Month: April 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
April 24, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATOR MENENDEZ REAFFIRMS HOLD ON HOAGLAND NOMINATION

— Ambassador Evans Calls for Passage
of Armenian Genocide Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) reaffirmed his "hold"
on the controversial nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia in his remarks today at an Armenian
Genocide observance organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus
in Capitol Hill’s historic Cannon Caucus Room, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Bush Administration has twice nominated Richard Hoagland to
replace John Marshall Evans, a decorated career diplomat who was
fired last year by the Secretary of State for speaking truthfully
about the Armenian Genocide. From the outset, the Hoagland
nomination has been the focus of intense controversy, first because
of the State Department’s willingness to explain its firing of
Evans, and later due to his denial of the Armenian Genocide in his
responses to questions raised during his confirmation hearing.
These remarks, which extended far beyond the euphemistic word games
traditionally employed by the State Department, sparked outrage
among Armenian Americans and widespread Congressional opposition to
his posting in Yerevan.

Looking to Ambassador Evans, who was seated in the first row of the
standing room only hall, Senator Menendez said, "I wish the
Ambassador was back in Armenia, but if we cannot get him there, I
refuse to release my hold on Ambassador Hoagland because of his
testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee." The
Senator added, to a sustained ovation, that, "the President
[should] appoint a new nominee who will represent the interests of
the United States and Armenia much better."

In his remarks, Ambassador Evans, the program’s keynote speaker,
called upon Congress to pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution. In
a speech repeatedly interrupted by applause, he said, "If we dare
not call the 1915 events genocide, we make it more likely that
current genocides, such as that in Darfur, will continue and future
genocides will occur… This is why, ladies and gentlemen, after 92
years, the time has come to call a spade a spade. House Resolution
106 on the affirmation of the United States record on the Armenian
Genocide should be adopted by the Congress." The former envoy
continued, stressing: "History does matter. Truth does matter.
Justice does matter."

The Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106 in the House and
S.Res.106 in the Senate, calls on the President to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide and encourages the Administration
to ensure that the lessons of this crime are used to help prevent
future genocides. The resolution has over 190 cosponsors in the
House and 30 cosponsors in the Senate.

The April 24th observance was presided over by the Co-Chairmen of
the Armenian Caucus, Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-
MI), and featured moving speeches by the lead authors of H.Res.106,
Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA); original
cosponsors Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), both
of whom serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee; Senator Menendez;
and Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Donald
Payne (D-NJ), Jim Costa (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Diane Watson
(D-CA). Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA), David Dreier (R-CA) and
Tim Walz (D-MN) also participated in the remembrance.

Congressman Schiff, in his remarks, questioned the claims by
opponents of H.Res.106 that Turkey is making progress toward
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. "Was the murder of Hrant Dink
progress? No it was not. Was the bringing of charges against a
Nobel Prize-winning author progress? No it is not. Was the
inception of Article 301, which makes it a crime to insult
Turkishness progress? No it is not. The irony of our government’s
position is that instead of pressing Turkey to repeal Article 301,
our own State Department is trying to enforce 301 here in America,
here in our Congress – and that cannot be."

Representative Radanovich, expanding on this theme, said that, "I
am sorry that the State Department and the Administration are slow
to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the United States. And they
argue that we need to deal with Turkey with kid gloves, and they
need to come to this admission on their own. The fact is they are
not going to come to this admission on their own – and they need
prodding from the United States – and our recognition of the
Genocide will get us to the point where every civilized country in
the world should be."

Holding up a copy of a New York Times April 23, 2007, full-page
advertisement placed by Turkey denying the Armenian Genocide, Rep.
Anna Eshoo, the only member of Congress of Armenian descent,
stated, "My friends, we have work to do. They [the Turkish
government] have money, they have sway in Washington DC, as you
well know. I think the truth will help liberate the country of
Turkey and the people of Turkey, when we pass this resolution."
The ad, placed by the Embassy of Turkey, is valued at $130,000.
Similar ads were placed in the Washington Times and L.A. Times.

#####

Note the Editor: Photos provided under separate cover.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Lusine Mnatsakanyan
Tel: 3741 56 0106
Fax: 3741 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.himnadram. org

Yerevan, April 25, 2007

3 Furnished Classrooms in Yerevan Secondary School N29

Due to a donation of 1.829.000 AMD by the Stambul-based Armenian benefactor
and efforts of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Executive Board, furniture in
3 classrooms was renewed in the Yerevan school N29 after Movses Arazi.
Ms. Ruzanna Sarukhanyan, head of the school was very excited when showing
the working group of the Fund; students looked happy and grateful. `All
school events ` competitions and open classes will be conducted in `our
benefactor’s’ classrooms from now one’, said Ms, Sarukhanyan proudly.
School N29 was commissioned in 1927. It has had а great deal of talented
graduates.
There is no doubt, that this school with its life-long beautiful traditions
becomes more attractive with each newly furnished classroom.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

April 25, 2007

Raffi Hovannisian Holds Press Briefing, Heads for Border Villages

Yerevan–Today, Raffi K. Hovannisian held a press briefing at Heritage
Headquarters, where he discussed unequal campaign conditions in general and
pressures being applied to Heritage in particular. In spite of this,
Hovannisian asserted that Heritage is set to make up a relative majority of
the new parliament. "We harbor no illusion that we will meet Armenia’s
challenges alone," he said, noting that Heritage endorses cooperation and
unity as political principles.

Afterward, Heritage’s campaign bus "Toward Victory" took Hovannisian and his
fellow candidates to Arax and other border villages between Etchmiadzin and
Masis, where spontaneous public gatherings became forums for citizens’
opinions, questions, and hopes.

Tomorrow, April 26, the campaign caravan will travel through Talin, Artik,
Maralik, Akhurian, Amasia, Giumri, and other towns in the marzes of
Aragatsotn and Shirak.

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at

Armenia Solidarity
British Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group
Nor Serount Publications

Press Release
1 Armenian Genocide Commemmorated in the UK Houses of Parliament for
the first time
2 Major Conference on the Genocide held in the House of Commons

On Armenian Genocide Day, Parliamentarians, Armenians and supporters
gathered for a commemmorative service for the first time in the Houses
of Parliament Church (St Mary’s-under-Croft) and also for a major
international conference in the Grand Committee room of the House of
Commons.
The Church service was under the care of the Rev Frank Gelli, who
called for the government to be more proactive in the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.Taking part was soprano Seta Tokatlian.
Two wreath -laying ceremonies took place, the first one at the
Monument to the Innocents,Westminster Abbey, officiated by the Dean of
the Abbey with the participation of representatives of the Darfur Union
of the UK and the Aegis Trust. Seta Tokatlian read the poem "We are Few"
by P. Sevak.
The second ceremony took place at the cenotaph, where E. Williams
appealed for more efforts to add to the 104 MPs who have signed Early
Day Motion 357 in Parliament , recognising the Genocide, by sustained
lobbying by all Armenians

At the Conference,chaired by distinguished parliamentarian Lord
Avenury, Farhad Malikian. director of the Centre for International
Criminal Law, Uppsala, Sweden, concentrated on the legal aspects of
crimes against humanity and genocide.
Historians Christopher Walker and Greg Topalian concentrated on the
tactics of denial used by denialist historiand and the British
government. Author Desmond Fernandes made an analysis od denialist
policy.
Dr Margaret Brearly concentrated on the parallels between the
Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.
Linda Melvern,Vice President of the International Association of
Genocide Scholars,read a powerful statement from that organisation
recognising thar what happened to the Armenians was undoubtedly Genocide

Professor Theo Van Lint discussd the genocide in the context of the
cultural genocide that this involved for Eastern Anatolia.

A strongly worded message from the UK based Muslim Public Affairs
Committee, recognising that what happened to the Armenians was Genocide,
Holocaust , and a Crime against humanity, was read by Odette Bazil of
the British Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group. She also read a
reply from Geoff Hoon , MP on behalf of the government, which exposed
the government’s position as being at variance with the position of the
overwhelming majority of genocide shollars and experts in the UK and
throughout the world.
A vote of thanks was given by the well-respected campaigner in
parliament on the issue, Baroness Cox
The results of the conference, together with statements received
from Genocide experts such as Prof. Donald Bloxham (Edinburgh
University) Dr. Mark Levene (Southapmpton University),Prof Martin Shaw
(Sussex University) and educated Armenians (such as Prof Hovanness
Pilikian) will be presented to the government in the course of the next
few weeks by Lord Avebury and Baroness Cox.
Also presented will be the compilation by John Torosyan and references
by Tony Cahve as well as the speech by Prof V. Dadrian,"Compelling proof
for the Genocide"
The government will also be invited to contact other well-known
Genocide experts directly (eg Prof Jurgen Zimmerer of Sheffield
University and Dr. Cathie Carmichael, of the University of East Anglia.)

It is now known that neither this government or any previous UK
government have consulted any of these experts on genocide listed in
this release(which covers all experts on Genocide in the UK) despite
having implied in parliament that they have consulted historians

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, April 25, 2007

AGBU-Sponsored Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra Tours France

>From February 6 – 15, 2007, the 120-member Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra (APO) toured seven French cities (Nice, Vendée,
Saint-Etienne, Lyon, Valence, Marseille, and Paris) to entertain
thousands of music lovers as part of the "Year of Armenia" festival
of Armenian culture taking place in France this year.

Entitled "Armenié mon Amie" (Armenia my friend), the yearlong showcase
of Armenian culture was established by France to honor the special
relationship between the two countries while creating bridges between
the peoples of both nations.

Sponsored by AGBU and with the involvement of the organization’s many
French chapters, the nine-day APO tour provided one of the highlights
of the "Year of Armenia" in France, by showcasing the high level of
achievement in Armenia’s cultural institutions.

The APO concerts were attended by a variety of French political
figures and cultural personalities. On stage, the APO was joined by a
number of leading European Armenian musicians whose presence
highlighted the wide breadth of achievement among Armenians across
Europe. Twenty-two-year-old virtuoso violinist Sergey Khatchatryan
accompanied the APO in its sold-out concert for 1,200 in St. Etienne,
pianist Vahan Mardirossian joined the APO for major performances in
Lyon and Marseilles, and renowned pianist Vardan Mamigonian joined the
orchestra for its Valence concert that attracted over 1,000 music
lovers.

Along with songs by Armenian composers, Alexander Spendiarian and Aram
Khatchaturian, renowned pieces by Jean Sibelius and Sergei Rachmaninov
completed the APO program during its French tour.

In each city they visited, members of the APO took time out of their
busy schedules to familiarize themselves with the local French
Armenian community, and visit local AGBU chapters, to promote greater
awareness of the orchestra.

The French media covered the tour extensively as part of the "Year of
Armenia" events. For more information on the APO’s role in the
festivities, visit:
de-l-Orchestre.

Established in 1924, the APO has been primarily subsidized by AGBU
since 1992 in recognition of the importance of the performing arts in
Armenia. Annual grants are allocated for weekly concerts, new
instruments, administration, salary supplements, international guest
artists and special festivals. APO has successfully toured Austria,
England, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, UAE
and the United States, and has produced dozens of CD recordings. For
more information on APO, please visit

For more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
Url:

PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]

Armenia Fund Participates in World Affairs Council’s Global Philanthropy
Forum

Mountain View, CA – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region was represented at
the World Affairs Council’s 6th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum held at
the headquarters of Google in the Silicon Valley. The three day
conference, held from April 11-13, 2007, attracted more than 450
representatives of national and international NGOs and organizations
that have programs designed to end rural poverty and global warming in
different corners of the world. The Forum brings together foundation
leaders, individual donors, social investors, and agents of change to
learn more about opportunities for international philanthropy. Former
U.S. President Bill Clinton on behalf of the Clinton Foundation was
present at the conference.

Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC),
Ambassador John J. Danilovich was also present and delivered the keynote
address highlighting MCC’s goal of reducing poverty in countries like
Armenia. The Millennium Challenge Compact for Armenia envisions $235.5
million aimed at revitalizing the rural infrastructure through the
construction of roads and irrigation networks interlinking the regions.

Sarkis Kotanjian, Executive Director of Armenia Fund U.S. Western
Region, met with Danilovich during the conference. He thanked Danilovich
and the Millennium Challenge Corporation for including Armenia as a
beneficiary country. Upon learning that Armenia Fund’s Village
Development Program in Armenia will augment the direct impact of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation’s projects, Danilovich welcomed and
commended Armenia Fund’s efforts in Armenia and pledged to work closely
with the organization. Kotanjian thanked the Ambassador for his support
of Armenia Fund and welcomed the idea of working together with the aim
of fighting rural poverty in Armenia’s borderline villages. Kotanjian
also presented Armenia Fund to the participants and its 15-year history
of bringing positive change to the lives of thousands in Armenia.

Armenia Fund’s Village Development Program will work towards reducing
rural poverty through a comprehensive regional development program that
entails the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, agricultural
development and other socio-economic programs. The plan encompasses
Armenia’s 159 borderline villages in regional development clusters.
Several villages will be linked together in an attempt to better
coordinate their social and economic activities. Armenia’s fertile
agricultural lands and strategic location in Eurasia carries the
potential to restore its vital role as a regional economic hub.
Additionally, the plan envisions to aggressively stimulate agricultural
development through microfinance lending for local farmers in the
battered regions. The Village Development Program is pending the formal
approval of Armenia Fund’s International Board of Trustees Meeting in
June of this year.

"I welcome Ambassador Danilovich’s words of support. The participants of
the Global Philanthropy Forum were both impressed with the 15-year track
record of our organization and excited to hear about the partnership of
Armenia Fund International with the Millennium Challenge Corporation as
it sets a good precedent for non-profits in other countries where MCC is
involved.", said Kotanjian. `Of course, greater coordination and
cooperation with local governments as well as other international
development projects is vital to this program’s success. I am confident
and optimistic that through the generous support of the United States,
Armenia will continue making strides towards a positive, healthier
future’, added Kotanjian.

Armenia Fund would like to express its sincere gratitude to Mrs. Suzy
Antounian of San Francisco for facilitating the Fund’s participation at
the Global Philanthropy Forum.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia. The Fund has rendered
more than $160 million in development aid to Armenia. Armenia Fund, Inc.
is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund.
Tax ID# 95-4485698

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Courting Lobbyists
By Kate Ackley and Tory Newmyer
Roll Call Staff
April 23, 2007
Everybody loves lobbyists when they’re asking for their money.

But it’s not just Members and fundraisers looking for some K
Streetcash these days.

The Congressional Federal Credit Union has stepped up a membership
drive this month putting the sell on federally registered lobbyists.

`What may surprise you is that you too are eligible to join the Credit
Union! ‘ reads an April letter from the credit union’s Kerry Terryto
lobbyists around town. `If you are a registered lobbyist with the
U.S. House of Representatives, then you are eligible for membership.’

The credit union’s Liz Santos said the letter does not signal a change
in policy – lobbyists have long been able to join the credit
union. But, she said, `It’s not very often, honestly, that we reach
out to the lobbyists, which is why we’re trying to cover all areas of
the credit union membership.’

Talking Turkey. A delegation of Turkish parliamentarians fanned out
across Capitol Hill last week to step up the pressure against a
proposed Congressional resolution on Armenian genocide. The nonbinding
resolution would label as genocide the killings of Armenians, starting
in 1915, by the former Ottoman Empire, and the Turks are pulling out
all the stops – meeting with several Members of Congress as well as
administration officials.

`The resolution does not do justice,’ Onur Ã-ymen, a member of the
Turkish Parliament, said last week during an editorial meeting with
Roll Call in between Hill visits. `We believe at the end reason will
prevail.’

The Turkish officials said their main message to their
U.S. counterparts is that if Congress passes the resolution, the
U.S. government will pay a hefty price.

`There will be public pressure [to retaliate],’ said YassarYakis,
adding that it is not a threat. The resolution could spur Turkey to
stop letting cargo shipped to U.S. forces in Iraq come through the
country, end contracts with American defense companies and hurt other
U.S. commercial interests there.

They took that message to Reps. John Murtha (D-Pa.), James Clyburn
(D-S.C.) and Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), as well as Sens. Dick Lugar
(R-Ind.), David Vitter (R-La.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), according to
the Turkish officials.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), the Democratic chairman of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus, said that the Turkish officials’
lobbying blitz amounts to denial. `Denial is the last phase of
genocide,’ Pallone said. He added that he tells his colleagues, who
might be concerned about retaliation from Turkey should the resolution
pass: `Don’t listen to the bully because it’s the bully that did the
genocide. If you’re going to be bullied around by the country that did
the genocide then essentially you’re going along with thegenocide.’

On Tuesday, a date widely recognized as Armenian Genocide
Commemoration Day, members of the Armenian Caucus are planning an
event with Armenian groups to shine the spotlight on the effort. `We
continue to have an increasing number of Congressional co-sponsors for
this, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), signed
on,’ said Elizabeth Chouldjian, communications director for the
Armenian National Committee of America. `Sadly the Turkish government
is continuing its worldwide campaign of Armenian genocide denial with
this delegation being the latest manifestation of that.’

Going Solo, Global. After 20 years at BKSH & Associates, Riva Levinson
has set off on her own, launching KRL International to focus on a
range of clients either from, or with an interest in, the developing
world. `It was just the right time,’ she said of the move.

Levinson, who headed the international practice at BKSH, has already
signed up a few clients: the governments of Liberia and Nigeria and
the Iraq Memory Foundation.

The work with Liberia continues a decade-long relationship Levinson
has fostered with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s
first elected female president.

She also has logged considerable time on Iraq, working for four years
with the exiled opposition and then traveling to Baghdad in 2003 to
help the new government set up its communications operation. Now she
is lobbying Congress to support the Iraq Memory Foundation, a virtual
museum dedicated to documenting the crimes of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Joining the firm as director is Molly McKew, who was most recently the
research program manager for the American Enterprise Institute’s
foreign and defense policy studies department. Levinson said they plan
to `growthe business as the business grows.’

Having Heart. The American Heart Association is kicking off its lobby
day Tuesday with a HEART for Women Act rally on the National Mall to
gin up support for a bill that would increase awareness for heart
disease in women. Paige Hemmis of the ABC show `Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition’ will be on hand to lend support for the bill. `She
actually has a heart murmur herselfand worked association’s Jessica
Collins. On Tuesday evening, the group wrapsup the day by sponsoring
its Go Red for Women Congressional reception.

K Street Moves. With climate change issues in the Congressional
spotlight, the American Wind Energy Association has hired Gregory
Wetstone as its senior director for government and public
affairs. Wetstone formerly worked as environmental counsel for the
House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health, and he also was
U.S. director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

============================
WESTERN DIOCESE E-NEWSLETTER
===========================
Diocesan News
—————–

DIOCESAN APRIL 24TH SCHEDULE

The Primate and Diocesan Clergy are scheduled to participate in events
related to the 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian- Genocide throughout
the Los Angeles area. Please find the schedule below. For more
information regarding these events please visit
or contact the Western Diocese at
818-558-7474.
( news/story.php?id=419)

SCHEDULE OF APRIL 24TH ACTIVITES FOR FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

The list of April 24th related events that Fr. Vazken Movsesian,
Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, is scheduled to
participate in
( ?id=418)

PRIMATE’S SCHEDULE FOR MAY 2007

( .php?id=420)

PRIMATE OFFERS OPENING PRAYER AT ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

n April 21, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderain offered the
opening prayer at the Annual Meeting of the Armenian Bar Association.
( /story.php?id=421)

PRIMATE ATTENDS AGBU-AYA GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION

On April 21, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian attended
the Genocide Commemoration of the AGBY-AYA.
( ory.php?id=422)

PRIMATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. PETER, VAN NUYS
Ordains Sarkis Sekayan To The Diaconate

( story.php?id=423)

PRIMATE INSTRUCTS DIOCESAN PARISHES TO HONOR VIRGINIA TECH VICTIMS

( ory.php?id=424)

Upcoming Events
—————–

4/25: Ecumenical Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
( /detail.php?id=56)
4/27: Armenian Shabbat
( detail.php?id=53)
5/2: 80th Annual Diocesan Assembly
( /detail.php?id=52)
5/11: YerazArt in Concert at the Western Diocese
( detail.php?id=58)

============================
Th e Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 47
churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as the
Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United States
and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to exclusivly serve
the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Ethni c Minorities in Georgia-Interview Part II
with Dr. Sergey Minasyan

Sergey Minasyan is a political scientist and holds a Ph.D. in
History. His numerous publications focus on regional security and
conflicts in the South Caucasus. He has headed the Yerevan based
Caucasus Media Institute (CMI) Caucasus Studies Department since March
2006.

In 1998, Sergey was awarded an MA at the Department of International
Relations, Yerevan State University. In 2002, he defended his
Ph.D. thesis on Military History of Armenia at the Institute of
History, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. Since 2002, he has
lectured on the theory of international relations and regional
security at various institutes and universities of Armenia. In
2003-2006, he headed the Scientific Research Centre for South Caucasus
Security and Integration Studies.

Usanogh: Dr. Minasyan, very recently you have published a book titled
`Ethnic Minorities in Georgia: Potential for Integration. A Case Study
of the Country’s Armenian Population’. What did motivate you to write
this book?

Sergey Minasyan: My main goal of writing this book was to explain to
Georgian authorities, political forces in Georgia and to Armenians of
Javakhk the legal framework that requires the Georgian government to
protect the ethnic minorities in Georgia by highlighting the
international obligations that the Georgian government has taken upon
itself to implement, show real life examples of such obligations being
implemented elsewhere, and to provide suggestions on how to resolve
various problems experienced by the Armenian population of Javakhk.

Usanogh: When did you decide to write this book?

SM: This book was the end result of my analytical work about Javakhk
and the Armenian community of Georgia as a whole, which I have been
engaged in for the last several years.

Usanogh: What did you find out about the Armenians of Javakhk as you
were doing your research to write this book?

SM: Armenians of Javakhk have made major contributions in the
development and political life of post-Soviet Armenia. One of such
contributions was their active participation in the liberation
struggle of Artsakh. They are very patriotic and attached to their
ancestral lands. At the same time they have became hostages of history
and geopolitics and as such their fate depends upon the general
development of Armenia-Georgia interstate relations.

Usanogh: How long did you research before your book got published and
what sources did you use in writing your book?

SM: Although I have been studying this topic for several years now,
the concrete realization of this project was possible thanks to active
support of Yerkir NGO on repatriation and settlement ()
and was published by the Caucasus Media Institute
within one year.

My main sources for writing this book were the interviews that I have
conducted with residents of Javakhk, representatives from various
political organizations and non-governmental groups, representatives
of Georgian government, international organizations and various
international experts who work on issues of protecting the rights of
minorities, etc. Aside that, I have also analyzed Georgian
legislations and legal framework in regards to ethnic minorities, and
have studied and analyzed relevant international laws, conventions and
documents and their applicability to corresponding legislations
adopted by the Georgian government in their own country. I have also
utilized various foreign media reports and expert studies that were
published on this topic.

Usanogh: Do you think that granting autonomy to the Armenians of
Javakhk will resolve various economical and political problems
experienced by our compatriots in that province?

SM: Of course, the granting of autonomy to the Armenians of Javakhk
could be the solution of political and economic problems experienced
by them. However we need to take into consideration that the Georgian
public has negative attitudes associated with the word `autonomy’
itself, (due to the negative consequences of the last decade,
associated with conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which as a
result of wars have territorially detached themselves from Georgia),
and as such it is unlikely that any compromise with the Georgian
authorities and the Georgian public in general could be expected on
this issue. At the same time I believe that there is a room for
dialogue and possibility to achieve mutual compromises between the
interests of Georgian majority and the interests of Armenian minority
in Javakhk.

In my opinion the optimal solution of this problem that could be
realized is granting to Javakhk a wider local, self-government and
perks in terms of allowing the Armenians to study school subjects in
Armenian language, as well as allowing them to conduct daily business
and legal matters in Armenian language, and allowing locally
registered political parties representing the interests of Armenian
community of Javakhk to freely function. This way the level of social
and political tensions prevailing in Javakhk will subside and the
possibility of local confrontation will sharply decline. These steps
will also result in more efficient work of local governments through
out the Georgia, and in case of Javakhk specifically, it will attain
the status of asymmetric regional self government (by providing a
specific approach to the rights and functions of regional public
organizations, resolution of educational and linguistic problems and
preservation of culture and traditions of the local population).

I would like to hope that the protection of ethnic and religious
minorities’ rights in Georgia will be an important part in Georgia’s
drive for euro-Atlantic integration. Possible membership of Georgia in
NATO that would become possible after successful completion of MAP
(Membership Action Plan) will create the necessary prerequisites for
the Georgian government to pay serious attention to their
international obligations in defending basic human rights, language
rights, and ethnic and religious minorities’ rights, first of all in
Javakhk.

Usanogh: How will the closure of Russian base in Javakhk affect the
economic well being of Javakhk Armenians?

SM: Russian base had a significant influence on economic life of the
region, but with every passing year that influence has decreased and
at this point its influence is not decisive. The more important source
of economic influence in the region is the money transfers made by the
region’s inhabitants who depart for seasonal work in Russia.

In the eyes of the world and European community, throughout the
post-soviet years, the experts in Georgia have used the presence of
Russian military base in Akhalkalak, the administrative capital of
Javakhk, as an excuse for their political passivity to resolve the
socio-economic and political problems experienced by the Armenian
inhabitants of the region.

Usanogh: In your opinion will the economic reconstruction funds being
provided to Georgia by the American Millennium Challenge Account
improve the socio-economic situation of Javakhk’s Armenians?

SM: In case of a successful implementation of this project the
socio-economic impact upon the Armenian populated Javakhk will be
significant, since according to the project the majority of funds will
be devoted to the construction and rehabilitation of 245 km of local
roads. At the same time it is worth to mention that improvement of
strategic road communications in Georgia will be very beneficial to
Georgia as a whole, since various transportation problems that exist
between Georgia and Turkey will be resolved. On the other hand, it
would have been more efficient if a significant portion of the funds
allocated by the United States government was intended for resolving
the socio-economic problems in the region, such as increasing the
region’s capacity to manufacture goods, instead of resolving political
goals of Georgian, Turkish and Azerbaijani geopolitics.

Usanogh: What were the political and economic consequences of
constructed Baku-Cheyan oil pipeline upon the residents of Javakhk?

SM: At one time the inhabitants of Javakhk harbored certain hopes with
the construction of Baku-Cheyan oil pipeline through their
territory. It was anticipated that along with this projects large
number of work places will be created for implementation and servicing
of this pipeline, which would have positively impacted on the overall
socio-economic situation in Javakhk. However, due to the politically
motivated decision of the Georgian government to change the rout of
this pipeline, that was supposed to go through the Armenian village of
Karzakh of the Akhalkalak region, located on the Turkish border, and
rerouting of it through the regions of Akhalktskha and Borjom, have
excluded the Javakhk region once again from a number of major
investments projects. Multimillion dollar aid packages associated
with the construction of this pipeline have also circumvented the
region.

Usanogh: How do you view the involvement of Armenian student and youth
organizations in political processes taking place in Javakhk?

SM: I think that the best way that students from Armenia and Diaspora
can get involved in processes taking place in Javakhk would be through
informing world community via various media outlets, and especially in
the western press, about the situation in Javakhk, organize trips to
Javakhk for volunteer work, collection of funds to support the
Armenians of Javakhk and engaged in active lobbying campaign in
defense of minority rights in Georgia.

Usanogh: Have you had you book translated in other languages?

SM: Yes, my book got published in Russian and Armenian languages, and
a short version of my book got published in English and Georgian
languages, while the French version of my book is currently being
prepared. In a near future, a copy of my book in all languages will
become available on the web site of Caucasus Media Institute
()

Usanogh: Is you book available for purchase either in the United
States, Canada or Europe?

SM: We are planning on delivering a number of copies of my book to
Europe, Canada and the United States, however they are not going to be
sold there, but instead they will be available for free public
distribution among the experts and general public, including
representatives of Armenian Diaspora.

Usanogh: Dr. Minasyan, we congratulate you with the publication of
your most recent book and thank you very much for taking your time to
answer our questions. We wish you all the best in your future
endeavors!

SM: Thanks to you also for your attention to the publication of my
book, and for your interest toward problems of Armenians of Javakhk. I
also wish you and all your colleagues-Armenian students in the United
States of America and Canada all the best in your work and
accomplishment of all of your goals.

MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
City of Los Angeles
200 N. Spring St. Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012

PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2007

Contact: Areen Ibranossian
213-922-9781

STATEMENT OF MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
REMEMBRANCE DAY

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made the following statement
today regarding Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day:

"Today – on the 92nd anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian
Genocide – the people of Los Angeles stand in solidarity with Armenians
around the world in remembering the 1.5 million Armenian men, women and
children barbarically killed by the Ottoman Empire.

"Almost a century of history has removed the horrors of the genocide
from our immediate collective consciousness. And yet as the
assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink reminded us in
January, the pernicious threat of genocide denial still openly thrives
around the world.

"As Mayor of America*s preeminent Armenian community, I urge all
Angelenos to reflect not only on the vast scale and ruthlessness of the
genocide, but on the horror of the global silence under which it took
place. Today I urge Angelenos to simply never forget."

Areen Ibranossian
Policy Analyst
Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa