Category: News

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
July 9, 2004, Friday
NATO: MOVING FROM THE BALTIC STATES TO THE CAUCASUS
SOURCE: Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie, No. 25, July 9-15, 2004, pp.
1, 3
by Colonel Anatoly Tsyganok, Professor of the Academy of Military
Sciences
The latest NATO summit ended in Istanbul on June 29. The major issues
on the agenda were as follows: Iraq (how efforts can be pooled),
Afghanistan (how military might can be boosted), the Balkans (how to
have the European Union take over), and the preliminary results of
NATO expansion. The Russia-NATO Council met within the framework of
the summit. The meeting but enumerated the problems accumulated
between the partners without so much as an attempts to solve them.
Solution to the problem was postponed. The problems will be handled
on a different level at a different time.
As for Iraq, Washington and London demanded deployment of NATO troops
there. Leaders of France, Germany, and Turkey refused to have the
issue phrased in this manner, and participation in the coalition in
Iraq was left up to the individual countries, something every NATO
member state is to decide for itself. Neither did the summit support
the United States in the matter of training specialists for the Iraqi
army. In other words, tension and discord within the Alliance
remained a hard fact of life.
The summit voted to increase the NATO contingent in Afghanistan from
6,500 to 10,000. There are additional reports, however, indicating
that Washington intends to up its contingents attached to Central
Asian bases by 12,000 servicemen who are to be withdrawn from South
Korea.
The summit supported the assumption that NATO leaders still regard
Russia as a sort of “truncated USSR” even despite the almost 11 years
since the “Russian bourgeois revolution” of October 1993. The
impression is that documents for every new summit are prepared on the
basis of hopelessly outdated instructions.
NATO neophytes – the Baltic states particularly – are fast learners
and as such get the message. That is why Russia’s suggestions
concerning the adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty
were not noticed by NATO leaders. On the other hand, had the Duma
ratified the document, say, half a year before the summit and not on
the eve of it, it would have enabled Russia to maneuver before the
summit and given it an ace for negotiations at the summit itself.
NATO leaders were quite tough and adamant on the subject of
withdrawing Russian troops from Georgia and Moldova. Moscow was
strongly recommended to keep its promises to the OSCE summit in
Istanbul. Moreover, ratification of the modified Treaty on
Conventional Arms in Europe was tied in with Russian withdrawal
commitments. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called this approach
incorrect because “political agreements did not set the deadline.”
Moreover, these days there are new threats and challenges on the
southern borders of the Russian Federation, the ones that were absent
in the past. The matter concerns the possibility of missile launches
from the Iranian direction and expansion of the Islamic terrorism.
That is why interests of national security in the direction of the
Caucasus require Russian military presence in the region and a
considerable reinforcement of the antiaircraft defense component.
Deployment of new antiaircraft defense units in Armenia became the
first step in this direction.
It should be noted that the speech of President Mikhail Saakashvili
of Georgia at the summit was quite composed. Georgia (and other
countries of the Caucasus, it stands to reason to assume) understands
that in a potential conflict with Iran Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Baku
will find their only and powerful ally precisely in Russia.
Moscow confirmed its participation in counter-terrorism operation
Active Effort in the Mediterranean where it will be presented by two
or three ships of the Black Sea Fleet.
The summit decided to begin preparations to the membership of the
Balkans countries in the Alliance and to pay more attention to the
countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia where cooperation and
contacts were to be advanced. “Countries of the region strive for
rapprochement with the Euroatlantic structures,” NATO General
Secretary Jaap de Hoof Scheffer said. “Still, doing something behind
the back of Russia, our closest partner, will be stupid and unfair.”
In fact, similar statements were made in Brussels once when the
Alliance was preparing its expansion into the Baltic states. It
doesn’t take a genius therefore to guess what degree of importance
Moscow attaches to statements of this sort. “NATO still relies on
instructions concerning defense of its members more than on real
joint estimates of security in this or that region,” Lavrov said.
It is reasonable to assume that in the Caucasus and Central Asia the
Alliance will follow the scenario already tested in the Baltic
states. Prior to expansion into the Baltic states, NATO built three
radars there and linked the installations to the existing air control
system. It enabled NATO to monitor craft and launches in north-west
Russia. That done, the Alliance modernized the airfield near Siauliaj
in Lithuania. These days, it is the base of four Danish aircraft
patrolling borders of the Baltic states. Now that Scheffer mentioned
construction of “three bridges” (in the Mediterranean region,
Caucasus, Central Asia), it stands to reason to expect appearance of
several radar installations on the territories of these countries.
AWACS flights are not to be ruled out either – “for air corridor
protection,” of course.
It is clear that the Alliance needs all these “bridge-building” to
consolidate its military presence and, also importantly, to protect
its economic presence in the mentioned regions. This is NATO’s way of
showing to its future members (whose leaders attended the Istanbul
summit as guests) that their interests will be protected in the
course of preparations for membership.
Russia suggested closer cooperation between NATO and the Organization
of the CIS Collective Security Treaty and a collective security
concept for the Persian Gulf. In fact, it could have done better than
that. For example, it could have suggested a joint operation against
drugs in Afghanistan (within the framework of the counter-terrorism
operation there) and Central Asia to destroy poppy fields,
laboratories, and storage facilities there. Particularly since the
US-NATO contingents control the territory in Afghanistan
approximately equalling what the Soviet Army controlled in the 1980s.
Left to their own devices, neither NATO nor the Americans alone can
handle the worst threat to Europe and the world – production and
export of heavy drugs like heroin. Most poppy fields are in the
northern and central Afghanistan, the regions that do not recognize
the authorities in Kabul and where there are no foreign military
contingents. Scheffer says that more helicopters are needed for the
contingent in Afghanistan. The threat posed by drugs may be abated
only by joint effort of Russia, the United States, NATO, and their
allies in the anti-Taliban coalition.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 9, 2004, Friday
SOURCE: Novye Izvestia, July 7, 2004, p. 4
by Oleg Kasimov
MOSCOW IS NOT TO BE PASSED OVER BY TURKEY AS THE MAJOR MEDIATOR IN
THE ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
His negotiations with Armenian opposite number Vardan Oskanjan over,
Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov announced that Moscow was
not to be passed over by Turkey as the major go-between in the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
“Russia may become guarantor of the mutually acceptable agreement,”
Lavrov said receiving Oskanjan in Moscow (this was his first official
visit to the capital of Russia). Lavrov emphasized as well that
Armenia remains Russia’s major military-political ally in the
Caucasus.
Lavrov’s statements are supposed to cool down politicians in Ankara
and NATO strategists who tried to seize the initiative in settlement
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict at the recent NATO summit in
Istanbul. Official Yerevan in the meantime did not object to the
signals from Istanbul. “Turkey may become a link connecting the
Caucasus and Europe,” Oskanjan said. “This is the only NATO country
bordering on all three republics of the southern part of the
Caucasus.”
The Kremlin is aware of the advances towards NATO made by Armenia, a
member of the CIS Collective Security Treaty. Yerevan agreed to
participate in the NATO exercise in Azerbaijan this autumn and
suggested the territory of Armenia for Exercise Cooperative
Associate’2005.
The negotiations between Lavrov and Oskanjan became a warning to Baku
as well. Foreign minister of Russia pointed out the absence of
“alternatives to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.”
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev frequently says lately that
“Azerbaijan’s patience is running out” and that “Azerbaijan does not
rule out a military solution to the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh.” The
Kremlin sends a message that Russia keeps the military situation in
the region in check and will not permit the existing parity being
wrecked.

Azerbaijan investigates officer’s disappearance
BAKU (AFP)
Jul 09, 2004
Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said on Friday it was looking into the
whereabouts of one of its senior officers, who was reported to have
applied for political asylum while studying on a NATO course in
Belgium. Unconfirmed reports in the local media say that Lieutenant
Colonel Firuz Gassymov went absent without leave from his course in
Brussels and approached an unnamed foreign embassy to ask for asylum.
Defence ministry spokesman Ramiz Melikov declined to confirm the
reports but said: “Things are unclear at the moment. We are conducting
an investigation.”

If the reports are confirmed, it will be a serious embarassment for
Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet republic which prides itself on
the strength of its armed forces. But it is not the first time that
the military has created awkward moments for the country’s leaders.
Last year, almost the entire student faculty at Azerbaijan’s most
prestigious military academy went absent without leave in protest at
their living conditions. And earlier this year, an Azeri officer on a
NATO course in Hungary was charged with murder after an Armenian
officer studying alongside him was hacked to death with an axe as he
slept. The Azeri officer is now in jail in Budapest awaiting trial.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war in the early 1990s over the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a dispute which is still unresolved.
_Agence France-Presse_ () .

ARKA News Agency
July 9 2004
Armenian population is not well informed on acting legislation of the
country – the Chairman of Asparez Club
Catholicos of All Armenians receives Minister of Internal Affairs of
Byelorussia
State Committee of Water Handling Facilities plans to collect about
AMD 4 bln for irrigation water consumption by the end of this year
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN POPULATION IS NOT WELL INFORMED ON ACTING LEGISLATION OF THE
COUNTRY – THE CHAIRMAN OF ASPAREZ CLUB
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. Armenian population is not well informed on
acting legislation of the country, the Chairman of Asparez Club Levon
Barsegian stated today. According to him, last 5 months, organization
conducted program on familiarization and education of population in
two regions of Armenia – Lori and Shirak (4 cities – Gyumri,
Vanadzor, Stepanavan and Alaverdi). In the frames of the programs,
some activities were held in the regions – seminars, TV debates, TV
reels considering the laws passed in the country, namely the law on
ombudsman, on freedom of information, on mass information, on public
organizations, on bodies of local self-government. `In result we
discovered that the citizens not only not familiar with the laws, but
even have no idea about functions of ombudsman for example’,
Barsegian said. `We think it is time to increase the role of
publicity in the processes of democratization of the country’,
Barsegian said.
The club operates at the territory of Gyumri for about 4 years. In
the beginning of 2004 the Club received grant from Open Society
Institute Assistance Fund in amount of $13.4 thousand and invested
additional $3.6 thousand of own assets. On these assets the Club
realized program on familiarization and education of population in
Lori and Shirak. L.D. –0–
*********************************************************************
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF
BYELORUSSIA
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness
Garegin II received Minister of Internal Affairs of Byelorussia
Vladimir Naumov and the Hayk Hariyunyan. As Holy See of St.
Echmiadzin , during the meeting the Head of Armenian Apostolic Church
mentioned the centuries-old ties of Armenian and Byelorussian peoples
highly appreciating the spirit of partnership between two Ministers.
Garegin II also touched upon the issue of interaction of the Church
and the State, introducing the guest with the mission of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. As it is mentioned in the press release, the Head
of the Armenian Apostolic Church asked Naumov to send his greetings
and warm wishes to the Patriarchal Exarch of All Byelorussia
Metropolitan Philaret. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
STATE COMMITTEE OF WATER HANDLING FACILITIES PLANS TO COLLECT ABOUT
AMD 4 BLN FOR IRRIGATION WATER CONSUMPTION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, July 9. /ARKA/. By the end of this year the State Committee
of Water Handling Facilities plans to collect AMD 3,5-4 mln for
irrigation water consumption, as stated Andranik Andreasyan, the Head
of State Committee of Water Handling Facilities at today’s
press-conference. He said that the total collection related to
irrigation system made 60% or AMD 2,1 bln for last year and mentioned
that the collection indicator made AMD 420 mln as of July 1, 2004
given the average tariffs of irrigation water, which corresponds to
the indicator of last year. He also said that the collection volume
will increase abruptly in coming days and months. In particular, the
expectations are connected with the farmers’ profit gained from the
realization of grain crop, which will allow making payments for
irrigation. Andreasyan informed that institutional changes are
carried out in the irrigation system and mentioned that 54
organizations-consumers are involved in the system, against the 18
organizations of last year.
The bill receivables make AMD 4,5 bln in the system of water industry
of Armenia, of which AMD 3 bln are due to irrigation water
consumption and AMD 1,5 bln – for drinking water. L.V. –0–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/09/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1. Demonstration Planned Against Turkish Prime Minister in Paris 2. Youth Priority in ARF CC and Archbishop Mardirossian Meeting 3. South Ossetia Releases Georgian Peacekeepers 4. OSCE Accused of Meddling in Armenia's Affairs 5. 'Armenians for Kerry' House Parties Across The Nation 6. A Year in The Life of Rose Alex Pilibos School 7. Glendale ANC, Community Leaders Welcome New GUSD Superintendent Escalante 8. Art Exhibit A LIGHT WITHIN 9. Five Armenian Chess-Players Rank Among FIDE's Top 100 List 1. Demonstration Planned Against Turkish Prime Minister in Paris Organized By ARF And ADL of France, with Support of French-Armenian Coordinating Council PARIS (Gamkonline)--In view of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to France, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Armenian Democratic League (Ramgavar party) have called on French Armenians to participate in a mass demonstration against Turkeys' genocidal and denialist policies, on Tuesday, July 20, at Place du Trocadero (Human Rights Square) in Paris. In their announcement of the demonstration, the organized stated that the undertaking has the support of the Paris and Rhône-Alpes French-Armenian Coordinating Council as well as the Representative Council of Marseilles Armenian Associations. Prime Minister Erdogan will be in Paris July 19-20, after visiting Germany and Holland, in an attempt to secure France's support in December 2004 for beginning talks regarding Turkey's accession to the European Union. "At a time when French public opinion is negatively disposed toward Turkey's accession the Union, particularly because of Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide, we cannot accept the French people might be confronted by a decision that is unacceptable to them," the organizers stated in their announcement. "We cannot accept that genocidal and denialist Turkey might join a Europe of memory and human rights. We cannot accept that a Turkish Premier will wage, right before our eyes, a campaign of disinformation, to which acquiescent media outlets will give wide coverage." French President Jacques Chirac will cast a decisive vote on behalf of France in December regarding Turkey's accession. In the meantime, Turkey has undertaken a massive public relations campaign in an attempt to show that it meets the European Council's Copenhagen Criteria for accessionwithout, however, meeting the conditions set forth by the 18 June 1987 decision of the European Parliament, which recognized the Armenian Genocide and called on Turkey to do the same. 2. Youth Priority in ARF CC and Archbishop Mardirossian Meeting A delegation representing the ARF Central Committee of the Western US paid an official visit to the Armenian Prelacy on Wednesday, July 7, to congratulate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian on his recent re-election as Prelate, for a third term, by the National Representative Assembly. The ARF delegation was headed by CC Representative Hovig Saliba. Also present at the meeting were members of the Prelacy Executive Council, whom the ARF reps congratulated on their election as well, wishing them continued success. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on issues of concern to both the Church and community organizations. Discussions centered on bringing Armenian-American youth closer to the Church and other national institutions, and in doing so to collaborate and coordinate efforts, particularly in light of their shared goal of preserving Armenian identity and enlisting the potential of the youth in the service of the Armenian people. The Prelate and Executive Council members welcomed this initiative. The delegation, in turn, reaffirmed both its deep confidence in the Prelate and Council and its willingness to continue the mutual cooperation and coordinated work in order to ensure the success of the Prelacy's undertakings. 3. South Ossetia Releases Georgian Peacekeepers Prague (RFE-RL)--Separatist forces in South Ossetia on Friday freed dozens of Georgian peacekeepers, a day after detaining and disarming them. Irina Gagloeva, a spokeswoman for the South Ossetian government, said 35 of the 38 peacekeepers were turned over to Georgian officials at a checkpoint in a village just south of the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, at midday. Gagloeva said three peacekeepers remain in custody, accused of unspecified "grave crimes." But Mikheil Kebadze, the commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in South Ossetia stated that 36 peacekeepers were captured initially and that all have been released: "The first group of 32 were handed over to us, while four soldiers still remained hostage," Kebadze said. "But five minutes later, they gave us those four, as well. So, all 36 of the detained soldiers were released. [Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli] Okruashvili was waiting for them. They were put into buses and driven away. To where, I don't know. The soldiers were released without any conditions, as had been agreed." The Interior Ministry troops were seized when armed men entered the South Ossetian village of Vanati--east of Tskhinvali and populated by ethnic Georgians--and disarmed members of a peacekeeping force stationed there. The capture of the troops and videotape of them--shown on Russian television--kneeling in front of South Ossetian soldiers have further raised tensions in the region. Since his election in January, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has secured the removal of the leader of another fractious region, Ajaria, and has now set his sights on restoring central rule in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a breakaway region on the Black Sea. South Ossetia declared independence from Tbilisi after it fought a short civil war with Russian support in the early 1990s. Tensions had already been high since Georgia sent troops to protect antismuggling checkpoints in South Ossetia last month. The atmosphere worsened on Wednesday when Georgian troops seized a convoy they said was carrying rocket launchers intended for separatists. Russia said the weapons were meant for its peacekeeping troops. Saakashvili today cut short a state visit to Iran and returned to Tbilisi, where he headed into a meeting with his security ministers. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania had earlier described the raid on Vanati as an "insolent provocation implemented personally by Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoity." Kokoity's chief of staff, Eduard Kotayev, said on Thursday that those captured were not members of the peacekeeping force and that they had been captured in a zone manned by Russian peacekeepers. But the secretary of Georgia's National Security Council, Gela Bezhuashvili, said the capture of the Georgian peacekeepers was meant to preserve Kokoity's authority. "Kokoity's illegal government is losing support among its own people because [Kokoity] is acting against his own people," Bezhuashvili said. "He is making his own people hostage of his actions and in that way seeks to preserve his own authority." Aleksandr Yakovenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on 8 July urged both sides to show maximum restraint. In Washington on Thursday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called for the soldiers' immediate release and said the United States condemned the incident. "We are encouraging all sides to work towards the immediate release of the hostages and to take steps to reduce tensions," Boucher said. "We think that intensified dialogue is the best way to a peaceful solution that ensures Georgia's territorial integrity and avoids further violence." Moscow aligns itself with the international view that both South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgian territory. But it has often backed the two provinces in disputes with Tbilisi and has granted many of their people Russian citizenship. 4. OSCE Accused of Meddling in Armenia's Affairs VIENNA (RFE-RL)--Armenia has joined Russia and seven other ex-Soviet states in accusing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of unjustly meddling in their internal affairs. In a joint statement circulated at the OSCE's governing Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, they complained that the 55-nation security organization, of which they are all members, spends too much time monitoring elections and human rights in the Commonwealth of Independent States. "In part (the OSCE) does not respect such fundamental principles...as non-interference in internal affairs and respect of national sovereignty," said the statement signed by Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. "It is of concern that OSCE field missions focus not on their mandated role to help the authorities of the receiving state..., but exclusively on monitoring human rights and democratic institutions," it added. "The document did not come out of thin air," the spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Hamlet Gasparian, said on Friday. "There has long been concern about the OSCE and a need for reform inside the OSCE." Gasparian claimed that the OSCE "sometimes" acts beyond the framework of its responsibilities in the former Soviet Union. "Whenever a certain organization oversteps that boundary that is considered an interference in internal affairs," he said. The criticism was apparently initiated by the biggest and most influential CIS country, Russia. It has long accused the OSCE of applying double standards to its member. Moscow is in particular unhappy with OSCE observers' criticism of President Vladimir Putin's landslide reelection last March. Other signatories of the statement, notably Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have long been ruled by autocratic leaders who are regularly denounced as gross human rights offenders by international non-governmental watchdogs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The OSCE has monitored the presidential and parliamentary elections held in Armenia since independence and did not judge any of them to be democratic. Its observers reported numerous instances of serious fraud such as ballot stuffing and miscounting during last year's Armenian presidential vote. Also, the OSCE's permanent office in Armenia has repeatedly criticized the Armenian authorities' human rights record. It described as politically motivated the arrests of several prominent opposition figures during the recent campaign of anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan and helped to secure their release. "We are not saying that human rights are not important," Gasparian said. "We are talking about unbalanced approaches during electoral processes. There is a misbalance of importance attached by the OSCE to various spheres and there is inequality in its assessment of countries." The Russian head of the OSCE office, Vladimir Pryakhin, declined on Friday to comment on the CIS criticism of his organization. Reacting to the statement, the European Union and the United States missions to OSCE argued that human rights and rule-of-law issues can not be considered internal affairs, the Associated Press reported. In a statement issued by the Netherlands, which holds the rotating EU presidency, the union said it will reflect on the issues raised by Russia and the others but added that it has "serious concern about certain elements of the declaration." Armenia committed itself to even stricter standards of democracy and human rights when it joined the Council of Europe in 2001. In addition, Armenian leaders announced last March that they are ready to assume additional obligations on political reform in order to forge closer ties with the EU. 5. 'Armenians for Kerry' House Parties Across The Nation WASHINGTON, DCGrassroots "Armenians for Kerry" committees joined over 1,100 homes nationwide in organizing events for the National John Kerry House Party Day on June 26. The events constituted one of the largest coordinated grassroots fundraising efforts for a presidential candidate in American history. "Armenians for Kerry" hosted seven house parties in communities large and small across the United StatesArizona, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey. Each of the house parties was able to go onto a conference call with Kerry who described his vision for the future of America. Previously, Armenian Democrats and supporters had joined together in Arlington, Virginia for a House Party in May, bringing together activists from the Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Southern Maryland. Kerry for President Ethnic Outreach Coordinator George Kivork offered remarks at the Virginia gathering. Fundraising at these events was coordinate through the ArmeniansforKerry.com website that tracks and credits donations to the Kerry campaign from Armenian American contributors. "I was excited to see the high turnout at our House Party and am increasingly encouraged by the growing Armenian interest in the Kerry campaign by Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans," said New England "Armenians for Kerry" coordinator Sevag Arzoumanian. "When Armenian American voters take a moment to contrast the Bush Administration's terrible record with Senator Kerry's twenty-year track record of fighting for Armenian American issues, they see that their choice is clear. Armenian Americans will go to the polls in record numbers this November 2nd to help elect John Kerry as our next President." In Watertown, Massachusetts, the Greater Boston "Armenians for Kerry" committee hosted a casual yet informative event at the home of the Arzoumanian family. Sevag Arzoumanian and Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Chairman Dikran Kaligian addressed the importance of supporting Kerry's bid for the presidency, and the unprecedented opportunity his candidacy offers to advance Armenian American issues, and strengthen US-Armenia relations. Guests had the opportunity to register to vote and to sign-up as volunteers for the John Kerry campaign. They were also told of upcoming events, including plans by New England "Armenians for Kerry" committees to hold "Armenstock" an Armenian music festival at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA on August 28. Burbank Board of Education Vice President Paul Krekorian and his wife Tamar hosted the "Armenians for Kerry" House Party in Southern California. The reception featured Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who spoke ardently about Kerry's strong record on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. "Here in California and across the country, Armenian Americans are standing up proudly today in support of John Kerry," explained Krekorian. "The extraordinary outpouring of grassroots support at events like these demonstrates that Armenian Americans clearly understand what is at stake in this election. We have a historic choice this November. Senator Kerry offers an unblemished pro-Armenian record and the prospect of the most pro-Armenian administration since Woodrow Wilson. The Bush-Cheney team, on the other hand, offers only the threat of four more years of unrelenting neglect of, and outright assault on, the issues, interests, and values that are most important to our nation's citizens of Armenian heritage." Guests at the "Armenians for Kerry" House Party in Ridgewood, New discussed the impact a Kerry election would have on Armenian Americans. They reviewed Kerry's long record of support on Armenian American issues and discussed his recent statements on the Armenian Genocide and the 86th Anniversary of the founding of the First Armenian Republic. "Armenians for Kerry" chapters across the US have also been meeting with local Kerry campaign leaders and coordinating participation in the campaign's grassroots and get-out-the-vote activities. Some 20 chapters of "Armenians for Kerry" have already organized additional chapters that are in the formative stages. For more information about "Armenians for Kerry" and Senator Kerry's record on Armenian American issues, visit "Armenians for Kerry" works in partnership with the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC), a long-standing ethnic council of the Democratic National Committee's National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee. The AADLC actively fosters support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders, while promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public policy process. 6. A Year in The Life of Rose Alex Pilibos School By Sanan Haroun 11th Grade The 2003-2004 academic year was a very dynamic one for Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, with students participating in all sorts of new and fun activitiesfrom the annual Science Fair to visiting Armenia, and also making major athletic achievements. Students and teachers devoted a lot of energy and long hours to make this school year a success. Let's take a quick glance at life on North Alexandria Street. STUDENT COUNCIL Every year in the month of June, students take part in an election to choose the members of next school year's Student Council. Our Student Council, composed of two delegates from each class of sixth grade and higher, as well as an elected cabinet, worked on a number of events to make the school year active, fun, and enjoyable. Throughout the year, the Council organized Friday night dances, debates on current affairs, an amusing lip-synching contest, and a special Valentine's Day gift sale. A new event this year offered the opportunity to observe May 28 Armenian Independence Day, with a celebration of Armenian culture with music, food, and even dancing. In addition to the two-on-two basketball and backgammon competitions, the Student Council even managed to bring a water dunking booth and a huge slide to the campus. SCIENCE FAIR Another outstanding event was the science department's annual Science Fair. Student projects were based on conducted experiments and the scientific method. Through experimentation, the projects sought to answer such questions as "Which household window cleaner is best?" and "Which gum flavor lasts the longest?" Just in case you are wondering, according to scientific studies done by Pilibos students, the Winter Fresh gum's flavor will last the longest. . . Students, therefore, got to learn about science-related resources outside of the classroom and in daily life. SCIENCE QUIZ BOWL In February, Pilibos students also participated in the 2004 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Science Quiz Bowl. The Quiz Bowl consisted of two sections, a question and answer contest, and a "hands-on" scientific trials competition. Among eleven thousand students from throughout the country, nine Pilibos students participated in the regional competitions. They sacrificed many lunch hours to prepare for the event; it obviously paid off. ACADEMIC PENTATHLON, DECATHLON Having general knowledge is important to everyone right? That's exactly why Pilibos gives students an option to enter the Southern California Private Schools Academic Pentathlon and Decathlon. Regardless of their GPA, students can enter the two competitions to participate in the scholastic activity. In both the Pentathlon and the Decathlon, nine students in allthree A, three B, and three C averagingtook part in learning various subjects. In the Pentathlon for middle-school students, each of the nine students was given five subjects: science, math, an essay section, literature, and a super-quiz round. For seventh graders, the super-quiz subject was African History; for eighth graders, United States History. Each of the nine High School students participating in the Decathlon had to study to prepare for ten areas: art, music, math, economics, language and literature, speech, an essay section, an interview section, science, and a super-quiz round. The super-quiz round for the High School students this year was the Journey of Louis and Clark. The journey to prepare for the challenge began in September for Pilibos students, and ran until early spring. Each and every day, and even on Saturdays, information was crammed into their heads for hours on end. Even over Christmas break, teachers and students alike left their cozy, warm homes to come to school instead to prepare for this event. The challenge proved to be rewarding. Pilibos students came out victorious, placing first place in their division and third in the overall rankings. MODEL UNITED NATIONS This year the United Nations (UN) came to Pilibos for the first time. Twenty-two Pilibos students represented the People's Republic of Korea at the Model UN which took place at the University of California, Berkeley in March. Each year approximately 200,000 high school and university students worldwide take part in a variety of Model UN programs. Throughout the weekend, students partook in a variety of issues and discussions, and had the opportunity to also represent the Palestinian Minister of Security Affairs and the International Monetary Fund Governor for the Russian Federation. They drafted resolutions and delivered a position on diplomatic actions during the model session. Pilibos earned a commendation in the United Nation Drug Control Policy Committee (UNDCP). As a diplomatic treat, after debating all day long, students toured San Francisco. THE SOCIAL ELEMENT Life at Pilibos is not just academics, however; social events allow students to hang out and kick back in a fun atmosphere. The annual Winter Formal and Prom (with a French theme this year) for instance, proved to be a blast. Students danced, ate and mingleduntil early hours of the morningall with chaperones, of course. ATHLETICS Pilibos excelled in athletics as well; the Girl's Varsity Volleyball team, Boy's and Girl's Varsity Basketball teams, and the Boy's Varsity Soccer team made the 2003-2004 regional playoffs this year. Dedication, commitment, and plenty of sweat produced great results. Though competitions were fierce, Pilibos athletes were unstoppable. Let's not forget to mention the Cheerleaders and Drill Team members who made the half-time of basketball games entertaining with their cheers, stunts and, choreographed dances. Over 30 high school girls spent most of their after-school hours in the gym perfecting their maneuvers that ended up looking great during show-time. ARMENIA In April, the 12th grade graduating class went on a remarkable and treasured journey to Hayastan and Artsakh. Throughout their life, and especially at Pilibos, the students learn about their country and ethnicity through textbooks, classes, and photographs; the trip enabled them to see and experience the homeland first hand. They met His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzeen, descended down the steps of Khor Virab Monastery, visited military bases in Artsakh, and even managed to bring home a few gifts for the school's new library. Their trip was amazing; word has it they are all planning to return to Hayastan next year. NEW LIBRARY This year one phenomenon at Pilibos was the opening of the new and high-tech library. Nowadays, students have a great environment and atmosphere in which to study, research, and even read for funwith all sorts of resources at hand. The library includes state-of-the-art electronic catalog system and a check-in/check-out system. In addition to these technologies, the Pilibos library also carries top of the line computers, allowing students to use the electronic catalog, research on the web, or use useful programs. Now, there is a quiet environment outside of the classroom walls, where students can explore the Internet for useful information, learn, and even cram for tests and exams. Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School allows students to make their academic years and learning experience fun-filled, useful, and memorable. With a lot of events going on, the students and teachers definitely need a summertime break. However, Pilibos will be back in session this September for the 2004-2005 school yearso stay tuned for more exciting and fun events. 7. Glendale ANC, Community Leaders Welcome New GUSD Superintendent Escalante GLENDALENewly selected GUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Escalante had the opportunity on June 24 to meet and get to know area Armenian civic and business leaders, during a reception held in his honor by the Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter. In addition to Glendale Councilman Rafi Manoukian, many leaders in the field of education also attended the reception, including GUSD Assistant Superintendent Alice Petrossian, GUSD Board President Greg Krikorian, and Glendale College Board of Trustees members Dr. Armine Hacopian and Ara James Najarian. It also provided Escalante his first opportunity to become acquainted with not only representatives of area Armenian organizations including the Armenian National Committee, the Armenian Relief Society, and Homenetmen, but also with Glendale City department heads and board members of Armenian descent. "I have been to many receptions over the years," said Escalante, "but I have to say that this is by far the most professional and elegant one I have ever been a part of, and I can't thank you enough for opening your doors to me the way that you have." Glendale ANC chairman Artin Manoukian welcomed Escalante to his new position, "We have a fantastic school district, and I am certain that he will maintain the district's stellar reputation. We look forward to being a resource to Dr. Escalante for issues concerning the tens of thousands of Armenian students in the district." Prior to accepting the position of Superintendent at GUSD, Escalante served as Superintendent of the Fullerton school district. Under his leadership, the Fullerton district was able to establish new technology networks for all schools, pass a $68 million general obligation bond for facilities, build new school site facilities and modernize existing buildings, formulate policy on the fair share of developers toward new facility costs, design and implement a district-wide instructional initiative to improve teacher instruction and student achievement, and reduce district overhead by $1.5 million annually in centralized services, so funding could be directed into classrooms. Escalante holds an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a MA degree in educational administration from Loyola Marymount University, and a BA degree in history and industrial arts from San Diego State University. His career in public education began in 1973 as an elementary teacher in the Hawthorne School District, where he also taught English as a second language to adult learners. 8. Art Exhibit A LIGHT WITHIN July 9 to 11, Homenetmen Glendale 'Ararat' Chapter Hall A Light Within exhibits the works of five talented Armenian women artists, each displaying a personal uniqueness with a feminine touch. The exhibit features a collection of images from multiple sources, backgrounds, and emotions, with each work telling a different story. The artwork of Adana, Alina, Lara, Armineh and Alenoush are diverse, yet connect through a strong, ambitious light which can only emerge from within. The exhibit runs Friday through Sunday, July 9 to 11 at the Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter's Baghdasarian-Shahinian Hall. For further information visit <;, or call (323) 256-2564 weekdays after 2:00 pm Exhibit address 3347 N. San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, California. 9. Five Armenian Chess-Players Rank Among FIDE's Top 100 List YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--On July 1, FIDE published its rankings of the finest chess-players of the world. Leading the list was Garri Kasparov with an individual rating of 2817. Kasparov was followed by Viswanathan Anand (India, individual rating of 2782), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, 2770), Alexander Morozevich (Russia, 2743), Peter Leco (Hungary, 2741), Michael Adams (England, 2738), Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria, 2737), Hudit Polgar (Hungary, 2728), Peter Svidler (Russia, 2727) and Alexey Shirov (Spain, 2725). Vladimir Hakobian of Armenia, with an individuals rating of 2692, ranks 17th of the list. Four others representing Armenia--Levon Aronian (32nd, 2671), Rafael Vahanian (53rd, 2642), Smbat Lputian, (60th, 2634) and Gabriel Sargsian (88th, 2617)--also made it to the top 100 list. Female Armenian chess champion, Elina Danielian, with a rating of 2430, was ranked 31st in the Women's top 100 list. Hudit Polgar of Hungary was at the top of the list with a rating of 2728. 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. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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

PRESS RELEASE
Friday, July 09, 2004
Contact: Ardashes Kassakhian
818.500.1918
ANCA-WR Floods the Offices of Speaker Hastert and Senate President
Frist with Postcards Supporting Genocide Resolutions
Republican Leaders Block Bills Honoring Genocide Convention Backed By
the Late President Ronald Reagan
Glendale, CA – On Friday, July 9, 2004, the Chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) flew to
Washington, DC to deliver thousands of postcards demanding that
Republican leaders of the House and Senate schedule a vote on
resolutions marking the 15th anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Over the course of the last
four months, ANC local chapters have been actively collecting
signatures for the year long ANCA National Genocide Prevention
Postcard Campaign. ANC Chapters and activists in Arizona, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Texas have been instrumental in
gathering over 150,000 postcards and over 25,000 additional
signatures.
Both H.Res 193 and S. 164 are pending because leaders in both bodies
refuse to bring the measures to a vote. Both bills mark America’s
commitment to the U.N. Genocide Convention, which was adopted by the
United States in 1988.
The late President Ronald Reagan was a primary force in encouraging
the U.S.
Senate to ratify and implement the U.N. Genocide Convention. Adopted
by the United Nations in 1948, the Convention languished on the Senate
docket for some 40 years, despite the heroic efforts of Wisconsin
Senator William Proxmire (D) and later Rhode Island Senator Claiborne
Pell (D) to obtain passage of the measure. In 1986, President Reagan
urged the Senate leadership to takeup the bill and, after a number of
modifications, the Convention was signed into law by Reagan in 1988.
`The time has come for a vote,’ remarked ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi
Hamparian.
`With the support of hundreds of Members of Congress and over a
hundred civic organizations, these bills deserve to be voted on in the
House and Senate.
It is a sad day in America when Republican leaders actively block
legislation marking a Convention that is designed to prevent future
genocides,’ he added.
The ANCA Genocide Prevention Postcard Campaign was launched last year
with the help of Grammy nominated musicians System of a Down. The
purpose of the Postcard campaign is to raise public awareness about
the Genocide resolutions and urge Congressional leadership to schedule
a vote.
`We’re confident that both of these bills will pass if they come to a
vote, so it’s up to the leadership to bring them to the floor,’
commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. `The House
version passed in committee without any objection,’ he added referring
to the vote on H. Res. 193 in the House Judiciary Committee back in
May of 2003.
To date, over 100,000 postcards have been delivered to both the House
and Senate leadership offices. With less than four months left in the
legislative calendar year, the ANCA-WR aims to heighten its efforts to
raise awareness and call for a Congressional vote.
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.
Editor’s Note: Photo attached Photo caption – ANCA-WR Government
Relations Director Armen Carapetian, ANCA-WR intern Lara Talverdian,
and ANCA-WR Staff Assistant Tamar Sadoriancount out Genocide
Prevention campaign postcards and prepare to send them to
Congressional and Senate Leadership Offices in Washington, DC.
#####

ARMENPAC
421 East Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75062
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2004
CONTACT: Bryan Ardouny
Phone: (406) 546-5250
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENPAC CO-CHAIR ANNIE TOTAH MEETS WITH SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM
CLINTON (D-NY) AND REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD)
Irving, TX – As part of ARMENPAC’s ongoing effort to thank
pro-Armenian supporters in Congress and to educate our elected
officials about issues of importance to the Armenian community,
ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah recently met with Senator Hillary Rodham
Clinton (D-NY) and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) at a special
reception for Congressman Van Hollen.
Totah thanked Senator Clinton and Congressman Van Hollen for their
support of legislation to affirm the Armenian Genocide (S. Res. 164
and H. Res. 193). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation was
introduced in the Senate by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and in the
House by Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
`Passage of this legislation will not only help defeat the ongoing
Turkish campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide, but will also help
ensure that the lessons of this terrible crime against humanity are
used to prevent future genocides against Armenians or any other ethnic
minority or peoples,’ said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.
S. Res. 164 is pending further action in the Senate Judiciary
Committee, while H. Res. 193, having been approved by the House
Judiciary Committee, has stalled on the House Calendar awaiting
consideration by the full House.
ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee and
was established to shape public policy by raising awareness of and
advocating for Armenian-American issues. ARMENPAC provides financial
support to federal officeholders, candidates, political action
committees and organizations that actively support issues of
importance to Armenian-Americans.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Faces of Globalization: Armenian students
By Christine Heath
UPI Correspondent
Published 7/9/2004 6:40 PM
WASHINGTON, July 9 (UPI) — Walking along the sidewalk surrounding the
Capitol building in Washington, Nune Hovhannisyan and Lusine Tadevosyan want
to complete what they lightheartedly call their picture show.
The two women, born and raised in Armenia, are spending their summer here as
part of an academmic program.
On their way back to work for the Armenian International Policy Research
Group, Lusine, 25, and Nune, 22, strategically position themselves on the
front steps of the symbolic Capitol building, preparing to be photographed.
As the picture is snapped, their faces are proud with an underlying sense of
accomplishment. Both stand ridged and tall, with a sense of how far they
have come from their homeland of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Armenia, located in Southwestern Asia, just east of Turkey, is a landlocked
country with a population of about 3 million.
After gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country’s
centralized economic structure dilapidated and forced Armenian leaders to
privatize all industries.
Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia was able to maintain a
modern industrial manufacturing sector, supplying such things as machine
tools and textiles, to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and
energy.
The break up of the Soviet central planning system and the long conflict
with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, the predominantly
Armenian-populated region assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan, contributed to the
severe economic decline in the early 1990s.
Between 1991 and 1993, the gross domestic product dropped by 60 percent.
Factories, with an inadequate fuel supply and an inability sell products,
were forced to close.
“All the plants just closed down and some re-opened, but they needed new
professionals,” Nune explained, now seated at her desk located in the
Armenian Assembly of America.
Nune’s father, who has a formal education in engineering, lost his job in
1993.
After loosing his job at the engineering plant, Nune’s father worked as the
councilor to the head of a trade group.
“It sounds great, but just on the paper … it is a huge complex (group),
but only 1 percent is functioning,” Nune said in accented English.
Nune explains, “a successful businessman privatizes the company. When new
people come, they bring their own team. The complex closed and ever since he
is trying to get a job.”
Nune’s father is financially dependent on family living outside Armenia to
send him money.
Sitting directly to Nune’s left at her own desk, Lusine relates a similar
story.
Her father, also formally educated as an engineer, now drives a taxi.
“Being an engineer you many not have steady work, so they have other jobs.”
In 2001, the unemployment rate topped 20 percent for Armenians.
Lusine also talked about the effect of the war with Azerbaijan, “Blockages
and no energy sources during war make it really hard.”
Armenia suffered chronic energy shortages in the early and mid-1990s.
Even before the war started the only nuclear power plant closed because of
environmental concerns, Lusine explained with a map of Armenia posted
prominently on the wall behind her.
“With no energy supply, how can factory produce?”
The country producing only hydropower at the time, Lusine recalled having
power for a limited two hours a day.
“People got really used to it because they needed to survive. Those were
difficult years, but we survived.”
Lusine added, “My sister was trying to get into medical school; she studied
with a candle. It is an Armenian characteristic, they never suffered the
education for anything.”
The literacy rate for the total population of Armenia is 98.6 percent.
Education has always been important to both Lusine and Nune.
“It was really difficult to get into my institute,” Nune shyly admitted that
600 students applied for 25 places in the economic department at Yerevan
State University.
Upon a successful completion of their undergraduate work, both women decided
to continue their education in the United States.
“When you have an American education it is much easier to find a job. You
have more opportunity in Armenia and elsewhere,” said Lusine.
Nune jumped in, “U.S. education is a passport.”
Lusine and Nune both are in the United States as part of the highly
competitive, merit-based Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program.
Nune, one of the youngest fellows, felt fortunate to be a part of the
prestigious program, “I know people who applied five years.”
The program attempts to ameliorate democracy and economy in Eurasia by
sending young professionals to the United States for a master’s degree level
of education and requires that fellows return home for two years upon
completion of their education.
After the program’s completion, Lusine intends to take full advantage of the
opportunities she has been afforded.
“I got the education not just for fun. I want to use it and get paid, that’s
all I want.”
Lusine and Nune represent a new future for Armenia. The young, educated
professionals will continue to stimulate the economic growth in upcoming
industries like electronics, high technology, agriculture, and
diamond-processing.
The UN estimates that between 1998 and 2000 annual technology-related
exports rose by 25 percent.
Armenia’s gross domestic product was $11.79 billion in 2003. Its per capita
was $3,900 last year.
Armenia is seeing change in its increasing globalization. In January 2003
the country joined the WTO and has recently managed to qualify for
state-to-state funding from the United States through World Bank’s
Millennium Challenge Account.
Over the past ten years, the U.S. government has allocated over $1.4 billion
in U.S. humanitarian, technical, and economic development assistance to
Armenia.
>From under a stack of papers, Lusine pulled out a photocopied March 2004
National Geographic article that featured Armenia.
“I don’t like this article because they make you feel pity on Armenia. You
have to feel pride.”
While in the United States, Lusine takes every opportunity she can to
educate people on the little known Republic of Armenia.
“I am trying to educate people on my country. I learned my history much
better when I came here, which is really long and rich.”
“When they ask, I don’t just say Armenia, I try to give them idea what means
Armenian.”
Faces of Globalization — The above piece by UPI Correspondent Christine
Heath is part 17 of a half-year series by United Press International which
focuses each week on the human face of globalization in locales ranging from
India to the heartland of the United States. The series looks at the complex
array of social and economic issues facing workers, managers, students and
others, who have been affected by the growing worldwide investment, trade
and technological interconnections that have come to be known as
globalization.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN AND GREEK AMERICANS EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT OVER PRESIDENT
BUSH’S PRESSURE ON THE EUROPEAN UNION TO ACCEPT TURKEY
— ANCA and AHI Send Letter to the White House
Following the President’s Istanbul Speech
Praising Turkey’s Treatment of Minorities
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
and the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) expressed their profound
disappointment over recent remarks by President Bush praising
Turkey’s treatment of minorities and calling for that nation’s
acceptance in the European Union.
During his official visit to Istanbul, Turkey to participate in the
NATO summit, President Bush repeatedly called for the European
Union to support Turkey’s candidacy for membership, noting that,
“Turkey is a strong, secular democracy, a majority Muslim society,
and a close ally of free nations.” He went on to note that “with
150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model to
others, and as Europe’s bridge to the wider world.”
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and AHI President Gene Rossides, in a
July 8th letter to the President, pointed out that, “the reality is
that Turkey is neither secular nor democratic and, if anything,
represents a negative role model for the states of the region.
Over the past one hundred and fifty years, successive Turkish
governments have been characterized by their violence toward their
own citizens, their disdain for democracy, and their aggression
against neighboring states . . . Significantly, during this period,
Turkey has dealt with its minority populations by committing
genocide against Armenians, massacring and driving Pontians and
other Greeks from its shores, denying the existence of its Kurdish
citizens, and restricting the rights of Christians to worship
freely.”
Responding to calls by President Bush for European leaders to
endorse Turkish membership in the European Union, Rossides and
Hachikian stated that “Turkey’s candidacy for this European
institution does not enjoy the backing of our nation’s citizens,
who recognize that the Turkish government falls far short of
meeting even the most basic standards of democracy and human rights
that we embrace as Americans. Nor does Turkey’s application have
the support of Europeans – including European Greeks and Armenians
– who clearly reject Turkey’s candidacy.”
ANCA and AHI concerns about continued U.S. calls for Turkish
membership in the European Union are shared by ANCA affiliates
across Europe, who have actively worked with activists in their
respective countries urging European leaders to bar Turkey’s
membership due to a range of issues, including significant human
rights violations and Turkey’s failure to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. In 1987, the European Parliament adopted a resolution
calling on Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and to
establish political dialogue with representatives of the Armenian
people as a precondition for European Union membership.
In addition to the joint letter to President Bush, ANCA
representatives attended an American Hellenic Institute sponsored
forum on Capitol Hill this week regarding Turkey’s illegal
occupation of Cyprus. The event was titled “Cyprus: 30 Years Later
– An Assessment of the Annan Plan and Where Do We Go From Here.”
Guest speakers at the forum included noted author and television
commentator Christopher Hitchens, Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-
Chairman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) as well as Representatives Brad
Sherman (D-CA), and Rob Andrews (D-NJ). ANCA Government Affairs
Director Abraham Niziblian and Capital Gateway Program Director
Arsineh Khachikian led a delegation of ANCA “Leo Sarkisian”
Internship participants to the luncheon, which was attended by
several dozen Congressional staff members and a broad range of
Greek and Cypriot American activists.
The full text of the ANCA/AHI letter to the President follows.
#####
July 8, 2004
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing to express the profound disappointment of our
nation’s Greek and Armenian American communities over your remarks
of June 29th forcefully advocating for Turkey’s membership in the
European Union.
Turkey’s candidacy for this European institution does not enjoy the
backing of our nation’s citizens, who recognize that the Turkish
government falls far short of meeting even the most basic standards
of democracy and human rights that we embrace as Americans. Nor
does Turkey’s application have the support of Europeans – including
European Greeks and Armenians – who clearly reject Turkey’s
candidacy. Beyond the specific problems with Turkey’s eligibility,
we also want to share with you our reservations about the propriety
of a U.S. President seeking to direct the internal decision-making
of our European allies regarding the conduct of their diplomacy and
multilateral affairs. Turkey’s membership is, ultimately, a
European decision.
In your remarks, you argued that, “Turkey is a strong, secular
democracy, a majority Muslim society, and a close ally of free
nations.” You added that Turkey “with 150 years of democratic and
social reform, stands as a model to others, and as Europe’s bridge
to the wider world.” The reality is that Turkey is neither secular
nor democratic and, if anything, represents a negative role model
for the states of the region. Over the past one hundred and fifty
years, successive Turkish governments have been characterized by
their violence toward their own citizens, their disdain for
democracy, and their aggression against neighboring states.
Turkey’s aggression against and occupation of 37% of Cyprus is now
in its 30th year.
Significantly, during this period, Turkey has dealt with its
minority populations by committing genocide against Armenians,
massacring and driving Pontians and other Greeks from its shores,
denying the existence of its Kurdish citizens, and restricting the
rights of Christians to worship freely. Last April, the Turkish
Education Minister Huseyin Celik issued a decree requiring that all
Turkey’ school children – Greeks and Armenians included – be taught
to deny the Armenian Genocide. As recently as this February, the
State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
documented that, “torture, beatings, and other abuses by security
forces remained widespread” in Turkey.
Extending uncritical support to an unrepentant and unreformed
Turkish government only encourages and enables Turkey’s continued
refusal to respect international norms for responsible membership
in the family of nations. Rather than turning a blind eye to
Turkey’s serious failings, U.S. interests and American values would
be better served by bringing to bear the full pressure of our
government to ensure that Turkey meets basic standards for domestic
and international behavior.
Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. As we have noted
to you in the past, we stand ready to meet with you to discuss
these and other matters of concern to our communities.
Sincerely,
Gene Rossides
President
American Hellenic Institute
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman
Armenian National Committee of America

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
July 9, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CONSULTS WITH SENIOR KERRY-EDWARDS CAMPAIGN LEADERS DURING
CONFERENCE CALLS ON ETHNIC AMERICAN OUTREACH
WASHINGTON, DC — Community activists from the Armenian National
Committee of America’s (ANCA) national headquarters, regional
offices, and local chapters participated this week in conference
calls organized by the Kerry-Edwards campaign to consult with
ethnic leaders nationwide.
Representatives from ethnic groups, including the Irish, Italian,
Serbian, Greek, German, Polish, Albanian, Portuguese and Ukrainian
communities, spoke, in two separate July 8th conference calls, with
Kerry/Edwards National Campaign Chairwoman, former New Hampshire
Governor Jeanne Shaheen, and National Campaign Co-Chairman, Los
Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaragosa. ANCA representatives,
as well as “Armenians for Kerry-Edwards” activists praised the
campaign’s energetic outreach to engage ethnic communities.
Governor Shaheen and Councilman Villaragosa cited the key role that
ethnic communities will play in the upcoming elections, as both the
Democratic and Republican campaigns vie to win support in the more
than fifteen hotly contested, highly ethnic “battleground” states,
which will play the determining factor in the Presidential race
this November. “The one thing we understand in this campaign is
that, when taken together, they [ethnic groups] are a big slice of
the American electorate . . . Our ability to communicate with these
communities will take us far in November,” explained Councilman
Villaragosa. The campaign leaders also provided their insights
into Sen. Kerry’s announcement this week of Senator John Edwards as
his Vice-Presidential running-mate.
“It was very energizing to participate in the conference call – and
have the opportunity to interact and exchange views – with the
senior leaders of the Kerry/Edwards campaign,” said Alina Azizian,
who is active with the San Francisco/Bay Area “Armenians For
Kerry/Edwards” team. “Sen. Edwards, having been brought up as the
son of a textile worker, is an icon of the American Dream which so
many Armenians and other ethnic Americans can relate to.”
The conference call is part of a multi-faceted, nationwide Kerry-
Edwards campaign effort to reach out to ethnic community
organizations, energize ethnic voters, and ensure that the voice of
America’s diverse communities are heard at the highest levels of
the campaign. Campaign Ethnic Outreach Coordinator George Kivork,
himself of Armenian descent, has been a key figure in this effort,
developing a powerful coalition of ethnic community supporters for
the Kerry-Edwards ticket.