Author: Kajoyan Gevork

NY Hyortik AYF Chapter
69-23 47th Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 651-1530
March 4, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Spirit of the Youth: NY AYF Leads Community in Remembering Artsakh
Liberation Struggle, Baku and Sumgait Massacre Victims

NEW YORK – On February 29 the New York Hyortik chapter of the Armenian Youth
Federation Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(AYF-YOARF) led over 250 members of the New York community in remembering
the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation Struggle and Baku and Sumgait
massacre victims.

The event brought together people from all parts of the New York Armenian
community including representative of the Armenian Mission to the United
Nations, members of the Armenian Club at Columbia University, St.
Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral and Day School, Homenetmen, Hamazkayin,
Armenian Relief Society Mayr and Erepouni chapters, Armenian National
Committee of New York, the clergy and members of the St. Sarkis Armenian
Apostolic Church, Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the ACYOA in what
became a standing-room only hall in the Armenian Center in Woodside.

The program opened with the singing of "Mer Hairenik" followed by a moment
of silence in remembrance of the Baku and Sumgait massacre victims and those
who paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to preserve the
freedom of Artsakh. This was followed by opening remarks from Hyortik member
Arousiag Markarian who welcomed attendees and outlined the evening’s
program.

The first part began with the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School students
who sang "Kedashen" and "Karabagh." This was promptly followed by the poem
"Karabaghi Vokhpuh" by Hovanes Shiraz read by AYF member Mher Janian and the
St. Sarkis Yeraz Dance Group who presented a dance to the song titled
"Artsakh" by composer Ara Gevorkian. To conclude this portion New York
Hyortik AYF junior and seniors offered a short skit titled "The
Karabaghtsi," depicting the strong and brave qualities of the people of
Karabagh.

Next, Hyortik member Seda Melikyan read a statement sent from the ARF Youth
in Artsakh. This event, read the letter, "stands as yet another proof that
wherever Armenians are in the world, he is tied to his roots and wake in him
is the spirit of his nation. For us, this is a proud occasion." The letter
went on to outline the history of the movement and the subsequent war,
promising that Artskah’s new, young generation will continue to stand guard.

Finally, New York AYF member Sossi Essajanian presented a short speech on
behalf of the chapter. She said, "February 1988 start of the struggle for
the liberation of Artsakh proved that the Armenian nation has equal rights
with the rest of the world’s nations to live free and independent and to
determine their own future." Essajanian also remembered those fedayees that
fought for this cause. She said, "Armenians from Artsakh, Armenia and the
Diaspora stood side by side to fight and die for the idea of a free,
independent and united Armenia." At the end, Essajanian told the audience
that the youth have a promise to make "Artsakh alive not only in our souls,
but also part of our every-day lives." This, she said, is part of the
greater cause of uniting the pieces of historic Armenian homeland: Artsakh,
Javakhk, Nakhichevan, Western and Eastern Armenia.

The program culminated with the documentary Hbardoutune, Voroun Anoun-ne
Artsakh (Artsakh: A Proud and Honorable Land) prepared by the Artsakh Fund.
Starting with the history of Artsakh until the struggle for its independence
in the mid 1990s and post-conflict, the film provided the audience with the
images, voices and spirit of the region. It included many interviews with
those fighting on the front lines as well as actual footage of the pre and
post war period.

Adding to the inspirational atmosphere, a photo exhibit was displayed along
the walls of the Armenian Center depicting the movement in pictures. Taken
by ArmenPress photographer Robert Garabedian during the protests and
subsequent events, the images captured the spirit of the pre-war struggle
through the faces and signs of people chanting on the streets of Yerevan and
Stepanakert. Over 50 black and white images displayed the progression of the
movement calling for the re-unification of Artsakh with Armenia.

To close the evening, Bishop Anoushavan Tanelian talked about the role of
the youth in the Artsakh Liberation struggle and their responsibilities
today in the Armenian community world-wide. He said that he is proud of the
youth and felt hope for the future that the next generation is becoming
prepared to continue the work of the community. The Bishop also reflected on
the about the program. He commented that it was all-encompassing and the
documentary was a good representation of the country and showed how
important it is to see Artsakh first hand.

The program closed with the Artsakh national anthem, "Orhnerk Artsakhi."

During the reception following the event, Hyortik members passed out free
CDs that they made compiling songs dedicated to Artsakh. "Through all these
means we wanted to put on a diverse cultural program engaging attendees in
a
multi-media approach to envelope them in the world that is Artsakh," said
Hyortik member Toros Asadourian. Through this event the Hyortiks emphasized
the spirit of the organization’s 75th anniversary this year: that the youth
will continue to stand guard of the Armenian roots and the Armenian Cause.

Among those in the audience was David Ambartsumyan from Sumgait who lost his
father in the massacres. He said, "The night was illuminating. I think we
are doing a strong thing here by remembering this past tragedy; it was
brutal what they did, especially for us who went through it. But by looking
at this young generation, who knows about the Genocide and is teaching
others about the massacres in Baku and Sumgait, I feel hopeful."

The event, said Ambartsumyan, reminded him of the Armenian soldiers in
Karabagh and how they sacrificed their lives "for something special." He
said that the evening reminded him that you can "never achieve your goals if
you don’t believe in your future. If you don’t remember your past, you can’t
see your future."

On March 2, the Hyortiks joined Ambartsumyan in a hokihanisd that took place
at the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral to remember the martyrs of the
struggle and those of the massacres.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

PhotoByTina-88-rtc.jpg
New York Hyortik junior and senor members with Archbishop Anoushavan
Tanelian and Rev. Mesob Lakissian of the St. Illuminator’s Armenian
Cathedral

PhotoByTina-04-rtc.jpg
Over 250 gathered at the Armenian Center in Woodside to attend an event by
the New York AYF remembering the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation
Struggle and Baku and Sumgait massacre victims

PhotoByTina-25-rtc.jpg
The St. Sarkis Yeraz Dance Group took part in the program, dancing to Ara
Gevorkian’s "Artsakh"

PhotoByTina-73-rtc.jpg
Archbi shop Anoushavan Tanelian thanked the AYF for putting together the
program and invigorating the community with the spirit of the movement and
the youth

PHOTO CREDIT: Tina Tcholakian

Constitutional Court of Armenia concluded consideration of applications
of presidential candidates on nullifying election results

March 7, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia concluded
today consideration of the applications of presidential candidates
Tigran Karapetian and Levon Ter-Petrosian on nullifying official
results of presidential elections and left for the decision room for
making the decision on the given case.

Mediamax reports that during the session, which took place today, the
sides presented their final speeches. Representative of Levon
Ter-Petrosian Artak Zeinalian stated that there are names of 80
thousand citizens in the electors’ lists without information on their
birthdates. He also expressed concern in connection with the
`inactivity of CEC and the General Prosecutor’s Office’. Zeinalian
stated that in electronic media, impartiality and balance were not
secured in the process of covering the election campaign.

CEC Chairman Garegin Azarian noted that `disputing the results of
elections is for both presidential candidates an end in itself’.
According to him, real results of voting fully correspond to the
publicized official results of elections.

In his turn, the Deputy Prosecutor General of Armenia Aram Tamazian
stated that `the violations, registered in the process of pre-election
campaign and voting, were not of mass nature and could not influence
the final official results of the elections’. `Taking into account the
given fact, the applications of presidential candidates should be
turned down by the court’, he stressed.

In his speech, the First Deputy Head of Police Ararat Mahtesian stated
that `many facts, brought by the representatives of plaintiffs, are of
mystical and unfounded nature’. According to him, `absence of
information on the dates and the years of birth of certain electors is
related to the fact that they lacked registered information’. Ararat
Mahtesian informed that they talk mainly about persons, who were born
in 30-40s of the previous century, as well as repatriates from Middle
East countries.

Hearing the final speeches of the sides, the judges left for the
decision room to make the decision. As the CC Chairman Gagik
Harutiunian stated, according to the existing legislation, the court
should make the decision up to 24:00 of March 8.

Deputy of Armenian parliament from the RPA thinks extension of the term
of the state of emergency is quite possible

2008-03-07 18:01:00

ArmInfo. Deputy of Armenian parliament from the RPA Rafik Petrosyan
thinks extension of the term of the state of emergency in Yerevan is
quite possible, he said at the press-conference in National Press Club.

He also added that the opposition has already said of its intention to
restore rallies’ and sit-down strikes holding after 20 March. ‘In that
case it will be necessary to extend the term of the state of
emergency’, – the deputy said and added that introduction of the state
of emergency in Yerevan was necessary as it make it possible to
preserve stability in the country.

Zenit News Agency, Italy
March 7 2008

Pontiff Invites Armenian Patriarch to Vatican

Orthodox Leader Receives Cardinal Bertone

VAGHARSHAPAT, Armenia, MARCH 6, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI
extended an invitation to the patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox
Church to visit the See of Peter in a letter delivered by his
secretary of state.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone visited Karekin II, supreme patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, on Tuesday at the Mother Cathedral of
Holy Etchmiadzin.

Cardinal Bertone arrived Tuesday to Armenia, days after his original
arrival date was postponed due to unrest in the country.

The cardinal had planned to leave for Armenia on Sunday, and stay
through Thursday, when he would head to neighboring Azerbaijan until
March 9. But post-election clashes between protesters and police in
Armenia on Saturday resulted in eight deaths.

The Armenian government declared a 20-day state of emergency,
forbidding even small groups to gather in the nation’s
capital.


At the meeting today, a Vatican communiqué reported that the cardinal
"conveyed the warmest greetings of unity in Jesus Christ and the
fraternal love," from Benedict XVI to Karekin II.

The secretary of state also delivered a handwritten letter from the
Pope, which included an invitation for Karekin II to visit the See of
Peter.

The Vatican note continued: "His Holiness and His Eminence offered
their gratitude to God for this cordial meeting — a sign of the
continuing development of ties between the Armenian Apostolic Church
and the Catholic Church — to know one another better, to appreciate
each other’s incomparable spiritual heritage, and to love one
another, confirming their equal calling to serve mankind as is
required by our one Lord Jesus Christ.

"They agreed to continue taking steps on these blessed paths."

Intentions

Addressing the unrest afflicting the country, the statement said both
Karekin II and Cardinal Bertone "appealed to God during these
difficult days for Armenia, so that peace and reconciliation be
established within the country. They prayed together for the souls of
the victims and asked the Lord to keep and protect the Armenian
people and reinforce them with faith, hope and love."

"The Cardinal expressed the complete support of the Catholic Church
to the Armenian Church," continued the communiqué, "for her efforts
utilizing her high moral standing, aimed at providing solutions to
all concerns through the promotion of dialogue and peaceful means and
fostering a common sense of responsibility, so that the dignity of
the Armenian people and state remain unharmed within international
society."

The two also prayed to God "to make statesmen and politicians realize
that politics is also a spiritual calling, which demands honesty,
mutual respect, love tolerance and defense of the rights of the poor
and vulnerable."

In Azerbaijan on Thursday, Cardinal Bertone is scheduled to meet with
the head of the Muslim leaders and other religious officials. He will
express to them the Church’s desire to cooperate in the common
commitment to peace, concord among peoples and the good of the human
family.

The cardinal will be present at the inauguration of a new Catholic
church In Azerbaijan’s capital built on land donated to Pope John
Paul II by President Heydar Aliyev, father of the nation’s current
head of state.

Czech Happenings, Czech Republic
March 8 2008

Two injured in shooting in centre of Prague

Prague- Two unknown gunmen opened fire in Parizska street in the
centre of Prague this afternoon, injuring two Russian-speaking men
and escaping from the spot of the incident, Prague police spokeswoman
Eva Brozova told CTK.

The incident took place around 16:00. The police are investigating it
on the spot.

Rescuers have treated the two injured. Both the 26-year-old man with
a leg injury and the 33-year-old man with an arm injury have been
taken to hospitals, each elsewhere in Prague.

Parizska street is popular among foreign tourists in Prague.
Connecting the Old Town Square with the Vltava embankment, it is
considered one of the city’s most luxurious streets, and also one of
the most expensive.

Last year downtown Prague saw several incidents involving shooting.

In April, a policeman shot at a suspected thief in Jindrisska street
and the ricocheting bullet injured a passer-by.

In July, the police shot two people suspected of extortion near the
Uhelny trh square.

In November, a car driver died in a gunman’s attack in the Vinohrady
neighbourhood. The police say the hired shooter mistook the driver
for the man he was supposed to kill within a conflict between Russian
and Armenian gangs in the Czech Republic.

RA GENERAL STAFF: AZERBAIJAN RESPONSIBLE FOR FRONTLINE INCIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2008 14:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There was firing at the Armenian-Azeri border and at
the NKR-Azeri contact line today but the situation is under control,
RA armed forces general staff chief, colonel general Seyran Ohanyan
told a news conference in Yerevan.

"On March 4, Armenia tried to contact the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry
but the request to stop the attack was neglected. Therefore, the NKR
army had to commence fire and hurl the enemy back. Azeri armed forces
leaders should understand that the NKR defense army stands firm to
defend the homeland. The responsibility for the incident lies on the
Azeri authorities," Ohanyan said.

He reminded that the ceasefire agreement prohibits use of
artillery. "The Azeri military enabled artillery and the Armenian
forces had to fire back," he said.

"Shots are frequent at the Armenian-Azeri border but skirmishes do
not last long."

"As to warlike statements by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
they are targeted both at the international community and the
Azeri population. You should not forget that Azerbaijan will hold
presidential election in autumn and Aliyev uses all tools to influence
the nation," he said, adding, "Azerbaijan is arming and preparing for
war. The latest incident was Baku’s attempt to test the NKR defense
army’s efficiency. The Armenian military should be on alert to rebuff
any attack of the enemy."

AZERI MEDIA REPORTS FAR FROM REALITY AS USUAL, RA MFA SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.03.2008 16:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Personal Representatives of the OSCE CiO, Ambassador
Andrzej Kasprzyk attended the site where a skirmish between the Azeri
armed forces and NKR Defense Army took place on March 4 morning,"
RA MFA acting spokesman Tigran Balayan told a briefing today.

"Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian had a phone conversation
with Ambassador Kasprzyk and CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas
Hammarberg. As far I we know, the skirmishes at the Armenian-Azeri
and Karabakhi-Azeri borders occur from time to time till now," he said.

"PACE Vice President John Prescott and OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair
Matthew Bryza will arrive in Armenia tomorrow," he added.

At that Mr Balayan noted that Azeri media’s reports on casualties
are far from the reality, as usual. "Two Armenian officers were
injured. The Azeri side lost 8 soldiers killed and 7 wounded," he said.

SERZH SARGSIAN: I RULE OUT POSSIBILITY OF ISSUE’S SETTLEMENT BY FORCE OF ARMS

DeFacto Agency
March 5 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 05.03.08. DE FACTO. During the recent days a tense situation
was taking shape on Armenia’s borders. And on March 4 Azeris attacked
an Armenian position and nearly occupied it. The Armenian party, via
proper structures, had broached an issue referring to return of the
occupied position before Azerbaijan’s military leadership, however,
it was refused, RA PM Serge Sargsian told journalists on Tuesday.

According to him, later the Armenian party reestablished control
over the position. In Serge Sargsian’s words, the enemy retreated,
leavening a lot of corps.

Estimating the Azeri leadership’s statement concerning the fact that
Baku is ready to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue by force of arms
Serge Sargsian noted such statements had been made all the time. On
the other hand talks are being held, in the course of which it is
stated that the issue should be solved by peaceful means. "I am hopeful
that normal civilized logics will win, and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
will be settled by peaceful means. I rule out the possibility of the
issue’s settlement by force of arms", Serge Sargsian noted.

RA GENERAL STAFF: NO INCIDENTS AT ARMENIAN-AZERI BORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.03.2008 14:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Azeri army is conducting staff and command
exercise at the Nagorno Karabakh border, causing some tension at
the frontline," RA armed forces general staff chief, colonel general
Seyran Ohanyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

"The Armenian army is in full control of the situation. We know that
Azerbaijan is conducting an exercise and our units are on alert,
securing our borders," he said, adding that no incident has been
fixed at the border recently.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DEMANDS PROBE INTO ARMENIAN CRACKDOWN

Radio Liberty
March 3 2008
Czech Republic

A leading international human rights organization has demanded that the
Armenian government launch a "prompt and independent" investigation"
into the bloody confrontation between security forces and opposition
demonstrators in Yerevan that left at least eight people dead.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it is also "deeply
concerned" by reports from journalists and local observers that many
other protesters have gone missing.

"The Armenian government should swiftly investigate whether the police
and army used lethal force against protesters in accordance with
international standards," Holly Cartner, HRW’s Europe and Central
Asia director said in a Sunday statement. "While the government has
a duty to maintain civic order, lethal force may only be used when
strictly necessary to protect life."

Under a United Nations convention, lethal force may only be
used against violent protesters only when less extreme means are
insufficient to protect the life of law-enforcement officers and
other citizens.

Citing witness accounts, HRW suggested that riot police may themselves
have provoked violence by firing trace bullets in the direction
of thousands of people who barricaded themselves on a major street
intersection outside the Yerevan mayor’s office. "Violent clashes broke
out, according to eyewitnesses, when a tracer bullet apparently struck
and killed a demonstrator," it said. "Angry demonstrators cried for
revenge and attacked the security forces."

"A local observer who watched a video recording of the events told
Human Rights Watch that the video showed how demonstrators, demanding
revenge, placed the dead body of a man, apparently in his 50s, on
top of a car," added the HRW statement.

The Armenian authorities insist that it is the demonstrators who
opened fire first before attacking security forces, burning down police
vehicles and looting nearby shops. The Office of the Prosecutor-General
said on Monday that a police officer was among at least eight people
killed in the unprecedented violence. The law-enforcement agency
identified all of them in a statement posted on its website.

"Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned by reports from journalists
and local observers that many demonstrators have gone missing,"
the New York-based group said. "In the current state of emergency,
with an effective media blackout, relatives have little access to
information about their missing family members."