Author: Emil Lazarian

CONCERT DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN MOSCOW
AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2006
On the initiative of the Russian-Armenian Friendship NGO, at 7.00 pm
on April 24, “Arax” Belgian ensemble will play a concert in Hermitage
Park of Moscow dedicated to the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
According to Yerkramas newspaper of Russian-Armenians, the repertoire
of Arax includes traditional Armenian music with modern interpretation
accompanied with classic guitar, flute, cello, pipe and duduk.
The aim of the concert is to draw the attention of Russia’s political
and social circles to the issue of the Armenian Genocide as well as to
contribute to the unification of the Armenian community, especially
young people. A number of famous Russian mass media representatives
are the sponsors of the concert.
Armenian and Russian renowned statesmen will take part in the concert.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE FOUNDERS
AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2006
The Armenian General Benevolent Union, the greatest benevolence
organization in the history of the Armenian people, was established in
Cairo 100 years ago. Ten outstanding Armenians, successful in their
lives, led by Poghos Nubar Pasha signed a resolution that ratified
the establishment of the union.
Certainly, many sittings, meetings and conferences followed this
first sitting directed to the regulation and the program of the
organization. A number of the Armenian intelligentsia leaders, namely
Arpiar Arpiarian, Arshak Chopanian and others united to elaborate
the program of the union. The intelligentsia members realized that
the Armenian people, being under the dictatorship of the Ottoman
and the Russian Empires, needed to have a non political organization
that would unite the Armenians and settle the issues of education,
culture, as well as preserve the national dignity of our people. But
their dream was realized by ten founders that had experience of state
administration and benevolence.
There had been several other Armenian benevolent unions functioning
before the establishment of AGBU, and naturally they feared that
a stronger union would hinder their activities. But the founders
of AGBU assured them that the newly established union was aimed to
contribute to everybody’s activities and unite the charity-oriented
forces for the sake of the Armenian people.
It was envisaged that the union would not only render aid to the
Armenian farmers during the disasters, to create sources for earning
for their lives, to gather the Armenian orphans and educate them,
to give shelter to the young Armenian girls that were deprived of
parental warmth and give them opportunities to marry in the future
and have their own families.
Besides, according to the union’s regulation, the union members
should have always been faithful to the will of the donors and
philanthropists, even if the union would suffer loses. That’s why
many AGBU members rebelled against the notorious decision to close
the Melgonian Educational Institute in Cyprus, as this was the first
case when the golden rule of the union was violated.
Moreover, the founders of the AGBU taught us that the foundation
is based on money, thus one should give financial assistance for
contribution of the union’s activities.
Even now, when 100 years have passed, AGBU still remains the most
powerful and largest organization that meets the needs of the Armenian
people and their motherland, thanks to its devoted chairmen, donors,
philanthropists and members.
Glory to the founders of AGBU!
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI POLICE FOIL DEMO PROTESTING AT HUNGARIAN VERDICT
Turan news agency
17 Apr 06
Baku, 17 April: A group of young people today attempted to stage an
unauthorized demonstration in support of [Azerbaijani army officer]
Ramil Safarov convicted in Hungary [of killing an Armenian officer].
Police foiled the attempt.
Several hundred students attempted to march along Huseyn Cavid Avenue
towards the Martyrs’ Avenue. However, numerous police officers stopped
the protesters and dispersed them. The students made several attempts
to break through police lines, which led to clashes with the police.
The bitterest clashes took place near Space TV company. Several
protesters sustained serious injuries.
Traffic on Huseyn Cavid Avenue was suspended because of the clashes
which caused traffic jams. Police detained about 20 protesters.
On 13 April, a Hungarian court sentenced Azerbaijani officer Ramil
Safarov to life in prison for killing an Armenian officer on 19
February 2004.

THE FRENCH UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA WISHES ITS GRADUATES TO BE OF USE FOR ARMENIA
Yerevan, April 17. ArmInfo. ‘We want our graduates to be of use for
Armenia,’ said in an interview to ArmInfo correspondent Paul Rousset,
rector of the French University of Armenia Foundation (Fondation
Universite Francaise en Armenie).
The University was founded in 2000 by the initiative of the French
Embassy in Armenia and the present Speaker of the National Assembly
of Armenia Arthur Bagdasarian. In 2003 the university assumed status
of an international foundation. It has an Administrative Council,
consisting of 4 representatives from each side – Armenia and France.
The President of the University (office held by Arthur Bagdasarian
at present) is elected by the Administrative Council. The candidate
for rectors office must be a professor of any French university
and is suggested by the French side. Third-year students of the
French University become also students of the ‘Jean Moulin Lion 3’
university, France and get a double graduation diploma – a French
and an Armenian one.
Mr. Rousset said that the baccalaureate of the University has three
faculties – juristic, management and trade and marketing. The
university has 700 students at present. 20 students from abroad
study at the university, half of them are from Iran. Last year the
French University had its first graduates and some of the graduates
continued their education in the magistrate. Education at eth French
university also implies perfect apprehension of foreign languages –
English, French, Russian and also German.
Paul Rousset informed that a number of French educational programs
serve as grounds for the educational process, as the University’s
regulation envisages passing the French educational experience to
the Armenian side. In particular, such programs are being applied at
the law department. In response to the question whether the Armenian
graduates of the University may get jobs abroad, particularly in
France, Mr. Rousset emphasized that they prepare good specialists for
Armenia. At the same time, he added that their best students undergo
practical courses in France. For example, 40 students were sent to
France, last year.
Mr. Rousset emphasized that till now not a single student of the
University had to leave it because of financial problems. “The tuition
fees amounts to AMD 400-500 thousand per a year,” he said. He added
that the university provides a system of flexible tuition fees,
that helps to decrease the volume of the tuition fees thanks to the
good progress of the students. The University collaborates with the
Armenian Association for Social Aid and the Yerevan Brandy Factory
to render financial assistance to the financially insecure students,
including disabled students and the students from the regions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONEY IN THE FACE OF YEREVAN
Lragir.am
17 April 06
In the first quarter of 2006 over 14 billion 986 million drams was
spent on social programs in Yerevan instead of the foreseen 14 billion
920 million drams, which is 100.44 per cent of the estimated sum,
informs ARKA News Agency. Mayor Yervand Zakharyan gave these facts on
April 17. Besides, the mayor said the collections of community budgets
totaled 294.7 million drams in the first quarter of 2006 instead of
the estimated 323.8 million. At the same time, the mayor said against
the same period of the previous year the community budget receipts
were more by 680.5 million drams.
Hence it is good luck that heavy snow came this winter and not last
year. Because if with a 680 million increase the snow remained in
the street until spring, it is impossible to imagine the state of
the city with less money.

COMMISSION TO BE RENEWED
Lragir.am
17 April 06
During the April meetings of the PACE the delegates of Armenia and
Azerbaijan met with Lord Russell Johnston, Chair of the CoE Ad-hoc
Committee on Nagorno Karabakh.
The committee deals with control over recommendations of the
resolution. The parties agreed on reviewing the staff of the
committee. There are already arrangements, and the committee will
finally be ready in summer. There is a preliminary agreement on
setting up the committee by the following principle: two persons from
each party – the head of the delegation and a representative of the
opposition, two reporters for each country and “the representatives
of the groups to be invited.”
The old committee with its new staff will visit the region in October,
and will meet in the June session of the PACE.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THERE IS NO OPPOSITION LOYAL TO GEORGIA IN ABKHAZIA, ABKHAZIAN JOURNALIST SAYS
Prime News Agency, Georgia
April 17 2006
Tbilisi. April 17 (Prime-News) – Marta Ardashelia, Prime-News reporter
interviewed Beslan Kmuzov, journalist from the breakaway Abkhazia.
Beslan Kmuzov, 1975, graduated from the secondary school in Sokhumi.
During the Georgian-Abkhazian hostilities he left for Cherkessia
and got enrolled in the Karachay-Cherkessia State University in
1993. In 1997 he continued his instruction by correspondence in the
Pyatigorsk Linguistic University. In 1997-1999 he was working in
the newspaper of the town of Cherkassy, in 2000-2001 – in the Exo
Abkhazia newspaper. In 2001-2002 served in the de facto armed forces
of Abkhazia. 2002-2004 was working as a marshal arts instructor in the
Sokhumi police academy. In 2004 he was working in the press service
of Sergey Baghapsh, Abkhazian Foreign Minister. In 2005 entered GIPA
(Zurab Zhvania Georgian Institute of Public Affairs). Presently he
is an editor of Abkhazia.info Internet edition.
It is difficult to say exact origin of this two-meter tall guy
immediately at the first sight. But even short conversation is enough
to make sure that he is Abkhazian – only residents of Sokhumi are
able to speak such Russian, combining slang with phraseological
expressions. One may even wonder how he can write his articles in
quite good Russian.
Beslan Kmuzov has been living in Tbilisi and studying in the
magistrates of GIPA for almost one year and a half. He is satisfied
with education, but says that he is too busy to continue his work
in journalism.
Beslan Kmuzov is one of few journalists who are well aware of the
situation in both parties in conflict. And what is more important he
is able to speak frankly about it.
According to him, the present situation in Abkhazia is simply another
struggle for redistribution of assets, as it happens in all parts of
the world. Only 10% of the local population is engaged in political
developments. They generate ideology and account for brainwashing.
Those most crafty residents of the breakaway region are only looking
for as much profits as possible.
“The authority in Abkhazia is close to people; Baghapsh (de facto
president) visits Akop’s coffee shop every day. But both the president
and the government depend on many institutions in Abkhazia, as well as
abroad. Baghapsh and Ankvab, de facto Prime Minister have been meeting
the representatives of different organizations in their offices for
three months. Leonid Lakerbaia, Chairman of the de facto Parliament
still puzzles over healthcare and pensions. But there are some criminal
factions that make everything worse in Abkhazia. They seized some
industrial units, including recreation houses and restaurants. They do
nothing to them and prevent others from business too. The government
is incapable to deal with them – they have power and money. This is
a transient period”, Beslan Kmuzov says.
According to him, there is no opposition loyal to Georgia in Abkhazia.
“There are opposition forces in Abkhazia but none of them speaks for
return within the Georgian borders. The main problem is redistribution
of assets. Despite of the fact that everyone declares about his
commitment to Russia, their only intention is to be in the driving
seat in Abkhazia, without interference of Russian”, Beslan Kmuzov says.
But the local elections are to be held in the breakaway region soon.
Amtsakhara, public political movement of veterans and Aytayra will
run in the elections against the ruling United Abkhazia party.
According to Beslan Kmuzov, the government will easily negotiate with
its contenders.
“Sergey Baghapsh was a common candidate of Amtsakhara, Aytayra and
United Abkhazia. Besides, headquarter of Baghapsh is located in
the office of Amtsakhara. It’s quite another matter that Amtsakhara
sometimes forwards certain claims against the government – one can’t
always get what one is looking for. So if they face serious rivals,
part of Amtsakhara is likely to join the ruling party”, Beslan says.
Abkhazia makes slow progress with regard to media diversity – all
Abkhazian web sites feature the same news, as if dictated.
“The Abkhazian mass media does not feature any opposition opinions
on the policy of the government of Abkhazia. The guiding light
is independence and that’s all. But there are many debates on
privatization, pensions, and protection of ethnic minorities, including
the residents of the Gali District in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict
zone. The information war has been raging in Abkhazia for one year. The
Nujnaia newspaper drove Vladislav Ardzinba (former de facto president)
up a tree. Means to the end are another subject of discussion. In fact
there is no uninterrupted flow of news, everyone features news without
profound knowledge of background story, rule of Five W is completely
denied. Experienced professionals are leaving”, Beslan Kmuzov says.
Migration in Abkhazia is intensive. Russians are not too willing to
go to Abkhazia owing to harsh living conditions. According to the
de facto State Committee, there are 60 000 Georgians in the Gali
District only. Besides, Georgians live in Ochamchire and Tkvarcheli
districts. The least number of Georgians lives in Sockhumi, Capital
City. But Armenians still account for the largest part of the
foreigners arriving in Abkhazia.
The issue of migration is the most urgent before the forthcoming
presidential elections. Alexander Ankvab, de facto Prime Minister
demands immediate address to the problem of illegal registration of
Armenians in Abkhazia, in defiance of the residential qualification,
as those registrations are used in application for the Abkhazian and
later for Russian passports.
“I think that there are more Armenians than Abkhazians there. By the
way, even Georgians population prevails, however they are not allowed
to take any offices. Abkhazians are the only part of the population
that lives in freedom. It’s quite another matter that rate of Armenian
migration to Abkhazia is growing above other ethnic groups.
Their presence in Abkhazia becomes more and more evident”, Beslan
Kmuzov says.
When asked what Abkhazia is looking n from Russia, Beslan Kmuzov
shrugs shoulders.
“It is strange; we kind of have gained independence, now we want to
be bound to some other party. But in fact this is the only choice for
us. 2004 presidential elections was successful test for determination
of the Abkhazians. But murder of one of the most powerful relatives
of the former president in Moscow came of surprise. If he has not
he been murdered he would probably become a president and leave all
other contenders far behind”, Beslan Kmuzov said.
But as the popular saying goes, new it is well forgotten old.
Therefore I remind him of Ubykhs that used to live in Sochi and now
there are none of them.
“No, the Ubykhs must blame themselves. They had to make up their
minds in time. To fight with Russia means to fight indeed. To live in
peace means to live in peace. Englishmen deceived them, they promised
to support and betrayed in the decisive moment. As for Abkhazians,
they do not count on anyone’s help”, Beslan Kmuzov claims.
But here is another question – what about the fraternal Caucasian
nations and their help?
“The representatives of the ethnic groups of Adygh origin express
their sympathy with Abkhazia. But they also suffer lack of unbiased
information. They do not even exactly know what happened in Abkhazia
before 1992 and are not well aware of the present developments too.
The local vendible politicos do not let Cherkesians, Adyghs and
Kabardians unite to be able to deny political course dictated by
Russia. They also hinder economic development of the region. This is
the core problem of the North Caucasus. But saying that those nations
will join hostilities in Abkhazia once again is contradictory –
Russia will simply step aside to let those nations mangle each other.
We have already experienced it during the Georgian-Abkhazian
hostilities in 1992”, he says
The Abkhazian journalist also does not like the recent developments
in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
“I have spoken to Mikheil Makharadze, Chairman of Parliament of the
Autonomous Republic. It is evident that the local regional authority
of the autonomous republic is formal. They are not able to make any
decisions without prior agreement with the center”, Beslan Kmuzov
says in disappointment.
The conversation with Beslan Kmuzov makes the lamentable state of the
Abkhazian people evident – they might take their crave for independence
to extreme edge. However Beslan Kmuzov is optimistic over the future.
“Time will cross all “t’s” and dot all “i’s”, he says.
Let’s wait and see.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SYMPOSIUM TO BE ORGANIZED IN ERCIYES UNIVERSITY ON TURKISH – ARMENIAN RELATIONS
Anatolian Times, Turkey
April 17 2006
KAYSERI – Plenary discussion panel on: “The Art of Living Together
in the Ottoman Society: The Case of Turkish-Armenian Relations” will
be organized in Erciyes University (EU) in Central Anatolian city of
Kayseri, it was reported on Sunday.
EU Rector Prof. Cengiz Utas held a news conference and said the
university will host the symposium between April 20 and 22
Utas said 125 scientists from various countries and Turkish Armenians
Patriarch Mesrob II would attend the symposium where social dimensions
of the Turkish-Armenian relations would be examined rather than
political dimensions.
Prof. Metin Hulagu, the Chairman of the Symposium Organization
Committee said they hoped the symposium to be a new start in
Turkish-Armenian relations, stating that issues based on documents
would be discussed.
“We want the symposium to establish a new bridge between Turkey and
Armenia. We hope to organize the second symposium in Armenia. Peace,
tolerance and dialogue between Turks and Armenian will be taken up,”
he noted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 17, 2006
___________________
APRIL 30 GATHERING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TO CALL ATTENTION TO KILLING
IN DARFUR
The Save Darfur Coalition, a coalition of organizations including
religious institutions such as the Armenian Church, will hold a
rally in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2006, to call attention to
the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The Rally to Stop Genocide will feature leading voices in the
effort to stop the genocide in Darfur, including a broad spectrum of
prominent faith leaders, political figures, human rights activists,
celebrities, survivors of the Holocaust and genocides in Cambodia,
Kosovo, Srebrenica, Rwanda, South Sudan and Darfur.
The rally will run from 2 to 4 p.m., with participants asked to
gather at 1:30 on the National Mall, between 3rd and 4th Streets
in front of the U.S. Capitol. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) asks all members able to attend to join the rally.
Before the rally, Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA, will celebrate the badarak at the St. Mary
Church of Washington, D.C.
Armenians are also asked to take part in a related postcard campaign,
in which organizers are aiming to flood the White House with messages
to prompt action against the Darfur genocide.
“We, the Armenians who have suffered a lot like other nations, we have
to be a part of this demonstration and send cards as much as possible
to President Bush to stop this genocide,” said Bishop Vicken Aykazian,
legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese, who will be unable to
attend the protest because of a previous commitment in the Midwest.
“We encourage all our Armenian communities around greater Washington
to attend.”
In the Sudan, the Janjaweed — a government-backed nomadic Arab tribe
— has raped, killed, and burnt the homes of black, non-Arab residents
in the nation’s Darfur region since 2003. The violence is an attempt to
get them to leave their lands, which the Arab government has promised
to the mercenaries. According to reports by the World Food Program,
the United Nations, and the Coalition for International Justice,
3.5 million people are now hungry, 2.5 million have been displaced
due to violence, and 400,000 people have died in Darfur so far.
The Diocese has been advocating for increased international pressure to
stop the violence. Along with coordinating a Diocesan-wide fund-raising
effort to provide relief supplies to the refugees of the violence,
Bishop Aykazian has also taken part in protests outside the Sudanese
embassy in 2004, during which several leading protestors were arrested
for civil disobedience.
For more on the protest and the postcard campaign, visit
— 4/17/06
# # #

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY POSITION ON MASS. GENOCIDE DENIAL CASE REINFORCED BY SIXTH CIRCUIT COURT RULING
Washington, DC — A recent U.S. Sixth Circuit Court decision virtually
echoed the language used by the Armenian Assembly in its amicus curiae
(“friend of the court”) brief in the Massachusetts Genocide Denial
Case, when it ruled that a state, has in effect, broad discretion
in determining the appropriate framework on policy issues of public
interest.
Ruling that the state of Tennessee can put on its license plates any
message it chooses, the Court said that the tags are “government
speech” and “not a public forum,” and that nothing in the First
Amendment prohibits it.
It went on to say: “Although this exercise of government one-sidedness
with respect to a very contentious political issue may be ill-advised,
we are unable to conclude that the Tennessee statute contravenes the
First Amendment,” Judge John M. Rogers said in his ruling.
Last month, the Assembly filed an amicus brief in response to a
lawsuit brought by the Assembly of Turkish American Associations
(ATAA) and others who are attempting to rewrite history with respect
to the Armenian Genocide. The brief states in part: “There is no
First Amendment basis for objecting to the government’s choice in a
curricular guide simply because it expresses a viewpoint with which
the plaintiffs disagree. Indeed, the fundamental flaw in plaintiffs
suit, and the reason why it must be dismissed, is that the Curricular
Guide is government speech and there is no First Amendment basis for
objecting when the government chooses to speak.”
Citing a Fifth U.S. Circuit Court decision, the Assembly brief
further says, “The Supreme Court repeatedly has emphasized that the
government may speak and that there is no basis for a First Amendment
claim objecting to the government’s expressive choices.”
The Assembly brief also said: “As the Fifth Circuit recently declared:
The government undoubtedly has the authority to control its own
message when it speaks or advocates a position it believes is in the
public interest.”
“. . .the Curricular Guide is speech by the government, and the law
is absolutely clear that government speech inherently does not violate
the First Amendment,” the brief continues.
The ATAA lawsuit seeks the right to inject genocide denial materials
into the Massachusetts school curriculum and claims that doing so
is a violation of the “freedom of speech” protection of the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
####
NR#2006-034
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress