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04/25/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) President Bush Again Fails to Honor Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide 2) California Armenians Commemorate Genocide at Montebello Monument 3) Kocharian Blames Turkey as Armenians Mark Genocide Anniversary 4) System Of A Down Rally Urges Turkey to End Armenian Genocide Denial 5) KOCE-TV to Air "The Armenian Genocide" 6) AYF-Western Region Holds Protest at Turkish Consulate 7) Kocharian Thanks Lithuania for Genocide Recognition 8) Turkey Should Recognize Genocide before Joining EU 9) Canada's Armenian Genocide Comment Angers Turkey 1) President Bush Again Fails to Honor Pledge to Recognize Armenian Genocide WASHINGTON, DC--Despite the call for moral clarity from over two hundred US legislators, President Bush failed, once again, to honor his pledge to properly characterize the Armenian genocide as a "genocide" in his annual April 24 remarks, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a statement issued April 24, the annual day of remembrance for the Armenian genocide, the President again resorted to the use of evasive and euphemistic terminology to obscure the full moral, historical, and contemporary legal implications of Turkey's genocide against the Armenian people between 1915 and 1923. In retreating from his promise, the President ignored the counsel of the one hundred and seventy-eight Representatives and thirty Senators who had written letters urging him to properly characterize the Armenian genocide. "Armenian Americans appreciate President Bush's willingness to join with Armenians around the world by speaking out on this solemn occasion, but sadly, remain deeply troubled by his failure to honor his campaign pledge--and his own promise of moral clarity--by properly recognizing the Armenian genocide, " said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "It is truly a sad day when it is left to a lone diplomat, our Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, to honor the forsaken pledge of his President--to speak as the moral conscience of our nation in the face of official White House complicity in the denial of this crime against all humanity." As in the past, the ANCA has also expressed concern that the Administration's refusal to recognize the Armenian genocide reflects a broader unwillingness to confront genocide--as evidenced by the White House's failure to take decisive steps to bring an end to the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The ANCA is working with a broad coalition of organizations to pressure the Administration to respond in a timely and meaningful way to the worsening crisis in Darfur. "If we are to end the cycle of genocide, we must, as a nation, generate the resolve to forcefully intervene to stop genocide when it takes place, to unequivocally reject its denial, to hold the guilty accountable, and to secure for the victims the justice they deserve," added Hamparian. In February of 2000, then presidential candidate George W. Bush, campaigning for votes among Armenian voters in the Michigan Republican primary, pledged to properly characterize the genocidal campaign against the Armenian people. In his statements as President, he has consistently avoided any clear reference to the Armenian genocide, and his Administration has consistently opposed legislation marking this crime against humanity. The text of the President's remarks is provided below: Presidential Message April 24, 2006 Today, we remember one of the horrible tragedies of the 20th centurythe mass killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 million Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must never forget. We mourn this terrible chapter of history and recognize that it remains a source of pain for people in Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity and value of every human life. It is a credit to the human spirit and generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, America, and around the globe that they have overcome this suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion. We praise the individuals in Armenia and Turkey who have sought to examine the historical events of this time with honesty and sensitivity. The analysis by the International Center for Transitional Justice, while not the final word, has made a significant contribution toward deepening our understanding of these events. We encourage dialogues, including through joint commissions, that strive for a shared understanding of these tragic events and move Armenia and Turkey towards normalized relations. Today, we look with hope to a bright future for Armenia. Armenia's Millennium Challenge Compact reflects our confidence and the importance we place in Armenia making progress on democratic reform and advancement of free markets. We seek to help Armenia bolster its security and deepen its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We remain committed to securing a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this goal. On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I express our deepest condolences to the Armenian people. Our nations stand together, determined to create a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for the citizens of our countries and the world. --GEORGE W. BUSH 2) California Armenians Commemorate Genocide at Montebello Monument "We need to use every ounce of pride we have in our ancestry, we need to recall the events of the Armenian genocide by saying, as one community, as one city, as one nation, and one human race, that we expect those who deny the Genocide to account for what happened to the Armenians," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Sunday to the crowd gathered at the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello's Bicknell Park to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The event was organized by the Armenian Genocide 91st Anniversary Commemorative Committee of California. Elected officials joined Armenian religious leaders and representatives of various political organizations to honor the victims of the Genocide and demand proper recognition of the events. They included, among others: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Jackie Speier, Congressmember Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Assemblymember Carol Liu, Member of the Board of Equalization Jack Chiang, Ambassador Gagik Giragossian, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Professor Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Turkish Publisher Ragip Zarakolu. Mayor Villaraigosa went on to say, "We not only need to remember on this day, but we need to commit ourselves, everyone here, elected officials, religious leaders with us today, men and women, the grandparents, survivors, their children, Armenians and non Armenians alike, together. We need to harness the energy we have here, and use this energy to move this movement ahead and to ensure that our government does not allow this new injustice to occur." California State Senator Jackie Speier, explaining that we have gathered not for apology but for justice, said "We must use our power, our passion, and our perseverance to stop the cycle of genocide forever." She continued to say that we demand "justice because we know that Armenia cannot be safe as long as Turkey remains unrepentant unapologetic perpetrator of genocide." Speaking about the ongoing denial of the Genocide, Loretta Sanchez said, "Our leaders find themselves reluctant to call a thing by its true name. In the interest of diplomacy and cooperation and partnership, language is softened. Deeds are whitewashed, truths are forgotten, but we must not forget." Several of the speakers mentioned US Ambassador John Evans, who is being recalled by the State Department for his use of the word genocide during a speech last year. Officials who addressed the crowd also called on President Bush to properly characterize the first Genocide of the twentieth century in order to prevent future genocides. Many pledged their unwavering support to Armenian Americans in demanding the US and Turkey officially recognize the Armenian genocide. 3) Kocharian Blames Turkey as Armenians Mark Genocide Anniversary YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Robert Kocharian said on Monday that modern-day Turkey is responsible for the 1915 genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as Armenia somberly marked the 91st anniversary of the start of the Genocide. Hundreds of thousands of people silently marched to the Dzidzernagapert, a hilltop memorial in Yerevan, and laid flowers by its eternal flame in an annual remembrance of the 1.5 million victims of the first genocide of the 20th century. Some of them carried Armenian flags and banners denouncing Turkey's long-standing denial of the Genocide. The day-long procession began with a prayer service in memory of the dead that was led by the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, in the presence of President Robert Kocharian, members of his government, and other senior officials. The heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Yerevan were the next to lay wreathes at twelve bending columns that encircle the eternal fire on Dzidzernagapert Hill overlooking the city center. Among them was US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans. Armenia's leadership reaffirmed its pledge to seek worldwide recognition of the Genocide in collaboration with the Armenian diaspora and to continue to raise the issue in its dealings Turkey. "Our pain is all the more intense as we are forced to struggle for the recognition and condemnation of that black page of our history," Kocharian said in a traditional April 24 written address to the nation. "As the defender of the interests of the Armenians living in the homeland and around the world, the Republic of Armenia will continue that struggle." Kocharian indicated that Ankara's unrepentant stance on the issue amounts to complicity in the genocide. "Ottoman Turkey and its legal successor bear full responsibility for this crime," he said. Armenian leaders have refrained in the past from implicating the existing Turkish state in the 1915 genocide. Kocharian's statement was welcomed by Giro Manoyan, spokesman for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Manoyan said that by doing so, Kocharian held Ankara responsible for "carrying out the final phase of the genocide." 4) System Of A Down Rally Urges Turkey to End Armenian Genocide Denial Washington, DC--Armenian Americans from across the United States joined System Of A Down's Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan Monday at a Washington, DC "Rally for Justice," urging the Turkish Government to end its worldwide campaign of Armenian genocide denial. Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington (ANC-GW) and the Armenian Youth Federation Washington Chapter (AYF-Washington), the protest attracted over 1,000 activists to the Turkish Embassy, as Armenians around the world marked the 91st anniversary of this crime against humanity. Among the participants was DC United star player Alecko Eskandarian, who was MLS Cup Champion and MVP in 2004. Tankian and Dolmayan are in Washington, DC as part of a three-day advocacy tour in support of Congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide. Following participation in the rally on Monday, the band members will be meeting with Members of Congress and the media to urge passage of legislation in the Senate and House that would recognize the Armenian genocide. The measures in both houses enjoy strong bipartisan support, but are being blocked from reaching a vote by the leadership--Speaker Hastert in the House and Majority Leader Frist in the Senate. On Tuesday evening, Tankian and Dolmayan will host a screening of excerpts from "Screamers," a powerful film by Carla Garapedian about System Of A Down's international anti-genocide advocacy efforts. On Wednesday evening, they will be honored for their vocal pursuit of justice for the Armenian genocide at the Annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill. Having debuted two #1 Billboard albums in 2005 and having sold over 16 million records around the world, System Of A Down has a tremendous nationwide following and loyal fan base, who have heeded their call to action on social justice issues, including support of legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide. All band members lost family in the Armenian genocide committed by Turkey and are deeply committed to ensuring proper US recognition of this crime against humanity. The band's efforts have gained national press attention in hundreds of articles appearing in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, MTV, BBC, VH1, ABC, FOX, WB, and Rolling Stone. The inter-generational "Rally for Justice" brought together young and old in their call for the Turkish Government to end its campaign of Genocide denial. Activists were met by a smaller group of Turkish and Azeri counter-protesters, who were apparently organized by the Turkish Embassy staff and its paid lobbyists. AYF-Washington chairman Serouj Aprahamian noted that Genocide recognition efforts are ongoing. "We will continue our efforts not just on April 24th but all year round. Through education, organization and activism we will move our cause forward and ensure justice for Armenians and all humanity," noted Aprahamian. Following the demonstration, attendees walked to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia for a short service and wreath-laying ceremony. Members of local Armenian organizations placed wreaths and flowers in front of the Khatchkar (cross-stones). The ceremony was led by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and featured remarks by Mountainous Karabagh Republic's representative Vardan Barseghyan, and the participation of the Washington Homenetmen Armenian Scouting troop. The program came to a close with a brief religious service led by Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, and Deacon Kalaydjian from St. Mary's Armenian Church. 5) KOCE-TV to Air "The Armenian Genocide" KOCE-TV, the Orange County affiliate of PBS, will air Andrew Goldberg's critically acclaimed documentary "The Armenian Genocide," Wednesday, April 26 at 9:00 PM. The one-hour documentary, which features extensive never-before-seen historical footage, explores the ongoing controversy of the Armenian genocide and explains why the Turkish government denies the events ever took place. KOCE-TV can be viewed on channel 99 for Charter Cable customers and channel 8 for Adelphia customers. 6) AYF-Western Region Holds Protest at Turkish Consulate LOS ANGELES--The Armenian Youth Federation-Western Region (AYF-WR) held Monday, a protest at the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate in commemoration of the 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives in the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. 10,000 protesters gathered in front of the Turkish consulate in order to protest against the Turkish Government and its ongoing denial of the Armenian genocide. The protesters demonstrated peacefully in front of the consulate, demanding recognition of the Genocide, as well as reparations and restitution that are long overdue. The protest came to an end with a few words by Tro Tchekidjian, chairperson of the AYF-WR. "Recognition is not enough," said Tchekidjian. "For there to be a just resolution, reparations and restitution are also necessary." The annual protest is one of many events commemorating the first genocide of the 20th century. The protest shows the Turkish Government and the community at large that the Armenian people will never forget the atrocities committed in 1915. "The actions of the Turkish government are fresh in our minds until today; we will continue the fight for justice until our goals are achieved," stated protest director Shogher Aslanian. "It is the responsibility of our generation to make a difference." The AYF-WR has been organizing protests in front of the Turkish Consulate for over 25 years. The organization has been successful in gathering more community members to the event each year. With the active participation of the youth and community in such events, the AYF-WR is hopeful that it will be our generation who will witness the recognition of the Armenian genocide and everything that accompanies it. 7) Kocharian Thanks Lithuania for Genocide Recognition YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Robert Kocharian thanked Lithuania for its Parliament's recent recognition of the Armenian genocide as he received his visiting Lithuanian counterpart, Valdas Adamkus, on Tuesday. In a resolution overwhelmingly approved last December, the Baltic state's legislature, the Seimas, urged Turkey to "recognize historical facts" and recognize the 1915 genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Government denounced the move. "The issue is very important for us and it is not just historical in nature as today our relations with Turkey are burdened by this historical reality," Kocharian told reporters after talks with Adamkus. "I think that recognizing the Genocide and coming to terms with history is extremely important for normalizing our [Turkish-Armenian] relations." He said Yerevan will continue to seek worldwide recognition of the Genocide in collaboration with leaders of the Armenian diaspora. Adamkus arrived in Yerevan on a official visit which focused on ways of restoring economic ties that used to exist between the two former Soviet republics. They announced plans to hold a Lithuanian-Armenian business forum in the near future. A statement by Kocharian's office said Armenia's relations with the European Union, which Lithuania joined two years ago, were also on the agenda of the talks. Kocharian again stated that his country is interested in learning from Lithuania's as well as neighboring Latvia's and Estonia's successful transition to democracy and the free market. The Lithuanian president, for his part, made a case for political and economic integration in the South Caucasus. "We have discussed common regional policies," he said. "I think it is about time our regions--the South Caucasus and the Baltic states--joined forces to build a better future. This is what we call a three-plus-three formula which I think will become reality after this meeting." 8) Turkey Should Recognize Genocide before Joining EU YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau representative Hrant Markarian spoke Monday at the Armenian Genocide Memorial about the importance of commemorating and gaining recognition of the Armenian genocide. "For the Armenian people, April 24 is not only a day of commemoration but also a day of struggle since by paying homage to the memory of the innocent victims we also express our protest to the Turkish Government," said Markarian. "The stronger Armenia becomes the closer we'll get to the admission of the Armenian genocide by Turkey." He added that recognition, however, "is not our only goal, we should also demand our rights." "Armenians' rights to live, survive, and develop were violated by the Genocide, and by the recognition of the Genocide, we will restore those rights," Markarian said. When asked if Turkey would be accepted to the European Union without recognition of the Genocide, Markarian answered, "If Turkey has decided to join the EU, it should be able to admit its guilt and thus gain the right to join it. To be a part of Europe, Turkey should become Europeanized itself." 9) Canada's Armenian Genocide Comment Angers Turkey ANKARA (AFP)--Turkey's foreign ministry said that a reference by Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the "Armenian genocide" as fact had hurt bilateral relations between the two countries. "We are appalled by the prime minister's comments, which give support to Armenia's unfounded allegations of genocide," the ministry said in a statement. The statement said Harper's reference to the "Armenian allegations" as fact was serious, and that his position on the issue would "negatively affect ties between Turkey and Canada." The Canadian head of government had on Friday praised commemorations of the Genocide. He noted that the Canadian Senate had passed a resolution in 2002 recognizing the Armenian genocide as the first genocide of the 20th century, and the House of Commons had followed suit two years later. "My party and I have applied those resolutions and continue to do so," the prime minister said in a statement. The Turkish foreign ministry said the two resolutions had led to the "stagnation" of bilateral relations. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet on Tuesday quoted a diplomat as saying the Canadian Prime Minister's comments had led to Canadian companies being excluded from a forthcoming bid to build Turkey's first nuclear plant. Armenians in Canada marked the 91st anniversary of the Genocide on Sunday. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

[Congressional Record: April 24, 2006 (Senate)]
[Page S3415-S3416]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr24ap06-28]

91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and
commemorate April 24, 2005, the 91st anniversary of the beginning of
the Armenian genocide. I do so because I believe it is necessary to
recognize and ensure that similar atrocities do not happen in the
future.
No one knows this better than the 500,000 Armenians who are living in
my home State of California. These men, women, and children are a
shining example of the backbone of our society and serve as a symbol of
perseverance and determination.
Their ancestors came to our country to build a better life for
themselves and their families, and today, Armenian-Americans recognize
that the repercussions of allowing aggression and injustice against
ethnic, religious, or minority groups to persist can be dire.
During the Armenian genocide, which took place between 1915 and 1923,
over a million Armenians were killed, and another 500,000 were driven
from their homes.
We must never again allow a human tragedy to occur on this scale. It
is unacceptable to witness thousands of innocent victims suffer and die
without taking any action.
And I know this issue not only resonates with the Armenians in
California but with everyone in the country. Every day, numerous
constituents from different backgrounds call my office asking what
Congress and the administration are doing to prevent genocide from
occurring again.
It is absolutely essential that we do not let history repeat itself.
We can–and we must–do better.
The Armenian-American community knows this all too well and today, we
stand with them in commemorating the start of the Armenian genocide. So
let us renew our commitment to support those around the world who face
persecution and even death simply because of who they are. We will
never forget the Armenian genocide, and we look to the present and
future with a newfound sense of hope and optimism so that we may have
the strength to stand up and prevent such atrocities.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to commemorate the
91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24th. This
anniversary offers an opportunity for us to renew our
[[Page S3416]]
efforts to achieve–finally–genocide recognition for the Armenian
people.
Ninety-one years ago, the Ottoman Turks began their systematic effort
to eradicate the Armenian people. From 1915 until 1923, 1.5 million
Armenians were tortured and killed; men were separated from their
families and murdered; women and children were forced to march across
the Syrian desert without water, food, or possessions; many died of
hunger or thirst or were killed when they lagged behind during the
forced marches into the desert.
The brutality of the genocide was atrocious. But the inhumanity
continues today because the Turkish Government refuses to acknowledge
the massacres as genocide. The wounds cannot heal until the Armenian
people receive recognition.
The Armenian genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century. But
as we have seen, it was not the last. As we know, if we ignore
injustice, we are likely to see it repeated. In his justification for
the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?” And today, we see ongoing atrocities
in the Darfur region of Sudan, with innocent civilians being murdered.
In the 108th Congress, I cosponsored a resolution declaring that the
atrocities in Darfur constitute genocide.
I am currently a cosponsor of a resolution calling 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 record
of the United States relating to the Armenian genocide and the
consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution. And I have
signed onto a letter urging President Bush to honor the historic
leadership of the United States in defending human rights and to
properly characterize the atrocities against the Armenian people as
genocide in his April 24th statement.
Every year, we move closer to recognition of the Armenian genocide.
But every year, we wonder how long it will take the Government of
Turkey to acknowledge the genocide.
We need genocide recognition to honor those 1.5 million Armenians who
lost their lives and to honor the survivors who are still with us
today. We need recognition to send a message to the 8 to 10 million
Armenians worldwide that they have not been forgotten. We need genocide
recognition to remind the world that crimes against humanity are crimes
against us all. And we need genocide recognition because it is the
right thing to do.
By acknowledging this genocide for what it is, I hope that we are
able to help create a more just and humane world.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, on behalf of the Armenian population of
Rhode Island and Armenians around the world, I want to recognize the
91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Ninety-one years ago today, April 24, the Young Turk leaders of the
Ottoman Empire summoned and executed over 200 Armenian community
leaders. By 1923, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, and
another one half million were exiled, affecting the lives of every
Armenian in Asia Minor.
Author John Minassian, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian genocide,
tells of his experience. “These fine people were now being made into
refugees only because they had clung to their ancient beliefs and the
faith of their ancestors. They marched proudly under a yoke of hatred,
prejudice and bigotry, their morale high, their spirit as yet unbroken.
They knew that their only `crime’ was being Armenian.”
The Armenian genocide was condemned at the time by representatives of
the British, French, Russian, German, and Austrian Governments, both
foes and allies of the Ottoman Empire.
Today, as a cosponsor of S. Res. 320, I call on 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 record
of the United States relating to the Armenian genocide.
Armenian soldiers have supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of
the Polish-led multinational division in south-central Iraq. Working as
truck drivers, bomb detonators, and doctors, Armenia has not allowed
others to be left helpless as they were nearly a century ago. The
United States is proud to have Armenia as an ally in the rebuilding and
reconstruction of Iraq.
So as history does not repeat itself, we must study and remember the
events of our past. In instances such as the Armenian genocide, all
nations must educate their youth in the hatred, the wrongdoing, and the
oppression to deter future atrocities against humanity. Not more that
two decades after the Armenian genocide, Hitler said to his generals on
the eve of sending his death squads into Poland, “Go, kill without
mercy . . . who today remembers the annihilation of the Armenians.” We
remember the Armenians.
Menk panav chenk mornar. We will never forget.

PEOPLE VOICE THEIR SUPPORT TO U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA AT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. Action in support of U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia John Evans is underway at Armenian Genocide Memorial
in Yerevan.
Yellow ropes with yellow ribbons are stretched along the path to the
Memorial as an action in support of Ambassador John Evans. To note,
Washington intends to recall the Ambassador for unofficial recognition
of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915, American Mass Media
report. In his turn, John Evans visited the Genocide Memorial on
April 24, but avoided any comments to journalists.

TABOO ON DISCUSSION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN TURKEY WILL BE LIFTED
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. “We would give much for the Turkish
nations to reconcile themselves with the historical fact of the
Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey,” the chairman of the “Union
Against Genocide” NGO (Turkey) Ali Ertem.
He is sure that the taboo on the discussion of the Armenian Genocide
in Turkey will be lifted in the coming years. Turkey’s intention to
become a EU member will promote the freedom of speech in the country.

THE PARENTS OF THE DEAD INDIAN STUDENT ADDRESSED THE AUTHORITIES TO FIND OUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LETHAL ACCIDENT
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. The parents of Prashant Anchalia, Indian
student who died falling out of the window of a dormitory in Yerevan,
addressed the President, Speaker and Prime Minister of India to find
out the circumstances of the lethal accident.
Through the Indian Embassy in Armenia the parents also intend to
address the Yerevan Medical University with a similar request.
‘Telegraph’ newspaper, India, reports that the parents of young
Anchalia, as well as his university-fellows, do not trust the version
of suicide. The body was delivered to India on April 23.
The death of Prashant Anchalia roused the protest of numerous
Indian students in Armenia who were irritated by the indifference
of the police, University administration and the ineffective work
of the ambulance. Most of all the Indian students were offended of
the actions of Gohar Kialian, rector of the Medical University who
vulgarly expressed disrespect for all the Indian nation.
A criminal case has been roused on this fact. The General Prosecutor’s
office has published the evidence of eyewitness Prabhat Kumar,
neighbor of Anchalia. Kumar confessed he had a quarrel with Anchalia
on the day of his death. Anchalia was accusing Kumar for stealing $120.

TURKISH ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW YORK DEMAND AN END TO ACCUSATIONS AGAINST TURKISH PEOPLE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. Federation of Turkish Organizations
of the USA as well as “Young Turks” organization rallied in New
York yesterday against the action organized by the local Armenian
community on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of Armenian Genocide
in Ottoman Turkey.
Hurriyet reports about 500 Turks and Azerbaijanis as participating in
the rally. They were demanding an end to the accusations of Armenian
Genocide and carrying flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II
visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Titsernakaberd today, reports
the press service of the Holy See of Echmiadzin.
Together with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan His Holiness laid
flowers to the Memorial and gave a liturgy in the memory of the
Genocide victims.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANKARA WILL RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS SOON AS WASHINGTON DOES
Yerevan, April 24. ArmInfo. Ankara will recognize the Armenian
Genocide in the Ottoman Turkey, 1915, as soon as Washington does so,
said in an interview to ‘Voice of America’ program Aram Abrahamian,
director executive of ‘Hay Dat’ (The Armenian Case) Washington office.
Mr. Abrahamian underlined that recognition of the Armenian genocide
will prevent similar crimes against mankind in the future. ‘The
Armenian people is unsafe until the genocide is recognized,’ he said.
He also said that the mission of the Hay Dat organization
is to represent the approaches of the Armenian side, enhance
American-Armenian relations. The organization also works to make the
USA authorities acquainted with the history of the Karabakh conflict.
Nevertheless the main goal of Hay Dat is to achieve worldwide
recognition of the Genocide.

2006 MUST BECOME YEAR OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION: ARKADY GHOUKASSYAN
Stepanakert, April 24. ArmInfo. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is
commemorating the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide today.
NKR President Arkady Ghoukassyan, MPs, officers, clergymen and
intelligentsia came to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in the morning to
pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the tragic events of 1915.
“2006 must be the year of the international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Today this is one of the key goals of our nation, and I am
sure that we will attain it,” Ghoukassyan said.
Speaker of the NKR Parliament Ashot Gulyan said that all available
parliamentary ties must be used for attaining the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the NKR authorities must
make their contribution to this cause.
NKR Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan said that commemorating our
compatriots today we must realize the necessity of our national
unity. “We must learn a lesson from our past mistakes and must chose
the right way to lead our nation to prosperity,” Ohanyan said. He
noted that by recognizing the Genocide Turkey will improve its
relations with its neighbors and will be recognized in the world as
a democratic state.

Christian Science Monitor
April 26, 2006
iq.html < .html>
Kurds quietly angle for independence
Oil revenue could give Iraq’s Kurds greater economic distance from
Baghdad, experts say.
By James Brandon | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
ARBIL, IRAQ – As Iraq’s government takes shape after months of
political deadlock, the country’s leading Kurdish politicians have
promised to work toward a cohesive and peaceful Iraq.
“If [Prime Minister Jawad] al-Maliki quickly establishes a powerful
government that includes all groups, he will be an asset for the Iraqi
people,” said Jalal Talabani, the Kurdish president of Iraq, after
Iraq’s Parliament approved his second term and named Shiite politician
Mr. Maliki to replace the embattled Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
The Kurdish desire for independence, however, still runs deep. And
with parts of Iraq increasingly unstable and growing more Islamic,
experts say the Kurds, who are relatively secular, are working quietly
to consolidate and extend the autonomy they have enjoyed since 1991.
The Kurdish Regional Government, which has run the Kurd’s autonomous
zone in northern Iraq since the early 1990s, recently has signed
contracts with foreign oil companies to explore for new oil fields in
Kurdish-ruled areas of Iraq. Experts say they hope the revenue
generated from these deals could provide greater economic, and thus
political, independence from Baghdad.
“The Kurds are offering attractive terms to companies that are willing
to take a gamble on the legal situation,” says Rafiq Latta, a Middle
East editor of the Argus Oil and Gas report in London. “And some small
oil companies are prepared to take the bait.”
The Norwegian oil firm DNO has been quickest off the mark, followed by
Canadian firm Western Oil Sands. DNO began exploration in northern
Iraq in 2004. But two weeks ago it announced that it would be able to
begin pumping oil from one newly discovered field near the city of
Zakho in early 2007.
At present Kurdistan’s annual budget comes from its share of Iraq’s
overall oil revenues, which are distributed according to
population. As a result, the Kurds receive 17 percent of Iraq’s
overall $30 billion annual oil revenues.
Iraq’s oil exports, however, are mainly from the Shiite-dominated
south – meaning that Iraq’s Shiite rulers, theoretically at least,
could shut down Kurdish northern Iraq’s economy at will.
Kurdish oil aspirations are also challenged by poor security and the
Constitution, which states that, unlike oil exploration, contracts to
repair existing oil fields must be negotiated by the Oil Ministry in
Baghdad.
Last week, Shamkhi Faraj, head of marketing and economics at the
Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, estimated that Iraq’s oil industry needed
$25 billion to repair war damage and replace old equipment and
infrastructure.
So far the Shiite-controlled Ministry of Oil has been largely
unsuccessful in signing contracts to repair the oil fields. Experts
say that foreign companies are worried by possible insurgent attacks,
but also by the political uncertainty of Baghdad.
Consequently, the Kurds have been unable to fully repair the oil
fields around Kirkuk, largely under Kurdish control since 2003. This
is a source of frustration for the Kurds, as the fields contain around
15 percent of Iraq’s oil wealth.
But even if the Kurds could fund the reconstruction of oil facilities
in Kirkuk themselves – as some are now suggesting – this would mark
only a start. The Kurds would also have to build new pipelines to
export their oil.
“Under Saddam the oil fields were very badly damaged,” says
Mr. Latta. “Water was pumped into them as cheap way to increase
output, and a huge amount of foreign investment is going to be needed.
“And even then it’s not just a simple matter of having oil reserves
and turning on the taps,” he says. “Managing that investment will
require a lot of expertise, which the Kurds simply don’t have.”
The Kurds have, however, at least consolidated their physical control
over Kirkuk’s oil. Before the US invasion in 2003, Kirkuk was a mainly
Arab city. Today Kurds are the majority, having driven out many of the
Shiite Arabs brought in by Saddam Hussein to “Arabize” the city.
“Those who were brought to Kirkuk by Saddam should leave and then
there should be a referendum,” says Azad Jundiani, head of the media
office of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – one of the two main
Kurdish political parties.
But a recent move by influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr indicates that
Shiites are trying to counter Kurdish control of Kirkuk. The
Washington Post reported Tuesday that “hundreds of Shiite Muslim
militiamen have deployed in recent weeks” there. The newspaper said as
many as 240 fighters loyal to Mr. Sadr have arrived to the city.
Almost as important to long-term Kurdish ambitions is Tal Afar, an
Iraqi city that’s ethnically Turkish but Shiite by religion. It lies
between Mosul and the Kurdish enclave of Sinjar near the Syrian
border.
“Tal Afar is the Kurds’ access route to Sinjar, and through Sinjar
they have access to Syrian Kurdistan,” explains Joost Hiltermann, a
Middle East analyst at the Brussels-based International Crisis
Group. In other words, if the Kurds can also take and hold Tal Afar,
then their dream of a greater Kurdistan remains alive.
“They claim Tal Afar to be a Kurdish area and a place where many
Kurdish live but, in fact, it’s an important milestone on the road to
the creation of Greater Kurdistan,” says Dr. Hiltermann.
In the past few weeks fighting there has revived awareness of Kurdish
vulnerability, especially as reports circulate that Iranian and
Turkish troops are concentrating along the borders of Iraq’s Kurdish
north.
Many Iraqi Kurds are increasingly aware of the obstacles to greater
independence. Both Kurdish political leaders and ordinary citizens are
resigning themselves to remaining part of Iraq for the foreseeable
future.
“The Kurds desire to rule themselves,” says Farhad Auny, head of the
Journalists’ Syndicate in Arbil. “But at the same time it is not to
the benefit of the Middle East, the international community or the
Kurds themselves to ask for independence now.”
And to this end the Kurds are starting to think the unthinkable and
begin a process of forgiving their Arab compatriots.
“Since the establishment of Iraq 80 years ago the Kurds have been
exploited and tortured by all Iraqi governments,” says Mr. Auny. “We
are not going to talk about what we have suffered from the Arabs but
it has taught us that we must build a modern and developed country.
“The Kurdish people are flexible and forgiving but they never forget,”
he says. “To hate is to be weak. You cannot grow good crops in a soil
of hatred.”
| Copyright © 2006 The Christian Science
Monitor. All rights reserved.