LORI PROVINCE REPORTS 6.5 BILLION DRAMS GDP GROWTH
Armenpress
VANADZOR, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS: Authorities in the northeastern province
of Lori reported a significant upsurge in region’s GDP in the first
six months of the year, which they said rose to 18.5 billion drams
against 11.5 billion Drams from a year ago.
They said growth was reported in all industries of the region,
except light and food industries, which produced 130 million Drams
less worth goods from a year ago.

GORIS BSC TO HOLD PRODEXPO
Armenpress
GORIS, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS: Goris Business Support Center (BSC) NGO
has announced the third regional ProdExpo in Syunik Province. It said
the aim of the event is to introduce local producers’ products and
services to locals and guests. The expo will be hold in the southern
Armenian town of Goris, on July 28-29.
Nairi Shalunts, director of the BSC, said over one hundred regional
Armenian companies will present such products as cheese, juices and
soft drinks, construction materials, meat and fish products, jewellery,
and IT.
The overall program also includes traditional Armenian dancing,
singing, food tasting, artwork, and carpet weaving. Handicrafts,
made of stone, wood, and local ceramics, will also be shown.
The information desk will provide information about the town’s museums,
as well as explain possible tours and visits in the area. Visitors
will have an opportunity to visit the Old Town, the Goris Archeological
and Artists’ museums. The Prod Expo is sponsored by the USAID.

UN WFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAMES T. MORRIS TO VISIT ARMENIA
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS: A delegation led by the United Nations
World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director James T. Morris is due
to travel to Armenia on 1-3 August, at the invitation of the Armenian
Government, the WFP Country Office in Armenia informed Armenpress.
During their two-day stay, the high-ranking WFP officials will
visit WFP project sites and meet with the Armenian authorities. WFP
first began operations in Armenia in 1993. To date, it has mobilized
137,840 metric tons of food assistance and fed on average 220,000
people a year.
From: Baghdasarian

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SEN. REED PRESSES SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
ANSWERS ON EVANS FIRING; HOAGLAND NOMINATION
— Requests Copies of the State Department’s
“Background Papers” on the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has indicated that he is
not prepared to support the nomination of Richard Hoagland as U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia until he receives meaningful responses to a
series of questions – including several specific inquiries
concerning the firing of the current Ambassador John Evans,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a July 26th letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
Senator Reed explained that he is “concerned that Ambassador Evans
is being forced to resign prematurely.” He stressed that he is
“particularly troubled” by reports that he is being recalled
because he properly characterized the Armenian Genocide as a
genocide. “Had the term genocide been coined in the early 1900s,
it would have been used to accurately describe the situation,”
added the senior Senator from Rhode Island.
In closing, Senator Reed asserted that he would not be prepared to
support the nomination of a new ambassador to Armenia until he
understands the answers to the following questions:
1) Why is Ambassador Evans being replaced a year before the
end of the customary three-year ambassador term? If he
resigned, why would the State Department accept the
resignation of a truly dedicated individual who is highly
respected by the Armenian community?
2) Has the President or State Department directed, either
through written or oral means, Executive Branch personnel
not to use the word ‘genocide’ when referring to the
atrocities waged against the Armenian people by the Ottoman
Empire? What is the justification for such a policy?
3) If it is the policy of the United States to not
characterize the systematic killing of over 1.5 million
Armenians as genocide, please elaborate on why these events
do not meet the definitions of the Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
4) During Ambassador Richard Hoagland’s confirmation hearing
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, regarding
the Armenian genocide he stated “I simply have studied the
president’s policy. I’ve studied the background papers on
the policy, and my responsibility is to support the
President.” What do the background papers say regarding
the Armenian Genocide? I respectfully request a copy of
these background papers so I can better understand the
President’s policy. If that is not possible, I would like
to know why.
5) A recent press report outlined Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State Matthew Bryza as saying the following regarding
Ambassador Evans, “Ambassadors serve the President and
should follow his policy. President George Bush’s policy
on the mass killings of Armenians is very clear, as he
points out in his annual addresses. If someone disagrees
with it, they are at liberty to make their own decisions,
but these should not be divulged. Certainly, our job is
also to advise him, but we must support his policy when it
comes to public statements.” This reporting indicates that
Ambassador Evans was asked to resign based on this prior
statements regarding the Armenian genocide. If this is not
the case, would you explain the statement by Mr. Bryza and
its relation to Ambassador Evans?”
Sen. Reed is the latest Member of Congress to express concern about
the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Amb. Evans and the
State Department’s policy on the Armenian Genocide. To date, half
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Senators
George Allen (R-VA), Ranking Member Joseph Biden (D-DE), Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN),
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Russell Feingold (D-WI),John Kerry (D-MA)
and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), have already contacted Secretary Rice or
questioned Ambassador Designate Hoagland directly regarding these
issues. Over sixty members of the House have also expressed
concerns to the State Department, with responses side-stepping the
core issues.
On July 18th, the ANCA issued a statement opposing the Hoagland
nomination, following several responses to Senate inquiries where
the Ambassador Designate denied the Armenian Genocide.

ANC-PAC
104 N. Belmont St.
Suite 200B
Glendale, CA 91206
818.409.6862
PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2006
[email protected]
NEVADA ANC-PAC SUPPORTERS HONOR U.S. SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN
LAS VEGAS, NV – Supporters of the State of Nevada’s largest Armenian
American public affairs organization hosted a fundraising event for
the reelection of United States Senator John Ensign on Friday, July
21, 2006.
A dinner-reception honoring the Senator was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Levon
& Zaruhi Gulbenkian. Mr. Gulbenkian, who serves as a Board Member of
the Nevada ANCA Chapter, was joined by over fifty local community
members in supporting Senator Ensign’s campaign. The Nevada
legislator is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Steering
Committee, the group that shapes the party’s legislative agenda.
On behalf of the Armenian National Committee – Political Action
Committee, Ara Bedrosian presented Senator Ensign with the Nevada ANCA
Freedom Award in recognition of his leadership in advancing the cause
of human rights and genocide recognition. The Senator was commended
by a number of Nevada Armenian leaders for his outstanding advocacy on
behalf of the growing Armenian-American community in the state.
Bedrosian, a Los Angeles based lawyer, formerly served as a
Congressional aide in Washington, DC to Republican members of
Congress.
“Since his election to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Senator Ensign has
twice drafted and authored resolutions that reaffirm the commitment of
the American people to recognizing the Armenian Genocide and to
ensuring that its lessons are applied in preventing future crimes
against humanity. No other Senator, since Bob Dole, has twice
authored such Genocide resolutions,” stated Hriyr Dadaian, Las Vegas
ANCA Board Member. “John Ensign is our community’s best friend, his
leadership on human rights issues is deeply appreciated, not only by
Armenian Americans in Nevada, but by Armenians throughout the
country,” Dadaian added.
#####
Photo Caption: ANC-PAC Supporters with Senator John Ensign (R-NV)

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
AMB. TO ARMENIA DESIGNATE RESPONDS TO SENATORS QUESTIONS
Senate Committee to Vote Aug. 1
Washington, DC – As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee weighs the
nomination of Richard E. Hoagland as America’s next Ambassador to
Armenia, the Foreign Service officer says that if confirmed, he will
uphold the President’s policies with respect to the Armenian Genocide,
which neither denies nor properly acknowledges the events of 1915.
Several Committee Members including Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA),
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Russell Feingold (D-WI), John Kerry (D-MA) and
Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) submitted a series of questions to Hoagland
following the June 28 proceedings. The lawmakers asked Hoagland to
clarify U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide and to explain what, if
anything, the State Department has directed him to say publicly on the
Armenian Genocide.
“The State Department has not directed me to make or avoid specific
statements about the tragic events that occurred at the end of the
Ottoman Empire, but has rather provided me with information on the
President’s policy which, if confirmed, I will represent faithfully,”
Hoagland stated in his response to Kerry. Hoagland did not deviate in
his response to Committee Members with similar policy questions.
Kerry also asked Hoagland to explain why the Administration refuses to
recognize the crimes as genocide.
Hoagland provided the following: “The U.S. believes that the question
of how to characterize these horrific events is of such enormous human
significance that it should not be determined on the basis of
politics, but through heartfelt introspection among academics, civic
leaders and societies.”
Feingold asked Hoagland how he plans to respond to those in the
Armenian community who are upset by Ambassador John M. Evans’
premature departure. Hoagland replied that the U.S. and Armenia have
a deep and robust relationship, stating “this relationship is based on
close ties and mutual interests on a variety of issues. We expect this
relationship to continue and deepen.”
In response to a question from Chafee on what he might say to
Armenians and Armenian-Americans on April 24, Hoagland said he will
work to draw attention to the events as the President has done. “I
will work to encourage dialogue between Armenia and Turkey on this
issue and to encourage all parties to examine the historical events of
this time with honesty and sensitivity,” he stated.
Hoagland is slated to replace Evans who tendered his resignation after
serving only two years of what is usually a three-year assignment.
Last year, Evans was rebuked by State Department officials after
publicly affirming the Armenian Genocide in the course of his comments
in the U.S. when he said “the Armenian Genocide was the first genocide
of the twentieth century.” In making his statements, Evans pointed to
the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), which
concluded that the events could be properly characterized as genocide.
The Assembly launched a nationwide campaign to urge Congress and the
White House to support the historical truth, reinforcing the statement
made by Evans. More recently, the Assembly submitted a Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) request for all information surrounding Evans’
impending departure.
Last month, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), the Ranking Member on the
Foreign Relations Committee, and Committee Member Rep. Christopher
Dodd (D-CT), sent separate letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice expressing concern over reports that Evans’ tenure was cut short
as a result of his comments on the Armenian Genocide. They asked Rice
to provide answers to several questions concerning Evans, in order to
move forward with the confirmation process for Hoagland.
Jeffery T. Berger, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs,
responded to both letters, reiterating that all U.S. Ambassadors serve
at the pleasure of the President and as advocates of the President’s
policies. The letter to Biden also calls the International Center for
Transitional Justice (ICTJ) study a “significant step toward
reconciliation.” President Bush has twice referenced the ICTJ study,
as has Ambassador Evans. The study states that: “The Events, viewed
collectively, can thus be said to include all of the elements of the
crime of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars as
well as historians, politicians, journalists and other people would be
justified in continuing to so describe them.”
“The Government of Turkey has not approached the Administration on
this issue, and the United States and Turkey engaged in no diplomatic
exchanges related to this matter,” Berger also noted in his letter to
Biden.
“We have a fundamental policy disagreement with the Administration and
we will not stop working until the U.S. unequivocally affirms the
Armenian Genocide — it is an undeniable truth and the morally correct
position to take,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

Hoagland, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently
serves as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan.
Prior to this, he served as Director of the Office of Caucasus and
Central Asian Affairs at the Department of State. Earlier in his
career, he served as Director of the Office of Public Diplomacy in the
Bureau of South Asian Affairs.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2006-068

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
JULY 27, 2006
CATHOLICOS ARAM I CONFERS WITH WCC OFFICIALS
ON SITUATION IN LEBANON
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and
former moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), has been conferring
with Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the WCC, and the office of the
U.S. Conference of the WCC, concerning the situation in Lebanon.
His Holiness discussed proposals for political and humanitarian
initiatives. In the political realm, the Catholicos emphasized the following
three inter-related points: (1) An urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire
and cessation of all hostilities; (2) Development of a solid framework for a
political solution to the crisis; and (3) Build on this framework for a
permanent settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the goals of
justice, peace and prosperity for the region.
In the area of humanitarian initiatives, His Holiness appealed to all
ecumenical churches and organizations to mobilize and reach out and help the
needy in Lebanon through the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
PRELATE CALLS FOR PRAYERS FOR PEACE;
CATHOLICOS EXPRESSES THANKS
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan continues to ask for prayers
for peace in the Middle East and an end to the hostilities that have
disrupted life in Lebanon causing loss of life and destruction.
The Prelate and Vicar are maintaining regular contact with His Holiness
Aram I, to keep informed about the general conditions in Lebanon and the
specific situation and needs of the Armenian community.
In an e-mail message V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chifjian, Communications
Officers of the Catholicosate, stated today: “His Holiness Aram I instructed
me to convey his deep appreciation and warm thanks to all those, who by
telephone, by fax or e-mail, have expressed their concern and solidarity,
and have included in their prayers Lebanon in general, and the Armenian
Church and people in particular. We pray and hope that with the help of the
international community and people of good will, peace with justice and
reconciliation among nations will prevail in the Middle East.”
V. REV. FR. SHAHE PANOSSIAN IS ASSIGNED
DEAN OF THE CILICIAN SEMINARY
V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, who has been serving as the pastor of Sts.
Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, NJ, for the past two years, will become Dean
of the Cilician See’s Theological Seminary. Several months ago His Holiness
Aram I asked Fr. Shahe to return to Lebanon to assume this important post
beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year.
Hayr Shahe will perform his final Badarak as pastor of Sts. Vartanantz
this Sunday, July 30. Next Sunday, August 6, the Board of Trustees is
hosting a reception/luncheon with the dual purpose of saying farewell to
Hayr Shahe and welcoming the parish’s new priest, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian
and his family. The luncheon will take place immediately after the Divine
Liturgy on August 6 which will be celebrated by Der Hovnan.
For information contact the parish office, 201-943-2950.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL TRAVEL TO ARMENIA
Dr. Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director of the Eastern Prelacy, will
travel to Armenia tomorrow where he will remain for ten days conferring with
the Prelacy’s charitable agency in Armenia, St. Nerses the Great Charitable
Organization. The Prelacy has many charitable projects including the
sponsorship of more than 700 children, aid to orphanages, and the quarterly
distribution of food parcels to the elderly.
ANEC PRESENTS ANNUAL HISTORICAL COIN AWARDS
With the ending of the school year, some lucky (and exceptional)
students at Armenian schools heard an extra jingle in their pockets. The
jingle was not the traditional noise of change, but ancient coins depicting
Armenian royalty, specifically during the reign of King Levon II of Cilicia.
The coins, donated by Mr. Gary Setian of Massachusetts, are awarded each
year by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) during the year-end
ceremonies at Armenian schools. Students are selected on the basis of their
excellence in Armenian studies and their participation in the Armenian
community.
GRADUATION DAY AT SIAMANTO ACADEMY
Five students graduated from the Siamanto Academy in ceremonies that
took place on June 24 in Woodside, New York. This year marks the 25th
anniversary of the establishment of the Siamanto Academy, under the
sponsorship of the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC).
The Academy is designed for high school students who are graduates of
Armenian schools. It offers accredited, college-level courses in Armenian
studies, with accomplished faculty members including Christian educators,
literature professors, historians, and guests speakers in various
disciplines.
ENCOUNTERING ECUMENISM
The Department for Ecumenical Relations of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
has issued a booklet entitled Encountering Ecumenism: Two Young Armenian
Women’s Experience as Delegates to the 9th Assembly of the World Council of
Churches.
The booklet has two articles, “The Holy See of Cilicia Leaves its Mark
on the WCC 9th Assembly,” by Vanna T. Kitsinian, Esq., and “Encountering
Ecumenism at the 9th Assembly of the WCC,” by Nayiri D. Baljian. Ms.
Kitsinian is an attorney living in Los Angeles and Ms. Baljian is a graduate
student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts.
Catholicos Aram said: “I was very pleased to see the young delegates of
our church actively and seriously involved in all spheres of the life and
work of the Assembly. The intervention particularly of our two young women
delegates from Los Angeles and Boston in the plenary sessions made me proud.
They reminded me of my first intervention as a young delegate at the 5th
Assembly in Nairobi in 1975. The contribution, the zeal and the seriousness
of our youth give me hope for the future of the ecumenical movement and the
active ecumenical role of our church.”
A limited number of booklets are available. If you would like to have a
copy please contact Crossroads at [email protected]
FEAST OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH
Today, July 27, the Armenian Church marks the Feast of the Prophet
Isaiah, who lived 700 years before the birth of Christ. Isaiah is called the
Messianic Prophet because so many of his prophecies referred to a coming
Messiah and a new world. Matthew makes many references to Isaiah’s
prophecies concerning Jesus’s birth in his gospel and John says, “These
things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him” (John 12:41).
STS. THADDEUS AND SANDOUKHT REMEMBERED
This Saturday, July 29, the Armenian Church celebrates the lives of St.
Thaddeus and St. Sandoukht. According to the historian Movses Khorenatsi,
the apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa where he healed the sick and baptized
King Abgar. Khorenatsi writes that from Eddessa Thaddeus went to Armenia
where he preached and converted the Armenian king, Sanatrouk, and the king’s
daughter, Sandoukht. When faced with the opposition of his governors, the
king recanted his conversion. Sandoukht however refused to renounce the
Christian faith. She was imprisoned and executed by order of her father, and
thus became Armenia’s first martyr. Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz (in
present day northern Iran). The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built
on the apostles’ tomb. During the early 20th century the monastery was an
important crossroad for the defense of the Armenian population of Van, Daron
and surrounding areas. A popular annual pilgrimage by Armenians from around
the world takes place in July. During the four-day festival thousands gather
in tents pitched on the monastery grounds, attend services, sing and dance
in remembrance of St. Thaddeus, one of two apostles who brought Christianity
to Armenia. St. Thaddeus Monastery and the other famous Armenian monastery
in northern Iran, St. Stephen Monastery on the banks of the Arax River, have
undergone major renovations in recent years. In the late 1970s Armenian
youth throughout the Diaspora spent their summers living and working
together and, under the supervision of experts, helped restore the ancient
monasteries and beautify the surrounding grounds.
“See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and
some from the land of Syene,” (Isaiah 49:12-13).
IN GOD WE TRUST
Sunday, July 30, is the 50th anniversary of the adoption of “In God We
Trust” as the U.S. national motto. The original motto of the United States
was E Pluribus Unum (Latin, meaning “One from many’). In 1956, at the height
of the cold war, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution to replace the
existing motto with “In God We Trust.” The president, Dwight Eisenhower,
signed the resolution into law on July 30, 1956. The phrase had been in use
prior to 1956-it is actually taken from one of the stanza of the Star
Spangled Banner-but it became official 50 years ago.
Two weeks ago the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution which
requests all American citizens “To commemorate, celebrate, and reaffirm the
national motto of the United States on the 50th anniversary of its formal
adoption.”
ONE WEEK HIATUS FOR CROSSROADS
Crossroads will not be published next Thursday, August 3. The next issue
will be transmitted on Thursday, August 10.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 6-St. Stephen Church picnic at Camp Haiastan. For information
781-326-5764.
August 6-Reception in honor of V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian and Rev. Fr.
Hovnan Bozoian following church services at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. All are invited to attend.
August 8-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone
Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261.
August 13-Annual Blessing of the Grapes picnic, sponsored by Sts. Vartanantz
Church at Dunkerhook Park (Pavilion D), Paramus, New Jersey, 1 to 5 pm. For
information, 201-943-2950.
August 13-Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York.
August 13-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual picnic at Camp
Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts.
August 13-Annual picnic of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, on the church grounds.
August 20-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For
details: 508-234-3677.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, at the American Legion grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 15-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 18-11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club,
Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.
September 24-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace in the Park, Flushing, New York, 3 pm.
Details will follow.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
Visit our website at
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/27/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. Rep. Pallone Urges Senate to Block Hoagland Nomination 2. Western Prelate Issues Appeal for Lebanon Victims 3. Rights Group Asks Kocharian to Include Refugee Issues in Talks 1. Rep. Pallone Urges Senate to Block Hoagland Nomination WASHINGTON--In a July 25th speech on the House floor, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) called on the US Senate to block the nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as the next US Ambassador to Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In his remarks, the New Jersey legislator outlined the reasons for his opposition, notably Ambassador-designate Hoagland's denial of the Armenian Genocide and his evasiveness and lack of responsiveness to Senate inquiries. He also highlighted the failure of the Administration to respond honestly to communications it held with the Turkish government concerning the firing of current US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans over his February 2005 remarks affirming the Armenian Genocide. Congressman Pallone closed his speech by noting his "fear that sending an ambassador to Yerevan who denies the Armenian genocide would represent a tragic escalation in the Bush administration's ignorance and support in Turkey's campaign of genocide denial. The State Department has reported to Senate offices that they expect Ambassador Designate Hoagland to be confirmed during a business meeting early next week. I would urge the Senate to block his nomination until this administration recognizes the Armenian genocide." The full text of Congressman Pallone's speech, excerpted from the July 25 Congressional Record, is provided below: Ambassador Nominee Richard Hoagland Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express my concerns with the nomination of Richard Hoagland as US Ambassador to Armenia . Many questions remain regarding US policy on the Armenian genocide, and they remain unanswered. Key Senate Foreign Relations Committee members continue to have serious misgivings about the nomination. Two weeks ago, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considered Mr. Hoagland's nomination. During the hearing, Mr. Hoagland failed to adequately respond to the questions asked by the Senators, including not clarifying the US's policy in the denial of the Armenian genocide. In many instances, he did not respond to specific Senate inquires. He diverted his answers by responding with what seemed like prepared talking points, and went to great lengths to avoid using the term genocide. Additionally, in response to a written inquiry from Senator John Kerry concerning Turkey's criminal prosecution of journalists for writing about the Armenian genocide, Mr. Hoagland referred to these writings as allegations. Mr. Speaker, the US has historically taken a leadership role in preventing genocide and human rights violations, but the Bush administration continues to play word games by not calling evil by its proper name. Instead, they refer to the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians as tragic events. This term cannot be substituted for genocide. The two words are simply not synonymous. Mr. Speaker, there are historical documents that cannot be refuted, yet somehow the Administration continues to ignore the truth in fear of offending another government. The Bush administration has not offered a meaningful explanation of its reasons for firing the current US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans. In fact, the State Department's assertion that it did not receive any communications from the Turkish Government concerning Ambassador Evans' February 2005 affirmation of the Armenian genocide is simply not credible. Official Department of Justice filings by the Turkish Government's registered foreign agent, the Livingston Group, document that there are at least four different occasions of communications with State Department officials following Ambassador Evans' remarks affirming the Armenian genocide. Still, the State Department refutes these claims. Mr. Speaker, this lack of honesty has been an all too common practice of the Bush administration. The American people and this Congress deserve a full and truthful account of the role of the Turkish Government in denying the Armenian genocide. Our Nation's response to genocide should not be denigrated to a level acceptable to the Turkish Government. It is bout time the Bush administration started dictating a policy for Americans and not for a foreign government. Mr. Speaker, I fear that sending an ambassador to Yerevan who denies the Armenian genocide would represent a tragic escalation in the Bush administration's ignorance and support in Turkey's campaign of genocide denial. The State Department has reported to Senate offices that they expect Ambassador Designate Hoagland to be confirmed during a business meeting early next week. I would urge the Senate to block his nomination until this administration recognizes the Armenian genocide. 2. Western Prelate Issues Appeal for Lebanon Victims Western Prelate, Archbishop Moushegh Madirossian issued an appeal to the Armenian community to assist in humanitarian efforts and prayers for the victims of the ongoing Israeli bombing of Lebanon, reported the Western Prelacy. Below is the translated text of the appeal: "Let Us Reach Out to the Victims in Lebanon" We know that our faithful have been following the calamity in Lebanon that has caused suffering for all the Lebanese people, but especially for innocent civilians. We would like to keep the public informed about appeals that have been made to His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, in support of Lebanon and the aid offered to the victims. The Prelate has been in constant contact with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to become better informed about the situation and to hear the suggestions of His Holiness. on how we can lend a helping hand to the Lebanese people and especially our Armenian brethren. As stated in our previous press release, the Prelate celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Sunday July 23, at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, where he also urged the faithful to provide aid to Lebanon. On this same day, a special prayer was also offered in all Prelacy churches for peace and for the innocent victims. The Prelate has also been in regular contact with the Consul General of Lebanon. The Prelacy has representatives on a committee established by the Consulate General to work towards securing assistance for Lebanon. The representatives are delegates Mr. Hrair Balian and Mr. Ghazaros Ghazarossian. Reflecting on the situation, the Prelate stated, "Lebanon and its people are once again subjected to dreadful conditions, at a time when the wounds from previous conflicts had not completely healed yet. Under the current situation, the Lebanese people and the Armenian community there are in need of assistance and support. Taking this opportunity, I would like to once again extend a plea to our Prelacy faithful and community organizations to assist the victims of Lebanon to the best of their abilities. We also pray for the fighting to come to an end as soon as possible and for peace to be restored in the country." 3. Rights Group Asks Kocharian to Include Refugee Issues in Talks YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Refugees and International Law civil association network has sent an open letter to Armenian President Robert Kocharian. The text of the letter is presented below: Your Excellency, Refugees and International Law civil association network, with a mission to protect rights of Armenian refugees expelled from Soviet Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan by force, suggests that you include the issue of 500,000 Armenian refugees in the agenda of your talks on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Any settlement, leaving out restoration and full protection of rights of hundreds of our compatriots is not satisfactory. Problems of Armenian refugees can be divided into three main categories: 1. Acquiring a Fatherland, 2. Compensation of direct material and moral damage, resulting from deportation from Soviet Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan 3. Compensation of indirect material and moral damage, resulting from deportation from Soviet Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan. Surveys among Armenian refugees indicate that they will not return to their previous residences under the jurisdiction of the Azerbaijan. We already had an opportunity to state that as the Azerbaijan has refused to become the successor of the Soviet Azerbaijan, the only legal successor of the latter is the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. If Armenian refugees from Soviet Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan are granted Nagorno-Karabakh citizenship and if they get territories, outside the boundaries, within which the Karabakh was declared, but on which it has jurisdiction over today, this can partially solve their problems. Refugees and International Law civil association network has also appealed to the US Embassy in Armenia, suggesting that it organizes a meeting with OSCE Minsk Group's US Co-Chair Matthew Bryza. During this meeting the group plans to submit a message to Mr. Bryza, addressed to Minsk Group co-chairs and discuss issues and concerns facing Armenian refugees." The same organization sent a similar message to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. 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) 2006 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.

Turkey and free speech
Flying insults
Jul 27th 2006 | ANKARA
>From The Economist print edition
Another writer, another prosecution for insulting Turkey
A WILLOWY blonde, as fluent in Spanish and English as in her native Turkish,
Elif Shafak should be a poster girl for Turkey’s push to join Europe. Yet
most Europeans will become familiar with this award-winning novelist only
when she stands trial (by then heavily pregnant) later this year for
“denigrating Turkishness” in her latest novel, “The Bastard of Istanbul”. A
fictional Armenian character’s musings about the mass slaughter of the
Ottoman Armenians in 1915 may yet land Mrs Shafak in jail for as long as
three years.
If so, she will have lots of company. The Turkish Publishers’ Association
says that 47 writers face prosecution, on charges ranging from insulting the
father of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, to defending conscientious objection
(though Perihan Magden, another woman novelist, was acquitted on this charge
on July 27th). Earlier this month, a high court confirmed a six-month jail
sentence handed down to Hrant Dink, a newspaper publisher, for an article in
which he exhorted fellow Armenians to expunge themselves of their hatred of
Turks. That too was construed as an insult to Turks.
Joost Lagendijk, a Dutch member of the European Parliament, has noted that
the clampdown on free expression, together with Cyprus and the Kurds,
constitute “the biggest obstacle” to Turkey’s hopes of joining the EU.
Ironically, Mr Lagendijk was himself investigated earlier this year for
“insulting Turkey”.
Leading the drive to muzzle free speech is an ultra-nationalist lawyer,
Kemal Kerincsiz. He brought a case against Turkey’s best-known author, Orhan
Pamuk, which was dismissed in January. A rise in nationalist sentiment has
allowed Mr Kerincsiz to keep hounding writers such as Mrs Shafak. Some think
he is an agent of the “deep state”, a shadowy coalition of rogue members of
the security establishment who allegedly oppose Turkey’s EU aspirations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azad-Hye, 27 July 2006, Dubai: Since 12 July 2006 the Middle East
crisis entered a new and very violent stage, especially with the
direct confrontation between the Israeli Army and the Lebanese
resistance forces (Hezbollah). Analysts now predict that the fighting
will continue longer than expected, probably 2-3 months.
Being poart of the local population, the Armenians in the Middle East
have always suffered from the ongoing political turmoils, even though
they have tried to maintain impartial position in the unfolding
quarrels.
Karen Grigorian, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Armenia in
Damascus (Syria) provided us with additional information about how the
Armenians are dealing with the latest crisis in Lebanon.
According to Grigorian, some 1200 Armenian citizens were in Lebanon
when the fighting exploded, majority of them spouses of Lebanese-
Armenians and tradsmen, including also a limited number of tourists
and visitors.
Soon after the first days of the devastated bombings of Lebanon, the
two Armenian Embassies (Beirut and Damascus) and the Armenian General
Consulate in Aleppo (second city of Syria with large Armenian
pupulation) coordinated their efforts and managed, up to this point,
to evacuate 300 citizens in a highly efficient way.
Caravan of buses headed from Beirut to the town of Arida on the Syrian
border, from where the Armenian Embassy in Damascus arranged the
border crossing formalities and the transfer of the citizens to Aleppo
airport, where additional flights were arranged to take the nationals
into Yerevan. Several of the flights, origianlly scheduled to Beirut,
were diverted to Aleppo in order to serve the increasing number of
travelers. Limited number of evacuees preferred to stay in neighboring
Syria and Jordan, in anticiaption for peaceful unfolding of events.
Grigorian has himself suprevised the transfer process to Aleppo
Airport, by travelling to the Syrian border 4-5 times during the last
two weeks.
As far as the Armenian community in Lebanon is concerned, Grigorian
explains that the Embassy’s effort has been limited to facilitating
the easy transfer to Syria of those who expressed desire to join the
other evacuees. Eventually some 350 Armenians (mainly from Lebanon,
with few Armenians from other communities who were at that time in
Beirut) used the services of the Armenian authorities. In this
context, Grigorian wishes to stress that the Embassy is not involved
in creating a wave of immigration to Armenia. It is not clear how many
of those transferred to Armenia will finally settle down there.
Photo and text at:
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