ASBAREZ Online [06-30-2006]

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06/30/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia 2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged 3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts 4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia 5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center 6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey 7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again 8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits Headed to State Assembly 9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September 1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia Senate defers action on Armenian Ambassador-Designate; Quickly confirms ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland WASHINGTONSenate Foreign Relations Committee members John Kerry (D-Mass.), Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) have each submitted a series detailed written questions to US Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland, calling upon him to clarify the specific instructions he has received from the State Department concerning the exact contours of the State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee. These questions follow this past Wednesday's contentious Senate confirmation hearing for Ambassador-Designate Hoagland, during which George Allen (R-Va.), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), and Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) pressed the nominee for an explanation of the State Department's guidance regarding the use of the word "genocide" to properly characterize this crime against humanity. Resorting to the use of evasions and euphemisms, the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of the questions raised at the hearing. Ambassador-Designate Hoagland's June 28th appearance before the Foreign Relations Committee was alongside nominees for the US ambassadorships to Ireland and Switzerland. These latter two, who encountered no difficulties during their questioning at the hearing, were rapidly approved at the Committee level and approved overwhelmingly by the full Senate. In contrast, the Committee deferred action on confirming a new ambassador to Armenia. "Seven of the eighteen members of the Foreign Relations Committee - over one third of this influential panel - are already on record raising serious concerns about confirming a new ambassador to Yerevan before receiving a full, open, and official explanation of the circumstances surrounding the recall of our current ambassador, the instructions given to our prospective ambassador, and more broadly - the exact nature of our government's policy on the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In light of the seriousness of these issues - and the lack of responsiveness from the Administration - we were gratified that both the Committee and the full Senate have wisely delayed action on the new ambassador to Yerevan until these fundamental questions have been answered." In the days leading up to the confirmation hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-Del.) asked Secretary Condoleezza Rice for a thorough explanation of the circumstances of the premature recall of US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans over his public comments affirming the Armenian genocide. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden stated that he would "not be prepared to move forward with any Senate action that would prematurely end his [Amb. Evans'] tenure in Yerevan" until a series of questions surrounding the Evans dismissal had been answered. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) has submitted his own concerns to Secretary Rice, stating that he is "interested to learn more about the circumstances that lead to his [Evans] departure," noting that "an effort, intended to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, clearly constitutes an act of genocide." Last week, House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George Radanovich (R-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich) in urging Secretary Rice to reconsider replacing Amb. Evans, noting that "allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of Turkish recognition, and will be an important step on establishing the US position on the Armenian genocide." Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House Members have directed questions to State Department officials, calling for answers surrounding the controversial firing of Amb. Evans. The Administration's responses have been largely perfunctory, citing that Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no clear insight into State Department's decision to dismiss the career diplomat. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George Allen (R-VA) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) bombarded US Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland with questions about official US complicity in Turkey's campaign of Genocide denial, questioning him, during his confirmation hearing, regarding his ability to effectively represent the United States in Armenia without properly recognizing the Armenian genocide. In the days leading up to Wednesday's hearing, the Committee's Ranking Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-Del.), in a strongly worded letter, demanded that the Secretary of State answers questions concerning the recall of the current US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, before he could support the confirmation of his replacement. At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), joined with Senators Coleman and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration's refusal to speak truthfully on the Armenian genocide. Senator Boxer, who was unable to attend the hearing, submitted written questions to Amb. Hoagland. The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to clarify the State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide. If approved, he will replace the current US ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, who - amid great controversy - has been recalled over his truthful description of the Armenian genocide in February of 2005. "We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and Sarbanes in pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the US policy on the Armenian genocide - and commend Senator Biden for his principled demand that the Senate receive clear answers on this issue from the State Department before moving ahead with the nomination of a new envoy to Yerevan," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "We were deeply disappointed that, in response to these legitimate inquiries, Ambassador-designate Hoagland - apparently at the direction of his superiors in the State Department limited his responses to a series of unresponsive evasions and euphemisms intended to obscure - not explain - the US policy on the Armenian genocide." "We have said from the start - and believe even more firmly today - that the US Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current envoy's controversial firing - including a thorough description of the US policy on the Armenian genocide are fully, officially and openly explained to Congress and the American people," said Hachikian. Dodging the Armenian Genocide In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation hearing, made specific reference to the Bush Administration's decision to recall US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans for referring to the deportation and death of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as a clear instance of "genocide." "Some have expressed concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved of his duties as a result of references to the Armenian genocide," stated Sen. Allen. "I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my colleagues and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and have strongly encouraged the President to do so as well. I hope that in the future the Administration will recognize this terrible event for what it was genocide." The Virginia Senator - and potential 2008 Presidential candidate - then went on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he has received about discussing the Armenian genocide, as well as the instructions he intends to issue to his Embassy staff on this matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated that, "the President has said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that the world must never forget." He went on to note that he had not received "any kind of written instruction about this. I simply studied the policy, I studied the background papers on the policy, I know the policy and my responsibility is to support the president." Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing that, as a Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus, he has visited the memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and would do so again, should he be confirmed. He added, however, that he was against "getting stuck in the past" and wanted to focus on "living in the future." Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, "you can't look to the future if you deny your past." Sen. Coleman was relentless but respectful in his questioning, stating that, "the State Department has put you in a difficult position. It is almost absurd for you to sit here and you can't utter the word 'genocide.' The President's statement that he utters every year is a description of genocide. One of the things I was proud about the State Department is when we talk about the genocide in Sudan it's genocide what's happening in Darfur." Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George Bush that, "Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension," asking Amb. Hoagland, "do you agree or disagree with that statement." Amb. Hoagland avoided directly answering the question, noting instead: "I fully agree that events occurred in 1915 and following were of historic proportion. As I said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard from Senator Sarbanes earlier on 'hundreds of valleys devastated,' 'no family untouched'. It was historic, it was a tragedy." When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department barred the use of the term "Armenian genocide," Amb. Hoagland dodged the question, stating: "I am very much encouraged by the fact that there are senior officials in Yerevan and Ankara and elsewhere who do like to bring closure to that period of history. They are looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of commissions the truth and reconciliation commission concept is being explored in quiet conversations. If we could I would very much like to meet with senior officials in Ankara and Baku because I think that could be helpful - it would help me understand better how to play a role of reconciliatory and a peacemaking role." In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a US Ambassador to Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian genocide lacks credibility. He noted that, "I am of the Jewish faith. I cannot imagine an Ambassador to Israel being effective without talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure how we can continue to have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless they give recognition to the Genocide." Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed "regret that we were called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career Ambassador prior to the completion of a three year tour of duty. We would not be in this situation, if the Administration would simply acknowledge a plain historical truth that 91 years ago, the world witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st century the Armenian genocide." Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the US Foreign service officers who witnessed the Armenian genocide in 1915, and whose observations remain a permanent part of the US archives. Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the hearing, submitted remarks and detailed written questions to Amb. Hoagland. Noting Amb. Evans' statement in February 2005, properly characterizing the Armenian genocide as "genocide," Sen. Boxer stated, "I agree with Ambassador Evans' statement. Not only should we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we should also not play political games with issues of genocide." The Senator went on to express concern "that the controversy surrounding Ambassador Evans will needlessly harm US-Armenian relations. I understand that there are protests in front of the US Embassy in Yerevan today over the recall of Ambassador of Evans. How would you respond to this concern?" Sen. Boxer's reference was to a candle-light vigil held Wednesday in Yerevan by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate confirmation hearing, as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" protesting the firing the Amb. Evans. On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity with the US Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian genocide. Regional Integration And Military Aid Parity In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb. Hoagland was adamant about the Administration's decision not to fund any project that would hinder regional integration and cooperation. When asked about efforts to maintain military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit to equal allocations of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen reminded the nominee that the Senate plays a central role in ensuring military aid parity and that he would continue to work hard to ensure the aid balance is maintained. Sen. Biden Asks Secretary Rice For Answers on Amb. Evans Recall Just days before the Senate confirmation hearing, Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) expressed concern to Secretary Condoleezza Rice regarding the circumstances surrounding the recall of Amb. Evans, noting that he is "not prepared to move forward on Senate action" on his replacement, until several key questions are answered. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden noted that "to punish an American official for correctly describing any historical event raise serious questions about the United States' commitment to the values of transparency and honesty." The letter went on to note that, "in this instance, the allegation that the Department would retaliate against an official whose only apparent offense was discussing an act of genocide with American citizens also damages our country's reputation for upholding human rights and democratic values." Senator Biden posed four questions to the State Department, including one which asks: "If it is in fact the policy of the United States not to characterize the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, please explain why these events do not meet any of the five definitions in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide." The State Department response, written by Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs Jeffrey Bergner, effectively avoided providing a meaningful response to Senator Biden's questions. Sen. Allen Calls on Ambassador-Designate to Respect Armenians In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate Hoagland "to be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to Armenians, recognizing their heritage, their history, their sensitivities." The Scripps-Howard News Service, ran a story Wednesday "Ambassador - to-be dodges Armenian genocide question," about Amb. Hoagland's confirmation hearing. The first line of the story reads: "America's next ambassador to Armenia is a verbal gymnast. He has to be, to keep his job." 2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged STEPANAKERT (RFE/RL)A senior Nagorno-Karabakh official reaffirmed on Thursday the Stepanakert government's unhappiness with the existing international plan to end the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute and said the international mediators are also to blame for the deadlocked peace process. "Failure to include important provisions into the proposals [made by the OSCE Minsk Group] was to inevitably lead to a fiasco. Therefore their avoidance of responsibility is not justified," Arman Melikian, a top aide to Karabakh leader Arkady Ghukasian, told RFE/RL. He was commenting on a statement by the American, French and Russian co-chairs of the Minsk Group which disclosed the main elements of a framework peace agreement considered by Armenia and Azerbaijan. The statement, made public on Wednesday, warned that by failing to sign that agreement the conflicting parties would miss a unique opportunity to resolve the Karabakh dispute. At the heart of the Minsk Group plan is the idea of determining Karabakh's status in a referendum to be held years after the liberation of most Armenian-occupied territories in Azerbaijan and other confidence-building measures. Melikian reiterated that the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has serious misgivings about the idea not least because the proposed vote would also involve Karabakh's former Azerbaijani minority that fled the region during the war. He complained that the peace proposals do not allow for the return of Armenians displaced by the conflict. "The current negotiating process does not seem to be aimed at finding a final and lasting solution," claimed Melikian. The Karabakh official also dismissed the mediators' assurances that they have done their best to broker a peaceful settlement and that the onus is on the two sides to hammer out mutual compromise. "In essence, the co-chairs are trying to blame the lack of results in the negotiating process on the parties, Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said. "They are taking a neutral stance and saying that the presidents are to blame for their failure to reach agreement." The remarks contrast with the position of official Yerevan which finds the proposed Karabakh deal largely acceptable. "Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations," the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The Minsk Group was also essentially endorsed on Thursday by Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Vahan Hovannesian. "Nobody, including the mediators, denies that this is only a basis for further clarifications," he told RFE/RL. "We will never try to prevent our authorities from reaching such a framework agreement." "But when it comes to working out details of that framework agreement, there will certainly be debates, both here and in Azerbaijan," added the deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament. Hovannesian also praised the mediators for finally disclosing the essence of what they believe is the optimal peace formula. He suggested that ordinary Azerbaijanis will now see the huge gap between President Ilham Aliyev's public threats to win back Karabakh by force and his apparent stated readiness to let the Karabakh Armenians decide their status. 3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts YEREVAN (YERKIR)In a statement issued Friday, the foreign ministers of the G8 countries expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group Karabakh peace efforts, announced the chairman of the G8 Summit currently underway in Moscow. "We emphasize the need to coordinate the fundamental principles of the plan as soon as possible, in order to resolve the conflict in 2006," the announcement highlighted. "We call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to demonstrate political will and reach an agreement during the current year and prepare the publics for peace but not for war," the document stressed. 4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia Proposes $5 Million for Nagorno Karabakh; Allocates Equal Amounts of Foreign Military Financing to Armenia and Azerbaijan WASHINGTONIn a departure from its traditional support for a robust US assistance package for Armenia, the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday voted to dramatically reduce aid to Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America. Early reports from Capitol Hill indicate that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a $50 million economic aid package for Armenia as part of its fiscal year 2007 aid bill. This allocation was broken down into $34.2 million for Freedom Support Act aid, $9.96 million for the Democracy Fund and $5.8 million for the Child Survival Health Programs Fund. An additional $1.8 million was allocated for Peace Corps programs in Armenia. The panel's proposal is $25 million less than the actual allocations for Armenia over the past several years. In a positive development, the Senate panel approved $5 million for humanitarian and relief assistance for Nagorno Karabakh, a $2 million increase over the fiscal year 2006 allocation of $3 million. The panel also voted to recommend equal amounts of US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Armenia and Azerbaijan, with each appropriated $3.5 million. The panel did not clarify, however, whether they intended this parity to extend to the International Military Education and Training (IMET) and Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NDAR) funds. "We are troubled by the retreat of Senate appropriators from their long-standing commitment to the US aid program for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh - all the more so given Armenia's impressive domestic progress, robust and expanding bilateral relations with the United States, peacekeeping support in Iraq and Kosovo, cooperation in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and on other pressing regional and security concerns," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working with appropriators in both houses of Congress to restore aid to at least last year's level." The Senate Appropriations Committee's decision stands in contrast to the House vote earlier this month, which allocated $62 million in US economic aid for Armenia. Over the course of the past decade, the Senate has consistently proposed higher levels of aid for Armenia than the House. The full Senate is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill following its return from the July 4th Congressional recess, after which House and Senate appropriators will hold a conference to work out differences between their two bills. In March of this year, the Millennium Challenge Corporation a newly established, performance-based foreign aid program approved a five-year, $235 million assistance package to build roads and irrigation systems in Armenia's rural regions. 5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center GLENDALEDuring a gala banquet on June 10 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, $500,000 was raised by the Glendale chapter of the Armenian Cultural Foundation for the construction of its Community Youth Center. More than 450 community members attended the event, among them Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovsepian, members of the ARF Western Region Central Committee, Glendale City Council members, the City Manager and representatives from the Glendale Police Department, as well as representatives of several city educational and civic departments, the center's benefactor Dr. Alber Karamanoukian and members of several organizations in Glendale. Masters of Ceremony, Glendale ANC Director Alina Azizian and Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian welcomed the guests and invited Archbishop Mardirossian to present the invocation. In his remarks, the Prelate urged the community members to support the efforts of the Glendale ACF chapter and highlighted the importance of a youth center in the community. He recalled that the groundbreaking and the blessing of the center was conducted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. In his remarks, Glendale ACF chairman Nazareth Apanian explained that the needs of the community propelled the organization to initiate this worthwhile project. "Until the completion of the Glendale ACF Community Youth Center, fundraising will be our priority," stressed Apanian who explained that the center has an estimated price tag of $2.5 million and the assistance and support of each community member is imperative. "Let us make this center the pride of this community and center for all its members," proclaimed Apanian. The keynote speakers of the eveningGlendale High School Principal Kathy Fundukian, St. Mary's Armenian Church Pastor Rev. Vasken Atmajian and Glendale Police Captain Ray Edeyeach echoed the need for a community youth center and expressed support for this project, pledging their individual assistance in their respective spheres of influence. A 15-minute video screening presented a three dimensional view of the center's exterior and interior facilities. The Armenia and American national anthems were performed by Anahid Nersesian, while she and Razmig Mansourian provided the entertainment for the evening. A special presentation was also staged by the Armenian Relief Society Glendale chapter Saturday School students. 6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey ISTANBUL (RFE/RL)Turkish prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II's calls for Turkey to recognize the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, it emerged on Thursday. Ending a five-day visit to Istanbul on Sunday, the head of the Catholicos of All Armenians said the Armenian genocide is a fact that can not be disputed by the Turkish government and scholars. "For our people, the Genocide is not a matter for research it is a reality of fact that happened, which must be recognized," he told a news conference there. "That (recognition) is nContinued on page 11aturally the desired option, but a negative position can also be taken on this issue." The Turkish Cihan news agency reported that the prosecutor's office in Istanbul believes that Karekin II thereby "denigrated Turkishness" and are considering bringing relevant criminal charges against him. It said the inquiry was launched after a written complaint lodged by an association of Turkish nationalist lawyers. Members of the association were reportedly among a small number of people who staged daily protests last week against Karekin II's presence in Istanbul. Karekin II would be prosecuted, in absentia, under a highly controversial article of the Turkish criminal code that has already been applied against writer Orhan Pamuk and other prominent Turkish intellectuals who have questioned official Ankara's vehement denial of the genocide. The European Union, which has condemned the high-profile case against Pamuk, is pushing for the abolition of the clause. Karekin II arrived in Turkey on June 20 at the invitation of the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the spiritual leader of the local Armenian community, Patriarch Mesrob II. Turkish media quoted the latter as openly disavowing the Armenian pontiff's genocide remarks and saying that highly sensitive issue must be dealt with by historians only. During his Instanbul news conference Karekin II also welcomed the fact that the genocide issue is no longer a taboo in Turkey. "We are satisfied to see that in the life of Turkish society, within democratization processes, people are speaking and reflecting on the issue of the Genocide during the First World War to a certain extent," he said. 7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again Enough's enough. Thirty years ago, the Supreme Court's decision in 1976 Buckley vs. Vallejo set the stage for the moneyed class being able to pre SELECT who might eventually become a candidate for office be s/he Democrat or Republican. In this decision the Court allowed restrictions on how much a citizen could give a candidate for elective office, but not on how much a candidate could spend. Five years ago, the Supreme Court SELECTED the current resident of the White House as president. It did so by halting a recount of the ballots in Florida that would have given the victory to the other candidate, not their guy. A few days ago, they reconfirmed their thirty-year-old SELECTION position. Maybe it's time to have a new condition put on Supreme Court membership. You know, just as we have re-licensing requirements to drive after a certain age. It seems the nine current members, or at least the six who voted the wrong way, can't even differentiate their own sensory inputs. I'm referring to the recent Randall vs. Sorrell case about which the US Supreme Court just handed down its decision. These guys think money is speech. That's what they said. Well, let me help them a bit. Money is a thing. Sure it's becoming more ephemeral by becoming ever more electronified, but in the real world it is tangible. We usually associate it with our sense of touch. It is property, something we own. On the other hand, speech (unrendered into writing, in its "pure" form) is a thing of the mouth and ears, not hands. It is a creature of conscience and human rights. In the US, one is green (mostly, with some red thrown in lately) and often smells bad. The other is colorless and odorless (bad-breath notwithstanding). Hey wait that's it, the six supremes are color blind- an affliction of the eyes that impacts ability to see green and red! Or maybe the scent of money is driving them to insanity through greed. In either, just like dogs. Maybe that's why they're barking up the wrong tree of equating money to speech in their rationale for disallowing Vermont to implement its new law setting spending limits on candidates for state office. Imagine, having an election where the power of money CAN'T buy a victory. Where money can't squelch truth, issues, and ideas. Where money is secondary to the power of the people those supporting a candidate who walk precincts or call voters or stuff envelopes. Yeah, boy, that would sure stink, we'd have a democracy, not a moneycracy. Those idiotic ideologues can't even see their way clear to finding an overwhelming public benefit to removing the corrupting power of money from our electoral system. In case anyone has any doubts about the screwed-up money-addled priorities of this court, consider this. It also ruled that Texas' mid-census redistricting was also acceptable. What did it take to pull that off? Lots of money, funneled by FORMER congressman Tom Delay through at best questionable means that's part of the wheeling-and-dealing that's now gotten him indicted. So what's the solution? How can the power of money ever be counterbalanced by people? In California, we'll have to elect the Democrat, Phil Angelides, for Governor. The Assembly and State Senate will remain under Democratic control, there's no doubt of it. Then, we'll do a mid-census redistricting to reduce Republicans to half the seats they hold now, in Congress and in the state legislature. Certainly there'll be a court challenge by California's crybaby Republicans. It might even make its way to the illustrious supremes. Then we'll see how true they remain to their "principles," or how fast they show their partisan colors. 8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits Headed to State Assembly SACRAMENTO The California State Assembly Judiciary Committee passed legislation on June 27 that would grant legal rights to Armenian Genocide survivors and their heirs to recover bank deposits wrongfully withheld since the Armenian Genocide, by giving California courts jurisdiction over banks operating in the Ottoman Empire. The bill, SB 1524, the "Armenian Genocide Bank and Looted Assets Recovery Act," involves the recovery of funds from commercial entities operating in the region at the time. Testifying in support of SB 1524 at Tuesday's hearing, Armenian National Committee Western Region (ANCA-WR) Board of Directors member Souzi ZerounianKhanzadian told committee members that the reclamation of the assets can never serve as compensation for the atrocities endured during the Armenian Genocide. "It is simply a matter of justice exacted against those banks that took advantage of the genocide to profiteer in the midst and aftermath of genocide. A number of these banks continue to do business in California today either directly or through subsidiaries, therefore we ask you to adopt SB 1524 to help ensure this small measure of justice," ZerounianKhanzadian stressed. The bill passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee with a vote of 6-1 and is expected to go to the floor of the Assembly for vote on August 7, 2006 before going to the Governor. The State Senate has already passed the bill, which is authored by Senators Jackie Kanchelian-Speier and Charles "Chuck" Poochigian, and sponsored by ANCA-WR. The original Speier-Poochigian bill has been revised, however, due to a hostile amendment that was introduced and accepted during its hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 9. That amendment binds SB 1765, a bill entitling lawsuits to be filed for wrongfully repatriated Mexican Americans during the 1930s, to SB 1524. Commenting on the dissimilarities of the two bills, ZerounianKhanzadian said that while the ANCA firmly believes in correcting all historic wrongs, the two distinct pieces of legislation are unreasonably and unfairly joined in fate, making the passage of one contingent on the other. "While these two pieces of legislation are both very significant, they must nevertheless be judged on their individual merits. They not only address acts that occurred separately, they also involve different fiscal impacts on the state," she added. With an almost 1,000,000 strong Armenian community, California has a public policy interest in protecting the rights of its Armenian American constituency, asserted ZerounianKhanzadian. "Almost every one of these individuals was impacted by the genocide. For many, their very presence in California is a direct result of the Armenian Genocide. They found a haven in California where they could rebuild their lives after escaping utter turmoil. These survivors have established their roots in and contributed to the growth of this great state. These outstanding and ongoing grievances must be addressed." 9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September --Practical Training to Advance The Armenian Cause WASHINGTONA broad cross-section of Armenian Americans - from long-time veterans to first-time activists - will gather in Washington, DC between September 14th and 17th for the Armenian National Committee of America's (ANCA) 2006 Leadership Conference. The conference, titled, "Grassroots Makes the Difference," will empower activists to serve as energetic and effective ambassadors for the Armenian Cause. Over the course of the three-day program, presentations, workshops, and practical training sessions will feature unique opportunities to: -Network with national, regional, and local ANCA leaders, as well as with activists from across the United States, and meet with officials from the Administration and Congress. -Explore exciting new opportunities - using cutting-edge technology and other innovative techniques - to advance the Armenian American advocacy agenda. -Learn effective ways to involve new activists, energize existing advocates, improve cooperation with community organizations, and mobilize your local grassroots base. -Develop simple and effective methods to influence the media - locally and nationally - by correcting mistaken reporting, responding to media bias, and promoting positive coverage of Armenian issues. -Share insights, experiences, and suggestions with old and new friends and colleagues from across the United States. -Engage with officials from the Administration and Congress, gaining special insights into the US-Armenia bilateral relationship, Armenian genocide recognition efforts, the Nagorno Karabagh peace process, and the impact of Armenian American participation in the political process. "The power, respect, and influence we enjoy in Washington, DC is earned every day by ANCA activists working in their local communities across the United States," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "Our Leadership Conference in Washington, DC - a truly unique learning and team-building experience - will provide these activists the tools they need to return home as even more effective ambassadors for the Armenian Cause." The conference, organized by the ANCA National headquarters, in coordination with the Eastern and Western Regional offices and local chapters, will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, at 900 10th Street, NW, in Washington DC. To request information or to register for the conference, please contact the ANCA Washington office at (202) 775-1918 or by email at [email protected]. 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. 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