Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
April 18, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
HARRY REID COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

— Thirty Senators have Announced
Support for Anti-Genocide Legislation

— Watch Senator Obama Discuss the Resolution on YouTube

WASHINGTON, DC – In a move welcomed today by the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA), two of the nation’s most prominent
Senators – Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and leading 2008
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY) – agreed to cosponsor
S.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

"We’re very gratified that two prominent national leaders – Hillary
Clinton and Harry Reid – agreed today to join with a growing number
of their Senate colleagues in supporting the passage of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "As the growth in cosponsors demonstrates, this anti-
genocide measure clearly enjoys the support of a broad, bipartisan
majority in both houses of Congress."

The Senate resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide was
introduced last month by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-
IL) and Senator John Ensign (R-NV). The measure is a companion to
U.S. House resolution, H.Res.106, introduced by Representatives
Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), and Foreign Affairs Committee members Brad Sherman (D-CA)
and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). With the addition this week of Tim
Bishop (D-NY), Bruce Braley (D-IA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Mazie
Hirono (D-HI), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), David Reichart (R-WA), John
Salazar (D-CO), and Tom Tancredo (R-CO), the House measure
currently has over 190 cosponsors.

Joining Senators Durbin and Ensign as cosponsors of the Armenian
Genocide resolution are Wayne Allard (R-CO), Barbara Boxer (D-CA),
Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Hillary Clinton (D-NY),
Norm Coleman (R-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Christopher Dodd (D-CT),
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-
MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-
MI), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Robert
Menendez (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Harry Reid (D-NV), Ken Salazar
(D-CO), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie
Stabenow (D-MI), John Sununu (R-NH), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

In a powerful speech today on the Senate floor, Senator Bararba
Boxer, a long-standing and energetic champion of Armenian Genocide
recognition, stressed that she is "proud to be an original co-
sponsor of Senator Richard Durbin’s Senate Resolution 106. The
California legislator, speaking to her Senate colleagues, argued
forcefully that, "We must recognize the genocide because it’s the
right thing to do. We must recognize the Armenian Genocide to help
shed light on the darkness and move toward a more humane world."

Last week, during remarks at a Washington, DC breakfast for
Illinois constituents, Senator Barak Obama, fielded a question from
ANCA Eastern U.S. Executive Director Karine Birazian about his
support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution. In his response, he
explained to the audience the basic facts about the Genocide and
promised to give careful consideration to cosponsoring the measure.
Senator Obama serves on the Foreign Relations Committee and is
among the top contenders for the 2008 Democratic Presidential
nomination. His remarks can be viewed on YouTube:

T he increase in Senate and House support for the Armenian Genocide
resolutions follows an intensive two-day Capitol Hill advocacy
program in March, organized by the ANCA and the Genocide
Intervention Network, dedicated to ending the cycle of genocide.
Over 100 anti-genocide advocates from across the United States
participated in the grassroots campaign, reaching out to all 535
Senate and House offices. The Washington, DC component of the
program was followed by local activist meetings in Congressional
districts across the U.S. during the recently-concluded two-week
April district work period.

Armenian American grassroots efforts are being opposed by
successive waves of Turkish parliamentary delegations who are
seeking to convince Representatives and Senators to reject Armenian
Genocide recognition by threatening a break in U.S.-Turkey
relations. This week’s six-member Turkish lobby team included
former Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Sukru Elekdag, and former
Ambassador to Germany Onur Oymen.

#####

PIANIST WINS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
By: Ranae Bangerter

USU The Utah Statesman, UT
April 18 2007

Aram Arakelyan, a senior in piano performance, took home two awards
and $2,000 at the Kingsville International Competition in Texas a
month ago.

After competing against 28 other pianists from around the world,
Arakelyan took first place in the senior solo division and the Isabel
Scionti special prize for an outstanding performance, receiving a
$1,000 check for each award.

But, no matter who’s listening, Arakelyan said being nervous is a
major part of his performances.

"It was really nerve-wracking," he said. "There were so many great
pianists there. People from out of countries, different places, people
from East Coast and the big universities come, and they’re all just
really amazing. It only takes a couple and you get really nervous."

Arakelyan played three solos at the three-day competition. He
performed Beethoven’s sonata "Opus 109," Rachmaninoff’s transcription
of Kreisler’s "Liebesleid," and Arnoldo Virginian’s character piece
"Capriccio."

The first day he performed, he only played two songs, the second day
he practiced and the third day he performed his last piece.

"I had to try as hard as I could just to play, to concentrate and
play like I usually do. As far as competition is concerned, it’s
always just kind of emotionally unstable and really nervous," he said.

Director of piano studies Gary Amano attributes Arakelyan’s great
performance to his parents and the USU piano program.

Arakelyan is from Armenia, and both his parents are musicians.

Six years ago he competed in an the international Junior Bechauer
competition and the director of the contest told Arakelyan to go
to USU.

"The piano program here is just about as strong as any piano program in
the East Coast. It’s very highly acclaimed. There’s a lot of pianists
back home from Utah State," he said.

He said his parents had to sell some of their property in Armenia to
pay for him to come to USU, and he hasn’t seen them since.

"It’s great, my parents are very supportive," Arakelyan said. "I
think it’s a lot easier in some ways because it’s much easier to
see perspective and figure out where I go next, because things are
available for musicians."

He accompanies for both the USU Choral and the Chamber Singers.

"That’s been really helpful. That’s kind of what pianists really do,"
he said.

Since he’s always playing piano, he likes to switch up his genres
and has recently taken up jazz.

"He plays everything," Amano said.

Last year Arakelyan was selected for the International Gina Bachauer
competition and was one of 40 students from around the world selected.

"He’s an excellent performer, he’s an excellent accompanist . . .

he’s just been a real big asset to us," Amano said.

Arakelyan is the sixth student of Amano’s to win the competition,
and Amano thinks it’s because of the personal attention that is given
to the students at USU.

"If (students) go to a big music school, they get their hour a week
lesson and here, if they’re preparing for a competition, I give them
as much time as they need to get them ready," Amano said. "I think
most of the teachers at the big schools aren’t willing to do that."

Arakelyan hasn’t decided what he will do after graduation this summer
because he said he wants to keep his options open.

"I’m definitely going to keep playing, I’m definitely going to keep
performing, that’s the path. I’m just not sure where I’m going to go
afterwards or whether I’m going to stay or not," he said.

?event=displayregistrationprompt&requiredregis tration=1&thereferer=http%3A//media.www.utahst atesman.com/media/storage/paper243/news/2007/04/18 /CampusNews/Pianist.Wins.International.Competition -2849601.shtml

HNCHAK LEADER BELIEVES PARTIES MUST VOW FOR FREE ELECTIONS IN WRITING

Panorama.am
18:35 17/04/2007

"The Diaspora is very concerned with the elections in Armenia," Stepan
Ajemean, head of Social Democratic Hnchak Party central department,
told a news conference today. Ajemean believes the observers must give
a "fair assessment of our elections," so that Armenia has elections
"equal" to international standards.

Ajemean believes all political parties must sign a document promising
to have elections without fraud.

"It will be useful not only for the Armenian nation but will be a fact
for the world that our country is ready for free and fair elections,"
the department head said.

OYP NOT GIVEN POSSIBILITY TO USE EXTERNAL POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The Orinats Yerkir (Country of
Law) Party is not given a possibility to use external political
advertisement. OYP Chairman Artur Baghdasarian stated this on April
17. In his words, for getting a permission to paste advertisement
posters they have applied to the respective bodies, including the
Central Electoral Commission, but they have not received any answer
by now. At the same time, A. Baghdasarian said that some prefectures
allotted places for OYP’s advertisement only on walls of buildings. And
external advertisement posters in Yerevan, in his words, mainly belong
to parties representing the power.

As A. Baghdasarian affirmed, in case of holding free and fair elections
the pro-governmental parties will not make majority in NA. And OYP,
in his words, has no problem of appearing in NA: the party has 107
thousand members and naturally, it will not only get over 5% barrier,
but also expects to receive much more votes. In A. Baghdasarian’s
words, OYP takes an active part in the agitation campaign and has
already visited Lori and Kotayk regions.

April 17, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

DURING THE SERMON AT THE CRESCENTAL VALLEY CHURCH
LET US BE GUIDED BY FAITH AND RENEWED BY
THE MESSAGE OF THE RESURRECTION
DECLARED THE PRELATE

On Sunday, April 15, 2007, we celebrated New Sunday, a day that
symbolizes the new life, hope, and renewal that is offered to us through the
Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time of renewal
also for the Western Prelacy which is flourishing with new parishes, among
them the Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley.

On Sunday afternoon, the newly elected Board of Trustees and
delegates gathered at the church to welcome H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, who conducted Mass and delivered the sermon. Very
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Ardag Demirjian assisted at the altar.

The Prelate commenced his sermon by giving thanks to God for His
blessings, then commended the Board, delegates, Ladies Association,
acolytes, and choir members, wishing them all continued success in their
service and expressing hope for the parish to have its own church in the
near future.

The Prelate incorporated into his sermon the doubtfulness of the
apostle Thomas. He spoke of the Resurrection of Christ as triumph over
death. With His Resurrection Christ renewed us, enlightened our hearts and
minds, and offered us eternal life. Though the apostles recounted the
Resurrection of Christ to Thomas, he asserted that he would not believe it
until he saw it with his own eyes and felt the wounds of Jesus. When the
Lord did appear to Thomas, he was terrified and professes himself to Christ.
The Prelate emphasized that today we are called to live our lives in
accordance with the spirit of the Resurrection, to renew ourselves, and to
be fortified by our faith. We must transform our minds and thoughts with
the new life that Christ has granted us so that we may be worthy of Christ,
concluded the Prelate.

Following Mass and requiem, parishioners enjoyed a reception
prepared by the Ladies Association.

MEASLES AND RUBELLA IN ARMENIA TO BE LIQUIDATED BY 2010

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 16 2007

YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. Measles and rubella in Armenia are planned
to have been liquidated by 2010, said head of national immunization
program of the RA Health Ministry Gayane Sahakyan.

She said that for this purpose the National program of measles and
rubella liquidation program is elaborated in Armenia, within which
extra injections against these infective diseases will be given
in 2007.

"The analysis of the previous infective episode showed that the
disease was widespread in 1-27 age groups because of insufficient
immune level. In connection with this the decision to vaccinate these
population groups was made," Sahakyan said.

She said that the age group up to six is included in the planned
vaccination, and in the 6-27 age groups extra vaccination will
be given.

She pointed out that the vaccines imported to Armenia of good quality
and correspond to WHO certification.

"Armenia is insured against low-quality vaccination, moreover, during
the recent years no lethal outcome because of vaccination has been
recorded in the country," she said.

The national strategy against measles and rubella liquidation for
2007-2010 is implemented in Armenia, as well as with the aim of
controlling parotitis and congenital rubella syndrome. The vaccination
is conducted within WHO, UNICEF, "Immunization of Armenian Children
of Millennium" Program and Vishnevskaya-Rostropovich Fund.

Peter Semneby: Week opposition is a problem for Armenia

AramRadio.am
16.04.2007 16:45

`Too weak and divided opposition is a problem for Armenia preceding
the parliamentary elections,’ EU Special Representative for the South
Caucasus Peter Semneby said in an interview with the Inside Europe
organization, which will be published in `Orer’ and `Nouvelles
d’Armenie’ Armenian magazines.

`It’s surprising to see how divided the Armenian opposition is. This
is a problem, since it can not have enough weight for its positions
and interests to be taken into consideration,’ said the EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus.

Peter Semneby said `the elections will foster our relations with
Armenia; if these are successful, free and fair, it will become a good
basis for reaching progress in all directions.’

The EU Special Representative emphasized the importance of the
opposition candidates’ having the opportunity to use air time. Peter
Semneby mentioned that the important thing is not only the provision
of air time top the candidates, but also how they are presented in the
editorial policy.’

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenian FM to visit Egypt, Austria and Belgium in April
13.04.2007 19:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 14 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian will
depart for Egypt within the delegation at the head of Armenian
President Robert Kocharian. Armenian FM’s working visit to Austria is
scheduled for April 16, where he will meet with Austrian President of
the National Council Barbara Prammer and Foreign Minister Ursula
Plassnik. During the visit Vartan Oskanian will deliver a lecture in
Vienna Diplomatic Academy and will have a speech at the 660th session
of OSCE Permanent Council.

RA FM’s visit to Brussels is scheduled for April 25. The same day
Vartan Oskanian will have a speech in Brussels Royal Conservatory
during an event dedicated to the Armenian Genocide international
recognition. Diplomats accredited in Belgian capital and
representatives of Armenian organizations in Europe will be present at
the event.

On April 27-29 Vartan Oskanian will participate in the Brussels Forum,
where he will present his report titled `The Black Sea Region:
Perspectives for Development’. Belgian and Georgian Prime Ministers,
foreign ministers of Canada and Germany, as well as EU Minister for
Enlargement will participate in the forum, RA MFA Press Office
reports.

NEXT PRESIDENT SHOULD BE GOOD AT BOTH HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY

KarabakhOpen
13-04-2007 17:21:22

Member of Parliament Lyudmila Barseghyan, Democrat, thinks the future
president should carry on the present political line.

"In Karabakh we need stability and guarantees that the war will
not ignite.

Second, I think the next president should focus on the manpower policy,
for everything depends on it," Lyudmila Barseghyan said in an interview
with the KarabakhOpen.

She thinks in the government posts we need not only knowledgeable
people but also good organizers and people who are close to people.

The member of parliament said the foreign policy depends greatly on
the internal policy. Although many people complain of the social
conditions, it is obvious that the quality of life is improving
steadily. Evidence to this is the lines in shops on holidays, beauty
parlors, taxi services. The member of parliament thinks the next
president should be good at both internal and foreign policies. "He
must be able to represent the country, the culture, the stance on the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict to the world and be interested
in stability in the country. It is wrong to say that the president
must tackle only home political problems. The head of state should
be able to tackle foreign political issues," said Lyudmila Barseghyan.

IT WAS NOT OUT POWER, ARF BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE STATES
Author: Davtian Armen Editor: Eghian Robert

Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2007

KAPAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. "Such a situation is created in Armenia
when people gather round a person, and a party is created." ARF Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian made such a statement at the meeting
with voters at the Kapan Culture Center. And Dashnaktsutiun, in his
words, unlike many other political forces, is a party having ideology.

H. Margarian assured that if the ARF gets the people’s vote at the May
12 elections and come to power, it will struggle against corruption,
atmosphere of unpunishment in the country. At the same time he did
not exclude that some people accuse the ARF saying that "you were
among the authorities why haven’t you done all these by now?" "You
are right. But we say that it was not our power, it was a power formed
round another’s pivot, which we made a part. And we now say that the
next power must be formed round our pivot to be able to solve those
issues," ARF Bureau representative said.