Author: Emil Lazarian

Pan Armenian News
EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90-TH ANNIVERSARY TO BE HELD IN
COPENHAGEN
15.04.2005 06:46
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the initiative of Momik cultural center and with the
assistance of the Armenian community of Denmark an exhibition of 12 Armenian
painters will be held in Copenhagen April 21-24, Yerkir online reports. The
event is dated to the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During the
period of its activities Momik has organized about 40 exhibitions in Armenia
and abroad, where the works of over 50 Armenian painters and masters of
applied art were represented. Since 2002 the center has published a magazine
titled `Armenian Art’ and spread in the Armenian communities of 15
countries. This autumn Momik is going to organize an exhibition dedicated to
the 1600-th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian alphabet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenpress
GEORGIA RESOLUTE TO FOIL SEPARATISTS SENTIMENTS IN JAVAKHETI
TBILISI, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS: Georgia’s defense minister Irakly
Okruashvili said in a yesterday’s interview to Georgian Times newspaper that
the government is resolute to thwart all attempts aiming to destabilize the
situation in the predominantly Armenian populated region of Javakheti.
“We shall work to ensure jobs for local population when the Russian
military base is removed. We shall not allow any separatists sentiments
there,” he said.
Okruashvili also said conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia could be
resolved with the help of “friendly nations.” “The world is changing rapidly
and Georgia’s significance in international politics is also changing.
Georgia is able now to take its voice to friendly nations and solve the
conflicts with their help,’ he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 15:28:44 | 15-04-2005 | Official |
KOCHARYAN’S LEG IS ALL RIGHT
On April 20-23 Robert Kocharyan will leave for France on official duty where
he will meet President Jacques Chirac and the Presidents of the Senate and
the National Assembly.
Let us remind you that the visit was scheduled for 10 days ago, but it was
postponed due to leg injury of the President after the visit to Gudauri.

AZERI REPORTS ON ARMENIA’S BUYING ORDNANCE IN GEORGIA “IDIOCY”
YEREVAN, APRIL 15. ARMINFO. Spokesman of Armenia’s Defence Minister,
Col. Seyran Shahsuvaryan calls “idiocy” the Azeri reports alleging
that 16 Acacia howitzers have been illegally shipped into Armenia from
the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki (Georgia).
The reports say that the guns have been deployed in Noyemberyan.
“This is not true,” says Shahsuyvaryan commenting on the Thursday
report made by TURAN with reference to “well-informed military
sources.”

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
November 18, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
FMR. ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN VAN KRIKORIAN TESTIFIES ON
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF ARMENIANS IN TURKEY ON CAPITOL HILL
Washington, DC – The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
(CSCE) convened a hearing on Capitol Hill this week to examine freedom
of religious issues in Turkey, including the glaring property crisis
facing the Armenian Orthodox Church and the unrecognized status of the
Armenian Patriarchate there.
Former Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Van Krikorian, joined by
Rev. Father Archpriest Vertanes Kalayjian of St. Mary’s Armenian
Apostolic Church in Washington, DC, offered testimony on the situation
of Christian Armenians in Turkey, noting at the outset that the hearing
is especially meaningful, “as April is the month in which the Armenian
Genocide is commemorated.”
Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), also a member of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, submitted written remarks
highlighting the serious problems which restrict religious liberties to
Armenians in Turkey.
“The Armenian Orthodox Church has suffered the loss of important
properties through government expropriations,” Smith said. “Similar to
the situation of the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Catholic
Churches, the Armenian Orthodox Church has lost much under current laws
that enable the government to assume direct administration of properties
that fall into ‘disuse’ when the size of the local community falls below
a certain point. In addition, the Armenian Patriarchate continues to
seek recognition of its legal status.”
Krikorian, in his testimony, reinforced Smith and said that Armenians
for centuries have paid and in many places continue to pay a high price
for their Christianity.
