Author: Chavushian

From: Embassy of Armenia <[email protected]>
Subject: Embassy of Armenia Commemorates Genocide Anniversary

PRESS RELEASE
April 27, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:

Embassy of Armenia Commemorates Genocide Anniversary With a Remembrance
Event, Photo Exhibit

On April 26, 2006, the Embassy of Armenia hosted an event commemorating the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Over 500 Armenian Americans and
friends of Armenia, representing the Armenian Apostolic Church,
Armenian-American organizations and individual community members laid
flowers and wreaths at the khatchkar located on the Embassy premises.

A joint prayer service for the memory of the Genocide victims was conducted
by the pastors of St. Mary’s and Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Churches in
Washington, DC.

In his address, Ambassador Tatoul Markarian expressed appreciation for the
Genocide recognition efforts by the Armenian Diaspora throughout decades. He
noted that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide remains on
Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. Stressing the importance of continuing
unified efforts of all the Armenian organizations on this issue, Ambassador
Markarian emphasized the significance of existence of the independent
Armenian statehood in achieving success in recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.

Also on April 24, the Embassy unveiled a photo exhibit on the Armenian
cultural and historical monuments outside of the modern-day Armenia. The
exhibit, prepared by the Research on Armenian Architecture, presents
photographic evidence of the systematic campaign to destroy the Armenian
cultural legacy in Turkey and Azerbaijan. In his remarks during the opening
of the exhibit, Ambassador Markarian expressed appreciation of the efforts
to study and collect documental evidence of the Armenian architectural and
historical monuments abroad. The Ambassador emphasized the urgency of the
need to preserve the Armenian architectural heritage in neighboring
countries, noting that this had been once more underscored by the recent
barbaric destruction of the Armenian khachkars in Nakhichevan.

The ten-day exhibit has already been attended by hundreds of
Armenian-Americans, as well as U.S. officials.

EVENTS DEDICATED TO 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY TAKE PLACE IN LONDON

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 26 2006

YEREVAN, April 26. /ARKA/. Events dedicated to 91st anniversary of
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey took place in London. Armenian
Foreign Ministry press service says Ealing Mayor Michael Elliott, MP
Rt. Hon. Stephen Pound and Armenian Ambassador to Great Britain Vahe
Gabrielyan spoke at an event held on April 21 in London Borough of
Ealing. Polish, Representatives of Albanian and Assyrian communities
of British capital attended the event.

On April 22, a march was staged by Armenian community in one of
London’s central streets.

500 marchers carried banners demanding to recognize Armenian Genocide
fact and condemning the policy of the genocide denial by Turkey and
Great Britain.

Upon completing their march, representatives of Armenian organizations
sent a message to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Memorial services for the genocide victims were held in Armenian
churches in London.

COZY SEDER IN ARMENIA

Federation of Jewish Communitites of CIS, Russia
April 25 2006

YEREVAN, Armenia – Passover events held in the Mordechai Navi Jewish
Community Center brought together a great number of participants
this year. Tables were set with traditional dishes, Passover symbols
laid on a silver keara, sparkling wine glasses and matza, which was
delivered from Israel.

Mrs. Lea Peremysler, the hostess of this home-like Seder, lit festive
candles and recited blessings.

Rabbi Gersh Meir Burstein discussed the traditions of a Passover
night. During this night, Rabbi Burstein helped the participants
feel the unity of the Jewish people and recounted the story of their
deliverance from slavery.

Michael Levitin, a journalist of Forward and World Jewish Digest
magazines of New York, was present at this evening. It was a great
surprise for him to witness a Jewish community celebrating Passover
in such a friendly atmosphere. He acknowledged afterwards that he
hasn’t experienced such Seder in a very long time.

By the end of the feast Rabbi Burstein blessed community members and
shared the afikomen, the last piece of matza, with the participants
of the Seder.

THE AUTHORITIES TRY TO STOP THE”BRAIN DRAIN” THROUGH LAW

A1+
[03:33 pm] 25 April, 2006

“The RA has always been and still remains the only country having
the greatest scientific potential in the region,” states economist
Tatul Manaseryan. He claimed that the greatest threat for the economic
security is the “brain drain” and presented his bill on “the law on
the RA science duty” to the RA NAS for further discussions.

The law must regulate the relations between the duty percent and its
payment, specify duty payers and the order of payment. According to
the bill the law breakers will be punished by the RA legislation. The
objects concealing the duty or lessening its sum will not be punished
unless they find their wrong calculations and correct them before the
tax border checks. On the whole, the scientists welcomed the bill;
they only demanded to fix the duty percent precisely. “It is not
thoroughly calculated yet. Now we are engaged in the calculation and
expect your wise suggestions on this score,” Tutul Manaseryan answered
the scientists. He also mentioned that they must do everything possible
to promote to the development of science and prevent the “brain drain.”

Mr. Manaseryan expressed his concern on the fact that many factories
pretend to finance the science but it doesn’t correspond to the
reality; they try to get rid of the science duty in that way. Some
scientists think that science duty must refer to commercial
organizations as well. The suggestion was welcomed by the bill author.

The representatives of the NGOs were also present at the
roundtable. Tatul Masaseryan assured that all the suggestions made by
the scientists will be taken into account while working out the bill
“on the law of science duty.”

TURKISH EMBASSY- NO INCIDENTS CONNECTED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Author: R. Abdullayev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 25 2006

No incidents connected to the so-called Armenian genocide in Ottoman
empire have been registered by the Turkish embassy in Azerbaijan,
embassy` s press-secretary, Bullent Ugur told Trend.

“In the regard with the anniversary of this so-called genocide the
Turkish foreign ministry ordered all its diplomatic missions abroad to
take additional precaution measures. No incidents have been registered
with the connection to that anniversary,” he said.

Information of “possible attack on Turkish embassy in Baku with
inflammatory projectiles” came from Ankara, he said. “Being ready
for such actions is a part of our routine job. However, as it was
expected there were no incidents,” he stated.

It is necessary to note that the Turkish ambassador in Azerbaijan,
Turan Moralli, speaking in the Asia University confirmed information
“about phone threats to the embassy.”

GENOCIDE IN RWANDA: COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?
By Lee Bycel
Special to The Aspen Times

Aspen Times, CO –
April 24, 2006

I recently returned from Kigali, where the people of Rwanda observed
the 12th commemoration of that nation’s haunting genocide. On April
7, 1994, the nightmare began. Eight hundred thousand Rwandans were
killed in 100 days. That event seems unfathomable now, but the pain
in Kigali is still raw. At various memorial ceremonies, adults and
children wailed at the loss of loved ones, devastated families and
man’s inhumanity to man. The agony of their mourning is palpable.

Kigali has been rebuilt; it is a beautiful city yet haunted by its
past. It is beyond my understanding how, just a short while ago,
neighbor killed neighbor, relative killed relative, friend killed
friend with machetes, guns and knives. The slaughter took place
while most of the world stood by as dispassionate observers. I came
to Kigali to learn more about the legacy of genocide and grapple with
why we have repeated it so frequently in the last century, including
Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and now Darfur. Why is our
indifference so profound?

This week, Armenians, Jews and concerned human beings all over
the world commemorate the Armenian genocide and the Holocaust that
collectively took the lives of nearly 12 million people. For the
most part, the world stood by and watched or claimed we were not
aware of the situation. I know that we have advanced in so many
areas, but have we advanced in human terms – measured by compassion,
peace, ability to realize that every one in this world deserves to
be treated with dignity and protected by universal rights? I think of
the world in which these two horrific and incomprehensible genocidal
catastrophes took place. Why were we and why do still fundamentally
remain so indifferent? No longer can we claim lack of knowledge. Has
the modern world, complete with information overload and escapist
technology, led to our collective numbness to the growing storms of
trouble around the world? Are we incapable of learning from the past?

Indifference is like an untreated cancer, spreading through our hearts,
minds and souls. Indifference seriously affects all of us. As Martin
Luther King wrote, “The day we see the truth and cease to speak is
the day we begin to die.” We must fight indifference and cultivate
a society where people act courageously, speak out and pursue justice.

How do we do that? Rwanda offers a timely example. I met with the
dynamic president of Rwanda, Paul Kagami. He is fully committed to
building a society based on civility and justice – his vision and
energy are resolute. He has witnessed the devastating consequences
of a society where ethnic conflict and cruelty run rampant. He lives
with the pain of genocide, it continues on in the lives that have
been torn apart.

Kagami’s vision for his country’s future is based not on rebuilding
what was, but in shaping something that has not been. His vision will
become a reality based on forgiveness, reconciliation, understanding
and a deep resolve to creating a viable society out of the ashes of
ethnic hatred.

Could genocide happen here? I don’t know, but the question keeps
me up at night. I have great faith in our democratic processes and
the safeguards that mark our society. I have deep confidence in the
American people and the reasons we shaped and maintain the principles
of this country. Yet I wonder what moved the Rwandan people from living
together, often with difficulty and amidst the problems that affect
many African countries to murdering one another. I am troubled by our
intolerance of others, our inability to respect other viewpoints and
our willingness to silently witness the small but important injustices
that occur each day. I worry about a society where there are so many
social, educational, economic and health disparities. Yet I am certain
that we have the resources to resolve these issues.

The connection between indifference and genocide is significant.

Perhaps genocide cannot occur without societal or global
indifference. Rwanda reminds me of the importance of never taking
our rights and privileges for granted – and the need to make a deeper
personal commitment to shaping a society where all are protected.

This requires actively addressing our social problems and making a
commitment to civil and respectful discourse with each other.

I left Kigali wondering how to cure the plague of indifference that
has enveloped our world. I remain deeply hopeful about America and our
ability to wrestle with difficult issues. Rwanda informs us, troubles
us – and, hopefully, stirs us to reevaluate and strengthen the ethical
and social framework of our society. We must act: nurturing our own
humanity and taking responsibility. Our personal actions and our
collective deeds are the antidote to indifference.

Rabbi Lee Bycel is senior advisor, Global Strategy of International
Medical Corps and a senior moderator at the Aspen Institute.

FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS

NBC4, CA
April 24 2006

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Flags will fly at half-staff in West
Hollywood Monday to honor Armenian victims of genocide.

An estimated 1.5 million Armenians died between 1915 and 1923 in the
waning days of Turkey’s Ottoman Empire.

Today is the 91st anniversary of what many Armenians consider the
start of the genocide, when Turkish authorities arrested 200 Armenian
community leaders.

The Turkish government says allegations of genocide have never
been proven.

Turkish Ambassador Nabi Sensoy, in response to the Public Broadcasting
Service documentary “Armenian Genocide,” said last week that
“Armenian allegations of genocide have never been historically or
legally substantiated.”

The West Hollywood City Council has passed a resolution “condemning
the human rights violations of the Turkish government,” according to
City Councilman Jeffrey Prang’s office. The resolution was introduced
by Prang and Councilwoman Abbe Land.

RA PRIME MINISTER ISSUES AN ADDRESS ON THE OCCASSION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
24.04.2006 14:50

On the occasion of the day of commemoration of Genocide victims an
address was issued also by RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The
address says in particular, “Every year on April 24 all Armenians in
motherland and the Diaspora bow before the memory of the numerous
Genocide victims. In 1915 this crime against the civilized world
was not prevented; moreover, it was not recognized and condemned,
thus serving as a basis for reoccurrence of new genocides. Today,
in the third millennium, Armenia considers the demonstration of
international political will directed at prevention of genocides a
primary issue and welcomes the aspiration of a number of countries
to jointly resist similar challenges to mankind. We welcome the fact
that annually the geography of countries recognizing and condemning
the Armenian Genocide expands, since the civil world realizes that it
is only through condemnation of this crime and realistic assessment
of historic facts that reoccurrence of similar crimes in future can
be prevented. Today the Genocide denial, distortion of facts does
not promote the stability and establishment of friendly relations in
the region.

Moreover, the atmosphere of non-punishment makes the execution of
similar crimes in the future possible.

Last years Armenians of the world marked the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, stressing once again that they are united
in their will to condemn the greatest tragedy of our history and to
join the efforts of the progressive mankind to promote the dialogue of
civilizations and to reinforce the international security system. This
year, when we are celebrating 15 years of our independence, it is more
than obvious that the efforts of the international community are not
enough to prevent the crime against a whole nation; it is necessary
also to unite the whole potential of the nation to strengthen
the Armenian state and to create a society loyal to democratic
values. During the past 15 years our efforts were directed at this
aim, and year by year the achievements in this direction become more
considerable.”

GAZAKH REGION UNDER FIRE

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
April 24 2006

On April 23 at 8.25 p.m. Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani
positions in Mazamli village of the Gazakh region On the same day at
10.30 p.m. Armenian troops fired Gushchu Ayrym village in the same
region and neighboring positions of Azerbaijani army from Voskevan
and Shavarshan villages in the Armenian Noemberian region.

At 11.35 p.m. Armenian troops opened fire from Aznakr mountain in
the Noemberian region. Gushchu Ayrym village was fired from machine
and sub-machine guns.

The Azerbaijani side returned fire, but casualties are not reported
by Defense Ministry’s press office.

Western Daily Press
April 22, 2006 Saturday

We’ve been nuked!

All they want to do is cycle to China – but yesterday an intrepid
West adventurer and his two pals became the latest casualties in the
ongoing nuclear row between the US and Iran.

Presidents George Bush and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won’t have heard of
Chris Taylor from Little Somerford, Wiltshire. But the 21-year-old is
certainly cursing them.

For Mr Taylor and his two friends George Wallis and Dave Wilson have
been barred from entering Iran, after cycling all the way to the
border and waiting two weeks for their visa applications to be dealt
with.

And now the trio – who are cycling about 10,000 miles to China to
raise money for Oxford’s Children’s Hospital and Medicins Sans
Frontiers – have had to redraw their plans considerably.

Instead of cycling straight on through Iran, into central Asia and on
to Beijing, they have had to turn left and head north around the
Islamic Republic.

And their woes don’t end there – for the border between Turkey and
Armenia is closed.

That means the cyclists will have to go that little bit further to
Georgia, skirt round Armenia and head instead for Baku, the capital
of neighbouring Azerbaijan, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Then
the three will have to catch a ferry across the world’s biggest
inland sea, to continue their journey from the other side.

The ferry crossing actually means that – despite the delays – the
trio will have to cycle 500 kilometres less, thanks to President
Ahmadinejad.

The trio found themselves stuck in the eastern Turkish city of
Erzurum while waiting to cross the nearby Iranian border.

“Our visa agency strung this saga out for four days, ” explained Mr
Taylor. “After resolving to camp in a phone box until we had an
answer, we finally received the bad news: unless we wanted to be
accompanied by a guide, the Alien Affairs Bureau stated that we could
not travel to Iran.”

He added: “We are obviously disappointed at not being able to
experience Iran, as our planned route would have taken us through
some of the major, historic Silk Road towns.

“Iran is also widely regarded as a very hospitable country, although
judging by our experience so far, I am sure both Georgia and
Azerbaijan will be equally friendly towards us.”

As the Western Daily Press reported last month, the three have had a
series of adventures on their travels through the Balkans and Turkey.
When the trio cycled through eastern Turkey they became instant media
stars, with camera crews and reporters following their every move.

The trio are now setting off for Georgia, and hope to arrive in
Beijing in August. For more information on their adventures, log on
to