Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMENIAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION
104 NORTH BELMONT STREET, SUITE 300
GLENDALE, CA 91206
Tel: (818) (818) 243-9264
Fax: (818) 818.240.3442
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE ~ March 20, 2008
Contact: Lerna Kayserian ~ (818) 243-9264

THIRD ANNUAL ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL SET TO TAKE PLACE IN
LITTLE ARMENIA

Hollywood, CA – The Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) is pleased to
announce that it will host the third annual Armenian Independence Day
Festival on Sunday, June 1, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in
Little Armenia, Hollywood. Building on the successes of previous
years, this year’s festival promises a larger scale celebration which
will be made possible with the assistance of corporate and community
sponsors, as well as the co-sponsorship of Los Angeles City Council
President Eric Garcetti, whose district encompasses Little Armenia.

"This is truly a memorable event that thousands of community members
look forward to and return to year after year. It is a unique
opportunity to commemorate a milestone in Armenian history and to
showcase the cultural wealth of the Armenian people," stated Saro
Shirinian, Festival Committee Chairperson.

The thousands of participants and dignitaries who have attended the
festival in previous years include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa, Members of Congress, State Senators and Assemblymembers,
and Los Angeles City Councilmembers, all of whom were entertained by a
variety of musical and dance performances while participating in the
dancing of the traditional Armenian "shoorch bars" and sampling
Armenian cuisine. Children also enjoyed the Festival’s "kid’s zone",
which included a petting zoo, various games and rides.

The Annual Armenian Festival in Little Armenia is the largest of its’
kind and is organized by the Armenian Independence Day Festival
Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian Cultural Foundation. The
festival marks Armenia’s first independence on May 28, 1918, which
came after 600 years of Ottoman Turkish oppression. The Republic
established on this date set the foundation for today’s independent
Republic of Armenia, which was one of the first former Soviet
Republics to declare independence on September 21, 1991.

Those who wish to obtain more information about the festival,
sponsorship opportunities or obtaining booths, are encouraged to visit
or call (818) 243-9264.

###

SONA TRUZIAN: VIDEO MATERIALS SENT BY "HERITAGE" PARTY TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CONTAIN NO SHOTS OF POLICE CAR-CITIZENS ACCIDENT

Noyan Tapan
March 19, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The video materials, which has been
sent by "Heritage" party to the RA prosecutor general’s office,
contain no shots showing that a police car is running down citizens
near Yerevan municipality on March 1, spokeswoman for the RA prosecutor
general Sona Truzian told NT correspondent on March 19. According
to her, quite the opposite, these shots prove that there was no such
accident. She said that the prosecutor’s office will ask television
companies to demonstrate – when an opportunity occurs – three video
materials sent by "Heritage".

S. Truzian confirmed the information on the RA Ombudsman’s website
that among those arrested is a deaf-and-dumb person. She added
that this person is accused of taking an active part in the mass
disorders. According to S. Truzian, from the very first moment,
all his judicial rights have been respected, he was provided with
a translator and a lawyer, and all investigation actions took place
with the participation of the translator and the lawyer.

S. Truzian said that as of March 19, 106 persons have been arrested
under the criminal case opened in connection with the March 1
events in Yerevan. A written undertaking not to leave the place of
residence was chosen as a pretrial measure with respect to another
three accused persons.

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT ELECT TO VISIT RUSSIA

ARKA
March 20, 2008

YEREVAN, March 20. /ARKA/. Armenia’s president elect Serge Sargsyan
is to pay a working visit to Russia on March 24.

The public relations department, RA Government, reports that Serge
Sargsyan is scheduled to hold meetings with RF incumbent President
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president elect Dmitry Medvedyev, RF Prime
Minister Victor Zubkov.

The sides are to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual
interest.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

TEN ARMENIAN GIRLS EMBODY THE TEN MAIDENS

The first of the ceremonious services characteristic of the final week of
the Great Lent Period, the service dedicated to the memory of the Ten
Maidens, was held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias
on March 18. Based on the parable of the Ten Maidens told by Jesus Christ,
this service comes to remind humanity about the second coming of the Christ
and the destiny that awaits the world.

While the Bible was being read, ten Armenian girls from the Yeghishe
Manoukian College stood in the "Tas" area wearing church costumed and
holding candles in their hands. Having read the word "wise" in the papers
given to them, five of the ten girls left their candles lit. Those who had
the word "stupid" on their papers blew off their candles, signifying the two
groups of human society.

According to the story of the Ten Maidens, the wise maidens represented
those people who were ready to welcome Jesus Christ’s revelation, while the
rest signified indifferent people who lived their life away from Christian
principles.

At the end of the service, the Ten Maidens were guided by Deputy Sacristan
Father Sdepanos Pashayan to the Veharan, where His Holiness Aram I blessed
them and distributed gifts to them. The Pontiff praised their interest
towards the traditions of the Armenian Church and encouraged them to love
their Mother Church and follow the teachings of the Bible.

##
View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos216.htm
http://www.armenianorthodox church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos217.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 15 2008

UN General Assembly adopts resolution recognizing Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and demanding Armenian forces’ withdrawal from
occupied territories

[ 15 Mar 2008 13:00 ]

Washington. Husniyya Hasanova – APA. Draft resolution `Situation in
the occupied Azerbaijani territories’ was discussed within the
framework of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly on March 14.

APA’s US bureau reports that the discussions started with speech of
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to UN Agshin Mehdiyev. He said that Nagorno
Karabakh had historically belonged to Azerbaijan, considered
motherland of our ancestors Christian Albans from the 4th century
till the Middle Ages, beginning from the 7th century Azerbaijani
people converted to Islam, but Nagorno Karabakh Albans remained
Christians. He stated that Ibrahim khan Karabakhli signed a treaty in
1805 and Nagorno Karabakh was annexed to Russia. The ambassador said
the Armenians had come to the region after that. He mentioned that
Alban patriarchate was abolished by Russians and their properties
were given to Armenian churches in 1836. In 1936 Azerbaijan declared
its independence and yielded the town of Irevan to Armenia basing on
its friendship policy with the country. According to ambassador,
beginning from 1987 Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenia, 220
Azerbaijanis were killed, over 1100 were wounded and 250,000 people
were displaced. He said separatism in Nagorno Karabakh had been
supported by Armenia and the decision passed by Armenian parliament
in 1989 on unification with Nagorno Karabakh proved this.
`Later, Armenia with the help of foreign military units and terrorist
groups occupied Nagorno Karabakh and seven regions adjacent to it. It
was accompanied by ethnic cleansing policy, as a result of which, one
million people were displaced,’ he said.
The ambassador said Armenians’ policy was also condemned by the UN
and mentioned the adoption of four UN resolutions, which demanded the
immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of forces from the
occupied territories.
Agshin Mehdiyev said in 1996 OSCE Lisbon Summit made a statement on
the principles for the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, which included the territorial integrity of the countries
and legal status of Nagorno Karabakh defined in an agreement based on
self-determination which confers on Nagorno Karabakh the highest
degree of self-rule within Azerbaijan. The ambassador said it had
been supported by all (53) members of OSCE except Armenia.
`But Armenians illegally settle people in the occupied territories,
plunder the territory’s natural resources with the help of foreign
companies and destroy all historical monuments of Azerbaijan. In 2004
OSCE fact-finding mission visited the region in connection with the
facts of illegal settlement of Armenians in the occupied territories.
The mission proved that Armenians had settled illegally and warned
the opposite side against such cases,’ he said.
The ambassador said the provocation of Armenians on March 4 led to
the casualties from both sides.
`The Armenians’ provocation aimed at diverting the attention of the
people from the political crisis in the country. Unfortunately, using
military force has become one of the main methods of Armenia’s
domestic and foreign policy,’ he said.
Agshin Mehdiyev said Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity was out of
discussion, and underlined that illegal units should be withdrawn
from the territories in order to establish peace and achieve return
of local people. Agshin Mehdiyev especially noted that discussion of
Nagorno Karabakh in the UN did not mean that Azerbaijan refused the
current format of negotiations.
`Discussion of the issue in the General Assembly aims at
demonstrating commitment to the core principles ensuring the
settlement of the conflict, showing support to the mediators and
getting more productive results,’ he said.
The ambassador said the mediators wanted to find the solution
ensuring the interests of both sides.
`But in order to reach this goal the sides should base on the same
principles. Azerbaijan bases on the international legal norms and
will carry out negotiations basing on them. The principle of
self-determination should not contradict the principle of territorial
integrity,’ the ambassador said.
Mehdiyev expressed his anxiety that OSCE MG co-chairs had not proper
proposals. Ambassador noted that the state had not right to sacrifice
the territorial integrity to protect co-chairs neutral position and
made strict statement on it.
`Co-chairs spoke about neutralism during the negotiations on Nagorno
Karabakh. But this neutralism is not a position. On the contrary,
this is a good pretext to avoid from concrete political position. We
asked to obey international law. If the international law is
violated, there will not be neutralism,’ he said.
Slovenian representative made a statement on the behalf of EU and
stated that Azerbaijan has right to raise any issue in UN. He
stressed that Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be solved within OSCE
MG.US representative speaking on the behalf of co-chairs stated that
core principles were presented to the conflict parties for the
solution to the conflict in the assembly of OSCE in Madrid in
November, 2007. Diplomat noted that those proposals were item for the
negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. US representative noted
that resolution presented by Azerbaijan covered only one part of
co-chairs’ proposals. He stated that co-chairs would not support the
document raised in General Assembly. Diplomat stressed that they
recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and did not accept
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.
Pakistani representative spoke on the behalf of Organization of
Islamic Conference. He stated that they supported Azerbaijan’s
position and noted that there were one million people exiled from
their lands as a result of aggressive policy pursued by Armenia and
stressed that Azerbaijani religious, historical heritage was ruined
in Nagorno Karabakh. He noted that OIC condemned aggressive policy of
Armenia every time and called members of organization to vote for
resolution . Uganda representative stated that Azerbaijanis are the
victim of the war and noted that they support them. Turkish and
Ukrainian representatives stated the same position.
Armenian ambassador to UN Armen Martirosyan noted that official Baku
caused damage to negotiations raising the resolution in UN. He
protested position of Ukrainian, Turkish and OIC representatives.
Irrespective of this, 39 states voted for the document, 7 sates voted
against it. 100 states took neutral position. The states against
resolution were Russia, US, France, India, Angola and Vanuatu.
The reolution adopted by UN General Assembly says:
1. General Assembly respected for sovereignty of Azerbaijan and
recognized its territorial integrity within borders adopted by
international laws.
2. General Assembly demands withdrawal of Armenian military forces
from occupied lands urgently, completely and undoubtedly.
3. General Assembly recognizes the right on returning the population
to their lands and paying compensation to them.
4. General Assembly supports to ensure security of Azerbaijani and
Armenian Communities of Nagorno Karabakh and provide condition for
their activity.
5. General assembly supports the activity of OSCE MG co-chairs within
international legal norms and wished them to increase efforts to gain
the peace.
6. General Assembly asked for UN General Secretary to make a report
about execution of resolution on situation in Azerbaijani occupied
lands in 63rd session.

PanARMENIAN.Net

OSCE MG won’t support Azerbaijan’s resolution on Karabakh
14.03.2008 17:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries
will not support Azerbaijan’s draft resolution `On
occupied territories of Azerbaijan’. It turned out to
be one-sided, absolutely imbalanced and inappropriate.
It was so unexpected for all of us,’ OSCE Minsk Group
Russian Co-chair, Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov said.

`We offer either to postpone consideration of the
document, or simply try to make it acceptable for
approval. The Azerbaijani delegation rejected our
proposals in New York, referring to the absence of
relevant testimonies. In this situation all co-chair
countries concluded that they cannot support the
document. I should say that the sixth item of the
document contains a very good paragraph, indicating
better work of the OSCE Minsk Group,’ he said, Trend
Azeri news agency reported.

AMMUNITION FOUND IN RESTAURANT BELONGING TO ARRESTED MP

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.03.2008 12:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ National Security Service officers found and
confiscated ammunition hidden on the territory of Vanatour restaurant
complex belonging to arrested MP Sasoun Mikaelyan, the NSS press
office reported.

20 grenades, 11 boxes with gun cartridges, 15 detonating fuses, 15
hypodermic syringes, 2 ampoules of Prometazin psychotropic drug were
found in a pool next to the restaurant.

The investigators found out that Sasoun Mikaelyan ordered the watchman
Edik Khachatryan to hide the ammunition on the territory of the
restaurant complex.

Sasoun Mikaelyan, accused of organization of disorders and violent
upheaval, was arrested on March 12

KOSOVO EFFECT

10 .03.2008

Would Kosovo independence affect other conflicts across the globe? What
would be the future international order as other disgruntled regions
in different parts of the world aspire for independent status? The
emerging scenario aftermath of the Kosovo independence in February 2008
has raised such issues. The ripple effect seems to have already felt
in different parts of the world as the conflict zones such as Abkhazia
in the Caucasus have reiterated their right to self-determination.

Two issues need to be looked seriously in the above context. First,
whether federalism is still a plausible and workable framework
for distinct units in a multi-ethnic, pluralistic society to work
together? Or every distinct unit in a federation must enjoy the right
to have self-determination at will?

This is a matter of common concern for all pluralistic countries,
as the domino-effect of secession in societies like India, Russia,
China can well be imagined in which the violence-ridden regions like
Kashmir (India), Chechnya (Russia), Xinjiang (China) have already
undergone violent turmoil.

Second, how can the differences between the Centre and unit be resolved
amicably in a federation without pulling the relations in opposite
direction beyond adjustable limits? Arend Lijphart’s ‘consociational
model’ can be considered a just device to bring different units on
a platform to work under certain commonly agreed principles. Former
Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s attempt as reflected in the Union
Treaty of 1992 somehow endeavoured to achieve this goal. But, it is
true that there can not be any fixed formula as every situation has
its own dynamics. As the theory of cultural relativism holds, it is
not only precarious but also disastrous to apply a particular set of
principles to resolve all the conflicts.

The Kosovo problem came to limelight since the Balkan crisis that
gained momentum in the 1990s. The Milosevic regime’s course might
have exaggerated the crisis, but it is more power politics between
regional and global powers that led to further aggravation of the
situation. Russia’s desire to maintain the unity of Serbia is not only
characterised by its Slavic attachment to the region but also due to
fear of ripple effect of independence to its neighbourhood. President
Putin’s statement "Kosovo is a terrible precedent, and it breaks
up the entire system of international relations that existed for
decades and even centuries" appears cogent as the spiralling effect
of the emerging situation might affect the structure of international
relations, if not properly balanced.

So far Kosovo has been recognised by few countries. Till the end of
February only thirty states have recognized its independence. Countries
like the US, UK, France, Germany and Turkey have supported the
independence where as countries like Russia, China, Spain, Georgia,
and Greece have opposed the move. Among the former Soviet republics,
the Baltic States have expressed their support where as countries
like Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared
their opposition to recognize Serbia’s breakaway region.

The sudden impact of Kosovo independence on the Caucasian region has
already been felt as Abkhazia the breakaway of region of Georgia has
demanded recognition of its independence. Georgia is afraid that any
recognition of Kosovo independence may fuel similar sentiments in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Similarly the Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian complained of international double standard, arguing
"Granting independence to Kosovo, the international community violated
the legal norms but forgot Karabakh." It can be mentioned that both
Armenia and Azerbaijan have conflicting interests in Nagorno-Karabakh
and the developments in Kosovo would likely to be interpreted
differently by both these countries.

Azerbaijan has already declared the independence of Kosovo
‘illegal’. The Central Asian states like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
and Tajikistan have expressed opposition against the declaration
of independence.

India too has expressed reservation over this issue as any recognition
of independent Kosovo might encourage separatists in Kashmir to raise
their demands more violently. This region in the past has witnessed
much bloodshed and now it may prove difficult for India to risk siding
with Kosovo.

Similarly, Russia’s problem in its southern part such as Chechnya
and Dagestan is well known. The debilitating potentials of Kosovo
developments in fomenting religious fundamentalism and terrorism in the
guise of self-determination cannot be ruled out. The Chechen radical
leader Doku Umarov has already revealed his vision of a Caucasian
caliphate and he may well use the Kosovo incident to further his
activities in the region.

Both India along with Russia had signed in 1994 the declaration
on the protection of interests of multiethnic and pluralistic
societies. Hence, in this background the Kosovo crisis needs to be
seen as a factor in the evolving order of international relations as
a challenge (as well as opportunity) to multiethnic and pluralistic
societies. It is true that right to self determination is a noble
principle recognised by international law, but its misinterpretation
and misapplication may bring devastating consequences in an age in
which religion and ethnicity based violence is a common norm. Hence,
at the present juncture it would be difficult to say whether Kosovo
independence would bring stability in the Balkans or lead to a flurry
of such movements in other parts of the world. However, the Kosovo
independence would likely affect the evolving international scenario
especially in the Eurasian region in which the changing contours of
power politics have thrown up new power alignments driven by great
power ambitions.

The author is a research faculty at Centre for Central Eurasian
Studies, University of Mumbai, India.

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN CONGRATULATES SERGE SARGSYAN

armradio.am
11.03.2008 17:40

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov congratulated RA
Prime minister Serge Sargsyan on his victory in the presidential
elections. The message says, in part:

"Dear Serge Azatovich,

Accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your election
to the post of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

I’m sure that based on principles of friendship and reciprocal respect
Armenian-Uzbek relations will continue reinforcing for the benefit
of the two countries.

Using the opportunity I wish to wish you sound health and success
in your responsible activity, as well as peace and wellbeing to the
people of Armenia."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN SCREAMING OUT LOUD
Andrew Sheridan

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
a/storage/paper874/news/2008/03/10/ArtsLiving/Syst em.Of.A.Down.Screaming.Out.Loud-3260345.shtml
Marc h 10 2008
MA

One point five million people dead, thousands of children orphaned.

Three-fourths of an entire population murdered in the span of two
years, and a guilty government in complete denial. Such was the state
of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, "the forgotten massacre." It was
the inspiration for the Holocaust, the first Great War crime of the
20th century and the topic of the new documentary, "Screamers."

The film is the product of the Grammy-winning band System of a Down,
and from the start, one might think that it is simply a profile of
the group. It begins at a System concert in the U.S., where rabid
fans flock the stadium, and the members prepare to perform. The
emphasis quickly changes, however, to the political activity going
on at the event.

Tents and stands dot the area, distributing literature about genocide
and circling petitions. Activists push their social agendas freely
with the blessing of the group, who announce their intentions right
off the bat saying, "This band just started to make you ask questions."

The concert, which took place in 2005, was held on the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide. The band members, all of Armenian descent,
feel strongly about the event, which is largely unknown and denied
openly by many of the world’s governments.

The documentary mixes interviews of band members, survivors of war
crimes and experts. It is also laced with live performances by SOAD,
in which the sometimes incomprehensible lyrics are layered over the
instrumentals, revealing their highly political nature often lost on
casual System listeners.

Though the film chronicles genocide in general, much focus is given to
the near-extermination of the Armenians. Following the introduction of
band member Serj Tankian’s 96 year-old grandfather Stepan Haytayan,
a survivor, the film starts in on a heart-wrenching depiction of
Turkey circa World War I.

Unbeknownst to most Americans, during the turn of the century the
Christian Albanian population of Turkey was being persecuted by the
Muslim majority. When war broke out, Turkish leader Mehmet Resat used
the confusion to carry out the mass execution of the Albanian people.

The narration is supplemented by poignant accounts of the terrible
incident from survivors and was made even more effective by
black-and-white images of the carnage and death.

After Turkey is discussed, the focus of the film is widened to genocide
in general throughout the twentieth century. As one expert says,
"Genocide is about using the cover of an overall conflict to deal
with ethnic … claimants that you’ve been wanting to get out of the
way for a long time."

>From the Holocaust to Rwanda, Kosovo, Bosnia, Kurdistan and even
Darfur, "Screamers" profiles some of the lowest points in human
history in graphic detail.

Chilling accounts from those left behind are almost too much to bear at
times, and full color photographs of recent events bring the conflicts
a little too close to home. Not for the faint of heart or the weak
of stomach, these scenes are well edited and make a significant impact.

The latter part of the piece is dedicated to the United States and its
responses to past atrocities. After every single act of genocide in
the past century, a high-ranking U.S. official has publicly denounced
the act, boldly saying "never again." Time and time again, however,
the government witnesses the murder of thousands and does nothing
because of political interests.

Released in 2006, "Screamers" has been shown at theaters and film
festivals around the world, bringing home awards at Sundance and
Montreal. The DVD, which debuted at the end of 2007, contains a
backstage tour with System as well as additional songs and press
interviews with the artists.

It has been acclaimed by critics nationwide and for good reason. At
times powerful and eye-opening, the film succeeds in the band’s
original goal of making you ask questions. It doesn’t stand out from
other documentaries in terms of production values or pacing; but in
terms of impact and information, it is one of the best of the year.

Those who are simply looking for an entertaining movie to pass the time
should most likely look elsewhere, but for the politically minded –
and System of a Down fan – "Screamers" is top-notch.