Month: April 2007

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:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 26, 2007

AGBU Wraps Up Centennial Year with Special Series of Events in Armenia & Karabakh

After celebrating the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU)
Centennial in over 34 cities around the world, the organization
marked the end of the yearlong festivities with a series of events
in Armenia and Karabakh from April 2 to 8, 2007. The 150-member
delegation of AGBU Council of Trustees and Central Board members,
District and Chapter Chairmen, donors, members and friends, headed by
AGBU President Berge Setrakian, converged in Yerevan to participate
in the impressive conclusion to a jubilee year.

Representatives and members from 18 countries and nine US cities came
together to pay homage to the organization that was founded in 1906
and, one hundred years later, with over 90 Districts, Chapters and
Young Professionals groups in 25 countries, has grown to become the
world’s premier Armenian non-profit organization.

The decision to wrap up the centennial year in Armenia was a symbolic
gesture to mark the solidarity between Armenians around the world.

Highlights from the closing weekend included a conference to
discuss the organization’s educational programs, a meeting of Young
Professionals (YP) from around the world, the presentation by Armenian
President Robert Kocharian of the Mkhitar Heratsi Award to three AGBU
Trustees, Sarkis Demirdjian, Nazar Nazarian and Karnig Yacoubian, and
the burial of the first ever time capsule by an Armenian organization.

KARABAKH’S STABLE PATH

On April 2, ninety AGBU members embarked on a three-day trip
to Karabakh, accompanied by members of the Yerevan media, to see
firsthand the remarkable progress the small republic has made over the
years. The last time a large-scale AGBU delegation visited Karabakh
was in 2004 during AGBU’s 83rd General Assembly and, since then,
the organization’s programs have continued to grow and expand.

At a meeting with the AGBU delegation, Karabakh Prime Minister
Anushavan Danielian recognized the organization’s visionary guidance,
"From the very beginning of our difficult days, AGBU was with us. We
built the independence of Karabakh together. We see Karabakh getting
stronger, it encourages us and gives us hope, and it encourages you
because you see that your investments were not in vain."

AGBU members witnessed the success of the organization’s work
during a half-day trip to the Hadrut region, in the southeast of
the country. Guests toured the thriving village of Norashen, which
began with 10 families in its first year and now numbers 44 families
with about 144 individuals. One of the village leaders pointed out
that, by the end of the year, the village will number 200. The AGBU
delegation also toured the newer AGBU-funded settlements of Pareshen
and Nor Jrakn, both of which continue to expand.

During the tour, Central Board Member Levon Kebabdjian spoke about
the Karabakh Repopulation Project’s original idea that has now
blossomed into three villages with the support of AGBU’s Chapters,
YPs and individual donors from Boston, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Southern
California, Sydney, Toronto, and beyond.

In a meeting with Karabakh officials in the capital later that day,
AGBU delegates asked questions about the infrastructure projects in
the Hadrut region and the government’s role in tackling water and
transportation problems that remain in the region of the AGBU-funded
villages. Prime Minister Danielian assured the visitors that the
government was solving the issues one by one and lauded AGBU’s
continuing cooperation and success.

That evening, guests enjoyed a lively performance by the AGBU-funded
Karabakh Chamber Orchestra (KCO), which was established in 2004 and
has since flourished to become the Republic’s premier musical ensemble.

During their journey back to Yerevan on April 4, the delegation
stopped in Shushi to tour the local church and met with Archbishop
Barkev Martirosyan of Karabakh.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

On April 4 and 5, AGBU members from Districts and Chapters around the
world participated in a series of presentations and roundtable meetings
at the Marriott Armenia Hotel and the American University of Armenia’s
Business Center, designed to elicit new ideas and formulate a future
direction for the organization. Topics of discussion included how to
best reach young Armenians, bring youth closer to both their local
communities and their heritage, and maintain the Armenian language
in the global Armenian community.

Most encouraging during the two-day conference was the enthusiastic
participation of YPs, who stood ready to take part in new
initiatives. Many of them voiced their critical opinions on the
question of identity, and their desire to see AGBU continue to keep
young Armenians involved and included in future discussions. It
became evident that the YP movement is not only the future of AGBU,
but also a crucial part of its present.

During a special session devoted to education, Central Board Member
Carol Aslanian and Education Director Artoun Hamalian presented
an overview of AGBU’s current education programs and plans for new
projects. There was a frank discussion about the importance of the
Armenian language and the increasing difficulties in developing
fluency in communities where immersion is not an option.

Hamalian pointed out that three main elements constitute the basis of
the future direction of AGBU’s educational programming: maintaining
the quality of the existing schools; streamlining curricula for all
schools; and developing resources that will reach greater numbers
of Armenians. Currently, he pointed out, there are 5,500 students in
AGBU schools in 14 countries.

