Month: March 2007

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
March 28, 2007
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES LEGISLATION CONDEMNING
HRANT DINK’S MURDER

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America today commended the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approving S. Res. 65, condemning
the assassination of Hrant Dink and urging Turkey to abolish Article
301, which fuels anti-Armenian sentiments and precipitated this heinous
crime.

The legislation, which was introduced by Committee Chairman Joseph R.
Biden, Jr. (D-DE), passed by voice vote. S. Res. 65 takes a strong stand
on the policies and practices of the Turkish government by calling on
Ankara to repeal Article 301 of the Turkish penal code and "work
diligently to foster a more open intellectual environment in the country
that is conducive to the free exchange of ideas."

The resolution also states that Dink "was subjected to legal action
under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code for referring to the 1915
massacre of Armenians as genocide."

"Hrant Dink was a man of strong conviction who wanted, above all, to
foster greater understanding and respect between Turks and Armenians,"
said Biden. "His assassination is one more tragic reminder of why
Turkey needs to reform its laws and allow for an open discussion of
events surrounding the Armenian Genocide. It should never be a crime to
speak the truth."

"The Armenian Assembly thanks Chairman Biden for his leadership and
thanks Members of the Committee for their timely consideration of this
issue," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Hrant Dink was a
law-abiding citizen who believed in democratic ideals and peaceful
change. It is only fitting that in his memory Congress has taken a
strong stand against attempts to intimidate journalists and scholars,
and roundly condemned the criminalization of the mere mention of the
Armenian Genocide."

"Armenians, and all other minorities in Turkey, must be protected,"
Ardouny continued.

As an outspoken advocate for democratic reform and greater understanding
between Armenians and Turks, Dink worked tirelessly to improve relations
between the two communities. As a fierce defender of freedom of the
press and founder of Agos newspaper, Dink wanted to publish his views
openly. For his efforts, he was unfairly targeted by Turkish
nationalists who labeled him a "traitor," and was repeatedly prosecuted
for allegedly "insulting Turkishness" under Article 301.

Also pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is S. Res.
106, the Armenian Genocide resolution. The legislation, introduced by
Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Senator
John Ensign (R-NV), would reaffirm the U.S. record on the crimes of
1915.

"Passage of this legislation is also paramount," Ardouny added. "To
prevent future killings, we must affirm the historical truth and end the
vicious cycle of genocide denial."

The next step in the legislative process is consideration of S. Res. 65
by the full Senate.

For more information on Hrant Dink, including Assembly statements, media
coverage and photographs, please visit the Hrant Dink Resource Page on
the Assembly’s Web site at

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-039

urawski maintains Poland run
Wednesday, 28 March 2007

Poland secured their fifth consecutive UEFA EURO 2008′
qualifying win as they defeated Group A rivals Armenia
1-0.

Lead stretched
Maciej ¯urawski’s first-half strike proved enough for
the home side who were never really threatened by
Armenia and had numerous opportunities to extend their
advantage. With Finland’s surprise 1-0 loss to
Azerbaijan earlier in the day and Portugal’s 1-1 draw
with Serbia, Poland’s lead in the group now stands at
five points.

Early domination
Poland dominated the early stages with Lukasz Gargula
pulling the strings in midfield and Jacek Krzynówek
displaying his array of sublime ball skills. It was
Krzynówek who had the first attempt on goal, spinning
from 12 metres to fire a low right-footed shot which
Roman Berezovsky did well to save to his left.

¯urawski curler
Leo Beenhakker’s team went ahead on 26 minutes when
Micha³ ¯ew³akow threaded a low pass to ¯urawski. With
his back to goal, the Celtic FC forward turned away
from two defenders before curling a right-footed
effort inside the far post from 14 metres. A minute
later it was almost 2-0 as Berezovsky punched away
Krzynówek’s ferocious free-kick.

Shahgeldyan chance
Armenia’s only attack of the half came eight minutes
before the interval when Artavazd Karamyan found Levon
Pachajyan on the left and his inviting cross was
centimetres shy of Armen Shahgeldyan’s outstretched
boot as the striker slid in at the back post. The
ubiquitous Krzynówek could have doubled the Polish
advantage on 50 minutes but blazed wildly over, five
minutes before Przemys³aw Ka?mierczak followed suit.

Berezovsky brilliance
Gargula appeared certain to put the tie beyond doubt
on 71 minutes but his powerful strike was kept out by
Berezovsky and a minute later ¯urawski teed up Jakub
B³aszczykowski, only for the midfielder to miscue.
Poland were queueing up to score by now and Gargula
wasted their last opportunity, heading over at the far
post late on after more good work by the goalscorer.

©uefa.com 1998-2007.

WORLD DOES NOT THINK HOLOCAUST WAS A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 15:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The world community does not think that the
Holocaust was a unique example of genocide, Jews themselves are sure in
it. They consider themselves as a nation chosen by God and state that
nobody besides themselves has undergone extermination," Chairman of
the European Armenian Federation Hilda Tchoboyan told at the interview
to PanARMENIAN.Net. She said, it is an ultimately wrong introduction
of problem. "Jewish communities of Europe have begun to approach to
this understanding. They excellently realize that if an estimation was
given to the Armenian Genocide in due time, the Holocaust may happen,
but not in such scales," the EAFJD Chairman underscored.

SECRETARY OF CIS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ATTEND A. MARGARYAN’S FUNERAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 15:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary of CIS Executive Committee Vladimir
Rushailo will arrive in Yerevan to attend Armenian Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan’s funeral, RA MFA Acting Press Officer Vladimir
Karapetyan told the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist.

Andranik Margaryan’s funeral will take place March 28 in the Pantheon
after Komitas, where famous Armenians and outstanding political
figures are buried.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIASPORA WAITED FOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP LAW A LONG TIME

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 15:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Diaspora waited for the law of Dual Citizenship
in Armenia a long time," Chairman of the European Armenian Federation
Hilda Tchoboyan told at the interview to PanARMENIAN.Net. "When
Armenia’s independence was declared a lot of us hoped that the Armenia
government will recognize us as his own citizens. Unfortunately it
did not happen. The Diaspora was very upset. And now we got moral
satisfaction, we have a motherland where we can come and do everything
possible for her prosperity," she underlined. Tchoboyan also thinks
it is natural the fear of "local" citizens of the RA that the Diaspora
will take the power into its hands, elect the president and so on. "We
are not going to do that, the law clearly indicates our rights and
obligations. I consider the adoption of this law as very important,
if even it is a bit belated step," the EAFJD Chairman underscored.

41 PACE REPRESENTATIVES TO WATCH PARLIAMENTARIAN ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 15:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 41 PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe) observers will arrive in Armenia for watching the
parliamentarian elections, CoE Secretary General’s Special
Representative Bojana Urumova told today at the conference titled
"Free and Fair Elections as a Corner Stone in Democracy". She said,
the preliminary mission of observers will arrive on April 9 for
analyzing country’s political field.

PACE’s second mission will directly watch the process of elections
from April 9 till May 13.

"Conduction of free and fair election in accordance with European
standards will prove Armenia’s progress on the way of democracy
and European integration," the CoE Special Representative stated,
"Novosti-Armenia" reports.

TURKISH BUSINESSMEN JOINED IN "STRUGGLE" AGAINST ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 17:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the 26th annual summit of Turkish
and U.S. government and military officials and businessmen the
issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide by the Congress was
discussed. Turkish Daily News reports that one more subject
of discussion became the possible adoption of a resolution
condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in
January. "Everything has been said. I hope it (Armenian Genocide
Resolution) doesn’t pass," said General Ergin Saygun, deputy chief
of the Turkish General Staff, at a Sunday reception at the Turkish
Embassy in Washington. The newspaper notes that even if the Armenian
Genocide Resolution is passed the U.S. stance towards Turkey will not
change. "The U.S. policy will not change regardless of what Congress
does on this issue. We would like to see the resolution not pass,"
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson stated. Turkish Daily News also
notes that Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan and head of Microsoft
Corporation Bill Gates were present at the conference.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. CONGRESS APPROVED BILL ON SUPPORTING GEORGIA AND UKRAINE’S MEMBERSHIP TO NATO

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 18:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The bill on supporting Georgia and Ukraine’s
membership to NATO has been sent to U.S. President George Bush for
confirmation. This document titled "Law for strengthening freedom
in the NATO framework" was approved by House representatives of the
American Congress in its final shape.

Particularly, the document supposes assignment of financial means
from the U.S. budget in he framework of preparing these countries for
NATO membership. The bill has been sent to the President after it
was approved in its final shape by the conciliatory committee. The
bill was unanimously approved by House representatives in its first
reading March 6, and the Senate approved practically the similar text
on March 15.

The preamble of the document says that it is aimed at "supporting
further enlargement of NATO and assistance of timely acceptance
of new members into the organization". It indicates that further
preservation of stability and security in Europe demands military,
economic and political integration of arising democracies into existing
European structures".

In this respect Georgia, Ukraine, Albania, Croatia and Macedonia are
mentioned in the document.

It supposes assignment of financial aid to the above-mentioned
countries for strengthening their security. The text of the bill
does not indicate the sum of money due to be assigned, but earlier
some representatives of the Bush administration used to say that
Georgia could receive $10 million, Macedonia $3.6 million, Albania
$3.2 million and Croatia $3 million, ITAR-TASS reports.

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE TO VOTE FOR RESOLUTION CONDEMNING HRANT DINK’S MURDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 18:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In a related development, the Senate’s Foreign
Relations Committee is planning to vote on Wednesday another resolution
condemning Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink’s murder and calling
on Turkey to abolish the notorious Article 301 of the penal code
blamed for restricting freedom of expression and to launch diplomatic,
political and trade ties with Armenia, Turkish Daily News reports.

The publication reminds that legislation was originally planned for
vote on March 6, but the committee’s Republican Senator Richard Lugar
of Indiana, who generally backs Turkey in Congress, objected to the
measure’s language, causing a delay of three weeks. Ankara fears that
a Senate approval of the original text may act as a precedent for
future congressional action. "President George Bush, who has strongly
condemned Dink’s assassination, would like to see Turkey repeal the
penal code’s controversial article and set up good relations with
Armenia. The committee’s Web site announcement said the resolution
on Wednesday would be brought to a vote with amendments but did not
say what the amendments were.

It was not clear whether the "Armenian Genocide" reference would stay
in the text," Turkish Daily News reports.

MARCH 28 FINAL DAY OF PRESENTING DOCUMENTS TO CEC OF ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2007 19:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ March 28 is the final day of presenting documents to
the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia necessary for registering
parties and candidates for participating in the parliamentarian
elections of May 12, 2007. Garegin Azaryan, Chairman of Central
Electoral Commission said currently only 10 of 28 political parties,
which handled applications for participating in parliamentarian
elections, have presented corresponding documents. He underlined
necessary documentation for registration have presented "National
Unity", "People’s Party of Armenia", "People’s Party", "Democratic
Party of Armenia", "Republican Party of Armenia", "Marxist Party of
Armenia", "’Hnchakyan’ Social-Democratic Party", "Democratic Way"
party, "New Times" party, and the Youth Party.

The CEC made a decision on giving corresponding certificates to
candidates running both on majority and proportional systems. Besides,
the CEC decided to reject the application for watchdog mission handled
by Union of Talented Women "Vortatunk", since goals and tasks in
the regulation of the organization lack issues concerning democracy
development and human rights protection, IA Regnum reports.