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07/05/2005
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1) Lennmarker Speaks of ‘Golden Opportunity’ in Settling Karabagh conflict
2) OSCE Parliamentarians from 55-Member States Defeat Azeri Effort
3) Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Closing Ceremonies End on High Note
1) Lennmarker Speaks of ‘Golden Opportunity’ in Settling Karabagh conflict
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–Speaking at an Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) session in Washington, DC, Swedish member of
parliament and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Rapporteur on the Karabagh conflict
Goran Lennmarker said, “There is now a golden opportunity for a peaceful
solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based on a win-win concept where
both
Armenia and Azerbaijan come out better.”
Presenting his report to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Heads of
Delegations,
Lennmarker spoke of peaceful solutions to the Karabagh conflict within the
OSCE
Minsk Group–co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States.
Lennmarker stressed that though “the conflict is not frozen,” Armenia and
Azerbaijan must intensify the negotiations. “There is no alternative to a
peaceful solution; in fact, there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in
order to end the personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of
this
conflict.”
The OSCE rapporteur suggested basing a solution on experiences from Europe,
where democracy and integration are fundamental components in securing lasting
peace. Strong European and international institutions stand ready to support
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lennmarker stressed.
Commenting on the effectiveness of the work done by the Parliamentary
Delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lennmarker said, “Once a peace
agreement
has been finalized by the two Governments, the parliamentary dimension becomes
invaluable in informing the public and in ensuring the implementation. It is
of utmost importance that networks of Members of Parliaments already exist and
stand ready to take on these tasks.”
Lennmarker was appointed in June 2002 and has since then visited Armenia and
Azerbaijan on numerous occasions.
2) OSCE Parliamentarians from 55-Member States Defeat Azeri Effort
ANCA Welcomes Parliamentary Assembly’s rejection of divisive Mountainous
Karabagh resolution
WASHINGTON, DC–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) meeting last night in Washington, DC,
voted
overwhelmingly to defeat a controversial measure on Nagorno Karabagh authored
by Azerbaijani Parliamentarian Sattar Safarov, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The vote took place during a meeting of the OSCE PA’s Heads of Delegation, as
part of the opening session of the four-day meeting for members of Parliament
from the 55 member states of the OSCE. The Safarov resolution, which was
widely
viewed as a biased and divisive measure, received only token support, with
nearly all the Heads of Delegation voting to keep the measure off of the OSCE
PA agenda.
The OSCE PA proceedings are being presided over by Congressman Alcee Hastings
(D-FL), the first US legislator to ever serve in this capacity. Other members
of Congress participating in the Assembly include: Senator Sam Brownback
(R-KS), who is heading the US delegation, Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), and
Representatives Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD),
Benjamin L.
Cardin (D-MD), Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL),
Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA), Mike Pence (R-IN), and Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
The Armenian delegation is being headed by Vahan Hovhannisian, the Deputy
Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament. Other members of the delegation are Artashes
Geghamyan, MP and Samvel Nikoyan, MP. The ANCA worked closely with the
Armenian
delegation and the Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC, as well as with
Armenian
National Committee affiliates in Canada and throughout Europe, in sharing with
OSCE PA members the dangers of the Safarov resolution.
“We would like to thank Congressman Hastings for his leadership in the
Assembly’s proceedings, and to express our appreciation to all those who voted
against the Safarov resolution for their responsible stewardship of the OSCE’s
efforts to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
The defeat of the Safarov resolution set the stage for the standard
consideration by the Assembly of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. This
discussion is being led by Swedish Member of Parliament Goran Lennmarker, who
has served since June of 2002 as the OSCE PA special representative on this
issue. In preparation for the OSCE PA meeting, Lennmarker presented a report,
titled “A Golden Opportunity: Some Ideas on Nagorno Karabagh Conflict,” to the
Heads of Delegations to the OSCE PA.
In this report, Lennmarker stressed that there is now a golden opportunity,
through the OSCE Minsk Peace-process, for a peaceful solution of the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict, based on concept where both Armenia and
Azerbaijan come out better. In his remarks, Lennmarker noted that “the
conflict
is not frozen,” adding that “there is no alternative to a peaceful
solution–in
fact there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in order to end the
personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of this conflict.” He
proposed basing a solution on experiences from Europe, where democracy and
integration are fundamental components in securing a lasting peace, and added
that strong European and international institutions stand ready to support
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In the weeks leading up to the convening of this meeting, the ANCA–through
grassroots outreach–stressed to the US members of Congress–serving in the
OSCE PA–that Armenian Americans attach tremendous importance to Mountainous
Karabagh’s rights to freedom, democracy and, self-determination. The Armenian
American community, the ANCA stressed, has invested considerable hope in the
OSCE Minsk Group process and is strongly against any efforts to derail this
effort.
In a June 24th letter sent to Congressman Hastings and to others in the US
delegation, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian warned of the dangers presented by the
Safarov resolution. He described it as a “one-sided approach to a complex
issue,” that “neither fairly characterizes the conflict nor presents any
practical steps toward its resolution. In sum, it is a destructive measure
that
will, if adopted, ultimately threaten the progress of the OSCE Minsk Group
peace talks.” Hachikian specifically called on the US members of the Assembly
to vote against the Safarov resolution and “to strongly oppose any and all
efforts to use the Assembly’s meeting as a forum for one-sided efforts to
derail progress toward peace in Nagorno Karabagh.”
The OSCE PA is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe, whose 55 participating States span the
geographical
area from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The primary task of the 317-member
Assembly
is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, an important aspect of the
overall effort to meet the challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area.
Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations
Charter, the OSCE is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict
prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in its area.
The
Parliamentary Assembly, originally established by the 1990 Paris Summit to
promote greater involvement in the OSCE by national parliaments, has grown
into
a very active and esteemed member of the OSCE family.
To learn more about the OSCE PA, visit:
3) Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Closing Ceremonies End on High Note
VAN NUYS–More than 20,000 people flocked to Birmingham High School’s athletic
field on Monday, July 4, to celebrate Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Games
closing ceremonies, officially marking the end of the athletic competitions.
With colorful flags depicting the region’s 18 Homenetmen chapters and the
Navasartian torch burning at the center of the field, the Homenetmen Regional
Scouting Council members, accompanied by Regional Executive chairman Raffy
Ispendjian, led the procession of guests to the field, including Navsartian
Honorary presidents Mr. & Mrs. Shant & Vergine Haytayan and Western Prelate
Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian, along with the 2005 Homenetmen Exemplary member
Lilit Baghdasarians and her husband. Following the ceremonial permission by
the
Honorary President, the Homenetmen regional scout council members and chapter
scoutmasters proceeded to the field.
With Regional scoutmaster Hrayr Boyajian’s cue, the closing ceremonies
commenced with the Homenetmen color-guard bearing the flags of the US,
Armenia,
Mountainous Karabagh Republic, Homenetmen, and three state flags. A second
color guard–bearing the flags of the US and Armenia symbolizing the 30th
Navasartian Games–made their ceremonial entrance onto the field. The US and
Armenian national anthems were performed by the Homenetmen Western Regional
marching band.
Special guests included Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian; Consul
General of the Republic of Armenia Hon. Gagik Kirakosian; Sheriff Lee Baca;
Homenetmen Central Executive members Manuel Marselian and Mher Tavitian; ARF
Central Committee representative Hagop Tufenkjian; ARS Central Committee Vice
Chairman Hasmig Derderian; State Assembly member Carl Liu; City of Los Angles
councilwomen Wendy Greuel; City of Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian; Clerk of the
City of Glendale Ardashes Kassakhian; Glendale Unified School District Gregory
Krikorian; Burbank Unified School District member Paul Krikorian; and former
Homenetemen Honorary presidents Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Ghailian and family.
The pre-show featured the energetic and graceful Nairi Dance Ensemble of the
San Fernando Valley Hamazkayin chapter, directed by Cathrine Hairabedian.
Homenetmen Regional Executive Chairman Raffy Ispendjian highlighted the
importance of Homenetmen, declaring, `Empower the body and mind and you will
not only elevate yourself but others with you. This was the objective for a
group of visionaries who had survived the First genocide of the 20th century
when they established this organization. Nearly nine decades later, while the
Universal acknowledgement of the first genocide of the 20th century remains
unexplainable missing, the acknowledgment of individual and collective
advancements is refuted.’
Placing the celebration of the 30th Navasartian Games in the US in context,
Ispendjian stressed, `We are undeniably aware of the inseparable connection
between individual and collective freedom. Our forefathers–both Armenian and
American–fought bravely to guarantee us these truths and it remains our
inherent responsibility to protect them. Homenetmen is committed to the
Armenian youth, with them we will grow and for them we stand as guardians for
their right to individual excellence and collective advancement.’
Homenetmen Central Executive member Mher Tavitian gave an inspiring speech
about Homenetmen’s work on a global level, as he announced the Pan Homenetmen
games to be held in Athens, Greece.
A poignant moment was when the Homenetmen Ararat Choir, conducted by Arig
Gevorkian, took the stage and performed a special Navasartian song written by
Gevorkian for the 30th Navasartian Games.
Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian commenced his blessing remarks by
praising Homenetmen for its continuous efforts to educate generations of
Armenians throughout the world.
Following the Bishop’s address, Winds of Passion, In Progress…, and the Gor
Band performed Armenian songs.
The parade’s announcers–former Regional Executive member Garbis Chkherdemian
(in English) and HTV Armenian news anchor Nora Tchaparian– outlined each
chapter’s achievements and Navasartian wins as the trophies were presented. As
Regional scoutmaster Boyajian gave the command, the long-awaited parade of
athletes and Homenetmen members began. Cheers filled the stadium as Homenetmen
chapter Executives, Committee members, coaches, athletes, and scouts proudly
marched.
The evening’s festivities continued into the late hours of the Navasartian
festival.
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