ASBAREZ Online [04-16-2004]

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04/16/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANCA Shares Armenian American Disappointment Over Bush Administration Record with Congressional Leaders 2) ANC of Canada and Deputy Prime Minister Discuss Armenian Genocide Motion 3) Aliyev Says Russian Troops in Armenia a Danger to Region 4) Key Parliament Gunman Found Dead in Jail 1) ANCA Shares Armenian American Disappointment Over Bush Administration Record with Congressional Leaders LETTERS TO SPEAKER HASTERT AND MAJORITY LEADER FRIST OUTLINE SPECIFIC ARMENIAN AMERICAN POLICY CONCERNS ANCA CHAIRMAN PRAISES REPUBLICAN FRIENDS OF ARMENIA IN CONGRESS WASHINGTON, DC--In letters sent this week to Congressional leaders, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) voiced the disappointment of the Armenian American community over the Bush Administration's record on Armenian issues. In its correspondence, the ANCA called for renewed efforts by the leadership of the legislative branch to urge the White House to adopt more constructive policies on issues of special concern to Armenian American voters. Included with the letters, signed by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and sent to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, were copies of the ANCA's 2004 Armenian American Presidential Report Card, which gave the President generally low marks on a range of fifteen different Armenian American issues. These issues were grouped into three general categories as follows: 1) Unfulfilled commitments: Most notable among the unfulfilled commitments were the President's failure to honor his campaign pledge in February of 2000 to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, and his decision this February to abandon the 2001 White House agreement with both Congress and the Armenian American community to maintain parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. 2) Opposition to community concerns: In terms of active opposition to community concerns, we have seen the White House block Congressional legislation concerning the Armenian Genocide, waive Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, propose reductions in US aid to Armenia, and mistakenly place Armenia on a Department of Justice/INS terrorist watch list. 3) Failure to prioritize Armenian issues: The Administration has failed to prioritize either US-Armenia ties or the White House's relationship with the Armenian American community. An example of the former is the failure of the Administration to take meaningful proactive steps to foster increased US-Armenia commercial relations, or even to press Congress to move quickly to adopt Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for Armenia. An example of the latter is that the President has not invited the collective leadership of the Armenian American community to a meeting at the White House despite repeated requests for such interaction. Both the Senate and House letters included more than a dozen specific recommendations by the ANCA about how the Congressional leadership could encourage the White House to improve its standing among Armenian American voters. The ANCA letter also stressed that, while disappointed with the President's performance, the ANCA "highly values our many close friends in Congress and throughout the country and wants to ensure that they can effectively reach out to Armenian Americans this election season, confident in the knowledge that their national leadership has been supportive of Armenian issues." Hachikian highlighted that Armenian Americans "have great respect for the tremendous leadership of Congressman Joe Knollenberg as Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus and appreciate his spearheading of the adoption of legislation in the House granting Armenia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. This important measure, which is awaiting Senate action, was provided crucial Committee support by Chairman Bill Thomas of the Ways and Means Committee. Our community deeply appreciates the efforts of Congressman George Radanovich in introducing and advocating tirelessly on behalf of the Genocide Resolution, and those of Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner for moving this important measure out of Committee. We admire the efforts of Congressman Mark Kirk, who has worked with Congressman Knollenberg and Chairman Jim Kolbe of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee to address Armenian American concerns in the foreign aid bill. Throughout the nation, Armenian Americans value their friendships with Republican legislators, from David Dreier in California, Eric Cantor in Virginia, Chris Smith in New Jersey, Mark Souder in Indiana, to New York's John Sweeney, who is of Armenian heritage, and many others." In the Senate, Hachikian made special mention of "Senators Mitch McConnell, John Ensign, George Allen, Elizabeth Dole, and many others," noting that the ANCA wants to "ensure that they can effectively reach out to Armenian Americans this election season, confident in the knowledge that their national leadership has been supportive of Armenian issues." In a similar letter sent last week to the Chairman of the Bush-Cheney-04 campaign, Marc Racicot, the ANCA included a copy of its Bush Administrations' Report Card and suggested "a number of steps that the Administration can take to improve its standing among our nation's one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage." The letter went on to note that, "these issues are of profound importance to our entire community--Republicans, Democrats, and independents--all of whom, sadly, are united in the view that this Administration, despite its early promise, has fallen far short of their expectations." Racicot, in addition to being the former Governor of Montana, was the immediate past Chairman of the Republican National Committee. For the full text of the ANCA 2004 Armenian American Presidential Report Card visit: <;pressregion=anca>
anca.org/anca/pressrel.asp?prid=540&pressregion=anca
For the National Organization for Republican Armenians perspective on the
Bush
Administration’s record visit:
<; 08.htm The Armenian American Leadership Council's (AADLC) review of the Bush Administration can be found at: <; leases.asp?pr id=51 A review of Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) record on Armenian issues is located at: <; 2) ANC of Canada and Deputy Prime Minister Discuss Armenian Genocide Motion OTTAWA--Armenian National Committee of Canada Chairperson Dr. Jirayr Basmadjian and ARF of Canada Central Committee member Krikor Der Ghazarian met with Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan on March 29. The meeting was arranged through former Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Stephan Dion. The ANC representatives focused on the government's position on M-380, a Motion in the Canadian parliament acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and condemning it as a crime against humanity. They expressed the Armenian community's deep disillusionment regarding the Canadian government's long-held negative position vis-à-vis official recognition of the Armenian Genocide. They pointed out that in the past the government had not merely adopted a negative stance, but also actively lobbied against adoption of motions on the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian representatives stated that Canada has fallen far behind the countries on the list of those that have recognized the Genocide as historical factdespite the fact that Canada is considered a foremost defender of human rights. Dr. Basmadjian reiterated the current understanding that at this stage, the ministers constituting the government would be voting against the measure, but that members of parliament (MPs) belonging to the governing party would be allowed to vote according to their conscience. The ANC reps therefore requested that the government not apply indirect pressure against those MPs. Dr. Basmadjian explained that all MPs from two of the opposition parties, and the vast majority of MPs from the third opposition party, are expected to vote in favor of the M-380. Therefore, he pointed out, the government party would find itself in an untenable position if its majority were to vote against a motion that is a matter of conscience and human rights. After discussing various details, Deputy Prime Minister McLellan promised to give serious consideration to the practical suggestions and proposals presented to her during the meeting. 3) Aliyev Says Russian Troops in Armenia a Danger to Region ISTANBUL--The Turkish press reported on various statements made by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev recently. Aliyev, who is in Turkey on an official visit, referred to the Russian armed forces deployed in Armenia, saying they pose a danger to the region. He said that although the Russians no longer take sides, which signifies progress, as they sided with Armenia previously, more action must be taken because Armenia is an occupying power. "Russia must clearly recognize that fact," Aliyev said. "It is wrong to treat the occupier and victim equally." Aliyev asserted that Armenia behaves unilaterally and does not carry out the recommendations of international organizations. He pointed to the continued presence of Russian forces in Armenia, saying that they have been reinforced with Russian troops from Georgia. "In the other countries of the Caucasus, there are no Russian troops," he said. "There are none in Azerbaijan and never will be." Aliyev questioned who exactly the Russian forces in Armenia are confronting. "There was a Cold War before, but there is no such thing now." According to Aliyev, the Russian troops are a threat not only against Azerbaijan and Turkey but also Georgia. "In this matter, Iran stands by Azerbaijan, but prefers not to get involved," he said. Aliyev expressed satisfaction that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed that Armenia must withdraw from Karabagh. "Those two countries have strategic importance, and through their initiative, a new process has begun, he said. 4) Key Parliament Gunman Found Dead in Jail YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--One of the five gunmen who had gone on a killing spree in Armenia's parliament in October 1999 was found dead in his prison cell on Friday. Authorities said Vram Galstian, who was serving a life sentence along with the other attackers, committed suicide by hanging himself in Yerevan's Nubarashen high-security prison. Representatives of Red Cross and three human rights organizations were invited to check the official cause of death. "They opened the cell and we saw him hanging from a tightly knotted bed sheet," said Avetik Ishkhanian of the Armenian Helsinki Committee. "They did not let us see if there are any traces of violence, saying that an investigation is underway." A former villager from the central Gegharkunik province, Galstian was the uncle of ringleader Nairi Hunanian and his brother Karen. The brothers were convicted last December of assassinating Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian, parliament speaker Karen Demirchian, and five other officials during the shock raid on the National Assembly on October 27, 1999. Galstian was found guilty of shooting a lawmaker moments before the armed group burst into the main parliament auditorium. According to Samvel Hovannisian, head of a Justice Ministry department running Armenia's prisons, Galstian was placed in solitary confinement at his request "three or four days" before his death. "He said he could not live with the other inmates in his previous cell." Hovannisian also said Galstian suffered from a mental illness and attempted suicide on several occasions. "In the past, inmates sharing the cell with him complained about his aggressive behavior," said Hovannisian. But Ishkhanian informed that a prison psychologist visited the convict as recently as April 13 and found no signs of "disturbance." Ishkhanian noted that he and the other human rights activist were not allowed to interview the prisoners in Galstian's former cell. 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.