Author: Emil Lazarian

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 31 2006

ARAZ AZIMOV: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN CAN COME TO COMMON DENOMINATOR
[March 31, 2006, 23:08:37]

On March 30, working visit of the deputy minister of foreign affairs
of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov to Canada and the USA has come to an end.
It should be reminded, that Araz Azimov is the co-chairman from the
Azerbaijan side in the American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety created
in 1996. The American co-chairman is John Hillen, Assistant Secretary
of State on Political-Military Affairs. Annual dialogue envisages
discussions on cooperation between two countries in military,
political spheres and in the field of security. At the present stage
of dialogue, the Azerbaijan party has been presented by delegation of
high level. Alongside with the deputy minister of foreign affairs, it
included the deputy minister of national security Fuad Iskenderov,
the deputy chief of State Frontier Service Farhad Tagizade and the
commander-in-chief of Navy Shahin Sultanov. The dialogue on safety
passed within a day on March 9 in the State Department. The agenda
included such questions, as cooperation in war with global terror,
prevention of distribution of the weapon of mass destruction,
strengthening of boundary security, activation of the
American-Azerbaijan cooperation in the international organizations.

Araz Azimov, along with participation in the dialogue, has met in
Washington with representatives of the state structures of the USA.
In talks with representatives of the Council of National Security,
Pentagon and Congress, have been considered such themes, as situation
on Southern Caucasus, ways of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
made statement in the Washington Center for Strategic and
International Studies on the topic “The Diary of Security of
Azerbaijan”.

Araz Azimov has given interview to Washington-based correspondent of
AzerTAc about results of visit to Northern America.

-You are the first official representative of Azerbaijan who has made
visit to Ottawa. At what level is the interest to Azerbaijan in this
country? What can you tell about the held discussions?

-Indeed, it is the first visit of the high-ranking delegation of the
Azerbaijan Republic to Canada. But our dialogue with Canada is going
for some years. I mean the meetings held Baku, bilateral meetings
within the multilateral forums. Canada and Azerbaijan are members of
a number of organizations. We cooperate within the Council of the
Euro-Atlantic partnership, OSCE. Though Canada geographically is far
from the Europe, nevertheless, it shows interest to processes
occurring in region and accepts in them participation. The Canadian
companies as the companies of the country rich with natural
resources, take direct participation in global power projects,
however, their interest to Azerbaijan yet cannot be named wide. For
this purpose, both parties should undertake mutual steps. First of
all, it is necessary to develop legal basis of our connections. Now
we have only one bilateral agreement. As the member of NATO, Canada
can promote performance of obligations of Azerbaijan in the
“Partnership for Peace” program. Besides, Canada has achieved
significant successes in the field of planning natural resources,
their development, creations of institutes, communications of the
state structures with private sector, information technologies, and
this experience can be useful for us.

Though it was not presented possible within one-day visit to discuss
all questions, nevertheless, we managed to concern basic problems
causing our concern. The position of Canada in the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict usually is not shown
distinctly enough. As a member of OSCE, this country till now
satisfied with only superficial moral and political support. But
gradually it is possible further approach of Canada to the given
question. In our region, there is a number of questions connected
with Canada causing our concern: for example, participation of some
Canadian companies in a number of illegal projects in Turkmenistan,
participation of the Canadian company in development of gold mines in
the occupied Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan. We have brought it to
attention of the government of Canada. But the explanations received
by us have shown, that the government of Canada do not connect itself
with the given companies and tries not to interfere with these
questions. We have listened to explanations, but have declared, that
Azerbaijan will continue to lead up the concern to the government of
Canada and to ask its help in the said questions. Certainly, simple
watching from aside will give nothing. Our embassy in Canada has been
functioning for two years. It managed to recover some of the
Azerbaijan societies in Canada. All these are the steps undertaken by
us. Simultaneously, we wait from Canada for reciprocal steps, first
of all, opening of Canadian embassy in Baku.

-The American-Azerbaijan dialogue on safety co-chairman of which you
are, is a frame mechanism. Projects initiated here are lead up to the
country leaders for reception of the right to realization. With what
concrete projects you come back in Baku after the present stage of
dialogue?

-The dialogue of safety – started in 1996 has opened opportunities
for studying questions in the field of safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan. Dialogue is necessary for strengthening even more. In
process of growth of authority and opportunities of Azerbaijan, it
will grow internationally and the threats for security. Azerbaijan
should be ready to it. The significant part of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the USA concerns military-political sphere, area of
safety, practical works in the said spheres. Though the support
rendered by America to Azerbaijan in these fields, is up to the mark,
nevertheless, we have more requirements. Attitude of America to the
given requirements testify that it is ready to closer cooperation. As
a whole, dialogue passes positively. Issues of the agenda also have
remained unchanged: safety of Azerbaijan at national and regional
level, relations within NATO, increase of the role of OSCE in ongoing
processes, settlement of regional conflicts, the relations among the
Caspian coastal states, military-political situation in the Caspian
basin. The complex of risks and threats in the Caspian region is
complicated enough. Elements of war, terrorism, and environment are
peculiar to it. In this sense, the USA will closely cooperate with
Azerbaijan. We have achieved some agreements. Some groups of experts
will arrive in Baku. They will study opportunities of connection of
Azerbaijan to the initiative on power, sea safety, and also the
initiative put forward by the “Great 8”, against distribution of the
weapons of mass destruction.

-Whether you had touched the question connected with Iran?

-On consideration of the situation in region, discussed was and this
question. We have informed, that the 130-kilometers site of the said
border is under occupation. The threats deriving from here should be
by all means considered. Also has been discussed the conditions in
the sector of Caspian adjacent with Iran. Some steps undertaken by
Iran in this area concerns Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly declared,
that over border of neighboring countries should be peace, it is
necessary to be respectful to these borders and observe them. We also
have noted, that we have various connections, trade relations with
Iran, as with a neighboring country. Many of our compatriots live in
Iran. In this sense, Azerbaijan with interest and concern watches
development of situation in Iran. We would not like, that there was a
crisis. We are for the peace settlement of questions.

-Recently Vartan Oskanian in his statement in Washington has told,
that Armenia approaches to the Nagorno-Karabakh question from the
position of definition of self-government of the mentioned region.
Azerbaijan repeatedly declared, that has faced in Nagorno Karabakh
with a separatist regime. Under what of these aspects the United
States consider the given conflict?

– The USA directly is engaged in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
They support the quick settlement of the conflict and ready to make
active efforts in this direction. Though various expressions are
used, nevertheless, the situation all the same. It is a question of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the conflict over the
Azerbaijani land, its settlement. Azerbaijan supports joint peaceful
residing of the Armenian and Azerbaijan communities in Nagorno
Karabakh and granting to them corresponding guarantee. I am
convinced, that at any stage Azerbaijan will achieve it as we have
other way. America should understand, and Armenia – to remember, that
the Azerbaijan state not only will disagree with the partition of the
lands, but also will prevent it. It should not be perceived as
toughening of our position. It is a position of principle with which
Azerbaijan holds from the very beginning, from first day of the
conflict. We shall remain on this position. We are ready to show
corresponding flexibility in settlement of conflict. I speak it,
including addressing to my compatriots, – living in Nagorno Karabakh,
the Armenian community should be provided by self-government in any
frameworks. As the Armenians assert, political forces of Azerbaijan
support proscription of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from this
region. It is not so. We never objected to residing of Armenians of
Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan, in this region. On the
contrary, we consider, that these people should possess corresponding
socio-political freedom, which it is necessary to provide with. It
should not be regarded as weakness of the Azerbaijan side. Azerbaijan
as the strong, modern, democratic state is ready to provide a normal
life of each citizen of any ethnic origin. However, from both sides,
there are extreme points. It is necessary to refuse them and come to
a common denominator. The extreme position of Armenia consists that
Nagorno Karabakh never was and will not be a part of Azerbaijan. It
is necessary to refuse this position. And the Azerbaijan government
should provide the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh
with model of self-government. Being based on the European models,
this model should recognize our territorial integrity, inviolability
of borders. It is not necessary to forget, that in Nagorno Karabakh
alongside with the Armenians also lived and the Azerbaijanis. In
statement of Vardan Oskanian and other politicians of Armenia they
admit distortions. They approve, that Azerbaijani population of
Nagorno Karabakh was few in number. First, it so not so, there lived
about 50-60 thousand Azerbaijanis. Secondly, what is the difference,
many, or few? Even if the point is of one thousand, value of the
given question cannot be denied. The Azerbaijani community by all
means should return to Nagorno Karabakh. We should provide use by
both communities of the same models of self-government within the
legislation of Azerbaijan. It is a constructive position of the
Azerbaijan side. We are ready to pass from such hard line, as
non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians, to such moderate
position, as maintenance of their rights. Thus, Armenia and
Azerbaijan can come to a common denominator. To name it somehow
definitely is premature, and it is unimportant. The main thing is,
that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored with
assistance of the international community, and it is necessary to
guarantee the rights of the Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh.
This question has been brought to attention of the American side. We
have discussed it with the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group from
the USA Steven Mann. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who the next weeks
will visit Washington, will continue discussions with Mr. Steven
Mann.

-Till 2001, one of the objects of discussion of dialogue on safety
was the 907th section. It has been for some years, as it has become
invalid, but continuing, nevertheless, to remain an unfair part of
the American law. Whether the given question on discussions was
touched?

-Yes, the 907th Section is still discussed. But I should tell, that
when the section held good, owing to the work carried out within the
dialogue of safety, it was possible for US to render assistance to
Azerbaijan. Today, nobody considers this Section strong. Very soon it
will be possible to cancel it completely. But our long efforts,
political will are necessary for this purpose and comprehensible
political conditions. Though the canceling of Section is a question
of principle, nevertheless, it should not interfere with our
cooperation with the USA. As I have already told, it has become
invalid. It should serve as a good lesson for the Armenians.

-As a result of work of dialogue on safety, it became possible
creation of the American-Azerbaijan working group on economic
reforms. Whether there are plans of creation in future of working
groups on other spheres of mutual cooperation?

-Owing to efforts of dialogue on safety between the USA and
Azerbaijan, there began our cooperation not only in the field of
economic reforms, but also have begun regular contacts, meetings in
the military sphere. Other power structures also closely cooperate.
Currently, we develop programs of cooperation on the Caspian and the
basin. For realization of it, it will be possible to create
corresponding working groups in coming years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR IMPORTANT PART OF REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM TODAY: NKR VICE FM

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 31 2006

YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. Nagorno-Karabakh is important part of the
regional security system today, the Permanent Representation of the
NKR in the USA reported that NKR Vice Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan
stated this during the activity on the topic “The Karabakh Conflict:
View from Stepanakert”.

In his talk Mailyan represented the NKR authorities’ position regarding
the peaceful settlement to the conflict and pointed out factors of
the regional security and stability: strengthening of the ceasefire
agreement, inclusion of the NKR in international processes and its
international recognition.

The meeting was organized by the Center of Strategic and
International Researches on Tuesday. Participating in the activity
were representatives of the US Department of State and Pentagon,
foreign diplomats, NGOs, Azerbaijani reporters and experts, and also
representatives of the Armenian Diaspora.

On the same day Mailyan, together with the permanent representative of
the NKR in the USA Vardan Barseghyan, met with Vice Co-Chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group from the USA, Head of the Department of Caucasian
Countries Elizabeth Ruti. They discussed the current process of
settlement to the Karabakh conflict.

The NKR Vice Foreign Minister also met with members of the committee
of directors of the Americans of Artsakh organization. During the
meeting they discussed the organization’s program in the sphere of
democracy and governance, and also Artakh’s economic development.

Mailyan one more time stated that the NKR Foreign Ministry is ready
to contribute to the organization’s program.

Armenia Transfers Important Energy Objects To Russia

Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 31 2006

Tbilisi, March 31 (Prime-News) – Yerevan newspaper “Aikakan Jamanak”,
referring to reliable sources, states that Russia and Armenia have
signed an agreement on transference of the 5th power unit of Razdan
thermoelectric power station and Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to the
Russian party.

According to the newspaper, the 5th power unit of the thermoelectric
power station will be transferred to the Russian party for USD 250
million, which will allow purchase of Russian gas at the reduced
price for 2,5 years.

Besides, Russian party could become owner of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

“Iran could hamper the agreement, thus Iranian party will not do
it if Moscow does not put obstacles to its nuclear program” – reads
the newspaper.

According to the newspaper, not so long ago a reception was held at
Armenian Ministry of Energy with participation of Russian ‘Gazprom’
high-ranking officials.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/31/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

1) ANCA Launches Nationwide Telethon
2) Karabagh Citizens Have Never Been and Will Never Be Azeri Citizens
3) Ankara May Soon Open Its Borders with Armenia, Says Daniel Fried
4) OSCE Has No Problem with Karabagh’s Participation in Talks
5) EU Concerned with Violence in Turkey
6) Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to Host Armenian Genocide
Exhibit, LAUSD Training
7) USC Armenian Graduate Students’ Association Donates $5,000 to
Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association
8) Los Angeles Based Architect Redesigns Karabagh Hospital
9) ARF Badanegan Seminar
10) Youth And Our Church: By Pattyl Aposhian
11) Critics’ Forum: Film and Music: By Hovig Tchalian
12) Thank You Vecdi: By Garen Yegparian

1) ANCA Launches Nationwide Telethon

–Grassroots advocacy organization expanding operations in nation’s Capital
and
across US

(WASHINGTON, DC)–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) will
launch its first nationwide telethon on May 21, 2006 with the theme “Securing
our roots~E Building for the future.”
The goal of the telethon, which will air throughout the United States on
television stations in major Armenian communities and via satellite TV, is to
raise funds to expand ANCA’s work and programs in service to the Armenian
Cause
(Hai Tahd). The ANCA has been stepping up its advocacy efforts over the last
decade on many issues important to the Armenian community and the telethon
will
raise the additional financial resources necessary to meet the growing
challenges facing the Armenian people.
As a first step in these expansion plans, in early March the ANCA Endowment
made a historic announcement regarding a state-of-the-art building it
purchased
from AOL founder Steve Case, which is located in the heart of the nation’s
capital, Washington, DC. The building, which is equipped with the latest
technology, is located blocks from the White House and near Embassy Row.
“Now is the time to build on our successes with a national telethon
devoted to
‘Hai Tahd’–the Armenian Cause,” said Ken Hachikian, Chairman of the ANCA. “We
look forward to generating the increased political power, influence, and
respect that the Armenian American community deserves–and that the Armenian
homeland needs. Purchasing a building in the heart of Washington, DC’s
political establishment gives the Armenian Cause a permanent home in the US
and
provides a platform to expand our service to the Armenian nation.”
The ANCA telethon will be broadcast from 6:00 PM to midnight Eastern Standard
Time (EST) and 3:00-9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on May 21 and will
feature a wide array of engaging programming including documentaries,
prominent
political figures, community representatives, and artistic performances, all
with an eye toward raising substantial funds to support the ANCA’s advocacy
programs throughout the United States.
“The launch of the ANCA Telethon represents a historic occasion to both
demonstrate the substantial progress and results the ANCA has achieved for the
Armenian Cause and to outline our plans for the future,” said Zanku Armenian,
spokesperson for the ANCA Telethon. “We are at a defining moment for Hai Tahd
and need to expand our infrastructure to meet the increasing challenges from
the many forces arrayed against our nation, our homeland, and our struggle for
justice. The Telethon will provide a unique forum to unify our community’s
strength, foster greater participation, and generate the resources we need to
advance the Armenian Cause.”
The genesis of the ANCA Telethon theme, “Securing our roots~E Building for the
future,” reflects the ANCA’s respect for our roots and our aspirations for the
future. “Securing our roots” represents our enduring historic roots as a
people, our grassroots around the country, and our deep roots in Washington,
DC. At its core, grassroots advocacy is the very soul of the ANCA. While
“Building for the future” represents the ANCA’s constant efforts to expand its
effectiveness as a world-class organization, recognized internationally as the
principled and forceful voice of the Armenian American community.

2) Karabagh Citizens Have Never Been and Will Never Be Azeri Citizens

YEREVAN (Yerkir/Armenpress)– Azerbaijan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov said Friday that Baku was prepared to negotiate a peace agreement
directly with Karabagh’s authorities if the Armenians of Karabagh acknowledge
that they are citizens of Azerbaijan.
Mountainous Karabagh Republic’s (MKR) Foreign Affairs Ministry responded by
saying that MKR authorities responded that they have always supported direct
participation in the negotiations without preconditions.
“Karabagh citizens have never been and will never be citizens of Azerbaijan.
The statements by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry are made for the Azeri
public and do not reflect the reality of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict
settlement,” added MKR’s Foreign Ministry.
Mamedyarov also said that Armenia must walk out of the negotiation process
and
recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
“But I am afraid Armenia would not want Azerbaijan to hold direct talks with
Nagorno-Karabagh,” he was quoted by Trend news agency as saying. Mamedyarov
reiterated that Baku would have to resort to force to end the conflict if the
talks did not produce progress.

3) Ankara May Soon Open Its Borders with Armenia, Says Daniel Fried

WASHINGTON, DC (Armenpress)–Daniel Fried, the US Assistant State Secretary on
Eurasian and European affairs, said after his visit to the South Caucasus that
“Ankara may open its borders with Armenia in a short period of time.”
According to Turkish “Aksham,” Fried said that during his meetings in Ankara
he discussed the issue of opening the Turkish-Armenian border and told the
Turkish government that the US demands the border be opened.
Fried also mentioned the issue of the Armenian genocide, saying that works is
being done to make Turkey come into terms with its history.

4) OSCE Has No Problem with Karabagh’s Participation in Talks

(Combined Sources)–The American co-chair of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Steven Mann, said that the
participation of Karabagh in the negotiating process is up to the conflicting
sides.
“The approach of the OSCE MG co-chairs is as follows: if the parties are for
involving the Nagorno Karabagh in the talks, we will support this option,”
Mann
said.
The American co-chair also commented on the more frequent ceasefire
violations
along the line of contact.
“The Personal Envoy of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzej Kasprzyk informs
us regularly about this issue,” he said, adding that the conflicting parties
often discuss how to maintain the ceasefire.
“The most optimal method should be agreed on in order to avoid war,” said
Mann. “The United States thinks that 2006 is a promising year for reaching a
peace accord. However, it will not be possible to completely solve the
conflict
in 2006, because it needs many years.”
“I think the parties will decrease the risk of war. I do not think anyone is
interested in resuming the war,” the US diplomat said. “However, the ceasefire
violation does not sound good.”
Mann also said that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs might hold their next
meeting in April. He said that the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers may
also meet soon, “but the exact date of this meeting has not yet been set.”
“We [the co-chairs] are analyzing the situation and specifying our next
steps,” Mann said.

5) EU Concerned with Violence in Turkey

(Reuters/AP)–The European Union expressed serious concern on Friday over
violent clashes which have killed six people, including two children, in
southeast Turkey and urged Ankara to improve the rights of Kurds in the
region.

Stone-throwing Kurds have been clashing with riot police in Diyarbakir since
Tuesday, turning the city of one million people on the River Tigris into a
battle zone.
It is the worse violence in the Muslim nation since it began accession talks
with the 25-nation European Union last October.
“We are very concerned by the latest tensions in the southeast of Turkey and
the violence, which have resulted in casualties,” said Krisztina Nagy,
spokeswoman for the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
“We are aware of the serious terrorist problem in the region but it is a much
wider problem than just a security issue.”
The EU’s view was echoed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which
governs the northern part of Iraq, bordering Turkey’s own Kurdish region.
“What happened here is an example of a continuing problem of Turkey using
force to solve what is a political and economic problem,” Burham Jaf, KRG
permanent representative to the EU told Reuters.
“There needs to be a focus on a political solution and all sides need to
start
talking to each other,” adds the Iraqi Kurd official.
More than 30,000 people, most of them Kurds, have been killed since the
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) took up arms for a Kurdish homeland in Turkey in
1984.
Turkey, the European Union, and the United States all see the PKK as a
terrorist organization, but the EU has also repeatedly urged Ankara to grant
greater cultural and linguistic rights to its 12 million Kurds. Under
pressure,
Turkey’s government has passed some reforms, but implementation has remained
patchy.
The European Commission urged the Turkish authorities to address “urgently”
the lack of economic development and cultural rights in that region.
“The region needs peace, economic development, and real exercise of cultural
rights for Kurds,” Nagy said, adding that this was not a new problem and was
raised constantly by the European Commission in its talks with Turkey.
Asked whether the EU executive was critical of Turkish police actions, Nagy
said she was worried by the whole situation.
The clashes first erupted on Tuesday after funeral ceremonies for 14 PKK
rebels killed by troops last weekend.
An eight-year-old child died overnight in hospital. A man and a child were
shot dead on Wednesday and a second man was crushed under a police armored
car.
It was not immediately clear when or how the other two people died.
Political analysts say the clashes reflect local anger over high
unemployment,
poverty and Ankara’s refusal to grant more autonomy and cultural rights to the
mainly Kurdish region.
Police spokesman Ismail Caliskan said the PKK was behind the violence.
Police are also claiming that Kurds were behind Friday’s explosion in
Istanbul, which killed one person and injured 13 others.
The blast occurred at a bus stop in the Kocamustafapasa district. A police
official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said authorities suspect that
autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels may have been behind the blast.
Turkey bars civil servants from speaking to journalists without prior
authorization.
Video footage broadcast on CNN-Turk television showed debris scattered across
a residential street, covering the sidewalk and parked cars.
Police carrying submachine guns tried to keep crowds of people from the site.
A bomb disposal expert wearing protective gear checked nearby garbage cans.

6) Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to Host Armenian Genocide
Exhibit, LAUSD Training

LOS ANGELES–City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo will host an exhibit and teacher
training workshop for Los Angeles Unified School District teachers about the
Armenian genocide at Los Angeles City Hall on April 3.
The exhibit, iwitness, features striking portraits and oral histories of
Genocide survivors and will be on display through the end of April. The
teacher
training workshop will be conducted by The Genocide Education Project, a
non-profit educational organization, which will ultimately train more than 300
LAUSD world history teachers about the Armenian genocide.
The workshop, which incorporates elements of the iwitness exhibit in its
lesson plans, will take place at City Hall from 8 AM to 3 PM on April 3, with
the opening reception for iwitness at 5 PM.
“I am proud to be hosting both iwitness and the training for LAUSD teachers,”
said Delgadillo. “The photos and personal accounts of these survivors not only
humanize the Genocide but also foster awareness through a powerful combination
of art and education.”
Deputy City Attorney Sara Anjargolian, a policy advisor to Delgadillo who
also
serves as the Office’s liaison to the Armenian community, said the program
would have a broad impact. “As the City Attorney for one of the most diverse
cities in the world, Rocky Delgadillo is keenly aware of the importance of
teaching about the Genocide and the crucial historical lessons it provides for
all Angelenos,” she said.
Iwitness, an exhibit by The Genocide Project and photographers Ara Oshagan
and
Levon Parian, combines portraits of Armenian genocide survivors with their
eyewitness accounts. Collected over a nearly 10-year period, iwitness also
features historical photos and testimonials from American and other officials
stationed in the Ottoman Empire during the Genocide.
“Iwitness brings together not only the photos of the survivors and their
eyewitness stories but also historical photos of the actual events and
accounts
by foreigners–American, British, Austrian officials–who saw what was
happening and attempted to prevent it,” said photographer Levon Parian. “The
viewer of the exhibit will not only get a glimpse into the individual personal
tragedies of survivors but also an idea of the historical context in which it
all took place.”
The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit organization that assists
educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the
Armenian genocide, by developing and distributing instructional materials,
providing access to teaching resources and organizing educational
workshops. It
has been involved for nearly a decade in providing invaluable materials for
teachers and has created one of the most important genocide resources sites on
the net at
“We are currently in the process of one of our most important projects–a
series of one day workshops targeted at training LAUSD world history teachers
about the Armenian genocide,” says Raffi Momjian, Executive Director of The
Genocide Education Project. “The fact the LA City Attorney’s office is hosting
one of our workshops in association with the iwitness exhibit is critical in
raising awareness of the importance of teaching not only the Genocide but all
human rights abuses.”
Iwitness has been featured in the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine and on
National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” and has been exhibited in the
California and Texas State Senate rotundas and the Rotunda of the Capitol in
Washington, DC. It has also been exhibited at the Downey Museum of Art.
Iwitness will be on display at the City Attorney’s Office through the
month of
April. For more information, or to schedule a student field trip to the
exhibit, please call (213) 978-8100.
To RSVP for the April 3 opening reception, please email [email protected] or
call (213) 978-1575 by March 31.

7) USC Armenian Graduate Students’ Association Donates $5,000 to
Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association

GLENDALE–At their 2006 Annual Gala & Live Auction in February, the University
of Southern California Armenian Graduate Students’ Association (USC AGSA)
raised nearly $25,000 for charity projects in Armenia. As a non-profit
organization working to enhance the lives of the people in Ghapan and
surrounding villages, the Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA)
received $5,000 from the USC AGSA to renovate a youth center in the Village of
Dantsaver.
“Our collaboration with the Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association developed
naturally since we share the common visionto strategically preserve and
fortify
our homeland,” said Armen Margarian, president of the USC Graduate Students’
Association. “The Dantsaver Village Youth Center project was especially near
and dear to us as young Armenians living in the US since we feel that an
integral part of our duty is to reach out to our fellow siblings in Armenia
and
develop professional relationships that will aid in their success in the
international, academic, and professional arenas,” continued Margarian.
“We are thrilled and so grateful not only that the USC AGSA students are
globally aware, but are actively involved in nation-building by hosting events
that assist the not-so-privileged in Armenia prosper and thrive,” said Artin
Manoukian, president of the Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association. “We
encourage other like-minded organizations to come forward as it is through the
collaborative efforts of community members and organizations such as the USC
AGSA that our mission of cultivating economic cooperation and cultural
exchanges can be realized, all the while enhancing the standard of living for
our brethren in Armenia” added Manoukian.
Since its inception in 2002, the GGSCA has been actively working to fulfill
its mission by concentrating its efforts on improving the conditions in the
pre-schools, the healthcare system in Ghapan and the surrounding villages. In
2005, a much-needed ambulance donated by the City of Glendale Fire Department
was delivered to Ghapan along with 30 hospital beds donated by Dr. Vartkes and
Mrs. Mary Najarian. With proceeds from an event held at Hoover High School in
Glendale, the GGSCA delivered bedding for 1200 pre school students including
sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and uniforms for the staff. This project
served
a dual purpose by providing needed goods, and also by contributing to Ghapan’s
local economy by employing the local Blind and Handicapped Association to sew
the items.
During Easter last year, the Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association
delivered
gifts including backpacks, school supplies, and lunch sets to 1200 Ghapan
preschoolers. This Easter, the GGSCA is preparing its shipment of similar
items
to be sent to 1200 preschoolers in Ghapan and 300 others in surrounding
villages.
In addition to the renovation of the youth center in Dantsaver village with
USC AGSA’s generous support, some of GGSCA’s upcoming projects include the
opening of the completely renovated school in Norashenik village by the
Armenian Educational Foundation and a section of Pre-School Number 8 by Mr.
and
Mrs. Kahren Beniassians. Also scheduled for autumn 2006 is a trip to Ghapan
with a medical delegation from Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
Through the joint effort of the Armenian National Committee of Glendale, the
City of Glendale, and the City of Ghapan, the GGSCA was established to help
cultivate economic cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two cities.
In December 2002, the Glendale City Council passed a resolution recognizing
Ghapan as a Sister City. GGSCA is a non-profit organization that aims to
foster
goodwill and understanding through cultural, educational, and economic
cooperation between the people of Glendale and Ghapan.
For more information or to contribute to GGSCA, please contact (818) 828-8882
or email at [email protected].

8) Los Angeles Based Architect Redesigns Karabagh Hospital

LOS ANGELES–In early March, Armenia Fund’s Western US Region led a hospital
reconstruction team to the war-torn Martakert region of Karabagh. The purpose
of the site visit was to formulate architectural and engineering plans for the
new regional healthcare facility. The project will be funded by donations
collected during the 2005 Telethon as part of the Martakert Regional
Development plan. In addition, a number of long time benefactors in the
western
US region sponsored the reconstruction of specific departments of the
hospital.
Arturo Fribourg, a Los Angeles based architect specializing in public works
and health care facilities, was a part of the team visiting the hospital.
Fribourg will provide the conceptual design of the hospital. Karabagh-based
architect Mamikon Farsian, will tailor the design to local construction and
medical codes and prepare the final drawings in accordance with Fribourg’s
plan
for the hospital.
Prior to his departure to Armenia, Fribourg worked with Dr. Alina Dorian,
senior program manager at the UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters, to
map out the initial plans. Dorian, who is currently in Karabagh, is part of
the
team as the public healthcare advisor. She will prepare the region’s
healthcare
program and will oversee the development of a modern healthcare
administration.
Built in the early 1970’s, the Soviet-era hospital has deteriorated due to
improper maintenance. The hospital was severely damaged in the war, suffering
aerial missile attacks and looting. The renovated hospital will be up to
western standards and meet the needs of the region.
During the visit to Karabagh, Fribourg met with the president of Mountainous
Karabagh Republic, Arkady Ghoukasian and Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian.
Ghoukasian thanked Fribourg for embarking on this challenging project and
pledged full support for the proper and timely completion of the project. Led
by Armenia Fund’s Executive Director, Sarkis Kotanjian, the team also met with
Health Minister Dr. Zoya Lazaryan and Chief Administrator of the Hospital Dr.
Sergei Ohanian to learn about immediate and long term healthcare needs of the
Martakert Region as well as problems facing the hospital.
According to the schedule, all architectural designs will be completed by
late
April, paving the way for a full-scale reconstruction during the late spring
months of 2006. The project is expected to be completed within the next 12-18
months with a brief hiatus during the harsh winter months.
After construction is complete, Armenia Fund will furnish the new hospital
with modern medical supplies and state of the art equipment. Currently,
Armenia
Fund is working on obtaining special grants and in-kind donations from major
healthcare providers throughout the United States. For more information on
this
project, please visit

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501©(3) tax-exempt corporation established
in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development
assistance to Armenia and Karabagh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the US Western
Region
affiliate of “Hayastan.” All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698

9) ARF Badanegan Seminar

The ARF Badanegan Organization of Western America held its Annual Winter
Seminars during the weekends of February 3-5 and February 24-26.
Each year, the Badanegan Central Council of the ARF organizes two weekend
sessions, during which Badanees from all over Southern California gather at
AYF
Camp in Big Pines, California. Session one of this year’s seminar had over 50
participants between the ages of 9 and 13. More than 120 badanees between the
ages of 14 and 17 participated in second session of the seminars.
During the weekend seminars, participants were able to meet and interact with
different badanees from various chapters, participate in workshops and
educationals, take part in a talent show, as well as go on hikes, play games,
compete in a quizbowl, discuss current events, and learn about Armenian
history.
The ARF BCC would like to thank all badanees and advisors for
participating in
this year’s Seminars.
If you’re interested in obtaining more information about the ARF Badanegan
Organization, please contact us at [email protected] or
visit
our website at

10) Youth And Our Church

By Pattyl Aposhian

My hand trembles as I open the rusted mailbox outside my house. This tin box
contains my future. Quickly, I begin making promises to myself–be it
attending
Sunday mass, volunteering as a mentor for the local church youth group, or
even
a task as simple as lighting a candle~E all in return for a letter of
admission.
At that moment, I think of everything and anything to deepen my faith and
truly
seek God before I read the letter that will change my life.
As I tear open the envelope, a smile lights up my face when I read the
official letter of acceptance. Instantaneously, I forget the small promises
made seconds ago and go about my life as I had before–without doing anything
differently.
It’s either the best of times or the worst of times. Teenagers today have
come
to view faith and the church as an escape from reality or a forum for social
happiness. We turn to the church during the birth of a child or the
marriage of
a friend or loved one. We turn to the church when we have scored a 170 on our
LSAT’s and received an acceptance letter from Harvard Law School. We turn to
the church when our lives are moving in the right direction and we know,
without question, that our faith and belief in God had something to do with
it.

On the other hand, we turn to our church and clergymen to ask “why?” Why
didn’t I get accepted to Business School? Why did the police officer stop me
for speeding and slap me with a DUI? Why are my friends allowed to break
curfew
and I’m not? Why has life thrown me a curve ball?
Seem too simple? Today’s youth questions faith on different levels. An older
individual reading this article may view hardship and its link to faith
differently than a teenager. A teenager may turn to faith because of problems
such as peer pressure, materialism, beauty, and perhaps even a need for
acceptancein other words, subject matters that adults “just don’t
understand.”
Times have changed. Generations before us viewed church differently than
we do
today. Attending church every Sunday was not an option for our parents or
grandparents. Going to the wedding reception and “skipping” the church
ceremony
was unthinkable.
Now, it has become a matter of choice. The “cool” way to attend church is to
hang out in the quad or parking lot twice a yearEaster and Christmasas you use
the opportunity to wear your Sunday best and socialize with friends. Some
of us
make a small effort and go into the church to light a candle. We spot a place
to sit between two elderly women and think otherwise. We stand near the door
for two minutes, observing the sea of salt and pepper hair only to realize
that
the average age of attendees is double ours. We walk away thinking this sermon
really isn’t for us anyways.
Reality is, the younger generation just doesn’t understand–seeking faith is
not something that takes place on our clock. Attending church should not be
associated with social gatherings or harrowing times. Our faith should
surround
us every day and be blind to time schedules, daily occurrences, and our own
personal lives.
Armenian youth are an integral part of the Armenian culture and our faith is
an important determining factor in our choice of values. The Western
Prelacy of
Armenian Churches has committed to taking the youth deeper into the Bible,
prayer, and mentoring programs so that Generation X and Y will be grounded to
our faith. By witnessing the need for special programs for youth, the Church
has responded to the needs of the Armenian community by setting up youth
groups
and youth services. With every passing day, youth programs are growing
stronger
and developing along practical lines of life.
We are more fortunate than our counterparts of the 1960s and 1970s. Our
personalities seem much more cheerful. We do not drift along with the current.
Our behavior is more practical and reasonable. We survive by adaptation,
and we
seek development through creativity. In other words, the manifestation of our
sense of values regarding faith, knowledge, spirituality, work, modernization,
marriage, consumerism, and other areas of life, all have a special
personality,
and reflect trends in society’s development.
If we compare the values of today’s youth with those of an older
tradition, we
find these values significantly different. We, Generation X and Y, not only
emphasize the life of the spirit, but we also pay greater attention to
material
life and the quality of life. For example, the traditional Armenian attitude
towards life is: be content with what you have, be hardworking and thrifty,
study hard, and bear your burdens. But today’s youth seek a life of quality
and
beauty. We have doubts about the traditional value system, and we challenge
it.
Sometimes, we do not understand why our parents repeatedly emphasize
industriousness and hard work. The atmosphere of consumerism prevails, but the
Armenian community still emphasizes duty, practicality, steadfastness, and
patience. But today’s youth seek novel things. We seek success; we want to
travel; we want to enjoy gatherings of family and friends. We also seek a
variety of social stimuli. However, we still seek faith and spirituality.
With the changes and developments in modern society taking place so rapidly,
everyone is adapting quickly, especially the Western Prelacy. The Church
understands the challenge of youth involvement and the influence of democratic
ideas, equality, and modern technology. The church sees the change in family
life, schools, and society and reflects on how it can play the role of prophet
and speak out for justice in society. Furthermore, the Church has taken its
commitment to the youth further by adapting to their needs.
Therefore, I ask the Armenian youth? Where are you? Why can’t you log off
myspace.com a couple of hours early and attend church on Sunday? Why can’t you
make friends at youth group gatherings rather than flirt with disaster at
local
bars and coffee houses? In short, why are you not actively involved with the
church?
The church has done its share. Now, it’s our turn to prove that the Armenian
youth is willing, dedicated, and faithful.

11) Critics’ Forum

Film and Music

Belated History: Revisiting Atom Egoyan’s “Ararat”

By Hovig Tchalian

It may seem unusual to review a film released almost four years ago. But
as we
enter the first year of the tenth decade of commemorating the Armenian
genocide, Atom Egoyan’s “Ararat” (2002) presents an ideal opportunity to do so
in the context of the film’s central theme, the uncanny act of
remembering–again.
“Ararat” is a powerful, reverent and unquestionably personal look at the
ravages of the Genocide, both immediate and more distant. But the film as a
whole is also deeply flawed, precisely because of its personal nature.
Like Egoyan’s other films, the premise of “Ararat” is complex and
multi-layered. It revolves ostensibly around the making of a film about the
Genocide by Edward Saroyan (played by Charles Aznavour), a well-known director
now well past his prime. In typical Egoyan fashion, the stories of the other
characters weave themselves into the central story of the making of Saroyan’s
film: Raffi, the main character (played credibly by David Alpay), is in love
with his step-sister, Celia; she is locked in struggle with his mother, Ani
(played by Egoyan’s wife, Arsinée Khanjian); Ani is an art historian
interested
in Arshile Gorky (played movingly by Simon Abkarian) and his representation of
himself and his mother, which Celia accuses her of using as a way of coming to
terms with the death (or, according to Celia, her murder) of her second
husband, Celia’s father; the film’s producer, Rouben (played by Eric
Bogosian),
hires Ani as a consultant, in order to help add elements of Gorky’s biography
as a plotline in the film.
The stories converge on Raffi’s attempt to bring (or perhaps sneak) several
rolls of film into the United States that he claims to have shot in Anatolia
(present-day Eastern Turkey, historically Western Armenia) for use in the
production. An aging customs officer, David (played ably by Christopher
Plummer), is the only person who stands in his way. David is himself close to
retirement and having trouble adjusting to his divorced son’s relationship
with
his half-Turkish gay lover (played by Elias Koteas), an actor who winds up
playing the part of the main Turkish antagonist in Saroyan’s film, Jevdet
Bey.
As is clear from the extended synopsis above, the various elements of the
film
make for a complex storyline. Though it can be argued that some of the details
are “wasted” here (other, better films, of Egoyan’s are far more “efficient”
and less heavy-handed), there is still a clear purpose to them. For instance,
the twin details of the director’s waning talentsa fact mentioned off-handedly
by Raffiand the customs officer’s impending retirementrevealed slowly
throughoutare subtle but significant. Together, they represent the film’s
central concern, what we might call the “latency” or “belatedness” of
historyin
other words, the difficulty of proving after the fact an event that took place
in the past. We understand that the Genocide narrative in the imaginary
film is
told too late to change the facts but, equally, struggling even to transmit
them meaningfully to posterity. Like its director, the film is tragically past
its prime. The same may be said of any attempt to capture the full weight of
history, a fact that Egoyan (as a director of the film that tells its own,
similar story) recognizes all too well.
The two aging characters and the structure of the film-within-a-film repeat
themselves across a host of other dualities: we find out that Ani has been
married twice, first to Raffi’s father, who was killed in an attempt to
assassinate a Turkish diplomat, and second to Celia’s father, who apparently
(and like Gorky) committed suicide; we discover that Raffi is actually
sneaking
two sets of films across the border, one set of rolls (that may in fact
contain
Heroin) given to him by the Turkish soldier who helped him get into view of
Ararat and a roll of film that he took on his own camcorder that includes a
shot of the Madonna and child in Aghtamar that mirrors Gorky’s painting; we
are
also told that Gorky painted that image in 1934, as a way of coming to terms
with the killing of his mother in 1915 (an act that Ani is trying to uncover
and understand in the present).
Such parallels, sometimes subtle and sometimes less so, all build on the idea
of belatedness. They do not represent dualities so much as an almost endless
string of repetitions and revisions, of strange but hopeful attempts, as I
suggested earlier, to remember–again. By the end of the film, the sheer
number
and dizzying array of motifs in the film come perilously close to overwhelming
its subject as well as its viewer.
A surprisingly effective repetition in the film is the one that involves Ali,
who plays the part of the Turkish official, Jevdet Bey, in Saroyan’s film. He
is a half-Turkish American citizen who reveals during the course of filming
that he has trouble believing that the Genocide was ever more than a civil
disturbance and those killed much more than casualties of war. Raffi’s futile
attempt to convince him otherwise is more than an act of will. His
all-too-human response of confronting a Genocide denierin the person of
Alibecomes at the same time a heroic attempt to reach back into and reverse
history itselfin the person of Jevdet Bey. History and art collide in Raffi’s
personal encounter with collective memory and the reconstruction of historical
experience.
The personal nature of Raffi’s encounter ensures the emotional and artistic
integrity of the film, its heart and soul. But surprisingly, it also
represents
the film’s undoing. The delicate balance between art and tragedy
represented in
Raffi’s experience begins to unravel as we extend it to include Egoyan’s own
experience of making a quite personal film about the Genocide. From this
broader perspective, the film is unable to navigate the fine line between art
and historical commentary. In that sense, the complex associations among the
film’s various elements must be seen as a heroic but doomed attempt to capture
the fullness of the Genocide and its implications, both personal and
collective. To put it differently, the film puts forward the idea that a
historical event is infinitely complex, all the while attempting to shed light
on what actually happened. Not surprisingly, reviews of the film have
described
it either as “slanted” or “committed,” a distinction that even a filmmaker of
Egoyan’s talents would be hard-pressed to overcome.
As mentioned earlier, the film’s complex plot converges on Raffi’s attempt to
sneak the rolls of film out of Turkey and into the States, and in the film’s
rationale, into the light of day. The customs officer, David, suspects that
the
roll given to Raffi by the soldier contains drugs. David explains that many of
those who ingest those drugs to sneak them past the officers, when confronted
with the crime, get so nervous that the packets explode in their system,
causing an immediate overdose. The conversation parallels the very first scene
in the film, in which Aznavour’s character, Saroyan, tries to get a
pomegranate
(“nour”) past customs. (It also parallels the imagined story in Saroyan’s
film,
in which Gorky fails in his attempt to get a letter about the Turkish siege on
Van to the American authorities and is caught by Jevdet Bey.) When David
refuses to allow Saroyan to bring the fruit across the border, Saroyan ingests
the seeds instead, explaining that he expects them to bring him luck. (We find
out later that his mother, a deportee, had a single pomegranate with her on
her
journey and survived by ingesting a seed a day and considering it a full
meal.)
The most obvious parallel in all these cases is to the truth at the heart of
the Genocide, which starts as a letter of distress in Saroyan’s film and
becomes, in Egoyan’s, both pomegranate seed and packet of heroin,
sustaining to
those who would give it life and a potentially explosive issue to those intent
on suppressing it.
The film’s resolution, if there is one, comes in the form of Raffi’s
liberation. David releases him from customs, accepting the various lies he has
told as a way of getting at the truth, of imagining its possibility. This act
in turn leads to David’s acceptance of his son and sets everything that has
come before it awash in the light of hope. It is reminiscent of perhaps the
single most affecting moment in the film, in which Gorky, struggling to paint
his mother’s portrait, gives himself over to the music playing on his
phonograph and dances to it, palette and paintbrush in hand. Egoyan has
earlier
shown us captive Armenian women made to dance by Turkish soldiers, a scene
that
transforms Gorky’s, by contrast, into the ultimate act of imagination and
hope,
a dance on the grave of history itself.
The film’s final scene is of Gorky’s mother sewing a button back onto her
son’s jacket. The button is missing in Gorky’s famous portrait but hidden from
view, covered over by a flower his mother gives him to hold over it just
before
the photograph is taken. The humble act of sewing it back on stands in for the
far more difficult goal of setting history right, after the fact. It presents
the film’s hopeful answer to the problems posed by history’s belatedness.
“Ararat” is not Atom Egoyan’s finest film. That distinction belongs to “The
Sweet Hereafter” (1997), a simple, graceful and ultimately more powerful
meditation on the effects of a school bus crash on the residents of a
Midwestern town. The earlier film does not try as hard to confront the full
impact of its tragedy, though one admittedly smaller in scope. Paradoxically,
Egoyan’s personal feelings about the events depicted in “Ararat” render it a
painfully personal attempt to address an unresolved historical tragedy in all
its complexity. But it is worth revisiting, if only to confront the immensity
and hope of the enterprise.

Hovig Tchalian holds a PhD in English literature from UCLA. He has edited
several journals and also published articles of his own. You can reach him or
any of the other contributors to Critics’ Forum at [email protected].
This and all other articles published in this series are available online at
<;www.critics forum.org. To sign up for a weekly
electronic version of new articles, go to
<;www.cri ticsforum.org/join. Critics’ Forum
is a
group created to discuss issues relating to Armenian art and culture in the
Diaspora.

12) Thank You Vecdi

By Garen Yegparian

We haven’t had this much Turkish fun in the LA basin for a while. I suppose
the Turkish government had forgotten where the victims of its genocidal
policies reside in large numbers.
We of course demonstrated outside the Beverly Hills Hilton where Turkish
Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul was addressing the Los Angeles World Affairs
Council. But other than observing that participation seemed low, I can’t speak
to how well it went since I was inside being amused by the ‘turkey-du-jour’
Gonul.
He is presumably intelligent and competent at what he does, but it was not in
evidence that day. His English seemed reasonably solid, but slow in coming
forth. His speech was prepared and he read it in a painfully obvious, tedious
way, with an occasional live joke thrown in. He wasn’t even able to get
through
the whole of it. Besides omitting portions of his comments about Iraq, he
conveniently consumed the allotted time and left Caucasus and Artsakh issues
out along with Central Asia. Nothing about Armenia of any substance was
part of
his presentation. You’d think we didn’t exist (in his wishful thinking).
So what did he say? Much of it seemed somewhat general, though he did cite
statistics about Turkey’s expenditures in the realm of defense, with specifics
focusing on purchases from the US and Israel. He emphasized Turkey’s
“even-handedness” in dealing with Israel-Palestine issues. Turkey’s role in
NATO was trumpeted to such a degree that the casual listener might think it
founded the defense pact and single-handedly kept it alive. He took cheap
shots
at Syria and other neighbors, pointing out that of 18 current conflicts 13 are
in Turkey’s neighborhood.
This brings us to items of greater specific interest to Armenians. If so many
conflicts are in its neighborhood, doesn’t that suggest that Turkey is a cause
of instability? Not according to good ole Vecdi. You see Turkey is a net
“exporter” of security since 6149 personnel from 58 countries have
participated
in programs at the NATO Partnership for Peace Center established 1998 in
Ankara. Translation: Turkey gets to wine and dine these folks in an attempt to
win itself friends–and much of it at others’ expense. Isn’t that a great
deal?
In addition, “peace at home, peace in the world” is paradigmatic in Turkey
(and
for Gonul personally–sniffle, I am so touched) as stated by Ataturk, the
magnificent peacemaker.
Terrorism, the catchall word for the Bush regime and its cohort of cronies
and
fawners, was prominently on display. Turkey (imagine violins playing) really
understands what the US is going through after the September 11 attacks since
it’s been at war with terrorists (sic: Kurds justly seeking statehood) for 20
years at the cost of 32,000 lives.
Gonul ended his presentation with inane niceties and remarks clearly intended
to kiss-up to American powers that be, an overabundance of the standard,
fatuous fluff that attends such presentations by representatives of countries
groveling to be in Washington’s good graces.
It only got more ridiculous during the question and answer session, but more
revealing. In the context of a response to a question about Iran, Gonul
referred to Iraq as having been “part of our country.” The only time that
applied was during the Ottoman Empire (OE). So he clearly admits that the OE
and Turkey are integral from the perspective of statehood, in this case
successively. So much for arguments that the Genocide was committed by a
“different” country.
Two questions of direct Armenian interest were posed. An elderly woman asked,
in the kindest, most non-aggressive way imaginable, why Turkey refused to
simply acknowledge the history of 1915. His response, “We are thinking
there is
nothing to acknowledge.” Then he told of being from “Eastern Turkey” and half
his father’s family being massacred by Armenians. He also tried without ever
making a clear point, to play divide-and-conquer by claiming there exist three
types of Armenians: “our Armenians, Armenians in Ermenistan, and Armenians
living all over the world.” He then proceeded to describe how Armenians and
Turks lived happily side-by-side until 1878 when part of the OE was lost to
the
Russian Empire. In this remark, he built on an earlier theme about how Turkey,
continuing the policies of the OE, practiced multiculturalism, just as in the
US (please hold your laughter ’til later). Then, the Russians trained young
Armenians to hate Turks. When WWI commenced, these ‘Turk-hating’ Armenians
returned to the OE and starting killing Turks. In response, the Turkish Army
killed Armenians. Again, it’s interesting that the Defense Minister confesses
it was the army, an organ of the state, which did the killing. I told you it
got more ridiculous. Can you picture a bunch of 50-60 year old Armenians
running around in Turkish occupied Armenia, during WWI, mass-murdering Turks?
This guy and his ilk ought to try their hand at stand-up comedy! Here, a
fed-up
outburst from the audience pointed out Gonul’s lies. The participant was even
threatened with removal.
The second Armenian question asked the minister what happened, in 1915, to
the
Armenian part of the mosaic of cultures and religions he’d claimed during his
presentation constituted the OE. Here, the dangers of reading a speech
prepared
by someone else manifested. Gonul was clueless as to what “mosaic” meant. The
question was repeated. Then the MC repeated it as he did with all the
questions. Yet Gonul continued his fumbling. He asked what a “museum” had
to do
with the discussion. Finally, a man approached and clarified it for him,
presumably in Turkish. He looked like a complete fool. It was pleasing.
When he
finally did respond, he claimed 152 nationalities and religious groups lived
happily together until the West attacked and awoke the Christian population.
Not that he claimed there were no killings, you see. Then he described having
an Armenian “aunt”–I guess it’s all the rage these days in Turkey to claim an
Armenian relative, which in straight talk would be known as a Genocide
survivor. And many Armenian boys were orphaned, and went to military schools
and now live happily in the mosaic. Yup, believe it or not, his response
was as
disjointed as the last few sentences.
Throughout Minister Gonul’s presentation, I was taking notes. One of the
Turks
at my table kept eyeing me nervously, wondering why. It was a great
pleasure to
observe his uneasiness. Meanwhile, his friend was busy regaling the woman
sitting beside him with the glories of Turkish tourism. Isn’t it great to
usurp
others’ legacies, use it to make money and cover up your crimes against those
very same people?
When all is taken into account, we can only say “Thank you Mr. Gonul, thank
you
Turkey. Please send him to visit us more often.” He’s one of the best things
for Armenians and others with grievances against Turkey, reminiscent of former
Ambassador Sukru Elekdag, the boxer turned diplomat and his “masterful”
mouthings.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DELEGATION OF POLISH SENATE TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation of the Polish Senate
led by marshal Bogdan Borusevich will be on Armenia on an official
visit on April 3-4. Senate members, government representatives,
businessmen are included in the delegation. On April 3, the
delegation of the Polish Senate led by marshal Bogdan Borusevich
will be received by RA President Robert Kocharian, RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. The
same day the delegation members will lay a wreath at the Memorial
Complex of the Armenian Genocide, will visit the Matenadaran, will
meet with the representatives of the Polish community. On April 4,
the delegation will have meetings with NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian,
NA Vice-Speakers, commission members, heads of groups and factions
at RA National Assembly. A meeting with business circles is also
planned. According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan from RA NA
Public Relations Department, the official visit of the Polish Senate
delegation led by marshal Bogdan Borusevich will be concluded by a
joint press conference at the parliament.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

15 MINUTES WITH CONDOLEEZZA RICE IN A ROOM

Lragir.am
31 March 06

The delegation of the Armenian government, which participated in
signing the agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation in
the capital of the United States on March 27, then met with the U.S.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in her office. At the meeting were
present RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, the Minister of Finance
and Economy Vardan Khachatryan, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Evans, the Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatul Margaryan,
Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried and the OSCE Co-Chair Stephen Mann.

On March 31 in Yerevan the minister of finance and economy Vardan
Khachatryan told details of the meeting. In fact, there were no
details, says Vardan Khachatryan, unlike other sources that gave
information on the meeting. The Armenian officials and Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan reported on the activities and steps directed
at holding fair, free and transparent elections, spoke about the
conflict over Karabakh and the U.S.-Armenian partnership. Vardan
Khachatryan informs that all this lasted for15-20 minutes, and the
Armenian officials did not make commitments. It is possible that they
simply did not manage.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OVER 300 THOUSAND PEOPLE DO NOT FOLLOW THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH IN ARMENIA

Lragir.am
31 March 06

Alexander Amaryan, the head of the Center For Rehabilitation of Victims
of the Destructive Cult, stated over 300 thousand people in Armenia are
not followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Catholics count 180
thousand, 22-25 thousand are Charismates, 12 thousand are Witnesses
of Jehovah, 50-60 thousand are Ceremonialists, Zoroastrians (Kurds,
Yezidis), Mounists count 1000, 200-300 are Sientologists, etc. There
are also Muslim Armenians. The sects found in Armenia mostly have
an American, Swiss or German origin. There are also sects of South
Korean, Chinese and Buddhist origin. According to A.

Amaryan, there are churches in Armenia, founded by Africans,
particularly, the branch of the Church of the People of God founded
by Sunday Adeladjah from Nigeria.

Presently, 57 religious organizations are registered in Armenia,
which belong to 14 religious branches. Most sects are registered as
non-governmental, educational, charity and commercial organizations,
and operate under different functions. According to A. Amaryan,
there is a huge gap in the regulation of legislation and control on
religious organizations in Armenia.

The Armenia Newspaper, Athens, March 30

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNITED STATES?

Lragir.am
31 March 06

When signing the Millennium Challenge agreement the U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice used the phrase “elected government of Armenia,”
which has not been used since 2003. Does this mean that the United
States recognizes that the leadership of Armenia was elected? “The
Americans have decided to take the country. They are going to accept
everything because they do not have a candidate here yet. They are
going to act in accordance with the government. As they used to do in
Russia. Now they understand that the country is failing, and together
with Iran they are thinking what to do to keep the country going,”
said Aram Karapetyan, the leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party.

Aram Karapetyan does not deny that the United States and Russia may
come to an agreement and “support the same candidate” in Armenia. “In
a month everything will return to the South Caucasus. In Belarus
it is over, in Ukraine it is over. I think soon there will be
certain developments in Georgia, and then it will move to the South
Caucasus. And already there will be arrangements and so on,” said
Aram Karapetyan.

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:

MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
Email: [email protected]

RE: Ambassador Fried’s Remarks at the Armenian Assembly of America National Conference

Washington, DC – In a special address to participants of the Armenian
Assembly’s National Conference on March 27, Ambassador Daniel Fried,
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs spoke
about the great strides in U.S.-Armenia relations and the importance
of a five-year $235 million compact between Armenia and the Millennium
Challenge Corporation.

The National Conference and Banquet is a three-day advocacy push
co-hosted by the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Eastern and Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church.

  Below are Ambassador Fried’s remarks as posted on the U.S. Department
of State web site:  

The transcript can also be accessed at the following link:

Remarks at the Armenian Assembly of America National Conference

Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Mayflower Hotel Washington, DC March 27, 2006

Ambassador Fried: Thank you for that kind introduction.

I have the disadvantage of having to follow my friend Vartan [Oskanian,
the foreign minister]. That is a real disadvantage because he’s
very very good. A good interlocutor, a good friend. Most of the
time we agree. When he disagrees, I am reminded by just how good he
is. [Laughter].

It’s a pleasure to be here at the national conference, and I was
happy to accept the invitation from the Assembly and the Armenian
General Benevolent Union and the Eastern and Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church, one of the great ancient churches of Christendom,
to speak to you today. And I understand that this conference is held
in partnership with at least 15 other Armenian-American organizations
and others are in attendance. But let me say in particular that I
value my years of cooperation with the Assembly, and I appreciate
its leadership’s professionalism and their [inaudible] commitment as
Americans to work with us to support democratic and prosperous Armenia.

Now it’s true that we don’t agree on all issues and the Assembly can
be just as frank, which is a diplomatic word — [Laughter] — just as
frank as they have to be in expressing that. But as Americans it’s not
only your right, it’s your duty to speak out to your government when
you agree and when you disagree. That’s never gotten in the way of
our partnership. I appreciate the candid advice from the Assembly and
from the American Armenian community, and I look forward to hearing
more of it. It’s good to hear straight out what’s on your minds,
what you like about what we’re doing, what you don’t like about what
we’re doing. That’s the way a real partnership is made.

I’ve just come back from a visit to Yerevan, and I have to say that
it is beautiful to see a city with Mount Ararat floating in the
distance, the mountains, the snow, and spring just beginning to come
to Yerevan. [Applause].

As Americans, you should be proud that our new embassy compound
is up and running. It’s a physical embodiment of our commitment
to Armenia. It shows that we have put in the money to reflect our
political will to see that Armenia prospers in the 21st Century as
a free country, secure and democratic. [Applause].

While I was in Yerevan I had the privilege of meeting with President
Kocharian, with Vartan Foreign Minister Oskanian, with the Defense
Minister Sargsian, and with political leaders, including leaders
of the opposition. That’s what we do when we go abroad in the State
Department. We meet with everyone. And we had serious talks. We talked
about regional security, which as you know means Nagorno-Karabakh,
relations with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. We talked about
strengthening the economy and promoting democratic reform. And I want
to say a few words about those issues today and talk about key topics
that I think are of interest to you.

President Bush’s new National Security Strategy says that it is the
policy of the United States to seek and support democratic movements
and institutions in every nation and culture. Your efforts here and
your efforts in Armenia, to help Armenia democratize and prosper
economically, matched with U.S. efforts and hopes for the country,
and I thank you for them.

I also thank you because in areas of business transparency the
Armenian-American community is leading by example. I thank you for
that as well.

Now this is a good day in U.S.-Armenian relations. Today the United
States and Armenia will sign its Millennium Challenge Cooperation
Compact. That is a new assistance agreement for $235 million, and that
is new money for Armenia. It is a testament to Armenia’s progress
and its commitment to do more on good governance, economic freedom,
and investment in its people.

Much remains to be done and no community is more aware of the
challenges, as well as the progress, as the Armenian-American
community.

The challenge to sustain Armenia’s status as an MCC recipient is
allowing voters to independently and freely choose their leaders
through elections that meet international democratic standards. We’re
looking at the parliamentary and presidential elections next year and
in 2008 as key tests. We hope that Armenia is moving in that direction.

We are building and taking at face value assurances from the
government, and with our own election strategy geared to work with
both the government and the Armenian civil society to try and achieve
this goal. We must achieve this goal to sustain our relations.

We believe that Armenia has the potential to be a leader in the
region by showing progress on democratic reforms to keep pace with
its economic expansion.

Let me turn to an issue that is much on our minds at the State
Department and perhaps on yours, which is Nagorno-Karabakh. A solution
to Nagorno-Karabakh remains a key focus. Obviously, and I don’t need to
tell you this, a resolution would open the door to large investment,
deeper integration with the global economy, peace will bring greater
prosperity.

Now we were hopeful last month that the meeting at Rambouillet between
the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan would move us decisively
forward. We were disappointed that it didn’t happen, but we did not
give up, we did not turn away.

Before I went to Yerevan, I went to Baku and met with President
Aliyev. I was sufficiently encouraged by what he said that I went
to Yerevan for further discussions, and based on the help and sound
thinking of the Armenian side, there is a possibility for progress
in 2006. Now this is not easy. Neither side can or will achieve its
maximum aims. Peace will require solutions that meet both sides’
concerns as much as possible. And both Armenia and Azerbaijan must
prepare for a good settlement, and the best can be the enemy of
the good.

The United States is not going to impose a settlement. We’re not
going to force Armenia or Azerbaijan to take anything. We don’t have
that power, and it is not our intention to try to exercise it. But
it is our intention to support a solution if both governments arrive
at it, and if there is a solution we are going to get behind it. If
the government of Armenia agrees to it, we will support them, and I
hope you do as well.

Now we hope, but also anticipate, that a solution on Nagorno-Karabakh
will result in an open border with Turkey, which is a consistent goal
on our agenda with Ankara. From Yerevan, I went to Ankara and I made
this point with the Turkish government that we want the border open,
and we want it open as soon as possible. [Applause].

This has not been easy for Armenia, but even with closed borders to
the east and west, Armenia has a northern border that is open to it
through Georgia, and Armenia’s economic growth is strong. Almost
14 percent last year, which is the fourth straight year of double
digit growth. Construction is up 34 percent, and you can see it when
you’re in Yerevan. We know that your community is helping fuel this
construction boom.

Agriculture is growing, 11 percent last year. Industrial production
is growing, and inflation remains low.

The Armenian government has increased its ability to collect
taxes. That and corporate taxes which increases government revenues
which helps provide better services and the infrastructure for yet
more growth in a virtuous cycle. We’re seeing an increase in Armenian
government expenditure, on education, science, and health. This
investment in citizens will help bring a good future for Armenia.

The U.S.-Armenian relationship is continuing to deepen and our
economic support is continuing. Since independence, the United States
has contributed more than $1.5 billion of assistance. That’s quite
a bit of money for a country the size of Armenia. And many in the
Armenian-American community have also made substantial financial
contributions to, and investments in, Armenia as well.

Our assistance program, well much of it, is aimed at promoting economic
reform to help create the conditions for Armenians to continue their
economic growth in the best possible way.

There’s more work to do. Tax collection is up, but you know better
than I do how much of the economy remains underground. Corruption is a
serious problem. Corruption is a tax on the poor and a tax on honest
entrepreneurs. That is a drag. An economy saddled with corruption is
moving forward with lead weights tied to each leg.

We want to see greater economic integration between Armenia and
Georgia and Armenia and all the states of the Caucasus. We push
this regularly, and I did so when I was in Baku. We would like
to see greater integration. Now it is difficult in advance of a
Nagorno-Karabakh solution, but we keep raising it, and we will keep
raising it. It’s good not only for Armenia; it would be good for
Turkey and Azerbaijan as well.

Let me talk about regional security and military assistance. We
do support Armenia’s efforts to strengthen its relations with the
Euro-Atlantic community. Armenia has a policy of complementarity,
which means roughly balance in its relations with the West and the
Russians. This is not a problem for us. We don’t want to force Armenia
to choose between its historic friends and its Western identity, but
we do want our relations to grow. We do want our relations to grow,
and we don’t want barriers put in the way.

Our relations in the security field have grown. We value and appreciate
Armenia’s troop contributions in Iraq. There are 46 non-combatant
soldiers serving there now. There are 34 Armenian peacekeepers in
Kosovo. And we hope that Armenia will continue to do its part through
NATO’s Partnership for Peace to contribute to other operations in
the future.

Armenia has increased its cooperation with NATO. The government
is reforming its military in cooperation with the U.S. to make it
more interoperable with NATO. Armenia is pursuing what NATO calls
an individual partnership action plan with NATO. This is basically a
chapeau that lets the Armenian military slowly but as fast as Armenia
wants, grow closer to NATO so we can work together.

Frankly, I want to express my appreciation for the Assembly’s
encouragement last year to Armenia to complete its defense
assessment. That cleared the way for deeper security cooperation
between our two countries.

Now I know that some in your community, in the Armenian-American
community, are concerned about U.S.-Azerbaijani military relations,
so let me address this straight up. The fact is Azerbaijan has
made contributions to the War on Terror and these contributions —
overflight rights, access to Azerbaijani bases, information sharing,
law enforcement cooperation — are useful. Now Azerbaijan faces
security threats not from Armenia, and when I was in Baku I repeated
that Azerbaijan’s security problem really doesn’t come from Armenia,
it comes from other countries. It’s got a rough neighbor to the south,
Iran. And it’s on the Caspian Sea with a lot of oil and gas. Our
security cooperation with and assistance to Azerbaijan is meant
to improve Azerbaijan’s posture against those threats, not against
Armenia. I repeat. Not against Armenia.

President Bush has noted that to succeed in our own efforts, we need
the support of our efforts to fight terrorism, we need the support and
actions of friends and allies. We must join with others to deny the
terrorists what they seek, which is safe haven, financial support,
and the support and protection certain nation states historically
have given them. So we do need to work with all the countries of the
region on a counter-terrorist agenda.

But our assistance to Azerbaijan does not undermine our support for
Armenian security, and it is not designed and will not be used for
offensive purposes against Armenia. So we design our programs with
Azerbaijan very carefully. Counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism,
programs to counter trafficking in weapons of mass destruction.

Now let me mention a couple of words about energy security. In
January of this year, disruptions of electricity and gas to Georgia
affected Armenia, as well. After this episode, we’re looking at ways to
bolster energy security in the region and strengthen Armenia’s energy
independence. The key to doing this is to support market forces, to
diversify energy supplies, and avoid monopolistic restrictions. We’ve
been discussing this in NATO, we’ve been discussing this in the
European Union and with key countries in the region. We will continue
to look at ways in which the United States can support energy security
for all the countries of the south Caucasus.

We are concerned by increased energy ties with Iran, and so we’re
looking at alternatives. We’ve talked to the Georgians about them.

Now let me conclude with discussion of a tough issue for all of
us. April 24th is less than a month away. I’m not going to duck
this issue.

The U.S. position on events of 1915 has not changed. We believe that a
productive dialogue is the best way to establish a shared understanding
of history that honors the victims of these horrific events, murders
on a mass scale, killings without justification, deportations. Over
1.5 million people lost their lives, innocent victims. But we want to
foster reconciliation and peace based on an understanding of history,
not a denial of it. We believe that the tragedy of 1915, the killings,
is of enormous human significance and its historical assessment should
be determined not on the basis of politics, but introspection among
civic leaders and scholars. This process has begun in Turkey where
it needs to take place.

Now I know from experience and consultations with the Assembly and
other groups that the Armenian American community has a different view,
and I expect that you will express that view, and that is not for us —
I would be surprised if you didn’t, and I welcome the dialogue we’ve
established. [Applause].

Voice: Horse manure.

Voices: Be quiet. Sit down.

Ambassador Fried: I will value even frank comments, but —
[Laughter]. Hopefully a dialogue can be serious.

Sitting here with us is my old friend John Evans, our Ambassador
in Yerevan. He is the Ambassador, remains the Ambassador, has —
[Applause and cheers].

Like all of us, we all serve at the pleasure of the
President. Ambassador Evans came from Yerevan for the signing of
the Millennium Challenge Account Compact this afternoon, and will
be in the meeting this afternoon between Secretary Rice and Foreign
Minister Oskanian. There has been a great deal of speculation. I
don’t discuss personnel issues, but since my friend is sitting here,
I thought I would recognize Ambassador John Evans. [Applause].

Now I gather there will be some time to take questions. I wouldn’t
be surprised by a frank exchange. [Laughter]. That doesn’t bother me.

I appreciate the chance to meet with you and have a discussion of
all issues, whether we agree or disagree. America is a free country,
and I’m here to listen and to answer your questions the best I can.

Thank you for your attention. I’m glad to see that people were paying
attention. [Laughter]. [Applause].

Moderator: Thank you, Ambassador Fried. You said in Armenia and the
capital of Turkey that Armenians and Turks need to have courage on
the issue. The United States has to have courage on the issue of the
Armenian genocide. [Applause]. And that ambiguity out there in terms
of denial, curriculum that is trying to be inserted in classrooms
around this country, our government needs to be very clear about
their role and mission on this issue.

Your first question: As the U.S. and EU applies increasing pressure
on Iran with the prospects of confrontation grows, will the
U.S. take concrete steps to ensure Armenia’s security and economic
stability? Will the U.S. guarantee that the border with Turkey will
be open before there is conflict with Iran or potential conflict with
Iran that would risk a border closing?

Ambassador Fried: That’s a fair question, but I don’t have to yet
accept the premise that we are headed for a military confrontation with
Iran because we are now focused on achieving a diplomatic solution
to the problem of Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. We are not going
through the motions, we are serious about this. We do not believe
that Iran is North Korea. We do not believe that Iran thrives on
isolation. Iranian society does not want to be shunned by the world
and its leaders to not reflect the consensus in that society, as far as
we can tell. So I believe that our diplomatic efforts can bear fruit.

However, to be responsive to the question, we will continue to have a
serious discussion with Armenia as our thinking develops. And as John
Evans can tell you, this issue came up in our discussions a week and
a half ago in Yerevon. We will continue to work with Armenia to make
sure that its security is part of our thinking and integrated into our
thinking. Can I guarantee that the border with Turkey will be open? I
can’t guarantee that, and to say that I could would not be honest. But
I can say that we take Armenia’s security seriously. Armenia didn’t
choose its neighborhood, but there you are. [Laughter].

We will continue to work to see to it that Armenia is not vulnerable,
particularly on energy issues. And I did have explicit discussions in
Ankara about a future in which Armenia, in which gas and oil flowed
freely through Armenia from the Caspian without political hindrance,
so we are beginning this dialogue.

Moderator: I’m sure you imagine I’m getting a few questions on
Armenian genocide.

Ambassador Fried: I imagine. [Laughter].

Moderator: Why are third parties permitted to dictate America’s
foreign policy vis-a-vis Armenia and Cyprus?

Ambassador Fried: Third parties are not permitted to dictate our
foreign policy, nor do they dictate our foreign policy. We have a
policy which many of you disagree with. I understand. But we have a
policy of seeking to encourage Turkey to reflect more seriously about
subjects which have been taboo for generations in that country. I
said earlier that process has begun in Turkey. You recall that the
famous Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk spoke clearly about this. He is
not the only Turk speaking out. As I said, this process has begun
as Turkish society modernizes, and as it modernizes, as democracy
in Turkey deepens, Turkey will have to go through what many other
countries such as the United States have had to go through in our
own history, which is looking back at the darker spots in our past.

With respect to the United States, those darker spots include things
like slavery and racial discrimination, treatment of American Indians,
and in my opinion, internment of American citizens of Japanese origin
in camps in World War II. Those are painful subjects. Just as dealing
with the history of the mass killings of Armenians is painful for
Turkey. And by the way, I say this to my Turkish friends using the
same words. We keep one set of books.

Now that process has begun in Turkey. It is certainly not going fast
enough to satisfy you. It is not going fast enough to satisfy us. But
this process has begun and it will, I hope, bring greater understanding
to Turks of their own history.

We will continue to have a dialogue about this as April 24th
approaches. I will not attempt to anticipate what the President will
say. I do believe he will issue a statement on April 24th, in fact
I can’t believe there won’t be one. And I expect, as we have in the
past, to consult with the Armenian Assembly about this and to have
a frank set of discussions before and after.

Moderator: How will the U.S. deal with Azerbaijan regarding,
or how will it take to task, regarding the issue of the Armenian
historical landmarks of the Cemetery of Djulfa that was destroyed by
the Azerbaijanis?

Ambassador Fried: When I go to Baku and when U.S. officials go
to Baku, we always raise issues of living — Not just issues of
Nagorno-Karabakh, but issues of long-term peace in the south
provinces. Now I would be happy to raise issues of Armenian
historical sites in Azerbaijan. These historical sites, regardless
of differences over Nagorno-Karabakh, need to be respected and need
to be protected. This is a universal policy of the United States,
and I look forward to hearing from you about some of these sites so
that we can raise it with the Azerbaijani government. [Applause].

Moderator: How does the U.S. policy of promoting freedom
and democracy fit into your policy towards resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? Especially considering the democratic will
of Nagorno-Karabakh to remain free?

Ambassador Fried: I don’t want to get into the details of the
shape of settlements under discussion. There is nothing worse than
negotiating in public. But the philosophic premise behind the question
is a good one and a fair one. That is how much weight do you give
self-determination, which is clearly a factor at stake here? How
much weight do you give issues of territorial integrity? And how much
weight do you give to well, facts on the ground? All right? Now that
is a difficult issue.

In my view, it is probably a mistake to try to apply rigid precedents
to all similar issues. Nagorno-Karabakh is not the same as Kosovo,
which is not the same as Abkhazia, which is not the same as
Chechnya. These issues are individual, and they need to be handled
individually. We are well aware that the will of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh has to be respected. [Applause]. We are also aware
that there are issues of territorial integrity and the challenge
that we all face that Foreign Minister Oskanian and Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov and those involved in trying to help an agreement, have
to deal with all of these issues. And I am convinced that there can
be solutions at hand.

I don’t know when they will come about, but I think that 2006 is a
good window for them, and I don’t think that the people of Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabakh, or Azerbaijan deserve to live forever in a state
of uncertainty.

Moderator: Why does real politik trump the moral position in
recognizing the genocide, more in the U.S. than in France? If the
U.S. wants to foster reconciliation and peace in the region it’s true
that introspection needs to be fostered within Turkey. With Turkey’s
export of denialist tactics can peace and truth really be achieved? And
specifically if you could comment on a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts
currently that denialist material be put into the genocide curriculum.

Ambassador Fried: I can’t comment about the lawsuit. The United States
government has never denied the events of 1915. We do not support,
what was the phrase, export of denialist literature or positions. We
do support efforts by Turkey to deal with its history more seriously.

As I said, this process has begun. It has not ended. Efforts such
as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were serious, and these
were efforts in which Turkish, as well as Armenian scholars, were
involved. It produced a serious look at those issues which we have
recognized officially.

This is not an easy issue. It is not an easy issue for the United
States government, and we are not at the end of the road on this
issue. We will continue to urge our Turkish friends to face difficult
issues of their past seriously, and we will urge Armenia to help the
Turks make this possible without ever sacrificing historical truth
or your position.

Now that is not an entirely satisfactory position for your community,
but again, I value the advice and input and even the criticism from
the Armenian American community and it [inaudible].

Moderator: Is there any truth to reports in the Atlantic Monthly that
the U.S. is upgrading the Baku air bases for potential airstrikes
on Iran?

Ambassador Fried: No. [Laughter].

Moderator: What is your position on recent reports that Ambassador
Evans is being recalled because of his statements last year on the
Armenian genocide issue?

Ambassador Fried: We all serve at the pleasure of the President. I
won’t discuss personnel issues. Ambassador Evans, as I said, is
a friend of more than 20 years standing. He’s our Ambassador. He’s
right here. He will be in the meetings today at the State Department,
as I said. [Applause].

Moderator: Thank you, Ambassador Fried, for this very frank
discussion, as always, and we thank you all for your attention and
for participating. Thank you very much. [Applause].

NR#2006-029

–Boundary_(ID_EMrtU/Z0S NBwXctxS+KDRQ)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Embassy of The United States
Yerevan, Armenia

Digital Video Conference with Ambassador Mann
Covered by Arminfo, Armenpress, and Regnum
March 29, 2006

Ambassador Mann: I am glad for the opportunity to speak with the
press. I was there with Assistant Secretary Fried two weeks ago and
it’s an important time in our relations.

Arminfo news agency: Could you please talk about your meeting with
the French Co-Chairman in Istanbul? What was discussed? [Inaudible.]
Ambassador Mann: We met a little more that a week ago, I guess, in
Istanbul, and this was the French Co-Chair Ambassador Kasprzyk and
the assistant to our Russian colleague. Ambassador Merzlyakov was ill
so he could not be there. The purpose of the consultation was for me
to brief my colleagues on the discussions that took place in Baku
and Yerevan. This is when I was traveling with Assistant Secretary
Fried. We looked at potential future travel to the region. But we
reached no decisions at that stage about dates on traveling to the
region either individually or collectively. And we have no plans at
that stage or at this stage on hosting future meetings between the
foreign ministers or the presidents. We do not exclude the fact that
these might happen in the future, but we developed no plans for this.

Regnum news agency: Mr. Mann, I will ask my question in Russian. How
will you comment on the statement, or better the call, made by the
head of Nagorno-Karabakh addressed to Armenia to get out of the
negotiation process?

What do you think–is it something directed towards any party of the
negotiations? What is your opinion about this?

Ambassador Mann: I haven’t seen the statement so I can’t give a direct
commentary. But I can’t imagine that anyone of good will would want
the negotiations to stop. Because 2006 is our most promising year
to make some serious progress on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. And I
would hate to see the sides miss this opportunity and look back in
later years with regret.

Arminfo news agency: What do you think about numerous violations of
the ceasefire, which have resulted in casualties among the military
and civilian population. Do you think it is likely that war will
resume? Are you discussing the issue of cease fire violations by
Azerbaijan in your meetings with the Azerbaijanis?

Ambassador Mann: Cease fire violations are irresponsible and dangerous.

That’s a basic fact. We, the Co-Chairs, keep in close touch with
Ambassador Kasprzyk and his team on this. And these are a subject of
discussion with each side with each defense minister.

Arminfo news agency: What are the Co-Chairs doing to discourage
Azerbaijan from unleashing a new war? [Inaudible.]

Ambassador Mann: By far the best way to discourage a new war is to
get an agreement in months ahead. Stalemate breeds frustration. Lack
of progress, I believe as a general point, leads to more radical
solutions on each side. I believe absolutely, the United States
believes, that the way peace is best served is by taking that first
step towards an agreement in 2006. I don’t believe we can solve
the entire Nagorno-Karabakh issue in 2006. I think realistically the
process of the Karabakh settlement is going to be something that takes
places over many years. But I think this is our year, and these are
the months, to take that first important step. And I am absolutely
convinced that in the months ahead the two sides have the chance,
greatly to lower the dangers of a new war. I can’t believe that people
on any side of the conflict want a war to start again. But that’s the
remarkable thing is that in these months, in these negotiations, we
have the chance to take an enormous step back from the possibility of
war. Now, by no means I am predicting that a new war will break out in
the future. No one can predict the future. But having two armies face
each other across a line of contact is not a comfortable situation.

Armenpress: What in your mind will be a possible reply of the
international community if war is resumed? And could there be sanctions
imposed upon the party that unleashes the war?

Ambassador Mann: It’s too speculative a question to have an intelligent
comment on. It’s an intelligent question, but I don’t have an
intelligent answer. But the international community has already given
an answer. They gave an answer after the last major fighting. And
the answer of the international community is that we are not going
to be a judge, we are not going to be an arbitrator, but what we are
going to do is try and develop a negotiated solution between the two
sides. That is the answer of the international community.

Armenpress: Ambassador, you didn’t answer whether there could be
sanctions imposed upon a country that unleashes a war.

Ambassador Mann: I mean again, that’s just pure speculation.

Regnum news agency: Ambassador Mann, I would like to hear your opinion
about possibility of applying the Kosovo model to the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Ambassador Mann: On that, we see that whatever might happen in
Kosovo does not set a precedent for any other area. Every conflict
has its individual roots and its individual history, and we have to
respect that fact. And I think it would do a great disservice to the
complexity of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict if we viewed it as being
in a mold or as a twin with other conflicts.

Armenpress news agency: Answering the first question, you did not
mention any dates for the possible meetings of the Co-Chairs and also
foreign ministers or presidents. But I would like to know the next
step will be.

Today you had a meeting with Foreign Minister Oskanian. So, what types
of meetings are planned for the future? Will it be a meeting between
the foreign ministers, or between the presidents? Just something
about the future steps please.

Ambassador Mann: I did not give nay dates because we don’t have
any. The Co-Chairs were very, very serious when we said that
Rambouillet was the point where we needed to get decisions from each
side. And we did not have anything up our sleeve as a backup in case
Rabouillet did not result in an agreement. Now, we the Co-Chairs
are trying to decide, trying to assess, how to move forward. I will
say that after the discussions I had in Baku with President Aliyev
and in Yerevan with President Kocharian, I am hopeful that we will
find a way to move forward. Those discussions lead me to believe
that the process has not stopped. And I had very good talks with
Foreign Minister Oskanian this week in Washington. I expect to have
a chance to see Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Azimov, who is
also in Washington, on issues not related to Nagorno-Karabakh. And
the Co-Chairs and I are in contact with each other now to try and
find a point for us to consult again.

Probably some time, well definitely sometime in April, but we have
to work out our schedules.

Regnum news agency: Mr. Mann, do you think is it possible to reach any
progress on this issue without the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh?

Ambassador Mann: Well, I think progress is not only possible, it’s
necessary in the months ahead. As for the participation of Karabakh,
that has always been a question for the two sides to decide. And the
question to be asked is–does it move the negotiations ahead or does
it not? But the Co-Chairs have always had the position that if the two
sides agree, we support we support it, if the two sides don’t agree,
we support that as well. It’s whatever the two sides want.

Armenpress news agency: And to wrap up, Ambassador Mann, do you think
it is possible to come up with an agreement or to come up with a
signed document this year?

Ambassador Mann: Yes, I believe it is not only possible, but
necessary. The two sides have made a lot of progress and I believe
President Kocharian and President Aliyev deserve a great deal of
admiration and respect for what they have achieved so far. And
the diplomatic teams on each side are world-class, so that’s a
professional pleasure for me to engage in this work. But I think
that we are at this stage now also, where we have to know–do the
people want peace? I see the negotiations on the inside, and what
I see is this: that there is a chance to lower very sharply the
risks of a future war; that this is an agreement that will bring
more jobs and economic development to Nagorno-Karabakh; that this is
an agreement that will allow reconstruction and development in the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan; and it’s an agreement that will
allow Armenians and Azerbaijanis to make those first steps towards
living as peaceful neighbors in a way that people should live. So we
are at the state where we need the governments and the people on each
side to say that this is the step they would like to take. Anyway,
thank you very much. It’s been great to talk. It’s been great to
have this good quality video at a six thousand mile distance. So,
I hope to see you all in person again here or there.

Regnum news agency: Mr. Mann we are very thankful to you for this
opportunity–we hope such events will continue in the future. You
mentioned the “occupied territories” of Azerbaijan. What did you mean
by that?

Ambassador Mann: That’s the way that they are referred to in the
agreements, and that is a subject which the two sides continue
to define.

Thank you.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress