President Papoulias receives head of Armenian Church of Cilicia

Athens News Agency, Greece
April 18 2005

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Monday received
the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, head of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia based in Lebanon.

This is the fourth visit by the Armenian church leader to Athens,
where he will take part in the Interparliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy
taking place in Athens on the theme: “Nation, Religions and the new
European Reality”.

Catholicos Aram I, who is also president of the World Council of
Churches, celebrated his 10th anniversary as head of the Armenian
Church of Cilicia in Athens last Saturday, as well as the 75th
anniversary since the foundation of the Catholicosate of the Great
House of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon and serving the needs of the
Armenian diaspora.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EurasiaNet Organization
April 18 2005

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS SEE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Emil Danielyan 4/18/05

French, Russian and US diplomats, acting under the aegis of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group,
are guardedly optimistic about the latest push to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Their optimism is reinforced by the
Armenian government’s apparent efforts in recent weeks to prepare
public opinion for major concessions to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Armenian
counterpart Vardan Oskanian held “proximity talks” with Minsk Group
officials in London on April 15. The discussions sought to finalize
details of a summit meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents sometime in May. International mediators believe those talks
could prove crucial in breaking the existing stalemate in the Karabakh
peace process. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

In a rare joint statement timed to coincide with London talks, the
mediators declared that the protracted peace process has entered a
“sensitive juncture, where a first step towards an agreement mediated
by the [Minsk Group] Co-Chairs could be at hand in the framework of
the discussions between the parties.” At the same time, the Minsk
Group co-chairs expressed concern about increased ceasefire violations
along the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontline east of Karabakh, warning
that renewed fighting would be “disastrous” for both South Caucasus
neighbors. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Participants have remained tight-lipped, declining to speak about the
substance of the discussions. The Armenian Foreign Ministry said only
that they focused on preparations for the meeting between Presidents
Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. It
is expected to take place in mid-May. Mammadyarov told Radio Free
Europe-Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that the talks were “productive,” adding
that more discussions were needed “to bring the positions of the two
countries closer together.” Armenian and Azerbaijani diplomats are
expected to hold another round of discussions in Frankfurt on April 27.

Yuri Merzlyakov, the Russian co-chair of the Minsk Group, said earlier
that the two foreign ministers would be presented with new peace
proposals drawn up by the mediating troika. He indicated that Aliyev
and Kocharian should personally discuss and pass judgment on those
proposals. “The co-chairs believe that there needs to be a political
decision at the highest level,” Merzlyakov told RFE/RL.

This might explain why the Minsk Group statement urged the
conflicting parties to “prepare their populations for a balanced
negotiated agreement that will require compromise on both sides.”
Official Yerevan appears to be doing just that, with Defense Minister
Serge Sarkisian, Kocharian’s most powerful lieutenant, taking center
stage in the effort.

“The conflict’s resolution will indeed be painful for both the Armenian
and Azerbaijani peoples because mutual compromise means giving up
some of what you have,” he told parliamentary hearings on Karabakh
on March 30. Speaking to journalists a few days later, Sarkisian,
who commanded Karabakh Armenian forces during their victorious war
with Azerbaijan, derided hard-line nationalist groups opposed to any
compromise with Azerbaijan. “Do we want another war?” he asked. “Did
we lose few of our boys, our comrades [during the first war]?”

Kocharian likewise publicly stated on April 13 that Armenian
concessions on Karabakh are “inevitable.” One of those concessions is
his administration’s obvious retreat from its demands for a so-called
“package” peace accord that would settle all contentious issues at
once. During the Karabakh conflict’s “hot” phase – from 1992-94 –
Armenian forces occupied broad swaths of Azerbaijani territory that
surround the enclave. Yerevan, along with Karabakh Armenian leaders,
have for years insisted that the return of the Armenian-occupied land
is impossible without a determination of Karabakh’s status — the main
bone of contention. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, wants a step-by-step solution to the territorial
dispute, in which a determination on Karabakh’s status would be
indefinitely postponed until after the return of occupied Azerbaijani
lands, the restoration of economic ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
as well as other confidence-building measures.

Armenian leaders indicate that they are now ready to accept
the step-by-step formula so long as they get other international
guarantees of continued Armenian control over Karabakh. Sarkisian
noted in his parliamentary testimony that this could include a
formal pledge by the international community to hold a referendum
of independence in Karabakh. It also could include an international
guarantee that Azerbaijan would refrain from undertaking offensive
military operations.

Speaking in Yerevan on April 6, Russia’s former chief Karabakh
negotiator and a staunch advocate of the gradual settlement, Vladimir
Kazimirov, said: “Whereas in the past the Armenians were saying,
‘Package, package and nothing other than package,’ it looks as though
they are now considering a phased options as well.”

The new peace proposals are thus widely thought to be based on the
phased strategy of conflict resolution which was embraced by Armenia’s
former president, Levon Ter-Petrosian. He was forced to resign in
February 1998 after publicly advocating a step-by-step Minsk Group
plan rejected by key members of his government, including then Prime
Minister Kocharian.

Ter-Petrosian allies now say time has proved the ex-president right.
“They (the current Armenian leadership) have already abandoned their
‘victorious’ policies and … reverted to our concept of conflict
resolution without shying away from repeating our arguments,” one of
them, former parliament speaker Babken Ararktsian, told the Yerevan
daily “Haykakan Zhamanak” on April 12.

Negotiators have come close to striking a deal on Karabakh on several
past occasions, most recently during the Key West peace conference
in April 2001. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. But
last-minute disagreements and other snags always scuttled the signing
of a formal treaty. Observers therefore caution that, despite the
building optimism, the discussions could collapse yet again.

Oskanian, the Armenian Foreign Minister, guarded against excessive
expectations from the latest push for Karabakh peace as he met
reporters ahead of the London talks. The conflicting parties, he said,
have reached general understandings about the course of the peace
process. “But when we go into details, we see that our positions are
still very far apart,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Emil Danielyan is a Yerevan-based journalist and
political analyst.

EUROPEAN UNION WANTS ENSURING OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN
[April 18, 2005, 21:05:49]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005

On April 18, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov received
the delegation, which has arrived in Baku for participation in 6th
session of Committee on cooperation the European Union – Parliament
of Azerbaijan.

Warmly greeting the visitors, Mr. Alaskarov has told that development
of relations with the European Union is one of the basic directions
of foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Signed in 1996 in Brussels, the
Agreement “On partnership and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the
European Union”, and also the “Additional Protocol to the Agreement on
partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan,
stipulating integration to the European Union of the new 10 countries”,
signed during the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Brussels in
2004, have played important role in development of our links. The
relations between the Union and our country successfully develop and in
economic sphere. We highly estimate the EU-led large-scale projects,
the assistance rendered to the Azerbaijan refugees and IDPs. However,
regretfully should I note that there are serious problems which impede
development of our relations”.

Then, Chairman of Milli Majlis has in detail informed visitors on
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He has noted that
the international organizations, and also the European Union try to
solve the conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in settlement
of the problem for more than 10 years. However, it has achieved
nothing. Azerbaijan adheres fair solution of the conflict. And it
means clearing up to last span of the Azerbaijan lands from under
occupation, returning of refugees and IDPs to their native lands. The
international structures do not make distinctions between aggressor
and those who have undergone aggression. They offer us compromises.
And sometimes they speak of self-determination. You should know that
the Armenians are not aboriginals in these territories, and they
already having gained independence once, have created the state on
the historical Azerbaijan lands. We are not going in second time to
concede our lands. We can provide safety of the Armenians living in
Nagorno Karabakh, to give them the highest status of autonomy.

We hope, that the European Union being the supporter of stability on
Southern Caucasus, will make active efforts, and shortly we shall in
common reach the fair solution of the conflict.

Head of the delegation, the co-chairman of European Union-Azerbaijan
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Anna Maria Ishler Biguin has
expressed gratitude for warm reception and detailed information.
Having emphasized that the delegation has arrived in Baku in a new
structure, Ms. Ishler has told that its members are not indifferent
to problems of Azerbaijan. “They want to familiarize in more detail
with your problems, to take direct participation in their solution.
We have already familiarized with heavy vital conditions of the IDPs
in tent camps. Really, they live in intolerable conditions. We should
try that the conflict has been solved shortly. It is necessary to
provide territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and refugees should come
back to their native lands.

The European Union has special envoy on the Southern Caucasus,
and in the near future will be appointed as well the Ambassador
Plenipotentiary. We adhere peaceful settlement of the conflict. The
OSCE Minsk Group also should make active efforts, mobilize all
opportunities.

We are pleased very much with adherence of Azerbaijan to the “New
Neighborhood Policy” of the European Union, development of democracy
and protection of human rights in your country. We know, you have
to conduct parliamentary elections shortly and in this connection we
would like to exchange views.

At the meeting, also were exchanged views on other questions
representing mutual interest.

First vice-speaker of Milli Majlis Arif Rahimzade, vice-speakers Govhar
Bakhshaliyeva, Ziyafet Askerov and deputies took part at the meeting.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 15, 2005

Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA ENDORSES ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA FOR MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
announced today that it has endorsed Los Angeles City Council Member
Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor of Los Angeles.

The ANCA conducted a vigorous evaluation process in which it met with
both Los Angeles Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa and incumbent
Mayor James Hahn on multiple occasions in order to make an informed
decision.

“We have met with the candidates and, after careful consideration,
have decided that the City of Los Angeles needs the kind of energetic
and visionary leadership Antonio Villaraigosa offers to the hundreds
of thousands of Armenian Americans who call Los Angeles home,” stated
ANCA board member Steven J. Dadaian. “Having worked closely with
Antonio over the past decade on the city, state and national levels,
it is clear that he possesses both a keen understanding of the unique
diversity of Los Angeles and has a deep appreciation for the Armenian
community. He has the skills and energy necessary to unite and lead
Los Angeles toward a brighter future.”

Villaraigosa has worked closely with the Armenian American community
and the ANCA throughout his years as a Los Angeles City Council
Member and Speaker of the California State Assembly. As Speaker,
he led the effort to include the Armenian Genocide in the state’s
mandatory curriculum for public education as well as outlawing foreign
governments like Turkey from endowing chairs in state universities
with the intent of conducting work to deny the Armenian Genocide. “I
am thrilled to receive this endorsement and upon election as mayor
pledge to continue working closely with the ANCA to make sure the
Armenian American community has a seat at the table in the life and
future direction of the city,” said Antonio Villaraigosa.

The ANCA encourages Armenian Americans to vote for Antonio Villaraigosa
for Mayor of Los Angeles during the run-off election on Tuesday,
May 17.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad
range of issues.

#####

Turkish Parliamentarians Union Sends Letter To U.S. President

Turkish Press
April 18 2005

Published: 4/18/2005

ANKARA – Turkish Parliamentarians Union (TPB) sent a letter to U.S.
President George Bush, and asked him to assume an objective attitude
towards the fanatic campaigns carried out regarding Armenian genocide
claims.

The letter, signed by TPB Chairman Hasan Korkmazcan, said that
aggressive attitude assumed by the fanatic Armenian organizations
for years, ignoring the historical realities, was still maintained,
and this stance had a negative impact on bilateral relations between
Turkey and Armenia.

“It is obvious that these are unreal claims made for political
purposes only. Moreover, anti-Turkish campaigns launched by the
Armenian extremists and their supporters are considered as a big
misfortune by circles who are in search of peace and compromise,
and cause concern to our people, particularly Turkish citizens of
Armenian origin,” noted the letter.

The letter also said, “furthermore, it has been proven by many
scientists that these unreal claims are based on false, obsessive
and incomplete information.”

Noting that the so-called Armenian genocide thesis contradicted the
related articles of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the letter said, “Turkey is
aware of its responsibilities. Likewise, information and documents
reached by Turkish History Society at the end of long researches
carried out in the archives of foreign countries disprove the
discourses that so-called genocide issue has remained as a taboo
in Turkey. The so-called claims are being discussed by our experts,
authors and academicians. And, we are trying to clarify the prejudiced
and unreal discourses.”

