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PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Deacon Vagarsag Seropyan
Lraper Bulletin
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833

[email protected]

Patriarchate Chancellor Remarks On the Melkonian Grant

Concerning the press release of the AGBU Central Board of Directors,
on the lawsuit filed by His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of
Istanbul and all Turkey, the Revd. Dr. Krikor Damadyan, the Chancellor
of the Patriarchal See, made the following statement:

“It is difficult to comprehend how the closure of a prestigious school
in the Middle East, and one of the very few Armenian educational
institutions in the European Union could be in the best interests of
the Armenian nation. We believe that this decision, taken by a few
executives, is a wrong one.

“The AGBU Central Board of Directors claims that it will continue to
honour the vision of its many generous benefactors including the late
Garabed Melkonian, for the benefit of all Armenians worldwide. This
is a remarkable statement since the AGBU is confessing publicly that
the Armenians in Turkey are not considered part of “all Armenians
worldwide,” since, unlike the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Apcarian
Trust, the AGBU has not taken much interest in how Armenians in Turkey
have wrestled to maintain their community organisations during the
last seventy-five years. However, we do acknowledge receipt of minor
sums sent us by donors through AGBU means.

“The only way to honour the vision of the Melkonian Brothers is to
keep the Melkonian Educational Institute in Cyprus open. The AGBU
should refrain from closing down the MEI and selling the property,
lest she should declare herself untrustworthy before all Armenians
worldwide. Why should people make grants to a charity organisation such
as the AGBU, if following their demise a few executives will deal with
the grant in a way that will not do justice to the benefactor’s memory?

“The AGBU should also publish how she has executed the Melkonian Trust
since 1926. As the present successor to Patriarch Zaven of blessed
memory, His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob takes dutiful interest as to
whether the terms of the grant have been implemented responsibly. Every
charity organisation should be accountable to the public and should
not take offense when asked for accounts. AGBU executives who donate
their own family wealth on charity are appreciated dearly by all
Armenians worldwide. Nevertheless, that should not allow them any
right to do as they please with the grants made by other benefactors.

“His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob has magnanimously made it known to
those Californian Armenians who would like to act as mediators that
he would be willing to receive a delegation in Istanbul in order
to discuss a meaningful settlement of this critically important
issue to the Armenians of Europe. Great justice will be done if the
AGBU reverses her decision to close down the Melkonian Educational
Institute. This is our Patriarchate’s wish and prayer, as also
expressed by numerous Melkonian alumni worldwide. ”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian genocide back on school curriculum

Expatica, Netherlands
Feb 8 2005

8 Februrary 2005

BERLIN – Defusing a row after alleged Turkish pressure forced removal
of the Armenian genocide from German public school curriculums, a
state premier said on Tuesday the 1915 killings of up to 1.5 million
Armenians would be again be taught in history classes.

Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck admitted it had been
a mistake to remove all mention of the genocide from his state’s
education ministry website curriculum planner.

The Armenian genocide – which had been used as the only example in
history classes other than the Holocaust – will now be returned to
high schools along with other cases of 20th century genocide, he said.

Platzeck denied media reports that he ordered removal of the
Armenian genocide from his schools after strong pressure from a
Turkish diplomat.

“None of that happened,” said Platzeck.

Platzeck made his announcement after a meeting with Armenia’s
ambassador to Germany, Karine Kazinian, who had expressed deep anger
over the move.

“The key point is that the genocide and everything that happened back
then is being clearly addressed,” said Ambassador Kazinian.

The row began last month after Turkey’s Consul in Berlin, Aydin
Durusay, raised the issue of Armenian massacres with regard to
Brandenburg which is so far the only one of Germany’s 16 federal
states, which described the killings as “genocide” in its official
public school curriculum.

Most European and US historians say up to 1.5 million Christian
Armenians were killed by Moslem Ottoman Turks during World War I and
that this was a genocide.

Eight European Union (EU) parliaments including France and the
Netherlands – but not Germany – have passed resolutions declaring
the deaths genocide.

Turkey, however, firmly rejects the genocide label and has long
insisted far fewer Armenians died or otherwise succumbed during World
War I. More recently it has moderated its tone somewhat and said the
matter should be cleared up by a historical commission.

With about two million resident ethnic Turks, Germany is cautious
about any issue which could disturb ties with its biggest minority.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is a firm supporter of Turkey’s
bid to join the EU.

Platzeck is a rising star in Chancellor’s Social Democratic Party
(SPD) and is tipped by some as a possible successor to Schroeder.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Feb 8 2005

KHATAMI MEETS ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER

TEHRAN FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
was quoted by Irna news agency as saying Tuesday that Tehran-Yerevan
cooperation would be effective to support mutual interests and
security as well as regional stability.
Meeting with the visiting Armenian defense minister Serzh
Sarkisian, Khatami said Iranian and Armenian presidents have formed a
new phase to develop economic cooperation and efforts should be made
for speedy implementation of mutual accords.
Khatami stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports its
neighbor Armenia, considering the fact that mutual cooperation is
effective for development and security of the Caucasus. He said
regional states can solve their problems through high level
negotiations without foreign intervention and Iran, as a country
which calls for establishment of good ties with all neighbors, is
ready to take steps for removal of any problem with the neighbors.
Khatami pointed to the significance of transit and transportation
in boosting relations among regional states and also to the need for
connection of railways and roads. He underlined the project for
transfer of gas to Armenia and also expansion of commercial
relations.
Sarkisian for his part expressed hopes for further expansion of
the Tehran- Yerevan relations on the basis of good faith. He said
development of mutual relations in the fields of culture, education
and economy would prepare the ground for guaranteeing security and
expanding ties in other spheres.
He added that connection of Iranian and Armenian railways would be
effective for establishment of the north-south corridor. He welcomed
the project for transfer of gas to Armenia. He also described as
“very logical and positive” Iran’s viewpoints on sticking to dialogue
and negotiation to settle regional disputes without foreign
intervention.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005

Arinc: The Armenian Occupation Of Azeri Territory Is Cruelty

Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005

BAKU – Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc has stated that the
Armenian occupation of over 20 percent of Azeri territory is cruelty.
“Despite UN resolutions, Armenia continues to occupy Azeri land,”
said Arinc.

In a meeting with Arinc, the Azeri Parliament’s Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov told that the real genocide was committed by the Armenians
in 1992 in Khojaly.

After Arinc and Alasgarov’s meeting, delegations from the two countries
started discussions.

“The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing every
single day. Our relations have reached a strategic level,” remarked
Alasgarov.

“Turkey has helped Azerbaijan in convincing the European Council
Parliamentary Assembly to recognize the Armenian occupation of Azeri
soil and make a call on the Armenians to withdraw from the occupied
territory. We are thankful to Turkey,” stressed Alasgarov. “Armenia
asserts that the Turks committed a genocide against Armenians. When
one looks at history books, he comes to the conclusion that no
genocide took place in 1915. The actual genocide was committed by
the Armenians in 1992 in Khojaly. More than 1,000 Azeris were shot to
death and wounded. Armenians have attempted a massive genocide on the
Azeris. The Armenians have forced about 250,000 Azeris to leave their
homes after 1980. 20 percent of our land is currently under Armenian
occupation. Over one million Azeri citizens have been forced out of
their homes and have to live in tents. We hope to resolve our dispute
with Armenia peacefully and support the Minsk Peace Process. Karabagh
is Azeri territory and we do not accept an Armenian government there.
Armenians must immediately withdraw from Azeri territory and Azeri
refugees must return to their homes,” stressed Alasgarov.

Arinc added that the United Nations adopted four resolutions to force
Armenian troops out of Azeri territory. “Yet, Armenia continues to
refuse abiding by UN decisions. Turkey supports a solution under the
Minsk Process. For the past 10 years, Armenia has been occupying Azeri
territory. Turkey will continue to give support to Azerbaijan in all
platforms,” expressed Arinc.

Arinc delivered an invitation to Alasgarov to attend the 85th
anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish parliament. “At the time
the Turkish parliament was established, Turkish territory was also
under occupation,” commented Arinc. According to Alasgarov, Azerbaijan
attach great importance to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas project. On the other hand Arinc has
reminded that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be completed
within 2005. “Our countries cooperate in many platforms,” told Arinc.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PREMIER OF AZERBAIJAN RECEIVES TURKISH DELEGATION
[February 08, 2005, 17:18:00]

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005

Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Artur Rasizade on February
8 received the delegation of Turkey headed by Chairman of the Grand
National Assembly of Turkey Bulent Arinc.

Head of the Azerbaijan Government, highly estimating the established
relations between two countries, expansion and widening of which were
in focus of the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar
Aliyev, has underlined that the wide and expedient course continues
now.

Artur Rasizade expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Republic
of Turkey, the first state to recognize sovereignty of Azerbaijan,
for constant support of the position of Azerbaijan in the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the international
arena.

Speaking of the ongoing economic reforms, the Premier Minister
emphasized necessity of activation of the work of the
inter-governmental economic commission.

Head of the Turkish delegation Bulent Arinc, noting that fraternity
between Turkey and Azerbaijan, with its centuries-old roots is
unchangeable, also expressed satisfaction with the negotiations held
in Baku.

Vice-speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament Ziyafet Askerov, Ambassador
of Azerbaijan to Turkey Mammad Aliyev took part at the reception.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

President receives French Senator

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005

Baku, February 7, AssA-Irada — President Ilham Aliyev received
French Senator Emerie de Montesque on Monday.

Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the rapidly developing bilateral
ties in different spheres and stressed the active involvement of French
companies in several energy projects implemented in Azerbaijan. The
President also elaborated on the visit by the OSCE fact-finding mission
to the occupied Azerbaijani regions in order to hold monitoring on
the settlement of Armenians there. He underlined that France, as a
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, is playing an important role in
the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement.

Montesque, in turn, said that multi-faceted relations between
Azerbaijan and France are developing rapidly, pointing out that
President Aliyev’s meetings held during his visit to France were
very fruitful.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 7, 2005

AGBU LONDON CO-SPONSORS FIRST UK ARMENIAN FILM FESTIVAL IN 25 YEARS

New York, NY – For the first time in two and a half decades, London
will play host from February 11 – 17th to an Armenian film festival
entitled, “Return to the Promised Land: London Armenian Film Festival,”
showcasing some of the finest Armenian films from around the world.

The weeklong festival at Ciné Lumière in the city’s South Kensington
neighborhood, co-curated by Gareth Evans and Nora Armani, will
include panel discussions, exhibitions by photographer Ann Doherty
and filmmaker Gariné Torossian, and over a dozen films.

In addition to Armenian Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s “Calendar”
(1993) and Georgian Armenian Sergei Paradjanov’s classic “Color of the
Pomegranates” (1969), a number of more recent films by Hiner Saleem
(“Vodka Lemon,” 2003), Tigran Xmalian (Lovember, 2004), and Egoyan
(“Ararat,” 2002) will be featured.

In addition to the support of AGBU London, event sponsors include
the Institut Français, Film London, UK Film Council, Benlian Trust,
Pemart, and the Canadian High Commission in London.

A complete listing of London Armenian film festival events can be
found online at

For more information on AGBU and its mission to promote the Armenian
heritage worldwide, visit

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 7, 2005

AGBU YPGNY ORGANIZES ARMENIA PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE SERIES

New York, NY – Starting February 17th, AGBU Young Professionals of
Greater New York (YPGNY) are proud to present a three week series
of screenings, panel discussions, and presentations at AGBU Central
Office in New York on Armenia and issues relevant to its past,
present and future.

The Thursday events begin on February 17th with a special screening of
“My Son Shall Be Armenian,” a poignant film that reflects on Armenian
identity, as filmmaker Hagop Goudsouzian follows five Montrealers
of Armenian descent as they return to the land of their forebears in
search of survivors. Goudsouzian weaves the moving accounts of these
centenarians and the touching, at times droll, reactions of the New
World travelers into a dignified and poignant film about the need to
make peace with the past in order to move into the future. Tickets
are $15.

On February 24th, the series continues with a special panel
discussion entitled, “Armenia Present,” that focuses on the state
of development in Armenia in the fields of the education, politics,
and civil society. Speakers will include Aaron Sherinian from the
U.S. Embassy in Armenia and former Fulbright scholar and educator
Nicole Vartanian. Tickets are $10.

The final event on March 3rd will host Noubar Afeyan from the
groundbreaking Armenia 2020 initiative that looks into future scenarios
for the country projecting possible trajectories for the country and
its role in the world. Tickets are $10.

All events will take place at AGBU Central Office in midtown Manhattan
(55 East 59th Street, between Park & Madison Avenues) and tickets
can be reserved by emailing [email protected], or by calling 212.319.6383.

AGBU YPGNY was established in 1999 and is part of a worldwide network
of young professionals of Armenian heritage that seek to develop
projects relevant to their lives that benefit their local and global
communities.

For more information on the YP global network, please visit AGBU
online at

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
Email: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY WELCOMES POSITIVE COMPONENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S FY’06 BUDGET:
CALLS FOR UPWARD ADJUSTMENT OF AID TO ARMENIA

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today welcomed the positive
components of the Bush Administration’s Armenia-related foreign aid
allocations of the just-released FY 2006 budget, and especially the
parity it established in security aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan and
the reference to humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh.

The Assembly said that by establishing the principle of parity
in military funding — $5 million each to Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Foreign Military Financing and $750,000 each for International
Military Education and Training — and it’s first-ever reference to
Nagorno Karabakh in a proposed budget, the Bush Administration was in
effect sending a positive message to the region designed to enhance
its role as a key partner in the peace process.

FY 2006, while not setting a dollar amount, has asked — for the
first time in specific language — for funds to “support humanitarian
assistance to Nagorno Karabakh.”

“The Armenian Assembly welcomes the Bush Administration’s financial
allocations to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and more so because it
has placed both Armenia and Azerbaijan on the same footing in as far
as military assistance is concerned and named Nagorno Karabakh as
a separate recipient of humanitarian assistance,” Assembly Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian said.

“We are particularly pleased to note that by establishing and
maintaining military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the
Administration has taken an effective step in maintaining its
credibility as an impartial and leading mediator in the Karabakh
peace process,” Barsamian said.

While underlining the overall positive aspects of the Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh-related budget allocations, the Assembly said one
area fell short of expectations. FY 2006, following a trend already
in progress, asked for $55 million in economic assistance to Armenia –
down from last fiscal year’s request of $62 million.

“We note this ongoing decline with disappointment, but we are
determined to advocate to Congress for increased funding just as we did
and succeeded in the previous budget cycles. The damaging and illegal
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades have not ended,” Barsamian said.

After critical, year-long efforts from the Assembly’s friends on
the Hill, “not less than” $75 million in economic aid to Armenia was
approved within the framework of the FY 2005 Omnibus Spending Bill.

Details of the Bush Administration’s FY 2006 Budget described Armenia
as “one of the leading performers in Eurasia in economic and political
reform,” and said it was for this reason that “Armenia was one of
the two countries in the region deemed eligible to receive grants
from the Millennium Challenge Account.” But the Administration also
noted that “despite the gains produced by economic reforms, poverty
remains widespread” and said “the key now is effective implementation
of reform measures, particularly fighting corruption.”

The Administration’s characterizing of reforms in Armenia effectively
supported the earlier findings of the Heritage Foundation/Wall Street
Journal 2004 Index of Economic Freedom which last year placed Armenia
well ahead of its neighbors in terms of its business climate and the
Millennium Challenge Corporation’s recognition of Armenia as a country
whose past and present performance clearly meets its criteria of
“governing justly, investing in their people and promoting economic
freedom.”

The Armenian Assembly of America 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#2005-011

–Boundary_(ID_Ax3DsrcByrRL46LdbOOG+w)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US foreign aid up for HIV/AIDS, Millennium funds

WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) – U.S. foreign aid would rise 10.7 percent
under the proposed White House budget released on Monday, with more
money to fight HIV/AIDS and help countries that reform economically
and politically.

State Department figures showed the U.S. foreign operations budget,
which funds everything from child health care programs and aid to
refugees to foreign military sales and debt relief, would rise to
$22.82 billion from an estimated $19.71 billion.

Rather than being dedicated to specific nations, most of the rise
would go to double funds for the Millennium Challenge Corporation,
which rewards nations that pursue “good governance and sound policies,”
to $3 billion from $1.49 billion.

This is below the $5 billion that U.S. President George W. Bush
initially promised he would seek for the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, an apparent reflection of past congressional reluctance
to fully fund it.

At present, 17 countries are eligible to apply for the corporation
funds: Armenia, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras,
Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua,
Senegal, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu.

The other large increase was for the U.S. Global HIV/AIDS Initiative,
whose funds would rise to $1.97 billion from $1.37 billion. The effort
seeks to help the most severely afflicted countries around the world
combat the disease.

02/07/05 19:25 ET

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress