Category: News

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
Thursday, May 13, 2004
LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN AGBU TORONTO AND ARMEN-ONTARIO OF AGBU
Toronto, Canada – The Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU) is pleased to announce that Ms. Knar Basmadjian will be
serving as Chairperson of the AGBU Toronto Chapter. Ms. Basmadjian
will be succeeding Mr. Hagop Altounian, effective June 1, 2004.
AGBU extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Altounian for his
leadership and valued service for the past two years in establishing
new initiatives and promoting AGBU’s activities in the ever-growing
Canadian Armenian community of Toronto. Mr. Altounian has been an
active member of AGBU over many years, an organization which he has
served with full devotion, commitment and care.
On this occasion, Mr. Setrakian, President of AGBU, expressed the
organization’s deepest gratitude for Mr. Altounian’s lifelong service
and dedication to the Union. Mr. Setrakian further stated that he
welcomes Knar Basmadjian, in her new role as chairperson. We are
confident that Ms. Basmadjian will provide her committee with the
dynamism and vision to meet the new challenges lying ahead. We consider
Toronto a pivotal and important community of the Diaspora that could
assume an important leadership role in these fast-changing times,
Mr. Setrakian added.
Ms. Basmadjian, a professional engineer who holds an MBA, is
currently an Investment Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager at
CIBC Wood Bundy, one of Canada’s largest investment dealers. She is
past-president of the Canadian Armenian Business Council of Ontario and
has been a board member since 1993. She is also an advisory committee
member of the Canada Armenian Parliamentary Friendship Group and a
trustee member of the Endowment Fund for the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Toronto. She will bring her extensive and successful
business experience in the financial services industry to her new
role as Chairman. We look forward to her leadership.
AGBU Armen-Ontario Corporation
The Central Board is also pleased to announce that Barry Berge
Papazian and Eugene Karadjian will be serving as President and
Treasurer/Secretary respectively of the Armen-Ontario Corporation.
Mr. Papazian will be succeeding Hrant Bardakjian as President of the
Corporation. Mr. Setrakian thanked Bardakjian for his leadership and
noted that he has been serving AGBU faithfully for many decades with
dedication and commitment. Mr. Bardakjian will continue as a member
of the Corporation and will serve as Chair of the AGBU Central Games
Committee.
Mr. Papazian is currently a managing partner at Papazian, Heisey &
Myers Law firm. Has bas been a barrister and solicitor since 1971. He
has been appointed to Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 1984 and is certified
by law society of Upper Canada (Ontario) as a specialist in civil
litigation since 1990. Mr. Papazian is the Director and Secretary of
Burger King Restaurants of Canada since 1982 and has served on the
Board of the University of Toronto from 1954-1985. He is the recipient
of the 2001 Man of the Year award at Holy Trinity Armenian Church and
has been the Secretary/Treasurer of Armen Ontario since December, 2003.
Mr. Karadjian has been a life-long member and has served AGBU well in
various capacities including his membership on the executive committee
of AGBU Toronto from 1986 to 1993.
Given this remarkable new leadership, the Central Board of AGBU is
confident that the AGBU Toronto Chapter and Armen-Ontario will ensure
the continued growth and success of AGBU in the greater Toronto area.

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
pour la Justice et la Démocratie
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B–1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
13 mai 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
ELECTIONS EUROPEENNES: LES TETES DE LISTES S’EXPRIMENT DEVANT LA COMMUNAUTE
ARMENIENNE
Lyon, France – Dimanche 9 Mai 2004, lors d’un meeting organisé à l’occasion
de la Journée de l’Europe à la Bourse du Travail de Lyon par le Comité de
Défense de la Cause Arménienne (CDCA) et la F.R.A Tachnagtsoutioun, les
têtes de listes de la circonscription du Sud-Est de la France pour les
Européennes ont eu l’occasion de s’exprimer sur l’entrée de la Turquie en
Europe: étaient présents Thierry Cornillet (UDF), Gérard Benhamias (Verts),
Patrick Louis (UPF). Le débat était animé par Frédéric Bourgade, journaliste
à France Inter, avec la participation de Franck Bianchieri du Think Tank
Europe 2002 et Hilda Tchoboian, de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne.
Absents en raison du lancement de la campagne électorale de leur parti,
Françoise Grossetête (UMP) et Michel Rocard (PS) se sont exprimés par des
interviews filmées.
Franck Bianchieri a témoigné de la préoccupation et de l’opposition
grandissantes à l’adhésion de la Turquie, constatée lors des débats qu’il a
animés dans 100 villes européennes.
Devant un auditoire attentif de plus de mille personnes, Thierry Cornillet
et Patrick Louis ont exposé leur opposition formelle à l’adhésion turque,
pour des raisons géographiques, culturelles et démographiques, promettant de
poursuivre cette politique lorsqu’ils seraient élus au Parlement européen.
De même, Françoise Grossetête, dont le parti a fait un revirement
spectaculaire depuis peu sur la question, a préconisé un statut de
partenariat privilégié pour la Turquie. A gauche, Gérard Benhamias, du parti
des Verts, a rappelé qu’il fallait intégrer la Turquie rapidement, et faire
confiance aux démocrates turcs pour l’amélioration de la situation des
Droits de l’Homme, ainsi que la reconnaissance du génocide qui serait le
résultat de la démocratisation du pays.
Pour sa part, Michel Rocard, a souligné l’importance stratégique de l’
adhésion turque, en raison des liens ethniques et culturels de la Turquie
avec les pays turcophones d’Asie Centrale dont les réserves pétrolières ne
sauraient laisser l’Europe indifférente ; selon lui, la reconnaissance du
génocide des Arméniens viendrait naturellement lorsque la Turquie se
sentirait « ridicule» pour son négationnisme.
Hilda Tchoboian a rappelé que c’est à l’occasion de l’examen de la
candidature de la Turquie que le Parlement européen a commencé depuis 2000 à
considérer, sous l’impulsion de la Fédération Euro–Arménienne, les questions
du génocide et du blocus. Rappelant les rapports Morillon et Lamassoure,
elle a dénoncé les incohérences entre les déclarations des partis opposés
à l’adhésion turque et leur refus de dire la vérité à la Turquie dans les
rapports annuels du Parlement Européen.
Pour les positions de la Gauche, Hilda Tchoboian a démenti l’exemplarité de
l’adhésion de la Turquie pour le monde musulman, en raison des relations
conflictuelles qui régissent le rapport de ce pays avec ses voisins arabes.
Elle a également dénoncé l’argument de la laïcité, fondée en Turquie non sur
la pluralité, et la séparation de la religion et de l’état, mais sur la
protection par l’état turc de la religion musulmane devenue majoritaire
après l’extermination des citoyens non musulmans.
« Si elle n’impose pas ses valeurs à la Turquie comme condition préalable à
son adhésion, l’Europe sera forcément amenée à intégrer les valeurs
négationnistes de la Turquie, et donner libre cours aux négationnismes des
autres génocides » a affirmé la Présidente de la Fédération Euro–Arménienne.
Elle a souligné qu’au delà d’une reconnaissance formelle, l’Europe doit
rendre possible les réparations du génocide, permettant notamment à la
Turquie de donner à l’Arménie et au peuple arménien les garanties de sa
sécurité.
« La Turquie doit promettre de renoncer à sa politique agressive vis à vis
de l’Arménie ; cette politique n’est pas le fait d’un régime, mais découle d
‘une doctrine d’état qui se poursuit aussi bien sous les régimes militaires
ou civiles, que sous celui des Islamistes » a conclu Hilda Tchoboian.
Avant un concert du groupe Bratch, en faisant la synthèse du débat, Georges
Kepenekian a déclaré que les Arméniens resteraient vigilants, et ne
donneraient pas de carte blanche aux partis dont les actions futures
resteront au centre de l’attention des citoyens européens.
#####

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
May 13, 2004
National Minority Rights on ACNIS Agenda
Yerevan-The fourth specialized policy seminar of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies (ACNIS) and the Council of Europe’s
Confidence-building Measures Program convened today at the Armenia Marriott
Hotel. Held within the framework of the “Coordination among National
Minorities and Information Exchanges on Minority Rights in Armenia” Project,
the meeting was entitled “The Key Provisions of the Draft Law on National
Minorities: Old End or New Beginning?,” and brought together the leaders of
national minority and NGO communities, relevant government officials, human
rights advocates, academic circles, politicians, diplomats, public figures,
and representatives of mass media and international organizations concerned
about minority issues in Armenia.
Karapet Kalenchian, ACNIS’s director of administration, greeted the capacity
audience with opening remarks on behalf of the Center, wishing the
participants a productive deliberation. “Armenia should be the guarantor of
the national minorities residing here and we, as full members of society,
should support final resolution of these problems.” Kalenchian called on the
audience to engage in a robust and open discussion.
ACNIS analyst and project director Stepan Safarian underscored the
importance of the adoption of a law on national minorities, which is a
public imperative today in several aspects. “Though the national minorities
residing in Armenia are granted rights stipulated in the Constitution, laws,
and international agreements and treaties, they are often deprived of the
mechanisms and procedures to enjoy them. In addition, the law will promote
the precise definition of the state’s obligations in the fields of culture,
education, language, and the protection of traditions. Finally, it will
delineate minority problems, means and competent levels of resolution, and
decision- making mechanisms,” he said.
During the first session, entitled “Defining ‘National Minority’ by Law,”
Shavarsh Khachatrian, minorities expert at the Helsinki Committee of Armenia
and research fellow of Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, reflected
on the difficulties one encounters in applying the definition of national
minority found in the legislation of European states. In his paper, titled
“Defining ‘National Minorities’ in the International and National Arenas:
The European Experience,” he presented the contradictory perceptions of the
definition of “national minority” against the backdrop of European
experience, as well as the trends that are assumed and should be considered
while applying the law. “There are several key issues to pay attention to:
the Framework Convention does not provide a universally accepted definition
of ‘national minority’, and then the definitions used today by states are
very often arguable, since no agreement has been reached on the criteria for
such definitions by the consultative committee set up by the Framework
Convention,” said Khachatrian.
“Major risks of the law on national minorities and means to overcome them”
constituted the focus of an address by Hranush Kharatian, chairperson of the
National and Religious Minorities Board of the Government of Armenia. She
expressed concern that the referenced law might also bring forth certain
limitations, as a result of which rights relating to the language and
culture of individual representatives of the national minorities or persons
finding themselves out of the “community” group will remain solely within
the framework of individual rights. “In any case, this or that manifestation
of the right may be viewed as advantageous for some, and ‘risky’ for
others,” Kharatian concluded.
Armenian ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian, who concentrated mainly on the
mechanisms that can effectively provide the rights protection of national
minorities, was of the opinion that the problem should be comprehensively
discussed and a consequent concept paper should be worked out before
adoption of such a law. “No matter how hard it is, we should have the law if
there is a demand for it. Otherwise it can turn into a formal document
without force, unable to protect the group rights of the community,” noted
the rights defender.
The second session on “Active State Policy in the Educational and Cultural
Life of National Minorities and Its Stipulation in Armenian Legislation”
began with the presentation by Nouridjan Manoukian, chief of the Control
Department at the Board of Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education
and Science, on “The Key Provisions of Active State Policy in the Sphere of
National Minorities’ Education.” The major obstacle one encounters while
receiving education in a mother tongue, he maintained, is not the lack of
the law but the lack of educators and textbooks which results a close
circle. “For want of educators there is a lack of graduates, for want of
graduates there is a lack of applicants to higher educational institutions,
for want of applicants to higher educational institutions there is a lack of
educators,” stressed the government official.
The session concluded with a paper on “The State’s Cultural Policy in
Preserving, Developing, and Disseminating the Culture of National Minorities
Residing in Armenia” delivered by Garnik Guyumdjian, chief of the Department
for State Programs, Cultural Cooperation, Education and Science of the
Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues. In his view, the following benchmarks
are of importance in this field: encouraging creative activity, preserving
cultural heritage, disseminating cultural values, realizing human potential,
and the legally and economically regulating cultural development. As to the
need for a law on national minorities, Guyumdjian argued that sufficient
protections already exist. “We moreso need today to support the cultural
organizations and compatriotic unions of national minorities with clear-cut
programs and to make them participants in policy making and implementation
processes.”
The seminar was followed by a lively roundtable of views among Siaband
Bakoyan, chairman of the “Ezdikhana” association’s political council;
Alikhan Shababian, representative of Nor Nork district council; Hasan
Hasanian, head of the Yezidi religious organization “Followers of Sharfadin”
; Rabbi Gersh Bourstein, head of the Mordekhay Navi Jewish Community of
Armenia; Arsen Mikhailov, chairman of the “Atur” Assyrian union; Irina
Gasparian, representative of the Assyrian community; Charkyaze Mstoyan,
chairman of the “Kurdistan” committee; Slava Rafaelidis, representative of
the Greek community and chairman of the Council of Armenian Nationalities;
Romania Yavir, chairperson of the Ukrainian community in Armenia; Aida
Haroutiunian, chairperson of “Harmony” NGO; ACNIS analyst Hovsep
Khurshudian; Armenouhi Hovannisian, executive director of Junior Achievement
of Armenia; Vardan Astsatrian, the coordinator on national minorities and
religious issues of the social department of the Armenian government;
parliamentarian Vazgen Khachikain; Gayane Terzian, representative of the
“Mkhitar Sebastatsi” educational complex; Mara Sahakian, chairperson of the
Civitas NGO; Avetik Ishkhanian of the Armenian Helsinki Committee; and
Gayane Markosian of the “Harmonious World” NGO.
Despite some reservations, the discussants underlined the importance of the
law on national minorities, and made practical proposals for enforcement of
national policy in educational, academic, and cultural life and in other
domains.
The fifth and final seminar in ACNIS’s minorities series, entitled “The
Rights of Armenian National Minorities in 2003: An Annual Report to the
Council of Europe,” will take place in June, and will be followed by
preparation of a comprehensive report on Armenia’s minorities for the
Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2004, the Center focuses
primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center and its activities, call (3741)
52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or
[email protected]; or visit at

Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania
360 Highview Drive
Radnor, PA 19087
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
May 13, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Karine A. Shamlian
[email protected]
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
UNANIMOUSLY PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
— Pittsburgh City Council also Commemorates First Genocide of 20th Century
Harrisburg, PA–The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed
a resolution designating April 24, 2004 as “Pennsylvania’s Day of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,” reported the Armenian
National Committee (ANC) of Pennsylvania. Representative Daylin Leach (D)
and 56 co-sponsors introduced Pennsylvania House Resolution No. 593 (HR593).
“The Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania thanks Rep. Leach for his
leadership in introducing this resolution. We also commend the House of
Representatives for their unwavering commitment to recognize the Armenian
Genocide and to honor the memories of the victims whose descendents are
citizens of the Commonwealth,” stated Dr. Ara Chalian, co-chairman of the
ANC of Pennsylvania. “The ANC of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General
Assembly have an enduring relationship that spans nearly twenty years. We
look forward to continue working closely with Rep. Leach and others who take
an active role in supporting the issues of the Armenian American community,”
concluded Dr. Chalian.
The resolution identifies the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrators of a
genocide that claimed the lives of one and a half million Armenian men,
women, and children from 1915 to 1923. It also acknowledges that modern
Turkey continues to deny and distort the facts of the Armenian Genocide.
Through this resolution, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirms its
commitment to condemn atrocities, such as the Armenian Genocide, and to
prevent similar crimes against humanity from occurring again.
This is the second consecutive year that the first-term legislator has
introduced an Armenian Genocide resolution. Rep. Leach, whose wife is of
Armenian descent, represents a district which includes a large Armenian
American constituency, two Armenian churches, and the Armenian Sisters
Academy.
“It is important that we never forget the atrocities visited upon the
Armenian People in the last century,” stated Rep. Leach. “It is only by
remembering the past that we can recognize the gathering warning signs of
new oppression. As long as I am in the legislature, I can assure you that
no one will forget the struggle of the Armenian People,” concluded Rep.
Leach.
In addition to the Pennsylvania House Resolution, the Pittsburgh City
Council passed a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 “A Day of
Remembrance” for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The City
Proclamation was introduced and spearheaded by Councilman Douglas Shields,
and it was co-sponsored by Council President Gene Ricciardi and Council
members Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan
Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, and Sala Udin.
“On behalf of the Pittsburgh area Armenian-American community, I would like
to thank Councilman Doug Shields and the City Council for observing the
Armenian Genocide,” stated ANC activist Rostom Sarkissian, who resides in
Pittsburgh. “This proclamation and others like it not only honor the victims
and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but they also send a strong message
to the Turkish government that continued denial of this Genocide can no
longer be a state-sponsored policy. Time has come for Turkey to join the
international community in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide for what it
was–genocide,” concluded Sarkissian.
The ANC PA urges all Pennsylvania Armenians to contact their State
Representative to thank them for passing HR593 and the Pittsburgh City
Council for their “A Day of Remembrance” Proclamation. A copy of the
resolution can be found online at:
The
full text of the City Council statement can be found below.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in Pennsylvania and the United States. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community. For more information about the ANC of Pennsylvania or
assistance in contacting your elected officials, email:
[email protected].
####
—————————-
TEXT OF PROCLAMATION
—————————-
Pittsbu rgh City Council
Proclamation
WHEREAS, During the period leading to the breakup of the Ottoman empire,
Ottoman leaders promulgated Anti-Armenia policies, including mass
deportation of Armenians; and,
WHEREAS, these policies resulted in the systematic annihilation, through
massacres, disease, and starvation of a large segment of the Armenian
population; and,
WHEREAS, 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenian ancestry were
victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 through
1923; and,
WHEREAS, Armenians have historical roots and a national identity dating back
three thousand years in what is now Eastern Turkey, Northwestern Iran, and
South-Central Soviet Union; and,
WHEREAS, Armenians have distinctive linguistic and religious heritage within
the Christian tradition,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh
does hereby remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does
hereby declare Saturday April 24, 2004 as “A Day of Remembrance” here in the
City of Pittsburgh.
Passed in Council on Tuesday April 20, 2004
Gene Ricciardi
President of Council
Attest: Linda Johnson-Wasler
City Clerk
Sponsored by Councilman Douglas Shields
Cosponsored by
Council President Gene Ricciardi
And members of Council
Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg,
Twanda Carlisle, Sala Udin

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 13, 2004
___________________
ST. LEON HOSTS APPRECIATION DAY
On May 2, 2004, the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, held an
Appreciation Day Celebration, during which it honored many parish
volunteers and leaders.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), attended the festivities, and presented S.
Rex Kachigian with the prestigious St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a
Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians. The St. Nersess medal is awarded to individuals who
demonstrate outstanding commitment and service to the Armenian Church.
Mr. Kachigian is currently on the parish council and has served the
church for more than 40 years. He has served as parish council
chairman, a diocesan delegate, and oversees the maintence of the parish.
“Pretty much, he has had a hand in every aspect of the life of this
community,” said the parish priest, Fr. Diran Bohajian.
Also honored by the parish that day were Minas Arakelian, Bert
Bedrosian, Dr. Barry Halejian, Barbara Hovsepian, George Kachajian, Anne
Kachigian, Hermon Kasaryan, Rose Kirian, Anne Marootian, Mary Ann
Mozian, Gregg Najarian, Katherine Ohnikian, Grace Pinajian, Takouhi
Soultanian, Dovie Tilbian, Eliz Tossounian, Edna Tungrian, Bertha
Vaniskhian, Berjouhi Varjabedian, and Alice Yazmajian.
“We honored them for their years of service to the community,” Fr.
Bohajian said. “It was a time to say ‘thank you’ to those who have
served in various capacities within the life of the St. Leon Community.
These are people who have really worked diligently to build up the
Armenian Church and the St. Leon community. And they all continue to
serve in the community.”
This was the first such recognition event organized by St. Leon. Fr.
Bohajian says he hopes to create a regular on-going recognition program,
holding celebrations every few years.
“Rex Kachigian is a wonderful example of how to be a good steward. All
these people who were honored are wonderful stewards,” said the Primate,
who noted that this year the Diocese will be focusing on the idea of
stewardship. “Being good stewards mean we are called on to contribute
to the perfection of God’s chosen vessel, His church. By contributing,
I mean giving of ourselves — of our time and talent, as well as our
financial resources – to the greater good of the church.”
— 5/13/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The Primate presents S. Rex Kachigian with the St.
Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, held a celebration
to honor volunteers on May 2, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Two volunteers are feted by St. Leon Church of Fair
Lawn, NJ, during its Appreciation Day Celebration.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian speaks to the
parishioners of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, on May 2, 2004.
# # #

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED DUE TO SCUFFLES BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND
ADZHARIANS OF TSALKA GEORGIAN REGION
13.05.2004 17:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Criminal proceedings are instituted on facts of
scuffles between the Armenian and Adzharian populations of the Tsalka
Georgian region May 9, A-Info news agency reported. According to
the source, at present the passions have relatively settled down. As
Chairman of the regional administration Razmik Hanesian assures, the
contingent of internal forces in the region was not increased. 150
soldiers of internal forces, brought in the other day, will stay for
several days. However, the Adzharian community of the region continues
expressing concern, stating “Armenians have arms and these should be
taken away.” Meanwhile, the Armenian population says Adzharians are
armed, citing a range of cases, when arms were used against them
“for the purpose of frightening.” Georgian Minister of Internal
Affairs Georgy Baramidze has arrived in the Tsalka region May 13
to familiarize with the situation at the scene. Besides, Armenian
deputy from Tsalka region Hayk Meltonian is expected to discuss
the question with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania or National
Security Minister Zurab Merabishvili in the evening. It should be
reminded that May 9 in the regional center of Tsalka (Eastern Georgia)
after a football match between young residents of local villages a
scuffle between Adzharians and Armenians took place. As a result,
10 were injured.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: GEORGE SHIRINIAN
DATE: May 13, 2004 Tel: (416) 250-9807
Toronto – Turkish scholar Dr. Taner Akçam will be speaking about his new
book, From Empire to Republic: Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian
Genocide in several cities in the coming weeks.
Dr. Akçam is one of the first Turkish academics to acknowledge and discuss
openly the genocide of the Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government in
1915. He is one of a handful of scholars who are challenging their
homeland’s insistent declarations that the organized slaughter of Armenians
did not occur; and he is the first Turkish specialist to use the word
“genocide” publicly in this context. His new book represents the first
scholarly attempt to both document the Genocide and understand that
genocide from a perpetrator, rather than victim perspective, and to
contextualize fully the events of 1915 within Turkey’s political history,
and western political policies towards the region more generally.
Taner Akçam was born in northeastern Turkey and became interested in
politics at an early age. He was active in Turkish politics until he fled
to Germany as a political refugee, where he received a Ph.D. from Hanover
University. Dr. Akçam is the author of numerous books and articles in
English, German and Turkish. Through his research, writings, and lectures,
he has worked tirelessly and courageously to help the Turkish people come
to terms with their history and to bridge the gap between Turks and
Armenians. He is currently Visiting Associate Professor of History at the
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
The schedule of his lectures is as follows:
Thursday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Boston-Cambridge. Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, 79 John
F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA. Starr Auditorium. Parking is available at
the Harvard Square Parking Garage at the corner of Eliot and JFK streets or
at the Charles Hotel Parking Garage. This lecture is co-sponsored by the
Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation, the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, the Mashtots Chair
in Armenian Studies at Harvard, and the Harvard Armenian Society. For more
information contact the Zoryan Institute at 617-497-6713 or NAASR at
617-489-1610.
Friday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Montreal. McGill University, Moot Court, New Chancellor Day Hall Law
Faculty, 3644 Peel. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Zoryan Institute of
Canada and the Armenian Students’ Associations of Concordia, McGill, and
the University of Montreal. For more information contact the Zoryan
Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.
Saturday May 22, 6:30 p.m.
Montreal. Bolsahay Cultural Association, 2855 Victor Dore. This lecture is
co-sponsored by the Zoryan Institute of Canada, the Bolsahay Cultural
Association and the Armenian General Benevolent Union of Montreal. For more
information contact the Zoryan Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.
Sunday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto. Glendon College, 2275 Bayview Ave. (at Lawrence), Dining Hall.
Parking is free. This lecture is organized by the Zoryan Institute of
Canada, with the participation of the Armenian Association of Toronto, the
Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, the Armenian General Benevolent
Union of Toronto, the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada, the
Armenian National Committee of Toronto, the Armenian Students’ Associations
of Ryerson University, University of Toronto and York University, the
Bolsahay Cultural Association, the Canadian Armenian Business Council, Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Gregory’s Armenian Catholic Church,
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Social Democrat Henchak Party, and
other organizations. For more information contact the Zoryan Institute of
Canada, 416-250-9807.
Friday, June 4, 6:30 p.m.
New York-Manhattan. City University of New York Graduate Center, 365 Fifth
Avenue, Elebash Recital Hall. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Zoryan
Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation and the
Middle East & Middle
Eastern American Center of CUNY. For more information contact the Zoryan
Institute of Canada, 416-250-9807.
Admission to all lectures is free. A question-and-answer period will follow
the lecture. Copies of Dr. Akçam’s new book, From Empire to Republic will
be on sale and available for signing.

THE MESSAGE OF NKR PRESIDENT
Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 10, 2004
May 9 is a great holiday for our country. This day has always been dear
to our nation. Not very long ago on May 9 we celebrated the victory of
our common homeland against fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War,
a war where every second soldier from Artsakh was killed. However,
12 years ago May 9 acquired a special meaning for us becoming fatal
for the Armenians of Artsakh. On this day Shoushi was liberated again
becoming Armenian, as it should be. Shoushi was liberated by the NKR
Defence Army which surprised the world with its valor and military
efficiency, and on this day it also celebrates the day of its creation
on May 9. By the liberation of Shoushi the â^À^ÜRoad of Lifeâ^À^Ý
to Armenia was opened saving the people of Artsakh from the danger
of physical extermination. This is the essence of the liberation of
Shoushi. It is very symbolic that we celebrate these three holidays
on the same day. This coincidence incarnates the succession of
generations. The glorious military traditions of the grandfathers and
fathers, who worked miracles of courage and valor during World War II,
were duly continued by the new generation of the people of Artsakh,
who obtained and defended the freedom and independence of Artsakh in
the battles with the enemy exceeding them in number and arms. Glory
to the martyrs for the happy future of Artsakh. The duty of us the
living is not to let the blood shed by them be in vain. Glory to our
veterans of war. The government of the republic will continue to keep
in the center of attention their needs and cares. The NKR Defence
Army formed in the furnace of the struggle for independence continues
to be the most reliable guarantor of the security of the Republic of
Nagorni Karabakh and its people. Today when in Azerbaijan they try to
hinder the course of history cherishing revanchist hopes to solve the
problem of Karabakh by force, we have no right to weaken the military
building, we must equip the army with modern weapons, maintain the
rates of improvement of military skills. At the same time once again
I declare with full responsibility that the NKR Defence Army is the
army of peace. Its priority was and remains the defence of Nagorni
Karabakh and its population from external aggression. Be sure that our
army is ready to counterattack the enemy at any moment if it dares to
disturb our peaceful life and encroach upon our independence. Dear
fellow countrymen, the May holidays overlap with another important
event; 10 years ago in the area of the Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan,
Nagorni Karabakh and Armenia signed the agreement on cease-fire. At
that time Azerbaijan had to recognize Nagorni Karabakh as a conflict
party and signed the cease-fire with Karabakh due to the success
of our army. And if the cease-fire is maintained up today, the
main role in this belongs to the power of the NKR army defending
our homeland. Therefore, our army is one of the active guarantees
for the maintenance of the peaceful process of the regulation of the
conflict. I want to assure you that the NKR government is as formerly
loyal to peaceful regulation of the Karabakh conflict. Dear people of
Artsakh, I congratulate you on our Victory. I wish all of us peace,
well-being and happiness.
AA.

INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY OF NKR SECURITY COUNCIL K. BABURIAN
Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
May 10, 2004
Mr. Baburian, it is the tenth anniversary of the cease-fire on the
Karabakh front. Negotiations go on but even ten years later the
president of Azerbaijan again speaks about starting the negotiations
from the zero point. How would you characterize the present stage of
the negotiations and how big is the probability of breaking the
cease-fire? â^À^Ó The cease-fire signed by both Azerbaijan and Karabakh
and maintained for already ten years once again testifies to the fact
that for the settlement of any problem Azerbaijan must negotiate with
the government of Nagorni Karabakh. As to the new wave of appeals for
military actions, these have always existed. In my opinion, giving
consent to the construction of the pipeline Baku-Geihan and the
inflow of billions of loan Azerbaijan significantly reduced the
probability of solving the problem through military ways. The big
interests of great powers have come forth in the region, and the
great powers are not interested in destabilization of the situation
in the region, which they have stated for a number of times. As to
the negotiations, these are held confidentially. I cannot, therefore,
say anything definite about the latest meeting of the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. â^À^Ó Special reporter of the EU on Karabakh
conflict Terry Davis stated that in his report he would pay special
attention to humanitarian problems, especially that of the refugees.
During his visit to Stepanakert Mr. Davis stressed the necessity of
return of refugees of the both parties. Armenian refugees, as the
polls of public opinion show, do not want to return, whereas the
Azerbaijani refugees still living in tents are ready to return at any
moment. â^À^Ó How will these problems be solved? â^À^Ó The problems of
refugees, status of Nagorni Karabakh and the occupied territories,
which are guarantee of the security of the population, are mutually
interrelated. These are the core questions of the conflict with
Azerbaijan and must be solved in a complex way, that is in a package
way. â^À^Ó Let us suppose that the problem of the status of Nagorni
Karabakh is settled but at the same time 500 thousand Azerbaijani
refugees return to Karabakh. How will this affect the demographic
situation in the region and to what extent is the â^À^Üobligatory returnâ^À^Ý
of the refugees probable? I think any question, even the most
delicate one, may be discussed and mutually acceptable solutions can
be found. Azerbaijan must by all means sit at the table of
negotiations with Nagorni Karabakh. â^À^Ó The so-called organization for
liberation of Karabakh announced about its intention to organize a
march to Shoushi on May 9. It is true that according to the
Azerbaijani mass media the force agencies of that country did not
react to the appeals of that organization. Nevertheless, to what
extent are we secure and prepared for such actions? â^À^Ó This is an
utter lie. The entire state and its armed forces organized a â^À^Ümarchâ^À^Ý
against Nagorni Karabakh and were bitterly defeated; against this
background the announcements of a group of provocateurs may be
described as a propagandist gesture. â^À^ÜEchoâ^À^Ý of Baku proudly published
in one of its editions that diplomatic Azerbaijan had declared a
wide-scale war against the communication company â^À^ÜKarabakh Telecomâ^À^Ý,
and started the war in Uzbekistan. â^À^Ó Azerbaijan constantly conducts a
war against the people of Nagorni Karabakh and tries by all means to
deprive them of elementary conditions for a decent life. Thus Baku
proves that it does not recognize the population of Nagorni Karabakh
as its citizens. After the recent developments in Batumi and the
assistance of Sahakashvili to the Adzhars it is apparent that
Azerbaijan has never had such attitude towards the people of Karabakh
and has got used to the idea of losing it. â^À^Ó Let us continue the
topic of Adzharia. They say Adzharia will be followed by Abkhazia,
Osia, and all this will have its influence upon Karabakhâ^À¦ – Those are
completely different problems. In Adzharia people came out to the
streets with the portraits of Mikhail Sahakashvili and the slogan
â^À^ÜMisha, we are with youâ^À^Ý. Is it possible to imagine the people
organize a demonstration in Stepanakert with the pictures of Ilham
Aliev and express their solidarity? Besides, Adzharia has never had
the problem of seceding from Georgia and Adzharia never declared its
independence. â^À^Ó One more question. Recently, the question of
relationships of Armenia and Karabakh is widely circulated in the
Azerbaijani press. There were even articles with sensational
headlines such as â^À^ÜArmeniaâ^À^Ùs New Enemy â^À^Ó Karabakhâ^À^Ý, etc. In
fact, did
something come between Armenia and Karabakh? â^À^Ó I think it is natural
that the Azerbaijani machine of propaganda should try to tap a wedge
between Karabakh and Armenia. Unfortunately, certain adventurous
people favour them. All their attempts, however, are doomed. The
unity of the Armenian nation was obtained at a high cost through hard
trials and I am sure the people themselves will not allow anyone
disrupt their unity. â^À^Ó Recently the NKR parliament has made changes
in the staff of the Constitutional Commission. Does this mean that
the commission will activate its work? â^À^Ó On the whole the work on the
constitution was not interrupted, however, after the election to the
parliament, the rotation of the cadres 2/3 of the staff of the
commission was, actually, unable to work. As to the adoption of the
Constitution, this question was always on the agenda and had a
significant place in the election program of president Ghukassian.
Presently the constitutional experience of other countries is
studied. For us it will be easier in the sense that the basic laws
have been adopted and are in effect in our country. – And the last
question. There are rumours that the former minister of defence
Samvel Babayan was pardoned. Some people relate this with the pardon
of General Syuret Huseinov in Azerbaijan. â^À^Ó As the head of the
commission on amnesty I assure that we did not receive any
applications from either S. Babayan, or his next-of-kin applied for
amnesty. Besides, in the given case the initial application of the
convict is important because by the request of his relatives we
started gathering the necessary data for the amnesty and came across
such facts that the convict himself refused the application of the
act of amnesty. I must say that the president of the country had a
rather humanistic approach to the problem and continues to. It is
known that a number of other participants of the terrorist act were
released and the terms of the others were shortened. 
NAIRA HAYRUMIAN

Azeri TV reports Armenian truce violation
ANS TV, Baku
13 May 04
At about 1500 [1000 gmt] today, the village of Qapanli of Tartar
District came under fire from the Armenian-occupied Agdara District’s
village of Seyid-Suvan. The gunfire from large-calibre machine guns
lasted for 10 minutes. The enemy was silenced with retaliatory fire.
Local residents reported no casualties during the incident.