Month: October 2008

PRESS RELEASE
Policy Forum Armenia (PFA)
1250 I (Eye) Street N.W., Suite 710
Washington, D.C. 20005, USA
Contact: Ms. Irina Alaverdyan
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

SUBJECT: POLICY FORUM ARMENIA ISSUES ITS REPORT ON "ARMENIA’S 2008
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: SELECT ISSUES AND ANALYSIS"

The February 19, 2008 presidential election in Armenia was a highly
controversial event which saw mass mobilization by the whole society to
elect the country’s third president. What ensued were reports of mass
electoral violations followed by demonstrations by opposition parties and
civil society movements, killing of protesters, and eventually a martial law
declared by the government.

Published in English and translated to Armenian, PFA’s report is an attempt
to look at the multifaceted aspects of the election and post-election
developments with an aim of presenting an independent assessment of what
transpired. It documents evidence of misuse of administrative resources,
vote buying, and other examples of abuse of power, as well as offers an
analysis of a number of segments of the civil society and post-election
developments. The chapter devoted to statistical analysis of the official
election data states that "given the consistency and strength of evidence of
fraud offered by the four [statistical] tests, the analysis casts a serious
doubt about the small margin of victory of Serge Sargsyan in Armenia’s
February 2008 presidential elections and the trustworthiness of the final
election outcome."

The Report concludes on a sobering note: "The rhetoric of hate and the
deepening of political polarization that followed March 1-2 continue to
stunt democracy in Armenia and cast a pall over the current reality and
prospects for future development. The reality is that election fraud – in the
various forms it took throughout the modern history of Armenia, and
particularly on February 19, 2008 – is largely to blame for March 1-2. One
important lesson from history is that refusing peoples’ free will and
replacing it with elusive benefits of short-term "stability" or, much worse,
with personal gains for a well-connected few will backfire, as it did on
March 1-2. Failing to understand this and take actions to address the
underlying problems will have grave consequences for the country and the
nation as a whole."

The Report can be accessed from the PFA’s website at:
Neither the authors nor the reviewers of the Report have received any
compensation for their contribution to the Report.

Policy Forum Armenia is an independent professional non-profit association
aimed at strengthening discourse on Armenia’s economic development and
national security and through that helping to shape public policy in
Armenia. Its main objective is to offer alternative views and professional
analysis containing innovative and practical recommendations for public
policy design and implementation. Through its activities, PFA aims to
contribute to the creation of an informed public and more effective and
accountable government. PFA’s main asset is its worldwide network of
professionals and leaders in their respective fields, with dedication to
Armenia.

_id=3D10686

The Wisconsin Jewish ChronicleWednesday=2C October 8=2C 2008

Article wrong about ADL’s Armenian genocide ‘reversal’

As a member of the `ragtag group of activists in Boston’ mentioned in
the JTA article `In 5768, establishment faced new upstarts’ in the
Sept. 26 Chronicle, I must object to the writer’s statement that the
Anti-Defamation League `reversed its refusal to recognize the Armenian
genocide.’

In fact, the ADL worded its August 2007 release in such a way as to
actually contravene the international legal definition of genocide.

The phrasing circumvents the `intent’ required by the 1948 United
Nations Genocide Convention by suggesting that Armenians died simply
as a `consequence’ of World War I conditions and not from a planned
program of extermination – which just happens to be Turkey’s position.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association and 12 of the 13 Massachusetts
communities that dissociated from the ADL’s No Place for Hate program
did so after the ADL’s statement, judging it unacceptable.

The ADL has been playing a double game, issuing a disingenuous
statement while simultaneously advancing the Turkish government’s
agenda by opposing a Congressional resolution formally affirming the
Armenian genocide.

Moreover, ADL leaders have repeatedly endorsed Turkey’s call for a
historical commission to investigate the Armenian genocide, much like
Ahmadinejad’s 2006 conference that purported to examine the Holocaust.

This denying tactic has been condemned by the International
Association of Genocide Scholars, as well as groups like the Southern
Poverty Law Center.

Armenian Genocide Museum of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009, Web:

PRESS RELEASE

October 8, 2008
CONTACT: Carole Karabashian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES MAJOR RESEARCH LIBRARY
DONATION

Washington, DC – Two donors, who presently wish to remain anonymous,
have gifted the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) with an
exceptional collection of books and other printed material focused on
the Armenian Genocide and its documentation.

The collection of several thousand rare and out-of-print books and other
documents is slated for transfer to the AGMA in time for the opening of
the museum in 2010. AGMA will include a complete facility to support
ongoing research at the museum.

The remarkable collection contains many valuable items including maps,
photographs, and other historical evidence reflecting acquisitions,
research, and exploration across numerous archives.

In making their gift to AGMA, the two donors stated: "Indeed, the very
raison d’être of this collection is that everyone needs to know that
there is a massive amount of documentation on what happened to the
Armenians. At the same time, there is also ample testimony that they
were able to overcome the attempt to annihilate them and to recover from
such unprecedented adversity. And, all this with a great deal of help
from the U.S.A. What better place to show this than in Washington, DC?"

The donors hope that the gift will serve as an incentive for others to
contribute relevant works as well. Collection development is a major
objective of the AGMA library. Accepting the donation, AGMA Trustee and
Building and Operations Committee Chairman Van Krikorian, said: "We are
thrilled to receive this astounding gift of an entire library of
specialized publications concentrating on the Armenian Genocide. The
donors’ monumental achievement in creating this collection and
tremendous generosity in choosing the AGMA as the home for the
collection represent a true match made in heaven."

Krikorian went on to say: "This collection of works ranging in their
coverage from the mid-1800s to the present has personal meaning for a
variety of reasons. First, this specialized Armenian Genocide
collection is destined to constitute the foundation of the museum
library. Second, the donation of this entire pre-existing collection,
along with our own Assembly and ANI materials, and in light of the help
we are getting from the Near East Foundation and the Armenian Genocide
Museum in Yerevan, and others, immediately puts AGMA out front in
Washington for running the type of research center that we plan and need
to support the museum, its exhibits and activities. Our donors have
established a standard of sharing with this extraordinary donation in
the same community-minded spirit of Anoush Mathevosian, Hirair
Hovnanian, and the Kechejian family, which we hope others will emulate."

The library donors are scientists with advanced degrees, one with
Armenian roots and the other with no such roots but with a fervent
interest in human rights, peace, and social justice. The gift is being
made in memory of the parents of one of the scientists. They were from
the same small mountain village in the Kharpert region of Armenia. One
was a Genocide survivor; the other was a "gamavor" or volunteer from
America who served in the Armenian Legion or Legion d’Orient.

This special collection will significantly expand the holdings of the
Armenian National Institute (ANI), which has been serving as the
research facility of the AGMA. ANI is already the beneficiary of the
oral history project conducted by the Armenian Assembly of America in
the 1980s, which also sponsored in the 1990s, the first comprehensive
collection of 37,000 pages of U.S. documents from the National Archives
issued on microfiche with a 476-page guide to the documents, both
published by Chadwyck-Healey, Inc. Over the years, ANI has also
acquired important archival holdings from around the world.

The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is an outgrowth of the Armenian
Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute (ANI), catalyzed
by the initial pledge of Anoush Mathevosian toward building such a
museum in Washington, DC.

#####

NR#2008-09

Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association
Central Executive
1925 15th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94116

PRESS RELEASE
October 8, 2008

Contact: Edward Misserlian
[email protected]

Hamazkayin’s 80th Anniversary Marked at Armenian Embassy Gathering

WASHINGTON, DC — Armenian Americans from throughout the nation’s
capital, joined with Armenian Parliamentarian Lilit Galstyan,
Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and? Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern United
States, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Association.

The reception and program, hosted at the Armenian Embassy and co-
chaired by Ambassador Markarian, featured a moving medal and
commendation ceremony during which Hamazkayin Central Executive
U.S. Representative Edward Misserlian recounted the decades of
self-less contributions to Armenian culture made by renowned
pianist Lucy Ishkhanian, playwright Hrant Markarian, Maestro Arsen
Sayan, and community benefactor Dr. Hrant Semerjian.

In his remarks, Misserlian praised Hamazkayin’s international
educational efforts, noting that Armenian schools are the
cornerstone of communities worldwide and stressing the need to
establish a "jemaran" in the United States.

In addition to the medal and commendation ceremony, the 80th
anniversary program included remarks by Amb. Markarian,
Parliamentarian Galstyan, Archbishop Choloyan and musical
presentation by Vivian Chakarian. The mistress of ceremonies for
the evening was Hamazkayin Greater Washington DC board member Irene
Abrahamian.

Parliamentarian Galstyan, who also serves as president of the
Hamazkayin Foundation in Armenia, spoke eloquently about the
achievements of the venerable community organization both in the
Diaspora and, over the past two decades, in Armenia, highlighting
the group’s role in bridging Armenian cultural and educational
efforts around world.

The program was part of a series of events cosponsored by the
Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States, organized in honor
of Hamazkayin’s 80th anniversary, appropriately held during October
as part of Armenian cultural month.

Expanded coverage of the Washington DC event and Hamazkayin’s
Eastern U.S. tour to be provided in the upcoming weeks.

For more information, visit:

#####

NY Hyortik AYF Chapter
69-23 47th Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 651-1530
[email protected]
October 8, 2008
For Immediate Release

Hyortik Chapter Leads Greater New York Community in Marking AYF 75th
Anniversary

NEW YORK – On October 5 the New York Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Hyortik
chapter led the Greater New York Armenian community in commemorating the
AYF’s 75th anniversary. The event gathered members from local organizations
such as Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, Armenian Relief Society chapters, and
representatives from the Republic of Armenia’s Mission to the United
Nations. Also present were St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church pastor Rev.
Fr. Nareg Terterian, St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral pastor
Rev. Fr. Mesob Lakissian, Bishop Anoushavan Tanelian from the Armenian
Prelacy. The capacity crowd joined the AYF at the Armenian Center in
Woodside, N.Y., to recall the historical significance of the organization’s
founding and to honor its continued strength today.

After the singing of Mer Hairenik chapter executive member Sossi Essajanian
welcomed clergy and guests. "Returning to our roots and for 75 years
thereafter we continue to show that from the AYF’s tree blooms youth that
stand guard for Armenia’s rights today, tomorrow and always," she said.
Following this introduction Hyortik executive member Razmig Haroun addressed
the audience on behalf of the chapter. In his remarks he talked about
continuing the ideals and vision of AYF founder General Karekin Nejdeh. He
said that what was given to the youth after 75 years today’s members will
take as a foundation for the next 75 years.

Turing to the AYF’s work today Haroun talked about Armenia. He said, "Today
Armenia is facing many changes, in particular in relations with its
neighbors. Just as always the Armenian Youth Federation made its voice heard
during [Turkish President Abdullah] Gul’s [recent] visit [to Armenia] not
with hatred but proving that there are people who defend Armenia’s rights
and reiterate that friendship requires mutual respect otherwise it is a
mockery." Haroun concluded by stating again the thread of continuity – the
ideals – celebrated this evening: that the AYF is always read to serve the
Armenian nation. Here he recalled Nejdeh’s words about the timeless nature
of ideas: "It is only the idea that does not have a death, neither a casket
nor a grave."

Next the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School students took the stage to
recite Baruyr Sevag’s "Mer Oukhduh," followed by a singing of "Artyok Ovker
en." Hyortik member Nanor Harutunian then gave a historical and educational
presentation about the AYF, in particular its work in the Greater New York
area. Presented in both Armenian and English Harutunian explained the
reasons for the founding, the aim of the first convention, and some programs
as they were carried out by the Hyortik chapter. She continued to discuss
the acquisition of AYF Camp Haiastan in 1940, emergence of political
activity in the 1960s, the establishment of the National Junior Seminar in
1971, and the Tri-Regional seminar in the 1980s. The historical portion also
highlighted the "Tebi Yerkir" outreach program established in the 1990s that
featured a summer internship program in Armenia. She then turned to the AYF
and in particular the Hyortiks today, talking about the over 1000 members
fleshing out the strong ranks of the organization regionally today. Her
presentation covered the Olympics in recent years, the organization’s
ungeragan spirit, its focus on an educational foundation, efforts on the
political front, and work with the AYF junior organization.

Harutunian concluded that the AYF stands as the leading Armenian-American
youth organization. She said that with its various programs and emphasis on
leadership and nationalistic spirit the AYF continues to serve as a
gathering place for the youth wherever they live. Her presentation was also
accompanied by a slide show of more than 70 images ranging from the founding
AYF convention, to pictures of an AYF baseball team, to the building of Camp
Haiastan and camping trips in the 1970s. Later slides depicted the Hyortiks
as they remembered slain journalist Hrant Dink, celebrated the Artaskh
Liberation Struggle, and celebrated anniversaries of the Khanasor Expedition
and the Lisbon 5 event.

Following these comments a short documentary was presented by Hyortik member
Justin Kaladjian. The film featured interviews with members from different
generations who passed through the ranks of the AYF Hyortik chapter.
Interviewees talked about the AYF’s activities when they were members, how
they served the local community, and their constant focus on keeping the
Armenian spirit alive in the youth while standing guard for the Armenian
Cause. All generations also emphasized the fraternal spirit that is the
bedrock of the organization.

The stage was then given to the Hyortik juniors to contribute their
reflections on AYF’s 75 years. Junior chapter president Mesak Sarkissian
spoke briefly about the role of the AYF in the Armenian community at large
stating that the New York junior chapter is active and vibrant. "Inspired by
our past and motivated by the needs of our people, we are always ready and
willing to work in furtherance of the Armenian cause. We realize that we are
the future of the Armenian community and we are ready and willing to do our
part. Through our dedication and enthusiasm we are united in our commitment
for a free, independent and united Armenia."

The ARF Armen Garo Gomideh also offered a few words of reflection presented
by unger Hrant Markarian. In his comments Markarian talked about the youth
and the future, first reflecting on the importance of the organization’s
foundation. He said, "For 75 years you dedicated your lives and today that
organization lives and breathes in all of us." He also spoke about the
vision of AYF founder Karekin Nejdeh; he said, "[He] was not just a person
but an idea," and with this thought asked today’s youth to continue building
on his vision.

Finally Bishop Anoushavan Tanelian spoke about the continued spirit of the
youth. He said, "Today is a day of celebration. When we leave this center we
will all feel a bit younger." Tanelian also spoke about the establishment of
the organization 75 years ago by Nejdeh and reflected on the impact of his
vision for the youth and the Armenian nation. "The youth are the backbone of
the community," he said and then turned his comments to the new cohort of
youth and stated that "What the past generations have not seen you will make
a reality."

After these concluding remarks the event ended with the singing of Harach
Nahadag after which current and former AYF members were invited on stage to
cut a cake brought in honor of the anniversary. Over 60 people filled the
stage for a "chapter" picture after which attendees mingled and enjoyed
refreshments to a background of Armenian patriotic music.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

(Photo credit on all photos: Tina Tcholakian)

Haroun: Hyortik executive member Razmig Haroun addressed the audience on
behalf of the Hyortik chapter

Students 2: St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School recited Baruyr Sevag’s
"Mer Oukhduh," and sang "Artyok Ovker en."

Cake1: current and former AYF members were invited on stage to cut a cake
brought in honor of the anniversary.

Group: Over 60 people filled the stage for a "chapter" picture

NAIVE AMERICANS: THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY HAVE APPEARED

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
08 Oct 2008
Armenia

As we know, experts of the American "9/11 Commission" Christopher Kojm
and Michael Hurley have recently visited Yerevan with the purpose of
exchanging their experience with the NA Interim Committee investigating
the March 1-2 incidents and their causes.

We wonder whether it wasn’t possible to invite to Armenia such experts
who are, so to say, specialized in investigating the causes of the
internal mess and the destabilized situation inside the state.

We believe the specialist who have studied the case of the "mass
disorders" would form a clearer picture of our problem. This doesn’t
certainly mean that the experts of the "9/11 Commission" have come
to Armenia in vain. Absolutely not. It is just difficult to explain
to them the difference between the "September 11" and the "March 1".

Of course, it’s very good that the American experts have come here and
spoken about the way their commission worked within the 1 year and 8
months’ period of its activity. We also learnt that the Commission
not only refrained from organizing a boycott but also continued
its joint work with the Republicans and the Democrats despite the
existing sharp controversies between the two parties. Moreover,
the report was undersigned by all of them in a joint manner.

THEY LIKE TO TEACH US LESSONS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
08 Oct 2008
Armenia

According to Razmik Zohrabyan, "The proposals of the PACE Committee
are, in general terms, acceptable. But that doesn’t yet mean that
all of their requirements should be complied with. One of the key
requirements is ‘to release the political prisoners’, but I still stick
to the viewpoint that there are no political prisoners in Armenia.

I myself have been a political prisoner, and I understand what
it means.

Being a political prisoner means to be detained and convicted purely
for political views, without having committed a criminal offence. To
the best of my knowledge, no one has been convicted purely for his
political views.

Moreover, mild punitive measures have been imposed on the majority,
and many individuals have been put on probation.

The radical opposition even raised a question as to why the individuals
detained within the frameworks of the March 1 case are not granted
amnesty.

In my opinion, what has been done is something like a partial amnesty.

That’s to say, people continue to remain in the places of detention if
they were really involved in the acts of violence, caused physical or
material damage and undertook steps towards staging a coup d’état. In
all the other cases, the state made concessions.

I don’t think people have been kept under arrest for such a long20time
without substantiated reasons. The forces that now act from the
positions of releasing the individuals ‘detained for their political
views’ are tying to interfere in the internal affairs of our state
and teach us lessons of democracy.

Whereas, had all that happened in their own countries, they would
demand a much stricter punishment for the individuals whose ‘political
activity’ resulted in mass disorders, acts of violence and victims."

–Boundary_(ID_VvK5mYmG6ssmH5AVcxZ iQg)–

AMERICAN EXPERTS COME LATE BUT THEY ARE NOT LATE
Gevorg Harutyunyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
08 Oct 2008
Armenia

Yesterday the NA temporary committee investigating March 1-2
developments held a session and together with the three American
experts watched some recordings. After the session the correspondent of
"Hayots Ashkharh" daily had interview with Samvel Nikoyan.

"Mr. Nikoyan it was the first participation of the American experts
in the session of the committee. What facts did you introduce?"

"Firstly we introduced the work implemented by the committee, the
facts that we have managed to attain regarding March 1 developments. We
watched the recording of the events that took place in the Theatrical
Square on March 1, in the morning, later we watched the video,
which the journalist of "Haykakan Jamanak" daily had given to the
committee. And, by the way, not only did we bring the attention of the
American experts to certain episodes of the before mentioned recording
which mildly speaking give rise to doubt, but also informed them that
we have already appealed to the bodies that carry out the inquest and
the expert services to estimate the factual value and the assertion
of the before mentioned recordings.

Together with the American experts over again we studied the conclusion
of the Forensic Expertise Center. Particularly we have introduced
all the details about the t en victims, the reasons of death and
the injuries."

"According to NA decision before October 25 the temporary committee
must represent the results of their activity. How can the American
experts help you? Why are they so late?"

"I don’t think they are late. Especially because we have invited
experts from many other countries, but the thing is this issue has
become a matter of discussion only in the US Embassy in Armenia. So
it took lots of time to solve all the organizational issues. But we
are short of time and we are really in a hurry. This is the reason
why we think that the American experts are late.

In the near future we will start collecting factual data regarding
the death circumstances of the ten victims. We strongly believe that
both society and the National Assembly will demand clarifications
regarding the reasons of those people’s death.

At the moment it is difficult to say whether or not we are satisfied
with the results of our work, because we haven’t yet got the answers
of many expertise. Once we receive all the proper documents, we will
speak about the progress."

"Did the American experts express any opinion after watching the
recording?"

‘They are serious people and they will hardly express any opinion
immediately after watching photos or videos. They must firstly analyze
the information.

We asked the m if they would do expertise of the photos and the
recordings to see whether or not they coincide with the reality. They
said they must first discuss that possibility. Besides that they must
also decide where and in what conditions can they do it.

I must record that our law enforcement structures and the police
allocated recordings of two minutes duration. In my view they simply
don’t have other ones. Better if they had other videos but didn’t give
them to us, but the fact that they don’t have any proper recordings
is very bad.

The police didn’t record the illegal demonstrations and protest marches
preceding March 1 developments. It is really bad because these facts
are very necessary for us, for the police, for the prosecutors and
society.

We must clarify many details regarding the videos that we possess,
because there are lots of speculations around those videos. It is
not yet clear who has recorded those videos."

"By the way the place of the pro-oppositional vice-chairman of the
committee is still vacant. Do you think they do it intentionally?"

"Not only is it intentional but also very regrettable. The absence
of the opposition makes the activity of the committee very difficult.

Non-participation is a political decision. Had they cooperated with the
committee, people could have expected to get certain clarifications
to their questions. And that would ha ve mitigated the internal
political tension. It is a pure political decision, because today
not everyone wants to know the truth. And these people say that the
committee doesn’t have any desire to be impartial.

Are they impartial? Why hasn’t any radical witness come and told the
committee what they have seen?"

ORANGE THE THIRD MOBILE OPERATOR IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
08.10.2008 15:16

Orange has been awarded the third mobile operator license (GSM and 3G)
in the Republic of Armenia. This announcement, which was made public
by the Armenian government, follows Orange’s submission of a formal
bid of E51.5 million on October 6. The sums proposed by the other
two companies were considerably smaller.

Following a detailed analysis of local market conditions, Orange firmly
believes in the potential for the Group’s development in the Republic
of Armenia thanks to its experience and its know-how for offering
innovative and high-performance services. Commercial activities will
be launched in the coming months following the formal attribution of
the license and frequencies by the Armenian regulatory authorities.

CBA PRESIDENT TO PARTAKE IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF IMF AND WB

armradio.am
08.10.2008 15:28

President of the Central Bank of Armenia Arthur Javadyan and
Vice-President Vache Gabrielyan left for Washington today to
participate in the 2008 annual meeting of the Councils of Managers
of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Central bank of
Armenia, they will participate in the plenary sittings of t he annual
meetings of the Councils of Managers of the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank, the sittings of the Development Commission
and the meeting of the Dutch Group.