Author: Nanijanian Alex

TURKEY PREPARES DOCUMENTARY FILM TO DISPROVE INSISTENCES ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2007

ISTANBUL, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey started to shoot in Istanbul
a documentary film entitled "Great False" to disprove insistences on
the Armenian Genocide. According to Turkish newspapers, materials
of Russian and Armenian archives will be used while creating the
film. "Great False" will have German, English, French, Russian and
Arabian variants. It will consist of six parts. It is envisaged to
broadcast the first of them on April 24, by the state TV channel,
Marmara states.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkish lawmakers to spread in U.S. Congress `Pink book’
02.03.2007 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Parliamentarians will lobby the U.S. House
of Representatives and Senates’ members against the Armenian Genocide
resolution which was introduced in January, by sending a `Pink
Book’. The Pink Book includes detailed information and documents
concerning the genocide allegation. After sending the books to
U.S. senators, members of Parliament Aziz Akga and Egemen
Bağış will meet the leaders of Muslim and Jewish
communities in the United States and discuss the campaign preventing
the bill. Akga said that the booklet includs information, documents
and proofs provided by the Turkish History Association. `We are
stating with documents that the claimed genocide never happened,’ he
underlined.

Lord Bryce and Arnold Toynbee have publish the "Blue Book" in Great
Britain. It contains materials and diplomatic documents from 1915,
which are evidence of mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 2 2007

TWIN CITIES AGREEMENT BETWEEN YEREVAN, LOS ANGELES TO GIVE IMPETUS TO
BILATERAL COOPERATION

YEREVAN, March 1. /ARKA/. The twin cities agreement between Yerevan
and Los Angeles will give an impetus to further bilateral
cooperation, Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa stated at the
ceremonial signing of the agreement on February 23, 2007, the Press
and Information Department, RA Foreign Office, reports.
In his speech, Villaraigosa stressed Armenia’s valuable contribution
to the development of Losd Angeles as a city of many nations and
cultures.
In his turn, Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan pointed out that the
agreement envisages closer cooperation in high technologies, public
management, economic, cultural and educational relations.
On the threshold of the signing of the agreement, a delegation headed
by the Yerevan Mayor visited Los Angeles and held a number of
meetings. Mayor Zakharyan held meetings with Mayor of Glendale David
Viver, members of the City Council Raffi Maukyan, Ara Najaryan, Bob
Yosefyan and Frank Cvintero, as well as with Chief of the city police
Randy Adams. Mayor Zakharyan also visited the Municipality of Burbank
and held a meeting with Vice-Mayor Marsh Ramus.
During his visit Zakharyan also held meetings with Los Angeles Mayor
Anthony Villaraigosa, City Council member Eric Garsety and Head of
the Los Angeles Supervisory Council Ze Yaroslawsky.
The Armenian delegation also visited the residences of the Armenian
Apostolic Church in Los Angeles, held meetings with the leaders of
partiers, representatives of the Glendale collage, Chamber of
Commerce of California and the Chamber of Armenian Lawyers.
On February 23, 2007, Los Angeles and Yerevan were declared twin
cities. Attending the ceremony were representatives of Los Angeles
local government bodies, diplomats, clergymen, Armenian businessmen
and philanthropists. P. T. -0

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR MEETS WITH U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ANNA ESHOO ON CAPITOL HILL

— ANCA-WR Travels to Capitol Hill to Represent Armenian American
Interests

Washington, DC – Aida Dimejian, member of the Board of Directors of the
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, and Andrew
Kzirian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region, met with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and various
U.S. Representatives and Senators on a trip to the nation’s capital on
February 8-9, 2007. Working out of the Armenian National Committee of
America’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dimejian and
Kzirian embarked on a two day schedule of meetings with Congressional
offices to discuss issues of importance to Armenian American communities
in the western United States.

"So far we have 176 cosponsors of H. Res. 106 but that number should be
a lot higher – it is up to every Armenian American activist to call upon
their Representatives to urge them to sign on to this resolution,"
stated Dimejian. During the trip, Dimejian and Kzirian met with
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, who voiced her strong support for the passage
of H. Res. 106 in the United States Congress.

H. Res. 106 calls on the President to ensure that the foreign policy of
the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity
concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and
genocide documented in the U.S. record relating to the Armenian
Genocide.

"The Armenian Genocide claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenian men,
women and children and stands as one of the most tragic chapters in
human history," said Congresswoman Eshoo. "H. Res. 106 is an opportunity
for Congress to follow the strong example set by the governments of
Canada, France, Russia and others who have properly recognized the
Armenian Genocide."

"We hope to continue our already strong relationship with Congresswoman
Eshoo – she stands for justice and is a highly principled leader which
all young Americans can look to as an example," stated Kzirian.

Congresswoman Eshoo has a long record of broad leadership and support
for issues of interest to the Armenian American community. As the only
U.S. Representative of Armenian descent, and as a member of the Armenian
Issues Caucus in Congress, Representative Eshoo plays a key role in the
legislative process as it applies to issues of importance to Armenian
Americans. She has cosponsored numerous resolutions recognizing the
Armenian Genocide and has participated in several Armenian Genocide
commemorations on Capitol Hill. Representative Eshoo, through her
strong efforts and principled approach to her representation of the
Armenian American community, has continuously earned an A+ ANC
Congressional Report rating.

During the trip, Dimejian and Kzirian met with the offices of Senators
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and
also Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA),
Gerald McNerney (D-CA), Gary Miller (R-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Ciro
Rodriguez (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Jane
Harman (D-CA), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Dean Heller (R-CA), Diane Watson
(D-CA), George Miller (D-CA), Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), Brian Bilbray
(R-CA) and Adam Smith (D-WA).

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: Representative Anna Eshoo joins ANCA-WR Board Member Aida
Dimejian and ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian on Capitol Hill.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
March 1, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

OVER 200 ATTEND RUNWAY 2007 FASHION PRESENATION
Florida Event Benefits Armenian Assembly Programs, Initiatives

Boynton Beach, FL – More than 200 Assembly supporters from across the
United States and several from the United Kingdom gathered in Boynton
Beach, Florida, on February 10 for the Runway 2007 fashion show and
luncheon hosted by the Armenian Assembly’s Southeast Regional Council.

The event, chaired by longtime Assembly Member Mary Atamian and Ida
Boodakian, featured the latest men’s and women’s fashions from the
finest boutiques in Palm Beach. Assembly Members were featured as models
for the men’s fashions. Members and guests enjoyed an extraordinary
afternoon while supporting Assembly programs and initiatives in
Washington, Los Angeles and Yerevan that promote issues of importance to
the Armenian-American community.

"The work that the Assembly does is greatly appreciated by the Armenian
community, and we are pleased to hold this fundraiser to support the
organization’s ongoing work," said Atamian. "We extend our special
thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shooshanian for their generous support and
for securing Quail Ridge Country Club for this special event."

The afternoon began with a silent auction which included paintings,
rugs, gift baskets and fine jewelry. There was also a live auction for
items donated by Assembly supporters including a getaway package with
two tickets to any show at Jujamcyn Theaters courtesy of Daniel Adamian
and two nights hotel stay at the "W" Hotel in New York, two tickets to
the owners box at Fenway Park courtesy of Edward Eskandarian, and two
tickets to see BB King perform in Boston courtesy of Edward Atamian.

"The Assembly thanks Mary Atamian, Ida Boodakian and Carol Norigian, and
the members of the committee for their hard work in organizing such a
successful event," said Development Committee Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian.
"The Assembly is grateful for their support."

The planning committee included Fashion Show Co-Chair Ida Boodakian, Kay
Arakelian, Rose Asserian, Seta Baldalian, Marta Batmasian, Mary Der
Vartanian, Araxie Kazarian, Agnes Killabian, Lucille Manuelian, Carol
Norigian, Lucy Shooshanian, Deanna Stepanian, Diane Tashjian, and
Berjoohie Zakarian.

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#2007-029

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

/2007-029-1.jpg

Caption: Edward Shooshanian, who along with his wife Lucy provided the
venue for the Runway 2007 fashion presentation.

2007-029/2007-029-2.jpg

Caption: L to R: Life Trustee Gail O’Reilly, Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny and Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Jirair
Harutunian.

ress/2007-029/2007-029-3.jpg

Caption: L to R: Dr. Tanya Hodge, Hollie Ritchie and Assembly Member
June Hatfield.

-029/2007-029-4.jpg

Caption: Fashion Show Co-Chairs Mary Atamian, left, and Ida Boodakian.

7-029/2007-029-5.jpg

Caption: L to R: Fellow Trustee Lucille Manuelian, Member Berjoohie
Zakarian, Marion DerVartanian and Associate Trustee Rose Assarian.

LEADER OF HNCHAK PARTY CONSIDERS THAT BY ITS ACTIONS OPPOSITION CONTRIBUTED TO FULFILMENT OF AUTHORITIES’ SCENARIO

Noyan Tapan
Mar 01 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The Hnchak Social-Democratic Party
will run for the elections independently and only by proportional
system." Party leader Lyudmila Sargsian reported this at the March 1
press conference. She declared that Hnchak being one of traditional
Armenian parties exerted all efforts for uniting the opposition
forces. However, in her words, "today we can establish that all
attempts of uniting the opposition failed." L. Sargsian declared that
the big political forces bear the main responsibility for opposition’s
breaking. "The opposition deciding to run for the elections one
by one was not able to counteract to the mechanisms created by
the authorities. They should not have put the people in conditions
for the people not to know whom to elect." In L. Sargsian’s words,
the main reason of opposition’s failure to unite were the personal
ambitions of its leaders and preference of narrow party interests to
general ones. She did not agree to the statement of representatives
of People’s Party of Armenia that they did everything possible for
uniting the opposition. In her words, the conditions "dictated by PPA
were primordially unacceptable for everybody, as it was impossible to
give PPA opposition members majority of places in the proportional
list. L. Sargsian declared that the initiative of opposition’s
unification mainly belongs to the Zharangutiun (Heritage) Party
and its leader Raffi Hovannisian, as well as to the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) Party and the National-Democratic Union. She mentioned
that R. Hovannisian was quite sincerely ready to make many concessions
for the sake of forming a united bloc.

TURKISH ENGINEER ADDRESSES TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITH PROTEST AGAINST ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Feb 27 2007

STRASBOURG, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkish engineer Melih Vidinli
addressed to the European Court of Human Rights with a demand of
compensation of 150 million evros from Armenia. He insists that because
of insistences of the Armenian Genocide his institution is deprived of
a number of functions and has great material damages. Marmara states
about it, quoting Hurriyet.

In the applicant’s words, the Constitution of Armenia by which
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is demanded contradicts principles
of the Council of Europe.

Engineer Vidinli insists in his appeal that the policy carried on by
Armenia in the direction of the Genocide recognition spoils relations
of Turkey with some states, and trade institutions suffer from it,
deprived of a number of functions and signing of agreements. The
engineer insists that the decisions recongizing the Armenian Genocide
made by the parliaments of 19 countries laid obstacles on the way of
works of his organization and violated their right of earning money.

MR. KOCHARIAN TALKS NONSENSE AGAIN

Hurriyet (Liberal)
Turkish Press
Feb 26 2007

Armenian President Robert Kocharian does not realize what he is
saying. Kocharian spoke nonsense in Paris while rendering thanks to
Armenian lobby.

"As in 1915, we have the same neighbor who does not admit the crime
it committed. There is a risk of repetition," he said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia is interested in France’s experience of regional development sphere
24.02.2007 13:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert
Kocharian had a meeting with French Minister-Delegate
for Regional Development Christian Estrosi, the
Presidential Press Office reports. At the meeting they
noted that the Year of Armenia in France goes on very
successfully. In the framework of the Year of Armenia
also political ties activated, in the result of which
constantly born new ideas and programs. President
Kocharian and Minister Estrosi exchanged views
concerning problems of regional development and
perspectives of cooperation in this field. Methods of
governing in Armenia and France are much similar,
since French Constitution served as model for Armenian
Constitution. Robert Kocharian stated that official
Yerevan carries out a policy of decentralization of
the power, and the French experience in the sphere of
regional development is very interesting and useful
for Armenia.

Armenpress

AZERBAIJAN RESETTLES SHAHUMYAN REGION WITH REFUGEES

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: Edik Balayan,
chairman of an organization uniting former residents
of Shahumyan region in Nagorno-Karabakh, now under
Azerbaijan’s occupation, announced Thursday he has
obtained copies of documents, which attest to an
Azerbaijani plan to resettle the region with Azeri
refugees.
Balayan said he had obtained copies of an Azeri
government decision and a decree signed by the
government of this covert plan. The documents clearly
delegate responsibilities to various Azeri ministries
and government organizations to steer the plan.
Based on the documents, since 2002, the Azeri
government has been constructing 140 residences a year
in the area, especially in the urban parts of the
region. The plan calls for resettling 30,000 to 35,000
Azeris in Shahumyan, which was once home to 21,000
Armenians who were either massacred or forcibly
evacuated from the region during the Nagorno-Karabakh
movement.
Balayan also revealed that the government was
pledging a monthly stipend of 25,000 manats ($4,500)
to settlers, adding that such incentives were
necessary since many people would not move there. The
Shahumyan-Getashen region was one of the focal points
of the Karabakh liberation movement. From 1991-1992
the Azeri OMON (special police force) units forced out
the 20,000 Armenians living in the region through
massacres and deportations.
Balayan announced that his organization has
appealed to the European Court of Human Rights by
presenting a law suit by four families that were
deported from the Shahumyan-Getashen region.
He said that the court has decided to hear the case
and has sent the necessary documentation to the Azeri
government. The Armenian side has also appealed to the
OSCE to send observers to the Shahumyan, Getashen and
Martunashen regions to compile a report on the
deportations, but no action has been taken on that
front.