[B]Thursday, October 13, 2005
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There are many ways to belittle a writer’s work and to insult a man and I have heard them all. Here are some samples.
-You are a disgrace to your nation.
-What’s your point?
-Was your mother a Turkish whore?
-You repeat yourself.
-You are a racist.
-Why don’t you say something we don’t know?
-A dealer in verbal crapola.
-Gobbledygook.
-You are a denialist.
-Booooooooooooring!
-You are a fool.
-Son of a bitch.
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Is it conceivable that the only thing we have learned from our Ottoman and Bolshevik experiences is intolerance?
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Why is it that in order to prove their superior brand of patriotism some of my readers find it necessary to go down into the gutter?
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And to think that some of these ladies and gentlemen think they are qualified to reform and civilize the Turks.
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Dealing with fellow Armenians builds character, provided you survive the experience.
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Friday, October 14, 2005
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We treat our satirists not as social critics but as comedians; we silence our dissidents; we discard anti-Armenian odars as Turcophiles (meaning the lowest scum on earth); and we believe in our own assertions of moral and intellectual superiority. All of which combine to make of us a nation in denial. And if our pundits and academics ignore our contradictions and concentrate their efforts on documenting the massacres and exposing Turkish lies, it may be because it is not popular to criticize a nation that has sustained a near-mortal wound. Either that or they follow an old American political maxim that says, “You don’t kill a man who is committing suicide.”
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About anti-Armenian odars: it makes little sense to label them as Turcophiles. All nations have their critics, why should we be an exception?
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Once, when Napoleon said, “All Italians are thieves!” his interlocutor replied, “Buona parte,” (meaning, not all of them but a good fraction).
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Saturday, October 15, 2005
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THE ARMENIAN CONNECTION
This year’s Nobel Prize winner for Literature is Harold Pinter who was greatly influenced by Arthur Adamov, a cofounder (with Beckett and Ionesco) of the Theater of the Absurd. It is to be noted that Adamov (an Armenian), Beckett (an Irishman) and Ionesco (a Rumanian) lived in Paris and wrote in French because their own homeland did not provide them with a friendly environment. In the same way that money goes to money, great writers go to great cultures. And Harold Pinter is a Jew who lives in London and writes in English.
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A THOUSAND AND ONE SMILES
If I were to name the funniest book in the world it would be neither Stalin’s COLLECTED WORKS nor Castro COMPLETE SPEECHES but THE COMPLETE CARTOONS OF THE NEW YORKER: ALL 68,647 CARTOONS EVER PUBLISHED IN THE MAGAZINE. There is a smile here on every page and a belly laugh ever five or six pages. It is not only the funniest but also the biggest and heaviest book I have ever handled. Take all your vitamins before you decide to carry it home from the library or your nearest bookstore.
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THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE WEST
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are major scandals, of course, but infinitely worse is the fact that Sinatra and Elvis sold more records than Sibelius and Elgar; and worse, much worse: the Beatles made more money than Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, and Bartok combined.
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ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/14/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) US Helsinki Commission Blasts Turkey 2) ANCA Statement on AXA Settlement of Armenian Genocide Era Insurance Claims 3) International Opposition Continues to Mount Against Caucasus Railroad Proposal That Bypasses Armenia 4) Los Angeles Pontifical Banquet Draws over 1,200 People Including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa 5) Critics' Forum 6) One Sided Bargain? 7) Week in Review 1) US Helsinki Commission Blasts Turkey Congressional panel calls on Turkey to face history; drop charges against writer for Armenian genocide remarks WASHINGTON, DC--The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed efforts by leaders of the US Helsinki Commission to press Turkey to end the prosecution of noted Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk for speaking openly about the Armenian genocide in violation of the Turkish penal code, which prohibits public discourse about this crime against humanity. In a letter sent this week to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Helsinki Commissioners encouraged him to authorize the removal of charges against Pamuk, who was charged with "public denigration of the Turkish identity," for comments made in Switzerland about the Armenian genocide. "We appreciate all that Congressman Smith and Senator Brownback are doing to encourage Turkey to honestly face its history and come to terms with the Armenian genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Their efforts are in the best tradition of America's proud leadership on human rights, and reflect the growing Congressional consensus that Turkey - at long last - must immediately end its hateful campaign of Genocide denial." In a remark on Thursday, Commission Chairman Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) stressed that, "dropping the charges against Orhan Pamuk is not sufficient for Turkey to come to grips with its past, but it is necessary," commented Brownback. "If nothing else, the prosecution of Pamuk feeds the worst fears of those who are skeptical about Turkey's commitment to freedom and democracy." Co-Chairman Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) noted today that, "a stable democracy cannot blossom until the government ends the practice of stifling free speech and removes the clouds of deception and censorship from a true telling of history." He added that, "Turkey has barely taken the first steps toward coming to terms with its history. Until Turks honestly and openly discuss their history, their democracy will never be on a firm foundation." The US Helsinki Commission, also known as Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, is a US Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce. 2) ANCA Statement on AXA Settlement of Armenian Genocide Era Insurance Claims The Armenian National Committee of America on Wednesday welcomed the settlement of a class action lawsuit against AXA Insurance Company, allowing descendants of Armenian genocide era insurance policyholders to seek the assets denied to them for so long. The historic case is the second of its kind, following the New York Life Insurance class action case settled in February 2004. In both cases, the heirs of genocide-era claim holders were represented by Yeghiayan and Associates, Geragos and Geragos, and Kabateck Brown Kellner. To place this settlement in its proper context, it is important to note that, while the heirs and grandchildren of Genocide-era policyholders will now receive some small portion of those funds, we should remember that those moneys were not available when these orphans of the Genocide needed them the most. Instead, they were collecting interest in AXA coffers and remained there for some 90 years until this corrective action was taken. The European affiliates of the ANCA played an important role in educating the European citizenry in general and the Armenian community in particular regarding the AXA case through a far-reaching media and email campaign. As part of this effort, the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) initiated a petition campaign to AXA France Supervisory Board Chairman Claude Bebear, urging the firm to accept a fair settlement that would extend a measure of dignity and recognition to the victims wrongfully denied their property for nine decades. The Armenian American community expects a fair, effective, and orderly claims process be put in place that fully accounts for each policyholder and appropriately disburses funds to European Armenian charities and organizations with a long-standing record of fighting for the rights of the descendants of Armenian genocide victims. While the AXA case is significant in that it recognizes the legitimacy of the insurance claims of Armenian genocide victims, it is by no means related to any claims for the deaths, thefts, bodily harm, and real and personal property confiscation undertaken by the government of Ottoman Turkey and the Republic of Turkey between 1915 and 1923, the liability and responsibilities for which continue to be held by the modern day government of Turkey. Nor does the damages calculation assigned in this case relate in any way to those claims, which remain outstanding. The ANCA remains committed to ensuring that, in time, the Armenian people will receive the restitution they are owed from all those who unjustly profited, either directly or indirectly, from the Armenian genocide. 3) International Opposition Continues to Mount Against Caucasus Railroad Proposal That Bypasses Armenia European Commission rules out support for Turkish railroad proposal that would institutionalize Turkey's closed border with Armenia WASHINGTON, DC--The European Commission has added its voice to growing international opposition to a Caucasus railroad proposal by the Turkish government that would, if built, institutionalize Turkey's border closure with Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The Commission's position was articulated this week by the Directorate General for Transport and Energy. In explaining why the European Union would not support the creation of this rail line, the directorate noted that its construction was both unnecessary and inefficient in light of the existing railroad connecting Kars, Gyumri, and Tbilisi. This line, which passes through Armenia, was effectively shut down more than a decade ago by Turkey's imposition of its blockade of Armenia, which continues to this day. The Commission's adoption of this position comes in response to a May 21 letter from Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian to Jacques Barrot, Deputy Chairman of the European Commission. In this letter, the Foreign Minister outlined the destabilizing implications of the proposed route bypassing Armenia, and stressed the willingness of the government of Armenia to cooperate in the reactivation of the existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway, which remains fully functional but unused due to the unilateral Turkish blockade. "We welcome the wise position taken by the European Commission against Turkey's most recent effort to effectively institutionalize its border closure with Armenia. The well founded concerns raised by the Commission reflect and reinforce those being addressed in the US Congress by the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "In pressing forward so recklessly with this politically motivated proposal, Turkey openly disregards the Administration's repeated calls to end its decade-long border closure with Armenia. Clearly, this disregard must be recognized and reckoned with by the US Congress, which should, in the coming weeks, act in an urgent and decisive manner to check Turkey's growing indifference to US priorities in the region." On July 21, Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), introduced legislation addressing this issue by barring US financing for rail projects circumventing Armenia. The ANCA welcomed this bipartisan effort, noting that it would protect US taxpayers from subsidizing a totally unnecessary and regionally destabilizing proposal by Turkey aimed at isolating Armenia. The measure, known as the "South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2005" (HR 3361), currently has 39 House cosponsors and is gaining support from both sides of the aisle. The text of the legislation notes "the exclusion of Armenia from regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus undermines the United States policy goal of promoting a stable and cooperative environment in the region." In its operative section, the legislation prohibits US assistance "to develop or promote any rail connections or railway-related connections that do not traverse or connect with Armenia, but do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey." Specific forms of US assistance prohibited would include: foreign economic and development aid, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Trade and Development Agency, and the Export-Import Bank. The ANCA raised this issue publicly as early as June 10 of this year in a question to Foreign Minister Oskanian, during a briefing at the National Press Club. Minister Oskanian expressed concern that this would be a wasteful undertaking for the international community. He said that they [Turkey] are planning on spending something from $600 million to $1 billion to put that railroad in place." The Minister closed his comments, by stressing that, "This is in no one's interest--not the US or European Union or the countries involved. I have raised this issue with the Administration and they understand. They promised to follow this, and to try to talk them [the Turkish government] out of engaging in this type of senseless, useless activity." 4) Los Angeles Pontifical Banquet Draws over 1,200 People Including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Inspired by His Holiness, surprise donation of $1,000,000 made to Western Prelacy LOS ANGELES--The Los Angeles Armenian American community joyously hosted a Pontifical banquet for His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on Sunday, October 9, drawing a capacity crowd of over 1,200 people from all segments of the community. In addition to the many prominent members of the Los Angeles Armenian American community, also attending were Gagik Kirakosian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Charbel Wehbi, Consul General of Lebanon and several high-level public officials including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Chuck Poochigian, members of Congress and other city officials. In addition to honoring His Holiness, the banquet also served as a forum to thank the many large church benefactors who have recently made donations to the Western Prelacy to advance several large-scale projects underway, especially the construction of the new Western Prelacy headquarters building in La Crescenta, California. Charlie Gailian was the banquet's Master of Ceremonies and one of the first words of appreciation were for John and Asdghig Bedrosian who underwrote the cost of the entire banquet, aside from making other major contributions to the Western Prelacy. The welcoming remarks were made by Ara Bedrosian, a member of the Public Relations Committee for the Pontiff's visit who was followed by Khajag Dikijian, from the Western Prelacy Executive Council, who outlined the themes of the visit and the many important leadership roles His Holiness plays throughout the world. Hrair Balian, the chairman of the Executive Council offered a toast to His Holiness stating that this visit will usher in a new era of expanded activity for the church in the western United States. Eastern Prelate Oshagan Choloyan gave brief remarks and said that His Holiness, through his multi-faceted work beyond the Armenian community, has earned our church a special place on the world stage. California State Senator Chuck Poochigian took to the podium to welcome His Holiness and thank him for re-energizing the community with his visit and offered a special proclamation from the state senate recognizing his visit on the occasion of his 10th anniversary of being elected Catholicos. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa briefly addressed the banquet and expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to meet His Holiness and respect for the important role the church plays in the life of the city. While the Mayor met privately with His Holiness briefly that evening, Mayor Villaraigosa said he looked forward to the official meeting he will have with His Holiness at City Hall on October 14 along with the rest of the City Council. His Holiness shared many important thoughts during his remarks at the banquet. He first recognized the Consul General of Lebanon explaining the important role the country has played for him while growing up there and noted that Lebanon is not just a country but a living message of how people of different cultures and religions must learn to live with each other. He then directed his remarks to the Consul General of Armenia by stating that "while we in the diaspora were not born in Armenia, however Armenia was born inside us and lives in each of our souls." He said that over the course of the past many decades, the diaspora kept the hopes of freedom alive for Armenia and has struggled for the Armenian Cause and a free, independent, and united Armenia. The Great House of Cilicia in Antelias has played its part in this struggle by keeping the Armenian yerakouyn (tri-color) waving and to this day works hard to help rebuild Armenia stated His Holiness. The Catholicos then focused on the theme of values and community service. He said, "people come and go, but values remain" and for that reason it is important that we live life with high moral values always seeking to unite together to build our communities and build bridges of understanding and trust. "Positions don't elevate people but rather people elevate positions," he said. In that context he also noted that the Great House of Cilicia always seeks close collaboration with the Holy See in Etchmiadzin to reinforce our national values and faithfulness by serving the people. "While we are physically in Antelias, we live outside Antelias," stated His Holiness. "Antelias is alive in each of us." Inspired by His Holiness, one of the highlights of the evening was the surprise donation of $1,000,000 by Khachik and Elo Mouradian to establish an endowment fund for the Western Prelacy. This added to the generosity of the many other major benefactors who were recognized during the evening by the Catholicos for their major contributions including Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrosian and Carolan Family for contributing $250,000 each; Mr. and Mrs. Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian, Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian, Mrs. Rose Kasimian, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran Karghossian and Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian all of whom made donations in excess of $100,000 each. To honor some of the benefactors for their exemplary contributions to the Western Prelacy building fund and to various schools and community centers, His Holiness presented special medals of honor including the "Cilician Eeshkhan (Prince)" medal to Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian for her sponsorship of the ARS preschool at Holy Martyrs in addition to recent contribution to the Western Prelacy building; and "Cilician Asbed (Knight)" medals to Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Susan Kitsinian for their contribution to the Pasadena St. Sarkis Church, Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Kohar Sulahian, Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Eileen Keusseyan, Mr. and Mrs. Osko and Yeran Karaghossian and Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Houri Melkonian all for their various contributions to the Western Prelacy building fund and other endeavors. His Holiness also presented a special cross to Father Nareg Shrikian for his more than 50 years of service to the church and community. Representatives from many of the major organizations in the Armenian community of Los Angeles were in attendance including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee and Bureau, the Armenian Relief Society, the Homenetmen, Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Board of Regents of Armenian Schools, National Representative Assembly of the Church and the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy. Also present were clergy from various churches including a representative of the Diocese. Other officials in the audience included various Armenian American judges and city officials including Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and City Councilman Ara Najarian. 5) Critics' Forum Theater Play Dates By Aram Kouyoumdjian If I were to tell you that I go to the theater every month with "a large group of friends," you'd probably think I mean a dozen people. Or maybe 15. Say 20, just to be generous. You'd be off by a mile. Over the course of the past year, I have enjoyed regular "play dates" with a circle of (mostly Armenian) theater aficionados numbering 50, 70, and even 90. Our outings have taken us all over Los Angeles, from points east to west, treating us to a wide range of theater--challenging drama, absurdist comedy, and even experimental fare. The outings started last November when my friend Ara Oshagan and I decided--"on a lark," as he describes it--to see plays on a monthly basis, inviting friends to join us as they wished. "Whoever comes, comes," he said, using English words but a decidedly Armenian construction to convey a sense of open-hearted, but casual welcome. We began, auspiciously enough, with "4.48 Psychosis," Sarah Kane's little-known, but poetically haunting rumination on suicide. We numbered a mere seven people at that premier outing, but as we dissected the play over late-night dessert, we knew that we were hooked on this collective experience. We would never see that kind of intimate group again. By the second outing, in December, attendance had quadrupled, as turnout grew to 28 for Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming" at A Noise Within in Glendale. In January, when we caught "Anna in the Tropics" at the Pasadena Playhouse, our number had reached 47. That third outing turned out to be a watershed evening, which we appreciated only in hindsight. Oh, it wasn't the play that left a lingering impression. The overpraised Pulitzer Prize winner by Nilo Cruz was underserved by a cast prone to overacting. The sparks lit up instead at our post-play gathering, where the common topic of conversation seemed to be the lack of arts venues in the Armenian community. Within a few months, many of the participants in that conversation had launched an ambitious project--the Armenian Center for the Arts--and the theater outings formally became a part of ACA's arts programming. In February, the taboo plot of Edward Albee's "The Goat"--about a successful architect's sexual liaison with the titular animal--lured 56 of us to the Mark Taper Forum downtown. But the master playwright's triumph lay in the script's insightful themes--the bounds of social tolerance and the rupture of human relationships in the face of unforgivable transgression. Equally strong themes resonated in our selection for March, John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt," a compelling play about a young priest's suspiciously inappropriate behavior towards one of his students. Oscar winner Linda Hunt headed the cast at the Pasadena Playhouse as the play was capturing the Pulitzer Prize for its script and the Tony Award for its New York production. Speaking of New York productions, we actually chose one as our pick for April. So as not to distract from local events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we announced the Off-Broadway production of "Beast on the Moon"the story of two Genocide survivors trying to carve out a new life in Wisconsinas our symbolic pick. (Still, despite the distance, nearly a dozen of us were able to catch a performance of the play over the course of its run). I've always had reservations about Richard Kalinoski's script, which often lapses into sentimentality, but this classy production eschewed manipulative emotion, thanks to strong acting by Omar Metwally and Lena Georgas, and well-calibrated direction by Larry Moss. In May, our group constituted two-thirds of the audience for "Yellowman" at the Fountain Theatre, in Hollywood. This two-character play--which tackles discrimination within the African-American community based on the lightness or darkness of one's skin color--boasted powerful, yet lyrical writing by Dael Orlandersmith and the undulations of its moods were expertly captured by the flawless performances of Deidrie Henry and Chris Butler. In the end, the audience rose for a standing ovation, and members of our group were effusive in their praise at a reception that the theater hosted for us after the play. Judging from the feedback, I'd say that "Yellowman" still ranks as the best received of the 11 productions we have seen to date. Opinion was far less unanimous in June, when 70 of us turned out for Sarah Ruhl's ironically-titled "Melancholy Play," our first comedy. Many of us were delighted by its witty dialogue and absurdist humor, though the sillier, more far-fetched elements of the script generated groans as well. Undeterred, we indulged in further experimentation in July, when we opted for an environmental staging of "Macbeth." Director Eric Tucker's inspired adaptation was performed in a NoHo warehouse, with the audience perched on bleachers that were often moved around the cavernous space to allow for ever-changing perspectives of the play's action. Since the venue could not accommodate all 80 members of our group, we bought out two successive nights of the show and soaked up the highly-inventive features of its movement sequences and lighting design. Our numbers peaked in August when 90 of us descended on the open-air amphitheater of the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum (in Topanga Canyon) for Arthur Miller's "The Ride Down Mt. Morgan." The script, by the brilliant mind behind "Death of a Salesman," was rich in language and ideas--both of which were butchered in the hands of a dreadful cast. After a summer of eclectic choices, this fall we returned to straightforward dramas in traditional theater settings. In September, we were back at the Mark Taper Forum for "Radio Golf"--the final installment in August Wilson's monumental 10-play cycle about the African-American experience during the 20th century. (Extraordinarily enough, Wilson recently succumbed to liver cancer, soon after completing a project that had preoccupied him for more than 20 years). And this month, we'll sample a bit of Americana with William Inge's "Picnic," set in "the quiet desperation of a small Kansas town," where "the sudden arrival of Hal, a dangerously handsome young drifter, ignites a firestorm of sexual passion, ripping to tatters pre-conceived notions of individual destiny." Promising, indeed. Next month marks the beginning of Year Two, which we'll open with Aram Saroyan's "At the Beach House." We'll try to make the next 12 choices just as exciting and adventurous, various in genre and geography, high in caliber but reasonable in ticket price, and followed, as always, by a post-play gathering marked by sparkling conversation. Will our numbers surpass 100? Will we encounter the next theatrical masterpiece? Who knows ... We'll see. For now, we'll take it one month at a time. All Rights Reserved: Critics Forum, 2005 Aram Kouyoumdjian is the winner of Elly Awards for both playwriting ("The Farewells") and directing ("Three Hotels"). Critics' Forum is a group created to discuss issues relating to Armenian art and culture in the diaspora. To sign up for a weekly electronic version of new articles, please send an email to [email protected]. 6) One Sided Bargain? By Garen Yegparian In a deal, agreement, or contract, everyone expects all parties to keep up their end of the bargain, right? Assuming you said yes, I'll presume you agree that the same holds for the social contract of which Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote. I lay no claim to having studied his writings, but the term is very evocative. The individual has certain expectations of and obligations to society, as represented through government-especially when democratically structured, and vice-versa. So what happens when one side isn't living up to the terms of the social contract? No, this is not an occasion to bash the Bush cabal and its failings. This time, it's an indictment of the individual, or rather a group of individuals. Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) opt not to participate in the life of a country. Sure they pay taxes (they might not even do that, but for the onerous alternative). Otherwise, they evade public life. They don't vote or otherwise participate in the life of the republic, any republic--Armenia, the US, or any other. Their collective wisdom, competence, and energies are denied to the rest of us. Why should they be allowed to reap public benefits? If I'm ignorant of the specifics, please enlighten me. Oops, there's the catch, it's unlikely that anyone who knows better would read this newspaper or article. It's different when a Quaker conscientiously objects, refusing to serve in the armed forces. That same person might well be involved in advocating pacifism. That's participating in and contributing to our collective life, as seen through his/her prism of life. When an individual refuses to vote based on some rationale, he/she usually still engages in societal activity. The dummy who just plain doesn't know enough to vote falls into a different category. Like someone who needs other types of assistance--mental health, financial, educational, etc., he/she is not making a CONSCIOUS, principled decision of non-participation. JW, based on their first principles, oppose participation in civic life. Why should we, the rest of us, the people, have to pick up their slack? The logical conclusion of what they advocate through their door-to-door recruiting/proselytizing is a complete collapse of society. So it strikes me that these folks should go live where they won't be a drain on society. All this came to me after a couple of discussions with my barber who belongs to the JW. While groups such as JW, by virtue of their relatively small number, may not have much practical impact on secure and large countries, or those with well-established polities, the same cannot be said of places such as Armenia. This presents a serious problem when human rights activists, based on their life experiences in the type of setting just mentioned, pressure Armenia and others to not discriminate against such sects. I say no. Unless JW or other sects and groups like them (I emphatically include all such withdrawal-oriented groups, not just JW) come up with a way to compensate for their non-participation, they should also be denied the benefits of citizenship. What do you think? 7) Week in Review Catholicos Aram I Calls for US Recognition of Armenian Genocide His Holiness says there can not be reconciliation before confession LOS ANGELES--His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, made a firm statement calling for proper US recognition of the Armenian genocide during a special prayer service in honor of the victims of the Armenian genocide held on October 8 at the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California. The Catholicos stated that the United States has always stood on the side of justice and human rights and should therefore take a principled stand by properly recognizing the Armenian genocide. The special ceremony was organized as a reaffirmation of the community's commitment to proper Genocide recognition on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. There were several hundred members of the community in attendance as well as many local public officials including State Assemblyman Ron Calderon, Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari, Pico Rivera Mayor David Armenta, Montebello Police Chief Gary Couso-Vasquez, and a representative from Montebello Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's office. "Reconciliation is based on forgiveness; however, there cannot be forgiveness until there is acceptance of the truth and real confession," said the Pontiff during the event referring to the Turkish government's continuing campaign of denial and the lack of official US recognition of the Genocide. The Pontiff ended his remarks by telling the story of how on April 24 of this year he journeyed to Der Zor to the Euphrates river where many Armenian women and children had died during the genocide. There he christened two Armenian children and "the river that had symbolized death for the Armenian people turned into a river of life," he said. On the previous day, Friday, October 7, His Holiness held a meeting at Glendale High School with approximately 1,000 students from the 11 Los Angeles area Armenian schools. His Holiness stressed that students should carry on the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people. That evening, His Holiness was present at the Glendale Homenetmen "Ararat" Chapters special event celebrating the Armenian alphabet. During the official remarks, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the Armenian language in defining the Armenian culture and encouraged the youth present to make the effort to learn the language as a means to living their identity. NATO Parliamentary Assembly Reviews Armenian Genocide YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--The Armenian genocide was on the agenda of a NATO Parliamentary Assembly seminar that took place in Armenia last week. Addressing the NATO Rose-Roth Seminar held in Yerevan October 6-9, Halil Berktay, professor of history at Sabanci University, specifically said, "I say that the Genocide was committed. The only question is how to come to its recognition." He suggested studying various approaches in order for Turkish society to first "realize" that genocide has been committed, "then to recognize it." Otherwise, he warned that tension among nationalist forces in Turkey would escalate. Armenian Parliament Vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian commended Berktay's clear position of qualifying the events of 1915 as genocide. Sixty parliamentarians from 22 countries also discussed the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, among other topics at the Seminar. The Rose-Roth program was launched in 1990, with the initial aim to strengthen the development of parliamentary democracy in Central and Eastern European countries. Council of Europe Encourages Citizens to Support Proposed Constitutional Reforms YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The top decision-making body of the Council of Europe urged Armenians on Monday to vote for constitutional amendments at next month's referendum, saying that they are "vital" for Armenia's democratic future. "The referendum, to be held on November 27 on this reform, will be vital for Armenia," Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Portugal's foreign minister and the chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, said in a statement. He added that the proposed changes would shore up Armenia's weak judiciary and create a "more balanced distribution of power between the executive and the legislative branches." The European Union and the United States have also expressed support for the draft amendments. Western officials say that as well as curbing sweeping powers vested in the Armenian presidency, the proposed reform would facilitate Armenia's integration into pan-European structures. A similar statement was adopted on Monday at a conference of an organization representing various-level Armenian judges. Armenia's leading opposition groups, meanwhile, remain adamant in rejecting the amendments as insignificant and irrelevant to the country's democratization. In a joint statement last month, 17 opposition parties said their enactment would only "legitimize the regime and prolong its life." They pledged to work together in trying to scuttle the referendum. Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey open Georgian Section of Caspian Oil Pipeline TBILISI (AP)--The presidents of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey on Wednesday ceremonially opened the valves on the Georgian section of a US-backed Caspian pipeline that is seen as key to cutting Western dependence on Mideast oil. They said the new route would help their countries prosper. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer each pushed a button opening valves at a pumping station for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in the Gardaban district outside the capital, Tbilisi. "What does this pipeline mean for Georgia? Economically, it means investment," Saakashvili said at the ceremony. "But the significance of this pipeline is first of all political. Georgia's significance is growing on the world map and in this region." Known as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, or BTC pipeline, the $3.2 billion project aims to boost the energy-hungry West's access to the rich Caspian fields, estimated to hold the world's third-largest reserves. Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan all claim shares of the Caspian's undersea wealth. By year's end, the 1,100-mile project is to ship up to 1 million barrels a day to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. Most Caspian oil exports currently go through Russian pipelines to the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, where the oil is loaded onto tankers that squeeze through the crowded Bosporus Strait. Governor Signs Senator Scott's Armenia Trade Office Bill SACRAMENTO(Combined Sources)Senator Jack Scott's bill that extends the sunset date for the operation of a privately funded trade office in Armenia has been signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California, home to about half-a-million Armenian-Americans, conducts most of the nearly 50 million in trade between Armenia and the United States. The trade office is expected to increase business, trade, and tourism between California and Armenia. This office is the first privately funded trade office for the state and it will be a win-win for California and Armenia. The trade office will open new and large growth markets for California businesses and investors. For Armenia and its neighbors, the office will generate much-needed business and investment." The state's trade office in Armenia opened last week in the capital city of Yerevan. It was funded with $75,000 in private donations. The Glendale-based Foundation for Economic Development helped create the trade office. Because the money was raised privately, the state was able to open the office in Armenia even though California's other foreign trade offices were closed recently because of state budget woes. That could be a model for the state if it opens other foreign trade offices, officials said. Officials expect that the office will facilitate in the export of information technology and health products going into Armenia and help Armenian businesses export foodstuffs and other products to California. ARF-Armenia Youth Organization Gains 42 New Members YEREVAN (Aztagdaily.com)--Forty-two youth recently joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) Nigol Aghbalian Student Union in Armenia at a ceremony that took place at the grave of Aram Boghosian who died fighting for the Liberation of Mountainous Karabagh. The October 7 swearing-in took place at Yerablur Military Cemetery in Yerevan. ARF Parliamentary faction secretary Hrair Garabedian noted the symbolism of the students taking their oath in the "presence of dedicated and martyred ARF members." Speaking to the new members, ARF-Armenia Supreme Body member Hratch Tadevosian said the people gave birth to the ARF at the end of the 19th century, and during the subsequent 115 years, the party led a resolute fight to protect the rights of Armenians. "But there remain many unresolved issues, and they await you; we must be able to pursue these together, step-by-step. I hope that you will provide force to the ARF." Tension Runs High in Akhalkalak AKHALKALAK (Armenpress)--Around 1,000 anti-Armenian Russian-language posters carrying the state emblem of Turkey were found pasted to buildings in Akhalkalak in southern Georgia on Tuesday morning. Signed "The Akhaltsikhe Liberation Army," the posters ordered local Armenians to move out of the region, to Armenia, the US and elsewhere, otherwise "be slaughtered as your grandparents were in 1915." Local Armenian organizations and many residents of the town say this is another attempt to terrorize local Armenians and destabilize the mostly Armenian populated region. The local administration convened an extraordinary session with law-enforcement bodies urging them to track down and punish the perpetrators. Akhalkalak, the main town in the predominantly Armenian-populated Javakhk region of Georgia, which borders Armenia, was the site of a protest rally on October 5, after tax officials from Tbilisi closed ten shops for alleged financial irregularities. The shop owners, mostly ethnic Armenians, and about 300 supporters, gathered outside the Akhalkalak's administration building to protest the violation of their rights. The clash between the authorities and the protesters left several people injured. Giorgi Khachidze, the governor of the region criticized the police for excessive use of force and promised to hold some of them accountable. Saakashvili and other Georgian officials have tried to downplay the latest events in Akhalkalak, claming that the radical organizations advocating autonomy for the region do not enjoy serious popular support. Fresno Mayor Pledges Monument for Armenian Genocide Victims FRESNO--The Mayor of Fresno, California expressed readiness to undertake the building of a Genocide monument in the near future to honor the victims of the Armenian genocide. Mayor Alan Autry made the announcement on the occasion of a visit to the city by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and as a response to a request by His Holiness. Mayor Autry said that the first step would be to target an appropriate location for the memorial. Fresno Armenian community members embraced the announcement, saying that it is a step in right direction in establishing justice. US Says Turkey Exerts Excessive Control over Religious Activity ARMENPRESS--A recent report by the United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) criticized Turkey for exerting excessive state control over minority religions, saying the Muslim country risks eroding the centuries-old Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul, as well as the historic Syriac and Armenian Orthodox churches. "We regret that authorities continue to inhibit the opening of places of worship outside the Sunni Muslim mainstream and systematically disregard the OSCE's 1990 Bonn Document by expropriating the properties of religious groups without compensation," the US statement said. Concurrently, the European Court of Human Rights is weighing a decision on the property rights of two minority foundations in Turkey, the Soorp Purgich Armenian Hospital Foundation and the Fener Greek Boys High School Foundation. In both cases, property gifted to the Armenian and Greek foundations were seized as the Turkish courts upheld orders declaring that the bequest violated a decree disallowing non-Muslims from donating real estate. If the court rules in favor of the foundations, hundreds of buildings seized in the past may be returned. Councilman Eric Garcetti and DNC Chairman Howard Dean Visit Armenia LOS ANGELES--As a part of an official delegation of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR), Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti recently returned from a nearly week and a half long trip to Armenia, where he met Armenian local and national political leadership. The delegation met with several Parliamentary leaders including Levon Mkrtchian, Armen Rustamian and the Mayor of Yerevan, Yervand Zakharian. During these meetings, Garcetti and the Armenian officials discussed creating a Sister City relationship between Los Angeles and Yerevan, and issues that are of concern to both the diasporan and native Armenian communities. Councilmember Eric Garcetti said, "we looked at cooperation on the issues of law enforcement and we explored possible cooperation around seismic standards for buildings, considering we both live with fault lines in and around our cities." Throughout the remainder of their trip, as Garcetti and the delegation traveled through the highlands of Armenia, they met with US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, and the Deputy Minister on Foreign Affairs, Arman Kirakossian. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean joined Garcetti and his delegation on their visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Together, they planted trees in a grove where elected officials from around the world have done the same in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the Ottoman Turkish government. "The truth is that the Armenian genocide took place 90 years ago," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "Over a million people were killed. There is no question that the United States should recognize this." During his short trip, Dean expressed his support for the congressional resolution that urges President Bush to "accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide" in his annual message to the US-Armenian community. Garcetti represents the 13th district, which is known as the heart of Los Angeles, and stretches between Hollywood and Downtown and includes the area known as "Little Armenia." AYF Eastern Region Members Gather for Annual Seminar WATERTOWN--On October 8, members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Eastern Region gathered in Paramus, NJ, for the organization's annual Senior Seminar. Participants from Providence, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, New Jersey, New York and Washington, DC, attended the seminar, which included lectures on the current status of the organization; an overview of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF); and a discussion on what it means to be Armenian. "We have our monthly meetings to discuss chapter dynamics and the successes or failures that occur within our own cities. It is important for us, however, to take time out to meet with the leaders and active members of other chapters to discuss our organization as a whole," said Philadelphia AYF chapter president Angela Deese, who attended the seminar. "We must remember that we are part of a group of youth striving for the same goal, and as a part of ARF youth, we strive for this goal not only in our own cities, but with the rest of our ungers all over the world," she said. "I believe that this meeting was a successful event for two reasons. First, it addressed important issues that our organization faces and presented solutions. And secondly, the lectures and discussions were different than the usual take on the subjects," said New Jersey AYF attendee Razmig Tchaghlasian. 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) 2005 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.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SYSTEM OF A DOWN POSTS TV NEWS COVERAGE VIDEO OF
RALLY FOR PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
— Watch News Segments Broadcast by the ABC, FOX, and WB
Affiliates in House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s District
WASHINGTON, DC – The multi-platinum band System of a Down this week
distributed an internet link to the television news coverage of
their September 27th Armenian Genocide recognition rally outside
the Batavia, Illinois office of Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
(R-IL), reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The rally was organized by System of a Down in cooperation with the
ANCA, the Armenian Youth Federation, and Axis of Justice. Over two
hundred people, including a large contingent of Armenians from the
Chicago area, called on the Speaker to honor the pledge he made
five years ago to schedule a vote on Armenian Genocide legislation.
On September 15th, the House International Relations Committee
overwhelmingly approved two resolutions recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. In the wake of the Committee’s action, the decision to
bring this legislation to a vote on the House floor or,
alternatively, to block its progress, rests in the hands of the
House Speaker.
To watch the local news coverage of this event on ABC, FOX, and WB
visit the following website:
;u=3comq
To watch “Dennis, Do the Right Thing,” a two-minute video of the
rally directed by the Soudjian Brothers and produced by Treaty of
Sevres Films, visit:
The weblink for “Dennis, Do the Right Thing” was produced by the
firm of Sarkissian Mason and is hosted on , the
leading multi-media educational website about the Armenian
Genocide.
To learn more about Treaty of Sevres Films, visit:

Library of Congress
14 Oct 2005
H.RES.316: Bill Summary & Status for the 109th Congress
Title: Calling upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the
United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning
issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in
the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Radanovich, George [CA-19] (introduced 6/14/2005)
Cosponsors (143)
Related Bills: H.CON.RES.195
Latest Major Action: 9/15/2005 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 40 – 7.
COSPONSORS(143), BY DATE [order is left to right]: (Sort: alphabetical
order)
Rep Knollenberg, Joe [MI-9] – 6/14/2005Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] –
6/14/2005
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] – 6/14/2005Rep Dreier, David [CA-26] –
6/14/2005
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] – 6/14/2005Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] – 6/14/2005
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] – 6/14/2005Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] –
6/14/2005
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 6/14/2005Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] –
6/14/2005
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] – 6/14/2005Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] –
6/14/2005
Rep Schwarz, John J.H. “Joe” [MI-7] – 6/14/2005Rep Cardoza, Dennis A.
[CA-18] – 6/14/2005
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] – 6/14/2005Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] –
6/14/2005
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] – 6/14/2005Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] –
6/14/2005
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] – 6/14/2005Rep Maloney, Carolyn B.
[NY-14] – 6/14/2005
Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] – 6/14/2005Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 6/14/2005
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 6/14/2005Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 6/14/2005
Rep Rogers, Mike [MI-8] – 6/14/2005Rep McKeon, Howard P. (Buck) [CA-25] –
6/14/2005
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 6/14/2005Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] –
6/14/2005
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] – 6/14/2005Rep Bradley, Jeb [NH-1] –
6/14/2005
Rep Bass, Charles F. [NH-2] – 6/14/2005Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] –
6/14/2005
Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] – 6/14/2005Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] –
6/14/2005
Rep Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [FL-22] – 6/14/2005Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] –
6/14/2005
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] – 6/14/2005Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] –
6/14/2005
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] – 6/14/2005Rep Sweeney, John E. [NY-20] –
6/14/2005
Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] – 6/14/2005Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] – 6/14/2005
Rep Menendez, Robert [NJ-13] – 6/14/2005Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] –
6/14/2005
Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] – 6/14/2005Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] – 6/14/2005
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] – 6/14/2005Rep Bilirakis, Michael [FL-9] –
6/14/2005
Rep Foley, Mark [FL-16] – 6/14/2005Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] –
6/14/2005
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 6/14/2005Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] –
6/14/2005
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] – 6/14/2005Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] –
6/17/2005
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] – 6/17/2005Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] –
6/17/2005
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] – 6/17/2005Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] –
6/17/2005
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] – 6/17/2005Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] –
6/17/2005
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] – 6/17/2005Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] –
6/17/2005
Rep Kelly, Sue W. [NY-19] – 6/17/2005Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] –
6/23/2005
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 6/23/2005Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] –
6/23/2005
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] – 6/23/2005Rep Green, Mark [WI-8] –
7/11/2005
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] – 7/11/2005Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] –
7/11/2005
Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] – 7/11/2005Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 7/11/2005
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] – 7/11/2005Rep Pombo, Richard W. [CA-11] –
7/11/2005
Rep Ryan, Paul [WI-1] – 7/11/2005Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] – 7/11/2005
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] – 7/11/2005Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] –
7/11/2005
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 7/11/2005Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] –
7/18/2005
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] – 7/18/2005Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] –
7/18/2005
Rep McMorris, Cathy [WA-5] – 7/18/2005Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] –
7/18/2005
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] – 7/18/2005Rep Strickland, Ted [OH-6] –
7/18/2005
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] – 7/18/2005Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] –
7/18/2005
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] – 7/18/2005Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] –
7/18/2005
Rep McHugh, John M. [NY-23] – 7/18/2005Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] –
7/18/2005
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] – 7/18/2005Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] –
7/18/2005
Rep Brown, Sherrod [OH-13] – 7/18/2005Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] –
7/18/2005
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 7/18/2005Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] –
7/18/2005
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 7/18/2005Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] – 7/26/2005
Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] – 7/26/2005Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] –
7/26/2005
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 7/26/2005Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] – 7/26/2005
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] – 7/26/2005Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8] –
7/26/2005
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] – 7/28/2005Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] –
7/28/2005
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] – 7/28/2005Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] – 7/28/2005
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] – 7/28/2005Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] –
7/28/2005
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] – 9/7/2005Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] – 9/7/2005
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] – 9/7/2005Rep Pelosi, Nancy [CA-8] – 9/15/2005
Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] – 9/15/2005Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] –
9/15/2005
Rep Bono, Mary [CA-45] – 9/15/2005Rep Otter, C. L. (Butch) [ID-1] –
9/15/2005
Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] – 9/15/2005Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] –
9/15/2005
Rep Simmons, Rob [CT-2] – 9/15/2005Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] –
9/15/2005
Rep Hoyer, Steny H. [MD-5] – 9/15/2005Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] –
9/15/2005
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] – 9/15/2005Rep Miller, George [CA-7] –
9/15/2005
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] – 9/15/2005Rep Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [CA-50] –
9/15/2005
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] – 9/15/2005Rep Evans, Lane [IL-17] – 9/15/2005
Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [NJ-11] – 9/15/2005Rep Towns, Edolphus
[NY-10] – 9/15/2005
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] – 9/15/2005Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] –
9/15/2005
Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] – 9/15/2005Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] – 9/15/2005
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] – 9/15/2005Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 9/15/2005
Rep Kuhl, John R. “Randy”, Jr. [NY-29] – 9/20/2005Rep Dent, Charles W.
[PA-15] – 9/29/2005
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 9/29/2005

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
October 14, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN BEAUPREZ JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
First Colorado Rep. to Join Body
WASHINGTON, DC – At the urging of the Armenian Assembly, Congressman
Bob Beauprez (R-CO) on October 6 officially joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus membership to
147. Beauprez is the first lawmaker from the state to be part of this
all-important body.

“I’m proud to have joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues,” said Beauprez. “I look forward to working with the
Armenian-Americans in the 7th District of Colorado and across the
entire country to ensure Armenian-American issues are articulated in
Washington.”
The Assembly’s Western Office organized and led a meeting with the
Congressman’s district staff in August to discuss the community’s
concerns and encourage the lawmaker’s membership to the Caucus.
Armenians of Colorado, a coalition of local Armenian-American
activists, also participated in the meeting.
“We’re pleased Congressman Beauprez decided to join the Caucus as a
result of direct meetings with the Assembly and Armenians of
Colorado,” said Western Office Director Lena Kaimian. “The
Congressman has been highly receptive to our issues. We look forward
to working with him and his colleagues in securing continued robust
assistance to Armenia and Karabakh, combating Armenia’s isolationism
and strengthening democracy and the rule of law.”
ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam Brown added, “The local
effort of Armenians of Colorado coupled with the Assembly’s national
efforts, helped advance the interests of Armenia and
American-Armenians on the federal level with Representative
Beauprez. I welcome his membership to the Armenian Caucus and look
forward to working with him and his staff.”
Participants in the August meeting with Beauprez’s office included:
ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam Brown, Assembly Western
Office Director Lena Kaimian, Ken Allikian, Armene Brown, Arous
Christianian, Anahid Katchian and Simon Magakyan.
Beauprez is currently serving his second term in office and is a
member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Earlier this year, he
signed on to a congressional letter to President Bush urging him to
formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.
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#2005-103
Photograph available of the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
03-1.jpg
Caption: Congressman Bob Beauprez (R-CO)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 14, 2005
Contact: Talin Gregorian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNS CALIFORNIA-ARMENIA TRADE OFFICE BILL
–Sunset Date for the Trade Office Extended
SACRAMENTO, CA – SB 897, the California-Armenia Trade Office Bill, has
been signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Armenian
National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR).
The Bill, which extends the sunset date for the operation of the
California International Trade and Investment Office in Yerevan,
Armenia to the year 2008, was introduced in February of this year by
State Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena), and most recently passed in
both the California State Assembly and Senate with overwhelming
bi-partisan support, having gained a vote of 77-1 in the Assembly and
32-1 in the Senate. The trade office was officially opened on October
3, 2005 in Armenia.
`This is an important step forward in cementing ties between the
people of California and Armenia,’ stated Senator Scott who recently
returned from a visit to Armenia. `It is also a responsible step in
these tight economic times. This office is the first privately funded
trade office for the state and it will be a win-win for California and
Armenia. The trade office will open new and large growth markets for
California businesses and investors. For Armenia, and its neighbors,
the office will generate much-needed business and investment.’
The director of the trade office, Arthur Khachatryan, will be visiting
the Los Angeles area from October 19-21, and will meet with business
and political leadership from the area in efforts to promote and
create strong business relationships for the office.
For over five years, the ANCA-WR has worked to improve trade relations
between California and Armenia. In 2002, SB 897 was established as
State law with a sunset date for the trade office set for January 1,
2006.
`We appreciate the support of the Governor on this issue, and we look
forward to the fruits of stronger business and trade relations between
California and Armenia. The establishment of this office in Armenia
now ties it with the world’s sixth largest economy, California. Though
California once had once had over a dozen such offices, the Armenian
Trade Office is the only one of its kind currently. We believe that
this strong business anchor will through its synergy benefit the
economies of both Armenia and California,’ said Steven Dadaian,
Chairman of the ANCA-WR.
In the months leading up to the signing of the Bill, ANCA-WR Regional
Director Armen Carapetian delivered testimony in the Capitol to secure
passage of SB 897 in key committees and met with Assemblymembers and
staff to galvanize support for the measure.
The principal coauthors of SB 897 were Senators Chuck Poochigian
(R-Fresno) and Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo), Assemblymen Juan Arambula
(D-Fresno) and Dario Frommer (D-Glendale), as well as coauthors
Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), and Assemblymembers Greg
Aghazarian (R-Stockton) and Carol Liu (D-Pasadena).
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.

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
October 14, 2005
CATHOLICOS ARAM I IN CALIFORNIA;
WILL ARRIVE ON EAST COAST NEXT WEEK
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, is
continuing his tour of California where large and enthusiastic crowds are
greeting him. Yesterday evening he was welcomed by the congregation of
Forty Martyrs Armenian Church in Santa Ana.
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, joined the entourage in Canada and went on
to California with the Catholicos. On Monday and Tuesday, October 10 and 11,
Archbishop Oshagan was in Chicago where he represented the Catholicosate of
Cilicia at the World Council of Churches (WCC) annual meeting.
Amidst the various welcoming events and 75th anniversary celebrations of
the Seminary, His Holiness will participate in a number of other important
events. Today, Friday, October 14, he will lecture at the World Affairs
Council in Los Angeles, under the general topic of “Christianity in the
Context of the Present Day Middle East.” On Saturday, October 15, he will
participate in a symposium organized by the Western Prelacy, USC Institute
of Armenian Studies and USC Center for Religious and Civic Culture. The
theme of the symposium is “Christian Response to Violence.”
On Sunday, October 16, the Catholicos will officiate at the consecration
of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena.
Wednesday evening, October 19, His Holiness will arrive in New York to
begin his visit to the Eastern Prelacy.
HRASHAPAR SERVICE AT ST. ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL
Next Thursday evening, October 20, His Holiness will be officially
welcomed at a Hrashapar Service followed by Achahampouyr and reception, at
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, at 7:30 pm.
For details of His Holiness’ visit to the Eastern Prelacy click here,
PRELATE AND VICAR WILL BE IN MICHIGAN THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar, will be in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend.
The Prelate will officiate at the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church,
Dearborn, and attend the anniversary celebration that follows.
The Vicar will lecture on Armenian culture on the occasion of the 1600th
anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet, Saturday evening, in
the church hall. For information contact the church, 313-336-6200.
CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES
IN SYNOD OF BISHOPS IN THE VATICAN
The eleventh Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church convened October 2
and will continue to October 23. Participating in the Synod are 250 Catholic
Bishops and 12 representatives from the Oriental Orthodox, Orthodox,
Anglican and Evangelical Churches. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical
Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, is participating on behalf of the
Catholicosate.
DATEV YOUTH PROGRAM IN MIDWEST
The acclaimed St. Gregory of Datev Summer Religious Institute is
reaching out and for the first time has organized a “Mini Datev” program,
which will take place at the Techny Towers Conference Center in Techny,
Illinois, November 11 to 13.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the
program for youth ages 13 to 18 will be conducted by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar General, and Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC.
For more information and registration contact the AREC office at
212-689-7810 or by email at [email protected], or contact Dr. Arsen
Mekaelian at 847-309-0408.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IN MICHIGAN RAISES
$1,155 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF
The St. Sarkis Sunday School (Dearborn, Michigan) has raised $1,155 for
hurricane relief for the American Red Cross. The students had a Red Cross
donation basket during registration and raised $340. Later they held a
spaghetti dinner after church on October 2 and were able to realize $815.
The donated money was sent to the American Red Cross. Congratulations to the
Sunday school students and their teachers.
A PHILADELPHIA STORY
We have this story from Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory
Church in Philadelphia.
Der Hayr received an e-mail from an eight-year-old (who wishes to remain
anonymous) asking if he could collect money for Hurricane Katrina’s victims.
With Der Nerses positive answer, the child went on to collect $217 in a
short period of time for hurricane relief.
Congratulations to this altruistic youngster.
ST. SARKIS LECTURE ON SUNDAY
A reminder that this Sunday, October 16, Dr. Dennis Papazian will
lecture at St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New York). Dr. Papazian’s topic is
“Yeghishe and the Real Story Behind the Vartanantz War.” The lecture is
scheduled for 1:30 pm, following Divine Liturgy. St. Sarkis Church is
located at 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, NY.
For information contact Dr. Arthur H. Kubikian, 718-786-3842.
BIBLE STUDY AT THE PRELACY
The Infancy Narratives of Jesus-a five-session course on the birth
stories of Jesus as presented in the Gospels according to Matthew (1-2) and
Luke (1-2) will take place at the Prelacy on the first and third Mondays of
the month starting November 7, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm. The sessions will be
conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). For further information contact the AREC office at
212-689-7810 or [email protected].
HOLY EVANGELISTS: MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN
This Saturday, October 15, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the authors of the four gospels.
Matthew is considered to be the patron of the mission of the Church. The
Gospel attributed to him closes with this command by Jesus to his disciples
and followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, and the
eternal words, And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the
world.”
Mark is considered to have had significant influence on the advancement
of Christianity. Although the Gospel according to Mark is a narrative of the
life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a virtual handbook of
discipleship. The dominant message is that being a Christian is not only
believing in Jesus Christ. More importantly, it is living according to the
example set by Jesus.
Luke is the author of the third gospel and the book of Acts. He is
considered to be the patron of physicians and artists. The Gospel according
to Luke is greatly concerned with Jesus as “the healer of a broken world.”
Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized, women,
and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with the Resurrection, but
rather continues with Pentecost and the eternal presence of Christ in the
world.
John, often called the “Beloved Disciple,” is the author of the fourth
gospel and the book of Revelation. Jesus entrusted his mother to John’s care
on the day of the Crucifixion. Perhaps the most famous verse in his gospel
is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).
ST. JOSEPH REMEMBERED ON OCTOBER 17
On Monday, October 17, the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St.
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. He was a carpenter by profession, and a
descendant of King David. The last reference to him in the Bible is Luke
2:48-51.
BOOKS BY CATHOLICOS ARAM I
As we prepare to welcome His Holiness Aram I next week to the Eastern
Prelacy, we remind our readers that the Prelacy Bookstore has copies of many
of the books written by His Holiness, such as: The Challenge to be a Church
in a Changing World; In Search of Ecumenical Vision; Conciliar Fellowship: A
Common Goal; The Armenian Church Beyond the 1700th Anniversary; The
Christian Witness at the Crossroads in the Middle East; Orthodox
Perspectives on Mission; With the People (Armenian); Nation, Church and
Fatherland (Armenian); Journey to Restoration (Armenian).
Contact the Prelacy Bookstore, 212-689-7810 or
[email protected], for details.
IN CONCLUSION. . .
CROSSROADS is one day late this week, being sent out on Friday rather
than the customary Thursday. During the next two weeks, during the time of
His Holiness’s visit to the Eastern Prelacy, we will transmit additional
issues of Crossroads as needed to provide up-to-date information.
Calendar of Events
October 19-November 1-Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy, commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Cilician Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon. For
further information click here,
October 21-St. Stephen’s Elementary Day School PTO (Watertown), “Food & Wine
Festival,” 7 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown,
Massachusetts.
October 28-29-Mashtots Conference celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet, at Harvard University. Jointly sponsored
by the Eastern Prelacy and Harvard University Mashtots Chair, Department of
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.
November 4, 5, 6-Annual Bazaar and Food Festival, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, NJ. For information, 201-943-2950.
November 4 & 5-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, annual bazaar
at the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center.
November 6-St. Stephen Armenian Apostolic Church of Hartford-New Britain,
Connecticut, will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will be the keynote speaker. The program will include a slide show
presentation two non-Armenian Peace Corps volunteers who recently returned
from serving in Armenia.
November 11-13-Mini-Datev program for the Midwest parishes, Techny Towers
Conference Center, Techny, Illinois, for junior and senior high school
students. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For
information and registration contact AREC, 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY
10016, 212-689-7810.
December 4-St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Granite
City, Illinois, will celebrate its 51st anniversary, with the presence of H.
E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.
December 31-New Years Eve dinner-dance, Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) and ARF Dro
Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton. Information: 201-943-2950 or 201-945-0011.
February 26-Musical Armenia 2006 concert, 2 p.m., at Carnegie Hall’s Weil
Recital Hall, New York City. Featuring Duo Maesteso (California) and Zulal
(New York). Watch for details.
March 5-Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) 2006 membership meeting.
March 17-19, 2006-Sunday School Teachers’ Conference at the Wonderland
Conference and Retreat Center in Sharon, MA.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]
Visit our website at

“Aztag” Daily Newspaper
P.O. Box 80860, Bourj Hammoud,
Beirut, Lebanon
Fax: +961 1 258529
Phone: +961 1 260115, +961 1 241274
Email: [email protected]
Interview de Hilmar Kaiser
Par Khatchig Mouradian
Jeudi 22 septembre 2005
Traduction Louise Kiffer
Ces dernières années, le Gouvernement turc a constamment répété que les
archives ottomanes étaient grand ouvertes aux chercheurs qui étudient le
génocide de 1915. Ainsi, récemment, le 16 septembre 2005, le Premier
Ministre de Turquie, Recep Tayyip Erdogan a dit, en réponse à une question
au sujet de la résolution adoptée récemment par le Comité des Relations
Internationales de la Chambre des Représentants US: “Nous disons clairement
que les archives de la Turquie sont ouvertes, et l’Arménie devrait ouvrir
les siennes si elle en a. Nous parlerons sur la base des documents et de
l’information. Je ne comprends pas sur quelles bases des pays sans aucun
lien peuvent prendre des décisions sur le soi-disant génocide arménien. Ces
décisions sont toutes de nature politique et ne servent pas la paix du
monde.
Pour découvrir jusqu’à quel point les archives ottomanes sont ouvertes,
pour le moment, j’ai parlé récemment à Hilmar Kaiser, un historient à qui il
a été interdit en 1996, de consulter les archives, mais y a été de nouveau
autorisé en juillet 2005 et a eu accès aux documents d’archives qui lui
avaient été refusés dix ans auparavant. Comme le révèle constamment
l’interview, les affirmations que les archives ottomanes sont ouvertes sont
partiellement vraies, la plupart.
Hilmar Kaiser a reçu son PhD (doctorat de philosophie) de l’Institut
Universitaire Européen de Florence. Il s’est spécialisé dans l’Histoire
Sociale et Economique ottomane, de même que dans le Génocide arménien. Il a
fait des recherches dans plus de 60 archives dans le monde, y compris les
archives ottomanes d’Istanbul. Il a publié des ouvrages – des monographies,
des livres et des articles – comprenant: “Imperialism, Racism, and
Development Theories: The Construction of a Dominant Paradigm on Ottoman
Armenians” (Théories sur l’Impérialisme, le racisme et le Développement:
Construction d’un paradigme dominant sur les Arméniens ottomans”)
“At the Crossroads of Der-Zor : Death Survival and Humanitarian Resistance
in Aleppo, 1915-1917” (A la Croisée des Chemins de Der-Zor: la survie et la
résistance humanitaire à Alep 1915-1917) “The Bagdad Railway and the
Armenian Genocide, 1915-1916 – A Case Study in German Resistance and
complicity” (Le Chemin de fer de Bagdad et le Génocide arménien, 1915-1916:
Une étude de cas sur la Résistance et la Complicité allemande)
“1915-1916 Ermeni Soykirimi Sirasinda Ermeni Mulkleri, Osmanli
Hukuku ve Milliyet Politikalari”;
“Le Génocide arménien: négation à l’allemande”
et From Empire to Republic: The Continuities for Turkish Denial” (de
l’Empire à la République: la persistance du déni turc).
Khatchig Mouradian – En juillet 2005, presque dix ans après avoir été banni
des Archives d”Etat ottomanes, on vous a de nouveau donné accès aux
archives. Comment y êtes-vous entré ?
Hilmar Kaiser – Je suis arrivé à Istanbul un dimanche. J’ai été aux archives
le lendemain matin. A l’entrée, ils m’ont demandé si j’avais une carte de
lecteur, j’ai dit “non”. On m’a dit d’aller au bureau d’inscription, et de
remplir le formulaire habituel de demande. Ils ont numérisé les données qui
étaient sur mon passeport, quand il ont fini d’enregistrer, ils m’ont
demandé si j’avais été aux archives auparavant, car ils ont vu qu’il y avait
une entrée; j’ai confirmé. Puis ils m’ont établi une nouvelle carte de
lecteur. Quelques minutes plus tard, j’étais dans la salle de lecture, avec
les catalogues et les documents.
C’était exactement la même procédure que dans toutes les autres archives où
j’avais travaillé.
K.M. – Certains intellectuels ayant travaillé aux Archives d’Etat ottomanes
se sont constamment plaints que les documents qu’ils demandaient étaient au
préalable “épurés” par une commission de contrôle, et leur étaient remis
ensuite. Avez-vous eu ce même problème ?
H.K. – Au début des années 90, quand j’y étais, il existait une soi-disant
commission de contrôle, non officielle, non reconnue et même déniée, qui
lisait tout ce que je recevais. Je n’ai aucune preuve qu’il en ait été ainsi
cette fois-ci.
K.M. – Les médias, spécialement les sources d’informations turques et
arméniennes parlent souvent d’archives ottomanes ouvertes ou fermées.
Mais ce qui est entendu par archives ottomanes est rarement expliqué.
Pouvez-vous nous éclairer un peu sur cette question ?
H.K. Les archives ottomanes sont une abréviation de: “Les Archives ottomanes
du Premier Ministre turc” qui se trouvent à Istanbul. Les archives
nationales turques (devlet arshivleri) ont deux branches principales: les
archives ottomanes (jusqu’en 1923) et les archives républicaines (après
1923) , mais naturellement il y a un chevauchement.
K.M. Qu’en est-il des archives militaires ?
H.K. Il y a les archives militaires qui dépendent d’une institution du
personnel général.
K.M. Et ces archives ne sont pas ouvertes, n’est-ce pas ?
H.K. Je ne sais pas. J’ai fait une demande un jour en 1991, et je n’ai pas
été autorisé, mon expérience est donc limitée aux archives ottomanes, comme
je l’ai déjà dit. Pas aux archives républicaines, ni aux archives
militaires.
K.M. Et en ce qui concerne les archives du Comité Union et Progrès (CUP)?
H.K. Je ne pense pas que les archives du CUP aient jamais été cataloguées
quelque part en tant que telles.
K.M. Ont-elles été détruites ?
H.K. J’en doute. Je ne sais pas. Nous devons faire très attention à ne pas
mélanger les informations. Tout ce qui concerne les archives du CUP n’est
que pure spéculation. Nous n’avons aucune indication comme quoi elles
auraient été détruites.
K.M. Pouvez-vous aisément dire que les archives ottomanes sont ouvertes ?
H.K. Je peux me rendre aux archives. Je peux voir les catalogues et obtenir
les documents qui sont dans les catalogues. Je n’obtiens pas les documents
qui ne sont pas catalogués; cela n’a rien de spécial. Dans tous les services
d’archives, il y a un processus constant de mise à jour des catalogues,
aussi longtemps que les archives reçoivent des nouveaux matériaux, on les
classe aussi dans des dossiers. Pourtant , je sais que des collections
importantes des Archives ottomanes du Premier Ministre ont été cataloguées,
mais ces catalogues ne figurent pas dans la salle de lecture. Il y a donc
des matériaux qui ont été classés et catalogués, mais qui restent cachés.
L’une de ces collections est la collection arménienne de la Direction
Ottomane de la Sécurité Publique (2ème Division), qui est une subdivision du
Ministère de l’Intérieur.
Ce qui est disponible, par exemple ce sont les dossiers du Bureau du Chiffre
du Ministère de l’Intérieur Ottoman, qui contiennent un grand nombre
d’ordres de déportation et autres ordres, relatifs à la déportation des
Arméniens. Par exemple, des instructions concernant la déportation de Zohrab
et Vartkès Effendi, et des instructions concernant des membres individuels
de la FRA (Fédération Révolutionnaire Arménienne). Cependant, les réponses à
ces ordres sont, autant que je sache, retenues dans la 2ème Division (voir
ci-dessus) du Ministère de l’Intérieur, et ces documents ne sont pas à notre
disposition. Nous savons donc qu’il y a eu des instructions, mais nous
n’avons pas les réponses. D’autres ordres se trouvent au Ministère des
Archives Militaires. Pour avoir un tableau de l’ensemble, il nous faut la
Direction du Chiffre, la 2ème Division, plus les Archives militaires. Voilà
ce que nous savons maintenant. Selon certaines sources, il y a d’autres
collections dans ces archives, qui ne sont pas encore disponibles, et sont
très importantes, mais étant donné que je n’ai aucune information imprimée à
ce sujet, je ne peux rien dire.
Nous voulons maintenant avoir accès à ces documents qui ont été catalogués
mais ne sont pas disponibles. Pour mettre cela dans une perspective
politique,
le Premier Ministre Tayyip Erdogan a dit que les archives étaient ouvertes.
Oui, elles sont ouvertes, c’est vrai, mais ce qui est impliqué dans cette
déclaration, soi-disant qu’on peut voir tout ce qu’ils ont, ne colle pas.
J’espère que d’autres documents vont également être rendus disponibles. Le
gouvernement turc est maintenant sur une excellente voie..
K.M. Prenant en considération la politique de déni du gouvernement turc,
est-il réaliste d’espérer que certains documents qui pourraient éclairer les
aspects “sensibles” du génocide arménien, seront rendus disponibles ?
H.K. Je ne peux pas faire de commentaire sur des documents que je n’ai pas
vus. Certaines personnes me demandent s’il y a des documents qui ont été
épurés. Cela voudrait dire qu’il y a des matériaux que j’ai vus auparavant,
mais qu’ils ont disparu. Ce que je peux dire est ceci: j’ai été là-bas;
j’ai obtenu les matériaux qui m’avaient constamment été refusés il y a dix
ans. C’est donc là un grand pas en avant. Je peux aussi dire qu’avant,
j’avais du mal à obtenir des photocopies. Il y avait un dossier de 54 pages,
on m’en rendait 36, les 18 autres pages avaient disparu dans l’opération.
Cette fois-ci, j’ai eu mes photocopies très rapidement, et je n’avais pas la
moindre raison de me plaindre, ils ont fait un vrai travail de
professionnel. Il est évident que le gouvernement turc a suffisamment de
contrôle sur les archives pour renforcer sa volonté politique sur
l’administration, ce qui est très important, si nous gardons à l’esprit que
le gouvernement turc représente le mouvement politique qui a été dans
l’opposition pendant des dizaines d’années, et maintenant pour la première
fois, il est au pouvoir.
Je ne m’attends pas à ce que M. Erdogan examine tous ces documents dans les
archives, c’est une opération sur laquelle il faut attirer son attention, et
les choses vont s’améliorer, sans aucun doute. Vont-ils rendre disponibles
des matériaux qui vont endommager leur position ? Je pense que la position
turque est en train d’évoluer maintenant; j’ai parlé à des gens qui
admettaient qu’il y ait eu des massacres d’Arméniens, avec la participation
d’ordres par des fonctionnaires du gouvernement, mais pas des dirigeants du
gouvernement central. Ainsi la position a-t-elle évolué, avec la
reconnaissance de la participation des autorités locales et provinciales,
mais aussi la certitude que le gouvernement central n’était pas d’accord
avec ces autorités. Cela rend leur position plus défendable, cela veut dire
que les positions turques et arméniennes se rapprochent, cela veut dire
aussi que les gens qui nient le génocide arménien se sentent en meilleure
position. Or applaudir la Turquie pour être devenue ouverte signifie aussi
que le débat devient plus compliqué.
K.M. Vous avez dit que vous aviez parlé à des gens. Etaient-ils des
officiels du gouvernement ?
H.K. J’ai parlé à des officiels de très haut rang rencontrés par hasard
dans un salon de thé. Il y avait parmi eux des dirigeants du parti AK, des
gens qui étaient inquiets au sujet de la sécurité en Turquie, et aussi des
intellectuels.
K.M. Cette évolution dont vous parlez, concernant la position du
gouvernement turc, est-elle une nouvelle stratégie de déni, ou est-ce un pas
en direction du passé à affronter ?
H.K. C’est les deux. Il faut comprendre que le gouvernement doit représenter
les intérêts turcs, c’est là leur tche. Ce qui arrive exactement maintenant
est que nous voyons une politique faite par le gouvernement de M. Erdogan.
Sans aucun doute, cela fait partie d’une stratégie en rapport avec l’Europe.
Il est évident que si on veut rejoindre l’Union Européenne, on doit avoir
ouvert ses archives. Les archives ottomanes contiennent d’autres sujets,
comme le Liban, la Macédoine, la question arménienne n’est qu’une partie de
tout un ensemble.
Il y a une discussion qui continue en Turquie. Quand j’ai parlé aux
officiels turcs, j’ai été très franc, mais alors que les années précédentes
ils me répondaient par une attaque personnelle, cette fois-ci ils ont fait
une mise au point très claire et ont aussi posé des questions. J’ai aussi
publié un article en Turquie sur les propriétés arméniennes abandonnées – le
titre de l’article est: “Le génocide arménien” – J’ai été surpris
d’apprendre que l’article était lu et discuté dans différentes universités.
J’ai aussi reçu un appel pour des articles de la Société Historique Turque;
elle me demandait de lui adresser une demande de participation pour l’an
prochain. Ce qui est également remarquable, car cela signifie que la Société
Historique Turque estime maintenant que je suis un universitaire, et pas
seulement un propagandiste. Ce sont là des avancées dans la bonne direction.
En ce moment, il y a un très grand intérêt en Turquie pour le point de vue
adverse. Le nombre de publications en Turquie a augmenté terriblement et il
y en a que je trouve très utiles. Ce ne sont plus des saloperies qu’ils
produisent maintenant. Les livres qui étaient publiés n’étaient qu’un
gaspillage d’arbres, juste des répétions de recyclage de recyclages.
Je ne sais pas comment tout cela va finir. Mais pour le moment, ce qui se
passe me fait plaisir.
K.M. Vous avez mentionné la question des “propriétés abandonnées”. Certains
intellectuels qui ont étudié cet aspect du génocide arménien considèrent le
vol des biens meubles et immeubles comme une partie intégrale du génocide,
et soutiennent que ce vol a été organisé par les dirigeants du CUP.
H.K. C’était l’Etat. C’était issu du sommet du gouvernement, de Talat à Ali
Munit Bey. Le génocide arménien est la réponse du gouvernement ottoman à la
Question arménienne. Les déportations ne peuvent être analysées qu’en termes
d’expropriations. Ce fut le grand vol. Ce fut la séparation chirurgicale des
Arméniens de leurs propriétés meubles et immeubles. Le gouvernement faisait
très attention à ne pas gaspiller un bien quelconque, alors qu’il ne
s’intéressait pas du tout au sort des Arméniens.
Pour rendre l’expropriation permanente, il fallait remplacer les Arméniens.
L’expropriation faisait partie d’un programme d’installation, ce processus
créait un surplus de population, et on prenait soin de ce surplus de
population. Les Arméniens, mathématiquement, étaient un surplus de
population. Les tueries, ou, dans le cas des femmes et des enfants,
l’assimilation résolvait le problème.
Ce qui a eu lieu était un génocide, et non pas des massacres.
En 1990, j’ai parlé du “soi-disant génocide arménien”, j’étais étudiant en
Allemagne, et la bibliothèque n’était pas très bonne, et à cause de cela je
n’étais pas très bon moi-même. Après avoir commencé mon travail d’archives,
au bout d’un mois, je parlais du génocide, et pas du “soi-disant génocide”.
Je ne suis pas simplement quelqu’un qui croit au génocide arménien; je suis
quelqu’un qui a acquis cette connaissance par son propre travail. Personne
ne m’a enseigné le génocide arménien, et personne ne m’a appris à employer
ce mot. C’est le résultat de mon propre travail. J’emploie le mot car c’est
le terme approprié qui couvre le phénomène. Plus j’étudie le génocide
arménien, ses divers aspects et sa nature systématique, plus il devient
évident qu’il n’y a qu’un seul mot pour le qualifier. Ce n’est pas une
question d’avoir des préférences, si l’on veut se présenter comme un
intellectuel, il faut employer le mot. Si l’on veut parler des massacres des
Arméniens dans un village, ou des déportations dans un autre village, on n’a
pas à employer le mot génocide, mais à partir du moment où on veut élargir
la perspective, il faut employer le mot. Et tout intellectuel qui veut jouer
le jeu, comme ceux qui vont à Erévan et disent à chacun “n’employez pas le
mot “G”, a un agenda politique.
K.M. Certains intellectuels turcs se refusent à employer le mot “G” car ils
disent que c’est hautement politisé, et qu’ils ne veulent pas être mêlés à
la guerre entre nationalistes turcs et arméniens.
H.K. Je m’en fiche des nationalistes arméniens et turcs, peu m’importe qui
sont mes amis et qui ne le sont pas. J’emploie le mot “génocide” parce qu’il
décrit exactement le phénomène. C’est le seul terme que nous ayons pour le
décrire. Si un jour on trouve un meilleur mot, bon. Les langues anglaise,
allemande et turque n’ont qu’un seul mot pour le décrire, si cela a une
conséquence négative sur le gouvernement turc, c’est quelque chose que je ne
peux pas changer, je ne peux pas changer l’Histoire. Je ne suis pas prêt à
marchander là-dessus. Si un intellectuel turc dit que c’est trop politisé et
qu’il (ou elle) ne veut pas employer le mot, qu’il (ou elle) change de
sujet. Si on veut prendre part à ce débat, appliquer la terminologie exacte,
et si on ne veut pas le faire, on n’est pas un intellectuel. Je n’aime pas
le fait d’avoir des ennuis avec certains militaires turcs parce que
j’emploie le terme exact. Si on ne veut pas assumer ses responsabilités, il
faut changer de cap. Que certaines personnes vivant en Turquie eussent dû
prendre certaines précautions, du moins dans le passé, est regrettable,
c’est pourquoi je ne les provoque pas, mais je ne traite pas avec des gens
qui n’ont pas de savoir universitaire sur la question, et qui soudain se
lèvent et essaient de renégocier une terminologie académique.
KM. Vous avez publié un certain nombre d’articles sur le rôle de
l’Allemagne dans le génocide arménien. Ce qui se réfléchit dans vos articles
est que parler d’une “complicité allemande” c’est aller trop loin.
H.K. Notre connaissance du rôle de l’Allemagne est encore limitée, car les
bombardements alliés ont détruit les archives militaires en 1945. Au moins
99 % de l’ensemble a disparu. Pire que cela, toute une partie des archives
de l’Ambassade d’Allemagne a aussi été perdue. Heureusement, la plupart des
dossiers arméniens de l’Ambassade ont survécu. Ceci dit, nous avons une
assez bonne idée de ce que faisait le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères
allemand, et je viens justement de le décrire dans une nouvelle publication.
La politique était d’aider les Arméniens quand cela ne nuisait pas à nos
intérêts, et en même temps ne contrariait pas profondément les Turcs. Voilà
ce qu’on a fait. On avait les mains liées, car l’alliance turque était
importante. Les Compagnies privées, comme celle des Chemins de Fer de Bagdad
ont aidé les Arméniens. Puis vous avez les missionnaires, certains très
bons, et d’autres, comme Lepsius, se sont rendus plus brillants par la
suite. Tout n’était pas aussi beau que certains chercheurs l’ont prétendu
récemment. Puis on a les officiers, il y en avait un, Boettrich qui a aidé
activement à la déportation; il y eu un autre officier, Wolffskeell, qui a
tué des Arméniens de ses propres mains, mais il a été rappelé, en punition.
Je n’ai pas de preuve que le Gouvernement allemand ait soutenu le génocide
arménien ou même ait participé à la tuerie. Les preuves montrent plutôt le
contraire. Pour avoir une meilleure compréhension il nous faut accéder aux
Archives militaires turques, qui contiennent aussi des dossiers allemands.
C’est pourquoi je dis que pour le moment tout est préliminaire. Mais le
débat réel au sujet des Allemands, particulièrement l’hypothèse que le
gouvernement ottoman était trop stupide pour savoir comment commettre un
génocide, et devait se tourner vers les Allemands pour qu’ils lui disent
comment procéder, et les tentatives de comparaison du rôle des Allemands
dans le génocide arménien avec le rôle des Allemands dans l’Holocauste, est
une sorte de complexe d’infériorité. Le génocide arménien peut se tenir
debout tout seul. Il n’a pas à rivaliser avec l’Holocauste pour être validé.
Il y a des différences majeures et structurelles. Toute la question de
l’implication allemande est une diversion.
La véritable moyen d’aller de l’avant est l’accès aux archives turques.
La complicité des Allemands dans le génocide arménien est une invention
politique et ne résiste pas à un examen minutieux.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I DELIVERS THE CATHOLICOSATE’S WORD
IN THE VATICAN
The 12 representatives of the Oriental Orthodox, Orthodox, Anglican and
Protestant Churches delivered their remarks at the XIth Synod of Bishops of
the Catholic Church on October 11.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
presented the compliments of His Holiness Aram I to Pope Benedictus XVI and
the participants in the meeting.
Bishop Alemezian focused on two main concepts during his speech. He first
explained that Holy Mass has come to represent the continuous and collective
martyrdom of the Armenian nation, which in its turn has become a
“battlefield” for defending the nation’s Christian faith and homeland. This
has rendered Christianity the “skin color” of Armenians.
Second, the Bishop emphasized that in order to transform Holy Mass into the
crown of the church’s unity, all Christians should pay attention to its
ecclesiastical uniqueness in their ecumenical relations. Communion
transforms us into the symbolic body of Christ, said the Bishop.
“My Church, which has been established by St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew,
two of Christ’s disciples, became the collective victim of the first
Genocide of the 20th century. As a consequence to this crime, the
Catholicosate of Cilicia was stationed in the biblical country of cedars,
where it enjoyed the hospitality of Middle Eastern peoples; today it
provides its multi-faceted services from Antelias to the Armenians spread
all over the world,” said the Bishop, assuring that ecumenical and
inter-religious relations constitute a large part of the Catholicosate’s
services.
Continuing his meetings with ecumenical officers, Bishop Alemezian discussed
ecumenical issues related to the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches with
representatives from these sister churches.
Bishop Barnabas (Coptic Church), Bishop Samuel (Ethiopian Church) and Bishop
Severios Mourad (Syrian Church) participate in the conference alongside
Bishop Alemezian and the representative of St. Etchmiadzine.
Bishop Alemezian also met with the representative of the Russian Orthodox
Church, Fr. Igor Vizanov, discussing with him the details of the meeting to
be held between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox
Churches of the Middle East in Antelias on December 12-16.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Head of the Vatican’s Rituals’ Department
remembered his visit to Antelias four years ago as Head of the Vatican’s
Ecumenical Officer.
Bishop Michel Nazir-Ali of the Church of England (form Rochester) informed
Bishop Alemezian about the social and administrative complexities the family
of Anglican Churches faces currently. He encouraged the idea of following
the traditional Christian path of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the
majority of Anglican Bishops.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 4, 2005
___________________
ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL HOSTS CELEBRATION OF ALPHABET
By Florence Avakian
Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob would have been proud to know that 1,600
years after their invention of the Armenian alphabet, hundreds of young
Armenians in the New York City metropolitan area gathered at St. Vartan
Cathedral to pay tribute to their genius and their lasting contribution
to Armenian culture.
The celebration of the Feast of the Holy Translators (Tarkmanchats),
presided over by the Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), took place in New York
City’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Saturday, October 8, 2005. More than 600
youngsters, teachers, and parents from parishes in New York, New Jersey,
and Connecticut attended the service and luncheon.
Saturday’s celebration is the kickoff for a year-long celebration of the
1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. The
Diocese is planning many activities and designing a variety of programs
to help families and local communities perpetuate our Armenian language
and culture.
The celebration of this milestone anniversary began with the Holy
Badarak celebrated by Fr. Mesrop Aramian, a priest of the Arstakh
diocese in Armenia who is editor-in-chief of the Gandzasar Theological
Center and founder and chairman of Armenia’s VEM broadcasting network,
which produces radio and television programs on religious and spiritual
matters.
A choir made up of youngsters from the New York City area joyfully sang
the soulful chants of the Yegmalian Badarak under the direction of St.
Vartan Cathedral choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian, with organ accompaniment
by Florence Avakian.
In his homily, the Primate emphasized that the true spirit of
Tarkmanchats is “our language, church, culture, nation. This is what
unites us. God gave us our alphabet so that our Holy Fathers could
translate the Bible into Armenian, and implement his word in our daily
lives. You must protect these gifts and multiply them.”
YOUNG ARMENIAN TALENT
Following the church service was a special reception held in the
Kavookjian Auditorium, which was decorated for the occasion with red,
orange, and blue balloons inscribed with the letters of the Armenian
alphabet. Welcoming remarks were made by Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian who
with Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, director of the Diocesan Department of Youth
and Education, formulated the program.
Students from various Armenian day schools, Saturday Schools, and Sunday
Schools offered performances in song, dance, and recitation to the
enchanted crowd. Khrimian Lyceum student Talar Aydin skillfully
introduced the participants of the program in Armenian and English.
Students from New Jersey’s Hovnanian School started the program by
singing “Pari Louso Asdghn Yerevats” from Hayrig Mouradian’s songbook.
The beloved song “Ov Medzaskantch” was sung by New York Khrimian Lyceum
students Talar Aydin, Markrid Krikorian, and Christine Shalian.
Michelle Vartanian recited “Hayeren Khose” by Jacques Hagopian.
The Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY, was represented by
pupils Aline Voskeritchian and Diana Tashjian reciting Moushegh
Ishkhan’s “Hye Lezoon Dounne e Hayoun,” with a chorus singing “Srpotz
Tarkmanchatz” and “Mayreni Lezoo.” Adriana Demirdjian presented
Zahrad’s “Mesrobapooyr,” and Nicholas Chalikian recited “Im Hayotz
Lezoo.” Yeghishe Charents’ beloved and well-known poem, “I Love the
Sun-Baked Taste of Armenian Words,” was read by Heather Skolnick.
The program continued with Armen Torossian, a student in the St. Vartan
Armenian School in New York, reciting Hamo Sahian’s “Mer Lezoon,” and
recitation and singing by Armen Kasbarian, Vartan Torossian, and
Nicholas Arakelian.
>From the Sunday School of the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, Taylor
Candan recited “Ode to Mesrob” by Jacques Hagopian; and Jennifer
Oscherician narrated Vahan Tekeyan’s “The Armenian Language.” Students
from the Kirikian Armenian School in Tenafly, NJ, sang songs and recited
“Zarmanali Hye.” Aren Dabaghian from the St. Thomas Church Sunday
School in Tenafly, NJ, read “Our Alphabet” by Kevork Emin. Vahag
Kechian from the Armenian School at the St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY, recited “Mayrenee Lezoo.”
Several students from the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian School in
Brooklyn, NY, participated in the program, including Serge Hagopian
reciting Nayiri Zarian’s “Hayotz Lezoon,” Arsen Danielian delivering “Im
Hayrenik,” Jacklin Yakshibikov resenting Hovhanees Shiraz’ “Kamin oo
Manushage”
A dramatic presentation, “A Word from Mesrob Mashdotz,” was recreated by
Varoujan Frounjian as he portrayed the legendary figure and implored the
audience to speak Armenian and read the Bible.
As teacher Lucia Gazal from the Holy Martyrs School pointed out, the
event’s whole emphasis was “about language. Our children will now be
inspired.”
DYNAMIC DANCERS
Just as the young students of the Armenian schools brought the words and
music of the Armenian masters to life, the youngsters of two dance
groups showed their talents with dynamism and artistry. The Akhtamar
Dance group took to the stage garbed in glittering silver costumes. At
the conclusion of their second number, the dancers unfurled a large
Armenian flag which encircled the group. The audience greeted this
dramatic action with thunderous applause.
A delightful surprise was the performance of the young dancers from the
Nork Children’s Center in Armenia. Showing professionalism and great
presence, this disciplined group of 52 youngsters, ranging in age from
10 to 19, brought the house down with their singing, dancing, and
drumming. On Sunday, they performed in a sold-out performance in New
York’s famed Town Hall, the first stop in a nationwide tour of the
United States.
Araxie Shamamian, a teacher in the St. Vartan Armenian School loved the
whole program and was especially moved by the Nork Children’s group. “I
was born in Armenia, and came here 28 years ago. Their singing made me
feel that I was back there again. They put the Armenian spirit and
unity in us,” she said.
Talin Manoukian, a teacher and parent from the Khrimian Lyceum, had
praise for all who participated, especially the group from Armenia.
“They brought something special,” she said.
Giving the memorable event’s closing prayer, Archbishop Barsamian
expressed gratitude to all the students, teachers, and parents, and to
the young performers from Armenia. “We were able to relive those
wonderful historic days,” he stated.
— 10/11/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
All photos by Berch Manukian
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), blesses some of the
hundreds of young people who gathered in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday,
October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Mesrop Aramian, a priest of the Arstakh diocese
in Armenia, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy during Tarkmanchats,
delivers communion to one of the hundreds of young faithful who attended
services at the St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City on Saturday,
October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): A choir made up of youngsters from the New York City
area sing the music of the Badarak under the direction of St. Vartan
Cathedral choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian, with organ accompaniment by
Florence Avakian, during the Feast of the Holy Translators.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Almost 600 young people, teachers, and parents
attended the luncheon celebrating the invention of the Armenian alphabet
at the Eastern Diocesan Center in New York City on Saturday, October 8,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): From the head table, Khrimian Lyceum student Talar
Aydin introduces performers during the luncheon marking the Feast of the
Holy Translators at the Diocesan Center in New York City. She was just
one of a number of area Armenian School, Sunday School, and day school
students to participate in the program.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): The Akhtamar Dance group takes the stage during the
Feast of the Holy Translators luncheon celebration at the Eastern
Diocesan Center on Saturday, October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): Young dancers from the Nork Children’s Center in
Armenia celebrate the creation of the Armenian alphabet during the Feast
of the Holy Translators celebration at the St. Vartan Cathedral complex
in New York City on Saturday, October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (8): Almost 600 young students, teachers, and parents
attended a special luncheon at the Eastern Diocesan Center in New York
City to mark the Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday, October 8,
2005.