Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Xinhua, China
June 25 2004

Russian legislature ratifies European conventional forces treaty

2004-06-25 23:55:18

MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhuanet) — Russia’s lower house of parliament
on Friday ratified the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty
(CFE), which regulates the deployment of heavy weapons across the
European continent.

The State Duma passed the treaty by a vote of 355 to 28 with two
abstentions, an Interfax news agency report said.

The amended accord could significantly reduce the deployment
ofwarplanes, tanks and other heavy non-nuclear weapons in European
nations as well as the United States and Canada. It would take effect
after ratification of the 30 signatory countries.

Under the treaty, Russia could have 6,350 tanks, 11,280
armoredpersonnel carriers, 6,315 artillery, 3,416 combat aircraft,
and 885 helicopter gunships.

Russia can also keep its weapons and military hardware in Armenia
and Ukraine under the treaty. Russian forces are expected to remain
in neighboring Georgia to a certain level even after a bilateral
agreement was signed.

The original CFE treaty was approved in 1990 by the 22 members of
the NATO and Warsaw Pact alliances.

An amended version of the treaty was signed in 1999 following the
collapse of former Soviet Union.

Le Point
24 juin 2004

Nice – Patrimoine vivant; Histoires de familles

AUTEUR: Christophe Courau

Le Bottin de Nice est un livre d’histoire. Les patronymes des grandes
familles, certaines établies depuis le Moyen Age, y côtoient des noms
de lignées immigrées du Piémont, réfugiées de Russie ou rapatriées
d’Algérie – sans parler des Français « de l’intérieur ». Autant de
tribus à convoquer pour raconter la saga de cette ville à part.

Ils sont tous niçois. Sacristain, médecin, employée municipale,
avocat à la retraite, ou responsable des chauffeurs de la ville,
chacun d’entre eux porte un nom illustre. Ce sont les descendants des
« consuls », ces quelque 340 familles qui ont dirigé Nice pendant
quatre siècles, du XVe au XVIIe.

La plupart de ces patronymes renommés figurent toujours dans le
bottin local.« Les consuls n’étaient pas confinés à un cercle social
» , observe Hervé Barelli, chargé de mission Patrimoine et Culture
régionale auprès du sénateur-maire. Celui qui se définit en souriant
comme« chargé des affaires autochtones » récuse toute idée de
dynasties.« S’il fallait vraiment caractériser ces familles, il
vaudrait mieux utiliser le mot de tribus , assure-t-il.On serait,
pour la plupart d’entre elles, bien incapable de retracer avec
certitude leurs liens avec les consuls qui portaient leur nom. Mis à
part certaines familles nobles, bien identifiées. » Mais une partie
de la noblesse locale est issue de la bourgeoisie :« Les bourgeois
qui ont bien servi les intérêts du prince de Savoie, chef de l’Etat
du comté de Nice jusqu’en 1860, ont été anoblis » , rappelle
l’historien.

Grands ancêtres

L’histoire a ainsi retenu le nom de la famille Peyre. Etablie à Nice
depuis au moins 1333, elle devient l’une des riches familles
marchandes du XVIe siècle. Le grand ancêtre s’appelle Guido. Il aura
quatre fils, dont les diverses branches participeront régulièrement à
la vie de la cité. Le fils aîné, Honoré, sera consul en 1756 et son
propre fils, Jean-Baptiste, le sera à son tour en 1610. Le deuxième
fils, Guido, sera trésorier de la ville entre 1569 et 1576. Parmi ses
descendants, on note un certain Pierre-Jean, docteur ès lois et
avocat au sénat de Nice, mais aussi Louis-François, consul en 1707,
ou encore Ange-Louis, coseigneur de Chteauneuf.

Le troisième fils de Guido, Lancelot, exercera la fonction d’avocat
et l’un de ses héritiers, Emmanuel Philibert, poursuivant la
tradition juridique de la famille, sera au XIXe siècle avocat général
du royaume de Savoie. Enfin, le dernier rejeton de Guido Peyre, Jean,
sera anobli en 1617. La nombreuse descendance de ce riche commerçant,
devenu marquis de Chteauneuf, donnera à de nombreuses reprises des
consuls à la ville. En 1828, le dernier descendant du marquisat
disparaît sans héritier. Le titre passera, de fille en neveu, jusqu’à
la famille de Cessole.

Noblesse savoyarde

Cette dernière famille est, elle aussi, issue du commerce. Joseph
Spitalieri, négociant, s’établit à Nice au début du XVIIIe siècle.
Son fils, Honoré-François, sera consul à deux reprises et acquiert le
fief comtal de Cessole, dans le Piémont. La famille Spitalieri de
Cessole restera active dans la vie politique niçoise tout au long du
XIXe siècle. En 1937, le dernier des Cessole, Victor, fera don de sa
bibliothèque à la ville.

Parmi ceux qui ont eu la chance d’être anoblis par les Savoie avant
1860 figurent aussi les Avigdor. Cette famille d’origine juive
s’installe à Nice au XVIIe siècle. Isaac Samuel, né à Nice en 1694,
démarre un florissant commerce d’étoffe. Un siècle plus tard, Avigdor
Aîné et Fils constitue l’une des plus importantes sociétés de négoce
de Méditerranée. Les Avigdor se lancent alors dans la banque et
créent une filature de soie.

Un Avigdor deviendra officier municipal en 1800, puis consul de
Prusse. Son fils, Moïse-Jules, député au parlement de Savoie, sera
anobli par le duc de Savoie. La dernière représentante de la famille,
qui habitait encore New York il y a une dizaine d’années, n’oubliera
pas sa ville d’origine : elle a légué sa collection de tableaux au
musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice.

Nouveaux notables

Avec le rattachement définitif du comté de Nice à la France, la
plupart des grandes maisons aristocratiques partent pour l’Italie, où
le duc de Savoie va devenir roi d’Italie. Ne restent à Nice que des
familles bourgeoises, dont quelques-unes seront anoblies par Napoléon
III. Peu importe. Au milieu du XIXe siècle, la particule n’est plus
indispensable à la notabilité.

Ainsi, François Maulausséna (1844-1882), fils de notaire devenu
avocat puis membre du conseil communal en 1855, choisira de se
rallier à la France. Devenu maire, puis député, il s’efforce de faire
valoir Nice auprès des autorités parisiennes. La fin de l’Empire le
prend par surprise et Malausséna démissionne. Son fils reprendra la
tradition en devenant à son tour député.

Une simple recherche dans l’annuaire du nom de Malausséna donne
aujourd’hui encore 58 réponses pour la seule ville de Nice. De même,
le nom de Baréty est encore porté le long de la baie des Anges.
Alexandre Barety (1844-1918) exerce la profession de médecin. Il
fonde l’Academia nissarda, avant d’entrer en politique. Il finira
vice-président du conseil général. Son fils Léon Barety (1883-1971)
est, lui, président du conseil général des Alpes-Maritimes. Député,
plusieurs fois ministre, il plaidera inlassablement pour l’expansion
française outre-mer.

« Définir aujourd’hui les grandes familles niçoises reste très
compliqué » , souffle Hervé Barelli. Selon l’historien, celles
d’avant 1860 se sont alliées sans difficultés aux immigrants
italiens. Ces « vieux Niçois » se regroupent au sein de l’Academia
nissarda, dont les membres doivent prouver que leurs parents et leurs
grands-parents étaient niçois. Principalement catholiques, ils se
retrouvent aussi au sein d’associations religieuses comme
l’archiconfrérie de la Sainte-Croix (les pénitents blancs). Quant à
la présence israélite, elle a toujours été importante à Nice.« Au
départ, elle est principalement constituée des juifs chassés de
France ou d’Espagne qui se sont installés ici pour fuir les
persécutions. Aujourd’hui, la grande majorité d’entre eux sont des
rapatriés d’Afrique du Nord » , explique le chargé de mission. Malgré
une présence ancienne, peu de Russes sont devenus des notables
niçois.

C’est à peine si l’on compte un docteur, Michel Rosanoff, dont une
rue rappelle l’attachement à la ville.

Arméniens et Italiens

En revanche, les 2 000 à 3 000 familles arméniennes implantées dans
le quartier de la Madeleine se sont assimilés rapidement aux
immigrants italiens. Ils partageaient leurs conditions économiques
difficiles et se sont mis à parler lalengua nissart . Plus tard, les
pieds-noirs, qui viendront s’installer en grand nombre, pèseront d’un
poids politique et social non négligeable dans la vie de la cité. On
n’oubliera pas non plus la grande diaspora corse, toujours importante
en ville.« Nice a longtemps été l’université la plus proche de Corse,
avant la création récente de Corte » , rappelle Hervé Barelli.

Mais Nice est aussi peuplée de « Français de l’intérieur », attirés
par la douceur de vivre de la Côte d’Azur. Une autre tribu bien
difficile à cerner. La maison des provinces, dans le vieux Nice,
regroupe d’ailleurs une vingtaine d’associations de néo-Niçois venus
des quatre coins de France, Bretons ou Berrichons de Nice…« Puisque
ces associations continuent d’exister, peut-être que ces gens ne se
considèrent pas comme des Niçois à part entière… » , s’interroge
Hervé Barelli.

PRESS RELEASE
Canadians For Sustainable Development In Armenia (CFSDIA)
Antoine S. Terjanian, Coordinator
5, Nicol Street
Ottawa, CANADA
Tel: 613-748-0676
Fax: 613-748-0676
E-mail: [email protected]

CAMPAIGN TO GET CANADIAN HELP FOR ARMENIA

Ottawa, June 23, 2004 – Canadians For Sustainable Development In
Armenia (CFSDIA) has launched the second phase of a campaign to
persuade the Canadian Development Agency (CIDA), an agency of the
Canadian Federal Government in charge of Canadian foreign aid, to
reverse a 2003 decision to terminate bilateral aid to Armenia. “The
CFSDIA is mobilizing support among all Armenian-Canadians concerned
about the future of Armenia. A non-partisan group, CFSDIA’s 23
workgroup volunteers come from all sides of the politico-religious
spectrum and are located in Canada’s five major urban centers” said
Antoine Terjanian, coordinator of the workgroup.

Armenia is enduring dire economic circumstances. Over 55% of the
population live below the poverty line and unemployment is similarly
very high. Yet CIDA has cut the meagre allocation it had for Armenia
even before the completion of the Paul Martin Government’s foreign
policy review scheduled for this fall. “All informed
Armenian-Canadians are intent on doing their utmost to ensure our
government helps Armenia in this very difficult period. We are
confident that Armenian-Canadians mobilised for this initiative during
the closing stretch of the federal elections on June 28 can make a
difference” said Mr. Terjanian.

During the first phase of this campaign, leaders of Armenian
organizations in Canada, from all sides of the politico-religious
spectrum, sent letters to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging
him to reverse the CIDA decision. Federal Cabinet Ministers were also
approached individually. “So far our concerns have not been answered”
said Mr. Terjanian. CFSDIA has therefore decided to make public the
absence of a Canadian bilateral aid program to Armenia. “We have
called on all Armenian Canadians to become active during this election
campaign. …Armenian-Canadians are approaching candidates to express
concern for Canada’s lack of bilateral help to Armenia in these
extremely difficult times” said Mr. Terjanian. Similarly
Armenian-Canadians and friends of Armenia in Canada are being urged to
write similar letters to the “Prime Minister, Parliament Hill,
Ottawa”.

Most important, we are urging all Armenian-Canadians to vote in this
important election.

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING INCLUDES TERM: “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”
Turkish Protests Fail to Overturn Editorial Policy

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended National Geographic
magazine for continuing to characterize as “genocide,” the events of 1915 in
its July issue, thereby rejecting Turkish accusations of bias following a
22-page report in its March issue entitled, “Armenia Reborn.”

In an introductory note to its “Forum” section, the editors said the March
article and photos, “inspired more than 1,600 letters – the most mail
elicited by any one story in the past five years,” and published four
responses including a joint letter from Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees
Chairman Hirair Hovnanian and Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian.
The editors also reported that the magazine received “hundreds” of positive
letters from the Armenian community.

The Assembly letter said in part:

“[Armenian Reborn] captured the essence of the Armenian identity
historically and the values that animate our people today. As for the
cataclysmic event in our past – the Armenian genocide under cover of World
War I – National Geographic has not only told the truth, but is also in good
company.”

Armenian Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian, along with Public Affairs
Director David Zenian and ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian, also expressed
appreciation and praise for the magazine report during a face-to-face
meeting with Washington editors in March.

The magazine’s last major report on Armenia was published in 1978.

In addition to the subject of the genocide, “Armenia Reborn,” written by
Frank Viviano and photographed by Alexandra Avakian, looks at the 3,000 year
history of Armenians and leads up to current events including independence,
the 1988 earthquake and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

But it was the magazine’s coverage of the Armenian Genocide and by
extension, Turkey-Armenia relations, which sparked a Turkish outcry. Both
the Turkish government and Turkish lobby in the United States voiced their
criticism, mounting a worldwide letter-writing campaign challenging
accuracies in the story. The publishers of the magazine’s Turkish language
edition excluded “Armenia Reborn” from their March issue.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-060

Editor’s Note: Below is the published text of the Armenian Assembly letter
to National Geographic editors.

March 12, 2004

William L. Allen
Editor in Chief
National Geographic
1145 17th Street
Washington, DC 20036.

Dear Sir:

The article captured the essence of the Armenian identity historically and
the values that animate our people today. As for the cataclysmic event in
our past – the Armenian Genocide under cover of World War I – NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC has not only told the truth, but is also in good company. One
hundred and twenty-six Holocaust and Genocide scholars signed a petition on
March 7, 2000, calling the Armenian genocide “an incontestable historical
fact.” As recently as February 2003, the International Center for
Transitional Justice concluded that what happened to the Armenians includes
“all the elements of the crime of genocide … and legal scholars as well
as historians, politicians, journalists and other people would be justified
in continuing to so describe them.” The “controversy” today lies squarely
with the Turkish government as it continues to attempt to coerce the world
to be complicit in its denial. Turkey’s aspiration to be fully accepted as a
full member of European society will not be realized without facing its own
history – just as coming to terms with the destruction of Native Americans
and the stain of slavery made America what it is today: more humane and
just.

Sincerely,

Hirair Hovnanian
Chairman, Board of Trustees

Anthony Barsamian
Chairman, Board of Directors
Armenian Assembly of America

EURASEC A STRONG INCENTIVE TO RESTORE BROKEN TIES, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS

ArmenPress
June 18 2004

ASTANA, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS; Speaking at the session of the Inter-State
Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC) that opened
in Kazakhstan capital Astana today here, Armenian president Robert
Kocharian said EURASEC is a strong incentive to restore the broken ties
and build a cooperation of quite a new quality. He said the outcome of
this cooperation will be higher economic growth rates of its member
countries and higher living standards of their population. Kocharian
was speaking, as an observer, an international conference here,
titled Eurasian Integration-New Development Trends and Globalization
Challenges.

According to Armenian president, apart from playing a significant
role in political and economic stability of this region, EURASEC
is a weighty component of the regional security. “Having in mind
the diversity of this region, effective models of inter-ethnic and
inter-faith dialogue may be developed here,” he said, adding that no
country can conduct an effective economic policy in isolation.

In a reference to the ongoing political and economic reforms in
Armenia Kocharian said the great majority of problems, typical of
all transitional countries, were surmounted. “Armenia’s economy is
shifting toward dynamic and sustainable development and our focus is
on entrepreneurial initiatives, market mechanisms and competition,”
he said, citing the latest years’ steady economic growth rates of
12 percent.

Kocharian also noted that the conflicts in the South Caucasus remain
major obstacles to development of its countries. “As advocates of
regional cooperation we believe that deeper economic integration
processes will help regulate these conflicts and build stability and
peace,” he said. President Kocharian has arrived in Astana to attend
a summit of heads of states of Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO).

The EURASEC session’s agenda has about 20 items. These include the
coordination of positions at the negotiations for accession to the
World Trade Organization, the implementation of the basic orientations
of the earlier approved fundamentals of the EURASEC cross-border
(cooperation) policy, a draft agreement on cooperation on the markets
of securities, and EURASEC interaction in the development of water
and energy resources in the catchments areas of the Amu-Darya and
Syr-Darya rivers.

Harrison will have his hands full
DARRYL BROADFOOT

The Herald, UK
June 16 2004

June 16 2004

RISKY Business could not have been a more appropriate billing for
Scott Harrison’s World Boxing Organisation featherweight title
defence against William Abelyan.

The Armenian-American arrived in Glasgow’s east end yesterday to
finalise preparations for what he believes will be the fulfilment of
his destiny at the Braehead Arena on Saturday. The credence given to
such boasts is often diluted when the jive-talking stops and the
jabbing begins.

Yet the undercurrent of trepidation spun by Frank Warren to promote
the fight was accentuated at Morrison’s Gym.

Abelyan, the WBO’s mandatory challenger, made little attempt to
disguise his contempt for Harrison. “I can’t believe his fight with
Medina went 11 rounds,” he said of Harrison’s successful rematch with
the Mexican in November.

“He is an old man. I sparred with him before his IBF fight and
dropped him a couple of times. I am coming here to take the belt
home.”

Don House, Abelyan’s trainer, agrees. “William has fought smaller
names in Mexico who are better this guy,” he said.

The 25-year-old Abelyan, who pulled out of the original date in March
with a shoulder injury and replaced by Walter Estrada, did not falter
when invited to explain his grounds for optimism.

Nor was he willing to accept that a year’s inactivity – he has not
fought since his three-round dismantling of Alejandro Estrada in
three rounds in Los Angeles last June – will put paid to the lofty
ambitions of the Abelyan camp.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to fight; nobody wanted to fight me,” he
said, a claim greeted with scepticism by Harrison’s manager, Frank
Maloney. “Scott is a fighter; I am a boxer. He is like a Mexican, he
will just come straight at me and then I will do my business.”

Maloney hopes the former high school tearaway does not wreak havoc on
Saturday and deny Harrison his shot at the big names. “I’m very
concerned about this guy,” he said. “If he loses this, there is no
rematch clause because it is a mandatory defence.”

Mike Tyson is set to make his latest comeback against Irishman Kevin
McBride on July 30. The finishing touches are being put on a deal
which could have the fight staged in Louisville, birthplace of
Muhammad Ali.

Le Télégramme
15 juin 2004

Contents ou mécontents ils campent sur leurs positions

AUTEUR: Y.M.

A l’origine, le camp du Tour-du-Parc devait accueillir trois
familles.

Deux familles de réfugiés arméniens étaient en effet conviées par la
Ddass à rejoindre ce camp après plusieurs mois passés dans un hôtel
vannetais.

L’une et l’autre ont refusé l’invitation. Une mère de trois enfants
s’est justifiée en invoquant l’éloignement du site des lignes de bus.
On ignore où ces familles ont trouvé refuge.

« Sans ça on serait à la rue »

Autres mécontents, mais qui ont, eux, accepté de rejoindre la
presqu’île, la famille Zumberi. Un couple et leurs trois garçons,
originaires du Kosovo et qui séjournaient depuis neuf mois dans un
hôtel de Vannes. « On nous a amenés ici en voiture et le conducteur
est vite reparti », peste la femme, dans un mélange franco-yougoslave
difficilement compréhensible. Ses gestes laissent cependant deviner
qu’elle n’apprécie guère le site.

« De toute manière, nous sommes ici jusqu’au 28 juin, enchaîne son
mari, nous aurons bientôt un appartement. Vannes, Lorient, Locminé,
Troyes, n’importe où, mais surtout pas Pontivy », glisse-t-il,
portant un doigt sur ses lèvres en signe de silence.

Et puis il y a cette autre famille, en France depuis décembre 2002 et
bien heureuse de trouver un toit. Les Eliachvili, ressortissants
géorgiens en attente d’un asile subsidiaire. « Sans cet endroit, on
serait à la rue. Nous ignorons pour combien de temps nous sommes
installés dans cette caravane, mais nous sommes contents d’être là,
même s’il a fait un peu froid le soir », sourit la maman, bien aidée
dans la traduction par la plus grande de ses filles.

Scolarisée en CP à Vannes, non loin de l’hôtel qui les hébergeait,
cette dernière en a terminé avec l’école vendredi. Jour où leur
départ leur a été signifié. Tout comme sa jeune soeur, en maternelle.
« S’il le faut, elles viendront à l’école chez nous », assure le
maire.

GRAPHIQUE: Photo, Legende: Autres mécontents, mais qui ont, eux,
accepté de rejoindre la presqu”île, la famille Zumberi. Un couple et
leurs trois garçons, originaires du Kosovo et qui séjournaient depuis
neuf mois dans un hôtel de Vannes.

ONLY 10 OUT OF 270 PETROL FILLING STATIONS COMPLY WITH REQUIRED STANDARDS

ArmenPress
June 7 2004

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Only 10 out of 270 petrol filling station
in the capital city of Yerevan comply with standards, set by the
urban construction department of the municipality. Samvel Danielian,
the head of Yerevan municipality architecture and urban construction
department said some 30 petrol filling stations were e dismantled
and another 125 are expected to be dismantled soon.

Currently 105 petrol filling stations are under investigation where
violations of urban construction norms were reported. In response
to a question whether those who had authorized construction of those
petrol filling stations will be brought to justice, the department head
said they are not responsible for that. Their task is to ensure that
petrol filling stations are in accordance with the norms established
by urban construction.

Armenian National Committee of Illinois
1701 North Greenwood
Glenview, IL 60025
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2004
For Immediate Release

Contact: Nishan Mekhdjian
[email protected]

ANC OF ILLINOIS MEETS WITH MELISSA BEAN

— Eighth District Democratic Congressional Candidate Reiterates Support of
Armenian American Issues

GLENVIEW, IL–On May 17, representatives of the Armenian National Committee
(ANC) of Illinois met with Melissa Bean. The meeting, held at the Armenian
Community Center in Glenview, gave the ANC activists an opportunity to
discuss concerns of the Armenian American community with the Eighth District
Democratic Congressional Candidate.

“From our discussion with Melissa Bean–and her response to the ANCA
Congressional Candidate Questionnaire–it is obvious that she is well aware
of the issues that confront Armenian Americans,” stated ANC of Illinois
Chairman Nishan Mekhdjian. “Her support of our community’s concerns is to
be commended.”

“As the November election approaches, we will make sure that Armenian
American constituents in Illinois clearly understand the views of candidates
vying for office. The ANC will also continue to work with candidates
running for local, state, federal offices in an effort to help clarify their
views on Armenian American issues,” concluded Mekhdjian.

During the meeting with Bean, ANC representatives Karine Birazian, Nishan
Mekhdjian, Noubar Sarkissian, and Sevon Torosian provided a brief background
of the Illinois Armenian American community. They further discussed
numerous current issues confronting Armenian Americans, including US
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide–specifically the Congressional
Genocide Resolutions–US aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and US-Armenia
economic relations, such as extending permanent normal trade relations for
Armenia and negotiating a Social Security Agreement and Tax Treaty.

In April, responding to the ANCA Congressional Candidate Questionnaire, Bean
expressed support for a number of key Armenian American concerns.

The Congressional Questionnaire calls upon candidates to answer nine
questions concerning their views on the Armenian Genocide,
self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh, US aid to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, US-Armenian economic relations, conditions on US aid to
Azerbaijan, the Turkish blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Bean, currently the president of a consulting firm serving high-tech Fortune
1000 clients internationally, who also ran for Congress in Illinois’ Eighth
District in 2002, answered all nine questions favorably.

Republican Congressman Philip Crane, the incumbent candidate, is running for
his 19th term in office. Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District includes
parts of Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties.

The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in Illinois and nationwide. The ANC actively advances
a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

####

International group denies Azeri children held in Armenian captivity

Noyan Tapan news agency
3 Jun 04

Yerevan, 3 June: The international working group to release POWs and
hostages and to trace missing persons in the zone of the Karabakh
conflict states with full confidence that information about camps for
Azerbaijani kamikaze children, which is allegedly located in Lacin
[Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani district], is wide of the mark.

The Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo published on 20 May an article by
journalist Lala Nuri headlined “Lacin-Buchenwald for Azerbaijani
children”. The article appeared after the co-chairman of the
international working group for POWs, hostages and missing persons
in the zone of the Karabakh conflict, Paata Zakareishvili, described
as a myth a report by two defectors from Armenia, Roman Teryan and
Artur Apresyan, who had said that Azerbaijani children were being
trained as kamikazes in Armenian captivity. The article reported that a
certain businessman Asaf Alimardanov called the editorial office of the
newspaper and said that an American engineer (?Terry Kagel), who used
to work with him, met Azerbaijani children held by Armenians during
his trip to occupied Lacin in the 1990s. At the request of Zerkalo
newspaper, Alimardanov contacted Kagel again and received, according
to the journalist, more detailed information which confirms that
Azerbaijani children are being held in a special camp in Lacin. The
newspaper reported that the editorial office had Mr Kagel’s office
telephone number. Mrs Nuri suggested that the international working
group find and return the Azerbaijani children to the motherland.

Since one of the forms of the work of the international working group
is to check such information, the group, as its press release says,
immediately started to implement the task set by the newspaper. Having
obtained Terry Kagel’s telephone number from the editorial office, the
members of the group called him and told him about the Zerkalo article
which had mentioned his name. Mr Kagel was extremely surprised and
asked them to send him a translation of the article. The co-chairman
of the international working group, Bernhard Clasen, accepted his
request. In his reply, Kagel flatly denied the facts cited in the
article and suggested calling two people Pastor David Goehring and
volunteer Stan Brown who had repeatedly visited Lacin on a humanitarian
mission under an AGAPE project. Bernhard Clasen held two conversations
with the two employees of AGAPE and received clearer information
saying that they had rendered assistance to a children’s institution
for Armenian children in Lacin.

The international working group decided not to publish this
information, as it had not seen this institution for itself and
had not spoken to AGAPE employees. On 2 June, the co-chairmen of the
international working group, Bernhard Clasen and Svetlana Gannushkina,
visited Lacin and went to a boarding school. It has 28 children from
difficult and incomplete families, and 18 of the children have only
one parent. The boarding school has had only four orphans so far. The
age of the children is between five and 18. These are mainly children
from refugee families. They are looked after very well – the girls
are taught needlework and the boys are dealing with housekeeping. The
AGAPE project has been working in this region since 1994, helping to
supply medical equipment to a hospital and implementing educational
programmes. Its employees were extremely surprised by the supposition
that Azerbaijani children could be held hostage in the boarding school.

The press release has been signed by Svetlana Gannushkina, Bernhard
Clasen and Paata Zakareishvili.