Author: Hovhannisian John

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Strong Future Of Turkish – U.S. Relations Confirmed By Gul & Rice
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice confirmed strong past and future of
Turkish-U.S. relations, sources said on Sunday.
Sources said that Gul and Rice stated that Turkish-U.S. relations
were not based on solely one matter, and stressed that matters on
which two countries had differences of opinion could not have a
central role in relations.
Underlining strategic partnership between two countries, Gul and Rice
also debated Iraq and Cyprus in their meeting.
In the meeting, Gul underlined importance of a continuous dialogue
between Turkey and the United States, and said that problems between
two countries could be solved by a common vision.
On the other hand, Rice also stressed importance of bilateral
relations, and expressed belief that these relations should be
further improved.
Also confirming that problems could be solved by mutual talks, Rice
said that what was important was the strategic goals of the two
countries.
-IRAQ-CYPRUS-
Ankara expressed its concerns over Iraq and Kirkuk during talks with
Rice, and stressed that Kirkuk’s special status should be preserved.
Expressing Turkey’s views that peace should be assured in Iraq and
Iraq’s territorial integrity should be preserved, Gul said that
Turkish lorry drivers continued to support the international forces
in the region, sacrificing their lives.
Diplomatic sources said that Washington once more understood Turkey’s
views. Touching on Cyprus problem, Gul reiterated that Turkey wanted
a lasting solution in the island, and said that Turkey and the United
States should have close consultations.
Gul said that Turkey expected the United States to take steps to lift
embargoes on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and stated
that thus, the Greek Cypriot administration would have to take steps.
On the other hand, Rice said that they were working on what they
could do to contribute to solution of Cyprus problem, and stated that
they did not want to see the Turkish Cypriot side as the suffering
party although it voted ”yes” to the Annan plan in (last April’s
simultaneous) referenda in the island.
Meanwhile, two countries stated that they would do their best to
eliminate misunderstandings between them.
Gul recalled Turkey’s sensitivities about Kirkuk and the terrorist
organization PKK, and said that if the United States did not take any
steps to eradicate the terrorist organization PKK in the north of
Iraq, Turkish people, who had suffered much from terrorism, could
think that the United States was not keeping its promises. Sources
said that Rice’s visit might contribute to elimination of
misunderstandings in Turkey and the United States.
Touching on developments in the Middle East, Gul briefed Rice on his
visit to this region, and expressed Turkey’s wish to make active
contribution to the peace process.
Rice said that Turkey’s contribution was necessary, and underlined
Turkey’s role in the Broader Middle East Initiative. She added that
Turkey was a good model for the Islam world with its democracy.
Gul and Rice also discussed Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy,
Afghanistan, Iran and Incirlik base in southern city of Adana during
their meeting.

Baltic News Service
February 7, 2005
VILNIUS TO HOST INTL CONFERENCE ON SOUTH CAUCASUS
VILNIUS, Feb 05
An international conference of famous politicians, diplomats and
representatives of international organizations designed to discuss
the use of Baltic states’ experience in the process of reforms of
South Caucasus countries is to be held in Vilnius next week.
According to information available to BNS, the Feb. 8-10 conference
the Baltic and Couth Caucasus Countries: Experience in Reforms and
Cooperation Strategies is arranged by the U.S.-German George C.
Marshall Center in cooperation with the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry
and the International Relations and Political Science Institute of
Vilnius University.
During the three-day conference, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian
politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, military officers and their
colleagues from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, other countries and
international organizations will discuss Baltic Euro-Atlantic
integration lessons for countries that have just taken the road of
integration, possible support of Western states for the process of
reforms of South Caucasus countries, analyze ways to resolve
conflicts in the region.
According to information available to BNS, among the attendants of
the conference will be Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabichvili,
former head of the Baltic Defense College (BALTDEFCOL), Danish Armed
Forces General Michael Clemmesen, Estonian MP Sven Mikser, Latvian MP
Aleksander Kirstein, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and
Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas.
