ASBAREZ Online [05-11-2005]

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05/11/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANCA Darfur Genocide Vigil to Call on US for Decisive Action 2) US Ambassador Feldman Meets with ARF Lebanon Representatives 3) Hawk Khatcherian's 'Yerkir' Recaptures Lost Land 4) New 3D Model Portrays Shushi's Liberation 5) Safarov's Hearing Adjourned until September 27 1) ANCA Darfur Genocide Vigil to Call on US for Decisive Action WASHINGTON, DC--As the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) joined the growing coalition seeking decisive US action to stop the ongoing Genocide in Darfur, Sudan, it will hold a vigil, "Armenian Americans against the Darfur Genocide," urging the US government to take principled action and avoid the terrible cost of indifference. The ANCA vigil, part of a series of weekly Wednesday vigils by Africa Action, will take place on Wednesday, May 25, at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, from 5:30-6:30 pm. In April, the ANCA circulated an action alert to more than 50,000 activists in every US state, and called on Armenian Americans to work for the adoption of Congressional resolutions in favor of the appointment of a Presidential Special envoy to Sudan and the imposition of sanctions against the Sudanese Government. Known as the Darfur Accountability Act of 2005 (S.495), the measure, introduced on March 2 by Senators Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), calls for a new UN Security Council resolution with sanctions, an extension of the current arms embargo to cover the Government of Sudan, and as well as the freezing of assets of those responsible for genocide and war crimes in Darfur. The Special Presidential Envoy for Sudan would work with all parties and the international community to stop the genocide in Darfur and help craft a comprehensive peace plan. Following the introduction of the Darfur Accountability Act, Illinois Senator Richard Durbin spoke in the support of the measure, citing a state's inherent responsibility to stop genocide. The escalation of Congressional efforts regarding the Darfur Genocide coincides with an expanded Sudanese government effort to deny its role in the ongoing tragedy. In a March 22nd front page Washington Post article, Sudan's First Vice-President Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha argued that, "his government had received an unfair share of the blame for the war in Darfur." The Washington Post article, which presented highlights from an interview with the First Vice-President continued: "We do understand and appreciate people having sympathy with the victims of Darfur," said Taha, 57, who called the situation a 'sad chapter' in Sudan's history. But he added: "This was not genocide, but an unfortunate internal conflict...that has nothing to do with ethnic cleansing. We urge people to see the difference between the innocents caught in the middle and the rebels who are escalating their claims to gain sympathy." "Genocide denial--of past atrocities or ongoing massacres--only serves to encourage perpetrators, emboldening them with the knowledge that their crimes can be committed with impunity," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "As Armenian Americans, we are reminded by the Sudanese government's efforts to blame the victims--like its hollow claims of self-defense--of the Turkish government's campaign--now in its ninth decade, to escape responsibility for the Armenian Genocide." Additional information about the Darfur Genocide can be found at: Africa Action or Save Darfur For more information or questions on the May 25 Darfur Vigil, call (202) 775-1918 or visit <; 2) US Ambassador Feldman Meets with ARF Lebanon Representatives BEIRUT (Aztagdaily.com)--US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feldman met on Tuesday with central committee members of Lebanon's Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Also attending the meeting were state ministers Sebouh Hovnanian and Alain Tabourian. The focus of discussions were on current regional and local political developments, with the ARF representatives conveying their party's stance on the issues. They stressed the importance of mass participation in upcoming elections in Lebanon, and strict adherence to a democratic electoral process. Ambassador Feldman emphasized the fundamental issue remains that a new Lebanon must emerge based on principals of democracy. 3) Hawk Khatcherian's 'Yerkir' Recaptures Lost Land YEREVAN--(Combined Sources)--Hrair "Hawk" Khatcherian's photographs of Western Armenia, captured in an album called "Yerkir," was presented on May 11 at the Sergei Parajanov Museum in Yerevan. "Armenian architects have been denied the opportunity to study the historical and cultural monuments of Western Armenia," said architect Dr. Mourad Hasratian during the ceremony, explaining that Hawk's photos not only serve to fill that gap, but also document the fact that Armenians once lived and thrived in Western Armenia. "Symbolically named Yerkir, this album of photographs serves as legitimate proof of that, and is a tool for future generations to raise the issue of territorial rights." Yerkir features 460 photographs of the Western Armenian cities of Ani, Erzeroum, Gars, Moush, Sis, Van, and Zeitun, taken between 1992 and 2004. "This album is a document; it's our weapon. There is vast territory that we had not seen until now," said Parajanov Museum director Zaven Sarkissian, stressing the album must be used as textbook in every Armenian home. "Growing up with this album, our next generation will be able to speak with force, in a tone different then our's." "Yerkir" also documents the condition of monuments in Western Armenia by juxtaposing current photos with those taken at the turn of the 20th century. Khatcherian says that little has preserved; monuments in Western Armenia, specifically churches, have either been destroyed or converted into stables or mosques. The album also contains unique photos of the "Naregatsi stones." The Armenian poet Krikor Naregatsi (951-1003) wrote his mystical poem "Book of Lamentations" on the stones. Hrair Khatcherian has dedicated the album "Yerkir" to his "venerable teacher" Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, who passed away on December 2, 2003. Khatcherian's first album, published in 1997, Artsakh: A photographic Journey, captures the vitality of the people of Mountainous Karabagh Republic, and their courage in the struggle to be free. Born in Lebanon, Khatcherian currently lives in Canada with his wife Lena and their two children Lori and Palig. For more information, contact Khatcherian at [email protected]. 4) New 3D Model Portrays Shushi's Liberation SHUSHI (Armenpress)--In a ceremony held on May 9, the Tufenkian Foundation unveiled a relief model depicting the May 9, 1992 liberation of Shushi--the military operation widely regarded as the turning point in the Karabagh war, after which Armenians succeeded in removing Azeri occupation from the enclave. The ceremony was held at the Shushi Historical Museum, which now houses the model in a special display hall created for this purpose. Levon Garibyan, a specialist from the Armenian State Geodesy Institute, created the model. Opening the ceremony was Armen Harutunian of the Tufenkian Foundation, who explained that the model is designed to heighten public pride and awareness of Shushi's liberation--how it was accomplished and its historic military significance. He then introduced Antranig Kasbarian, also of the Foundation, who explained that the Shushi model project forms part of the Foundation's efforts to renovate the Shushi museum, as well as of larger efforts to revitalize Shushi. "This small ceremony serves to highlight one of the illustrious pages of our past, and how Shushi is indelibly linked with the Armenian cause for liberation," he said. "At the same time, we cannot content ourselves with past accomplishments; the true liberation of Shushi will come when we rebuild this historic city from its war-torn status, brick by brick, into a living, vibrant place where Armenians may flourish." Harutunian explained that the model has been sponsored in memory of the late Vahe Maroukhian, an Armenian-American activist who was devoted to Shushi's liberation, as well as the Armenian Cause. Vahe's sister, Shaghig Maroukhian, was also on hand to convey her words of appreciation. Attendees were treated to a live-action demonstration of the model, conducted by Shushi Museum director Ashot Harutunian. Harutunian depicted the various military positions and lines of attack involved in the operation, assisted by light-activated routes shown on the model. 5) Safarov's Hearing Adjourned until September 27 BUDAPEST (Combined Sources)--A Hungarian court trying the case of an Armenian officer slain by Azeri counterpart Ramil Safarov in Budapest, announced that the next session will be held on September 27. Hayk Demoyan, a representative of the Armenian armed forces, informed that during the hearing, which lasted 55 minutes, the judge said the forensic expertise was carried out twice and showed different results, thereby adjourning the case until the specified date. The court is to hear testimonies from forensic experts and eyewitnesses from Azerbaijan and Lithuania at the next hearing. He said some provisions of the second examination refer to the psychological condition of the Azeri officer at the moment of the crime, though, according to Demoyan, the examination's results are not final. According to Hungarian law, experts conducting the two examinations have to meet and give a final conclusion; otherwise, a third examination is possible. Safarov used an ax and a knife to kill Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margarian in his sleep early morning on February 19, 2004. Both officers were attending an English language training course at the Hungarian National Defense University in Budapest as part of the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. Hungarian police said the murder was committed with "unusual cruelty"--the Armenian officer's head was nearly cut off--and was witnessed by the victim's Hungarian roommate who called the police. The Azeri then apparently intended to kill a second Armenian officer, sleeping in a room nearby, but was stopped by a Lithuanian officer, who was awakened by the noise. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.