“In this context, we hope that you (President Bush) will assume
an objective attitude towards fanatic campaigns based on one-sided
interpretations that are not confirmed by either Ottoman or other
state archives,” said the letter.

The letter also welcomed Turkish parliament’s initiative to form a
joint committee which would examine world archives, and asked U.S.
President Bush to support this initiative.

SOAD ON SNL

93X.COM, MN
April 18 2005

SYSTEM OF A DOWN have been confirmed as the musical guest on
“Saturday Night Live” on Saturday, May 7. This will be the band’s
first-ever appearance on the show, where they will perform two songs
– “B.Y.O.B.” and “Chop Suey”. Johnny Knoxville (“Jackass”) will be
hosting the program, which airs on NBC.

In other news, SYSTEM OF A DOWN have announced the following U.S.
dates:

Apr. 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Apr. 30 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall

As previously reported, SYSTEM OF A DOWN held an exclusive preview of
“Mezmerize”, the first half of their new double-CD set, Wednesday night
(April 13) in New York City. The listening session for the record were
held at a hotel in the city’s downtown Soho district. The second half
of the “Mezmerize/Hypnotize” project, titled “Hypnotize”, is due out
sometime this fall.

“Mezmerize” arrives in stores on May 17.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN will stage its annual Souls benefit, in memory of
Armenian genocide victims, on April 24 at the Universal Amphitheatre
in Los Angeles. A full North American tour is tentatively slated for
August and September.

Source: Blabbermouth

New York Armenian Students’ Association / ASA of USA
333 Atlantic Avenue
Warwick, RI 02888
(401) 461-6114
Contact person: Alec Gevorkyan
[email protected]

For Immediate Release!
April 17, 2005
Contact: New York ASA: [email protected]

New York, NY – The New York Armenian Students’ Association in
cooperation with the Columbia University Armenian Club, the Armenian
Network of New York / New Jersey Metro Area and Armenian National
Committee of New York is pleased to present Dr. David Grigorian,
who will discuss the current economic environment in Armenia.
The presentation will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30 PM at
the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs,
Room 1219.

David Grigorian is an Economist at the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) and a founding co-chair of the Armenian International Policy
Research Group (AIPRG), a Washington-based network specializing in
Armenia-related public policy issues. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics
from the University of Maryland and an MA in Economics from the
Central European University. His research and operational work at
the IMF focus on open economy macroeconomics, banking and capital
markets development, and economic development. Prior to joining the
IMF, Dr. Grigorian worked at the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia
Region, where he led banking and private sector development projects
in Central Asia.

In addition to providing a general overview of Armenia’s macroeconomic
performance in recent years and factors behind it, Dr. Grigorian
will focus on three key aspects of Armenia’s growth performance –
past and future – that have received little attention from the
policymakers in Armenia and the Diaspora: (1) sources of growth,
(2) sustainability of growth, and (3) income distribution. He will
provide an in-depth review of these aspects and offer recommendations
to mitigate any risks associated with them. A question and answer
session will follow the presentation.

The Armenian Students’ Association would like to thank St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral of New York,the Armenian General Benevolent Union,
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Armen Garo Gomideh, and the
New York University Armenian Hokee Club for their unconditional
support in planning this event. For more information about
the Armenian International Policy Research Group, please visit

For more information about the Armenian Students’ Association and
other events, please visit

###

EVENTS FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Thessaloniki, 18 April 2005 (16:30 UTC+2)

Macedonian Press Agency, Greece
April 18 2005

The recognition of the genocide committed by Turkey against the
Armenian people in 1915 demands the Armenian National Committee in
Greece which organizes a series of events in Thessaloniki on April
22-24 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Genocide.

According to a statement it has issued, the premeditated extermination
of the Armenian people living in the Ottoman Empire was launched on
April 24, 1915 and as a result a total of over 1,5 million Armenians
were slaughtered by 1918 in the regions of Van, Mus, Bitlis and
Erzerum.

The Armenian National Committee demands from Turkey to recognize and
condemn the Genocide, return to the Armenian people the territories it
occupies illegally, stop the systematic destruction of Armenian culture
monuments, end the isolation of Armenia and Karabach, stop arming
Azerbaijan and the actions that undermine the peace initiatives aimed
at reaching a fair and viable solution to the Nagorno-Karabach issue.

Azerbaijan to raise illegal excavations issue at PACE

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted April 18 2005

Baku, April 15, AssA-Irada — The issue on the illegal archaeological
excavations by Armenia in the occupied town of Shusha will be raised at
the April 25-28 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE).

A representative of the Azeri delegation at PACE Rafael Huseynov
says he has prepared a separate document on the matter to be further
submitted for discussion to the PACE committee on science, education
and culture.

Azerbaijan will try to achieve adoption of the document at least on
the committee level, said Huseynov.*

Rumsfeld Baku visit leaves questions behind
by Baku Sun 18/04/2005 09:42

Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005

BAKU – In a display of the Caspian region’s strategic importance to
America, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took time out from a
fast moving tour of America’s war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, to pay
a third visit to Azerbaijan Tuesday night, his first arrival in a year.

According to local reports, during his roughly three-hour visit
Rumsfeld met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Defense Minister Safar
Abiyev and addressed Azeri peacekeepers in Iraq and the current pace
of settlement talks regarding the Karabakh conflict.

While brief, the trip generated huge interest among Azerbaijani
media, with some reports calling the visit “shrouded in secrecy.”
Local analysts blamed the suspicion on recent international
speculation that the United States seeks to establish a major
military presence in Azerbaijan. The so-called Caspian Guard will
reportedly be headquartered in Baku and comprised of American
troops trained for rapid response missions for regional crises. The
guard is part of Rumsfeld’s overall strategy to re-craft America’s
overseas military units from bulky Cold War bases to more deployable
units flexible enough to put together different force packages for
different operations. While specific information on the unit is hard
to obtain, a recent report in the Wall Street Journal quoted Chief
of U.S. European Command, General James Jones addressing the U.S.
Congress about the guard. Jones said the U.S. plans to allocate some
$100 million to cover the guard’s first 10 years of activities.

The guard will reportedly be one of the U.S. European Command’s
10 posts, with the Caspian region included in its area of
responsibility. The command center will boast the most up-to-date radar
equipment and also focus on dealing with potential terror attacks on
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.

The center will boast the capability to assist the Azerbaijani
government in monitoring ship navigation related to Caspian oil
operations and also help the government’s battle against drug and
weapons trafficking.On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan
Reno Harnish reacted to questions about the guard by attempting to
cool rumors that Washington intended to position military forces
in Azerbaijan.

“Washington hasn’t any plans on the accommodation of any military
forces in Azerbaijan to safeguard the security in the Caspian,”
Russia’s news agency Interfax quoted Harnish as saying.

At the Airport

After meeting with American troops in Iraq, Rumsfeld arrived at
Heydar Aliyev International airport Tuesday where he met with Harnish,
General Abiyev, and Azerbaijan Ambassador to the U.S. Hafiz Pashayev.

Abiyev said he stressed to Rumsfeld the need for Washington to abolish
Section 907 to the Freedom Support Act.

The two also exchanged views on the peaceful resolution to the Karabakh
conflict, with Abiyev explaining that no considerable progress had
been made to settle the conflict. Abiyev noted that Armenia had not
given up its policy of aggression and continues to receive weapons
with the aid of its allies.

“The BTC pipeline will be commissioned shortly. However, the unresolved
status of Karabkh represents the greatest threat to the project,”
he said.

Rumsfeld said he met with Azerbaijani peacekeepers during his visit
to Iraq and thanked Abiyev for their outstanding service. He highly
valued Azerbaijan’s integration into Europe and stressed that the
U.S. backs Baku in this area.

After the meeting, Rumsfeld left Baku for Pakistan, where President
Ilham Aliyev had left for on an official mission earlier in the day.