Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian president, US envoy discuss constitutional reforms, Karabakh
Arminfo
15 Sep 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received the US ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans.
The ambassador thanked the Armenian government and people for
humanitarian aid to the USA to overcome the consequences of Hurricane
Katrina.
The two parties touched on the process of constitutional reforms in
Armenia. Speaking on the issue, Evans said that it opens new
opportunities for Armenia’s development. They also discussed the
Karabakh settlement process.

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Sept 16 2005
Victims’ telethon collects $92,000
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer

GLENDALE – A telethon on an Armenian-American cable channel netted
more than $92,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief, with the money going
to the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
Armenian-Americans packed the alley behind the studio of the Armenian
Media Group of America’s studio at 1520 Glenoaks Blvd., bearing
checks and money orders to help victims of the hurricane. Most
donations were between $50 and $100, and $3,000 was the biggest
single check.
“This was from the people,” said broadcaster Chahe Keuroghelian, 48,
who led the telethon effort. “That is (more) important, in my
opinion, than necessarily the amount itself.
“It (being) collected from the regular citizens with limited income,
that needs to be appreciated.”
Wednesday, Keuroghelian presented more than $92,000 in donations to
the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
Including the money from the telethon, the Red Cross chapter has
collected $210,000 for hurricane relief.
Many donors remembered American generosity after Armenia was rocked
by a disastrous earthquake in 1988. The quake killed 25,000 people
and left 500,000 homeless, according to U.S. government Web sites.
“We were overwhelmed with the generosity that the people have shown,”
said Ron Farina, executive director of the Glendale-Crescenta Valley
chapter of the American Red Cross. “They, I believe, understand how
disasters can devastate a community because they were so badly hit
back in the Armenian community in ’88. So they can relate to this.”
The telethon started Monday evening and went until 2 a.m. Tuesday on
Channel 26 in Glendale. Broadcasters on the channel continued issuing
pleas for donations on the days after the initial telethon.
Keuroghelian, who has a show on Channel 26 but also works as an
immigration attorney, said he expects additional donations that will
bring the total to at least $100,000.
Meanwhile, the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the Red Cross has
35 volunteers working in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to
help hurricane and flood victims. Another 50 volunteers are waiting
to go.
“The thing that’s holding us back is sometimes flights are not
available from California to the area,” Farina said.
Revo Coffee and Cigarette Cafe will hold a jazz concert today from 8
to 10 p.m. at 1022 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale, to raise money for
Hurricane Katrina relief, with donations going to the Salvation Army.
For information, call (818) 549-0809.

ARKA News Agency
Sept 15 2005
RA OMBUDSMAN ACQUAINTED UN COORDINATOR WITH REPORT ON MASS VIOLATIONS
OF PROPERTY RIGHTS IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. RA Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan
acquainted UN Coordinator, Resident Representative of UNDP to Armenia
Consuelo Vidal with the report on mass violations of property rights
in Armenia, press-service of the RA Ombudsman Office reported ARKA
News Agency. Alaverdyan presented the special published report on
mass violations of the property rights related with compulsory
acquisition of the property under the cover of the state needs. She
expressed gratitude to Vidal for a visit, as well as for the
implementation of the program on supporting human rights and
improving public awareness on the activities of the RA Ombudsman,
initiated by the UNDP. The sides also gave importance to the
continuously updated web-site of the RA Ombudsman. She also pointed
to the importance of the visits of international experts coming to
Armenia, and round tables of the Ombudsmen of Eastern European and
CIS countries, organized and sponsored by the UNDP.
Alaverdyan has also presented the problems and challenges the
institution of the RA Ombudsman faces during the process of its
formation. A.A. -0–

NAGORNO-KARABAKH: VIEWING THE CONFLICT FROM THE GROUND
International Crisis Group, Belgium
Sept 14 2005
Europe Report N°166
14 septembre 2005
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh
is the most significant obstacle to peace and stability in the South
Caucasus. Eleven years into a ceasefire, the parties have been unable
to sign a single document bringing them closer to a settlement.
Whatever is being done at the internationally mediated negotiations,
at ground level resumed war appears a real possibility. There is need
to counter the hate propaganda and demonising engaged in by both sides
and unlock the potential for confidence building and dialogue between
average Azeris and Armenians before the memories of cohabitation fade
and the divide becomes virtually unbridgeable.
Nagorno-Karabakh has aspirations for independence and argues with
some reason that it has a democratically-elected government that is
meeting the preconditions of statehood. However, it is internationally
recognised as part of Azerbaijan and is still highly dependant
on Armenia for its military security and economic survival: over
half its army are believed to be Armenian citizens, while Yerevan
covers 50 per cent of the budget through an “interstate loan” that
is virtually interest free and unlikely to be paid back. Azeris
do not participate in its political, economic, cultural and social
institutions. Nagono-Karabakh has mono-ethnic institutions and become
one of the world’s most militarised societies.
Deprived of the basic right to return to their homes, over half a
million Azeris displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
districts have become highly dependent on the Azerbaijani state,
without a clear sense of their future. For years Baku’s policies
toward the displaced were designed to meet short-term needs, with
the expectation they could return home soon. There was more than a
hint that efforts to integrate them better were not pushed so as to
use their plight to score political points. The government’s current
strategy emphasises more sustainable solutions but the displaced remain
poorer and more disadvantaged than their fellow citizens, struggling
to increase participation in political life not only to speed up
prospects for return but also to improve their immediate situation.
Armenian and Azerbaijani public opinion on how to resolve the conflict
is as divided as ever. Nothing has been done to prepare people in
either country for any agreement. Karabakh Armenians’ expressions
of confidence about their independent future, and Karabakh Azeris’
frustration and anger about their plight as displaced persons are
deeply at odds. Neither community appears prepared to agree to the kind
of steps toward resolution of the conflict currently being considered
by the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in the negotiations
sponsored by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE).
For many historical, demographical, geographical, and economic
factors, Azeris and Armenians living in and around the conflict zone
are dependent on each other. Yet they are deeply divided by mistrust.
Demonisation of the “other”, rising military expenditures, and
increasing ceasefire violations are all ominous signs that time for
a peaceful settlement may be running out.
Parallel processes are needed for a stable settlement. This report
explores how the Armenian and Azeri communities from Nagorno-Karabakh
and the surrounding districts live today and view the potential
resolution of the conflict. A subsequent report will shortly assess the
OSCE-sponsored diplomacy and attempt to bridge the gap between it and
the situation on the ground, focusing with specific recommendations
on both the main issues that must be treated in a peace agreement
and on what needs to be done to further inter-communal reconciliation.
;l=2
–Boundary_(ID_znGYcXWxGxd0wn36edERFw)–

ARMENIAN NGOs WISH TO OBSERVE ELECTION IN AZERBAIJAN, BAKU IS AGAINST
Pan Armenian News
08.09.2005 03:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Armenia wish
to observe the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Central Electoral
Commission (CEC) Secretary Vidadi Mahmudlu stated. Having called the
intention “a recurrent provocation by Yerevan,” the CEC Secretary said
Azerbaijan will not admit it. Mahmudlu also reported that there has
been response from international organizations over a CEC request
to provide in arranging electoral rolls on Khankendi electoral
district. “Election will be held in the district mentioned. This is
out of question. However, it is not known yet whether Armenians will
take part in the election or not. Thus, election may be void in that
district,” reported IA Regnum.

SOCCER-POLAK DOUBLE LIFTS CZECHS UP TO SECOND PLACE
By Alan Crosby
Reuters
09/07/05 19:44 ET
OLOMOUC, Czech Republic, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Jan Polak scored twice
to lead the Czech Republic to a 4-1 win over Armenia in their World
Cup Group One qualifier on Wednesday.
The Czechs, who have 24 points from 10 games, leapfrogged Romania
(22 points) into second place in the table. Group leaders Netherlands
(25) play hosts to Andorra later on Wednesday.
Marek Heinz opened the scoring for the Czechs in the 47th minute
when his shot from 18 metres took a deflection off Armenia defender
Sargis Hovsepjan.
Polak struck five minutes later when his 25-metre drive took another
ricochet before finding the back of the net.
Milan Baros made it 3-0 when he swept home Jan Koller’s rebound in
the 58th minute before Polak notched his second with 14 minutes left.
Ara Hakobian pulled a goal back for Armenia in the 85th minute.
“We only started to play after the break. In the first half, we were
like Sleeping Beauty,” Czech coach Karel Bruckner told reporters.
The Czechs needed maximum points after a 2-0 defeat by Romania on
Saturday.
“If we could have got ahead, the Czechs would have had a very
difficult task. But after they scored the second goal, it was pretty
well decided,” said Armenia’s Dutch coach Henk Wisman.

CULTURAL SOLIDARITY
A1+
| 12:32:51 | 07-09-2005 | Culture |
“Culture and cultural policies for development” will be the main
theme of a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the south Caucasian
countries held by the Council of Europe in Kyiv on 15 and 16 September
at the invitation of the Ukrainian authorities.
This is the 5th ministerial colloquy to be held as part of the
STAGE project, which is intended to promote cultural exchanges and
co-operation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, assist them
in the development of their cultural policies and help strengthen
democracy in these countries.
Mykola Tomenko, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Maud de
Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
will open the colloquy.

A SECOND CHANCE FOR POST-SOVIET DEMOCRACY?
Levan Ramishvili and Giorgi Meladze 9/06/05
EurasiaNet, NY
Sept 6 2005
The revolutions in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine underscore that the
opening for genuine democratization — an opportunity missed throughout
parts of the former Soviet bloc in the late 1980s and early 1990s —
has reappeared. There exists a great opportunity for the post-Soviet
world to free itself finally from its totalitarian heritage.
Who might be the next dictator to fall? The answer to that question
lies in all countries where citizens’ rights have been neglected.
Belarus is among them.
Giorgi Kandelaki and Luka Tsuladze, two members of the pro-democracy
Georgian youth movement Kmara (Enough), were arrested by Belarussian
police in Minsk on August 24, and incarcerated in a police station for
nine days. [Giorgi Kandelaki formerly worked as an editorial assistant
for and, later, as an occasional contributor to EurasiaNet]. They were
charged with hooliganism and violation of border rules. In an August
25 television broadcast, a Belarussian security official claimed
that the pair had “made contacts with representatives of radical,
politicized, unregistered structures, such as Zubr, Youth Front, and
Limon, and held a number of training seminars on organizing acts of
civil disobedience, similar to those that occurred during the [2003]
colored revolution in Georgia.”
Responding to the announcement, Amnesty International declared
Kandelaki and Tsuladze prisoners of conscience who should be
immediately and unconditionally released. After an outcry from civil
society groups, a court on September 2 finally ordered their release.
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko is no different from
other dictators. The arrest of these two Georgian activists was a
clear demonstration of the brute force that dictatorial regimes use
to suppress civil society initiatives. By putting the Kmara activists
in jail, Lukashenko tried to demonstrate his resolve. What he proved
instead was his own weakness in the face of the values of freedom.
The fight for freedom can assume various forms. We have witnessed
both successful, non-violent campaigns, like the ones in Poland,
the Czech Republic, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, and Lebanon. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. There have also been
chaotic and bloody clashes like those in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
[For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The successful
examples have had an impact on many countries where dictatorship
and poor governance are still in place. They can play the role of a
catalyst in initiating democratic changes.
The peaceful revolution in Serbia in 2000, resulting in the ouster of
former President Slobodan Milosevic, set an inspiring precedent and
drew international attention. Still, it was not enough to convince the
international community that the method of non-violent resistance to
dictatorial regimes was really working. The Georgian case, in November
2003, was next. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Even though various influential political figures from the US had
visited Georgia prior to the Rose Revolution, and the international
community had expressed interest in political developments there, it
would be fair to say that this uprising was home grown. At the time,
the international community believed that the parliamentary elections
in Georgia in November 2003 would largely follow the precedent set by
earlier presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, which were
both marred by international criticism over voting irregularities.
[For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. But the non-violent
revolutions in Tbilisi and, in 2004, the Georgian autonomous region
of Ajara made the opposing argument. Hence, when Ukraine’s campaign
for democratic change bore fruit in December 2004, the country and
its Orange Revolution received much more international attention
and assistance.
Successful change is impossible without sharing experiences and
learning about the process of democratic reform. Georgia’s experience
can thus serve as an example for other countries in the post-Soviet
world.
In their struggle for democracy, civil society movements here met
a battery of obstacles, from nihilistic attitudes to the lack of an
established political and civic culture in society. The disengagement
of youth from political life prompted many to doubt the vision of the
Liberty Institute and others who advocated that young people should
serve as agents of change. These were the barriers that Kmara had to
overcome to be successful in its quest for democracy.
Civil society movements and the changes they strive to bring about
are often associated with disturbances, anarchy, civil war and human
loss. When the student movement Kmara first became active in Georgia,
it was regarded as a destabilizing force, guided by external actors
who hoped to unleash chaos in the country. Only the activists’
hard work made it possible for Kmara to gain popularity and break
these stereotypes.
Badly prepared action on the part of the civil society activists
can be dangerous and cause failure, as happened in Azerbaijan. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Non-violence is crucial
for democratic change. We are firm believers in peaceful resistance and
the practice shows that with proper preparation – strong opposition,
mass mobilization, a strong and clear message with youth in the
vanguard, and coordinated international support – a non-violent
approach can be extremely effective.
Unfortunately, nowadays, the situation in the post-Soviet region
remains unprepared for coordinated action, and the debate on the role
of the international community is dominated by mixed messages. Some
claim that changes are imposed by external forces and do not match
the will of the people. According to this position, only citizens
of Western countries are able to understand democracy and bring
about peaceful change. We consider this position to be racist. These
arguments do not even consider that people in those countries long
for change and for protection of their rights.
Others support the position that external actors should not intervene
in the affairs of another state. Many prefer to remain on the
sidelines and simply observe those suffering under a given regime.
Both of these arguments are dangerous and hinder the role of the
international community.
A refusal to promote human rights by those who enjoy them, and who
live their daily lives without thinking that many people are not given
the same opportunities, is immoral. Such an isolationist position is
also dangerous. This is the case in Belarus, where every day people
become victims of their own government.
Overcoming these problems is sometimes impossible without international
support. Practice shows that coordination is possible and can be
very effective.
At the same time, the voices of civil society from different parts
of the world are becoming louder. All people deserve the right to
live in a democracy. If we are giving others hope and inspiration by
our examples of successful change, we should also provide them with
practical assistance. Successful examples can be followed not only
by civil society groups, but also by oppressive regimes.
Without activists speaking out and providing these examples, such
regimes will only become more violent and further endanger the dignity,
safety and rights of their citizens. It should be the duty of the
democratic part of the world to avoid such a scenario.
Editor’s Note: Levan Ramishvili is the chairman of the Liberty
Institute, a Georgian non-governmental organization that works to
promote civil liberties, and has been instrumental in support for
Kmara. Giorgi Meladze is a program director at the Liberty Institute.

PREMIER CONCERNED ABOUT TURKISH-AZERI PLANS TO BYPASS ARMENIA
Mediamax news agency, Yerevan
6 Sep 05
Yerevan, 6 September: At a meeting with OSCE chairman-in-office
Dimitrij Rupel today, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan
expressed his regret about the actions of Azerbaijan and Turkey to
implement regional projects bypassing Armenia.
The prime minister spoke about the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railway while the Kars-Gyumri-Akhalkalaki
railway is ready for operation, the press service of the Armenian
government told Mediamax today. Markaryan said that such initiatives
run counter to the spirit of the European Union’s New Neighbourhood
Policy.
According to the press service of the Armenian government, “sharing the
prime minister’s concern about the issue, the OSCE chairman-in-office
promised that these problems will be taken into account when the talks
on Turkey’s accession to the EU start”. Rupel said that Turkey will
be asked to normalize relations with Armenia and other countries of
the region.

UGAB-INFOS
BULLETIN DE LIAISON DE L’UGAB-FRANCE / Septembre 2005
UGAB France
11, square Alboni, 75016 France
Tél. : 01 45 24 72 75
Fax : 01 40 50 88 09
Email : [email protected]
Le programme de stages d’été de l’UGAB à Paris : « très réussi »
L’UGAB France a clôturé le 13 août dernier son programme de stages en
entreprise à Paris dans l’enthousiasme. Lors du dîner d’adieu, tous
les stagiaires ont dit à l’UGAB combien ils ont apprécié l’occasion
qui leur a été offerte.
Les cinq stagiaires ont en effet pu travailler pendant 7 semaines
auprès d’employeurs aussi prestigieux que le Louvre, la société
internationale de recrutement Michael Page International (MPI), le
groupe hôtelier Accor ou encore la société de centres d’appel Intra
Call Centre.
Cette année, la majorité des stagiaires étaient originaires
d’Arménie. Trois d’entre eux étaient les majors de l’Université
Française d’Arménie (UFAR). Le stage à l’UGAB, qui est l’un des
éléments d’un partenariat entre l’UGAB et l’UFAR, représentait pour
eux la récompense d’un parcours universitaire hors pair. Tous les
stagiaires se sont vu confier des missions de confiance, qui leur ont
permis de tirer le meilleur parti de cette confrontation au monde de
l’entreprise.
Relancé en 2005 sur le modèle des stages de l’UGAB de New York, le
programme de stages de Paris a pour ambition de fournir à des jeunes
d’origine arménienne l’occasion d’acquérir une expérience unique dans
des entreprises de premier plan. Le programme ne pourrait pas être mis
sur pied sans l’aide de professionnels et de dirigeants d’entreprise
arméniens ou amis des Arméniens, qui contribuent à placer des
stagiaires en tenant compte de leur profil et de leur formation.
Les stagiaires ont notamment pu profiter de la Maison Arménienne de la
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, où ils logeaient, et ont
bénéficié d’un programme social et culturel fourni. Plusieurs
rencontres et sorties, notamment avec les Jeunes professionnels de
l’UGAB ainsi qu’avec les jeunes de l’UGAB de Paris, leur ont permis de
faire connaissance avec les Arméniens de la capitale. Raymond
Kevorkian, directeur de la bibliothèque Nubar Pacha de l’UGAB, Vahé
Tashdjian, également de la bibliothèque Nubar Pacha et l’historien
Claude Mutafian ont tenu des conférences à leur intention sur des
sujets liés aux Arméniens de France et à l’histoire arménienne. Enfin,
les stagiaires ont pu visiter le Louvre, Montmartre, Versailles et
d’autres hauts lieux de la capitale.
L’UGAB France entend à présent réaliser une évaluation détaillée de la
campagne de stages 2005, et tiendra compte des leçons de l’expérience
dans la conception du programme 2006.
Mais deux conclusions s’imposent d’ores et déjà, si l’on en croit les
stagiaires eux-mêmes : d’une part la campagne de stages 2005 est un
succès ; d’autre part le programme de stage gagnerait à être mieux
connu.
Le programme de stages de l’UGAB est ouvert à tous les étudiants
arméniens ayant accompli au moins deux années d’études supérieures. La
brochure d’information et le formulaire d’inscription du stage se
trouvent sur <; et sur L'UGAB commémore le 95e anniversaire de la fondation du Comité de Marseille et rend hommage à Serge Tchuruk 250 personnes ont assisté au dîner de gala du 2 juillet dans les salons d'honneur de la préfecture de Marseille autour de Berge Setrakian, président mondial de l'UGAB, accompagné de son épouse et de membres du Central Board, de Denis Ketchedjian, président de l'UGAB France, également accompagné de membres du Comité de France, de Bernard Besoian, président du Comité de Marseille, et des présidents des Comités de Lyon, Valence, Saint-Etienne et Vienne. De nombreux amis de l'UGAB étaient venus spécialement des Etats-Unis, du Liban, de Syrie, de Russie et de Belgique. L'événement a été marqué en outre par des interventions de M. Serge Tchuruk, de Berge Setrakian, de Bernard Besoian, et de Christian Fremond, préfet des Bouches-du-Rhône et préfet de région. Le dîner de gala était animé par Jacky Nercessian, acteur français d'origine arménienne. Grce à l'appui de l'UGAB France et au travail remarquable du comité d'organisation et notamment de Sona Attamian et Lucie Kouyoumdjian, ce dîner de gala a été un succès remarquable. Depuis 1906 dans le monde, et depuis 1910 à Marseille, l'UGAB intervient dans les domaines culturel, éducatif et humanitaire, au service de tous les Arméniens où qu'ils soient et quels qu'ils soient. Cette action, l'UGAB la maintient constamment tout en l'adaptant aux réalités actuelles, c'est-à-dire à l'émergence, 90 ans après le génocide et l'exode, d'une génération d'Arméniens parfaitement intégrés dans leurs pays d'accueil et parvenus au sommet de l'échelle sociale mais restés fidèles à leurs racines et à leurs origines. Ce Gala a été aussi l'occasion de retracer les 95 années accomplies par l'UGAB à Marseille et la vie des Arméniens de Marseille depuis 1910. Née en Egypte en 1906, L'UGAB était en fait une organisation méditerranéenne, et Marseille fait partie de ce vaste ensemble et fut, dès les premiers jours de l'Union, une ville stratégique. L'organisation fonctionne alors comme un réseau de personnes déterminées, qui leur permet de regrouper leurs forces, d'augmenter le nombre des membres et des bienfaiteurs, et de collecter des fonds pour permettre aux Arméniens de continuer à vivre sur leurs terres ancestrales. Les premiers contacts sont pris à l'initiative d'Arathon Bay, son premier président à Marseille. A partir de 1916, Marseille devient le berceau le plus important de la diaspora arménienne en Occident, accueillant les rescapés du génocide, dont l'afflux augmente particulièrement au début des années 20. L'UGAB se consacrera dès lors entièrement à les accueillir et à faciliter leur intégration en France. Les années 20 et 30 sont des années de détresse : après avoir accueilli les Arméniens, Marseille les rejette désormais, et la xénophobie monte en Europe. Ils se regroupent par région d'origine autour de ceux qui ont pu acheter un terrain et construire une maison. Des quartiers entiers deviennent arméniens. Ce sont l'Eglise et les associations, telles que l'UGAB, qui permettent à la communauté arménienne de maintenir sa cohésion. Après la guerre, l'Union se développe rapidement et réoriente ses activités vers la préservation et la promotion de la culture et de l'éducation. Une école est fondée à la fin des années 50, et les événements culturels, les fêtes et les manifestations sportives se multiplient. L'UGAB soutient tout particulièrement l'Eglise. Le tournant suivant est amorcé à partir de 1988, du tremblement de terre et de l'indépendance de l'Arménie, et l'UGAB Marseille répond à l'urgence, puis entreprend, au cours des années 1990 et 2000, de soutenir des projets à plus long terme en Arménie, comme les centres pour enfants de l'UGAB, les « tables en Arménie » (sorte de restaurants du c=9Cur) ou des rencontres entre « enfants d'Arménie et de France ». Depuis 2003, le président de l'UGAB de Marseille, Bernard Besoian, continue d'orienter le potentiel de l'UGAB d'aujourd'hui vers la concrétisation de ses aspirations de demain. Il s'applique à mettre à profit les mutations en cours à l'heure de la mondialisation, du développement des nouvelles technologies et de la communication. Et c'est aussi par la mise en valeur de modèles comme Serge Tchuruk que l'UGAB entend contribuer, à Marseille comme ailleurs, à partager et à répandre sa passion de l'arménité et à poursuivre, avec les moyens du XXIe siècle, la mission qu'elle s'était assignée au début du XXe. Pour plus d'informations : L'UGAB Londres parraine une conférence sur le génocide arménien à la Chambre des Lords A l'occasion du 90e anniversaire du génocide, l'UGAB Londres a parrainé une conférence qui s'est tenue à la Chambre des Lords le 15 juin dernier, et intitulée `Reconnaître les génocides'. Elle était organisée par le Groupe interparlementaire britannique Royaume-Uni-Arménie (BAAPPG selon son sigle anglais). Plus de 200 personnes ont participé à l'événement, y compris parlementaires, fonctionnaires, ministres, journalistes, dirigeants communautaires et associatifs et membres de l'UGAB. Les principaux orateurs étaient Vartan Oskanian, ministres des Affaires étrangères d'Arménie, le député François Rochebloine, l'ancien parlementaire canadien et conseiller du Premier ministre canadien, Sarkis Assadourian et enfin James Smith, directeur exécutif du Holocaust Memorial Trust Beth Shalom. Tous ont exprimé le souhait que le Parlement britannique reconnaisse, lui aussi, le génocide arménien.