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Whittier Daily News (California)
January 26, 2008 Saturday

Area Obama backers already looking ahead

By Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer

PASADENA – As their candidate triumphed over other Democrats in South
Carolina, local Barack Obama supporters hardly found a moment to look
eastward as they fixated on Feb. 5.

Minutes before polls were set to close in Saturday’s Southern
contest, volunteers staffing Obama’s regional headquarters in
Pasadena talked about setting up a television to track exit poll
results, but hadn’t found the time amid fevered phone banking.

Lance Mungia of Monrovia was among volunteers from throughout the San
Gabriel Valley to converge on the recently opened office on Union
Street in Old Pasadena to work the phones.

"People show up at the Monrovia meetings and they don’t feel like
they’re a part of the movement," said Mungia, who has been organizing
coffee klatches and phone banks from private homes. "This gives
everyone a place to go."

State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles and Pasadena Councilman Chris
Holden opened the office Saturday morning with a goal of reaching
6,000 undecided voters during a 12-hour drive as part of a statewide
campaign to contact 100,000 voters on Obama’s behalf.

Although Holden left after making some calls of his own, his wife
Melanie Holden remained to work throughout the day, saying she was
invigorated by an "awakening" among voters, particularly among youth.

All major polls place Sen. Hillary Clinton well ahead of Obama in
California, with former Sen. John Edwards a distant third.

That gap has narrowed in recent months, but Clinton remains about 10
points to 20 points ahead.

The Republican field, once dominated by Rudy Giuliani, is much
tighter. Sen. John McCain enjoys a slight edge over former
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, according to most recent polls.

Obama campaign volunteers, some using their personal cell phones,
crowded the Union Street office in Old Pasadena 10 days before what
could prove candidate-elimination round on Super Tuesday.

Instead of cold-calling voters in the Palmetto State, however, they
reached out to nearly one-fifth of California voters that have
"declined to state" a party affiliation.

Those unaligned voters won’t be able to cast ballots in the
Republican primary, but Obama supporters – like those of Clinton and
Edwards – want them to know they are welcome to weigh in on the
Democratic contest.

Artin Panossian, 29, of Glendale was on hand Saturday to talk to
native Armenian speakers. His message to them was simple: Adam
Schiff.

"The Armenian community is a very strong supporter of Adam Schiff,
but it’s news to many he endorsed Barack Obama, who’s pledged he will
recognize the Armenian genocide," Panossian said of the 29th
District’s Democratic Congressman.

Saturday was quiet for the Clinton camp in the San Gabriel Valley,
with phone bank events held in surrounding communities.

They also plan a Super Tuesday blitz, however, with outreach efforts
at several San Gabriel Valley locations and a march to the polls in
Monterey Park.

Turkish Press, Turkey
Jan 27 2008

General, lawyer jailed for murder plots in Turkey: Anatolia
Published: 1/26/2008

ISTANBUL – A retired Turkish general and a high-profile lawyer were
jailed pending trial Saturday as part of a crackdown on an
ultra-nationalist group that reportedly plotted to kill Nobel
laureate novelist Orhan Pamuk and Kurdish activists, Anatolia news
agency reported.
It was not immediately known what charges the suspects face. The
probe is being carried out behind the shield of a secrecy law that
restricts media coverage.

Retired general Veli Kucuk has been accused of organising
extra-judicial killings of Kurds in the 1990s, but never stood trial.

Attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, meanwhile, is notorious for having
initiated legal proceedings against Pamuk and ethnic Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink, who was killed last year, as well as other
intellectuals who contested the official line on the World War I
Ottoman era massacres of Armenians.

The two were arrested along with six other suspects, among them a
retired colonel and a well-known gangster, Anatolia reported.

The arrests bring to 13 the number of suspects remanded in custody
after the police rounded up more than 30 people this week as part of
a probe into the discovery of hand grenades and bomb detonators in a
house in Istanbul in June.

Media reports said the suspects planned to assassinate Pamuk, the
winner of the 2006 Nobel literature prize, prominent journalist Fehmi
Koru and Kurdish politicians Leyla Zana, Osman Baydemir and Ahmet
Turk.

Police are also reportedly investigating whether the suspects were
involved in several politically motivated attacks that shocked Turkey
over the past two years, including the murders of Dink, Italian
Catholic priest Andrea Santoro and a senior judge.

Dink’s family has raised vocal accusations that the journalist’s
self-confessed teenage assassin was incited by people who remain at
large and enjoyed the protection of some members of the security
forces.

The media have linked the suspects to the "deep state" — a term used
to describe members of the security forces who act outside the law
for subversive purposes or to preserve what they consider Turkey’s
best interests.

Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 26 2008

Liberty Radio: "Armenian war prisoner Ambartsum Asatryan was
subjected to torture in Azerbaijan"

26 January 2008 [10:07] – Today.Az

According to Liberty Radio, Ambartsum Asatryan says he was subjected
to torture and made say before cameras that he had trespassed the
defense line due to unbearable conditions in the Armenian army.

It should be reminded that Armenian soldier Ambartsum Asaturyan,
captured on August 4 of the last year, was handed over to Armenia on
the northeastern border of Armenia with Azerbaijan.

A gunshot was heard from the Azerbaijani side during the transfer of
the soldier in the presence of the representatives of the
International Committee of the Red Cross along with Armenian
militaries, Liberty Radio correspondent says.

Representative of the Joint Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces
Andranik Mkrtumyan noted that war prisoner Samir Mamedov, who does
not want to return to his country, had been staying in Armenia since
last year. He informed about his unwillingness to the representatives
of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

A.Mkrtumyan says Armenia is ready to hand Mamedov over, if he agrees
to it.

/ARMENIA-Today/

URL:

EU CALLS ON KARABAKH CONFLICTS SIDES TO DEVELOP PEACEFUL AGREEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.01.2008 14:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel has
expressed the EU’s appreciation for the OSCEs efforts aimed at
resolving the frozen conflicts in Transdniestra, South Ossetia and
Nagorno Karabakh, and said it welcomed the Organization’s plans
to help secure the border between Afghanistan and neighboring OSCE
participating States.

Central Asia is a priority for both the EU and the OSCE, and Minister
Rupel said that the OSCE could and should put more focus on that
region. "We hope that both the EU and the OSCE will succeed in their
common efforts to assist and foster development in the region,"
he added.

The EU’s 27 countries make up a large part of the OSCE’s 56
participating States, making the Union an important part of the
Organization, Minister Rupel said. "At the same time, the EU is also
a valuable partner of the OSCE since both share many common goals."

The Permanent Council is the OSCE’s main regular decision-making
body of the Organization. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss
developments in the OSCE area and to make appropriate decisions,
the OSCE press office reported.

SURPRISE ATTACK

A1+
25 January, 2008

Unknown people broke the windows of the Vanadzor Office of the Orinats
Yerkir Party on the night of January 24. They also tore down the
notices posted on the walls.

Head of the OYP regional structure Khachik Harutiunian couldn’t account
for the surprise attack. "No pressure has been exerted on the office
workers over the past few days. And yet, the general atmosphere is
rather tense in Vanadzor."

CHINGIZ ASGAROV: REJECTION OF THE LIST OF CANDIDATES TO EUROPEAN COURT IS PRESSURE AGAINST AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency
Jan 25 2008
Azerbaijan

"Some forces want to harm Azerbaijan by rejecting the list of the
candidates for the post of judge of the European Court of Human
Rights," Azerbaijani representative to the European Court of Human
Rights Chingiz Asgarov told APA exclusively.

Commenting on the decision of PACE Sub-Committee on the Election of
Judges to the European Court of Human Rights Chingiz Asgarov said
that rejection of the list is pressure against Azerbaijan.

"Probably, these are games of pro-Armenian forces in PACE, who are
against Azerbaijan," he said.

The representative did not agree to the statements of a number
of Azerbaijani NGOs and lawyers that the procedure of election of
candidates was not transparent.

"We showed Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe (CE) procedure
on electing candidates as an example. Then the list was presented
to Parliamentary Assembly. But after the list was submitted to PA
opposite forces started game against Azerbaijan and involved forces
from Azerbaijan to this game," he said.

Chingiz Asgarov said that appeals on the rejection of the list
submitted by Azerbaijan were mode for the forces in Europe which are
against Azerbaijan.

"They used forces inside our country as a means for achieving their
purpose," he said.

The representative said that it is not yet known when procedure on
electing Azerbaijani candidate for judgeship in ECHR will start.

"Council of Europe should send invitation to Azerbaijan for it. The
procedure will possibly be repeated, as Committee of the Ministers
of Council of Europe estimated procedure held in Azerbaijan," he said.

Mr. Asgarov said that Azerbaijani judge Khanlar Hajiyev will function
as judge of European Courts of Human Right until new judge is elected.

Mr. Asgarov saying that there is no official document of PACE on the
rejection of the list said nothing about causes of it.

CANDIDATES AND FOREIGN POLICY

Lragir
Jan 25 2008
Armenia

What is the vision of the presidential candidates of the foreign
policies of Armenia, considering that the president sets the foreign
policy of Armenia even after the amendments to the Constitution? To
understand the vision of the candidates, the National Press Club
and the U.S. International Democratic Institute held a discussion
on January 25, during which the presidential candidates of Armenia
voiced their stance on the foreign policy.

First Member of Parliament Gurgen Margaryan, Orinats Yerkir
Party, spelled out the stance of the presidential candidate Arthur
Baghdasaryan on the foreign policy. Hence, for him the main goal of
the foreign policy of Armenia must be the entry of Armenia to the EU.

However, Arthur Baghdasaryan considers mutually favorable cooperation
with Russia and the neighbors of Armenia as well. Gurgen Sargsyan says
Arthur Baghdasaryan thinks Armenia should conduct an active foreign
policy rather than one which reports facts. Arthur Baghdasaryan’s
representative says their candidate thinks Armenia should work out
a concept of international policies of Armenia, and democracy is
essential to an effective foreign policy.

In answer to the thesis on the necessity of an international political
concept Armen Ashotyan, the representative of the Republican candidate
Serge Sargsyan, says Armenia already has a document, the National
Security Strategy, which involves the priorities and aspects of our
foreign policies. Armenia may be interesting for the world if it
pursues international recognition of the Genocide, which is already
being implemented rather effectively.

For regional integration, Armen Ashotyan says it is important to find
out its price. Apart from this, the representative of the Republican
Party points our that regarding international policies Armenia should
not be active only with regard to the Armenian problems but should
become involved in international human and political problems, such
as global warming.

In addition, the Republican candidate mentions three strands how
Armenia should arouse interest in the world in the nearest future:
the nuclear plant, the Iran-Armenia transit gas pipeline and the
Iran-Armenia railway.

Member of Parliament Artashes Shahbazyan from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun
who presented Vahan Hovanisyan’s vision stated that their candidate
thinks Armenia must conduct a multifold foreign policy.

Shavarsh Kocharyan presented the presidential candidate Vazgen
Manukyan’s opinion, who said Armenia must have three strands
in foreign policies: European Integration based on real reforms,
including modernization of the army. Therefore, he says, membership
to NATO is not obligatory. Shavarsh Kocharyan also mentioned the
prospect of the increasing role of the United States in the region,
and underlined the importance of relations with the United States
and Russia. In this connection, Shavarsh Kocharyan thinks the second
strand is to turn Armenia into a country which bears and fulfills the
dialogue of civilizations, saying that the quality of the Iran-Armenia
relations is evidence to our ability. The third strand, according to
the representative of the presidential candidate Vazgen Manukyan is
the effective ties with the Diaspora.

DAVID HARUTUNYAN: "GEORGIAN ELECTION RESULTS TRUE"

Panorama.am
20:33 25/01/2008

Winter meeting sessions continue in the Parliamentary Congress
of European Council. According to David Harutunyan, the head of
Armenian group in the Congress, the team is very active, and made
numerous speeches. According to the public relations department of the
National Assembly, yesterday David Harutunyan and Vahe Hovhannisyan
made speeches about "Protecting European Sport Model".

Mr. Harutunyan particularly mentioned that much attention is paid on
developing professional sport than amateur one. It was also notified
that the lack or the insufficiency of sport classes in schools bring
to regress of many types of sport. Thus there is a good deal of
improvements to be carried out in this field.

Vahe Hovhannisyan also made a speech and he particularly mentioned in
it that the variety of sport types in European countries is closely
connected with financial conditions of the member countries, as well
as with its habits set and qualities developed. The political side
of countries was also mentioned, as the forthcoming Armenian-Turkish
football teams’ meeting can solve several questions between the
neighbor countries.

Raffi Hovhannisyan made a speech about the role of opposition in
democratic parliament. According to him, the opposition is the keys
to the Council of Europe rights, democratic principles, and social
supervision of elections. Armenia has a long history of culture and
civilization, but those tragedies contribute to dismissing democracy
in the country.

Then David Harutunyan made another speech about carrying out duties
in Georgia. He said that since their independence it was the first
time the results of presidential elections were not known beforehand
in Georgia. He mentioned that the opposition came to a single opinion
for the first time.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 24, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

SENATOR CLINTON CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

Pledges to Recognize Genocide if Elected

Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), a cosponsor of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (S. Res. 106), today urged Congress to
adopt this critical human rights legislation, saying if elected
president, she would speak candidly about the events of 1915.

Clinton is the second presidential candidate, following Senator Barack
Obama (D-IL), to issue a statement on the Armenian Genocide in the past
week. She is currently the only presidential candidate to cosponsor the
resolution.

Clinton said she has twice written to President Bush urging him to
properly characterize the crimes as genocide in his annual commemorative
statement.

"Our common morality and our nation’s credibility as a voice for human
rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized
and remembered by the Congress and the President of the United States,"
Clinton stated.

"If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything it
is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face in order
to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen again," she
continued. "It is not just about the past, but about our future."

Turning to the atrocities in Darfur, Clinton said that the U.S. "must
close the gap between words and deeds" to prevent such modern-day
crimes, adding, "As President, I will work to build and enhance U.S. and
international capacity to act early and effectively to prevent mass
atrocities."

Clinton also pledged to improve U.S.-Armenia relations and address the
issues facing the two nations including, increasing trade, fostering
closer economic ties, fighting terrorism, strengthening democratic
institutions, pursuing military partnership and deepening Armenia’s
cooperation with NATO. If elected, she would expand assistance programs
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and increase cooperation on regional
concerns, such as a fair and democratic resolution of the Karabakh
conflict.

"The Assembly thanks Senator Clinton for her longstanding support of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution and for calling on Congress to adopt
legislation properly recognizing the first genocide of the 20th
century," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "It is in the best
interest of this country, and the entire global community, to remember
the terrible lessons of 1915 and ensure they are never repeated."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

### NR#2008-009

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
January 23, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

MOMENTUM FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REAFFIRMATION CONTINUES TO GROW AS
SENATORS BIDEN, OBAMA OFFER SUPPORT

Washington, DC – Support for the reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide continues to grow with Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE)
and Barack Obama (D-IL) urging Congress to adopt key human rights
legislation which affirms the historical truth of the Armenian
Genocide.

Biden, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, signed on
yesterday as a cosponsor of S. Res. 106, which reaffirms the facts of
the Armenian Genocide and recognizes the proud record of
U.S. humanitarian intervention. The legislation was introduced last
March by Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)
and Senator John Ensign (R-NV), both longtime Armenian issues
supporters who have sponsored similar reaffirmation initiatives in the
past. The Senate Genocide resolution mirrors legislation introduced in
the House of Representatives, known as H. Res. 106.

The House version, spearheaded by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), George
Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), together with Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anna Eshoo
(D-CA) and Edward Royce (R-CA), among others, passed the House Foreign
Affairs Committee by a 27-21 vote last October.

Also, in a statement of support last week, Obama said the time has
come to acknowledge this calamitous chapter of world history by its
proper name. He called for the passage of the House and Senate
versions of the Genocide resolution, and pledged to recognize the
Armenian Genocide if elected president.

"America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian
Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides," Obama stated. "I
intend to be that President."

"…the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or
a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence," he added. "The facts are
undeniable."

"The Armenian Assembly commends Senators Biden and Obama for their
leadership on this critical human rights issue," said Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "In order to address current atrocities taking
place, such as the genocide in Darfur and to prevent future crimes, we
must properly acknowledge all past genocides. Passage of S. Res. 106
and H. Res. 106 will send a strong message to those who to this day
inexplicably deny this incontestable fact."

"One need only look at the events this week with Turkey’s President
rolling out the red carpet for the Sudanese President al-Bashir at a
time when the international community is trying to isolate this
genocidal regime to understand the importance of adopting these
resolutions," Ardouny continued.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.  It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization. 

NR#2008-007

Photograph below is available on the Assembly’s website at the
following link:

es/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/NR__2007-073_biden.jpg

Caption: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, left, with Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE).