A1+
| 16:52:53 | 30-09-2005 | Official |
HE PROMISED TO TAKE CARE
Today Robert Kocharyan received the Georgian Prime Minister Zourab Nogaideli
who has arrived in Armenia to participate in the works of the Economic
Cooperation Armenian-Georgian inter Governmental Committee forth session.
Besides the discussion of economic issues, the sides have also referred to
the social-economic condition in Javakhq. The Georgian Prime Minister said
that the Government intends to realize a 5-year program of road
reconstruction in Javakhq with the means allotted by the «Millennium
Challenges» Fund and the state budget.
The Georgian Government also intends to realize educations programs for the
Armenian-speaking citizens and actively participate in the
school-construction in Javakhq.

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
Fresno Bee
Opinion Section
‘Preposterous claim’
September 30, 2005
Again we read in a newspaper story (Sept. 24) of the Armenian massacres,
the claim by Turkey’s apologists that “the [Armenian genocide] deaths
were part of a war in which an equal number of Turks died.” The
implication is that losses on both sides were a consequence of World War
I.
Such a claim is preposterous and perverted. Virtually the entire
Armenian population of Turkey in 1915 (whole families, including women
and children) was forcibly deported from its homeland of nearly 3,000
years by the leaders of the much more recently arrived Ottoman Empire.
About 1.5 million died.
That occurred during World War I when Turkey, a member of the Central
Powers together with Germany, was at war with the Allies. Of course, the
Turks did lose many lives in the war (which was not against Armenians).
But an equal number — more than a million? Hardly.
Armenian lives (families, not military personnel) were lost at the hands
of Turkish forces and the Kurds.
Turkish lives (virtually all military) were lost in a war at the hands
of British and Russian troops.
This needs to be repeated, for the preposterous claim of Turkish
apologists will not cease.
Arra Avakian
Fresno

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933
PRESS RELEASE ~ September 26, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933

AYF Eastern Region Junior Members Participate in Annual Athletic Games
WATERTOWN, Mass.?From September 23 to 25, over 110 junior and senior
members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Eastern Region gathered
at Camp Haiastan for the annual Junior Athletic Games (JAG), which
brings together participants from the Mid-Atlantic and New England
districts.
AYF junior members hailing from New York; New Jersey; Philadelphia,
Penn.; Boston; Providence, R.I.; Worcester; North Andover; and
Blackstone Valley took to the pool and the track for heated
competitions. Attendees, staying at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, for the
weekend, were divided into two groups, with older juniors ages 10 to
13 competing separately from those in the 14 to 16 age group.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, all juniors and seniors were
bused from the camp to the Milford High School pool, in Milford, where
athletes competed to the cheers of a sizable crowd of peers, AYF
seniors and parents.
By noontime the swimming events concluded, with participants and
observes alike traveling to neighboring Hopkinton, where the track and
field events got underway at Hopkinton High School.
Juniors participated in six track events, as well as team relay races
and the field events of long jump, shot put and baseball throw. “I’ve
been doing this for 20 years now and I enjoy it very much,” said
Providence AYF alumnus Sarkis Varadian, who clerks the track and field
events for JAG every year.
The Greater Boston chapter, who supplied sandwiches, snacks and manned
a concession stand at the track all day, hosted the event.
That evening, a celebration was held at Camp Haiastan’s Dikran Tzamour
Hall, where athletes and AYF seniors danced to the music of
Philadelphia AYF senior members Aram Hovagimian on keyboard, Anthony
Deese on guitar, and Greater Boston AYF senior Sevag Khatchadourian on
vocals. Entertainment also included tunes played by DJ Harout
Khatchadourian from Providence.
Team scores and award winners were later announced, with New Jersey
finishing in third with 41 points, followed by Providence in second
with 92 and the Greater Boston Nejdeh juniors, with 201 points, taking
first place. High scoring athletes were also awarded trophies: Ani
Megerdichian from Providence for the older girls (age 14 to 16); Araxi
Krafian and Anoush Arakelian both from Greater Boston for the younger
girls (age 10-13); Varant Chiloyan from Greater Boston and Greg
Gregorian from North Andover for the older boys; and Matthew Picard
from Greater Boston for the younger boys.
On Sunday morning, athletes participated in a basketball tournament at
Camp Haiastan, before boarding their buses and getting in their cars
to go home. “I like going to JAG because I get to see all my Armenian
friends and it?s a lot of fun to compete in the games,” said Ani
Sarajian from the New Jersey AYF junior team, as she left the camp.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) serves as the
youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(YOARF). The AYF stands on five pillars that guide its activities:
education, political awareness, fellowship, athletics and
culture. Moreover, the AYF promotes a fraternal attitude of respect
for the diversity of ideas and individuals amongst its
membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow
members of the organization to work together and realize its
objectives.

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
FOCUS on TURKEY – NEWS from COMPASS DIRECT
Global News from the Frontlines

Summary:
ISTANBUL, September 30 (Compass) – More than 100 residents of the Turkish
village of Karsu last month vandalized a Christian Orthodox quarter of
Altinozu after receiving reports that Christians had attacked two Muslims.
The Muslim mob descended on Altinosu’s Greek Orthodox neighborhood of
Sarilar shortly before 11 p.m. on August 3, chanting “there is no room for
infidels here.” The vandals damaged 10 houses and injured five people,
including the wife of parish leader Spir Bayrakcioglu. Cousins Mitri and
Engin Keseroglu, Greek Orthodox Christians from the Sarilar neighborhood,
have been charged with using razors to slash two Karsu youths in a fight
earlier that evening that triggered the outbreak of violence. One of the two
Muslim youths from Karsu also brandished a knife, but he was not arrested.
**********
Muslim Horde Vandalizes Orthodox Village in Turkey
Street fight over an insult triggers ethnic/religious passions, mob
violence.
by Peter Lamprecht

ISTANBUL, September 30 (Compass) – The unchecked passions of two young Greek
Orthodox Christians in rural Turkey last month showed how a single misstep
can result in the persecution of the larger community.
More than 100 residents of the Turkish village of Karsu vandalized the Greek
Orthodox quarter of Altinozu last month after receiving reports that
Christians had attacked Muslims. A street fight had erupted when two young
cousins allowed themselves to be provoked by a Muslim insult of Christian
women.
The Muslim mob descended on Altinozu’s Greek Orthodox neighborhood of
Sarilar shortly before 11 p.m. on August 3, chanting “there is no room for
infidels here.”
Gendarmerie reinforced local police and helped halt the violence, but not
before the vandals had damaged 10 houses and injured five people ranging in
age from 12 to 62, including the wife of parish leader Spir Bayrakcioglu.
Cousins Mitri and Engin Keseroglu, Orthodox Christians from the Sarilar
neighborhood, have been charged with using razors to slash two Karsu youth
in a fight earlier that evening that triggered the outbreak of violence. A
knife-wielding Muslim in the altercation, 19-year-old Bahadir Arslanoglu,
was not arrested.
According to Karsu village headman Kenan Yildirim, most of Karsu’s residents
were gathered at the town’s monthly business meeting when they received a
telephone call saying that Christians were attacking Muslims. In his
comments to the local Ozyurt newspaper, the mayor claimed that he tried to
stop the ensuing revenge attack, and that he even received several blows in
the process.
No One from Karsu Arrested
Tractors and minibuses transported approximately 100 Karsu residents three
kilometers (1.8 miles) to the entrance of Sarilar neighborhood in Altinozu,
where they regrouped before proceeding on foot.
As they made their way unopposed through the Orthodox neighborhood, they
reportedly chanted “get out of here, you have no business here, this land is
ours,” while using sticks and stones to break windows and attack the
ethnically Arab Turkish citizens.
One resident, who requested his name be withheld, told Compass that upon
hearing a commotion he rushed outside and saw a large crowd. “Behind them
were five or six policemen watching the event, because they were too few in
number to intervene.”
Shortly after 11 p.m., gendarmerie arrived to reinforce the police and
dispersed the crowd by firing shots in the air.
Police did not detain anyone from Karsu in relation to the vandalism.
Later that night, police arrested Sarilar Orthodox Christians Mitri
Keseroglu, 18, in his home, while 21-year-old Engin Keseroglu was taken into
custody the following morning around 8 a.m.
The Keseroglu cousins were charged with “the use of a sharp object to
intentionally injure.” They were released on September 1 after nearly a
month in prison. According to their lawyer, Mustafa Dikce, the trial date
has not yet been set.
In official statements made to the police, the Keserogluses denied using
weapons in their scuffle with 19-year-old Bahadir Arslanoglu and 18-year-old
Mehmet Sozer, both Muslims. The cousins claimed that the two Karsu youths
had attacked them first as they were on their way home.
Though Arslanoglu denied any involvement in instigating the fight, the
Ozyurt newspaper reported, and local sources confirmed, that the brawl with
the Keserogluses had started because of rude remarks Arslanoglu had made
about Christian women.
Simmering Tensions
Engin Keseroglu reported that after an initial scuffle ended and he had
continued home with only minor injuries, “I realized that I no longer had my
cell phone.”
Returning to the fight scene accompanied by Mitri Keseroglu and another
17-year-old cousin, he found that Arslanoglu and Sozer had also come back
with four more friends. According to Mitri Keseroglu, Arslanoglu pulled out
a knife, and the fight resumed until bystanders managed to pull the two
groups apart.
Arslanoglu and Sozer went to the hospital, where they received stitches for
long slices on the cheek and forehead. According to an August 10 doctor’s
report, the scars were permanent and require plastic surgery.
Many residents of both villages claimed that the Karsu attack on Sarilar
later that night was nothing more than a brawl between the Christian and
Muslim young men that got out of hand.
Two days after the violence, Karsu headman Yildirim was quoted by Ozyurt as
apologizing, “We’re very sorry that this event was provoked.”
“This whole thing was started because of rude remarks made to women,” parish
leader Bayrakcioglu explained in the same article. “It grieves me that the
issue got so big.”
Sarilar carpenter Selim Bayrakcioglu told Compass that the roots of the
fight went back to April, when the Christian quarter held its annual Easter
celebration of games and folk dancing. “Young men from other [Muslim]
villages come because they can be in the same place as young women,” many of
whom, he said, were European visitors who did not dress in a way that was
culturally sensitive to Turkish standards of modesty.
Bayrakcioglu said that while anyone who came with family was welcome, the
Christians did restrict the participation of single males “who were often
there to bother women. I think those young men [Arslanoglu and Sozer] were
not let in to the festivities, and that’s how this thing began.”
The area has traditionally been a rare example of inter-faith peace in a
part of the world where religious wars like the Crusades have left their
mark. During Turkey’s War of Independence following World War I, Turks
protected Altinozu’s ethnically Arab Christians, who belong to the Greek
Orthodox Church.
The region’s reputation is one reason it was chosen to host last weekend’s
“Meeting of Civilizations,” attended by Armenian Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish,
and Greek Orthodox leaders.
Muslim Lawyer Mustafa Dikce explained to Compass that he took the
Keserogluses’ case because he wanted to defend good relations between
religions. “Here, for years we have been living as brothers with these
people, Muslim, Christian, Alevi, and Sunni,” he said. “Altinozu is such a
great place, but there can be people who want to destroy it.”
But not everyone from this ethnically diverse region painted a rosy picture
of Muslim-Christian relations.
Bayrakcioglu, the Sarilar carpenter, agreed that relations with neighboring
Muslims have “always been good,” but pointed to a deeper problem of identity
that the Orthodox of Sarilar must face.
“We [Greek Orthodox] have never been seen by this mother country as true
children,” he said, pointing out that no one had been held responsible for
the late-night vandalism. “The fact that they got enraged over a very simple
thing and appeared to be ready to rub us out goes to show that things aren’t
quite as friendly as they appear.”
Yet Bayrakcioglu is not one to hold a grudge. The morning after the attack,
he shocked his wife when he gave nails, free of charge, to Karsu residents
who came to his hardware store.
The carpenter said that he hopes things will get better. “I’m not a
second-class citizen here. I’m not a stepchild. This is our mother country.
My grandfather served in the military here, my father served in the
military, and I served in the military. We need to understand this, and we
need the people around us to understand this. But it looks like its going to
take a long time.”
END
**********
Copyright 2005 Compass Direct
Compass Direct Focus News is distributed as available to raise awareness of
Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. Articles may be
reprinted by active subscribers only.
For subscription information, contact:
Compass Direct
P.O. Box 27250
Santa Ana CA 92799-7250
USA
TEL: 949-862-0304
E-mail: [email protected]
<;

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

PRESS RELEASE ~ September 28, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Chicago AYF Joins ANCA, System of a Down, Axis of Justice for Rally at
Speaker Hastert’s Illinois Office
WATERTOWN, Mass.?On September 27, AYF-YOARF members joined hundreds of
demonstrators for a rally at the Batavia, Ill., office of House
Speaker Dennis Hastert. The event was co-sponsored by the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA), AYF, System of a Down and Axis
of Justice.
Community activists from the Greater Chicago area, Wisconsin, Indiana,
Minnesota, California and Washington, D.C., as well as the band’s
fans, called on Hastert to “Do the Right Thing” and keep his
commitment to hold a vote on the pending Armenian genocide
legislation.
Addressing the crowd were System of a Down members Serj Tankian and
John Dolmayan along with ANC representatives Aram Hamparian and Greg
Bedian. “The U.S. government today must set its record straight by
reaffirming the fact that Turkey committed genocide when it
exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. America must send the message to
governments around the world that the crime of genocide will neither
be forgotten nor treated with impunity,” said Bedian.
Also during the event, a letter was given to Hastert’s aids, addressed
to the Speaker, urging him to schedule a vote on Armenian genocide
legislation currently before the House of Representatives. Along with
this letter, the group presented hundreds of similar notes from
community members.
“We are honored that we had this opportunity to work with System of a
Down, as well as the ANCA,” said AYF representative Karine
Birazian. “Within 90 hours, we were able to reach out to not only our
community in Glenview, but to Armenians and Americans across the
country regarding the rally we had today. As the youth, we feel it is
our duty to call upon Speaker Dennis Hastert to schedule a vote on the
Armenian genocide; and we will not rest until we have proper
recognition of what happened to our people.”
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) serves as the
youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(YOARF). The AYF stands on five pillars that guide its activities:
education, political awareness, fellowship, athletics and
culture. Moreover, the AYF promotes a fraternal attitude of respect
for the diversity of ideas and individuals amongst its
membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow
members of the organization to work together and realize its
objectives.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (617) 923-1933.

age/027-670-271-9-39-903-2
0050921IPR00563-28-09-2 005-2005–true/default_en.htm
Enlargement – 29-09-2005 – 16:55
European Parliament postpones vote on protocol to Ankara Agreement
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan – MEPs postpone vote on
extending customs union
The Parliament postponed voting on approval of the protocol extending
Turkey’s association agreement with the EU to the ten new member states.
MEPs feared that the Turkish declaration that the protocol does not mean any
form of recognition of Cyprus would form part of the ratification process in
the Turkish parliament and thus gain legal force.
 
Nevertheless, in a political resolution voted afterwards, Parliament notes
“the Commission and the Council take the view that Turkey has formally
fulfilled the last conditions for starting the accession negotiations on 3
October 2005.”
 
At the request of the EPP-ED group, Parliament voted 311 votes in favour,
285 against and 63 abstentions to postpone the vote on Parliament’s approval
of the protocol extending Turkey’s customs union with the EU to all its new
members, including Cyprus. The vote to postpone has no legal consequences in
terms of the starting date for accession negotiations. Stumbling blocks were
the Turkish declaration that the signing of the protocol to the Ankara
Agreement does not mean any form of recognition of Cyprus and the Turkish
refusal to admit vessels and airplanes from Cyprus. A majority of MEPs first
wanted guarantees from the Turkish authorities that the declaration was not
going to be part of the ratification in the Turkish parliament, fearing that
it would then have legal implications.
 
Nevertheless, in a political resolution adopted afterwards by 356 votes in
favour, 181 against and 125 abstentions, Parliament noted the Commission’s
and Council’s view that access negotiations with Turkey can start on 3
October. But by the end of 2006, the Commission must assess if Turkey has
fully implemented the protocol. If not, this could lead to halting the
accession negotiations. During the negotiations, which are open-ended and
will not automatically lead to Turkish EU membership, Turkey should be kept
under permanent scrutiny and pressure to ensure that it maintains “the pace
of the necessary reforms”.
 
Parliament also said it considered Turkish recognition of “the Armenian
genocide … to be a prerequisite for accession”.
 
MEPs deplore that the Annan plan for a settlement of the Cyprus question has
been rejected by the Greek Cypriot community and hopes that Turkey will
maintain its constructive attitude in finding an equitable solution.
Meanwhile, the Council should keep its promise and reach an agreement on the
financial aid and trade package for northern Cyprus.
 
On other issues, MEPs voiced their concern about the criminal proceedings
against Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, about article 305 of the penal code
which criminalises “acts against the fundamental national interest”, about
the restrictions on foreign funding for associations, and about the “Law on
Foundations” concerning religious communities.
 
Parliament wants each negotiation session at ministerial level to be
preceded by an assessment of the fulfilment of the political criteria, both
in theory and in practice, “thus exerting permanent pressure on the Turkish
authorities to maintain the pace of the necessary reforms”. Also, a full
programme of clear targets, timeframe and deadlines should be fixed for the
fulfilment of the political criteria. The Commission and the Council should
report annually to the European Parliament and the national parliaments on
the progress made by Turkey in this respect. MEPs reiterate that the
accession negotiations are an open-ended process and will not automatically
lead to Turkey joining the EU, even if the objective is Turkish EU
membership. Finally, Parliament underlines that the EU’s capacity to absorb
Turkey is an important consideration as well, and needs to be monitored by
the Commission during the negotiations.
 
Debate on opening of accession negotiations with Turkey
 
Speaking on behalf of the Council,  Britain’s Minister for Europe, Douglas
ALEXANDER said the strategic case for opening negotiations with Turkey was
convincing, but it was necessary to be scrupulous in ensuring all the
requirements were met before Turkey could join.
 
Turkey had met the two conditions laid down by the Council in December, and
its declaration stating that it had not recognised the government of Cyprus
had no legal effect.  The negotiations would be the most rigorous yet, and
Turkey would not accede imminently.  The Turkey which would join would be a
different Turkey, and the EU might also be different by then too. Progress
so far had been encouraging, and the conditions for opening talks had been
met, he said.
 
Enlargement Commissioner Oli REHN agreed that the formal conditions set out
by the Council for opening negotiations had been met.  He also stressed that
the talks would be the most rigorous yet undertaken.  There were good signs
– such as the Turkish government’s recognition that there was a Kurdish
issue and that the conference on the Armenian question would finally go
ahead – but also bad signs – such as the uneven implementation of freedom of
expression rights. “Both Europeans and Turks should work to build a
relationship based on mutual trust, ” he said, pointing out that the common
goal would be accession but that by their very nature the talks were open as
to the result they would achieve.
 
British speakers during the debate on Turkey
 
Roger KNAPMAN (IND/DEM,UK) said that he opposed political union with Turkey
as much as he opposed it with France, Germany or Italy. “But what of the
euro-fanatics whose ardour suddenly cools when they reach the Bosphorus? It
is not hypocrisy, but fear, fear that public support for the whole EU
project will collapse if Turkish membership were seriously pursued.”  For
this reason, he said, he was happy to see the EU plough ahead with
negotiations, destroying itself in the process.
 
Andrew DUFF (ALDE, UK) said “It is extraordinary that those who have
profited so much from EU integration in terms of prosperity, security and
liberal democracy should not refuse to extend these prizes to Turkey.” He
said the EU’s absorption capacity was a real issue, with the need for a
settlement of the constitution ahead of Turkish or Croatian entry.  He also
argued that the Cyprus issue and instability in the Balkans could not be
resolved if the EU refuses membership to Turkey, and called for a stepping
up of trade relations with northern Cyprus.
 
Roger HELMER (NI, UK) said there were powerful reasons in favour and against
Turkey’s accession to the EU.  The key condition, he said, should be
“democratic accountability”, Mr Helmer felt that Turkey’s accession would
“dilute the influence” of his constituents in terms of self-determination
and he therefore opposed Turkish membership of the EU.  Mr Helmer welcomed
the proposal from Angela Merkel on privileged partnership for Turkey as it
would incur fewer costs for Turkey.  Mr Helmer wished the option of
privileged partnership could also be made available to the United Kingdom.
 
Geoffrey Van ORDEN (EPP-ED, UK) stated that “last Christmas the Council
voted for Turkey”.  The conditions laid out at that time had been met and
Turkey was therefore ready to start negotiations.  Mr Van Orden warned
against the separatist dissidents still at large in Turkey that risked
undermining Turkish secularism and unity.  He stated that Turkey should be
treated in the same way as all other candidates for accession.  Mr Van Orden
stated that the Cyprus question should be treated separately from the
accession negotiations.  However, he recalled that the people of Northern
Cyprus had voted in favour of the Annan plan on reunification and that Greek
Cyprus had rejected.  He said the EU had done little to support
Northern Cyprus.  Mr Van Orden welcomed the imminent opening of negotiations
and recognised that the talks would last many years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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:
MEDIA ADVISORY
September 30, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SYSTEM OF A DOWN RALLY ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION
— Multi-Platinum Band Calls for Vote
on Armenian Genocide Resolution
— New York Times, BBC, and MTV Join Local ABC, FOX, and WB
stations and Area Newspapers in Covering Event outside the
Batavia, Illinois Office of Speaker Dennis Hastert
WASHINGTON, DC – The pro-Armenian Genocide Resolution rally this
week by System of a Down outside the Batavia, Illinois office of
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) received extensive media
coverage – both internationally and within the Speaker’s local
suburban Chicago media market, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The September 27th event was organized by the multi-platinum band
System of a Down, along with the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), Axis of Justice, and the Armenian Youth Federation.
Over two hundred fans, including a large number of Armenian
Americans from Chicago, attended the rally to urge the Speaker to
schedule a vote on legislation pending before Congress that would
recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the rally, the band delivered
a letter asking the Speaker to allow the legislation to move
forward. (see below)
Speaker Hastert pledged to allow the full House to vote on Armenian
Genocide legislation in August of 2000, but retreated from this
promise in October of that year, citing pressure from the White
House. On September 15th of this year, the House International
Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing
the Armenian Genocide.
The highlights of the media coverage included:
* Over 560,000 households in the Chicago area watched video from
the rally via ABC channel 7 News (Nielsen Audience: 310,980), WGN-
WB (Nielsen Audience: 231,385), and WFLD-FOX (Nielsen Audience:
22,726).
* The New York Times covered the rally, as did three area
newspapers read by Speaker Hastert’s constituents: The Beacon News,
The Daily Herald, and The Kane County Chronicle.
* News of the rally was broadcast on radio internationally via The
World (BBC) and locally by Chicago Public Radio.
* The rally received excellent coverage in the entertainment media
via stories on the websites of MTV (two stories), VH1, Rolling
Stone, and a range of other media outlets.
Links:
* New York Times (September 26, 2005 – Arts Section)
* ABC channel 7 news
l&id=3483619
WLS-ABC CHICAGO, IL
SEP 27 2005 5:00PM CT Nielsen Audience: 310,980
ABC 7 News at 5
* WGN-WB CHICAGO, IL
SEP 27 2005 9:00PM CT Nielsen Audience: 231,385
News at Nine
* WFLD-FOX CHICAGO, IL
SEP 28 2005 5:00AM CT Nielsen Audience: 22,726
Fox News at 5AM
* MTV.com: (Pre-Rally coverage)
* MTV.com: (Post-Rally coverage)
/09282005/system_of_a_down.jhtml
* VHI
28/system_of_a_down.jhtml
* TheWorld.org — (a radio program in done in co-production with
the BBC)
* Rolling Stone:
/7670574/bobice?pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=sing le1
* The Beacon News
/top/batchAU28_HASTERT_S1.htm
* The Daily Herald
ry.asp?id=98941
* Kane County Chronicle:
local/330582937821598.php
* PR Newswire
.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-26-2005/00041 31979&EDATE
* Los Angeles Daily News

* Blabbermouth.com:
uth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=4210 1
* Yahoo News
l
In the two weeks since that vote, thousands of System fans have
sent free ANCA WebFaxes urging Speaker Hastert to hold a vote on
the Armenian Genocide Resolution:
#####
==============================================================September 27, 2005
The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Speaker Hastert,
I am writing to personally ask you to do the right thing by
scheduling a free and fair vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution
this year – the 90th anniversary of this crime against humanity.
In making this request, I want you to know the special and profound
meaning that this issue holds for me. My grandfather, Stepan
Haytayan, is a 97 year-old survivor of the genocide. He’s my only
link to this past. I promised him that I would try to reach you
and explain how important American recognition is to the surviving
children of the first genocide of the 20th century. Historical
truths should never be denied in a democracy – especially one with
such a proud heritage of freedom.
My band, System Of A Down, has held three benefit shows called
“Souls” to raise awareness and much needed funds for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We have been encouraged, in
your own home state, by Governor Rod Blagojevich’s recent signature
on a law requiring that the Genocide be taught in the state’s
public schools. To date, thirty-eight U.S. states have officially
recognized the Armenian Genocide, as have Canada, Germany, France,
Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Greece, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland
– as well as the Council of Europe, European Parliament, and the
Vatican. The International Association of Genocide Scholars
unanimously affirmed at their most recent meeting, in June of this
year, that the Armenian Genocide is recognized by “the overwhelming
opinion of scholars who study genocide: hundreds of independent
scholars, who have no affiliations with governments, and whose work
spans many countries and nationalities and the course of decades.”
Along with hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans and
countless concerned human rights supporters across the United
States, I was encouraged by the House International Relations
Committee’s vote, less than two weeks ago, to overwhelmingly
approve legislation properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide. I
am sure that you would agree that the strong Committee-level
support for this legislation reflects the powerful bipartisan
consensus in the U.S. House of Representatives for decisive action
to properly recognize the first genocide of the 20th Century.
All that you need to do to move this legislation to a vote is to
remain consistent with your own record. As you recall, in 1994 you
spoke on the floor of the U.S. House about the need for Armenian
Genocide remembrance. In 1996 you voted for the Radanovich
Amendment to cut aid to Turkey until it ended its genocide denials.
Most recently, in 2000, you pledged – as Speaker – to bring
Armenian Genocide legislation to a vote of the full U.S. House.
Following your withdrawal of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in
October of 2000, you stressed – in an official statement – your
personal support for this legislation, your belief that the
Resolution enjoyed the support of a bi-partisan Congressional
majority, and your pledge to bring this legislation back to the
House floor.
The time has come – after five years – to honor this promise and to
act in a manner that we all know to be fully consistent with our
values and long-term interests as a nation. Today, the decision
rests in your hands: to schedule a vote, or to effectively defeat
this legislation by refusing to allow the 435 members of the U.S.
House to cast their ballots on this human rights issue.
I am quite aware of the pressures placed upon you by the
Administration, the military-industrial complex, and the special
interest groups that warn about the consequences of angering
Turkey, a NATO ally, over their denial of the Armenian Genocide.
These “friends” of Turkey are wrong; the truth is that, by acting
as apologists for Turkey, they are actually holding back Turkey’s
progress.
By allowing this vote, and allowing the will of Congress to be
freely expressed, you will be doing the right thing morally and, at
the same time, encouraging Turkey to deal honestly with its past
and more openly with its future.
Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Serj Tankian

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group
(Los Angeles, Calif. – September 30, 2005) Two floor statements were made in
the U.S. Senate this week by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Diane
Feinstein (D-CA) welcoming His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House Of Cilicia, to California for his upcoming October visit. Below are
the texts of their statements:
IN CELEBRATION OF THE PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I, CATHOLICOS OF
THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA, TO CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Boxer. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the
Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, to my home state of California in October, 2005.
The Catholicos represents the Great House of Cilicia, an historic Armenian
religious center established in 1441. The Catholicosate was relocated to
Antelias, Lebanon following the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, which
included destruction of houses of worship in Cilicia. Today, His Holiness
Aram I represents hundreds of thousands of Armenian American Christians, as
well as Armenians across the Near East. The Armenian faith is 1700 years
old and it is significant that Armenia was the first nation to officially
adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.
The Catholicos’ spiritual, cultural and educational influence extends well
beyond the Armenian people. His Holiness Aram I, who holds a Master of
Divinity, a Master of Sacred Theology, a Ph.D., and several honorary
degrees, has authored numerous articles and texts in Armenian, English and
French, some of which have been translated into other languages. The
Catholicos has worked to strengthen interfaith relations between Christian
and Muslim communities. In 1974, the Catholicos was one of the founding
members of the Middle East Council of Churches.
His Holiness Aram I was elected as Moderator of the Central and Executive
Committees of the World Council of Churches (WCC), a renowned organization
which represents over 400 million Christians worldwide. The WCC brings
together over 340 churches and denominations in more than 100 countries
throughout the world. The Catholicos is the first Orthodox, first Middle
Easterner and youngest person to hold this position and his unanimous
re-election as Moderator in 1998 was exceptional in the history of the WCC.
During his trip to California, which is titled “Towards the Light of
Knowledge,” the Catholicos will visit churches as well as educational and
cultural institutions in Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco. This
momentous visit was initiated by His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
1600th Anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet.
I am honored to recognize this milestone visit to California by a
distinguished Armenian and world leader. I wish both the Catholicos and the
Armenian community in California a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration
from this visit.
Thank you. I yield the floor.

PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I — (Senate – September 27, 2005)
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the Armenian American
community in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The Pontiff will be visiting the
State of California this October at the invitation of His Eminence,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America.
His Holiness is one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the Middle
East and a spiritual leader for hundreds of thousands of Armenians around
the world. The Pontiff presently serves as the Moderator for the World
Council of Churches which is comprised of more than 340 churches from
different cultures and countries around the world representing over 400
million Christians. Currently serving his second term, His Holiness is the
first Orthodox and the youngest person to be elevated to Moderator.
The theme of the Pontiff’s visit is “Towards the Light of Knowledge.” This
theme reflects the Pontiff’s faith that only with greater education and
dialogue can the world’s conflicts be addressed properly.
I take this opportunity to not only thank The Pontiff for his time and
worthy endeavors in California, but also thank the sizable Armenian
community which has been actively contributing to the California culture and
economy since 1878. California cities of Los Angeles and Glendale are home
to the second and third largest populations of Armenians outside of Armenia
and are important members of their communities serving as business leaders
and city council members.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Inside Higher Ed
News
Friday, Sept. 30, 2005
tan
Freed Scholar Speaks Out
Four months ago, Yektan Turkyilmaz was a doctoral student in cultural
anthropology at Duke University, well-regarded but little known outside his
field. Then, on June 17, authorities at the airport in Yerevan, Armenia
ordered him off a plane and placed him under arrest, confiscating nearly 100
books and CDs of research he had done as the first Turkish scholar ever
granted access to the National Archives of Armenia.
Over the summer, Turkyilmaz became a cause célèbre
<; among scholarly groups that believed the smuggling charges against him (supporters say he was the first person Armenia has ever charged with illegally exporting books) to be a pretext for what they considered a crackdown on a researcher studying a politically sensitive period in the country's tangled history with Turkey. Major scholarly associations and human rights groups, as well as academic and political leaders in the United States and throughout the world, urged Armenia to drop the charges against him. After a short trial last month, a court found Turkyilmaz guilty <; of trying to take books out of the country illegally, but suspended his two-year sentence and released him. He returned to Duke early this month to get back to his studies and his research. In an e-mail interview with Inside Higher Ed, he discusses his detainment, why he thinks he was arrested, and the implications of his situation for his career, his profession and beyond. Q: In court, you apparently acknowledged breaking the Armenian law unknowingly. Does that mean you believe your arrest was legitimate,or did the government have another motive? A. Yes I did acknowledge that I unknowingly broke a `law,' an obscure law which applies to the: `Contraband of narcotic drugs, neurological, strong, poisonous, poisoning, radioactive or explosive materials, weapons, explosive devices, ammunition, fire-arms, except smoothbore long barrel hunting guns, nuclear, chemical, biological or other mass destruction weapons, or dual-use materials, devices, or technologies which can also be used for the creation or use of mass destruction weapons or missile delivery systems thereof, strategic raw materials orcultural values.' But I am convinced the book charges were just a pretext for my arrest. KGB officials (Armenia's police are now formally known as the National Security Service, but everyone, including they themselves, still call them the KGB) were certain that I was a spy. The first day one of the KGB agents told me that their endeavor was to clarify - given that Armenia's ceasefire with Azerbaijan had ended very recently - that I had not been involved in espionage on behalf of the Turks (they do not differentiate between Azeris and Turks!). That is why they arrested me. The interrogators' questioning in the initial few days of my arrest was entirely devoted to my research, my political views and connections with Turkish intelligence and state officials. The concept of `scholar' is meaningless to them. According to them, as the investigator put it, `all scholars are spies.' All my friends and contacts in Yerevan (most of whom have nothing to do with the books found in my suitcases) have not only been interrogated by the KGB but were also harassed and threatened. They were all told that I was a Turkish spy. My friends who were at the airport with me were threatened not to let anyone, especially my family, know about my arrest. (When my sister contacted them via phone they denied that they were with me at the airport! For that reason my family did not know about my situation for 15 hours.) My case was a violation of academic freedom and the right to research. Investigators went through every bit of my research material. They looked one by one at almost 20 thousand images saved on the CDs and on my laptop. I was asked to prove that I had permission to reproduce every single image and also that they contained no `state secrets' even though I had official permission to do research in the archives. They posed questions about my political ideas, dissertation topic, why I had learned Armenian, if I personally would have had enough time to read the material I had reproduced at the libraries and the Archives, my relations with Turkish military and intelligence, etc. The staff at the libraries and archives where I was conducting research were not merely questioned about their personal connection with me, but also forced to testify against me. They asked one librarian `how dare you take a non-Armenian guy to `our' national Archives?' I am also informed that, they had been forced to confirm that I got permissions to conduct research at their institutions not through legal procedure (implying that I bribed them to get permission to do research!). It was only later, when the Armenian secret service could find no basis for their claims, that the issue of legally purchased, second-hand books in my possession came into the picture. Q: Do you think you were detained for political reasons? If so, why? A: I am convinced that not only my arrest but also my release were political decisions taken by (few but) very high ranking Armenian officials. I believe this Cold War-era conspiracy was organized, or at least encouraged, by those who have no wish to see cooperation and improved relations between Turkey and Armenia. KGB officials' mentality - a mixture of the Soviet way of thinking and nationalism with xenophobic overtones - played a crucial role in making the decision to detain me. Unfortunately, in today's Armenia (like many other ex-Soviet republics), there isn't adequate political control over KGB. I should also underline that there is an ongoing fight between pro-democracy advocates and pro-Russia Soviet-style rule. For me, it is relieving to know that I have received a good deal of support from the pro-democracy politicians and large segments of the Armenian society, which is very important. I think the basic reason why they targeted me is that they could not put me in any of their nationalist, primordialist categories. I was like a UFO to them: a citizen of Turkey of Kurdish origin, student in the US, critical of the Turkish official stance on controversial historical issues, an admirer of the Armenian culture, collector of old Armenian books and records, speaker of the language, a researcher who has visited Armenia several times without any worries and concerns, a foreigner who is vocal about his ideas, etc. A story too good to believe, because for them, the world can never be that colorful. For the people who were interrogating me, you are either Armenian-Armenian with the `full' meaning of the word, or Turkish or anything else. If I were a conventional `Turk,' as they would have rather preferred to see me as, I believe, I may not have had any troubles. I think, my endeavor to cross boundaries was deemed as a threat by the people who decided on my arrest and by those who interrogated me. Q: Is there reason, legitimate or otherwise, why the Armenian government would view your scholarly work with alarm? Can it be perceived as `anti-Armenian"? A: My work is not only about the history of the region but also about historiography. Therefore, I don't think that it favors any nationalist historiography including the Armenian version. In that sense my work is critical not only of the Turkish nationalist historiography but also of the Kurdish and Armenian counterparts. Hence my work can neither be called pro- or anti Armenian. That question itself is based on nationalist anxieties, which I try to analyze and move beyond in my scholarship. There are some Armenian circles that do not sympathize with the usage of Armenian resources by the Turkish scholars. This, too, is a nationalist (if not racist) stance that we as academics need to challenge for a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the past as well of today. Q: Most scholars characterize the deaths of some 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as a genocide, but relatively few Turkish scholars do so. What is your take on what happened? A: It is very clear that almost the entire Armenian population of eastern Anatolia was subjected to forced migrations and massacres beginning in the early months of 1915. Q: Do you think your treatment by Armenian authorities will undercut Turkish willingness to explore the treatment of Armenians under Ottoman rule? A: That may be the message people will likely take away. But I think we should be stubborn and should not give up. Q: Were you aware, while you were being held, of the breadth of the effort on your behalf, both from other academics and from leaders in the political world like Bob Dole? A: To some extent I was. I knew that my friends would realize why I could be detained and also that they would support me to the end. I was getting some kind of information from the outside, but it was not always very accurate. Here, I would like to take the opportunity to thank especially my colleagues, Turkish, Armenian and American, who have demonstrated an exemplary and meaningful solidarity. One upshot of my case, I believe, is that unprecedented number of scholars, intellectuals and activists from both groups came together, united around a common cause. It was really great. I am grateful to all of them who have signed the open letter to [Armenia's] President Kocharian and hope that my case has opened up further space of dialogue and cooperation between the critical intellectuals studying the controversial and painful pages of the history of the region. I would also like to present my gratitude to the entire Duke community, especially to President Brodhead, to Provost Lange and, of course, to my heroic adviser Orin Starn, and to the department of cultural anthropology. I want to mention three other names who were crucial in the process, Prof. Ayse Gul Altinay (who orchestrated the `global' campaign for my release) of Sabanci University, Istanbul/Turkey; Prof. Charles Kurzman of UNC, and Prof. Richard Hovannissian of UCLA. Their support was invaluable. I am also extremely grateful to the American politicians who got involved. Bob Dole's intervention was really crucial. I thank him very much. Q: Did you ever consider yourself to be in true danger? A: Yes I think I did, especially after the first week. Q: Do you envision returning to Armenia to continue your research? Can you complete your dissertation without going back? A: This is really a very tough question. I should first underline the fact that for me there is no difference between Istanbul and Yerevan. I feel at home when I am in Yerevan. I love walking on the streets (especially Mashtots) of the city, or sitting at the lovely cafes around the opera building. I have very close friends over there. However, there is also this bitter experience I have gone through. It is very sad for me to know that there are people in Armenia who do not want me to do research in the country. I know that those people are a minority, yet they are powerful. They still keep their old isolationist way of thinking which they have recently blended with a xenophobic brand of `Armenian patriotism.' Whoever it is behind the provocation against me, there is no doubt that they have damaged the image of Armenia in the international arena. As a scholar, I have been deeply disheartened by this incident. But there are also people like the director of the National Archives of Armenia, Mr. Amatuni Virabian, who from the first day of my arrest, understood what was happening behind the scene and diligently supported me. I received considerable support from pro-democratization Armenian intellectuals. I also know that majority of the people in Armenia eventually understood that the officials made a big mistake and also that I was not an enemy of the Armenian people. I don't want those who have tried to intimidate independent researchers through my own case to win over those who have been seeking and struggling for improved relations and scholarly cooperation between the two countries and communities. Therefore I will definitely go back. I think I have compiled enough material to finish my dissertation. That is, it is not a must for me to go back to Armenia for my dissertation fieldwork research. Q: Should your case make scholars wary of studying contentious subjects? Do you have advice for other researchers contemplating exploring such a topic? A: Caution, they have to be really very cautious. They should be very careful about the laws and procedures especially about permissions necessary for research. No signal of danger should be overlooked. It might be a good idea not to be publicly very visible. I also recommend them to always back-up their work and if possible to download it to the internet. Q: What are your career plans for after you have your doctorate? Do you envision entering the academy, and if so, any idea in what country? A: I am willing to pursue an academic career in the U.S. where I can attain a free environment necessary for my studies. Finally, I want to emphasize that I am not angry or bitter. I want to put everything aside and concentrate on my work. I am an academic not a politician, notwithstanding the fact that I was caught in the middle of a fight among hostile political actors. - Doug Lederman
© Copyright 2005 Inside Higher Ed

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:
PRESS RELEASE
September 30, 2005
NAGORNO KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE MARKED ON CAPITOL HILL
Baroness Caroline Cox, Members of Congress, Armenian-American
Community Mark Fourteen Years of Freedom, Democracy and Economic
Development in NKR
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of Congress and leading human rights
activist, British House of Lords Vice-Speaker Baroness Caroline Cox,
joined together on Capitol Hill September 28 to mark the 14th
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s (NKR/Artsakh)
independence. Over 100 Armenian-Americans, Congressional staff
members and human rights advocates attended this unprecedented
event, hosted by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
USA, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Assembly
of America (AAA) and the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) in cooperation with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues.
During the two-hour event entitled `14 years of Nagorno Karabakh’s
Independence: Progress Toward Freedom, Democracy and Economic
Development,’ participants highlighted the great strides the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic has made since shaking off foreign oppression.
`Fourteen years have passed since the day when the people of
Karabakh said a firm NO to continued foreign oppression,’ said NKR
Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian in his opening
remarks.
`Fourteen years of ongoing struggle to survive and prosper against
overwhelming odds. Fourteen years of serious achievements.
Fourteen years of success. Many formally recognized countries would
wish to be able to say this about their recent history, but only a
few can.’
Making the case for international recognition of NKR independence,
Barseghian stressed that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic now meets all
of the traditional, internationally acceptable requirements for
statehood, such as control over a defined territory, a permanent
population, democratically elected government, capable armed forces,
and the capacity to conduct international relations, including
participation in peace negotiations and functioning representative
offices in Moscow, Paris, Washington, DC and elsewhere.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) stressed the progress Nagorno Karabakh has made since
declaring its independence in 1991, and the pivotal role of U.S.
humanitarian assistance in the region. `Progress is the key word
here,’ stated Rep. Knollenberg. `The people of NK continue to make
progress despite the challenges they face. I think in the future
they will continue to make progress with the support of the U.S.
Congress and from the United States.’ He emphasized that in
Karabakh `the economy is working, the democracy is functioning and
they continue to have successful elections, which are more open and
free than [those in] some countries in the region.’ Knollenberg also
commended the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA and
its staff for keeping Members of Congress abreast of ongoing
developments in NKR.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ) reminded participants that `often times when Karabakh is
mentioned in the media, they forget to mention that it became
independent legally under international law and under Soviet law… We
need to keep stressing that this truly is a democracy that has an
elected president and does so in a very transparent way.’ Rep.
Pallone also pledged continued Armenian Caucus support for Nagorno
Karabakh’s democratic aspirations. `We will continue to urge the
Bush Administration, or any other administration, and State
Department that they need to be more supportive to Karabakh,’ he
said.
Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) stressed the important role
the Armenian-American community plays in educating Congressional
leaders about the vital concerns in Nagorno Karabakh. `Your
presence here [on the Hill] helps us to better the relationship
between [our] two countries,’ explained Rep. Radanovich, as he
congratulated Nagorno Karabakh’s 14 years of independence.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) concurred, stating `I want to express my
admiration for the Armenian-American community which has been a
wonderful example to the other Americans about how you take
democracy seriously . . . and how you do it for the moral principle.
Thank you for insisting we take this principle of
self-determination, that we so fiercely defend in America, and apply
it elsewhere.’ Rep. Frank went on to remark about Azerbaijan’s
continued attempts to deny Nagorno Karabakh freedom. `I don’t
understand . . . and this is directed to the government of
Azerbaijan: Governing when people are willing to be [governed] can
be difficult; I can’t imagine why anyone would want to go through
the aggravation of governing people against their will. It really
just is a dumb thing to do. . . I do not understand why any
government anywhere would want to hold people against their will.’
California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff noted that he supports
`independence for NKR because it is both consistent with American
values and because it makes practical political sense.’ He praised
the growing democracy in the region, stating that `even though they
have been politically and militarily challenged by Azerbaijan and
its powerful ally Turkey, the people of Karabakh have continued to
build all the requisites of statehood.’
The final Congressional speaker of the evening, Rep. Maurice Hinchey
(D-NY), summed up the sentiments of previous speakers, stating `the
people of Nagorno Karabakh have the right to assert their
independence and freedom; they have that right and they should be
provided the opportunity to do so. . . I am very proud to be with
you to assert my unity with you and your enterprise.’
Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Tatoul Markarian noted,
`self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh is the key to achieving
real freedom and to bringing long-term peace and prosperity in the
region. NK conflict’s distinction from other conflicts in Eurasia
is acknowledged by the international community. We understand that
settlement of the conflict requires serious compromise from all
parties. Meanwhile, I am convinced, and it is widely shared, that
any solution to the conflict will be based on the fact and the right
to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, which the
core and the final settlement must take into account.’
World-renowned human rights activist and an outspoken champion of
Karabakh’s right to self-determination, Baroness Caroline Cox gave
the keynote address. Baroness Cox, who recently returned from her
60th trip to the region, provided an eye-witness account of
Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing campaign, pogroms and outright war
against the people of Nagorno Karabakh and spoke passionately about
the incredible progress – both democratic and economic – Karabakh
has made since the 1994 cease-fire accord. Through a powerful slide
presentation, the Baroness gave Members of Congress, staffers and
attendees a first-hand view of reconstruction and rehabilitation
efforts throughout the country.
Lady Cox concluded her remarks by urging the international community
to respect the rights to freedom, justice, and democracy of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh.
`It is high time for the international community to address the
challenges raised by the conflict of the principles of
self-determination and territorial integrity. Surely, there must be
some recognition of the rights of a vulnerable minority, threatened
by a repressive state with attempted ethnic cleansing or genocide,
to have the right to claim their independence in order to survive …
The time for recognition of the rights of the people of Karabakh for
self-determination is NOW – for the sake of justice, peace and, in
due course, the economic prosperity and stability for all who live
in the region.’
`If any people in the world today deserve the right to
self-determination and the recognition of independence, it is the
people of Nagorno Karabakh,’ said Baroness Cox.
Among speakers at the program were ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian and AAA Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Hamparian
stressed the significance of NKR achievements and thanked Members of
Congress for their ongoing support of Artsakh’s freedom, democracy
and economic development. Ardouny concurred by saying: `We have
heard this evening about the importance of freedom, liberty and
democracy – fundamental principles that guide us today just as they
did over 200 years ago during the founding of the U.S.
Constitution.’
`Nagorno Karabakh – is a geographical fact. It is a political and
moral fact – [Karabakhtsis] are the first people of the former
Soviet Union to launch a freedom movement and set out in principle
to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human
equality as is evidenced today,’ said Ardouny, drawing a parallel
with what American statesman Adlai Stevenson once said about the
U.S.
Providing first-hand knowledge of the most recent election held in
Nagorno Karabakh was Dr. Aleyda Kasten, who traveled to NKR last
June as one of six members of the American Independent Monitoring
Delegation. Dr. Kasten, who also observed presidential elections in
the United States and last year’s presidential election in the
Ukraine, testified that over 75% of eligible citizens of Karabakh
turned out to elect the Republic’s Fourth Parliament since
independence. `This was a tightly contested ballot that left no
single party in majority control of the legislature. We, as a group,
did not observe irregularities during voting or vote count. We were
struck by the people’s determination to democratically decide their
future. We can honestly say that from our observations the elections
were carried out freely and transparently,’ said Kasten.
NKR Representative Barseghian closed the event by saying that
`during its 14 years of independence NKR has shown demonstrable
progress toward freedom, democracy and economic development —
values championed by the United States and shared by the people of
Karabakh. As the United States supports and promotes freedom and
democracy for all peoples around the globe, we call on the U.S. to
also continue to support the aspirations of the Karabakh people to
live in freedom, security and prosperity.’
On behalf of the people of Artsakh, Barseghian thanked the
Government of the United States and the American people for their
ongoing aid to rehabilitate Nagorno Karabakh’s war-torn economy and
the shattered lives of its citizens and called on the U.S. to play a
greater role in its conflict mediation efforts by encouraging the
government of Azerbaijan to negotiate directly with the leaders of
Nagorno Karabakh and to respect the will of the people of Karabakh
to live in freedom.
`This event would not have been possible without the strong support
of the two Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, Representatives Pallone
and Knollenberg, Ambassador Markarian, the Armenian Assembly and the
Armenian National Committee,’ said Barseghian. He also thanked Tim
Delmonico from Rep. Pallone’s office and Craig Albright, legislative
director for Rep. Knollenberg, for their invaluable input.
`The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is strong and successful because it
has committed friends like you,’ concluded Barseghian.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
* * *
To request photos for publishing with the press release, send an
email to [email protected]
This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S.
Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress