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09/22/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Reps. Eshoo and Sweeney Urge House Colleagues to Call for a Vote on the Armenian Genocide 2) 13th Anniversary Independence Celebrations 3) Garamendi Appoints Members of Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board 4) Conference Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Lebanon ARF Zavarian Student Association 5) Georgia President Suggests Stage-By-Stage Settlement Plan 1) Reps. Eshoo and Sweeney Urge House Colleagues to Call for a Vote on the Armenian Genocide --Support Continues to Grow for Congressional Letter to Speaker Hastert in Support of the Schiff Amendment and H.Res.193 WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--New York Republican John Sweeney and California Democrat Anna Eshoo have joined together in the effort encouraging their Congressional colleagues to cosign a letter to Speaker Hastert urging him to maintain the Schiff amendment in the House Foreign aid bill and schedule a vote on the Genocide Resolution. The letter currently has over 60 signatories and support continues to grow in the days leading up to the House and Senate conference to finalize the FY 2005 foreign aid bill. In a letter to House Members, Reps. Eshoo and Sweeney, both of Armenian descent, explained: "Under the Ottoman Empire, nearly two million Armenians who were living in Eastern Anatolia were deported from their homes. Of the two million deportees, only 500,000 survived this ordeal. The historical record is clear. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from their historical homeland where they had lived for over two thousand years. H.Res.193 reaffirmed our nation's commitment to the noble aims of the Genocide Convention, and urges the American people to learn from the lessons of past genocides in order to help prevent future crimes against humanity." The Schiff Amendment, spearheaded by California Democrat Adam Schiff, was unanimously adopted by the House in a voice vote, during discussions of the FY 2005 foreign aid bill. The legislation would bar the Turkish government from using US foreign aid funds for lobbying against the Genocide Resolution. Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) immediately denounced the measure in a harshly worded press release placed on the front page of the House Speaker's website, citing concerns about its effects on US-Turkey relations and pledging to remove the language from the final foreign aid bill. Following the Speaker's announced opposition to the measure, more than a dozen national grassroots Armenian American organizations cosigned a letter to the House leader, voicing the community's unequivocal opposition to efforts to reverse the Schiff Amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Foreign Operations bill, and expressing the community's "great dismay with your public statement against holding a vote on the Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193." The organizations that signed the community-wide letter were the ANCA, the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church--Eastern and Western US, the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church--Eastern and Western US, the Armenian Missionary Association of America, and the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics, as well as the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, United Armenian Fund, Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Bar Association, National Organization of Republican Armenians, Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen--Armenian General Athletic Union, and Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Association. Reps. George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) introduced the Genocide resolution (H.Res.193) in April, 2003. The legislation (H.Res.193) was unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary Committee in May of that year and currently has 111 cosponsors. Similar legislation in the Senate (S.Res.164) has over 40 cosponsors. 2) 13th Anniversary Independence Celebrations YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Armenia's President Kocharian kicked-off official ceremonies marking Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union, by visiting the Yerablur military cemetery in Yerevan where hundreds of Armenians killed during the war with Azerbaijan are buried. "Today's Armenia is an established state with a pronounced commitment to deeper economic reforms, democratic transformation and international engagement," Kocharian told government officials, foreign diplomats, and other dignitaries attending an official reception later in the day. The holiday marks the September 21, 1991 referendum in which 94.99% of Armenians voted in favor of secession from the Soviet Union, just months before its collapse. In separate messages to President Robert Kocharian, the presidents of the United States and Russia pledged to strengthen their relations with Armenia US President George W. Bush described Armenia as a "major partner" of the United States, according to Kocharian's office. "The United States will work hard to assist the government and the people of Armenia in achieving economic growth, strengthening democratic institutions and resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Bush was quoted as saying. "I expect that cooperation between our nations and the very friendly ties between our peoples will be further reinforced." "I am particularly thankful for Armenia's important anti-terrorist support for the United States," he said. Armenia opened its airspace for the US military aircraft following the September 11 terrorist attacks. "I am convinced that a further deepening of the Russian-Armenian strategic partnership is in tune with the fundamental interests of our countries and plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the Caucasus," read Russia's President Vladimir Putin letter cited by the Armenian presidential press service. 3) Garamendi Appoints Members of Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board LOS ANGELES (Insurance Journal)--Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has announced three appointments to the Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board, created to oversee the settlement of claims against New York Life Insurance Company as directed in the settlement of a class-action lawsuit on behalf of heirs and descendants of policyholders who were killed during the Armenian genocide more than 90 years ago. The board members, Viken Manjikian, Paul Krekorian, and Berj Boyajian, will evaluate claims and determine which are to be paid pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement. The board's decisions will be final with no right of appeal. "I am honored to appoint these three accomplished, capable and fair individuals who will further the pursuit of justice for heirs and descendants of victims of the Armenian genocide," Commissioner Garamendi said. "This is an important step to help bring closure to the victims and their families." Early this year, Garamendi secured a $20 million fund to help finance the payment of claims in the case. At least $3 million of that amount will be put into the "Unclaimed/Heirless Fund," which will be contributed to court-approved charitable organizations--as set forth in the settlement agreement--whose activities advance the Court-approved charitable interests of the Armenian community. Manjikian, of Lancaster, is Director of Inpatient and Emergency Radiology, and Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Antelope Valley Hospital. He has extensive credentials in the field of radiology and earned his medical and undergraduate degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles. Boyajian, of Beverly Hills, operates Boyajian and Associates in Los Angeles. His practice specializes in business and toxic torts, and he has extensive experience in litigation on behalf of individuals and workers exposed to toxic substances. Krekorian, of Burbank, is a founding partner of the law firm Fisher & Krekorian in Los Angeles. His practice specializes in representation of business, charitable organizations and individuals in matters involving trademark, copyright and commercial disputes. Potential claimants in the Armenian genocide case have been informed via Notice by the Court and published statewide. The Department of Insurance consumer hotline will also be able to direct potential claimants to the settlement Web site. Or, call the Department's hotline at 800-927-HELP (800-927-4357). 4) Conference Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Lebanon ARF Zavarian Student Association BEIRUT--A five-day pan-Armenian student conference commenced on September 20 in Beirut, Lebanon, in celebration of the ARF Zavarian Student Association's (ZSA) 100th anniversary. Representatives of various youth and student organizations from Armenia, Mountainous Karabagh Republic, Javakhk, Russia, Iran, Iraq, France, Canada, Germany, Greece, the US, Syria, and Lebanon are taking part in the before mentioned conference gathered for the opening ceremony on September 20 at the Aghpalian Sports and Cultural Center. In his address, ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian said that students must view the homeland and diaspora as one entity--the combined strength of which can be coordinated and utilized to the benefit of its people. A congratulatory letter from the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) was read, and the ceremony ended with a documentary on ZSA founder Simon Zavarian. The conference, "Armenian Students Facing Challenges of The 21st Century," will run through September 25, allowing students the opportunity to strengthen mutual relations and exchange ideas and experiences in facing challenges of the 21st century. Participants will also examine their roles in the context of realities Armenians throughout the world face. The conference will address the following topics: The Armenian cause in light of the presence of the Armenian Republic; the integration of the Armenian Republic in the European Union: advantages and disadvantages; Globalization and the problems facing the Armenian Republic; the meaning of mutual relations between Armenia and the diaspora and respective roles (diaspora in promoting the development of the Armenian Republic and Armenia's role in maintaining the liveliness of diaspora); students and the Armenian national heritage preservation (emigration, assimilation); the current situation and mission of Armenian students living in Armenia or in the diaspora. For more information, contact: [email protected] or [email protected]. 5) Georgia President Suggests Stage-By-Stage Settlement Plan UNITED NATIONS (Itar-Tass)--Speaking at the 59th UN General Assembly session on Tuesday, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili presented a stage-by-stage plan of settling the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts. The first stage of the plan would include concrete confidence-building measures--specifically the exchange of people and goods, joint economic projects, and the restoration of the right of displaced persons to return home. The second stage, he said, provides for material guarantees of the dismantling of military bases, demilitarization, internationalization of peacekeeping efforts, as well as international monitoring aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement. According to Saakashvili, the third stage includes the granting of the broadest possible autonomy to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which would ensure "the protection of their culture and language, local government, fiscal control" and equal participation in the settlement of all problems, which fall under the jurisdiction of the national government. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 22 2004
ARMENIA TO SEND DOCTORS & ENGINEERS TO IRAQ: FOREIGN MINISTER
YEREVAN, September 22 (RIA Novosti’s Hamlet Matevosyan) – Armenia is
willing to send military doctors and engineers to Iraq-but not before
parliament debates and approves the prospect, Vardan Oskanyan,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, said to the media.
Presidents Robert Kocharyan of Armenia and Aleksander Kwasniewski of
Poland signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement, September
6. It envisages an Armenian contingent of fifty-doctors, engineers
and drivers-dispatched to Iraq toward this year’s end or early next
year, to join Polish-commanded coalition troops.
The Armenian government determined to have a contingent in Iraq as
“Armenia feels part and parcel of Europe, however small and remote
from [a greater part of] Europe it may be,” said Serge Sarkisyan,
Defence Minister.
The Communist and Democratic parties are offering bitter opposition,
and qualify the prospect as “a dangerous headlong move”.
The government decision clashes with Armenia’s national interests and
undermines its security. Endangered the worst will be a 25,000 strong
Armenian ethnic community in Iraq, and all ethnic Armenians resident
in other Muslim countries, argue Democrats.
The Dashnaktsutyun political party, on the coalition in office, is
also alarmed with the decision to have an Armenian contingent in
Iraq.
The Armenian-Polish agreement is now for the National Assembly,
Armenian parliament, to ratify. The chance to dispatch peacekeepers
will soon come up for debates, says Speaker Arthur Bagdasaryan. The
matter concerns only a small force-by no means a large contingent, he
reassures.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 22 2004
ARMENIA DISSATISFIED WITH PACE REPORT ON NAGORNY KARABAKH
YEREVAN, September 22 (RIA Novosti) – Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan has expressed dissatisfaction over the report on
Nagorny Karabakh delivered by Terry Davis, ex-Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) reporter on Nagorny Karabakh.
“It is unacceptable for Armenia,” Mr Oskanyan told pressmen.
The minister does not believe either that the new PACE reporter,
David Atkinson of Britain, will be unbiased. Mr Oskanyan said he was
aware of Britain’s position on territorial integrity issues.
“The ex-rapporteur’s report shall be seen merely as a viewpoint that
is not legally binding and is not fraught with any consequences,”
Tigran Torosyan, Armenian Parliament Vice-Speaker, said in earlier
remarks on Mr Davis’ report. Mr Torosyan noted that terms like
“ethnic cleansing” had appeared in the report. However, he complained
that they were applied equally in relation to Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Besides, the report acknowledges Azerbaijan and Armenia’s equal
rights to territorial integrity and national self-determination.
Mr Torosyan said the phrase “A major part of Azerbaijan’s territory
is so far occupied by Armenia and the separatist forces are
continuing to maintain control over the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh”
was absolutely unacceptable for Armenia.
Armenia believes the only positive provision in the report is the one
reading that the Azerbaijani authorities have been invited to
establish contacts with the republic’s forces for discussing its
status in the future.
Terry Davis, who led the British delegation at PACE and the
organisation’s socialist faction, was appointed reporter on Nagorny
Karabakh at the summer session in 2002. In June 2004, Mr Davis was
elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe. His report on
Karabakh was heard at the PACE Political Council’s meeting in Paris
on September 14. British deputy David Atkinson was elected new
reporter on the Krabakh problem on the same day.
Mr Atkinson has already announced an intention to meet all parties to
the conflict. However, it is not immediately clear when his visit to
the region will take place.

Deutsche Welle, Germany
Sept 22 2004
Prodi Urges Turkey to Reopen Armenian Border

During an official visit this week to Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia, Romano Prodi, head of the European Commission, said Ankara
must reopen its border with Armenia as a condition for eventual
membership. “Personally, I do not like that the Armenian-Turkish
border gate is closed,” he said, according to Armenia’s Medimax news
agency. “I do not exclude that the issue of closed borders could be
one of the preconditions for Turkey’s membership.” It was the first
time an EU official linked the border situation to accession talks.
Turkey closed its gate with Armenia and severed its diplomatic ties a
decade ago, in protest of Armenia’s occupation of the Azeri territory
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004
DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAYS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BASED ON
HUMAN RIGHTS RESPECT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Deputy parliament chairman
Tigran Torosian praised today the working Constitution, passed in
1995, saying it has contributed significantly to the democracy
development and establishment of government institutions, but added
that it has some shortcoming constraining the country’s progress,
which he said result from Armenia’s scanty experience in
constitutional right and practice back in 1995.
He said the expected constitutional amendments, proposed by the
ruling majority, are based on constitutional guarantees ensuring the
citizens’ right to exercise their freedoms. He also emphasized a
clause in the draft constitution that empowers the legislature with
the right to elect the human rights defender, vesting him or her with
the power to address to the Constitutional Court for protection of
citizens’ rights.
Another important clause, according to Torosian are a chain of
amendments aimed to reform the judicial system, under which the
Justice Council, headed now by the president of the country, will be
immune from the executive power’s influence. Under the clause the
Council will be headed by one of its members.
The deputy parliament chairman also said the package of amendments
seeks to create a balance among power branches. Some other changes
are expected also to introduce more clarity in respect to local
self-management bodies. Another draft amendment would allow the
parliament to endorse or reject a prime minister nominated by the
president, but the latter would be empowered to dissolve it if his
candidacies are rejected by lawmakers for three consecutive times.
Torosian said two other packages of alternative constitutional
reforms, proposed by Arshak Sadoyan and the United Labor Party will
be also discussed in the parliament. He said the conclusion of the
Council of Europe Venice Commission on the amendments, designed by
the majority, will arrive in early October.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004
RESPONSIBILITY FOR KARABAGH RESOLUTION LIES WITH ARMENIA AND
AZERBAIJAN, US MINSK GROUP CHAIRMAN SAYS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: In a Monday interview with the
Russian Service of the BBC, Steven Mann, the US cochairman of the
OSCE Minsk Group, said both Armenia and Azerbaijan are experiencing
now a bigger domestic stability, giving the Minsk Group a good
opportunity to resume the conflict’s scrutiny.
According to Mann, after presidential elections in both countries
there are now all possibilities for resuming talks. In response to a
question about the existence of political will in both capitals, Mann
said the Group met with Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev
of Azerbaijan on the sidelines of a CIS summit in Kazakhstan to try
to assess it.
“We are telling both sides that the time is not on their side and
the longer the resolution is protracted the worse,” he said,
explaining that Armenia it is being left out of virtually all
regional projects. “New pipelines, highways and railways are being
built detouring Armenia and depriving it of possible economic
benefits. The country is paying a big cost for maintaining its army,’
he said.
“As to Azerbaijan, a significant portion of its land is under
occupation and there is almost a million of refugees and displaced
persons and the longer the conflict drags on the more chances that it
will transform into a constant state of affairs that does not suit
this country,” Mann said.
According to him, there are two more negative aspects of the
conflict. The first is that a generation of young men and women is
growing in both countries looking at the opposite side as an enemy
and the second is that the stalemate situation promotes development
of radical feelings. “The longer the absence of progress the more are
chances for radicals to come to power in 5, 10 or 15 years,” he said.
Steven Mann then called on political leaders in both countries,
including also the opposition, to unite efforts for legitimizing the
idea of negotiations, the idea of a compromised solution and to
encourage dialogue, which he said is in the strategic interests of
all the sides.
In conclusion Mann said the Minsk Group is not mandated to impose
a resolution , neither to act a judge between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
but to create an environment in which both sides could conduct
serious peace talks and help them to arrive at a mutually acceptable
peace formula. “The responsibility for the conflict solution lies
with Armenia and Azerbaijan and this fundamental approach cannot be
dodged ,” he said, adding that the governments of Russia, France and
USA, the Minsk Group cochairmen countries, are genuinely interested
in the regulation of the conflict. “We shall do everything in our
power to support the final decision of the sides,” he said.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004
NO UNBIASED COVERAGE OF POLITICAL ISSUES IN MEDIA, YEREVAN PRESS CLUB
SAYS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The Yerevan Press Club and
Partnership for Open Society, a union of several non-governmental
organizations, decided not to give their annual award for unbiased
coverage of political issues in Armenia’s mass media, saying a
scrutinized study of related stories by the jury found none.
A website at was awarded the prize for the most
operative dissemination of information. Photo-journalists Hakob
Berberian was awarded the prize for elucidation of social problems of
Armenians.
A RFE/RL correspondent was awarded the prize for the best coverage
of economic issues and Hranush Hakobian, a chairwoman of a parliament
committee on science, education and youth issues was awarded the
prize for effective and transparent cooperation with reporters.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004
ARMENIAN COMPANY AWARDED QUALITY STAR
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Lyudmila and Hamazasp
Harutunians, a couple from the town of Hrazdan, who established and
run Vordi Armen company, have been invited by Quality Stars
international convention to participate in its annual October 11
presentation in Paris.
Vordi Armen was one of 70 companies worldwide competing for the
Quality Star. Alfonso Kassale, the president of Quality Stars, said
in the invitation letter that awarding the Quality Star to the
Armenian company is a good opportunity for it to compete in the
international market and find new partners.
Vordi Armen produces dairy products and is able to process daily
around 5 tons of milk, which it buys from farmers who have 2-3 cows.
The company was founded with the help of the US Department of
Agriculture Armenia office.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004
ARMENIA HOSTS COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN TOP-LEVEL DOMAIN REGISTERS SUMMIT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The summit of Council of
European Top-Level Domain Registers (CENTR) was held in Yerevan on
Sept 21-22. The Armenian Internet Union hosted top level managers of
33 Internet Domains from 55 countries. Some 95 percent of domains are
registered members of CENTR.
Speaking at a wrapping-up conference, the chairman of the
executive committee of CENTR mentioned that the 23-rd Yerevan summit
was devoted to reduction of risks in national domain management. The
German representative of the Council has suggested that national
domain reserve servers be located in Germany, saying Germany is ready
to serve them free of charge.
Speaking on internet management opportunities in Armenia, the
chairman of the Council, Giovanni Sepiani, noted that high-level
infrastructures are operating in Armenia. He said using the European
experience here will be very lucrative for Armenia. To improve the
domain, Armenia may be involved in European Union special grant
programs which are open to non-EU countries.
Armenian Internet Union has registered 4,500 domain thus far while
in newly EU member Lithuania has 22,000 and Germany – 8 mln domains.
According to Internet Union chairman Igor Mkrtumian, the low number
of domains in Armenia may be explained first of all by Armentel’s a
monopoly on information transmission.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Students’ Association
Email: [email protected]
NYC: Vartges Saroyan,
Boston: Dzovinar Derderian
NEW YORK, NY – The Armenian Students’ Association in cooperation with the
NYU Armenian Club and The Tufts University Armenian Club will host a series
of lecture/discussion events with Mr. Hilmar Kaiser.
The first event will take place on NYU campus in New York at the Kimmel
Center, Room 406 (on Washington Square Park). The discussion will be held
on Thursday, September 30, 2004. The event is to start at 7:00 PM sharp.
Admission is free for ALL.
The second event will be held on Tufts University Campus at Medford, MA
Eaton Hall, Room 206 on Thursday, October 7, 2004. The event is to start at
8:00 P.M. sharp. Admission is free for ALL
Mr. Kaiser, a well-known German researcher of Ottoman and German history
with special emphasis on the Armenian Genocide, as well as late Ottoman
social and economic history, will talk to the ASA guests on the topic of
`Armenian Children and Relief during the Genocide’.
The destruction of the Armenian community during the Genocide did not
necessarily imply the killing of all Armenians. Instead, under certain
circumstances, some, specifically, specific groups of Armenian children,
were spared. Help from abroad also played a crucial role for survival. U.S.
ambassadors Henry Morgenthau and Abram Elkus were instrumental in organizing
and sustaining popular support for the relief work carried out during that
time.
After the war, Morgenthau’s memoirs became a key source for historians. The
memoirs of Elkus, however, remained unknown. The lecture will introduce the
newly discovered and published memoirs of Elkus and place them within the
context of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, on the basis of secret Ottoman
orders, missionary records, and other evidence, the lecture will show the
various dynamics that determined the survival or death of Armenian children.
Photographs taken by eyewitnesses provide further information on the
prevailing conditions during the genocide and the complexity of the
phenomenon.
Some of the past and current topics of Mr. Kaiser’s research include:
`Imperialism, Racism, and Development Theories. The Construction of a
Dominant Paradigm on Ottoman Armenians’ (published by Gomidas Institute);
`The Baghdad Railway and the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1916. A Case Study in
German Resistance and Complicity, in, Remembrance and Denial. The Case of
the Armenian Genocide’ (edited by Professor Richard Hovannisian) and many
more.
Mr. Kaiser is a founding member of the Committee for the Publication of
Italian Documents on Armenia; holds a position of consultant and researcher
at Armenian Film Foundation; and serves on the Board of the Center for
Contemporary Armenian History in Paris, France.
Both events are co-sponsored by the Armenian Students’ Association branches
in New York / New Jersey / Boston and above mentioned university clubs. The
Armenian Students’ Association is a voluntary organization presenting
lectures, cultural events and social gatherings. A portion of all proceeds
will be contributed to the ASA Scholarship Fund, which grants financial aid
to college students of Armenian descent in the United States.
For information about the event and ASA or information on how to join a
university Armenian club please visit our web page at