Author: Antranik Varosian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 15, 2004
___________________
GEORGIAN ARCHBISHOP VISITS EASTERN DIOCESE
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), met with Georgian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Nicholaos of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia,
at the Diocesan Center in New York City on Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Archbishop Nicholaos was in America planning an upcoming visit by
Georgian Orthodox His Holiness Patriarch Illia II. He talked with the
Primate about the possibility of the Patriarch visiting the St. Vartan
Cathedral, as he did during an earlier visit to the U.S.
The two archbishops also talked about reaching out to the Armenians who
live in the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia. Archbishop
Barsamian presented Archbishop Nicholaos with a copy of the
Russian-language Divine Liturgy pew book, so his Armenian worshipers can
learn prayers in both Russian and Armenian, rather than Georgian.
Also at the meeting was Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated international
aid organization. They spoke of possible ways FAR could join with other
organizations to work on improving the lives of the Armenians in Georgia
and their Georgian neighbors.
— 10/15/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presents a Russian-language
Divine Liturgy pew book to Georgian Orthodox Church Archbishop Nicholaos
of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia, during a meeting at
the Diocesan Center in New York City.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR), talks with Georgian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Nikoloz of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia,
during a meeting at the Diocesan Center on October 14, 2004.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri authorities “blacklist” foreign companies working in Karabakh – paper
Zerkalo, Baku
30 Sep 04
The Azerbaijani authorities have instituted a blacklist of foreign
companies doing business in the self-declared Nagornyy Karabakh
Republic, Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo has reported. However, this
is a belated step, the report said. Zerkalo noted that it was not
worth spoiling relations with large foreign companies and instead
Azerbaijan could adopt a law regulating foreign financial assistance
to Nagornyy Karabakh. The following is an excerpt from R. Mirqadirov
report by Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo on 30 September headlined “Ice
is cracking?” and subheaded “Blacklist of companies working on occupied
territories compiled”; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
Belated statement
Azerbaijan has compiled a “blacklist” of foreign companies engaged in
illegal activity on Armenian-occupied territories, Trend news agency
has quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov as saying.
He said these companies, agencies and different bodies will be banned
from engaging in any activity on Azerbaijani territory. Also, appeals
will be sent to the governments of the countries they represent. Azimov
added that the Azerbaijani government will demand that international
sanctions be applied against them as well.
“Azerbaijan cannot turn a blind eye to the illegal tapping of natural
resources on its occupied territories and Armenia’s policy of illegal
settlement,” he said.
Considering the statements by Azerbaijani officials on the need for
palpable results in the Karabakh settlement and the restoration
of the country’s territorial integrity within one year, it seems
that Baku has “woken up” from the winter hibernation. Unfortunately,
rather late. And this is when a question arises: is it worth spoiling
relations with serious foreign companies which in some cases represent
influential countries?
Of course, we are not talking about Araz Azimov now. After all, he
has voiced the official position which, in fact, is quite right. But
then another pretty straightforward and rhetorical question arises:
why did we have to remain inactive for such a long time to develop
a position on such a mundane and clear issue?
Without mentioning other media outlets, Zerkalo alone has repeatedly
raised this topical issue over the past several years. And every
time we named the foreign companies and international organizations
working on occupied territories, including outside Nagornyy
Karabakh. Indifference to the fact that its natural resources are
squandered by a country at war with Azerbaijan, though not quite
officially, was beyond comprehension. Because first reports on
the exploration of gold deposits outside Nagornyy Karabakh emerged
almost 10 years ago. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan once even
showed gold ingots from those deposits to TV cameras. Meanwhile,
Baku remained “Olympic quiet” and tried to ignore media publications
and Kocharyan’s bravery.
At the same time, these belated steps, or to be more exact declarative
statements, can hardly be seen as complete. As mentioned, Azerbaijan’s
sovereignty over the occupied territories is violated not only by
foreign companies but also international organizations, funds, states
and even individual citizens of foreign countries.
Law needed to regulate foreign financial assistance to Karabakh
Let’s start with the end. In any country a violation of its borders
is a flagrant offence, which in Azerbaijan is even punishable. In
other words, any citizen of a foreign country who has visited Nagornyy
Karabakh without the Azerbaijani visa has violated our borders with
everything that entails.
As far as the activity of foreign companies on the occupied territories
is concerned, everything is quite clear. There can be no foreign
investment or entrepreneurial activity until a political settlement
to the Karabakh problem is reached. To prevent such activity, it is
necessary to engage all international legal instruments, including
judicial ones. The point is that by signing a contract to develop
a deposit on Azerbaijani territory with the government of Armenia
or the authorities of the so-called “Nagornyy Karabakh Republic”,
a foreign company not only violates international legal norms but
also inflicts enormous economic damage to us. And this must become
an object of consideration in international judicial bodies and
compensation must be sought for the damage caused.
I am not saying we should “deny entry” to the occupied territories,
including Nagornyy Karabakh, to all countries, international
organizations, funds, including humanitarian and human rights, and
foreign citizens. This, in fact, is not possible.
However, it is high time we adopted a law regulating foreign activity
on occupied territories. For instance, while it is impossible to ban
the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Karabakh population,
we can urge international organizations, including those representing
specific countries, to abide by legislative parameters of such
assistance. Then we will have a chance to exercise at least some
control over financial and other flows to Karabakh.
[Passage to end omitted: minor details]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Gomidas Institute (UK)
Garod House
42 Bythe Road
London W14 0HA
UK
Email: [email protected]
DATE: 21 September 2004
New Publication United States Records on the Armenian Genocide 1915-1917
Makes Debut in Los Angeles
Brentwood, CA – The Gomidas Institute marked the Western United States
debut of its most recent publication, United States Official Records on
the Armenian Genocide 1915-1917 at a community sponsored event in Los
Angeles, California. The new book was presented on 29 August 2004 at the
home of community activists Zaven and Sonia Akian, whose generous
support made the publication possible. The event took place in the
presence of graduate students, journalists, politicians and supporters
of Armenian lobbying organizations — the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) and the Armenian Assembly of America
(AAA).
According to Ara Sarafian, the editor of the volume, the intellectual
value of this work lies in the fact that it is composed of eyewitness
accounts of the Armenian Genocide, as well as discussions of these
materials by US Ambassadors in Constantinople, Henry Morgenthau and
Abram Elkus, during the events in question. These accounts informed
American officials about the Armenian Genocide and ultimately led to the
Department of State supporting a clandestine relief operation in the
Ottoman Empire to save victims wherever possible. These efforts led to
the creation of the Near East Foundation by an Act of Congress in 1919.
The book clearly demonstrates that the American government was keenly
aware of the Armenian Genocide while the killings were taking place and
constitutes an invaluable resource for historians today.
Several speakers at the Los Angeles release stressed the political
significance of this work. Erin Prangley, District Director for
Congressman Brad Sherman stated that the new book was of immense value
to United States legislators working for the reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide by the United States government. “This [760 page] book
lays the essential facts we need about the Armenian Genocide at our
fingertips. It will make our job supporting the Armenian case much more
effective” she said.
Prangley also presented the Zakian family with a letter from Congressman
Sherman personally commending their contribution to the efforts to seek
official U.S. reaffirmation of the historical reality of the Armenian
Genocide. ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian welcomed the
new work and pointed to the growing momentum in the United States for
the official reaffirmation of the Genocide in Washington DC. The new
book by Gomidas Institute clearly adds to that momentum. Kassakhian also
disclosed that the ANC is already using United States Official Records
on the Armenian Genocide for effective lobbying purposes. Maria
Armoudian, legislative consultant to Senator Richard Alarcon thanked Ara
Sarafian and Vincent Lima of the Gomidas Institute for their continued
good work in Armenian Studies today. Other distinguished guests included
Lonnie Sanders (Congresswoman Dianne Watson’s Field Representative),
Haig Khartounian (Rep. Adam Schiff’s District Representative), Kirk
Cartozian (Mayor of the City of Downey), Paul Krekorian (Vice President
of the Burbank School Board), and Raffi Hamparian (ANCA-WR Chairman).
Zaven Akian, Ara Sarafian and Vincent Lima were also awarded
certificates of special recognition of their “outstanding and invaluable
service” from the offices of Congressman Adam Schiff and Senator Richard
Alarcon.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: United States Official Records on the
Armenian Genocide 1915-1917 comp., ed. and intro. by Ara Sarafian, with
a preface by U. S. Congressmen Pallone and Knollenberg (Gomidas
Institute: Princeton and London, 2004) xxxvi + 706 pp.
The Gomidas Institute is an independent academic institution
specializing in modern Armenian Studies. The Institute has offices in
Princeton (USA) and London (UK). For more information about the Gomidas
Institute please contact [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Cancellation of exercises in Baku to hurt NATO-Azerbaijan relations – US ambassador
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004
Washington has expressed its regret with Azerbaijan’s refusal to
allow Armenian officers to attend NATO exercises in Baku.
The US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish told journalists on
Wednesday that “this will somewhat negatively affect Azerbaijan’s
positions in the “Partnership for Peace” program”.
NATO administration decided to cancel the multi-national exercises
in Azerbaijan hours before they were due to start on September 14.
Shortly before the planned exercises, the opposition, public
organizations, the parliament of Azerbaijan voiced their protests
against the Armenian officers’ participation, reaffirming the fact
that Armenia occupies Azerbaijan’s territories.
Harnish mentioned that over the last year Azerbaijan had been making
preparations for the exercises and promised to resolve the problem
of Armenians’ participation in NATO exercises.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tehran festival to stage over 20 foreign puppet shows
Tehran Times
Sept 5 2004
Tehran Times Art Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) — Over 20 foreign puppet shows are to be staged during
the 10th International Puppet Show Festival, slated for September 13
to 19 in Tehran.
According to the Public Relations Office of the Center for Dramatic
Arts, puppeteers from Germany, France, Armenia, Slovenia, Italy,
Britain, Portugal, Tajikistan, Turkey, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro,
India, Canada, Turkmenistan, China, and the Azerbaijan Republic will
be attending the festival.
“Mobarakbazi” (directed by Mohammad Asgari), “Lo’batbazi” (Iraj
Kaleh-chahi), “Stories of Qashang-o-Mashang” (Parinaz Ale-Aqa),
“Toward Avignon” (Meysam Yusefi) are some of the street shows from
Tehran province which are also scheduled to be staged during the
week-long event.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SwissInfo
30 août 2004
Relancer le dialogue avec la Turquie

En janvier dernier, le président suisse, Joseph Deiss, rencontrait le
premier ministre turc, Tayyip Erdogan, lors du Forum économique de
Davos. (Keystone)

Une délégation parlementaire suisse se rend en Turquie pour
réchauffer les relations entre les deux pays après la crise
diplomatique de l’an dernier.

Suite au débat ouvert en Suisse sur le génocide arménien, le
gouvernement turc avait annulé une visite de la ministre suisse des
Affaires étrangères à Ankara.

Un «affront», une «provocation»: c’est ainsi que quelques politiciens
suisses avaient qualifié, il y a un an, la décision des autorités
turques d’annuler la visite à Ankara de Micheline Calmy-Rey.
La ministre suisse des Affaires étrangères (DFAE) – qui aurait voulu
évoquer la question du respect des minorités et des droits de l’homme
au cours de son voyage – s’était quant à elle diplomatiquement
contentée de juger «excessive» la décision de la Turquie.
Une fois encore, c’était la question du génocide des Arméniens qui
avait suscité l’ire du gouvernement turc. Une question «trop» souvent
évoquée ces dernières années en Suisse aux yeux du gouvernement
d’Ankara.
Pour mémoire, 800’000 des 1,8 million d’Arméniens vivant en Turquie
auraient été, selon les recherches historiques, systématiquement
déportés et exterminés par l’Empire ottoman entre 1915 et 1918.

Petite crise diplomatique

Toujours nié par la Turquie, qui affirme que «seulement» 200’000
Arméniens auraient été tués durant les opérations de la Première
Guerre mondiale, ce génocide a été reconnu en 1998 par le parlement
du canton de Genève.
En 2001, la Chambre basse du parlement fédéral avait quant à elle
rejeté un postulat dans ce sens, mais par seulement trois voix
d’écart.
Les choses ont toutefois rebondi l’an dernier. La question arménienne
est revenue sous les feux de l’actualité lorsque, le 23 septembre, le
parlement du canton de Vaud a à son tour reconnu le génocide.
Peu de jours après, le gouvernement turc annonçait sa décision
d’annuler le voyage de Micheline Calmy-Rey, ouvrant ainsi une petite
crise diplomatique qui a refroidi les relations entre les deux pays.
Un refroidissement d’autant plus vif qu’en décembre dernier, la
Chambre basse du parlement fédéral, appelée à se prononcer sur un
nouveau postulat, reconnaissait à son tour le génocide.
Cette décision n’a pas plu aux Turcs. Le nouveau premier ministre
Recep Tayyp Erdogan l’a d’ailleurs regrettée lors d’une rencontre
avec Micheline Calmy-Rey et le président de la Confédération Joseph
Deiss en janvier dernier en marge du Forum économique mondial (WEF)
de Davos.

Nouvelles possibilités de dialogue

Annulée en octobre 2003, la visite en Turquie des membres de la
Commission de politique extérieure (CPE) de la Chambre haute du
parlement suisse peut donc être considérée comme un pas important
vers la relance du dialogue et d’une amélioration des relations entre
les deux pays.
«L’an dernier, nous avions préféré renoncer à notre visite, déclare
le sénateur Peter Briner, président de la commission et chef de la
délégation. Les relations bilatérales était alors marquées par une
certaine irritation et nous n’aurions pas pu trouver d’interlocuteurs
turcs prêts à dialoguer.»
«Le temps a permis de surmonter cette irritation, poursuit-il. Nos
collègues du parlement turc et l’ambassadeur turc à Berne nous ont
assuré que nous serions les bienvenus dans leur pays.»
La visite aura donc lieu du 30 août au 3 septembre. La délégation
suisse sera reçue par des représentants politiques de haut rang du
parlement et du gouvernement turcs, notamment par le ministre des
Affaires étrangères Abdullah Gül.
La coopération économique et technique sera au centre des
discussions. Mais la question du respect des minorités et des droits
de l’homme, aujourd’hui en Turquie, sera également abordée.
«Nous voulons aussi faire le point sur les réformes que la Turquie
entend mettre en `uvre et sur les efforts qu’elle a déjà accomplis
dans le cadre des ses préparatifs pour adhérer à l’Union européenne»,
précise Peter Briner.

Des visions opposées

Selon le président de la Commission de politique extérieure de la
Chambre haute, la délégation suisse ne veut en revanche pas revenir
sur la question du génocide arménien, toujours tabou en Turquie.
«Nous ne voulons pas juger cette terrible période historique avec une
attitude de moralistes, déclare-t-il. Cette tche revient aux
historiens. Chaque pays doit se confronter tout seul à son propre
passé.»
Mais cette position n’est probablement pas partagée par bon nombre de
ses collègues parlementaires. Le débat tenu le 16 décembre dernier à
la Chambre basse sur le génocide arménien avait en effet une nouvelle
fois fait apparaître deux visions opposées de la politique étrangère.
D’un côté, il y a la volonté de privilégier l’implication de la
Confédération en faveur des droits de l’homme et des minorités.
Surtout quelques mois après l’adhésion de la Suisse à une Cour pénale
internationale appelée à juger les cas de génocide.
D’un autre côté, il y a en revanche la volonté de maintenir le
dialogue et de ne pas compromettre les relations avec un partenaire
économique important comme la Turquie.
En 2003, la Suisse occupait en effet le 6e rang des investisseurs
étrangers en Turquie et le 7e rang des pays exportateurs (1,6
milliard de francs d’exportation vers la Turquie en 2003).

Moment particulièrement favorable

Même si elle n’abordera peut-être pas toutes les questions les plus
délicates, la visite de la délégation suisse en Turquie est
accueillie favorablement par les représentants de la communauté
arménienne de Suisse.
«Si elle ne se base pas sur le mensonge, la recherche du dialogue est
fondamentale pour que la Turquie se débarrasse de l’obstructionnisme
qu’elle a toujours pratiqué», estime Sarkis Shahinian, vice-président
de l’association Suisse-Arménie.
Or le moment pour y parvenir semble particulièrement favorable, étant
donné la volonté de la Turquie d’adhérer à l’Union européenne et son
ambition d’assumer un rôle stratégique de pont entre le monde
occidental et le monde islamique.
«C’est le moment pour la Turquie de faire la lumière sur son passé et
de s’adapter enfin aux critères de respect des droits humains
indispensables pour pouvoir adhérer à l’Union européenne», conclut
Sarkis Shahinian.
swissinfo, Armando Mombelli
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Eurasianet organization
Aug 12 2004
RUMSFELD ADDRESSES SECURITY CONCERNS ON LIGHTNING TRIP TO
AFGHANISTAN, AZERBAIJAN
Camelia Entekhabi-Fard: 8/12/04
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, on a secretive and whirlwind
trip to Central Asia and the Caucasus, sought to keep the Afghan
election process on track and the Azerbaijani government in line.
Rumsfeld arrived with little prior notice in Afghanistan on August 11
to express US support for the Afghan election process. The country’s
presidential election is now scheduled for October 9. The vote,
originally scheduled for last June, has been pushed back twice
because of logistical difficulties. Officials have also voiced
concern that the country’s booming narcotics production could
adversely influence the electoral process. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has identified the narcotics issue as
among the biggest threats to Afghanistan’s stability. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Bush administration officials have
long acknowledged the drug danger in Afghanistan, but the US
government’s efforts to date have been ineffective in helping to curb
burgeoning production. [For additional information see the Eurasia
Insight archive]. In Kabul, Rumsfeld indicated that Washington, after
witnessing two years of explosive growth in poppy production, was now
ready to make the anti-drug issue a priority.
Rumsfeld told reporters shortly before his arrival that Pentagon
planners were still working to develop a “master plan” for
counter-narcotics operations in Afghanistan. During a joint press
conference, though, he declined to elaborate on strategic and
tactical elements of the “plan.”
Earlier on August 11, Rumsfeld made a brief visit to the eastern city
of Jalalabad, located in one of the largest drug-producing regions of
the country. “It is increasingly clear to the international community
that to address the drug problem here is important,” Rumsfeld said in
Jalalabad.
During perhaps Rumsfeld’s most significant meeting of his lightning
visit, he discussed security issues with Afghanistan’s controversial
Defense Minister, Gen. Mohammad Fahim, who was recently dropped by
Karzai as his vice presidential running mate. [For additional
information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. A main topic during the
20-minute discussion was the slow pace of disarmament of Afghan
militias. The disarmament effort, known as DDR, was seen as a key to
reducing the influence of Afghan warlords who control many of
Afghanistan’s provinces. [For background see the Eurasia Insight
archive]. However, the program has lagged far behind expectations and
Fahim, the Afghan official responsible for implementation the
program, has faced criticism for obstructing efforts to disarm
militia forces under his direct control.
In recent weeks, US officials have pressed for a faster disarmament
pace. Some Afghan political observers consider the US stance to be
cynical, pointing out that since the opening of the anti-terrorism
campaign in Afghanistan, the United States has provided extensive
assistance to various warlords, playing a major role in sustaining
their private armies. These militia groups have been used effectively
as mercenaries in helping US forces hunt for Islamic militants.
A spokesman for Fahim, recounting the conversation with Rumsfeld,
said the Afghan defense minister blamed the United Nations for DDR’s
slow pace, claiming that it had not provided sufficient funds to
assist demobilized militia members. “The United Nations did not
remain faithful to its end of the bargain,” the spokesman, Mr.
Gulbuddin, quoted Fahim as telling Rumsfeld. “Without its (UN) help,
how can the [Afghan] Defense Ministry be expected to create jobs or
pay militia members to give up their weapons?” In addition, Fahim was
highly critical of the UN’s anti-drug strategy, Gulbuddin said.
Despite the concern hovering over the anti-drug and disarmament
initiatives, Rumsfeld proclaimed the Afghan electoral process to be
on sound footing. “I believe Afghanistan is on the path to having
successful, free and fair elections,” he said.
A sense of urgency also surrounded Rumsfeld’s brief stop in
Azerbaijan. Local political analysts characterized Rumsfeld’s trip to
Baku as “unscheduled.” The US defense secretary’s talks August 12
with top Azerbaijani officials, including President Ilham Aliyev,
were driven by “concern over the latest trends in Baku’s foreign
policy,” said a commentary published in the Zerkalo daily on August
11.
Of late, the commentary indicated, Azerbaijani officials have shown
signs of wavering in their pro-Western foreign policy orientation, an
impression underscored by the visit of Iranian President Mohammad
Khatami earlier in August. [For background see the Eurasia Insight
archive]. Azerbaijan in recent months has sought to improve relations
with a number of states – in particular Russia and Iran — that are
seen as competitors of the United States for influence in the
Caucasus. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight
archive].
The diversification trend appears closely linked to mounting
frustration in Azerbaijan to the stalemate in the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Many
in Baku hold the United States responsible for the lack of progress
in the search for a Karabakh political settlement. Azerbaijan, the
thinking in Baku goes, has steadfastly backed the US-led
anti-terrorist campaign, including the military operations in Iraq,
but has not received a reciprocal level of support from the United
States on the Karabakh issue.
The Zerkalo commentary reflected the rising level of anger in
Azerbaijan towards the United States. “Washington’s main goal is not
to help the Azerbaijani nation to prosper, but to oust Russia from
the Caucasus and build a strategically important corridor between
Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe,” it said.
Political analysts, including Vafa Guluzade, who served as an adviser
to former president Heidar Aliyev, suggest the Azerbaijani government
has felt compelled to reach out to Russia and Iran in an effort to
achieve a breakthrough on the Karabakh issue. “If the United States
continues to turn a blind eye to the situation, it can lose
Azerbaijan as a strategic partner,” Guluzade told Zerkalo.
Azerbaijani officials made a direct appeal to Rumsfeld for stronger
US support for Baku on the Karabakh question, according to local
reports. Rumsfeld was reportedly non-committal in his response.
Following their talks, Rumsfeld and Ilham Aliyev provided no public
hints that US-Azerbaijani relations were experiencing underlying
tension. Aliyev characterized bilateral strategic cooperation as
operating “at the highest level,” according to an August 12 report
broadcast by ANS television. “I am confident that in the future we
will further strengthen our ties to become a closer friend and ally,”
Aliyev added. Rumsfeld echoed the Azerbaijani leader’s comments,
praising Azerbaijan for its “major efforts in combating terror.”
Editor’s Note: Camelia Entekhabi-Fard has reported from Afghanistan
and Iran for EurasiaNet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
July 13 2004
Armenian Prosecutor Refuses To Drop Criminal Charges Against
Opposition
By Hrach Melkumian 14/07/2004 01:46
On 30 April the Armenian Prosecutor General’s office opened a
criminal case against the “Artarutiun” opposition bloc in connection
with the mass demonstration in Yerevan on 12-13 April that was
violently dispersed by police.
The prosecutor’s office filed two charges for alleged “Calls for the
violent overthrow of the constitutional order” and “insulting a state
official.”
Some of the opposition activists arrested following the demonstration
have been set free; most of the cases have been dropped. Former
Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian, a member of the radical
opposition party “Hanrapetutiun,” has been released from jail, but
the criminal charges brought against him have not been dropped yet.
A spokesman for the state prosecutor’s office told RFE/RL today that
there are no deadlines for bringing criminal charges against
opposition members, which means that more charges could still be
pending. One prominent opposition member, “Hanrapetutyun” party
leader Aram Sarkisian thinks the charges against the opposition will
never be dropped.
“They [the prosecutors] know that the opposition will sooner or later
become active again and this criminal case will help them to exert
pressure on certain people one more time,” Sargsian said. He believes
that the charges against the opposition could be dropped only if
there is a regime change in Armenia or if the opposition ceases to
exist.
Former Prime Minister Aram Sargsian affirmed that the opposition will
broaden its activities and launch a new campaign to oust the present
leadership before autumn. “Everybody understands now that the next
president of Armenia will be the one who succeeds in ousting Robert
Kocharian,” Sargsian told RFE/RL.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
June 27, 2004 Sunday ZONED EDITION
Today’s the day that Armenians celebrate;
Food and community are focus of annual picnic
by SHEILA B. LALWANI [email protected]
Members of the area’s Armenian community will gather today at Johnson
Park in Caledonia to celebrate the largest and biggest event for the
ethnic group.
Through the annual Armenian Picnic — admission is free — members of
the community hope to raise money for their church, St. Hagop
Apostolic Church in Racine. Members hope to raise $10,000, about a
quarter of the church’s budget.
The daylong event will feature ethnic dishes from Armenia including
marinated shish kebab and chicken dinners, stuffed grape leaves,
cheese puffs and butter cookies.
Dinners are priced between $6 and $8. Vegetarian options are
available.
For the last several weeks, members of the church have been buying
ingredients and baking together to prepare for the festival.
“All the members of the church are all working together to make a
success of this picnic,” volunteer Julie Dergarabedian said. “We
start baking in early May and go to June to prepare all the foods.
It’s all prepared ahead of time.”
Perhaps the dish that takes the most time is sarma, or stuffed grape
leaves. Members of the church spent much of Friday rolling grape
leaves that they picked shortly after Memorial Day. Even though grape
leaves are getting harder and harder to find locally, members
collected enough.
Throughout Friday, women sat in the church stuffing the length of the
grape leaves with a mixture made up of 40 pounds of rice and herbs.
They then cooked the dish. The appetizer is eaten cold.
They expect to sell as much as $5,000 worth of the appetizer, which
costs 50 cents apiece.
“It’s wonderful,” said Sara Micaelian, who helped lead the group.
“It’s back-breaking work, but everyone is chattering away.”
The festival is a day to celebrate their heritage and ethnic
identity, said Zohrab Khaligian, who has been helping plan the event.
“When two Armenians come together, they will start their own
Armenia,” he said. “That’s what we have done.”
The focal point of the picnic will be a blessing, in which members of
the community gather to pray. Armenia, which is in central Asia, has
been influenced by neighbors from the Middle East and Europe. With a
small community in the United States, Khaligian said, maintaining
their identity and passing it on to their children has become all the
more essential.
“The church is not just a church,” Khaligian said. “It’s also our
community center. It’s the source to maintain our religion and
language. Being politically active and socially aware is also
necessary. The church provides spiritual guidance. It also provides
us with a meeting place.”
The church also offers Sunday school and language classes.
“It’s important for young people to see their culture and heritage,”
Dergarabedian said. “The blessing we do at the church ground and the
incense and the beautiful songs that are sung — it’s like a blessing
of the universe. We are blessing the world and thanking God for his
blessing.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress