Month: May 2008

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief

========================================== ======
Wednesday 14 May 2008
AZERBAIJAN: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR PRISONER FREED

Azerbaijan has freed a Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objector prisoner,
Samir Huseynov, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. Huseynov was freed from
jail on 1 May, despite his appeal against his sentence being refused.
"Because I have not been cleared, I now have a criminal record," Huseynov
complained. "If I want to get a job, any employer will find this out and
will treat me with more caution." He insisted that "the state one hundred
percent had no right to imprison me," telling Forum 18 that "I have rights
guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights." Jehovah’s
Witnesses state that no other of their young men are facing prosecution for
refusing compulsory military service on religious grounds, although several
have this year been harassed by military conscription offices. When it
entered the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan promised to introduce an
Alternative Service Law by January 2003. But it has not done this. An
official claimed that an Alternative Service Law "will be adopted this
year."

AZERBAIJAN: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR PRISONER FREED

By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service <;

Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objector Samir Huseynov was freed from
prison on 1 May, despite failing in his appeal against his sentence, as he
told Forum 18 News Service on 14 May. He is now back in his home village of
Dalmamedli near the city of Gyanja [Gäncä] in western Azerbaijan. "Because
I have not been cleared, I now have a criminal record," Huseynov
complained. "If I want to get a job, any employer will find this out and
will treat me with more caution." He insisted he should never have been
imprisoned for refusing to perform compulsory military service. "The state
one hundred percent had no right to imprison me," he told Forum 18. "I have
rights guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights."

Jehovah’s Witnesses say no other of their young men are currently facing
prosecution for refusing military service, although several have this year
been summoned by Military Conscription Offices and harassed after declaring
that they will not serve in the armed forces because of their religious
faith.

Azerbaijan committed itself to introduce an Alternative Service law by
January 2003 when it entered the Council of Europe in 2001, but failed to
do so. A parliamentary official says that a draft Alternative Service Law
is about to be presented to parliament.

"The draft Law has not yet been presented to parliament," Jeyhun Garajaev,
an expert on the Permanent Commission on Legal Policy and State Building,
told Forum 18 from Baku on 14 May. "But our leaders have said we are ready
to adopt this law and it is at a decisive stage. It will be adopted this
year." He initially said the draft is being prepared by the Presidential
Administration, but added that it could be being prepared by a group of
parliamentary deputies.

Garajaev repeatedly refused to admit that his country had failed in its
obligation to the Council of Europe to adopt this law. However, he claimed
that this was "connected to objective conditions", a reference to the
unresolved conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Garajaev said the draft Law is still in the "working phase" but that he
expects it to be presented during parliament’s spring session, which
finishes at the end of May. He said the draft will first be presented to
one of parliament’s commissions, probably to his Commission on Legal
Policy. He claimed that the text will be published on the parliamentary
website before it is even considered by the Commission.

Garajaev contradicted Safa Mirzoev, the head of the Parliamentary
Administration, who was reported by the Trend News Agency as telling
journalists on 2 May that the draft Law would be adopted at the spring
session. Mirzoev claimed that the draft Law has been approved by
"international organisations", which the agency did not name. The agency
noted that not all parliamentary deputies supported the idea of introducing
an alternative service. Forum 18 was unable to reach Mirzoev on 14 May.

One human rights activist complained about the secrecy surrounding the
adoption of the Alternative Service Law. "The draft law is top secret and
was never publicly discussed," Eldar Zeynalov, head of the Baku-based Human
Rights Centre of Azerbaijan, told Forum 18 on 14 May.

The Geranboy District Court in western Azerbaijan sentenced Huseynov in
October 2007 to ten months’ imprisonment for refusing military service on
grounds of religious conscience under Article 321.1 of the Criminal Code.
He was transferred to Penal Colony No. 16 in the Baku suburb of Bina in
January (see F18News 19 March 2008
< e_id=1102>).

Huseynov failed in his first appeal, but then challenged his sentence at
the Regional Appeal Court in Gyanja. He was brought to Gyanja from Baku on
14 April ahead of the appeal hearing, which took place a week or so after
his transfer. That appeal failed, but he was allowed another appeal shortly
after, which was held on 1 May. "The three judges took just twenty minutes
to hear the appeal," he told Forum 18. "One of them then told me that my
appeal was being rejected but that I was being freed, without explaining
why."

He said his lawyer received a copy of the written Appeal Court ruling and
passed it on to him on 13 May. The written verdict rejected his appeal for
the original sentence to be overturned, but ruled that he should be freed
early because the sentence of ten months was too harsh.

Huseynov said at the Military Conscription Office last year he was
insulted when he declared he could not serve in the armed forces because of
his faith. But he says he was generally well treated during his
imprisonment and not beaten. He said the head of Penal Colony No. 16 asked
why he had been imprisoned. "I told him I am a Jehovah’s Witness and he was
very interested to find out about us," Huseynov told Forum 18. "He treated
me with respect."

However, Huseynov added that this did not prevent the penal colony head
listing him as a dangerous prisoner, requiring him to sign in every hour
between 7 am and 10 pm at the guardhouse. "They had no reason to do this,"
he insisted. "And there is always the danger that if you sign in late you
will be punished." He said he was held in a cell for 12 prisoners, which
often held about 13 or 14.

Huseynov said he does not know if the military authorities will again try
to conscript him.

The Jehovah’s Witness community in Dalmamedli has several times had its
meetings raided by police, Huseynov reported. "They’ve occasionally stopped
us meeting and studying the Bible, speaking to us very crudely." He said
that in June 2007 several local Jehovah’s Witnesses were fined, but
complained against them and did not pay. He said the local community has
not been harassed in 2008.

However, raids on Protestant and Jehovah’s Witness communities in other
parts of Azerbaijan have continued in 2008 (see F18News 6 February 2008
< e_id=1082>(END)

For a personal commentary, by an Azeri Protestant, on how the
international community can help establish religious freedom in Azerbaijan,
see < 482>.

For more background information see Forum 18’s Azerbaijan religious
freedom survey at <‘ >.

More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan
is at <; religion=all&country=23>.

A survey of the religious freedom decline in the eastern part of the
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) area is at
< id=806>.

A printer-friendly map of Azerbaijan is available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=azerba& gt;.
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Date: May 14, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12 New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918

ANCA EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR CONTINUES TO
"EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, AND ACTIVATE" STUDENTS
–Thousands of New Jersey High School Students Educated on the
Armenian Genocide

NEW JERSEY- In continuation with the New Jersey State mandate on
genocide education, Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern
Region (ANCA-ER) Executive Director Karine Birazian presented a
series of lectures to The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest,
New Jersey and Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey on the
topic of genocide.

"It is always a true honor to be invited to speak at local high
schools. The impact we can make by educating students on this
important human rights issue is vital to the prevention of the
crime genocide," commented Birazian.

In mid April, the Academy of Holy Angels invited Birazian to be
part of their annual Awareness Day, where this year, the title of
the one-day workshop for students was called "Think Globally, Act
Locally." Students were able to select from a variety of workshops
pertaining to global issues and problems our society faces and ways
to take action. Birazian’s topic entitled "Never Again?" touched
upon genocides that have occurred throughout the 20th century and
the ongoing genocide today in Darfur. Students also gained insight
on how they can get involved and take action.

Jennifer Cucchisi, a social studies teacher at the school
commented: "It is important that every generation learns about
genocide in order to achieve the goal of "never again." Some
students may not want to hear about it, they may turn their heads
at the pictures, but the only way to stop genocides from happening
is to make sure that everyone is educated on the horrors of them.
The pictures and stories, however graphic they may be, are
necessary and they help us to ensure that what happened during
these senseless slaughters is never forgotten."

On May 7, 2008, Birazian also spoke to the students at Chatham High
School at their annual Holocaust Remembrance Program where she
presented on the history of the Armenian Genocide and the current
battle in Congress on trying to pass legislation recognizing this
atrocity. Steve Maher, Social Studies Supervisor for the high
school has worked to coordinate activities revolving around
genocide awareness and remembrance. In the past, the school has
studied the Killing Fields in Cambodia, as well as Darfur, Rwanda,
and the former Yugoslavia. "We seem to have our greatest success
in touching the lives of students when we bring history closer to
their experience, particularly with survivors of the European
Holocaust," commented Maher. Following the lecture, Birazian met
with the activists from the Darfur student group and spoke about additional
ways they can get active on this important issue.

Birazian, who has been lecturing at high schools for close to a
decade, first started lecturing on genocide at the age of 15 to her
classmates at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, IL. Since
then, Birazian has lectured to thousands, both students and
teachers, on genocide and the importance of becoming active.
Birazian has presented and exhibited at the Illinois and National
Council for the Social Studies, as well as organized and hosted
genocide education workshops for educators.

During her lectures, Birazian touched upon a recent event that took
place at the Springfield Library. Last month, Birazian, ANC of NJ
members, community activists, along with Dr. Seymour Siegler, Ed.D,
Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies at Brookdale Community College, spoke before the Library
Board regarding the decision by the Library to allow a special
hosting of the film the "Armenian Revolt" followed by a question
and answer session led by Dr. Guenter Lewy, a professor emeritus of
political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Lewy, who has written several articles questioning the history of
the Armenian Genocide, was invited by the Society of Turkish-
American Architects Engineers and Scientists (MIM).

Birazian and others expressed deep concern that showing the film
and having an Armenian Genocide denialist come and speak at the
library would be detrimental and constitute a form of "hate
speech," pointing to the example that the library would never have
allowed Holocaust deniers come to speak on Holocaust denial at the
library. The members of the Library Board still agreed to host the
event, and responded by indicating that if Holocaust deniers want
to come to present at the library, they would be permitted because
it is freedom of speech.

Birazian stressed to the students that "freedom of speech" can
eventually turn into hate speech and denial of history when pushed
to the limit, and as informed citizens, we must do all we can to
make sure that genocide denial be confronted.
####
ANCA ER Director lecturing at Chatham High School

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zeitgeist doing MOMA retrospective
Company to showcase films at L.A. Museum

Variety
May 14, 2008
By Winter Miller

Zeitgeist Films marks two decades with a retrospective at the Museum of
Modern Art from June 26-July 23. Pics in the series, "Zeitgeist: The Films
of Our Times" include "Nowhere in Africa," "Irma Vep," "Lumumba," "Aimee and
Jaguar," "The Corporation," "Ballets Russes" and "Into Great Silence."

Opening-night films, Guy Maddin’s "Careful" and Jacques Demy’s "The
Umbrellas of Cherbourg," will be introduced by Maddin. Additoinal directors
introducing their films include Todd Haynes with "Poison" and "Dottie Gets
Spanked"; Bruce Weber with "Let’s Get Lost"; Yvonne Rainer with"Privilege";
and Atom Egoyan with "Calendar."

Emily Russo and Nancy Gerstman co-founded the shingle in Greenwich Village
with a budget of $2,000. Indie distrib released the early films of Haynes,
Deepa Mehta, Egoyan, Framcois Ozon, Olivier Assayas, Christopher Nolan, and
Maddin.

"Over the past 20 years our industry has undergone enormous change, and many
companies involved in distribution have come and gone, but Zeitgeist has
remained, and thrived," said co-toppers Gerstman and Russo.

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

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Three AGBU-supported Concerts Celebrate the Armenian Musical Heritage in
Bulgaria

During the month of April, the Bulgarian-Armenian community hosted a
trio of concerts that celebrated the vitality of the Armenian musical
heritage across Bulgaria. From the AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra to the
AGBU Erebouni band of Plovdiv, the wealth and spectrum of
Bulgarian-Armenian talent impressed audiences across the country.

On April 6, a fundraising concert was held in the southeastern city of
Sliven to aid in the building of the St. Hagop Armenian Church complex
in neighboring Yambol, Bulgaria. Jointly organized by Sliven’s Armenian
Church Parish Council, AGBU Sliven and AGBU Plovdiv, the event showcased
musicians and speakers from Plovdiv, including Diana Manukyan, Tateos
Sandjakyan, the duo Anna and Suren Hanamiryan and the AGBU Erebouni
band, and Sliven, including the "Pretty Towngirls" from Drujba library,
Naiden Arsenyan and Hripsi Garabedyan.

Despite the poor weather conditions, the concert was sold out,
demonstrating the resiliency of Armenian music lovers. Official guests
at the event were Sonia Arshavir, Chairman of AGBU Yambol and the city’s
Armenian Parish Council; Edouard Arsenyan, Chairman of the Coordinating
Committee for Armenian organizations in Plovdiv and AGBU Plovdiv board
member; Georgi Zafirov, regional coordinator of PP Ataka and chairman of
the Yambol Regional Youth Committee for culture, religion and politics;
Chrastanka Shakliyan, deputy of the Bulgarian Democratic Party; and Ivan
Petrov, a local town councillor.

The concert concluded with a medley of popular Armenian tunes by the
AGBU Erebouni band, which performed under its artistic director Sona
Feschiyan.

On April 20, the AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of
conductor Bedros Papazyan, performed at the National Academy of Music.
The event was dedicated to both the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide and the centennial of Bulgarian composer Marin Goleminov.
Papazian was a student of the esteemed Goleminov, and included in the
concert’s program was one of Goleminov’s most beloved works, "Five
Sketches," for string orchestra.

Concertmaster Desislava Popova performed a solo piece, while harpist
Kohar Adonyan presented "Frescoes." The concert also featured guest
violinist Vache Hoveyan, an alumnus of the Yerevan State Conservatory
and New York City’s Mannes College of Music. A winner of many
international prizes, Hoveyan has performed around the world and is
currently a professor at the Yerevan State Conservatory and founder of
the Aram Khachaturyan String Quartet. Accompanied by the AGBU Sofia
Chamber Orchestra, Hoveyan performed Hindemith’s "Mourning Music."

Two young cellists, Dimitar Tenchev and Nikola Damyanov, also took to
the stage to deliver a riveting performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s
"Concerto for Two Cellos."

The orchestra also played "Shushanik" by E. Mirzoyan, while the encore
performance of Komitas’ "Krunk" emotionally resonated with the capacity
crowd.

The same day, AGBU Silistra organized a concert, entitled "Sunny Smiles
>From Armenia," at Silistra’s Dramatic Theatre Hall under the auspices of
the city’s mayor, Ivo Andonov. A longtime supporter of the local
Bulgarian-Armenian community, Mayor Andonov extended official
invitations for the event to various Armenian diplomats, including His
Excellency Sergey Manasaryan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in
Bulgaria, and the Honorary Consul Ehiazar Uzunyan of the Republic of
Armenia in Plovdiv.

Other official guests at the April 20 performance were District Governor
Svetlana Velikova; Roupen Chavoushian, AGBU Plovdiv Chairman; Edouard
Arsenian, Plovdiv Coordinating Committee of Armenian Organizations
Chairman and AGBU Plovdiv committee member; and Arakel Kaprielyan, AGBU
Plovdiv committee member.

The event which was covered extensively by the local media, included
performances by a number of Plovdiv musicians, including the AGBU
Erebouni band and the duo of Anna and Suren Hanamiryan.

Roupen Chavoushian presented Mayor Andonov with a special award in
recognition of the mayor’s outstanding contribution in promoting and
preserving the Armenian culture in his municipality.

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 and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

With reporting by Prof. Boyanka Arnaoudova in Sofia, Bulgaria.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Fax: 617-484-1759
Email: [email protected]

ILLUSTRATED TALK ON AGHTAMAR AND MEDIEVAL ARMENIAN KINGSHIP AT NAASR

Dr. Lynn Jones of Florida State University will give an illustrated
lecture entitled "Between Islam and Byzantium: Aghtamar and the Visual
Construction of Medieval Armenian Kingship," on Thursday, May 22, at
8:00 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
(NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA. This lecture is the
second talk given in memory of Arshag Merguerian (1926-2005), architect
and an active member and friend of NAASR for nearly fifty years. The
expenses for the lecture will be covered by funds contributed to NAASR
in Merguerian’s memory.

During the period of 884-1045 AD, Armenian rulers had loosened the ties
that subjected them to the Arab caliphate, but by the end of this period
the Byzantine empire had instead become dominant in the region. Dr.
Lynn Jones will provide a thorough analysis of the development of the
visual expression of medieval Armenian rulership during this era, based
on her recently published book Between Islam and Byzantium: Aghtamar and
the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership. In this
lecture, Jones will focus on the famed Church of the Holy Cross at
Aghtamar.

Broad and Complex Interactions

Setting the art and architecture of the period more clearly in its
original context, Jones reveals the messages works were intended to
convey by those who created and viewed them. Her analysis provides a
new perspective on the complex interactions between a broad range of
nationalities, ethnicities, and religions, shedding fresh light on the
nature of medieval identity and adding to a growing literature on the
eastern neighbors of Byzantium.

Lynn Jones received her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of
Illinois. In addition to Florida State she has taught at a number of
other universities, including the University of Maryland, the University
of Minnesota, Cornell, and Yale. In 2006-2007 she served as President
of the Byzantine Scholars Association of North America. She has
published on medieval Armenia, Byzantium, Georgia, and Islam. Between
Islam and Byzantium: Aghtamar and the Visual Construction of Medieval
Armenian Rulership is her first book.

Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
Center is located in Belmont opposite the First Armenian Church and next
to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building
and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

More information about the lecture is available by calling 617-489-1610,
faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

New York Hyortik AYF Chapter
69-23 47th Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 651-1530
[email protected]
May 12, 2008
For Immediate Release

New York AYF Hosts Spring Barbeque Celebrating 16th Anniversary of Shushi
Liberation

NEW YORK – On May 10 the New York Hyortik AYF chapter hosted a barbeque at the
Armenian Center in Woodside, N.Y. bringing together its junior and senior
members, friends, family, and community members to celebrate the 16th
anniversary of the liberation of Shushi. The entire afternoon the chapter
had Armenian folk and heghapoghagan songs playing for the over 70 guests who
enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, pilav, salad, and dessert. Attendees spent the
day talking, playing basketball, soccer, Frisbee and remembering the spirit
with which the city of Shushi was liberated.

During the event the executive gave a brief speech, reminding attendees
about the importance of Shushi’s liberation in May 1992. Sixteen years ago,
they said, Armenian fedayees gave their lives to take back city of Shushi, a
historic Armenian city that the Azeri army was using to bombard Stepanakert
during the Karabagh war. They noted General Tro’s words that "Whoever reigns
over Shushi, reigns over Artsakh," describing how frrom its natural, high
elevation Shushi controls the capital city, many surrounding villages,
strategic roads, and communications points between Artsakh’s regions. To
further set the mood the Hyortiks displayed the story of Shushi’s liberation
and presented a slide show of images ranging from the Ghazantchetsots Church
to Shushi’s fortress walls to the young diasporan Armenian Viken Zakarian
who lost his life during the battle.

"It was amazing seeing all generations who have been through the ranks of
the New York AYF at our BBQ- from current juniors and seniors, to parents,
and alumni with their families. These young members are the future of the
Hyortiks and this community," said New York AYF executive member Maral
Najjarian.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BBQ: New York Hyortik members dedicated the barbeque to the 16th anniversary
of the liberation of Shushi (Photo Credit: Maral Najjarian)

Grill: AYF junior and seniors worked together to prepare and cook
hamburgers, hot dogs, pilav, salad, and dessert (Photo Credit: Maral
Najjarian)

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

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble Performs in Boston

AGBU’s Antranig Dance Ensemble performed at Boston University as part of
the Boston University’s Armenian Students Association’s (ASA) cultural
event on Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2008.

Two hundred guests were in attendance at Boston University’s Tsai
Performance Center to watch the New Jersey-based AGBU Antranig Ensemble
perform under the artistic direction of Joyce Tamesian-Shenloogian.
Antranig, which consists of thirty members, performed fourteen dances
>From various regions in Armenia, including "Hayastan," "Haghtanak," and
"Hemshen," in traditional Armenian costumes.

"There were ethnographic dances, along with a mix of traditional,
contemporary, and lyrical dancing," said Tamesian-Shenloogian, director
of Antranig for the past 22 years. "The performance was to celebrate and
preserve the Armenian culture."

The Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church of
Providence, Rhode Island also performed under the direction of Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian. Over 20 choir members sang twelve songs, and
authentic Armenian instruments, including the duduk (a double-reed
instrument) and dhol (a double-sided barrel drum), were used during the
choral performance.

"The cultural songs were augmented with English explanations of what the
songs meant and where they came from," said Jacques Minoyan, Treasurer
of Boston University’s ASA.

Two ASA members, Cailyne Ghazarian and Jacques Minoyan, participated in
the cultural event as well, performing in the choir and dance ensemble,
respectively. In an attempt to bring Armenians together, the ASA hosts
both social and educational events, which attract Armenian students from
other universities in Boston, including Babson, Berklee, Boston College,
Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Suffolk and Tufts.

The event, which was open to the entire school, attracted non-Armenians
to the cultural performance. "Non-Armenians were amazed as to how
distinct our culture is from the songs, dances and cultural clothing,"
said Minoyan. "It was a new experience for them."

AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble, which started in 1969, is gearing up for
its 40th-anniversary performance slated for sometime next year. Gagik
Karapetian, Antranig’s director from Armenia, will help
Tamesian-Shenloogian prepare for the show.

Antranig’s next performance will be at Columbia University on October 4,
2008 for a Columbia Armenian Club cultural event.

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 and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

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
May 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ABRAHAMIAN JOINS CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, DC – During the height of April’s Armenian Genocide
commemorative events in the Nation’s capital, recent college
graduate David Vahe Abrahamian of Burbank, CA became the latest to
join the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Capital
Gateway Program, designed to open internship and career doors for
young Armenian Americans seeking to make their mark in American
politics, the media, or the think tank scene. Abrahamian’s
participation in the program was made possible through the Hovig
Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship, a special fund established for
young Armenians seeking opportunities in politics and public
service.

After receiving a double Bachelor’s in History and Political
Science from UCLA in the Fall of 2007, Abrahamian chose to apply
for the Capital Gateway Program and explore career opportunities in
Congress. He was informed of the program through a classmate of his
at UCLA and felt it was a perfect way of gaining first-hand
experience following his graduation.

"I decided to come to DC as an extension of my political
interests," said Abrahamian. "My goal is to find a position
working on foreign policy matters within a Congressional office."

Within a week of his arrival, Abrahamian secured an internship with
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). In addition to learning directly about how
a House office functions, he has attended numerous Congressional
hearings and helped develop queries for the Congressman. He has
also worked with constituents on numerous legislative issues.

"The environment in Congressman Costa’s office has been wonderful,"
says Abrahamian. "They’ve given me the ability to delve into
foreign relations issues and learn how policy is formulated on a
daily basis."

Prior to arriving in DC, Abrahamian had concentrated on Armenian
studies courses at UCLA and even recorded the testimony of Genocide
survivors as part of Richard Hovannisian’s Armenian Oral History
Project. He has also served as a staff editor and writer for the
UCLA student-run paper The Armenian Chronicles.

He has since increased his involvement in Armenian affairs by
interning at the ANCA’s National Headquarters. With the various
Armenian Genocide commemorative activities taking place in
Washington in the month of April, Abrahamian had the opportunity to
serve as a volunteer at numerous community functions, including the
April 23 Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill hosted by the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

Abrahamian joins a long list of past and present Gateway Fellows
who have found positions in public policy in Washington, DC,
including fellow Spring 2008 participant Talar Shekherdimian.
After interning for Rep. Grace Napolitano’s (D-CA) office,
Shekherdimian recently secured a paralegal position with the law
firm Cohen & Cohen, PC.

The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship is named in honor
Hovig Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader from Fresno, CA, who
tragically passed away in 2004. His family established the fund to
serve as a tribute to the their son’s legacy of activism in the
Armenian American community.

For more information about the Capital Gateway Program, prospective
candidates can visit and click on the "Capital
Gateway" link or call (202) 775-1918 and ask for Serouj Aprahamian.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2008 season.

#####

Photo Caption: Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)(center) with ANCA Capital
Gateway Fellow David Abrahamian and ANCA activist Paul Jamushian.

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

PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]

Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HONORS KAUFMAN, JCRC FOR AFFIRMING THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND FIGHTING AGAINST DENIAL

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) recognized
Nancy K. Kaufman and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of
Greater Boston for their continued leadership and support in the
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide during an award reception, May 9,
at the Grand Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA. The emcee for the evening
was ARAMAC Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan.

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said that the Assembly has a
"unique opportunity to advance the fundamental principles and ideals of
human rights, democracy and truth and justice." Ardouny added that the
Assembly accomplishes this by its advocacy on Capitol Hill and through
"outreach to like minded individuals and organizations," drawing the
parallel between the shared vision with Kaufman and the JCRC.

"The Assembly commends the leadership Ms. Kaufman and the JCRC has
demonstrated standing up against denial and for firmly articulating the
record on the Armenian Genocide this past year," said Assembly Public
Affairs Chair Anthony Barsamian. "This award is presented in Boston to
honor Nancy and the JCRC for the organization’s continued leadership in
the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. This leadership is greatly
appreciated by the Armenian-American community."

Mayor of Newton David B. Cohen also attended and spoke about his belief
that acknowledging an indisputable truth, the truth of the Armenian
Genocide, is very simple. "Together, the Assembly, JCRC and men and
women of conscience throughout the country will continue to fight until
we recognize the reality and horror of the Armenian Genocide. We will
continue to struggle until that time."

Henry Morgenthau, III, grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the then Ottoman
Empire Henry Morgenthau, compared Kaufman to his grandfather and said
that "she is indeed a worthy and courageous descendant of the spirit of
my grandfather and the spirit of those non-Armenians who stood-up at
difficult times and spoke out. I congratulate her and all of us for
honoring her."

In accepting the Assembly’s honor, Kaufman asked the question, "What
would have been if Nazis remained in power after WWII and there were no
Nuremberg trials? ‘The Nazis, just as the Turkish government does today,
would have undoubtedly denied the accusations and the memory of what had
taken place might have faded into history.’"

During her remarks Kaufman quoted Professor Elie Wiesel who said, "we
know that for the dead it is too late, but it is not too late for
today’s children – ours and yours – and it is not too late to remember
the forgotten genocide and remind the world that it should never happen
again."

Kaufman closed by saying "all I did was speak the truth. I will continue
to speak the truth. We will never forget the Armenian Genocide."

Westchester Reform Temple

On Friday, May 2, Barsamian addressed the congregation at the
Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY, during their Service of
Responsibility, highlighting the future opening of the Armenian Genocide
Museum of America, in Washington, DC. In his remarks, Barsamian noted
that "Human Rights defenders and organizations cannot pick and choose
which human rights to defend. We in the Armenian and Jewish communities
know this too well. There are no credible Holocaust or Genocide Scholars
today that would deny the genocide of the Armenians and we appreciate
the Jewish community for bearing witness with us."

"The Jewish and Armenian communities are bound together by the brutality
of our histories," said Rabbi Richard Jacobs. "For far too long our
world has failed to recognize and learn from the Armenian genocide. Our
Reform Jewish congregation feels honored to contribute towards the
building of the new Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial in Washington
DC."

For more information about the Assembly or the individuals or
organizations listed above, please visit:
< t; .

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#2008-052

Editor’s Note: Photographs can be viewed on the Assembly’s website at
the following links:

Caption: Mayor Cohen; Nancy K. Kaufman and Bryan Ardouny

ages/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/_LGP3
209-WB.jpg

Captio n: Anthony Barsamian; Noubar B. Afeyan, Assembly Board of
Trustees; Nancy K. Kaufman; Levon Afeyan, Vice-Chair of the Congress of
Canadian Armenians and Bryan Ardouny

ages/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/_LGP3
289-WB.jpg

Captio n: Nancy K. Kaufman with the Momentum Program from Harvard
University Conflict Management Center Participants

nc/images/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/_LGP3
281-WB.jpg

C aption: Mayor Cohen, Henry Morgenthau, III and Carolyn Mugar,
President, Assembly Board of Trustess

mages/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/_LGP3
281-WB.jpg

Capti on: Mayor Cohen and Nancy K. Kaufman

ages/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/_LGP3
195-WB.jpg

Captio n: Rabbi Richard Jacobs of the Westchester Reform Temple

ges/PR_-_2008/May_-_June/RJ-He
adshot-2005-WB.jpg

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