Author: Nanijanian Alex

taz, die tageszeitung
23. April 2005

Vom Überleben;
DIE ARMENISCHE DIASPORA

von SABINE BERKING

Armenien – “brüllender Steine Staat”, wie Ossip Mandelstam schon 1921
schrieb – ist in diesem Buch weniger ein Land als vielmehr eine
Landschaft des Erinnerns, zersplittert und zusammengehalten von
Gewalt und Vertreibung und durch eine von jeher “reisende” Kultur.
Huberta von Voss macht diese Kultur erfahrbar, indem sie ihre
Angehörigen, die in der ganzen Welt verstreut sind, porträtiert.

Zum Beispiel Madame Anahit. Sie gehörte zur Minderheit in der
Minderheit, eine Bohemien, die in den Straßen Istanbuls ihr Akkordeon
spielte, eine Großstadtlegende. Wie Mesrop II., Patriarch der
Armenier in der Türkei, oder Hrant Dink, Herausgeber der armenischen
Zeitung Agos in Istanbul, war sie zeitlebens eine Brücke zur
Aussöhnung. Gerade jene, die in der Höhle des Löwen leben, stehen dem
Beharren auf Schuldanerkennung durch die Türkei skeptisch gegenüber.
Welten trennen sie – auch darin – von der westlichen Diaspora in Los
Angeles oder Paris, deren Angehörige in akademischen Archiven und
Vorstadtvillen den Völkermord erforschen und dabei immer öfter mit
der armenischen Sprache ringen müssen. Welten trennen sie aber auch
von den im heutigen Armenien Lebenden, wo Korruption und Armut
herrschen. Zwischen Jerewan und Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Buenos
Aires, Kalkutta, Istanbul und Berlin spannt sich die
Erinnerungslandschaft. Beirut ist ein Zentrum der Diaspora, Jerusalem
war eines, bis die Armenier für Israel zu christlichen Palästinensern
mutierten und sich das armenische Viertel der heiligen Stadt zu
leeren begann. Heute ist es ein Spielball von
Grundstücksspekulationen, in dem eine armenische Restgemeinde ums
Überleben kämpft.

Huberta von Voss entwirft zusammen mit gut zwei Dutzend Autoren ein
Panorama der Armenier heute, das vor allem eines der Diaspora ist.
Manchmal wäre weniger mehr gewesen, dennoch beeindrucken die
Geschichten und der historische Einleitungsteil, der die deutsche
Mitverantwortung für den Genozid nicht ausspart. Kein Buch über den
Mord, sondern eines vom Überleben. Überlebt haben zum Beispiel Bücher
der ersten christlichen Nation in der Bibliothek des
armenisch-katholischen Klosters von San Lazzaro, seit 1717 malerisch
auf einer winzigen Insel vor Venedig gelegen. 150.000 Bände und 4.500
Manuskripten liegen hier im Dornröschenschlaf. 1816 klopfte Byron ans
Klostertor, verliebte sich in den Ort und lernte Armenisch, um dessen
Dichtung ins Englische zu übertragen. Die Vorfahren Armen
Petrossians, dem Inhaber des gleichnamigen Kaviar-Imperiums,
übersetzten auf andere Weise: Mit tausenden russischen Aristokraten
waren sie vor den Bolschewiki nach Paris geflohen. Den heimwehkranken
reichen Russen beschafften sie alsbald die edlen Fischeier und wurden
selbst reich damit. Alfred und Ophelia Mouradian, ein
deutsch-armenisches Paar, retteten im Zweiten Weltkrieg Hunderten von
sowjetarmenischen Kriegsgefangenen das Leben. 40.000 bildeten eine
armenische Legion innerhalb der Wehrmacht. Nach dem Krieg gingen
viele gen Westen, die Heimkehrer verschwanden in Stalins Lagern.

Die Nachgeborenen des Genozids stellen sich, wie die Londoner
Schauspielerin Matossian mit ihrer Reise ins syrische Deir-es-Sor,
dem Endpunkt der Todesmärsche von 1915, nicht nur dem Grauen des
Erinnerns, sie suchen auch nach Hoffnungszeichen. Es gibt sie
durchaus. Der Film “Ararat” des kanadischen Regisseurs Egoyan wurde –
wenn auch zensiert – in der Türkei gezeigt, ein türkisches
Streichquartett führte in Jerewan die Werke Komitas auf, der einst im
Pariser Exil an der Erinnerung an das Morden zerbrochen war. Und auf
dem Musa Dagh, jenem durch Franz Werfels Roman bekannten Berg, leben
in der heutigen Türkei wieder Armenier.

Huberta von Voss: “Porträt einer Hoffnung: Die Armenier. Lebensbilder
aus aller Welt”. Verlag Hans Schiler, Berlin 2005, 400 Seiten, 28
Euro

Acknowledging Armenian Genocide Necessary for Turkish Democracy
by Mavi Zambak

Asia News, Italy
April 22 2005

Antakya (AsiaNews) — “For Turkey, acknowledging the Armenian genocide
would be an important step on the way of full democratisation and
would increase the country’s international prestige,” this according
to Ghagik Bagdassarian, Armenian Ambassador to Italy, who like all
Armenians after so many decades still insists that the world not forget
and that Turkey admit its responsibilities in the extermination of
countless Armenians.

April 24 marks the 90th anniversary of the start of the mass slaughter
that led to the death of up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915
and 1923.

Turkey has always rejected that claim, arguing instead that 300,000
Armenians and thousands of Turks died in a ‘civilian uprising’ during
the First World War when the former rebelled against Ottoman rule.

Any accusations of ethnic cleansing are for the Turkish government
“an invention that weakens the nation”.

The obstinate negationist camp in Turkey is less solid than it once
was; an ‘Armenian question’ has become a public issue.

In view of Turkey’s application to join the European Union, many
national parliaments in France, Canada and Switzerland have urged
Ankara to officially acknowledge that genocide did take place.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyp Erdogan has responded recently
by urging historians to examine the country’s archives in order to
establish the truth.

“Teams of historians from both sides should conduct studies in these
archives,” he said, adding that “[w]e do not want future generations
to have a difficult life because of hatred and resentment.”

In the meantime, the issue has become highly controversial in
Turkey because the local press has given space to voices trying to
convince public opinion that Europe is behind the proposed historical
investigation, which for them amounts to blackmail to satisfy unfounded
Armenian claims and demands.

However, a small group of Turkish intellectuals have started to raise
doubts about the official view of what happened and in doing so have
raised a hornet’s nest for themselves. For example, Turkish writer
Orhan Pamuk has received death threats after admitting to a German
publication that “a million Armenians were killed in Turkey”.

For Ambassador Bagdassarian, any historical judgement must “be limited
to those who were effectively responsible for the extermination”
(i.e. Turkish leaders of the time). He also noted that Armenians have
no intention of “blaming the Turkish people”.

Armenians, especially the 80,000 who still call Turkey home, only
want the genocide inflicted on their people stop being treated as a
“nameless crime”, and be instead acknowledged as a deep scar on the
whole of humanity.

As some survivors point out, “90 years are just a short period of
time if we haven’t learnt any lesson from it, if that genocide was
but a rehearsal of other massacres, other holocausts”.

Those years “are nothing if today people still try to forget or
place economic or political interests before truth and justice. The
sacrifice of those martyrs would be worthless if nothing is written
about them in history books, if the anniversary is just another day,
if what happened is justified and if we become accomplices with the
criminals of those years.”

ON APRIL 24, AT 7.00 P.M. ARMENIA, DIASPORA AND ARTSAKH TO STAND IN
MEMORY TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITH MINUTE OF SILENCE

YEREVAN, APRIL 21. ARMINFO. On April 24 at 7.00 p.m. people in Armenia,
Diaspora and Artsakh will stand in memory to victims of Armenian
Genocide with minute of silence. Such a decision was made by state
commission of Armenia for coordination of arrangements dedicated to
the 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

EU Constitution Is at Risk

French-Armenians Mount Stiff Opposition Ahead of Vote

World News

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
April 21, 2005

By DAN BILEFSKY ([email protected]), Staff Reporter of THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL

PARIS — A constitution for the European Union’s 450 million citizens
risks becoming little more than a historic footnote thanks in part
to an unlikely opponent: 450,000 French-Armenians.

This influential community — a potent force in the battle against
the charter — has linked its opposition to a wholly unrelated matter:
their people’s decades-old fight to get Turkey to acknowledge a 1915
genocide of Armenians. They are mobilizing to show their anger over
Brussels’ willingness to offer EU membership to Turkey.

The group’s strategy is in line with those of myriad other interest
groups that have seized on the May 29 constitutional referendum to
make demands addressing all the EU’s perceived ills, threatening to
plunge the bloc into paralysis.

French farmers have exploited the debate to gain special concessions
from the government: Paris recently agreed to subsidize one-week summer
vacations for livestock farmers, a majority of who were planning to
vote against the treaty, according to recent polls. Meanwhile, the
nation’s powerful unions have threatened to vote “no” unless they get
guarantees that the French social model of strong worker protection
is sacrosanct. When French President Jacques Chirac last week held
a rare televised debate with 83 young people, the audience grilled
him on policemen’s wages, France’s record unemployment and fears of
competition from low-wage countries — but little on the content of
the EU treaty.

“People are using the vote on the constitution as a protest vote,” said
Ara Toranian, leader of France’s largest Armenian association. “There
is a window of opportunity in the next six weeks, and we will make
sure that our voices are heard.”

The EU’s constitution is meant to improve the bloc’s internal
organization and its position on the world stage by creating a
new foreign-policy chief, revamping the EU’s voting structure
to make decision-making easier and introducing a bill of rights,
among other measures. To take effect, it needs approval from all 25
members of the EU; 20 have yet to sign on. Its rejection by France
— one of the document’s prime architects — could be a death blow,
and even a narrow “oui” could help spur “no” votes elsewhere. Another
country’s rejection could be shrugged off, but not that of France. The
Netherlands, where little interest on either side has been apparent,
votes a few days later.

Nineteen opinion polls in a row since mid-March indicate a majority
of French people will vote against the constitutional treaty, with a
poll taken by the TNS-Sofres polling firm published yesterday showing
it losing by 55% to 45%.

An Armenian “no” vote in France could prove decisive, then. The
bare majority — within a hair of 51% — that approved France’s 1992
referendum on adopting the euro currency amounted to about 450,000
votes, roughly the size of the Armenian community. Armenian leaders
hope to help secure a “no” vote by playing up fears about admitting
Turkey into the EU. Those fears resonate with many French voters,
who are ambivalent about their country’s eight million Muslims and
often cite concerns about Turkey as a prime reason for voting down
the constitution — despite the fact that the vote has no bearing on
Ankara’s EU aspirations.

Réné Dzagoyan, a French novelist of Armenian origin and member of the
“no” campaign, insists the matters are linked, though. Mr. Dzagoyan
said he will spend the next six weeks giving lectures arguing that the
constitution is a faulty document because it fails to define what it
means to be European, in either geographical or cultural terms. “The
fact that the EU can open entry talks with a country like Turkey
that doesn’t uphold European values shows that this constitution is
meaningless,” he says, waving a copy of the 300-page document.

Armenians accuse Turkey of genocide in the killing of as many as
1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey
rejects the claim, arguing that Armenians and Turks both were killed
when Armenians sided with invading Russians. In December, Mr. Chirac,
an ardent supporter of the EU charter, told Turkey it eventually would
have to acknowledge the mass killing of the Armenians if it wants to
join the EU.

Worried leaders of the “yes” camp in both Mr. Chirac’s ruling
center-right party and the Socialist Party are demanding that their
prominent Armenian members stop campaigning against it publicly.

The Armenian community also has formed an alliance with Philippe de
Villiers, president of the political party Le Mouvement Pour La France.
One of the most fervent campaigners in the “no” camp, he even picks on
the date the referendum will be held, noting that on that day in 1453
the Ottoman Empire wrested Constantinople from the Roman Empire. “The
Armenian community can be an important swing vote in this referendum.
They have been hard-done by the EU, which has decided to add insult
to injury by opening negotiations to admit Turkey into the bloc —
and we should support them,” Mr. de Villiers said in an interview.

Uluc Ozulker, Turkey’s ambassador to France, said he is mystified by
all the attention on Turkey since the referendum on the constitution
has nothing to do with his country. “Turkey is not in the EU and
won’t be for the foreseeable future, so whether there is a ‘yes’ or
‘no’ vote is not our problem,” he said.

Write to Dan Bilefsky at ([email protected])

,,SB111403364123912488-IdjgoNklaJ4m52vZXyIaqaBm4,00.html

–Boundary_(ID_Nr3IFBwI32HLHrGHQmp9pQ)–

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – April 21, 2005

SUNDAY IS APRIL 24TH-MARTYRS’ DAY;
JOINT UNITED COMMEMORATION IN NEW YORK
Thousands of Armenian Americans will join forces in New York City on
Sunday, April 24, to attend the various commemorative events on the occasion
of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. More than 45 buses
are expected from outlying areas, joining many coming from the metro area
through their own mode of transportation.
The day will begin at 9 am with Divine Liturgies celebrated at St.
Vartan and St. Illuminator’s Cathedrals in New York City. Mass will also
take place at St. Ann’s Armenian Catholic Church in Brooklyn, and services
will take place at the Armenian Evangelical Church in New York City, and the
Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus, New Jersey.
The Memorial Gathering at Times Square will begin at 12 noon and
continue until 1:30 pm. The day will conclude with a solemn ecumenical
requiem service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue at 50th Street,
beginning at 2:30 pm and concluding at 4:30 pm.
Detailed information is available at

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TOMORROW EVENING
AT BEAST ON THE MOON PERFORMANCE
The Joint Committee of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
the producers of the internationally acclaimed Beast on the Moon will join
together to hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the victims and
survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The vigil will begin tomorrow
evening, Friday, April 22, at 9:30 pm outside the Century Center for the
Performing Arts, 111 E. 15th Street), where the Beast on the Moon is
currently being performed.
The vigil is a prelude to the 90th anniversary memorial observance on
April 24 as described above.
Some of us here at Crossroads went last weekend to see Beast on the
Moon, and found it to be a poignant and riveting production. The critically
acclaimed play by Richard Kalinoski, is an immigrant love story whose two
central characters are survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Although this is
the New York premiere, the play has been performed in 17 countries and has
received 40 awards including “best play” in Paris and Buenos Aires. The
acting in this New York production is superb and should not be missed. For
information go to:
We have just heard from a friend of Crossroads that about 10 tickets are
still available for Saturday matinee performance, April 23, through St. Leon
Church (NJ). Contact Ara Araz, 917-837-1297. Especially good for
out-of-towners who will be in New York for the commemorative events and
would like to see the performance.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ATTENDS CAPITOL HILL
COMMEMORATION FOR APRIL 24
Archbishop Oshagan attended the Capitol Hill remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide yesterday, sponsored by the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, Congressmen Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone.
More than 200 members of Congress have signed the letters asking
President Bush to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in his statement of
remembrance.
His Eminence delivered the opening prayer in which he said, in part:
Nine decades ago the Armenian people went through the cruel valley of
death. No people can remain the same after it has endured the terror and
suffering of genocide. The recollections rekindle memories and open the
incurable wound in the soul of the Armenian nation. We humbly acknowledge
Your power and goodness and look to You to heal our wounds.

ARAM I WILL COMMEMORATE MARTYRS DAY IN DEIR ZOR
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Deir Zor, the
very site where thousands and thousands of Armenians perished during the
forced deportation and death march.
On Saturday, April 23, His Holiness will lead the Hsgoum Service and
candlelighting ceremony. On Sunday, April 24, the Catholicos will officiate
over the Divine Liturgy and Solemn Requiem Service. The services will take
place in the chapel and martyrs monument built in Deir Zor during the
pontificate of His Holiness Karekin II of Cilicia, and which has now become
a sacred pilgrimage site.

CATHOLICOS ARAM CONGRATULATES NEW POPE
On the occasion of the election of His Holiness Benedict XVI as Pope of
the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Aram I offered congratulations with
the following message:
Your Holiness: It is with profound spiritual joy that I greet your
election as Bishop of Rome and the Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Long
standing ecumenical collaboration exists between the Armenian Catholicosate
of Cilicia and the Catholic Church. In the last few decades collaboration
was further deepened through mutual visits and theological dialogue. I am
sure that during your pontificate a new impetus will be given to our
ecumenical collaboration.
As Moderator of the Central and Executive committees of the World
Council of Churches, I also warmly congratulate you. It is my firm
expectation that the ecumenical collaboration between the Vatican and the
World Council of Churches through the Joint Group and in different ways will
acquire a renewed importance in the context of our common engagement for the
visible unity of the church.
I look forward to closer collaboration with Your Holiness and with the
Catholic Church. May our common Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you spiritually
and physically as you assume this heavy responsibility at a crucial time in
the modern history of humanity.

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT VISITS PRELACY
Vartan Ayvazian, Armenia’s Minister of Environment and Natural
Resources, visited Archbishop Oshagan at the Prelacy today. The Minister was
accompanied by Ambassador Armen Martirossian, Permanent Representative of
the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations. Minister Ayvazian is here to
attend an international conference on environmental issues at the United
Nations. The Minister and Ambassador shared information with Archbishop
Oshagan pertaining to environmental issues in Armenia.

PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND OPENING OF EXHIBIT
Archbishop Oshagan and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan attended the opening of a
new exhibit, “The Human Face of Anthropology” and “Armenia: Memories from my
Home,” by the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and The Armenian
Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery, on Saturday, April 16.

CATHOLICATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN
SPECIAL COMMISSION
The Special Commission on Orthodox participation in the World Council of
Churches took place in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, April 12 to 18.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, hosted the meeting
and met with the participants and conveyed warm greetings and wishes for
success.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, a member of the steering committee of the
commission and ecumenical officer of the Catholicate of Cilicia,
participated on behalf of the Cilician See.

WNYW-TV FOCUS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
This Saturday, April 23, WNYW-TV (channel 5) will air “Street Talk” a
community affairs show focusing on the Armenian Genocide. Metro New York
area residents will be able to see the show at 6 am. The tentative line up
of guests includes: Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Frank Pallone, Prof.
Peter Balakian, and Dr. Anie Kalayjian.

CBS WILL BROADCAST INTERVIEWS
The news director of WCBS News Radio (880 AM) has informed us that
tomorrow, Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 24, they will broadcast
interviews they have done relative to the Armenian Genocide. The interviews
will be broadcast at various times between 5 a.m. and 12 noon.
Interviewees include Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Mrs. Rahan Kachian (a
survivor of the Genocide), and Professor Dennis Papazian.

ARTICLES IN NEWSPAPERS, ETC.
During the past week there have been a number of articles relative to
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. No doubt, during the coming
week there will be more. Next week we will give you a summary report and try
to put as many as possible on the joint commemorative committee’s web site:

WIFE OF GENERAL DRO DIES IN BOSTON
Crossroads has just been informed of the passing of Mrs. Gayane Kanayan,
the widow of the famed General Dro. Mrs. Kanayan died in Boston where she
lived. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

BBC NEWS FEATURES ANJAR, LEBANON
Today’s edition of BBC News has a story about Anjar, Lebanon, entitled
“Change Comes to Syria’s Lebanon ‘Home.'”
Anjar is a town in Lebanon bordering on Syria in the Bekaa Valley
inhabited by Armenians. The original Armenian settlers in Anjar were the
remnants of Musa Dagh, where Armenians made a heroic last stand against the
Turkish onslaught.
The story is about the Syria withdrawal from the area, which had become
one of Syria’s main military bases in the area.
To read the entire story go to:

SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY
This Saturday, April 23, is the 441st birthday of William Shakespeare,
the most influential writer in the history of English literature.
The most famous quotes in the English language are either from
Shakespeare or the King James version of the Bible.

FINALLY..
A reminder to take part in April 24th commemorations this weekend. If
you are residents on the east coast, especially between Boston and
Washington, plan to be in New York City for the massive joint and united
commemoration.
Let us pay our respects to our ancestors while directing all of our
efforts to our future.

Visit our website at

YOUTH OF NAGORNY KARABAKH CONCERNED OVER STATE OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA AND TURKEY

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19. ARMINFO. The youth of Nagorny Karabakh is
concerned over the state of Armenian monuments in Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Turkey.

According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent to Stepanakert, on April
18 in connection with the International Day of Protection of Monuments
and Historical Sights, a number of youth organizations of NKR applied
to the authorities, priesthood and youth of Azerbaijan., Georgia
and Turkey urging for at least tolerate attitude to the Armenian
historical monuments under their patronage. The appeal welcomes the
cleaning of a number of territories of historical and architectural
monuments, including, the mosque “Govher agha” in the town of Shushi,
as well as the joint action of protest of Georgian and Armenian Youth
in Georgia against immoral attitude of the Georgian authorities and
priesthood to the Armenian monuments.

The youth organizations of Karabakh applied to the UNESCO Director
General Koichiro Matsuura asking for application of its levers of
influence to urge Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia to display tolerate
attitude to the Armenian monuments in their countries.

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN
UNION-AZERBAIJAN COMMITTEE FOR PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION
[April 19, 2005, 21:06:34]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 19 2005

On April 19, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received in
the Presidential palace delegation of the European Union-Azerbaijan
Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation led by Maria Ishler Biguin.

The head of state has noted that is glad to meet with members
of delegation of the European Union – Azerbaijan Committee for
Parliamentary Cooperation, and highly has estimated successful carrying
out in Baku of session of the Committee. President Ilham Aliyev, having
emphasized that gives great value to relations with the European Union,
has told: “Integration into Europe is one of priority questions for
Azerbaijan. Having noted that last years between Azerbaijan and the
European Union have been established fine working links, the head of
Azerbaijani state has with satisfaction reminded the participation
in last year’s actions of the European Union, having emphasized, that
the meetings carried out during these actions have shown interest of
both Azerbaijan and the European Union in the further expansion and
development of links.

Having noted active participation of Azerbaijan in the European
“Policy of New Neighborhood”, President Ilham Aliyev has expressed
confidence that mutual relations would extend in these frameworks
and henceforth. Having emphasized that for the further development of
cooperation in the field of transport, infrastructure, power, culture
and other spheres are available good opportunities, the head of the
Azerbaijani state has expressed confidence that this interaction
would go ahead.

Having ascertained that successful cooperation of Azerbaijan with
the European Union serves establishment of peace and stability in
region, President Ilham Aliyev has noted increase of attention
of the European Union to settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, having regarded realization of activity
by the special representative of EU in this connection as display of
the given attention.

President Ilham Aliyev has once again expressed confidence that
cooperation of Azerbaijan and the European Union would successfully
continue and in the coming years.

Having expressed deep satisfaction with visit to Baku, Ms. Maria Ishler
Biguin has recollected the previous meetings with the President of
Azerbaijan, having noted that is glad for opportunity again to meet the
head of Azerbaijani state. Having regarded visit of so representative
delegation to Azerbaijan as a bright example of interest to our
country, the guest has emphasized that the European Union attaches
significance to development of relations with the Republic.

Having informed about the meeting of members of delegation with the
IDPs in Barda region, Ms. Biguin has told: “We have seen in what
difficult conditions they live. We once again came to such conclusion
that it is necessary for members of the European Parliament to make
their contribution in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”.

Armenian Opposition Leader Sarkissian Calls For ‘Revolution’

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
April 18 2005

Jan Soykok (JTW) – Aram Sarkisian, Armenian Hanrapetutyun (Republic)
Party leader call a revolution in Armenia. Sarkissian also defended
a pro-Western re-orientation for Armenia.

“Armenia needs a revolution, a change of values, not [a mere] regime
change… Today we have a government which wants to stage-manage
regime change. But I’m telling them that it will not work… Robert
Kocharian will have to go. He will fail to install [Defense Minister]
Serzh Sarkisian or anybody else in his place.”” he told hundreds of
delegates at the party’s congress.

“I call on every citizen of the Republic of Armenia to join us… I
also address this call to non-discredited government officials. Those
who stand by us today, will be in government tomorrow. Those who are
scared [of backing the opposition] today, will remain scared tomorrow”
added Sarkissian.

DEMOCRACY AND A PRO-WESTERN FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA

Sarkissian also said Armenia needs a pro-Western approach in foreign
policy and democracy inside:

“The situation has changed so much that we must make the right choice,”
he said. “As for being pro-Western, of course we prefer democracy. I
am an Armenian and am guided only by my country’s interests. And I
see that in terms of their lifestyle, values and, as Serzh Sarkisian
would put it, mentality, our people are closer to Europe.”

However, neither Harutiunian nor Bazeyan spoke at the gathering. The
participants accepted the latter’s resignation and elected Sarkisian
as their new chairman. Bazeyan welcomed the decision.

Armenia’s has been in economic catastrophe for more than a decade
and difficult relations with the neighboring Azerbaijan, Turkey
and Georgia. While Georgia and Azerbaijan improved their relations
with Turkey, the EU and the US, Armenia remained a ‘Russian base’
in the region. As a result Armenia became isolated. Armenian forces
have occupied about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and Yerevan
does not recognize Turkey’s and other neighboring countries national
borders.

JTW 18 April 2005

Detroit Free Press , MI
April 18 2005

Ceremony highlights Armenian memories

90th anniversary of genocide observed
April 18, 2005

BY LAURA POTTS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

For years, a lock of hair was Sandra Azoian Hutchinson’s touchstone
to the Armenian genocide.

The tresses were buried some years ago with Hutchinson’s great aunt,
who had taken the hair from her two young sons just before the boys
were killed in front of her in what is now Turkey. The grieving mother
later fled to Michigan, where she pled with generations of her family
to make sure the lock was tucked into her casket, and begged them
not to forget those years of suffering.

On Sunday, Hutchinson joined hundreds of Armenian Americans to
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the genocide, which claimed the
lives of 1.5 million Armenians.

Dignitaries, clergy and Armenian-American community leaders gathered
at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn to share
stories of loss and to generate remembrance and hope.

“It also can help inspire us to stop modern genocides, which still go
on,” said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., who made a brief appearance
before the commemoration ceremony. “It can encourage and energize us
just to remember them.”

Levin and others emphasized a need for the current Turkish government
to recognize the atrocities, which began in 1915 and included forced
marches, drownings, beatings and other horrors, they said.

The crowd — which included a handful of survivors — listened as
politicians spoke about illuminating what they said is a largely
forgotten tragedy, and religious leaders prayed and led the crowd in
traditional songs. About 70 young people from the United Commemorative
Committee, all dressed in black and wearing armbands representing
Armenia’s red, blue and orange flag, marched to the stage, where
the names of Armenian cities that lost large numbers in the genocide
were read.

“It was marvelous, especially the participation of the young people.
That was so emotional and very touching,” said Betty Apigian Kessel,
67, of Bloomfield Township. “But we are filled with hope. We are not
just here to recognize death and destruction.”

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY OF STOCKHOLM, Sweden (HOM)
Contact: Mr. Hagop Khatcherian
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +46707461495

Swedish Armenians pledge never to forget
the missionary Alma Johansson
`24 April – 90th Anniversary Committee’

RED CARNATION FOR OUR LOVING ALMA `
Stockholm- 17/04/2005

It is a beautiful spring day, the sky is blue and the birds are
singing… spring is finally here in Stockholm.

Anna Mahdessian is on her way to the cemetery which is in the centre
of the city. For the Armenian community of Sweden this is an annual
pilgrimage. You see parents with their children, young people, old
people, heading towards Alma Johanssons grave.

“Who is Alma Johansson”, asks Daron, the little boy holding her mom’s
hand, somehow terrified to be in a cemetery. “This is the first time
he is in a cemetery. Death is abstraction for him.

Anna calms him down and whispers a few comforting words in his ear.

On the 17th of April, in response to the initiative of the April 24
-90th anniversary committee, Anna and many other Armenians paid a
tribute the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson.

This was an extraordinary woman, who back in 1915, did her outmost to
help Armenians during the massacres, by awakening the public opinion
on the matter. It was thanks to her efforts that Hjalmar Brantning,
the first Swedish Social Democratic prime minister , then the finance
minister, argued for the Armenian cause, and described the massacres
as genocide, by using the Swedish word for that “folkmord”, long
before R. Lemkin did.

` We shall always remember her, we are always going to be there to
show our gratitude. This is a sacred place for us, Swedish Armenians,
explains the chairman of the committee representing Stockholms
Armenian Relief Society(HOM) Mr. Hagop Khatcherian, arranging the
flowers by the grave.

“I have some carnations, which is for eternal love,’ Says Anna with a
smile and then sinks her gaze to the candle burning in her hands.

The Armenian priest , Father Norayr together with the people prayed
for her soul and everybody came to the grave with their ointments.

Haig Hagopian,…….played ` Sourp Sourp’ on duduk