Author: Felekian Ara

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE CANDIDATE CAROL LIU CRITICIZES JANE HARMAN FOR OPPOSITION TO GENOCIDE BILL

armradio.am
28.11.2007 10:27

Former California State Assemblymember and State Senate candidate Carol
Liu has issued a letter strongly disagreeing with Congresswoman Jane
Harman’s effort to kill the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106)
pending in the House of Representatives.

In her correspondence, Liu outlines that the "United States cannot,
even by omission, condone the continued misrepresentation of
history. She adds, "The foreign policy of the United States must
not be based on fear but rather on the honest affirmation of our own
ideals." Carol Liu’s letter was sent to both the Chairman and Ranking
members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We are proud of Carol Liu," commented Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) Executive Director Andrew Kzirian.

"She is speaking truth to power and our community respects that. It
is clear that Jane Harman’s opposition to the genocide bill has drawn
a lot of attention from area legislators and public figures, like
Carol Liu, who strongly disagree with her position," Kzirian added.

Last month Jane Harman published an opinion article in the Los Angeles
Times outlining her opposition to the Armenian Genocide resolution. She
wrote, in part, "So I agree with eight former secretaries of State —
including Los Angeles’ own Warren Christopher — who said that passing
the resolution ‘could endanger our national security interests in
the region, including our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and damage
efforts to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.’ Timing
matters. I asked a leader in California’s Armenian American community
just days ago why the resolution was being pushed now. "They didn’t
ask me," he said. It wasn’t his call, and he probably would not have
pushed it."

FOURTH VOLUME OF "ARMENIAN BOOK IN 1901-1920" LITERATURE PUBLISHED

Noyan Tapan
Nov 28, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The fourth volume of the "Armenian
book in 1901-1920" literature covers the biography of 7600 Armenian
books, including books written in Armenian, as well as foreign ones
including Armenian extracts, published in different countries of the
world. The launching of this book was held in the National Library
of Armenia on November 27. This bibliographical collection of the
Armenian book published in 1901-1920 sums up the pre-soviet stage
of the history of the Armenian printing. This work is envisaged for
specialists studying the history of the Armenian book, philologists,
and historians.

As Haykanush Ghazarian, the editor of the volume, mentioned, the
primary goal of bibliography is to clear up the factual existence
of the book, making use of other bibliographies and catalogues, to
summerize and introduce the complete picture of the Armenian book
published in a certain period, correct the misprintings founded in
previous bibliographies and catalogues, to present the printing houses,
which have published the books, and their location, record the state
of their preservedness and their current location, and in case of
literature in translation to mention the language, the author and
translator of the origin. The fourth volume consists of four sections
and five tables of contents.

According to the editor of the volume, this very volume of the
bibliography of the Armenian book was ready to be published as early
as three years ago, however, it was published only this year due to
state order. The preparation work of the volume laster over 7 years
and it is a result of the hard work of a group of devoted bibliographs.

In the words of Hranush Ghazarian, the specialists of the Bibliography
section of the library are already working at the next volumes and
hope that another volume of the work will be published by 2012:
the 500th anniversary of the printing of the Armenian book.

It should be mentioned that as early as in 1958 as a result of the
work performed in the direction of gathering materials in the section
of bibliography of the Armenian book, the previous three volumes,
dedicated to the Armenian book published during the periods of
1512-1800, 1801-1850, 1851-1900 have been printed by now.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

November 30, 2007

Prelate’s Christmas message

PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

That wars may be silenced.that
love and righteousness may be
established on earth.
(Book of Hours)

In today’s chaotic world with its internal turmoil and fear
because of terrorism, there again come days, through the Good News of the
birth of Christ, when we exchange good wishes with one another, with the
expectation that the coming year will be peaceful, disaster-free, and
successful, with the blessing and will of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Within the context of these thoughts, how moving are the
supplication to the Mother of God to intercede on our behalf and beseech her
Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that wars will cease and love and
righteousness will reign in the world.

"That wars may be silenced.."

Today the television and newspapers report excessively of
disasters, murders, poverty and acts of inhumanity. Contrary to the Good
News of the Nativity, which proclaims the birth of the Prince of Peace, the
Sun of Righteousness, wars continue, innocent people are killed, and
families suffer. Again and again we pray and ask our Lord to grace our
leaders with wisdom and awareness, so that they silence wars and stop
attacks, permitting humankind to enjoy the God-given goodness given to us
and our brotherhood in peace. We seek this for the sake of peace on earth.

There is also the peace of Christ, which has a different quality
and purpose. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give
to you as the world gives," (John 14:27). This peace is the tranquility in
our inner self, which suffers greatly by the presence of evil and from the
effects of sin. There is no peace for the ungodly and wicked (Isaiah 48:22);
only through Christ do we find true and complete peace. This kind of peace
is given to us by the Holy Spirit, whose grace and strength plants peace in
our souls. Peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which
grows and is strengthened when we banish sin, when we condemn sin and we
establish peace in and with Christ.

"That love and righteousness may be established on earth."

Just as the world has its peace, it also has its righteousness.
In the world the voice belongs to power, the military, armaments, and the
economy, that speak for righteousness and in the name of righteousness.
History is the witness to all of these types of events and quite often
justice, despite being inalienable, is a victim of politics and profit. We
too have often been innocent victims; we have even been victims to genocide
and forced deportation from our homeland. Last October in Washington the
sounds of righteousness soothed our sorrow and illuminated our hope. Our
cause is just, it is genuine, and no evil can obstruct it. Peace and
righteousness are inseparable, as the Apostle James says, "And a harvest of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace," (James 3:18)
because the Lord loves justice and hates injustice (Isaiah 61:8).

Humankind suffers, in indescribable proportion, because of the
absence of worldly justice. The supplications of our prayers call for love
and righteousness with the hope that humankind can live and establish this
virtue in brotherhood with the "good will toward all," which the Angels
proclaimed at the time of Christ’s birth. Christian righteousness is
established when people are at peace with themselves; when they bravely
spread truth frustrations disappear, especially when they sympathize with
their neighbors, they comfort the deprived, help the helpless, and support
the rights of orphans. "Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the
oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). Let us
seek this type of righteousness so that we may harvest its fruit which is
peace, so that we may enjoy its benefit which is peace of mind and soul, and
safety in our lives (Isaiah 32:17).

Yes, let this type of righteousness and love take hold, where
heavenly peace rules our souls and where Jesus will joyfully be born with
His goodness and sweetness.

On the occasion of the Holy Nativity let us pray with the words
of our holy church father, saying, "O Holy Mother Mary, Mother of God,
intercede to the incarnated God born from you that wars may be silenced,
that invasions by enemies may cease, that love and righteousness may be
established on earth, we beseech you."

May you have a blessed Nativity filled with the grace of our
Lord.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
Prelate
Eastern United States of America

Nativity 2008

GOLDEN APRICOT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S DURATION TO INCREASE BY TWO DAYS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 30, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMVER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The 5th anniversary of the Golden
Apricot (Voske Tsiran) International Film Festival’s foundation
will be marked in 2008, on the occasion of which the chairmen
and the directors of the most famous film festivals, including
Cannes, Rotterdam, Goteborg, Pusan, as well as godfathers of world
cinematography, famous people and renowned figures of cinematography
will be invited. Atom Egoyan, a famous Canadian Armenian film director,
will be also present at the film festival’s 5th anniversary.

As Haroutiun Khachatrian, the director of the festival, informed Noyan
Tapan correspondent, the duration of the Golden Apricot International
Film Festival will be increased by two days as compared with the
previous ones, i.e. 7 days instead of 5. It will start on July 13
and will finish on July 20. According to the festival director,
the acceptance of film bids has already begun.

Besides, the number of the festival’s contest nominations will increase
by one: a contest for films shot in the countries of the region will
be also organized.

TURKEY, ARMENIA MATCHES TO GO AHEAD DESPITE DIVISIONS
By Darren Ennis

Reuters, UK
Nov 29 2007

BRUSSELS, Nov 29 (Reuters) – The World Cup qualifying games due to
take place between Turkey and Armenia are expected to go ahead despite
bitter political divisions between the two countries, UEFA president
Michel Platini said on Thursday.

Concerns were expressed about the two fixtures after both countries
— at odds with each other over Turkey’s failure to accept that 1.5
million Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks —
were drawn in the same qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup

"We met with the associations from Armenia and Turkey and there
weren’t any problems, they said the games would be played the best
possible way," Platini told reporters on a visit to Brussels.

Two Euro 2008 qualifiers between Armenia and Azerbaijan were cancelled
in June due to a long-running dispute over land. Turkey shut its
border with Armenia in 1993 to protest against Armenia’s occupation
of territory inside Azerbaijan.

"We had a problem last year between Armenia and Azerbaijan because
it was worse than non-existing relationships, there was a problem of
extreme tensions and so the executive committee took the decision of
cancelling the two games," Platini said.

Up to 1.5 million Armenians died in massacres and mass expulsions
in 1915. Armenia and the Armenian diaspora abroad — backed by many
Western historians — say it was genocide and want foreign states to
recognise it as such.

Turkey accepts there were widespread killings, but says they did
not amount to genocide. A law in Turkey makes calling the deaths a
genocide a criminal offence.

"But as far as Turkey and Armenia are concerned, there hasn’t been any
indication of a potential problem and the cancellation of matches,"
Platini said.

Both countries were drawn in Group 5 alongside Spain, Belgium, Bosnia
and Estonia.

Center for Research on Globalization, Canada
Dec 1 2007

Azerbaijan and Georgia are more afraid of the independence of Kosovo
than Serbia

Kosovo will start wars in Caucasia

Global Research, November 30, 2007
PanARMENIAN.Net – 2007-11-20

The leader of the winning Democratic Party in the parliamentary
elections in Kosovo Hashim Tachi announced that right after December
10 the authorities of the country will proclaim its independence. The
announcement made by Tachi evoked the predictable reaction of the EU,
as one of the members of the international `three’ on identifying the
status of Kosovo, which replaced the UN after the failure of the
Ahtisaari plan. The truth is that at present moment the UN is too
concentrated on the Near East, to really take an interest in the
Balkans and that’s why is willing to solve this problem as soon as
possible.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States call upon
the Kosovo Albanians to refrain from one-sided declaration of
independence, whereas Washington promises to recognize the
independence of the country already in January. Russia’s viewpoint is
clear; it is against the separation from Serbia and suggests `wide
autonomy’ instead. Practically the world found itself in a diplomatic
deadlock, which is fraught with inner tensions in the Balkans. The
truth is that the EU special representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby is more optimistic about things. `I hope that the
declaration of independence of Kosovo will not become a destabilizing
factor in the Balkans,’ he said also adding that in this case the
disposition of the EU depends on the fact that the Kosovo problem is
a special case. `Every conflict has its own history, its specific
character and every conflict needs an individual approach, respecting
the international law. The resolution of the Kosovo problem must not
have any influence on the resolution of other conflicts but perhaps
it is inevitable that Kosovo will give birth to hopes or
apprehensions for other unsolved problems. Nevertheless, the EU is
always for the resolution of any kind of conflict exceptionally from
point of view of international law,’ emphasized the Finnish diplomat.
In his turn the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt
announced that Hashim Tachi must understand the difference between
the announcements made by an oppositional politician and by
responsible political figures.

Several years ago Carl Bildt was the active mediator in the
negotiations held over the issue of the status of Kosovo, which he
called `the most sensitive region in Europe, where any abrupt
movement may be fatal’. The EU representatives and the UN
Administration in Kosovo say that Tachi most probably will put the
declaration of independence off till a more suitable period, to
achieve a maximum support abroad. `Tachi will take an advantageous
position, but he will do nothing unless Washington and the EU key
Member States give him the permission. He very carefully follows
America’s advice. And they choose mid January,’ quotes the British
The Guardian the words of a UN official, working in the capital of
Kosovo Pristina.

By the way, the headquarters of NATO and UN in Kosovo have designed
contingency plans, taking into consideration several possible
unpleasant scenarios in the development of events, among them
inter-ethnical violations and massacres, attacks by the underground
military groupings of both parties, crisis and the seizure of the
Northern regions of Kosovo by Serbia, which will bring to separation
of the country. The fact that the creation of the seventh state on
the ruins of Yugoslavia is happening with the agreement of the
International Community, may have decisive consequences for the
neighboring countries. This is particularly applicable for Bosnia,
where the non-operating model of three-body state, invented by
Dayton, is still preserved, political instability is being observed,
and the Bosnian Serbs are looking forward to the Kosovo crisis coming
to a head.

The statements about the `Kosovo precedent’, which may be used in
resolution of conflicts in post-Soviet areas, and in particular in
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, are not supported by the critics. The most
important thing is that independence of Nagorno-Karabakh was won and
not granted. This is a very important factor in conflict regulation
process. One thing is being granted this independence by someone and
another thing is to win it. Nagorno-Karabakh doesn’t owe anything to
anyone. This is why Azerbaijan and Georgia are more afraid of the
independence of Kosovo than Serbia is. Everything is clear here, if
Kosovo is separated, there will be war. In case with Karabakh the
renewal of the military actions will end as quickly as they start.
And the thing is not in Armenia, the World Community has several key
viewpoints, which impede Baku’s efforts of `liberating their lands:
the Middle East is the phantom of the independent Kurdistan. Another
important factor that shouldn’t be left unmentioned is the oil
pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, gas pipeline Baku-Erzrum and the new
gas pipeline from Turkey to Greece and then to Europe. Unleashing a
new war in such conditions will put the entire world under a menace,
which is clear no one wants. According to Peter Semneby, Azerbaijan
develops very quickly and thinks it’s powerful, but this doesn’t mean
that it can resolve conflict with military or economic pressure.
These hopes of Azerbaijan are simply exaggerated.

a&aid=7497

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY EXPANDS OUTREACH EFFORTS IN ATLANTA, PHILADELPHIA

armradio.am
03.12.2007 11:10

As part of the Armenian Assembly of America’s efforts to strengthen
outreach to communities across the country, Grassroots Associate
Director Taniel Koushakjian gave a briefing at the Armenian Church
of Atlanta’s HyeDoun, and attended an Armenian-American Veterans’
event in Philadelphia.

Koushakjian presented Atlanta’s growing Armenian community with
the Assembly’s work on behalf of Armenian-Americans over the past
35 years on November 10th. He provided an update on the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 106, and the developments in Washington
surrounding this issue.

Koushakjian urged community members to get involved in the Assembly’s
grassroots arm, ARAMAC, which supports grassroots activism in all
50 states.

The event concluded with a two-hour question and answer session, in
which activists asked about the various legislative issues pending
before Congress.

"I enjoyed meeting with Atlanta’s vibrant Armenian-American community,"
said Koushakjian. "We had a very productive exchange of ideas on the
issues facing the community and I look forward to our continued work
together to achieve results in Washington."

The following day, Koushakjian traveled to Philadelphia, PA where he
attended the Philadelphia Armenian-American Veterans’ Association
(PAAVA) Annual Luncheon. The event, sponsored by all five of
Philadelphia’s Armenian churches, featured keynote speaker Major Lucy
Der-Garabedian who is currently serving as U.S. Army Chaplain, Resource
Manager, Installation Chaplian’s office, Fort Hood, Texas. Earlier
this year, the Assembly worked with the PAAVA in sending a letter
to Congress in support of H. Res. 106. In 2006, the Assembly held a
special ceremony honoring Armenian-American Veterans in conjunction
with its National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.

ARMENIA BUYS AIRBUS -319 TO FLY PRESIDENT AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS

ARMENPRESS
Dec 3, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenia has acquired a
1998-manufactured Airbus-319 aircraft to transport the country’s
president and other top government officials.

The Airbus-319 will replace a Russia-made Tu-134 aircraft, which was
made 30 years ago in 1977.

The presidential press service said the Europe-made aircraft was
purchased at $45 million. It said $15 million were paid by Armenian
benefactors, who asked to remain anonymous.

The rest of the money was formalized as a credit that shall be paid
in the next 10 years. The Airbus-319 will be managed by Armenia’s
leading carrier Armavia.

The presidential press service said the aircraft was chosen because
of being in good technical shape and because it requires no additional
expenses to adapt tit o flying the country’s leadership.

The press service said also none of Armenia’s neighbors flies the
Russia-made Tu-134 which fails to comply with a number of international
requirements, particularly, with noise requirement. Besides they
consume much more fuel and pose danger in terms of pollution.

HOW TO INVENT A PROPER LIE TO POSSESS THE WHOLE KINGDOM
Kima Yeghiazaryan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
Nov 14 2007
Armenia

Of course it was predictable that the epilepsy attacks of Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters, the activists of Armenian Pan National
Movement is going to become stronger. But we continue to follow this
manifestation of hysteria leaving aside our sense of mercy. Because
it is extremely interesting to see how they work like diligent bees,
in Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s pre-election headquarter, in Yekmalyan 16.

Let you be well spoken about Oleg Yunoshev!

After receiving the regular instruction from Yekmalyan 16, the
newspapers supporting Armenian Pan National Movement have started to
advertise Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s and Ararat Zurabyan’s appeal envisaged
for November 16 demonstration.

In this case the appeal addressed to the RA citizens was not as
interesting as Aram Zaven Sargsyan’s photograph with L.T.P. It is
really surprising Aram Sargsyan’s smiling photograph has appeared
next to the photo of the ex-President. In case when on June 5, 2002,
Aram Z. Sargsyan’s lawyer Oleg Yunoshev reported to "Interfax",
"Armenia’s former government, under the leadership of ex-President
Levon Ter-Petrosyan in linked with the terrorist act organized in
Armenian Parliament.

