Author: Chatinian Lara

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
April 27, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS, MEMBERS URGE PRESIDENT BUSH TO CONDEMN AZERI ACTIONS
AGAINST ARMENIA, KARABAKH
President Bush, Azeri President to meet tomorrow
Washington DC – On the eve of President Bush’s meeting with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues are calling on the U.S. leader to firmly denounce Azerbaijan’s
ongoing war mongering, and other actions, against the Republic of
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
along with Caucus Members George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff
(D-CA), sent a letter to the President that states in part:
“Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war and
fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism,
President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a
new military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is waging a ‘cold
war’ against Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are only a way to
achieve unilateral Armenian concessions.” (The complete text of the
congressional letter is attached below.)
“We thank Congressmen Knollenberg, Pallone, Schiff and Radanovich for
expressing their strong concerns regarding Azerbaijan to President
Bush,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Rather than
continuing to threaten military aggression and blockade Armenia,
Azerbaijan should instead adhere to the standards of democracy, human
rights, and justice as espoused in our National Security Strategy which
was announced by President Bush last month.”
In a speech before the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington today,
Aliyev continued making bellicose statements against Armenia, saying
that the “war is not over,” and that the “patience of the Azerbaijani
people has limits.”
The congressional letter also notes that in the past year, Baku has
increased its military spending by 100 percent and is working with
Turkey to push forth an $800 million railroad proposal aimed at
isolating Armenia from East-West commercial corridors.
The lawmakers also highlight Azerbaijan’s continued human rights
violations, specifically a disturbing film which captured Azerbaijani
soldiers destroying historical Armenian monuments in the medieval
cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan in Azerbaijan.
The Congressmen also underscored the fact that Azerbaijan’s actions are
counterproductive to the stability of the South Caucasus as well as U.S.
objectives in the region.
###
NR#2006-043
Editor’s Note: Attached is the full text of the congressional letter to
President Bush.
April 26, 2006
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

It is our understanding that you will be meeting with President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev later this week. We urge you to take this
opportunity to condemn the Azerbaijani war rhetoric and other actions
taken against the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh which
undermine U.S. objectives in the region.

In the years since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened
war and fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international
criticism, President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan
could launch a new military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is
waging a “cold war” against Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are
only a way to achieve unilateral Armenian concessions.
As part of this campaign, this year Azerbaijan has increased its
military spending by 100% over the previous year to more than $600
million. It has also tightened the seventeen year economic blockade
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Moreover, President Aliyev has
indicated he would not engage in any confidence-building measures with
Armenia and he had “no desire” to tone down his country’s war-mongering
and anti-Armenian propaganda.
Under the backdrop of the peace talks last December, eyewitnesses
captured on film Azerbaijani soldiers destroying historical Armenian
monuments in the medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of the
Azerbaijan Republic. Condemned by the European Parliament, this
incident is not isolated. A Scottish expert on Armenian architecture,
who traveled through Nakhichevan in the summer of 2005, found that a
number of Armenian monuments that were intact as late as the 1980s were
razed to the ground. Knowingly expunging traces of Armenian presence
also raises serious questions about Azerbaijan’s commitment to engage in
the peace process.
We acknowledge and appreciate the assurances of the Administration that
U.S. opposition to such tactics has been officially conveyed. However,
the United States will be unable to advance its policy objectives and
the OSCE Minsk process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to
risk war with impunity. These counterproductive strategies are
undermining the stability of the South Caucasus region.
We urge you to condemn these actions and call upon President Aliyev and
Azerbaijan to desist from making any further threats against its
Christian neighbors Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
We look forward to working with you on this issue and look forward to
your response.
Sincerely,
Rep. Joe Knollenberg
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. George Radanovich
Rep. Adam Schiff

Zaman, Turkey
April 29 2006
Bush Guarantees Aliyev Peaceful Iranian Solution
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Saturday, April 29, 2006
zaman.com
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliev, who paid a critical visit to
Washington at a time when the nuclear row still continues, met US
President George W. Bush yesterday.
Regional security, the Upper Karabag (Karabagh) under Armenian
occupation, energy issues, and the Iranian crisis were handled in the
talk that took place at the White House.
Bush guaranteed Aliyev the solving of the Iranian problem in
diplomatic and peaceful ways, as Aliyev said Azerbaijan will not join
a possible strike against Iran.
Bush appreciates Baku’s troop contribution in Iraq; stressing the
importance that US ally Azerbaijan should remain fully briefed on
developments in the region.
Azeris are grateful for the United States’ undertaking a leadership
role to support energy security in the region, said Aliyev. “I am
sure our strategic relationships will be reinforced in the future.”
According to Aliyev, President Bush and he mainly discussed the
Armenian occupation in the Upper Karabag (Karabagh) in their talks.

Armenian foreign minister holds consultations in Karabakh
Regnum, Moscow
28 Apr 06
27 April: Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan is paying a
two-day visit to Nagornyy Karabakh. The visit is aimed at holding
consultations.
Oskanyan has already met Nagornyy Karabakh foreign minister Georgiy
Petrosyan and the ministry staff, a Regnum correspondent has reported
from Stepanakert.
It is also planned that Oskanyan will have meetings with Nagornyy
Karabakh president Arkadiy Gukasyan, prime minister Anushavan
Daniyelyan, parliament speaker Ashot Gulyan. Oskanyan will also make a
speech at Artsakh state university.

WINCHESTER TEACHER AMONG THOSE URGING SEARCH FOR TRUTH
By Melody Hanatani/ Staff Writer
Lexington Winchester Star, MA
April 27 2006
A new coalition of diverse local ethnic groups kicked off an
anti-genocide campaign with a rally at the State House last Friday,
following the annual Armenian genocide anniversary commemoration.
The group, called kNOw Genocide, includes 10 organizations such as
Rwanda Outlook, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, and the
Jewish Community Relations Council.
On his way from the ceremony to the rally, state Sen. Steven Tolman
talked about why the coalition was formed.
“Today is a reaction of a diverse group to the lawsuit about the
denial of the Turks that this [genocide] even happened,” he said,
referring to a lawsuit seeking to introduce materials denying the
genocide into the statewide curriculum.
In listing the genocides that have occurred over the past 100 years,
such as Armenia, Bosnia and Cambodia, U.S. Rep Edward Markey called
on President George W. Bush to recognize the genocides in Armenia
and Darfur.
“Don’t forget Palestine, Markey,” said one protester. “It’s been too
long for them too.”
The protester was later escorted farther down Beacon Street, where
he continued to yell at the speakers.
Attorney General Tom Reilly, a Watertown resident and gubernatorial
hopeful, said the pending case in Boston is not about limiting free
speech. He said the only way to find a more just and peaceful future
is to face the “ugly truth of our past.”
State Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, announced new “landmark”
legislation would be filed this week to force the state to divest from
any country where genocide occurs. He said the legislation would be
the first of its kind in the country, and hopes it will be a model
for other states.
Markey said earlier that the legislation would “ratchet up pressure
on the Bush administration to take a firmer stand in Darfur.”
According to some humanitarian groups, about 400,000 people have died
in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Belmont resident Heather Krafian, a teacher at Muraco Elementary School
in Winchester, is a granddaughter of Armenian genocide survivors. She
spoke about the importance of teaching about the genocide in the
schools.
She spoke out against the denial of the genocide, and said it has
become the modus operandi of the Turkish government. She said there
is no doubt among scholars and experts that the Armenian genocide
occurred.
“The thread of lies Turkey has woven for 91 years is slowly beginning
to unravel,” said Krafian. “The fabric of denial has become torn and
tattered. The truth will not be killed, but will prevail.”

DELEGATION LED BY CHAIRMAN OF RA CASSATION COURT TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF JUDGES IN GEORGIA
Noyan Tapan
Apr 26 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 26, the delegation led by
Chairman of RA Cassation Court Hovhannes Manukian left for Georgia. The
delegation is to take part in the 4th International Conference of
Judges to be held on April 26-28 in Tbilisi. The main subject of the
conference is “The Reforms in the Sphere of Justice”. Noyan Tapan
was informed about this by Spokesperson of RA Cassation Court Anna
Mkrtchian. Judges from Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Germany will
take part in the conference.

STABBING INCIDENT IN BERDAVAN
Noyan Tapan
Apr 26 2006
NOYEMBERIAN, APRIL 26, NOYAN TAPAN. At about 11 am on April 21, Susanna
Mkrtchian, 45, of the Berdavan village, was admitted to Noyemberian
hospital. NT correspondent was informed from the hospital personnel
that Lida Harutyunian, 54, of the same village, stabbed S. Mkrtchian
with a knife during a qaurrel, which broke out because the victim had
picked a lily from the land plot of L. Harutyunian. L. Harutyunian was
ordered not to leave the village. Police is conducting an investigation
into the case.

BUSH SAYS ‘TRAGEDY’ NOT ‘GENOCIDE’ FOR 1915 EVENTS
By Cihan News Agency, Washington
Zaman Online, Turkey
April 25 2006
US President George W. Bush has describe the incidents that took
place in 1915 as “a tragedy”, in the message he prepared for the 91st
anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide allegations.
The White House announcement reads that the events were a tragedy for
mankind and should never be forgotten. Bush, overlooking the demands
of the Armenian Diaspora, did not term the incidents as “genocide.”
The event is a source of pain for all Armenians, the. President
acknowledged, and Americans feel deeply for this page in history.
Bush invited all parties to take part in dialogue and determine
common understanding, and he praised the parties in both Turkey and
Armenia who examine the happenings of 1915 impartially, accurately
and sensitively.
The Armenian Diaspora alleges a genocide occurred, Armenians were
forced to leave their home in 1915; Turkey, on the contrary, refutes
these allegations and advocates the deaths were caused by difficult
road and weather conditions during the migration.

[Congressional Record: April 24, 2006 (Senate)]
[Page S3415-S3416]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr24ap06-28]

91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and
commemorate April 24, 2005, the 91st anniversary of the beginning of
the Armenian genocide. I do so because I believe it is necessary to
recognize and ensure that similar atrocities do not happen in the
future.
No one knows this better than the 500,000 Armenians who are living in
my home State of California. These men, women, and children are a
shining example of the backbone of our society and serve as a symbol of
perseverance and determination.
Their ancestors came to our country to build a better life for
themselves and their families, and today, Armenian-Americans recognize
that the repercussions of allowing aggression and injustice against
ethnic, religious, or minority groups to persist can be dire.
During the Armenian genocide, which took place between 1915 and 1923,
over a million Armenians were killed, and another 500,000 were driven
from their homes.
We must never again allow a human tragedy to occur on this scale. It
is unacceptable to witness thousands of innocent victims suffer and die
without taking any action.
And I know this issue not only resonates with the Armenians in
California but with everyone in the country. Every day, numerous
constituents from different backgrounds call my office asking what
Congress and the administration are doing to prevent genocide from
occurring again.
It is absolutely essential that we do not let history repeat itself.
We can–and we must–do better.
The Armenian-American community knows this all too well and today, we
stand with them in commemorating the start of the Armenian genocide. So
let us renew our commitment to support those around the world who face
persecution and even death simply because of who they are. We will
never forget the Armenian genocide, and we look to the present and
future with a newfound sense of hope and optimism so that we may have
the strength to stand up and prevent such atrocities.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to commemorate the
91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24th. This
anniversary offers an opportunity for us to renew our
[[Page S3416]]
efforts to achieve–finally–genocide recognition for the Armenian
people.
Ninety-one years ago, the Ottoman Turks began their systematic effort
to eradicate the Armenian people. From 1915 until 1923, 1.5 million
Armenians were tortured and killed; men were separated from their
families and murdered; women and children were forced to march across
the Syrian desert without water, food, or possessions; many died of
hunger or thirst or were killed when they lagged behind during the
forced marches into the desert.
The brutality of the genocide was atrocious. But the inhumanity
continues today because the Turkish Government refuses to acknowledge
the massacres as genocide. The wounds cannot heal until the Armenian
people receive recognition.
The Armenian genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century. But
as we have seen, it was not the last. As we know, if we ignore
injustice, we are likely to see it repeated. In his justification for
the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?” And today, we see ongoing atrocities
in the Darfur region of Sudan, with innocent civilians being murdered.
In the 108th Congress, I cosponsored a resolution declaring that the
atrocities in Darfur constitute genocide.
I am currently a cosponsor of a resolution calling the President to
ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects
appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to
human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the record
of the United States relating to the Armenian genocide and the
consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution. And I have
signed onto a letter urging President Bush to honor the historic
leadership of the United States in defending human rights and to
properly characterize the atrocities against the Armenian people as
genocide in his April 24th statement.
Every year, we move closer to recognition of the Armenian genocide.
But every year, we wonder how long it will take the Government of
Turkey to acknowledge the genocide.
We need genocide recognition to honor those 1.5 million Armenians who
lost their lives and to honor the survivors who are still with us
today. We need recognition to send a message to the 8 to 10 million
Armenians worldwide that they have not been forgotten. We need genocide
recognition to remind the world that crimes against humanity are crimes
against us all. And we need genocide recognition because it is the
right thing to do.
By acknowledging this genocide for what it is, I hope that we are
able to help create a more just and humane world.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, on behalf of the Armenian population of
Rhode Island and Armenians around the world, I want to recognize the
91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Ninety-one years ago today, April 24, the Young Turk leaders of the
Ottoman Empire summoned and executed over 200 Armenian community
leaders. By 1923, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, and
another one half million were exiled, affecting the lives of every
Armenian in Asia Minor.
Author John Minassian, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian genocide,
tells of his experience. “These fine people were now being made into
refugees only because they had clung to their ancient beliefs and the
faith of their ancestors. They marched proudly under a yoke of hatred,
prejudice and bigotry, their morale high, their spirit as yet unbroken.
They knew that their only `crime’ was being Armenian.”
The Armenian genocide was condemned at the time by representatives of
the British, French, Russian, German, and Austrian Governments, both
foes and allies of the Ottoman Empire.
Today, as a cosponsor of S. Res. 320, I call on the President to
ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects
appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to
human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the record
of the United States relating to the Armenian genocide.
Armenian soldiers have supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of
the Polish-led multinational division in south-central Iraq. Working as
truck drivers, bomb detonators, and doctors, Armenia has not allowed
others to be left helpless as they were nearly a century ago. The
United States is proud to have Armenia as an ally in the rebuilding and
reconstruction of Iraq.
So as history does not repeat itself, we must study and remember the
events of our past. In instances such as the Armenian genocide, all
nations must educate their youth in the hatred, the wrongdoing, and the
oppression to deter future atrocities against humanity. Not more that
two decades after the Armenian genocide, Hitler said to his generals on
the eve of sending his death squads into Poland, “Go, kill without
mercy . . . who today remembers the annihilation of the Armenians.” We
remember the Armenians.
Menk panav chenk mornar. We will never forget.

REPS OF TURKISH, AZERI DIASPORAS RALLY IN DEFENSE TO ANKARA’S POSITION ON ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 24, 2006
Representatives of the Turkish and Azerbaijani Diasporas of the United
States held a rally in Washington in defense to Ankara’s position on
the ‘Armenian genocide’ in Osman Empire, Trend reports citing the
Turkish media. Over 250 people participated in the rally staged in
front of the Turkish embassy.
Participants in the action held flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan,
scanning ‘Go away from Turkey’, ‘Enough Armenian lies,” etc.
Meanwhile, the Turkish embassy in the United States set up
consultations with members of the US Senate with respect to remove
from agenda three documents on the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’
of 1915. A resolution by the speaker of the senate is required to
remove any issue from the agenda.
One of the similar documents had been submitted former US President
Bill Clinton, who is refused to ratify it.
The Turkish authorities on behalf of Prime Minister Erdogan had sounded
a proposal on the necessity of study of the events developing upon
the collapse of the Osman Empire by the Armenian-Turkish scientific
commission, whilst Yerevan came out against it.

PIPELINE BUILT FOR ENERGY SECURITY THREATENS OUR SECURITY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
25 April 06
All that seemed incredible now seems imminent. The Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, the section of the pipeline running across Armenia, can be
considered Russia’s. One could have even bet that it would happen,
after the defense minister had stated that interesting developments
connected with the gas pipeline would be coming up.
However, we did not manage to bet. Next, the foreign minister confirmed
not only the curiosity but also the content of these developments,
at least in part (although we are not likely to suggest that the
foreign minister aspires to be the next president of Armenia).
The foreign minister says Russian-Armenian negotiations for the money
for the pipeline are going on. Vardan Oskanyan announced that the
construction of the pipeline is not over yet to give it to Russia,
and presently the question of money for the construction is under
consideration. It is a great achievement, in fact. We would not have
given anything to Russians in return for nothing. We say if you want
the pipeline, first give money to build it. However, let us not hurry
to admire how the Armenians get the money from the Russians. First,
we should wonder where the money disappeared that Iran had given
to Armenia to build the pipeline. Iran loans the construction
of the 40-km section of the Iranian pipeline running from Meghri
to Kadjaran. Maybe the second section of the pipeline running in
Armenia, the Kadjaran-Ararat section is concerned. When still in
office, the head of the RA President Administration, the co-chair
of the Iran-Armenian Intergovernmental Commission Artashes Tumanyan
visited Iran several months ago. The Iranian mass media informed that
Iran had offered to fund the construction of the second section of
the pipeline, i.e. the Kadjaran-Ararat section. Returning to Yerevan,
Artashes Tumanyan said there was such an arrangement. He even confirmed
that the offer referred to the second section of the pipeline, running
in Armenia and not the construction of another pipeline. Everyone
knows what happened to Artashes Tumanyan later.
However, it still needs to be found out what happened to the agreement
that had been reached. Was it just a personal one? It referred to
state property, however, although there is nothing surprising when
personal arrangements are made on this property. If we want, we will
arrange with Iran, if we want with Russia. Presently it is not clear
whether Tumanyan was dismissed because of the arrangements that he
had reached. It is not essential though. The fact is that Russia is
negotiating with Armenia, and everyone knows the usual outcome of
such negotiations. Consequently, it must be known to Iran as well. It
is interesting how Iran will respond to the transfer of the pipeline
to Russians, for several months ago the foreign ministers of Armenia
and Iran announced in Yerevan that the assent of Iran and Armenia is
required for the engagement of a third country in the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline project. In other words, Armenia’s assent is not enough
to settle the problem. Does it mean that Iran approves the engagement
of Russia? The price of this approval might be transit of the Iranian
gas. It is hardly possible, however, because Europe might not approve
it. The Europeans are interested in the Iranian gas without Russia
for the simple reason that it is important as an alternative to Russia.
Iran may have changed its mind to fund the second section of the
pipeline after the Armenia had rejected the Iranian proposal regarding
the fifth generating unit of the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan. The
deposal of Artashes Tumanyan would hardly have forced Iran to give
up. However, this is also probably. After all, not only interests
determine people but also people determine interests.
Hence, the unfinished pipeline, which has been said to guarantee the
energy security of Armenia, is already starting to threaten this type
of security of our country if it is built to be given to another
country. Moreover, it is even more distressing that the Armenian
society is looking for external and not internal means of keeping the
pipeline: Iran will not agree, or America will disagree. And if they
agreed? Would everything be fine? Or maybe “extenuating circumstances”
occur, which is the only aspect of knowledge of law of our society,
that is excellently used for the past 15 years.
Instead of seeking for a punishment an excuse is sought for.