Author: Vardanian Garo

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 15, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR JOINS LOS ANGELES MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA IN CALLING ON U.S.
CONGRESS TO PASS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

— MAYOR ISSUES LETTER TO SPEAKER PELOSI CALLING FOR A HOUSE VOTE ON
HOUSE RESOLUTION 106

— CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ERIC GARCETTI ANNOUNCES CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION URGING U.S. GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined by over
three dozen students from Alex Pilibos High School in Hollywood, hosted
a press conference on February 14th where he energetically called on the
U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution.
The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) is currently pending
before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which is Chaired by
California Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA). The Mayor’s press conference
with the ANCA-WR was covered by The New York Times, The Los Angeles
Times, National Public Radio, the Associated Press and local network
television stations.

Mayor Villaraigosa opened his press conference by announcing that the
City of Los Angeles will withdraw more than $27 million in retirement
fund investments from companies that do business with Sudan to protest
the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region. "By acting affirmatively to
bring about change in Darfur, we demonstrate our commitment to making a
difference and working to stop genocide," remarked Villaraigosa. The
Mayor added, "As we can see today, the genocide in Darfur rages on – it
is our duty to also properly recognize genocides that have occurred in
the past so that we may work to prevent them from happening again. We
know that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
– and we look forward to continuing to work with the Armenian National
Committee in this regard."

"We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Villaraigosa in
ending the cycle of genocide in our world," commented ANCA-WR Executive
Director Antranig Kzirian. "Today, the Mayor spoke clearly about the
positive role American cities can play in ending the genocide in Darfur
by beginning a divestment campaign. We were also pleased that the Mayor
forcefully called on the U.S. Congress to adopt the Armenian Genocide
resolution without delay," Kzirian added.
In correspondence that Mayor Villaraigosa recently sent to Speaker of
the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), he personally urged her to schedule a
vote on the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106). The Mayor’s
letter states, in part, "As the Mayor of Los Angeles. it is an honor and
pleasure to add my name to the growing list of supporters of H. Res.
106, which would officially place the U.S. House of Representatives on
record as recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915."

Following the Mayor’s press conference, Los Angeles City Council
President Eric Garcetti introduced a resolution on behalf of the Los
Angeles City Council that urges the United States Government to
recognize the Armenian Genocide and calls upon Turkey to end its decades
long policy of denial. "This resolution, by the City Council of the
City of Los Angeles, shows our support in standing side by side with
Mayor Villaraigosa and all of humanity in paying homage to those that
perished in the Armenian Genocide", stated Garcetti.

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.

###

Andrew D. Kzirian, Esq.
Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 N. Belmont Street – Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818 500 1918
Fax: 818 246 7353

ARMENIA REPORTS INSIGNIFICANT POPULATION INCREASE

Armenpress
Feb 14 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenia reported today a slight
increase in overall population number last year saying it grew by
3,600 people to 3, 222,700.

Chairman of the Armenian National Statistical Committee Stepan
Mnatsakanian said last year 37,569 babies were born. He said the
figures are based on copies of birth certificates submitted by regional
registrars, but he added there are instances, mainly in remote rural
areas, where birth of babies is not registered.

Mnatsakanian said the number of registered marriages last year rose
1.6 percent to 16,997. But the number of granted divorces also rose
13.4 percent to 2,796. Thus, out of 1000 registered marriages 148
ended with divorce, he said. Over 95% of the population are ethnic
Armenians. In addition, Russians, Yezidis, Kurds, Greeks, and Assyrians
are among the minorities who call Armenia home.

Two third of the residents live in urban areas, while about one third
are in rural communities. The rapidly developing capital, Yerevan is
home to slightly over a million people. The average life expectancy
in Armenia is about 72 years.

Armenia has a relatively large Diasporas, 8 million by some estimates,
greatly exceeding the 3 million population of Armenia itself,
with communities existing across the globe. The largest Armenian
communities outside Armenia can be found in Russia, France, Iran,
the United States, Georgia, Syria, Lebanon, Argentina, and Ukraine.

BUYUKANýT’S TRUMP CARD: MILITARY AGREEMENTS

Sabah, Turkey
Feb 14 2007

Information notice to the lobby

The General staff sent an informative notice communicating the history
of Turkey-Israel military cooperation to Lantos, an eminent figure
of the Jewish lobby, before the meeting with Buyukanýt.

General Buyukanýt, in an effort to garner the support of the Jewish
lobby against the Armenian bill, will attempt to persuade Lantos,
one of the eminent figures of the Jewish lobby and the US Congress,
with military agreements.

The Head of the general staff, General Yaþar Buyukanýt, will meet
with Tom Lantos, one of the eminent figures of the Jewish lobby
and the US Congress, in order to stop the Armenian bill. Lantos is
not only the head of the House of Representatives Foreign Relations
where the Armenian genocide will be discussed; but is also a major
symbol of the Congress. Lantos, regarded as the greatest defender of
Turkey in the US capital for years, had evaded the Jewish genocide
by escaping the Nazi concentration camps. However, the US deputy who
used his spiritual credit for halting Armenian genocide bills in the
US Congress did not show any determination, which worries Ankara.

–Boundary_(ID_PmrygHR0zrAySQUmsaJu5g)–

RA NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY GAINED INTERNATIONAL APPROVAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2007 18:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "On the whole, the positive outcomes of the
approbation of the draft RA National Security Strategy in the academic
association of Armenia were summed up during an open discussion of
the National Assembly.

The interdepartmental committee has considered over 700 suggestions
and compiled a product that passed a worthy professional test in
Washington, Moscow and Brussels," RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
said when commenting on the ratification of the RA National Security
Strategy to his Spokesman Seyran Shahsuvaryan. According to him,
the international recognition of the outcomes can be proved by the
publication of the document by the Harvard government school as well
as the feedback received from the U.S. Defense University, the Russian
Academy of State Service at the RF President and other experts.

"We needed a professional environment for systematic discussion of
secure and sustainable development of Armenia while the scientific
school of security is at the stage of formation in our republic. Under
such conditions we wanted to enlist guarantees of correspondence to the
world standards. It was also important to secure favorable conditions
for a balanced exchange of political messages and ideas on the whole
scope of national interests of Armenia and our security partners. These
ideas were laid in the basis of the Yerevan-Moscow-Washington-Brussels
approbation,’ the RA Defense Minister said.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union Inc.
Rita Kuyumjian MD
Chairperson
805, Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Montreal, February 10, 2007 – It is with great sadness that AGBU Montreal
announces the passing away of the great Armenian intellectual, writer, poet
and essayist and the director of its unique Armenian Studies Program, Mr.
Manuel Keusseyan.

Mr. Keusseyan was, above all, an ardent educator and teacher of new
generations of Armenians. Thousands of Armenians across the Diaspora owe
their love of the Armenian language, culture and their Armenian heritage to
the inspiration of Manuel Keusseyan who has taught and lectured in Syria,
Lebanon, Jerusalem, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Argentina, Los Angeles,
Armenia, Venice, Canada and specifically in Montreal. His teaching career
within the AGBU spanned decades in the AGBU Melkonian Educational Institute
in Nicosia and the AGBU Alex Manoogian School in Montreal. Over the past 4
years he has been the innovative director and the driving force behind the
Armenian Studies program of the AGBU Montreal chapter.

Mr. Keusseyan was the author of several volumes of literary works, as well
as hundreds of essays in the Diasporan Armenian press, he had also edited
several volumes of works of other authors. His other credits include an
expert translation for the award-winning Atom Egoyan film, "Ararat" in 2002.
For his contributions to Armenian culture, Mr. Keusseyan was awarded the
Gold Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia. He was an
Honorary Member of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Armenia. He was
invited to, and actively participated in, the three Pan-Armenian Writers’
Conferences, the first two, convened in Armenia and the third in Antelias,
Lebanon.

Mr. Keusseyan was 66 years old, and he had recently returned from an arduous
one month walking pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, in Spain. He had
lectured on the topic and the Armenian connection of this journey at the
AGBU.

The funeral viewing of Mr. Keusseyan will be held at the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral in Outremont, Montreal on Wednesday the 14th of
February, 2007 at 6 p.m. A religious ceremony will follow at 8 p.m. in the
same location.

AGBU Montreal extends its sympathy to his wife, Sirvart Zarian-Keusseyan,
his son Herag and his family, his younger son Dyrr and his sister Anahid and
to all other family members. Our deepest sympathy as well to all his
friends, students and followers around the world. Today, we bow our head in
sorrow together with all of the Diaspora.

Condolences to the AGBU and to the family of Mr. Keusseyan will be accepted
at the AGBU via email at [email protected] or directly to the
Keusseyan family at [email protected].

Rahel Ourfalian
Executive Secretary of AGBU Montreal Chapter
805 Manoogian street
St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307

SCREAMERS: SYSTEM OF A DOWN REVIEW
By Brian Tallerico

ugo.com, NY
Feb 10 2007

There are very few films that you can point to and say, "That might
actually have an impact on the world." As much as you love The
Hills Have Eyes, irradiated cannibal hillbillies aren’t really big
on inspiring cultural or political change. However, as lofty as it
sounds, Screamers is a rock documentary about the metal band System
of a Down that has the potential to foster change through education.

Ideally, knowledge leads to action and, just like the people who
go to see System of a Down in concert or listen closely to their
lyrics, the documentary about the band’s pursuit of answers about
the Armenian genocide has the potential to change the world or, at
the very least, make its citizens a little more informed. It’s not a
perfect documentary, but you won’t see many films with as important
a subject because Screamers isn’t just about the breast-flashing fans
of System of a Down, it’s about something far more intense.

The first scene of Carla Garapedian’s concert documentary defines the
title, and it’s not a reference to that drunk guy who kept yelling
"Free Bird" at the last rock show you went to. A "screamer" is someone
who has become so knowledgeable about genocide that all they can do
is scream. They have fully taken in and wrapped their head around the
unspeakable horror and, now, they need to be heard. As human beings,
we have a hard time comprehending genocide. When the news reports
that a family of four has died, we know exactly what that means and
can relate. When we hear that hundreds of thousands of people are
being massacred in Darfur, it’s hard to even know how to respond to
something that massive. Screamers isn’t didactic; it doesn’t tell
you how to respond. It just wants you to know and to ask questions.

The four members of System of a Down, the band behind such huge hits
as "Chop Suey!", "Toxicity", and "Aerials", are Armenian. In 1915,
the government of Turkey decided to eradicate the Armenian population
in their country, which led to the death of over a million people.

The genocide was never officially recognized by the global community,
with the Turks claiming that the deaths were simply World War I
causalities or had been over-exaggerated. This lack of responsibility
or recognition actually led Adolf Hitler to comment that no one
remembered the Armenians and so no one might remember the Jews he
was planning to kill. Screamers makes a solid case that lack of world
recognition or involvement in one genocide only gives people in power
the freedom to commit those same atrocities again, and that we can draw
a very solid line of consequences from Turkey to Germany all the way
through Iraq, Rwanda, and, now, the Sudan. In the documentary, lead
singer Serk Tankian and the rest of System use their music, concerts,
and influence to try and get the Armenian genocide recognized and,
through education, possibly change the course of future brutalities.

Screamers jumps back-and-forth frequently, splicing scenes from a
System of a Down concert with the band discussing their Armenian
histories and historical information about the genocide. The mix
doesn’t always work, and some of the technical direction in the concert
footage is sadly lacking. At one point, we actually go from System
playing a great song at one venue to a few minutes of "educational
footage" to the band playing the SAME song at another venue. That’s
just silly. And if you know you’re not into System of a Down’s music,
don’t bother with Screamers, because you’ll hear whole songs in their
entirety. But if you’re a fan or just a music appreciator with an
open mind, don’t be surprised if this documentary lets you learn
something while rocking out.

FACING UP TO GENOCIDE – A LETTER RECEIVED FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES
Harut Sassounian, Glendale

AZG Armenian Daily
08/02/2007

In 1975 and 1984, when the House of Representatives adopted similar
resolutions on the Armenian Genocide, and when President Reagan issued
a proclamation in 1981 referring to "the Genocide of the Armenians",
in all three instances, Turkey wisely chose not to carry out aby of
its anti-American threats. Turkey quickly realized that it needs
the US much more than the US need Turkey. If the Turkish leaders
did not keep on denying the Armenian Genocide, there would not be
need to pass such resolutions year after year. The leaders of Turkey
are foolishly trying to cover up the mass crimes committed by the
long-defunct Ottoman Empire.

They should condemn those who committed the Armenian genocide, as
German leaders today condemn the Holocaust committed by the Nazis.

ARMENIA TECHNOLOGY GROUP DISPLACING HUNGER WITH HOPE
By Warren Armstrong

ABC30.com, CA
Feb 8 2007

02/07/2007 – A Fresno based organization is responsible for replacing
hunger and despair with hope. Their efforts may have touched as many
as $1M lives in Armenia.

That’s more than 2,7000 tons of wheat grain being unloaded. From the
heartland of America, to the middle of a frigid rail yard in Armenia.

A Fresno-based non-profit organization, the Armenian Technology Group,
or ATG, is responsible for this shipment of surplus US wheat.

Der Simonian says, "The whole intent is to definitely put bread on
the table."

Der Simonian is the Executive Director of the Armenian Technology
Group. Fresno native, the late Art Hazarabedian, founded ATG
seventeen years ago. His goal, guiding the Armenian people to Food
and Agricultural self-sufficiency. That’s not as easy as it sounds.

Der Simonian says, "In this region you see here — is mainly your
food basket of Armenia."

But the basket was nearly empty by the late 1980’s. War, earthquakes,
and the collapse of the Soviet Union destroyed most Armenian farm
land. A short growing season in high altitude and rocky terrain
didn’t help.

"Now, all of sudden .. here’s a country of almost four million people
with nothing to eat, " says Der Simonian.

Hunger and unemployment spread across the country.

The Fresno group stepped in to help, but not with hand outs. First,
they helped bring life back to the barren fields. Then, ATG taught
Armenian farmers ag skills they could use to make a living — and
pass on.

Der Simonian says, "The idea was to empower them to feed their own
families."

ATG showed them how to become self reliant through several projects,
from growing American wheat seed to resurrecting the Armenian wine
industry using thousands of plants from Visalia.

Bernard Guekguezian of Pilgrim Armenian Church says, "This system
created a lot of responsible people toward their own."

Those results have this Fresno minister and his congregation putting
their financial backing and blessing behind the ATG projects in
Armenia. Guekguezian says, "We had nothing and God blessed us here
and therefore we have to do our share for our people."

On a bike trip last summer through Armenia, ATG members witnessed
their accomplishments in the fields, businesses, and homes.A few of
the hundreds of thousands of people they helped shared something
special with them. They ate bread made from flour milled from the
wheat grain and drank wine from new vineyards full of fruit.

Grants, a bike-a-thon, and donations from individuals and private
foundations fund the efforts of the Armenian Technology Group.

Their next projects in Armenia, include establishing a diagnostic lab
for infectious disease and building a cold storage packing facility,
like you’d find here in the Valley.

You can find out more by visiting their website: atgusa.org

PROBLEMS LIKE KARABAKH CONFLICT DO NOT HAVE OBVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.02.2007 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I think problems like the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
do not have obvious solutions as in game of chess. Someone has leaded
it up a blind alley.

And even if a grand master is invited he also will not be able to find
a solution," stated world famous scientist, Professor of Physics at
the University of Maryland Roald Sagdeev in Baku. In his opinion,
in order to solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict it is important
to create a multilateral format with the participation of U.S.A.,
the European Union, Russia, Kazakhstan and others. "Only in case of
such joint efforts it is possible to influence on the solution of
the conflict," he said, ‘Trend’ reports.

FIXED PAYMENTS INCREASE BY 16.3% IN ARMENIA IN 2006

Noyan Tapan
Feb 06 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The total amount of fixed payments
from various kinds of activity made over 15.1 bln drams (aout 36.3 mln
USD) in Armenia in 2006, which made up 4.1% of the RA state budget’s
tax revenues.

According to the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy, fixed payments
increased by 16.3% or 2.1 bln drams compared with the previous
year. This growth was mainly conditioned by an increase in payments
for setting up gas filling stations, public catering and trade points
and transportation activity.

In the year under review, state budgetary revenues from simplified
tax amounted to 7.7 bln drams, which made up 2.1% of the tax
revenues. Simplified tax revenues grew by 13.8% or 929.2 mln drams
in 2006 on 2005.

In 2006, the state budgetary revenues from other taxes made 17.3
bln drams.

Particularly, nature use and environmental protection payments amounted
to 11.7 ln drams, road payments – to 2.6 bln drams, fines for violation
of the tax legislation – to 2.5 bln drams. Other taxes increased by
82.4% or about 7.8 bln drams on the previous year, which was mainly
conditioned by an increase in nature use and environmental protection
payments and fines for violation of the tax legislation. At the same
time, the total amount of road payments decreased.