Author: Jagharian Tania

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Protest Attracts 5000 at Turkish Consulate
Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo
Madenlian Public Affairs Office announced that close to 5000 protestors
gathered at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles Saturday afternoon
demanding Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
The youthful crowd of protestors picketed across two blocks of Wilshire
Blvd. With such signs as `Genocide Unpunished is Genocide Encouraged,’ and
`Turkey stop historical Revisionism.’
“The Canadian government officially recognized the Armenian Genocide earlier
this week,” said Sevag Garabetian, Director of the Protest. “We are thankful
for their ability to classify truth and justice above special interests and
are hopeful that our government, here in the US, will follow suit shortly,’
explained Garabetian.
About two hours after marching on Wilshire Blvd. the protestors gathered in
front of the Turkish Consulate, where Vicken Sosikian, chairman of the AYF
Western Region addressed the crowd from atop of a cargo truck, make shift
stage.
Emphasizing on the fact that over 80% of the gathered protestors were youth,
Sosikian said that this generation, along with future generations of
Armenian American youth will continue its demands for the return of Western
Armenia, proper reparations, and justice.
The protest, which has been organized for the last thirty years attracted
all major broadcast and print media and concluded with the singing of the
Armenian National Anthem.
The success of the protest can be credited to a committee of about 10 AYF
members planning the protest for over five months and over 100 AYF members
helping with crowd control,’ said Marie Minassian, chairperson of the
Protest Organizing Committee. `The protest is one of many forms of political
activism organized by the AYF throughout the course of the year,’ explained
Minassian.
The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States serves Armenian American
communities west of the Mississippi through education, athletics, political
activism, cultural activities and social settings. To learn more about the
AYF please log on to
#####

Skinheads attack Armenian boy in central Russian town
Ekho Moskvy radio, Moscow
22 Apr 04

Skinheads have attacked an 11-year-old Armenian boy in Kostroma
[central Russia].
The Internet publication Grani.ru quoted local television as saying
that several young men waited for the boy in front of a local food
store and when he came out splashed some petrol over him and set him
alight.
The child’s clothes caught fire and his face and hands were slightly
burnt. Fortunately passers-by quickly put the fire out.
The boy was given first-aid treatment in hospital and then went home.
Witnesses to the incident said that the attackers looked very much
like skinheads, their heads were shaved and they wore black
uniform-like clothes. The attackers managed to get away.
[When commenting on the incident in an interview with Ekho Moskvy
radio at 1236 gmt on 22 April, Ara Abramyan, the chairman of the World
Armenian Congress, said that measures taken by Russian authorities to
counteract manifestations of nationalism have brought no results.
“Skinheads should be outlawed, otherwise they remain unpunished and
this brings about new crimes,” he said.

ArmenPress
April 22 2004
ARMENIAN EXPORTS ON THE STEADY RISE
YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: Kenneth Munther, the European
Director of the Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center
(AEPLAC), told a second presentation of Armenian Trade Relations with
EU and Trade Promoting Legal Regime on Wednesday that bilateral trade
between Armenia and EU is a good tool and an additional basis to make
relations closer.
According to AEPLAC experts, the average growth of Armenian
exports in the last four years have amounted to $55.5 million, an
unprecedented growth in the overall GDP growth. The Armenian director
of AEPLAC, Tigran Jrbashian, said the list of Armenian goods,
exported to other countries has doubled since 1997, however the major
exports are cut diamonds. He said developed countries have become
Armenia’s main trade partners. The volume of Armenia’s trade with
such countries in 1995 constituted only 29 percent in the overall
trade volume, in 2003 it reached 57 percent. He said the aggregate
trade with such countries increased 4 times in the last years.
According to him, the foreign trade growth in the first quarter of
2004 was 34. percent, about 30 percent more than in the same time
period of last year.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Sarkis Assadourian M.P.
120 Confederation
House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
Contact: Daniel Kennedy
Tel: 613 995 4843
Re: M-380 Armenian Genocide
89 Years later…
“Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”
Dear Colleague: April 20, 2004
As a Member of Parliament who’s ancestors were victims of the Armenian
Genocide I urge you to support and vote for M-380, calling on the House
of Commons to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and condemn this
act as a crime against humanity.
The recognition of the Genocide of 1915 perpetrated by the Ottoman
Empire in pre Ata Turk Turkey, will serve to bring the Canadian-Armenian
and the Canadian-Turkish communities together rather than serve to push
them apart. Denial does not lead to healing, recognition and
co-operation does.
Recognition of the historical events after 89 years will show how the
two communities have adjusted to the realities of history and have
co-operated to move beyond. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The argument that recognition of M-380 will have a detrimental effect on
trade between Canada and Turkey is false. Many nations including France
and Switzerland have already recognized the Genocide with no detrimental
economic effects. In Canada, the Ontario and Quebec legislatures have
already granted official recognition to the reality of the Armenian
Genocide. (The Province of Quebec has officially declared April 24 as
Armenian Genocide Day)
Although my family were victims of Genocide and deportation my belief in
this issue lies with the importance of recognizing historical fact and
taking the steps for the healing process to take hold. Genocide, the
ultimate act of inhumanity is one of mankind’s most terrible legacies,
only by recognizing and remembering this most horrible crime can we
build a better future for Armenians, Turks and all humanity.
If you in good conscience cannot support M-380, I humbly ask you in a
non-partisan manner to abstain from the vote.
Sincerely,
Sarkis Assadourian, M.P.
“After all, who today remembers the Armenians”
( Adolph Hitler, Germany, August 1939)

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Sarkis Assadourian M.P.
120 Confederation
House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
Contact: Daniel Kennedy
Tel: 613 995 4843
Motion 380 First debated in the House of Commons Febuary 25, 2004
calling on the House of Commons to recognize the Armenian Genocide is
sceduled for debate in the House of Commons Tuesday April 20 with a
possible vote on April 21.

POLICE DISPERSE OPPOSITION RALLY
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS: Armenian police used water cannons
and stun grenades to disperse an opposition rally in Yerevan, that was
demanding the resignation of president Robert Kocharian. A special
operation for driving the protesters from the Marshal Baghramian
Avenue, where the presidential palace and the parliament building are
situated, was started today morning at 02.00, local time.
The police told Armenpress that the decision to start the operation
was made after the unsanctioned rally, organized by the Ardarutyun
(Justice ) alliance and the National Unity on April 12, moved from
Theater Square in downtown Yerevan to Baghramian Avenue, developing
into an uncontrolled gathering that was accompanied by provocative
calls and offensive language together with announcements for a violent
overthrow of the current authorities.
The police said the gathering disrupted the traffic and normal work
of several government agencies and foreign diplomatic missions and
public order, as the demonstrators were singing and dancing,
shattering peace and quiet of residents in nearby houses.
The police said that despite numerous warnings that their actions
were illegal and in violation of laws, and that they would be
retaliated appropriately if continued, the demonstrators took no
notice, throwing in response fire-bombs, bottles and stones.
The police said the demonstrators’ actions were getting more and
more aggressive, threatening both police officers and ordinary
citizens, as a result they had to apply physical force and other
measures, stipulated by the Law on Police, to stave off further
offenses of the law and neutralize the danger to people’s life and
health. The police said demonstrators were armed with batons, metal
rods and knives.
The clash between police officers and demonstrators left several
officers and demonstrators injured, some were taken to hospitals. The
police said some of opposition activists and leaders were detained,
including a parliament member Shavarsh Kocharian, who, they said, was
armed with a gun. Some of other opposition leaders took to flight. The
police said they are now tying to track them down and arrest. The
police said they have notified the chief prosecutor about their
actions. They also said that the situation is now under the full
control of the authorities.

SECRETARY OF SECURITY COUNCIL OF ARMENIA TO TAKE PART IN OCST FORUM IN ST.
PETERSBURG
YEREVAN, APRIL 12. ARMINFO. Armenian delegation, headed by the
Secretary of the Security Council attached to the president of
Armenia, Defence Minister Serge Sargsian, will take part in the
regular sitting of the Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils
of the member countries of the Organization of the Collective Security
Treaty (OCST), which will be held in St. Petersburg on April 16-17.
Press Secretary of defence minister of Armenia Seyran Shahsouvarian
told ARMINFO, during the sitting the participants will discuss issues
of strengthening the security in the territory of the countries of
OCST, elaboration of mechanisms of joint struggle against terrorism
and illegal circulation of drugs, as well as issues concerning
formation of the legal field necessary for preparation of military
personnel of members countries of OCST.

PRESS RELEASE
UCLA AEF Chair in Armenian History
Contact: Prof. Richard Hovannisian
Tel: 310-825-3375
Email: [email protected]
ARMENIAN COMMUNITES OF IRAN TO BE FEATURED IN NEXT UCLA CONFERENCE, MAY 14-16.
UCLAThe fourteenth in the UCLA International Conference series on Historic
Armenian Cities and Provinces will feature the colorful history and
culture of the
Armenian communities of Iran from ancient to modern times. The conference,
to be held in Glendale and on the UCLA campus from Friday evening to
Sunday afternoon, May 14-16, will bring together scholars from Armenia,
Cyprus, Germany, Great Britain, Iran, Italy, and various parts of the
United States. The opening session in Armenian will be held on Friday
evening, May 14, from 7:30 to 9:30, in the Glendale Presbyterian Church at
the corner of Louise and Harvard Streets in Glendale and will include
illustrated lectures by Onnik Hairapetian (Glendale and Mashdots
Colleges), Gohar Avagian (National Historical Archives, Armenia), Armen
Hakhnazarian (Germany and Armenia),
The Saturday sessions on May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. will be held
on the UCLA campus, in Court of Sciences 50 (Young Hall), and will be
conducted in English. The presentations will focus on the political,
cultural and literary, economic, and social history of the Armenians of
Iran or Persia. Speakers include Richard Hovannisian (UCLA), A.Elizabeth
Redgate (Newcastle, England), Peter Cowe (UCLA), Hovann Simonian (USC),
Thomas Sinclair (University of Cyprus), Gabriella Uluhogian (Bologna
University, Italy), Vazken Ghougassian (Eastern Prelacy, New York), Rubina
Peroomian (UCLA), Houri Berberian (California State University, Long
Beach), RoseMary Cohen (Los Angeles), Gayane Hagopian (UCLA), Anahid
Keshishian (UCLA), Bert Vaux (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee).
The Sunday afternoon sessions on May 16 from 1:30 to 5:30 will be in
Armenian and in English with presentations by Armen Ter Stepanyan
(Matenadaran, Armenia), Armen Hakhnazarian (Germany and Armenia), Artsvi
Bskhchinyan (Armenia), Samvel Stepanian (Glendale), Aida Avanessian
(Tehran, Iran), Claudia Der-Mardirosian (UCLA), and Anny Bakalian (New
York University). As in all previous conferences, a photographic exhibit
will be mounted by Richard and Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht of Davis, California.
The conference is organized by Professor Richard G. Hovannisian, Holder of
the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History at
UCLA, and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Society (Iranahay Miutiun) of
Los Angeles and the UCLA International Institute, G.E. von Grunebaum
Center for Near Eastern Studies, and the Center for European and Russian
Studies.
All proceedings are open to the public at no charge. Parking on the UCLA
campus is in Parking Structure 2, entrance from Hilgard Avenue at
Westholme. The conference program may be viewed at
and Professor Hovannisian may be contacted by e-mail at
[email protected].

International bodies appeal to Armenian leader over attack on rights activist
Arminfo
8 Apr 04
YEREVAN
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) and the
Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) urges the Armenian president and
the prosecutor-general to ensure a prompt, thorough and transparent
investigation into the brutal physical attack on Chairman of the
Armenian Helsinki Association Mikael Daniyelyan, and to bring the
perpetrators to justice, said a letter addressed to Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan and Prosecutor-General Agvan Ovsepyan.
As Arminfo news agency has learned from the Armenian Helsinki
Association, the message noted that the attackers might be connected
with state structures. It is important that the investigation into
the case is carried out by the prosecutor-general who is in a
privileged position to conduct all the necessary questioning of
representatives of power structures, the letter said. “We are calling
on you to ensure that the principles of the UN Declaration on Human
Rights Defenders are observed in Armenia and that proper measures are
taken to prevent further attacks on human rights defenders,” the
letter noted.
The heads of the IHF and NHC noted that there had not been conducted a
thorough forensic medical examination. This kind of examination should
have been conducted as soon as possible. Initially, doctors diagnosed
a brain concussion, but later they changed their diagnosis to “high
blood pressure”. If the investigation does not result in bringing
criminal charges against those responsible for this crime, then the
European community will be informed that the attacks on the dissident
were left unpunished. The authors of the letter addressed to the
Armenian president and the prosecutor-general recalled other cases of
violence against journalists Mark Grigoryan and Mger
Galeschyan. Investigations into these incidents have been suspended.
“We hope that such cases will not be repeated, as it happened with the
attack on Mikael Daniyelyan,” the letter noted.

Armenian president’s spokesman condemns attacks on journalists
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
6 Apr 04

The spokesman for the Armenian president, Ashot Kocharyan, has
condemned violence against journalist at the rally which took place on
Mashtots Avenue yesterday [opposition rally in central Yerevan on 5
April].
Ashot Kocharyan condemned any violence and disorder, particularly
directed against journalists and representatives of the media.