ASBAREZ Online [05-22-2006]

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05/22/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ANCA Telethon Raises $2,700,000 for Armenian Cause 2) US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Responds to Senator Boxer's Concerns about Julfa Cemetery 3) Armenian Parliament Speaker Confirms Resignation 4) Kocharian Appoints New Culture And Youth Affairs Minister 1) ANCA Telethon Raises $2,700,000 for Armenian Cause The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) raised Sunday approximately $2.7 million in the first-ever nationwide Telethon for the Armenian Cause. The Telethon, which lasted for six hours, brought together hundreds of volunteers, community members, and leaders of the Armenian community from around the nation to Glendale Studios in Glendale, California. The program highlighted the work of the ANCA in the halls of Congress, the White House, and state and local governments around the country. It also showcased various programs offered by the ANCA, such as the Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship Program. Although the Telethon officially ended at 9:00 PM (PST), donations kept pouring in for another three hours, bringing the total to approximately $2.7 million. Proceeds from the Telethon will help the ANCA broaden its scope and resources with which it pursues issues important to the Armenian American community. 2) US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Responds to Senator Boxer's Concerns about Julfa Cemetery Destruction --Diplomat Stops Short of Pledging US Investigation WASHINGTON, DC--US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Anne Derse responded this week to concerns raised by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) regarding Azerbaijan's destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Julfa, Nakhichevan, but refrained from pledging any concrete commitment to investigate the matter, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Submitting a written response to questions by Senator Boxer relayed during her May 12 Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, Derse noted that the Department of State is "urging the relevant Azerbaijani authorities to investigate the allegations of desecration of cultural monuments in Nakhichevan and take appropriate measures to prevent any desecration of cultural monuments. Armenia and Azerbaijan are both members of UNESCO (and OSCE), and Azerbaijan has raised these issues in those organizations.  We have encouraged Armenia and Azerbaijan to work with UNESCO to investigate this incident. If I am confirmed, and if such issues arise during my tenure, I will communicate our concerns to the Government of Azerbaijan and pursue appropriate activities in support of US interests." Senator Boxer had specifically asked if the Ambassador Designate would "visit the cemetery site and commit [herself] to investigating the demolition of this unique cemetery." "We want to thank Senator Boxer for raising Azerbaijan's desecration of the Julfa cemetery with Ambassador Designate Derse," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  "We were deeply troubled by the silence of the US Embassy on this issue during the tenure of her predecessor, Reno Harnish, and remain hopeful that, despite her evasive response, Anne Derse will prove a more vocal and effective advocate for the core American values of tolerance and respect for cultural heritage.  She can start off on the right foot by personally visiting Julfa during her first month in office." In December of 2005, approximately 200 Azeri soldiers were videotaped using sledgehammers to demolish the over one thousand year old Armenian cemetery in Julfa, a sacred site of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The cemetery dates back to the 7th century and once was home to as many as 10,000 khatchkars (intricately carved cross-stones). An on-line video of the destruction can be viewed at: The ANCA has widely distributed DVDs documenting the destruction, educated Congressional offices about this desecration, and worked in concert with ANCA affiliates around the world to protest Azerbaijan's worsening anti-Armenian behavior. The Congressional Armenian Caucus, led by Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), has formally condemned Azerbaijan's actions, as have Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA). On February 16, 2006, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan's destruction of the cemetery and demanding that Azerbaijan allow a European Parliament delegation to survey the site. Derse also responded to a series of questions by Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) earlier this week on belligerent statements and war rhetoric by Azeri leaders, as well as on the status of Karabagh peace talks. Anne Derse is a Foreign Service Officer with more than a quarter century of experience. She most recently served as Director for Biodefense Policy at the Homeland Security Council. Her prior postings have included service as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Iraq and at the US Mission to the European Union. Derse also has held posts in the Philippines, South Korea, Belgium, and Singapore, among other locations. The complete text of Senator Boxer's questions and Derse's responses can be found at 3) Armenian Parliament Speaker Confirms Resignation YEREVAN (Armenpress/RFE/RL)Armenia's Parliament Speaker Artur Baghdasarian formally confirmed Monday his intention to resign by filing a related application. Addressing Parliament, he thanked his colleagues for their cooperation over the three years during which he held the second highest position in Armenia. Baghdasarian said that he worked hard to raise the status of Parliament both inside and outside the country and succeeded in it, defending Orinats Yerkir's three year track record in government. "The parliament became an open body; we tried to enact numerous laws; we made sure that no schools or kindergartens are put on sale in Armenia today," he said. Under Armenian parliament regulations, Baghdasarian has to reconfirm Monday's application in five days and only then he will be formally relieved of his post and a replacement elected. Two Parliament Members who remained loyal to Baghdasarian and his party Orinats Yerkir, Mher Shahgeldian, chairman of the national security and defense commission, and Gagik Mkheyan, chairman of the health and social issues commission, also announced their resignations. Orinats Yerkir has been part of the governing coalition since 2003 when it teamed up with the Republican Party and Armenian Revolutionary Federation. It had 20 seats in the 131 seat parliament. Baghdasarian announced that he would resign and pull Orinats Yerkir out of the governing coalition following a mass defection of businessmen-legislators from his faction. Baghdasarian said that his decision is based on serious policy differences with the two parties remaining in government. 4) Kocharian Appoints New Culture And Youth Affairs Minister YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenian President Robert Kocharian dismissed Gevorg Gevorgian from the office of Culture and Youth Affairs Minister, replacing him with Hasmik Poghosian. Gevorgian, a former member of Orinats Yerkir, held the post for less than four months. Gevorgian did not retain his position despite his defection from Orinats Yerkir. The new Culture Minister, Poghosian, does not belong to any party. Poghosian was born in 1960 in Yerevan and graduated from Sayat Nova Music School. She also studied biology at Yerevan State University and taught biology. 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