Month: March 2007

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
65 Main St., #3A
Watertown, MA 02472
March 26, 2007
CONTACT: Barbara Merguerian
Tel: 617-926-0171
E-mail: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
Net: _www.aiwa-net.org_ ()

Women’s History Program Will Explore
Armenian Feminism and Nationalism

In its annual observance of Women’s History Month, the Armenian
International Women’s Association (AIWA) this year is sponsoring a
program dealing with the tremendous challenges that faced the Armenian
nation in the immediate post-genocide period.

`Can Feminism Survive a Nation? Armenian Women Intellectuals and Their
Discourses in 1920s Istanbul’ is the theme of the presentation, which
will take place on Sunday, April 1, at 3 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural
Foundation in Arlington, MA.

The program will explore the gendered after-effects of the Armenian
Genocide on the ways prominent Armenian intellectuals of Istanbul
understood their community’s past, present, and future. With a focus
on the Armenianwomen’s journal Hay Gin (Armenian Woman), published in
Istanbul from 1919 to 1933, the talk will explain how the theme of
`Armenian motherhood’ was employed to enable a uniquely post-1915
Armenian feminism in Turkey.

The topic will be presented by a young, Turkish-born Armenian scholar,
Lerna Ekmekcioglu, doctoral candidate in History and Middle Eastern
Studies at New York University. The working title of her dissertation
is `Feminists and Nationkeeping: Armenians of Istanbul in the Late
Ottoman and Early Republican Turkey. ‘ A graduate of Bogazici
University in Istanbul with a major in Sociology, Ekmekcioglu has
published several articles and made various paper presentations.

She recently co-edited a volume about Turkish-Armenian female
intellectualsof the past century, titled A Cry for Justice: Five
Armenian Feminist Writers from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish
Republic (1862-1944), in Turkish. Atthe Middle East Studies
Association meeting in Boston last fall, she participated in a panel
on `Identity and Narrative in the Armenian Press.’

The recent assassination of the Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink in
Istanbul has thrown a spotlight on the Armenian community of
Turkey. At thesame time it has revealed how little is known about that
community, its institutions, its struggles and contradictions, and its
recent hisory. AIWA’s program will offer insights into the community
in general, and specifically in the role of women.

The public is cordially invited to attend.

AIWA was established in 1991 as an independent, non-profit,
non-sectarian organization designed to advance the visibility of
Armenian women. Open to all who share its goals, AIWA has organized
four international conferences, supported health, educational, and
social programs in Armenia, planned numerous lectures, workshops, and
programs dealing with issues of concern to Armenian women, instituted
a scholarship program, published several books, and established a
network of Armenian women.

Further information about AIWA and the April 1 Women’s History Month
program is available by contacting the association at 65 Main St.,
Watertown, MA; telephone: 617/926-0171; e-mail: [email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]); web:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russia to gain from Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, energy official says

Arminfo
26 Mar 07

Yerevan, 26 March: Both Armenia and Iran, as well as Russian
businesses, may benefit from gas supplies from Iran to Armenia,
Armenian Deputy Energy Minister Ara Simonyan has said.

He said that the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will provide the companies
with Russian capital with long-term and stable orders. In particular,
the fifth unit of the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant (Hrazdan – 5),
currently under construction, and the Armenian-Russian company
ArmRosgazprom [Hayrusgazard] can count on such orders, he said. He
said that Armenia will be paying for the Iranian gas with
electricity. (According to Armenia’s Regulatory Commission on Public
Services, Armenia will supply 3 kWh for 1 cu.m. of received gas.)
Under the agreement, the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant (TPP) is a party
to the gas-for-electricity deal but even after it acquires a 205-MW
combined cycle gas turbine on the loan extended by the Japanese Bank
for International Cooperation (allowing to produce 1.4bn-1.5bn kWh of
electricity annually), it will not be able to process the entire
volume of the imported Iranian gas into electricity. Its current
capacity is 550 MW, out of which only 50 MW is used due to economic
reasons. Under the agreement, Iran will supply to Armenia 1.1bn
cu.m. of gas beginning 2009, and up to 2.3bn cu.m. of gas beginning
2019, Simonyan said. He said that the Yerevan TPP could offer the
remaining Iranian gas to Hrazdan -5 for electricity generation and
then buy electricity at the prices set by the Regulatory Commission on
Public Services and export it. All the countries of the region have
electricity shortage, and only the Armenian energy system produces
more than consumed. He said that the agreement with the Yerevan TPP is
signed for 20 years, and this means that at least for this period,
Iran will be buying electricity generated in Armenia.

Simonyan, however, thinks that due to the present low effectiveness of
the Armenian thermal plants, the efficiency of the gas-for-electricity
deal will be minimal. Currently, the Yerevan and Hrazdan thermal power
plants utilize 372-400 grams of fuel to generate 1 kW of
electricity. The construction of a new unit of the Yerevan TPP and the
implementation of the Hrazdan-5 project will help raise the
effectiveness of the electricity generation, he said. Accordingly,
Armenia could use gas surplus for its own purposes. He said that the
construction of the Iran-Armenia pipeline became a locomotive for the
implementation of modernization projects for the two TPPs as well as
for the construction of two 400-kW electricity lines with Iran and
Georgia.

The construction of the Iran-Armenia pipeline will help strengthen
cooperation between Armenia, Iran and Russia in the electricity and
gas sectors, he said.

THEY LOST THEIR HOMES BUT NOT THEIR HOPE

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
27 March 07

In 2006 155 families, 487 people, including 66 children, migrated to
NKR from Armenia and other countries, said Serge Amirkhanian, the head
of the Department for Migration, Resettlement and Refugees, in an
interview with the Azat Artsakh. In the framework of the resettlement
program, 105 houses were built and 38 were repaired in different
regions of the country, he said. In answer to our question who the
migrants are and if there is a target group, Serge Amirkhanian said:
`The majority of migrants are the refugees who had gone to live in
Armenia and other countries. Only in Armenia there are at least 35
thousand refugee families. In fact, there is no difference between
these families and the refugee families who came to NKR. However, from
the very beginning the migrants were favored, and for some time the
problems of refugees did not get due attention. From 2004 the refugee
families get the same privileges as the migrants after amendments to
the legislation. As to a target group, we need to involve all our 500
thousand Armenians who left Azerbaijan for different countries.’
According to Serge Amirkhanian, there is a list of areas included in
the resettlement program based on the principle of decentralization.

For instance, of the abovementioned 143 houses 52 are in Shahumian, 28
in Martakert, 17 in Askeran, etc. Another principle of resettlement is
to provide the regions with specialists they lack. As to refugees,
about 3840 families are registered with the department. `In 2008-2010
the focus will be on the problem of housing of refugees. Currently
500-600 families are facing this problem.

In 2006 26 houses were built and repaired for refugees, including 11
in Stepanakert. Besides, 24 apartments were bought for invited
workers,’ said Serge Amirkhanian. 1022.8 million drams was spent on
this program in 2006. The department continued registration of
refugees. The refugees get special certificates on their status. Serge
Amirkhanian says the document provided by the government of NKR is not
recognized in the world, but the department intends to turn to the
relevant bodies in Armenia to recognize the rights of the refugees
registered by us. According to Serge Amirkhanian, presently the
Department for Migration and the NKR foreign ministry fill in special
questionnaires including details on the damage inflicted on the given
family or person. A copy of each questionnaire is sent to the UN
Yerevan office for the refugees. Last year 26 houses were built for
refugees, including 11 in Ajapniak, an outskirt of Stepanakert, but
the families of refugees refuse to live in these houses. `We intend
to provide apartments to the refugees living at the dormitory of
Artsakh State University to return the dormitory to the students. In
2007 another 12 houses will be built for refugees. As to the
complaints of these families, I think they are not realistic. They
have lived in the center of the city for 17-18 years and now some of
them cannot get used to the idea of living in Ajapniak. Ajapniak is
not a village, it is a district of the city. We hope we will come to a
compromise on this issue,’ said Serge Amirkhanian.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
27-03-2007

NKR REPRESENTATIVE MET WITH OMBUDSMAN OF ARMENIA

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
27 March 07

On March 15 the Defender of Human Rights of Armenia Armen Harutiunian
met with the leaders of the organizations which conduct monitoring of
penitentiaries. From Karabakh the head of the Civic Action Center
Albert Voskanian participated in this meeting. The representatives of
international organizations were present as well. Albert Voskanian
told how the monitoring of the remand prison and the penitentiary is
organized. He underlined that the reports of the monitoring are
submitted with both the local governmental and non-governmental
organizations and international organizations, such as the CoE, the
OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Prison Reform
International, etc. Albert Voskanian said the Civic Action Center has
plans related to the appointment of the Defender of Human Rights of
NKR. He said it will enable to upgrade the human rights practices in
NKR.

EVIKA BABAYAN.
27-03-2007

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
March 27, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA AND GENOCIDE INTERVENTION NETWORK TAKE TO
CAPITOL HILL TO END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

— Over 100 Anti-Genocide Advocates from 25 States
Visit all 535 Congressional offices

— Urge Passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution
and Darfur Divestment Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Anti-Genocide advocates from across the United
States converged on Capitol Hill on March 22nd and 23rd to urge
Members of Congress to pass Armenian Genocide legislation
(H.Res.106/S.Res.106), support targeted Sudan Divestment
legislation (S.831) and ensure proper funding for peacekeepers to
help stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

Over 100 activists from 25 states participated in the advocacy
days, titled "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol
Campaign." The program was organized by the ANCA and the Genocide
Intervention Network (GI-Net). By the end of the whirlwind two-day
campaign, activists had visited all 100 Senate and 435 House of
Representatives offices, meeting with Members of Congress, their
staff and dropping off information regarding pending Armenian and
Darfur genocide legislation.

"I think this [ANCA / GI-Net] partnership is huge in the fact that
we are combining the need to recognize past genocides to help stop
current genocides," explained GI-Net Executive Director Mark
Hannis. "These advocacy days are critical because, as all the
experts show, it is political will that is the fundamental issue at
failing to prevent and stop genocide. So that is where it is key
that we pressure public officials, we meet with them as we have
done over the past two days to let them know that they need to
recognize past genocides and stop the ones happening right now."

The advocacy days began at 8:00am on March 22nd with briefings by
the ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network teams on the current
status of Armenian Genocide and Darfur Genocide legislation
followed by a brief primer on advocacy tactics, helpful for many
who had traveled to the nation’s capitol for the first time. The
participants, young and old, then split into groups committed to
reaching out to every member of the Senate and House, attending
meetings set up with the assistance of ANCA regional and local
chapters.

"This two day visit to Washington, DC could not come at a more
critical time," commented Andrew Kzirian, Executive Director of the
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. "With
the support of over 180 cosponsors for H. Res. 106 and the recent
introduction of S. Res. 106, activists everywhere must realize that
we must demonstrate our grassroots power both locally in our
districts across the nation, and nationally in Washington, DC – I
am extremely pleased to see over 100 anti-genocide advocates here
on Capitol Hill working to raise awareness regarding Darfur
divestment and the Armenian Genocide," added Kzirian.

"The diversity of Grassroots Capitol Campaign participants was most
inspiring," explained ANCA Eastern Region Director Karine Birazian.
"From former Congressional staff to students raising their voices
for the first time in support of this key human rights issue – it
is clear that the anti-genocide constituency in the United States
is growing and becoming increasingly effective."

On Thursday evening, participants joined with anti-genocide
advocates from the Greater Washington DC area to share their
stories at the "End the Cycle of Genocide" Capitol Hill observance.
Members of Congress participating in the observance included
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
Armenian Genocide Resolution author Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad
Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Donald Payne
(D-NJ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), John Sarbanes
(D-MD), and Jean Schmidt (R-OH).

Reps Pallone and Schiff emphasized the importance of holding
advocacy days to call attention to anti-genocide legislation.
"Grassroots… is really what it is all about," explained Rep.
Pallone. "You come down here and you talk to Members of Congress
and when you go home you talk to them and other elected officials
and other community groups and create this type of coalition. It
is crucial for any success in ending the cycle of genocide."

Rep. Schiff explained that the assault on the Armenian Genocide
resolution is greater this year than ever before. "Throughout the
years that I have worked on this here, and Frank [Pallone] long
before I got here, there has always been vigorous opposition to the
Genocide Resolution. But I have never seen it of this order of
magnitude. And the pushback from the Turkish lobby and its allies
is extraordinary. And that means that all of you, and all of your
friends and family and colleagues have to redouble our efforts not
only to win new supporters of the resolution but to make sure that
we keep the supporters that we have steadfast. Because they are
working not only to prevent the growth of support for the
resolution, but to peel people off of it."

The anti-genocide advocates focused on Armenian Genocide
legislation (S.Res.106/H.Res.106) which reaffirms the U.S. record
on the Armenian Genocide and urges the President to properly
characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide" in his yearly
April 24th statement. The House version was introduced this
January by Representatives Schiff, George Radanovich (R-CA),
Pallone and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) along with Representatives
Sherman and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. This measure currently has 182 cosponsors. The Senate
resolution, introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and John
Ensign (R-NV) currently has 26 cosponsors.

Activists stressed the urgent need for action to stop the ongoing
genocide in Darfur. They urged support for the Sudan Divestment
Authorization Act (SDAA – S.831) in the Senate, also introduced by
Sen. Durbin, which authorizes states to divest from companies
helping to fund genocide in Darfur, Sudan. In the House, activists
called for increased funding for peacekeeping troops stationed in
Darfur, in an effort to curb ongoing violence against innocent
civilians. Since February, 2003, the Sudanese government in
Khartoum and the Janjaweed militia have used rape, displacement,
organized starvation and mass murder to kill more than 400,000 and
displace 2.5 million, with numbers growing every day.

The anti-genocide advocacy team included individuals of all ages –
from high school students to seasoned veterans of Capitol Hill
outreach. Among them were the twenty-students from the New
Jersey’s Pascack Valley High School Advanced Placement (AP)
Government class, led by teacher Ken Sarajian. All participants
called on legislators to take decisive action to properly
commemorate past genocides, stop the current genocide in Darfur and
recommit the American people and government to preventing genocides
in the 21th century.

#####

IN ARTSAKH DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE PRODUCED FROM WHOLE MILK

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
27 March 07

In 2006 the gross agricultural output totaled 20735.5 million drams,
including 24.9% dairy products, 23% grain and 12.2% meat. We tried to
find out how the achievements of the past years affected the
companies. The executive director of Arvard, a dairy factory, said the
company can process about 3 metric tons of milk a day. However, in
winter the factory processes 500-600 liters and up to 1.5-1.6 metric
tons in late spring and summer. In 2006, Arvard processed about 200
metric tons of milk. Arajnek CJSC’s capacity is 5 metric tons a
day. Presently the company processes 1.5-1.6 metric tons. In spring
and summer the company processes up to 3 metric tons. In 2006 the
company processed about 600 metric tons. As to the Hayastan Company,
the executive director said they process an average of 8 metric tons a
month. The companies buy milk at 80-110 drams per liter. In winter
they pay 140 drams per liter. `Farmers say this is a low price but in
order to be competitive with the cheap dairy products imported from
Armenia we have to take this step,’ said Mushegh Yengibarian, the
executive director of Arajnek. The companies’ products are mainly sold
in the capital. One of the companies sells 60 percent, the other 85-90
percent of its products in Stepanakert. To survive in this competition
without lowering the price of their products the companies sustain the
quality and prefer whole milk to milk powder, which is imported
cheaply. Besides, milk powder imported in small quantities is not
lucrative. Arvard is said to sell its equipment for production of dry
milk. The executive director of Arvard said this equipment was not
used even during the Soviet period. `It is necessary to supply 60-80
metric tons of milk a day to operate the equipment, build a separate
boiling house and hire special specialists,’ he said, adding that
these problems do not seem likely to solve in the upcoming 10-15
years, therefore the owner decided to sell it to a larger
company. `The money will be spent on other projects in Artsakh and on
the problems that the factory is facing,’ said A. Grigorian, the
executive director of the Arvard Company.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
27-03-2007

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

Armenian National Committee of Quebec
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montreal, QC, H4J 1L5
Tel: (514) 331-5777
E-mail: [email protected]

Contact: Edward Agopian
Tel: (514) 880-0400

Armenian National Committee of Quebec Weighs in on Quebec 2007 Elections

Montreal, Qc_ The Armenian National Committee of Quebec (ANCQ) over
the last four weeks has actively been involved in the Quebec 2007
general elections. Committee members have met with and discussed
issues of our community with candidates of all the major parties.

The committee has agreed to support certain candidates and to assist
these candidates through its participation in the campaign processes.
The ANCQ has always supported individual candidates and not political
parties to best serve the needs of our community.

The ANCQ was proud of the passage of C-194 in the National Assembly of
Quebec during the previous mandate of government. When meeting with
the candidates, the ANCQ discussed issues such as the inclusion of
genocides in the educational curriculum, the development of youth
programs within our community and the inclusion of our community in
higher levels of government, among many others.

On election day, ANCQ’s supported candidates were all victorious in
their ridings. Christine St.Pierre (Liberal, Acadie), Jacques Dupuis
(Liberal, St.Laurent), Louise Harel (PQ, Hochelaga-Maissoneuve),
Michelle Courchesne (Liberal, Fabre), Guy Ouellette (Liberal,
Chomedey) and Alain Paquet (Liberal, Laval des Rapides).

The ANCQ looks forward to working with the new National Assembly of
Quebec. We are optimistic with the outlook of the future and have
great confidence in pursuing the needs of our community through
vigilant action.

-30-

ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN
RE-OPENING CEREMONY OF SURB KHACH CHURCH

ANTELIAS, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The delegation of
the Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia will not
participate in the re-opening ceremony of Aghtamar’s Surb Khach Church
on May 29. As reported from Antelias, the reason is Turkey’s policy of
denial of the Armenian Genocide.

2-YEAR PROGRAM "DIGNIFIED LABOR" TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ARMENIA WITH
ASSISTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2-year program "Dignified Labor"
will be implemented in Armenia by the International Labor Organization
(ILO) and its partners in Armenia – the Armenian government, the
Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia and the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia.

According to ILO, one of the program’s priorities is improvement of
the employment policy (although GDP growth made 13.4% in 2006, the
level of unemployment in the country is high – 8.2%). assistance for
strengthening the links of the education sector and the labor
market. Besides, ILO will provide technical advice and take measures
aimed at capacity development with the aim of employing outgoing
workers, improving the legislation on protection of workers’ rights
and its practical use.

Another priority of the program is strengthening the social
partnership, particularly improvement of the legislative field related
to the signing of collective labor contracts in various sectors and
enterprises and the implementation of their provisions by the
government, employers and workers.

ABSENCE OF CROSS ON DOME OF SURB KHACH CHURCH REVEALS TRUE FACE OF
TURKEY, PRIEST SHAHE HAYRAPETIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The absence of the cross on the dome
of Surb Khach Church to be re-opened on Aghtamar Island of Van on
March 29 reveals the true face of Turkey. Priest Shahe Hayrapetian,
spiritual shepherd of Yerevan’s Surb Sargis Church, expressed this
opinion during a talk with NT correspondent.

In his words, it is impossible to separate from the church these
symbols because its dome and the holy table are cruciform. "The cross
is our glory and honor, it is our crown that follows us
everywhere. And we together must mount this cross," the priest stated.

As regards the negative attitude of the Diasporan Armenian community
to the issue of participation in the ceremony of re-opening Surb Khach
Church, priest Shahe Hayrapetian said that "not to go there only
because of the cross and not to worship this sacred place is really
just sensual."