Category: News

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
AYF to Hold Protest at Turkish Consulate
The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo Madenlian Public
Affairs Office announced Monday that on Saturday April 24th starting at 4pm
the AYF will organize a large-scale protest in front of the Turkish
Consulate in Los Angeles.
`Our protest will not only demand justice from the Turkish government but
from the US government as well,’ said Sevag Garabetian, Director of the 2004
Protest. `All of AYF’s programs, projects, and events serve this great cause
either directly or indirectly,’ explained Garabetian.
The protest, which has taken place now for close to thirty years, is where
thousands of Armenian-Americans, particularly Armenian youth converge to
demand justice for the Armenian Genocide.
`The lives and memories of our 1.5 million ancestors can never be replaced,’
said Vicken Sosikian, chairman of the AYF Western Region. `However, we will
relentlessly pursue our just rights to the international recognition and
condemnation of the Genocide, to our lands in Western Armenia, and the
proper allocation of reparations to the Armenians,’ explained Sosikian.
The protest will begin at 4pm at the Turkish Consulate located 4801 Wilshire
Blvd. in Los Angeles. Water and first aid will be available.
The Armenian Youth Federation of Western United States strives to serve
Armenian American Communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social settings. To
learn more about the Armenian Youth Federation please log on to
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Azeri president restates position on Karabakh ahead of Turkish visit
Hurriyet, Istanbul
9 Apr 04
Azerbaijan will never accept Nagornyy Karabakh becoming an independent
Armenian entity, President Ilham Aliyev has told Turkish newspaper
Hurriyet ahead of his official visit to Ankara. He restated his
position that if Armenia withdrew from five of the seven occupied
Azerbaijani districts, Baku would be ready to reopen the border and
railway through Armenia and begin negotiations. Aliyev said that it
would be a blow to Azerbaijani-Turkish relations if Turkey were to
open its border with Armenia. He said that his father, late President
Heydar Aliyev, had been suffering a great deal from “this disease”
towards the end, but did not name the illness. The following is the
text of Ertugrul Ozkok’s interview with Aliyev in Hurriyet (Ankara
edition) on 9 April headlined “Let them withdraw from five districts,
then let us open the border crossing immediately”; subheadings as
published by Hurriyet:
Azerbaijani flag used to fly at Black Sea
I became aware of the first change when I landed at Baku airport. The
name of the airport has clearly changed to Heydar Aliyev airport. But
this was not the only change. This time, there is a change in Baku in
the atmosphere towards Turkey. With whomever I talked, they asked me,
“Will Turkey open the border with Armenia?”
One day before I came here, close to 20 Azerbaijani reporters came to
Turkey via Naxcivan. There, they were campaigning for “the border with
Armenia not to be opened”. Some opposition newspapers even wanted the
Turkish ambassador to be deported if the border was opened.
In the evening, we were at the Izmir Restaurant in Izmir
Park. Singers, each with voices more beautiful than the other, came
onto the stage. A female singer, who came onto the stage at the end of
the programme, suddenly started to sing the song, “It will fly at the
Black Sea”. The hall suddenly started to sway. The Azerbaijani female
singer started to sway with a Turkish flag in one hand and an
Azerbaijani flag in the other. She changed the final refrain of the
song as follows: “We will hang the Azerbaijani flag in Nagornyy
Karabakh.” So it was in this atmosphere that we talked with President
Ilham Aliyev.
Probably the reason why he talked with Guneri Civaoglu from the
Milliyet newspaper and me prior to his visit to Turkey was to convey
to Turkey this sensitivity in Baku.
[Ozkok] The death of President Heydar Aliyev was a great loss for
Azerbaijan and Turkey and for the entire Turkish world.
[Aliyev] It was a very great loss for us. It was a great
disaster. Towards the end, he was suffering a lot from this
disease. But still, it is impossible to be reconciled with his loss.
[Ozkok] When did you see the president last?
[Aliyev] I saw him in September [2003].
[Ozkok] You had talked in the United States.
[Aliyev] Yes, I was the prime minister here and had gone to visit
him. There were elections here 20 days later. As soon as I returned, I
started the election campaign. I had planned to go and visit him once
again after the elections. I was going to go on the 16th, but he
passed away on the 12th.
Our growth rate has reached 11 per cent
[Ozkok] During this visit, I found that Baku has changed. There are a
large number of construction sites. How is the economy going?
[Aliyev] The economy is going well. Our growth rate has reached 11 per
cent. Azerbaijan came from the communist system, but today, the
dominance of the private sector in the economy has reached 74 per
cent. This shows that a market economy has become established.
[Ozkok] Are you pleased with the progress of the oil pipeline system?
[Aliyev] The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is being successfully
built. That is also the work of Heydar Aliyev. I am pleased with the
progress of the pipelines.
[Ozkok] I wonder if the incidents in Georgia will affect the petroleum
flow system?
[Aliyev] No, they will not affect it.
[Ozkok] Could there be a search [for a new pipeline route] via one
place or another or through Iran?
[Aliyev] It could be possible in the future, but this is not an issue
for today or tomorrow. Perhaps there will be so much petroleum in
Azerbaijan that it will be necessary to build a new oil pipeline.
There is an Armenian lobby, not an environmental lobby
[Ozkok] Have those who opposed the project stopped talking?
[Aliyev] Those who are opposed to the Baku-Ceyhan project have not
given up these policies. In the first stage, the countries that did
not want the project were openly opposing it. Now, however, the
tactics have changed. Nongovernmental organizations, which are under
the influence of the Armenian lobby and have hidden under the name of
environmentalists, are making obstacles for the project.
[Ozkok] What do you think about the developments in the Caucasus?
There were three strong leaders in the Caucasus after the
disintegration of the Soviet Union: Suleyman Demirel in Turkey, Heydar
Aliyev in Azerbaijan and Eduard Shevardnadze in Georgia. Thanks to
them, this critical period was overcome without a problem. But now
there are three inexperienced leaders in the three countries. Could a
problem emerge?
[Aliyev] Unfortunately, there is instability in our region. Our region
has suffered a lot. Today as well, the Caucasus is such a sensitive
region that even the smallest wrong step could bring major
disasters. You said it correctly. There were very strong leaders in
this region. Their togetherness, friendship and personal relations
played a very important role. These leaders are not here any more. I
hope that we, the young leaders, will keep our traditions alive.
It should not be Nagornyy Karabakh after Cyprus
[Ozkok] Mr President, recently we have frequently heard the following
theory. The Cyprus problem is being solved. After that, it will be
the turn for the Palestine – Israel and Nagornyy Karabakh problems and
that the pressure on you will increase. Do you agree with this?
[Aliyev] I do not see a parallel on this subject. There have always
been pressures on Azerbaijan. But it is not justified behaviour to
apply pressure to us, because we are not the source of the
problem. Armenia occupied our lands. Nagornyy Karabakh and seven of
our districts around it are still under occupation. As the result of
this occupation, 40,000 Azerbaijanis were forced to emigrate from
Nagornyy Karabakh and 700,000 Azerbaijanis were forced to emigrate
from the seven districts surrounding it.
[Ozkok] Are there other emigrants?
[Aliyev] Of course, 250,000 Azeris living in Armenia were also forced
to emigrate. There are also 20-50,000 Akhaltsikhe Turks who emigrated
from Uzbekistan. That is, today Azerbaijan shelters more than one
million emigrants.
[Ozkok] All right, will this problem ever be solved?
[Aliyev] The great nations, the OSCE and the Minsk Group, which are
taking an interest in this problem, should approach it from the aspect
of international legal standards. The territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan should be ensured once again.
[Ozkok] All right, what would happen to the Armenians in Nagornyy
Karabakh? They are also talking about the principle of determining
their own future.
[Aliyev] Now they have the independent state of Armenia. But if you
are talking about the principle of determining their own rights
everywhere the Armenians live, then could Armenia attempt to determine
these rights everywhere the Armenians live, such as in France, in
Georgia and in the United States?
[Ozkok] If you were to make a call to Armenia from here, what would
you propose in very clear terms to solve the problem?
[Aliyev] Let me express it very clearly. One: we will never accept a
fait accompli. Those lands will never be a part of Armenia. An
independent Armenian republic will not be established there.
[Ozkok] This is a very rigid and irreconcilable attitude, is it not?
Would it not be necessary to be somewhat more conciliatory, at least
to start negotiations?
[Aliyev] We also have a conciliatory proposal.
[Ozkok] What is it?
[Aliyev] We are saying that at the first stage, let them withdraw from
five of the seven districts that they have occupied, then we would
immediately start the negotiations. We would immediately open the
railway and the border crossings. Economic relations would start. Then
it would also be possible to open the border crossing between Turkey
and Armenia.
Let us give highest autonomy to Nagornyy Karabakh
[Ozkok] What would happen to the Armenians in Nagornyy Karabakh? Do
they not have a different situation?
[Aliyev] Our proposal on this subject is as follows: we are prepared
to give the Armenians in Nagornyy Karabakh the highest status other
than independence.
[Ozkok] What sort of status?
[Aliyev] For example, there are national minorities in various places
in the world. There are autonomous administrations. Whatever is the
highest level and most advanced form of autonomy, we are prepared to
give it.
You cannot give up national cause because of pressure
[Ozkok] Mr President, recently the Azerbaijani public has been
sensitive about the opening of the border crossing between Turkey and
Armenia. The Azerbaijanis are reacting strongly because Turkey is
preparing to open this border crossing. Why is this?
[Aliyev] This is an internal matter for Turkey. No official
information has come from Turkey to date. Consequently, it would also
not be appropriate for me to say anything on this subject.
[Ozkok] What would be your reaction if Turkey were to open this border
crossing?
[Aliyev] Of course, it would strike a blow to Turkish-Azerbaijani
relations. President Heydar Aliyev said the following repeatedly: We
are one nation and two states. For that reason, I do not think that it
is likely that such a thing will happen. Furthermore, the Armenians do
not have claims related only to our territories. They also have claims
related to Turkey. It is good to have economic relations, but there is
also history. It is also necessary to take history into account. If
such a thing were done, then it would also create profound sadness in
the Azerbaijani people.
[Ozkok] But Turkey is preparing to enter the EU and it is also
important to open this border crossing. Turkey is also taking steps on
the Cyprus issue.
[Aliyev] We know that there are pressures on Turkey. We also sincerely
want Turkey to enter the EU. But Turkey is a great state. The fact
that there is pressure does not mean giving up a national cause. The
EU negotiations have not yet started. If these negotiations start,
then how much time will it take, one year or five years?
Armenians in Baku are wives of Azerbaijani men
[Ozkok] Do you not have direct contacts with the Armenian president at
all?
[Aliyev] We talked once.
[Ozkok] For example, did he congratulate you after you became
president?
[Aliyev] No.
[Ozkok] Did he send you a message of condolence after the death of
Heydar Aliyev?
[Aliyev] Yes, he sent a telegram.
[Ozkok] The population of Armenia is also decreasing. People are going
away, escaping from there.
[Aliyev] But the Armenian lobby still remains. We should not consider
the Armenians only as a country. Their diaspora is very strong.
[Ozkok] Are there no more Armenians in Azerbaijan?
[Aliyev] There are more than 20,000 Armenians in Baku. Basically, they
are the wives of Azerbaijani men.
[Ozkok] All right. Are there Azerbaijani women who are married to
Armenian men?
[Aliyev] There are very few. There were very rare cases in the past.
We have no Islamic movement
[Ozkok] Is there an Islamic movement in Azerbaijan? Is it strong?
[Aliyev] No. We do not have this problem in Azerbaijan. Our society is
very tolerant.
[Ozkok] What is the size of the Christian population here?
[Aliyev] The Christian population here is around 5, 6 or 7 per cent of
the total population.
[Ozkok] Are there also Jews?
[Aliyev] There could be around 100,000 Jews.
[Ozkok] More Jews than there are in Turkey.
[Aliyev] There were always many Jews here, both now and in the Soviet
period. They live here comfortably.
[Ozkok] Are the Russians who remained here happy with their lives?
[Aliyev] I think that they are happy. If they were unhappy, then they
would leave. Our relations with them are very positive.

Haaretz
Tue., April 13, 2004 Nisan 22, 5764
Thousands of Christians gather in Jerusalem to mark Good Friday, Easter
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and Reuters
Thousands of Christians gathered in Jerusalem over the weekend to mark
Easter and Good Friday.
Hundreds of Christians gathered for the Easter service Sunday at the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, led by Latin patriarch of Jerusalem
Michel Sabah.
The number of participants is estimated to be lower this year than other
years due to the closure Israel has placed on the territories until after
Independence Day, for fear of attacks, Israel Radio reported.
On Good Friday, some 11,000 Christians crowded the church, which Christians
consider Christ’s last resting place after his body was removed from the
cross.
A roar of joy burst from the throats of the worshipers crowding the Holy
Sepulcher on Friday afternoon, as out of the darkness the light of two
candles suddenly flickered. They were held by the Greek Orthodox patriarch
and the Armenian bishop. This was the culmination of the Good Friday
procession, in which pilgrims from every strain of Christianity crowded the
streets of Jerusalem’s Old City, retracing Jesus’ path to crucifixion.
Both the Western and Eastern Churches are celebrating Easter on the same day
this year, an event that happens rarely because of different calendar
calculations. Perhaps this is what prompted Pope John Paul’s unexpected
Easter appeal for Christian unity on Sunday, saying he hoped the two
branches of Christianity that split apart a thousand years ago could one day
find reconciliation.
Speaking in Italian at the end of his Easter Sunday mass to tens of
thousands of people in St Peter’s Square, the Pope noted the calendar
coincidence and said he hoped it could become permanent. He said he was
praying that all baptized Christians could one day celebrate “this
fundamental feast of their faith together.
Groups from Russia, Poland, Greece, the Philippines and Ethiopia on Friday
followed the stations of the cross along the cobblestoned Via Dolorosa, or
Way of Sorrows, the route Christ took from his trial to his burial,
according to tradition.
Faith has it that the fire erupting once a year from the sepulcher lights
the candles. But this year another mystery was added. Was it the Greek
patriarch who brought the fire, as the Greeks said, or did the Armenian
bishop accompany him, as the Armenians assert.
The fire-lighting ceremony has been held annually for more than 1,000 years.
For the Orthodox, Armenians, Copts and Assyrians, the ceremony symbolizes
the beginning of Christ’s resurrection. Only a representative of the Greek
Orthodox community and a representative of the Armenian community are
allowed into the holy chapel at the sepulcher’s entrance. A few minutes
later they appear at the windows with candles in their hand. Within seconds
the fire lights thousands of candles held by worshipers in the church.
For the past two years, the Greek Orthodox and Armenian leaders have been
fighting about the access right to the source of fire. This year they asked
the Israeli government to settle the issue. But both previous and present
interior ministers kept putting off their decision.
This year, the Jerusalem police told both sides the ceremony would be held
in the same format as last year. “We told them we would not allow any
riots,” police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said. “If they don’t reach an
agreement, there will be no ceremony, or only a very small one.”
Finally, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Irineos entered the sepulcher, with
Armenian Bishop Vicken close on his heels. An armed police force kept watch
inside the church to prevent disturbances.
Outside the church, local shopkeepers – some of whom were selling bootlegged
DVDs of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” – and police said this
year’s Good Friday turnout was larger than any since the outbreak of the
intifada in September 2000.
Worshipers sang and carried icons, candles, flowers and crosses as they
walked along the alleys to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
One group of about a dozen people, each wearing a crown of thorns, carried a
large cross. Another group reenacted the Passion with actors playing the
parts of Jesus, Roman soldiers and the disciples.
The procession often ground to a halt as the throng tried to turn sharp
corners or pass through narrow passages. Some pilgrims tearfully kissed the
pillars of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as they waited to get in. Once
inside, many wiped prayer cloths across the Stone of Unction, where Christ
was anointed for burial.

Armenian opposition urges coalition parties “to stop being slaves”
Arminfo
12 Apr 04
YEREVAN
Participants in a rally in Yerevan today began their march down
Bagramyan Avenue towards the presidential palace. They are being led
by opposition MPs.
Speaking at the rally the leader of the opposition National Unity
Party and deputy of the National Assembly, Artashes Gegamyan, called
on the members of the coalition government – the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun
and Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] – “to stop being
slaves and to join the people”.
In his concluding remarks the leader of the Justice party, Stepan
Demirchyan, said that the authorities missed an opportunity of
civilized departure through a vote of no confidence and the last word
will now belong to the people.
[Passage omitted: barbed wire blocks the way]

Majority coalition pulls out of Armenian parliament session
Mediamax news agency
12 Apr 04

YEREVAN
The ruling political coalition in Armenia said today that they would
not take part in the plenary sitting of the National Assembly on 12-14
April.
National Assembly Chairman Artur Bagdasaryan read out a statement to
this effect by the coalition parties’ parliamentary factions in the
parliament chamber today, Mediamax’s parliamentary correspondent
reports. The coalition consists of the Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun and
Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party].
The statement says that the decision was taken “to avoid deepening
domestic political confrontation”.
The Armenian opposition intends to organize a march this afternoon by
its supporters down Bagramyan Avenue, where the National Assembly and
presidential administration are located.

Armenian protesters outside parliament, close to presidential palace
A1+ web site
12 Apr 04
A procession of protesters stopped outside the Armenian parliament.
The rest of the way leading to the presidential palace, which is only
100-120 metres away, is blocked by barbed wire with soldiers behind.
It is calm outside parliament. Music is being played. The protesters
are holding their hands up. A few minutes ago they started to chant
unanimously “Kocharyan, go”.
Academician Rafael Kazaryan is going to make a speech.
From: Baghdasarian

Armenian official urges opposition to end “undesirable political processes”
Arminfo
12 Apr 04
YEREVAN
The Armenian opposition should do everything possible to cut short
undesirable political processes or slow them down, Artashes Tumanyan,
head of the Armenian presidential administration, has said in an
interview with Armenian Public TV.
The opposition should not refuse to do legislative work. Although in a
political minority, it should try “to push through” certain bills. It
would be normal and civilized for the opposition to act so, Tumanyan
said. He disagreed with the view that the opposition had no other way
out but boycott the parliament sessions.
Speaking about the main opposition demands, he explained the first
point by a less than perfect electoral system. It is no secret that
since 1995 all the elections in Armenia have been “vulnerable” due to
various reasons. Until now, no amendments were made to the electoral
system, and here lies a broad area for the legislative activities. But
for reasons unknown, the opposition is not debating that despite the
fact that the views of the president and the coalition often coincide
with the initiatives put forward by the opposition. The latter had
repeatedly spoken about its readiness for dialogue.
The paucity of the opposition MPs does not mean at all that any
proposals by the opposition will be rejected, Tumanyan said.
From: Baghdasarian

Armenian opposition calls for meeting with speaker
Mediamax news agency
12 Apr 04
YEREVAN
Police have blocked several demonstrators on Bagramyan Avenue outside
the National Assembly, 200 metres away from the building of the
Armenian presidential administration.
Bagramyan Avenue was blocked by the double line of barbed wire and
police units with water cannons.
The opposition is now holding a rally outside the Armenian National
Assembly. The leader of the opposition National Unity Party, Artashes
Gegamyan, called on the police to abstain from any actions against the
protesters.
Viktor Dallakyan, an MP from the Justice bloc of the Armenian National
Assembly, voiced the opposition’s demands. First, he said several
opposition MPs should be given an opportunity to meet “the state’s
second person” – Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan. Dallakyan said that “we
want to invite him here for him to address his nation”.
Second, the deputy said, the opposition wants a meeting with Police
Chief Ayk Arutyunyan “who fulfilled the authorities’ illegal order and
blocked our way”. Moreover, Viktor Dallakyan said, “we urge all TV
channels of the country to make it possible for us to go live on air”.
The opposition did not specify the kind of actions it would resort to
if the above demands were not met.
The law enforcers, who are blocking the protesters way on Bagramyan
Avenue, are not using force.

Armenian defence minister, US envoy discuss military cooperation
Arminfo
12 Apr 04

YEREVAN
Serzh Sarkisyan, defence minister and secretary of the Armenian
president’s National Security Council, today met the US ambassador to
Armenia, John Ordway.
The sides discussed the current level and prospects for development of
Armenian-American relations in the military sphere, the Armenian
Defence Ministry spokesman, Col Seyran Shakhsuvaryan, told Arminfo
news agency.
At the end of the meeting the American diplomat invited the Armenian
defence minister to take part in the opening ceremony of a hospital in
Talin on 14 April. The hospital has been restored with financial aid
from the US command in Europe.

Armenian opposition say over 250 arrested, “junta in its death throes”
Mediamax news agency
12 Apr 04
YEREVAN
MP Viktor Dallakyan, member of the opposition Justice bloc, said in
Yerevan today that “the Armenian authorities are deliberately
heightening tension in the country. It will be them who will bear the
responsibility for a possible negative outcome.”
Speaking at a briefing at the headquarters of the People’s Party
today, Dallakyan said that some 250 people had been “unlawfully
detained” over a sit-in and protests on Freedom Square.
Dallakyan said that Tatul Manaseryan and Vardan Lazarian, MPs of the
Armenia’s National Assembly from the Justice faction, were taken to
police station today. The two intend to get in touch with the speaker
of the National Assembly, Artur Bagdasaryan, and demand that measures
be taken to free them, Dallakyan said.
“Such acts by the authorities testify to the fact that the junta is in
its death throes,” he said. The leaders of the Justice bloc have sent
a letter to Council of Europe Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer, and
to the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, Peter Schieder.
The letter mentions “illegal acts by the authorities against peaceful
demonstrators”.
Another member of the Justice faction, Shavarsh Kocharyan, today
accused the Armenian authorities of carrying out “the policy of state
terror against their own people”. He said that the authorities have
consistently ignored the constitution which entitles its citizens to
stage peaceful rallies and marches.
The speakers told the briefing that the opposition’s decision to stage
a rally and march to the presidential residence today at 1600 [0900
gmt] remains unchanged.