“In 1914, there were approximately 5,000 Armenian Churches, seminaries
and schools registered by the Patriarchate…less than 50 Armenian
Churches remain under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Patriarchate
today.”
“The seizure and often destruction of Armenian Church property, of this
Christian legacy, thus presents a ripe area to demonstrate reform and
begin building confidence,” Krikorian added. Krikorian also noted
that there have been improvements within civil society to discuss
Armenian issues more openly as well as recognition that the border
should be open, both of which should be encouraged by the CSCE.
Recognizing that the Armenian presence in Turkey is and has been
tenuous, Krikorian offered three main problem areas that require
immediate attention.
* The ability to conduct services, including training and
employing clergy.
* The ability to maintain Armenian schools without censorship and
allow any Armenian student to attend.
* The ability to fund, administer and operate the Church and
properties.
Additionally, Krikorian offered a recommendation by the Turkish Armenian
Reconciliation Commission (which completed its work in 2004) which says
that opportunities should exist for religious leaders to develop
contacts and engage in promoting reconciliation between Turks and
Armenians. Such activities should include the restoration of religious
sites and supporting the rights and functioning of religious
foundations, according to the group.
The population of Armenians in Turkey is approximately 70,000 to 82,000
and the Turkish government estimates that another 30,000 to 40,000
Armenians from Armenia currently work in Istanbul.
The Commission hearing also addressed the situation faced by other
religious minorities in Turkey, including Muslims, Protestants and Jews.
Testimony was also provided by Merve Kavacki, former member of the
Turkish Grand National Assembly, Jeff King with International Christian
Concern and Barry Jacobs with the American Jewish Committee.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2005-041
Editor’s Note: To download the complete text of Van Krikorian’s
testimony, as well as other related documents, log onto the CSCE Web
site at

Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following link

Caption: Former Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Van Krikorian,
center, testified on Capitol Hill before the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) on April 12, 2005. At left is Rev. Father
Archpriest Vertanes Kalayjian of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in
Washington and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), is at right.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Reuters, UK
April 15 2005
EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Prisoners face death by starvation, says Amnesty
15 Apr 2005 14:26:11 GMT
Source: IRIN

LIBREVILLE, 15 April (IRIN) – At least 70 prisoners being held in
Equatorial Guinea’s notorious Black Beach prison outside the capital
Malabo are facing death by starvation, Amnesty International said in
a report this week.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema went on air to deny the allegation,
saying on national radio that “although there are many prisoners
incarcerated at Black Beach, they are well treated.”
Amnesty said those most at risk in the former Spanish colony were
dozens of political prisoners arrested last year who were being held
without trial, and 15 foreign nationals who were deprived of contact
with family and lawyers.
Many were particularly at risk since they had been severely weakened
by ill-treatment, torture and lack of adequate medical care for
chronic illnesses, the London-based rights watchdog said in a
statement.
Among the prisoners are six Armenians and five South Africans
convicted last November of preparing the ground for a mercenary
invasion to overthrow Obiang. The former army officer has ruled the
tiny oil-rich nation with an iron hand since he deposed and killed
his uncle in a 1979 coup.
Four Nigerians have also been held at Black Beach prison for several
months without charge or trial and without their embassy being
notified, Amnesty said.
Prison officials reduced the daily food ration for inmates in
December from a cup of rice to one or two bread rolls, but since the
end of February “provision of any prison food at all has been
sporadic,” the report said.
“Unless immediate action is taken, many of those detained at Black
Beach prison will die,” said Kolawole Olaniyan, the director of
Amnesty’s Africa programme. “Such near starvation, lack of medical
attention and appalling prison conditions represent a scandalous
failure by the Equatorial Guinea authorities to fulfil their most
basic responsibilities under international law.”
Both Amnesty and exiled opposition sources said prisoners often were
dependent on food handed to prison guards by families.
This made the situation all the more difficult for foreigners and for
people from the mainland part of Equatorial Guinea, 200 km to the
southeast, since they had no family nearby, Amnesty said.
Black Beach is situated on Bioko, a mountainous volcanic island
formally known as Fernando Poo, where the country’s offshore oil
industry is based.
Amnesty said all prisoners were kept in their cells for 24 hours a
day and that foreign detainees were held with their hands and legs
cuffed at all times.
The foreigners were handed sentences of between 14 and 34 years in
jail in November for their alleged role in an abortive invasion by
South African mercenaries. Their trial was slammed as unfair at the
time by Amnesty and the London-based International Bar Association.
Former South African soldier Nick du Toit, the alleged leader of the
group, was the sole defendant to have initially confessed to a role
in the conspiracy. He later said that his admission of guilt had been
obtained by torture.
Obiang, the present head of state, has been widely accused of
corruption and human rights abuse during his 25-year rule of what
used to be one of the world’s poorest nations.
Equatorial Guinea now produces 350,000 barrels per day of oil and has
become Africa’s third-biggest oil producer after Nigeria and Angola,
but most of its 500,000 people still live in dire poverty.
Although oil generates US $30,000 per year for every one of the
Equatorial Guinea’s 500,000 inhabitants – giving the country a gross
domestic product per capita equivalent to that of Switzerland or
Denmark – life expectancy remains low at 49 and less than half the
population have access to clean drinking water, according the UN
Human Development Index.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #067, 15/04/2005
Armenian Genocide
GENOCIDE ACKNOWLEDGMENT: A DEAD END?
Worldwide Armenian political demands on Turkey have always included land,
restitution, and Genocide acknowledgment. Over time, however, the demand for
acknowledgment has eclipsed the other demands. In view of the obvious
obstacles the land and restitution issues have faced, that’s understandable.
Genocide acknowledgment is different. Armenians, and many non-Armenians,
have readily rallied around such a straightforward and relatively
non-aggressive demand. Moreover, a Turkish confession – apparently a mere
sentence or two – has seemed achievable.
Suppose, therefore, that Turkey’s Prime Minister announced today that
“Turkey acknowledges that 90 years ago, during a time in which both Turks
and Armenians were murdered, some individuals in the Ottoman regime
committed genocide against Armenians. Let us and Armenia now begin a new
era.”
Dead End
Would that really heal our collective psyche? Would it be sincere and
signify a genuine shift in Turkish attitudes? Would Turkish organizations
and individuals cease their Genocide denial? Would the remaining survivors
and their descendants receive restitution/reparations?
Would Armenia’s security be measurably enhanced? Would Turkey open its
border with Armenia? Would it end its pan-Turkic thrust – similar to the one
that spawned the Genocide – into the Caucasus and Central Asia? Could
Armenians resettle in Anatolia/Western Armenia? Would Armenia recover even
small amounts of that territory?
That the likely answer to each question is “No” should cause us to rethink
our emphasis on acknowledgment. Among the political scientists doing that
are Dr. Simon Payaslian, Nicolas Tavitian MS, and Dr. Khatchik Der
Ghougassian (Armenian Forum, Vol. 2, No. 3, Gomidas.org).
Rethinking Acknowledgment
The “essential component” of “historic Armenian lands,” says Payaslian, has
been “redefined as, or totally replaced by, recognition.” Western countries’
“commemorative statements that ignore the territorial issue should be
rejected.” He lists four goals of acknowledgment: territory, emotional
healing, restitution, and enhanced international standing for Armenia. Only
the last, Payaslian concludes, is realistically achievable through
acknowledgment. He is troubled by “the lack of public debate” on the
“purposes and problems” of “Genocide recognition.”
So is Tavitian: “Striving for genocide recognition has long been a reflex
rather than an action toward a goal … Armenians should rethink their
approach.”
However, acknowledgment could be a “security guarantee” for Armenia if it
can “transform Turkey [and] the West’s understanding of Armenia’s security.”
The quest for acknowledgment, Der Ghougassian believes, maintains “vigilance
against the Turkish threat.” Acknowledgment might be a “first step” towards
“normalization of relations.” Nevertheless, “A response to the Genocide must
deprive Turkey” of the land it took in the genocide. Clearly, then, we need
to rethink the pursuit of acknowledgment. If not, we may regret it.
Land and Restitution
The European Union (EU), which Turkey aspires to join, is asking Turkey to
recognize the Genocide. Suppose Turkey complies. The EU and the US would
likely conclude, since the land and restitution issues are not now
prominently on the table, that Armenians had received everything they had
asked for. For Armenians to subsequently try to drag those two issues into
the spotlight would be difficult. And, as argued above, acknowledgment alone
is unlikely to benefit Armenia much anyway. Worse, an educated guess is that
the West would accept a sham acknowledgment, such as “Turkey regrets the
wrongful murder of Armenians in 1915 by the old Ottoman regime.”
Frankly, acknowledgment, in the absence of the restoration of Armenian
rights, may be undesirable. The pursuit of acknowledgment, rather than
acknowledgment itself, helps to maintain a strong defensive posture against
Turkey and is a valuable tool to keep Armenia’s foe off balance.
Placing restitution and territory near the front of our agenda, therefore,
serves two purposes. First, Turkey is unlikely to issue an acknowledgment at
all, for fear of the consequences. Second, if an acknowledgment does come,
Turkey and the West would less able to close the book on the Armenian case.
In the meantime, efforts are underway to undermine the restitution and land
issues.
State Department Trap
John Evans, the US Ambassador to Armenia, and David L. Phillips, a State
Department consultant and moderator of the Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC), recently toured the US gleefully claiming that Armenians
cannot ask for restitution or land from Turkey.
They cite a 2003 “report” sponsored by TARC. The report affirmed the
factuality of the genocide, but deviously asserted that the UN’s1948
Genocide Treaty cannot be applied retroactively to 1915 and that “legal,
financial, or territorial” claims are invalid.
Indeed, Phillips hints that four years ago it was he who arranged for
President Robert Kocharian to tell Turkish TV that Armenia will not press
for restitution or territory.
This, then, is the trap being laid for us: the US, and possibly Turkey, may
someday issue a Genocide “acknowledgment”, but Armenians must abandon all
claims, particularly territorial ones, against Turkey.
Why is America worried about Turkish territory? Because the State
Department, not to mention Europe and Israel, regards eastern Turkey as a
vital path to the Caspian Sea region’s oil and gas. By disposing of Genocide
acknowledgment and trashing Armenian land claims, the State Department hopes
to both protect eastern Turkey and more easily penetrate the Caucasus.
The Future
Genocide acknowledgment is a vital, and perhaps permanent, weapon in Armenia
and the Diaspora’s arsenals. It must not be dealt away cheaply. Armenia and
the traditional Diasporan political parties should immediately place land
and restitution alongside, or close to, the acknowledgment demand.
Realistically, of course, Armenia cannot recover territory anytime soon.
Still, that territory is vital for long-term security. For example, Armenia
requires a secure path to the Black Sea and, therefore, to Europe and
Russia. Needless to say, to attain that goal, Armenia must become much
stronger. (See “The Armenian Land Question: Misunderstood Terrain,” Armenian
Mirror Spectator, Boston, July 31, 2004.)
Recovering territory and obtaining material restitution someday will heal
our wounds more than all the Turkish acknowledgments in the world. Notice,
for example, that as Armenians now control Karabagh and the surrounding
territory, the repression and massacres that Azerbaijan inflicted on
Armenians in the last 100 years take a back seat.
Winning, therefore, is the best revenge, though we will always honor those
who perished and suffered in the Genocide.
Lastly, we need to better educate ourselves about land and restitution.
Genocide related commemorations, lectures, and conferences should emphasize
the ongoing geopolitical consequences of 1915: loss of historic lands and
individual and historical property, and an adversary that remains committed
to a dangerous, pan-Turkic philosophy. Younger generations, particularly –
by nature action-oriented – crave such meaty political issues.
And if Turkey never acknowledges the Genocide? Security, and the restoration
of rights and the Armenian homeland are more important.
By David B. Boyajian, Armenian American freelance writer
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN AND IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRIES DISCUSS CONSULAR
AFFAIRS
14.04.2005 07:31
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The first joint sitting of representatives of the Foreign
Ministries of Iran and Armenia opened in Yerevan today. Consular affairs
referring to the citizens of the two countries will be discussed at the
meeting. In the course of the first day of the talks the representatives of
the consular services of the two countries noted the importance of the
regular holding of such meetings, taking into account the good neighborly
relations of Iran and Armenia and the notable movement of the citizens of
the two states. The sittings of the representatives of the diplomatic
departments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia will
last two days.

COMMUNITY AND RIGHT NGO BLAMES ORINATS YERKIR PARTY FOR
MISREPRESENTING SOME FACTS
YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. “RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian’s
well-known article calling on for holding of honest and fair elections
in the future is indeed addressed to western countries, he means that
the only bearer of western values is the Orinats Yerkir (Country of
Law) party,” Samvel Mkrtchian, Chairman of the Community and Right
NGO, declared during the April 14 press conference. He blamed the
Orinats Yerkir party for misrepresenting the real responses of
society. Thus, after the publication of A.Baghdasarian’s article
“Choice of the Future or for the Sake of Public Consent” in many
newspapers, the responses of NGOs supporting the Speaker’s appeal
appeared in the Aravot newspaper and the Community and Right NGO was
also mentioned among the organizations that joined the Speaker’s
initiative. While, according to Mkrtchian, the organization headed by
him didn’t give its official consent to supporting A.Baghdasarian’s
initiative. He didn’t exclude that some Orinats Yerkir members could
bestow a doubtful benefit upon A.Baghdasarian. Samvel Mkrtchian said
that 8 thousand people are united by the Community and Right
organization: “We won’t permit to turn us into somebody’s supplement.”
He refuted the supposition about the possible fulfilment of a certain
political order by him aimed at dicreditation of the Orinats Yerkir
party. As for his attitude to this political force, he declared that
he Community and Right NGO has always struggled for establishment of
democracy and Orinats Yerkir is one of the largest falsificators of
the previous elections. “I will follow the party I really believe,”
Mkrtchian declared. Meanwhile he didn’t exlude the fact that the
Community and Right organization may become a political party in the
future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY CANNOT SECURE NA NORMAL WORK, LEADER OF
“PEOPLE’S DEPUTY” FACTION STATES
YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Failure of the regular four-day
sessions of the Parliament showed that the political majority cannot
organize work of the National Assembly in proper way. Karen
Karapetian, the leader of the NA “People’s Deputy” MPs’ faction made
such a statement during the April 14 interview with journalists. “This
style of work is unacceptable for us. There is a political majority
which is obliged to secure normal work of the National Assembly. This
is said for many times, and I do not consider superfluous to repeat it
once more,” the leader of the faction mentioned. According to him, it
became clear still on the previous day that the parliamentary majority
would not be able to secure quorum. Concerning the reasonings that MPs
are on missions, then those, according to Karapetian, are fictitious:
“Send as many people to missions as not to damage work of the
Parliament.” Mentioning that political forces occupying opposing or
neutral position also have their part of guilt in the issue of such a
concern to work of the Parliament, Karen Karapetian emphasized once
more that those parties which have taken the responsibility are
obliged to carry out organization of the work. “I consider impossible
to continue in this way. I propose either to call to order everybody
or we do not need such a NA. We give nice promises to people from
election to election, and they must be given power of law. Other
elections will be tomorrow, and we all will turn to electors,” the
leader of the “People’s Deputy” faction mentioned.