram Hamparian in SF SAN FRANCISCO--The Bay Area Armenian National Committee held a reception in honor of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors' President Aaron Peskin, at ANC's San Francisco offices on February 4. ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and Executive Director Aram Hamparian were also present for the occasion. The Bay Area ANC endorsed Supervisor Peskin in both his elections to the Board of Supervisors in 2000 and 2004. Peskin, who has sponsored the Armenian genocide commemorative resolution in San Francisco for the past 5 years, has attended all of the commemorative events during his tenure, as well as assisted the ANC in various city and county initiatives and sponsored a resolution calling on Bay Area Congressman Tom Lantos to support Congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide. "I've always believed that the most important thing to understand in politics and human development is the 'how come' and 'why,'" said Peskin, explaining his early awareness of Armenians because of his father. Peskin's father is a psychiatrist and professor who studied the impacts of the Holocaust on the children of Holocaust survivors. Referring to the Armenian genocide, Peskin said, "It's an experience shared by our communities." On a trip to Israel with his parents, Peskin visited Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter as a boy. "We met the Armenian Patriarch, and it was something I never forgot." Having been elected by his peers last month to head the Board of Supervisors, Peskin said he was optimistic about what the Board could accomplish. "We have reached our stride," said Peskin, when speaking about the working relationship of the Supervisors. ANCA Chairman and Executive Director Report on Armenian-American Issues Armenian National Committee of America Chairman Ken Hachikian and Executive Director Aram Hamparian reported on the current political environment in the nation's capitol on Armenian-American issues. "This is going to be a very tough year for Nagorno-Karabagh," said Hamparian. "The powers in the region are looking for a settlement, and pressure has come down on Armenia and Karabagh." Hamparian cited the recent statement by Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones, calling Karabagh's leaders "criminal secessionists." He also noted the recent moves by Azerbaijan to get anti-Armenian resolutions passed in the Council of Europe and United Nations. Hamparian said the ANCA is working to have an Armenian genocide Resolution initiated in Congress within the next 8-10 weeks, as well as planning a large Congressional reception in Washington, DC on April 20, commemorating the Armenian genocide. He referred to the foreign aid negotiations and US-Armenia tax treaties as areas of success, saying similar successes are being sought in the area of Social Security benefits for US citizens living in Armenia. "The biggest issue we're addressing now is military aid parity," Hamparian said. After three years during which the US administration provided an equal amount of military aid to Azerbaijan and Armenia, last year the administration broke its earlier promise of parity and put forth a budget allocating four times more aid to Azerbaijan. "This sends a signal that the US is on the side of Azerbaijan," said Hamparian. He also raised concerns that Azerbaijan may arm itself more once it begins to receive oil revenues from the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline due open in 2006. Chairman Ken Hachikian described the political perspective of the current administration. "We have a Republican-controlled Congress; an administration with a very conservative view of the Middle East and of the political weight of Israel; and a perception of the importance of Turkey." He said the view of the importance of Turkey to the US "transcends Republicans and Democrats." Hachikian said that although Armenian-Americans have friends among the Democrats, the Democratic leadership is in disarray. "We have friends among Republic congressmen as well, but their leadership is not allowing them to confront the administration on our issues. We have to look for ways to develop key relationships with key Republicans." Notwithstanding the government's alliance with Turkey, Hachikian said Turkey's recent actions have been an asset for our cause including it's refusal to allow US troops to attack Iraq from Turkey; calling US actions in Iraq "genocidal;" and taking actions which aggravate its other important ally, Israel. In order to be effective in the current political arena, Hachikian said, "We must be intelligent, we must be selective and well organized. We have to recognize who has the levers of power today and work with them. We need to seek victories where the administration will let us succeed." Hachikian said the real assets of the ANC are the local activists who cultivate and maintain relationships with their representatives. He said one of the consequences of those local efforts is that while Armenian-Americans represent one half of one percent of the US population, one third of the members of Congress (144 members) are part of the Armenian Issues Caucus in Congress. "That's not because we have an office in Washington DC. That's because of the local ANCs," said Hachikian. "Hopefully, the political capital that you build locally, we spend wisely in Washington." 2) Proposed Constitutional Reforms Lift Article Prohibiting Dual Citizenship YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Armenia's National Assembly, on Wednesday, began to review proposed constitutional amendments, starting with the first section of 3 drafts on reforming Constitutional order. All the drafts propose removing the article in Armenia's constitution that prohibits dual citizenship. In the coming two weeks, the National Assembly's Committee on integrating into the European Structures will review all sections of the Constitution, one by one, and will present proposed reforms to the parliament in the order received. The coalition has proposed changes to 97 articles of the Constitution. The United Labor Party has proposed 13 changes to the first section of the Constitution. 3) Parliament Speaker Thanks Debre for Genocide Remarks YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Armenia's parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian thanked French Parliament Speaker Jean-Louis Debre for his handling of the Armenian genocide issue during meetings with Turkish officials recently in Ankara. Heading a French delegation to Turkey last week, Debre addressed the Armenian genocide during a meeting with Chairman of the EU Commission in the Turkish Parliament Yasar Yakis and other parliamentarians. With France's ruling UMP party at odds with its most prominent member--President Jacques Chirac--on the prospect of Turkey's full EU membership, Debre raised the contentious issue of the Armenian genocide He proposed that an independent international institution conduct research on the Armenian genocide, stating it would be the only fair way to affirm the facts. During a joint news conference with Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Debre assured that both the Armenian genocide and the Cyprus problem were discussed with Erdogan. "Everything works more comfortably as long as people are in peace with their own history," Debre said. During their phone conversation, Baghdasarian invited the French parliament head to Armenia, who welcomed the invitation. 4) Photographer Ara Oshagan to Discuss Projects on Radio Show Southern California photographer Ara Oshagan will be a guest on a new radio show called Pacific Drift on FM 89.3 KPCC. The show, a mix of culture, art, and life airs 9-10 pm every Sunday night. Oshagan will be featured this Sunday, February 13, at 9:30, to talk about his various photography projects. A story on Armenian chess players in Glendale will be aired immediately before Oshagan. The program will also address prison guards turning against the guards. Oshagan's projects, one on the Armenian community and the other which documents the lives of juveniles being tried as adults, provides the linkage for Sunday's show. For more information on the program visit: <; t/# The show will can also be heard on-line anytime after the show: <;www.sc pr.org/programs/pacificdrif t/# Ara Oshagan, a documentary photographer, began documenting survivors of the Armenian genocide in 1995, a project that evolved to also include oral history and is now called The Genocide Project with an exhibit called iwitness. Working with photographer Levon Parian and a team of oral historians, this work was exhibited at the Downey Museum of Art in 1999 and garnered national attention, being the main feature in an NPR Morning Edition story. His recent major exhibit, called Traces of Identity, documents the Armenian immigrant experience of Los Angeles. It is currently on display at the LA Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Park. Oshagan has also been working in collaboration with Chance Films and Community Transitions on a project to document high-risk juvenile offenders being tried as adults in California. His photos have been published in the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Austin Statesman, the LA Independent Newspapers Group, the UCLA Daily Bruin, and the Armenian International Magazine. National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, KCET-TV, KPFK radio, the Daily News, and a number of local Los Angeles papers have featured his photography in stories. 5) City Clerk Campaign for Ardy Kassakhian Officially Kicks Off --More than 120 supporters attend and volunteer for grass-roots campaign GLENDALE--Over 120 people gathered on the morning of Saturday, February 6, to celebrate the kick-off for Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian's campaign for Glendale City Clerk. Several of Ardy's prominent supporters delivered compelling messages to the cheerful crowd during the event's program. "Ardy has been a tireless advocate for the rights of voters in the City of Glendale for many years," said Glendale City Council Member Rafi Manoukian, who has endorsed Kassakhian. "He is clearly the best candidate for this position, and I am proud to be here today to show my support for him." The gathering was festive and upbeat, and included dozens of young volunteers. "Ardy Kassakhian is a leader and a motivator, and I'm delighted to see so many young people here to support him," said Paul Krekorian, Vice President of the Burbank Board of Education. "Throughout Ardy's career, he has demonstrated the kind of passion and activism that has inspired so many others to become active in their community. I have no doubt that when he is elected City Clerk, Ardy will use these abilities to inspire Glendale residents to make their city a better place for all." After the event's program, attendees volunteered their time by visiting local residents and businesses to spread Ardy's message. Over 200 lawn signs were distributed to supportive residents and businesses throughout Glendale during the afternoon. "This is a historic election and I'm honored to have such great support for my candidacy," said Ardy Kassakhian. "I am overwhelmed by your support and if this morning's gathering is any indication, in the coming weeks, we will build on this support to create a grass-roots campaign that will reach tens of thousands of voters in Glendale." To learn more about the campaign or to volunteer, please call 818-679-2920 or email the campaign at [email protected]. 6) ANCA-WR Board Discusses Plans with Majority Leader Frommer GLENDALE--Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) Board members met with State Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-43) on February 4 to discuss a range of pressing issues facing the California Armenian community, including plans to establish a California Regional Trade Office in Armenia, and inclusion of the Armenian genocide in public school curricula. Marking the first meeting between the Majority Leader and the new ANCA-WR leadership since the Board's appointment in December of 2004, Assemblyman Frommer shared his ideas on the ANCA-WR's initiatives and offered his support. In addition to the California Trade Office and genocide curricula, community-wide plans marking the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide were discussed. "The ANCA-WR appreciates Assemblyman Frommer's collaborative spirit," said Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board. "He plays an instrumental role in affecting positive change for the community he serves," he said. Assemblyman Frommer represents the most heavily Armenian American populated Assembly District in the state. He has consistently worked closely with the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. The ANCA-WR Board of Directors is appointed every two years to coordinate activities between local and national bodies of the organization. Serving on the current Board, which began its term in December of 2004, are Steven Dadaian (Chairman), Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian (Treasurer), Vahagn Thomasian (Secretary), Zanku Armenian, Thomas Azaian, Ara Bedrosian, Aida Dimejian, Raffi Hamparian, Garo Kamarian, Leonard Manoukian, Armen Martin, Vahe Melkonian, and Garo Yepremian. 7) West San Fernando Valley ANC Meets with LAUSD Board Member CHATSWORTH--In an effort to address pertinent issues confronting students of Armenian descent in the public school system, representatives of the West San Fernando Valley ANC Chapter recently met with Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Member Jon Lauritzen at the his district office in the city of Chatsworth. Board Member Lauritzen represents Los Angeles School District 3, which encompasses the majority of the public schools located in the west San Fernando Valley and contains a significant population of Armenian speaking students. The ANC members, led by Chairman Ara Papazian, were warmly greeted by Board Member Lauritzen and his staff--Deputy Donna Smith and Parent Community Facilitator Rose Avetisyan. During the hour long meeting, the participants discussed ways of improving the way the public school system can address the needs of the Armenian student body, including educating the administration and staff about Armenian history and culture. The idea of Town Hall meetings was suggested to increase parent involvement in their children's education process. As Chairman of the Curriculum Committee of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Board Member Lauritzen also agreed to work with the Armenian Community in creating an Armenian genocide curriculum to be taught throughout the public school system in Los Angeles. Papazian thanked Board Member Lauritzen for the opportunity and expressed readiness to working with the School District to bridge the gap between parents, students, and the public school system. 8) Are They That Clueless? By Garen Yegparian Last Sunday I met Harout Sassounian at Ardashes Kassakhian's kickoff for the Glendale City Clerk election campaign, where I had a fascinating conversation, as is usually the case, when chatting with Harout. He told of a phone call from Kaan Soyak--who you'll remember is the Turkish co-chair of tabdik (TABDC- Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council). The impetus for the call? To ask what I had against him, clearly having read my piece from a month ago. This should allay all doubts any Armenians might have had about how closely Turks monitor our media. Of course, my first thought was, "Can this guy be so clueless?" Well, admitting that would be tantamount to admitting Armenians are genetically morons too (and Greeks, and Assyrians, and all other indigenous peoples of Asia Minor). This because most Turks are descended from abducted children of the local populations or those natives who were forcefully converted to Islam, and a few generations later, had become Turkified and Kurdified (thanks to the exclusionary policies of our, and probably other, churches). We also have the centuries of deft and adept Turkish machination and diplomatic manipulation that has kept a Turkish state in existence as evidence of how clever our nation's lost descendants are. Then of course, there's Soyak's commentary in the February 3, 2005 California Courier, "Creating an Environment for Change Through Turkish-Armenian Dialogue" in which he bravely refers to occupied Armenian territories as "our joint motherland." He observes government level "reluctance," Armenia and Turkey, to "official and unofficial" dialogue. He also mentions that "confidence and trust" are "currently absent." Bingo Kaan! You got it! Of course all along, he plays up the role of tabdik in developing these contacts--but hey, bragging's a human trait! Clearly, they're not clueless. Quite the contrary, they're very astute, cynical opportunists seeking any and every political edge to douse the fire of Genocide accountability that threatens to engulf them because of the years of pathetic denial. Why should I have anything against anyone? As long as they act the part of decent human beings, clued in to what is and isn't appropriate behavior and what it takes to overcome conflict. As long as Turks, or anyone, continue to not just deny, but refuse to accept responsibility for the 1.5 million victims of the first genocide of modern times, they do not qualify as decent. So let's spell it out for Kaan, and more importantly the 'elected' and military and media and academic leadership of Turkey--'fess up, atone, and things'll be so smooth as to arouse the greenest envy of the most extreme snowboarder cutting up an untouched Canadian slope after leaping out of a helicopter. 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) 2005 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.