The attendants of the event will analyze and plan the Euro-Atlantic
integration and processes of reforms of South Caucasus countries.
Observers say the decision of the George C. Marshall European Center
for Security Studies, one of the world’s most famous security policy
research institutions, to hold the conference in Vilnius is a high
evaluation of Lithuania’s integration experience and recognition of
Lithuania as an expert in eastern neighbors.
The Germany-based George C. Marshall European Center for Security
Studies is an international education institution promoting dialogue
and understanding among North American, European and Asian nations.
The center is sponsored by the U.S. and German governments.
Vilnius newsroom, +370 5 2681508, [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
Feb 6 2005
Cher bliss in NZ

It may be her farewell tour, but Cher is going out with a bang, not a
whimper, writes Michelle Hurley.
She’s the queen of camp glamour who longs for a spell on a ranch. An
unabashed narcissist who has melded five decades of stardom with a
lifelong commitment to left-wing politics. A woman who has reinvented
herself more often – and more successfully – than Madonna. She’s Cher
– inimitable, trashy and more durable than a Toyota Hilux – and she’s
coming here.
It will be Cher’s first – and final – performance in New Zealand and
her concerts in Auckland and Christchurch this month promise to be
wildly over-the-top, with myriad costume changes and special effects,
a sequined cross between Liberace and Cirque du Soleil. And, aside
from a tricky moment where Cher scales down a chandelier in the
middle of belting out her dance anthem “Believe”, she promises no
lip-synching. “It’s absolutely 100% the full show,” she says from her
ocean-view Mediterranean renaissance mansion in Malibu.
The two New Zealand shows are at the tail end of what is billed “The
Farewell Tour”. Cher then heads to Australia before returning to the
US for the tour’s final – and 325th – performance at the Hollywood
Bowl in Los Angeles on April 30. So after three years, more than 3000
costume changes and playing in front of more than 3 million devotees,
it’s finally about to end.
“I’ve had a great time doing it, babe,” she says in her soporific
slow drawl. “I couldn’t have done it if I hadn’t enjoyed it.” It’s
helped by the tour having “a real family atmosphere, nobody complains
and everybody gets along”, with much of the crew having worked for
her for years.
It’s been five decades in the spotlight for the daughter of a
French-Cherokee mother and Armenian father, born Cherilyn Sarkasian
La Pierre in 1946. She first came to our attention in the 1960s and
’70s via her hit songs and The Sonny and Cher Show, the TV show in
which she starred with then-husband Sonny Bono before spending much
of the ’80s being famous largely for her Bob Mackie-designed Oscar
gowns in which she most closely resembled a black and white peacock
(this was in the decade before the stars hired stylists, although
Cher still delights in giving the Academy a non-verbal f-k you in her
choice of attire). About this time she also earned her stripes as a
serious actress, appearing in Silkwood, The Witches of Eastwick, Mask
and the one for which she got the Oscar nod: Moonstruck.
And of course, there was her return to the top of the pop charts with
the nuclear-powered dance track “If I Could Turn Back Time”, helped
along by the video to accompany the song, where she flaunted her
rock-hard bod to thousands of ecstatic sailors on a US Navy
battleship.
It’s this indifference to being cool or tasteful, along with a
propensity to speak her mind, that has won her so many fans, but when
asked how much of her success is down to doing whatever the hell she
wants, she gives a perversely modest answer.
“You know, I think it’s mostly to do with luck. It’s some sort of
timing. I know people a lot more talented than I am that just never
really made it,” she says before laughing. “And I know people a lot
less talented that have made it to everyone’s genuine surprise.”
Luck, timing – and a formidable work ethic. By the time she wraps up
this tour, Cher will have spent close to three years on the road; an
insane amount of time to spend touring but one she justifies by it
being her last world tour. “I think you get to the point of
diminishing returns and this show is really good, so I wouldn’t want
to come back and not be as good as the last time. It’s hard, but you
make a commitment to it and just do it.”
At least the touring takes her mind off the fact that George W Bush
is still in the Oval Office, despite Cher’s best efforts to help oust
him. She spent weeks campaigning for John Kerry, in what was often a
hostile political climate for celebrities who hitched their wagon to
the Democrats. “I was terrified to speak out, but then I just thought
I have to do it, I have to speak my mind.”
When she found herself on the receiving end of derisory comments from
radio shock-jocks, she put the boot on the other foot and told them:
“Yes, I’m getting on this programme because I’m me, but just because
I’m a celebrity doesn’t mean I don’t get to have my basic American
rights to speak my opinion.”
And if George gets too much, there is always New Zealand to escape
to. Yes, Cher has seen The Lord of the Rings, and as a result, thinks
New Zealand is “the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen”, even if it
was digitally enhanced. While here, she is on the hunt for “a little
piece of property”, preferably by the ocean. “Though don’t worry, I’m
not planning on asking for a lot of land, just a tiny little bit. I
think it seems a bit over the top to come in and buy a gigantic piece
of property in somebody else’s country.”
And when the tour finally finishes, what’s next in the life of the
galactic superstar? “The only thing I know I’m going to do when the
tour finishes is I’m going to go work on a cattle ranch for a while.”
Er, why?
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.”
For it seems the plastic-fantastic, super-groomed one has another,
earthier side. “When I was young, I ran everywhere, I climbed the
highest trees, I played baseball and football – I was a real tomboy.”
Even now, she says, she’s clad in old sweat pants, ugg boots and
T-shirt, with no make-up and her hair in a ponytail. “I like it.”
So will we see tomboy Cher on show? “Oh no,” she laughs. “I still
enjoy glamming myself up for my shows, it wouldn’t be any fun for me
if I just came out in a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt.”
And don’t the fans expect it anyway?
“I think they do, and they won’t be disappointed.”
Cher plays North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, on Sunday February 20 and
Westpac Stadium, Christchurch on Tuesday February 22. Tickets
available from Ticketek.

US, Canada saddened at death of Georgia’s Zhvania
Agence France Presse
February 3, 2005
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States and Canada expressed “sadness” at
the death of Georgian prime minister Zurab Zhvania, 41, seen as the
driving force behind market reforms in the restive former Soviet republic.
The United States expressed “our sadness and condolences to the family
of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania of Georgia,” said State Department
deputy spokesman Adam Ereli.
He said Washington was “deeply saddened” by the death, and that
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news – web sites) had called
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to extend condolences to the
government, to Zhvania’s family and to the people of Georgia.
“Prime minister Zhvania was a catalyst for democratic change in Georgia.
He was a dynamic leader, and he was a friend of the United States,”
Ereli added.
In Ottawa, Foreign Affairs Minster Pierre Pettigrew said: “It was with a
great sense of sadness that I learned earlier today of the death of
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.
“His commitment to Georgia and its people has long been recognized. Mr.
Zhvania’s contributions to the peaceful transfer of power in 2004 and
his help in advancing relations with Georgia’s regions have enhanced
stability in Georgia and the entire region.”
Zhvania died early Thursday in an apartment on the outskirts of Tbilisi
apparently after breathing toxic fumes leaked by a faulty heater,
officials said, ruling out foul play.
;u=/afp/20050203/wl_canada_afp/uscanadageorgia_050203225249

Prime Minister Zhvania Dies

Civil Georgia (Civil.Ge)
2005-02-03

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania was found dead, apparently by
gas poisoning, in his friend’s apartment in Tbilisi on early hours of
February 3. Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said Zhvania
was, apparently, poisoned by gas.
`We know that Zurab Zhvania came to his friend’s apartment
approximately at midnight on February 2. As Zurab Zhvania was not
responding to his mobile phone and no one was opening the door for a
long period, his bodyguard broke through the window at approximately
4:30 am [local time]. He [the bodyguard] found the dead bodies of
Zurab Zhvania and his friend in the apartment. It was a
misfortune. We can say that it was gas poisoning. An Iranian-made
gas-powered heating device was installed in the apartment,’ Vano
Merabishvili said.
He said that Zhvania’s friend, whom the Prime Minister was visiting,
was Deputy Governor of Kvemo Kartli Region Raul Usupov.
The bodies of both Zurab Zhvania and Raul Usupov had been taken to the
coroner’s office for examination. However, the results of this
examination is not known yet.
Merabishvili also said that Zurab Zhvania was found dead sitting on
the armchair, while his friend died in the kitchen.
President Saakashvili presented condolences regarding the death of
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.
`It is very hard for me to speak today. This is a blow for our country
and personally for me, as for the President and a person. Georgia lost
a great patriot, who devoted his whole life to serving our country,’
Saakashvili said at a special government’s session on February 3.

`I lost my closest friend I had, the most reliable adviser and the
greatest ally. Now, all my thoughts are with Zurab’s wife, his mother
and his children. In these hard times for the country and for us, I
call on everybody to be strong, to stand together and continue to
serve our country, despite any troubles and problems we face,’ the
President added.
Russian news agencies reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin
sent a letter of condolences to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
regarding the death of Zurab Zhvania.
Zhvania, who turned 41 last December, was the Prime Minister of
Georgia since February 2004. He entered the Georgian politics in late
80s when he chaired the Green Party. When Eduard Shevardnadze took
over the power in Georgia in 1992, Zurab Zhvania became his one of the
closest allies and a leading figure in by-then ruling party the
Citizens Union of Georgia and eventually took over the Parliamentary
Chairmanship in 1995.
In late 90s it became apparent that Zhvania started to distance
himself from Shevardnadze that eventually resulted in his resignation
from the Parliamentary Chairman’s position in November, 2001. Shortly
after resignation he established new political party the United
Democrats. Nino Burjanadze, who was elected as Parliamentary
Chairperson after Zhvania’s resignation, has latter jointed the
Zhvania’s party.
Zurab Zhvania and Mikheil Saakashvili became close political allies
after fraudulent November 2, 2003 parliamentary elections. After the
Rose Revolution Zurab Zhvania became the State Minister and after the
February, 2004 constitutional amendments Zhvania was appointed by
Saakashvili as the Prime Minister.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA INTRODUCES JACQUES CHIRAC’S SPEECH AT DAVOS
Azg/arm
3 Feb 05
Henry Cuny, the French ambassador to Armenia, called a press
conference on January 26 to introduce journalists French President
Jacques Chirac=80=99s speech at Davos economic summit.
President Chirac spoke of issues of international importance,
mentioned of the tragic events at the end of 2004 and about “silent
tsunamis”, as he put. Under the last category Jacques Chirac pulled
famine, deadly diseases, violence, anarchy and illegal migration.
“As development in the Caucasian region is linked with the situation
in the world I would like to see Armenia participating in discussions
on overcoming the problems”, Henry Cuny said.
Answering journalists’ questions, the ambassador said that he has no
information on the present stage of the OSCE monitoring mission in
Nagorno Karabakh these days. Mr. Cuny mentioned that the mission’s
goal is to find facts and to observe the situation. He said that the
mission will write a report that will be signed by the Minsk group 2
co-chairs.
Being asked about David Atkinson’s report, the ambassador said thatthe
Minsk group has its mission that is not questioned by anyone but
meanwhile the door is open for other organizations to make analysis
and support the so-called Prague process, thus supporting the Minsk
group.
But the Minsk group, Mr. Cuny said, is still the chief supervisor of
Karabakh issue settlement.
By Aghavni Harutyunian

RUSSIAN FM: “WE SHOULD NOT OPPOSE PRINCIPLES OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
OR RIGHT OF NATIONS TO SELF-DETERMINATION TO EACH OTHER
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2. ARMINFO-TURAN: Perspectives of development of
Azerbaijani-Russian relationships have been discussed by the two
countries’ Foreign Ministers – Elmar Mamedyarov and Sergei Lavrov –
today in Baku.
Mamedyarov told journalists after the meeting that during the talks
they have exchanged opinions on a wide range of questions. Mamedyarov
said that in the past years relationships between the two countries
“have been rapidly developing” and reached a level of strategic
partnership.
Mamedyarov noted that “there are no problems in the
Azerbaijani-Russian relationships, there are questions, which are
resolved through the dialogue.”
Lavrov said he is satisfied with results of the meeting and added that
“Russia highly appreciates strategic partnership with Azerbaijan.”
On February 16 in Moscow the two countries’ presidents announced this
year a “Year of Azerbaijan in Russia.” “This is a very important
event, considering several centuries old history of our friendship and
bilateral relationships,” said Lavrov. The plan of programs within the
framework of Year of Azerbaijan in Russia reflects “interests of
Azerbaijani and Russian people” in development of bilateral ties in
field of science, education, culture and etc.
In addition, Lavrov said development of trade-economic relationships
and growth of trade turnover has been discussed during the
meeting. The perspectives of further cooperation in field of energy
“considering possibilities that Russia and Azerbaijan will open for
themselves from cooperation with other countries, including transport
corridor North-South” has been also discussed, said Lavrov.
With regard to the Caspian problem, Lavrov said “the necessity to
resolve all the remaining questions within the framework of five
Caspian basin states has been confirmed.”
The side shave also touched the issues of international policy and
exchanged opinions on reforms in UN, OSCE and CIS. Lavrov said that
the sides have agreed to work together to settle these issues.
Karabakh conflict settlement was also a subject of
discussion. Mamedyarov added that Russia backs the approaches
discussed by Azerbaijan and Armenia within the framework of “Prague
process.” Lavrov said that Russia together with other OSCE Minsk Group
co- chairs “helps Azerbaijani and Armenian sides” and hopes for
achievement of agreement.
Asked by journalists, Lavrov said that he disagrees with the opinion
of the U.S. Department of State that Russia is not actively engaged in
the settlement of conflicts on the post-Soviet space.
He said during the past 2-3 months Russian OSCE MG co-chairman
together with his counterparts from U.S. and France has been working
hard to achieve the conflict settlement.
In addition, Russia also takes effort to settle conflicts in Abkhazia
and South Ossetia as a member of the friendship group of UN General
Secretary and Joint Control Commission. With regard to situation in
Transdniestr, Lavrov supported opinion of Moldova President Voronin
that signing of the Stability Pact would create additional security
guarantees.
Asked if principle of territorial integrity or right of nations to
self-determination is a priority for Russia, Lavrov answered: “We
should not oppose these two principles to each other, they both have
been fixed in the UN charter and must not be applied to the Gdetriment
of each other.”
Lavrov said problems of Collective Security Treaty have not been
discussed at the meeting with Mamedyarov, because Azerbaijan is not a
member of this organization. “We have discussed activities of
integration groups on the CIS space, in which Azerbaijan and Russia
participate,” said Lavrov.
Asked about Russia’s attitude towards Azerbaijan’s cooperation with
NATO, Lavrov said: “Azerbaijan is a sovereign state and as a sovereign
state it chooses foreign political partners for itself. We respect
this choice. Russia also has established relationships with NATO and
this is our sovereign choice.”

OSCE MISSION IN ARMENIA TO CHECK FACTS OF SETTLEMENT IN AZERI DISTRICTS
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
29 Jan 05
(Presenter in studio speaking over video of the OSCE mission) The OSCE
factfinding mission has arrived in Yerevan to check whether there are
settlements on the (occupied Azerbaijani) territories. The experts
will visit the seven districts outside Nagornyy Karabakh. The mission
appointed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen includes experts from
Finland, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. The mission is led by an
OSCE expert from Germany, Emily Margarethe Haber. The representatives
will not be accompanied by anyone from the Azerbaijani side.
After the mission completes its work, the experts will prepare a
technical report in 8-10 days and submit it to the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen. It is expected that the co-chairmen will issue a
statement on the facts they discover. The Azerbaijani side says that
they presented the members of the mission, while in Baku, with video
and audio tapes of settlements in these territories. Russian
co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov said in his brief interview in Yerevan
that they (Azerbaijanis) say there are settlements in these
territories.
It is necessary to find out who they are, where they have come from
and why they have settled there.
(Yuriy Merzlyakov speaking in Russian with Armenian voice-over) Our
route has been determined. We will be in Stepanakert tomorrow morning
and visit the districts around Nagornyy Karabakh every day in one
week. It means that we will visit one district every day. As for the
monitoring in the north of Karabakh, this is a separate issue and
should be carried out separately.

ArmenPress
Jan 27 2005
ARMENIAN LEADING CARRIER POSTS 2004 ACHIEVEMENTS
YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s largest commercial
carrier, Armavia, said today it operated in 2004 375 flights, having
transported 430.9 thousand passengers and secured a 42% growth over
the previous year.
The company transported also 1.5 thousand tons of cargoes and
mail, reporting a 40% growth. The majority of passengers, 82.6
percent, were transported throughout the CIS. The share of “Armavia”
in the total passenger turnover throughout Armenia in 2004 increased
11% making 41%. The seats occupancy was 66.7% and the commercial load
was 59.7%.
The number of flights in the regular timetable of “Armavia”
reached 20. New flights to Ashkhabad and Tehran were added. Besides,
Armavia started flights from “Gyumri” airport to Russian
Rostov-on-Don, Anapa, Mineralniye Vodi and Stavropol on May 21.
General director of “Armavia” Air Company Andrey Nikitin was
quoted as saying that the year 2004 was a year of development of new
and already existing directions and establishment of cooperation with
leading air carriers in the world. Basing on these achievements, in
2005 “Armavia” intends to take a leading position in the market of
transit air transportation from Armenia to Europe, America and Far
East, as well as to increase transit flow from Siberia and Far East
through Zvartnots airport to the countries of Middle East, Europe and
CIS.
Besides, last year a special attention was paid to development of
transfers. The frequency of flights to Moscow and Novosibirsk was
considerably increased. Such a schedule allows an effective link of
the remote networks of “Armavia” and its strategic partner, “Siberia”
Airline, as well as their use for transit flights both from Armenia
to the towns in Siberia and Far East and from Siberia and Far East to
the countries of Middle East, Europe and CIS.
In February and May, 2004, another two modern middle distance
liners A320-211 produced by the company Airbus Industrie arrived in
Yerevan and started their flights. At present, “Armavia”‘s air fleet
consists of four West European airbuses A320, besides by one TU-134
and An-24 are leased and exploited.
In May 2004 “Armavia” Air Company officially became the full
member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Las Vegas Sun
Jan 27 2005
Sisters facing deportation to remain in custody
Judge denies request to release Vegas teens while immigration case is
decided
By Timothy Pratt

LAS VEGAS SUN
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Johnston ruled this morning that he
could not order that two Las Vegas teens be released from an
immigration cell in Los Angeles.
“It’s a heartbreak for me,” Las Vegas resident Rouben Sarkisian said
at the George Federal Building after learning that his daughters,
Emma and Mariam, would not be released into his custody.
Johnston told lawyers for the Sarkisians this morning that he could
find no legal basis to return the girls to their family in Las Vegas
while their deportation case is decided.
“I have to have the law, have to have some authority” to issue such
an order, Johnston said. “As I read the law I don’t have any
authority.”
Johnston did order immigration officials to allow Rouben to visit his
daughters in Los Angeles. He also said that Mariam must be kept
separate from adult detainees because she is a minor, but added that
he didn’t want the sisters split up.
Johnston will allow the family’s lawyers to file additional briefs by
Feb. 2 and will then schedule a hearing to determine if the girls
will be deported.
In the meantime, the family is hoping for possible intervention from
the top levels of the federal government. On Wednesday, Senate
Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge and asked for “personal attention” in the
Sarkisian case.
David Thronson, one of two directors at the Boyd School of Law’s
Immigration Law Clinic at UNLV, said Reid’s phone call was an unusual
move.
“It is not unprecedented, but it is really rare to get a senator’s
direct attention” in an immigration case of this sort, he said.
“We have a large, bureaucratic, unresponsive system, and there are
cases where some kind of dramatic intervention is needed to get the
attention of that system,” Thronson said.
Tessa Hafen, spokeswoman for Reid, said the senator “is fairly
confident this will reach resolution,” with the girls being allowed
to stay in the country while their father, Rouben, who is a legal
resident of the United States, takes the next step and becomes a
citizen.
If he becomes a citizen, he can petition for his daughters to gain
legal status.
Hafen said the case caught Reid’s attention because “the girls are
being punished for something that is not their fault.”
The developments in the nearly 2-week-old case came as the girls
spoke to the Sun from their Los Angeles cell and said their morale
was flagging.
Emma, who is 18, said she had been told Wednesday by a supervisor at
the cell that a stay ordered by Johnston on Jan. 19 had been lifted,
and that they would soon be deported to Armenia — the birthplace of
the girls, but a country now unknown to them after growing up in the
United States.
But no decision has been reached on the stay. Immigration officials
did not return a call seeking comment on the alleged announcement
made to the girls.
“I just hope the senator will help us out, because if I’m in here
another week, I’ll go crazy,” Emma said.
This morning’s ruling means she will remain in custody for at least
another week.
She said her younger sister, Mariam, who is 17, “is starting to
break.” Then Emma began crying.
The girls are able to call family, friends and members of the media
by using calling cards they buy at the immigration holding cell.
Mariam said she “stares at the wall” all day, and that she misses her
2-month-old pit bull, Titi. She said she doesn’t speak to her three
younger sisters — all of whom were born in the United States — when
she and Emma call Las Vegas.
“If I do, I’m going to cry,” she said.
The case turns on a series of events stretching back more than a
decade.
Rouben and Anoush Sarkisian — the parents of the girls — arrived in
the United States in 1991 with Emma and Mariam. They had three more
daughters. They were divorced and Rouben gained his legal status
after marrying a U.S. citizen. That marriage later broke apart.
Anoush never gained legal status, according to immigration officials.
In 1993, a deportation order was issued for the two girls.
During the 1990s each parent attempted to gain legal status for their
two oldest daughters, but both attempts failed when the earlier order
was discovered. An appeal dragged the process out, according to
Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for the federal agency, Immigration and
Customs Enforcement.
But Rouben has said in recent days that he thought otherwise and
attempted to obtain proof of the girls’ status in July, only to be
told of the deportation order. It took until some time shortly before
Jan. 14 for immigration authorities to obtain travel permits for the
girls from the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, at which point the
girls were detained.
But the family’s lawyers won a stay against their departure and are
seeking humanitarian consideration in allowing the girls to stay in
the country while their father obtains citizenship.
For Kice, the case, though complex, has an obvious conclusion, since
the girls “had their day in court … and failed to obtain any
(legal) benefit.”
She said the sympathy these girls have apparently gained not only in
Congress — Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas, has also shown
support, writing a letter to immigration authorities earlier this
week — but also in the public, is not the issue.
“I understand that there are people being deported every day that are
good people. But this is not a popularity contest … We are a nation
of laws and we have to obey the laws,” she said.
Immigration officials have argued against releasing the teens
because, in light of the fact that their mother is an illegal
immmigrant who has disappeared into the United States, the girls
could do the same.
But Thronson said the case “should shine a light on a broken system.”
He said there were more than 6,000 minors detained by immigration
authorities last year, many of whom were deported.
“These are children being separated from their families — families
that are separated as a result of the system even though family unity
is ostensibly its goal,” he said.
“If it’s true they’ve exhausted all their legal rights then we have
to think — should our system somehow be able to accommodate the
facts of a case like this … the fact of family?”