ASBAREZ Online [04-06-2004]

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04/06/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF Western Region Announcement on Recent Political Developments in Armenia 2) AADLC Launches ArmeniansforKerry.com 3) Media Outcry as Journalist Attackers Stay Unpunished 4) Yedelian First Elected Armenian Councilor in Australia 1) ARF Western Region Announcement on Recent Political Developments in Armenia Recent internal political developments in the Republic of Armenia are approaching the brink of outright confrontation between the opposition and the authorities, and threaten the independence of the country, its security, and stability. This tense political environment causes serious concern not only for citizens of Armenia, but also Armenians in the Diaspora, including those in the Western United States. Gravely concerned over these developments, the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Region announces the imperative of engaging in political dialogue in order to immediately diffuse the tense situation that threatens our homeland. In its April 5 announcement, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's Supreme Body of Armenia, characterized the political formula for mutual concessions in order to bring the country out of the current impasse. In turn, we appeal to Armenians of Western USA to practice vigilance--to reject deceptive provocations, insulting expressions, and extremist announcements that serve to fuel the already tense situation both in Armenia and the Diaspora, including our region. American Armenians have a historic mission to always stand by and support Armenia. We can uphold this sacred mission only by way of a healthy national outlook. Thus, American Armenians must serve as an example to political forces inside Armenia to be able to overcome this difficult phase that threatens our nation. On this issue, the Central Committee of the ARF Western region, places total faith in the sound judgment of our public. Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western Region Central Committee Glendale, April 6, 2004 2) AADLC Launches ArmeniansforKerry.com FULL-FEATURED WEBSITE OFFERS ACTIVISM TOOLS, RESOURCES, ON-LINE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SIGN-UP PAGE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS ARLINGTON, VA--The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC) has launched <;, a powerful, full-featured website providing the growing number of Armenian American supporters of John Kerry with activism tools to support the presumptive Democratic nominee's campaign for the Presidency of the United States. "We are pleased, through ArmeniansforKerry.com, to provide Armenian Americans--Democrats, Independents, and cross-over Republicans--with solid information and practical tools they need to help elect John Kerry as President," said AADLC spokesperson Tsoghig Margossian. "We look forward to working with the growing number of Armenian Americans supporting the Kerry campaign in educating voters, generating campaign support and financial contributions, and mobilizing grassroots pro-Kerry get-out-the-vote efforts leading up to Election Day on November 2." The welcome message on the website notes: "On the issues Armenian Americans care about--as Armenians and as Americans--John Kerry is the clear choice. He is a candidate that our nation's more than one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage can be proud of, for his record of service to our nation, and for personal involvement in all the vital issues of special concern to Armenian Americans--genocide recognition, a strong Armenia, increased aid, expanded trade, and an end to the blockades." The website continues: "In sharp contrast, George W. Bush has broken his promises and repeatedly betrayed the trust of the Armenian American community, opposed the issues they care about, and presided over the most anti-Armenian administration in modern history. Almost immediately after taking office in 2001, he abandoned his campaign pledge to properly recognize Armenian Genocide." Among the main features of ArmeniansforKerry.com are the following: * ArmeniansforKerry.com documents Senator Kerry's 20-year pro-Armenian record in the US Senate and includes direct links to his key speeches on a range of issues of concern to Armenian American voters. * ArmeniansforKerry.com has an easy-to-use sign-up page for volunteers, for e-list updates, and for individuals who want to have their name listed on the website as supporters of John Kerry for President. * ArmeniansforKerry.com features an on-line donation feature that automatically tracks campaign donations made by Armenian Americans. * ArmeniansforKerry.com features a photo gallery, including a front-page photo of Senator Kerry speaking in front of an Armenians for Kerry sign during his victory speech on the day of the Virginia Democratic primary. Video footage of the AADLC campaign volunteers holding these signs was broadcast internationally on the CNN cable network. * ArmeniansforKerry.com "press room" provides, in one place, coverage of Armenians for Kerry that has appeared in the Armenian American media. * ArmeniansforKerry.com includes extensive links to the main JohnKerry.com website, including background information, press information, videos, community outreach, volunteering, events, an on-line forum, photos, meet-ups, and voter registration. The AADLC has an extensive, nation-wide record of activism in support of Democratic Presidential candidates spanning the past several elections. For more information about the AADLC: Visit: Email: [email protected]. 3) Media Outcry as Journalist Attackers Stay Unpunished YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Armenia's leadership showed no signs on Tuesday of impending punishment for violent youths that attacked journalists at an opposition rally in Yerevan, leading to the indiscriminate smashing of TV and still cameras. "All of this is incompatible with democratic principles and civilization in general," said Astghik Gevorgian, chairwoman of the Armenian Union of Journalists. The Armenian Press Club issued a more strongly-worded statement accusing law-enforcement agencies of "neglecting their professional duty." President Robert Kocharian's spokesman Ashot Kocharian said, "We condemn any illegal act, especially one directed against journalists and representatives of mass media." He would not say whether any orders were issued by the president in connection with the incident. "It is incomprehensible why law-enforcement bodies did not intervene in those actions," said deputy speaker of Armenia's parliament Tigran Torosian, "Regardless of who the perpetrators of that violence are, they must be unconditionally identified and punished." Eyewitnesses say scores of police officers looked on as about two dozen thugs beat journalists and smashed cameras that documented their violent attempts to disrupt Sunday's rally. The officers, among them the deputy chief of the national Police Service, ignored pleas to stop the rampage. The trouble-makers left the scene unimpeded. The chief of the Yerevan police department, Nerses Nazarian, sought to justify the police inactivity with claims that his subordinates had been issued with orders to intervene in the proceedings only "in extreme cases." Risking a further media outcry, he portrayed the attack as a mere "dispute of individuals with opposite views." Several of the attackers were videotaped by a cameraman who managed to escape unscathed. Kentron was the sole Armenian TV channel to provide detailed coverage of the attack. Other stations which also lost cameras, chose to cover-up the matter up--an act strongly criticized by Boris Navasardian, chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, who said that pro-Kocharian channels are acting against "journalistic solidarity." 4) Yedelian First Elected Armenian Councilor in Australia SYDNEY--Newly elected Councilor for Central Ward, Ryde City Council, Sarkis Yedelian became first Councilor elected in Australia of Armenian ancestry. "I am deeply humbled and grateful to the people of Ryde for their support and trust," Yedelian said on Monday. Yedelian was elected on a platform which offered a fresh approach to dealing with Council issues, and bringing accountability. "Ryde city is a great place to live, and I'll be doing everything I can to ensure it remains so," Yedelian said. Yedelian, who has lived in the area for over 20 years, operates a camera and video production business in Gladesville. He is a founding and current board member of Community TV Sydney Ltd., CH31, and is also the president of Armenian TV Sydney Incorporated. Established in 1994, it is the first and remains the only Armenian TV broadcast service in Australia run entirely by volunteers and producing 3 hours of broadcasting each week. He is married with two children. 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) 2004 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.