Month: June 2005

IranMania News, Iran
June 27 2005
Armenians ready to commemorate St. Thaddeus
Monday, June 27, 2005 – ©2005 IranMania.com
LONDON, June 27 (IranMania) – Armenians from Iran and around the world
will gather in Chaldoran Plains, West Azarbaijan province for a special
ceremony on July 6 to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom
of Saint Thaddeus, an apostle of Jesus Christ who came to preach
Christianity in the early years of the religion, Iran daily reported.
St. Thaddeus arrived in this land in 45 BC to preach Christianity but
was martyred on the orders of the then king Shanadrok, CHN reported.
To prevent the influence of the religion in that region, the king
also killed his own daughter who had embraced Christianity.
St. Thaddeus’ tomb later became a church which was known as ‘Qara
Kelisa’ (Black Church) or St. Thaddeus Cathedral.
The king’s daughter was also buried a short distance from the church.
Armenians from Tehran travel to Chaldoran each year to spend several
days praying and reciting supplications at the church.
During the rituals, Muslims are not permitted into the church which
is located on a hill overlooking Chaldoran Plains near Maku city.
–Boundary_(ID_KQCbVoALzXVqlY51u3Z7xQ)–

ELECTION – STEP TOWARDS DEMOCRACY
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 June 05
The NKR Union of Journalists had invited observers from Czech,
Croatia and Greece to monitor the parliamentary election. Immediately
after the poll they met with the journalists at 24.00 on June 19th.
In the beginning the representative of the International Association
for Croatia Zoran Pusic thanked the Union of Journalists in the name
of the monitoring delegation for the invitation to take part in the
election. “Our group together with several observers from the Union
of Journalists of NKR visited almost all the areas of the republic
and did not detect any irregularities in any of the polling sites. To
tell the truth, we had wanted to be present for the count, which is
very important for us the observers, but as we have to leave tomorrow
morning, we decided to hold the press conference at midnight. I must
say we were surprised by the activity of common people. Thus they
showed that they struggle for the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh
as an independent state; free and fair elections are a step towards
recognition of NKR,” said Z. Pusic. The member of the group Edward
Sarghissian also referred to the election as a step towards democracy
and a commendable step for NKR as an unrecognized country. As distinct
from his colleagues, Milan Stefanetz pointed out the irregularity
detected by him in Askeran. According to him, the committee ignored
the protest of the “Alliance”. Nevertheless, he said, the most
important thing about the election is that people are conscious of its
importance in their lives. In answer to the question why his opinion
and the opinion of the other members of the group were different,
M. Stefanetz said they had visited different polling sites. In answer
to the question of what the reason for his approach was, M. Stefanetz
said he has considerable experience in monitoring and is aware of the
international standards. Itka Adamchikova said they had not come to
find faults but to monitor the election and to convey their opinions
to the international community. From this viewpoint, according to
her, the foundation of democracy in Karabakh is strong. According to
the Greek observer, they observed the will to defend their right of
voting among the people of Karabakh and advised therefore to foster
democracy in the country. A similar opinion was expressed by Marineh
Sarghissian from Czech. In answer to the question what the principles
of evaluating the polls by a non-official monitoring mission are,
the head of the mission said each of them had monitored similar
elections in different places. The head of the monitoring mission
has personally monitored 6 elections, including in Chechnya, Serbia,
and is well-aware that Nagorno Karabakh is a difficult region and,
nevertheless, manages to solve its problems. The observers once again
thanked the people of Karabakh and wished them peace.
LAURA GRIGORIAN. 26-06-2005

KARABAKH IS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 June 05
Nvard Ohanjanian: “Mr. Avanessov, you must have visited different
polling stations in Karabakh, observed the polls. How did the polls
pass from the logistical aspect?” Avanessov: “The polls
passed on a due level. Especially I was impressed by the work going
on at the press centre of the Central Election Committee. Free of
charge telephones were available there to communicate objective
information on the course and results of the election to different
countries of the world. Telephone communication with Yerevan was
available too. Of course, it would be good if the polling stations
were equipped with air conditioning, especially in summer weather. I
must say that I have also visited the polling stations of Stepanakert
and saw the degree of activity of the voters. This is surprising and
commendable.” N.O.: “What would you say about the political
significance of this event?” A.A.: “I think elections in
Karabakh must be organized better than in the US or any other
civilized country. In his interview NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan
Danielian said it is not the results of the election that matter but
the reputation of the state. Karabakh must prove to the world that it
is a democratic country. If you do not believe, come and see
yourselves.” N.O.: “In your opinion, will the interest of the
world in Karabakh, which has not been recognized by the international
community yet, grow?” A.A.: “I believe that the parliamentary
election will greatly promote the international recognition of
Karabakh. In the press conference Constantine Zatulin stated that he
had officially requested the government of the Russian Federation to
provide sums from the State Budget 2006 funds for fostering democracy
outside of Russian Federation. And this is normal because similar
measures are taken in any developed country. That is to say, if the
USA takes such measures in reference to Nagorno Karabakh, officially
or non-officially, why cannot the Russian Federation do the same? The
fact that a large delegation arrived from the USA the majority of the
members of which are former officers of the US State Department means
something.” A.A.: “What is your opinion about the failure of
the Alliance ARF-Movement 88 in the election? What will the new
parliament be like? Will it have an opposition in the course of
time?” A.A.: “Yes, I am aware of the defeat of the
oppositionist party, the alliance but I do not know the reasons. In
fact, the picture is the following. There are 33 seats in the
parliament and only three have been taken by the opposition. I cannot
predict what position the representatives of the Azat Hayrenik Party
will take, whether they will adhere to the oppositions or not. The
same can be said about the candidates elected under the majority
system.” N.O.: “Let us pass to another topic. Mr. Avanessov,
what is your opinion about the protracted talks for the Karabakh
issue? Do you think the key to its resolution will ever be
found?” A.A.: “The delay is favourable for the Armenians.
Eleven years have passed since the ceasefire. And today I come to
understand the position of the Republic of Armenia on this subject,
which is to delay the time; another ten years and the issue will stop
existing. Whatever Azerbaijan does will befall the next generation. I
want to emphasize another fact as well. The soldiers of the Defence
Army are conscious of why they defend the borders of their
motherland. They have families, children in the rear. Yet the
soldiers of the Azerbaijani army, in case war is resumed, do not know
what they are going to fight for. This is the difference. This is one
thing. On the other hand, the propaganda machine of Azerbaijan
carries out tremendous work to slander the Armenian side. What we
need is that our diplomacy starts working more intensively in this
direction and conveys the truth to people.” N.O.: “Mr.
Avanessov, if the talks come to a deadlock in a certain stage, do you
think one of the parties, particularly the Armenian party will be
pressed to accept an unacceptable solution?” A.A.: “The
threat of compelling has persisted and will persist. There will,
probably, be proposals, but the Armenian side must realize whether
these are acceptable or not. Besides, no trade on the status of
Nagorno Karabakh is acceptable, which is the pivotal principle. Of
course, deadlock in the talks is not excluded. It may occur in 10 or
15 years. Generally, it is difficult to predict but Azerbaijan may
start military actions in this period. Most probably, there will be
no war in the near future, as long as the oil factor, the factor of
the oil pipeline Baku – Geyhan exists.” N.O.: “What about
the statements on returning territories, manipulated by
Azerbaijan?” A.A.: “I consider the issue of returning
territories to be an unserious topic, unserious talk, and it goes
without saying that the winner side cannot take such a step and will
never do.”
NVARD OHANJANIAN.
26-06-2005

MEETING WITH NKR PRESIDENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 June  05
On June 21st NKR President Arkady Ghukassian met with the
parliamentarians of the Moldavian Republic of Transdnestr Vallery
Babcinetsky and Claudia Treskova who monitored the NKR parliamentary
election. During the talk the observers shared their impressions
from the election. Pointing out the high level of polls, they agreed
to the evaluations of the observers from the USA, European and CIS
countries. The observers said they believe that the NKR authorities
and people will remain committed to the supreme goals of freedom and
democracy. Arkady Ghukassian thanked the observers for their work and
wished the people and authorities of Transdnestr peace and prosperity.
AA.
26-06-2005
–Boundary_(ID_cj3B27IoR90Pz5nUv+jZzQ)–

NATO CONCERNED AT TRANSPORTATION OF RUSSIAN ARMAMENT TO ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
27.06.2005 02:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “NATO is concerned over the conveyance of Russian
military equipment from Georgia to Armenia and we will raise the
issue to the Russian leadership in the near future”, NATO Assistant
Secretary General for Defense and Policy Planning John Colston
stated in Baku. He welcomed the agreement concluded between Moscow
and Tbilisi on the dislocation of the Russian military bases from the
Georgian territory noting that in this way Russia has honored a part
of the obligations undertaken during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul. “We
welcome the withdrawal of troops. However this step should not affect
regional stability in the South Caucasus”, Mr. Colston stressed. In
conclusion the NATO Assistant Secretary General stated that the staff
and armament should be withdrawn to Russia only, IA Regnum reported.

TURKEY-EU NEGOTIATIONS – PROCESS WITH OPEN DATE WITHOUT GUARANTEES
Pan Armenian News
27.06.2005 05:01
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The EU enlargement is directly connected with
the results of the referenda on the EU Constitution, die Welt
reported. After the financial debate in Brussels, Europe is likely
to face a debate on enlargement. Thus, Wednesday the European
Commission is to set the terms for the negotiations on Turkey’s
accession. Formally all the 25 EU-member states agree on Turkey’s
EU membership, but the backstage developments in Brussels and in
the majority of the capitals of the EU member-states are directed
to contain the rate of EU enlargement. Despite the fact that Turkey
has met almost all the commitments undertaken to the EU, Germany
and France have recently refrained from active support to Turkey,
what was fortified by Ankara’s violent reaction to the adoption of
the Armenian Genocide resolution by the Bundestag. At the same time,
the EU decision of December 2004 notes that the negotiations are a
process with open date with no outcome guaranteed.

ARA ABRAHAMIAN: IMMATURITY OF UKRAINIAN SOVEREIGNTY OBVIOUS
Pan Armenian News
27.06.2005 03:24
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ara Abrahamian, the Chairman of the World Armenian
Congress and the Union of Armenians of Russia subjected to sharp
criticism the Ukrainian leadership for speaking out against the
decision by the Crimean parliament to commemorate the Armenian Genocide
victims. In Abrahamian’s words, the negative response of official
Kyiv is the evidence of “immaturity of the Ukrainian sovereignty
and unavailability to the commonwealth of democratic states.” In
his turn Russian political scientist Andranik Migranian says that
“Kyiv’s actions question Ukraine’s joining to the EU and depreciate the
democratic rhetoric of the Ukrainian administration, Mediamax reports.

UK DIPLOMAT: CRISIS IN EU NOT TO AFFECT NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY
Pan Armenian News
27.06.2005 03:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The UK as representative of the EU President
realizes the significance of the European Neighborhood Policy
(ENP) as a factor stimulating the development of democratic norms
and integration of Azerbaijan into the international community, US
Ambassador to Azerbaijan Laurie Bristow stated. Drawing attention to
the ongoing crisis in the EU caused by the debate on adoption of the
EU Constitution the Ambassador stressed that “independently of the
situation the EU should not limit itself to the settlement of inner
problems.” Gradual integration of the new neighbors into the EU should
be at the heart of the ENP. To adopt the program the EU experts will
arrive in Azerbaijan with a draft, which will serve as a basis for
Azerbaijan’s further integration into the European structures”,
Mr. Bristow noted. To remind, June 14, 2004 the EU Council decided
to include the South Caucasian states in the ENP.

ILHAM ALIYEV: AZERI ARMY MOST EFFICIENT IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
Pan Armenian News
27.06.2005 04:43
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that
the increase of Azerbaijan’s military expenses is conditioned by the
transportation of the Russian armament from Georgia to Armenia. “It
is true that the military equipment is not conveyed to Armenia,
however this fact makes us undertake appropriate measures and increase
military expenses”, Ilham Aliyev said. In his words, this year the
expenses will make $300 million against $175 million in 2004. “The
strengthening of defense possibilities is essential for the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict. “Our army is the most efficient in the South
Caucasian region. We have achieved superiority and will consolidate our
army. We use all the diplomatic and political possibilities, however
the enemy should know that the Azeri army can be mobilized at any
moment and can liberate the seized territories”, Ilham Aliyev stated.

Facing History and Ourselves
16 Hurd Road
Brookline, MA 02445
Contact: Ted Scott
[email protected] or +1- 617-735-1629
For Immediate Release
State of New Jersey announces New Armenian Genocide Curriculum using
Facing History and Ourselves’ Crimes Against Humanity and
Civilization: The Genocide of the Armenians
Trenton, NJ- On Monday, June 20, 2005, the New Jersey State
Assembly unanimously approved a joint resolution commemorating
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The vote was 79-0.
The bill (AJR-125) was introduced by assemblypersons Joan M. Voss
(D-38) and Robert M. Gordon (D-38). It states in part, “This joint
resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians by the
governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and
historic significance.”
Before the vote, Assemblywoman Voss (D-38), a former history teacher,
spoke about the importance of remembrance and education. “The
world closed its eyes to the Armenian Genocide,” Voss said. “It is
frightening how similar the Holocaust was to the Armenian Genocide.”
Assemblyman Gordon, in his remarks on the floor noted that “the
emotion runs strong in the Armenian community for their losses in
the Armenian Genocide.” Voss and Gordon were joined by colleagues who
made additional floor statements. Assemblyman William Payne, also an
educator, invoked the memory of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in
defending human rights. Assemblyman Bill Baroni spoke of the challenges
Armenia continues to face in its relations with modern-day Turkey.
Former New Jersey Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian was also on hand as
a special guest for the resolution’s passage. Haytaian spoke of the
losses in his family during the Armenian Genocide and of the importance
of continuing to stand witness to the memory of the victims and the
survivors. He was joined in the gallery by other guests from the
Armenian-American community, clergy, and students from the Hovnanian
School in New Milford, New Jersey, all of whom were recognized from
the Assembly floor.
After the passage of the resolution, the State of New Jersey Commission
on Holocaust Education held a press conference to announce the
introduction of a new human rights and genocide curriculum for middle
and high schools focusing on the Armenian Genocide. New Jersey is the
first state to adopt a stand-alone curriculum on the Armenian Genocide
which will be incorporated into both public and private schools.
The core of the new curriculum is Crimes Against Humanity and
Civilization: The Genocide of the Armenians developed by Facing History
and Ourselves (FHAO) headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts.
This book focuses on how the history of the Armenian Genocide has
informed the growing international human rights movement. By examining
the choices that individuals, groups, and nations made before, during,
and after the genocide, readers have the opportunity to consider the
decisions of the international community in the face of massive human
rights violations.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Samantha Power, has said about this
book, “Facing History has done with this book what it does best:
bring history to life…to ask what we would have done if we had face
such wrenching and moral dilemmas.”
Peter Balakian, of Colgate University noted that Crimes Against
Humanity is “an essential and innovative exploration of the Armenian
Genocide… Facing History and Ourselves has done an extraordinary job
and demonstrates once again that it is at the forefront of education
in America.”
Additionally, the Commission developed a special teacher’s guide for
the FHAO resource book, in cooperation with the Armenian National
Institute, which it is distributing to educators statewide. The
production and distribution of the resource guide was made possible
by contributions by the Hovnanian Family and the Armenian Assembly
of America.
About Facing History and Ourselves Facing History and Ourselves in an
international educational and professional development organization
whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an
examination of racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism in order to
promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry.
By studying the historical development lessons of the Holocaust and
other examples of genocide, students make the essential connection
between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives.
For more information, please visit
About the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education The core
mission of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education is to
promote Holocaust education in the State of New Jersey. On a continual
basis, the Commission shall survey the status of Holocaust Education;
design, encourage and promote the implementation of Holocaust and
genocide education and awareness; provide programs in New Jersey;
and coordinate designated events that will provide appropriate
memorialization of the Holocaust on a regular basis throughout
the state. The Commission will provide assistance and advice to the
public and private schools and will meet with county and local school
officials, and other interested public and private organizations,
to assist with planning courses of study on the Holocaust.
About the Armenian National Institute The Armenian National Institute
(ANI) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated
to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
ANI is founded upon the following principles. Keeping memory alive
is imperative. Crimes against humanity must not be forgotten. Past
genocides must be confronted and acknowledged to prevent future
genocides. To meet this commitment ANI is engaged in a full-time
concentrated effort to integrate the lessons of the Armenian Genocide
into the universal understanding of the problem of genocide.
About the Armenian Assembly of America Through research, education
and advocacy, the Assembly works to strengthen U.S./Armenia and
U.S./Nagorno Karabakh relations, promotes Armenia’s and Karabakh’s
democratic development and economic prosperity and seeks universal
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
With a nation-wide network of volunteer activists, lay leaders,