Washington Times
May 27 2006
Embassy Row
By James Morrison
May 26, 2006
Genocide ‘victim’
The State Department yesterday confirmed that the U.S. ambassador
to Armenia has been dismissed and has resigned from the foreign
service, saying only that he “served at the pleasure of the president
and secretary” of state.
Ambassador John Evans, who is returning after only two years of
what is usually a three-year assignment, has been at the center of a
geopolitical firestorm since he bucked official U.S. policy last year
by referring to the “genocide” of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 under
the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Armenian-American organizations yesterday expressed outrage and
opened an e-mail and letter-writing campaign to Congress, where Mr.
Evans has significant support in the House.
“The U.S. ambassador to Armenia is being recalled for honestly
and accurately describing the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of
genocide,” the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said
yesterday.
The committee, on its Web site (), called for
congressional hearings and questioned whether pressure from the
Turkish government had any role in the dismissal.
Word of the action began circulating on Capitol Hill on
Wednesday, when the White House notified the Senate that President
Bush intended to nominate Richard Hoagland to replace Mr. Evans. Mr.
Hoagland is currently ambassador to Tajikistan.
Rep. Edward J. Markey on Wednesday sent a letter to Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice signed by 60 House members, asking her to
explain the decision.
“I am seriously concerned at the early departure of Ambassador
Evans,” the Massachusetts Democrat said. “I hope this sudden action
by the State Department is not related to comments made by Mr. Evans
about the Armenian Genocide.”
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday responded to
a reporter who asked about the dismissal, saying, “Look, we, all
appointed officials – me, everybody who goes through Senate
confirmation – serve at the pleasure of the president and the
secretary.”
He added that Mr. Evans “should be congratulated for his long
career and distinguished service” for 35 years.
U.S. policy has been to refrain from using the word “genocide” to
describe the killings of Armenians during World War I to avoid
angering Turkey, a key ally and NATO member.
Mr. Bush recently called it “one of the great tragedies of history,”
although President Reagan called it genocide in a 1981 proclamation
on the Holocaust.
“Like the genocide of the Armenians before it … the lessons of
the Holocaust must never be forgotten,” Mr. Reagan said.
Mr. Evans first crossed the line in a Feb. 24, 2005, speech to
ANCA.
“I will today call it the Armenian Genocide,” he said. “I think
we, the U.S. government, owe you, our fellow citizens, a more frank
and honest way of discussing this problem. The Armenian Genocide was
the first genocide of the 20th century.”
Four days later, he issued a clarification, calling his remarks
“inappropriate” and noting that U.S. policy had not changed.

El Vaquero, CA
May 27 2006
New College President Officially Announced
By ALISON GELLER
El Vaquero Staff Features Editor
May 26, 2006
When John Davitt retires from his position as
superintendent/president of GCC this summer, he will be succeeded by
Audre Levy, currently president of L.A. Southwest College.
`The board has unanimously decided to appoint Dr. Audre Levy to the
position of superintendent/president of Glendale Community College,’
announced Kathleen Burke-Kelly, president of GCC’s Board of Trustees,
at the beginning of the meeting. Her announcement was followed by a
standing ovation from the audience in Kreider Hall.
`Thank you, all of the board, for your vote of confidence and trust
in me and, for the audience, for your vote of confidence and trust in
me as well,’ said Levy after the applause had died down. `I hope to
live up to what you have in store for me as your incoming president.’
Levy hit a soft spot with the audience when she complimented Davitt,
who has been the leader of the college for 21 years. `I would also
like to express my thanks to Dr. Davitt for his years of service to
this college,’ said Levy. `Let me say this is an awesome task, to
follow behind such a giant who has spent so many years in the
community college ranks. You will discover that my feet are quite not
the size of his but a little higher because I wear heels [and] that
means that I will be stepping high; but I want you to know that I am
here because of all of you and I will remember why I am here. I am
here because of the students and because of you, the faculty and
staff.
`Always know that my door is open I will be welcome to hearing the
good things as well as the not so good things, because it’s from the
not so good things that we all grow; and so I am looking forward to
being part of the history of this institution.’
During a brief reception for Levy before the regular board meeting
resumed, Burke-Kelly said that it was `a combination of things’ that
led to choosing Levy. She said it was her experience in all levels of
education, having taught at the K-12 level as well as at community
colleges and universities. It was also her ability to connect with
people.
`Dr. Davitt is very much like that and I think the campus would miss
that.’
Davitt expressed his support of Levy during the comments portion of
the board meeting, as did every other member of the board. `We’re
looking forward to having you here and you and I will hopefully get
some good time in the next month or so to tell you what our problems
are and to welcome you to the community. I think you’re going to like
it here. I think you’re going to find that it’s a real
family…Everyone is committed to making your administration a very
successful one for Glendale College.’
Anita Quinonez Gabrielian, a board member who was president of the
board during most of the hiring process, added her welcome to Levy
and also said, `You can definitely count on our cooperation,
partnership and all of our support.’
Board member Victor King added that `Although you are replacing a
legend, you are a legend in your own right. We’ve heard so many
wonderful things about you that you really stood out of the crowd of
applicants.’
`You were a star from the first moment that we met you and we are
glad that you’ll be shining in our skies – and we’ll be there to
polish you,’ said Armine Hacopian, vice president of the board. After
the meeting ended Levy said `I am more looking at excitement and the
task of learning all the names and faces and issues and challenges
here at the college.’
Burke-Kelly said that Levy will be assuming the position of
superintendent/president on July 1.
Other items that were covered at the meeting: Three professors were
given tenure: David Martin, instructor of architecture; Paul Vera, of
the ESL department; and Monette Tiernan, of the English department.
Sharon Combs and Ron Nakasone presented a proposal to borrow the
number of Full Time Enrolled Students (FTES) from the first summer
session to claim on the 2005 and 2006 year, so funding will not be
cut by failure to reach the state-mandated quota for enrolled
students. Nakasone said that a lot of colleges are doing it and have
done it. The foreseen funding shortfalls come from an overall pattern
of declining enrollment. Nakasone said that many colleges employ a
strategy of `borrowing’ students from one semester to meet quotas and
then take the loss in the next semester to ensure even funding over a
period of several years.
Jane DiLucchio presented a proposal for GCC to offer its own high
school diploma for continuing education adults. For many years, the
Garfield campus has offered a diploma in conjunction with the
Glendale Unified School District. This proposal would allow GCC to
tailor the program to serve adult students better and the diploma
students would be able to meet some of the graduation requirements by
taking credit classes on the main campus.
According to Davitt, GCC received a proclamation from Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger of resolution that the week of April 23 to 29 be known
as `The Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.’ After having
been the interim associate dean of the library for this past year,
Linda Winters is now officially the associate dean of the library.
There will be a retirement party on June 2 for staff and faculty who
are retiring this year.
In a future board meeting, Burke-Kelly said she would like to revisit
the board’s compensation, since it has been such a good year for the
budget and their compensation has not been restored since it was cut
because of a low budget.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES FINNISH ORTHODOX CHURCH HEAD

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian received
on May 26 Leo Makkonen, the head of the Finnish Orthodox Church and
Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland, accompanied by Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians.
The President of the republic expressed satisfaction on the occasion
of the Finnish Orthodox Church head’s visit and mentioned that the
states and peoples gain from the two churches’ warm relations.
Characterizing today’s mutual relations of the Armenian Apostolic
church-state as excellent ones, Robert Kocharian said that Armenia is
a region where the church, belief and preserving of traditions are of
fatal meaning. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press
Office, Archbishop Leo and Catholicos of All Armenians appreciated
Finnish Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches’ cooperation.
Attaching importance to interchurch contacts, they mentioned that as
Christian churches, they exchanged viewpoints concerning problems
arisen in front of the Christianity and mankind.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REGULAR SESSION OF NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY STARTS IN PARIS

PARIS, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The regular session of
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly starts on May 26 at the Congress Hall
of Paris where the Armenian delegation is headed by Mher Shahgeldian,
the already former Chairman of the NA Standing Committy on Defence,
National Security and Internal Affairs, the Deputy Chairman of the
“Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law) party left the coalition. According
to Radio Liberty, Alexan Karapetian from the “Azgayin Miabanutiun”
(National Unity) faction and Artur Petrosian, a deputy of the “MAK”
(“United Labour Party”) faction are in the staff of the delegation.
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan also got invitations to
participate in the session. If Ilham Aliyev received the invitation
and even, according to the information placed in the NATO official
site, will make a speech, then Robert Kocharian did not leave
Paris. President’s Spokesperson Victor Soghomonian explained it with
“load of agenda” of the Armenian President. “OSCE Minsk Group
Ch-Chairmen’s visit to Yerevan is expected during those days,
celebrations of the Republic holiday are on May 28,” Victor
Soghomonian said the last week.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SPAIN TO OSCE
DISCUSS PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY OSCE IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Programs implemented by OSCE in Armenia
and the further tasks were discussed at RA Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian’s May 26 meeting with Resident Representative of Spain to
OSCE Carlos Sanchez De Boado. Expressing satisfaction with the opening
of the Syunik branch of OSCE Yerevan Office in the future, the sides
expressed confidence that this will contribute to the region’s
socio-economic development and solution of the nature protection
problems. Issues relating to OSCE’s assistance in improvement of the
electoral legislation were also discussed. RA Foreign Minister
presented the negotiations process and prospects of the Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, as well as the current state of Armenian-Turkish
relations. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press
and Information Department, Ambassador De Boado’s visit to Armenia has
a cognitive character and has a goal to prepare Spain’s chairmanship
in OSCE next year. The Ambassador was accompanied by the Resident
Representatives of Germany, Norway and Liechtenstein to OSCE.

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: OYK PARTY’S CIVILIZED STEP SHOULD HAVE JUST OPPOSITE
RESPONSE

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law)
party’s leaving the political coalition and declining posts undertaken
within the framework of the coalition agreements was a principal,
respectable and correct step. Tigran Torosian, the RA National
Assembly Deputy Speaker and the Chairman of the Republican Party of
Armenia expressed such an opinion, answering journalists’ questions on
May 25. According to him, in the world and particularly in many and
many countries – members of the Council of Europe, it is an frequently
met, usual event when coalitions do not keep their existence till the
next elections. According to T.Torosian, the OYK party’s quite
“civilized step”, though, “should have just the opposite response.”
Whereas, according to him, “the one that took place during the
statements’ time of the National Assembly and during the discussions
of the four-day sittings’ agenda preceded it, is absolutely
inadmissible, by the type of its expression.” At journalists’ request,
touching upon the conflict of the recent days of the “Azgayin
Miabanutiun” (National Unity) and “Orinats Yerkir” (Country of Law)
parties and the accusations in one another’s address, the NA Deputy
Speaker mentioned: “The most important thing is that the society
itself makes serious consequences arising of the happened as it must
elect a new parliament only in a year which must decide future life
for 5 years.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THEY THANK ANDRE AT RA NA FOR DESERVING HONORARY 8TH PLACE IN
“EUROVISION-2006” FESTIVAL

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Andre who represented
Armenia at the “Eurovision-2006” song festival and members of the
creative group assisted him were received on May 25 at the RA National
Assembly. According to the initiator, Chairwoman of the NA Standing
Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues,
organization of the meeting was provided by the NA staff’s great wish
to meet with Andre. She thanked the singer for deserving the honorary
8th place of the festival and for moments gifted to world-spread
Armenians. “Eurovision” again showed the Armenian people’s power and
unity, proved that Armenia and Diaspora are joint, together, function,
and there was a moment when during the semi-final and final, the whole
nation, become a man, were watching with bated breath, without
gossiping, without abusing, without slandering, and everybody’s heart
was beating harmonously with Andre’s heart,” H.Hakobian said. On
behalf of the National Assembly, Andre was given parliament’s named
watch, and Armen Martirosian, the author of song performed at the
festival and Ara Torosian (Murzik) who instrumented the work were
given named pens. Andre confessed that the most inspiring and, at the
same time, the most obliging thing during the festival days was
Armenians’ unity, and that his greatest task was to represent Armenia
honorably and to make our small country recognizable for the world in
what he and the group assisting him had a success. After few months
hard work, Andre is going to leave for rest for ten days. By the way,
as A.Martirosian informed, the lowest point for passing from
semi-final to final was 70, but Andre had 150 points, and the fact
that Armenian representative’s passing the next stage was stated at
the end was just a result of sortition.

MAIN MISSION OF “YELLOW BIRD” TO PRESERVE AND PASS TO GENERATIONS
TRADITIONS OF AMERICAN INDIANS

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. “It’s a great honour for me to be in
your country. Here people are warm and hospitable. I am glad that I’m
in a far and hospitable Armenia,” Ken Duncan, the “Yellow Bird” apache
tribe dance group head stated at the May 25 press-conference taken
place in Yerevan. According to Ken Duncan, the “Yellow Bird” dance
group may be considered a family group as well, as his wife, daughter
and seven sons are involved in it. And the group’s name is his wife’s
maiden tribe name. Besides the family members, apaches of other tribes
are also involved in this apache group having creative history of more
than 20 years. According to Ken Duncan, the primary mission of the
dance group is to preserve and pass to generations American Indians’
traditions. He mentioned that besides dancing performances, their
group also performs ancient stories and shows on those themes.
According to Duncan, as a dance group of American aborigines, they
present different phenomena of nature by music and dancing performances.
And according to him, culture is important for everybody understands
“where he comes from and where he goes to.” Besides the concert
mission, according to their ancestors’ traditions, the group builds
apache villages and settlements in different countries of the
world. One of Duncan’s sons presented his music instrument, a pipe
belonged to American aborigines by which he performed an interesting
music work: when a boy decided to court a girl, he starts playing pipe
and after the 4th performance, he gave it to the chosen girl. As for
the problem of using together the modern techniques and apache
traditions, according to Ken Duncan, they work and create by using
both variants: for example, “during the period of time when young
girls come to age, the whole tribe goes up to hills and implements
traditional ceremonial rites.” And in other cases, of course, they
make use of technics. 50 thousand apaches live today in the U.S. who
has a sovereign status there. The “Yellow Bird” group has had concert
tours during these years in different countries of the world. They
must leave for England immediatly after the Armenian tours.

JAVAKHK INTELLECTUALS TO DISCUSS THOROUGHLY STATE EXISTING IN REGION

AKHALKALAK, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Javakhk
Intellectuals’ Union envisages to convene on May 31 its 3rd conference
where the state existing in Javakhk will be thoroughly discussed.
According to the “A-Info” agency, Azat Shipaktsian, the Javakhk
Intellectuals’ Union Chairman informed that the conference will
seriously touch upon security guarantees of Javakhk Armenians, giving
the Armenian language status of the second state language in parallel
to the Georgian language in Samtskhe-Javakhk, and other problems.

RA PRIME MINISTER SATISFIED WITH RESULTS OF WORKING COMMISSION ON
COOPERATION BETWEEN MOSCOW AND ARMENIA GOVERNMENTS

YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
received on May 26 Sergey Baydakov, the Co-Chairman of the Working
Commission on Cooperation between Moscow and RA Governments, the head
of the Moscow central administrative region and the delegation headed
by him. The RA Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the results
of the second sitting of the Working Commission on Cooperation between
Moscow and Armenia Governments. Issues of cooperation in economy and
trade, education, health care, culture, sports, tourism and other
spheres of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting, solution of
which, according to A.Margarian, will assist further development of
the Armenian-Russian mutual cooperation. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the RA Government’s Information and Public Relations Department,
Makar Nahapetian, the head of the Yerevan Mayor’s Office
Representation in Moscow presented in details results of the sitting
and reached agreements. S.Baydakov emphasized in his turn that the
commission’s sitting took place in a constructive and practical
atmosphere, in conditions of complete mutual understanding. He
expressed gratitude to the RA Government for organizing the
commission’s sitting at a high level. A.Margarian and S.Baydakov were
of the same opinion in the issue that a successful implementation of
decisions of the commission’s first sitting gives possibility for
planning and implementation of new drafts which must be observed
within the context of successive widening and deepening many-sided
relations between Armenia and Russia. The RA Prime Minister also
emphasized the important meaning of the Year of Armenia in Russia in
more strengthening the two countries’ people’s spiricual-cultural
traditional ties. This, according to A.Margarian, gives possibility to
activize mutual ties and contacts, to present in Russia more objectly
Armenia’s achivements and existing possibilities in diferent spheres.