Moreover the same day and next day on June 6, 2002, TV Company "Mir",
referring to "Interfax" and "Gazeta RU" publicized this information,
" Levon Ter-Petrosyan is accused of organizing the terrorist act
in Armenian Parliament," underlining by capital letters that the
announcement has been made by the lawyer of the legal successor of
the aggrieved V. Sargsyan, Oleg Yunoshev.

We should mention that the Russian lawyer revealed this, when the
case of "October 27" was at the phase of prosecution.

Today Aram Z. Sargsyan appeared next to L.T.P. and the organizers
of the demonstration conclude their joint appeal with the words,
" The regime fears the words. They fear the words that are true. And
true words means true deeds."

Are Oleg Yunoshev’s words also true, I wonder?

Testament of Lie by L.T.P.

Judging from all the lies and falsehood heard in Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
speeches we can definitely state that L.T.P. has joined Majilis to win
in the competition of lie, of the famous fairy story. But of course
he can’t agree with the condition proposed in the famous story and
he is making efforts to say such a lie that will provide not half of
the kingdom but the whole kingdom for him.

Lie N 1: "Hayots Ashkharh" has already referred to the part of the
speech delivered by Levon Ter-Petrosyan where he announces," After
October 27 the administration got rid of the one who hindered their
activity" and he lists certain names of ministers and official who
have allegedly been members of the Republican Party and the People’s
Party of Armenia. Whereas around 11 of the names listed by him have
nothing to do with the before mentioned parties.

Lie N 2: In the same speech delivered during the October 26
demonstration L.T.P. announced, " During the inquest of "October 27"
the President prohibited the Military Prosecutor to appear in the
Parliament, later he removed him from the proceeding of the case,
he dismissed Prosecutor General Boris Nazaryan and appointed the
loyal instrument of the regime Aghvan Hovsepyan in this post."

But in reality the case of "October 27" has never been removed from
the proceeding of the Military Prosecutor’s. And it was the Military
Prosecutor that sent the criminal case to the court.

In regard to the replacement of the Persecutor – we must underscore
that the ex-President has intentionally changed the timing. It was
not Aghvan Hovsepyan that replaced Boris Nazaryan in the position of
the Prosecutor General but Aram Tamazyan.

Lie N 3: In his meeting with the youth on November 3 L.T.P. yet again
intentionally lied by saying, " I have brought Serge Sargsyan not from
Karabakh but from Moscow. Serge Sargsyan was expelled from Karabakh."

The Chief of the Headquarter of RA armed forces, Deputy Defense
Minister Seyran Ohanyan, has immediately refuted this disgraceful
lie that can be considered a female gossip. Recently, touching upon
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s lies announced," All those who know Serge
Sargsyan can state that he had a big role in Artsakh movement, in
the national-liberation movement and the establishment of NKR…to
say that he used to be expelled during those years, I think is simply
not serious."

Lie N 4: After the rumors regarding the disappearance of the criminal
case of "Karabakh" Committee, by the time the service investigation
of the Prosecutor’s could clarify the place of the case, L.T.P. lied
by the help of his supporters. Don’t you remember how the supporters
of the "founder President" used to state that they didn’t have any
idea about the disappearance of the criminal case?

But when the place of the criminal case was found by examination
L.T.P. with his "olympic tranquility" announced that in 1995 or 1996
he asked the ex-Prosecutor General to keep the volumes of the case in
the presidential residence and "to hand them over to his administration
with relevant formulations".

By the way according to our information one of the volumes of
"Karabakh" committee’s criminal case has not been found up to date.

Does Levon Ter-Petrosyan know where the volume is? Why shouldn’t he
ask Vano Siradeghyan?

Later we will tell you about L.T.P.’s regular lies.

TURKISH PRESIDENT PLEASED WITH RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 8 2007

Ankara, 8 November: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said [on] Thursday
[8 November] his three-day visit to Azerbaijan re-affirmed that
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan was improving further each
passing day.

"I firmly believe that my visit has strengthened partnership and
brotherhood between our two nations," Gul told press conference upon
his arrival at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport.

Gul said he talked with counterparts in Azerbaijan about all aspects of
the bilateral relations and particularly the problem of Upper Karabakh
and obstacles standing against peace and stability in south Caucasus.

"I have stressed that Turkey will continue to do anything in its
capacity to find a peaceful settlement to the Upper Karabakh problem
with the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as the main basis,"
Gul said.