Category: News

A1 Plus | 21:41:03 | 23-04-2004 | Politics |
AMERICAN CITIZEN TO FACE TRIAL
On Friday, Armenian Prosecutor General Office confirmed the fact of
American citizen Arthur Vardanyan arrest.
The office source says formal charge is already brought to
Vardanyan. He is charged with two counts of repeatedly using his
Armenian passport while being a US citizen, illegally crossing
Armenian borders, participating in the opposition staged rallies and
making inciting calls to coup.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/23/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims April 24 Day Of Remembrance For The Armenian Genocide 2) Statement of US Senator Barbara Boxer Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide 3) Horizon TV to Provide Continuous Coverage of April 24 Events 4) Idaho Governor Issues Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide 1) California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims April 24 Day Of Remembrance For The Armenian Genocide SACRAMENTO--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) reported today that newly elected California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Proclamation designating Saturday, April 24, as a "Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide."The language of the proclamation addressed the historical facts of the Genocide and commended Armenian Americans for retaining their “…distinct heritage, language, and religion, and bringing rich cultural diversity to the Golden State.” “We are very pleased to have Governor Schwarzenegger proclaim April 24 as a California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide,” commented ANCA-WR Government Relations Director, Armen Carapetian. “Designating April 24th as a special day means a great deal to the children and grandchildren of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and even the survivors who were able to make it to California and called this great state their home.” On Saturday, April 24, California State Senator Charles Poochigian, the legislature’s highest ranking Armenian, will present the proclamation to the ANCA-WR and the Armenian community at a special ceremony to be held at the Armenian Martyrs Monument in Montebello, California.The event will include special messages from Senator John Kerry, Governor Schwarzenegger, in addition to speeches from various other California State and federal public officials. The complete text of Gov. Schwarzenegger's statement follows: On April 24, 1915, in Constantinople, the Ottoman Turkish government arrested and murdered several hundred Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders, beginning a campaign of terror known as the Armenian Genocide. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire executed a systematic destruction of Armenian culture through the forced exile, imprisonment and annihilation of men, women and children of Armenian descent. More than 1.5 million Armenians perished, and 500,000 survivors were forced to leave their ancestral homeland in Turkey. Whole villages were massacred and many people died of exposure and starvation during forced death marches in the desert. Despite this great tragedy, the Armenian people have persevered and today are striving to build a free and proud nation, based on the principles of democracy and a free-market economy. California is home to 700,000 Armenians--the largest Armenian community outside the Republic of Armenia. Throughout the decades, the Armenian-American community has contributed to California's agriculture, business, education, public service, and the arts. They have retained their distinct heritage, language, and religion, bringing rich cultural diversity to the Golden State. On this 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we join with Armenians around the world to mourn the loss of so many innocent lives. In remembering this great human tragedy, we rededicate ourselves to combat injustice, and we honor the triumphant spirit of the Armenian people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim Saturday, April 24, 2004, as a "Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide." 2) Statement of US Senator Barbara Boxer Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Between the years of 1915 and 1923, a million and a half Armenians were brutally murdered as a result of a calculated plan to eliminate Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. Men taken from their homes and separated from their families were killed. Women, children, and elderly were sent on forced death marches across the Syrian Desert. These actions constituted the first genocide of the 20th century and one of the most vicious and tragic events in world history. One and one-half million Armenian lives were lost, countless more were persecuted, and the entire Armenian community suffered. As we reflect on these horrible years, Armenian Americans know this story and its relevance in history. Tragically, some question its historical accuracy.To prevent future genocide is to face the reality that it exists. Knowledge of past genocides in different parts of our world assists in arming us to prevent such acts from occurring again. At the outset of the Jewish Holocaust, Adolph Hitler said that no one remembered what happened to the Armenian people during the genocide. He then proceeded to implement his Final Solution. Today, Armenians are continuing to work to rebuild and strengthen their great nation. After facing years of injustice and persecution, the Armenian people’s spirit remains strong. I join you in commemorating the 89th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As we remember these sad years, we must never forget that an act of genocide is not only an act of hatred toward one particular group, but toward all humankind. May we learn from the tragedy of the Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to full equality, respect, and acceptance for all people.An important first step is the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States Government and the world as a whole. 3) Horizon TV to Provide Continuous Coverage of April 24 Events Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television will preempt its regularly scheduled programming to provide complete and comprehensive coverage of April 24 events, as well as documentaries, cultural performances and the arts in commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The program line-up will also include special interviews with scholars, worldwide coverage of Genocide commemorative events, and live interviews with representatives of Armenian communities in the Diaspora. The live broadcast will start at 6 am PST and will run until 2 am. The program will be available to anyone with the T5-Telestar Globecast World TV receiver, on channel 411, or on the following frequency: D/L Frequency: 11,867 MHz D/L Polarity: Vertical Symbol Rate: 22.000 Msym FEC: ¾ For information call (818) 246-1989. "We believe that April 24 is a day for Armenians worldwide to renew their vow to continue the struggle against denial until the day Turkey recognizes the Genocide, returns our lands, and makes reparations. Our programming is not about mourning our losses, rather about showing the world that Armenians will not give in until every last inch of our homeland is returned to us. It is about proving to everyone that we can put aside our personal differences and unite in the struggle for Hai Tahd." --Horizon's Executive Producer Bianca Manoukian. 4) Idaho Governor Issues Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide BOISE--Idaho became the 33rd US state to recognize the Armenian Genocide this week, as Republican Governor Dirk Kempthorne issued a proclamation citing April 24 "Idaho Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923," reported the Armenian National Committee of Idaho (ANC-Idaho). The proclamation begins by noting that "one and a half million Christian Armenian men, women, and children were the victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923." It goes on to cite the importance of commemorating this crime against humanity as a way of "guarding against the repetition of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific crimes." The complete text of the Governor's proclamation is provided below. The gubernatorial proclamation closely follows a resolution unanimously adopted by the Senate of the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) recognizing the Armenian Genocide and condemning efforts to rewrite history. Senate Resolution 13 states that the genocide "has resulted in the elimination of the Armenian people from their historic homeland of over 3000 years through the criminal loss of property and life." The resolution "commemorates the Armenian Genocide and condemns those attempts made by governments as well as other entities, both public and private, to distort the historical reality and legal relevance of the Armenian Genocide to the descendants of its survivors and humanity as a whole." On hearing the news of the Governor's proclamation, David Morris, President of the ASBSU, commented: "I think it's fantastic that the Governor not only recognizes the importance of bringing this information to light, but also stands behind efforts to educate the public about the Armenian Genocide". Chairman of ANC-Idaho, Rafael Saakyan, commended Governor Kempthorne on his "commitment to advancing human rights issues in the state of Idaho and for joining the Armenian community across this great state in sustaining the flame of remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide." Saakyan then urged the Idaho Congressional delegation to "ensure that their state's views are well represented through their support for the adoption of the Genocide resolution in the House and Senate." Rebecca Kun, communications director of ANC-Idaho, worked closely with the ANC-Idaho team to collect close to 600 signatures for the proclamation request. This was a marathon process--we collected 594 signatures in 2 weeks in order to get our proclamation request submitted in time to meet the April 24 deadline we set for ourselves. With this proclamation and the Boise State initiative it is clear that the Armenian community, working together, can make a real difference." Kun continued, "As a first generation holocaust survivor, I understand the importance of bringing these events to light. Having this proclamation signed by both the State of Idaho and Boise State University is the first step to correct the dissemination of lies that has been perpetuated for the last 89 years." Massachusetts State Republican Committee chairman Bob Semonian of Watertown, MA helped the ANC-Idaho bring their concerns to the attention of the Governor's office. Semonian discussed the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide with Gov. Kempthorne directly at the recent National Governor's Association (NGA) meeting in Washington, DC. Gov. Kempthorne currently serves as chairman of the NGA. The Idaho proclamation follows an earlier letter of recognition issued by Montana's Republican Governor Judith Martz in late March. Jamestown (ND) Mayor Charles Kourajian issued a city proclamation last week honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Text of the Idaho Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide: WHEREAS, one and one-half-million Christian Armenian men, women, and children were victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923; and WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and WHEREAS, recognition of the eighty-ninth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events; and WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans living in Idaho have greatly enriched our state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government and the arts; NOW, THEREFORE I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2004, to be IDAHO DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923 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.

Eurasianet Organization
April 23 2004
AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY COORDINATE NAGORNO-KARABAKH NEGOTIATING
POSITION
Mevlut Katik: 4/23/04
Turkish and Azerbaijani officials have defused a simmering bilateral
dispute concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, jointly endorsing a
“gradual approach” on a negotiated settlement of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. The announcement came amid new international
efforts to jump-start the peace process.
Turkey and Azerbaijan have long had a special relationship, and
Ankara has been Baku’s staunchest supporter in the effort to reach a
political settlement to the Karabakh conflict. [For additional
information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. But in early 2004,
bilateral ties became strained after Ankara indicated that it might
re-open the Turkish-Armenian border to trade. Azerbaijani officials
reacted furiously to the Turkish suggestion, warning that it might
withdraw from the peace process if Ankara went through with the move.
[For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].
The recent visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Turkey
appears to have restored a sense of equilibrium in relations. A joint
statement issued April 14 by Aliyev and Turkish President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer emphasized bilateral unity concerning the Karabakh peace
process. It reiterated a call for the “withdrawal of Armenia from
Azerbaijani occupied territories,” adding that a Karabakh settlement
would have to based on “respect for territorial integrity and
borders.”
Addressing the Turkish Parliament, Aliyev expressed a desire to
strengthen Azerbaijani-Turkish ties. “We believe that our countries
will continue to support each other in the future,” adding that “our
power depends on our unity.” Aliyev staked out a hard-line stance on
the Karabakh question, saying Azerbaijan would not accept any peace
deal that left the territory outside of Baku’s jurisdiction.
“Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan and will belong to us in the future,”
he said. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Karabakh peace talks have been stalled for years. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive]. The United States recently attempted to
build fresh momentum for negotiations by appointing Steven Mann as
the new US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which oversees the peace
process. Mann, the former US envoy to the Caspian for energy-related
issues, replaced Rudolf Perina.
Azerbaijani media praised Mann’s appointment. The appointment “shows
that the United States will soon invest more effort to resolve” the
Karabakh issue, political analyst Khaladdin Ibrahimli wrote in the
Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq. Armenian leaders also cautiously
welcomed the appointment.
Mann participated in a “fact-finding meeting” on April 16 in Prague
between Azerbaijan’s new foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, and his
Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian. Both foreign ministers
confirmed that no new proposals were presented during the meeting.
Oskanian indicated that his next meeting with Mammadyarov had been
tentatively scheduled for mid May.
Editor’s Note: Mevlut Katik is a London-based correspondent and
analyst. He is a former BBC correspondent and also worked for The
Economist group.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
April 23 2004
HUNGARY ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH
AZERBAIJAN
[April 23, 2004, 12:48:01]
As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, on April 22, Minister for
Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has met the assistant to the state
secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Hungary Iene Boros.
At the meeting, minister Elmar Mammadyarov, having emphasized
importance of expansion of legal ground between the two countries,
has noted that mutual visits stimulate development of bilateral
relations.
The visitor from Hungary, having noted that his country attaches
great importance to expansion of relations with Azerbaijan, has
emphasized importance of the further development of links between our
states in economic, power, non-oil, agrarian and other sectors.
Further the head of the foreign policy department of our country
Elmar Mammadyarov has in detail informed the visitor on the reforms
conducted in the Republic after gaining state independence, on
integration of Azerbaijan into the European institutions, about the
obligations taken by our country before the international
organizations, and their successful performance. Having stopped on
prospects of development of mutual relations, the Minister has noted,
that the question of expansion of economic relations has great value
for Azerbaijan.
Then, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has highlighted the visitor on
conditions of the refugees and IDPs ousted from the native lands as a
result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, about
the work done for settlement of the conflict. Having taken an
interest in the course of the investigation connected to the officer
of Azerbaijan army Ramil Safarov, arrested person as a suspected in
murder of the Armenian officer, the Minister has expressed confidence
that the process would pass impartially.
At the meeting, also were focused a number of other issues
representing mutual interest.

Daily Nexus
April 23 2004
Event Recognizes Armenian Genocide
By Vinicio Field – Reporter

Students and the community were invited to attend a commemoration of
the Armenian genocide Thursday night at Embarcadero Hall.
More than 50 people attended the event – hosted by the Armenian
Student Association (ASA) – which was held in remembrance of the
genocide perpetrated against Armenians by Turkey in 1915. The
commemoration began at 8 p.m., and included a lecture, videos and
photographs addressing the refusal of many countries to officially
recognize that the genocide actually occurred. Armenian Genocide
Remembrance Day officially takes place worldwide Saturday.
According to estimates made by online information centers such as
TheForgotten.org, around 1.5 million Armenians – 80 percent of the
Armenian population in Turkey at the time – were murdered during the
genocide. Event co-organizer Ara Keshishian of the ASA said the goal
of the event was to force people to remember what history has
forgotten.
“Imagine if your grandma were shot in front of you and no one
recognized it,” he said.
A number of audience members had tears in their eyes as Mariette
Soudjian sang both the U.S. and Armenian national anthems to begin
the commemoration.
Global and international studies visiting professor Richard Falk gave
a speech about the implications of the genocide’s lack of
recognition. Falk said he believed that official acknowledgement of
the incident would be crucial to the healing of Armenian people.
“The denial of the genocide of the Armenian people persists as an
open wound,” Falk said. “It is as important to overcome the Turkish
denial as it is for those of Armenian descent to receive the apology
in order to heal their wounds.”
Falk encouraged the audience to question whether any progress has
been made toward stopping genocide around the world.
“We have to ask ourselves: Is the world safer now?” Falk said. “How
far has the legal development against ethnic cleansing come when the
Armenian genocide is not even recognized; where countries, including
the United States, have ordered their bureaucrats not to use the word
‘genocide’ regarding events in places like Rwanda?”
Falk then recited portions of a poem written during the genocide
entitled “The Dance,” by a German eyewitness named Siamanto. The poem
details rape, torture and women being burned alive after being
ordered to dance nude. ASA members Carolyn Lee and Hermine Barseghian
also read from “The Dance,” and violinist Hagop Barseghian played a
song in tribute.
Diana Magpapian, ASA member and political science graduate student,
echoed Falk’s desire for acknowledgement of the genocide.
“Our presentation is not about money, it’s not about anything except
recognition. Most countries officially deny or ignore the Armenian
genocide. Denial is ignorance. We are trying to correct ignorance and
stop the denial,” Magpapian said.
ASA president and psychology major Talin Nazarian said he especially
wanted scholars to recognize the historical significance of the
genocide for the Armenian people.
“Armenians exist on all sides of the globe, but the genocide isn’t in
textbooks,” Nazarian said. “Until our history is in textbooks, it is
important for us to show the history of our people.”
From: Baghdasarian

ZAMAN Turkey
April 23 2004
Three-Way Meeting on Karabag to be Held at NATO Summit
Turkey is preparing for a three-way meeting to discuss the re-opening
of the Turkish-Armenian border and a solution for the Nagarno-Karabag
(Karabakh) issue during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
summit to be held in Istanbul this June.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul invited his Azerbaijani and Armenian
counterparts during his trip to Baku last week. Meanwhile, Armenian
Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanyan, announced that Armenia supports a
three-way meeting on the condition that they take up “regional
issues.” Oskanyan argued that a meeting only on the Karabakh issue
would be meaningless since Turkey cannot be a moderator.
Now, with Turkey’s involvement in the Nagarno-Karabakh issue, a
multi-phased transition plan will be the focus. Thus, Armenia will
retreat from the five regions that it occupied, the
Azerbaijani-Armenian border will be re-opened, and Turkey will
overcome the border issue with Armenia using the Syrian model.
04.23.2004
Salih Boztas
From: Baghdasarian

Providence Journal , RI
April 23 2004
Metro digest

PROVIDENCE — Ceremony marks Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Martyrs Memorial Committee will hold the 89th
commemoration of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, Sunday, at North Burial
Ground.
Simon Payaslian, chair of Armenian History and Armenian Genocide
Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., is scheduled to be
the keynote speaker. Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. James Langevin, Lt. Gov.
Charles Fogarty, Mayor David N. Cicilline and Warwick Mayor Scott
Avedisian are scheduled to attend the 12:30 p.m. ceremony.

Canoe.ca, Canada
April 23 2004
Grits get ripped
Private member’s bill approved, but not ‘official’
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, Parliamentary Bureau, Sun Media

Prime Minister Paul Martin is under fire for reneging on his promise
to empower MPs and tackle the “democratic deficit.” This week, the
House of Commons supported a private member’s bill formally
recognizing the genocide of Armenian Turks during WWI. But just hours
after the 153-68 vote, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham issued a
statement declaring the motion doesn’t reflect the government’s
official position.
Debates and votes on private members’ business in the House is an
“integral” part of the democratic process, but motions aren’t binding
on the government, he said.
NDP MP Alexa McDonough blasted Martin and his “gutless” cabinet
ministers, accusing them of putting economic self-interest before
principle. Turkey is a key ally and had warned of economic
consequences.
‘ARROGANCE’
“I think it’s unspeakable arrogance and proves that their commitment
to actually addressing the democratic deficit is virtually
non-existent,” she said.
Turkey called Canadian MPs who supported the motion condemning the
genocide “narrow-minded.” In Ottawa, a top diplomat said there would
be consequences for judging Turkish history.
“Parliamentarians shouldn’t be judges or historians,” said Fazli
Corman, consul at the embassy. “But when they act because of their
ridings, because of their need for votes, they are acting.”
Ara Pappin, Armenia’s ambassador in Ottawa, wasn’t upset the motion
wasn’t formally adopted.
“We are more concerned about the opinion of Parliament, because
Parliament is a reflection of people’s opinion,” he said.
Conservative MP Stockwell Day accused Martin of being hypocritical
for ordering his cabinet ministers to vote against a “painful” motion
then failing to show up.
“I don’t think this reflects well on him, that on a vote of
conscience, a vote of the heart, he refused to allow his ministers to
vote with the heart and didn’t appear with them to share the grief,”
he said.

Workpermit.com, UK
April 23 2004
UK – Change to nationalities exempt from IED charge
The Home Office has announced that from 1 May 2004, three new
countries will be added to the list of countries whose nationals are
exempt from the charge for Immigration Employment Documents (IED)
(work permit) applications. These countries are:
Albania
Armenia
Croatia
It has been realised that these countries are indeed signatories to
the Council of Europe Charter or the Social Charter when this IED
charge was introduced on 1 April 2003. These countries were never
included on the original list of exemptions, and Armenia should have
been included on this list from 1 March 2004.
Those employers, individuals or representatives who have been charged
incorrectly will be refunded in full by the end of June 2004.

Baku Today
April 23 2004
Apresyan, Teryan might leave Azerbaijan
Baku Today 23/04/2004 19:50
Leaders of an international group which functions for release of
prisoners of war and hostages Bernhard Clasen and Paata Zakareishvili
have met with Artur and Roman in Baku today.
The two ethnic Armenians have asked Clasen and Zakareishvili to
assist them in getting residence `in a third country’, according to
ANS.
Apresyan and Teryan had fled to Azerbaijan from Armenia in quest of
refuge against constant abasement to their personalities on the part
of Armenians.
Clasen said, his group will help and to leave Azerbaijan for another
country.
`We hope to settle their problems with humanitarian methods,’ said
Clasen.