Building on the organization’s interest in making its educational
resources available to more and more Armenians, Silicon Valley Chapter
Chairman Yervant Zorian demonstrated the AGBU-sponsored electronic
Armenian-language education resources currently being developed by
Yerevan State University’s Information Technology (IT) Department
and the Silicon Valley-based company, Virage Logic. Zorian guided
conference participants through a step-by-step presentation on how
distance learning can reach those both inside and outside of large
Armenian communities worldwide, and help create a user-friendly
experience that will make Armenian-language instruction both easy
and fun.

The President of the American University of Armenia (AUA), Haroutune
Armenian, spoke about the current activities and future projects
of the AUA, the country’s premier post-graduate institution. After
the presentations, AGBU President, Berge Setrakian, spoke about the
organization’s commitment to education as a crucial component of the
preservation of Armenian identity in the diaspora. He also elaborated
on the organization’s plans to build a center for diasporan youth in
Armenia, which will begin construction within the next few years and be
named for two historic AGBU benefactors, Krikor and Garabed Melkonian.

PRESIDENTIAL ACCOLADES

On April 6, 2007, Armenian President Robert Kocharian received members
of AGBU’s Council of Trustees and Central Board of Directors to review
and address issues of common interest, including the challenges
of the new century, and Armenia’s leadership role in the future of
the international Armenian community. During the meeting, President
Kocharian congratulated AGBU’s leadership and members on the occasion
of AGBU’s 100th anniversary and noted that the organization continues
to play an invaluable role in the preservation of the Armenian identity
around the world.

President Kocharian awarded three AGBU Trustees, Sarkis Demirdjian,
Nazar Nazarian, and Karnig Yacoubian, with the Mkhitar Heratsi medal
for their decades of service and generosity to the Armenian nation.

Established in 1993, the Mkhitar Heratsi Medal is awarded by the
Armenian President for services to the development of health care,
high professionalism, practical work, as well as for significant
philanthropic activities in the Republic of Armenia.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LOOKING AHEAD

A remarkable achievement of the Armenia Centennial Conference was
the powerful presence, the largest ever at an AGBU conference, of
the organization’s YPs. Close to 25 leaders from AGBU’s international
network of YP Groups and partners from four continents set short-term
and mid-term goals for their future during a plenary meeting,
emphasizing new YP initiatives, such as a pan-YP fundraising effort,
leadership training seminars, and outreach to Armenian university
students.

In addition, YPs had the unique opportunity to meet with AGBU President
Berge Setrakian, Central Board Members Carol Aslanian, Aris Atamian,
Ruben Kechichian, Sam Simonian and Vasken Yacoubian, and AGBU Trustee
Karnig Yacoubian, to discuss the evolving role of YPs within AGBU.

For many YPs present, it was the first occasion for them to meet
face to face. To break the ice, the delegation of YPs spent Saturday
afternoon at the AUA Business Center with Dr. Tom Samuelian, Dean
of American University of Armenia Law Department, who facilitated
a 90-minute workshop on networking. Providing an explanation of
the difference between bonding and bridging models of networking,
he emphasized the need to move towards a bridging model to increase
social connectedness among Armenians from various parts of the world.

RECOGNIZING MEMBERS

As part of the celebration dinner at Nor Dzoraberd restaurant
on Saturday, April 7, six AGBU members were recognized for their
devotion and dedication to the organization’s mission. The honored
recipients were Vahe Artinian of Sydney, Australia; Vahram Hairabedian
of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Vahe Imasdounian, Chairman of the Southern
California District Committee, USA; Sossi Kelegian of Yerevan, Armenia;
Haig Messerlian of the Southern California District Committee, USA;
and Juan Nourikhan of Cordoba, Argentina.

A CULTURAL SHOWCASE

Believing in the significant role that culture plays in the
perpetuation of the Armenian nation, AGBU sponsored a grand artistic
celebration at the Yerevan Opera House on April 8. Serving as the
official closing ceremony of AGBU’s Centennial, the program began with
remarks from Armenian political, spiritual and community leaders,
including His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Vartan Oskanian, Republic
of Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian, and AGBU President Berge
Setrakian.

Reading an official statement from President Kocharian, Minister
Oskanian added that he was not only reading the President’s message
as Armenia’s Foreign Minister but also as a proud alumnus of the AGBU
Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian School in Aleppo, Syria. The event
then continued with performances by AGBU’s Nork Children’s Center’s
Circus Group, Haykazounk Folk Ensemble and Shoghakat Choir, in addition
to the Gevorgian and Vaskenian Seminarians and the Barekamutyun Dance
Ensemble of Armenia. Also on stage was the AGBU-sponsored Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Edouard Topchjan, which
performed selections by Aram Khachaturian, Johann Strauss, Alexander
Harutyunian and Giuseppe Verdi. The evening’s finale included an
ensemble performance of Robert Amirkhanian’s specially commissioned
work "Ode to AGBU Centennial."

One day earlier, participants of the event visited AGBU’s Yerevan
projects, such as the American University of Armenia, Ultrasound
Center, and Soup Kitchens. Their afternoon ended with a special
program presented to a full house by the talented youth from the
AGBU Nork Children’s Center. The performance was comprised of song,
traditional and modern dance, circus acts, and an exhibition of
art. Also participating was the AGBU AYA Antranik Dance Group from
Aleppo, Syria.

TAKING PRIDE IN HISTORY

To pay homage to AGBU’s far-reaching achievements over the past
century, the Academy of Sciences in Armenia organized a conference
about AGBU on April 7 in Yerevan, which included paper presentations
by notable historians and academics in Armenia. Also on hand to speak
about AGBU’s accomplishments were Raymond Kevorkian, Head Librarian
of the AGBU Nubarian Library in Paris, and Ashot Ghazarian, Director
of AGBU’s Armenia Representation.

Kevorkian spoke in detail about the organization’s relief efforts
during the post-Genocide years in the Middle East, touching
particularly upon the refugee communities, orphanages and women’s
shelters in Lebanon and Syria starting in 1923. In addition, Ghazarian
gave an overview of the projects AGBU initiated in Soviet Armenia some
decades ago, and how the 1988 earthquake in northern Armenia brought
AGBU back to the homeland for good. He specifically mentioned the
projects that the organization currently sponsors in both Armenia
and Karabakh and how it cooperates closely with the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

As a final tribute to AGBU’s Centennial, AGBU President Berge
Setrakian, His Holiness Karekin II, Central Board Members, District
and Chapter Chairmen and members gathered on the grounds of Holy
Etchmiadzin after Easter Sunday services to bury a time capsule,
which will remain sealed until the organization’s bicentennial in
2106. Items stored in the capsule include photos, biennial reports,
booklets, yearbooks, media publications, and other unique items that
will help the future generation gain knowledge about what AGBU had
achieved in its first one hundred years and how much the organization
will continue to have progressed until its two-hundredth birthday.

Photos and videos from the Armenia & Karabakh Conference and Closing
Event are available at:

Established in 1906, AGBU is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian
organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget
of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity
through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually
serving some 400,000 Armenians in over 37 countries.

For more information on AGBU, please visit our flagship website
at

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont
Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

Jewish World Watch Features "Voices From the Lake" in Commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide

Encino, CA – On Monday, April 23, 2007, Jewish World Watch (JWW)
presented Dr. J. Michael Hagopian’s "Voices from the Lake" before
an audience of over 600 at Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino,
California. The Armenian National Committee of American – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) welcomed the news that over 200 Armenian Americans
from the West San Fernando Valley attended the screening.

Jewish World Watch is a coalition of over 50 synagogues in southern
California. The organization’s mission is to educate and activate
the Jewish community to help build the political will necessary to
empower leaders to take all reasonable and necessary steps to protect
innocent victims around the world from genocide and egregious human
rights violations.

With twenty-five years in research and production, "Voices From the
Lake" focuses on the day-to-day tragedy unfolding in Kharpert-Mezreh,
one of 4,000 towns and villages targeted for ethnic cleansing by
the Ottoman Empire during the 1915 Genocide. The cataclysmic events
are relived through the eyewitness accounts of American and European
officials, missionaries, educators and survivors. After the film was
viewed, Dr. J. Michael Hagopian was warmly welcomed by the entire
congregation with a standing ovation. A discussion was held with Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis and Dr. Hagopian sharing with the crowd the common
genocidal experience of both the Armenian and Jewish peoples.

Rabbi Schulweis expressed that the Jewish people support the need for
acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide. After the film concluded,
Dr. Hagopian was again showered with a standing ovation.

Attending this event was a wide cross section of leaders from
the San Fernando Valley’s vibrant Armenian American community.
San Fernando Valley ANC member Chris Keosian, former ANCA-WR
Chairman Armand Keosian, Ara Papazian and dozens of members of
the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Encino attended the screening.
They were joined by members of the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue,
members of Jewish World Watch and scores of interested individuals
from the San Fernando Valley.

"Humanity is subject to genocide and amnesia is dangerous," said
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Founder of Jewish World Watch. "If you
forget or deny the first genocide of the 20th Century, you waste the
experience of the past. To die is tragic, but to be told that you have
not lived is an insult to civilization. Denial is the strangulation
of conscience. Our experience with the Jewish Holocaust makes it a
matter of conscience for the Jewish people to respond and recognize
the grief and anguish of others. It is incumbent upon us to stand up
and recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915. The Armenian and Jewish
communities are kinsmen in suffering and consolation," he added.

In a February 8, 2007 letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
Jewish World Watch urged the Speaker to support passage of H. Res.

106, a resolution affirming the United States record on the Armenian
Genocide. The letter noted the importance of recognizing this tragedy
and encouraged the Speaker’s leadership on the issue.

"The ANCA-WR is pleased to be collaborating with Jewish World Watch,"
stated Andrew Kzirian, Executive Director of the ANCA-WR.

The advancement of human rights and the prevention of genocide
everywhere are goals that both or of our organizations believe in
dearly. The ANCA-WR looks forward to continuing to work in concert
with Rabbi Schulweis and his team to bring an end to the global cycle
of genocide," he added.

Jewish World Watch, along with Facing History and Ourselves hosted
a Lecture & Book-signing event on Thursday, April 26th with John
Prendergast and Don Cheadle who discussed the ongoing genocide in
Darfur and offered their insights into stopping genocide around the
world. On Friday, April 27 JWW is set to host an Armenian Genocide
Commemorative Shabbat Dinner (6:00 pm) and Service (8:00 pm) at Valley
Beth Shalom. Finally, on May 15, JWW will present the "First Annual
Jewish World Watch iWitness Awards" honoring Dr. J. Michael Hagopian
and Dr. Richard Hovannisian for their outstanding work and activism
related to the Armenian Genocide. Please visit
for more information.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization.

Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: Jewish World Watch.

From: Mira Yardemian

Public Relations Director

Haigazian University

P.O.Box: 11-1748

Riad El Solh 1107 2090

Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: 01-349230/1

01-353010/1/2

Haigazian University Commemorates the 92nd Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide

Missak Keleshian on "the Armenian Genocide and an Unprecedented
Global Relief Response to it"

On the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
Haigazian University hosted Mr. Missak Keleshian, a popular name in
the Armenian community for his surveys of Armenian historical facts,
photos, monuments and heritage sites, who presented an inspiring
lecture on the global relief response which took place on the eve of
the genocide.

The lecture took place on Wednesday the 25th of April, 2007 in the
hall of the First Armenian Evangelical Church, next to Haigazian
University, among a capacity audience, which included many
dignitaries, such as the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Francis Guy,
the Swiss Ambassador, Francois Barras, the Public Affairs officer of
the US embassy, Juliet Wurr, in addition to representatives of other
embassies, the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches of the Near East, Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, Chairman of
the Haigazian University Board of Trustees, Hrair Mouradian and the
University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian.

The program opened with a welcome speech by the Haigazian University
Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, who explained that the
lecture "will not focus on the tragic side of the Genocide story, but
rather on the positive relief response to the victims carried out in
an unprecedented way by the Near East Relief". Yardemian also
acknowledged that among those present in the audience, certainly
there are families who have survived as a result of these relief
efforts, and others whose countries have been instrumental in that
relief.

Then, Mr. Keleshian, presentated his illustrated lecture by focusing
on the tremendous relief support the Near East Relief had carried out
on the eve of the Armenian Genocide, in April 1915. This global
welfare organization was led by the United States, and included many
offices in countries like Australia, Great Britain, Denmark,
Switzerland, Greece and many others.

"Between 1915 and 1930, the Near East Relief had administered
117,000,000 USD of assistance, which is the equivalent of 1.25
billion USD in today’s dollar value", stated Keleshian.

He also showed some touching photos of Armenian orphans, deported on
their way to the Near East. "Near East Relief is credited for having
rescued 132,556 Armenian orphans, who were housed, fed, taught and
provided medical care", note Keleshian.

The audience had the chance to see many campaign posters for
fundraising at the time, which read slogans like, "Clear your
plate-remember the starving Armenians", "Adopt a Child like Shushan"
and many others.

As a fitting conclusion to this inspiring presentation, the program
ended by Stevie Wonder’s "Visions", performed by Scott Johnson,
accompanied by former Haigazian students, Arek Karagoezian on the
keyboard, and Shahan Kilaghbian on the base guitar.

Liberation, France
27 avril 2007 vendredi

Khachatryan, nouvelle flamme;
Classique. Le violoniste armenien donne un recital ce soir a Paris.

par DAHAN Eric

Repere a l’auditorium du Louvre en 2002, puis dans des concertos de
Sibelius et Khachaturian enregistres pour Naïve et un recital Bach,
Brahms et Ravel pour EMI Classics, Sergey Khachatryan n’a pas mis
cinq ans a s’imposer comme le meilleur violoniste de sa generation.
Si la Munichoise Julia Fischer marqua 2005 avec une integrale des
Sonates et Partitas de Bach en forme de reference moderne, son cadet
armenien livra en 2006 chez Naïve une lecture des deux concertos de
Chostakovitch d’une autorite et d’une poesie definitives.

Humilite. Loin d’imiter le modèle et dedicataire Oïstrakh, Sergey
Khachatryan semblait mû par une recherche d’equilibre et de purete
classiques, et vouloir rompre avec une tradition d’identification
psychologique. De fait, il etait dans la verite de Chostakovitch, avant
tout porte-voix d’une nation souffrante, meme si dans la passacaille
du Concerto n°1, le compositeur laisse s’exprimer, sans l’exterioriser,
sa propre angoisse. Ce melange d’humilite et d’aristocratie naturelle,
qui s’entend dans sa facon d’aborder les oeuvres, fait de Khachatryan
bien plus qu’un virtuose inspire.

Dans son Armenie natale, c’etait un garcon comme les autres, jouant au
foot avec les potes en bas de l’immeuble, "fascine par le feu" au point
de carboniser accidentellement sa chambre. Ses parents et sa grande
soeur etant deja pianistes, il se retrouve a 6 ans avec un violon
entre les mains, dont il tombe progressivement amoureux. A raison de
trois heures de travail quotidien, Sergey se produit très jeune en
public, avec pour seules idoles "les oeuvres et les compositeurs", nous
declarait-il hier. Ajoutant : "Croire qu’on a toujours le premier rôle
dans un concerto, jouer ses propres emotions fait partie des graves
dangers du metier. L’interpretation passe certes par notre système,
mais elle doit etre alimentee par une comprehension du langage du
compositeur et l’etude de toutes ses oeuvres." Dans un monde où
"meme les musiciens ne parlent plus que de carrière et d’argent",
Khachatryan pose la question nietzscheenne par excellence : "Quelle
est la motivation initiale ?"

Transfigure. Il ne se reconnaît pas dans le formalisme intellectuel
d’une musique contemporaine "au diapason de la technicisation
du monde", prefère se laisser transfigurer par la puissance des
chefs-d’oeuvre du passe. Après avoir ete sous l’emprise des Concertos
de Sibelius et Brahms, il se decrit aujourd’hui comme l’otage de ceux
de Chostakovitch, et de celui de Beethoven qu’il donnera en juin
a Pleyel avec le legendaire Gewandhaus de Leipzig sous la baguette
de Chailly.

Bach, dont il jouera la Chaconne ce soir, demeure neanmoins
la source a laquelle celui qui vit "a l’ecart des religions"
retourne regulièrement, pour retrouver le sens de sa mission. Sa
soeur Lusine, s’installera ensuite au piano pour donner avec lui la
Sonate en la majeur de Franck, oeuvre charnière entre le romantisme
et l’impressionnisme. Puis la Sonate op.134 de Chostakovitch, que
l’art des nuances rigoureusement graduees et le lyrisme chaleureux et
contenu de Sergey devraient encore illuminer de l’interieur. Celui
qui sillonne desormais la planète, de New York a Tokyo en passant
par Salzbourg, vit toujours les concerts en innocent Zarathoustra :
"Quelque chose va naître et ca m’interesse beaucoup."

–Boundary_(ID_XQDT5PULFBrcVfwXPS HTHQ)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia should take exact stance on Javakhk

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 15:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia should take an exact stance on Javakhk. If
Javakhk remains a part of Georgia knowledge of the Georgian language
is essential for the Armenian population, Armenian President Robert
Kocharian said during a meeting with the students of the Yerevan State
University. "The Armenian community of Georgia should be represented
in all the fields of the state’s activities and knowledge of Georgian
is necessary for it," he said reminding that in any country of the
world knowledge of the state language is a necessity and Georgia is
not an exception.

"Imagine if the Armenians living in France did not speak French. How
would they defend Armenia’s interests? The same refers to Georgian
Armenians," the RA President said.

Force is inadmissible in resolution of Iranian problem, Kocharian says

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 16:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Relations with Iran are very important for
Armenia. We do not have relations with two out of four neighbors. Thus,
neighborly relations with Iran are strategically important, since
they secure transport corridor and energy," Armenian President Robert
Kocharian said during a meeting with the students of the Yerevan
State University. Armenia tries to bypass Iran’s nuclear file. "I am
convinced that each state has a right to atomic energy. Iran is not an
exception. Anyway, the problem should be resolved peacefully. Force is
inadmissible," the President underscored adding that if Iran develops
nuclear armament it will become an additional headache for Armenia.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MARK 92ND ANNIVERSARY
OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN FLOOR SPEECHES

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators and Representatives joined Armenians
around the world this week in commemorating the 92nd anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide in statements on the floors of their
respective chambers of Congress, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

A major theme in their remarks was the importance of helping to end
U.S. complicity in Turkey’s continued campaign of Genocide denial
by passing the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.106 and
H.Res.106). Several called specifically for decisive U.S. and
international action to end the genocide currently taking place in
Darfur, noting that Turkey’s ability to commit genocide with
impunity has set a dangerous precedent that has encouraged other
genocides.

Excerpts from the Senate and House floor speeches follow:

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) ­ "In order for democracy and human
rights to flourish, we must not support efforts to rewrite and deny
history. In the United States, we strive to make human rights a
fundamental component of our democracy. It is long overdue for our
nation to demand that the truth be told. We must recognize the
Armenian genocide in the name of democracy, fairness and human
rights … It is important that we recognize the Armenian genocide
while its survivors are still with us to tell their stories. We
must recognize the genocide for the survivors. We must recognize
the genocide because it is the right thing to do. We must recognize
the Armenian genocide to help shed light on the darkness and move
toward a more humane world."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) ­ "California is home to many of the
descendants of the genocide’s survivors, who immigrated to the
United States and, over the course of a few decades, built strong
and vibrant communities. Working closely with the Armenian –
American community over my many years in public service, I know how
alive and painful this issue continues to be for many Armenian
Americans… Let there be no mistake. The ongoing genocide in
Darfur, carried out by the Government of Sudan and its Janjaweed
militias, traces its roots to the silence and quiescence of the
international community during previous episodes of genocide and
ethnic cleansing, including the Armenian genocide."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) ­ "Because I believe we cannot prevent
future genocide unless we recognize past genocide, I am a sponsor
of Senate Resolution 106, which calls upon the President to ensure
that this Nation’s foreign policy reflects appropriate
understanding and sensitivity concerning human rights, ethnic
cleansing, and genocide documented in the U.S. record relating to
the Armenian genocide… As many as one and a half million
Armenians lost their lives during this systematic campaign of
ethnic cleansing conducted in Turkey while the world was
preoccupied by the First World War and its aftermath. That the
major powers, including the United States, did not prevent or
intervene at any point to stop this killing represents one of
twentieth century’s ugliest stains on humanity."

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) ­ "Today, as a proud supporter of S. Res 106,
legislation officially recognizing the Armenian genocide , I urge
the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United
States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity
concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and
genocide documented in the U.S. record relating to the Armenian
genocide . Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stated over 50 years after
the Armenian genocide that: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to
justice everywhere… Whatever affects one directly, affects all
indirectly.’ The time has come to officially recognize the Armenian
genocide… Menk panav chenk mornar. We will never forget."

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) – "Mr. Speaker, if America is going to
live up to the standards we set for ourselves, and continue to lead
the world in affirming human rights everywhere, we need to finally
stand up and recognize the tragic events that began in 1915 for
what they were: the systematic elimination of a people… And the
fact of the matter is that when some of my colleagues say to me,
‘Well, why do you need to bring up something that occurred 92 years
ago,’ I say, ‘Because by denying this, the Turkish Government
continues to perpetrate genocide or oppression of its minorities.’"

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA): "Opponents take issue with the timing of
the [Genocide] resolution and argue that Turkey is making progress
with recognizing the dark chapters of its history. This claim lost
all credibility when Orhan Pamuk, Turkey’s Nobel Prize winning
author was brought up on charges for ‘insulting Turkishness’ for
alluding to the genocide, and Turkish Armenian publisher Hrant Dink
was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul earlier this year.
Yet some opponents go even further, such as a former Ambassador to
Turkey who argued that the time may never be right for America to
comment "on another’s history or morality." Such a ludicrous
policy would condemn Congress to silence on a host of human rights
abuses around the world. After more than ninety years and with only
a few survivors left, if the time is not right now to recognize the
Armenian Genocide, when will it be?"

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) – "On April 24, 1915, 300 Armenian leaders
were rounded up and deported and killed under the orders from the
young Turk Government. And so began the genocide that lasted for 7
years, resulting in an estimated over 1.5 million Armenian deaths.
To this day, unfortunately, the Turkish Government denies that this
occurred…Ladies and gentlemen, Members of the House, I just
returned from Darfur with a group of our colleagues 2 weeks ago.
Over 450,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in
Darfur; yet government officials claim there in Darfur and Sudan
that there is no genocide, that the situation is overblown.
Yesterday Rwanda, today Darfur. And we can remember the Holocaust.
Clearly, silence is genocide’s best ally. It is time that the
Congress end this silence and pass the Armenian genocide
resolution."

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) – "As the first genocide of the 21st
century–this time in Darfur–began to take shape, the world again
hesitated, this time to debate for months the definition of
genocide, as thousands died and thousands more were displaced.
Today, 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur and 2.5 million
driven from their homes. And so, I rise Mr. Speaker not only to
acknowledge and remember the horrific events that befell the
Armenian people at the dawn of the last century, but also to
highlight the horrific events occurring one hundred years later in
Darfur at the dawn of this century… For the past few years, as
the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approached, I hoped that
year would be the year a solution to the crisis would come. But,
this year, instead of speaking of how the lessons of the Armenian
Genocide helped unite the world around a solution for Darfur, I can
only report of ongoing suffering and continued killings."

Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) ­ "Raphael Lemkin, who coined the
term ‘genocide’ in 1944, and who was the earliest proponent of the
United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
Genocide, invoked the Armenian case as a definitive example of
genocide in the 20th century. The time is now for the
Administration to describe what occurred as a genocide. There is no
option for continued denial… Now more than ever, as the world is
gripped by unrest and terrorism, the memory of the Armenian
Genocide underscores our responsibility to help convey our
cherished traditions of respect for fundamental human rights and
opposition to mass slaughter."

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) ­ "I have always supported the Armenian
community. In 2003, I had the opportunity to visit Armenia and to
plant a tree at the Genocide memorial. We must never forget the
horrors that took place 92 years ago. Let us never forget the 1.5
minion Armenians who perished in 1915 and 1916. We know such mass
murder is not a tragedy from a distant past, but a continuation of
the failing to recognize these barbaric acts before they are
executed."

Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) ­ "The writer Milan Kundera once wrote
that ‘The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory
against forgetting.’ There are those that would deny the Armenian
Genocide… In commemorating the Armenian Genocide we collectively
engage in that struggle of memory against forgetting… to reaffirm
our commitment to prevent such things from ever happening again,
and to strive towards making a better future for the Armenian
people."

Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI) ­ "Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Our
voices, as well as those of Armenian -Americans across the Nation,
are essential in the effort to bring needed attention to such a
historic tragedy. The Armenian -American community has made
tremendous contributions to our country, and their efforts and
passion will help ensure that those who lost their lives will not
be forgotten… I will keep fighting to ensure that the Armenian
Genocide is appropriately recognized."

Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) ­ "Once the genocide ended, many
survivors rose above their anguish and terrible experiences to
rebuild their lives. Armenian communities began to flourish as
numerous immigrants found a new home here in the United States, as
well as in my home state of California. Even though their
communities discovered solace and success in America, the scars of
genocide remain deeply embedded in their history and in our
conscience… Together we can educate, commemorate, remember, and
stand united in promoting a clear message that the United States
does not condone, nor does it tolerate acts of genocide."

Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) ­ "I join with the chorus of voices
that grows louder with each passing year. We simply will not allow
ice planned elimination of an entire people to remain in the
shadows of history. The Armenian Genocide must be acknowledged,
studied, and never, ever allowed to happen again… American tax
dollars should not be used to support efforts to isolate Armenia,
and these provisions would prevent that by ensuring that U.S. funds
are not used to support the construction of a new railway that
bypasses Armenia. A railway already exists that connects the
nations of Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, but because it crosses
Armenia, an expensive and unnecessary new railway had been
proposed. Allowing the exclusion of Armenia from important
transportation routes would stymie the emergence of this region as
an important East-West trade corridor. It is in our economic and
security interests to ensure that the aggression against Armenia
comes to an end."

Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-NY) – "From these ashes [of the
Genocide] arose hope and promise in 1991 – and I was blessed to see
it. I was one of the four international observers from the United
States Congress to monitor Armenia’s independence referendum. I
went to the communities in the northern part of Armenia, and I
watched in awe as 95 percent of the people over the age of 18 went
out and voted… What a great thrill it was to join them the next
day in the streets of Yerevan when they were celebrating their
great victory. Ninety-eight percent of the people who voted cast
their ballots in favor of independence. It was a wonderful
experience to be there with them when they danced and sang and
shouted, ‘Ketse azat ankakh Hayastan’– long live free and
independent Armenia! That should be the cry of freedom-loving
people everywhere."

Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA) – "On April 24, 1915, the Turkish
government began to arrest Armenian community and political
leaders. Many were executed without ever being charged with crimes.
Then the government deported most Armenians from Turkish Armenia,
ordering that they resettle in what is now Syria. Many deportees
never reached that destination… We also remember this day because
it is a time for us to celebrate the contribution of the Armenian
community in America–including hundreds of thousands in
California–to the richness of our character and culture. The
strength they have displayed in overcoming tragedy to flourish in
this country is an example for all of us. Their success is moving
testimony to the truth that tyranny and evil cannot extinguish the
vitality of the human spirit."

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) – "This should be a day reserved for
honoring the memory of those who were killed and paying tribute to
the strength of those who survived. It should be a time to reflect
on the personal narratives of those who were exiled, the historical
evidence of villages and communities that were destroyed, and
diplomatic cables from U.S. officials that described the
atrocities. It should be an opportunity to resolve ourselves to
fight crimes against humanity in all forms and all places. Instead,
year after year, April 24 unleashes a battle of semantics… Those
who acknowledge what happened in Armenia as a ‘tragedy,’ a
‘catastrophe,’ or a ‘massacre’ are correct. But nothing other than
the term ‘genocide’ can wholly characterize the systematic
deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians and the deliberate
annihilation of 1.5 million men, women and children. Anything short
of that is unfair to those who perished and unhelpful to our plight
against future acts of genocide."

Rep. Jerry F. Costello (D-IL) – "In spite of overwhelming evidence,
particularly American diplomatic records from the time, some
continue to deny the occurrence of this brutal tragedy in human
history. As a member of Congress, I represent a significant
population of Armenian survivors who have proudly preserved their
culture, traditions, and religion and have told the horrors of the
genocide to an often indifferent world… Mr. Speaker, it is time
to fully recognize the Armenian Genocide in order to right the
historical record… so we pay tribute to the memory of all the
individuals who suffered, their family members that remain, and vow
to never forget their sacrifices."

Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA) – "Many of our companions in the
international community have already taken this final step…The
European Parliament and the United Nations have recognized and
reaffirmed the Armenian Genocide as historical fact, as have the
Russian and Greek parliaments, the Canadian House of Commons, the
Lebanese Chamber of Deputies and the French National Assembly. It
is time for America to join the chorus and acknowledge the
Armenians who suffered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire."

#####

___________________________ __________
Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Communications Director
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

–Boundary_(ID_bsllLruDzKOLZa3Ai4+yv Q)–

Turkey’s joining EU will force it to correctly assess its past

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 16:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia doesn’t stand against Turkey’s membership in
the European Union, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said during a
meeting with the students of the Yerevan State University. Armenia will
have a predictable and firm neighbor in this case, he said. "Turkey’s
joining EU will force it to correctly assess its past but it should
fulfill the EU’s conditions. I should mention that the issue is more
pungent for European states than for Turkey itself. Europeans do not
want to have a state with different culture and faith in their family,"
Robert Kocharian underscored.

The RA President said acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide by
Turkey is on Armenia’s foreign agenda.

"Let them keep the border closed as long as they wish.

We will not abandon the demand to recognize the Armenian Genocide. At
that we by no means bind recognition with the claim for lands or any
other compensation. These are different things. In international
structures Turkey connects these two aspects, saying "if Turkey
recognizes Genocide, Armenia will claim lands". We can speak of
compensations only," the RA leader said.

Serge Sargsyan: Armenia never wished to live at the expense of other

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 17:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Conveyance of Armenian enterprises to Russia within
Property for Debt Treaty is not a bargain between two people when one
of them is cheating, Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan said in
an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta. "The idea to sign such treaty
wasn’t caused by Armenia’s debt.

Being the Co-chair of the intergovernmental commission I had a goal
to attract Russian capital to Armenia.

It’s very important for us, since investments are the only
way to restore Armenia’s economy. The other aspect is that even
progressive enterprises need constant modernization. If no single
ruble was invested in them during the recent years, so how could
they be modern? These enterprises were tied with the Russian ones
and fulfilled serious tasks for providing security," he said.

"I am convinced these enterprises can yield profit and the Armenian
government is ready to offer conveniences. Armenia never wished to
live at the expense of others. We want to develop relations with
Russia. We discussed the issue with Sergey Ivanov during his recent
visit to Yerevan," the PM resumed.

Armenia will never gamble on discrepancies between Russia and U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2007 17:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I have been a member of government for many
years and can’t recollect any case of political pressure exerted by
the United States. Our relations are dynamically developing. The
U.S. renders us serious economic aid," RA Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan said. During many years Armenia received more assistance
than any other state and comes behind Israel only, he added. "Besides,
the U.S. help to implement major projects targeted at improvement of
infrastructure. I want to emphasize that Armenia will never gamble on
discrepancies between Russia and the U.S. The best variant for us is
cooperation between these two super powers. Our 15-year experience
of state system proves the correctness of such approach," Serge
Sargsyan said.

When asked to comment on actuality of SCO and EurAsEC projects the RA
PM said, "Armenia treats these projects seriously. But the republic
is a member of the WTO and has certain obligations. Unfortunately,
the regulations of the above mentioned organizations contain some
provisions conflicting with our obligations. We are acting as observers
and wait for further developments. I mean Russia’s possible joining
the WTO. Then the regulations may be changed and combined membership
will become possible," he said, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports.