Azeri official says peaceful coexistence in Karabakh on agenda of talks

ANS TV, Baku
20 Jun 05

[Presenter in studio] Baku has disclosed some of the aspects agreed at
talks between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his
Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanyan.

The Azerbaijani president’s special representative at the Nagornyy
Karabakh negotiations and deputy foreign minister, Araz Azimov, has
told a news conference on the results of the ministers’ meeting that
in an effort to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the Azerbaijani
community of Nagornyy Karabakh with the Armenian one, the OSCE and UN
international forces would be stationed on the territory. The deputy
foreign minister also revealed the date of the next meeting between
the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers.

[Correspondent over video of Araz Azimov’s news conference] The
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vardan Oskanyan, have agreed several issues in their meeting in
Paris. Araz Azimov said the sides had exchanged views on the return of
occupied territories and subsequently on the coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities on these territories. But for
this to happen, the sides also need to agree a local self-government
mechanism.

[Azimov shown speaking] At the initial stage, such a mechanism could
facilitate the coexistence of representatives of both sides on the
same territory and boost trust and even cooperation between them.

[Correspondent] In addition to that, they also discussed the
restoration of roads and communication lines in the occupied
territories.

[Azimov] The sides discussed the suggestion for the reconstruction of
a highway from Agdam and going through the towns of Xankandi
[Stepanakert], Susa [Shusha] and Lacin [Lachin], then entering the
territory of Armenia, then, if I am not mistaken, going through the
towns of Goris and Sisyan, entering the Naxcivani [autonomous]
republic, and for the use of this road subsequently by both sides.

[Correspondent] Azimov said that the Azerbaijani side was looking
forward to having this suggestion accepted and noted that the
reconstruction of the road would not require significant funds because
only parts of it need to be reconstructed.

Azimov added that once the agreement on that is reached, a donor
conference would be held. Appeals will be made to the UN, European
Union and donor countries to secure funding to improve the
infrastructure and clear the territories of mines. International
forces will be safeguarding public order at the stage of the
reconstruction and try to ensure a peaceful coexistence of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in Nagornyy Karabakh. Also, an
inspection commission will be set up to monitor the situation in
Nagornyy Karabakh.

[Azimov] The section of the road going through Armenia will be
monitored from there, while the section going through Azerbaijan will
be monitored from here. At the same time, it is envisaged that at the
initial stage it will be monitored by international forces and this in
itself will serve as a mechanism of control.

[Correspondent] Azimov added that the foreign ministers would have
several other meetings before a meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents in Kazan on 26 August. Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group are expected to start a visit to the region on 11 July. The
co-chairs are also expected to come up with new suggestions as to how
to resolve the conflict.

Afat Telmanqizi, Ramin Yaqubov, ANS.

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
June 21, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

NJ RECOGNIZES AND REMEMBERS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
General Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution, Commission on
Holocaust Education Approves Armenian Genocide Curriculum

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America today commended the
state of New Jersey for its dual efforts in recognizing and raising
awareness of the Armenian Genocide. In Trenton, the General Assembly
voted 79 to 0 yesterday to approve a joint resolution commemorating
the 90th anniversary of genocide, while the state-appointed education
commission announced a comprehensive curriculum on the Armenian
Genocide.

The resolution, which was sponsored by State Assembly members Joan
Voss (D-38) and Robert Gordon (D-38), honors the memory of the 1.5
million Armenians who were killed by the Ottoman Turks. It states in
part, “This joint resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the
Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of
international and historic significance.” [See attached text]

During Voss’ powerful remarks, she expressed the gravity of the crime
of genocide and said, “Man’s inhumanity to man knows no bounds.”
Additional speakers included Assemblyman Gordon, William Payne (D-29),
Bill Baroni (R-14) and former Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian.

“We commend Assembly Members Voss and Gordon for championing this bill
and thank all 79 Members of the State Assembly for their support,”
said Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “Remembrance and
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide is especially critical given
Turkey’s ongoing denial and revisionism.”

The Assembly also commended New Jersey public officials for the
state’s pioneering role in human rights education that since 1982 that
has now led to the inclusion of Armenian Genocide studies as part of
the statewide curriculum. The action, announced yesterday by the New
Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education (NJCHE) marks the first time
in the United States that a stand-alone curriculum on the Armenian
Genocide will be incorporated in public and private schools.

The Assembly, together with the Armenian National Institute, initiated
and proposed the new curriculum to then governor James McGreevey who
convened a meeting of Armenian-American community leaders in late
2003. Following the meeting with the governor, NJCHE Chair Dr. Paul
Winkler assembled a committee of educators and specialists to draft a
new curriculum.

The new curriculum consists of the resource book on the Armenian
Genocide developed by the Facing History and Ourselves Foundation
(FHAO) entitled “Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: the
Genocide of the Armenians,” which will be distributed to middle and
high schools throughout New Jersey, along with a guide to teachers
prepared by the N.J. Commission on Holocaust Education.

The guide was prepared by the Commission in cooperation with the
Armenian National Institute.

Hovnanian said that New Jersey is widely recognized as an educational
leader in designing and implementing “best practices” instructional
tools and said the Assembly looks forward to promoting the adoption of
this curriculum in other states as well.

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#2005-069

Photographs available on the Assembly Web site at the following links:

CAPTION: Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny with New
Jersey State Assembly Member Joan Voss (D-38) in Trenton, N.J. on June
20.

CAPTION: L to R: Armenian National Institute Director Dr. Rouben
Adalian, N.J. Commission on Holocaust Education Executive Director
Dr. Paul Winkler and Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny.

CAPTION: Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny with
former New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian. Haytaian was
separately recognized yesterday by the current Assembly Speaker for
his years of public service.

Editor’s Note: Attached is the full text of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution that was passed by the New Jersey State Assembly on June
20.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 125
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
211th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MAY 5, 2005

Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman JOAN VOSS
District 38 (Bergen)
Assemblyman ROBERT GORDON
District 38 (Bergen)

AJR125

1. A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing the 90th anniversary of the
2. Armenian Genocide.
3
4. WHEREAS, From 1915 to 1923, 1.5 million Armenian people were
5. systematically persecuted and executed by the governments of the
6. Ottoman Empire in the first genocide of the twentieth century; and
7. WHEREAS, The genocide began on the night of April 24, 1915, when
8. the Turkish government arrested more than 200 Armenian
9.community leaders in Constantinople and hundreds more soon after;
10. and
11. WHEREAS, Most of the prominent public figures of the Armenian
12. community were summarily executed; and
13. WHEREAS, The Armenian people were then systematically subject to
14. deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and
15. starvation; and
16. WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of Armenian men, women and
17. children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to
18. the Syrian desert, where the majority of the deportees died of
19. dehydration and starvation; and
20. WHEREAS, It is estimated that by 1918, approximately one million
21. people had perished, while hundreds of thousands had become
22. homeless and stateless refugees; and
23. WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic
24. West Armenia had been expunged of its Armenian population; now
25. therefore,
26
27. BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State
28. of New Jersey:
29
30. 1. This joint resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the
31. Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of
32. the Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue
33. of international and historic significance.
34
35. 2. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of
36. the State of New Jersey to recognize the 90th anniversary of the
37. Armenian Genocide and honor the memory of the 1.5 million people
38. who died as a result.
39
40. 3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
41
42
43. STATEMENT
44
45. This joint resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire. The
Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of New
Jersey to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
and to remember those who died as a result.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: HEROS LEASK
TEL: (416) 250-9807
DATE: June 21, 2005

SYSTEM OF A DOWN CONTRIBUTE TO GENOCIDE AWARENESS
OVER $20,000 TO ZORYAN INSTITUTE

Toronto – Los Angeles based multi-platinum-selling heavy metal band,
System of a Down, again confirmed their steadfast support of
organization’s seeking to promote genocide awareness by their recent
donation to the Zoryan Institute. In the last two years System of a
Down has contributed over $20,000 to the Zoryan Institute to help
further its mission of Genocide research, education and awareness as
part of System’s ongoing activism with regards to genocide recognition
and general awareness. The contribution comes from their third annual
benefit concert “Souls 2005” held in Los Angeles, California, which
they named “Souls” because “There are all these souls that aren’t at
rest. Their deaths have been overlooked” said the band.

The members of System of a Down, who are of Armenian descent, all lost
family members and family history to the Armenian Genocide. The band
feels compelled to support and promote organizations such as the
Zoryan Institute, which conducts historical research, produces
publications and promotes education in the field “Because so much of
[our] family history was lost in the Armenian Genocide,” said
guitarist Daron Malakian, “my grandfather, who was very young at the
time, doesn’t know his true age. How many people can say they don’t
know how old they are?”. As such, System of a Down’s annual benefit
concert, which they headline, gives proceeds to worthy non-profit
organizations that work toward prevention of future genocide or
recognition of past genocides either through educational awareness,
such as the Zoryan Institute or through political action as taken by
others.

During the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by Ottoman
Turkey during World War I against its Armenian population, over 1.5
million Armenians were annihilated and hundreds of thousands deported
from their ancient homeland. April 24th was chosen as the date for the
“Souls 2005” concert as this year, it commemorated the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Why should System of a Down fans
be concerned about the Armenian Genocide, something that happened
nearly one-hundred years ago and far away from the US and Canada is
what many ask.

“It’s important for people to be aware of the Armenian Genocide,”
explained lead singer Serj Tankian, “Had the Armenian Genocide been
acknowledged as a Crime Against Humanity as it was, Hitler might not
have thought he could get away with the Jewish Holocaust. History
does and will repeat itself, unless we stop that cycle.” Zoryan
Institute Director George Shirinian said “We share System of a Down’s
intellectual concern about the consequences of impunity and appreciate
their continued interest and support in the work that we do. We also
appreciate the fact that System is using its celebrity status to
elevate awareness of a universal cause, which could entice individuals
to get active. Only through such understanding and awareness about the
heinous crime of genocide and gross violation of human rights may we
have a chance to make a difference. System of a Down plays a major
role in this endeavor.”

The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center
devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues
related to Armenian social, political and cultural life. To this end,
the Institute conducts multidisciplinary research, publication, and
educational programs dealing with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and
Diaspora, within a universal context.

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SHUSHI FORTRESS-TOWN AND ITS
NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIED ON INITIATIVE OF SHUSHI FUND

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The historic and
cultural heritage of Shushi fortress-town and its neighborhood has
been studied on the initiative of the Shushi fund since 2004. As Noyan
Tapan’s correspondent was informed by Bakur Karapetian, fund’s
Co-chairman, as a result of the studies more than 520 monuments,
residential and public structures built in 18-19 centuries were
registered in Shushi, as well as 200 tombs and traces of a Cyclop
castle were revealed. According to B.Karapetian, the research of
Shushi antiquities first of all has a historic goal. Before Shushi’s
liberation Armenian researchers had to content themselves only with
written sourcers in order to show the territory’s Armenian belonging
while today they can widely use numerous archeological, lithographic
and many other sources. According to Bakur Karapetian, the fund’s goal
is to support cultural development of Artsakh and Shushi fortress-town,
to restore the town of Shushi trying to retain the historic and
architectural look the town had before 1920 as far as possible and to
make the fortress-town, which has been constantly at war, a cultural
center. The fund also envisages to carry out study of archives
materials about Shushi as there are numerous archives materials about
the fortress-town kept in archives of Yerevan Museum of History, state
archives of Switzerland, Moscow and St Petersburg. According to Bakur
Karapetian, the archives documents will be published by separate
volumes and will be presented to the public. Probably, the first
volume will be ready by the end of the year.

ACCORDING TO LEVON MKRTCHIAN, NA SPECIAL SESSION TO BE HELD BEFORE
PARLIAMENT’S SUMMER VACATION

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. RA National Assembly’s special session
that should have been convened on June 21 on the government’s
initiative, was postponed because of technical reasons. Levon
Mkrtchian, Head of the NA ARF faction, informed Noyan Tapan’s
correspondent about this. He mentioned that they had a great problem
connected with provision of quorum as a large parliamentary delegation
left for Strasbourg to participate in the PACE plenary session. To
recap, the issue concerning the process of constitutional reforms in
Armenia was also put on the session’s agenda. Levon Mkrtchian informed
that after the delegation’s return the coalition will again touch upon
the issue of holding a special session. He found it difficult to
mention a concrete term saying that the session will be held before
the beginning of parliament’s summer vacation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GOSPEL ASSOCIATION CONTINUES IMPLEMENTION OF ITS PROGRAMS IN
ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 20, RA President Robert
Kocharian received the Armenian Gospel Association’s delegation headed
by Doctor Hrayr Aharonian, the Chairman of the Association. Noyan
Tapan was informed about this by the RA President’s Press
Office. R.Kocharian mentioned with satisfaction that meetings with the
Armenian Gospels are of regular character. The President highly
estimated educational, charity programs implemented by the Gospel
Church and mentioned that succsession in an initiated affair is always
noticeable. Speaking about future plans of the Gospel Church, Rene
Levonian, Armenia’s Representative of the Armenian Gospel World
Council and the Armenian Gospel Association, the Chairman of the
Armenian Gospel Church informed that they will continue numerous
programs concerning education, culture, sport, and the social sphere
which include both capital and different marzes of the republic. He
also said that they are intended to start development programs in
future.

ARAM SARGSIAN, ACCORDING TO HIMSELF, HAD MEETINGS AT RATHER HIGH LEVEL IN US

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Aram Sargsian, Chairman of the
Political Board of Hanrapetutiun (Republic) party, who has lately
returned from the US, avoided to publicize the results of the visit
that provoked great interest. In his interview to press Sargsian
reported that he had meetings at rather a high level in the US, which
was a surprise even for him. Not willing to speak about the content of
the discussions yet, he assured that he doesn’t condition his
political activity by “various guarantees.” He also mentioned that the
time of the visit was rightly chosen, as Turkish Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister, as well as Armenian Foreign Minister were in the US
simultaneously with him and they stayed at the same hotel. Aram
Sargsian refuted the information that he declared in the US about
Hanrapetutiun party’s leaving the Ardarutiun (Justice) bloc and the
intention of party representatives to put down their deputy
mandates. Aram Sargsian declared that the power shift in Armenia can
be carried out exclusively through a revolution and confirmed his
conviction that the state elections will be special.

RULLING COALITION TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF FORMATION OF NEW ELECTORAL
COMMISSIONS SOON

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The electoral map and mechanisms of the
formation of electoral commissions will be discussed at the coming
sittings of the rulling coalition. Levon Mkrchian, the head of the NA
ARF faction informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent about
this. Mentioning that concrete candidates should be presented by the
parties in order to be involved in the electoral commissions, he
attached importance to reaching an intracoalition agreement in this
issue. To recap, the amended variant of the Electoral Code will come
into force starting July 1. Taking into account, that elections of
local self-governance bodies are expected in Armenia in the autumn,
the formation of the electoral commissions should be carried out in a
short time. Levon Mkrchian disproved the supposition that in a number
of communities, holding elections of local sel-governance bodies by
the Electoral Code having acted before created a discriminative
situation for different communities. He mentioned that elections of
local bodies are not held at the same time, and amendments should be
since some moment. Besides, according to the head of the ARF faction,
elections were already held only in 2-3 communities of Yerevan, and
“the number is not such to have qualitative significance.” Levon
Mkrchian mentioned that, among the similar documents having been
presented by Armenia before, the amended Electoral Code was upmost
appriciated by international experts. According to him, “the Electoral
Code is a rather balanced document and gives an opportunity both to
political minority and to majority to be completely secured by the
law.” He expressed a hope that this stage is too important for
Armenia, and they must be able to hold just and democratic
elections. “The head of the ARF faction expresses confidence that the
law gives that opportunity. He also mentioned that involvement of
representatives of the judicial bodies in electoral commissions has a
wide usage in the international practice. According to Mkrtchian, it
will also support the formation of the judicial system. If there is no
great result during the first years that system must prove its value
gradually,” the head of the ARF faction is sure.

UPMOST ATTENTION IS NECESSARY FOR JUDICIAL LEGAL REFORMS IN EUROPE AND
CENTRAL ASIA, WORLD BANK MENTIONS

YEREVAN, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. There is much to do in the direction of
creating stable stimula for increasing the effecience of the judicial
system, improving the usage and judges’ being account in the most part
of the Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia states. This is
mentioned in the report “Judicial Legal Systems of Transitional
Economies: Estimating Past, Facing Future.” It will be presented by
the World Bank and the National Bank of Poland during a seminar on the
theme “Usage of Agreements and Judicial Legal Systems of Central and
Eastern Europe” to be organized in Warsaw on June 21-22. The process
of reforms of legal institutions of transitional states since 1990 is
presented in the report, and the present state of those institutions
is estimated. The data fixed in the report are based on the results of
surveys held among citizens, lawyers and heads of enteprises in the
whole region. According to the report, only the one fourth part of
questioned heads finds that courts are objective or honest. In
countries like Albania, Kyrghyzstan, Moldova and Russia, a less part
of questioned expressed such an opinion. It is mentioned that In
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and the Ukraine, among other reforms,
market reforms came to the fore but judicial legal systems are not
completed yet. According to the report, as a step aimed to increase of
transparity, Armenia and Georgia take steps in the direction of
improvement of leakage of legal information. Besides, Albania,
Armenia, Khorvatia and Macedonia are classified among those states
which contribute corresponding systems for improvement of judicial
control and effecience in courts and supporting judgies with
information technologies.

PACE INTENDS TO CALL ON ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO COMPLETELY FULFIL
VENICE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS

STRASBOURG, JUNE 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The draft on the process of
constitutional reforms in Armenia to be discussed at the PACE June 23
sitting is already ready. According to the Liberty radio station, the
draft calls on the Armenian authorities to completely fulfil Venice
Commission’s proposals and to hold the second reading of the draft
constitutional amendments at the National Assembly not later than in
August. The draft also suggests taking urgent steps aimed at starting
a dialogue with the opposition about this issue and holding the
constitutional referendum not later than in November. At the same
time, it calls on the opposition to stop the parliamentary boycott and
to contribute to realization of CE’s proposals regarding the
constitutional reforms. The radio station foretells that it’s
improbable that any of the above-mentioned proposals fixed in the
draft will be left out of the document to be adopted by the Assembly.