ASBAREZ Online [04-07-2005]

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04/07/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Colorado Legislature Passes Armenian Genocide Legislation 2) ARF Delegation Meets with Lebanon's Aoun 3) French-Armenian Author Jean-Jacques Varoujean Dies 4) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey Agree on Rail Link Construction 1) Colorado Legislature Passes Armenian Genocide Legislation DENVER--The Colorado State Legislature unanimously passed on April 6, a joint resolution commemorating the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923. During this period, 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were annihilated--accounting for more than half the Armenian population. Senator Lois Tochtrop and Speaker Andrew Romanoff were the co-sponsors of the lengthy resolution describing the Armenian atrocities and continued denial of the events by the current Turkish government. A portion of the resolution reads: "Whereas, Armenian-Americans living in Colorado have greatly enriched our state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; now, therefore, 1. That this legislative body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide to be recognized at a memorial service on Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the Armenian Genocide memorial plaque located in the northeast quadrant on the State Capitol grounds; 2. That we, the members of the General Assembly, hereby acknowledge April 24, 2005, and every year hereafter, as "Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide;" 3. That the State of Colorado respectfully urges the United States Congress to likewise commemorate the Armenian Genocide." "This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and it is fitting that the Colorado Legislature continue its tradition of designating April 24 as Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide," said Kim Christianian, chairperson of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee for Armenians of Colorado, a non-profit cultural organization. The 90th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide Commemorative events in Colorado begins on April 21. The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society's ACC Chapter, with co-sponsor Armenians of Colorado, will host The Greatest Crimes of the 20th Century: Genocide/Holocaust Commemoration. Ken Allikian, an Armenian/American whose parents survived the genocide, will be the guest speaker, as well as Walter Plywaski, a Holocaust survivor and scholar. Phi Theta Kappa chapter president Simon Maghakyan will present briefly on the cultural genocide that destroyed thousands of Armenian churches and historical monuments in historic Armenia, at the Arapahoe Community College Waring Theatre. On Sunday, April 24, Armenians of Colorado will host the Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide at the Memorial Plaque located in the N.E. Quadrant of State Capitol grounds. Guest speakers will include State Senator Lois Tochtrop and Speaker Andrew Romanoff. The community is invited to participate in a joint commemorative church service at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church beginning at 2PM. There will be clergy from both the Armenian Apostolic Church of Denver and from the Armenian Apostolic Church of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region. There will also be a talk with Tatul Sonentz-Papazian, long-time Armenian National Committee activist and Armenian Relief Society International Office Publications Director and Editor of "Hai Sird," the multi-lingual periodical of the ARS. Papazian is the recipient of the St. Mesrop Mashtots Medal by Catholicos Aram I, for meritorious contributions to the promotion of Armenian culture in the diaspora. The talk will be held in the church cultural center 4610 E. Alameda Avenue Denver, Colorado 80246. For directions and more information please visit <; Armenians of Colorado Inc. was established in June 1980, as a 501( c) (3) non-profit, cultural organization. Its purpose is to create a cohesive Armenian community and to further the understanding of Armenian history, culture, and heritage. AOC actively supports issues and concerns of the Armenian/American community here in Colorado, as well as those identified within the Armenian Diaspora throughout the world. AOC represents the interests of over 1000 Colorado Armenian residents accounting for over 300 Armenian families throughout the state. 2) ARF Delegation Meets with Lebanon's Aoun BEIRUT (ARF Press Offices)--An ARF Lebanon delegation composed of central committee representative Hovig Mkitarian, and Lebanon's Minister of Youth and Sports Sebouh Hovnanian, met with former Lebanese Prime Minister, Army commander, and opposition leader Minister General Michel Aoun on April 6, at his office in Paris. The ARF presented its position on recent developments in Lebanon and means to resolve the building political tension, proposing that dialogue is the only viable option and that the country's various sides must participate in the formation of a government. The ARF delegation also conveyed their support for the implementation of the 1989 Taif Agreement that constitutes a compromise among the Lebanese deputies, political groups, and parties, militias and leaders, in an attempt to tackle the structure of the political system and the sovereignty of the Lebanese state. They also spoke of the election process and the country's election laws. For his part, Aoun said that after his recent meetings with the leadership of the ARF, he fully grasps the party's stance on issues, and conveyed his vision of what will unfold in Lebanon. The Armenian leaders said they seek Aoun's return to Lebanon to participate in the political process. Aoun said that it is vital to continue meetings with the ARF, and envisioned future cooperation with the party in a variety of areas. 3) French-Armenian Author Jean-Jacques Varoujean Dies PARIS--French-Armenian author and intellectual Jean-Jacques Varoujean passed away on April 2, in his home in Paris. The author of such plays as A plus, La Voleuse d'histoires, and A L'autre Bout Du Pont, Varoujean was born Varoujean Ouzounian in Marseilles in 1927, to immigrant Armenian parents. Varoujean is undoubtedly one of the rare French Armenian authors; Armenians know little about his work and even less about the man. Jean-Jacques Varoujean had said, "There is in me a great contradiction: I am an anti-nationalist, but I wish that justice is returned to the Armenian nation." Like so many other artists or intellectuals, he did not hesitate to give an opinion in a clear and committed way about Armenian political problems. A great admirer of Levon Shant, Varoujean translated and adapted his masterpiece, the Former Gods (Heen Asdvadzner). "The theater plays an essential role to awaken the conscience, to help to keep the eyes about good and evil. >>From the very start of the century, with the Former Gods, an Armenian author
dared to announce something as it is,” Varoujean had written.
4) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey Agree on Rail Link Construction
TBILISI (Civil Georgia)–The Georgian, Azeri and Turkish sides signed a
protocol in Baku on April 6, over the construction of a railway link between
the eastern Turkish city of Gars and southern Georgian town of Akhalkalak,
which will also enable Azerbaijan to gain access to its strategic partner
Turkey via Georgia.
According to the Georgian Railway Department, a joint Azeri-Georgian-Turkish
venture will be set up with headquarters in Istanbul to implement this
project.
According to the preliminary estimates, the price tag will be $400 million.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress